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NORTHERN EAGLES star recruit Ben Walker has declared he wants to become a free agent if the club cannot guarantee his future by the end of the month. Walker, who transferred from Brisbane in a two-year deal this season, said yesterday the financial instability of the Eagles had left players worried they would be left without a club next year should the joint venture collapse. "It would be nice to get an answer, yes or no (that the club will survive), but they can't do that, so it would be fair to release us as free agents so we know we could have a contract to go to," Walker said. "It gives us a chance to look elsewhere and try and find a club. "It is a tough situation. If the club is around next year, then we will be staying, but if you're not too sure if they're going to be there, it is a bit hard to stay loyal, I guess." Walker was supporting the stance of the Rugby League Players Association, which has sent a letter to the club requesting the players be released on July 27 if the Eagles are unable to solve their financial problems. Eagles and NSW back-rower Steve Menzies also backed the idea. "We support the players association. It's a bit worrying for most of the guys, they've got families and mortgages, and if they wait too long to decide their future, they may not have any options," Menzies said. Eagles chief executive Graham McNaney said he was still waiting to discuss the issue with the RLPA, and did not want to comment any further. The club may well know its future by July 27, as it is currently exploring two final options as its bail-out packages. Walker has been linked with English club Wigan, which released Matthew Johns on Wednesday.
THE axing of Brisbane Broncos teenager Justin Hodges was not retribution for joining another club, coach Wayne Bennett said today. Hodges was relegated to a Broncos feeder club in Toowoomba for the rest of the season after signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Roosters. Bennett said the decision to take 19-year-old out of the Broncos stable was based on the best interests of the club. "Justin informed us that he had signed with Eastern Suburbs (Roosters)," Bennett told ABC Radio today. "I don't have a problem with that - it is every player's right to do that. "But when he made that decision I had to make another decision. "Justin is a young player. We have taken him from a schoolboy player to a $200,000 player in three years. "I felt that his continuing to play in the NRL was denying other young players an opportunity. "I based the decision on what the club's needs are - not on Justin's. "The club needs to get other players to take jobs. It's not based on anger." Bennett said players such as Wendell Sailor has shown great loyalty to the club and all players need to recognise loyalty is a "two-way street". "(Sailor's) had bigger offers to go somewhere else and stayed here ... now he wants to move on and that is fine but he has given us a lot and I feel we need to give him something in return," he said. "At the moment we have given Justin a lot. "There is an opportunity for him to give us something back in return - he doesn't see that as what he wants to do here. "He wants to do it somewhere else. But I want to reward other young men who train just as hard as he does with the opportunity then to get that position in the club because Justin won't be here to fulfil it." Hodges, the man touted as the replacement for rugby union-bound Sailor, was left devastated by Bennett's decision. It is a decision which threatens to drive a wedge into the team, with players left stunned or angry at the way Hodges was dumped. Sailor is believed to be furious about Bennett's actions and at least one member of the coaching staff indicated he is against the hardline stance. "The boys have been ringing me all day, saying they're sorry about what happened in the (dressing) sheds before training," Hodges said. "I feel heartbroken because all I wanted to do was win a grand final with Brisbane." Hodges' best mate, Test winger Lote Tuqiri, said he thought it was "a gee-up" when he heard the news. "I hope Justin doesn't spend the rest of the year in the Clydesdales," he said. The Hodges three-year, $600,000 deal with the Roosters so angered Brisbane they have severed all contact with his manager Jim Banaghan. One of Banaghan's other young charges at the club, forward Corey Parker, has been warned he will suffer the same fate as Hodges if he does not come to terms immediately. Roosters recruitment head Arthur Beetson described the Broncos ultimatum as "Al Capone stuff" and accused the club of underpaying players. "Most of their players are grossly underpaid and grossly under-represented," Beetson said. "They have managers who will not do anything to the detriment of the Broncos. "It's a bit sad, but it doesn't surprise me that they dropped Justin. Bennett has spat the dummy and taken his football home. This will cost the club a lot of support." Hodges told Bennett on Tuesday night he had decided to accept the Roosters' offer because he wants to play fullback, and he feels he has no chance at the Broncos with Darren Lockyer there. Yesterday morning at training, Bennett told the players of Hodges' decision and when Hodges tried to go on to the field with his team-mates Bennett stopped him. "Wayne told me I didn't need to worry about training because I was no longer in the top 25," Hodges said. "He said to report for training with Toowoomba the next day at three o'clock." The Broncos issued a statement maintaining the club had made Hodges a substantial offer and emphasising the club's appreciation for the young players who had shown loyalty. "If we had matched, or even come close to the financial offer we believe the Roosters made to Justin, this young man would have been receiving more than many of our season 2001 Origin and Test debutants," said Broncos managing director Shane Edwards. Some of those players are believed to be on as little as $120,000 a year. Edwards said it is common knowledge in league circles the Broncos had a running battle with Banaghan over a number of issues, and with a number of players. Banaghan said the Broncos are embarking on "one big act of revenge", but he is not a puppet of Edwards or Bennett. "They're acting like spoilt brats," Banaghan said. "They are not getting their way, so they go and shoot the messenger. "It was no problem for them when they took Scott Prince from the Cowboys, Gorden Tallis and Anthony Mundine from St George and Glenn Lazarus from Canberra." Banaghan claimed one of the incentives offered to Hodges to stay in Brisbane was the chance to have free drinks to the value of $200 a week at a city nightclub. Another of Banaghan's players, P J Marsh, signed with New Zealand Warriors last week even though he had been earmarked as Parramatta's long-term halfback.
Following the rejection yesterday by three leagues clubs of another request to provide more money for the Northern Eagles, the cash-strapped joint venture now faces a new ultimatum from its players - guarantee their contracts by July 27 or make them free agents. North Sydney Leagues Club president Jim Henry, his Manly Leagues Club counterpart Ken Arthurson and Central Coast Leagues Club boss Ray Maher met National Rugby League officials David Moffett, Malcolm Noad and David Gallop yesterday to discuss extra funding for the Eagles. But club chairman Ian Thomson later revealed the situation hadn't changed. Players Association chief executive Rob Lawson said a letter had been drafted asking the Northern Eagles and the NRL to guarantee the players be paid in full for the remainder of the season. If not, the PA believes all Northern Eagles players should become free agents at midnight on July 27 and be exempt from the salary cap next season. "The Rugby League Players Association is still very hopeful that good people like Ian Thomson and [chief executive] Graham McNaney can keep the Northern Eagles afloat because that's in the best interests of the game," Lawson said. "But because of the volatility of the situation and what's happened in the past, we feel that we must act now to ensure that there is no repeat of what happened at the Warriors." Thomson was unaware of the letter, which will be sent to the NRL today, but sympathised with the players' plight. "I haven't heard that [the PA request] and you're reluctant to give guarantees because you don't know what's going to happen down the track," he said. "But if it comes to that, and they want to know either way, then it's something we can do - we won't be keeping any secrets from the players." Of the meeting with the three leagues clubs, Thomson said: "The NRL called it, we didn't know what it was about until we got there." Moffett, the chief executive of the NRL, said Arthurson and Henry had been told that Manly and North Sydney would not both be re-admitted to the competition if the Northern Eagles were to collapse. Moffett said: "All the parties at the meeting made it clear that the joint venture was their first priority. "We also made it clear that we would not be discussing anything but a 15-team competition."
The first serious move to heal the century-old schism between the two rugby codes is under way in England and may result in one or more league clubs joining the union competition there next year, according to English rugby administrator Peter Wheeler. Wheeler said yesterday that rugby authorities in England had begun a dialogue with top league clubs with a view to unifying the two codes, a process made easier by the fact that union and league were no longer separated by professionalism and had grown much closer in on-field play. A former England captain and now chief executive of the Leicester Club, Wheeler, who was in Australia following the Lions tour, said: "Some of the league clubs are looking down the track and thinking where their future should lie. I hope we may see one or two in [the union competition] by the season after next, the one starting in September next year." He expected these clubs would play both codes for two or three years and then, if all went well, switch mainly, or entirely, to union. Asked if separate players within these clubs would play each code during the transitional period, he said: "There may be a mixture." Wheeler admitted that the proposed "unification" really amounted to an en-masse conversion of league clubs to union, but he believed such an outcome, if it occurred, would be dictated by financial realities. "The basic economics that drive professional sport will force the issue," he said. "Rugby union in the UK, in Europe, is growing strongly, it's making strong financial progress, and league is finding it difficult. That's the thing that will resolve it. If it was the other way round, I guess we'd be looking at becoming Super League clubs. "I also think the games have come closer together in the way they're played. I mean, look at the number of times in the [Lions] Test last Saturday night that there were rucks with the players lined up across the field, almost totally similar to a rugby league play-the-ball, except they weren't 10 yards back." He said many league clubs, including St Helens, Wigan, Bradford and Leeds, were involved in the dialogue, but he declined to name the clubs likely to start playing union in the next few years. "That could cause them extreme difficulty until they're ready," he said. "The timing needs to be right. I think at the present time they're looking very seriously at the possibility that union may be the future for them and assessing all the implications. It will be very difficult for them: there are some big obstacles and they've got to bring their supporters with them." Yet it was clear which direction history was heading. "Union in England is extremely positive. The European Cup has done tremendous things to make the game more popular on a European scale - the contest between Toulouse and Leicester and Cardiff and all that is not just nationalistic but tribalistic. This has really caught everyone's imagination and taken off in the last two or three years. "Rugby league in England has never been able to get out of Yorkshire and Lancashire, really. So that's what the league guys are seeing: they're seeing the sort of occasion we saw in Stadium Australia the other night, they're seeing Jason Robinson, who was one of their players not too long ago, playing a starring role - and all of it going out to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. "League doesn't have that, and there are some people [in league] who are looking at where their future lies and they've come to the conclusion it probably lies in union." Steve Mascord reports: Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay last night said Wheeler's comments were "news to me" but admitted the landscape between the games was changing rapidly. "They've [union] taken Phil Larder, they've taken Ellery Hanley and they've taken Joe Lydon," Lindsay said. "They're all in high-profile coaching and development positions. They've also now taken Jason Robinson and I think it's well known that they've signed Iestyn Harris. NRL chief executive David Moffett said: "There may be a lot of other rugby union clubs who might be put out if rugby league clubs were given an armchair ride into the first division competition. "But, aside from that, it's the first I've heard of it."
MATTHEW JOHNS will rely on body language to combat his brother Andrew when league's champion brothers come face to face on a football field for the first time next season. Older brother Matthew confirmed last night he has signed for the next two years with the Sharks. Wigan boss Maurice Lindsay granted Matthew a release from the final year of his contract on compassionate grounds. With Wigan very much in the hunt for the English Super League title Matthew will remain with the club until his commitments for the season are completed. As of last weekend Wigan were in second place in the English premiership, only two points behind Bradford. Speaking from England last night Matthew said it would be unusual to be lining up against Andrew. "It will be unusual and funny because we've often talked about it," Matthew said. "Joey always says he can tell by my body language when I'm about to do something on the field and vice-versa. Just watching him on telly I can see when he's going to take someone on or do something different with the ball. "I suppose you could call it his idiosyncrasies, I can tell when something's doing. I'll get another insight into how good a player he is. "Playing alongside of him I know but now I'm really going to find out." Matthew says his brother played a role in his decision to sign with the Sharks. "When I told him I was talking to the Sharks when it looked as though I would be coming home because of an illness in my wife's family he was very supportive of the move," said Matthew. "I've since thought to myself he might have ulterior motives because he wants to fix me up on the field. "But seriously Joey believes the Sharks under Chris Anderson will work out fine for me." But why the Sharks when he would have been in demand by many other clubs? Johns says he had heard in England that Adam Dykes was likely to move to Parramatta. "I spoke to Chris Anderson and told him that if he needed a five-eighth I might be available to come home," Johns said. "So when Adam signed with the Eels there was an opening for me. "At the end of the 1999 season Chris gave me a chance to play five-eighth for Australia. "I enjoyed my time with him there so when this situation arose I thought I would sound him out and the rest is now history. "I feel I still have at least two years left to play at NRL level and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about coming home to kick off with the Sharks." With Dykes moving to Parramatta the Sharks desperately needed a playmaker of Johns' calibre to steer them around the park. Depending on what happens with the Northern Eagles financially over the next month or so their five-eighth Ben Walker is the player most likely to be approached to replace Johns at Wigan. Walker is currently the season's leading pointscorer and won't have much trouble finding a new club either here or in England should he become a free agent.
SOUTH Sydney chairman George Piggins' wish was granted last night – his club will play a grudge match against rivals St George Illawarra to open the 2002 season at the SCG. Piggins was hurt by St George Illawarra's stance when Souths was dumped from the NRL after the 1999 season. The Dragons were one of 13 clubs who signed affidivats as part of the NRL's case against Souths. "You only have to read what they said about us in their affidavit," Piggins said. "We had been around 100 years and were a grand old club. I thought they would have thought we were treated harshly and they would want us in the competition. "But they didn't. "If you needed a bit of feeling in a game this would add the right flavour and add to the atmosphere. "But I'm talking about the St George Illawarra officials, not the public." NRL chief executive David Moffett told The Daily Telegraph that the match between two of Australia's greatest rugby league clubs would "be in line with our desire to have the season opener as local derbies". Moffett added: "We would be silly not to give this match strong consideration. "At this stage I can't see why this game could not be part of our opening round. "It is very high on our list of priorities." When the courts returned Souths to the NRL earlier on July 6, St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said: "We have been committed to 14 teams like a lot of other clubs in the premiership. I'm not prepared to feel warm and fuzzy about this whole thing yet." Last night Doust said his club would enjoy an SCG match-up with Souths. "If he (Piggins) wants it, we'd only be too pleased but at the end of the day it's the NRL that set the programming schedule," Doust said. "Looking back we took a provocative stance from the beginning and supported a 14-team competition. "We then took the view that a joint venture would be good for the game and good for us. "We were in opposition to Souths in some forms including affidavits. "But we're looking forward now, not back. Bringing Souths back is good for the game." Souths are this week expected to announce its first signing for next season. Among the players being chased include Adam Muir, Luke Priddis Glenn Grief and Paul McNicholas. Prop Ian Rubin has also been mentioned but is still under contract next season with the Sydney Roosters. Piggins confirmed his club would not pay exorbitant amount of money for players. "We won't be going over the salary cap – at this stage we'll be looking for youth and players looking for an opportunity," Piggins said.
LONDON: British rugby league great Shaun Edwards has rated Australian Test halfback Andrew Johns the best player in the world of all time - and the best player in either league or union at the moment. Edwards, one of the most capped UK players and the highest scoring halfback in British rugby league, said Johns is the key to the Kangaroos' 28-10 win over New Zealand last Friday. "I watched the Australia-New Zealand game at the weekend, the result was pretty much expected. There was also an air of inevitability once the Kangaroos went 16-0 up," he told the rugby.com website. "However, the game was made special by the play of Australia's scrum-half Andrew Johns. "I think he is the best rugby player either league or union, in the world. "He created everything and it was a pleasure to watch him. "I would even go so far as to say he is the best player of all time. "To put in a performance like that after three months out shows what a true pro he is."
SOUTH SYDNEY will operate under a full $3.25 million salary cap for the 2002 NRL season. New chief executive Paul Dunn said money wouldn't be a concern for the Rabbitohs when they re-enter the premiership fold after two seasons on the outer. Dunn took up his new position today and said a lot of clubs would be envious of Souths' marketing opportunities after the club's successful battle with the league for reinstatement. But Dunn stressed the importance of the next 12 months, saying the club must take advantage of the public goodwill emanating from the Rabbitohs' popular legal victory. "There'll be a honeymoon period," he said. "If we don't do things right the first year, we'll be back where we started." Despite the NRL having already publicly welcomed Souths back into the 2002 competition, Souths won't sign any new players until the club's position is confirmed legally - hopefully this Friday. "We want it in writing," said Dunn, who added that a successful first season back for Souths didn't necessarily mean more wins than losses on the field. "(A success would be if we) spend less than we earn and people still think it's a good place to be involved with.".
Luke Priddis was hoping last week would be the culmination of a great year. Instead it turned into the worst week of his life. After he missed selection in the Australian side for the Test against New Zealand on Friday night, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Priddis his services would not be required next year. "I was very angry and absolutely shattered when Wayne first told me," Priddis said. "I've got rid of a lot of the animosity now but I'm still coming to terms with the decision." What most upset the NSW Origin star was the way the club went about sacking him. "The most disappointing thing for me was that I wasn't offered a contract at all," he said. "At first they told me to wait for a few weeks, then I heard nothing for seven weeks, then I'm told I'm not wanted." The former Australian Super League representative, who has played 69 first-grade games with the Broncos, was told he was a victim of salary-cap restrictions. "They couldn't afford me was the basic line," Priddis said. "I always knew I wouldn't be getting as much but to get nothing ..." Broncos chief executive Shane Edwards said the decision was made because of financial constraints, but that didn't make it any easier. "It was a very hard decision to make - he's a great player and a great person," Edwards said. "But there's a thing called a salary cap and we all have to live with that." Priddis has a young family - he and his wife Holly have two children, Steven, 7, and Amber, 2 - and is tired of playing musical chairs with their lives. The 24-year-old played with Canberra from 1996 to 1998. Then he moved to Adelaide to play with the Rams. When that club folded he joined Brisbane. Following his bucking by the Broncos, his tour of Australia's capital cities looks likely to continue. "I don't want to put the kids in a situation where they don't know what's going on," he said. "It's just going to take some time to sort this out. I'm resigned to living and playing in Sydney. "We're going to leave a pretty cruisy lifestyle up here and join the rat race in Sydney. It's not ideal." Ironically, the sacking comes in what is arguably Priddis's best year. The Woden Weston Rams junior played in all three State of Origin games and has been a consistent performer for the Broncos. "The year so far has been pretty kind to me," Priddis said. "I've achieved a few goals I've set out to achieve and I'm not going to let this upset it." Despite the setback, Priddis makes no bones about the desire that still burns in him to play in the NRL and says several clubs are bidding for his services. "In the long run this will just make me more determined," he said. "There are still a lot of things I want to achieve in this game. There's no use crying over spilt milk - you just go out and buy another carton."
NORTHERN EAGLES coach Peter Sharp has called for match officials to give Brett Kimmorley more protection after accusing St George Illawarra of using illegal tactics to target the Eagles half. Sharp's plea came as tension from Saturday night's encounter between the Eagles and Dragons at Brookvale Oval spilled over yesterday. The Eagles contacted the National Rugby League in an attempt to have Dragons forward Jason Ryles cited, claiming he tried to deliberately elbow Kimmorley in the head. They were told the video review panel had looked at the incident and found no further action was warranted. Ryles was penalised in the second half for a late tackle on Kimmorley after he had chipped ahead. "If Kimmorley didn't move his head, he would have ended up in the grandstand," Sharp said yesterday. "I'm concerned they were knocking him around. He was unnecessarily targeted, he was hit late on a number of occasions and nothing happened. The only one they got was Ryles later in the game. "I thought he could have had better protection in the first couple of kicks when their intentions became clear." The Eagles players were incensed after the game at the tactics the Dragons had used in the play the ball area. Three St George Illawarra players had gone on report for lifting tackles but they were all cleared yesterday, while prop Craig Smith also escaped further action after being penalised for a high tackle on Kimmorley early in the game. Dragons chief executive Peter Doust defended his club last night. "My response is if Manly (sic) are so concerned I would appreciate a call from them," he said. "We thought the referee's ruling on Ryles was appropriate and we also don't believe in clubs trying to cite other players. There is a system in place to handle that." Dragons coach Andrew Farrar also defended his tactics. "I still think there's a window in the game for aggressive defence which is within the rules," he said. "I know safety is an issue but as long as it is within the rules, playing the game hard and fast has always been part parcel to rugby league."
LEAGUE legend Wally Lewis was taken to hospital tonight after appearing disorientated while reading a sports item on Channel Nine news in Brisbane. Lewis, 41, seemed in good health at the start of the news bulletin but suddenly appeared confused while introducing a story on the Brisbane Lions AFL team. He could not not finish his sentences and was taken off air. Newsreader Bruce Paige read the rest of the sports bulletin without any explanation on Lewis's condition. A Channel Nine spokeswoman said Lewis, who has been struggling with influenza for the past week, began to feel unwell while reading the bulletin. "As a precaution, Wally was taken to a local hospital and is awaiting test results," the spokeswoman said. She said Lewis expected to be back reading the sports bulletin tomorrow. In an illustrious career, Lewis was the Brisbane Broncos inaugural captain and played 31 State of Origin matches for Queensland between 1980 and 1991. He played 33 Test matches for Australia and was captain 23 times. Since leaving the game, Lewis has been a league commentator and has read the sport on Brisbane's Channel Nine for the past few years.
LEADING Australian Test stars last night called for the NRL season to be shortened following a whirlwind weekend of football. Some players – like Dragons duo Trent Barrett and Craig Smith – were forced to play two games in 24 hours after just two hours sleep last weekend. Sydney Roosters forward Bryan Fletcher, who featured in Friday's Test and then backed up in Sunday's Roosters-Bulldogs clash, said the season should be cut to protect the players. "They've got to make the season shorter," Fletcher said. "I don't know how they could make it fair, but something has to happen. "At the moment I'm still looking forward to every game, but my body is a bit battered and bruised." With seven rounds remaining in the regular season, four weeks of finals football and a Kangaroo tour, some players will be involved in upwards of 40 games. The elite players will return home from the end-of-season tour in early December and be expected at pre-season training in January. Even players from clubs that finish outside the top eight will be expected to swing back into full-scale training after just a month's break. Fletcher's call for a shorter season was supported by World Cup and NSW teammates Robbie Kearns and Adam MacDougall. When asked if the season was too tough on representative players, Kearns said: "Definitely, big time." "It's too long when you work in three Origin games, the one-off Test the other night and then six or seven games at the end of the year with the Kangaroo tour," Kearns said. "But the power brokers say there's no real fair way of running the competition unless you play everyone twice. "It's a hard predicament, but I know from some players' points of view it is too tough. "The thing is you've got some players who are off from the end of August until the start of January and others who are playing almost all year round. "There's no easy solution." Newcastle winger MacDougall, who has been sidelined for seven games this season with various injuries, said the competition schedule should be changed. "The format of the competition is pretty hard on the players," MacDougall said. "It's that time of year when every representative player is starting to feel the effects of it. "Something should be done."
TEST winger Mat Rogers will make a surprise comeback for the Sharks next week after recovering from shoulder surgery that threatened to keep him out for the season. Rogers, who has announced he will follow Kangaroos teammate Wendell Sailor to rugby union next year, has not made a premiership appearance this year. Sharks coach John Lang says Rogers could have played next Saturday against the Northern Eagles at Toyota Park. "Mat would be in the side if we were playing a Grand Final," Lang said. "He has been given a clearance to play but the medical staff believes Friday week's game against the Roosters is the appropriate time to make his return. "It's great news for us. Mat's the sort of player who can make something out of nothing and win the game for you." There is no shortage of talent in Lang's squad at the moment. Fullback David Peachey and halfback Preston Campbell are scoring amazing tries on a weekly basis and five-eighth Adam Dykes probably has only Trent Barrett in front of him as the premiership's form pivot. The Sharks' season turned around four rounds ago when Peachey, Chris McKenna and Nick Graham returned from injury. They have won four straight and are again being mentioned as title contenders and with Rogers back their fortunes are certain to surge again. "I suppose people could say we've only beaten teams below us on the premiership table," Lang said. "But there is a feeling in the camp we can make our presence felt as the playoffs get closer." Giant centre Paul Mellor has signed a two-year contract to remain with the club and while they'll lose Martin Lang, Sean Ryan, Dykes and Rogers next year there is no shortage of optimism in the camp. Mellor is the sixth senior signing for the Sharks for next season along with lock Nick Graham, prop Jason Stevens, halfback Preston Campbell, forward Chris Beattie and new recruit Danny Nutley from Warrington. Coach Lang won't be there either and at this stage plans to have a year out of the game. While Rogers will be returning to his specialist wing position the coach has no doubts where his talents would be best suited. Rogers has said one of the reasons he is switching codes is to get a run at centre or five-eighth. "Mat's a great talent and probably his best position is fullback but of course we have David Peachey playing there," Lang said. "He has a beautifully long left-foot kick and everybody knows how he runs the ball back from his own territory. "At the moment Mat will start on the wing for us but the side will be picked on what appears to be right at the time." Since joining the league in 1967, the Sharks have yet to win a title. Grand Final appearances in 1973 (Manly), 1978 (Manly) and 1997 (Broncos, Super League) all ended in tears. But with Rogers back and the side in hot form 2001 might be a year to remember.
FORMER Newcastle and now Wigan five-eighth Matthew Johns today signed a two-year deal with the Sharks. Johns, a former Australian Test player, was granted a formal release from English Super League club Wigan overnight on compassionate grounds and immediately completed his negotiations with the NRL club. Johns, 29, played 174 first grade games with the Knights before heading overseas to Wigan this year after Newcastle failed to offer him a renewal of his contract, citing salary cap restrictions. "Matthew Johns is a major signing for us," Sharks football general manager Steve Rogers said. "He has the ability to direct a side around the field, which is well-documented given his time with Newcastle. "We've always had the nucleus of a good football side. Matthew Johns just gives us that something extra." Johns is one of four signings for the Sharks today. Penrith centre/winger Matthew Rieck, 21, signed a two-year deal while Sharks second rower Sam Isemonger re-signed for one year. Manly backrower Dean Bosnich signed for two seasons but like Isemonger his deal is subject to medical clearances with both players returning from knee reconstructions this season.
PLAYER contracts stacked with win bonuses are on the agenda amid claims that well-paid NRL players are not hurting enough in defeat At least one club is working on restructured player contracts in the wake of blow-out scorelines that have marred the Premiership this season. This would see players paid a smaller sign-on fee, but collect handsome payments for every victory. Losses would earn a paltry amount. Former Souths and Easts champion, Ron Coote, believes fat paypackets have contributed to a change of attitude toward defeat. "You see them get beat by plenty and they walk off as happy as Larry," Coote said. "You should walk off with your head down if you get beat by 30 or so points. "In my time playing rugby league, I would not have been laughing and joking coming off the field, I'll tell you. "They are all getting paid too well, I think. That's got a bit to do with it. Incentive contracts would make them hungrier." The issue was a major talking point among some of the game's greatest names at the mid-week launch of Graeme Langlands' biography. Coote and others that spoke to The Sunday Telegraph are irked at the sight of players enjoying a laugh with a friend from the opposition as they leave the field after being handed a walloping. They believe contracts that pay few dollars in defeat would soon wipe the smiles from players' faces – particularly given some of the scorelines this year: 66-12, 64-0, 58-14, 52-8, 50-6, 44-0 and 40-0. The "friendly" exchanges trouble Wests Tigers coach Terry Lamb and Dragons counterpart Andrew Farrar, both integral parts of the merciless Canterbury teams of the 1980s. "A loss has got to mean something to you – it's good to have mates from the other teams, but it's good to know when you are losing and to feel the loss," Lamb said. "It comes down to players jumping from club to club – the loyalty is not there for the jersey. The players do play to win, but at the end of the day they say `oh well, we lost, we'll have a beer' and that's it." On the subject of players not hurting enough after being thrashed, Farrar added: "I truly believe that. "In the last couple of years, teams on the end of a real good hiding have gone out in public after it. "To me, if you get beat by 20 or 30 points, it can be embarrassing – it was when I was playing. It probably doesn't mean as much to them as it used to ... which is a shame." Another factor is the NRL's top-eight finals format. Unlike when just five from 16 teams qualified, players know that in a 26-round season they can afford several major slip-ups and still make the semi-finals in September. Seen as a way of ensuring players never want to experience the foul taste of defeat, player contracts with heavy incentives for wins are inevitable, according to Farrar.
THE NRL signed off on a $40 million television deal for the New Zealand broadcasting rights yesterday which will cover the funding for South Sydney's re-entry into the competition next year. Chief executive David Moffett announced the new five-year deal with existing carrier Sky TV, which reaches a third of homes in New Zealand. The deal was previously valued at $6.5 million a year but has now jumped to $8 million annually and lays the final piece down for Souths return. "This is one that's going to benefit the NRL and all 14 clubs, soon to be 15 clubs. The arrangements that we have put in place now for the next five years are going to enable us to take this game forward with a much greater degree of certainty than has been the case in the last few years," Moffett said. "The deal that we have done enables the NRL to say to all of the clubs that they have a $2.5 million grant next year and that also includes the reintroduction of South Sydney." The NRL funding will be crucial for Souths who are currently putting their infrastructure together to field a team in 2002. They are planning to run on a budget of $7 million which will be the smallest in the competition and even if it expands, depending on their corporate support, it will be equal smallest at $8 million. That figure would match the annual turnover of the New Zealand Warriors who are the leanest run operation at the moment. The Rabbitohs have confirmed a funding deal with Souths Juniors to the tune of $1.5 million a year and a $1 million deal with Channel Seven owner Kerry Stokes. The Souths board will be meeting next Tuesday and is expected to put in place a chief executive and the marketing arm. There has already been speculation on candidates for the chief executive who is expected to come from outside the club. Names mentioned include former St George Illawarra chief executive Brian Johnson and former Test forward Paul Dunn who has completed an MBA since he retired from football. Some Souths officials may consider Johnson unacceptable however given the Dragons opposed Souths re-introduction during the long running court action. The club is also on a drive to build one of the biggest membership bases in the code. When they were booted out of the competition they had 350 members but as of yesterday the figure was up to 4200. The club is hoping to sign its first player early next week. A number of top players have already been linked to the club including Northern Eagles forward Adam Muir and discarded Brisbane hooker Luke Priddis. "I've rung Luke to let him know we would be very interested in him," Souths director Sean Garlick said last night. "He is exactly the type of player we need at Souths, and Craig Colemam, myself and 'Gus' (Phil Gould) have a high opinion of him."
WORLD-ranked boxer Anthony Mundine today admitted he was tempted to return to rugby league with South Sydney, perhaps on a part-time basis. In a hectic week which included his overseas debut and the birth of his second child, his son Rahime on Thursday night, Mundine was believed to be among the players sought by Souths coach Craig Coleman for the Rabbitohs' NRL re-entry next season. Unbeaten super middleweight Mundine said he hadn't spoken to Coleman since returning to Sydney yesterday from Montreal where he defeated American veteran Kevin Pompey earlier in the week. While Mundine was contracted to St George Illawarra when he quit the NRL last year, he admitted to a soft spot for Souths where he played junior football. "It is tempting, obviously rugby league has been a part of me since I was four years old and I showed them I was the best and I've left and I'm doing my thing in boxing," Mundine said here today. "League is going to have a place in my heart always, so now that the Bunnies are back in, that's the team which I really feel for. "I was a junior there for 10 years, I played for Zetlands Jets as a youngster, and if we could get some contract where I could just play the semi-finals, or do something like that, who knows..." Asked if the Dragons would still be his first choice if he returned to league, Mundine said: "It depends on who Souths get and what they do, but I'm really focussed on getting a world title shot and then maybe who knows after that." Mundine declared himself "really happy" with his performance against Pompay which lifted his record to eight wins (seven KO) and said he wanted his next fight to be in Australia against an opponent whose scalp would earn a top 10 world ranking. Prior to last week's bout, 26-year-old Mundine was ranked 14th by the International Boxing Federation and 29th by the World Boxing Council. "The next step is basically to just keep climbing the ladder and trying to get to No.1, because I want to fight for a world championship and they are not going to fight me if I am not a mandatory challenger," Mundine said. "I will sit down with my team and sort out what type will take us further and hopefully I will have the next one in Australia and then possibly go to the United States."
AFTER three months of dominating the headlines, controversial Manly winger John Hopoate was happy to play a supporting role tonight on his return to rugby league. The former Australian winger, who ended his career at the Wests Tigers after receiving a 12-week suspension for inserting his finger in the anuses of opposition players, made his return in first division tonight for the Sea Eagles against St George Illawarra. And his 'homecoming' seemed to have the desired effect on his teammates, with the ninth-placed Sea Eagles upsetting the second placed Dragons 28-18 at Brookvale Oval. Hopoate put his hand up for a return to the NRL following his comeback, but in truth the former New South Wales winger is a few weeks off his best. An underdone Hopoate made two try-saving tackles in the first half as the home side took a 16-12 lead into halftime, but he was content to limit his second-half influence to a handful of runs out of dummy half as Manly - the club with which he started his first grade career in 1993 - wrapped up the two points with a try to halfback Alex Moore with 20 minutes remaining. Immediately after the game Hopoate was looking ahead to a NRL return with the Northern Eagles, and a possible clash with his former side in two weeks. "I am happy to be back, happy to have a run in first division," the 27-year-old said. "I got through okay with no injuries. I am putting my hand up for the NRL next week against the Sharks, and if not there then definitely against the Tigers the week after." Only a smattering of supporters were on hand to watch the one-time Test winger start in the centres wearing No.20. Hopoate played the entire 80 minutes, even spending some time in the second row, but if the Northern Eagles were hoping for Hopoate to make a quick return to the NRL, coach Peter Sharp would have been sorely disappointed. The controversial winger looked to be in desperate need of a hit-out after playing his first match since March 24, when his finger-poking antics first became public knowledge following complaints by three Cowboys players - Paul Bowman, Peter Jones and Glenn Morrison. Even so, his first division coach Des Hasler saw enough for him to suggest he wouldn't be in charge of Hopoate for too long. "I think he's going to put plenty of pressure on the side above him and to be honest I can't see him being with us for too long," Hasler said. "With his size and stature I think he's going to be a good acquisition for any side in the NRL. He's just a real weapon, similar to (Wendell) Sailor.
It's not surprising Brad Fittler didn't want official recognition attached to his last Test against New Zealand. After all, it had been a hell of a couple of weeks for the outgoing Australian captain. His final State of Origin appearance for NSW went all pear-shaped after Allan Langer returned from England to wreck the party, and then his 250th first grade match ended with Sydney Roosters being thrashed last weekend by the Northern Eagles. When someone suggested a formal send off last night at Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium, Fittler immediately rejected the idea. "I'm happier than you could believe," he said after Australia's 28-10 win. "I've been feeling like a bit of a hoodoo for the past couple of weeks. They tried to have some kind of tribute for my last game in New Zealand but I said 'no way'." One thing Fittler appears to have no control over, however, is finishing his career at lock. Despite a preference for playing five-eighth, he conceded the Test No6 jersey now firmly belonged to Trent Barrett - man of the match last night against the Kiwis. It's all part of evolution, just like Nathan Blacklock being the likely replacement for Wendell Sailor on the wing for Australia. Sailor also said farewell last night, but unlike Fittler will have no Kangaroo tour at the end of the year as a final swan song. Australian coach Chris Anderson and many of the senior players thanked the rugby union-bound winger for his services at a private get-together the night before the game, but there were no regrets from Sailor. "It was just good to win tonight. Rugby league is in good shape with all the young blokes that played tonight, so they're probably not going to miss me too much," Sailor said. Fittler disagreed, though. "He's [Sailor] such a character," he said. "You hate him when you're playing against him because he's got a big mouth and he bags you, but you know every time he's in your side he'll play just like another forward. "He's a drawcard, people either love him or hate him, so he's good for the game. But there's a bit of mail about that Jonah Lomu might be coming over, so he's not a bad replacement, I suppose." But, in reality, that is about as likely as Henry Paul signing to play for the All Blacks. The New Zealand utility said last night he would make a firm decision on his playing future by Wednesday, when he returns to Bradford, and insisted the Bulldogs were still an option. St George Illawarra's Kiwi prop Craig Smith said he was likely to choose between four possible playing options next week. Unfortunately, the Dragons aren't one of them.
MATT JOHNS A SHARK?
FORMER Newcastle star Matthew Johns is set to make a stunning return to the National Rugby League next season with the Sharks. Johns is considering quitting glamour English club Wigan despite having another season to run on his contract to link up with his former Test coach Chris Anderson. It is understood the Sharks approached Johns several weeks ago in England about a possible return to the NRL after it became clear they would lose Adam Dykes to Parramatta. "At this stage, nothing has been decided but if I do come back home next season, I will be playing with the Sharks," Johns said. "I have a lot of respect for Chris Anderson as a coach and the Sharks are in need of a five-eighth. But it is certainly not cut and dried. "I have another year to run on my contract with Wigan and I am really loving my football over here with the club and I would have to take an enormous pay cut to leave. "There are just some family health issues that we need to think about and it is just so hard when you are on the other side of the world. "Family has to come first and if that means having to return home then that is what we will be doing." Johns said the thought of playing against the Knights and his brother Andrew still concerned him. "I went to England in the first place because I felt it wouldn't be too comfortable playing against the Knights and Joey," he said. "But to be honest, I would rather cop that than having to retire. "I feel like I still have plenty to offer the game. I would not go back home and continue at that level if I did not think I could handle it." Johns said there was no strict deadline on him to make a decision. "I haven't really spoken to Wigan at length about it yet and there is no guarantee at this stage that I will have to," he said. "We still have quite a few games to go and that is all I am concentrating on. "The Sharks are aware of the situation and know that if I return, I have made a commitment to play with them." Sharks football manager Steve Rogers confirmed yesterday the club was interested in securing Johns. "Obviously with the loss of Adam Dykes (to Parramatta) that would be an option, but at this stage there has been nothing concrete put in place," Rogers said. "We certainly would be interested in Matthew Johns, or any other recognised five-eighth for that matter."
SPONSERS PLEDGE $10 MILLION TO SOUTHS
THE irrepressible roll of the Rabbitohs continues to gain momentum after Friday's Federal Court ruling. All companies who filed affidavits during the hearing, pledging sponsorship funds of $10m over three years for Souths in the event of a return to the NRL, have stood by their commitment. The principle major sponsor will be Channel 7 owner Kerry Stokes through his private company Australian Capital Equities. ACE owns Network Seven and Westrac, Australia's biggest caterpillar tractor franchise. The deal is worth $1m a year for three years, with an option for a further two. This is likely to see Westrac appear on the Souths jersey as major sponsor. Next year will also see Souths Juniors continue their annual injection of $1.5m. Illustrated Sports Clothing are also standing by their commitment of $1m over the next five years, with former sleeve sponsor RSL Com and other companies to weigh in with additional funds. But a cautious George Piggins has vowed his club will be budget wary, with no top player to get more than $150,000 next year. The victorious Souths president is worried spiralling player payments will ruin the game and has pledged his club would be responsible when it came to luring top-class players. When asked about a business plan, Piggins was typically forthright in his response yesterday. "There's only one business plan in sport and that's not to spend as much money as you have in the drawer," Piggins said. "We'll come back into the competition with a reasonable side and a plan that ensures we won't get ourselves into trouble financially, and I'd think that should be enough. We certainly won't need the propping up the likes of North Queensland, Melbourne, the Warriors or the Northern Eagles have been (getting). "We have won a battle, but from now on a new battle begins and that's to build the club again." Piggins said the Rabbitohs would operate on a budget next year that would not exceed $7 million. "We may even improve that with some of the promises that have been offered, but honestly, I don't want to spend more than that and I think it's immoral to spend more than that," he said. "I can't understand someone telling me I've got to spend eight to 10 million when I don't have to. "We want to pay our best player $150,000 . . . not $400,000. "I think it's ridiculous people are telling me I've got to have this amount of money and I'm sitting here saying I actually think I can do the job a lot cheaper. "If I listened to some people, we'd find ourselves in debt. "But what people don't realise – the same people who tried to portray us as a broke club – was that we had $1.8 million in reserve when they wound us up two years ago." Piggins will urge the NRL to look at spiralling player payments, which he claims is killing the game. "People might say I'm out of touch with some of the figures I've said, but, gee, the alternative is the game dies," he said. "I can tell you this much, we're the best financially controlled club in the competition and if we don't have a couple of extra zeros when we meet the NRL, are they going to penalise us for being bad managers? "Look, I'm not about to get this club into trouble by paying over-priced footballers." Piggins was more than confident his club would meet any criteria when he sits down with NRL boss David Moffett this week. And he also had a warning or Souths supporters still celebrating Friday's historic court decision. "I think Souths people have been given a warning that if they want their football side, get to games and get to the leagues club and support the team," he said. "If they want to keep it, people have to get out there and support it."
ROOS SIDE NAMED TO TAKE ON KIWI'S
ANDREW JOHNS and Trent Barrett were tonight named as Australia's halves combination for Friday's Test match against New Zealand in Wellington. Johns was chosen ahead of World Cup half-back Brett Kimmorley who missed out on the squad while Barrett got the five eighth's position ahead of captain Brad Fittler who will play at lock. Newcastle's Danny Buderus was a surprise inclusion to make his Test debut at hooker in a new-look Australian team after missing out on the State of Origin series. Queensland wingers Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor received starting berths ahead of NSW flanker Adam MacDougall with the latter starting off the bench. Maroon's second-rower Bradley Meyers will make his Test debut in the starting side, with Queensland and Brisbane team-mates Petero Civoniceva and Dane Carlaw both named on the bench. All up there are five Test debutants in the Kangaroos team - Buderus, Meyers, Tuqiri, Civoniceva and Carlaw. Australian team: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Ryan Girdler, Matthew Gidley, Wendell Sailor, Trent Barrett, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler (c), Bradley Meyers, Bryan Fletcher, Jason Stevens, Danny Buderus, Shane Webcke, Reserves: Petero Civoniceva, Robbie Kearns, Dane Carlaw, Adam MacDougall. Travelling back-up: Daniel Wagon.
VERDIT NEEDS TIME TO SINK IN
When word of South Sydney's greatest triumph began to filter through to the leagues club just before 10am yesterday, the gathered faithful were, at first, reluctant to believe it. It had been arranged on Thursday night that all Rabbitohs members who had given their mobile-phone numbers to the club would receive a text message as soon as the verdict was handed down. On the big screen in the auditorium at Souths' Chalmers Street headquarters, the Channel 7 coverage was just starting when a handful of fans seated at the front began shouting, "We've won, we've won". Having dared to dream of victory over the might of the Murdoch empire in two previous court cases, only to find their nightmares worsened each time, they wanted official confirmation. Then the telephones began beeping and the tears flowed and the cheering drowned out the sound of the television before anyone could hear what the hell the three appeal court judges had decided. And it didn't stop until George Piggins returned from the Federal Court - like a messiah - some 90 minutes later and urged the growing crowd at the Redfern club to pause momentarily in their revelling. "We've been fighting for this day since 1994, when the Super League war started, and we're here today because we never gave in," Piggins told the hundreds-strong red-and-green army packed into the auditorium, members of which were by now sporting stickers proclaiming, "We're Back". It had been a tough road, the most remarkable thing being not that Souths had won but that their supporters had stuck so solidly to the cause in the two years since the club was kicked out of the NRL. "This is the best day of our lives," said Mark Courtney, author of the book, Between the Goalposts, about Souths' history from 1908. "It's like the movie The Castle. They just thought that they had so much money that they could outlast us." Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union joint assistant State secretary Brian Parker compared it to the union's greatest wins over big business, poet Maurie Anthony predicted those same corporations would now be crawling over each other to sponsor Souths and others were just thankful they'd taken the day off work to be there. "It's great to tell people that you're a South Sydney supporter," said John Turner, who'd travelled to Melbourne to endure a 52-6 loss in one of the club's last games before expulsion in 1999. "You've got to suffer defeat to be able to savour victory." And as South Sydney Leagues Club tried to replenish its draught-beer stock for celebrations last night, no-one was reluctant anymore to believe the Rabbitohs could win. "We've got to stick together and make sure this never happens to us again," Piggins said. "And, maybe, next year we'll be here celebrating after we've won the grand final."
GLORY BE TO SOUTHS
Souths' president, George Piggins, and his wife, Noelene, left the Sydney office of the club's lawyer, Nick Pappas, at 9.40am, as cold winds swept Phillip Street, smiled at the wall of TV cameras outside the court building and caught the lift to court 21A where, in the minds of a million sports followers, justice was finally done. The loyal and powerful contingent of Rabbitoh supporters who accompanied the couple on their march - the broadcaster Alan Jones, politicians Deirdre Grusovin and Anthony Albanese, coach Craig Coleman, former Souths Juniors president Henry Morris, members of the Souths board and media officer Norm Lipson - broke into unrestrained joy when a Full Bench of the Federal Court found the National Rugby League had acted illegally when it excluded the club from the competition two years ago. The scenes in the courtroom resembled the dressing room of a winning grand final team as red-and-green scarved supporters embraced, punched the air and whooped for joy at the decision, sent to the court via a video link with Melbourne. At Souths' Redfern licensed club, the switchboard was inundated with calls for season tickets for next year. Potential sponsors have also contacted the club, and the Channel 7 owner, Kerry Stokes, reaffirmed his promise of a $1 million sponsorship through one of his private companies. Lipson, one of the Souths zealots who have worked tirelessly and voluntarily for the Rabbitohs since the NRL first excluded them and the Federal Court judge Paul Finn ruled it had not breached the Trade Practices Act, best summed up the mood of the supporters: "My life has just begun." But meetings over the next week will determine how his life and the "march of the just and the brave", as Piggins describes the club's crusade, proceed. NRL sources say the first offer to Souths will be very attractive financial incentives to merge with another club. This will be rejected outright by Piggins, who told the Herald in May: "People did not give us a couple of million bucks for us to come this far and then buckle and merge." While the Federal Court could not order Souths' re-instatement, their only position will be a demand to be included in the 2002 competition as a stand-alone club. The NRL has previously proved to be recalcitrant to overtures from Souths - not one of the 14 club bosses uttered a word when the NRL chief executive, David Moffett, invited comment on potential peace manoeuvres with Souths after the Finn judgment. But Souths now have a powerful ally at News Ltd, half owner of the NRL. The media group's chief executive, John Hartigan, said in a press release yesterday that he "... hoped the NRL and South Sydney would begin immediate discussions regarding the club's participation in the 2002 competition". Moffett rang Piggins soon afterwards to congratulate him on the verdict. Unlike most of the powerbrokers, Hartigan has been a South Sydney sympathiser for some time. He was not a player in the Super League war, nor in the criteria process which led to Souths' illegal exclusion, and he appreciates the code's tribal loyalty. Lipson refused to confirm or deny a meeting six weeks ago between Hartigan, Piggins and himself at Piggins's Maroubra home. Hartigan told Piggins he was powerless to act until the court decision but that he admired the club's grit. His press release does not rule out an appeal to the High Court but Souths translate this to mean that the NRL is concerned about possible litigation by clubs who entered into mergers. Now that the criteria have been found to breach the Trade Practices Act, it is possible that Wests, Balmain, Norths, Manly, St George and Illawarra - which formed mergers because they were fearful of standing alone - could launch actions. However, the Northern Eagles are in a desperate financial position, and Wests Tigers blew their budget last year. Only St George Illawarra is stable. But St George supporters emailed the Herald yesterday, protesting that no meeting was ever held to vote on the merger, and these vocal fans may agitate to pull the joint venture apart. Any suggestion that Souths may return, via a vacancy created with a triple merger of St George Illawarra and Cronulla, has no basis. St George Illawarra is holding talks with the Sydney Cricket Ground and Football Stadium Trust for a four-year agreement to use the SFS as a home ground. As the Dragons would continue to play some games at WIN Stadium, it seems unlikely that there would be any opportunity to schedule matches for the Sharks' home ground. The most likely avenue for Souths' return is the dissolution of the Northern Eagles, but this may not happen in enough time for the Rabbitohs, which want to field a team next year. The Manly board has rejected any possibility of a third party being invited into the consortium to inject much-needed cash. Should the merger dissolve, the licence reverts to Manly. Realistically, the Brookvale club could only field a team of juniors, its poker machine revenue being only half that of St George. As well, a Manly collapse would leave a $27 million stadium at Gosford vacant and a potential growth area dormant. Another possibility is the collapse of Wests Tigers, with the Magpies reforming with Canterbury and Balmain linking with Parramatta. This would be welcomed by the Bulldogs, who would control the Liverpool-Campbelltown heartland of the code. A 15-team competition is another way of including Souths. This would force a bye but a shorter season would be welcomed by players who protest that the 26-round competition is too long. The only certainty is that the Souths' march won't stop until they are in the NRL. Before yesterday's judgment, they compared themselves with the Old Testament story of Masadah, the mountain in Israel where a handful of zealots held off the Romans for 10 years. They were eventually overrun but, rather than surrender, they jumped off a cliff to their deaths. Piggins said before the judgment: "If we lose, they will never take us." Afterwards he said: "This is the greatest story in sport." How ironic that on the weekend the Roosters can break Souths' record for the most number of premiership wins - if they beat the Northern Eagles tomorrow - the Rabbitohs have the opportunity of returning. Who knows what causes these great collisions in the sporting cosmos but yesterday we saw a rare alignment of the planets, a promise that Souths will take its rightful place in a more peaceful galaxy.
NEWS LTD WILL NOT APPEAL
News Limited has not confirmed whether it will appeal any aspects of today's Federal Court decision, which may enable South Sydney to return to the National Rugby League competition. But the comapny's chief executive John Hartigan says if they do appeal, it will not affect an application from South Sydney to participate in the competition next season. Mr Hartigan says the company accepts the decision, and hopes the NRL and South Sydney can begin immediate discussions about the club's participation in next year's competition.
SOUTHS WIN APPEAL
SOUTH Sydney today won an appeal against their expulsion from the National Rugby League, opening the way for a possible return to the competition. The Federal Court in Melbourne handed down the decision via a video link to Sydney. It was not immediately clear whether the decision will allow the club to take part in next year's competition. Hundreds of South Sydney supporters were overjoyed at the news, sparking emotional scenes outside the court in Sydney. The Rabbitohs, one of the founder clubs of the game, began their bitter legal battle with News Ltd 18 months ago after failing to make the NRL cut when the competition was reduced to 14 teams. The club's legal team said they will examine the decision and make an announcement about their next steps later today. Outside the court, Souths president George Piggins said the decision sends a message to those who run the game. "It's been a great day for rugby league and it's a great day for South Sydney," he said. "Lets just hope we can start healing the game and get back to playing football. "I expected to win ... I just thought we were right, we were wrongly done by and we were going to fight until we got justice and we got justice here today. "They've got to put the passion back in the game - it's a people's game, not a business. "It's not just about us, it's about trying to heal the game completely. "The people who want to buy the game for pay television should buy the end product and let people who run rugby league, run rugby league." News Limited may yet ask the High Court for leave to appeal the decision. The NRL is assessing the decision and is expected to make a statement later today.
LETS TALK SAYS NRL TO SOUTHS
NRL chief executive David Moffett today said he would accept the umpire's decision and start "very meaningful" talks regarding South Sydney's inclusion in the 2002 competition. But Moffett did not rule out an appeal against today's Federal Court ruling that the NRL breached section 45 of the Trade Practices Act by cutting Souths from its revamped 14-team format two years ago. The 2-1 judgement today did not reinstate the club into the NRL, but found that it should be compensated for being excluded. The case was referred back to the original trial judge, Justice Paul Finn, to assess damages for the Rabbitohs which could take weeks. Moffett said he would call an NRL board meeting on Monday and hold talks with the existing 14 clubs on Tuesday before discussing South Sydney's 2002 inclusion by the end of next week. The NRL boss said he spoke with Souths president George Piggins after the verdict and they finally agreed on one thing - they need more time. "First Souths have to put to us a case for their inclusion in the NRL in 2002," Moffett said. "I've already spoken to George after we had various hook-ups today and we both agreed that the NRL has a few things to do before we sit down and talk. "One of the things George and I agreed on today is that this is not personal - it has been about their decision to seek reinstatement. "We've been through three court cases and today the Federal Court handed down its decision and we accept the decision of the umpire and we will be talking to them about inclusion in 2002." Moffett said the NRL "wanted to move forward" but did not rule out an appeal. "I don't think a decision yet has been made as to whether there is going to be an appeal or not (but)...it is not going to get in the way of us having a discussion with South Sydney about their potential participation in the 2002 competition," he said. "One can presume they have plans already afoot, we expect them to present that to us and we will consider that on its merits. "We are very serious about considering their application for 2002. "While the judgement doesn't say we have to put Souths back in or run a 14-team competition, quite clearly we want to talk to Souths about today and we are going to do that."
NORTH SYDNEY TO SEEK ADVICE
NORTH Sydney took its first legal steps today to follow Souths' lead to be reinstated in the National Rugby League as a stand alone club. But Manly, St George, Illawarra, Balmain and Western Suburbs had no immediate plans to collapse their joint ventures after Souths won its appeal against exclusion from the NRL in the Federal Court today. As those five clubs sought legal advice, members of North Sydney football club met today and decided Souths' success had direct repercussions for the Bears' reinstatement. "It would appear there are implications in the decision that affect North Sydney and the lawyers who are members of the North Sydney Bears are going to study the decision in detail," former Norths chairman David Hill said tonight. "But the early suggestion is that the court decision may provide an opportunity for Norths. "The North Sydney members have never given up on the ambition to have North Sydney reinstated in the premier league. "Whether it's now or later we're going to hang in there until Norths get back." Norths' board also met informally tonight but had made no resolutions, chairman Mark Cannon said. Manly chairman Max Krilich said the Sea Eagles board would meet next week to discuss the "ramifications" of the Souths decision. Balmain chairman John Chalk said he expected Tigers supporters to raise the matter of standing alone, however, he said members had voted overwhelming to form the merger with Wests in the first place. Balmain joins Souths as the only clubs who refused to sign the NRL's 14-team agreement in 1998. "We had legal advice previous to this that at some stage if it (the 14-team competition) ever changed we would be able to take legal action," said Chalk, who's also a NRL and Australian Rugby League board member. "I'm glad Souths won, personally. "I know all the drama that's going to be involved but even though I'm on the NRL board, I'm a Balmain person and a rugby league person. "Souths have been through hell and I'm sure that we won't stand in their way on any shape or form." Wests Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said the Magpies, Balmain and the joint venture club would seek legal advice before convening meetings to discuss how today's decision affected the clubs. It was a similar response from St George Illawarra chairman Warren Lockwood. "Because it's such a complicated decision we'll be looking at what the judgement means and we'll be taking whatever advice we need," he said. "There's no board meeting been scheduled as such. "Obviously the decision impacts on St George and on the Steelers but we've got an agreement for the joint venture and we'll be working through that and having a board meeting when we've got the facts available."
TALLIS "MAY HAVE TO" RETIRE
QUEENSLAND skipper Gorden Tallis admitted yesterday there is a possibility he won't play league again. Tallis, who has been diagnosed with a narrowing of the spinal column and had surgery to ease problems caused by a bulging disc, was responding to suggestions his career might be over. "My first reaction is 'pigs' arse', but there has to be a chance that I won't play again," Tallis said. "I'm going to see the doctor again on Sunday just to see how I'm progressing. "Not playing isn't something that I've given a lot of thought to. When they did the operation, the doctor told me I'd be able to live a normal life after it was performed."
ALLSTAR SIDE NAMED
ARTHUR Beetson was last night named captain of the Australia's indigenous rugby league team of the century. The great ball-playing prop of the 1960s and 70s with Balmain and then Eastern Suburbs was among a host of the game's superstars included in the side. Laurie Daley was named at five-eighth and Mal Meninga and Steve Renouf were partnered in the centres. Gorden Tallis filled a second-row spot in a further indication of the team's strength. The team was chosen by a panel of experts that included legendary radio commentator Frank Hyde, journalists Roy Masters and Ian Heads and historian David Middleton. It was announced before South Sydney played their latest match at Redfern Oval. The team is: Eric Simms, John Ferguson, Mal Meninga, Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor, Laurie Daley, John Simon, Ian Russell, Gorden Tallis, Ron Gibbs, Arthur Beetson (c), Mal Cochrane, Sam Backo. Reserves: Cliff Lyons, Craig Salvatori, Dale Shearer, Bruce Olive. The Sun-Herald
"FREDDY CAN PLAY WHERE EVER HE WANTS"
National coach Chris Anderson said last night he would give skipper Brad Fittler the choice of which position he plays in his final five Tests. After Sydney's 50-24 win over North Queensland on Saturday night, Fittler finally confirmed he would retire from representative football at the end of the season, having strongly hinted at such a decision last week. "It's a big loss for us - there are always players coming through but his leadership will be hard to replace," Anderson said yesterday. "He's paid his dues. He's been playing for Australia for 10 years, I think he's getting married at the end of the year so I can see where he's coming from. "I've spoken to Freddie [Fittler] about playing lock, but in the end I'm going to leave it up to him on what he wants to do. I think he's earned that." Fittler's announcement gives added significance to the State of Origin decider at ANZ Stadium on July 1 and Australia's one-off Tests against New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, plus a series against Great Britain. Fittler said he wanted to concentrate on club football after a career of high achievement at Test level.
HOPOATE IN EAGLES SIGHTS
THE Northern Eagles board will discuss tonight whether to apply to the NRL to register disgraced winger John Hopoate as a player eligible for first grade. Hopoate was expected to sign a deal with Manly's first division team tomorrow, his manager Wayne Beavis said, after the Sea Eagles board yesterday agreed unanimously to offer him a career lifeline. Given the Northern Eagles can call on first division players from both Manly and North Sydney, the joint venture club must nominate a group of players from both clubs who fit under the $500,000 second tier salary cap as eligible for a first grade call up. The rule is in place to ensure the club does not have an unfair advantage over its NRL rivals, who have only one first division team to call upon. If the Eagles wanted to promote Hopoate to first grade they would have to make him one of their nominated first division players. It would then be up to the NRL to accept or refuse Hopoate's registration. "I'm sure it will be a topic of conversation at tonight's board meeting although it's not on the agenda," Eagles chief executive Graham McNaney said of Hopoate's eligibility for first grade. Despite NRL chief executive David Moffett and chairman Malcolm Noad attending tonight's board meeting, McNaney said the pair would not be approached to accept Hopoate's registration. Moffet, Noad and NRL legal affairs manager David Gallop were scheduled to attend the meeting to review the cash-strapped club's finances. "We won't be talking to the NRL about John tonight," McNaney said. The Eagles board meeting was due to start at 5.30pm and McNaney said it was not expected to be finished until late tonight. Meanwhile, Beavis indicated Hopoate's signing with Manly would be a formality after the former Wests Tigers winger last week approached the club for an opportunity. "We're talking with them tomorrow," Beavis said. "It's a good opportunity for him." The 27-year-old father of five has been working on a building site on Sydney's northern beaches since his forced resignation from the Tigers. Hopoate, who started his career with Manly in 1993, was suspended for 12 matches in March after being found guilty of sticking his fingers up opponents' anuses. He has another two games to serve of his suspension which means he could return for Manly in three weeks.
MENINGA SPEAKS ABOUT PUNCHUP
CANBERRA RAIDERS coach Mal Meninga today broke his silence over last week's punch-up, saying he and Mark McGaw buried the hatchet straight after the game. The former NSW centre laid into Meninga during a legends of league Origin showdown in Sydney on Saturday and the Queenslander retaliated with blows of his own. Meninga, with blood dripping from his forehead, refused to comment after incident and was said to be privately fuming that McGaw had "gone the biff". But Meninga spoke up today, saying bygones were bygones and he was surprised by the outcry after the match. "I just think that people in the media were clutching at a few straws, really, when they've got nothing else to write about, to be honest with you," he told ABC radio. "I think it's a bit stupid, actually, the way that everyone's carrying on about the incident. I mean everyone's fine, we had a chat after the game. "Let bygones be bygones, I'm not one of those people who want to carry on with those things off the field."
DOGS SNARE KIWI STAR
THE Bulldogs are set to pull off the signing coup of the year by snaring Kiwi international Henry Paul. Several NRL clubs have been hot on the trail of Paul for months since he decided he wanted to leave the British premiership to play in the NRL competition. When the Bulldogs narrowly missed on signing Craig Gower a fortnight ago they moved full steam ahead on Paul. They faced stiff competition from several other clubs, headed by Canberra and the New Zealand Warriors. Sources told The Daily Telegraph last night the Kiwi star was on the verge of signing a rich three-year deal with the Dogs. Paul's manager Simon Burgess admitted the classy utility player was close to making a decision. "There are still three clubs in there but we are moving in the right direction," Burgess said. "The Bulldogs are certainly right up there but no decision has been made yet." Paul has been a star for the Bradford Bulls in the English Super League for several years playing at both five-eighth and hooker. But it has been on the international scene against Australia for the Kiwis that Paul has really been a standout. Along with brother Robbie, he played a starring role as the Kiwis beat Australia in 1998 and 1999. Meanwhile, another of Burgess's clients, Great Britain and Leeds lock Kevin Sinfield, is also looking at playing in the NRL premiership next season. Burgess has had interest from several clubs, including the Northern Eagles.
WINGER AT RISK OF LEGAL ACTION
NSW winger Adam MacDougall could face civil litigation if he harms an opponent with his dangerous knee-lifting action. MacDougall will serve a one-match suspension this weekend for illegally lifting his knee on Queensland prop Petero Civoniceva during last Sunday's second Origin clash. Lawyer Mark O'Reilly, a Brisbane selector, , warned MacDougall could face more serious action if he failed to curb his knee lifting in future matches. O'Reilly said rugby league players accepted a level of risk but added an opponent throwing his knees was "outside those boundaries". "I'm not saying that one incident from Adam MacDougall exposes him to civil action," O'Reilly said. But he added a continuation of knee lifting, after being warned by the Australian Rugby League by way of the judiciary, means "he could face (legal) action".
SAINTS OUTCAST SET FOR ROO CALL UP
UNWANTED NSW winger Nathan Blacklock is set to realise his representative dream by being picked on the end-of-season Kangaroo tour of England. Test coach Chris Anderson has thrown the NSW outcast a representative lifeline by revealing he has all but booked himself a plane ticket for the UK tour. The Australian coach last night declared the departure of a number of rugby league's premier wingers had catapulted Blacklock into Kangaroo contention. The news comes after it was revealed that Blacklock missed out on a NSW jumper following a split vote between selectors – a move that sparked public outrage. "(Blacklock) is a quality player and a very good chance for the end of the year," Anderson said. "It would be doubtful we would take the blokes going to union or England. He's a very exciting player, the crowds love him and as long as he keeps his form then he's a strong chance. Blokes like him excite the crowds and I think that's good for the game." Current Test wingers Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers are switching to rugby union at season's end and it is understood their names have been deleted from the selectors' sheets. Rogers has missed the majority of the season with a shoulder injury anyway and Sailor has been a long way off his best form. NSW incumbent and Blacklock's St George Illawarra teammate Jamie Ainscough has also removed himself from the equation following his decision to sign a lucrative deal with powerful English club Wigan. Blacklock and Queensland winger Lote Tuqiri have now emerged as Australia's top wingers for the tour. The Dragons star was elated when informed of Anderson's comments. However, he stressed he would not be performing his trademark somersault until he was on the plane with a Test jumper in hand. "I'm flattered to hear that," Blacklock said. "It would be a dream come true. But if there's one thing I've learned over the past couple of weeks it's not to count on anything. "A lot can happen between now and then. I could get injured or another bloke could bolt out of the blue." The St George Illawarra flyer said he was still disillusioned about being left out of the NSW team. "It's still hard, but I'm coping," Blacklock said. "I'm trying not to think about it. "You get your hopes up when you hear people have been talking about you, but until you hear your name read out it's just that . . . talk."
EUROPE TARGETS RICKETSON
NSW State of Origin lock Luke Ricketson is the latest target of rugby union poachers – only this time the bidders are overseas interests. The Australian has been told a European club has set its sights on the long-serving Sydney Roosters forward, whose current contract at Bondi Junction rolls over at the end of this season. Ricketson, who played for Ireland at the World Cup in the UK last year, has an option to extend by a further year. While the Australian Rugby Union has signed Kangaroo wingers Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers, and is still considering opening negotiations with Dragons speedster Nathan Blacklock, as well as bidding for Roosters utility back Craig Wing, Ricketson is one to have slipped under its guard. One ARU official confirmed last night an informal meeting had already been held with Wing, who comes off contract with the Roosters at the end of next season. Another said of Ricketson: "He's certainly a very good player. But when his name came up in the past it was thought he was a rugby league boy through and through." However, Ricketson revealed to The Australian he played rugby union while attending Waverley College in Sydney's eastern suburbs, a traditional nursery for Wallabies. "I played as a kid at school, and I've followed the careers of others since then," he said. "As for switching codes, it hasn't been in the forefront of my mind. But I think if someone puts a contract in front of you, you'll look at it." Asked if he had fielded a rugby union approach from here or overseas, Ricketson replied: "I couldn't comment on that mate." But it is known the ARU has not, as yet, targeted Ricketson and with the Super 12 provinces requiring top-up money from the national body to sign any such high-profile player, it is safe to assume the only approach to Ricketson has come from Europe. The ARU might now join the queue to talk with Ricketson for while there has been a reluctance to chase rugby league forwards in the past, Ricketson has also played in the centres and would offer versatility. ARU contracts boss Jeff Miller believed the former Australian Schoolboys five-eighth, with his background in rugby union, could develop into a top-flight pivot if lured back from rugby league. Rogers has since signed with the NSW Waratahs for next season, while Sailor is contracted to play Super 12 for Queensland. With the NSW Rugby Union to shortly shift its offices to the Sydney Football Stadium, and with the Waratahs playing out of the same home ground as the Roosters, a move to NSW would provide a sense of familiarity for Ricketson. But given the size of contracts that Wallabies have accepted to head to Europe, the Roosters and ARU might be battling to match the money on offer. The move on Ricketson coincides with a growing number of league players being tempted to union in Britain. The Welsh Rugby Union is expected to sign Leeds rugby league five-eighth Ieystn Harris in the near future on a four-year deal worth £1.2 million. Bradford star Henry Paul has also been made an offer while English rugby officials have drawn up a list of young rugby league players it plans to target. Former Wallaby captain Michael Lynagh doubts whether the British Lions will rush ex-rugby league star Jason Robinson into their Test side for the series opener against the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 30. "If Robinson is given space, he basically beats whoever is in front of him," Lynagh wrote in an Internet column. "But he plays in the same position as Test certainty Dan Luger. (Coach Graham) Henry will have to convert one of them to play on the right flank in the limited time and lead-up games available".
EAGLES HARD MAN WANTS MORE
WALK into the lair of Mark O'Meley and "The Ogre's" nickname suddenly takes on an entirely different dimension. There is treasure virtually everywhere you look: trampoline, swimming pool, stereo, snooker table, big-screen TV. They are the sort of items most 20-year-olds would be happy to have one of – let alone the whole set – but the rugged Northern Eagles prop does not consider any of them his most prized possession. That honour falls to a sheet of paper that is stuck up on the family refrigerator. O'Meley wrote on it in the off-season and he reads it almost every day. On it are a list of goals "The Ogre" believes will make him not only a better footballer, but hopefully a better man as well. "At the start of the year my goal was to try and get into the top 17, because I was coming back from injury and wanted to hold a spot there," O'Meley said. "Then obviously there's being consistent and getting into some rep football, which might open some doors for me at the end of the year." O'Meley did more than open one of those representative doors last week, being a surprise selection in the NSW Origin team – he nearly busted it off its hinges with a dominant performance against Queensland to help square the series. Along the way, the Blues prop also gave life to a series of urban myths, which were confirmed or exposed as the week wore on. He rubs Dencorub into his head and Vicks into his body before a game to psyche himself up (true). His partner, Sandy, plays rugby union in the front row for Gosford (true – she prefers second row but injuries have forced her up front). He scrummages against Sandy for practice in the backyard (false, but they do have family wrestles and "The Ogre" hates being tickled). He was just the tonic the NSW pack needed after they were towelled in the first game (true, and he certainly proved it). The Blues front-rower was arguably the best forward on the park that night, and capped off a solid display when he burst through a tackle from Queensland prop Shane Webcke and drew fullback Darren Lockyer before sending captain Brad Fittler over for a try. "I didn't want to just say I've made Origin," O'Meley said. "I wanted to try and perform on the field, make the most of my opportunities and do the best that I could." Fittler and Blues coach Wayne Pearce believe he did that but O'Meley was not so sure. He was happy enough with his game but also a little dirty on himself for missing five tackles. Put that down to his being something of a perfectionist. When he rejoined his Eagles team-mates this week, coach Peter Sharp told him he did not need to come to training until Thursday, but O'Meley was having none of that. He missed four tackles in the Eagles' loss last round against New Zealand Warriors and, given that he missed those five against Queensland, there was plenty of work to do at training on Tuesday. "I've only been averaging one or two a game but in two games, to be missing that many, there's something going on," O'Meley said. "So I've just got to . . . maybe my fitness level has dropped a little bit, or my technique, so I'll be doing a little bit of work on it this week and hopefully I can resolve it this weekend." Of course, it has been tough for O'Meley to move anywhere this week without having the media as his shadow. But he handles that side of things with maturity too, dealing with all reasonable media requests until midweek, when he shuts himself off so he can focus on the weekend's game. "I'm not used to this attention which I'm getting now, and I just don't want to let it go too far to my head," O'Meley said. "It's hard to keep it in perspective because it's so easy to let it all slip away. I've realised that (and) I've had some great people like (former Kangaroo) big Mark Carroll talk to me, and just say 'stay relaxed and don't think about it'." All the extra attention, and playing on that Sunday night before 70,000 screaming fans at Stadium Australia, must have seemed a long way from the days four years ago when O'Meley, then 16, made his living as a woodchopper. Those were tough times. O'Meley did not earn much money from the job and he had the added responsibility of looking after his partner, Sandy, and their son, Nicholas. He eventually found himself at the doorstep of North Sydney, where he begged for a start in the under-19s. He progressed through the grades and when the Bears merged with Manly at the end of 1999, he found himself a new home at the Northern Eagles. "I've still got another year at the club and I don't see myself leaving," O'Meley said. In the meantime, there are other goals to work on. Winning against Penrith tomorrow and breaking back into the eight is a start. Playing semi-finals is another. And making the Kangaroo tour at the end of the year would be the ultimate. His family will be with him every step of the way. Nick is now 3, while the latest addition to the family, Jake, is 10 months. They both play a big part in helping O'Meley keep his life in perspective. Or provide you with another goal to stick on the fridge. "I found when I broke my ankle last year, I really didn't know Nick as well as I thought," O'Meley said. "Being around him all day, I started to realise how he had (his own) little personality and how great he was. "I see some great father figures in the club and I'd like to take that role on as well." O'Meley is interrupted by a potential crisis. An earlier mishap for Nick has resulted in a cut finger and a Bananas in Pyjamas Band-Aid, but the Band-Aid fell off. "Go see Mum, dude. Mum will fix it," he says reassuringly. "But before you go, give Dad a high five. Give Dad a kiss." Nick obliges and wanders over to Mum with a smile on his face. "The Ogre'' has just scored another goal.
BARRETT EARNS GLOVES
Fanatical NSW supporter Jeff Fenech promised Trent Barrett a pair of Mike Tyson's boxing gloves if the Blues beat Queensland in State of Origin II at Stadium Australia last night. But Barrett didn't need the armoury of the world's most fearsome fighter as he delivered his own knockout punch to Queensland to send the series into a deciding match at ANZ Stadium on July 1. The St George Illawarra playmaker also revealed he had to be coaxed by Blues coach Wayne Pearce into believing in his own ability to play out of position at halfback. Barrett had been controversially thrown the No.7 jumper at the expense of Test halfback Brett Kimmorley but responded with a man-of-the-match performance in NSW's 26-8 victory. "Some days I doubted it," Barrett said about the pressure of filling such a key role. "Jeff (Fenech) promised me a pair of Mike Tyson's boxing gloves if we won." The 23-year-old clicked instantly with NSW captain Brad Fittler, scoring a try and having a hand in two others as he repeatedly took on the Queensland defence. "To get man-of-the match with my dad sitting in the stands is a dream come true," Barrett said. "But it's not finished yet and we have to be humble about it (the win)." "It's not too much different to the way he plays at club level. He and Freddie (Fittler) stuck to their normal styles of play ... and spent equal amount of time at first receiver. "So I think before people start criticising the selection they should look at the way the guys play."
MACDOUGAL ONE WEEK FOR KNEE LFTING
NSW winger Adam MacDougall received a "kick in the guts" last night for a "lazy" action which cost him a one-match suspension from the National Rugby League. The Newcastle flanker will miss Sunday's NRL clash with the Bulldogs at Marathon Stadium after pleading guilty to a "contrary conduct - lifting knees" charge before a hastily convened Australian Rugby League judiciary hearing after last night's second State of Origin encounter at Stadium Australia. MacDougall was charged with carelessly lifting his knee into Queensland prop Petero Civoniceva in the 69th minute of last night's showdown, which NSW won 26-8 to keep the three-match series alive. "It was unfortunate and a bit lazy and as a result I'm going to miss a game of football now," MacDougall said after his hearing. "But there was no intent and I'm sorry that it happened. "It ruined a pretty good night. It's disappointing, it a bit of a kick in the guts. "But in saying that it's going to be pretty hard to outweigh the joy of tonight. The guys really stood up and they were counted for. "It was a terrific team performance." MacDougall's suspension leaves the Knights dangerously short of backline players with fullback Robbie O'Davis ruled out for this weekend's clash after undergoing surgery on his broken thumb. But tonight MacDougall was more concerned about being free to play for the Blues in the Origin series decider at ANZ Stadium on July 1. "As long as I'm available for the next game, that's the main thing, I'll be ready and raring to go," he said. MacDougall told the judiciary he was guilty of making a careless and dangerous move in lifting his knee but said he initially thought Civoniceva was about to tackle him from the opposite side and he moved awkwardly to avoid the hit. He also added that he thought the first point of contact was made with his arm. "It was careless, it was lazy," MacDougall told the three-man panel of Greg Woods, Kevin Brasch and Ron Coote. Judiciary commissioner Jim Hall compared MacDougall's knee lift with that of St George Illawarra skipper Craig Smith, who has been found guilty of knee lifting on three occasion's this year. Hall recommended MacDougall receive a one-match ban. Woods, the regular NRL judiciary chairman, said because MacDougall had shown contrition the one-game ban was worthy punishment.
FITLER PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOCKYER
Queensland fullback Darren Lockyer is among the greatest rugby league players of all time, according to NSW captain Brad Fittler. Fittler paid the ultimate compliment to his State of Origin rival after Lockyer turned in another complete performance for the Maroons in a losing side here tonight. Lockyer was the man of the match in Queensland's surprise 34-16 win over NSW in Origin I last month and tonight was again the outstanding performer, even in a well-beaten side. The classy No.1 threatened the Blues every time he handled the ball and saved the Maroons from a scoreline much worse than the final 26-8 outcome with a flawless game at the back. "I thought he was outstanding. He's playing as good a football as I've seen anyone play ever," Fittler said. "The way he can turn a game ... that's why you can never be relaxed playing Queensland with him, and (Test winger) Wendell (Sailor), in their side. "(Lockyer) is in dynamic form and I couldn't give a bloke a big enough rap." Lockyer, captaining Queensland for the first time but proving a more than capable replacement leader for the injured Gorden Tallis, was particularly dangerous in the first half. It took a knee injury and a halftime pep talk from Fittler to his team before the 24-year-old's progress was slowed after the break. "You don't even try to let up on him but then you realise you have," Fittler said. "We put a kick through (tonight) and he dummied once and ran 80 metres. You've just got to keep the pressure on him." Lockyer's injury wasn't giving Queensland any great concern. He was receiving treatment for it straight after the game and it's unlikely to sideline him for even a single Brisbane club match, let alone the Origin series decider at ANZ Stadium on July 1.
ANDERSON WANTS KIMMORLEY
KANGAROOS coach Chris Anderson wants to retain sacked State-of-Origin halfback Brett Kimmorley ahead of Trent Barrett or Andrew Johns for next month's Test against New Zealand. Anderson's unswerving support for Kimmorley is certain to promote a selection room showdown with the Australian panel members who voted Barrett man-of-the-match in Sunday night's Origin II game won 26-8 by the Blues. Australia plays New Zealand in New Zealand in a one-off Test match on July 13. By then Johns will be back and in contention for a shot at halfback or hooker after recovering from his knee injury. Johns would have supplanted Kimmorley for Origin I had he not suffered the injury the week before the game. Kimmorley was axed by the NSW selectors after a series of defensive lapses in Origin I at Suncorp Stadium won 34-16 by Queensland. Anderson as at Stadium Australia on Sunday night and said yesterday Kimmorley would still be his choice as Test halfback. "Kimmorley would be my pick for the Test match," Anderson said. "I don't see Barrett as a halfback, he's a five-eighth, that's where he plays. If Joey Johns is right we'll have to make a tough decision on the halfback." Anderson was not concerned that Australian selectors Bob McCarthy and Bob Fulton were part of the NSW panel that installed Barrett ahead of Kimmorley for Origin II. "That's right but they've said they like to see the coach get his team the same as Junior Pearce wanted." Unlike Pearce at state level the Australian coach gets a vote which means Anderson would have to convince Queensland selectors Arthur Beetson and Les Geeves to vote for Kimmorley. Anderson said he did not agree with the proposition that Kimmorley's defence was not up to scratch in the first Origin game. "Criticism of his defence is unfair, I think he is a good defender," Anderson said. "In that first Origin game the team wasn't tackling well and if you've got Gorden Tallis running at you 12 or 13 times you're going to miss the odd tackle. "Little blokes are going to need help, if the team's going up and defending well then the little blokes are not isolated. "Brett played well for Country on Friday night just as he did for Australia in the World Cup last year. "A player like that shouldn't just disappear overnight."
BULLDOG SIGNS WITH SAINTS
BULLDOGS captain Darren Britt is the latest to join the Australian exodus to Britain after signing a two- year deal with English Super League champion St Helens. The 194cm prop today said he would not take up a one-year option with the NRL club, opting instead to join the swelling Australian ranks in England to see out his career. "Although I had an option in my current contract to remain with the Bulldogs next season I must admit I've always harboured a desire to have a couple of years playing in England towards the end of my career," Britt said. "It will be difficult leaving Canterbury, a club I really respect and have enjoyed being a part of. "Playing with St Helens will be a great honour as the club has won every major title in the UK in the past year. "It will be my goal to be part of its future success and to play a role in helping to secure further achievements." Britt, 31, played six seasons with the now defunct Western Suburbs before linking with the Bulldogs in 1994 where he celebrated a premiership in 1995 and has been captain since 1998. Britt has played six Tests for Australia and was a member of last year's World Cup-winning team. He will link with St Helens later this year. "He's proven himself at the highest level as a hard working, highly skilled front-rower with a high work rate," said St Helens football manager Eric Hughes. "He's also revealed outstanding leadership qualities which will also be put to good use at St Helens."
QUEENSLAND AXE 3 FORWARDS
QUEENSLAND will sack three forwards in a bid to spark their pack for the Origin decider in three weeks. Coach Wayne Bennett and his selectors have decided the Maroons forwards are to blame for Sunday's disappointing performance at Stadium Australia. Sources have told The Daily Telegraph that the Maroons are planning to axe makeshift hooker Nathan Fien, Sharks hardman Chris Beattie and veteran Kevin Campion. In a new-look side halfback Paul Green will move to hooker with the Northern Eagles' in-form Ben Walker coming in to take the No. 7 jumper. North Queensland heavyweight John Buttigieg, who missed Sunday night's game through injury, will come back into the starting side. And the selectors will also look closely at the Sharks' Chris McKenna who is expected to return from injury this weekend against Canberra. Bennett knows he needs to find more attacking options after his team relied too heavily on the brilliance of just one man. With Gorden Tallis out of the picture, the mercurial Darren Lockyer had a grand game and was the only Queenslander to consistently threaten the NSW defensive line. "We have got to get some help for Lockey," Bennett said. "We can't expect him to do it all for us." The Maroons were hoping that Cowboys hooker John Doyle, one of the stars of their big win at Suncorp Stadium five weeks ago, would be fit to play in the decider. But Doyle is still hampered by a leg injury and is rated no chance of taking the field. As a result, the busy Green will move to hooker where his strong defence and good ball skills will be well suited. But the absence of Tallis will continue to hamper Queensland, on the field and psychologically. "Gorden is a unique player and you can't replace players like that," Bennett said. "The Blues handed us a lesson this time but we will learn more from this than when we won in game one."
SMITH SAYS GOOD BYE TO DRAGONS
St George Illawarra officials are resigned to losing captain Craig Smith at the end of the season - but not for good. Dragons chief executive Peter Doust spoke with Smith's manager, Sam Ayoub, yesterday, with both describing the discussions as positive. But Smith, 29, has now rejected two offers made by the Dragons and is destined to finish his playing career in Britain. Afterwards, however, the Dragons want Smith to return to take up a coaching position, probably in strength and conditioning. "He could be very important to us in the long term, and we've talked about that," Doust said. "We'd like to see him back here in a role off the field." Despite the breakdown in negotiations because of Smith's poor judiciary record, the parting of company between the New Zealand Test prop and St George Illawarra is likely to be amicable. After three suspensions so far this season totalling nine matches, the Dragons consider re-signing Smith on an unrestricted contract to be too much ofa risk. Yet for the same reason, he feels that it would not be in his best interests to accept a deal containing financial penalties for any further infringements at this late stage of his career. Smith has asked for permission to negotiate with other NRL clubs before the June 30 anti-tampering deadline expires but is almost certain to join either Wigan or St Helens next year. St George Illawarra, though, are set to re-sign representative centres Shaun Timmins and Mark Gasnier. Timmins, who has not played since State of Origin II last year, had a bone graft on his degenerative left knee last week and the prognosis was positive for him to a make a successful return next season. The 24-year-old international has been offered a new two-year contract, while 19-year-old Gasnier selected for City in the revived clash against Country, at Bathurst tomorrow night is considering a deal Doust described as "the beginning of a lifetime relationship" with the club.
ALL TIME GREATEST ABORIGINAL SIDE
ANTHONY MUNDINE has another fight on his hands - against Cliff Lyons and Laurie Daley for the mantle of best indigenous five-eighth of the century. Timed to coincide with South Sydney's clash with the Murdi Paaki Warriors on June 16, the Rabbitohs have initiated the selection of the Aboriginal rugby league team of the century. The team will be selected by respected league figures Ian Heads, Frank Hyde, Roy Masters and David Middleton, with the panel chaired by Senator Aden Ridgeway, a noted league player in his youth. The list of possible players in contention is sure to provoke argument among league fans. Rabbitohs legends Eric Simms and Kevin Longbottom will battle it out for the fullback position. Wendell Sailor is favourite for a wing spot, with a very open race for the other between Dale Shearer and Nathan Blacklock, among others. Mal Meninga and Steve Renouf all but select themselves themselves in the centres. Former Rabbitoh Darrell Trindall and Wests Tiger John Simon are chances for the halfback spot. Along with that glittering array of backline names, the forwards will prove an interesting mix. Sam Backo and Arthur Beetson stand out straight away in the front row and Mal Cochrane is the only obvious contender to stand between them at hooker. Queensland captain Gorden Tallis could garner a second-row spot, with the other likely to come down to Ron Gibbs and Chris McKenna and the job of locking the scrum may result in a 50-50 split between Ian Russell and Jeff Hardy. Contenders: Fullback: Eric Simms, Colin Scott, Dale Shearer, David Peachey, Kevin Longbottom. Wingers: George Ambrum, John Ferguson, Wendell Sailor, Dale Shearer, Joe Kilroy, Nathan Blacklock, Larry Corowa, Lionel Morgan, Ricky Walford. Centres: Tony Currie, Steve Ella, Dale Shearer, Steve Renouf, Mal Meninga, Ron Saddler. Five-eighth: Cliff Lyons, Anthony Mundine, Percy Knight, Laurie Daley. Halfback: John Simon, Scott Gale, Ewan McGrady, Darrell Trindall. Front row: Arthur Beetson, Sam Backo, Craig Salvatori, David Grant, Bruce Olive. Hooker: Mal Cochrane, George Green. Second row: Ron Gibbs, Brett Gale, David Grant, Paul Roberts, Gorden Tallis, Chris McKenna. Lock: Ian Russell, Jeff Hardy.
ORIGIN BACKROWER ASKED TO TAKE CUT OF $250,000
ADAM MUIR's selection in the NSW Origin team proves he's still one of the game's leading backrowers – yet he is facing a massive $250,000 a season pay cut to play in the NRL next season. The cash-strapped Northern Eagles will tell Muir his income will be slashed if he signs a new deal for next season and beyond. Muir, 29, is off contract with the Eagles at the end of this season but he doesn't want to leave the club. His current four-year deal is worth $450,000 a season. Although the Northern Eagles are yet to table an offer, sources indicate Muir will be asked to sign for about $200,000 a year. And Muir, who replaced Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh in the NSW side, told The Daily Telegraph he is expecting a pay reduction. "When I signed the four-year deal I was on big money, Super League money," he said yesterday. "It doesn't worry me – I was lucky enough to be on good money for four years. "That money isn't around any more, well maybe it is, but only for the very top players." Muir lives near Newcastle and wants to stay with the Northern Eagles, who train once a week in Gosford, Wahroonga and Brookvale. "I'll sit down in the next couple of weeks and talk – I'm hoping to stay," Muir said. "But I'll keep my options open, maybe England." Northern Eagles chairman Ian Thomson was reluctant to discuss the offer that will be forthcoming to Muir. "We'd love him to stay. No offer has been put on the table yet," Thomson said. "Adam has been in good form this year and was also in good form last season in patches. "He seems to rise at this time of year – he gets a buzz out of representative football. "An end-of-season Kangaroo tour is also an incentive." Thomson said there was "no news" on whether Northern Eagles captain Geoff Toovey would take his option and play for one last season in 2002. "We haven't heard from Geoff yet. He's got until the end of the month to make a decision," Thomson said. "But Geoff is playing very good football." One player with his future already settled is Blues centre Ryan Girdler. The Penrith ace said yesterday NSW were determined to remedy the "embarrassing" performance in Origin I, won 34-16 by Queensland. "I think the boys are a little embarrassed and really want to make amends," Girdler said yesterday. "Our training sessions have been very intense. "I think our approach to this game has been different. "I just want to take this opportunity, play well, hopefully play against New Zealand and then the end of season tour."
TALLIS SAYS "ROGERS NO LOSE"
INJURED Queensland captain Gorden Tallis has taken a dig at rugby union's targeting of league wingers, saying latest signing Mat Rogers wouldn't have made the Maroons State of Origin side this season. Test winger Rogers earlier this week announced he had taken up a three-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union, and would line up for the NSW Waratahs in the Super 12 competition. But in his Brisbane newspaper column today, Tallis said the ARU is welcome to another rugby league winger following Brisbane team-mate Wendell Sailor's decision to switch codes next year. "I'm not too worried about rugby union signing Mat Rogers ... they can sign as many wingers as they like," Tallis wrote in The Courier Mail. "This doesn't apply to Broncos wingers Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri, but wingers are really only guys who hang around with footballers and the only reason they score a lot of tries is because they're marked by other wingers. "I don't think Rogers would have made the Queensland Origin team this year but he's a nice guy and I hope he does well in rugby union." Rogers, who played for the Maroons the past two years, was ruled out of this year's Origin series due to a shoulder injury. Tallis was man of the match in Queensland's series- opening win over the Blues at Lang Park last month but has been ruled out for the rest of the season following spinal surgery. The tough second-rower has joined the Queensland camp in Sydney preparing for Sunday's return Origin match at Stadium Australia. While the ARU have snared two prized league scalps in Rogers and Sailor, another player target, Brisbane's Darren Lockyer, is unlikely to jump ship. Elevated to the Queensland captaincy in the absence of Tallis, Test fullback Lockyer is soon expected to sign a new three-year contract with Brisbane.
ROGERS SIGNS OVER TO UNION
KANGAROOS winger Mat Rogers today announced he had signed with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) for the next three years. Rogers will play with the NSW Waratahs in the Super 12 competition and could be in a blue jumper as early as October when they meet Queensland. The 25-year-old, currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, turned down offers from the Sharks and fellow NRL club the Bulldogs before deciding to swap codes. He joins his former Queensland team-mate Wendell Sailor as the latest high-profile rugby league player to join rugby union, and is an outside chance of joining the Brisbane Broncos winger on the Wallabies tour of Canada and Europe later this year. "It was a tough decision but the more and more I thought it about the more my heart said I want to play rugby union," Rogers said. "I feel within myself that I've made the right one." Rogers - flanked at this afternoon's press conference by his father Steve, NSW Rugby Union executive director Matt Carroll and ARU high performance manager Jeff Miller - is believed to have been offered upwards of $500,00 a season by the Bulldogs. The former Australian schoolboy rugby union player, who informed his Sharks teammates this morning of his decision, today described the Bulldogs offer as a "blessing in disguise". "It came in late and I guess when they did come in ... it really made me sit back and think do I really want to play rugby union," he said.
BLACKLOCK HEARTBROKEN
HEARTBROKEN Nathan Blacklock will consider quitting rugby league for rugby union after again missing out on a cherished NSW State-of-Origin jumper last night. Only a matter of hours after one of his finest moments in a glittering career, the St George Illawarra flyer had to cope with the reality he may never play in league's most demanding arena. Not even three more tries, including a spectacular 70m solo effort which won the game for the Dragons against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval yesterday, could convince the NSW selectors to give him a shot at Origin glory. They opted to stay with proven performers Adam MacDougall and Jamie Ainscough. During yesterday's post-match interviews Blacklock put on a brave face and said he would soldier on in the game if again overlooked. But after joining team-mates and well-wishers back at the St George Leagues club the freakish winger with 17 tries from 15 games could no longer control his emotions. "I just had a feeling I wouldn't be picked," Blacklock said with an air of resignation. "I'm just happy for Ainsy but when the team came out he said he couldn't believe I was left out. I've just got to keep playing football, I'm not going to let it get to me." But after saying that, the Blacklock's usually bubbly persona hardened perceptibly. "I now think that I'm not the right bloke for the job," he said. "To be honest, if I had a chance I would love to prove people wrong. "But now that I haven't got that chance I'm going to have to consider what I'm going to do in the future, especially with rugby league. "You can't win no matter what you do, maybe another code will have to suit me. "I have't had an offer from union but I would love one." Rugby league can't afford to lose Nathan Blacklock. For the past two seasons he has been the game's leading try-scorer and is on course to make it three in a row. It has been suggested Blacklock isn't robust enough to handle Wendell Sailor or Lote Tuqiri. Ainscough and MacDougall merit retention in the NSW side but one suspects Sailor, Tuqiri and 15 other Maroons are already counting their blessings the Tingha Tornado won't be out there.
KEARNS OUT,RYLES IN??
NSW prop Robbie Kearns was today ruled out of the second State of Origin game against Queensland while winger Adam MacDougall will undergo further tests on his injured ankle. Kearns had a precautionary scan this morning which revealed he had broken one of his ribs, forcing him out of the Blues side which will attempt to level the Origin series at Stadium Australia on Sunday. "The doctor said there was a big break in it and I'm out," Kearns said today. NSW selectors are yet to name a replacement for the Melbourne prop, however St George Illawarra forward Jason Ryles is expected to to come into the Blues side. Blues winger MacDougall will have precautionary scans on his ankle at 6.00pm today. Blues coach Wayne Pearce said if the scans showed no damage MacDougall would still have to prove his fitness at tomorrow's training session.
KIMMORLEY AXED
NSW selectors have dumped half-back Brett Kimmorley and brought his Northern Eagles team-mates Adam Muir and Mark O'Meley into the Blues' squad to face Queensland in the second State Of Origin clash next Sunday. St George Illawarra five-eighth Trent Barrett replaces Kimmorley while Sydney Roosters lock Luke Ricketson takes over from discarded Canberra forward Jason Croker. Three forwards will make their debut against the Maroons in the second interstate battle after the Blues' forwards put on a dismal show in the Origin opener on May 6 which Queensland won 34-16. Sharks prop Jason Stevens was overlooked for selection in the NSW front row after he injured his neck during today's 36-6 loss to Parramatta today. Selectors retained Melbourne prop Robbie Kearns, who will team up with Eagles debutant O'Meley in the front row. Parramatta second rower Nathan Hindmarsh was omitted in favour of Muir, while Brisbane centre Michael De Vere lost his place to Penrith's goalkicking centre Ryan Girdler. His Penrith team-mates Matt Adamson and Craig Gower join Eels back rower Andrew Ryan on the Blues' bench. Newcastle forward Ben Kennedy lost his position on the bench. NSW: Mark Hughes, Adam MacDougall, Ryan Girdler, Matthew Gidley, Jamie Ainscough, Brad Fittler (c), Trent Barrett, Luke Ricketson, Adam Muir, Bryan Fletcher, Robbie Kearns, Luke Priddis, Mark O'Meley. Res: Michael Vella, Matt Adamson, Andrew Ryan, Craig Gower.
ROGERS TO SIGN TO PLAY UNION
MAT Rogers will become the second rugby league international to walk out on the code this year and sign a lucrative contract with the Australian Rugby Union. The Sunday Telegraph understands Rogers will announce tomorrow that he is quitting the Sharks to join fellow World Cup winger Wendell Sailor in rugby union. Rogers' ARU deal is expected to be worth $350,000 a year over three years, plus an additional $10,000 a game if he makes the Wallaby team in his initial season. Yesterday, Rogers was tight-lipped about his future, as was ARU boss John O'Neill who refused to comment. The only ARU official doing any talking was high performance manager Jeff Miller, who has been locked in negotiations with Rogers for months. "Negotiations with Mat are going extremely well, however we haven't signed him to an ARU deal as yet," Miller said. "Cronulla have the last right of refusal and we understand Mat will be talking to Cronulla on Monday." A Sharks source said yesterday the club was resigned to losing its champion winger to rugby next year and had braced itself for such an announcement tomorrow. "We had a meeting with `Sludge' (Steve Rogers) on Friday and we were going through the playing roster and he said we should take it that Mat won't be here next year," the Sharks source said. "`Sludge' said Mat had 99 per cent agreed to go to union. We were half resigned to losing him anyway because we could not afford the money he was asking. "After having kept Jason Stevens, `Sludge' said take it for granted Mat is not going to be here and he would tell us for sure on Monday." The ARU have been relentlessly chasing Rogers for four months. Along with his goalkicking talent, ARU officials are keen to slot Rogers in as five-eig