NRL and all things Rugby League down under

Tom Mann Centuria

Not long to wait for the new season down under, the All Star Game first up (15th February), which is a bit of a non event but any Rugby League is a good thing.

Messy off season for a lot of clubs and players, certainly haven't covered themselves in glory, so getting back to playing the game will be a welcome relief.

Hard to look past the Roosters again this year, with the usual suspects in or around the hunt for the Play offs. I might put a couple of euro on the Panthers this year and the Cowboys (sans Barba) can't be as bad this year so might be there or there abouts.

The Warriors, as always will be hard to guess how they're going to do but probably mid-ladder (but who knows, maybe this is the year!)

People's guesses for their team, and who's going to win it?

Last years thread HERE

kirk buttercup

thanks Tom you're the man

Mr.Nice Guy

Roosters are looking formidable as things stand.

I'm excited to see what the Knights can do this season. I want them to get into the top 8 and I think they've a chance this time. Keen to see what Ponga can serve up this campaign.

Shocked at the Barba story that has emerged. I was eager to see him back in the NRL. Wonder will he be back in England shortly?

Pauliedragon

Good to see the new thread up and running. I'd say the NRL can't wait for the season to kick off with all the nonsense going on off the pitch. Will those players ever learn. I worked in a couple of pubs where some of them used to come in and they really are high maintenence. I could've called the cops dozens of times.
Enough of the bad news hopefully a good season. How will Melbourne go without Slater? Cowboys without Thurston? More importantly can the Dragons skip the usual mis season slump? Best of luck to all ye're teams guys (except when they play Saints of course)

kirk buttercup

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/competitions/telstra-premiership/fixtures

kirk buttercup

Coverage still sucks this year

Tom Mann Centuria

Thanks for the fixture /coverage list Kirk.

I wish I could find a decent source to watch everything, that isn't too expensive. I know Bein 2 France will often have a game on when Sky don't, but I'd prefer an English commentary (though the French commentary sounds good fun) and they're still very hit and miss.

I miss Premier Sports coverage, every single game. Maybe the nrl app will be cheaper this year.

Mr.Nice Guy

Quite a few early kick-offs for those of us in this part of the world. Love the 10:50 ones if I can catch it live. Pity there aren't too many on Saturday.

We'd no idea how good we had it with every game live!

Tom Mann Centuria

Rabbitohs beat the Dragons in this years Charity Shield. Season not too far away now...........

Pauliedragon

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Rabbitohs beat the Dragons in this years Charity Shield. Season not too far away now...........

I'm worried about the Dragons this year. All this off the field stuff with De Belin could create a distraction.

Tom Mann Centuria

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I'm worried about the Dragons this year. All this off the field stuff with De Belin could create a distraction.

I'm not sure why they didn't just stand him down initially. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it, that's the way the wind has blown pre season, it was inevitable.

Pauliedragon

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

I'm not sure why they didn't just stand him down initially. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it, that's the way the wind has blown pre season, it was inevitable.

Very true. At least it might have kept the media away if they didn't dig their heels in.

Pauliedragon

I see they're looking at expanding the finals to 10 teams from 2020. Teams 7 to 10 would play in week one with the top 6 having a week off. I personally don't like it. I'm on the phone so can't post a link but it's on the fox sports site.

Tom Mann Centuria

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I see they're looking at expanding the finals to 10 teams from 2020. Teams 7 to 10 would play in week one with the top 6 having a week off. I personally don't like it. I'm on the phone so can't post a link but it's on the fox sports site.

So it'll be harder to miss the play offs than make them if this goes through, and I'm sure it will. Nothing to do with the competition, all to do with money.

Makes a change from the pre season sex tapes news though I suppose.

Tom Mann Centuria

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I'm worried about the Dragons this year. All this off the field stuff with De Belin could create a distraction.

It goes on, since he won't take no for an answer, legal case speaking of course, he's apparently now free to play. Dragons are idiots if they play him.

Pauliedragon

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

It goes on, since he won't take no for an answer, legal case speaking of course, he's apparently now free to play. Dragons are idiots if they play him.

Agreed. They need to just shut up and quietly as possible head into the new season without him in the team. If he's found not guilty then stand up for him no problem. He can't be in the right headspace anyway to play.

Tom Mann Centuria

Nearly there now............

Danick

Apologies for dragging up an old question from last year but someone recommended some NRL podcasts last year - I know one was called Six Tackles with Gus but I can't remember the other one. I featured two guys who discussed the weeks events in a relaxed style and then towards the end of their podcast the offered their predictions for the upcoming round. If anyone can remember the name of this podcast then I'd be really grateful if you could let me know.

Thanks - really hoping Cowboys have a good season this year

Mr.Nice Guy

Nice to have headlines for the right reason hopefully!

Hard to see past the Roosters again imo.

Didn't realise Sky Sports Arena were showing the Storm/Broncos game. It's Thursday, 08:50am in this part of the world for those that maybe want to record it.

Pauliedragon

Danick wrote: »

Apologies for dragging up an old question from last year but someone recommended some NRL podcasts last year - I know one was called Six Tackles with Gus but I can't remember the other one. I featured two guys who discussed the weeks events in a relaxed style and then towards the end of their podcast the offered their predictions for the upcoming round. If anyone can remember the name of this podcast then I'd be really grateful if you could let me know.

Thanks - really hoping Cowboys have a good season this year

I don't like Gould I just find him too arrogant and he comes across as the godfather of the game like he owns it even though a lot of what he says makes sense regarding rules. I like the fox sports podcast. It's done weekly and Warren Smith is a very level headed commentator in general I think.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2019-fox-league-podcast-returns-nrl-offseason-controversy/news-story/cf3bbe66ac385fc99eb0b960db61b64c

Danick

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I don't like Gould I just find him too arrogant and he comes across as the godfather of the game like he owns it even though a lot of what he says makes sense regarding rules. I like the fox sports podcast. It's done weekly and Warren Smith is a very level headed commentator in general I think.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2019-fox-league-podcast-returns-nrl-offseason-controversy/news-story/cf3bbe66ac385fc99eb0b960db61b64c

Brill thanks for that - I really appreciate it - so happy league is back!

kirk buttercup

Danick wrote: »

Apologies for dragging up an old question from last year but someone recommended some NRL podcasts last year - I know one was called Six Tackles with Gus but I can't remember the other one. I featured two guys who discussed the weeks events in a relaxed style and then towards the end of their podcast the offered their predictions for the upcoming round. If anyone can remember the name of this podcast then I'd be really grateful if you could let me know.

Thanks - really hoping Cowboys have a good season this year

I like the full 80 . a couple of my comments and messages have been discussed on it.
its 3 lads from Canberra
1 is a raiders fan , 1 is a bunnys fan the other is a eels fan .
low enough budget but I think they get it spot on .

Slim Charles

10er on Roosters for minor and same for major both at 7/2.
Off to a stinking start.

Mr.Nice Guy

Great to see the Knights start with a win. Rooting for them and the Warriors this season.

Danick

kirk buttercup wrote: »

I like the full 80 . a couple of my comments and messages have been discussed on it.
its 3 lads from Canberra
1 is a raiders fan , 1 is a bunnys fan the other is a eels fan .
low enough budget but I think they get it spot on .

Excellent - thanks!

Tom Mann Centuria

Warriors have given the remaining tickets for today's game away for free. A gesture of solidarity with the rest of New Zealand after the terrorist attack.

Tom Mann Centuria

That was some win for the Warriors. Feel a bit for the Bulldogs, no win for them in that kind of occasion.

Tom Mann Centuria

Good win for the Cowboys over the Dragons.

Danick

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Good win for the Cowboys over the Dragons.

Delighted with that - they started like they played for most of last season but 15 mins from the end of the first half they started to click - hope this is a sign of things to come.

swiftman

What a day it was yesterday at Mt. Smart.
Was going to go to a Paddys day event at SkyCity but that was cancelled and I seen the warriors were giving away the free tickets.
10am the put a statement out about the free tickets and could be claimed at noon for a 5pm kickoff.
Just under 19000 there, great game in the first half, that cross field kick left the Bulldogs hopeless. I dont think we'll meet a team as poor as that again all season.

Great to have the season back up and running again.

Pauliedragon

Disappointed with the dragons. Poor attack which has been the way for a few seasons now. Early days so won't get too hung up. Great gesture from the warriors.

Mr.Nice Guy

Anyone else find the NRL website is geoblocking highlights? When I go to check them out I get a message saying 'SAS Geo Error - This video is not authorized in your location.'

Never had this happen before.

Tom Mann Centuria

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Anyone else find the NRL website is geoblocking highlights? When I go to check them out I get a message saying 'SAS Geo Error - This video is not authorized in your location.'

Never had this happen before.

That's weird because they worked this morning, but aren't working now. Hopefully just a glitch, otherwise they're making it harder and harder for people to follow the game without ponying up for their streaming service. Stupid move.

Apparently you can still watch via the NRL Facebook page if you're on that, or just use a vpn, still a pain in the arse though.

Tom Mann Centuria

Eels get their first away win since 2017. Reading the reports sounds like Penrith just couldn't hold the ball and complete their sets.

Raiders nilled the Titans.

Mr.Nice Guy

Still can't access highlights on their website and it appears from looking at Twitter this is happening elsewhere. Must be a new site policy.

https://twitter.com/amosisCOOL/status/1107381823003222017

https://twitter.com/RLBetStats/status/1106940886129217540

https://twitter.com/dilksmania/status/1107295337843179520

From what I gather, Sky are showing a highlights show "Try Time" on Wednesday nights - only a day before the next round of games start. That's a bit like a football fan having to wait until Friday night to watch Match of the Day highlights of games from the previous weekend.

Such a backwards move in terms of getting people outside Australia interested in NRL games.

Tom Mann Centuria

Good win for the Bunnies, second best in the first half, but Sam Burgess was on fire in the second half.

Tom Mann Centuria

Storm on their way to a comfortable win over the Raiders, which is nice.

Tom Mann Centuria

Warriors comfortably hammered by Tigers.

Tom Mann Centuria

Brilliant game this morning, Dragons edged out the Broncos by a point.

Pauliedragon

Up and down game for the dragons. A good tough win might spark them. Reports Widdops season might be over. Shame if it is his last game for Saints always liked him.

Tom Mann Centuria

Pauliedragon wrote: »

Up and down game for the dragons. A good tough win might spark them. Reports Widdops season might be over. Shame if it is his last game for Saints always liked him.

I read his best case scenario 3 to 6 weeks out , worse case 3 to 6 months, as you say, effectively the end of his NRL career.

Tom Mann Centuria

Enjoyable game between the Raiders and the Knights. Eels and Roosters was good until Sydney pulled away, got a bit one sided then.

Tom Mann Centuria

Wooden spoon already looking like the only thing the Warriors will be playing for this year. Battered by Manly.

Slim Charles

What a second half by Sharks so far, tackling, set completion excellent, kick chase superb, absolutely brilliant - good signs for future. Cut out the mistakes that riddled the first half and the previous two games.

Tom Mann Centuria

Slim Charles wrote: »

What a second half by Sharks so far, tackling, set completion excellent, kick chase superb, absolutely brilliant - good signs for future. Cut out the mistakes that riddled the first half and the previous two games.

Yeah they were excellent. All one sided games in the end today, Storm hammered the Panthers.

kirk buttercup

good round . finally (for me) the doggies got it together , its going to be a long process to rebuild that team. Souths and Storm look the early front runners and look pretty good wouldn't be too surprised if either of them won it this year . Mal Manninga reckons titans to be premiers haha ok Mal ill take one of whatever you're having

Slim Charles

kirk buttercup wrote: »

good round . finally (for me) the doggies got it together , its going to be a long process to rebuild that team. Souths and Storm look the early front runners and look pretty good wouldn't be too surprised if either of them won it this year . Mal Manninga reckons titans to be premiers haha ok Mal ill take one of whatever you're having

Where's he said that, the daft sod

Tom Mann Centuria

Roosters thumped the Broncos. Lot of very one sided games so far this season.

Slim Charles

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Roosters thumped the Broncos. Lot of very one sided games so far this season.

Backed Broncos +4....just missed out :rolleyes:

Tom Mann Centuria

Squeaky bum time for the Warriors. Lead down to ten over the Titans, 15 minutes left.

Edit: Back to 16 point lead, should be comfortable now.

Danick

Cowboys lose again - it looks like it's going to be a tough season for us.