blogging it real

In what is starting to become a bit of an annual post here's the NZers in the NRL that I know of. Qualification is that they were born in NZ, have played in NZ or are eligible. There's the odd exception but it's about right.

95 on this list.

Canberra Raiders (2)
Bronson Harrison (b Auckland)
Drury Low

Canterbury Bulldogs (5)
Bryson Goodwin (b NSW)
Dene Halatau (b Invercargill)
Ben Roberts (b Sydney)
Tim Winitana (b Wellington)
Junior Tia-Kilifi (b. NZ)

Cronulla Sharks (2)
Luke Covell (b Queensland)
Taulima Tautai (b Sydney)

Wests Tigers (7)
Jason Cayless (b Sydney)
Geoff Daniela (b Auckland)
Benji Marshall (b Whakatane)
Junior Moors (b Auckland)
Jason Schirnack (b Te Aroha)
Taniela Tuiaki (b Auckland)
Tame Tupou (b Auckland)

North Queensland Cowboys (6)
Isaac Ah Mau (b Auckland)
Leeson Ah Mau (b Auckland)
Steve Rapira (b Hamilton)
Arana Taumata (b Wellington)
James Tamou (b Palmerston North)
Will Tupou (b Auckland)

Brisbane Broncos (5)
Josh Hoffman (b Queensland)
Alex Glenn (b Auckland)
Tim Natusch (b PNG)
Ben Te'o (b Auckland)
Antonio Winterstein (b Auckland)

Gold Coast Titans (4)
Aaron Cannings (b Auckland)
Clinton Toopi (b Stratford)
Sam Tagataese (b Wellington)
Joseph Tomane (b Wellington)

Newcastle Knights (6)
Marvin Karawana (b Wainuiomata)
Cooper Vuna (b Auckland)
Zeb Taia (b NSW)
Junior Sau
Constantine Mika (b Auckland)
Evarn Tuimavave (b Auckland)

Manly Sea Eagles (5)
Kieran Foran (b Auckland)
Joe Guluvao (b Auckland)
Steve Matai (b Auckland)
Terence Seu Seu (b Auckland)
Dean Whare

Penrith Panthers (6)
Frank Puletua (b Auckland)
Frank Pritchard (b Sydney)
Joseph Paulo (b Auckland)
Sam McKendry (b Dargaville)
Daniel Penese (b NZ)
Masada Iosefa

Sydney Roosters (6)
Liam Foran (b Auckland)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (b Brisbane)
Mose Masoe (b NZ)
Frank Paul Nu'uausala (b Auckland)
Sam Perrett (b Auckland)
Jared Warea-Hargreaves (b Rotorua)

NZ Warriors (15)
Jerome Ropati (b Auckland)
Manu Vatuvei (b Auckland)
Kevin Locke (b Auckland)
Lance Hohaia (b Hamilton)
Sam Rapira (b Hamilton)
Russell Packer (b Foxton)
Ben Matulino (b Wellington)
Isaac John (b Tokoroa)
Patrick Ah Van (b Auckland)
Aaron Heremaia (b Perth)
Lewis Brown (b Christchurch)
Sione Luisi (b Auckland)
Simon Mannering (b Napier)
Mataupu Poching (b Auckland)
Jesse Royal (b Waikato)

St George/Illawarra (8)
Jason Nightingale (b Sydney)
Nathan Fien (b Queensland)
Junior Paulo (b Auckland)
Jeremy Smith (b Christchurch)
Ricky Thorby (b Foxton)
Kyle Stanley (b NSW)
Bronx Goodwin (b NSW)
Kailifa Faifai-Loa

Melbourne Storm (9)
Adam Blair (b Whangarei)
Jesse Bromwich (b Auckland)
Hohepa Cahill (b Napier)
Matthew Duffie (b Christchchurch)
William Isa (b Auckland)
Jeff Lima (b Auckland)
Sika Manu (b Lower Hutt)
Kevin Proctor
Chase Stanley (b Sydney)

Parramatta Eels (4)
Nathan Cayless (b Sydney)
Fuifui Moimoi (b Tonga)
Krisnan Inu (b Auckland)
Justin Horo (b Auckland)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (5)
Issac Luke (b Hawera)
Roy Asotasi (b Auckland)
Eddy Pettybourne (b Christchurch)
Fetuli Talanoa (b Auckland)
Junior Vai Vai

Labels: new zealand players, nrl

A supa dupa performance from the Warriors last week. I'd like to see that sort of effort repeated on attack again this weekend so I know it is deliberate rather than a freak effort. There is a Brisbane team in the not too distant past that conceded 48 points v Melbourne (R 13), 44 points v Bulldogs (R 14), 46 points v Sharks (R 15), YES, THE SHARKS!, 44 points v Rabbitohs (R 19) and 56 points v Raiders (R 21).

It may have merely been a return of that side. But at least the style of attack from the Warriors was what we've all been crying out for for close on 13 months.
I nailed the first 5 straight last week and then was diabolically wrong with the rest to finish 5/8 and 16/24 for the season.

Storm v Dragons
Storm by 6
This is a real high powered clash. The Dragons are coming to town to make a statement. I don't know why. Statements get made in the playoffs, not week 4. Storm to shut that shit down anyway.

Roosters v Broncos
Roosters by 10
Both teams gave up last week. The Roosters had a bit more form prior to that though and I expect them to find a little bit of that while the Broncos just look shithouse.

Sharks v Eels
Eels by 12
How could you pick this Sharks team. I picked them last week and I will be surprised if I make that stupid mistake again. They are awful from one side of the field to the other. They have the odd decent player who would go well in other sides but this collection of second rowers masquerading as a football side is an embarrassment to whoever recruited them. And don't fullbacks need to be able to catch that oval thing?

Cowboys v Titans
Cowboys by 8
This might be where the Titans dream changes course. Of course it could be where they get tested for the first time and step up. They've had three easy games, though in saying that the Cowboys aren't up to much themselves. They'll win a seesawing game.

Raiders v Tigers
Tigers by 6
I can't rule out the yo-yo factor here where one Raiders team plays at home one week then a different raiders team shows up on the road. It should be a very entertaining game, with the Tigers class showing through.

Warriors v Sea Eagles
Warriors by 4
A big game for both sides. Warriors can actually say "we are a playoff side" with a win here, while the Sea Eagles can well and truly put their first two weeks of meltdown behind them and get their season well under way with a tricky road assignment. Expect a physical clash that goes right to the wire.

Knights v Panthers
Knights by 8
A tricky one. Both teams are capable on their day but neither can inspire great hope that they'll do what you damn well want them to do. The Knights have won 10 from their last 13 at home though while the Panthers lose two thirds of their away games so that should make the result a little clearer.

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 8
The Rabbits found some form but it was against the Sharks so it doesn't count. The Bulldogs meanwhile found 60 points after two losses and that equals .... momentum that the Rabbits won't be able to stop.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping 2010

A classy 6 from 8 last week sees me on 11 from 16.

Onwards and upwards...

Tigers v Eels
Tigers by 2
Bit of a head cold here so hope these make sense. It's a bloody lottery anyway. This should be a real beaut to watch if you dislike defence and love beautiful footwork, passing and attacking. I ummed and ahhhhed for several seconds, maybe even like 20 or 30 which must be a record before deciding on the Tigers to have more motivation after a pathetic defensive effort last week.

Dragons v Cowboys
Dragons by 14
The Dragons are hot as hell right now and on home turf v a side that is a bit scratchy at the best of times and away from home they should have no chance.

Panthers v Storm
Storm by 6
The Storm have been absolutely shit with the ball in week 1 and 2 and will need to find a few points because the Panthers at home generally score some. But their defence saved their sorry asses last week and might do enough for them again.

Sea Eagles v Knights
Sea Eagles by 8
The Knights don't look like they'll roll over for anybody at the moment but the Sea Eagles are 0 for 2 and have their first game at home + Des Hasler is ripping dressing room doors off their hinges after 2 losses so I wouldn't want to see what he does after 3.

Titans v Raiders
Titans by 8
Neither team does it for me. The Titans might be 2 and 0 but they are seriously not that flash. Home against the Raiders though this should be a perfect 3 and 0 start.

Broncos v Warriors
Broncos by 14
The Warriors are about to get touched up. They were quite impressive last week but against a Broncos team with a point to prove they are going to get carved up.

Bulldogs v Roosters
Roosters by 6
This is a tight one to tip. The Dogs aren't in good knick at the moment but they've played two hot teams. Unfortunately they are about to play a third.

Sharks v Rabbitohs
Sharks by 2
The Sharks are tantalisingly close to breaking their losing streak. If they aren't going to break it at home v the Bunnies then they may as well go play in the Jersey Flegg for a year.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping 2010

Oh yeah, it's on baby.

I might be intoxicated but this is where it all happens, stacks on the mill and all that shit. Not even Warren Ryan and Phil Gould can wreck the NRL, though they do their best.

Let's GET IT ON!

Sportsfreak is where you can see the competition but those two just make up the numbers (famous last words).

Broncos vs Cowboys
Broncos by 8
“The Broncos came home with a wet sail once Henjak taught them how to concede fewer points than they scored. Maybe they'll keep that going.”

Eels vs Dragons
Eels by 4
Should be a great game to start the year. The Eels may still be depressed after last year's finale but they showed themselves what they were capable of when in the mood. The Dragons will want to make a statement but it's a bit early for them.

Saturday 13th March
Bulldogs vs Knights
Bulldogs by 12
The Knights will need permission for half their team to be allowed out of prison for the day. They've got no chance.”

Panthers vs Raiders
Panthers by 10
No idea how these teams will go this year so I'll go with the home side.

Sharks vs Storm
Storm by 12
Yep. New year, same shit.

Sunday 14th March
Titans vs Warriors
Titans by 8
We might get a glimpse of how much influence Tony Iro has had on the side early and by God I hope it's a big influence, but away in the heat to a decent side is too much in round 1. I do have a funny feeling though that the Titans might slide backwards this year.

Rabbitohs vs Roosters
Rabbitohs by 10
The Rabbits should do this easy. Their forward pack looks beasty, just a matter of seeing if the backs can back them up.

Monday 15th March
Tigers vs Sea Eagles
Tigers by 6
Hopefully Marshall carries on with the more mature and (relatively) injury free football that he played last year and the Tigers set the Sea Eagles off on another 0-4 start to the season.

Labels: nrl, nrl 2010, nrl picks

Bit easier this week, only 4 to tip. Historically there is at least one upset each week in terms of the lower ranked team tipping over the top side. Last year saw the first time the 1st ranked team (Storm) lost to the 8th ranked team (Warriors). I'm not tipping any upsets though the away team is good enough to win any of them.

Storm v Sea Eagles
Storm by 4
Both teams have been up and down lately with patches of excellent play interspersed with piss poor stuff. The Storm have Inglis back and they are pretty hard to beat at home so I'll tip them in a tight, tough battle.

Titans v Broncos
Titans by 10
I've been dubious about the Titans for quite some time. However I reckon that in front of a soldout home crowd they will look to prove the doubters wrong and touch up a Broncos side which is deep down plain ordinary.

Bulldogs v Knights
Bulldogs by 10
Clearly the most mediocre looking playoff match. A Bulldogs side which has shown less and less of an edge as the year has gone on v a side that could have easily missed the playoffs and nobody would have noticed. Bulldogs to use the home advantage to take care of business.

Dragons v Eels
Dragons by 12
Damn. Would be nice to see the Dragons lose and have to play again next week and I think it will be much tighter but there's probably a reason the Dragons came 1st and the Eels 8th.

Labels: nrl, NRL 2009, nrl tipping

This is it. Lucky last. Has the NRL banned Mad Mondays yet? Mind you, is there a bar left in Sydney that hasn't banned every NRL player yet?

Tigers v Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 4
The Tigers will want to finish the season with a bang. They are playing good enough footie to knock over the Dogs but the Dogs just have a little more to play for.

Dragons v Eels
Eels by 8
The Eels are an irresistable force, while I have always forced myself to resist the Dragons. Though it isn't hard.

Warriors v Storm
Storm by 10
If the Warriors were at full strength I'd be tempted to tip an upset because they seem to go well against the Storm and have a bit to prove. But a weakened lineup should see them just get taught another lesson.

Sea Eagles v Titans
Titans by 8
The Titans just keep rolling on and on much to my surprise. Meanwhile the Sea Eagles just can't seem to click into 4th gear at all.

Sharks v Rabbitohs
Rabbitohs by 16
The Rabbits will play an attacking style and look to open the Sharks up. If the Sharks can defend like last week they are a chance but I just can't see them scoring enough points to win it. Mad Monday beckons. Lock up you women and children, front doors, liquor cabinet and anything that else that is removable.

Roosters v Cowboys
Cowboys by 14
A bit of a who cares game. Always good to see the Roosters lose though.

Knights v Panthers
Knights by 10
I cannot for the life of me see this Panthers side win a game away from home that means something. At the same time the Knights are quite a moody side that runs hot and cold week to week and more often than not in the same match so if they give the Panthers a look in they'll regret it.

Broncos v Raiders
Broncos by 16
Yep, the Broncos are back. Kind of. It's a shame they spent most of the year showing good sides how to beat them. Pass the ball along your backline and run over the try line. That was about all the effort required. It shouldn't be a long finals campaign for them.

Labels: nrl, nrl 09, nrl tipping

Look Ivan, you don't need independent observors having a look round the club this week. The balls ups were made long ago.

You (I know, you were advised by some idiots as well) dunted ALL our halves and picked a guy who should have been used as a bit part player in an energency, and for some mentoring. As a side note we bought Kemp thinking he'll run in 20 tries for us but it's a shame we put a winger into space about as often as Brent Todd scored tries. Although our outside defenders knopw how to put opposition wingers and centres into space so maybe we could have got a tip from them. I feel sorry for the guy, and Ivan, you should be ashamed of the position you put him in. All the plonkers out there are saying, gee, Kemp was a bit of a flop. Funny how he'll run in a dozen tries a season for anybody else in the comp.

And then you proceeded to play the most boring ineffective attacking style I have ever laid eyes on from a team I support. They average 16.39 points per game. The worst ever attacking Warriors side was the 2000 team who averaged 16.38. So if they score 16 or less points v the Storm they will take bottom spot. The thing is that this side is nowhere near as bad on paper as some sides we've had in the past but he took a team that has been getting progressively more boring in the past 1 to 2 years and completely castrated it.

Three tips
1) Make sure you have nimble halves that can run, pass and kick a bit.
2) Teach the backline some moves.
3) Tell your loose forwards to get wider and stop playing like props.

There, all that was for free.

and if I see our boys doing wrap around moves, our loosies logging it up and looking for a hit and spin offload and chip bombs to Vatuvei next year I swear to god, I'll go apoplectic.

I'm just saying all this stuff because I care.

Labels: nrl, warriors

I know it's week 25 because it's the penultimate round!!!

Can't come soon enough for some teams. Still an interesting few scenarios on offer. If the faltering Storm slip up then the Sea Eagles could take a home semi. At the same time if the Sea Eagles lose one of their last 2 they may find they are away v the Dragons or Bulldogs in the playoffs. The Eels despite being the form team in the comp in the past 6 weeks are still outside the playoffs (albeit on points differential). Two wins though and they will make it. The Tigers also have been the other form team (6 wins from their past 7) but they are a point outside the 8.

The other teams just in the 8 are the Broncos, Knights and Panthers and they all won last week so it's a real crush.

The first 3 clashes are the money matches. All between sides in the 8 or hunting for it. The other 5 clashes are between teams in the 8 v sides who's season is gone. There might be one party pooper hiding in those 5 but I can't see it at this time of the year.

Eels v Panthers
Eels by 10
You'd have to wouldn't you? It'll take a special effort to burst this yellow and blue bubble and it's unlikely to come from the Panthers in enemy territory. The Eels to leap frog the Panthers into the 8.

Cowboys v Broncos
Broncos by 4
The Cowboys just don't deserve to be in the playoffs if you ask me (and nobody ever does). If they lose their season is over so that may inspire them but the Broncos have turned their year round in 2 weeks. Broncos to ride the Cowboys this time.

Titans v Tigers
Tigers by 8
This should be an intriguing clash. The Tigers still played well last week despite losing and if they play the same way again I can see them taking care of this seasons pretenders. How the Titans have locked in 3rd spot is beyond me. Cartwright must be one hell of a coach.

Storm v Roosters
Storm by 18
The Storm are so good at dicking hopeless teams but struggle when teams front up in the middle of the park. The Roosters are too soft to pull that off though.

Rabbitohs v Dragons
Dragons by 10
This is hard to pick in some ways. A traditional rivalry that goes way back and the Dragons are out of nick. The theory is that Bennett is training them too hard deliberately to get some conditioning into them for the tough games down the stretch. Time will tell, but the Bunnies season officially ended last weekend so not enough to inspire them I reckon.

Sea Eagles v Sharks
Sea Eagles by 24
The Sharks are making up the numbers. The Sea Eagles have a sniff of a home playoff as they are a point off 4th. At the same time they are only a point off 9th so there is extreme pressure and they should make fishburgers out of Cronulla.

Bulldogs v Warriors
Bulldogs by 22
The Warriors might make a game of it but remember, the 30 points v the roosters which was supposed to be an attacking wakeup call was followed by a score of 4, then the 32 v the Panthers was followed by scores of 10 and 4. Don't expect anything to have been learnt last week either. Bulldogs fans to send El Masri off like a champion before smashing some trains up on the way home.

Raiders v Knights
Raiders by 4
Who the fuck knows? I mean seriously. Who the fuck knows?

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

The race has nearly been run. I've pulled a few hammy's along the way but I'm gonna get there!!!!

Tigers v Eels
Eels by 4
This should be an absolute rip roaring cracker of a match. Or one side could blow the other ones confidence and with it, season away. I could go either way but the dice came up blue and yellow.

Dragons v Broncos
Dragons by 10
Unthinkable a couple of weeks ago but the Broncos probably won't lose this game by 70 points. In fact there is an extremely small chance of an upset. But it's so small I'm not going to be a dickhead and pick it.

Knights v Cowboys
Knights by 4
Another interesting clash. The Cowboys are all over the shop and the Knights played some good footie last weekend to knockoff the Storm. I have a feeling that they might struggle to do that 2 weeks running and they are awful finishers which will play on their minds but maybe a big turnout will provide the defibrolator they need for one more week on their season.

Panthers v Rabbitohs
Panthers by 6
The Rabbitohs are travelling a touch better but only because the Panthers were munted off the park by the Broncos. Teams that were killed on the road often bounce back at home the net week. Fingers crossed for this tipster.

Titans v Sharks
Titans by 14
The Sharks season died long ago. they played a bit of decent footie just for the hell of it but now they have remembered that a) they are shit and b) their season really did die long ago so c) they have nothing left to play for except Mad Monday. Uh, oh!

Warriors v Raiders
Raiders by 6
I really want to pick the Warriors but I just can't. They have given up. The Raiders whould have but showed last week they've got some rock'n'roll left on them smacking the shit out of the side that should win the comp. The Warriors need to swallow some fucken man pills and bash the shit out of somebody for the first time in a long time.

Storm v Sea Eagles
Storm by 4
Please oh please let the Storm win this. I have no further comment.

Bulldogs v Roosters
Bulldogs by 24
The biggest mismatch of the round. So the Roosters to win it then. Fucking NRL!!!

Labels: nrl, NRL 2009, nrl tipping

6 from 8 last week, the Yamis juggernaut rolls on. I'm on 105.5 from 160 or thereabouts and ahead of all these saps, although I don't entirely trust Sportsfreaks tallying so might just have to check that at some point...

Rabbitohs v Titans
Rabbitohs by 4
Tough to call. Titans had a walk in the park last week but I think in Sydney the Rabbitohs will realise its last chance saloon with their remaining home game against the Dragons.

Cowboys v Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 4
The Bulldogs just don't look anything like the team that started the year and are extremely vulnerable. The Cowboys arguably have more to play for with a playoff spot on the line but they have a horrible 2 and 9 record v the Dogs in Townsville.

Roosters v Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles by 12
The Sea Eagles just have to get their shit back on track or they will either miss the playoffs or be rocking on up to Kogarah in Week 1. The Roosters have grown something resembling a backbone but they are playing with enthusiasm not class and it's class that starts winning all the games from this point on.

Raiders v Dragons
Dragons by 6
Believe it or not the Dragons might not win this too easily. They have a few suspension concerns and injuries and it'll probably be minus 53 in Canberra on Saturday night as well. They can afford the loss but Bennett won't allow it.

Eels v Warriors
Eels by 24
The Eels are on fire at the moment and will blow this shithouse opposition off the park.

Sharks v Tigers
Tigers by 10
Stuart basically called his side fucking hopeless in last weeks press conference and that is indeed what they are. Tigers roll on.

Broncos v Panthers
Panthers by 6
The Broncos will have some confidence back but they only beat the Sharks. They still look very vulnerable down the edges, and up the middle, and the areas in between. The Panthers will find those pesky holes and put points on.

Knights v Storm
Storm by 8
The Knights have fallen to bits. They've got nothing left. Where did all the enthusiasm and energy go? Who knows? Who cares? Not me. Storm to seal a top 4 spot with this win.

Like what I did there with the colours?

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

Panthers v Dragons
Dragons by 10
The Dragons are too clinical at the moment and the Panthers conceded 32 points v the Warriors in 50 minutes. Nothing else needs to be said. Accept the Panthers will now probably win.

Storm v Cowboys
Storm by 10
The Storm very rarely lose back to back and they rarely lose at home. The Cowboys on the other hand are all over the shop.

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles by 6
This should be a relatively tight game but the birds are a slightly better side in slightly better form so will sneak over the line unfortunately.

Bulldogs v Raiders
Bulldogs by 6
The Bulldogs are really starting to look iffy but don't be fooled by that 56-0 win by the Raiders last week. They were playing one of the worst defending sides in the NRL in decades and the Raiders pull efforts like that out now and then. But not two weeks running.

Warriors v Titans
Warriors by 12
Fuck it, you only live once.

Roosters v Tigers
Tigers by 8
Imagine the Tigers resurgence ending at the hands of the Roosters!!! And now forget it.

Eels v Knights
Eels by 8
The Eels are on a mean roll (where the hell do these things come from) while the Knights look like they have played all their football in the wrong half of the year. Good night for the knights?

Broncos v Sharks
Broncos by 2
I don't know how they'll do it but they are playing a side that also often struggles to score more than zero points. And after being utterly humiliated and at arguably the lowest point in club history there is nowhere to go but up.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09, nrl tipping 2009

6 from 8 last week. About time I had a decent one.

Dragons v Storm
Dragons by 6
The Dragons are just clinical at the moment. They pissed around against the Warriors and still dicked them. Statement game for them and it should be tight but the Storm aren't the same side on the road.

Raiders v Broncos
Raiders by 10
Both sides are playing horrible football at the moment. The Broncos can't defend to save their lives and even the awful Raiders should find a few holes out wide to run some points up.

Knights v Roosters
Knights by 16
The Roosters are absolute ratshit, losing to the Warriors and getting towelled up by the Rabbitohs says more than you need to know. It'll be chicken soup down the coal mines.

Panthers v Warriors
Panthers by 8
The Warriors are without Price which is probably not a bad thing as other forwards seem to go better when he's not there. The Panthers have playoffs to play for though so should win going away. Speaking of going away, I wish Cleary would. He's almost as bad as the AB coaches.
Sharks v Eels
Eels by 4
A resurgent Eels side who must now be an outside chance of slipping into the 8. I don't know where this form has come from, they are pulling an old sneaky one the Warriors were famous for. But this is crucial. Drop this match and they are done and dusted.

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 2
Shucks, who would have thunk it a few weeks ago but this could actually go either way. Taylor has taken the shackles off the Rabbitohs attack and the Bulldogs have started tripping in the home straight. All the momentum is with the bunnies but the players are with the Bulldogs and they'll scrape home.

Tigers v Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles by 10
The Sea Eagles are still vulnerable but are in good form. The Tigers meanwhile have won a couple of games ina row by decent margins. However three in a row is a bridge too far for this lot.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

Can't remember the week so I'll just chuck the date up there.

Sea Eagles v Knights
Sea Eagles by 10
A solid Friday Nighter here and the Eagles aren't back to their best but this is one they should take care of. Not sure what the Knights response will be to finding out their coach is buggaring off.

Titans v Broncos
Titans by 20
The Broncos are conceding 40 points every week (aside from the Warriors game for some reason) and with injuries on top of a capitulating defense the Titans will have to play like mugs to not win easily.

Bulldogs v Eels
Bulldogs by 8
The Eels were pumped up last week but expect them to just get pumped this week. A bit of a clash from the 80s and perhaps a different result with the Bulldogs having too many guns for the fish.

Cowboys v Panthers
Cowboys by 10
The Cowboys had a down week last week so must be due to have a good week this time right? Home turf, Thurston, playoff hopes teetering, they'll get there.

Storm v Sharks
Storm by 10
The Storm will have players back from injury and seem to bounce back from defeat well, though the inconsistency must be a major worry for their angry man coach. All the same they can play a nice basic game but put points on when they need to and their defence is solid each week so that's no points for the Sharks then.

Raiders v Tigers
Tigers by 2
Normally you'd pick the Raiders to win a game like this at home but the Tigers must surely string together a couple of decent games at some point the Raiders have lost ground on recent season. They are ripe to be completely tipped out of the playoff race.

Warriors v Dragons
Dragons by 12
If the weather is crap and the Warriors build on last weeks effort on attack then they are in with a sniff but the Dragons are actually playing really good fucking football that is several levels above the Warriors. Can we lower them to our standards? I think not.

Rabbitohs v Roosters
Rabbitohs by 12
The Rabbitohs are throwing points round like its christmas and the Roosters defence should ensure they get plenty more gifts this week. Or is that easter eggs?

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

Broncos v Rabbitohs
Broncos by 8
Might be hard for the Broncos after THAT match as half their side is in out or in doubt but I reckon this will kick off a rocking round of football with everybody pumped up and ready to belt the crap out of everybody else. Broncos to give Queenslanders something to smile about.

Bulldogs v Titans
Bulldogs by 4
This should be a cracker but the Bulldogs have too many bullets and the Titans are flattering to decieve with their possie on the ladder.

Panthers v Raiders
Panthers by 6
This is a bloody lottery. It's Jekyll vs Hyde... or is that Hyde vs Jekyll? Tune in and find out.

Sharks v Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles by 4
The Sea Eagles got well and truly touched up last week but they weren't as bad as the score suggests (unfortunately). On Sharks home turf this should be a good stoush but the birdies will fall over the line.

Roosters v Warriors
Draw
Something might galvanise the Warriors soon into playing some football. The attitude is generally there but there's no x-factor with that dud Jones in the halves but maybe seeing your captain get laid out during the week will make them do something good for once. But I'm going with form and pick a 0-0 result.

Tigers v Cowboys
Tigers by 6
Thurston will probably have an absolute stormer but the Tigers may just have sorted their shit out. Or not.

Eels v Storm
Storm by 2
Hindmarsh's 250th game won't quite be enough to get the Eels home here. The Storm will have a few battered and bruised but they will have had 5 days rest so should take care of business.

Labels: nrl, NRL 2009, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

My picks for this weekend...
Rabbitohs v Panthers
Panthers by 4
The Rabbitohs might pull out the old bounce back result after getting a 50 point hiding last week but even against a mediocre Panthers team I think they'll fall just short.

Knights v Raiders
Knights by 8
Home ground advantage all the way.

Dragons v Sea Eagles
Dragons by 4
People thought last weeks game v the Bulldogs was the Sea Eagles showing the NRL that they are back. But this will be another checkup at the clinic. Win this and you can bring them back into premiership contention, lose it and the jury will remain out.

Warriors v Bulldogs
Warriors by 8
God only know what's making me do this but they threatened to breakout last week where one shit house pass cost them a 14-0 lead and what was probably the match. They play a crap style, have crap coaching, and have the worst halves in the comp but it's now or never. Warriors by 8 or Bulldogs by 36. In a moment of lunacy I pick the former.

Titans v Eels
Titans by 4
The Eels are hanging in there with 5 of their last 6 games being decided by 7 points or less and this should be more of the same. They'll miss Hayne though and that should consign them to a season ending loss.

Looking at the ladder you could loosely group teams into the following categories:

Serious Title Contenders
Dragons (26), Bulldogs (24) and Storm (23)

Pretenders (but lock them in for the playoffs)
Titans (24)
Sea Eagles (20)

Iffy Top 8 (making up the numbers if they do make it)
Cowboys (20)
Panthers (20)
Knights (20)
Broncos (20)

Wooden Spoon Battle Extraordinaire (these teams are mud)
Raiders (16)
Rabbitohs (15)
Warriors (15)
Eels (15)
Tigers (14)
Sharks (12)
Roosters (10)

Teams with red points are sides that have 2 points coming up for the bye whereas all other sides will have to earn them the hard way.

On the Warriors, after last weekends effort they now have their worst points per game stats in their 14 and a half year history and the lowest average since the Rabbitoh side of 1999.

That, ladies and gentlemen is how negative Cleary's coaching style is and how hopeless our halves are.

Labels: cleary, fucking hopeless, jones, nrl, warriors

After a shithouse week last week I'm hoping to bounce back and reassert my ascendency or some wanky thing like that.

Broncos v Warriors
Broncos by 16
Warriors to play the Broncos back into form. Cleary one step closer to early termination of contract. Can anybody quite believe they've let Fien go early when they have Hohaia (a fullback) and Jones (a has-been) in the halves?

Dragons v Roosters
Dragons by 6
The Roosters will put up a better than expected showing but may be missing a couple of dickheads from their side. The Dragons are looking better and better as the year goes on but still look like a bunch of dorks and will face plant in the semis.

Rabbitohs v Tigers
Rabbitohs by 2
Battle of two woefully out of form sides. I guess one of them can't lose but the question is who? The Rabbitohs showed a little bit of something last week and will need to build on it.

Storm v Knights
Storm by 10
The Storm had an off game (they've crept in this year) and the Knights have been in bad knick and only beat the Bunnies last week so I have to go with the home side bouncing back.

Sharks v Cowboys
Sharks by 6
Could go either way but the Sharks have turned over a new leaf ... although there was that loss to the awesome Roosters last week (eyes bulge).

Raiders v Titans
Raiders by 10
The Raiders are so unpredictable. If they turn up they can beat anybody (at home), but when they don't anybody can knock them over. Too moody for me, but what can you do? I hope they take their happy pills Friday night. And in the NRL they probably will, plus a whole lot of other ones too..... and some booze..... and then meet some ladies..... and then realise those ladies are the Titans.

Panthers v Eels
Panthers by 4
This could go either way. Two very average sides that are temperamental. The Eels are a little more plain though and maybe the Panthers will spark a bit and have some smoked eel for sunday dinner.

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs
Bulldogs by 4
A big Monday night match!! Who knew?!!! The Bulldogs are a better team and playing better footie but the Sea Eagles could definately prove that they are back and a chance to defend their title.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

Warriors v Knights
Warriors by 6
Apparently I have free tickets to this game, though I'm still waiting to find out where the hell I get them from so I'll go for the Warriors (since it's them that are giving them to me).

Broncos v Bulldogs
Broncos by 4
I hear there's more chance of pigs flying than this game taking place at the present moment.

Panthers v Sea Eagles
Panthers by 4
Oh god I hope so. The Sea Eagles are starting to get their game on and what a pity that is. Be good if the Panthers can keep them struggling to enter the 8 for another week or two.

Rabbitohs v Storm
Storm by 18
The Rabbitohs really have lost the plot. Without enthusiasm and confidence they've got nothing and right now they don't have much enthusiasm or confidence so I'll leave it for you to work out.

Roosters v Titans
Titans by 8
Something strange is telling me to tip the Roosters but the Titans are playing with too much energy at the moment and the Roosters are being coached by somebody who appears to be not a very good coach.

Dragons v Cowboys
Dragons by 2
This should be one of the better matches this round. The over rated Dragons v the unpredictable Cowboys. If Thurstons on it's game on. If not the Dragons will stumble over the line.

Raiders v Sharks
Raiders by 14
The Sharks flattered to deceive in the past couple of weeks. The Eels threw it away late and the Warriors threw it away early and yet the Sharks still needed a shitty handling display by an ordinary team to win last week. Raiders will put them to the sword.

Eels v Tigers
Eels by 8
The Eels have a new found confidence and are at home. That said the Tigers are surely due (I said that last week didn't I?) for a win. But I think they are hitting a pretty crap team at a bad time while they themselves are purely having a bad time.

Labels: nrl, NRL 2009, nrl swine flu, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 2009, swine flu

The Warriors mill that is.

I won't go into detail about what's wrong as it's pretty fucking obvious. They have no attack whatsoever. OK, I'm exagerrating a bit. Sometimes they can pull out a close range barge over try and sometimes they can chip bomb to Vatuvei and score but that's it. Between the Warriors, Sharks, Roosters and Eels they should be convicted for crimes against their fans and the sport of rugby league.

And here's the statistical proof ... 10, 14, 12, 12, 11, 14, 17, 22, 16, 10, 26, 26. Those are their scores this year starting with the latest and heading back to the start of the year where they came in with a bit of confidence before Cleary got them playing Cleary ball as opposed to Warrior ball.

They are gone for 09. The top 8 has already worked itself out (Dragons, Broncos, Bulldogs, Knights, Cowboys, Storm, Panthers) with one from the Titans and Sea Eagles to take the 8th spot.

The rest will scrap it out to see who can deceive their fans into thinking they can play football and deserve to keep their coaching and playing spot for next season.

Labels: nrl, warriors

Tigers v Panthers
Tigers by 6
Could be a tight one because the Tigers really should have got much closer to the Warriors and Sheens is getting pretty grumpy watching them lose 4 straight. I'm going to pick slightly against form in this one because they'll have to turn things around soon.

Storm v Broncos
Storm by 8
A funny clash to have straight after Origin. It'll be the Queensland team playing itself. I guess that evens things out a bit. Might be a bit tough on the Brisbane boys though who will fly back to Brisbane I presume and then back down to Melbourne a day later. Surely not? Home team to be more organised for the win though.

Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sea Eagles by 22
Gee, this one looks hard to pick.

Cowboys v RabbitohsCowboys by 10
The Rabbitohs are starting to play a bit loose and should suffer for it up in Townsville. Provided Thurston comes out of Origin injury free he has shown he can back up and play great footie. The Rabbitohs ship should start to take on a bit more water this weekend.

Sharks v Warriors
Warriors by 2
This should be a very ordinary game. I have a feeling the Sharks may cut loose a bit (however they will still be the most boring side in the comp), but they are up against a warriors team with a sleep inducing attack themselves who much prefer to grind teams down. It'll come down to who wants it more (or less).

Knights v Eels
Knights by 8
The Knights are a bit of an irresistable force at the moment. They don't quite have the team to bank on week in and week out but Smith has them playing so well as a team that they should knock over his old joint with Hagan at the helm.

Titans v Dragons
Titans by 4
Hmmmmm, dependable Titans v in form Dragons. Somebody's night will end in tears. Hopefully the white booted show ponies.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping, nrl tipping 09

Last weekend may have been the heritage weekend (the Warriors took it a bit far by playing like some of their sides from the late 90s).

But this week is "Taste Buds Weekend" because there are so many interesting matchups.

Here's how I see them...

Eels v Rabbitohs
Eels by 4
I'm not sure with this one. The Eels tried hard last week and have an OK side on paper (especially Hayne who was outstanding), but just don't seem to have much confidence. The Rabbitohs on the other hand don't have such a flash side on paper but are playing with tonnes of confidence. Home ground?

Tigers v Broncos
Broncos by 8
The Broncos hopefully saw a tape of the Storms game last week and will have seen the benchmark performance of the season for a side with title aspirations. At this time of the year they are always hit and miss but I'll go out on a limb and pick them.

Sharks v Dragons
Dragons by 10
The Dildo Sharks are on a massive losing streak. They are on drugs, booze, having sex orgies, handing out sex toys, and are beating up girlfriends and employees. This is a club that needs to be its own reality TV show. Forget playing footie to make bucks, they could hit the big screen.

Panthers v Roosters
Panthers by 10
I just love picking anybody v the Roosters. Especially a Roosters side this hopeless. I'm just about ready to start feeling sorry for them. Maybe next century. Oh no, hang on, that's only 91 years away now. Perhaps the one after.

Bulldogs v Storm
Storm by 6
This is arguably the clash of the year to date. The Bulldogs were robbed like you wouldn't believe last week while the Storm were so hot you'd spontaneously combust if you shook one of their hands after the game. They must have so much confidence right now that the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them trying to dampen it down all night.

Raiders v Warriors
Raiders by 10
Even Ivan Cleary must be putting money on the Raiders in this game. They are so far off the pace in terms of recruitment, selection and form that its a wonder they'll even have the ability to find their way to the ground. Guts might get them over the line if the Raiders play like shit but probably not after the shellacking they got last time out.

Titans v Sea Eagles
Titans by 2
This should be another cracker. The Titans aren't going to be anybody's bitch (not for a while anyway) and the Sea Eagles have finally remembered last year. The Titans might scrape home in a very tight one.

Cowboys v Knights
Cowboys by 4
This shapes as another interesting clash. Both teams coming off big wins away. I think the Knights have the better side but Thurston will be the one to swing this game. If he's on form they'll get home, if not then the Knights could easily romp away with it.

Labels: nrl, nrl tipping 09