Month: March 2014

Eagles Edge Lacklustre Roosters

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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What: NRL Round 4
Who: Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Result: Manly 8-0
When and Where: Friday, March 28  – Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 14,902
Match Rating: 7/10

80 Minutes in 80 Seconds:
The Eagles have done it again. Not even the loss of enforcer Glenn Stewart could stop the rampaging Sea Eagles who won yet another hard-fought battle. In a game where they dominated possession, with an 11-2 penalty count and 51% off possession, it’s hard to say they didn’t deserve it. The woeful completion rate of 17/33 didn’t offer any help for the Roosters either.  It was quite obvious why these two were in the grand final last year, and they picked up where they left off. Roosters fans will feel the refs were against them, and who can blame them, but standout performances from Daly Cherry-Evans and Steve Matai sealed the win.
Who Killed It:
It’s hard to go past Daly Cherry-Evans in this one. His brilliant vision, playmaking and never-say-die attitude has shaped him into the superstar he is today. His desperate try-saving tackle on Boyd Cordner in the fifth minute showed was outstanding and really set the tone for the Manly boys. Matai was also a standout, most notably having a hand in Cheyse Blair’s try in the corner through distributing a brilliant pass for the Extradited Eel to go diving over.

Who Stank It Up:
In a game where his team needed him to stand up, Michael Jennings found himself suffocated out wide. Jennings only made 8 runs for 50 metres. Although he finished with a solid 20 tackles, he didn’t offer that attacking genius he possesses, in which we have seen him tear backlines apart. Roosters’ fans will see the referees as the biggest mishap, but their lack of discipline was ultimately their downfall.

What Do I Need To Know:
One incident led to a huge blow for both sides with a Jared Waerea-Hargreaves high shot on Glenn Stewart landing both influential players in hot water. Waerea-Hargreaves was put on report for the shot that left Stewart dazed and requiring medical attention which ultimately led him off the field due to the new concussion guidelines. Given his record, Waerea-Hargreaves could struggle to get out of this one.

Look Up Ahead:
The hot and cold Roosters outfit takes on the Bulldogs, Friday night at home. The Sea Eagles play Wests Tigers in a classic Sunday afternoon fixture at Leichhardt Oval.

NRL Round 3 Preview Cowboys v Warriors

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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What: NRL Round 3
Who: Cowboys v Warriors
When: Saturday, March 22 – 8.00PM (QLD Time)
Where: 1300SMILES Stadium
I Can Watch It On: Fox Sports

Form guide:
Cowboys: WL
Warriors: LL

Things You Need To Know: Notoriously strong at home, the Cowboys will be coming into the match looking to bounce back from their disappointing Round 2 loss against neighbours Brisbane Broncos. The Warriors will be searching for some form following two big losses to start the season, both against slightly lacklustre line-ups of the Dragons and Eels. Cowboys’ enforcer Tariq Sims moves into the starting line-up, while Glenn Hall shifts back to the bench. The Warriors receive a massive boost in the return of rampaging winger Manu Vatuvei, while Sione Lousi joins the bench. Konrad Hurrell wears the number 18 jersey with Ben Henry (knee, round 10) and David Fusitua out of the side.

Reason To Watch: The Shaun Johnson factor. After a quiet start to the season, dynamic half-back Johnson is due to deliver one of his memorable standout performances for the Warriors this week. Johnsons attack leaves players, and spectators, speechless. His impact can be just what the Warriors need to overcome their losing ways. However, it really is going to have a standout performance, as the Cowboys at home are going to be one monstrous task to overcome

Reason To Turn Away: If you’re a NSW fan, the only thing you will take out of this game is seeing two rampaging, rival forward packs tearing shreds out of each other. Furthermore, there is also the fact that there will be some serious cross-town talent on display, with high-profile outsiders Johnathan Thurston, Shaun Johnson and Sam Tomkins all displaying their immense talent, that sadly, will never grace a New South Wales origin team.

Say What: “Shaun Johnson is a freak. He’s the reason why people come through the gates and if we are 5 or 10 per cent off our game, he will make sure we get beaten again.” – Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston as he prepares for his much anticipated duel with Shaun Johnson.

Final Word: Shaping up to be an absolute cracker of a match between two very exciting attacks, the X-Factors from each side are going to play a massive part in their team’s performance. Players like brutal forward Jason Taumalolo, who has been in remarkable form this season, and hard hitting back-rower Tariq Sims are going to have to do the dirty work in the middle for the Cowboys. Warrior’s marquee men Shaun Johnson and Sam Tomkins will need to link together, using their influence in attack to give their team a chance. Slightly favouring the Cowboys, with a home ground advantage and some steady on-field form they are looking just too tough for the Warriors, who will be playing their first game in North Queensland since Round 23, 2012.

http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/nrl-round-3-preview-north-queensland-cowboys-v-new-zealand-warriors/11550lb4s08ib1ebi182o62yu2

 

NRL Round 4 Preview Eels v Panthers

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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Things You Need To Know:
Following a nail-biting win over the Bulldogs, the Panthers will be looking to build on that momentum. The Eels have endured an interesting start; a strong win over the Warriors, a huge loss to the Roosters, and a heart breaking last minute loss to the Sea Eagles. Chris Sandow makes his return in place of Luke Kelly. Ken Sio comes in on the wing in place of Vai Toutai and Joseph Paulo moves into the starting side in place of Ben Smith. Mitchell Allgood makes his return on the bench. The Panthers only have one change with boom halfback Peter Wallace reforming his prosperous new partnership with Jamie Soward, in place of Isaac John.

Reason To Watch:
All eyes will be on Chris Sandow as he steps back into the spotlight in his return to first grade. Sandow will be put to the test against Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward. Look out for Fijian bulldozer Semi Radradra as well…just don't go getting in his way.

Reason To Turn Away:
If you’re an Eels fan, this one could be ugly. Although the Eels have been playing some exciting footy, and have some brilliant attacking options, their inconsistency could prove to be their downfall Sandow’s return from an eight-month exile, designed to ignite the Eels, also has the potential to de-rail their chances.

Say What:
"To see him (Sandow) back in first grade will be good for the whole team…I know he’s been working really hard on his game” Parramatta teammate Willie Tonga on $500,000 a season halfback Chris Sandow’s return to first grade.

Final Word:
Comparing the form of the two outfits this season, the Panthers are looking just too hard to beat. Their footy has been brilliant, both in attack and defence, and they are shaping up to be top four bolters. Who knows what the Eels will dish up this Saturday, but it's the Panthers for us. Penrith by 10.

http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/match-centre/314043/nrl

NRL Round 4 Preview Warriors v Tigers

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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What: NRL Round 4
Who: New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers
When: Saturday 29th of March – 3:00pm
Where: Westpac Stadium
I Can Watch It On: Fox Sports
Form guide:
Warriors: LLW
Tigers: LWW

Things You Need To Know:
Coming off a spectacular away win, the Warriors will be bubbling with confidence coming in to this match. The combination of Shaun Johnson and new partner Chad Townsend proved pivotal in their win last week. Thomas Leuluai comes on to the bench in place of Feleti Mateo, while damaging forward Sione Lousi moves into the starting line-up for the Warriors. Cory Paterson makes his turn to the NRL in place of the injured Liam Fulton. Tim Simona won't play but Chris Lawrence is back.

Reason To Watch:
Young dynamic playmaker Luke Brooks, and his partnership with fellow excitement machine James Tedesco will be one to keep an eye on in this contest. Brooks will be looking to show why he is one of the brightest prospects in the game, up against Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend.

Reason To Turn Away:
Highly dependent on the weather, fixtures in New Zealand can be hopelessly sloppy, and with the two sides having attack as their strength this match could be one continuing arm-wrestle over possession. Keep an eye on the forecast and find out if this one will live up to its expectation of being one of the great attacking showpieces.

Say What:
"It is like watching Langer and Walters together and some of the great combinations, they are on the same wavelength, they know what each other is going to do." Andrew Johns on the promising combination of Brooks and Tedesco, going on to say "I just hope they play their whole career out together."

Final Word:
With two extremely attacking line-ups going head to head, points on the board are almost a certainty. The Warriors at home are notorious for being difficult to beat, but they have proved to be very hot and cold this season, losing their first two matches by considerable margins and winning the one most expected them to lose. The Tigers showed last week they are no pushover, beating the Rabbitohs in a tough contest. This is an extremely tough match to pick, however the Warriors at home are hard to overlook. Warriors by 6.

http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/match-centre/314045/nrl

Eagles Clip Bunnies 14-12

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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What: NRL Round 2
Who: Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Result: Manly 14-12
When and Where: Friday March 14 – Bluetongue Stadium
Crowd: 15,120
Match Rating: 7/10

 

80 Minutes in 80 Seconds: Round two of the NRL season got off to a flier, with the Friday night blockbuster between the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs certainly delivering. The first ten minutes were extremely intense, with Manly’s barnstorming runs, crunching tackles and expansive attacking play putting the Rabbits on the back foot. However, the game soon turned very sloppy, with both sides turning over possession all too easily – onlookers would have been forgiven for thinking the ball was covered in soap. Despite coach Geoff Toovey branding his team “underdogs” coming into the match, the Sea Eagles came out flying, crossing over in the corner in the seventh minute through extradited Eel Cheyse Blair. After being kept quiet in an arm wrestle between two monstrous forward packs, the Rabbitohs finally crossed the line following a large break from flier Nathan Merritt, which ultimately led to a try for centre Beau Champion. As the momentum of the game shifted from side to side, not only due to the constant change of possession, but the tough battle in the middle, it was down to the great footwork of Jamie Buhrer breaking the Rabbitohs’ wall of defence and offloading to a free-running Cherry Evans to seal the game for the Eagles in the 64th minute. The match was the full package, with tensions boiling between the Burgess brothers and returning Eagles hard-man Jason King, referee controversies, and some of what we all love about the game so much – that hard-fought, blue-collar brawl between two gritty forward packs. Continue reading “Eagles Clip Bunnies 14-12” →

Fifita’s $850,000 Deal

Posted on by Sam Alexander
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Australian representative and Sharks destroyer Andrew Fifita is set to become the highest-paid prop forward in Rugby League’s 108 year history.

Continue reading “Fifita’s $850,000 Deal” →