What did we learn from this year’s rugby league season?

Test match football continues to be the pinnacle

Nothing compares to good Test match footy. In 2012 we were blessed with two fierce contests featuring the Kiwis and the Kangaroos, both of which came down to the final minutes. The venues were outstanding: a hostile Eden Park contrasted with a passionate capacity crowd in Townsville.

With England playing Wales and France in a Tri-Nations tournament and a packed Test match schedule around the world right now, the World Cup looms large in 2013.

Origin contest the best for years

State of Origin contests prior to this year were as predictable as a sideline conversion from Jonathan Thurston. Yet, inspired by a determined Ricky Stuart, New South Wales pushed their more fancied Queensland rivals close in all three matches, even managing to win game two.

However the quality was as much about the manner of the contests – they were the toughest ever, according to some pundits. Phil Gould certainly thought so. Is there a renewed interest in State of Origin? You bet.

Melbourne the greatest winner

A premiership was always going to taste particularly sweet, considering the well-documented lows from which the Melbourne Storm had to emerge.

After the depths of 2010, and a failure at the penultimate hurdle in 2011, Melbourne became the supreme winner this year after defeating a gallant but out-classed Canterbury Bulldogs side 14-4 in the big one.

Yet some would say their biggest win was watching Mahe Fonua debuting in the NRL – the team’s first Victorian born NRL player.

Cameron Smith is the best there is

Taking the NRL premiership with Melbourne, winning a State of Origin series with Queensland and retaining the Bill Kelly Memorial cup against the Kiwis – the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Kangaroo captain Cameron Smith must go down as the most influential player of 2012 in what was arguably his finest year yet.

His calm demeanour and brilliant playmaking ability has laid to rest any doubts over Smith succeeding former Maroons and Australian skipper Darren Lockyer.

Smith added an exclamation mark to his season by being named the RLIF International Player of the Year this week as well.

The year of the fullback

Ben Barba was named Dally M Player of the Year – a scintillating return from a player who had supposed frailties under the high ball in 2011 – and thrilled everyone on his way to the crown.

Yet Billy Slater was at his magical best throughout Australia, Queensland and Melbourne’s matches, Josh Hoffman was one of the Kiwis’ best in their two Test matches, Manly’s Brett Stewart continued to score lots of tries and Josh Dugan showed real form for Canberra. Rugby league certainly has its share of entertainers.

Coaching is harder than it looks

Few coaches had greater expectations put on them than Brian McClennan. ‘Bluey’ had previous success on the international stage (a Tri-Nations crown with the Kiwis) and Super League success with Leeds.

The man who bleeds New Zealand league, as much perhaps as the Mad Butcher, securing the Warriors head coaching role was a match made in league heaven.

Unfortunately, the dream ended too soon, and McClennan was sacked before the season ended after a string of poor performances.

Throw in Stephen Kearney’s early departure from the Parramatta Eels and Tim Sheens’ axing by the Wests Tigers, and I’m thinking that snorkelling might be a better past time.

Special mentions
Bill Harrigan and the spotlight on the referees; Mal Meninga’s promotion to Sales Director for Queensland, his target market being New Zealanders; the Newcastle Knights floundering; the Warriors’ dramatic fall from grace and the Bulldogs’ rise under Des Hasler. Also, James Graham and his alleged snacking habits certainly gained some coverage.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/10/18/the-year-that-was-brilliance-barba-and-biting/

Former Kiwis coach Brian McClennan used a theme before each Test match in the successful 2005 Tri-Nations campaign. When they played Australia in Sydney, a place they hadn’t won since 1954, it was ‘bully the bully’.

Upon reaching the final and looking to achieve a first series win over the old foe for 52 years, ‘slay the dragon’ was chosen.

If Stephen Kearney was looking for an inspirational theme for their test on Saturday against the Kangaroos, perhaps ‘bring back Benji’ might suffice.

Named after the infamous ‘bring back Buck’ slogan, in reference to axed former All Black captain Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, Kiwi fans are encouraged to bring along these signs to the game. Captain Benji Marshall knows he holds the key to his side’s fortunes. His teammates know it. I talked to a taxi driver today and he confirmed it too.

If it wasn’t for Marshall’s 79th minute heroics in the 2010 Four Nations final or his poise in 2009′s drawn Four Nations match in London, New Zealand might not have much to draw upon for inspiration against their vaunted Australian rivals.

The Kiwis’ successes in recent years have come off the back of good ball control and low error rates, then calm execution through Marshall and the inside backs.

Coach Stephen Kearney understands the team’s strength lies in the forward pack, with debutants Sam Kasiano and Kevin Proctor to join veterans Simon Mannering, Frank Pritchard and Greg Eastwood to lay a platform for hooker Isaac Luke to shine.

Kieran Foran is a reliable halves partner and may allow Marshall freedom to play a more creative game. There is attacking potential in the outside backs, with fullback Josh Hoffman, a recalled Sam Perrett and newcomer Dean Whare forming a speedy backline. It is unproven but unseen, too.

Elijah Taylor’s utility role is a slight head-scratcher on paper; yet expect him to play a similar role to Shontayne Hape in the 2005 Tri-Nations final by adding defensive and dummy-half value to combat Australia’s Greg Inglis, Josh Morris and Billy Slater.

This Kiwi team has a World Cup pool play look about it, with the exception of players like Jeremy Smith, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and perhaps Kevin Locke. Expect Marshall to start strongly and channel the Bulldogs’ trio of Eastwood, Kasiano and Pritchard straight away. Otherwise it will be tough to come back.

Australia will play their usual structured play and look to expand as the game hits the 60 minute mark. Coach Tim Sheens enables his players to stick to a simple plan of error-free football, strong kick and chase and employing his speed-men as extra dummy-half runners.

Skipper Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater play so well as a combination, coupled with a hard-working forward pack, and it won’t be easy to combat their momentum as the match wears on.

But if the Kiwis can withhold a sustained Australian attack, plus Marshall can play with full confidence, New Zealand has a chance to end a three game losing streak. But only if his teammates can reinforce the mantra: ‘bring back Benji’.

Andrew Marmont is Radio Sport National’s rugby league analyst.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/10/10/kiwis-put-hope-in-bring-back-benji-campaign/

Rugby League analyst Andrew Marmont again joins Anthony Kierce on Sports Overnight, reviewing the NRL Grand Final from last week, and discusses the upcoming Test match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis in Towsville.

http://www.rsn.net.au/news/heard+on+rsn/andrew-marmont-5oct

WHO: Canterbury Bulldogs (1) v Melbourne Storm (2)
WHAT: Grand Final of the 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: ANZ Stadium
WHEN: Sunday 29th September 2012
ON TV: Live Channel 9 at 4.30pm
REFEREES: Tony Archer and Ben Cummins

IN BRIEF: Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs play their first grand final against each other. It is the Bulldogs’ first grand final since 2004; the Storm will be playing their fifth in seven years.

MATCH FACTS:

Grand-Final Numbers: Those Bulldogs to play grand finals include James Graham (St Helens), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta and Warriors), Sam Perrett (Roosters), Aidan Tolman (Storm), Dene Halatau (Tigers) and David Stagg (Broncos). The Storm has Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Cameron Smith, Sika Manu, Dane Nieslen, Will Chambers, Todd Lowrie, Ryan Hinchcliffe and Todd Lowrie (Eels) all with grand final experience.

Bellyache v The Cougar
Two super-coaches go head to head in their third grand final meeting in six years – namely Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler. In 2007, Hasler’s Manly lost to Bellamy’s Storm 8-34 then won 40-0 in 2008. They have gone head-to-head in 19 matches, with Bellamy winning 10 and Hasler 9 times. Sunday’s match will be the second for Hasler against Melbourne as head coach of the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs Ahead Overall: Canterbury have a slight lead overall against Melbourne: 29 matches, for 15 wins and 14 losses.

ANZ Alert: No wins at ANZ Stadium by Melbourne in three matches. Will it matter in the big game?

Test Experience: Canterbury and Melbourne have experienced Test players to call upon. The Storm’s sole English representative is Gareth Widdop, with Australian players Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Kiwis Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Sika Manu. Canterbury has Kiwis Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Krisnan Inu, Greg Eastwood and Dene Halatau, Englishman James Graham and Kangaroo Josh Morris.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 29; Bulldogs 15, Storm 14. At ANZ Stadium: Played 3; Bulldogs 3, Storm 0.
LAST ROUND MATCHES: Melbourne hammered Manly 40-12 and Canterbury smashed South Sydney 32-8.

2012 STORM TRY SCORERS: Billy Slater 15, Will Chambers 13, Ryan Hoffman 10, Justin O’Neill 10.
2012 STORM GOAL SCORERS: Cameron Smith 77/108 (71.30%), Gareth Widdop 12/15 (80%).
2012 STORM POINT SCORERS: Cameron Smith 162, Billy Slater 60, Will Chambers 52.

STORM’S NRL SQUAD FOR THE GAME:
1. Fullback – Billy Slater
2. Left Wing – Sisa Waqa
3. Right Centre – Dane Nielsen
4. Left Centre – Will Chambers
5. Left Wing – Justin O’Neill
6. Five-eighth – Gareth Widdop
7. Halfback – Cooper Cronk
8. Prop – Jesse Bromwich
9. Hooker – Cameron Smith [C] [GK]
10. Prop – Bryan Norrie
11 Second Row – Sika Manu
12. Second Row – Ryan Hoffman
13. Lock – Todd Lowrie

Interchange from:
14. Ryan Hinchcliffe
15. Kevin Proctor
16. Jaiman Lowe
17. Richard Fa’aoso
18. Rory Kostjasyn
19. Mahe Fonua
20. Siosaiva Vave
21. Anthony Quinn
(four to be omitted)
Coach: Craig Bellamy

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/NRL-Match-Facts/64668

NRL analyst, Andrew Marmont, joins Anthony Kierce on Sports Overnight, to preview the big match between the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs.

http://www.rsn.net.au/news/heard+on+rsn/andrew-marmont—nrl-grand-final-preview

I preview NRL Finals Week 3 action with Anthony Kierce on RSN on the Sports Overnight program.

http://www.rsn.net.au/news/heard+on+rsn/andrew-marmont-21sep

WHO: Melbourne Storm (2) v Manly Sea Eagles (4)

WHAT: First Preliminary Final of the 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: AAMI Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Friday 21st September at 7.45pm
ON TV: GEM Live at 7.30pm or Fox Sports 2 at 10.00pm
REFEREES: Matt Cecchin and Tony Archer
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

IN BRIEF: Fierce rivals Melbourne and Manly face off in the first semi-final of the 2012 NRL season having met in 2007 (34-8 to Storm), 2008 (40-0 to Manly) and 2009’s finals (40-12 to Storm).

Join our No Ordinary Journey to get your name on the Journey Jersey here

MATCH FACTS: 

Sea Eagles Optimistic: Manly have the better record in the past five encounters with a 3-2 advantage. Yet Melbourne defeated them in Round 15 this year at Brookvale Oval 26-22. Will recent history count?

Hooray for Hinchy: Back-rower Ryan Hinchcliffe plays his 100th game for Melbourne this week. He also played 21 games for the Canberra Raiders from 2007-2008.

Storm Edge Test Experience: Manly and Melbourne have experienced Test players to call upon, with the Storm slightly shading the Sea Eagles. The Storm’s sole English representative is Gareth Widdop (8), with Australian players Billy Slater (17), Cooper Cronk (14), Cameron Smith (29) and Kiwis Sika Manu (14) and Jesse Bromwich (1) taking their tally to 80 Tests. Manly’s Kangaroo players are Brent Kite (14), Anthony Watmough (15), Jamie Lyon (8), Glenn Stewart (5), Tony Williams (4), Daly Cherry-Evans (2) and Brett Stewart (1), along with Kiwis Steve Matai (12), Joe Galuvao (4 and 2 for Samoa) and Kieran Foran (7) with 74 total Tests between them.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 22; Storm 12, Sea Eagles 10. At AAMI Park: Played 1; Storm 1, Sea Eagles 0.
FOR AND AGAINST 2012: Points for: Storm: 579, Sea Eagles: 497. Points against: Storm: 361, Sea Eagles: 403. Points differential: Storm: 218, Sea Eagles: 94. Tries for: Storm: 105, Sea Eagles: 94.
LAST ROUND MATCHES: Melbourne had a strong 24-6 victory over South Sydney in their Qualifying Final two weeks ago. Manly defeated a stoic North Queensland team 22-12.

2012 STORM TRY SCORERS: Billy Slater 13, Will Chambers 12, Ryan Hoffman 10, Justin O’Neill 10.

2012 STORM GOAL SCORERS: Cameron Smith 72/100 (72.00%), Gareth Widdop 11/14 (78.57%).
2012 STORM POINT SCORERS: Cameron Smith 152, Billy Slater 52, Will Chambers 48.

STORM’S NRL SQUAD FOR THE GAME:
1. Fullback – Billy Slater
2. Left Wing – Sisa Waqa
3. Right Centre – Dane Nielsen
4. Left Centre – Will Chambers
5. Left Wing – Justin O’Neill
6. Five-eighth – Gareth Widdop
7. Halfback – Cooper Cronk
8. Prop – Jesse Bromwich
9. Hooker – Cameron Smith [C] [GK]
10. Prop – Bryan Norrie
11 Second Row – Sika Manu
12. Second Row – Ryan Hoffman
13. Lock – Ryan Hinchcliffe

Interchange from:
14. Todd Lowrie
15. Jason Ryles
16. Jaiman Lowe
17. Kevin Proctor
18. Rory Kostjasyn
19. Mahe Fonua
20. Richard Fa’aoso

Coach: Craig Bellamy

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/storm/64238

WHO: Melbourne Storm (2) v Wests Tigers (9)
WHAT: Round 26 of the 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: AAMI Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Saturday 1st September 2012 at 7.30pm
ON TV: Fox Sports 2 at 7.30pm
REFEREES: Tony Archer and Gerard Sutton

IN BRIEF:

Melbourne’s last match of the regular season is against a desperate Wests Tigers side sitting outside the top eight who must win to have any chance of making finals. The Storm can jump to first if they rack up a big score and the Bulldogs lose their match, otherwise just a win will keep them in second place.

MATCH FACTS:

Tigers Recently Riding the Storm: Although Wests have only won 8 out of their 21 meetings against Melbourne, recent history suggests they are closing the gap. In the past ten matches, it reads 6-4 to Melbourne, yet in the past five, it’s the Tigers up 3-2.

Looming Large at Leichhardt: The Tigers have an excellent record against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval with 6 wins from 8 games played here. The last time Melbourne tasted victory at the ground was their 12-4 win in Round 15, 2011.

Benji Joins NRL Brethren: With a successful conversion against the Roosters last week, Kiwis and Wests Tigers skipper Benji Marshall joined an elite group. He now sits on 1001 points from 178 games, making him the highest points scorer in Wests Tigers’ history and the 43rd player to reach the milestone. He joins fellow Kiwis players Darryl Halligan (2034) and Matthew Ridge (1331) in the 1000-club.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 21; Storm 13, Tigers 8. At Leichhardt Oval: Played 8; Tigers 6, Storm 2.
FOR AND AGAINST 2012:v Points for: Storm: 553, Tigers: 500. Points against: Storm: 355, Tigers: 525. Points differential: Storm: 198, Sharks: -25. Tries for: Storm: 102, Tigers: 88.
LAST ROUND MATCHES: Melbourne snatched a victory from the jaws of the Sharks in the final seconds 20-18 at AAMI Park, while Wests were well beaten by the Sydney Roosters 20-44 at Allianz Stadium.

LAST EIGHT CLASHES:

 2012 STORM TRY SCORERS: Billy Slater 12, Will Chambers 12, Matthew Duffie 10, Justin O’Neill 10.

2012 STORM GOAL SCORERS: Cameron Smith 65/91 (71.43%), Gareth Widdop 11/13 (84.62%).
2012 STORM POINT SCORERS: Cameron Smith 138, Billy Slater 48, Will Chambers 48, Justin O’Neill 40.

STORM’S NRL SQUAD FOR THE GAME:
1. Fullback – Billy Slater
2. Right Wing – Sisa Waqa
3. Right Centre – Justin O’Neill
4. Left Centre – Will Chambers
5. Left Wing – Anthony Quinn
6. Five-eighth – Gareth Widdop
7. Halfback – Cooper Cronk
8. Prop – Jesse Bromwich
9. Hooker – Cameron Smith [C] [GK]
10. Prop – Jason Ryles
11 Second Row – Sika Manu
12. Second Row – Ryan Hoffman
13. Lock – Todd Lowrie

Interchange from:
14. Ryan Hinchcliffe
15. Bryan Norrie
16. Jaiman Lowe
17. Kevin Proctor

Coach: Craig Bellamy

WHO: Melbourne Storm (2) v Cronulla Sharks (6)

WHAT: Round 25 of the 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: AAMI Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Monday 27th August 2012 at 7.00pm
ON TV: Fox Sports 2 at 7.00pm on Monday 27th August
REFEREES: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall

IN BRIEF:

A crucial match sees Melbourne and Cronulla battle to try and improve their top eight standings with one round left of the regular season.

MATCH FACTS:

The Fish Out of Water: the Sharks have never won at AAMI Park. In the two matches, Cronulla has scored a combined 12 points to Melbourne’s 38.

Storm Smashing Sharks: In the past ten matches, the average score-line is 20 – 10 to Melbourne.

Cam is Becoming The Man: Cam Smith is now the 21st highest point scorer in Australian professional rugby league history. He is 29 points behind Matthew Ridge.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 24; Storm 15, Sharks 9, Drawn 1. At AAMI Park: Played 2; Storm 2, Sharks 0.
FOR AND AGAINST 2012: Points for: Storm: 533, Sharks: 405. Points against: Storm: 337, Sharks: 385. Tries for: Storm: 96, Sharks: 81. Points differential: Storm: 167, Sharks: 20.
LAST ROUND MATCHES: The Storm defeated the Broncos 19-18 at Suncorp Stadium and the Sharks were victorious against the Rabbitohs 20-7 at Toyota Stadium.

LAST EIGHT CLASHES:

2012 STORM TRY SCORERS: Billy Slater 12, Will Chambers 11, Matthew Duffie 10, Justin O’Neill 10.
2012 STORM GOAL SCORERS: Cameron Smith 63/87 (72.41%), Gareth Widdop 11/13 (84.62%).
2012 STORM POINT SCORERS: Cameron Smith 134, Billy Slater 48, Will Chambers 44, Matt Duffie 40.

STORM’S NRL SQUAD FOR THE GAME:

1. Fullback – Billy Slater
2. Right Wing – Sisa Waqa
3. Right Centre – Justin O’Neill
4. Left Centre – Will Chambers
5. Left Wing – Anthony Quinn
6. Five-eighth – Gareth Widdop
7. Halfback – Cooper Cronk
8. Prop – Jesse Bromwich
9. Hooker – Cameron Smith [C] [GK]
10. Prop – Jason Ryles
11 Second Row – Sika Manu
12. Second Row – Ryan Hoffman
13. Lock – Todd Lowrie

Interchange:
14. Ryan Hinchcliffe
15. Bryan Norrie
16. Jaiman Lowe
17. Kevin Proctor

Coach: Craig Bellamy

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/storm/62583

I preview NRL finals week 2 with Anthony Kierce on RSN. Click on the link for audio.

http://www.rsn.net.au/news/heard+on+rsn/andrew-marmont-14sep