History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

Rugby League World Cup stats and facts sheet

FACTS
• This is the 13th World Cup (and the first since 2000. The first was in 1954)
• 10 countries are taking part
• It is the fourth time Australia have hosted the World Cup
• There are 18 matches (played at 12 different venues, across four states)
• This year marks the centenary of the game in the Southern Hemisphere
• The tournament director is Colin Lowe, the Chairman of the Rugby League International Federation
• Teams will receive TWO points for a win, and ONE point for a draw
• The following countries earned automatic qualification: Australia, New Zealand, France and PNG

TEAMS
Team Coach Captain Ranking 2000 World Cup Result
Australia Ricky Stuart Darren Lockyer 1st Winner
New Zealand Stephen Kearney Nathan Cayless 2nd Runner-Up
England Tony Smith Jamie Peacock 3rd Semi-Final
Tonga Jim Dymock unknown 4th Group Stage
France John Monie Jerome Guisset 5th Quarter-Final
Fiji Joe Dakuitoga Wes Naiqama 6th Group Stage
Papua New Guinea Adrian Lam Stanley Gene 7th Quarter-Final
Ireland Andy Kelly Stuart Littler 9th Quarter-Final
Scotland Steve McCormack Danny Brough 11th Group Stage
Samoa John Ackland Nigel Vagana 12th Quarter-Final

SCHEDULE

Group Stage
All teams from Group A with the exception of the bottom qualifying team will progress to the semi-finals, the other two groups the top finisher will progress to a playoff match, in which the winner will qualify to the semi-finals.

Group A – Australia , England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
October 25
England v Papua New Guinea (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville)
October 26
Australia v New Zealand (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)
November 1
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea (Skilled Park, Gold Coast)
November 2
Australia v England (Telstra Dome, Melbourne)
November 8
England v New Zealand (EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle)
November 9
Australia v Papua New Guinea (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville)

Group B – Fiji, Scotland and France
October 26
France v Scotland (Canberra Stadium, Canberra)
November 1
Fiji v France (WIN Stadium, Wollongong)
November 5
Scotland v Fiji (Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford)

Group C – Ireland, Samoa and Tonga
October 27
Ireland v Tonga (Parramatta Stadium, Sydney)
October 31
Tonga v Samoa (CUA Stadium, Penrith)
November 5
Ireland v Samoa (Parramatta Stadium, Sydney)

Ranking Stage

7th Place Playoff
November 8
2nd Group B v 2nd Group C (Browne Park, Rockhampton)

9th Place Playoff
November 9
3rd Group B v 3rd Group C (CUA Stadium, Penrith)

Knockout Stage

Qualifying Final
November 10
1st Group B v 1st Group C (Skilled Park, Gold Coast)

Semi-Finals
November 15
2nd Group A v 3rd Group A (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
November 16
1st Group A v Winner Qualifying Final (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)

Final
November 22
Winner semi-final 1 v Winner semi-final 2 (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)

History
Year Host Winner Runner-Up
1954 France Great Britain France
1957 Australia Australia Great Britain
1960 UK Great Britain Australia
1968 Australia / NZ Australia France
1970 UK Australia Great Britain
1972 France / UK Great Britain Australia
1975 Worldwide Australia England
1977 Australia Australia Great Britain
1985–1988 Worldwide Australia New Zealand
1989–1992 Worldwide Australia UK
1995 UK Australia England
2000 UK Australia New Zealand

Useful websites
http://www.rlwc08.com/default.aspx (official website)
http://www.rlwc08.com/teams/England.aspx (England link on RWC website)
http://fluidab1.memset.net/~englandr/videos.php (official England website)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Rugby_League_World_Cup_squads (squad lists)

Labels: Rugby league, World Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:15 pm | Permalink | Comments

BURROW SPARK GIVES LEEDS EXTRA FIREPOWER

Rob Burrow inspired Leeds Rhinos to a 37-24 win over the Catalans Dragons, ending their record winning streak in Perpignan on a sticky evening. It was the hottest ticket in Super League - the attendance is the best the French side have had at this stadium - and the travelling Rhinos fans had the sunburn to prove it. Down 24-16 with only 20 minutes remaining, Leeds made the most of the cooler conditions and scored four unanswered tries to coast to victory.

Scrum-half Burrow helped Leeds open the scoring when his sumptuous chip found Lee Smith, who touched down under the posts. Three minutes later the Catalans hit back through winger Cyril Stacul in the right corner. Stand-off Thomas Bosc converted.

The 24-year-old had a boot in his team's second try, too, as his up-and-under was horribly spilled five metres from his own line by Leeds winger Ryan Hall, whose bittersweet game was just beginning. Charging prop Olivier Elima scooped up the ball and touched down for the fourth time this season. The Catalans went further ahead with 15 minutes of the half remaining, as centre Sebastian Raguin wriggled free from three would-be tacklers to score. Bosc repeated his kicking heroics, this time from the left, to take his team to 18-6.

Hall made amends for his earlier howler when Danny McGuire's cross-field kick caught out Raguin and dropped favourably for the 20-year-old. Captain Kevin Sinfield was unable to convert from the right and the Catalans took an eight-point advantage into the break.

Leeds began the second half as they had the first - with the excellent Burrow laying on a converted score under the sticks after four minutes. The England star shrugged off a challenge before playing in McGuire for a simple try. Hall then upped the pressure on his own team again, needlessly knocking on 30 metres from his line. The Catalans used the extra set to good effect, as Elima bounced three tackles to crash over for his second try of the game.

But Burrow was not in any mood to let the French run away with it. After another jinking run, a pass inside again found McGuire, who dived over. Although Sinfield screwed his goal kick wide for a second miss, he made up for it after 58 minutes with a scissors move that bisected the Catalans defence and allowed Ali Lauitiiti to breeze in for a converted score to take them to 26-24.

Two scores in the last six minutes - a 90-metre dash from Super League's leading scorer Scott Donald, who took his tally to 24, and a converted score in the right corner by Hall - and a Sinfield drop goal put an end to the contest. The result places reigning champions Leeds on equal points with St Helens, who they play in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Stade Gilbert Brutus 9,880

CATALANS DRAGONS: Greenshields; Stacul, Wilson, Raguin, Pelo; Bosc, McGuire (capt); Chan, Gorrell, Elima, Croker, Mounis, Carlaw
Subs used Guisset, Casty, Quintilla, Touxagas

Tries: Stacul, Elima 2, Raguin
Goals: Bosc 4

LEEDS: Smith; Hall, Toopi, Senior, Donald; McGuire, Burrow; Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Ellis, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield (capt)
Subs used: Lauitiiti, Scruton, Kirke, Ablett

Tries: Lauitiiti, Donald, McGuire 2, Hall 2, Smith
Goals: Sinfield 4
Drop: Sinfield

Referee: I Smith

Labels: Leeds Rhinos, Les Catalan Dragons, Rob Burrow, Rugby league, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:35 pm | Permalink | Comments

MORGAN BUILDING FORMIDABLE HULL KR TEAM

Justin Morgan, Super League's youngest coach, took just a year to stamp his authority on Hull Kingston Rovers and steer the club back to the top flight in 2006, following an absence of 13 years. After surviving their first season in the Super League last year, the former Toulouse coach's team are now playing sparkling Rugby League and producing results that are forcing observers to sit up and take notice.

But 32-year-old Morgan has no intention of resting on his laurels at Hull KR. Much like his coaching idol, Sir Alex Ferguson, he wants to continue challenging himself and remain at the New Craven Park helm indefinitely, in order to cultivate a winning legacy and emulate the success enjoyed by the club in the 1980s. Morgan took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Rugby League World about the experiences and people that have shaped his career.

Born in Sydney, Morgan was schooled at Patrician Brothers, Fairfield - the alma mater of Test greats Peter Stirling, Greg Alexander and Michael Vella, among others - and Rugby League coursed through his veins. Though he made his first grade debut for Parramatta in 1994, as second row forward, he soon moved to prop. After five years with the Eels, Morgan moved to Canberra and, the following season, to New Zealand Warriors, before hanging up his boots aged just 26 through injury.

"I thought it was time to finish," says Morgan, who is three years younger than Super League XIII's current oldest player, Catalans' Jason Croker - a team-mate from his year at Canberra Raiders. "I had lost my desire to a degree and I wasn't physically able to do the things I wanted to do. I had had both my knees operated on - one in 1998 and the other in 2001 - and struggled with a back problem my whole career. Having played nine seasons, all in the first grade, I wanted to bow out gracefully."

In 2000 - a year before he retired from the top level - Morgan, who had never appeared in the green and yellow of Australia, received an inquisitive phone call from Wales coach Clive Griffiths. "I got a call from Clive and he asked me if I had any Welsh heritage," he smiles. "I guessed, especially with my surname, that I did. I qualified through my Welsh grandfather and went to Britain to play in the World Cup. It was a great opportunity to play international Rugby League - my time had certainly passed to play for Australia - and to experience a different kind of Rugby League. It was interesting to see how a team come together and gel for six weeks of intensive competition."

Unfancied Wales advanced from Group B and defeated Papua New Guinea in the quarter-final before meeting favourites Australia in the last four at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield. "No one thought we would even get out of our group, and we were beating the Australians at half-time - it was amazing experience," continues Morgan.

"I remember coming off at the interval and everybody connected with the team and coaches were buzzing with excitement. But I was absolutely shattered, having played most of the first 40 minutes. I said to Clive: 'I'm gone, I'm done, I'm finished.' I had to be replaced after about three or four minutes, and we ended up losing 46-22."

When Morgan retired from playing, he considered a number of career options. "I didn't really know what I wanted to do," Morgan admits. It was Daniel Anderson, then coach of Warriors and a member of his extended family - Morgan's sister is married to Anderson's brother - who suggested he turn his hand to management.

He continues: "I had a couple of offers to stay in the NRL and there was a possibility of staying in New Zealand and doing some media work and some part-time coaching. But I wanted a new challenge, a new adventure, and coaching provided that for me. I had a couple of long conversations with Daniel, and he suggested I should do it. He thought I had a fairly good grasp and knowledge of the game and a good level of communication."

Elite One side Toulouse offered Morgan a player-coaching position, and he accepted, thinking he would learn more in the south of France than almost anywhere else. "I thought to myself, 'If I am going to have a go at this coaching gig then I should throw myself in the deep end'," he says. "I could have stayed in the NRL and had the facilities and had the motivated players and had an organisation that was willing to put money into the team. Or I could really see if I was any good at Toulouse and taste the purest form of coaching."

There, among the vineyards, he cut his teeth, and his nascent talent was soon evident. He captured the Rugby League world's imagination by propelling Toulouse to the Challenge Cup semi-final in July 2005 - the first French club to manage such a feat. He played a dozen games when necessary, his last en route to the semi-final against Leeds Rhinos (they lost 56-18 at Galpharm Stadium), in the fourth round win over Cumbrian amateur side Wath Brow Hornets. He began to revel in all the responsibility that the coaching job entailed - from training and selection to even sorting out transport and eating arrangements.

"I started to really enjoy the elements of coaching - the Monday to Friday. As a coach over there you have to do everything: organise the bus; sort out the meals. It gave me a really good grounding and made me understand what makes a club tick.

"I couldn't speak a word of French when I first went over there, so that was another challenge. It took me a good 18 months to get a good grasp of the lingo. To start with I had an assistant who was bilingual, but often emotion and meaning got lost in translation. That was an issue for me originally. I felt as though I had the Rugby League knowledge having played in the NRL and spent some time with some good coaches but I needed to develop my man management skills very quickly. It was a steep learning curve."

Morgan proved a quick learner and, as his French improved, the players began to better understand what he was attempting to do. He instilled a strong sense of belief which, despite knowing rival teams had superior players, saw them beat Widnes and Doncaster on the road to the last four of the Challenge Cup. But it was no shock to Morgan that his team had advanced so far.

He continues: "I wasn't that surprised to get to the semis, as you have to have belief that you can win all the time. If you look at the teams we beat on paper, like Doncaster and Widnes, there was no way in the world that we were as talented as those two teams. But we had that belief and that comes down to man management, and knowing how to get the best out of people.

"The best coaches are not the people with the most knowledge, best tactics, or anything like that. They top guys are the ones who get the best out of their team each and every week and every day, like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He is top of the tree in terms of coaching. And that was all I did to them; through man management I gave them the belief that they could do it."

Neil Hugdell, chairman of Hull KR - then in National League One - was impressed with his achievements in France, and phoned him soon after the semi-final, having dismissed Harvey Howard. Initially Morgan was unwilling to move as he thought he had "unfinished business" at Toulouse.

"To be perfectly honest I had little desire to leave," he admits. "We had just won the semi-final of the Elite competition and I thought I had another 12, maybe 24 months left in me over in France. But I spent an hour-and-a-half with Neil and Paul [Lakin, the club's chioef executive], understanding what their vision for the club was and I made up my mind then that it was the club I wanted to go to.

"I knew about Hull KR when I was growing up and their success - it's a big name in Rugby League. I knew it would be a huge job, and it was too good an opportunity to miss out on. And I needed to progress - I knew that I wouldn't become the greatest coach in the world by coaching Toulouse my whole life.

"Neil and Paul were planning for the long term and whereas at some of the other big clubs you are just part of the machine for just two or three years, at our club you get a chance to help shape the culture for the future - that's very attractive."

The first eight weeks in Hull, at the business end of the 2005 season, were tricky, however. The team had just won the Northern Rail Cup but, under the stewardship of Morgan, were dumped out of the National League One play-offs after a shock defeat to Halifax. "So I had to make some tough decisions," he says. "I had to get rid of some people at the club who had been fans' favourites, but I needed to create a culture - my culture. And I had the 100 per cent support of the chairman, and I'm sure he copped a bit of flak over it.

"My way of coaching is not one where I rule with a big stick, and because of that I have never had any issue with being younger than some of the players - we are all in this together. To a degree it is probably a bit of an advantage being a little younger as you still have a good understanding of the game. I have fresh in my mind what it was like to be a player and when it is like that you can cope with situations and formulate decisions a little better."

** The following season Hull KR were promoted and achieved a club record run of 24 consecutive wins on the way. They survived Super League relegation last season at the expense of Salford Reds with a 42-6 derby win over Hull FC - a rivalry that Morgan is enjoying. "It is unique to our city - I have never seen anything quite like it in my life and it is great for the sport."

Stand-off Paul Cooke, who had been at Hull FC for nearly a decade, soured relations last April by walking out on the club and joining Hull KR. Despite being criticised by pundit Tony Rea, the 27-year-old - one of a number of inspired signings by Morgan - is backed to the hilt by his coach.

"Paul has been outstanding both on and off the field," he says. "To sign him last year was a massive coup for us and we are proud that he wants to wear the red and white of Hull KR. He has been first class for me and the club."

It was significant that when Morgan's team defeated their local rivals for the second time this season at May's Millennium Magic, the try scorers were all new signings. Having gelled quickly, Daniel Fitzhenry, Peter Fox, Chev Walker and Jake Watson all went over in the 22-17 win. Impressive wins over St Helens (24-22) - against his advisor Anderson, who also coached him at school as 15-year old - and Bradford Bulls (20-18) have proved that Hull KR are on the up, and Morgan is building a team of determined, skilled players.

He continues: "There are a cross-section of characters here, and I can help them with their knowledge of Rugby League. But when the pressure is on and the chips are down, it's character and personality that comes to the fore. We have a very good environment at the club - and it's not just for today. We are creating for the future. I'm proud that those players that we have brought in are getting the accolades that they deserve. They are not the finished article yet though - they have plenty to go, which is nice.

"I take a huge amount of guidance from the senior players - give them ownership of what we do, our training timetable and the systems that we have. When people have ownership they feel as though they are making the decisions, which they are, and they respond much better. That is one of the key points."

Morgan is very happy with how things are progressing, but knows that silverware is what will set him, and his team, above the rest. He adds: "I would love to be at Hull KR for another 20 years, but I want to bring trophies to the club. The moment you sit back and bask in your glory is the moment you need to hang up your clipboard and give it to someone else.

"I've ticked the boxes so far, but the ultimate boxes for coaches are trophies and I want to do that for Neil, the team and myself. We have been treading on stepping stones and we are moving forward but I still feel as though we are on the same chapter.

"Maybe one day, if I get the opportunity, I will go back to Australia, but at the moment I'm very pleased with my role here. And like Sir Alex Ferguson (who has been at Manchester United for 22 years), I would like to do something along those lines. Ultimately it would be good to have a long spell at one club because I think it is a true testament of a good coach."

Labels: Hull KR, Justin Morgan, Rugby league, Sir Alex Ferguson, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:33 pm | Permalink | Comments

CHAMBERS READY TO PROVE HIS LEAGUE WORTH

Dwain Chambers cannot wait to make his rugby league debut on Sunday, when Castleford Tigers reserves play host to York City Knights in a specially-arranged friendly at The Jungle.

The disgraced Olympic sprinter, who had previously never played rugby of any kind, has been at the West Yorkshire club for a month on trial and whether his time at the club will be extended is down to his performance in the game.

Chambers, who will play on the wing, said: “I’m definitely ready for the game – I’ve been looking forward to it a lot.

“In the last few weeks I have got a good feel for the game and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm psyched up to perform against York.”

Castleford sit bottom of the Super League, but the athlete, who has not dismissed a return to the Olympic arena in Beijing this summer, wants to back them through thick and thin.

He continued: “I will still support the team no matter what we are going through. Hopefully the supporters will see that I mean business. Whether I will extend the loan period or not will depend on how well I play in the friendly. I will be playing on the wing.”

Castleford Tigers media manager, David Smart, was positive about the 30-year-old’s contribution to the club in his short time there. He said: “Dwain has stuck at it and he has impressed when he has trained with the first team and made a good account of himself.

“He has worked tremendously hard in the month he has been with us. He has been living out of a hotel, away from his London-based wife and family, which cannot be easy. He has helped out in the community since he has been here – he even did some sprint training with the youngsters.

“A decision on whether Dwain is offered another contract will be made by the coaches in the days following the game. They will have to study and analyse the videos, because when you watch it in the game you don’t spot everything. It is the same with any player.

“By the middle of next week the club should be making an announcement as to will be happening. It has been great having his around the place. He has fitted in well and you can’t fault his enthusiasm and commitment. Whatever happens next week no one can deny that he has given it his best shot.”

Labels: Castleford Tigers, Dwain Chambers, Rugby league, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:18 pm | Permalink | Comments

SMITH'S ENGLISH REVOLUTION

After a hectic month at the end of last year in which Tony Smith orchestrated Grand Final success for Leeds Rhinos and the three-match whitewash over New Zealand - Great Britain’s first series win in 14 long years – England’s head coach enjoyed a well-earned holiday.

Cuba was his destination, where, in addition to admiring the 1950s Cadillacs, indulging in a spot of salsa and being blown away by the disparity between the rich and poor, the Australian caught the final breaths of Fidel Castro’s lengthy leadership.

In contrast to Castro, Smith - who took on his position permanently in October after the conclusion of the Rhinos’ season - is just starting out on his own revolution, with the immediate focus being the World Cup in his homeland. After the relaxation of Cuba, Smith was soon back to work, scouting out accommodation, venues and training facilities for October’s tournament - the first in eight years - down under on “a whirlwind tour”.

Rugby League World caught up with the 41-year-old to see how England’s World Cup preparations are going, and to find out how he spent the off-season - the first time since 2001 that he was not neck-deep in recruitment and pre-season training.

“Recently I haven’t done anything near as exciting as beating the Kiwis three nil,” Smith grins. “I can’t top that one at the moment. But I did have a couple of weeks in Cuba - it is a fascinating place. I was taken aback by the culture, music and dancing. The financial contrast within Havana is amazing and the old cars are incredible.”

Despite staying in “one of the best hotels I have ever been to” in Cuba’s capital, Smith knows full well what it is like on the other side of the fence. His first taste of the Super League was back in the inaugural season of 1996, when, while playing for Wokingham, he and his wife Lisa lived above the town’s Blue Dolphin fish and chip shop, “the stuff of nightmares”.

After two assistant coaching roles back down under Smith soon returned to north England, snapping up the opportunity to coach Huddersfield Giants in 2001. His innovative approach to the game and willingness to try new things soon propelled Smith to position of Rhinos’ coach in 2003.

He steered Leeds to their first championship in 32 years the following campaign and last October’s 33-6 Grand Final victory over St Helens was a fitting end to Smith’s highly successful reign at Headingley.

Despite winning a handful of trophies at Leeds and innumerable plaudits, Smith insists that he does not miss being a Super League coach. “I’m quite OK with it,” he confides. “People kept telling me I would miss the day-to-day stuff. But I’ve been that busy with the other parts of my role with the Rugby Football League that I haven’t had a chance to miss it yet.

“Without the pressure to win every week I’m quite happy to be sitting back and watching the talent. I’ve found that when you’re so engrossed in your own team you don’t really get to enjoy some of what’s happening.

“You’re concentrating on your team so much that you don’t see some of the young players at other clubs in the same sort of light that I’m perhaps seeing them at the moment. It’s been a joy, really.”

Such is the nature of Super League XIII’s game scheduling Smith is unable to attend every match, though he attempts not to miss a minute. “I’m trying to be at as many games as is physically possible, for the RFL and in my capacity as England coach, as I think it’s important that the players know that I’m there and watching them,” he says. “The games I have not been able to attend I have been watching on videos, so the idea is to view them all in their entirety.”

Freed from the pressures of a Super League coach and with his new panoramic perspective, Smith has been enthused by the quality of rugby league being exhibited in the opening rounds.

He continues: “I’ve been really encouraged by the type of rugby league that is being played. I’ve been impressed by the style and the willingness to play exciting football at this stage of the year, as usually it’s very cagey.

“There’s moisture in the ground, it’s cold and there’s still a little bit of nasty weather, which tends to make teams play conservatively. But I’ve been really encouraged that the coaches and the players haven’t been that conservative and have looked to play some rugby league and not just play field positions. It’s been entertaining and enthralling for everybody.”

As well as upping the entertainment level, Smith believes that Super League teams are correct to attempt a more expansive style, as it is that fine line between panic and calculated risk that will determine a great team from a good team.

“If you look at the teams who have won Super League in recent times – like Leeds and St Helens in the past couple of years – they’ve been pretty successful in the offload area,” he suggests. “Though they make a few mistakes in a game you’ve got to look at those two teams and say, ‘well, they have been successful from taking risks and throwing the ball around’.

“So maybe that’s the message that all of the teams have taken out of the last couple of years, and we are seeing it in practice this year. I think that is a good blueprint to take to the World Cup. If we try and play too conservatively against the Australians and just try and out-muscle them, I’m not sure that’s the way to go. The rugby league that we play over here is a bit more expansive and a bit more entertaining as well so let’s get good at that. Who knows where it may take us?”

The England head coach fully backs the RFL’s attempts to introduce a licensing system – a move, in his opinion, which would not only breed a more progressive, entertaining game, but also encourage coaches to blood youngsters earlier than before.

“People will argue the fact there won’t be two or three exciting games at the end of year,” Smith says. “I disagree – there’s still going to be a lot of excitement at the end of the year. But instead of relegation, the emphasis is going to be on who is going to make the top six.

“That’s really where we should be putting our focus and attention. The teams at the bottom of the competition will play enough of a part of who gets into the final six. They won’t want to do teams favours and so that will be really interesting.

“As there won’t be relegation it will give clubs the chance to play with more risk throughout the year. They can chance their arm, try different styles and take on the so called big-boys in a different way.

“Before it’s been a case of damage control: ‘Let’s play conservative and hope we don’t get beaten by a silly score and make it through until the end of the year’.

“But now you see Hull Kingston Rovers, for example, who are perceived as one of the lesser teams and they’re thinking, ‘we’re going mix it around with the big boys’. That’s great. Even my old team, Leeds Rhinos, had a tough opening game against Hull KR – they’ve been terrific in their first few games.”

While Smith is delighted with the type of football that the licensing system would pave the way for when it comes into place next season, he warns against throwing too many British youngsters in the deep end too early. If the national team are to benefit fully, the transition should be, he stresses, gradual. He argues that it is still important to have high quality imports, from Australasia or elsewhere.

“I think the blooding of young Brits is happening more, but we’ve got to be careful we don’t go too quickly with it as well,” Smith insists. “We don’t want to throw people in before they are ready but keep doing it gradually, in a way similar to how we are reducing the numbers year by year on the imported players.

“It’s the right way to go. We have also got to be conscious that we’ve got a competition and we don’t want to jeopardise the quality of it by doing things too quickly as well.

“But you only have to look at the signings by a lot of teams in the number of debutants getting their start in the first team this year, it’s really encouraging to a young British player knowing that you’re going to be a given a chance or more of a chance.

“That’s very encouraging – there’s more of a bright future for a young British boy trying to make a career here now. That’s going to increase the number of players coming through, which is great for the national team.

“What’s great is that it’s almost become trendy to have your local juniors signed up and that’s going from Harlequins right through to the teams in the north. There all quite proud that they’re signing players from their own backyard and it’s been a long time since they been proud of those sorts of things.”

Smith selected a number of young, uncapped players for the Lions Tests against New Zealand in the autumn, a choice that was vindicated ultimately. The successful fusion of experience and youth augurs well for the World Cup. And that was always the plan from the forward-thinking England coach.

During the Test series Smith moved the squad from accommodation in Leeds, to Worsley and finally to Manchester, in order to simulate the journey they will have to contend with in Australia.

England open the tournament with a Pool One game on October 25 against Papua New Guinea in Townsville, followed by a trip to Melbourne to face firm favourites Australia, at the Telstra Dome on Sunday November 2. Then Smith’s team travel to Newcastle for the following Saturday’s final pool game against New Zealand.

“We purposely moved the guys so they didn’t have a home base,” he says. “They had to adapt to moving from different hotels and situations, and occupy themselves in a camp scenario at the World Cup. That was part of the test, and they passed with flying colours.”

Already he has worked out where England will be sleeping and training in a hectic trip to his homeland after the relative calm of Cuba. “I went off on a reccie to Australia with Graham Thompson, the team manager,” he continues. “We had 13 nights over there and spent time in six cities – it was a whirlwind tour!

“We followed the route we are going to do in the World Cup and checked out the accommodation, venues and training facilities, so that we know what is coming. It was also to make sure that we had got the right arrangements – it was a pretty successful trip.

“So now when we arrive we know what we are doing, what to expect – who we are playing, where we are staying and training. All I have to do now is work out who we are taking!”

Ahead of the World Cup Smith will have little chance to address and train the squad en masse, but hints that, come the friendly against France in June, he will be selecting on form rather than reputation.

“I won’t get much chance to see the lads collectively before the France game because there’s no break in the season this year,” Smith says. “I’m also very conscious of their time and the clubs –it’s difficult.

“I’ll probably only get a week’s preparation leading up to the France match, and although last year I did pick quite a young and up-and-coming squad, this time I may pick whoever’s in form, so they’ll be more closer a full-blown side rather than an emerging team.

“I’ll have a couple of meetings with quite a large squad leading up to the end of the year and I want to keep it that way because I want everybody to feel that they have a good chance to make it on the plane to Australia.”

For now Smith is enjoying the fact that he doesn’t have to contend with the usual stresses of a Super League coach, and his outlook on the opening of Super League XIII is very bright. But underneath the calm exterior you can be certain that his revolution geared towards England’s success in his native back yard is well underway.

Labels: Australia, Cuba, England, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:02 pm | Permalink | Comments

McDERMOTT OPTIMISTIC DESPITE WIGAN DEFEAT

Brian McDermott, head coach of Harlequins RL, has vowed that his team will play an adventurous and risk-taking game, despite being defeated 47-28 by Wigan Warriors in their Super League XIII opener.

Quins had been 12 points in front in the second half on Saturday – much to the delight of the record eight thousand packed in at The Stoop – but Wigan’s late dominance was too much for McDermott’s side.

He said: “There were some areas of the game that we didn’t handle well when we finished our defensive set.

“Especially in the second half the transition from offence to defence was not good enough. I don’t think it was an energy or fitness thing.

The former Royal Marine insisted there were plenty of positives though. “There was enough to prove that we can challenge and beat anybody,” McDermott added.

“We played some inventive stuff – the likes of which we didn’t really see last year. And we defended heroically at times.

“You have got to score points to win games of rugby league. If you want to win games you have to chance your arm, and go for some different plays. I am willing to take those risks.”

Labels: Brian McDermott, Harlequins Rugby League, Rugby league, Super League, Wigan Warriors

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:45 am | Permalink | Comments

QUINS' EXTRA INCENTIVE TO BEAT WIGAN

When London Harlequins play host to Wigan Warriors this Saturday in their Super League XIII opener, they have bigger incentive than usual to beat their north-west rivals.

Both clubs have been busy in the close-season, but most pertinently, erstwhile Quins chairman Ian Lenegan now has his feet under the Warriors' table, having bought out Dave Whelan's 89 per cent majority share in October.

Lenegan, born and bred in Wigan, purchased a majority share in Quins - then London Broncos - three seasons ago, and moved them in with their rugby union counterparts at the Stoop.

Although he will retain his 65 per cent majority share in the London club until a suitable buyer is found, Quins will be chaired by Keith Hogg indefinitely.

A former director at Broncos, Hogg has been busy promoting league in London as well as instilling a winning ethos into the club, who finished ninth in their last campaign.

He said: "This is a dream come true for me. I have been a long-time supporter of the club and now we are entering a new era in the club's history.

"There have been some significant changes to the Harlequins Rugby League set up. We feel very positive about the season to come and the future of Harlequins as well."

Hogg praised Lenegan's decision to continue financing the club, adding: "Ian's commitment to Harlequins has been outstanding and we're fortunate that he will continue to be an investor in the club, although the Wigan game could be a bit tasty now.

"It will be a very intense, competitive game. Ian's return will bring even more intensity to the occasion. The players will want to beat Wigan that little more than usual."

Lenegan afmitted: "It is not the ideal opener - I would have preferred anyone other than Quins."

Coach Brian McDermott has retained a "good nucleus" of last year's squad, and brought in six new players. New captain Rob Purdham is insistent Quins can turn over their rivals.

He said: "Just about everyone is fit and we are in a confident mood. They are a good side, but we're at home and we want to get the season off to a good start. I'm looking forward to it."

COACH: Brian McDermott
CAPTAIN: Rob Purdham
TEAM SPONSOR: Workplace Solutions
LAST YEAR'S SUPER LEAGUE FINISH: 9th
INS: Gareth Haggarty (Salford), Dwayne Barker (Castleford), Danny Ward (Hull KR), David Howell (Canberra), Lamont Bryan, Will Sharp (promoted from youth academy)
OUTS: Paul Sykes (Bradford), Lee Hopkins (retired), Tyrone Smith (Brumbies rugby union), David Mills (Hull KR), Andy Smith (Halifax), Stephen Bannister (Salford)

Labels: Harlequins Rugby League, Ian Lenegan, Keith Hogg, Rugby league, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:18 pm | Permalink | Comments

SMITH’S CHALLANGE CONTINUES

While rugby leaguers allow the realisation of Great Britain’s three-match whitewash over New Zealand - their first series win for 14 years - to sink in, Tony Smith’s work remains unfinished.

In a month Smith has taken Leeds Rhinos to Grand Final victory and orchestrated successive wins in his first four matches in full-time charge of Great Britain. With the Australian at the helm, England, following the disbandment of the Lions, have much to look forward to ahead of next October’s World Cup back in his homeland.

Through bold selection and professionalism Smith, 40, has successfully fused together youth with experience in his side. The choice of 18-year-old Sam Burgess - the youngest ever GB prop, and youngest debutant since Andy Farrell in 1993 - was testament to his innovation, but vindicated ultimately.

For Burgess, one of a number of young players blooded by Smith, his try-scoring debut in the opening 20-14 series victory was “the highlight of my career, and great in terms of experience.” Last weekend he helped the Lions seal the series with the 44-0 defeat of New Zealand, and already the improvement in the side was obvious.

“Having had a second week training together we coped better,” said the Bradford youngster, “but I’m sure we can even better that.” Ales were not swilled and the Champagne remained on ice. “There wasn’t much celebrating,” Burgess continued. “We were congratulated on clinching the series but we wanted to win the third Test.

“We’ve got a new coach, new staff and new players. But you’ve got to go out there and win, and we did that as a team. We’ve got a great camaraderie, a great team spirit, and Tony has brought a lot of self-discipline.”

In Saturday's final Test Smith switched a winning team so more players gained vital international experience. In preparation for next year the coach used 23 players in this series.

“I think we put out an equally strong squad,” Smith suggested. “What I’ve done is created a situation where we’ve got more depth. If I’d have had injuries, that could have been the team going into a final game of a deciding match of a series.

“I might have been forced to change the team around, so I’d rather find out how they cope now rather than in the World Cup stages.”

Smith’s foresight and objectivism is clear, however he still views the squad he will take to the World Cup as a work in progress.

He continued: “I’m privileged to be working with such a good group of players and there’s a few that haven’t made this squad that would do as well. There is more depth within the country to choose from - that’s helpful for the future.”

During the series Smith moved the squad from accommodation in Leeds, to Worsley and finally to Manchester, in order to simulate the journey they will have to contend with in Australia next year.

“We purposely moved the guys so they didn’t have a home base,” he said. “They have got to adapt to moving from different hotels and situations, and occupy themselves in a camp scenario at the World Cup. That’s been part of the test, and they have passed with flying colours.”

Though Smith will not see his full squad again until midway through next season’s Super League when England take on France, he plans to regularly visit his charges. The players will now break for six weeks before their pre-seasons start, but their international manager is not so lucky.

“I begin my role as RFL director now, and I will keep things ticking over,” he added. “So far it’s been a tremendous privilege but it’s been easy to get through it because I’m enjoying work and all the people that I work with. I can see the finish line and I’m looking forward to it.”

Labels: Australia, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:33 pm | Permalink | Comments

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FARRELL - GREAT BRITAIN'S NEXT STAR

Sam Burgess will make history on Saturday by becoming the youngest Test player to represent Great Britain since Andy Farrell in 1993.

That 18-year-old Burgess, who broke into the Bradford Bulls side 15 months ago, playing prop, is even in Tony Smith's squad is beyond his wildest dreams.

"It feels great, though quite surreal," says a beaming Burgess. "It was only a couple of years ago I used to watch Great Britain as a supporter.

"Everything is happening so quickly at the moment - much quicker than I expected."

The youngster impressed Smith last weekend, representing Northern Union against the New Zealand All Golds. His combative play and assist for Union's first try earned him the man-of-the-match award in the exhibition game.

It was the latest on a growing list of accolades for Burgess, though. With rugby league in his blood, he has been earmarked for great things for some time.

Father Mark played in the lower divisions, siblings Luke (20), and twins George and Thomas (15) are all on the books of Leeds Rhinos. Even his mother was a GB international.

"My family are over the moon for me," Burgess exclaims. "They are happy that everything is going the right way for me and just hope that I can keep on doing it."

Having captained England schoolboys at U15 and U16 level, the 6ft 3in forward was recently named Super League's most valuable youngster.

He takes it all with a gentle modesty: "I went to the presentation ceremony and found out I was up for it," he says.

"I never imagined I would get the award. When they shouted my name out, my heart was pounding so hard. I was in shock.

"I've had a few things like that recently. I've had an amazingly successful year. It's just come faster than I thought. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet. I'm probably still up there in the clouds.

"I set myself a series of career goals at the start of the year. My main goal was to play for Great Britain before I was 22. It will happen this weekend - just four years early."

After playing for well-respected junior teams Dewbury Moor from the age of five to 15, then Hunslet Parkside for a year, the talented sportsman - he plays golf off five, and loves cricket too - moved to local team Bradford Bulls.

The senior players have helped his development - something that he is very grateful for. He continues: "I love Bradford just because of the guys that are surrounding me there.

"Glenn Morrison, Joe Vagana and Andy Lynch have been a massive help for me this year. They have been dragging me down to do extra training sessions, making me do the right thing off the field and teaching me new things in life, making my life a lot easier and more enjoyable. A lot of my success it is down to them."

Burgess has been praised for his defensive strength, and game-changing hits, as well as his athleticism - attributes that have caused fellow professionals to liken him to Adrian Morley or Stuart Fielden, who he steps in for.

He says: "I don't mind the comparisons. It's always nice to get compliments from players and former players, but I don't try and listen to it.

"I don't try to play in any style apart from my own. I try and be different if anything. There is always room for me to learn from training with these guys. I don't really want to go and blow my own trumpet."

For the moment, Burgess is still star-struck in the presence of his childhood heroes, though they constantly remind him of his youth. "It's weird," he admits. "It's fantastic seeing them all play and they are all really sound.

"When I was younger I used to watch and look up to Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock but because I'm the young one I have to do what they tell me. I'm their little slave."

One suspects Burgess, who turns 19 in December, will not be slave to anyone, not least the New Zealand front row. Expect to see his big hits and fierce athleticism for many years to come.

Labels: Andy Farrell, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:01 pm | Permalink | Comments

MCMANUS: SAINTS ARE THE BEST EVER

Saint Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has said that whatever the outcome in Saturday's Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos, his team will go down as the greatest in rugby league history.

Saints are still on for a back-to-back triple, having already won the Challenge Cup in a 30-8 victory against Les Catalan Dragons at Wembley in late August.

For Tony Smith, who has taken the Rhinos to three of the last four Grand Finals, this showdown will be his last hurrah before he becomes full-time Great Britain coach.

Ironically the Saints' coach Daniel Anderson and Smith were both assistant coaches together at Parramatta Eels in 2000.

Anderson said: "Tony is a very good friend of mine and it's enjoyable for our old friends at Parramatta that we have come head-to-head with each other."

Director of rugby at Leeds, Gary Hetherington, heaped praise on the departing coach. "To win in this final would be no more than Tony deserves," he said.

"He has had a really good four years with us - we have never been out of the top three - and Tony leaves us in very good shape.

"With all the work and dedication he has put into the club, to win the Grand Final would be the icing on the cake. I know all the squad want to win it for him as well."

The Rhinos and Saints have beaten each other this season, and judging by the last game they played - a 10-8 thriller edged by St Helens in the play-offs - it will be a tight one to call.

"It is really nip-and-tuck - there really isn't much between us," considered Anderson. "People can analyse it as much as they want, but in the end there is very little to separate us."

His chairman, McManus, believes that the battle will be won up front. "I think pairs of half-backs - Sean Long and Leon Price at St Helens and Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire at Leeds - and the face-off they will provide is intriguing, and will be highly influential on the outcome of the game."

Either way, McManus argued his men will still be regarded the better team: "We will go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of the game, certainly the best of this generation.

"Regardless of what happens on Saturday I think facts speak for themselves.

"We got the treble last year and so far this year we have beaten Brisbane Broncos. By beating them we beat probably the strongest team, in the strongest sport, in the strongest sporting nation in the world. It's as simple as that.

"We have followed it up with winning the Super League and the Challenge Cup.

"What people forget is that we have been at a huge disadvantage to other teams in that last season went on much longer for us than anyone else, because we got to the Grand Final.

"Then 12 of our team were away for six weeks in Australia for the Tri-Nations. We didn't actually have a close season in which to prepare for this year. So to back it up with the results of this year based on a long season previously and no close season is remarkable."

McManus' opposite man, Leeds Rhinos chairman Gary Hetherington, agreed that such a lofty statement was not far from the mark.

"The Saints have had a remarkable run, particularly in the last two years," Hetherington conceded.

"To get so far in so many competitions as they have has been a remarkable effort. Given rugby league's competitive nature and the salary caps, it is enviable if any team wins a competition.

"But to win as many trophies as they have is a remarkable achievement. We are full of respect for the achievements of the St Helens team."

Labels: Eamonn McManus, Gary Hetherington, Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos, Rugby league, St Helens

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:16 pm | Permalink | Comments

BARRETT COULD TIP THE BALANCE AGAINST LEEDS

Leeds Rhinos' chief executive Gary Hetherington fears Wigan Warriors' winger Trent Barrett could be too hot to handle in tonight's (Friday) Final Eliminator at
The KC Stadium.

Australian international Barrett was recently named Writers' Association Player of the Year and is the bookies' favourite to collect the Man of Steel award.

"He will certainly be in the running for the award," declared Hetherington. "He is an inspirational player who has had a very strong season. I know Wigan will be pinning a lot of hopes on him."

The Rhinos go into the game having lost 10-8 to St Helens last week, and name an unchanged team.

Despite Barrett's threat and the fact that they have lost to Wigan three times already this season, Hetherington insists that his Leeds team are in confident mood.

"Things are looking pretty positive and we are in good shape. We have a lot of respect for the opposition but hopefully we'll get the big result required."

Every game in the play-offs has been close, with only six points or less between sides. Hetherington thinks that the trend will continue.

"They have literally been decided in the last few minutes. On paper you would expect our game to be pretty similar. It will be a close fought match and a battle to the finish."

Labels: Gary Hetherington, Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos, Rugby league, St Helens, Trent Barrett

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:23 pm | Permalink | Comments

LES CATALANS WARMED BY BLAZE OF GLORY

What the Challenge Cup means for Les Catalan Dragons and French rugby league - read my report for the Observer.

Labels: Challenge Cup, Les Catalan Dragons, Rugby league, St Helens

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 10:47 pm | Permalink | Comments

The Guardian Unlimited: sports report
Selwyn Bennett resigns as chairman of the NZRL after 'granny gate'. Click HERE to see the report.

Labels: New Zealand, Rugby league, Selwyn Bennett, Tri-nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:09 pm | Permalink | Comments

Guardian Unlimited Sports Blog:
A prediction of how the GB Lions will do in the Tri-Nations. Click HERE to view.

Labels: Australia, England, Lions, New Zealand, Rugby league, Tri-nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:46 pm | Permalink | Comments

The Sunday Telegraph: Union lure for young talent, as published on 1/10/06. Click HERE to view.

Labels: Chev Walker, Karl Pryce, Rugby league, rugby union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:51 pm | Permalink | Comments

The Professional Era
Chev Walker’s transfer to Bath RFC from Leeds Rhinos, finalised on June 6, is the latest in a line of high-profile signings to rugby union from league. When union went professional in 1995, it paved the way for a number of league stars to switch codes. In 1996 two stars of rugby league - Jason Robinson and Henry Paul - were signed by Bath RFC, yet the moves were engineered from Twickenham by the RFU.

Phil Clarke, who until March 2006 was Great Britain manager, and played in the same World Cup final in 1995 as Jason Robinson before he made the switch, views Clive Woodward as the prime mover. It had been head coach Woodward who had been handed the task of ensuring a smooth transition for the RFU as it entered the professional era. Woodward was attracted to top rugby league players as they were fitter, quicker and stronger than the union players at his disposal, who were perhaps sluggish from the hangover of the amateur era.

“Clive Woodward wanted players like Henry Paul and Jason Robinson - he was just so adamant; he was obsessed by them,” Clarke says. “He got the RFU hierarchy to fund the transfers for them to come through.” Paul went on to win six caps for England as centre, and Robinson - through his 39 caps, including the 2003 World Cup win - became the most recognisable England rugby union player, behind Johnny Wilkinson. The plan had worked, and the RFU became more willing to part with their money so that other league stars could be tempted across to union.

RFU Wealth
Since the inception of the professional union game, the RFU have become much successful than the RLU financially. Lucrative internationals at Twickenham, where 75,000 sell-out crowds are charged approximately £50 per head, plus vast TV revenues, have allowed the RFU to part-fund a number of league to union transfers. There is also a tangible difference in top level salaries between the codes. As Phil Clarke explains, “In the English RL the salary cap is £1.8m, and that is for the top 25 players who make up the Great Britain squad, netting them between £40,000 and £50,000 per annum.” Although the RFU’s £2.4m salary cap is spread between 45 players, meaning the average player earns £50,000 per annum, the top players are paid slightly more.

“Every time a player wins a union cap they are paid £8,000 just to play. In league, the players are might be given £500 if they lose, or just £1,500 if they win,” says Clarke. Further, the commercial possibilities in union are more rewarding. Whereas Andy Farrell - who before his move to Saracens RFU was the undisputed star of the Super League and GB - would earn £50,000 through off-field endorsements when he was GB captain, Johnny Wilkinson would be raking in hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Andy Robinson looked to league
This increase in salary, and the bank-rolling-tactics of the RFU have doubtless been a major factor in persuading the top league players to change codes. In the last 15 months the RFU have helped Saracens sign Andy Farrell, and Bath sign Chev Walker, who will move after the Super League season in November. These last two signings were overseen by Andy Robinson, the present England head coach and former assistant to Woodward. The trend of poaching top league stars, although started by Woodward, has been borne by Robinson, who fully admits his intentions. “I have been tracking (Chev Walker) for some time and he has a lot to offer rugby union,” Robinson told BBC Sport after the centre signed for Bath. “He’s a player we were looking to pick up, but he will have to perform first,” Robinson said. “If he does, we could see him having the potential to go into the World Cup squad.”
After a poor showing in the past two Six Nations Championships, Robinson needed to boost his England Elite squad before the World Cup in France, which starts in September 2007. Phil Clarke agrees that Robinson has addressed where there are gaps in the team, and has earmarked RL players to fill them. So far back row Andy Farrell has been unlucky with injury, and has not yet started for Saracens, but Robinson is still keen regardless. “Farrell is still a realistic prospect for the World Cup. Once he is fit, I still think he can make a big impact,” Robinson said.

In 23-year-old Chev Walker, the feeling is that Robinson has the answer to England’s centre problems. Phil Clarke says that the RFU see 6ft 3in Walker as an English Tana Umaga: “He is a powerful, strong, hard-running, big centre.” Umaga himself had transferred to union from league, and went on to captain the All Blacks to victory over the Lions in 2005.

Clarke points out that rugby league is increasingly producing large, athletic players. “The way RL is going, size is almost priority criterion,” he says. “Watching Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri playing Super14s, it is their size, as well as their footwork and speed, that make them very dangerous, and Chev has elements of those,” Clarke suggests.

League players also succeed in union, “Because they have played a game which has more time and space,” Clarke reasons. “RL gives you more chances to run with the ball, and players run harder and find the gaps much easier.”

The Australian example
Australia are the best example of where players have come from league to union with success, and England are following the blueprint. Until recently, the Wallaby three-quarters line - Sailor, Tuqiri and Matt Rodgers - were all former league stars. Further, in Matt Rodgers, they have one of the most versatile backs in the world - and this in a sport where positional specificity it deemed to be key. In rugby league, where positions are less rigid, players are used to developing a number of skills, and this is particularly attractive to union selectors. Similarly Jason Robinson played for England in a number of positions. In the same breath, league forwards often find it harder to adapt to union, having not been disciplined in set-plays like line-outs and scrums.

Walker’s move to Bath rules him out of the tri-nations series, which is another dent to Brian Noble’s GB squad, after the desertion of skipper and talisman Farrell. The money-waving tactics of the RFU do not bode well for RL, but there is little that can be done to halt proceedings. Andy Robinson and the RFU are adamant that there are no more joint-funding operations for league players in the pipeline, but it seems further pickings will be hard for union to ignore. In the professional era of rugby union, money talks loudest.

Labels: Chev Walker, England, Rugby league, rugby union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 10:38 pm | Permalink | Comments