Representative Games [May, 2015]

[Brooke]

I think you've hit the nail on the head, he really does just look burnt out, which at 24 years of age is quite worrying.

I remember his first full season playing for Manly and he was the most determined, enthusiastic bloke I'd ever seen play first grade; he led the kick chases and always put his body on the line. There was one specific time when he'd just charged out of the line to smash an opponent and Peter Sterling said something along the lines of 'Foran will have to learn to adapt his game otherwise his body won't be able to cope with the continual punishment that he puts it through with his current style of play.' I can't help but feel like that may have been somewhat of a prophecy and we're seeing the results at the moment with his attitude and injuries

Although he is still young this is his 7th season in the NRL. Definitely looks to be catching up with him. All his tough playing over the years. Manly looks to have dodged a bullet . To think next year , if he can still make it onto the field he will be the highest paid player in the NRL.

 

[HoldenV8]

Personally I don't think any current NRL or test player should ever become a future Immortal.

I can see the list going up to 10 with the inclusion of Mal Meninga (who should already be one IMO) and Darren Lockyer, but beyond that there is no one really and shouldn't be for a while. Remember how long it took for the 5th (Langlands) and 6th (Lewis) Immortals to come along? It was 18 years. The originals were selected in 1981, Changa and Wally were in 1999.

I can't see Smith, Slater, Inglis, Thurston and co ever being Immortals, though those who pick the list might have a different view.

 

[globaleagle]

More importantly.....

A hat-trick to debutant Mahalia Murphy has carried the Jillaroos to a well-deserved 22-14 win over the Kiwi Ferns in the Women's Test match at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Midway through the second half the game was very much in the balance at 10-all before Murphy scored twice in the space of eight minutes to secure a win for the home side and exact some revenge for last year's heartbreaking loss in Wollongong.


http://www.nrl.com/murphy-hat-trick-inspires-jillaroos/tabid/10874/newsid/85908/default.aspx

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I can see the list going up to 10 with the inclusion of Mal Meninga (who should already be one IMO) and Darren Lockyer

The NRL want the guess-the-next-Immortal to be another avenue for promoting interest in the game, so including more recent players that current fans know is the best way to do that. Personally, while I never saw the man play, I find it odd that Provan isn't front of the line, he won something like 10 premierships!

 

[HappilyManly]

Foran will have tests today on that gammy hammy - did not look good in the second half and Manly will be lucky to get him back before SOO, when Chez will go off to QLD

I was thinking that the Roos should have switched to Dugan to FB and GI back into the centres after the half, as they were not penetrating the Kiwi line at all.
Also strange that they kept attacking the Kiwi LHS instead of mixing it up and running at Nightingale on the RHS

But the Kiwis seem to have settled on a new core group of NextGeners.
RTS at fullback, with Hiku and Whare at centres, will be formidable for the Roos/Lions
Their forwards are also young and keen, yet they were missing Taumalolo and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from the lineup - be afraid, be very afraid

 

[maxta]

A few things from the w/ends games
Australia look sluggish , over confident & unwilling in comparison to NZ who are clearly the number 1 international team today.
The NZ forwards overpowered Australia in every aspect of the game including enthusiasm
Luke Page does run hard but when he is playing against big blokes who hit just as hard, made little impact & dropped the ball
Korabiete is in the top few wingers in the game
Vatuvai was in beast mode
The PNG team playing against a Fiji team full of NRL stars, competed well & showed that the Q Cup players are nor far off the pace of NRL - maybe some potential worth cashing in on as the Storm did with Smith, Slater, Cronk & Inglis. Must be more there??
Reynolds game is based on poor ethics, though disguised by enthusiasm at times dont be fooled - a top flight grub.
Blake Austin demonstrated how much a positive energy & attitude gets results, again had a good game in a losing team - Not a star player but his effort helps him compete with the best every week.

 

[Remi]

I knew the Aussies would be in trouble as soon as they picked Dugan on the wing, stupid decision, the wing is a specialist position you just can't throw anyone in there. It was as dumb as having Hastings at fullback for the junior kangaroos when he plays 7 and 9 and they just got away with a win. I did love the argie-bargie with Martin Taupau and Sam Thaiday. Taupau what a player, if only manly could grab him

 

[HoldenV8]

[

The NRL want the guess-the-next-Immortal to be another avenue for promoting interest in the game, so including more recent players that current fans know is the best way to do that. Personally, while I never saw the man play, I find it odd that Provan isn't front of the line, he won something like 10 premierships!

Ah yes, Norm Provan. Ok he should make it 11. But that should be it for a while.

 

[HappilyManly]

Can't believe that Grubby only gets Grade 1 for that trip. He kicked out, not just placed a foot in front

Bird is out of SOO with his triple loading

 

[rifraff]

Bring back Scotland for international football.. Has anyone ever seen a better centre than Mc'Cronin