TEAMS COUNTING DOWN TO FINALS

The countdown is on to the finals of the inaugural Commissioner’s Shield rugby league tournament to be played at Leichhardt Oval this weekend.

The state-wide tournament consists of two competitions: an A-League 7s competition for under-16s boys and a League-Tag competition for under-16s girls.

Teams from Cowra, the Hunter Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and Belmore have qualified for the finals.

Each of the teams qualified for the finals through one of three regional knock-out competitions held earlier this month at Bathurst, St Marys and Wyong. Those competitions provided players with the opportunity to meet and play against other young people, as well as meet NRL stars, police, PCYC staff and volunteers.

The girls will play a best of three match finals series, while the boys will play a round-robin format - with the top two teams qualifying for the grand final.

The Commissioner’s Shield 2006 is a combined initiative of NSW Police, the PCYC, National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Rugby League (ARL) and the NSW Rugby League (NSWRL).

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney is its Patron.

NRL players Dean Widders (Parramatta Eels), Joe Galuvao (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs) and Michael Monaghan (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles) have leant their support to the competition and will attend the finals day on Saturday (4 November 2006). The players will continue to promote the theme for the Commissioner’s Shield, “RESPECT” – respect yourself, respect others and respect the community.

Commissioner Moroney will present the inaugural Commissioner’s Shield to the winning teams. They will become the 2006 Commissioner’s Eagles.

At the same time Triple M has joined the NRL’s Broadcast team for Monday night matches.

Next year’s Radio schedule will include live Friday night matches for the first time on both 2GB and the ABC.

“We are looking to some exciting changes in match scheduling in 2006 and that will benefit radio listeners,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

“Clearly it is also an asset for 2GB and the rights fee reflects both that and the value they have put on the broadcasts.

“Along with the strength of the ABC through its Sydney, Brisbane and regional networks we have ensured a wide reach of the game and a choice of listening options.

The match had been in some doubt given the Broncos commitment to rest those players involved in this year’s Tri Nations event.

“We very much wanted to play the match but could not do so on the traditional early February date,” Broncos Chief Executive, Mr Bruno Cullen, said today.

“St Helens and the Rugby Football League have agreed to stage the match a little later this year and that will give us the chance to put together our best possible team and to do the match justice.

“The World Club Challenge is a great concept and it is important that if we do take part, we do so in a way that properly represents the two Premierships involved.”

NRL Chief Operating Officer Mr Graham Annesley said the willingness of all parties to find a compromise showed the significance of the event.

“Since the start of 2000 it has been an annual event and as well as becoming an important part of the Rugby League Calendar it has also built a strong link between the two competitions.

“The late date this year does necessitate the match being played in the UK again as the Super League season will have actually started making it impractical for an English team to be in Australia at that time.”

For one of the few times since 1928, the Australian Rugby League team will put aside the Green and Gold and exchange the famous jersey for a specially designed ‘rainbow kit’ to show their support for Project Rainbow.

The brightly coloured jerseys shorts and socks (example attached) are guaranteed to turn heads when the team trains at 10am at Olympic Park tomorrow.

Project Rainbow is an initiative of the Sony Foundation in association with Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne stores across Australia, which raises funds through the sale of wristbands to support Children’s Holiday Camps.

The four-day camps give high school students an opportunity to take time out of their school holidays to care for disabled children. The enriching experience also provides respite for parents whose lives revolve around the 24-hour care of their child.

Kaufusi is expected to join the squad in Melbourne this week; media will be advised arrival details once they have been confirmed.

There are strong signs that this is more than just one-off excitement.

Beyond the headlines of the sell-out State of Origin crowd at the Telstra Dome and Melbourne Storm’s success in the Telstra Premiership, there has been an enormous investment by the Australian Rugby League at grass roots level, resulting in a boom in junior development this year.

Registrations in school based Rugby League programmes have actually increased by a whopping 244% to 15,500 students!

Further developments include:

· 21 school gala days have taken place so far this year, with a combined 4000 students taking part.

· The introduction of three separate week-to-week school Rugby League competitions will be boosted by a fourth early next year.

· The Victorian Primary Schools team achieved its best ever result in this year’s National Primary Schools Exchange championships, a third place behind traditional powerhouses Queensland and NSW.

"We said at the start that this year was about more than just bringing a game or two to Melbourne, it was the beginning of a coordinated approach that works its way from the grass roots up," said ARL Chairman Mr Colin Love.

"We’re already seeing increases in junior participation and will work to build on that while also ensuring that Melbourne continues to be a part of the scheduling for representative matches in the future, including the World Cup in 2008 and State of Origin."

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said the response to yesterday’s visit to Fawkner Park – where the Kangaroos participated in a skills and activities session with 160 special needs children - proved enthusiasm for Rugby League was continuing to strengthen in the Victorian capital.

"The players were genuinely surprised at how excited all the kids were," Stuart said.

"The success of the Storm, the Origin match down here and the Tri Nations has built up a lot of excitement and interest towards the game, and it’s great to see that’s being reflected in the younger age groups."

Jamie Lyon is also due in on Wednesday at 6.05am (QF 2) and will be available to the media on arrival. Lyon will join the Australian squad in camp in Sydney on Monday after the Melbourne Test.

Great Britain players and coach Brian Noble will arrive at 6.55pm (SQ 219) and will join the 18-man advance party which has been based at Manly since last Wednesday.

Andrew Whitelam from the RFL will be the media contact for the team and can be contacted on 0412 518 801 during his time in Australia and New Zealand.

Scans yesterday revealed a distal syndesmosis injury in his right ankle, ruling him out of all remaining games in the Gillette Tri Nations Series. Reni will be available for comment today at 9:30am in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Melbourne.

Willie Mason has been cleared of injury and will be available for selection for Saturday’s match against New Zealand at Telstra Dome.

After Saturday night’s loss to the Aussies the Kiwis will be looking for as much support as possible from the large New Zealander population in Melbourne.

The team, including Storm stars David Kidwell and Adam Blair, will be on hand between 12.40pm-2.00pm signing autographs.

They’ll also judge the best Haka performance, with the winner to receive a return economy flight to Wellington from Melbourne for 2 people, 1 nights accommodation and category one tickets to the Gillette Tri Nations match between New Zealand and Great Britain on November 11.

Kiwi fans will also have the chance to feast upon a free Kangaroo sausage sizzle and enjoy all the other activities on offer including performances from a traditional Maori dance troupe, cheerleading lessons and face painting.

The success of State of Origin 3 in July and the emergence of the Melbourne Storm as a dominant force in the Telstra Premiership have seen record numbers of fans support Rugby League in 2006.

For immediate release 7th October 2006

Amendments to Great Britain Squad for 2006 Gillette Tri-Nations Tournament

Paul Johnson (Bradford Bulls) has withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for the 2006 Gillette Tri-Nations Tournament due to injury. He is replaced by Andy Coley of Salford City Reds.

Also, Huddersfield Giants Stephen Wild and Bradford Bulls Andy Lynch have withdrawn from the stand-by squad due to injury.

Warrington Wolves’ Ben Westwood and Hull FC’s Paul King have been brought into the stand-by squad in their place.

Meanwhile, now that both engage Super League Grand Finalists are known, the Great Britain Team Management has confirmed the travel schedule for all members of the squad (see below)

Great Britain will play a warm-up fixture against a Newcastle XIII on Friday 20th October 2006 prior to participating in the 2006 Gillette Tri-Nations.

The Great Britain team is sponsored by Gillette.

The amended 25 man squad is as follows:

(In alphabetical order)

1. Aspinwall, Martin (Huddersfield Giants)
2. Burrow, Rob (Leeds Rhinos)
3. Carney, Brian (Newcastle Knights, AUS)
4. Carvell, Garreth (Hull FC)
5. Coley, Andy (Salford City Reds)
6. Ellis, Gareth (Leeds Rhinos)
7. Fielden, Stuart (Wigan Warriors)
8. Gilmour, Lee (St Helens)
9. Gleeson, Martin (Warrington Wolves)
10. Graham, James (St Helens)
11. Hock, Gareth (Wigan Warriors)
12. Horne, Richard (Hull FC)
13. Pryce, Leon (St Helens)
14. Long, Sean (St Helens)
15. McGuire, Danny (Leeds Rhinos)
16. Morley, Adrian (Sydney Roosters, AUS)
17. Newton, Terry (Bradford Bulls)
18. O'Loughlin, Sean (Wigan Warriors)
19. Peacock, James (Leeds Rhinos) (capt)
20. Raynor, Gareth (Hull FC)
21. Roby, James (St Helens)
22. Senior, Keith (Leeds Rhinos)
23. Wellens, Paul (St Helens)
24. Wilkin. Jon (St Helens)
25. Yeaman, Kirk (Hull FC)

Stand-by squad (now nine players) :

1. Briers, Lee (Warrington Wolves)
2. Cooke, Paul (Hull FC)
3. Higham, Michael (Wigan Warriors)
4. Hodgson, David (Salford City Reds)
5. King ,Paul (Hull FC)
6. Radford, Lee (Hull FC)
7. Reardon, Stuart (Warrington Wolves)
8. Westwood, Ben (Warrington Wolves)
9. Wood, Paul (Warrington Wolves)

Details of Squad Travel schedule

The following players will travel to Sydney on Tuesday 10th October 2006:

1. Aspinwall, Martin (Huddersfield Giants)
2. Briers, Lee (Warrington Wolves)
3. Burrow, Rob (Leeds Rhinos)
4. Coley, Andy (Salford City Reds)
5. Ellis, Gareth (Leeds Rhinos)
6. Fielden, Stuart (Wigan Warriors)
7. Gleeson, Martin (Warrington Wolves)
8. Higham, Michael (Wigan Warriors)
9. Hock, Gareth (Wigan Warriors)
10. Hodgson, David (Salford City Reds)
11. McGuire, Danny (Leeds Rhinos)
12. Newton, Terry (Bradford Bulls)
13. O'Loughlin, Sean (Wigan Warriors)
14. Peacock, James (Leeds Rhinos) (capt)
15. Reardon, Stuart (Warrington Wolves)
16. Senior, Keith (Leeds Rhinos)
17. Westwood, Ben (Warrington Wolves)
18. Wood, Paul (Warrington Wolves)

Team Manager Abi Ekoku plus Assitant Coaches Jon Sharp and Dave Lyon will travel with this party together with other members of the team support staff. They will also be joined in Sydney by Brian Carney (Newcastle Knights, AUS) and Adrian Morley (Sydney Roosters, AUS). Both of these players are currently based in Australia.

Following this Saturday’s engage Super League Grand Final, the players below will travel to Sydney on Tuesday 17th October 2006:

1. Carvell, Garreth (Hull FC)
2. Gilmour, Lee (St Helens)
3. Graham, James (St Helens)
4. Horne, Richard (Hull FC)
5. Long, Sean (St Helens)
6. Pryce, Leon (St Helens)
7. Raynor, Gareth (Hull FC)
8. Roby, James (St Helens)
9. Wellens, Paul (St Helens)
10. Wilkin. Jon (St Helens)
11. Yeaman, Kirk (Hull FC)

Head Coach Brian Noble and Team Doctor Chris Brookes will travel with this party.

A vocal crowd packed into Western Weekender Stadium in St Mary's to see the Fijians score two tries in the final six minutes of the game to snatch a vital win.

Tonga looked to have sealed the game when Bulldogs centre Andrew Emelio crossed in the 71st minute to put his side 28-14 ahead, but the Fijians refused to accept defeat.

Semisi Tora showed great strength to crash over in the 74th minute and Semesa Codrakilagi put Fiji ahead when he stepped inside the tiring defence to score with two minutes remaining.

In the other match, Samoa had no trouble in ousting the Cook Islands 46-6, after leading 26-6 at the break. Newcastle's George Carmont was at his devastating best, scoring three tries.

Fiji’s win means that the third and final round of the tournament will decide which top two nations advance to the World Cup in 2008.

If Tonga beats Samoa and Fiji overpowers Cook Islands, three nations (Fiji, Samoa and Tonga) will finish on the same number of points. It will then come down to for and against.

Penrith’s CUA Stadium hosts Fiji and the Cook Islands in the final round on Saturday, while the Samoa v Tonga clash will be played on October 22 in Leeds, England, as part of the Federation Shield with France and England – a match which will also serve as a World Cup qualifying match.

Tickets to the final round at Penrith on Saturday are priced at $10 for adults. Children 16 and under are permitted free of charge.

&ldquoWhile Matt was obviously disappointed with the result of the game we need our players to be setting the highest possible standards at all times in regards to the respect that must be shown to officials,&rdquo NRL Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley said today.

&ldquoMatt&rsquos comments clearly crossed the line and set a poor example for young players coming through the game.

&ldquoIn issuing the Storm with a $5000 fine we have taken into account his genuine contrition in phoning Paul and apologizing for the comments.&rdquo

The Storm will have five business days to make submissions in response to the breach notice.

The Junior Kangaroos' match will precede the Tri Nations fixture between Australia and New Zealand on October 21, 2006.