2013 NRL - Official Discussion Thread

[TRF_melon]

A few newsworthy stories arose yesterday from the NRL world.

*******

Former Origin and one time test player Dallas Johnson has announced his retirement after deciding his heart was no longer in the game. Whilst many have suggested it would be his body which would give out due to his small stature and repeated concussions, he has declared his desire to move on and look for a new challenge.

As well as the above mentioned representative honours, career highlights include 157 games and four straight grand finals with Melbourne Storm, as well has a stint in England with Catalan Dragons and finally 64 games with the North Queensland Cowboys where he set a club record of 1006 tackles in a regular season, averaging 41.9 tackles per game.

Read the full story here.

*******

During St George's clash with the Rabbitohs on Monday night, veteran centre Matt Cooper suffered a season-ending injury in the form of a torn pectoral muscle which will require surgery and four months of rehabilitation. All this from the game in which he was returning from a lengthy stint on the sidelines from a foot injury!

Given his age of 34, it is likely he will call it quits.

As well has Johnson, he is a former representative player with 13 State of Origin games to his name and 7 test caps.

Read the full story here.

*******

Serial idiot Blake Ferguson has had his registration reinstated by the NRL after having it suspended on June 17 following repeated alcohol fuelled behavioural issues.

Whilst the NRL has given the all clear, it is unclear when Canberra will name Ferguson in their team.

Read the full story here.

 

[Amobokoboko]

[h=2]Warriors Leak New Signing[/h][h=3]NZ players go off early to celebrate news of English international's arrival[/h]

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Tags: Sam Tomkins, New Zealand Warriors, NRL

<small>Sam Tomkins Photo: Getty Images</small>
According to some Warriors players, English international Sam Tomkins has signed with the New Zealand Warriors.
Sam Lousi tweeted the news earlier today: "Welcome @samtomkins1 to the @NZWarriors just announced at this lunch."
The 24-year-old fullback comes with a massive reputation, some critics calling him the next Billy Slater.
Former English flyer Martin Offiah says he'll bring a lot to the Warriors.
"Apart from his skills and physical attributes, Sam is a winner,'' Offiah said, last month.
''He is a person who wants to test himself and, like most players, he wants to test himself in the best league in the world. He has won most things, the Man of Steel, Super League titles and the Challenge Cup. He will get to test himself in the World Cup soon, too."
Tomkins made his Super League debut in 2008 with the Wigan Warriors, playing 145 games. He has also played 19 tests for England.
More to come.
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[LittleGuy]

Wow HUGE pickup for the Warriors...Tomkins is a great player and a big loss for Wigan and Super League in general. This could really vault the Warriors to the next level, they;ve already started to recover this season. But this if true is massive.

 

[Amobokoboko]

The warriors beat the Storm, did somebody say play offs for the Auckland boys?

 

[UilamOsa]

The warriors beat the Storm, did somebody say play offs for the Auckland boys?

Not us Warriors fans....but we're thinking it...just don't want to jinx it...

 

[TRF_melon]

Benji Marshall played like absolute ass on the weekend. He made 4 runs for 19 metres and was lazy in defence. He's an embarrassment.

Although he has a lot on his plate on the moment and he's never been known to be a consistent player, but this is a new low.

He should be dropped again. The season is gone - give a young fellow a go.


With Souths nursing a few injuries and a slight lull in form, the Roosters are starting to firm as favourites after continued dominant performances. Sonny-Bill will be returning so they will only improve.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Didn't watch that much footie due to the Ashes but the Warriors had a close loss.

 

[TRF_melon]

Peter Wallace has announced his departure from the Broncos in order to return to his junior club at the foot of the mountains, Penrith.

He will partner Jamie Soward in the halves who is also a new signing.

Although not exceptional by themselves, as a duo they have the potential to be formidable considering their complimentary playing styles. Wallace will direct the Panthers around the park with precision whilst not providing too much creative play making, whereas Soward will take on the line and be a bit more flashy. Both have sound kicking games.

 

[TRF_melon]

Scott Prince will retire at the end of the season.

Courtesy of NRL.com

Former Test and Queensland halfback Scott Prince has announced he will retire at the end of Brisbane's NRL season.
After playing for four clubs over 16 seasons, plus representing Queensland and Australia, Prince says this is the right time to hang up his boots.
The 33-year-old started his career with the North Queensland Cowboys in 1998 and has had had two short stints with the Broncos as well as making his name with Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans.
It was at the Tigers, partnering Benji Marshall in the halves, where Prince achieved his NRL highlight, steering the team to the 2005 NRL premiership.
"It's been an incredible, massive journey and one I've been very honoured and proud to take part in," Prince said.
"Now is the right time and I've done all I can accomplish on the field."

 

[TRF_melon]

After a bit of wheeling and dealing between the two clubs, the Brisbane Broncos have signed Ben Barba on a 3 year deal equal to that he was on at the Bulldogs.

This is supremely important for the Queenslanders considering the impending departure of halves Peter Wallace and Scott Prince, as well as five-eighth/fullback Corey Norman.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Warriors still can make it to the play offs

 

[Amobokoboko]

And that was the season for the Warriors. Inconsistency does hardly pay off.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Hayne signed with the Eels and is staying there. I'm hoping they get out of their negative vibe and win some more games next season.

 

[LittleGuy]

Sorry for my inactivity lately(especially to Melon and Amo) but my hell season continues and I've been busy later than ever before...it's complete B.S. and I haven't had much time to caych games...I did catch the gut wrenching Cowboys loss a game I thought was going to be salvaged right at the end there but all for naught!! What about the Knights, what a darkhorse season, I think it will come to an end this weekend but what a run.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Roosters vs Sea Eagles grand final. I give the Roosters the advantage of winning it. Let the SBW saga continue

Highlights of this weekend games will be posted soon.

 

[LittleGuy]

The Sea Eagles showed some great heart with that fight back being 14-0 down I thought they looked out of the game, but it seemed the Rabbitohs put it into cruise control.

Hard for me not to pick a Roosters victory next week.

 

[UilamOsa]

Man - The Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs match was weird...great game but it was sort of a mix of the Bunnies Choking and Eagles showing true class. Didn't get to watch Roosters. I think Sydney would've packed out for either a Roosters vs Bunnies final or a Knights vs Eagles finals (1997 rematch) but they got two teams who no one really likes (anecdotal) apart from themselves.

Hope Roosters lose (keep SBW in NRL - where he just performs better) but want Manly to lose (I admire them, I just don't like them - Jamie Lyons is the best Centre in the game). NZ Warriors U20's in the finals at least!!!

 

[Amobokoboko]

[h=1]Pity, a true warrior leaving:


Packer leaves Vodafone Warriors[/h]
Prop Russell Packer is leaving the Vodafone Warriors after a mutual agreement to release him from his contract.
While he wasn’t off contract until the end of the 2014 NRL season, Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell said the Foxton-raised 23-year-old had an opportunity to continue his career in Australia.
Late last season Packer became the 21st player in the Vodafone Warriors’ history to make 100 NRL appearances for the club but his 2013 campaign was blighted by injuries which limited him to just nine games.
He was a foundation Vodafone Junior Warrior in the National Youth Competition’s inaugural season in 2008 and also went on to make his NRL debut early that year.
“While he had injury issues this year, Russell has given us good service in his six seasons after coming to the club as a young player with potential,” said Bell.
“We appreciate what he achieved with the Vodafone Warriors and wish him all the best as he looks to make a new start in the NRL.”
The 2008 season was into only its eighth round when Packer was promoted to make his NRL debut as an 18-year-old against Canberra, becoming Vodafone Warrior No 141 in the first of five NRL games that year.
The following season he played 20 times for the NRL side and proved to be one of the club’s more durable players in reaching the 100-mark at the end of what was only his fourth full first-grade campaign.
His form in 2011 earned him his Kiwi Test debut against Australia in Newcastle plus another appearance against England in the following Four Nations campaign in the United Kingdom.
Bell said Packer’s departure would open the way for other props to step up. He pointed out the Vodafone Warriors had other front row options in Suaia Matagi, Charlie Gubb, Sione Lousi and Sam Lousi as well as Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Albert Vete, who has recently been signed on a fulltime NRL contract for 2014.

 

[UilamOsa]

Pity, a true warrior leaving:


Packer leaves Vodafone Warriors


Prop Russell Packer is leaving the Vodafone Warriors after a mutual agreement to release him from his contract.
While he wasn’t off contract until the end of the 2014 NRL season, Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell said the Foxton-raised 23-year-old had an opportunity to continue his career in Australia.
Late last season Packer became the 21st player in the Vodafone Warriors’ history to make 100 NRL appearances for the club but his 2013 campaign was blighted by injuries which limited him to just nine games.
He was a foundation Vodafone Junior Warrior in the National Youth Competition’s inaugural season in 2008 and also went on to make his NRL debut early that year.
“While he had injury issues this year, Russell has given us good service in his six seasons after coming to the club as a young player with potential,” said Bell.
“We appreciate what he achieved with the Vodafone Warriors and wish him all the best as he looks to make a new start in the NRL.”
The 2008 season was into only its eighth round when Packer was promoted to make his NRL debut as an 18-year-old against Canberra, becoming Vodafone Warrior No 141 in the first of five NRL games that year.
The following season he played 20 times for the NRL side and proved to be one of the club’s more durable players in reaching the 100-mark at the end of what was only his fourth full first-grade campaign.
His form in 2011 earned him his Kiwi Test debut against Australia in Newcastle plus another appearance against England in the following Four Nations campaign in the United Kingdom.
Bell said Packer’s departure would open the way for other props to step up. He pointed out the Vodafone Warriors had other front row options in Suaia Matagi, Charlie Gubb, Sione Lousi and Sam Lousi as well as Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Albert Vete, who has recently been signed on a fulltime NRL contract for 2014.

He hasn't been happy for a while. And I must the say both the 20's and the Vulcans have guys that front it (just look at Matagi). All the best for him tho. I know that at the very least the Kiwi's will make big gains.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Pity the Junior Warriors lost. Now all hope is on the Roosters

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well done Roosters, what an insane game. That try by Jennings in the 73th minute, wow.
Quality.

 

[LittleGuy]

Fantastic game, possibly my favourite grand final ever. Well done to the Roosters they were the best team this year in NRL and deserve this, can't say enough about the Sea Eagles wun though either they were right in the game until that amazing Jennings try.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Indeed, curious what people will be saying about SBW. Playing for the Chiefs, their first Super rugby Title, playing for AB's WRC champs, playing for the Roosters NRL champs.

Off Topic: I managed to post the highlights of all 202 games. Quiet cool.