The National Rugby League Thread

[Quo Vadimus]

I had recorded the 3rd game in the Origin series while I was out of town. Wow, that was damn entertaining stuff! High, scoring, high impact. Pity about that guy's leg! I couldn't watch any of the replays for fear of seeing something truly grotesque. Hope he can play next season.

As an American, I really see how our football developed out of rugby. I was able to understand what was going on at almost all times. Scrums are a Bit different, but, otherwise no problem. It's a shame that more matches aren't shown over here, because I would watch them.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

^ The player Jonathon Thurston should be back in 6 weeks they reckon. I remember 2009 finals were screened there, as bro commented on a Parramatta player (Fui Fui Moi Moi) to me. Not sure about last year, or currently this season. Maybe the finals will be screened again, as they start around early September.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, as I'm going to my first game since the grand final in 2009, mainly to see Nathan Hindmarsh's 300th game. Got around 8 hours of travel to get there.

 

[Jono]

This is one of the few weeks where I'll miss the Raiders' game. The Wallabies have their first hit out at 2PM Sunday as well and they are higher on my support list. I can't remember the last time Raiders won back to back against the Storm so I'm not exactly confident of a win. Dugan is meant to be back so it will be interesting to see how he goes. He wasn't played much this season, I don't think he's turned out for even half the games.

 

[Jono]

Not a good day, the Raiders got rolled 26 - 0, I won't be watching the high lights of that game.

Also Samoa created an upset, winning 32 - 23 against a second string Wallabies, not that it should be an excuse. The B side of the Tri and Six nation sides (save probably Italy and Scotland) should win against the 2nd tier teams. Samoa was paying $13 as the start, so there will be some very happy punters. Not a lot to read for the RWC, the starting side against South Africa will be very different next week even though SA has sent a side short on its top players, but if the Wallabies lose then as well it will not be a great sign. Though in 2003 the Wallabies were manhandled by the Boks, All Black and England in the lead up and still pushed the final to 100 minutes.

Off that and back to league. I wonder when the last time we had two back to back games go golden point? I'm pretty sure back in 2006 or 2007 that on the grand final day two of the lower grade finals including the under-20s went that way (I only remember that as the under-20s was Raiders vs Broncos and the Raiders won with a brilliant try in extra time). It would have been nice for Hindy to get the win, he's one of the genuinely good blokes of the sport.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

It would be awesome for Hindy to enjoy a win last night. It was a very close game, but still unhappy about the final few seconds. Life goes on.

 

[Jono]

Take that Dragons! Another year and another lose at Canberra. Only got to listen to the last 5 minutes and I'm looking forward to watching the highlights. In a season of disappointment the Raiders have managed to beat the top two teams, which will probably be the highlight of the season. It also gives a bit more of a buffer between the Raiders and Titans.

Dragons might have just kissed the minor premiership goodbye.

 

[Jono]

A pathetic display today by the Raiders against a great display by the Knights. The Titan's tougher run to the end might just save them from the wooden spoon. The sooner this season is over the better.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

^ The Eels were just as pathetic tonight against the Bunnies. I agree I'll be glad when the season is over. At the moment, got other things I want more. October shall be fun again.

 

[Jono]

The Raiders got smashed by the Rabbitohs this week. I feel sorry for the fans who go to the home games, they should ask the players to refund them their ticket costs over the tripe they've been served up by the team this year. Insert any of my several "gutless", "lack of heart", "pathetic" comments that litter this thread into here.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

I'll be glad when this season is over. The Eels didn't perform for the full 80 minutes again.

 

[Jono]

Raiders are marching towards a wooden spoon. I doubt they'll win any of their last two games.

Also Alan Tongue announced his retirement at the end of the season last week. Sad to see him go he's been a good stalwart for the Raiders over the years. He had a year to go on his contract but he feels its time to go, that he'd be more of a burden to the team and he has had a hard time with injuries there last two seasons. Fatty has enjoyed saying that if he was a Queenslander he'd have played 20 SOO, while that is obviously a hyperbole I do think he was pretty unlucky never to get a NSW call up in his career. He was a good player and a good bloke.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Well, if the Eels next week ... it's ours. Very disappointing game tonight. Injuries have hurt this year.

 

[Jono]

1 point lose to the Panthers at home. Not the send off they would have liked for Tongue's final home match, but he got a try which is a bit of a consolation.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Saw some highlights of what happened with the Manly - Melbourne. All those players and fines are deserved. But the ref has some blame, but reckon Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair won't play another NRL game this year.

 

[Jono]

A fitting ending to the Raider's season with another loss. Only for and against saved them from the wooden spoon. Over the off season they have to do something about the left side defence, it's about as potent as Quade Cooper.

Alan Tongue's last game and it was very decent of the Bulldogs to present him with a game ball given they are also celebrating the retirement of Andrew Ryan. Not sure how many other teams would show that level of consideration and consciousness of an opposing team.

Well, time to really look forward to 2012. I'd say the Raiders couldn't do any worse, but they only finished second last so they could do worse. Campo coming back should sure up the team and add experience to the backline which has been missing with him out, Monaghan leaving and Orford failing (I read they are looking to offload him, don't know why they signed him for more than one year). Hopefully the injury gods will be kinder on the Raiders next year and they can give the top 8 a real crack.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

I'm glad that the Eels didn't get the wooden spoon, but it was a very disappointing season. Bring on 2012. Depth was a problem in the backs was a problem during last few months. Plus the recruitment earlier of some aging players wasn't good either. But for next season looks much more promising.

 

[Jono]

Bringing this back from the dead because of the 4N England vs Aust. League has far less top quality internationals than Union, but this game was the test of the year so far. England had some tough decisions go against them (maybe if they adopted the 2 refs system it might have been different), it was a good test compared to last year where the English were dead ducks in Australia. Shame that 9 is highly unlikely to show Eng v NZ, because that should be a real cracker with both sides fighting for a spot in the final.

It hurts to credit Thruston, but he has to be one of the best goal kickers in League and Union. He gets them from everywhere consistently.

On the commentary, I have experienced what QLD fans experience with Gus commentating the SOO with the bias, it was over the top.