Sunday, May 07, 2006
Results for round 9 of the NRL were as follows:
Eels 10-30 Raiders
Cowboys 22-6 Panthers
Rabbitohs 14-38 Storm
Knights 32-30 Broncos
Roosters 14-30 Bulldogs
Tigers 30-12 Dragons
Aussie Players shine despite selectors' wild-goose Hunt
This week's action was preceeded by Australia's thumping of New Zealand in the one-off test 50-12. Marshalled expertly by Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns, it was a team full of awesome talent. The only weakness was the fullback Karmichael Hunt, who was a bizare inclusion by selectors - the mind boggles at their motivation for calling him up after Anthony Minichiello's late withdrawal. Perhaps they wanted to pay him back for opting to play for Australia rather than New Zealand? There are better players (Matt Bowen and Reece Wesser come to mind) ready and waiting. The team was done a favour when he was stretchered off the field after a heavy tackle. Other poor options included Matt King on the wing over Eric Grothe Jr. and Matt Cooper over Justin Hodges in the centres, but overall the team was outstanding - John Thurston, Timana Tahu, Willie Mason and the battle hardened Menzies coming off the bench were exceptional.
In his last international match Johns was clinical, carving holes in the Kiwis up the middle and on the edges of the field and sending green and gold jumpers sliding through at every opportunity. As Coach Ricky Stuart predicted Benji Marshall proved to be a weakness that the Aussies exploited well - although such a strong team would have found a way through any defence. New Zealand Coach Brian McClennan summed it up well when he said "we were simply outplayed."
Around the Grounds
The Eels' poor start to the season continued with Canberra embarrasing them at Parramatta stadium. Sure they started last season badly and pulled off a Minor-Premiership, but what evidence do we have that they will come good in '06?
The Cowboys got back on track with a slick win over the struggling Panthers who look set for a bottom 5 finish this season despite their array of talent. Preston Campbell seems listless and below his best, and while Gower is injured they will struggle.
South Sydney look like they might win a match one day soon, but the Storm were far too strong, and look like they will finish in the top 6 again although they are not a serious contender for the Premiership.
In the clash of the round Joey Johns backed up after the test with a ripper of a game to inspire Newcastle to a two-point victory over Brisbane - this is a likely 2006 grand-final - you read it here first.
The depleted Roosters were trounced by a Bulldogs team that has slipped under the radar this season and are quielty climbing up the ladder - don't count them out of the race because we all know they have the goods.
The Tigers fought with passion as they always do at Leichhardt in front of a large and parochial crowd. Their enthusiasm was too much for a Sea Eagles side that was sans Ben Kennedy after his calf injury in the first half.
Finally, the Sharks, who are languishing at the wrong end of the ladder, continued their giant-killing form by sending the Dragons home losers. Former Dragon Lance Thompson topped the tackle count for the Sharks and scored a try - no doubt leaving Nathan Brown a little regretful over letting the bloodnut forward go.
Eels 10-30 Raiders
Cowboys 22-6 Panthers
Rabbitohs 14-38 Storm
Knights 32-30 Broncos
Roosters 14-30 Bulldogs
Tigers 30-12 Dragons
Aussie Players shine despite selectors' wild-goose Hunt
This week's action was preceeded by Australia's thumping of New Zealand in the one-off test 50-12. Marshalled expertly by Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns, it was a team full of awesome talent. The only weakness was the fullback Karmichael Hunt, who was a bizare inclusion by selectors - the mind boggles at their motivation for calling him up after Anthony Minichiello's late withdrawal. Perhaps they wanted to pay him back for opting to play for Australia rather than New Zealand? There are better players (Matt Bowen and Reece Wesser come to mind) ready and waiting. The team was done a favour when he was stretchered off the field after a heavy tackle. Other poor options included Matt King on the wing over Eric Grothe Jr. and Matt Cooper over Justin Hodges in the centres, but overall the team was outstanding - John Thurston, Timana Tahu, Willie Mason and the battle hardened Menzies coming off the bench were exceptional.
In his last international match Johns was clinical, carving holes in the Kiwis up the middle and on the edges of the field and sending green and gold jumpers sliding through at every opportunity. As Coach Ricky Stuart predicted Benji Marshall proved to be a weakness that the Aussies exploited well - although such a strong team would have found a way through any defence. New Zealand Coach Brian McClennan summed it up well when he said "we were simply outplayed."
Around the Grounds
The Eels' poor start to the season continued with Canberra embarrasing them at Parramatta stadium. Sure they started last season badly and pulled off a Minor-Premiership, but what evidence do we have that they will come good in '06?
The Cowboys got back on track with a slick win over the struggling Panthers who look set for a bottom 5 finish this season despite their array of talent. Preston Campbell seems listless and below his best, and while Gower is injured they will struggle.
South Sydney look like they might win a match one day soon, but the Storm were far too strong, and look like they will finish in the top 6 again although they are not a serious contender for the Premiership.
In the clash of the round Joey Johns backed up after the test with a ripper of a game to inspire Newcastle to a two-point victory over Brisbane - this is a likely 2006 grand-final - you read it here first.
The depleted Roosters were trounced by a Bulldogs team that has slipped under the radar this season and are quielty climbing up the ladder - don't count them out of the race because we all know they have the goods.
The Tigers fought with passion as they always do at Leichhardt in front of a large and parochial crowd. Their enthusiasm was too much for a Sea Eagles side that was sans Ben Kennedy after his calf injury in the first half.
Finally, the Sharks, who are languishing at the wrong end of the ladder, continued their giant-killing form by sending the Dragons home losers. Former Dragon Lance Thompson topped the tackle count for the Sharks and scored a try - no doubt leaving Nathan Brown a little regretful over letting the bloodnut forward go.
