Buzz: World Cup horror show

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Rugby league is a tough enough body-contact sport without subjecting our players to the dangerous conditions of Old Trafford at the World Cup final.

Whoever was in charge of the Kangaroo touring party should never have allowed the game to start without protective padding in the in-goal areas.

It's an absolute miracle no one was seriously hurt or even killed.

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Brett Morris lies injured after crashing into the advertising signs after scoring a try. Source: Getty Images

When 100kg footballers are competing at high speed for the football in the in-goal areas, anything can happen.

We're talking head and brain injuries or broken arms and legs. Brett Morris and Manu Vatuvei had lucky escapes.

I rarely agree with Phil Gould but his comments on Twitter in the early hours of Sunday morning pretty much summed it up.

"Absolute disgrace playing this level of rugby league on a field this small. Absolute disgrace. Terribly dangerous.

"Whoever responsible for approving ground and those in-goals should be sacked immediately. Typical RL management. Zero care for player welfare."

The NRL had its most senior leaders at the game. At great cost to the sport, Dave Smith, John Grant, Todd Greenberg and Andrew Hill were all there.

Flying business class of course and staying in the top hotels and watching from corporate suites.

These men are in charge of not just the NRL but the ARL under the game's new management structure.

The fact none of them acted on the situation is just appalling.

They not only have an obligation to protect the players but also the clubs that pay the stars millions of dollars in salaries.

Luke Lewis dislocated his shoulder when he crashed into an advertising sign at Langtree Park in St Helens. Source: Supplied

Player safety has to be the number one concern every time these gladiators take the field.

Could you imagine the consequences for a struggling club like the Parramatta Eels if their superstar Jarryd Hayne had broken his leg, shoulder or arm.

Their whole season is over. It affects their crowds, their membership and their sponsors.

Imagine the Roosters losing Sonny Bill Williams for half the year, or the Rabbitohs losing Greg Inglis.

Imagine if SBW got injured and the millions he could lose from not having an off-season fight.

The Sharks have already lost Luke Lewis for half the season over an in-goal injury from earlier in the tour.

It's time the 16 clubs stood up to the NRL and International Board.

Not just in World Cups but in State of Origin and all representative games.

They need to properly compensated when their superstars are injured while "on loan" to the head body.

And they need an assurance that their players will have safe working conditions like any other form of employment in this country.

Parra might finally take off if Hayne plane keeps cruising

MY highlight of the entire World Cup was Jarryd Hayne's sensational form for the Kangaroos.

Johnathan Thurston won man-of-the-match but my choice was the Eels superstar.

We haven't seen him play anywhere near as consistently or brilliantly since he won the Dally M award in 2009.

It's fabulous news for Parramatta who, with an in-form Hayne and the addition of Will Hopoate, should climb off the bottom of the ladder next year.

Jarryd Hayne breaks away from Bryson Goodwin to set up a try scored for Brett Morris. Source: Getty Images

Broncos can't have it both ways

They signed superstar fullback Ben Barba because he was unhappy at the Bulldogs.

They tried to sign boom rookie Anthony Milford because he's apparently unhappy at the Raiders.

It didn't matter that Barba had a contract at Canterbury and Milford still has one year to go at Canberra.

At the same time one of their own players, Josh Hoffman, says he's unhappy and wants out.

The Broncos says he can't go and threaten to relegate him to QLD Cup rather than release him to the Bulldogs.

Josh Hoffman poses with Bulldogs players at the Rugby League World Cup. Source: Twitter

This is a contract squabble that will require the NRL to step in.

There is huge concern in the game about the Broncos talking to under-contract players.

It's time for Dave Smith to put a stop their very questionable recruitment methods.

HIGHLIGHT

A crowd of 74,468 at the World Cup final without even the host country on show. Take three weeks of blowouts out of the tournament and it's a winner.

The players line up prior to the Rugby League World Cup Final at Old Trafford. Source: Getty Images

HIGHLIGHT II

The speedy weekend recovery of glamour jockey Kathy O'Hara from her fall at Randwick on Friday. She is one tough woman.

LOWLIGHT

The fact the World Cup final was never an edge-of-your-seat contest. The Kiwis played their grand final the week before.

The Australians played with State of Origin intensity, something the Kiwis never get to experience.

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Can someone please explain the judging format of the official International Rugby league awards that allowed Danny Brough to be named five-eighth of the year ahead of Johnathan Thurston.

One word: farce.

Johnathan Thurston keeps Issac Luke of New Zealand at arms length during the Rugby League World Cup Final. Source: Getty Images

FRANKLY, I WAS WRONG

Six weeks ago I reported Frank Farina's job was on the line at Sydney FC. This is one case where it's nice to be proven wrong. He is a good man and has done a sensational job to get four wins in a row

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Final defeat brings Sonny to tears

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Sonny Bill Williams doesn't have to contend with failure very often but he couldn't escape it this morning and it reduced the Kiwis second-rower to tears.

The 28-year-old is a winner - virtually everything he's been a part of over the last three years has been successful - and many wondered if he could play a leading hand in helping the Kiwis to defend the world title they won in 2008. Last week he was named the world's best player by the Rugby League International Federation, which was an incredible achievement after five years away from the game.

Williams certainly had an impact on the World Cup - the Kiwis wouldn't have made the final without him after a brilliant performance in the dramatic 20-18 semifinal win over England - but he was powerless to stop Australia this morning.

He didn't have a poor game - he ran for 140m in 17 carries and produced three tackle breaks, 29 tackles and five offloads - but it also wasn't his best and Australia's tactic of sending multiple defenders at him worked. Even still, his five offloads was only one less than Australia's total.

Stephen Kearney consols Sonny Bill Williams after his sides 2-34 defeat during the Rugby League World Cup Final. Source: Getty Images

"Some of the stuff didn't come off, but that's Sonny," coach Stephen Kearney said. "He wants to try to make an impact on the game and he was doing that right to the end."

It meant Williams' chance to become the first person to win the World Cup in both rugby union and rugby league ended in disappointment.

"It was never about that," he said. "It was just about having no regrets when I retire. Just being a part of it… just very disappointed right now. You win some, you lose some. It's been a privilege to put the Kiwis jersey back on. Just really disappointed for the fans back home and our families.

"I'm heartbroken. I'm really disappointed. I left it all out there today. That last 20 minutes was disappointing. I tried to overplay my hand and try to come up with something special and it wasn't to be. I definitely feel bad for the brothers but, full credit to Australia, they were just too good today."

Williams might play for the Kiwis again next year after agreeing to return to the Roosters for another season but it's doubtful he will be back for another World Cup campaign. He has indicated he will return to rugby union in 2015 in the hope of playing for the All Blacks and their defence of their World Cup before attempting to win Olympic gold in sevens in Rio in 2016.

By then he will be 31 and he told the Herald earlier in the World Cup he might be ready for retirement at the end of 2016.

Williams' impact on his teammates was plain to see when they gave him an emotional haka at the international awards function and many were struck by the amount of work he puts into his game and preparation for games.

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"It's been a pleasure working with him," Kiwis assistant Ivan Cleary said. "He's right at the top of the tree in terms of elite players in our game and that's coming from a guy who hasn't played for five years. That in itself is phenomenal. Just the way he carries himself, the way he prepares, it's a pleasure to work with someone like that."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thaiday: Kiwis Haka backfired

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Sam Thaiday has revealed how the haka backfired on the Kiwis as the Kangaroos forwards went out on a mission to prove that they weren't going to back down to the pack rated the biggest and meanest at the World Cup.

While the Kiwi forwards went into the match with a fearsome reputation, the unsung heroes in Australia's 34-2 victory where the foot soldiers up front who set up the win with some bone crunching defence that started from the very first set of the match.

Thaiday told how the Kangaroo forwards got together in the sheds before the match and spoke about how important it was for them to get on top of the Kiwis' forwards - and watching the haka only reinforced why they had to start strong.

"The haka is something that really inspires the Kiwis boys," Thaiday said.

New Zealand perform the Haka prior to the Rugby League World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia at Old Trafford. Source: Getty Images

"There is so much energy behind it, there is so much of an aura behind it, that it usually pumps the boys up and fires them up.

"We knew that first set for us was going to be make or break.

"We just made sure that we went out there and defensively we wanted to give as much as they wanted to give.

"That really set the platform that first set of six for what we wanted to do for the rest of the game.

"We talked about it in the sheds before we ran out for warm up.

Andrew Fifita is held up by Elijah Taylor of New Zealand during the Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford. Source: Getty Images

"The backs usually go out a little bit early and do a bit of kick catch and it is something we had a chat about before we went out on the field - that we knew that any game of rugby league is won in the forward pack.

"Tim (Sheens) started it off and Paul Gallen is one of the leaders of the forward pack but most of the boys had a bit of a say.

"Matt Scott and Corey Parker too were very vocal about making sure that we did dominate them.

"We had a very tough forward pack up against us that we had to try and dominate.

"Throughout this World Cup they have rolled off the back of their forwards and that is something we discussed throughout the week as a forward pack.

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"If we beat their forwards we knew that we were going to win the game and I think from the front row to the backrow to the guys on the bench they all did a fantastic job."

Man of the match Johnathan Thurston also credited the forwards for laying the platform for the victory.

"There are a lot of unsung heroes in this side. Guys like Corey Parker, our bookends Matty Scott, Jimmy Tamou, Paul Gallen," Thurston said.

"Our middle third were unbelievable tonight and that is where big games are won, through your middle third.

"Because if you don't win that battle then your halves can't play any football so a lot of credit needs to go to our middle third, they were unbelievable."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Slater's performance inspired by family

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BILLY Slater ended a month from hell with a World Cup final straight out of a fairytale - answering his daughter's request with two tries as Australia thrashed New Zealand.

Slater was talking with his daughter at home in Australia on the morning of the final when Tyla Rose asked her dad if he could send a present home for her and little brother Jake.

"I was about to go and she said 'hang on Daddy, can you score one try for me and one try for Jakey'," Slater said in the aftermath after the Kangaroos' thumping 34-2 victory at Old Trafford.

After a horror World Cup that included a nightclub fight and the knee injury that almost ended his tournament, Slater could not have hoped for a more perfect ending.

Billy Slater scores his second try during the RLWC Final. Source: AP

In front of an international rugby league record crowd of 74,468 at the home of Manchester United, the Kangaroos produced a team performance many are hailing as among the greatest ever from an Australian team.

They scored five tries to nil and also maintained their outstanding defensive record that has seen them keep their opponents try less for their past five games.

All over the field there were stars for the Kangaroos.

The unsung heroes were the forwards who totally dominated the bigger Kiwi pack and that allowed the master minds of Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith to orchestrate a famous victory.

Slater and Brett Morris both finished with doubles after Morris nearly did himself serious damage scoring one try when he collided with the fence dangerously positioned behind the deadball line and Jarryd Hayne also had a match to remember after suffering a heavy knock early in the game.

But the man who owned the spotlight was the bloke who had been under so much pressure for most of the tour.

And Slater later conceded even he wasn't sure if he would last the match before he ran out.

The Kangaroos celebrate with the Rugby League World Cup after victory over New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup Final. Source: Getty Images

"It was probably the most nervous I have been going into a game for a long time," he said.

"Just the uncertainty of how (the knee) was going to hold up.

"I had trained and to be perfectly honest I didn't really convince myself at training. I probably looked okay but it didn't feel great."

But then the first try in the 19th minute when he hunted down a Thurston kick and out-jumped Kieran Foran put the demons to bed.

"I was probably just happy that I could get out there and do that sort of stuff again," he said.

"I couldn't walk a week ago and even a couple of days ago I was uming and arring whether I would put my hand up to play.

"I wasn't lying to you, I was telling the truth when I didn't know if I was playing or not so it was probably just a bit of emotion and to get out there and perform the way we did and be a part of the side we have was very special to me."

Billy Slater celebrates after scoring his second try. Source: AP

As much as Slater's performance was also about redemption for that pass he threw for Benji Marshall that handed the Kiwis the 2008 World Cup, this was also about now and the future _ and settling a debate that has been going on in recent months about just who is the number one fullback in the game.

As Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said: "A lot of contenders have challenged him.

"A couple of them are playing in the centres for us at the moment with Jarryd Hayne at one stage and GI but Bill is still the premium number one in the game."

But if the gamble to play Slater had backfired, Sheens is also pretty sure it would have been the end of him also.

"On Wednesday we tested Billy and the staff were pretty confident," Sheens explained.

"They had been running him privately up until that point.

"The Wednesday we decided that if Bill was going to play he had to get bashed and I mean bashed.

"We threw them in tackle suits and just about everybody had a shot at him in one way or another through the session including Greg Inglis who I think secretly wanted the fullback role.

"But Billy came through it.

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"The next day there was no swelling on the knee and I was pretty confident.

"He really flew through training on Friday and I think that gave him the confidence and it did me too.

"My career and my medical staffs' careers swung on the balance, I can tell you.

"But he came through it well and his performance was brilliant."

AUSTRALIA 34 (B Morris 2 B Slater 2 C Cronk tries J Thurston 7 goals) NEW ZEALAND 2 (S Johnson goal) at Old Trafford. Referee: Richard Silverwood.

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Young Kiwi Shattered

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has had so many highlights in 2013 but playing in the World Cup final at Old Trafford wasn't one of them.

The 20-year-old winger has had an incredible first full season in top-level rugby league, winning the NRL title with the Roosters and being named both Dally M and Rugby League International Federation Winger of the Year.

But he lasted barely seven minutes in this morning's World Cup final won 34-2 by Australia before he limped off in tears with a suspected fractured leg. It occurred in the same place as last week's injury - he was cleared to play after scans revealed no serious damage and he was confident he would be fine - but he heard a crack this time around and was in considerable pain.

"I caught the ball and felt a sharp pain down the outside of my calf," he said. "I will have scans on Monday to see what really went down. We will see.

"I was doing some extra warmup on the ground and I felt fresh and I felt good at the captain's run."

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Tuivasa-Sheck's absence affected the balance of the side, with Dean Whare shifting to the wing and Alex Glenn playing at right centre and forcing some of the forwards to play more minutes than they might normally do.

"It would have been great to have Roger out there, there's no doubt about that," coach Stephen Kearney said. "But I don't think having him out there was going to stop Cameron [Smith], Cooper [Cronk], Johnathan Thurston and their forward pack play the way they did."

The Kiwis were lucky they didn't lose their other winger Manu Vatuvei after he went crashing into the advertising hoardings and got his arm trapped.

Brett Morris lies injured after crashing into the advertising hordings after scoring a try. Source: Getty Images

Vatuvei was bundled down one of the steep banks that surround the playing surface at Old Trafford after trying to slap a kick back into play and crashed heavily.

Players were concerned about their safety prior to the game, especially after Luke Lewis' World Cup campaign ended a month ago when he banged into an advertising hoarding and seriously injured his shoulder and knocked himself out. Australia five-eighth Johnathan Thurston called for extra padding in the leadup to the game but the commercial realities meant it didn't happen.

The in-goals at Old Trafford were only 4m long - they're usually at least twice that in the NRL - and the ground dipped away sharply after the deadball line. Australia's Brett Morris was also in a bad way after scoring a try and slipping off the pitch into the hoardings.

"It was too dangerous, but you've got to play with it," Vatuvei said. "I am honoured to play on this historic field. I came out alright.

"We said during the week that we'd put our bodies on the line. The sacrifices we've made in leaving our families behind for seven weeks, it was well worth it, but we just didn't come up with the goods."

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Morris gains from sideline pain

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Brett Morris knew he was putting himself in danger when he charged after Jarryd Hayne's kick and ended up smashing into an advertising sign at Old Trafford.

But the flying winger wasn't complaining after his two try haul in the 34-2 World Cup final win.

Morris said that despite safety concerns before the game the Kangaroos had challenged themselves not to pull back and protect themselves.

Johnathan Thurston raised the fears the day before the final when he said players were at risk because of the short in-goals areas and the fact the fence was too close to the deadline line.

Thurston's concern was that another player could end up suffering a similar fate to Luke Lewis who had his tournament cut short with a busted shoulder after he collided into an advertising sign at St Helens.

There wee concerns for Morris after he crashed into the fence scoring a try in the 52nd minute - and four minutes after that Manu Vatuvei went down at the other end and Kangaroo players rushed to his aid.

Brett Morris lies injured after crashing into the advertising hoardings after scoring a try. Source: Getty Images

Neither player suffered a serious injury but Morris admitted he was thinking the worst as he slid towards the dead ball line after scoring his try.

"There is a word I am thinking of but I can't say it," he laughed.

"I knew there wasn't much that was going to stop me other than the boarding at the end of the field but as I said we are playing for Australia and you have got to put your body on the line sometimes and pain is only temporary.

"We spoke about the short in-goals and if there was a chance to score a try 30 centimetres from the dead ball line we were going to put our body on the line.

"It was a good try, I'm pretty happy with that."

And as a Manchester United fan, he said copping a bruise on the hip was worth it just for the experience of playing at the famous ground.

"I have been here and watched a couple of games now and I am a big Man United fan so to play on their home ground you have got to pinch yourself," he said.

"To win a World Cup on this field is pretty special.'

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Battered Sonny to rest up

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SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson has a message for an exhausted Sonny Bill Williams: "See you in February.''

Robinson told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that he planned to give Williams at least eight weeks to rest a body that has not stopped training for nearly two years.

Williams has enjoyed a stunning return season to rugby league.

His Kiwis may have lost the World Cup final but his impact on the NRL was immense this year.

But even the best need a rest.

Williams played for Panasonic in Japan last year before fighting South African heavyweight Francois Botha in February and then shifting directly into a hectic NRL season.

Rather than enjoy a break after the NRL grand final, Williams played on for another seven weeks with New Zealand.

Robinson said he doesn't want to see his star athlete near training or a football for the next two months.

Sonny Bill Williams is tackled by Greg Inglis and Josh Papalii. Source: Getty Images

''He hasn't had a break for one-and-a-half to two years,'' Robinson said.

''I think his Japanese season finished in either the last week of January or first week of February.

''We want him back feeling right. And it's not about feeling right when he comes back...it's about feeling right and fresh at the back-end of the season.

''He won't be back to training until February.''

Robinson can recall reading a pre-season story in the media questioning the worth of Williams this season.

The journalist asked whether Williams would be a distraction and flop.

''The story asked whether the sideshow (surrounding Williams) would ruin our season. I think we were supposed to run 15th,'' Robinson said.

''Twelve months later and it has been a remarkable season for Sonny. His impact has been big for the Roosters and for the game.

''Sonny has been great for both and he should be proud of what he has done.

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''The questions (about Williams' return to rugby league) were definitely out there from a lot of people. And they were entitled to ask the question.

''But to do what he has done inside a season, it a credit to him.''

Robinson said Williams off-field preparation was a key fact in his on-field brilliance.

''Some guys are different in how their motivation works and what influences them and improves their game,'' Robinson said.

''Sonny analyses really well. He is very clear about what works for him and he adjusts so quickly.

''Each games he quickly works out what he needs to do to improve.''

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Kearney undecided on future

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Stephen Kearney says he will take some time to think about whether he wants to continue as Kiwis coach in the aftermath of their heavy defeat to Australia in today's World Cup final.

Kearney said in June he wanted to continue beyond the World Cup, saying he didn't want to step away from the progress they had made and that the "journey is just beginning", but said yesterday he was undecided after his side's 34-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

"It is probably a bit raw for me at the moment," he said. "I will go home and have a good think about it, do a bit of reflecting. It has been five years at the helm, so I need to have a bit of a think and just see."

Kearney took over in 2008 and, with the help of Wayne Bennett, soon orchestrated New Zealand's first world title but his side were comprehensively outplayed today by a relentless Kangaroos outfit at the peak of their powers.

Stephen Kearney consols Sonny Bill Williams after the Kiwi lost in the RLWC final to Australia. Source: Getty Images

The Kiwis have enjoyed some good success under Kearney's watch - they added the 2010 Four Nations title to the 2008 World Cup - but they have won only two games against Australia in that time and were poor in both the 2009 and 2011 Four Nations campaigns.

It's likely the NZRL will want Kearney, who is also Broncos assistant coach, to continue. At 41, he is still a young coach but with plenty of NRL experience, and there aren't many viable alternatives. He also has the overwhelming support of the players.

"I can't throw my support behind Steve enough," five-eighth and vice-captain Kieran Foran said. "I think he's done a tremendous job with the side. He shows support for his players and always gets the best out of them. He's the right man for the job to keep leading us forward."

Assistant coach Ivan Cleary said he was keen to be involved in the future if it fitted in with his club commitments with Penrith.

"I have loved being part of it and, if we can somehow work it out [with the Panthers], I would certainly welcome the opportunity if it came up again," Cleary said.

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"Steve has been fantastic. He has been doing this for five years and they have had some great victories in that time. Australia have been the dominant force in rugby league for as long as I can remember and it hasn't changed and won't change in the near future.

"As a whole, I think the New Zealand team is getting closer. You need to remember there are some once-in-a-generation players in that Australian team and it's not always going to be that way. While it seems doom and gloom at the moment, in context, I actually think the gap is getting closer."

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