Newtown Win NSW Cup Minor Premiership

It took until the final kick of the game, but Newtown have won the NSW Cup Minor Premiership following a nail biting 22-22 draw with Canterbury. A penalty goal from Mawene Hiroti after the full time siren clinched the draw and the trophy for the Jets.

As a feeder club to Cronulla, Newtown’s team has featured Kade Dykes, Luke Metcalf, Billy Magoulis, Franklin Pele, Connor Tracey and Matt Ikuvalu at different times during the season.

Winning the minor premiership sees Newtown have a much needed week’s rest before they play the winner of Saturday’s major semi-final between Penrith and North Sydney.

Congratulations to coach Greg Matterson and the Newtown Jets.  Now the really hard work begins.

Rugby League World Cup: Get To Know: FRANCE

At the end of this year, sixteen nations will contest the men’s World Cup. Most casual fans would know about Australia, New Zealand and England; but over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to some of the other teams.

France have contested every World Cup since the concept began in 1954. They actually hosted the first World Cup, and went down 16-12 to Great Britain in the final. It would be as close as they would get over the next 68 years.

The history of rugby league in France is one of struggle. The first game played in France was a friendly international between Australia and England in 1933. The following year, France formed their own national team, mostly comprised of disgruntled rugby union players. They toured England in 1934, and had more than 200 clubs before the outbreak of the Second World War. 

After the war, France had to rebuild from scratch, but became the first French sporting team to win at Wembley in 1949, and in 1951 had a successful tour of Australia, led by champion goal kicking fullback Puig Aubert.

France stuggled at the World Cup in 1957 and 1960, but made the final in 1968. They hosted the tournament again in 1972, but haven’t looked like reaching a final since. France’s last significant victory was in the two tests against Australia at the end of the 1978 Kangaroo Tour.

Since the 1990s, France have mostly kept to playing Tier 2 nations in internationals, although they did participate in the Four Nations tournament in 2009.

France are grouped with England, Samoa and Greece for this year’s World Cup. With only the top two teams progressing, France will be focused on defeating Greece in their opening match, and hoping for an upset in one of the other games.

What Can You Get For $1 Million?

A recently published list of the top earning players in the NRL, coupled with some blow-out score lines, has again raised questions around salary cap management at some clubs. With marquee players now earning around the $1 million per season mark, it is timely to ask if clubs are getting value for their money.

Penrith have built their team around star halfback Nathan Cleary, and have found success with two grand final appearances. With Cleary at the centre of their club, the Panthers are on track to be in a third consecutive decider in 2022.  Chock full of local juniors, Penrith have one of the best salary cap management systems in the league.

Yet not all clubs are as fortunate as Penrith. Players such as Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Tom Trbojevic, David Fifita, Kalyn Ponga, Luke Brooks and Tevita Pangai are all reported to be around the million dollar a season mark, yet every single one of them will be watching the finals from their living room come September.

While one cannot begrudge players earning as much as they can in a relatively short employment window, it must be getting frustrating for fans. Yet there is no simple solution.  Struggling clubs sometimes need to pay ‘overs’ to attract a star player, but still need other quality players to lend support.  They may end up with a bunch of players in their top 30 earning towards the bottom end of the pay grade, which can impact any club if they get a run of injuries.

Similarly, it is easier for the more successful clubs to attract players or hold on to their stars due to the winning culture at those clubs.  Players have often stated over the years they stay at a club for less money as they enjoy being part of a winning team.  This makes it harder again for clubs trying to work their way up the ladder.

Clubs can’t just buy culture either.  It has to come from within and start from the head office.  Culture follows the leader.

With clubs all having the same salary cap to spend, the disparity between clubs like Penrith, Melbourne and the Roosters, and Wests Tigers and Newcastle is stark.  With the Dolphins entering the competition in 2023, there will be even higher offers for the best players, perpetuating the cycle.

Perhaps it is time for another look at the salary cap, and for the league administrators to explain to the fans how its existence at all can be justified.

The NRL Grand Final Could Be Sold To The Highest Bidder

Last week, the National Rugby League and the New South Wales government were locked in a stand-off over funding of suburban stadiums, and for a few days, the grand final was held to ransom. Ultimately, the decider will stay in Sydney in 2022, with commercial-in-confidence protocols ensuring the details will not be made known to the public.

What is most interesting about the negotiations is that the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V’Landys mentioned that Sydney may not assume it will be the ‘forever’ home of the grand final.

With COVID-19 forcing the 2021 decider to be played in Brisbane, the tradition of playing the game in Sydney since 1908 has been broken. That may make it easier for the match to be taken elsewhere in the future. The system works in the USA for major events such as the Super Bowl and Wrestlemania, with the host city being named a year in advance. In Australia, bidding syndicates could work with government, tourism bodies, schools and industry in an attempt to entice the grand final to their city.

With Melbourne long believing they are Australia’s sporting capital, Brisbane being the rugby league heartland, and Perth and Sydney having new stadia with state-of-the-art facilities, there could be much public interest in the announcement, which may be made during grand final week, perhaps at the Dally M Awards.

Whether the idea goes ahead or was a mere thought bubble, the last two seasons have shown Sydney can no longer rest on their laurels.

Is This The Last Chance For Wests Tigers?

As Wests Tigers’ fans contemplate the end of another disastrous season, they may take solace in the return of Tim Sheens to the position of head coach, with Benji Marshall set to take over. Sheens and Marshall brought a winning culture to the club, which culminated in grand final victory over North Queensland in 2005.

It’s been a long and bitter period of the Tigers since that glorious day. They have now gone a decade without making the finals, and are likely to finish the 2022 season with the wooden spoon.

The first thing the new Tigers’ regime has to look at is the salary cap management. For too long the club has paid overs for players, hoping to attract other stars to the club. It just hasn’t worked. Perhaps their most under-rated forward, Luke Garner, is off to Penrith next year. Garner should be as viewed as say Victor Radley or Liam Martin is now viewed. He almost certainly will be at Penrith.

Luke Brooks won the Dally M halfback of the year award a few years ago, which helped gain a pay increase. It seems like forever that Brooks has been the scapegoat for the woes at the Tigers.

The return of Sheens and Marshall can’t just be seen as a nostalgic attempt to return to the very brief glory days of the Tigers. It is seriously the last chance the ill-fated joint venture club has as being a viable franchise in the NRL.

Salary cap management must be the first point on the agenda. Every team gets the same amount but somehow Wests Tigers seem to fill their roster with journeymen and promising players. It hasn’t worked for ten years.

The Tigers need to start thinking about how they make the finals within three seasons. Re-sign Adam Doueihi, work out what they want to do with Luke Brooks, and go from there. Papali’I and Koroisau is a good start. But it’s only a start.

If The Tigers can’t get it right this time, I fear they may be swallowed up by Penrith. The Panthers’ off-field club network is extensive, and a Western Panthers team spreading from Penrith to Campbelltown would provide a greater catchment area for juniors, while also offsetting any inroads into the sporting market by the GWS Giants of the AFL, and the Western Sydney Warriors and Macarthur FC A-League teams.

A new Excellence Centre at Concord may be well and good for the Tigers, but it may not help them find where their true identity lies. Are they are an inner-city side still? Or are they a true western Sydney franchise that can extend beyond Campbelltown to Bargo and Picton. And pick up fans that would otherwise support Canberra?

If they don’t have success under the ‘back to the future’ Sheens/Marshall regime, the decision may be made for them as the NRL looks for consolidation before future expansion.

Crystal Ball: Penrith

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Penrith’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Penrith are already the minor premiers.  They finish with games against the Warriors and North Queensland.

Who will they most likely play?

A win over the Cowboys in the final round would likely set up a rematch the following week.

Okay, give me some hope…

Penrith are the defending premiers, and have the form team all season. They have class all over the paddock, and the experience of two consecutive grand finals to get there again.

Now, the reality check…

The reality is Penrith are probably just two wins away from the grand final.  They can’t afford to get too ahead of themselves though.  There are still plenty of contenders.

Who is the key?

Nathan Cleary.  When Cleary returns from his suspension expect him to be fresher and with a point to prove.  Cleary wouldn’t much like sitting in the stands watching his teammates and will be looking to make up for his indiscretion.

Predicted finish:

Grand final.  It’s hard to imagine Penrith have two more losses in them before the big one.  Six points clear of the field, it would almost be a travesty if they weren’t there on the first Sunday in October.

Crystal Ball: North Queensland

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at North Queensland’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

A tough trip to Sydney to play Souths is followed by a home game against minor premiers Penrith. Even with two losses, they have enough of a superior for and against margin over Parramatta to ensure they finish in the top four.

Who will they most likely play?

Two losses will see the Cowboys likely finish in fourth place, and travel to Sydney to take on Penrith for the second week in a row.

Okay, give me some hope…

The Cowboys have defied the critics all season. Todd Payten has brought together a bunch of young players, sprinkled with the experience of Chad Townsend and Jason Taumalolo to form a team that is a genuine threat.

Now, the reality check…

Like Cronulla, North Queensland may need a year of disappointment in finals football before they can step up to Penrith, Melbourne and Sydney Roosters. The loss to the Roosters a couple of weeks back was probably a good indication of just where the Cowboys are this year.

Who is the key?

Jeremiah Nanai.  What a breakout season for Nanai! Seventeen tries in a display probably not seen for a rookie forward since Steve Menzies in 1994.  Whether it’s catching kicks or using his power game, Nanai has been a handful for opposition teams all season.

Predicted finish:

Third week of finals.  Even if they go down to Penrith in the first week of the finals, North Queensland should have too much class for Parramatta in a likely second week clash.  Unfortunately, they would probably then run into a fresh Melbourne.

Crystal Ball: Cronulla

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Cronulla’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Cronulla play Canterbury and Newcastle in the last two rounds. On current form, one would think that the Sharks should win both games, which could be enough to propel them into second place.

Who will they most likely play?

With Melbourne and North Queensland both having tough rounds to finish the regular season, it’s one of the hardest things to predict about the finals. Melbourne usually improve around September, and they should do enough to secure third spot.

Okay, give me some hope…

Cronulla have been one of the big improvers of 2022. Rookie coach Craig Fitzgibbon has all the makings of a long-term successful mentor, and the signings of Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes have brought a serious winning culture to the club.

Now, the reality check…

Cronulla may just a step behind some of the more experienced teams. Losing in finals hurts, and whatever happens, Cronulla will be one of the genuine premiership threats in 2023.

Who is the key?

It has to be Nicho Hynes. It’s hard to believe that at the start of the 2021 season Hynes was an occasional bench player. He has become of the key playmakers in the competition this year, and wouldn’t draw too much criticism if he finished with the Dally M award.

Predicted finish:

Second week of the finals. As hard it is, someone has to lose. The Sharks go down to Melbourne and Sydney Roosters, and learn enough from the experience to be better than both of them in 2023.

Crystal Ball: Melbourne

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Melbourne’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Tough games ahead for the Storm: a home game against a desperate Sydney Roosters is followed by a trip to Parramatta. However, Craig Bellamy is the Bart Cummings of rugby league, and the Storm will be prepared for anything.

Who will they most likely play?

If Melbourne can win both games, they are likely to finish in third spot. They’ll be travelling to Sydney to face Cronulla.

Okay, give me some hope…

Come on, it’s Melbourne! History tells us that the Storm can never been counted out, especially while Cameron Munster is playing ringmaster.

Now, the reality check…

The loss of Christian Welch has been under-stated this year. Welch lays so much of the platform for the Storm. Ryan Papenhuyzen’s absence blunts some of their attack. As good as Nick Meaney is (and he has improved greatly under Bellamy) he lacks a little bit of the class Papenhuyzen provides.

Who is the key?

Undoubtedly Cameron Munster.  One would hope contract negotiations don’t get in the way of his on-field performances.  If Munster gets injured, Melbourne probably can’t win the premiership.

Predicted finish:

Third week of the finals.  Assuming they can win their first finals match and have a week off.  It certainly wouldn't be a surprise though if they went all the way though.

Crystal Ball: South Sydney

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at South Sydney’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

It won’t be easy for South Sydney. A home game against second placed North Queensland will be followed by the traditional grudge match against Sydney Roosters. Two losses could leave the Rabbitohs vulnerable to missing out altogether.

Who will they most likely play?

Assuming Souths can win at least one of their two remaining games, they look likely to finish in seventh spot and play the Roosters in an elimination final.

Okay, give me some hope…

Up until last week’s loss to an under-strength Penrith, South Sydney were one of the form teams of the competition. Alex Johnston is far and away the leading try scorer in the league, and Latrell Mitchell is very close to his best.  Oh, and they did make the grand final last year.

Now, the reality check…

It would take a miracle for Souths to make the top four from here. They’ve just left their run this year too late. Even if they can beat the Roosters in the first week of the finals they may gain some momentum, but they’d need four wins in a row to claim the title.

Who is the key?

Latrell Mitchell.  Since his return from injury, Mitchell has been one of the top players in the league and has laid the foundation for the Rabbitohs’ revival. He will need some help though for the Bunnies to be a genuine threat.

Predicted finish:

Seventh. From there it is up to South Sydney. A win over the Roosters could give them a lift, but the Roosters just look to have more of an edge this season.

Crystal Ball: Brisbane

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Brisbane’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Brisbane’s destiny is in their own hands. Wins over Parramatta and St George-Illawarra ensure they play finals football. A loss will see the Broncos looking over the shoulder at Canberra.

Who will they most likely play?

Assuming the Broncos sneak into the finals, their opponents are likely to be Parramatta. The same team they play this week.

Okay, give me some hope…

Kevin Walters has done a phenomenal job in getting Brisbane into finals contention, considering their poor form of the last two seasons. Patrick Carrigan is still to return, and Adam Reynolds knows all about getting teams into grand finals.

Now, the reality check…

Brisbane have probably over-achieved in 2022. Making the finals is an achievement their fans can be proud of. They should be able to build on that achievement in 2023 and become a genuine contender.

Who is the key?

Adam Reynolds. His leadership, goal kicking, and experience have been a crucial part of the Broncos’ revival. If Brisbane are going to progress deep in the finals, it will be on the back of Reynolds.

Predicted finish:

Eighth.  And a likely loss to Parramatta in their return to finals football.

Crystal Ball: Parramatta

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Parramatta’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Parramatta play a desperate Brisbane before finishing the regular season against Melbourne. They look likely to finish fifth, but if Melbourne lose to Sydney Roosters, the last round clash against the Storm could be for a spot in the top four.

Who will they most likely play?

Brisbane or Canberra.  Whichever team finishes eighth should be no match for the Eels.

Okay, give me some hope…

Mitch Moses is in career best form, and he’s brought Dylan Brown along with him. They are now one of the most effective halves combination in the league. Ryan Matterson is back near his best, and Reed Mahoney will be keen to finish his time at Parramatta on a high note.

Now, the reality check…

Parramatta have had an awful run in finals matches under the coaching of Brad Arthur. They just seem to lack the ability to go to the next level as the top clubs. Sadly, this year looks like being more of the same.

Who is the key?

Shaun Lane. While it would be easy to pick Moses, Lane has fast become an attacking weapon for the Eels. Now a genuine forward leader, Lane can help set the platform for Moses, Brown and Gutherson to work their magic.

Predicted finish:

Second week of finals. A win over the eighth placed team will leave Parramatta with the prospect of playing the loser of Penrith V North QLD/Melbourne. Wins over Penrith earlier in the season with give Eels’ fans some hope though.

Crystal Ball: Sydney Roosters

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look at Sydney Roosters’ future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

Sydney Roosters play Melbourne and South Sydney. While they could lose both matches, their for and against record should be sufficient to see off any challenge from Brisbane or Canberra.

Who will they most likely play?

Assuming the Roosters win at least one of their two matches, they should hang on to sixth place. Either way, there’s a fair chance they’ll be playing South Sydney two weeks in a row.

Okay, give me some hope…

The Roosters are one of the form teams in the competition. They are starting to get some troops back, and have one of the most potent backlines in the league, as the Tigers found out last week.

Now, the reality check…

It’s incredibly difficult to win the premiership from the bottom half of the top eight. It hasn’t been done since Canterbury ambushed Manly in the 1995 decider.

Who is the key?

James Tedesco. The star fullback has grown into one of the best leaders in the competition following the forced retirement of Boyd Cordner. Tedesco could well be Australian captain by the end of the season.

Predicted finish:

Grand finalists. The Roosters should be able to jag a win over the next fortnight, and can then step up for the finals campaign. A win in the first week could set up a run all the way to the grand final.

Crystal Ball: Canberra

Two rounds to play. Let’s have a look into Canberra’s future.

What’s their pathway to the finals?

The formula for Canberra is simple. Win both games and hope someone above them stumbles. The first part of the equation seems simple enough on paper, with games against struggling Manly and Wests Tigers. Although it took a huge effort for the Raiders to come from behind to beat Newcastle on the weekend, they should have learned from the experience.

Who will they most likely play?

If they get there, Canberra will most likely play the team that finishes fifth.  It’s hard to not see that team being Parramatta.

Okay, give me some hope…

It’s only three years since Canberra last made the grand final, and many of the players from that game are still with the club. So is the coach, Ricky Stuart.

Now, the reality check…

Even if Canberra win both games, they have to hope Brisbane, Sydney Roosters or South Sydney collapse. The most likely scenario is they finish equal with Brisbane and it will come down to for and against.

Who is the key?

Jack Wighton. He will need to step up over the next two weeks to lead this team into the finals. He has the experience, and of course is also a Clive Churchill Medal winner. Wighton can rise to the occasion.

Predicted finish:

Ninth. Brisbane should just sneak into the finals ahead of Canberra.

Manly Have Only Themselves To Blame

Disclaimer:  The writer has been a Manly Sea Eagles fan for 43 years.

So Manly fans, that’s it for another season.  The Sea Eagles have now equalled their longest grand final drought since entering the premiership in 1947 (Northern Eagles period not withstanding).

After making it to within a win of the grand final last season, where did it all go wrong? While the injury to Tom Trbojevic certainly blunted Manly’s attack, it cannot be solely blamed for the Sea Eagles’ demise. In truth, teams were starting to work out Trbojevic before he was ruled out for the season; although his absence again heavily impacted on the try scoring ability of Jason Saab.

Manly went into the season with much the same squad as the one that lost to Souths in the grand final qualifier in 2021.  They added boom Brisbane forward Ethan Bullemor, but he was restricted to less than a dozen matches as he took time to fit in at his new club.

The Sea Eagles in 2022 reminded me a lot of the 1979 season. Manly won the premiership in 1978 against expectations, yet struggled to gain any momentum the following year despite retaining almost their whole grand final winning team. They always looked like qualifying for the finals, but just couldn’t quite get there as other teams improved to their level.

That is what has happened, to some extent in 2022.  Brisbane, North Queensland and Cronulla have shown significant improvement this year, while Manly have stood still. They had a culture of expectation about them which blew up during the ‘jerseygate’ fiasco before a crucial round 20 match against Sydney Roosters. Coming off a lacklustre loss to St George-Illawarra, the Sea Eagles could ill afford the build up to the match against the Roosters and suffered accordingly.

A woeful second half against Parramatta, and a diabolical performance today against Gold Coast has sealed Manly’s fate.

This is a team which has a number of young stars on the rise such as Haumole Olakau’atu, Reuben Garrick, Taniela Paseka, Tolutau Kolau and Ben Trbojevic; and should have easily qualified for the finals this year.  Instead they’ll be watching on in September, and Daly Cherry-Evans may have missed his last chance to captain Australia.

Is It Time For The NRL To Have A Mental Health Awareness Round?

Tonight, the rugby league community is in collective mourning following the announcement of the death of Paul Green. A champion halfback, Green played over 160 first grade games, seven State of Origin matches for Queensland, and represented Australia during Super League.

In retirement, Green turned to coaching, and famously led North Queensland to their first and so far only premiership victory. In 2015 the Cowboys defeated Brisbane in extra time in one of the classic grand finals. Perhaps even more impressive was Green’s effort to get North Queensland to the grand final in 2017 without injured co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.

Paul Green had so much still to offer as a coach, and was signed as an assistant to the new Dolphins club for the 2023 season under the tutelage of the legendary Wayne Bennett.

The passing of Paul Green, as tragic as it is, gives the rugby league community a chance to ask serious questions about the mental health of its players, coaches, referees and administrators.

The pressures on the participants in rugby league are exacerbated by social media. Pundits, sometimes annoyed by exorbitant salaries of players, take out their frustrations without a true thought to the implications it could have on those reading their tweets and posts. We’ve recently even seen players trolled by ‘fans’ who have missed out on betting winnings. It has to stop.

While out game rightly has rounds celebrating Aboriginal culture and women in league, maybe it’s time we had a round to eliminate the stigma around mental health. In a few weeks in Australia we have R U OK? Day. It’s a question that should be asked every day of the year.

Africa - The New Rugby League Powerhouse?

The Rugby League World Cup is just months away, and it will feature teams from the Pacific and Europe, as well as Lebanon and Jamaica.

If rugby league is to be a truly international sport, it must embrace the emerging competitions in nations that have traditionally been the home to football and rugby union.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Rachel Aknomah who has been a driving force in promoting rugby league in Ghana, especially the women’s game.

Rachel was a champion triple jumper and hockey player before moving into sports administration.  She fell into rugby league by accident but immediately loved the game due to the values it teaches, such as respect and community.

Rachel has battled against traditional West African patriarchy to assist girls into sport through her programmes such as ‘Pretty Girls Play League’ and “SheLeagues”.  Despite some resistance, she has helped young girls into the sport which has improved the health and fitness of many young girls and women in Ghana.

With the World Cup just a couple of months away, Rachel would like to see African nations have the opportunity to participate in the tournament in 2026.  The rise of rugby league in South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon and Morocco should see Ghana participate in a qualifying tournament that rewards an African nation or two with representation at the 2026 World Cup.

A champion of women’s rugby league, Rachel cites Sydney Roosters’ NRLW star Corban Baxter as her favourite player. By 2026, young girls in Ghana could be looking up at their own home grown heroes in the Women’s World Cup.

As long as there are advocates like Rachel Aknomah, the dream is getting closer to reality every day.

Rugby League World Cup – Get To Know: ITALY

At the end of this year, sixteen nations will contest the Rugby League World Cup. Most casual fans would know about Australia, New Zealand and England; but over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to some of the other teams.

The history of rugby league in Italy spans more than seventy years.  A local competition began in 1951, and an international team played against France that year.  In 1960, Australia played two friendly internationals against Italy on their way home from the Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France.

As rugby league gained popularity in the 1960s, the Italian Rugby Union threatened life bans for players, and the game withered away for almost thirty years.

Rugby league began a comeback in Italy in the 1990s, thanks largely to the work of Italian Australians.  Italy participated at the Emerging Nations tournament in 2000, and recorded wins over USA and Canada.

In 2011, Italy, captained by Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello played a 19-19 draw with Lebanon which was enough to qualify for the 2013 World Cup.  Italy scored an upset win over Wales at the tournament, but bowed out after going down 16-0 to Tonga in the final game of their pool round.

Italy qualified for the 2017 World Cup with a record 76-0 win over Russia, but losses to Ireland and Fiji saw them miss out on progressing past the pool stage.  They have since had test wins over South Africa and Spain, but have drawn Australia, Fiji and Scotland at the World Cup, and look unlikely to progress past the first round, despite possible being bolstered by the inclusion of NRL players Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown and Jack Johns.

Rugby League World Cup – Get To Know: IRELAND

At the end of this year, sixteen nations will contest the Rugby League World Cup. Most casual fans would know about Australia, New Zealand and England; but over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to some of the other teams.

Ireland, known as the Wolfhounds, have played rugby league since 1989, but had to wait until 1995 for their first international matches. That year they played in the Emerging Nations Tournament, which was played in tandem with the World Cup. Ireland recorded wins over Moldova and Morocco.

By 2000 several English based Super League players became eligible for Ireland, and the Wolfhounds made it to the quarter-finals of that year’s World Cup, going down 26-16 to England.

Ireland again qualified for the World Cup in 2008, but again fell short during the quarter-finals with a 30-14 loss to Fiji.  The following year, Ireland had their biggest ever test victory when they defeated Serbia by 82-0.

In 2013, Ireland again participated in the World Cup, but lost all three matches against Fiji, England and Australia.  They won two of their three games at the 2017 World Cup, but did not progress to the finals after finishing second in their group.

Ireland defeated Spain and Italy to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.  They have drawn New Zealand, Jamaica and Lebanon their pool, and would fancy their chances of qualifying for the finals.

Depth Is The Key

As the race for the finals comes to its climax, clubs with depth in key positions seem more likely to make an impact when it counts in September.

Sydney Roosters had the luxury of Sam Verrills filling in for Jake Friend in 2019, and he scored the opening try in their grand final win over Canberra.  Andrew Ryan successfully filled in as captain of Canterbury in 2004; Kevin Ward returned to Manly for a cameo appearance in 1987; unheralded winger Matthew Callinan won a premiership with Canterbury in 1985; and older readers would remember George Piggins filling in for Elwyn Walters as South Sydney defeated St George in the decider of 1971.

So how could depth play its role this year?  We’re already seeing it.  With Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai missing for Penrith until the finals, Sean O’Sullivan and Jaiman Salmon have been tasked with stepping up to keep the Panthers ticking over.  They are lucky enough to have Kurt Falls killing it in reserve grade.

Cronulla have Kade Dykes filling it at fullback for the injured Will Kennedy.  Dykes has been in top form for Newtown in the NSW Cup, as has barnstorming forward Franklin Pele, who may be called upon in the coming weeks.

Parramatta has to rely on Jake Arthur to fill in for Mitchell Moses for the next few weeks.  Arthur played probably his best game for the Eels as they ended Manly’s finals chances last Friday.

South Sydney have Izaac Thompson coming in on the wing, and he already looks like a genuine first grader.  They may lack some depth in the forwards and would be hoping George Burgess can come back at a crucial time during the finals.

Melbourne? No Jarome Hughes. No Ryan Papenhuyzen. No Christian Welch since round one. No side has been more ravaged with injuries, yet the Storm are still likely to finish in the top four.  Craig Bellamy’s ‘next man up’ programme has worked well for years now, but the fact that they are borrowing players from other clubs must mean they are seriously stretched.

Sydney Roosters know all about being stretched.  Last year they lost club captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner, as well as veterans Josh Morris and Brett Morris.  This year they have also struggled with injuries in key positions, but the players who filled in last year are now genuine first graders.  The Roosters may be more resilient than any other club at this time of the year.

Legendary coaches from Bob Fulton to Wayne Bennett have stated that you need everything to go right to win a premiership.  Injuries will always play their part, and it may come down to depth in key positions that determines which clubs progress to the grand final.