Loss of Reynolds no problem for Souths



Souths would have feared a different result when their playmaker left the field but they did enough to take the win.

Despite losing their halfback after 23 minutes of play, the Rabbitohs were able to put in a cohesive team performance to beat Manly 20-8 at ANZ Stadium in Friday Night Football. The Sea Eagles would have been groaning pre-match with the return of Greg Inglis, Isaac Luke and Glenn Stewart to the South Sydney line-up, but with the loss of Reynolds to a concussion injury they would have considered themselves a chance. South Sydney had other ideas, losing their half did little to slow them down.

While a number of errors dictated the state-of-play for much of the game, in which both teams weren’t able to take advantage of their opportunities, Souths took off at the beginning of the second half when a charging George Burgess run four minutes in had them flying downfield for their second try. Rising winger, Aaron Gray, threw a desperate pass from over the sideline back infield for Bryson Goodwin to finish the rushing play.

Just minutes later, Gray again found space during a Souths’ set-play that involved an early John Sutton kick to the winger who sped over the try line untouched to make it 14-4.

Stand-in kicker, Isaac Luke, was struggling with the boot and Manly were sniffing a comeback when Tim Grant gave away a penalty after 55 minutes in his own team’s half. The Sea Eagles took on Souths and Steve Matai got a free-run down the sideline to creep Manly back within a converted try.

The Sea Eagles had another couple of chances when they earned two repeat sets following touches from South Sydney players on last tackle kicks, but a Matai knock-on would deem the chances worthless.

In the 65^th minute, Luke Keary took a pass from Alex Johnston who had caught the five-eighths’ kick and Souths soon led 20-8 with 15 minutes remaining. The game would finish at that score with neither team able to cross the line again.

An athletic Greg Inglis tried to make the highlights reel with an acrobatic attempt to bat the ball back into the in-goal but a stray foot ruled him out of play.

Earlier in the game, Manly showed they were willing play some football, regularly spreading the ball and playing to each side of the field. It was working for them as they made fifty-plus metre sets, finishing with accurate kicks that had the Bunnies working hard to get out of their own half. But the Rabbitohs returned the ball with intensity each time pressing up through the middle with Isaac Luke leading the charge from dummy-half.

Dylan Walker was rocked by a classic one-on-one Jorge Taufua tackle after 13 minutes. Taufua planted his feet and picked up the running Souths’ centre, stamping him straight on his back. Not to be outdone, Manly’s hitman for the last decade, Steve Matai, buried South Sydney’s David Tyrell hard into the turf soon after.  
                                                                                 
If Manly were going to beat the Rabbitohs, they had to have an on-point kicking game and be willing to throw the ball around. They did both in the first half but a number of errors and the quick Souths’ tries after halftime left them with a dim result after last week’s positive win.

Man-of-the-moment, Kieran Foran, produced a mixed bag with some sloppy errors over-riding a quality kicking game and a few striking runs. The Manly half put a deft cross-field kick in that led to Sea Eagles’ first try, with Brett Stewart batting the ball back before it was spread wide for Peta Hiku to slide over virtually untouched in the corner.

The win pushes the Rabbitohs back into the top four, while Manly remain on the bottom of the ladder with a long way to climb as less than 100 days remain until the Grand Final.   

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... 

2014 NRL Season. Let's go!

Can Boom Rookies help North-Queensland to a maiden NRL title?

 
What a useless summer of sport we just witnessed. The cricket was more boring than a christening, the tennis wasn’t what it used to be and well soccer, is soccer. Nah to be fair, there were some highlights over summer, but you can feel the days getting shorter and the temperature slightly dropping, and this means only one thing... *Rock voice* - “Finally...  the footy, is coming back...... to your lives!!” A new season brings hopeful predictions, increased banter in the workplace and a whole heap of unknowns.  In what is sure to be another crazy season of Rugby League in Australia, I’ll begin with the ‘Jewell in the crown’ of origin.

At the conclusion of last year’s decider, we went to leave the slowly-emptying ANZ Stadium, I turned to my mate and said in my voice which now resembled a chain smoker of 40 years, make sure you remember this, take a look around, don’t forget this feeling. Smug Queenslanders chanting there catch-cry from the other end of the field, the distance between us and them somewhat resembling how far away the last blues win was. For the love of god, please win blues, end the rort. And if you don’t, sack Laurie and bring back the only bloke who could save our state from a decade of torment, the messiah of NSW origin, Gus.   

Now for the clubs, Firstly, the Roosters, their brand all of a sudden feels like the strongest and coolest in the comp. Look at their logo, go ahead, it's bold and bright. But will their rookie coach be able to win two titles, in just two seasons? If there is one thing they have, its depth. How are they under the cap? My favourite part of the 2013 season was seeing Sam Burgess steam-roll Sonny-Bill Williams in round 1, what a moment. Finally Burgess might truly become a great, notching premierships rather than perfect tens. Roosters, Souths, Thursday night... Ohhhhhh sometimes, I get a good feeling.
 
Although grudge match of the year, that belongs to round 22, Sunday 6:30 pm. Eels vs. Raiders, at TIO Stadium, in... Darwin. Who the hell scheduled that one? Parramatta are in their best position in 12 months, that is, without Ricky Stuart. No matter his reasons for going to Canberra, Stuart, who is a self-proclaimed ‘Players Coach’, let everyone associated at Parramatta down by walking out. Or did he do them the ultimate favour, saving them from 2 more years under Ricky Stuart.
 
The team I most want to see play this year, are the “Let’s gone Warriors”. Honestly, I have no idea what that sign was about, something to do with their horror run before a mid-season fight back last year, or Russel Packer’s fertilization of Suncorp Stadium. You would have seen Sam Tomkins in the nines, but seriously find some vision of the bloke from Super League, CAN get across the line. He reminds me of Dugan when he first came into the NRL with his slightly-lanky agile running and ability to get through a gap. Johnson-Tomkins combo please, with a side of kiss-blowing Konrad and the Manu ‘The Beast’ Vatuvai.
 
The Storm, The Dogs, The Eagles. All roll with passionate leaders and their Authoritative management styles. Will the Storm’s veterans continue to dominate, or will one of them fall to a season-ending injury which never seems to have happened. What will Des Hasler bring to the NRL buffet without Ben Barba? Surely to fly ‘under-the-radar’ but carry the siege mentality. Who blew more gaskets last year? The V8 supercars or Geoff Toovey. Manly fell short at the last hurrah in October but with Tony Abbot as their number 1 ticket holder, SPC beans might not be the only organisation the PM ensures stays at the top. I predict one of these authoritarian-led army’s to miss the eight, by injury, luck or form, one of the giants will fall.

 

Ah, the Queensland trio. Where to start... Will the Cowboys fire under a new coach? The fresh and exciting roll out of youngsters Felt, Bowen & co was an appetiser that left me searching for the main. If they can put it together with the mix of experience and youth, look out. Anthony Griffin’s made more changes at the Broncos than the missus would outfits before a Saturday night out. His decision to axe Thaiday as captain is ballsy. Justin Hodges won’t be back for a while, so Corey Parker is going to have to prove his worth alone. The Titans seemed to have a solid, but on/off year last season, and unless they’ve made significant improvement over the off-season, they may have some déjà-vu.

Dragons = Goneskies, Steve Price should be using his spare time to see if Mt Ousley or Bulli Pass is a quicker exit out of the Gong. Dugan does everything for them, someone else have a crack. The Tigers will be the most-quoted team to be having a ‘re-building year’ this season. Hopefully Potter holds Board-Voldemort at bay and casts up some wins from his book of spells e.g. Brooks, Simona, Sironen, Richards, Farah. The Sharkies were lucky beating the Cowboys in the finals last year and could have beat manly, but without their figurehead of Flanno, they might struggle this year.
 
The Knights and Panthers play each other in Round 1 and both have had interesting summers. Oldcastle, sorry... Newcastle have lost legend Danny Buderus and criminal Russel Packer. Bennet appears to be trying to buy a premiership with experience rather than digging in and developing talent. The Panthers couldn’t be more different, citing a five-year plan to develop their title-winning youth. Will Jamie Soward find that confidence that brought him a premiership ring, or have a holiday with the Windsor Wolves.
 

Thank the lord, religion is back on folks, The religion of Rugby League. Clear your schedules, fill your fridge, sign-up to your tipping comps, run your errands. Thursday night your year begins. 26 beautifully packed weekends, 3 Wednesdays each with more hype than a turn of a century and a finals series sprinkled on top where if your team makes the eight, anything truly is possible.

Enjoy!

Souths: What Now?

I’m looking at South Sydney’s line up for this Friday’s finals’ match against the Melbourne Storm and I’m seeing a team that may not win.

Has Maguire tinkered too much?

Ever since Michael Maguire walked in the door I’ve been praising his efforts. He took them to the preliminary final last year where they narrowly missed out on a grand final birth. Sitting in the stands watching them get rolled through middle, like a road train pummelling wildlife on a remote highway, when they lost to the Bulldogs, I saw a team who, with another season under Maguire, another off-season for younger players and some key signings, could win the competition in 2013. I believed this and wrote about it here http://maximus182.blogspot.com.au/

Twenty – thirteen began and Souths' bolted out of the gates. Bryson Goodwin was surprisingly solid, Adam Reynolds was benefiting from experience and developed a superior and accurate kicking game, George Burgess was playing like the monster he is, Ben Te'o was showing how the extra hard time Coach Madge gave him in the off season was playing off, GI become a pure leader, Monster 2.0 Thomas emerged. Souths’ were the complete package.

One thing that stood out was the hot potato game for a spot in the side. Captain Michael Croker couldn’t make the run on side, and later the entire team. True to Maguire’s hard line stance, he was prepared to cut players who didn’t perform even if the team won comfortably. Fair call, he was creating and holding down his culture of expectation and performance. Over the course of the year the side has changed considerably. Quality players of 2012 are now sitting on sidelines; some through injury, some through form.

I am concerned that Maguire has taken the culling of players a little too far and therefore messed with the structure of a side that gelled and flowed well. He is toying with a lot of youth and could be missing some experienced heads. My big worry since this transformation of the squad over the past 26 rounds has been there backline. It’s obvious they have a pack to unsettle and bulldoze through any other if they play well but every round I’ve waited for Goodwin or one of the Dylan’s to slip up. They individually haven’t had a bad or terrible game, but there game has been covered up by the brilliance of their forwards, halves and fullback. In big games, and they get no bigger than finals, you need try-scorers. Beau Champion, Andrew Everingham & Matt King currently lay idle in the stalls. Everingham blue on to the scene after sending Maguire a highlights package synced to ACDC’s Thunderstruck. He backed it up with 15 tries in 2012. A slick finisher who held his own under the high ball, and in defence. Champion was a prolific try-scorer with Souths’ in previous years but has played only 8 games this year. Languishing in NSW cup with the North Sydney Bears, Champion needs to be back in the side scooting down that right side where he belongs. He & Merritt are the two best try-scorers at ANZ stadium. Matt King has suffered 2 broken arms this year, but if right to go, his experience could prove invaluable.

Ben Lowe, Michael Croker and Nathan Peats also miss out for this weekend. I’m unsure about playing Luke Keary with so few NRL games under his belt. A fantastic talent sure, but is he the strike they need off the bench in the finals? Parramatta-bound Peats offers a different dimension to Isaac Luke at hooker and when you have Sutton & Reynolds set in the halves, Keary’s inclusion is either interesting or questionable. Luckily South Sydney has a second chance if they go down to the Storm this weekend, and if they do some of those missing out could return as Madge is sure to make changes. I still believe South Sydney can win the competition but I believe they are making it harder for themselves. But what do I know? I’m just Average Joe with a keyboard and thoughts. Although I  was 2 spots off in my prediction!

Bring on the finals!