Monday 30 April 2012

State of Origin 2012: NSW and QLD Teams and Predictions

STATE OF ORIGIN 2012
CONTENDERS FOR SELECTION
By W D Nicolson, April 30, 2012
Time to break down the real contenders for State of Origin spots with Game One to be played in Melbourne on May 23.

Check out our Quick Hit Positional Analysis for the Official Game 1 NSW Team right here.
NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES - Official Game 1 Squad - likely starting team below.
B Stewart, J Hayne, M Jennings, J Morris, A Uate, T Carney, M Pearce, J Tamou, R Farah, P Gallen (c), G Bird, L Lewis, G Stewart.
Bench: J Buhrer, B Creagh, T Merrin, T Williams.


Check out our Quick Hit Positional Analysis for the Official Game 1 QLD Team right here.
QUEENSLAND MAROONS - Official Game 1 Team.
B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Hodges, B Tate, J Thurston, C Cronk, M Scott, C Smith (c), P Civoniceva, N Myles, S Thaiday, A Harrison.
Bench: M Gillett, D Shillington, B Hannant, D Taylor. D Cherry-Evans/D Nielsen (18th/19th men).

NSW AND QLD PREDICTED SELECTIONS UPDATED on May 13


NSW: J Dugan/B Stewart, J Hayne/B Morris, M Jennings/J Hayne, C Lawrence, A Uate, T Carney, M Pearce, J Tamou, R Farah, P Gallen (c), L Lewis, G Bird, G Stewart.
Bench: R Hinchcliffe, T Sims, A Watmough/B Creagh, T Williams. A Woods/T Mannah (18th man)
Missed: Lawrence, Sims and Hinchcliffe. Dugan/Stewart and Watmough/Creagh was a toss up, Josh Morris and Trent Merrin force their way in and somehow so did Jamie Buhrer.


QLD: B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Hodges, B Tate, J Thurston, C Cronk, M Scott, C Smith (c), P Civoniceva, N Myles, S Thaiday, A Harrison.
Bench: M Gillett, D Shillington, B Hannant, D Taylor. D Cherry-Evans/C Parker (18th man).
Missed: None - DING DING DING DING!

All players listed are generally considered healthy - an * indicates that they picked up an injury in Round 8, 9 or 10  and may be in serious doubt for Game One. Given the amount of injuries that were picked up in the final game of Round 8 (Newcastle v Penrith) - the NSW side in particular might undergo some drastic changes by the time Ricky Stuart picks his Blues 17 for Game One. As for QLD - you know about 14 of the 17 are locked in, but there's still a couple of spots open for discussion.

If you've got a view - let us know in the comments below or via @NRLTweet
 BACKS
NSW FULLBACK
Favourite: Josh Dugan.
Contenders: Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne, Anthony Minichiello, Kurt Gidley*.
Survey Says: This is Dugan's job if he can get through the next couple of weeks injury free. Ricky Stuart hitched his wagon to the Canberra fullback last year and although Minichiello did a decent job he won't be called on this year. Stewart's knees are dodgy and Gidley (if fit) is only being considered for a utility role. That leaves Hayne as option two on the depth chart.
Update after Round 9: Stewart is ahead according to the Telegraph but Dugan has proved his fitness with two good weeks back. Hard to tell what Stuart is thinking given he hasn't publicly supported Dugan since he returned.
QLD FULLBACK
Favourite: Billy Slater.
Contenders: Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd, Matthew Bowen, Ben Barba. 
Survey Says: Slater will be the fullback, Inglis will be in the centres and Boyd on the wing. Bowen and Barba's only hope of a run is on the bench.
Update after Round 9: Slater is the goods clearly, but gee can't Inglis play?

Wednesday 25 April 2012

NRL 2012: Round 8 NRL Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Fantasy News Odds

NRL ROUND 8 TIPPING PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson 

The club footy returns this week with two cracking games on ANZAC Day Wednesday and then the rest of the matches covering the regular Friday-Monday schedule.

The Storm try for eight straight wins to open the season and the Tigers and Titans look to make it two straight in slightly less impressive win streaks.

For more on how we see the Weekend unfolding, check out the Podcast and Preview below.

For game-specific Late Mail every week - check back on Friday (or if there's an earlier game, earlier) for all your tipping and fantasy game needs.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version


NOT The Footy Show Episode 103
- Round 8 Preview 2012 - Released Monday April 23, 2012

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.
NOT The Footy Show's annual State of Origin Prediction Special will air next Wednesday May 2nd at 8:15pm.

1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
NRL ROUND 8 PREVIEW - 2012
25/04 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
For some more insight into the markets check out NOT The Footy Show's new resident tipster's site GT Tips http://www.gttips.co.uk
All Kick-Offs are LOCAL time.


WEDNESDAY - APRIL 25
DRAGONS $1.46 v $2.80 ROOSTERS 
SYD +6.5 | GAME STATS | @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 4:00pm Kick-Off.

NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS - REP PLAYER OF THE YEAR
W Nicolson and M Spillane. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Dragons are 4-3 and 6th, Roosters are 4-3 and 7th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
Dragons 7 Roosters 3
The Roosters won their Round 23 game last year 20-12 but the Dragons have had a stranglehold over this game recently - winning 6 straight from 2009.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

STI: B Morris, D Vidot, K Stanley, M Cooper, J Nightingale, J Soward, B Hornby (c), D Hunt, N Fien, M Weyman, B Scott, B Creagh, D Young.
Bench: M Prior, J Latimore, T Merrin, J de Belin, J Miller, C Stanley, J Marketo.
[Team Changes -  A few changes for the Dragons - Matt Cooper comes back from an ankle injury and Nathan Fien replaces Mitch Rein at hooker. Josh Miller, Chase Stanley and Jake Marketo are named on an extended bench but are unlikely to play. ]

SYD: A Minichiello, P Tagive, J Leilua, S Kenny-Dowall, S Perrett, B Anasta (c), M Pearce, J Waerea-Hargreaves, J Friend, M Kennedy, A Guerra, M Aubusson, T Arona.
Bench: B Takairangi, L Tasi, M Masoe, J Bosden.
[Team Changes - Tautau Moga is IN... NSW Cup. Peni Tagive was unimpressive last week on the flank but Moga could still be a late inclusion... this seems like the kind of game Brian Smith has him primed for. Aidan Guerra starts for the injured Boyd Cordner, while Mose Masoe is the new face on the bench. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast for a full preview, but we like the Dragons here.
There's not a lot that has impressed us about the Roosters despite their 4 wins and the Dragons usually get up for this ANZAC Day game. If the Roosters hand the Dragons an early lead - this one will be over by halftime.
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Kyle Stanley drops out, Matt Prior to the centres and Mitch Rein will play for hooker and Nathan Fien goes to the bench in place of Stanley and Josh Miller comes in for Jack de Belin.
THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Dragons by 13.

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Monday 23 April 2012

NOT The Footy Show Episode 103 - Round 8 NRL Preview Podcast 2012

Jamie Soward has a whinge about his Origin snub - warranted or not?

Join Warrick Nicolson and Matt Duncan as they dissect the results of Rep Weekend and the resulting Origin permutations plus we preview all the Round 8 action in  NOT The Footy Show  Episode 103.

We talk the ANZAC Test's future, City-Country and NYC Origin success or failure? QLD City v Country an option? Who QLD actually fear and the  NOT The Footy Show  Feedback Files get another run.

And as always we have a good look at the chances of your team in Round 8, with our panel's tips and much anticipated Special Fried Rice selections.

At just 48 minutes long this week - NOT The Footy Show is ready to go well before ANZAC Day.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

NOT The Footy Show's annual State of Origin Prediction Special will air next Wednesday May 3rd at 8:15pm.
NOT The Footy Show Episode 103
- Round 8 Preview 2012 - Released Monday April 23, 2012

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

You can watch or listen the whole show that was streamed live via a replay you can start at any time here http://www.ustream.tv/channel/not-the-footy-show or grab the edited Podcast as an MP3 (Right click, save target as)


Subscribe to the Podcast via http://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/not-the-footy-show-2010-nrl/id370905391 or watch our regular footy Videos on YouTube

LIKE the show on Facebook for all the latest updates.

Thursday 19 April 2012

James Tamou is as Australian as the ANZAC biscuit

NOT The Footy Show declares:
"James Tamou is as Australian as the ANZAC biscuit"


Tamou's a True Blue... from a certain point of view.
By Warrick D. Nicolson, April 19, 2012

There has been a lot of conjecture this week over the eligibility or the moral acceptability of James Tamou being selected for Australian Kangaroos, and luckily as you've just watched above - NOT The Footy Show has the answer.

His 'defection' to Australia from New Zealand via Sydney via Queensland is - at the very heart of it - no different than a score of other players (in League or many another sports) switching allegiances for whatever their reason may be, and the sooner everyone realises that in almost every instance hypocrisy taints any argumentative opposition, the sooner we can all get on with the job at hand:

Enjoying international Rugby League when Australia play New Zealand in the ANZAC Test on Friday.

The only difference in the grand scheme of Rugby League's ever growing controversial chronicles, is that NSW (via the Australian selectors) are finally playing by the same rules that New Zealand, England and Queensland have been utilising to their advantage for years.

It's that cut and dried.

And the fact is - the only fair way to deal with eligibility is to ask the player point blank:

Who do YOU want to play for?

Don't forget - he's not one of those players who are choosing NOT to play for his country or state, he actually wants to represent someone and he should be commended for that - not sensationalistically bashed for it. He wants to play for Australia - so let him play for Australia.

So all you hypocritical critics build a bridge, get over it and enjoy an ANZAC biscuit and consider what really matters - especially at this time of year, when the term ANZAC should mean more to us than the title of a stupid Rugby League game.

The term ANZAC is something that should unify people - not leave them bickering over why such and such should belong to the different letters.

What do you make of the Tamou situation - are NSW just catching up to the rules? 
Comment below.

Grab out 80 minute NRL Podcast previewing all the rep games this weekend right here - with DC Chapman, Maria Tsialis, Matthew Duncan, Warrick Nicolson, Benji Marshall, Tim Sheens, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley all on this week's show!
It's huge bru!

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

NRL 2012: ANZAC Test City v Country NYC Origin Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Fantasy News Odds

REPRESENTATIVE ROUND TIPPING PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson 

In Round 7, we saw the Tigers and Titans finally win a second game, Melbourne made it seven on the trot and Terry Campese's season ending injury ended the Raiders as well.

This week - the NRL takes the weekend off and the ANZAC Test, City-Country and NYC Origin take centre stage... just not live if the game is on Channel 9.

For more on how we see the Rep Weekend unfolding, check out the Podcast and Preview below.

For game-specific Late Mail every week - check back on Friday (or if there's an earlier game, earlier) for all your tipping and fantasy game needs.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

NOT The Footy Show Episode 102
ANZAC Test/City-Country Rep Round Preview 2012 - Wednesday April 18, 2012

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

If you play Fantasy League Games - Dream Team, Super Coach or Fantasy NRL - our comp information is below our Preview Section.
1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
NRL REP ROUND PREVIEW - 2012
19/04 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
For some more insight into the markets check out NOT The Footy Show's new resident tipster's site GT Tips http://www.gttips.co.uk
All Kick-Offs are LOCAL time.


FRIDAY - APRIL 20 - ANZAC TEST
 NEW ZEALAND $3.35 v $1.34 AUSTRALIA 
NZL +8.5 | GAME STATS | @ Eden Park, Auckland. 7:40pm Kick-Off.

NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS - REP PLAYER OF THE YEAR
M Duncan and W Nicolson. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Australia beat New Zealand three times in 2011 and went on to win the Four Nations last year.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
KANGAROOS 7, KIWIS 2, DRAW 1.
Australia won all three Test Matches last season after New Zealand won the 2010 Four Nations final.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS
B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Hodges, A Uate, J Thurston, C Cronk, P Gallen, C Smith ©, D Shillington, D Taylor, S Thaiday, L Lewis.
Bench: D Cherry-Evans, B Hannant, J Tamou, A Watmough, M Gillett. Coach: T Sheens.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
J Hoffman, J Nightingale, S Kenny-Dowall, S Mannering, M Vatuvei, B Marshall ©, S Johnson, B Matulino, I Luke, S McKendry, A Blair, F Pritchard, J Smith.
Bench: N Fien, J Bromwich, J Waerea-Hargreaves, A Glenn, G Beale, J Taumalolo. Coach: S Kearney.
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast for a full preview, but we like the Australia in a close one. Look New Zealand have a habit of sticking with Australia for 50 minutes and then fading and that may well happen on Friday but with Marshall and Johnson in the team - New Zealand should have some points in them. All the signs point to an Australian win by 20 but this ANZAC Test I'm willing to believe in the Kiwis to make it a close one at home.
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Matt Gillett will be 18th man for Australia, while Gerard Beale and Jason Taumalolo are the extras for the Kiwis.
THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Kangaroos by 2.

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NOT The Footy Show Episode 102 - ANZAC Test City Country Preview Podcast 2012

Is James Tamou more Australian than Julia Gillard?

Join Warrick Nicolson, DC Chapman, Matt Duncan and Maria Tsialis as they discuss representative origins of players and can/should it be fixed? We preview the ANZAC Test, Ask is the City v Country still worthwhile? Announce our special membership deal with the Penrith Panthers  and poll your NYC Origin care factor in NOT The Footy Show Episode 102.

We delve back into the NOT The Footy Show Feedback Files with DC Chapman and have a look at life after Terry Campese for the Canberra Raiders.

Plus the panel gives all their tips for the rep weekend with the NRL having a break.

The size of a game of footy at 80 minutes long - NOT The Footy Show is just about as entertaining as David Furner's game plan.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

NOT The Footy Show Episode 102
ANZAC Test/City-Country Rep Round Preview 2012 - Wednesday April 18, 2012

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

We'll be back next Monday night for our rather early Round 8 Preview with ANZAC Day seeing two NRL games being played next Wednesday.