Official NRL 2006 Thread

[Blewy]

Geez Parra are desperate....

Eels may seek steering Rudder
July 19, 2006

PARRAMATTA has earmarked former Newcastle utility Sean Rudder as a possible playmaking option if it is unsuccessful in luring Brett Finch to the NRL club next season.



Rudder, who partnered Andrew Johns at the scrumbase during the Knights' 2001 premiership victory, hopes to re-establish himself in the NRL after his contract with Catalans Dragons expires at the end of the Super League season.

The Eels are looking for a five-eighth after the loss of utility John Morris to Wests Tigers for next season, with Finch their prime target after Sydney Roosters gave him permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

However, Rudder, is seen as a possible fallback option due to his experience and utility value.

"He's a five-eighth, lock, centre, can play hooker, a bit of back row,'' Rudder's manager, former teammate Tony Butterfield, said.

"He's the sort of guy that could do the job for you in a number of positions.

"He's a player with 138 NRL games and 70-odd Super League games under his belt.

"Rudds is a tough bugger, he's virtually never been injured in all his time."

Rudder's former club has also expressed interest in signing him, as has St George-Illawarra, Penrith, South Sydney and the Roosters.

Finch or Rudder... I dont know who's worse... Rudder was average with Andrew Johns around him, imagine what he would be like without Joey.. Poor Parra

 

[Burpey]

One could say Parramatta are rudderless at the moment.

 

[Craig]

Oh please let it happen... Oh that would be the best day ever, seeing poor old Simon have to cheer on Finchy

What about Mr Wright?

 

[Blewy]

What about Mr Wright?

Simon hates him more

 

[steds]

Finch or Rudder... I dont know who's worse...

Rudder's ****. Finch > Rudder.






On another note, the Catalans website has said Matt Adamson's going back to Australia, but only name the club as "a leading NRL club." Anyone know who?

Matt Adamson to return to Australia for 2007

Catalans Dragons strength and conditioning coach Matt Adamson has accepted a position within the coaching staff of an NRL club for the 2007 season. Adamson, who will leave the Catalans at the end of this season after a period of 12 months with the club, has played a vital role in the Catalans Dragons first season in Super League.

Adamson has said “I would like to thank the Catalans Dragons, the President and in particular the players for the wonderful experience the last 12 months of working within their organisation has provided”.

He went on to say “The opportunity to move forward with my career, post my playing days is too difficult to refuse. I will be taking up a position with a leading NRL club at the end of this season. I look forward to continuing the relationships established well into the future”.

The Catalans Dragons would like to express their appreciation to Matthew for his time spent with the club and wish him well with his future coaching career.

The club has already started making arrangements for a replacement strength and conditioning coach and has been in contact with a number of suitable candidates.

 

[Simon]

will almost certainly be penrith imo, hes a former player of theirs as well as playing under their new coach matthew elliott at the raiders...

apparently Ian Hindmarsh could be coming back to the raiders in 07 as well...

 

[Craig]

Lol I had almost forgotten about him.

My lack of watching Super League shows.

 

[Clarence]

Did I read correctly today in the paper that the Broncos are interested in signing Brett Finch?

I think it said that they along with the Cowboys and a couple of other clubs are not interested in signing him. So no, you didn't read correctly.

 

[Simon]

I think it said that they along with the Cowboys and a couple of other clubs are not interested in signing him. So no, you didn't read correctly.

Wednesday's daily telegraph has Brisbane and Parramatta as the front runners for this signature, so he did read it correctly...

 

[Mister Wright]

What about Mr Wright?

The chances of Finch going to the Broncos is about as much chance of me playing for them next season. Even if he did, I'm sure Bennett would get more out of him than Stewart. No comparison when it comes to their coaching credentials. I don't see why we'd buy him, we have Seymour, Perry and Strudwick to fill half roles. Ennis & Berrigan, Costigan and Stag can cover dummy half/hooker.

 

[Simon]

im hearing Seymour will be released if another club is willing to take up his contract unfortunately...

 

[Blewy]

im hearing Seymour will be released if another club is willing to take up his contract unfortunately...

Tigers YES PLEASE!!!!

 

[howardj]

To be fair to Finchy - and yeah it pains me to be fair to the big sook! - he has played played halfback in teams that have gone all the way through to the grand final; and teams that have won Origin games. So, he his hardly a complete disaster as a halfback. He actually looked quite respectable next to Fittler. Put him next to a Lockyer/Barrett etc, and behind a good forward pack and, like another 10 or so NRL halfbacks, he'd go alright.

 

[Blewy]

To be fair to Finchy - and yeah it pains me to be fair to the big sook! - he has played played halfback in teams that have gone all the way through to the grand final; and teams that have won Origin games. So, he his hardly a complete disaster as a halfback. He actually looked quite respectable next to Fittler. Put him next to a Lockyer/Barrett etc, and behind a good forward pack and, like another 10 or so NRL halfbacks, he'd go alright.

You were fair to Finchy

Sorry had to be done...

Closet Finchy Fan!

 

[howardj]

I'm closet Roosters, more so than Finchy. ......don't know what's worse, in terms of stigma.

 

[Craig]

Parramatta have signed Brett Finch. This could be the end for Tim Smith at Parra.

 

[Simon]

Parramatta have signed Brett Finch. This could be the end for Tim Smith at Parra.

they have signed finch to play 5/8...
even though todays telegraph said Smith would consider leaving if Finch was signed i cant see Parramatta releasing him...

 

[BoyBrumby]

My tips for week as entered into Kyle's comp:

Storm v Sharks
Bulldogs v Roosters
Cowboys v Broncos
Knights v Rabbitohs
Tigers v Eels
Raiders v Dragons
Sea Eagles v Panthers

Pretty much gone with the form book, but have funny feeling about The Chooks, just can't bring myself to tip them.

Thoughts on the end of the salary cap? Good or bad thing? Will a few clubs start to dominate a la Premiership?

 

[Simon]

end of the salary cap? its been raised to 4m nothing else changes except the scrapping of the anti tampering deadline...

 

[BoyBrumby]

end of the salary cap? its been raised to 4m nothing else changes except the scrapping of the anti tampering deadline...

I was watching NRL Deluxe & I got the distinct impression they were talking about it as if it's about to get the heave-ho. That may just be me getting wrong end of stick tho as I couldn't find any news stories about it & I imagine it'd be fairly big news.