| RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS ARCHIVE - JANUARY 2007 |
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 PNG SCHOOLBOYS FUTURE ASSURED
Nestle (PNG) Ltd yesterday committed K100,000 to continue their sponsorship of the Milo schoolboys rugby league
competition in the country this year.
This is the third year Milo is sponsoring the competition with the same amount as major sponsor.
PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Jeff Wade, and Northern Zone development officer, Steve Malum, received the sponsorship package in Lae.
Wade thanked Nestle’s national marketing manager, Trent Young and his staff, adding more then 7000 children took part in the Milo competition last season.
He said they were expecting more schools and players to come onboard this year in the Under-14,15,16,17 and U-18 divisions.
Lae is expecting 24 schools to take part in four divisions this year while Port Moresby has confirmed 70 schools in three different competitions in and around the city.
Schools in Madang and Bulolo will enter the race in the northern region this year while up in the highlands Mt Hagen, Chimbu, Enga and Wapanamada have confirmed joining the race. This has forced highlands development officer Joe Tokam, to move the base from Goroka to Hagen so he could be at a central location to oversee the junior development in the region.
In the New Guinea Islands region East New Britain’s provincial government has approved rugby league to be taught in schools as part of the education curriculum and the competition matches to be played during school hours. Eight competitions are set to kick off the season in each of the Local Level Government areas.
In West New Britain Province Bialla, Kimbe, Hoskins, Mosa and Pomio will have one competition.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Kavieng and Namatanai also confirmed their competitions for this year.
Meanwhile, PNGRFL yesterday announced they have accepted an invitation to play a curtain-raiser match in the under-16 division in Darwin, Australia in July.
The other internationals lined up for schoolboys is Under-19 curtain raiser match to the first state of origin match in May in Brisbane and the Under-18 tournament in Fiji. Source: Post Courier (PNG) |
| Eleven sides to battle for 7's crown 26/01 TWO visiting sides and two second division clubs have taken up the Tamworth Sevens challenge while six of the eight Group 4 first division clubs will battle for the prize money at Scully Park next Saturday.. Learn More |
 MONEY NOT THE ISSUE FOR EAGLE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE FROM HOME |
 WORLDS BEST WINGER SWITCHES POSITION 27/01 AUSTRALIA'S best rugby league winger is moving to five-eighth. Melbourne Storm wants star youngster Greg Inglis to become more involved in its playmaking, and it is expected the 20 year old will wear the No.6 jumper this year.. Learn More |
 SLATER EYES 3 YR DEAL 27/01 A YEAR which shapes as the most important of Billy Slater's career looks set to begin on a positive note with the Melbourne Storm fullback on the verge of signing a three-year contract extension with the Storm.. Learn More |
 BIG DAVE NEEDS TIME 27/01 THE boom surrounding emerging Brisbane big man David Taylor is fast reaching sonic proportions, but the teenage prop's mentor has warned he will need time to adapt to the weekly grind of the NRL.. Learn More |
| Eleven sides to battle for 7's crown 26/01 TWO visiting sides and two second division clubs have taken up the Tamworth Sevens challenge while six of the eight Group 4 first division clubs will battle for the prize money at Scully Park next Saturday.. Learn More |
 RUGBY LEAGUE ROOKIE CAMP 25/01 Rugby League’s emerging generation of stars will come together for the NRL’s third annual three-day Rookie Camp at Sydney University this Sunday 28 January.. Learn More |
 25/01 ourfooty media has been invited to watch the Manly Seaeagles train this afternoon. we will be talking to Steve Menzies and some of the young SeaEagles, interviews, story and some pic's tomorrow |
| RUGBY LEAGUE ROOKIE CAMP 25/01 Rugby League’s emerging generation of stars will come together for the NRL’s third annual three-day Rookie Camp at Sydney University this Sunday 28 January.. Learn More |
| 25/01 ourfooty media has been invited to watch the Manly Seaeagles train this afternoon. we will be talking to Steve Menzies and some of the young SeaEagles, interviews, story and some pic's tomorrow |
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Story By : Adrian Proszenko SMH
28/01 WHEN Newcastle were searching for someone to provide financial advice to their up-and-coming players, Steve Menzies wasn't the obvious choice.
For one, Menzies is not a Novocastrian. Worse still, he plays for Manly.
The 33-year-old has made a tidy living during his illustrious 14-year career, but he has turned down almost as much as he's made.
So while the Knights juniors could have gained some important insights into maximising income from guest lecturer Menzies at a financial seminar during the week, they may have inadvertently learned that loyalty can pay off as well.
Menzies forfeited a packet when he rejected a lucrative offer to join Parramatta in 2000. More recently, he ignored a virtual retirement fund from cashed-up English Super League clubs to stay with his beloved Eagles. For Menzies, money isn't everything.. Learn More |
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Story By : ourfooty media
28/01 SYDNEY UNI will host this years NRL Rookie Camp. All NRL Clubs have been invited to send their best youngsters to learn, train and live with other future footy stars.
Current and former Australian Kangaroo players Laurie Daley, Brad Clyde, Andrew Ryan, Ben Ikin, Tim Sheens amoung others will be their to share their years of top level Rugby League experiences.
All NRL Clubs will be sending players to the NRL Rookie Camp.
From the North Qld Cowboys 4 boys will attend, Australian Schoolboy star Obe Geia, Ben Farrah, Ben Lowe & Jackson Nicolau. the Roosters are sending Mitchell Pearce, the Sharkies are sending 3 young Kiwi boys who they hope can come up through the ranks. Hopefully we will see a few more '06 Joeys & AIS players at the camp.
The NRL has given ourfooty media permission to attend the camp to catch up with the fella's from last years successful Schoolboys tour and to check out who else is there.
In more junior news, Jarrod Thompson (pictured) has been nominated for the Junior Sports Star of the year by his local community newspaper the Macarthur Chronicle.
Jarrod has achieved every honour available to 15-year-old schoolboy rugby league players. The St Gregory’s Campbelltown student, who lives at Camden, was a member of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges team that won the Australian All Schools championship, was named his side’s Most Valuable Player and made the Australian Schoolboys 15-years merit team. Jarrod plays with the Illawarra Steelers. |
 MONDAY NIGHT A WINNER 25/01 BRISBANE Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer says Monday night football has the potential to supersede the traditional Friday night timeslot as the code's showcase match.. Learn More |
BLUES TRAIN-ON SQUAD ANNOUNCED
NSWRL MEDIA RELEASE 25/01 The NSW Wizard Blues will begin their preparation for the 2007 State of Origin series this Saturday when coach Graham Murray joins a group of potential Blues players for a two-day camp at Bondi Beach.
Former Blues stars Anthony Minichiello, Jason Ryles and Jamie Lyon are among the selections of the preliminary squad, which also includes Kangaroos players Anthony Tupou and Reni Maitua, who are yet to make their NSW debuts.
The following players make up the Wizard Blues preliminary squad. If a player is not included in the current squad, it will not preclude him from selection. The team will be selected on form, from the best players available.
Braith Anasta Sydney Roosters
Danny Buderus Newcastle Knights
Matt Cooper St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Creagh St George Illawarra
Robbie Farah Wests Tigers
Brett Finch Parramatta Eels
Paul Gallen Cronulla Sharks
Mark Gasnier St George Illawarra Dragons
Eric Grothe Parramatta Eels
Nathan Hindmarsh Parramatta Eels
Brett Hodgson Wests Tigers
Ryan Hoffman Melbourne Storm
Ben Hornby St George Illawarra
Brent Kite Manly Sea Eagles
Jamie Lyon Manly Sea Eagles
Reni Maitua Bulldogs
Willie Mason Bulldogs
Anthony Minichiello Sydney Roosters
Luke O’Donnell Nth Qld Cowboys
Mark O’Meley Bulldogs
Matt Orford Manly Sea Eagles
Andrew Ryan Bulldogs
Jason Ryles St George Illawarra Dragons
Anthony Tupou Sydney Roosters
Craig Wing Sydney Roosters
Dean Young St George Illawarra
Players unavailable: Luke Bailey (Gold Coast), Craig Gower (Penrith), Matt King (Melbourne), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Steve Simpson (Newcastle), Timana Tahu (Parramatta), Trent Waterhouse (Penrith). |
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Story By : Luke Turgeon Gold Coast Bulletin
25/01 TITANS new recruits Smith Samau and Daniel Isaac could start training on the Gold Coast as early as Monday after the last major hurdle in the Steve Turner saga was cleared yesterday.
Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle said renowned Melbourne surgeon Dr Greg Hoy had given Samau the green light on his injured shoulder, meaning the trade deal for the two youngsters in exchange for renegade winger Turner would proceed.
"He has come back with the all-clear and there is no need for reconstructive surgery," said Searle. "From our point of view now we will negotiate a contract with Smith Samau.
"Contract negotiations are always tricky things, especially mid-year transfers, but in saying that hopefully we can resolve it within the next 24 hours and have them here on Monday."
The Titans brokered a deal to trade Queensland-born Storm players Samau and Isaac for Turner after the 22-year-old winger decided not to honour his original contract with the Coast and made it clear he wanted to remain in Melbourne.. Learn More |
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23/01 THIS is the sight rival NRL players have been fearing but every rugby league fan has been waiting to see - an injury-free Sonny Bill Williams in full flight.
The Bulldogs superstar yesterday broke free from the shackles of injury and sprinted for the first time in almost four months.
Incredibly, the giant back-rower blitzed his teammates in a series of 40m sprints in just his first session.
"I don't know if I killed them but I went OK," Williams said.
In fact, the 114kg 21-year-old was beating his fellow forwards by up to 15m and throwing them around like rag dolls in wrestling drills – leaving no doubt why he is regarded as potentially the most damaging forward in the game |
 CAN I MAKE IT BACK 19/01 DEAN Young tore the brace off his left leg two weeks ago so he could walk down the aisle and wed his long-time sweetheart Brooke. It was both a sign of determination and frustration after the Dragons forward had battled a deadly staph infection for four months.. Learn MOre |
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Story By : Lee Gaskin Bundaburg Mail 17/01 SELF-CONFESSED country boy Brent Kuskey is ready to don the red, black and white again of Wests, but what shocked him was pre-season training..”Learn More |
 Jan 20 - In heat wave conditions, Panthers came away with mixed results in the Junior Representative trials at Windsor today.
With the mercury nudging 30ºC by 9.00am, playing rugby league was always going to be a difficult assignment. The plan of having an early start proved futile given the heat wave conditions at kick off, and it was going to get worse as the day progressed.
The Harold Matthews team got away to a good start but by the time the siren had sounded that wasn't the case with Manly defeating them 22-16. SG Ball kept everyone interested in their game too winning the contest narrowly by defeating Manly 18-16. (Source : Penrith Panthers) |
 Some of Queenlands best Junior Rugby League players will be attending the Wests Tigers Scholarship camp next week. Coming to Sydney from as far away as Townsville, New Zealand, Mackay and a couple NSW boys amoungst the squad too. Wests Tigers will stage its annual scholarship camp at Concord Oval from Monday, January 22, to Thursday, January 25.
The camp will be run by Wests Tigers strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator David Boyle, Assistant coach Peter Gentle and Welfare Manager Paul Heptonstall. They will be assisted by coaches from Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers in Leo Epifania and James Shepherd respectively.
Wests Tigers players Ryan O’Hara, Brett Hodgson, Chris Heighington, Daniel Fitzhenry, Todd Payten and Jarrod Saffy will assist in running the camp when training permits. The players are in the process of completing their Level 3 Fitness Certificate and the camp will allow them to build up the neccessary hours required.
Players attending the scholarship camp are: Sioeli Makaui (Keebra Park), Kyle Bos (Keebra Park), Robert Lui (Keebra Park), Jared Shelford (Keebra Park), Konelio Viaga (Keebra Park), Leivaha Pulu (Auckland, on his way to Keebra), Johnnie Fox (Auckland, on his way to Keebra), Keiran Quinn (Bundaberg), Leon Curry (Mackay), Simeon Fuller (Townsville), Chris Eade (Townsville), Ishmal Waia (Townsville), Joel Townson (Townsville), Brendan Adams (Caloundra), Matt Srama (Ipswich), Todd Bridge (Taree), Joey Latham (Wingham), Cale McKenzie (Cessnock) |
 COWBOY TANIELU'S TOUGH CHOICE TO RETIRE FROM FOOTY
16/01 A GIANT has been stopped in his tracks, with prop Robert Tanielu announcing his premature retirement at age 24.. Learn More |
PRESS RELEASE 18/01/07
NSW TERTIARY RUGBY LEAGUE LAUNCH MERIT LEAGUE
In a move to make playing Rugby League more convenient for tertiary students, the NSW Tertiary Student Rugby League (NSWTSRL) will launch Australia’s first Merit League competition for season 2007.
Based upon the highly successful concept used to spread the code throughout Southern England, a merit league differs from a standard Rugby League competition by allowing participating teams to organise fixtures when and where it suits them, rather than being set in a traditional weekly format.
The flexibility of the league will allow teams to play when their players are available, taking breaks around important exam periods or University holidays. The new league structure also means new senior clubs can join and ease their way into open-age football without having to commit to an entire season of football.
The competition will run under the existing Teach.NSW Tertiary League First Grade and Second Grade and is open to any team with a tertiary (Including Universities, TAFE and Colleges) connection or representation.
Already interest in the new league has been strong with nine teams committing to the inaugural Merit League from the Newcastle, Bathurst and Sydney regions. The NSWTSRL is hoping for up to 16 teams to commit to the inaugural season with the aim to have every Tertiary institution in the Sydney and surrounding basis represented in either the Merit League or Tertiary League by 2009.
Those interested in entering a team in the Merit League or simply looking for information should visit the NSWTSRL website at www.tertiaryleague.com.au or by contacting the League Secretary at secretary@tertiaryleague.com.au |
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 ROGERS SIGNS AS A TITAN
16/01 DUAL international Mat Rogers has agreed to terms with the Gold Coast Titans for the 2007 NRL season. Rogers, 31, will join his new teammates a year earlier than initially expected after the former Wallaby quit rugby union last month, citing personal reasons.
Titans managing director Michael Searle said he had been more than happy to give Rogers as much time off with his family as he needed before meeting to discuss the utility's playing future at the club.
"The most important people in this whole process have always been Mat and his young family and we certainly weren't about to start hounding him for a decision on where he played next year when there were certainly much more important things for him to be thinking about," Searle said in a statement today.
"I am confident that as a club we will reap the rewards of having a refreshed and super enthusiastic Mat Rogers in our team.".. Learn More |
 TITANS RELEASE TURNER, IS EVERYONE IS HAPPY 17/01 THE Gold Coast Titans have released Winger Steve Turner and allowed him to play footy this year, that's fantastic for Steve and his team mates in Melbourne.
They are not silly north of the border, the Titans picked up two young blokes in exchange for Turner plus some of Jamie Packers' lunch money, about $150,000 should get a decent sandwich and a nice banana smoothie.
Australian Schoolboys 2006 Most valuable Back Kevin Proctor is not part of the deal with the Titans despite all the mainstream media talk over the past couple weeks. According to our sources the two players the Storm swapped are 20 year old Smith Samau & 18 year old Daniel Issac. Both are Queenslanders and love the place.
There are a couple of the all conquering Australian Schoolboys touring side that are contracted to the Gold Coast including young Tamworth speedster Cameron White.
 Daniel Isaac is a strong-running centre and had one game in QLD Wizard Cup this year.  He scored three tries in our QLD Under 19 selection trial in 2006, but missed out on selection for the Origin curtain-raiser due to a number of good players in his position.
Smith Samau has played a lot of Wizard Cup for the Norths Devils, is a former St Joseph's (North Brisbane) junior and made his NRL debut last year. Plays mostly fullback and is very nimble on his feet. (source : ourfooty media) |
 TURNER GETS HIS WISH 16/01 RENEGADE winger Steve Turner was last night granted permission to stay in Melbourne after Gold Coast agreed to end the bitter 153-day feud over his services.. Learn More |
 HAROLD MATTHEWS & SG BALL TRIALS THIS WEEKEND
Jan 16 - Penrith's Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams start trials against Manly this weekend. The games will be played at Windsor Oval starting from 9.00am. S.G Ball will kick off from 10.30am.
The following week the teams will play Balmain along with the Under 15 and 17 Development squads at The Kingsway, St Marys, venue to be confirmed.(Penrith Junior League) |
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An NRL player with the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos, Tanielu has given away the game he loves due to his second serious neck injury.
The news is a sad end to a promising career for the former Queensland Under 19 and Queensland Residents player, who starred with four Wizard Cup teams while making his mark.
Brought to Australia by the Wests Panthers in 2001, Tanielu went on to feature for the Toowoomba Clydesdales, Norths Devils and NQ Young Guns, amassing 91 games in the State League.
At one stage in 2002 he was considered the best up-and-coming front row prospect in the country. However Tanielu received a major setback around the same time when he seriously injured his neck and required fusion surgery.. Learn More
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But former Newcastle centre Matt Gidley believes a more ominous task may face him in the 2008 Super League competition - lining up against old mate Andrew Johns. |
 HALLEY- BEATING COMET TO GLOW IN THE SUNSET
Story By : Richard Macey Jan 13 '07 SMH
Sydneysiders will have a chance this weekend to glimpse the brightest comet in 40 years. "It's already way brighter than Halley's Comet," its Australian discoverer, the astronomer Rob McNaught, said yesterday. If the weather behaves, his comet should be visible on the western horizon, just after sunset, on Sunday and Monday. Although it should still be visible each evening in the coming week, it is tipped to start fading after Monday.. Learn More |
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 CRONULLA SHARKS JOIN TURNER RACE
14/01 EXCLUSIVE THE Steve Turner saga has taken a dramatic twist, with the Cronulla Sharks now firmly in the mix to make a last-minute grab for the winger. We can reveal that Gold Coast Titans insiders have confirmed they offered Turner to the Sharks as a replacement for Darren Albert - and that Turner sees the Sharks option as a strong possibility. |
 MILWARD : IT'S MY CHANCE TO START AFRESH 14/01 COACH Ian Millward has spoken of the fresh start presented by North Queensland this season as he looks to replace two tumultuous years in the English Super League with immediate success in the NRL.. Learn More |
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 AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB JOINS THE OURFOOTYTEAM FAMILY
"Our Mission Is To Enrich The Lives Of Our Community Through Junior Sport"
Story By : Mr. Brian HOWDEN, President : Blue Haven JRLFC 10/01
Welcome to the Blue Haven Raiders history making inaugural 2007 junior rugby league season.
Our goal is for kids to enjoy playing rugby league, its healthy and a fantastic way for children to learn lessons about team work, rules, winning & losing while keeping them fit and healthy.
Our club was accepted into the Central Coast Division of Junior Rugby League on Thursday, November 14th 2006. The months leading up to our approval required strong dedication and an enormous amount of personal funding by our clubs inaugural executive committee: "The Green Machine"
 Our mission from day one, was to establish a club that will always "enrich the lives of children and our community through junior sport" To continue this vision we still require Volunteers in many roles - the rewards are not in the form of a pay packet, the rewards are displayed during training and game days within every child.
Registration Days
Saturday: 3rd, 10th & 17th February, 2007, Location: Blue Haven Oval. Address: Colorado Drive, Blue Haven. Time: 9am - 1pm
Saturday: 3rd, 10th & 17th February, 2007. Location: Lake Haven Shopping Centre (near Coles). Time: 9am - 1pm
Players Registration Fees
1st Child: $90.00
2nd Child: $85.00
3rd Child: $80.00
4th Child: Free
 Every player will be provided: Club Socks, Club Shorts and a Club T-Shirt upon full receipt of club registration fees.
The player will not be provided with the club playing uniform until the registration fees are paid in full.
Myself and the other committee members would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Club Sponsors and also our friends and mentors Geoff Todd (CRL) and Geoff Walker (CCDJRL) for their initial contribution and continued support.
I trust our 2007 season will be filled with excitement & fulfilments, and I can not wait until our players pull on the MIGHTY RAIDERS JERSEY for the first time in a trial game against Kurri Kurri Sunday, March 18th 2007. RAIDERS WEBSITE |
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 FORMER SCHOOLBOY TURNING HEADS 04/01 HE's 18, bench presses 150kg, sprints 100m in 13 seconds and has the ball skills of a playmaker. Meet David Taylor, the emerging Hercules tipped to fill Shane Webcke's mighty boots in the Brisbane Broncos front-row.
Fresh out of high school, Taylor has been turning heads at pre-season training with his impressive physique and eye-catching presence.. Learn More |
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COWBOY TANIELU'S TOUGH CHOICE TO RETIRE FROM FOOTY 
I DON'T THINK ENGLAND HAVE SEEN THE LAST OF JOEY JOHN'S, SAYS GIDLEY 14/01 FILLING the big shoes left by Jamie Lyon at English champion St Helens is tough enough. 
ALL CLEAR GIVEN TO TITANS NEW RECRUITS
I'LL BRING THE BIG HIT OUT
HORNBY READY, BUT HEAD START POSES A PROBLEM FOR DRAGONS
ENGLAND 
ENGLAND 
WELSH 
BARLA
FRENCH 
