The predicaments of Pearce & Paul

Gallen and Pearce during Wednesday night's humiliation against Queensland. Both player's futures in the Origin jersey are clouded.

The New South Wales captain, Paul Gallen, and halfback of 2015, Mitchell Pearce, both find themselves in curious predicaments following Wednesday night’s loss to Queensland. Gallen is nearing the end of a polarizing career that has spanned almost 15 years at the top level of Rugby League. Pearce is in the middle of his career, at the claimed prime position of the average ten year window Rugby League players are said to have in the game. Both players have recognitions and awards for what they have done on the football field but they are facing intriguing situations that will have path-determining effects on their future in Rugby League.   

The might of the Queensland State of Origin team over the last decade has had a significant influence on both Paul Gallen and Mitchell Pearce. They have continually had to turn up and be defeated and at times humiliated by the power of the future-immortals led Maroons side. I

n what must be a soul-deflating couple of months each winter, Gallen has played in nine origin series’ since 2006. He has won only once. Without disrespecting Gallen, that is an incredibly sad record to hold. He must have felt so much pain over that length of time, year after year coming away with nothing. It appears Gallen developed through this time a feeling that everyone was against him, with Queensland often getting the rub-of-the-green on contentious game-defining decisions that would break the motivation and soul of the New South Wales side.

Playing with Cronulla, who are often considered to be a shambolic club that haven’t won anything, ever, and that realistically, not too many people care about, has not helped this feeling of being ripped off, under the pump, written off and soul-sucking sense of losing, or not getting anywhere. Gallen is, or used to be, one of the most penalized players in the competition. He would always seem to give away a penalty just as his team was making progress in a game, and just about every time he would argue the penalty with the referee. He is often seen in pleading arguments with the men in the middle, rarely does he accept he gave away a penalty at a key part of the game. At times, it appears it’s everyone else’s fault, but Paul Gallen’s.

He is now in some form of limbo as he has not yet signed an NRL contract with Cronulla for next season. Wanting a one year deal for the 2016 season, Gallen was at the center of controversy once again before game three after his club coach, Shane Flanagan revealed Gallen wouldn’t be playing Origin next year. While Gallen would have loved to have made this public after a NSW series win, he was thrown under the bus by his coach and had to dispel Flanagan’s comments as wishes rather than fact.

Whether Gallen does play origin next year or not, his commitment in a long and loyal 15 years at Cronulla has earned him a contract at the Sharks but in signing him for just one year, are Cronulla risking future player development and future salary cap maneuvers. If you’re going to sign someone for one year, wouldn’t it be with the hope they could actually help you win a premiership? While Gallen can obviously genuinely do this, the Sharks just don’t have the roster to make this a reality.

But with some of the most talented juniors in the country on their books and titles at youth level, maybe it is time for the Sharks and Gallen to go their separate ways. A transition from Gallen’s leadership and a fresh start may just be what the Sharks need after some tumultuous years.  Whether it is next year or the one after, it’s going to happen eventually.

Gallen has stated before he would love to play overseas in the English Super League and with the door now open for big money deals in the Northern Hemisphere competition via a marquee player signing exemption from the salary cap, the Cronulla and NSW skipper would be ideally suited to guiding a club in Nothern England. A hard, passionate and determined player, Gallen would thrive in the growing Super league.

Pearce, has probably just reached the end of his representative career at origin level. He made his debut at the age of 19, returned for a stint two years after, and then played for three years straight before being dropped for last year’s series. Strangely, he was given another chance by NSW coach Laurie Daley this year despite the only Blues series win coming without Pearce in the side. With huge pressure on the Roosters halfback to finally deliver, or at least play a hand in, a Blues series victory this year, it was always going to be a tough ride for the now 26-year-old son of Rugby League legend, Wayne Pearce. After going missing when the Blues needed someone to step up in game one, Pearce put in a solid performance in game two and many began to think this could finally be the time he would get the egg of his back. But with the Blues steamrolled on Wednesday night, and Pearce having little to no impact, it will surely be the last time the halfback is seen on a State of Origin field. Unbelievably, is has no become clear that Pearce directed a barrage of banter at legendary halfback Jonathan Thurston during the first two games. For a bloke who was questionably given another chance in that arena, Pearce clearly didn’t understand the concept of going quietly about your business and letting your actions and results speak for themselves.

But that doesn’t mean the end for Mitchell Pearce, who is a premiership winner after being part of the 2013 Sydney Roosters side. It was in this year that Pearce recovered strongly from his origin loss and ultimately dumping. He was part of a club that was transformed under rookie coach Trent Robinson, led by a revival both on and off the field that saw the players coming together through strict dietary, personal and social sacrifices. Many of these inspired by the elite athlete and unique individual that is Sonny Bill Williams. There is no doubt the influence of Williams would have helped Pearce reach the highest achievement in the game.

Pearce should return to club football, and focus on nothing but that for the rest of his career. Manly players have has wonderfully successful careers at club level and missed out on being a representative star. One halfback that Pearce could consider echoing is former Titans halfback, Scott Prince. Prince was a premiership winner at the Tigers, but never went on to feature in representative teams. Despite this, he played 300 games, was captain of two clubs and won a Clive Churchill medal. On top of this, he was one of the most humble and likeable players in the game.

Pearce will no doubt continue his playing career with the Sydney Roosters for many years to come, and will quite possibly achieve more success at club level, but for now it looks like he won’t be found in a representative side. But this presents enormous opportunity for Pearce to show what he is truly made of, and chance for a determined fightback. But barring leading the Roosters into a Grand Final, it’s difficult to see him playing State of Origin again.

Gallen faces some tough personal decisions on his playing future, and with the Cronulla Sharks his career club, it’s hard to see him accepting an NRL contract with any other club. He will either be given and accept a deal at the sharks or shift abroad. His future with the NSW side will also be at the forefront of his future in the NRL, if he had of won the series on Wednesday night, he probably would have stepped away from Origin and dedicated himself to the Sharks for a final year. But no one likes to go out a loser and if he plays in the NRL next year, it’s likely he’d have another crack with the Blues. That is, if the coach decides to select the ageing forward.

As always in Rugby League, only time will tell.

 

SBW & Sam - The last time

Tonight, two of Rugby League’s modern day greats go into their final battle, for the very last time. After 80 minutes, or potentially even more, one will exit the game forever; the other will have an opportunity at premiership glory.

Round 1, 2013

The image that optimises the two behemoths that are Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams, is the ‘welcome back’ gift Sam delivered SBW in round 1, 2013. With SBW returning from a 5 year stint in Rugby Union with so much hype he had his own voice narrate his call up off the bench, Sam Burgess demanded the ball as soon as he spotted SBW in the line, and in one run showed the world that no longer was SBW in the game he left as the world’s best. Straight over the top of the Roosters back-rower like a bull over a backpacker in Pamplona. The way both men play the game is with absolute ferocity, leaving nothing in the tank. SBW no longer relies on the shoulder charge, but with a refined game still delivers the ultimate punch to opposition forward packs. Sam plays the game so hard; he missed numerous games in his first two seasons in Australia. His approach has not changed and he will be the one out their tonight for South Sydney looking for the first hit up or tackle.

The two men have taken drastically different paths to their current point in the NRL. They have had clouds hang over their heads, chips on their shoulder, and obstacles to overcome. The way they have taken on these journeys has seen them become the men they are today, and provide a valuable insight into why they are the players they are.

SBW’s exit from the Bulldogs sent him overseas to French Rugby Union and put simply, earned him the title of Rugby League’s biggest dog. The walk out left him with few friends in the game or country, and was probably a driving force for his success in Rugby Union. A world cup winner and Super Rugby Champion with the Chiefs, SBW also became a devoted Muslim during this time adhering to the strict lifestyle of the faith. It appears though, SBW always knew he would have to one day return to the game that made him and help restore his reputation. That came in the form of a handshake with Roosters boss Nick Politis. Uncle Nick knew what Williams could bring to a club that for so long had been rife with a loose culture in a city of distractions. The story of Sonny Bill turning up to the first training session with a notebook ready to take notes was a strange one to old Rugby League heads, but an indication of how professional he had become. Being such a strong personality and carrying the aura he does, he almost single handily reformed the culture of the Roosters through his actions alone. Combined with new direction of well schooled Head Coach Trent Robinson, and the holistic approach to health and fitness from Strength Coach Keegan Smith the Roosters finally got off the booze and took the game to a new level. Ultimately resulting in a premiership for the tri-colours, an astounding achievement considering they had a rookie coach, almost half a team of new players and where they ran the year before. SBW’s year in 2014 has seen some solid performances, but he hasn’t had that class and domination of last year in recent weeks. Many will be waiting for him to explode tonight.

Sam’s ride to his third successive NRL preliminary final began in Northern England, where he played for the Bradford Bulls as a teenager. In this time while establishing himself as bucking young forward, he also cared for his father before he sadly passed away, often carrying his dad up the stairs to his bed in their Yorkshire home. If that doesn’t make you grow up quick, nothing will. Ironically dubbed in 2006 as “England’s Sonny Bill”, Burgess went on to establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Super League and made eye catching appearances for Great Britain and England. Soon the prodigy would be courted by South’s’ owner Russell Crowe and convinced to come to the NRL. In 2009, Rusty gained Burgess' signature and promised South Sydney fans the greatest signing since his takeover of the club. On the day Burgess made his debut at the historic Redfern Oval for a pre-season trial, the gladiator presented Sam with a membership card and number with his father’s name on it. The relationship Russell built with Sam was key to signing him, and has been key to his performances for the foundation club ever since. Burgess has now been at the forefront of the game for 4 years, coming onto the scene with a ripping game for the All Stars in 2010, holding nothing back when slamming the Preston Campbell into the ground and looking for heads straight after. His highlight real ever since is endless, and the shoulders, runs and hits have been felt long after by those he’s come up against. After falling just one game short of the Grand Final for the last two years, Burgess realised the need to knuckle down and has finally kept out of the social pages, focusing purely on football in what will be his last year. It’s no coincidence that by keeping quiet this year, he is genuinely in the running for the Dally M.

With their teams having not played against each other in a finals game for 76 years, and cross city rivalries that go back to 1908, no player will want to leave the field tonight after losing. Whatever the case, both players have become greats in their own rights, and will be remembered forever at their famous clubs. This final, epic showdown between these two powerhouses will be one for the ages, and provides one of the most tantalising build ups to a game in recent memory. Will Sam finally complete his journey down under and take South Sydney to within 80 minutes of their first premiership in 43 years? Or will SBW carry the Roosters to another title, becoming one of only a select group to have won 3 NRL titles in their career. Honestly, if you call yourself a Rugby League fan and you’re not at ANZ stadium tonight to see this clash the game has been waiting for, take a good hard look in the mirror. What a showdown and fight this is going to be. Some say the grand final has come early, but Rugby League has a funny way of throwing up the unexpected. What will tonight bring?

The two greats rivalry... 

Wayne (Bennett) Enterprises

Is Wayne trying to save the world? His loyalty is holding him back

According to reports, Wayne Bennett’s decision to leave the Newcastle Knights at the end of this season came as a surprise to his players. Whilst they may shocked, much like myself, many fans of Rugby League wouldn’t be. To his credit, he came to the conclusion that his ‘results’ were not up to par, and if he was a coach at any other club he would most likely have been sacked by now. The disappointing thing about this notion is that Wayne leaves Newcastle high and dry, now stuck with the roster he brought in and little or no success from the Tinkler-funded Bennett era.

When he road into town, Bennett was the most prolific coach in the game and had achieved a dominate, and successful period holding the reins at St. George Illawarra. Tinkler wanted nothing but the best, and in reality, he got it. Many talked up the Knights' chances to win multiple premierships; success, it seemed, was on the doorstep. Wayne made some key signings in bringing Darius Boyd, Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott with him from the Dragons. Combined with the sound and solid performers already at the Knights of Mullen, Gidley & Uate, things were looking pretty. Eventually Dane Gagai, Willie Mason and Danny Buderus would join the fold. These, all major, and worthwhile signings.

But something went wrong along the lines with Wayne’s plans and ambitions for the team. Was it the overarching influence of Tinkler’s craved success? Or Wayne’s willingness to give players a second chance? Tinkler had shown he wouldn’t put up with mediocrity in his thoroughbred pursuits, and although Wayne would never reveal if the pressure was there, surely this impacted some of his decisions on team signings. Craig Gower, Michael Dobson, Travis Waddell and Joseph Leilua were all given opportunities at the Knights. Was this to have depth in the squad? We all know what happened with Russell Packer. He was a renowned bad boy and Wayne signed him with the idea of turning him around. Sometimes you can't help and save them all.

It appears from the outside looking in, Wayne tried to ‘buy’ his way to a premiership, rather than dig in and develop the squad from within. He took a short cut, whether subconsciously forced by the need for success, or it was his genuine mistake. In his first year, he rid the club of 15 players, but brought home Timana Tahu and Kade Snowden, along with many others. The club was cruelled by a Kurt Gidley shoulder injury and eventually ran 12^th with 10 wins from 24 starts. In 2013 the team began to reveal itself with some impressive displays throughout the season, but they flirted with those watching if they could become serious contenders. They had a mixed run into the finals and with wins over the Bulldogs in week one, and the Storm in Melbourne the week after, many started to wonder if Bennet had finally put it together. But the game in Melbourne was their grand final, it was a great achievement but they were never going to beat the Roosters, even if Buderus hadn’t gone done. Finishing in the final 4 almost felt like and overachievement, and hid the cracks in the squad and plan. Experienced heads can get you so far, but it’s raw, long developed and often youthful talents that will win you a premiership.

With much optimism after the high finish in 2013, the Knights turned up at the Auckland nines, with a fresh energy but were once again dealt a bad hand when Jarrod Mullen walked off with a hamstring injury. You can look at this as the first part of the Knight’s 2014 season derailing. The loss of Danny Buderus left a huge hole, both positional and in guiding the team. Further injuries to Gidley, the Alex McKinnon situation and the Tinkler demise would all prevent the team from starting any season momentum.

Whilst I believe Wayne’s time at St. George Illawarra was different, he still stuck to a plan of developing many players the club already had on board. He knew it was 2-3 year plan to achieve a premiership, and built towards that. He made players big names, rather than bringing in a list of stars. His time at the Knights has shown he was in a hurry to achieve success, and as this year has proven, things just didn’t fall into place. In many ways it’s easy to look at Wayne’s decision to leave the club as a ‘walk out’, but in retrospect, it’s probably the best thing for the club. After a tumultuous year, it’s time for the Knights to return to their former coach of Rick Stone, and build a team based on the club’s roots, being working class underdogs. Darius should be bought the first bus ticket out of town, and some players put on notice. One positive is the significant investment the Tinkler regime made in junior development, with both Johns’ brothers citing the talent that will eventually trickle into to first grade. Maybe Wayne knew this talent was coming, but wouldn’t be ready for a few years which led to the route of trying to buy success.

Wherever he goes next should be aware of his allegiance to Darius Boyd and giving players another crack, because it’s hindering him as a coach. He may be a father figure for Darius but everyone has to grow, and neither will do that if they don’t experience something different. There are now a number of coaches in the NRL who have worked hard, searching far and wide on their coaching journey to become more knowledge and better than those before them. Maybe Hasler, Robinson and Maguire have the new tricks that Bennet is now missing.

Have the rest really caught up to the supercoach? Where would South Sydney be if Bennett had accepted Rusty’s offer instead of Tinkler’s? Will Wayne head home to the Broncos or will the smoky of the Gold Coast Titans snare his services? Does Karmichael Hunt fit into the decision somehow?

God love Rugby League.

Chad Reed's Win 22 Races In The Making.

 

Numbers have an ironic way of having far greater influence on sport than they ever should. Take the story of Michael Jordan’s famous number 23 jersey. Jordan returned from a stint in baseball to continue his basketball career with the Chicago Bulls wearing number 45, not number 23 which he wore to 3 consecutive NBA titles. 5 games into his comeback, Jordan had a poor game against the New York Knicks, where one of his opponents suggested after the loss that he ‘no longer had it’. Jordan returned the next night wearing number 23, dominating the Knicks in rampaging style scoring 55 points. He would go on and claim 3 more NBA titles.

 

Last night at the 3rd round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, Chad Reed claimed an emotion-fuelled victory 22 races after he won his last. It was a determined ride that saw the veteran charge past the best in the world to breach the chequered flags first.

Chad Reed celebrates at Angel Stadium

The series returned for the second time this year to Anaheim with round 1 having been held at Angel Stadium two weeks earlier. All the big names were on deck, series leader Ken Roczen, defending champion Ryan Villipoto, quickest-qualifier Ryan Dungey, and two-time champions, and now veterans, James Stewart and Chad Reed. Considered the five riders in the mix for the championship, the last two rounds have seen almost all both crash, and lead a race at some point.

The race began with Dungey claiming the hole shot and surpringsly, the whole field navigating their way through the tight first-turn of the Anaheim track. Quickly disposing of the rest of the field, the ‘top 5’ would find themselves holding the corresponding positions, one through five. Dungey and Stewart in first and second, Roczen and Villopoto battling for third and fourth, and Reed, tailing, but seemingly hiding in fifth. The early part of the race would focus on the Roczen-Villopoto battle. Interesting given the unstoppable Villopoto this year let young Roczen use his trainer and train on the same tracks. Roczen, who’s showing blinding speed in his first season in the 450 class, passed his training partner, which set off the aggressive Villopoto who would fight back for his third position.

Dungey had led right up until lap 8, where he crashed on the same corner he went down on earlier in the night. This gave James Stewart the lead and Villapoto second. Stewart had been unlucky last time the AMA Supercross series came to Angel Stadium in Round 1, where he had climbed to the front of the pack and was looking likely to win only to have a heavy fall on a whoops section. Villopoto would continue to charge and eventually on lap 15, in typically aggressive style, he tried to block pass Stewart on a corner only to come off second best. Stewart was lucky not to go down himself with his boot appearing to nearly catch in the forks of his competitor.

With only 5 laps to go, Stewart could be forgiven thinking now he was sure to claim what should have been his two weeks earlier, a maiden race victory for the year. Enter ‘Two-Two Motorsports’ Chad Reed. That’s right, number ‘22’. Seemingly sitting quiet back in fifth earlier in the race, Reed had now watched Dungey eliminate himself from the calculations, rode around Villopoto who was face down in the dirt after smacking into Stewart, and stormed passed Roczen. Reed was now blitzing with pace and confidence aboard his self funded bike and tearing down on Stewart in first. On lap 18, Reed would pass Stewart, in what must have been devastating for the race leader being so close to victory. The Australian would ferociously hammer around the track and take the race win with both hands in the air over the finish line jump. It appeared Reed was destined to win bearing that number 22 race plate in the inspiring race.

Commentators were awash with excitement about the race that had just unfolded and were ecstatic to note how emotional the win would be for Reed. Reed’s story is remarkable given he is in the third year of self-funding his entire race team without the backing of a bike company. Considered impossible by those in the industry just 3 years ago, Reed went solo after being fed up with different agenda’s and restrictions of being on a manufacture-backed race team. Effectively pouring millions of dollars into his racing, the Kurri-Kurri product has taken a massive risk and obviously backs his ability given his age and considering he suffered a season ending ACL tear last year. Claiming his first victory in 728 days was an emotional moment for the Aussie, as he celebrated riding around the track, continually dropping his head showing what it meant. Showing his humility, and value of the sponsorship dollar, he rode to a particular fence advertisement, positioning his bike right next the ‘Discount Tyres’ (his team sponsor) sign for the perfect photo as he celebrated standing a top of the fence in front of 40,682 fans. 

Post race Reed said that it was the levelling assessment of his disappointed son last round where finished back in the field that ignited his determination. “Yeah he told me, Aw man you’re slow”. If the simple words of a 3 year old son are all it took for Reed’s determined win, the AMA Supercross field better look out. Reed was happy for close friend, now veteran, and also two-time champion James Stewart to take second place given his up and down form in recent times, “It was kind of retro, me and him out there, clean racing which was nice, and hopefully we can do that and put us two up on top”. Asked if he was a championship competitor this year, Reed sharply quipped, “Always have been, when I’m riding like this, I’ve always been one. I believe I can be and that’s why I continue to spend millions of dollars racing”. With Reed’s fire now still burning the rest of the series is sure to be hotly contested with the top five in the points standing only separated by 5 points.

Good luck to Reed who moved himself to the other side of the world many years ago to compete against the best in the world. Now he is continuing to beat the Americans as a 31 year old self funded veteran, at their sport.

Chad Reed, number 22.