StephenP
ArnoldNRL Tables 2008
February 29th 2008 13:02
Please click on the following link to view the 2008 NRL Premiership, Top Pointscorers and Top Try Scorers Tables!
NRL Table 2008
NRL Table 2008
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NRL News - February 2008
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NRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - North QLD
February 27th 2008 23:20
North Queensland Cowboys
Attack – 8/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 6th
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 6th
Having retained the nucleus of the side that went within one game of making the premiership decider in 2007, the talent-laden North Queensland Cowboys will be striving to take that next step in 2008. Despite losing a host of players over the off season, the Cowboys have recruited extremely well. Former Bulldogs centre Ben Harris returns to the NRL to replace the retired Paul Bowman, and the halves pairing of ex-Manly pivot Travis Burns and Johnathan Thurston means that the Cowboys will have one of the most lethal halves combinations in the competition.
For mine, the only thing stopping the Cowboys from cementing a top four position, will be the unavailability of Thurston for at least the first month of the premiership. North Queensland are notorious for bursting out of the blocks at the start of each year, but without the world’s best half steering them around, the Cowboys could well be behind the pack cum Round 6 (Thurston’s expected return).
Strengths-
The Cowboys seemingly possess talent in every position, and it would be a real shock to see them miss the top four. North Queensland have speed to burn in the outside backs, a creative set of halves, bullocking props and workaholic backrowers – they are pretty much a coaches dream.
Coach Murray has the side playing an exciting brand of expansive, attacking football, with the Cowboys possessing the lethal ability of being able to produce a try from anywhere on the paddock. The stifling weather conditions of Dairy Farmers Stadium is yet another major advantage for the Cowboys, with visiting rivals often struggling to overpower the acclimatised home team.
Weaknesses-
The brilliance of the Cowboys attacking arsenal of 2007 overshadowed their defensive deficiencies, with coach Murray’s men finishing the season as the 13th worst defensive unit. Admittedly injuries to key forwards contributed to the North Queenslanders defensive communication, but seven of the Cowboys ten season losses were against fellow semi-finalists. The Cowboys will need to improve their defence if they hope to compete against the top sides.
Best Team-
1- Matt Bowen
2- Ty Williams
3- Ashley Graham
4- Ben Harris
5- Ben Farrar
6- Travis Burns
7- Johnathan Thurston
8- Shane Tronc
9- Aaron Payne
10- Carl Webb
11- Steve Southern
12- Sione Faumuina
13- Luke O’Donnell
14- David Faiumu
15- Jacob Lillyman
16- Ray Cashmere
17– Matthew Scott
Trial Matches-
16/02/08 v Brisbane Broncos @ Browne Park, Rockhampton
23/02/08 v Gold Coast Titans @ Barlow Park, Cairns
01/03/0/8 v Canberra Raiders @ Brothers RL Club, Mackay
2008 Gains and Losses –
Gains –
Travis Burns (Manly), John Williams (Sydney Roosters), Ben Harris (Bradford), Dayne Weston and Anthony Watts (Cronulla), Anthony Perkins (Melbourne)
Losses –
Paul Bowman, Scott Minto and Jason Smith (retired), Brenton Bowen (Gold Coast), Justin Smith (released), Shane Muspratt (QLD Cup), Neil Sweeney (Macquarie, Newcastle)
*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Parramatta Eels 2008 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
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NRL Club Analysis for Seaaon '08 - New Zealand
February 27th 2008 06:18
New Zealand Warriors
Attack – 8/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 5th
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 5th
After surprising many with a top four finish in ’07, the New Zealand Warriors will be hoping for an even better showing in 2008. Under new coach Ivan Cleary’s tutelage, the once unpredictable Warriors showcased a newfound maturity and poise, and finally regained some respect after three disappointing seasons.
Courageously led by a tireless Steve Price, the Warriors again possess a talented blend of size and skill, which should see them again compete in semi-final football. However, the season ending knee injury to fullback Wade McKinnon will hamper the Warriors attacking game, as much of last season’s success can be attributed to the robust runs of the dynamic custodian. Only time will tell how the loss of McKinnon will affect the Warriors chances, with many bookmakers already slashing their prices on the Warriors ability to reach the semi-finals.
If the Warriors can rectify their traveling woes, and find a reliable replacement for McKinnon, then there is no reason why the New Zealander’s can’t again challenge for a top four position.
Strengths-
Aside from possessing the biggest forward pack in the competition, the Warriors real strength is their ability and instinct to switch to their exhilarating style of ad-lib, Polynesian attacking football at the drop of a hat. With their size, pace and skill, the Warriors have the ability to produce tries from anywhere on the paddock, and have proven in recent history that they are never dead and buried in tight contests.
Weaknesses-
Despite finishing the season in fourth spot, the Warriors still had trouble winning matches away from Mt Smart Stadium. Seven of their twelve season losses were recorded on the road, with the continuous traveling over the Tasman probably contributing to the New Zealander’s loss of focus midway through the season.
Expect a change in how the Warriors prepare and travel to away matches this season, as coach Cleary identified the amount of traveling as of his team’s main weaknesses last season.
Best Team-
1- Patrick Ah Van
2- Michael Crockett
3- Brent Tate
4- Simon Mannering
5- Manu Vatuvei
6- Michael Witt
7- Grant Rovelli
8- Steve Price
9- Nathan Fien
10- Sam Rapira
11- Ruben Wiki
12- Logan Swann
13- Michael Luck
14- Epahalame Lauaki
15- Evarn Tuimavave
16- Wairangi Koopu
17– Ian Henderson
Trial Matches-
15/02/08 v Newcastle Knights @ North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
29/02/08 v Manly Sea-Eagles @ Kawana Waters
2008 Gains and Losses –
Gains –
Brent Tate (Brisbane), Ian Henderson (Bradford), Ryan Shortland (Melbourne)
Losses –
Tony Martin (Wakefield), Todd Byrne (Hull), Louis Anderson (Warrington), George Gatis (Huddersfield)
*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the North QLD Cowboys 2008 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
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NRL Trial Results - Week 2
February 22nd 2008 11:33
Friday 22/02/2008
Penrith Panthers 30 (Luke Rooney 2, Trent Waterhouse, Rhys Wesser, Jarrod[ Click here to read more ]
Penrith Panthers 30 (Luke Rooney 2, Trent Waterhouse, Rhys Wesser, Jarrod
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Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Results
Comments (3) NRL Trial Results - Week 1
February 15th 2008 12:00
Friday 15/02/2008
Melbourne Storm 56 (Slater 2, C. Smith 2, Williams, Moore, Folau, Cronk, Aitken, Chambers tries; Turner 4, J. Smith 2, Foran, C. Smith goals[ Click here to read more ]
Melbourne Storm 56 (Slater 2, C. Smith 2, Williams, Moore, Folau, Cronk, Aitken, Chambers tries; Turner 4, J. Smith 2, Foran, C. Smith goals
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Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Results
Fearless Predictions for the 2008 NRL Season
February 8th 2008 04:10
Well it's that time of year again, when most rugby league experts are asked their predictions for the upcoming season. Of course this is a waste of time, and mainly used for a space filler in most print media, but with the first round of trial games only a week and a half away, we here at NRL News thought we would contribute our thoughts.
So here we go, with our predictions, preminitions and crystal balling for "one of the most anticptaed seasons in rugby league history[ Click here to read more ]
So here we go, with our predictions, preminitions and crystal balling for "one of the most anticptaed seasons in rugby league history
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Posted By: StephenP - Category: General News and Gossip
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