Fantastic Games
The NRL season has had some amazing blockbusters to start each round.
Rabbitohs, Eels, Panthers v the Storm. Rabbitohs v Roosters.
Well that is all about to change this week with the first four games against the cellar dwellers. Looks like an easy tipping round, but look at what happen last week. Lots of injuries so pick wisely Tipsters
The 18th Player
It feels like Todd Greenberg is back in the NRL fold and at their reactionary worse.
The new faster version of the NRL hit a hurdle last week with the Sharks losing their entire reserves bench. Three of which were failed concussion tests.
And what was the NRL’s reaction? Teams can now carry an emerging player as the 18th man on the bench who can be used only if there have been three failed HIAs.
Just like the 2 point 40+ metre field goal, expect to see this come into effect next time this occurs in the 2024 season.
Why bother?
State of Origin
New Zealand International player, Jason Taumalolo, would like to play for Queensland in State of Origin. And ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce is considering this.
This is wrong.
I understand that when Origin was conceived there was only 1% Polynesian participation in the then ARL. Now it’s over 50%.
Origin is about Queensland v NSW. Not an All-Stars Team A v Team B.
Origin has always been the pathway to the Australian Team. We cannot dilute this by allowing international players from other countries to be involved. Start your own rivalry, lets call it International Rugby League.
The Maroons have previously been afforded this leniency when the Blues dominated Origin through the ‘90s to 2005. That was before they found some future Immortals.
Maroons Hall of Shame
| Greg Inglis | Macksville NSW |
| Israel Folau | Sydney suburb of Campbelltown NSW |
| Adrian Lam | PNG Captain |
| Craig Smith | NZ International |
| Tony Carroll | Future All Black |
| Brad Thorn | Future All Black |
The Red Pen Is Out
You can’t win a competition in March, but you can certainly lose one.
Get that red pen out. History tells us the Roosters can’t win the competition with a rookie half, but they will still make the Top Eight.
Cross out the Cowboys, Bulldogs and Stinky Manly. Mad Monday has already arrived for these clubs.
Good luck with Round 4 Tipsters.
