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WHEN DID REP COACHING BECOME “JOBS FOR THE BOYS”
Mal Meninga is a legendary figure in our sport and beloved by everyone. He’s been around forever. An Immortal of the game. Recently he stepped down as Australian coach to take on the role at the incoming Perth Bears. The NRL and ARLC’s Peter V’landys preferring for more of a ‘figurehead’ who can promote the team in Western Australia over a legitimate ‘nuts and bolts’ boss like Brad Arthur. Prior to coaching the Kangaroos, Meninga spent years in charge of an incredible Queensland squad and was surrounded by assistants like Michael Hagan and Neil Henry. Laurie Daley coached the Blues without much luck, then Brad Fittler. Daley is back. In there somewhere, the Blues never looked as good in a winning series and it was under Michael Maguire – a real coach.
MENINGA RECOMMENDS CAMERON SMITH FOR AUSSIE ROLE
The big fella has recommended former Australian captain and Channel Nine’s Cameron Smith to coach the Kangaroos after Fittler knocked it back. A few years ago, most people would probably have just shrugged their shoulders and not given Smith as Kangaroos coach a second thought. But with the rise of the Pacific nations and an Ashes tour to England coming up, perhaps a little more thought should go into the top job. Gone are the days of the Aussies boasting every superstar in the sport and a coach that could merely organise the barbeques and piss-ups.
NSW NEED TO START FAST ON WEDNESDAY OR FACE THE BLUES
The Blues, on paper, should win the State of Origin decider in Sydney next Wednesday comfortably. It’s a star-studded side. The game’s best backs, the game’s best halves and best forwards. The Blues can’t just get into an “Origin” arm wrestle with the Maroons. That’s exactly what Queensland wants. It happened a few years ago and the Blues lost to the “worst Queensland side in history”. This could happen again. Five up for a Nathan Cleary kick isn’t going to cut it. If Cleary really wants to dominate the Origin arena he needs to attack and attack early. Use Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Chrichton on early shifts and break QLD up from the outside and it will release the Blues back up the centre.
SEXTON HEADING TO FRANCE AFTER DOGS BREAKFAST
Canterbury’s mid-season, self-inflicted, roster reshuffle nightmare officially has a casualty with incumbent halfback Toby Sexton signing with Catalans Dragons in the Super League from next season. Despite helping get the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder, the club and GM Phil Gould pulled a swifty on everyone with the immediate acquisition of Lachlan Galvin from Wests Tigers. The mid-game reshuffles are not working. If things don’t turn around, this could be one of the game’s all-time own goals from a footy club.
ANYONE FOR A SUNDAY SLAUGHTER AT THE SFS?
Is anyone else sick to death of talking about that orange mob from Concord? Many supporters, like me, are exhausted from years of torment and disappointments. On Sunday, they play the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. They rarely show up against the Chooks, anyway. So, who knows what we’ll get this weekend. The Roosters are missing several stars but are still paying just $1.24 with the bookies.
