Saturday, February 28, 2009

Rhinos looking to make history..again!

North vs. South go head to head on Sunday at Elland Road, for the right to be crowned World Champions.

Back-to-back Super League champions, Leeds Rhinos will be hope to repeat last season’s victory over Melbourne Storm and become the first ever team to reclaim the title.

However, they come up against formidable opposition in the shape of Manly Sea Eagles, who crushed Melbourne 40-0 in their respective final.

The game sees emotional returns and renewed rivalries for a few of the players that will be involved.

Scott Donald faces his previous club for the first time since signing for the Rhinos, and will be looking to add to his impressive try-scoring tally.

Kylie Leuluai is another that was signed from Manly, back in 2007.

Yet the most intriguing return to our shores is that of Jamie Lyon, who spent two seasons at Leeds’ bitter rivals St Helens.

Scoring 46 tries in 63 appearances in his time at Knowsley Road, he helped them to achieve a league and cup double in 2006, as well as going on to secure the prestigious Man of Steel award.

Supporters will be hoping for better weather conditions than last year, so that they can witness an entertaining, free-flowing game.

Leeds have been boosted by the return of scrum-half, Rob Burrow, who will make his first appearance of the season.

But they will need to be wary of his opposite number, Matt Orford, who has the ability to unlock defences and create match-winning opportunities.

Both sets of fans can expect a compelling encounter from two sides that are the best in their hemisphere.

On a final note, one question does need to be asked though.

Why have the match on the same day as football’s Carling Cup Final?

Surely if the profile of rugby league is to be expanded, the game should be on an isolated day, in order to gain maximum exposure, and even attract fans from other sports.

However, that is something out of our hands. Lets just look forward to the contest, in a sport that we love to follow.

Shamoon Hafez

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Long notches up 1000 goals

Huddersfield Giant 6-23 St Helens
(follow-up piece. also on the official St Helens website at: http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/1570)

It was astonishing to see Sean Long kicking his 1000th career goal against Huddersfield, taking into account that he doesn’t even enjoy doing the job.

Long, who was instrumental in the win against the Giants, maintains he is willing to help the side out, despite his poor record of two conversions out of eleven this season.

“I have been practising my kicks more in training and they have been flying over, but when you miss one, it affects your confidence,” said the scrum-half.

He went on to say: “I wouldn’t mind a few easy ones in front of the posts so that I can get them over and build up for the harder ones.”

But it looks like he will be continuing with the duties, until the return of Steve Tyrer who is out on loan at new-boys Celtic Crusaders.

Despite being 32, he still has the passion and drive to reach yet another Grand Final and hopes to face the Rhinos once again.

The defeats against them in the previous two finals is still fresh in his memory, and admitted he would love to get one over on them this season.

“I hope we meet again at Old Trafford, but are able to beat them this time. It will be a difficult season but I am confident it will be a Saints-Leeds encounter,” said a bullish Long.

His landmark came via a drop-goal with two minutes to go, something which has broken the hearts of Super League teams many times before.

Unconverted tries in the first-half from Wellens, Gardner and Gilmour put Saints in a commanding position, but Paul Whatuira replied for the Giants early in the second.

New-signing Tony Puletua scored his first try for the club, before Long’s milestone moment, and there was still time for young Wheeler to add a late touchdown in the corner.

Former Catalans coach Mick Potter has taken over the reins at Knowsley Road, and has a hard act to follow in Daniel Anderson, who led the side to three consecutive Challenge Cup and Grand Finals.

Even though he has only been in the post for a short time, the Australian emphasised Long’s influence and importance to the team.

“He is an intelligent player who has extensive knowledge about tactics and position. He is a pleasure to coach and makes my job much easier,” said Potter.

Saints’ next game is at home to Hull KR and will be hoping to extend their perfect start to the new season.

Huddersfield: B Hodgson, Aspinwall, Lawrence, Whaturia, D Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Moore, D. Griffin, Raleigh, Wild, Finnigan.
Replacements: Lolesi, Jackson, Korkidas, Lunt.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Gilmour, Armstrong, Pryce, Long, Puletua, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Wilkin, Flannery, Clough.
Replacements: Roby, Fa'asavalu, Frodsham, Wheeler.

Referee: T Alibert (France)

Shamoon Hafez

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Gutsy Giants fail to overcome Saints

Huddersfield Giants 6-23 St Helens
Attendance: 11,338

St Helens followed up their opening game victory over Warrington, by beating Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.

Despite the home side taking the lead early, Saints ran in five tries to seal victory and avenge last season’s shock defeat.

James Graham and Jason Cayless were ruled out through injury for the Grand-Finalists, as well as having Francis Meli stuck in New Zealand due to visa problems.

The Giants, who have also been victims of the visa clampdown after Todd Carney’s move collapsed, were looking to build on their superb win at the Catalans.

The victory wasn’t as easy as the score line suggests, as Saints waited until the last five minutes to end the brave challenge of the Giants.

New captain, Brett Hodgson, who had an impressive game at full-back, converted a penalty in the third minute after Wellens was penalised for holding down.

But the visitors hit back after 15 minutes, when a sweeping move from right to left, ended with Gilmour passing to Wellens who crossed over.

Five minutes later, they extended their lead, this time via the right hand side as Gidley fed Gardner, who managed to squeeze into the corner.

The lead was further extended after half an hour, when a drop-out from Huddersfield resulted in a try for Gilmour, who was supplied by Pryce.

Sean Long’s disappointing season with the boot continued, as he converted only one from five attempts in the match, as his team went in at half-time only 12-2 in front.

Gilmour’s eventful game continued in the second half, as he knocked-on to give the home side the scrum.

Robinson chipped a kick to Whatuira on the last tackle, who bundled himself over the line to peg back the score.

This gave them the impetus to launch an onslaught on the Saints try-line for most of the remaining period, but were unable to find a way through.

Scott Moore, on-loan at the Giants from St Helens, was the architect of much of the play, and will have sent a reminder out to Mick Potter about his talent.

But with five minutes to go, new signing Puletua ended any Huddersfield hopes of a fight back, after a penalty was awarded from Fa’asavalu’s break.

Long added a drop-goal, just to make the game safe, before youngster Wheeler added a try in the corner.

Huddersfield: B Hodgson, Aspinwall, Lawrence, Whaturia, D Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Moore, D. Griffin, Raleigh, Wild, Finnigan.
Replacements: Lolesi, Jackson, Korkidas, Lunt.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Gilmour, Armstrong, Pryce, Long, Puletua, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Wilkin, Flannery, Clough.
Replacements: Roby, Fa'asavalu, Frodsham, Wheeler.

Referee: T Alibert (France)

Shamoon Hafez

Monday, February 16, 2009

Buderus makes debut, as Rhinos win again

vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats- Friday 13th February 2009.

Super League Round 1

Headingley Carnegie; Leeds

Ex-Australia captain, Danny Buderus provided an assist on his debut, as the Rhinos defeated Wakefield Wildcats 18-4, to stay top of the table.

Ian Kirke was the benefactor with Ali Lauitiiti and Jamie Jones-Buchanan also getting on the score sheet.

The champions were dealt a blow prior to kick-off, as Kevin Sinfield and Keith Senior were ruled out through injury, for the first time since 2007.

It wasn’t the most exhilarating of games for the Headingley faithful, with some reporters opting to pay more attention to the St Helens vs. Warrington game on the screen.

However, Brian McClennan was relieved to get maximum points from their opening fixtures.

“I'm really pleased with the efforts of the boys, it was a really physical game and they competed hard,” said Bluey.

He also echoed the view that it wasn’t the best of games for the spectators.

"It was a bit of a frustrating game but we held it together really well,” added the New Zealander.

With so many first-teamers out through injury, as well as Greg Eastwood’s failed visa application, the coach will be hoping to field a competitive side against NRL Champions, Manly Sea Eagles.

Ali Lauitiiti is one of the players who may miss out, having gone off against Wakefield with a hamstring strain.

The Samoan second-rower, did acknowledge that the World Club Challenge is at the fore-front of their minds.

“The World Club trophy is the main goal at the start of this season. We have Hull KR next week which, hopefully, gives us a stepping stone for a win against Manly,” said a bullish Lauitiiti.

He is also excited about the Rhino’s new signing, Danny Buderus and is looking forward to playing alongside the former Newcastle Knights hooker.

“He’s an awesome player, who has done great things in Australia. A good leader with experience and very skilful as well. It’s good to have him at the club,” said Lauitiiti.

Despite not being in top form, Leeds have picked up two wins, which is a sign of true champions.

Having achieved greatness by becoming back-to-back Super League winners, they will be hoping to accomplish the same feat with the World Club Challenge match.

They face an away trip to Hull KR next and, will be hoping for a good performance to take them onto the game against Manly at Elland Road.

Shamoon Hafez

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Giants building for the future

Today, I attended a press conference at the Galpharm Stadium with a presentation by Damian McGrath.

“You can’t win anything with a bunch of kids,” a famous football pundit once said.

But just like Manchester United have reached the pinnacle in football, Huddersfield Giants are looking to do the same in rugby league.

After finishing last season in a disappointing 10th position, an overhaul of the club’s backroom arrangement took place.

Not only was Australian Nathan Brown brought in as manager, changes were made to the reserve and academy levels, in order to put Huddersfield on the map for years to come.

The dream of becoming one of the top clubs in Super League is something that Damian McGrath wants to make a reality.

McGrath, who was appointed Head of Youth Development last September, is a man with pedigree in rugby, having coached in both codes, working alongside the biggest names.

Driven by the will to be successful, along with his exceptional people skills, he has laid down the foundations for a bright future.

“Before I was here, there was no real structure. We’ve started to build a strong team and want to be second to none. We want to be better than the best,” said a passionate McGrath.

Some may say that this is already being achieved by other teams in the league, and that Huddersfield are behind in their project.

Yet, Player Performance Manager Peter Riding is fully supportive of the direction the club are heading in.

“We want the best talent out there to be at this club. It is important that we invest in the right way and make people feel welcome here,” said Riding.

And this has been the case for youngsters such as Michael Lawrence and Leroy Cudjoe, who both broke into the first team last season.

Riding then went on to make a bold statement in which he said, “We want people to take the name of Huddersfield Giants in the same breath as Leeds Rhinos and St Helens.”

This being particularly surprising, considering that the Giants have had far less success in the Super League era, than the aforementioned clubs, although it does show the ambition and desire of ones involved.

In addition, former England internationals Karl Harrison, Paul Cook and Duncan Fleary are all lending their expertise to the club, who have only 25% of their staff salaried to the club.

These individuals can support and advise senior players and especially academy players, those who need it the most and need to feel valued. The organisation can, in turn, work within a fixed budget.

There is particular attention being paid to youngsters joining, or already at the Galpharm, who are able to speak to the Education Officer, someone who looks after people outside the club.

Relationships with Huddersfield New College helps to give those who may not make it to the top, something to fall back on.

However, the club is also spreading its wings to parts of the community that traditionally, don’t have an interest in the sport.

Asians usually tend to pursue the football or cricket path, but two kids in the academy will, undoubtedly, want to follow in the footsteps of Ikram Butt, the first ever Asian to play for Great Britain.

It remains to be seen whether the new look set-up can influence changes in fortunes on the pitch, and deliver much wanted silverware for the fans.

The academy players will be hoping that the birthplace of rugby league can be the birthplace of a long and distinguished career.

Shamoon Hafez

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Rhinos start campaign with win

The new rugby league season is underway and I, once again, went on my adventures to Headingley, Leeds.

Back-to-back Super League Champions, Leeds Rhinos picked up where they left off from last season, after defeating new boys Celtic Crusaders 28-6, on a freezing night at Headingley.

At half time, it looked as though the RFL had made the wrong choice by giving the Welsh side a three year franchise, as the Rhinos cruised into a 22-0 lead.

However, the Crusaders put up a good fight in the second half and restored some pride by scoring a try through Luke Dyer.

Grand Final man of the match, Lee Smith, scored two tries. Scott Donald, Ryan Hall and Carl Ablett were also on the score sheet for Leeds.

Coach Brian McClennan was pleased about the attendance at the game, even on such an arctic night.

"To get 14,827 there in the cold and for our ground staff to have the field ready for us to play on, that was the big plus out of the night.”

Despite getting the two points, he was less than happy with the performance of his side, particularly regarding players who had not followed instructions.

"It's just the lack of patience or discipline and carrying out a plan that let us down, not just the game plan, but a plan for what the set is. If our play-makers have set out a certain play or pattern that we want to do, then we've got to do it,” said an angry McClennan.

Hooker Matt Diskin, who has lost the number nine jersey to new signing Danny Buderus, agreed with Bluey’s assessment of the game.

“We did well in the first half, especially the first 20 minutes, but we are disappointed with the second, because of the high standards we set ourselves,” said Diskin.

He also praised the opposition who, in the end, gave a good account of themselves and went on to say:

“They stepped up their performance in the second half and came out fighting, and credit has to go to them for that. The fracas between Peacock and Peek spiked the game up and made it a bit more interesting,”

There was also a tussle in the North stand, which was a surprise to all the on lookers, as games generally pass without any trouble. Stewards swiftly ejected the individuals that were involved.

Leeds’ next home game is against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on 13th February, and will be looking to give a better performance than the one they gave on Friday night.

Shamoon Hafez