Rugby!

[Lineker]

Really hoping that the injury isn't as bad as it looks like it could be.

[Matt]

Bit harsh :/

[Lineker]

Missing a pivotal isn't :/

[Cymbols]

Good game. I fancy England to win the whole thing truth be told. Tonight's game should be a cracker.

[Noah]

For general league discussion. Anyone who wants to chime in with results/discussion on the English Super League is welcome.

NRL Pre-Season 9 a side tournament final.

Souths win Nines title after epic decider

Sun 01 Feb, 2015, 6:27pm
By Chris Kennedy, NRL.com

A stunning and memorable Auckland Nines final has been claimed by South Sydney 18-14 after nearly 10 minutes of golden try extra time and after overcoming one of the most remarkable defensive displays the format has ever seen from a resolute Sharks outfit. A stunning sideline conversion on full-time from Cronulla's Valentine Holmes sent the match into extra time before the Sharks defended their own line non-stop for five minutes in the face of relentless South Sydney pressure, until retired Rabbitoh Matt King capped off his comeback tournament in the perfect fashion with a match-winning try.

The Rabbitohs started the match strongly with a powerful opening set finished off by a precision kick and chase from Adam Reynolds to earn his side a repeat set. George Burgess was heavily involved in pushing the Sharks back before a good chip out wide from Dylan Walker was turned into an excellent one after Bryson Goodwin produced a brilliant take under pressure, spun out of a tackle and grounded the ball for a try. Reynolds iced the tricky conversion from out wide to make it 6-0 before the Sharks had touched the ball.

When they did finally get their hands on the pill, skipper Wade Graham set up Cronulla's reply with a wide draw and pass before a quick tap-on from Valentine Holmes sent Sossaia Feki streaking away to score, although Holmes missed the tough conversion. A stripping penalty later in the half put the Sharks on the attack and Graham nearly scored after a runaround move with Gerard Beale but the ball came loose as he pressed for the line.A good Issac Luke kick out of dummy half at the end of the next set forced a Sharks drop-out, and Luke's layback for Chris McQueen threatened but McQueen couldn't get a clean grab on the ball.Then out of nowhere, a Chris Grevsmuhl charge-down on a Beale downfield kick seconds before the half-time siren saw the big prop run away and score untouched for a 10-4 lead at the break.

The Sharks needed something special to start the second half but it was Reynolds controlling proceedings again, with another pinpoint kick chase earning a drop out. But a clever Cronulla restart saw the impressive Ayshford grab the ball, and he linked with star rookie Jack Bird to race the Sharks downfield. Bird was the provider seconds later with a quality draw and pass over the top to put Holmes over in the corner, bringing it back to 10-8. A Jason Clark charge helped the stretch Rabbitohs further in front when Cam McInnes produced a sharp dart out of dummy half to bustle over, although Luke missed the straightforward conversion.The Sharks allowed the kick-off to bounce dead then had to deal with yet another massive Burgess charge returning the drop out.Tempers boiled over when Walker took exception to a tackle from Beale and Kyle Stanley retaliated, with players running in from everywhere in the first and last flare-up of the weekend. Souths were given the penalty and a Clark grubber forced another dropout.With the Sharks really up against it, a crucial Pat Politoni steal and run put the Sharks in attacking position and Holmes produced a slick pass to send Bird over in the corner. But with just seconds remaining, Holmes faced a must-kick sideline drop-goal effort to level the scores.With the shot clock winding down Holmes slammed the ball straight between the sticks to huge roars from the crowd, sending the game to a first-ever golden try period.

The Sharks sent the kick-off deep into Rabbitohs territory and seemed to find a second wind in defence. Needing a big play, Reynolds pulled out a pinpoint 40/20, then a rampaging Burgess was pulled down millimetres out.The Sharks held on to the final tackle but a penalty conceded by Feki gave the Rabbitohs another full set on the Sharks' line.Reynolds forced another drop-out with a well-placed grubber, with the Sharks enduring another set of six before diving on the loose ball on the last – having defended for all five minutes of extra time so far.

Souths looked to have finally clinched victory on their next set when a floating pass from Luke sent Reddy away to touch down in the corner, but as the Rabbitohs bench began celebrating Luke's pass was called forward by the officials.

The Sharks threatened at the end of their set but Bird lost it forward, and Reynolds ended the Rabbitohs set forcing yet another dropout.

Finally, after countless tackles and possibly the longest tryless passage in Nines history, Luke fired a ball out to the evergreen Matt King who swept over in the corner to claim the tournament trophy in arguably the most remarkable game the format has seen in its short history.

Rabbitohs 18 (Bryson Goodwin, Chris Grevsmuhl, Cameron McInnes, Matt King, tries; Adam Reynolds 1 goal)

Sharks 14 (Siosaia Feki, Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird tries; Valentine Holmes 1 goal)

NRL Charity Shield South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have retained the Charity Shield after drawing with the St George Illawarra Dragons in a low-scoring affair at ANZ Stadium.

Missing key names such as Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Thomas Burgess and a host of others, the men in red and green were kept scoreless for 65 minutes of the game, before tries to young-guns Sam Manuleleua and Chris Grevsmuhl – plus two conversions to Issac Luke – confirmed that the Shield would return to Redfern.

After five minutes of the match that saw a penalty go each way, a promising Dragons play right on the Rabbitohs’ line saw Mitch Rein come within a whisker of scoring. Referee Adam Devcich sent the try to the video referee, eventually ruling against it. As the red and green’s attempted to grind their way out of their own red zone without the aid of some of their big men, mistakes allowed the Dragons to keep the pressure up inside the first ten minutes of the match.It wasn’t until after 15 metres had elapsed that the Rabbitohs got into prime attacking position. But despite some promising combinations, another mistake courtesy of some stinging Dragons defence saw the ball fly loose.

An arm-wrestle ensued, but yet another mistake from the Rabbitohs gifted the Dragons territory, and 24 minutes in, Benji Marshall finally broke through the red and green defence for a solo try. Gareth Widdop converted to make it 6-0.With less than two minutes on the clock left in the first half, Souths had their best opportunity yet to get on the board when Luke Keary sent the ball out to Bryson Goodwin, who in turn threw the ball on to Tom Hughes who looked certain to score. But the young gun couldn’t hold onto the pill – the two sides going to the break with the Saints leading 6-0.

On the resumption, the Dragons went straight on the front foot thanks to a series of penalties that gave the red v repeat sets. Jason Nightingale seemingly got the ball down for a try inside the first four minutes of the second stanza, but a tackle from Setefano Taukafa jolted the ball loose.

The Dragons grabbed their second try of the night 55th minutes into the match when Charly Runcimen took a tap-back from Eto Nabuli right on the touch-line to extend the Saints’ lead. Widdop added the extras to make the difference two converted tries.

It took 65 minutes for the Rabbitohs to get on the board, and it would come ironically courtesy of a Benji Marshall pass. The Kiwi’s wayward pass hit the dirt and found another Kiwi – only in red and green – in the form of Sam Manuleleua, who showed plenty of pace to streak 60 metres to score. Issac Luke converted from short range to make it 12-6. With the clock winding down and the game slowly slipping away for the red and green’s, Chris Grevsmuhl hit a short-ball hard close to the line to score a crucial four-pointer. Issac Luke converted to lock the game up at 12 apiece with three minutes later.

Rabbitohs 12 (Sam Manuleleua, Chris Grevsmuhl, tries; Issac Luke 2 goals)

Dragons 12 (Benji Marshall, Charly Runcimen, tries; Gareth Widdop 2 goals)

World Club Series: Australia's NRL vs England's Super League

World Club Series: St George-Illawarra beats Warrington 18-12 in opening match of series; controversy over Eto Nabuli high tackle

Benji Marshall and Josh Dugan have helped St George Illawarra to a gritty six-point victory over Warrington in a spiteful opening clash to the World Club Series.

The match at Warrington on Saturday morning (AEDT) threatened to erupt as both teams took a physical approach to play, but it was Marshall, who laid on tries in either half, and man of the match Dugan who stood out in the 18-12 victory. The former Wests Tigers premiership winner Marshall and, in particular, winger Eto Nabuli appeared lucky to stay on the field following separate high tackles which drew roars of disapproval from the 13,080-strong partisan crowd.Nabuli caught livewire winger Kevin Penny with a spectacular high shot, in which the former Fijian porter had both feet off the ground, in the 30th minute which had the crowd begging for a red card. The Wolves were able to capitalise from the resulting penalty, with Ryan Atkins crashing over for an unconverted try to leave the scores 12-10 at the break.

They equalised with a penalty goal following Marshall's high shot on Wolves playmaker Gareth O'Brien with 20 minutes remaining.

Marshall, whose kicking game was a highlight all match, soon made up for his indiscretion, putting in a banana kick which was juggled by Warrington hooker Daryl Clark before it was stolen from his grasp by Dugan, who planted down next to the posts for a converted try and an 18-12, match-winning lead. The burgeoning halves partnership of Marshall and Gareth Widdop delivered in the first half, with each laying on a try to give the Dragons the half-time lead.

A clever short ball from Marshall split the defence and put bullocking back-rower Tyson Frizell into a gap, as he strolled over to open the scoring in the third minute.A wonderful solo try to five-eighth O'Brien followed to level the scores after 13 minutes. O'Brien sold dummies to both Marshall and full-back Josh Dugan on a superb, snaking 50m run.The Dragons were back in front just six minutes later, with Widdop taking control with a deft grubber which back-rower Joel Thompson touched down for a score.

The Dragons' victory ensures the NRL clubs have one hand on the World Club Series trophy, ahead of Brisbane's clash with Wigan on Sunday morning (AEDT) and the World Club Challenge fixture between premiers South Sydney and St Helens.

Wolves coach frustrated with interpretation of rules

Warrington coach Tony Smith said Nabuli would have been sent off for his high tackle if the offence happened in a Super League clash.

"We played a lot of different rules," Smith said. "In Super League there would have been a red card and a lot more penalties. Our man in the middle wanted to not give a penalty in the game but he was forced into it in the latter stages. I would have liked to have known that it was going to be a bit more relaxed in areas. It would have been nice to have been told rather than find out along the way. If that's the way it's going to be, just tell us."

Dragons coach Paul McGregor defended Nabuli's tackle. "It was a reflex action," he said. "I don't think there was too much in it."

Brisbane Broncos beat Wigan 14-12 in golden point extra-time to win World Club Series clash
Posted 22 Feb 2015, 10:05am

Brisbane Broncos have sealed a dramatic 14-12 golden point victory over Wigan to take out their World Club Series clash on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Playing in wet, muddy conditions at Wigan's home ground, the two sides played an intense, physical game. The Broncos took an early lead with a try to Andrew McCullough, who dived over in the seventh minute after a tackle on Wigan's Joe Burgess dislodged the ball. Corey Parker made it 6-0 with the conversion, but Wigan drew level after 25 minutes, when second-rower Liam Farrell collected a kick from five-eighth George Williams to score.

Both sides were spoken to by the referee after a series of niggling incidents, but Brisbane and Wigan made it through to half-time without further problems with the score locked at 6-6. Brisbane half-back Anthony Milford came into the game in the second half as his speed and movement made life difficult for the Warriors defence in the sloppy conditions.In the 56th minute, the Broncos went ahead again, taking advantage of a penalty to spread the ball wide as Lachlan Maranta went over. Corey Parker missed the extras, but the score was 10-6 to Brisbane.

Parker made amends with a penalty in the 67th minute to make it a converted try the difference, and the Broncos looked set to win against a tiring Wigan side.But the Warriors struck in the 79th minute with a 90-metre try, switching play from Joe Burgess to George Williams before Burgess went over to bring the crowd to its feet. Matt Smith converted the try to send the game to golden point.

Both sides tried and missed attempts at field goals, before Wigan gave away a penalty 20m out in front of the posts. Parker had his first attempt charged down by Anthony Gelling, who was sent to the sin bin for his efforts, before Parker converted the penalty to give Brisbane the win.

The result follows St George-Illawarra's 18-12 win over Warrington on Saturday (AEDT).

On Monday morning (AEDT) South Sydney takes on St Helens in the World Club Challenge to bring the series to an end.

World Club Challenge: South Sydney thrash St Helens 39-0 to complete clean sweep for Australian sides in World Club Series

Posted 23 Feb 2015, 8:23am

South Sydney Rabbitohs are the world club champions after dominating Super League side St Helens in a 39-0 win at Langtree Park on Monday morning (AEDT).

The win, following St George-Illawarra's 18-12 win over Warrington and Brisbane's 14-12 golden point win over Wigan, completed a clean sweep for Australian sides at the World Club Series.The Rabbitohs, with owner Russell Crowe in attendance, were in charge right from the off as Glenn Stewart took a kick-ahead from Adam Reynolds and scored after two minutes. Souths made it 8-0 six minutes later after a Reynolds penalty. St Helens had a chance to get on the scoreboard soon afterwards but had a try ruled out for failing to ground the ball.

The danger signs were there after 20 minutes when Dylan Walker beat the Saints' defence to make it 12-0 to the visitors, and Greg Inglis went in three minutes later to set the Rabbitohs well on the way to victory.Joel Reddy scored South Sydney's fourth try of the night and it was a demoralised St Helens side that went in trailing 24-0 at the break.

The visitors started the second half in similar fashion, with half-back Luke Keary going over for another score, and Chris McQueen grabbed another four-pointer with 22 minutes left. Reddy went over in the corner for his second of the night in the 67th minute to make it 38-0. Adam Reynolds kicked a last-minute field goal to set a record World Club Challenge winning margin.

St Helens added some more unwanted history, with only the second scoreless performance ever in the Challenge, after Sydney Roosters blanked the Saints 38-0 in 2003.

NRL season preview: What is in store for the 2015 season?

Title Contenders

1. South Sydney Rabbitohs (Last year: 3rd, premiers)

Yes, Sam Burgess is gone. Yes, their preseason had an embarrassing subplot, with Luke Burgess and John Sutton making idiots of themselves in America and being released and stripped of the captaincy respectively ... But the Rabbitohs are still the reigning champions.

Greg Inglis is 28-years-old and arguably entering his prime. He should thrive with the added responsibility of being sole captain, while Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds have grown as a halves pairing after resurrecting Souths' season when they came together in mid-2014.

They signed Glenn Stewart who looked done last season, but will be playing with an even bigger chip on his shoulder than ever (and that's saying something) after being discarded like last night's pizza by Manly.

But the biggest signing for the premiers could be former State of Origin prop Tim Grant. His form fell off such a massive cliff in Penrith after his Origin debut that the 26-year-old ended up in the NSW Cup. Grant should recapture something resembling top form this year under the watchful eye of Michael Maguire.

One thing the Rabbitohs desperately need is an improved performance from Chris McQueen. The Maroons back-rower was well down on his best in 2014 and now shapes as a bigger part of their plans with the loss of Ben Te'o.

Gains: Tim Grant (Panthers), Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles), Cody Walker (Storm), Angus Crichton (Schoolboys Rugby), Setefano Taukafa (Wests Tigers), Ed Murphy (Bulldogs)
Losses: Sam Burgess (Bath rugby union), Beau Champion (Eels), Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Nathan Merritt (retired), Joe Picker (retired), Ben Te'o (Leinster rugby union), Luke Burgess (Sea Eagles)

2. Penrith Panthers (Last year: 4th, preliminary final)

The Panthers surprised most pundits last season, but they won't sneak up on anyone this year.

The acquisition of young dummy-half Apisai Koroisau from the Rabbitohs is a massive boon for the mountain men and the 22-year-old will provide great back-up for James Segeyaro.

Getting a full season from New Zealand back-rower Elijah Taylor will also be key. The hard-running 24-year-old shaped as a breakout star in the early throes of 2014 before a torn ACL in August curtailed his rise. History tells us coming back from an injury that serious takes time, but it tends to be easier for forwards.

The resurgence of the Panthers under coach Ivan Cleary and rugby league tsar Phil Gould hit fourth gear seemingly ahead of schedule last season and they are set to take another step towards a possible premiership this year.

Gains: Apisai Koroisau (Rabbitohs), Tupou Sopoaga (Sharks)
Losses: Ethan Cook (Central Newcastle) Tim Grant (Rabbitohs), Kevin Kingston (retired), Tom Humble (Townsville Blackhawks), Eto Nabuli (Dragons), Kevin Naiqama (Tigers), Wes Naiqama (London Broncos), Kierran Moseley (Titans), Matt Robinson (Titans), Ryan Simpkins (Titans), Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (Northern Pride), Anthony Cherrington (Redcliffe), Luke Capewell (Redcliffe)

3. Sydney Roosters (Last year: 1st, preliminary final)

Like Souths, the Roosters are another top team that's lost its best player to rugby union, but it shouldn't send them tumbling too far down the ladder.

Despite the departure of Sonny Bill Williams and Frank-Paul Nuuausala, the Bondi set still boasts a formidable side.

Aidan Guerra, Dylan Napa and Boyd Cordner will help fill the gap left by Williams, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sam Moa remain one of the game's most devastating front-row pairings.

Even the loss of skipper Anthony Minichiello should be easy enough to overcome as Trent Robinson has been grooming Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to take over, inserting him into full-back many times over the past few seasons.

The addition of Blake Ferguson adds another representative to a backline already overflowing with them With stars like Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend entering their primes, the Roosters' prospects are looking good.

Gains: Martin Kennedy (Broncos), Abraham Papalii (Warriors), Lagi Setu (Raiders), Matt McIlwrick (Raiders), Blake Ferguson
Losses: Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Raiders), Remi Casty (Catalan Dragons), Anthony Minichiello (retired), Heath L'Estrange (Dragons), Curtis Naughton (Hull FC), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs - rugby union)

4. Canterbury Bulldogs (Last year: 7th, grand final)

Coming off a shock run to the grand final last year, the Bulldogs are looking to build on the late-season form that got them to the decider and avoid at all costs the form that saw them win just three games between round 10 and 23.

The biggest news for the Bulldogs out of the off-season is the reunion of Brett and Josh Morris in blue and white.

Brett should line up on the wing outside another surprise star of 2014 in Tim Lafai, while former Cowboy Curtis Rona should give them a bit of depth behind Corey Thompson and Sam Perrett.

Up front, James Graham will reprise his role as one of the most talented and truly berzerk players in the NRL, Aiden Tolman will continue to be solid (if incredibly overpaid), and Canterbury is hoping Josh Jackson has returned from his Four Nations tilt with the Kangaroos as an even better player.

But the Bulldogs do have one major issue in the forwards - a big Michael Ennis-shaped hole in the middle.

Michael Lichaa comes to Belmore with plenty of wraps on him but it would be a shock if he can replace the veteran leadership and much-vaunted mind games of Ennis that were so obviously vacant in the grand final.

If the Bulldogs can fight off the State of Origin hangover that almost destroyed their 2014 season they should be in the top-four mix this year.

Gains: Michael Lichaa (Sharks), Jarrod McInally (Easts Tigers), Brett Morris (Dragons), Curtis Rona (Cowboys), Antonio Kaufusi (Huddersfield), Matt Frawley (Raiders)
Losses: Mitch Brown (Sharks), Lachlan Burr (Titans), Michael Ennis (Sharks), Ed Murphy (Rabbitohs), Pat Templeman (Wynnum-Manly), Reni Maitua (Featherstone Rovers), Dale Finucane (Storm)

Chasing pack

5. Brisbane Broncos (Last year: 8th, elimination final)

The Broncos head into 2015 in a similar manner to which they entered 2014 with one important difference - Wayne Bennett is back in town.

After four very underwhelming years at the helm, Anthony Griffin is gone, replaced by one of the best coaches in rugby league history.

Star recruit Anthony Milford will be looking to avoid the ordinary form and subsequent release that Ben Barba endured in Brisbane, while Adam Blair, James Gavet and Mitch Garbutt would have to go out of their way to play any worse than Martin Kennedy did in 2014.

Half-back Ben Hunt is coming off a breakout season, winger Daniel Vidot was one of the most under-rated signings in recent years, and Dale Copley emerged as a world-class outside back.

The Broncos will be contenders if Hunt can maintain the level he hit last season and the rest of the roster remains at the top of their games, but Andrew McCullough is the man on whom Bennett needs to sprinkle some of his fairy dust.

McCullough has always been a spectacularly good defensive hooker, but the 25-year-old drastically needs to improve his dummy-half play if the Broncos are to climb the ladder in 2015. Hunt made him look very good last year by turning ordinary passes into game-breaking runs, but Brisbane's 2012 best and fairest needs to make a leap in attack.

Gains: Darius Boyd (Knights), Adam Blair (Tigers), Anthony Milford (Raiders), Greg Eden (Hull KR), Mitch Garbutt (Storm), James Gavet (Tigers), Travis Waddell (Knights)
Losses: Ben Barba (Sharks), Jake Granville (Cowboys), David Hala (Titans), Ben Hannant (Cowboys), Josh Hoffman (Titans), Martin Kennedy (Roosters)

6. Manly Sea Eagles (Last year: 3rd, semi-final)

The Sea Eagles managed to scrape together 16 wins and a third-place finish last year despite a well-publicised rift between parts of the playing group.

It appears this will be Daly Cherry-Evans's last season at the club, while Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart both apparently want out as well.

It's hard to picture a team with this many players at odds with one another being overly successful, but if recent history has taught us anything it's that Manly will be playing rugby league come September regardless of any front-office or back-room issues plaguing the club.

But now those issues are leaking on to the field and they head into this season without premiership veterans like Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and Jason King. Feleti Mateo, Willie Mason and the broke man's Burgess have been drafted into the forward pack, but the ageing trio will not replace the production of Watmough, Stewart senior and King.

With so many talented players and a coach in Geoff Toovey who knows how to keep his players focused on the task at hand expect the Sea Eagles to put together a solid season in 2015.

Gains: Luke Burgess (Rabbitohs), Blake Leary (Northern Pride), Feleti Mateo (Warriors), Willie Mason (Knights), Siosaia Vave (Sharks), Brayden Wiliame (Knights)
Losses: Daniel Harrison (London Broncos), Jason King (retired), Glenn Stewart (Rabbitohs), Anthony Watmough (Eels)

7. Warriors (Last year: 9th)

In 2014, Shaun Johnson returned to the sort of form that saw the Warriors reach the 2011 grand final, but they were still left watching the finals from home for the third-straight year.

Expect the addition of veteran Ryan Hoffman and the omission of flaky Feleti Mateo to add some much-needed consistency to a Warriors team with more talent than most NRL squads.

But talent on the field hasn't been the problem for the Warriors of late - the issue is whether they can get that talent in sync regularly enough to string together the 12 or 13 wins necessary to finish in the top eight.

Andrew McFadden has served some good apprenticeships, but is relatively untested as a head coach and he has his work cut out for him getting this undeniably skilled team all going in the same direction.

Gains: Matt Allwood (Raiders), Ryan Hoffman (Storm), Bodene Thompson (Tigers), Jonathan Wright (Sharks), Api Pewhairangi (Wentworthville)
Losses: Jayson Bukuya (Sharks), Dane Nielsen (Dragons), Feleti Mateo (Sea Eagles), Jerome Ropati (retired), Abraham Papalii (Roosters), Carlos Tuimavave (Knights), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Dragons)

8. North Queensland Cowboys (Last year: 5th, semi-final)

The Cowboys have been in and around the top four for the past few seasons and were even installed as preseason favourites for the NRL crown last year, but the expectations aren't quite as high in 2015.

They have lost a lot of muscle up front with the Sims brothers, Ricky Thorby and Joel Riethmuller walking out; while the retirement of Brent Tate and Curtis Rona's defection to the Bulldogs leaves them short on the flanks.

But all of this is tempered by the presence of reigning Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston and a promising young coach in Paul Green.

That pair led the Townsville boys to fifth place on the ladder last season and, if not for a refereeing blunder in their semi-final against the Roosters, would have reached the preliminary final on the back of one of the most stunning comebacks in finals history.

The Cowboys will hope Lachlan Coote can return from his torn ACL at something resembling full strength to take over the full-back spot from the surprising Michael Morgan, while the addition of bizarrely discarded Bronco Ben Hannant is a nice one for a team short on front-rowers.

Gains: Jake Granville (Broncos), Ben Hannant (Broncos), Kyle McConnell (Burleigh Bears), Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels), Justin O'Neill (Storm)
Losses: Anthony Mitchell (Townsville Blackhawks), Joel Riethmuller (released), Curtis Rona (Bulldogs), Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves), Tariq Sims (Knights), Brent Tate (retired), Ricky Thorby (Townsville Blackhawks)

9. Melbourne Storm (Last year: 6th, elimination final)

It's over. This is the year the Storm fail to make the finals.

It feels wrong to see a team with Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Jesse Bromwich on its payroll outside the top eight, but the fatigue of perpetual excellence was evident last season.

They looked absolutely outclassed in their 28-4 elimination-final loss to the Bulldogs after finishing the regular season in sixth place - just the second time since 2005 they failed to make the top four (the first time was the 2010 season when they played for no points).

Considering Bellamy's track record of turning middling NRL forwards into stars, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Dale Finucane are exciting signings, but the losses of Bryan Norrie, Ryan Hoffman, Sisa Waqa, Ben Roberts and Justin O'Neill have hit them hard on almost all corners of the field.

2015 may be the season in which the last decade really catches up with the Storm.

Gains: Blake Green (Wigan Warriors), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders), Shaun Nona (Northern Pride), Dale Finucane (Bulldogs)
Losses: Mitch Garbutt (Broncos), Ryan Hoffman (Warriors), Junior Moors (Castleford Tigers), Bryan Norrie (retired), Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers), George Rose (Dragons) Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Sisa Waqa (Raiders), Rhys Kennedy (Raiders), Justin O'Neill (Cowboys)

Signs of life

10. St George Illawarra Dragons (Last year: 11th)

The Dragons finished 11th last season after having coach Steve Price sacked and replaced by Paul McGregor after just 10 games.

McGregor earned some plaudits for winning half of his 14 games in charge, but the teething period is over now that he's had a full preseason to get the team thinking his way.

The problem for the Dragons is the teams above them are all genuinely good sides, while the Dragons are really looking to make a run.

Josh Dugan and Benji Marshall are settled in at Kogarah after joining the team in mid-2014 and big things are expected of Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson and new signing Eto Nabuli, but the flying 'V' will struggle to get off the ground with Brett Morris and Gerard Beale making way for Dane Nielsen and Beau Henry.

A small climb may be on the cards but their lack of truly impressive off-season signings suggests anything else will probably be beyond them.

Gains: Beau Henry (Titans), Dane Nielsen (Warriors), Heath L'Estrange (Roosters), Jake Marketo (Redcliffe), Eto Nabuli (Panthers), Rulon Nutira (Gundagai Tigers), George Rose (Storm), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Warriors), Kris Keating (Hull KR)
Losses: Josh Aliaomai (released), Jack Bird (Sharks), Matt Groat (Salford Red Devils), Bronson Harrison (released), Willie Mataka (released), Brett Morris (Bulldogs), Shane Pumipi (released), Jack Stockwell (Knights), Michael Witt (retired), Kyle Stanley (Sharks), Gerard Beale (Sharks)

11. Cronulla Sharks (Last year: 16th)

The Sharks' 2014 season was so bad that a player being photographed urinating into his own mouth could be filed under 'Just Another Problem'.

The great eye of ASADA appears to have shifted its focus away from the Shire since meting out its bans to a handful of current and former Sharks and they should be infinitely better in 2015 with the removal of that gargantuan distraction.

There are other reasons to smile in Cronulla with Michael Ennis and Gerard Beale drastic improvements on the retired John Morris and Beau Ryan, but the greatest hope will be in the halves.

Ben Barba arrives in Cronulla after a disappointing first/last year with the Broncos, during which he switched from full-back to five-eighth - a move that changed his impact on the team from 'seriously detrimental' to 'at least he can't hurt us as much now'.

He will be looking to rebound but don't expect the Sharks to climb any higher than 11th.

Gains: Jack Bird (Dragons), Gerard Beale (Dragons), Kyle Stanley (Dragons), Mitch Brown (Bulldogs), Michael Ennis (Bulldogs), Saulala Houma (Roosters), Sami Sauiluma (Raiders), Jayson Bukuya (Warriors), Ben Barba (Broncos), Todd Murphy (Norths Devils)
Losses: Bryce Gibbs (retired), Michael Lichaa (Bulldogs), John Morris (retired), Beau Ryan (retired), Siosaia Vave (Sea Eagles), Tupou Sopoaga (Panthers), Sione Masima (Rabbitohs), Jonathan Wright (Warriors)

Circling the drain

12. Newcastle Knights (Last year: 12th)

Another team that had a horrific 2014, albeit for very different reasons than the Sharks, but I can't see their footballing prospects improving this year.

Rick Stone was underwhelming during his last stint in Newcastle, failing to win half the games he coached, but after serving his penance as Wayne Bennett's assistant it appeared the playing group wanted him back at the helm after the supercoach left.

Tariq Sims is an important addition to a less than stellar forward pack, but the loss of Bennett, Darius Boyd, Adam Cuthbertson and Travis Waddell cast a shadow over any gains they made.

The halves pairing of Jarrod Mullen and Tyrone Roberts is far from the worst in the league, while the backline including Kurt Gidley, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua and most of the Mata'utia clan is nothing to be sneezed at, but the team as a whole simply doesn't have enough strikepower to get the Knights into the eight.

Gains: Tariq Sims (Cowboys), Jack Stockwell (Dragons), Carlos Tuimavave (Warriors)
Losses: Darius Boyd (released), Adam Cuthbertson (Leeds Rhinos), Michael Dobson (Salford Red Devils), Matt Hilder (retired), Josh Mantellato (Hull KR), Willie Mason (Sea Eagles), Travis Waddell (Broncos), Brayden Wiliame (Sea Eagles)

13. Canberra Raiders (Last year: 15th)

The Raiders endured a shocking season last year, with Ricky Stuart saying great players don't want to come to Canberra, effectively calling out his playing group as being not up to snuff.

Well, they've now lured some excellent free agents - not superstars but very good pieces - to the nation's capital.

Blake Austin is an exciting young prospect who has NRL experience and can play anywhere, Sisa Waqa is one of the best and strongest try-scorers in the NRL, and Iosia Soliola is still only 28 years old and returns to the NRL after some very good years in the Super League.

Unfortunately they lost their brightest star in Anthony Milford, versatile speedster Reece Robinson and veteran prop Brett White since last year and Stuart, a coach who still needs to prove he can make a team better, is still in charge.

If you're a Raiders fan, this could be another long season.

Gains: Blake Austin (Tigers), Josh Hodgson (Hull KR), Iosia Soliola (St Helens), Sisa Waqa (Storm), Sam Williams (Catalan Dragons), Rhys Kennedy (Storm), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Roosters)
Losses: Matt Allwood (Warriors), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Storm), Anthony Milford (Broncos), Reece Robinson (Eels), Sami Sauiluma (Sharks), Brett White (retired), Lagi Setu (Roosters), Matt Frawley (Bulldogs), Matt McIlwrick (Roosters), Terry Campese (Hull KR)

14. Parramatta Eels (Last year: 10th)

The Jarryd Hayne era in Parramatta is over, but at least the Eels drafted in some useful pieces with the cap space his departure provided them.

Reece Robinson won't replace Hayne's output but is a solid first-grade full-back or winger, Anthony Watmough still has some petrol in the tank, and a post-prison Danny Wicks will be raring to go and looks fitter than he ever did during his time with the Knights.

Perhaps the loss of Hayne will allow the Eels to play a more expansive team game - as opposed to looking to get the ball in one man's hands - giving halves Chris Sandow and Corey Norman some room to spread their wings.

Despite all that, there simply is not enough strike power in this team to get them into the reckoning come September.

Gains: Beau Champion (Rabbitohs), Ben Crooks (Hull FC), Richie Fa'aoso (Out of retirement), Shannan McPherson (Salford Red Devils), Cody Nelson (Titans), Reece Robinson (Raiders), Brad Takairangi (Titans), Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles), Danny Wicks
Losses: Liam Foran (London Broncos), Jarryd Hayne (NFL), Ken Sio (Hull KR), Ben Smith (retired), Kelepi Tanginoa (Cowboys), Willie Tonga (Catalan Dragons), Lee Mossop (Wigan), Evander Cummins (Redcliffe Dolphins)

15. Wests Tigers (Last year: 13th)

The Tigers will be a year older in 2015. It sounds obvious but it's both important and really the only compliment to be paid to Jason Taylor's side.

They lost Braith Anasta, Adam Blair, Blake Austin, James Gavet, Cory Paterson, Bodene Thompson and Liam Fulton from their 2014 squad.

That's a hefty list of departures for a team that finished 13th last year, and every loss leaves a hole in terms of skill, positional depth and/or experience.

Rookie of the year Luke Brooks should be a better and more mature player heading into his second season (provided he can stave off the dreaded 'sophomore syndrome'), Josh Drinkwater is a very nice signing, and if James Tedesco can stay fit the Tigers will hopefully produce a few more highlights like this.

But a smattering of highlights will probably be all Tigers fans have to comfort them through 26 rounds of a tough season.

Gains: Kevin Naiqama (Panthers), Chance Peni (Knights), Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos)
Losses: Adam Blair (Broncos), Braith Anasta (retired), Blake Austin (Raiders), Jarred Farlow (Lezignan Sangliers), Liam Fulton (retired), James Gavet (Broncos), Cory Paterson (retired), Bodene Thompson (Warriors), Setefano Taukafa (Rabbitohs)

16. Gold Coast Titans (Last year: 14th)

The Titans looked to be in a bit of trouble heading into the 2015 season ... then February happened and "a bit" became an unclimbable mountain.

Already drowning in a financial quagmire, a gigantic drugs scandal was the last thing the team needed.

The club's involvement in the Crime and Corruption Commission's investigation into cocaine trafficking has commandeered the team's preseason, threw the club further into turmoil and saw the league step in to take control where the board had lost it.

The team had brought in some promising new faces - including Josh Hoffman, David Hala and Kierran Moseley - but it now looks like they will struggle to get 17 men out of the tunnel every round.

Anything above last place would be a shock.

Gains: Lachlan Burr (Bulldogs), David Hala (Broncos), Josh Hoffman (Broncos) Matt Robinson (Panthers), Ryan Simpkins (Panthers), Davin Crampton (Northern Pride), Kierran Moseley (Panthers), Eddy Pettybourne (Wigan)
Losses: Maurice Blair (Hull KR), Luke Bailey (retired), Ashley Harrison (retired), Beau Henry (Dragons), Albert Kelly (Hull KR), Sam Irwin (Featherstone Rovers), Steve Michaels (Hull FC), Mark Minichiello (Hull FC), Cody Nelson (Eels), Brad Takairangi (Eels), Tom Kingston (released - army)

[Matt]

Really hoping Hull do the Rhinos here, they're the Man Utd of Rugby League. Currently 12 up.

Sneyd is exceptional, Cas should have broke the bank to keep him, they'd be at least 4 points better off this season.

[Rich]

Today, was the most ridiculous day of Rugby I have ever seen. Loved every single minute.

[TCO]

[Cymbols]

Thought Wales did amazing to set their stall out early. Then Ireland did bloody well to top it. And fair play to England for coming close. Incredible finale, fair play.

[The Lusophone]

Pretty sure Courtney Lawes killed that French player.

[Lineker]

England have named Chris Ashton and his 20-year-old Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje in the World Cup training squad.

Ashton, 28, is recalled after he was left out of the last two Six Nations squads. Itoje is included following an impressive debut Premiership season.

Rugby league convert Sam Burgess makes Stuart Lancaster's 50-man list with fellow uncapped players Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elliot Daly.

But France-based pair Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon miss out.

Under current Rugby Football Union rules, head coach Lancaster is only allowed to select overseas-based players in "exceptional circumstances", but has yet to do so.

England squad in full:

Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Rob Webber (Bath), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester).

Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Sam Burgess (Bath - can also play in the forwards), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Gloucester), Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), David Strettle (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Anthony Watson (Bath), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester).

[Lineker]

This is awesome

[MDK]

That is rugby league you fool

[Lineker]

And this is the rugby thread!

[MDK]

[Noah]

Are we sure linkiles isn't american? They just call both sports rugby from what I've seen.

 

I actually did have a rugby league thread but I'm so lazy it hasn't been updated in forever.

[Lineker]

I know, so I merged it with this one

[Noah]

Now I feel stupid for just now trying desperately to find the topic and failing to do so.

[lanky316]

If we're merging random sport topics together we should do the same with the football topics. Get the American and European posters together 

[Lineker]

I'm not @Benji!