Maroons Coach Mal Meninga Expects Better Of His Team; Unfazed By NSW Selection Issues

QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga has turned up the heat on his side ahead of the Origin decider by admitting he has not been completely satisfied with the Maroons' performances in the first two games. 
 
The Maroons have struggled with their execution this series without the cool-headed organisation of former skipper Darren Lockyer, putting pressure on his five-eighth replacement Johnathan Thurston to fire in the Suncorp decider next Wednesday night.

Emboldened by their 16-12 win in Origin II, the Blues are growing in confidence and believe they have finally struck the right formula in team balance and attitude to end Queensland's six-year interstate dominance.

While praising his side's commitment and desire, Meninga said the major lesson he has learned from the opening two matches is Queensland's need to be more clinical across the board.

Meninga's warning came as the Maroons prepared to launch their preparations for Origin III with the first training session at a rain-soaked Stockland Park on the Sunshine Coast today.


"We have always talked about preparation and the effort has been there but we have let ourselves down a bit in execution," Meninga said.

"We have to come up with the right formula, the right plan and the right team to get on with the business of winning the decider.

"It is getting more difficult each year. Ricky (Stuart, NSW coach) has a very good side, they believe they are more desperate than us and they understand the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium.

"It's a challenge each game we play. It's different to club footy, you have to focus intensely on each game and you only have three games so every time you put the Maroon jersey on you have to be at your best.

"It's about how we handle it all. The side has to realise NSW are coming to our home and we have to start well."

While the Maroons are sweating on the fitness of injured fullback Billy Slater, Queensland hierarchy do not expect Blues hitman Glenn Stewart to take a knee injury into the decider.

Asked about how the Blues were shaping up after naming another extended squad, Meninga said: "I don't really care to be honest with you, it will sort itself out.

"We have had to endure this before in regards to their make up. We will plan around what to expect, we don't expect Stewart to play but we have to make sure we are settled to prepare as best we can."

Maroons prop Petero Civoniceva said he was not concerned that Queensland's 20-man squad could derail their preparations.

"It's not disruptive at all," he said.

"It's something we have to deal with week in, week out with our own (club) teams.

"You get guys who are carrying injuries into games every week and it's a process.

"The core of our team is our strength and we've got some great combinations that has brought us a lot of success over the years.

"I'm sure that familiarity will help us in our preparation."

Brisbane City Landmarks Turning Maroon In Lead-Up to 2012 State of Origin Decider

Last night, Brisbane took on a new shade of parochial pride with the Story Bridge, Kuripla Bridge, Wheel of Brisbane and City Hall among the city landmarks to turn maroon in the lead-up to this year's Origin series decider tomorrow week.

The new colour scheme is part of the "Show Your Colours" campaign, which was launched in the Queen Street Mall yesterday.

The campaign is designed to get the state behind the Maroons as they go for a record seventh consecutive series wins over New South Wales, and to promote Brisbane as a major events destination.


The city's residents are being asked to play their part and decorate their houses, cars, workplaces and everything else in maroon to celebrate being a Queenslander and display their pride in their state.

FANS: Darren lockyer with Breeanna Dwyer, 7, Hudson Spencer, 9, Chloe, 9, and Kane Martin, 6.

Former Queensland captain Darren Lockyer said the campaign would lift the Queensland players for their must-win game.

"As a rugby league player, it doesn't get any more exciting than Origin at Suncorp (Stadium)," Lockyer said.

"It's about supporting your team, the more maroon we see the better we'll play."

Pictures: Annette Dew

Source: The Courier-Mail

Ricky Stuart: Origin's Saviour?

I hate to admit it but the main reason State of Origin is so exciting this year is because of Blues coach Ricky Stuart. Taking nothing away from the greatness of the mighty Maroons, I believe Stuart’s unbridled passion for Origin football has put a new and exciting spin on a concept now in its fourth decade.

Make no mistake, the current Queensland State of Origin team is a juggernaut, a once-in-a-generation mix of outstanding leadership, management, coaching and talent. While I have enjoyed every victory across the Maroons stellar six-year run, the wins have always meant more when beating spirited opposition, and you don’t get much more spirited than a Ricky Stuart-coached footy team.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ricky away from football and truth be told you can’t help but like the guy. He’s one of those rare individuals who can make you feel like you’re the only person in the room when you’re in his company. He’s smart, brutally honest, speaks his mind and always has time for people.

While Stuart’s place in rugby league is well known, it’s when he talks of his family and friends you see past the coach and get an insight into makes the man. Those in his circle of trust will tell you there’s not a more loyal or caring bloke on the planet and I’m sure his Blues players feel the same way.

Over the last couple of months, I have watched Stuart passionately promote all things New South Wales State of Origin. Many times I’ve thought that too much of his thinking has made its way into the public arena.  While Queensland were flying under the radar it seemed the Blues were having daily debates on everything from team selections to venues and referees.

But after seeing the television ratings for Origin I and noting the how many more conversations I’ve personally had about State of Origin this year, I’ve come to understand why Stuart’s public posturing has been a good thing for NSW, and almost necessary.

Up here in Queensland, we are openly passionate about Origin football. From the very rich and powerful through to the battlers and young families, we publicly celebrate our love for the mighty Maroons, often and loudly. We don’t hide; it can even be embarrassing at times, but it’s there for all to see.
I won’t say that NSW don’t have the same passion for State of Origin, but I do believe it’s often hidden away. One of the many good things Ricky Stuart has been able to achieve over the last 18 months is to help NSW fans feel proud to be openly passionate about their footy team.

Every time Stuart fronts a camera or puts pen to paper you get a sense that this bloke would give his right arm to see NSW beat Queensland. He smiles and jumps around when things are going well but looks all bitter and twisted when things go the way of the Maroons.

Origin means so much to Stuart and he will never stop wearing his blue heart on his sleeve. The whole of NSW is feeding off his emotions at the moment and it’s taken the competitive tension between the two bitter rivals to a whole new level.

Ricky’s passion is also doing weird and wonderful things to us rednecks north of the border. Never in my life have I wanted to see Queensland beat NSW so badly and I know I have Ricky Stuart to thank for that.

Next Wednesday night, like the rest of my fellow Queenslanders, I can’t wait to loathe the NSW coach and his band of merry blue men. Nothing would give me greater delight than to see Queensland beat NSW on their home turf, in front of their home crowd at a time when it has never meant more to them.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/state-of-origin/ricky-stuart-origins-saviour-20120605-1ztzu.html#ixzz1wzfawg1w

Warriors Fly Into Face of Gale-Force Storm

While the New Zealand Warriors head into the traditional Anzac Day clash with the Melbourne Storm armed with reinforcements, the NRL frontrunners ominously appear at optimum strength as they seek to continue their flawless start to 2012 with a record eighth successive victory.

Pending a final assessment at their solitary full training session today, the unbeaten Storm will carry their full complement of test stars and State of Origin hopefuls into a clash that has proved unusually problematic for the competition favourites.

The Warriors head to AAMI Park with doubts over two strike weapons – mercurial halfback Shaun Johnson and match-winning wing Manu Vatuvei – and have included Pita Godinet and Glen Fisiiahi as a precaution.

In contrast, the Storm's spine of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith all emerged unscathed from the Kangaroos 20-12 Anzac test victory at Eden Park on Friday, likewise Jesse Bromwich, who made a strong debut in the Kiwis front row.

Ryan Hoffman and Ryan Hinchcliffe should also be available after Sunday's City versus Country trial for the NSW Origin team while, in a positive for the ninth-placed Warriors, fellow second-rower Feleti Mateo was named to start tomorrow night after also getting though the match in Mudgee.
Although the Storm are warm favourites, history suggests the Warriors, despite their fluctuating form, should not be discounted.

The Storm have won only four of their last 10 matches against the Warriors and last year succumbed 18-14 in the Anzac Day fixture before being eliminated in the preliminary final by an eight-point margin. Melbourne has also proved susceptible after a long lay-off between games, four of their six losses last season followed a break of eight days or longer, though head coach Craig Bellamy has worked on remedying that deficiency, to good effect.

The Storm had a nine-day preparation between the rounds five win over Newcastle and sixth-round victims North Queensland.

This 11-day gap since edging the Bulldogs 12-6 is the longest they have encountered but Bellamy was confident he had settled on an effective formula to manage the downtime.

"We've changed a couple of things around for our longer breaks and we've had one go and it seemed to go OK," Bellamy said, referring to the 42-18 win thumping of North Queensland.

"We've got to make sure we get the rest right and this time it is different. We gave the players four days off so it will be interesting to see how they come up."

Bellamy was satisfied with the effort of his non-representative players when they returned to training on Friday but expected a more polished performance with the stars back on board today.

"We are expecting to get better, when you have a break, the first thing that gets a bit rusty is your skills."
Attention to detail at training has been a priority for the Storm and a key to their unbeaten start to the campaign.
"We don't tolerate too much dropped ball or any errors in our session," said Smith, the Kangaroos and Storm's hooker and captain.

"We try to take that into our games. So far this season it's worked out really well."
That qualifies as the understatement of the season.

The Storm equalled their best start to a season when a superb defensive effort thwarted the Bulldogs and are now attempting to be the first club to notch eight wins in a row from the opening round since the Roosters managed 10 straight in 1996.

They only conceded two line breaks against the Bulldogs and, for the fourth consecutive game, their error count was in single figures – reasons the opponents in their 11 home games have scored more than 10 points only on two occasions.

With Slater, Cronk and Smith synchronised and English five-eighth Gareth Widdop maturing, the Storm complement the NRL's stingiest defence with the most prolific attack.
The Storm have so far amassed 210 points, 36 more than North Queensland while the 85 points conceded is 11 less than Brisbane.

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One-Time Foes United On Plan For Two Stadiums to Cover All Codes

In a ''back to the future'' strategy, two long-term rugby league administrators have combined to rationalise the use of NSW government-controlled stadiums, possibly leading to the return of the long-abandoned Sydney ''match of the day''.

The former National Rugby League director of football operations and now Sports Minister, Graham Annesley, has appointed former league supremo John Quayle chairman of a new statutory body called Venues NSW.

Annesley, by negotiating the legislation through the State Parliament late last year and appointing Quayle to the position in February, has shown he is still a step ahead of the NRL club chief executives and chairmen he once administered.

Bosses of clubs such as the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Dragons and Roosters have recently raised the prospect of a heavily-promoted weekly rugby league match being played at one of Sydney's two major grounds, Allianz Stadium or ANZ Stadium.

Venues NSW has been empowered to take control of government-owned stadiums and entertainment centres in Newcastle, Wollongong and Parramatta away from local trusts where they compete against each other for resources and events.

The new statutory body will not embrace the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust that also controls Allianz Stadium, nor will it have any immediate influence over ANZ Stadium. However, the legislation does allow Venues NSW to ultimately take control of all NSW government-owned stadiums.
Annesley admitted a two-stadium policy for major rugby league, rugby union and soccer matches in
Sydney was a long-term possibility.

''Sometime these things come in small steps,'' the minister said. ''The SCG is an iconic venue and controlled by a trust. It's not on the current agenda for Venues NSW to take it under its umbrella but the legislation does allow us to add venues.

''Homebush is owned by a private consortium but does come back to government ownership in approximately 2031.

''The three we've put together for now - Newcastle, Wollongong and Parramatta - are very similar venues and we believe we will achieve economies of scale, superior bargaining powers and stop, say, Newcastle and Wollongong bidding against each other for events where the only winners are the promoters.''

Annesley, who is the member for Miranda, was guarded on the long-term possibility of all existing suburban rugby league stadiums, such as the Sharks' Toyota Stadium, being closed and all games played at Allianz and ANZ.

This is the situation in Melbourne where all AFL games are played at either the MCG or Etihad Stadium, with famous old suburban grounds, such as Essendon's Windy Hill, now used as training venues.

''It's paying dividends for the AFL,'' he said, in reference to big crowds and superior facilities. ''But how long does it take to make the change? I understand there was initial resistance in Melbourne.''
Typically, Quayle was more direct, fully endorsing the AFL model.

After resigning as ARL chief executive in 1996, he was in charge of venues at the Sydney Olympics and then advised Athens, London and Rio de Janeiro on the modelling of their facilities for the 2004, 2012 and 2016 Olympics respectively.

He was a consultant much in demand for the Pan American Games and Asian Games in the Middle East.

''I've looked at sport around the world and it's inevitable we are moving to shared facilities where the one stadium can host multiple events in different sporting codes,'' he said. ''The AFL model is the best. Queensland, with Suncorp for the rugby codes and soccer and Ballymore for AFL and cricket, is also very good.''

Asked if he supported a new stadium in Sydney's west to cater for the latest A-League franchise, he said he would prefer to close in Parramatta Stadium with stands at either end and cater for another 10,000 fans.

Too much money had been spent by past governments reacting to emotional cries to renovate Belmore, Kogarah and Leichhardt, he said.

He will head a board of eight, embracing the chairs of the Illawarra (Wollongong), Hunter (Newcastle) and western Sydney (Parramatta) local venue centres, as well as state government appointees, including former Magpie great, John Dorahy.

''What we will be doing is designed for the next 20 years, not next year,'' Quayle said.
''No longer should we take emotion into decision making and invest in facilities which may operate only in the short term.''

Annesley and Quayle, opponents in the 1995-97 Super League war when Annesley was a referee in the rival competition, have obviously discarded any emotional shackles from that era to work together for the future of their state.

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Legend Tees Up for Fundraiser

THE Valleys Rugby League Club hit the jackpot when it secured rugby league's man of the hour, Darren Lockyer, as the special guest for its inaugural golf day, sportsman's dinner and memorabilia auction.

Lockyer will come to Gladstone to participate in this event, which is a combined effort of the junior and senior clubs.

It will be the club's major fundraiser for the year.

"We have big plans of progressing our club forward in the future, but to do so money is required, hence the major fundraiser," Jo Davis said.

"We hope to be able to host games on our grounds like Wallabys and Seagulls do, to do this though we need to make a lot of improvements to the fields to meet Queensland Rugby League guidelines.

"It's going to be a huge job; basically the whole field needs to be repositioned."

To get the ball rolling the junior and senior divisions of the club have joined this year to raise funds.

The fundraisers will be held on Saturday, February 18.

The day will start at 9am out at the Calliope Golf Course, where those interested will participate in a three-man Ambrose.

"This is a fun sociable way to play golf so it seemed a good way to get everyone together," Davis said.

"The major sponsor, which is yet to be secured, will have an additional player on their side as Darren has committed to playing, he will be their extra team member.

"Meanwhile our other guest, Sean Hoppe, will play with the silver sponsor."

Lunch will be provided at the golf with prizes awarded.

It will be backed up that night with the sportsman's dinner.

"The dinner will be an 18-plus event at the PCYC," she said.

"Our guests will be interviewed by our MC making it a fun, informative night."

Davis said the club was ecstatic about the fundraiser and was looking forward to the community getting behind them.

"Lockyer only just participated in his first function like this," she said.

"So he is new to this and we will be among one of his first events, which adds to the excitement."

Tickets go on sale this Sunday from noon until 4pm, with a sausage sizzle at the Queens Hotel, Goondoon St, Gladstone.

Everyone is welcome.

The details

What: Valley's inaugural golf day and sportsman's dinner and memorabilia auction

When: February 18, 9am for golf and 7.30pm for dinner

Where: Calliope Golf Course and PCYC

Tickets: On sale this Sunday from noon until 4pm, with a sausage sizzle at the Queens Hotel, Goondoon St, Gladstone.

Legend Tees Up for Fundraiser

Broncos Re-Sign Five Youngsters

The Brisbane Broncos have boosted their stocks by re-signing a handful of young guns who are set to lead them into the future.

Test winger Jharal Yow Yeh, Kiwi forward Alex Glenn, hooker Andrew McCullough, playmaker Ben Hunt and forward Dave Hala have all extended their contracts at the club.

Broncos chief executive Paul White hailed the announcement as a "great day" for the Broncos.

"We're absolutely thrilled that they have all signed upgraded and extended contracts with our club," he said.

"These players are a large part of the core of the talent we have developed, and that we believe will take us into the next chapter of success for the Broncos."

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin was particularly pleased as Yow Yeh, Glenn, McCullough and Hunt were all members of Brisbane's Toyota Cup outfit he guided to the 2008 grand final.

"The club has worked hard to give these guys the opportunity to play NRL football and they have proven their ability to compete in the best rugby league competition in the world," he said.

Yow Yeh, Glenn and McCullough have all signed three-year extensions until the end of 2015.

Hala has re-signed until the end of 2014 while Hunt, who is the leading contender to take retired great Darren Lockyer's No.6 jersey, has signed a one-year extension until the end 2013.

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