The 2012 Rugby League Thread

[flight23]

quick start by the Cowboys, 4-0 against the storm 2 minutes in

[Red Bear]

6 all ten minutes in

[flight23]

storm are the storm, but the cowboys look like they're up for it so far

[Red Bear]

Half time and 16-12, with the Cows having just scored, thinking this was set up for a pretty close match.

5 minutes to go and it's 42-18 to Melbourne. They're just too good at this point

[Red Bear]

30-0 to Manly last night, score blew out late. Penrith blew some opportunities whilst Manly made the most of theirs. Still not back to their best but on the improve, considering there was no Foran Stewart Stewart or Williams

[Red Bear]

Dean Young has announced his retirement
Dragons' Dean Young to retire from NRL

Would've expected this, in fact if St George had won last season expect he would've called it a day then. Good solid player who was unfortunate to get hit by injuries earlier in his career, Never hit his potential as a result

[Red Bear]

No time for a preview this week thanks to, well, poor management of time. Here are this weeks teams though

NRL teams round 7

St George Illawarra vs Newcastle
- Both sides pretty poor last week, St George were against a better side. They're attack seems quite unimpressive at present, Soward playing ok but Hornby poor. Newcastle were quite poor but Mullen had his best game in a while, and continual improvement from him is vital to Newcastles season. Leaning towards the knights.

Brisbane vs Canberra
- Canberra have been Jekyll and Hyde all season, they'll have to be right on their game to beat the Broncos in Brisbane. They're capable if their forwards fire and Campese plays well. Brisbane pack is motoring along at present, giving their halves room to breathe. Wallace in doubt apparently but Brisbane should get the job done

Storm vs Bulldogs
- Canterbury have come back to earth of late and, after being good early, were pretty poor against an improving Souths. Melbourne put together the best half of football in a long time against Nth Qld. Melbourne are morals

Roosters vs Cowboys
- 'home' game for the chooks in Darwin. Surprisingly having won 4/6, and have played a bit better the last two weeks. Coming up against the Cowboys coming off a big loss, albeit against a red hot Melbourne. Nth Qld werent too bad last week, and are more used to the sort of conditions they will be playing in in Darwin, so leaning towards a victory for them

Manly vs Gold Coast
- Manly have doubts over a few players, Stewart and Foran noteably, but should be far too strong at home for the Gold Coast who are just not very good at all.

Warriors vs Souths
- Warriors will have to start clicking into gear soon if they are to fulfill the promise their season held. Souths on the other hand have been playing very good football the last few weeks. Injuries are a problem for them, now missing Asotasi, a couple of Burgesses as well. Leaning towards the Warriors coming good here, although wouldnt rule out Souths. Should be the match of the round.

Cronulla vs Parramatta
- Gotta tip Cronulla here, have been in great form, strong defence, attack scoring when they need to, and up against a Parra side who were awful last week and will probably be bad again this one. One thing to note is the loss of Gardner for Cronulla, which has a big effect on a team who lack attack through their wingers/centres. Without Gardner there there is not too much for their halves to work with. Still should be a Sharks victory.

Penrith vs Wests Tigers
- Tigers will be desperate for a win here and stung by continual criticism in the press. Not made easier by the loss of Heignington to injury, as well as Groat to go with no Ellis. They've signed Ray Cashmere from the Illawarra NSW Cup side and will be hoping he helps out what is struggling forward pack. Penrith have been pretty poor much of the year also and couldnt score a point against Manly. I think the Tigers will win this one but I have little to no confidence in that

North Sydney taking on Wentworthville on Sunday, going for four wins in a row after the demolition job of those scumbag sea eagles last weekend. Go Bears!

[Red Bear]

lol @ Canberra's Joel Thompson



Try to hit opposition player - hits team mate in face

[Red Bear]

Warriors finally win another game, taking down Souths in a pretty entertaining match 44-22.

Cronulla held on for a 24-18 win in a match that was 18 all at half time. Parra had plenty of opportunity to score again but couldnt get over the line.

Tigers also won again, taking care of Penrith 30-0. Penrith havent scored since the 60th minute of round 5. Ray Hadley is still a dickhead.

No NRL next weekend as we have a rep break. Australia takes on New Zealand in Eden Park on friday night. There's a Under 20's State of Origin match on Saturday evening, broadcast on Fox Sports, followed by City vs Country on Sunday Arvo, direct from Mudgee.

Kiwis Squad: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Nathan Fien, Alex Glenn, Josh Hoffman, Shaun Johnson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Isaac Luke, Simon Mannering, Benji Marshall (c), Ben Matulino, Sam McKendry, Jason Nightingale, Frank Pritchard, Jeremy Smith, Jason Taumalolo, Manu Vatuvei and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Kangaroos: 1. Billy Slater 2. Darius Boyd 3. Greg Inglis 4. Justin Hodges 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jonathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Paul Gallen 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. David Shillington 11. Dave Taylor 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Luke Lewis
Interchange: 14. Daly Cherry-Evans 15. Ben Hannant 16. James Tamou 17. Anthony Watmough
18th man: Matt Gillet

Country: 1. Brett Morris 2. James McManus 3. Josh Morris 4. Matt King 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Todd Carney 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Luke Douglas 9. Danny Buderus 10. Michael Weyman 11. Beau Scott 12. Ben Creagh 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 16. Trent Merrin 17. Tariq Sims
18th man: Chris Houston

City: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. David Williams 3. Joesph Leilua 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Steve Turner 6. Jarryd Hayne 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Keith Galloway 9. Robbie Farah 10. Tim Mannah 11. Ryan Hoffman 12. Corey Payne 13. Feleti Mateo
Interchange: 14. Aaron Woods 15. Jason King 16. Jamie Buhrer 17. Liam Fulton
18th men: Bryce Gibbs and Wade Graham

[Nige Cooper]

I haven't watched any games over the weekend

That's the strongest Australian team I've seen in a long time, big forwards and big creative backs, New Zealand have a fair bit of talent there but it should be an easy win.

A lot of talent in City-Country as well, I'll back the Country boys in

[flight23]

just switched over at half time in the AFL

looks like a tough game, quality game

[flight23]

Cameron Smith you bloody legend

[Red Bear]

Yeah missed the last 15 minutes or so, was pre drinking at a mates and by the time we walked to the brewery the post match presentation was on. Good to see competitive test footy, Kiwi's have a side that should be able to challenge us I think.

[Red Bear]

City Country pretty good match thus far, watching the TV but heard the radio up until ten minutes to go.

Come on you Counts

[Red Bear]

NRL Round 8 preview

Roosters
Melbourne
Manly
Broncos
Souths
Cronulla
Tigers
Newcastle

to win for me.

Going up to the match tomorrow, favourite match of the year. Only missed it once since 2005. Freddy Fittler!