NRL Pre season thread - News, transfers and discussion

[Jatz]

Here are the pre season fixtures that will be broadcast on Fox League:

Saturday, February 17 (double header)

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm (AEDT)

St George Illawarra Dragons v Hull, ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm (AEDT)

Friday, February 23: Thurston/Smith Testimonial

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, 8.05pm (AEDT) kick-off



Saturday, February 24: Charity Shield

St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee, 7pm (AEDT)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...p/news-story/f3e6804f356e3439d23ebd23f80f1a63

 

[Aucklander]

Former captain Danny Buderus joins Brad Fittler's NSW State of Origin staff

Link

Two-time State of Origin series winning captain Danny Buderus has been named New South Wales assistant coach.

The former hooker played 21 games for the Blues, which included three series' alongside recently-named head coach Brad "Freddy" Fittler.

"Being appointed as Freddy's assistant coach is a huge honour. It's a special and exciting time to be a part of the NSWRL set-up and the new regime under Brad," Buderus said.

 

[Greenstar5]

Good mix of pre season games including;

WCC in Melbourne.
Double header against SL sides at ANZ Stadium.
JT Cam game in Brisbane.
SL game in Wollongong.
Plus games in Port Moresby (Broncos vs Hunters), Cairns, Toowoomba, Mudgee, Rotorua, Sunshine Coast, Central Coast, Matiland.

 

[Aucklander]

Best of luck to Raudonikis

Link

"Pray for Tommy this Christmas" was the front page headline in the now defunct Sydney afternoon newspaper, The Sun, more than 30 years ago.

I wrote the story of the battle Tom Raudonikis, the international halfback then coaching in Brisbane, was having with testicular cancer.

It was the first of Tom's five serious medical problems but memorable for his very detailed instructions to the surgeon on which parts of his anatomy must not be removed.

Following the successful operation, a very relieved Tommy declared, "you only need one ball to play football". Now, on the eve of another Christmas, he needs a cathedral full of fervent prayers.

Tom has cancer of the neck and was operated on at Sydney's Prince of Wales hospital last week, with the surgeon telling him his chances of surviving are only one in three, while also using a football analogy to point out, positively, that these odds are better than the one in 11 success rate of the NSW team in recent State of Origin history.

 

[Aucklander]

Not too long before trial games are underway. Here's the schedule.

Link

Week One trials

• 7 February – Storm v Knights at AAMI Park (3pm local)
• 8 February – Eels v North Sydney at Ringrose Park (7pm local)
• 10 February – Broncos v Central Capras at Theodore (6pm local)

Week two trials

• 16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park (8pm local)
• 17 February – Panthers v Roosters at Panthers Stadium (7.10pm local)
• 17 February – Bulldogs v Raiders at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)
• 17 February – Broncos v Titans at Toowoomba (7pm local)
• 17 February – Sharks v Sea Eagles at Southern Cross Stadium (7.30pm local)
• 17 February – Cowboys v Wests Tigers at Barlow Park Cairns (7.30pm local)
• 17 February – Warriors v Storm at Rotorua Stadium (3pm local)
• 17 February – Dragons v Hull at ANZ Stadium (5.30pm local)
• 17 February – Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium (7.40pm local)

Week three trials

• 23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (7pm local)
• 24 February – Panthers v Bulldogs at Belmore Oval (6.30pm local)
• 24 February – PNG Hunters v Broncos at Port Moresby (3pm local)
• 24 February – Sharks v Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (7pm local)
• 24 February – Sea Eagles v Roosters at Central Coast Stadium (6.30pm local)
• 24 February – Titans v Warriors at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)
• 24 February – Knights v Eels at Maitland No.1 Showground (7pm local)
• 24 February – Broncos v Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval (7pm local)
• 24 February – Rabbitohs v Dragons at Mudgee (7.30pm local)

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Amazed the 6pm Friday timeslot is returning.

 

[raskolnikov]

RIP Graeme Langlands

 

[Aucklander]

RIP Graeme Langlands

Indeed. Sad news.

Link

Rugby league Immortal Graeme Langlands has died at the age of 76 after a long period of poor health.

Langlands played 45 games for Australia and 227 for St George, and was part of the Dragons' golden age of the 1950s and 1960s.

He had lived in a Sydney nursing home suffering Alzheimer's disease for the last several years.

 

[Jatz]

Not too long before trial games are underway. Here's the schedule.

Link

Week One trials

• 7 February – Storm v Knights at AAMI Park (3pm local)
• 8 February – Eels v North Sydney at Ringrose Park (7pm local)
• 10 February – Broncos v Central Capras at Theodore (6pm local)

Week two trials

• 16 February – Storm v Leeds Rhinos at AAMI Park (8pm local)
• 17 February – Panthers v Roosters at Panthers Stadium (7.10pm local)
• 17 February – Bulldogs v Raiders at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)
• 17 February – Broncos v Titans at Toowoomba (7pm local)
• 17 February – Sharks v Sea Eagles at Southern Cross Stadium (7.30pm local)
• 17 February – Cowboys v Wests Tigers at Barlow Park Cairns (7.30pm local)
• 17 February – Warriors v Storm at Rotorua Stadium (3pm local)
• 17 February – Dragons v Hull at ANZ Stadium (5.30pm local)
• 17 February – Rabbitohs v Wigan at ANZ Stadium (7.40pm local)

Week three trials

• 23 February – Storm v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (7pm local)
• 24 February – Panthers v Bulldogs at Belmore Oval (6.30pm local)
• 24 February – PNG Hunters v Broncos at Port Moresby (3pm local)
• 24 February – Sharks v Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (7pm local)
• 24 February – Sea Eagles v Roosters at Central Coast Stadium (6.30pm local)
• 24 February – Titans v Warriors at Sunshine Coast (5pm local)
• 24 February – Knights v Eels at Maitland No.1 Showground (7pm local)
• 24 February – Broncos v Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval (7pm local)
• 24 February – Rabbitohs v Dragons at Mudgee (7.30pm local)

Can't believe it's 2 weeks until the first trial. Surprised at the closed door trial though. Seems an odd move.

 

[Aucklander]

Can't believe it's 2 weeks until the first trial. Surprised at the closed door trial though. Seems an odd move.

The WC certainly helped time fly and of course plenty of good summer viewing with the A-league and NBL to help pass the time.

 

[Jatz]

Can't wait! Although bit annoyed I won't get to see our new combinations at work.

 

[Jatz]

Also, looks like the boys are training bloody hard!

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/65abb7176e6d95806f3b490b65dacb17

 

[Aucklander]

Seen some pics of the Warriors and it looks like the new training regime has done a bit. Hopefully it translates into running out games.

 

[moto748]

Do you think Gelling will get a game for the Warriors, AuckMel?

 

[Aucklander]

Do you think Gelling will get a game for the Warriors, AuckMel?

Probably at longish odds, but you never know.

 

[moto748]

You're probably right, but I think we needed him more than you do. We lack cover in the centres, and I think he was to some extent unfairly maligned here by some fans. I wish him well, at any rate; he gave me some great entertainment.

 

[Aucklander]

I spoke with my son who watches a few more Wigan games than I did and he reckons he's a good get. Most at risk would be Kata I think.

 

[balmainforever]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...l/news-story/5e560be8d5bd770d947b58db3ea41c10

 

[Jatz]

Very surprised with Suli's move. Had heard he'd come back overweight but there seems more to it than just that.

 

[Aucklander]

Kiwi press already attempting to derail the Warriors season.

Link

Reports Warriors captain and Kiwis rugby league star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is looking to switch to union in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup have been scorned by his agent.

A NZ Rugby deal with Tuivasa-Sheck, who would shift to the Blues, was understood to be "all but done", Radio New Zealand reported on Thursday morning.

Some senior Warriors were aware of the move, RNZ reported, despite the talented fullback not having told the team.

 

[Jatz]

Kiwi press already attempting to derail the Warriors season.

Link

I read that. Think it's likely?

 

[Aucklander]

I read that. Think it's likely?

More likely he'll end out back in Sydney if the Warriors have another poor year.

Then there's this scenario currently playing out.

Link

Why the Warriors must win cross-code battle for Etene Nanai-Seturo

 

[balmainforever]

the carty party is now headed to the gold coast.
should make the panthers stronger defensively

Bryce Cartwright granted immediate release by Penrith to join Gold Coast Titans
Phil Rothfield, The Daily Telegraph
February 3, 2018 6:04pm
Subscriber only

PENRITH’S boom forward Bryce Cartwright has quit the Panthers to join the Gold Coast Titans immediately on a four-year deal.

The Panthers released Cartwright from his contract on Saturday to join their former NSW Cup coach Garth Brennan at the Titans.

“I’ve known Bryce since he was 17 and I’m so pleased that we can work together again,” Brennan said.

“I’ve seen him develop over the past seven years and I believe he is one of the most skilfull players I’ve seen on a football field.

“He is a massive signing for the club and look forward to seeing him in Titans colours.”

Cartwright has had a number of off-field issues in recent years.

Panthers boss Phil Gould reluctantly agreed to the transfer to give the talented forward an opportunity to rebuild both on and off the field over the next few years.

“It’s obviously disappointing to be releasing a player like Bryce Cartwright, however, we appreciate his desire to seek such a change,” said Gould in a statement.

“We hope that this move proves successful for Bryce, both on and off the field.

“Hopefully some time in the future he finds his way back to Panthers.

“We wish Bryce and his young family all the very best.”

Cartwright is viewed as a future Origin forward but struggled for much of 2017.

His signing is a massive boost for the Titans this season.

They will use the money left over from Jarryd Hayne’s departure to secure Cartwright.

Interestingly Penrith are now under the salary cap for this year and will no doubt go on the market to find a suitable replacement.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Cartwright! 4!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[betchsta]

Amazing transformation by Kasiano,It will be interesting to see what Bellamy can get out of Sam at Melbourne.