Gutsy Tigers claw away Raiders

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

David Nofoaluma ... scores for the Tigers during the NRL round 15 game between Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Acting Wests Tigers captain Benji Marshall delivered a couple of big plays as his eventful week ended with a 17-12 NRL win over travel-sick Canberra at Campbelltown Stadium.

3 Tries 2
David Nofoaluma 13'	Sandor Earl 27'
Joel Reddy 65'	Anthony Milford 58'
Tim Simona 75'
1 Conversions 2
Benji Marshall 67'	Jarrod Croker 28'
	Jarrod Croker 59'
1 Penalties 0
Benji Marshall 48'
1 Field Goals 0
Benji Marshall 72'

Marshall kicked a match-tying sideline conversion and edged the Tigers ahead 13-12 with a 73rd minute field goal on Saturday night.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Marshall said he was happy to end a difficult week on a high.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"I just wanted to do my job today and that was to lead by example and control the game," Marshall said.

"I thought last week I let the control get away from me in the game, so I just wanted to get that back."

Tigers coach Mick Potter described Marshall's effort as ``a great captain's knock".

"I said to him after the game that he really led by example,'' Potter said.

"He's been trying, it's not lack of trying, and I think it just came together tonight."

Potter said he thought the report on Lawrence was the wrong call and suggested he felt the same way about the Milford try.

Canberra coach David Furner lamented opportunities missed by his side, especially in the first half when Brett White and David Shillington both lost the ball trying to get over the Tigers line.

"What we've been very good at is just being patient and I didn't think we were," Furner said.

"A couple of times there forcing offloads, not getting to the areas where we needed to.

"The more the game went on, the more we gave them an opportunity to win it."

Winger Tim Simona sealed the Tigers' win two minutes later when he twisted his body and planted the ball over the line for a try.

The Tigers scored three tries to two in a mistake-marred game, which was played in heavy rain in the second half.

It was a seventh loss in eight away games for Canberra this season and thwarted their bid to win three straight for the first time this year.

Over the past week Marshall had come under criticism for missing several tackles in the Tigers' last game, while the latter part of his week was dominated by more headlines about his ongoing contractual negotiations.

Canberra led 6-4 at halftime.

The Tigers were first to strike, with winger David Nofoaluma crossing in the 13th minute after some slick passing.

Elusive fullback Reece Robinson set up both Canberra tries.

He combined with Josh McCrone and Jack Wighton to send Sandor Earl over in the first half.

There was a tinge of controversy about the try Robinson set up for Anthony Milford in the 58th minute.

Tigers centre Blake Ayshford appeared to have grounded Robinson in a legitimate tackle, but the Raiders fullback quickly bounced back up and continued his run.

Marshall and halfback Curtis Sironen set up Joel Reddy for the Tigers' second try.

Marshall landed a tough sideline conversion to again level the score.

Hit by a crippling injury list, the Tigers lost hooker Masada Iosefa in the 33rd minute with a broken forearm.

Tigers centre Chris Lawrence came off the bench and returned to action after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since round seven, but was placed on report for a shoulder charge.

Joel Thompson was also put on report for a shoulder charge on Marshall in the last few minutes.

That was tame compared to the end of the Holden Cup match, which featured an old fashioned all-in brawl.

Mitchell Barnett (Raiders) and Nathan Brown (Tigers) were sent off, Kyle Lovett (Tigers) and Tahakilu Pangai (Raiders) were sin-binned and Brenden Santi (Tigers) was placed on report.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL wins its first fight hands down

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Fight breaks out ... between Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers in Holden Cup. Source: RENEE MCKAY / AAP

It was only a matter of time before the NRL's "one punch and you're off" edict got its first test case.

Less than a week after this newspaper splashed the story across the front page, rugby league had its first punch-up at Campbelltown last night.

And to the NRL's credit, four players from the Wests Tigers-Canberra Raiders Holden Cup match got their marching orders - two players were sent off and two to the sin bin.

The referees were outstanding. No questions asked - they just did their job and got rid of the offenders and then put the entire brawl on report.

It sends a clear message to every rugby league player at every level of the game.

If you want to fight, take up boxing.

If you want to play rugby league, you play by the rules. It's a tough enough game without the violence we witnessed on Saturday night.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers outclass Western Bulldogs

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Routine ... Bachar Houli fires a handball in Richmond's comprehensive win over Western Bulldogs. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

Richmond's bid for a long-awaited finals berth is gathering pace, after smashing the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The 17.19 (121) to 8.13 (61) victory was the Tigers' third straight and the second time this season they have made light work of the Dogs, having also belted them by 67 points in round three.

3.3 (21)	Q1	4.8 (32)
5.9 (39)	Q2	8.13 (61)
5.11 (41)	Q3	13.16 (94)
8.13 (61)	Q4	17.19 (121)

Jake Stringer 2	Jack Riewoldt 3
Matthew Boyd 1	Reece Conca 2
Adam Cooney 1	Shaun Grigg 2
Daniel Giansiracusa 1	Tyrone Vickery 2
Lachlan Hunter 1	Trent Cotchin 1
Liam Jones 1	Aaron Edwards 1
Robert Murphy 1	Nathan Foley 1
	Bachar Houli 1
	Daniel Jackson 1
	Dustin Martin 1
	Nick Vlastuin 1
	Matt White 1

Bachar Houli and Brett Deledio again gave Richmond strong drive off halfback, despite the close attention of Bulldog taggers Nick Lower and Liam Picken respectively.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Midfielder Dustin Martin gathered 23 disposals, kicked a classy goal in the second quarter and set up several others with penetrating passes.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Former Port Adelaide key defender Troy Chaplin again showed his worth as a recruit for the Tigers, keeping Bulldog spearhead Liam Jones quiet to lead a tight Richmond defence, while hard man Steven Morris blanketed Dogs livewire Luke Dahlhaus.

Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals.

The win lifts Richmond to sixth spot, above Collingwood on percentage and two games clear of ninth-placed Carlton, with the Tigers on an 8-4 record.

Only twice in the past three decades have Richmond been as well or better-placed 12 games into a season, in 1995 and 2001 - also the only two years they've played finals in that stretch.

Despite being on top throughout, the Tigers took time to put the Bulldogs away.

They kicked three of the first four goals, but followed that with a string of five consecutive behinds, allowing the Dogs to stay within 11 points at the first change.

Richmond opened the second quarter with four quick goals, but the Bulldogs steadied late in the half and an after-the-siren goal to Jake Stringer from a 50m penalty kept the halftime margin to 22.

But the Tigers blasted 53 points clear with 5.3 to two behinds in the decisive third quarter.

Big man Ty Vickery kicked two goals for the term, including one from a clever pack mark with the flight of the ball.

The last quarter became Tiger party time, with Daniel Jackson snapping a banana goal he could barely believe himself.

But the mood soured slightly when Chaplin went off with a leg injury late in the game, while fellow Tigers defender David Astbury was icing his left hamstring after being subbed off in the third term.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Chaplin's knee injury wasn't believed to be serious.

"Structurally we think he's fine, we just have to work our way through it, whether he twisted his knee we're not too sure,'' he said.

"He seems to think he'll be fine but we'll get some tests.''

Hardwick said he was disappointed Richmond wasted chances in the first half but was pleased to finish off with a 60-point win.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said his young side was simply outclassed.

"We got beaten by a team that's better than us, quite clearly better than us,'' he said.

"They're a good team, they broke our tackles, tackled us, kicked the ball better, got the ball into space and set up some nice goals.''

Captain Matthew Boyd was the Dogs' best, gathering 34 touches and keeping opposing skipper Trent Cotchin quiet, while fellow midfielder Ryan Griffen (38 disposals) was also prolific.

Click here to see all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lions hold off wounded Wallabies

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Thriller ... the Lions celebrate after Kurtley Beale misses the match-winning kick. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

A brilliant two-try debut from Israel Folau wasn't enough for the battered Wallabies who fell 23-21 to the British and Irish Lions in an epic first Test battle on Saturday night.

2 Tries 2
Israel Folau 13'	George North 26'
Israel Folau 35'	Alex Cuthbert 49'
1 Conversions 2
James O'Connor 15'	Leigh Halfpenny 28'
	Leigh Halfpenny 50'
3 Penalties 3
James O'Connor 52'	Leigh Halfpenny 25'
Kurtley Beale 62'	Leigh Halfpenny 32'
Kurtley Beale 68'	Leigh Halfpenny 66'

In a gripping contest, a courageous Australia almost fought back from an eight-point second-half deficit but Kurtley Beale missed two penalty goal attempts in the final five minutes that would have stolen the win.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Beale had edged the Wallabies to within two points with 13 minutes left in front of a record Suncorp Stadium crowd of 52,499, but he skewed his first match-winning attempt and then slipped as he fired off a last-minute shot from 45m.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The reserve fullback, in his first-class return following his second suspension for alcohol issues, shouldn't shoulder all the blame as poor goalkicking severely cost the home side throughout.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

With first-choice kicker Christian Lealiifano taken off on a stretcher in the first minute, five-eighth James O'Connor stepped up but missed two attempts in the opening eight minutes.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

O'Connor also missed a kickable conversion from Folau's second try, meaning the Wallabies left 14 points in total out on the field.

---

Miss something? Re-live all the action with Match Centre, featuring video highlights!

---

In contrast, Lions' radar boot Leigh Halfpenny slotted five from six.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

There was little in the invigorating contest as momentum swung back and forward and Folau produced one of the best Test debuts by crossing twice in the first half and also saving a try.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Australian scrum also stepped up when required, spoiling the Lions ball five metres out late in the game and also forcing the late penalty for Beale's failed shot at glory.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Lions seemed to be in control as they jumped to a 20-12 lead in the 50th minute when winger Alex Cuthbert brushed off Michael Hooper and then Beale to score a try which had a hint of obstruction with Brian O'Driscoll running into O'Connor.

The carnage for the home side didn't end with Lealiifano, who was knocked out in tackling opposite number Jonathan Davies.

Berrick Barnes (jaw) and Pat McCabe (neck) were also replaced, forcing flanker Hooper to play in the midfield for the last 35 minutes.

In a magnificent first half, the superstar wingers of both sides shone with Folau's double plus Welsh giant George North scoring a sensational 60m solo try.

It was stand-out halfback Will Genia who sparked Folau's opening try with a superb 80m counter-attack by taking a quick tap and bamboozling the Lions' thin defence, before grubber kicking to the former league international and AFL flop.

But the home side's 7-0 lead didn't last long as the tourists gained the ascendancy in the set pieces and North punished a poor high kick by Barnes by blitzing two chasers and then stepping around Barnes to score.

The Welsh 21-year-old almost had a second five-pointer four minutes later but was denied by Folau who held him up in the left corner and his elbow landed on the sideline.

Genia, again, started Folau's second try by wrapping around Kane Douglas and quick hands had the lanky Waratah in space and he burnt Jonny Sexton and Alex Corbisiero to cross.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wallabies v Lions: Brissy breakdown

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Review ... Wallabies star Kurtley Beale after missing the match-winning penalty. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

There was no better advertisement for rugby union than the incredible exhibition of skill, heart and determination on display in the British and Irish Lions win over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.

Rarely has there been so much hype surrounding a three Test series and the contest in Brisbane lived up to all expectations.

Foxsports.com.au reviews the thrilling first Test.

THE MATCH

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Both teams showed how desperate they were to secure the crucial first win of the three-match series. It was a physical contest from the first collision with Wallabies debutant Christian Lealiifano colliding with the hip of opposition number Jonathan Davies. The impact of the Brumbies sharpshooter being stretchered off was immediate as James O'Connor took over the kicking duties. O'Connor missed two early penalties, but the misses were soon forgotten when Will Genia chanced his hand with a quick tap, travelling 80 meters downfield to send another Wallabies debutant, Israel Folau, over his first Test try. Two penalties from Lions' hitman Leigh Halfpenny and a brilliant solo try from his Welsh teammate George North put the tourist back in front. The Wallabies had their chance to take the halftime lead after Folau scored his second incredible try, but O'Connor missed his third kick of the night. After the break, Alex Cuthbert sliced through the Wallabies defensive line, brushing off several players on his way to the try-line. The Wallabies were always chasing from here, but kept in touch with penalties. Kurtley Beale had the chance to win the match twice. On the second occasion the Wallabies' scrum earn a tight-head penalty, but as the fulltime siren went Beale slipped as he connected with the ball. What a game!

TURNING POINT

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Wallabies had three backline stars stretchered from the field and another leave it late in the game. At one stage in the game Michael Hooper was playing inside centre and replacement halfback Nick Phibbs was grazing on the wing. But it was debutant Lealiifano's absence that really hurt the Wallabies. O'Connor and Beale missed a combined total of 14 points from penalties and a conversion which ultimately cost the Wallabies victory in Brisbane. Lealiifano was selected by Deans for his ability to read the game, his solid defence and his place-kicking prowess.

LIONS STANDOUT

Jonathan Sexton. The Irish five-eighth was simply outstanding. He has an uncanny but effective style, with the ability to control the tempo of the game. Sexton stood so flat when taking on the Wallabies' defensive line that it attracted two or three defenders, creating acres of space for his support players. His pinpoint open-field kicking put a massive amount of pressure on the Wallabies' back-three and forced the homeside's forwards backwards. His variety constantly had the Wallabies' defence in two minds.

WALLABIES STANDOUT(S)

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

How do you separate Genia and Folau? The Wallabies' little general was in everything; covering tackles, creating tries and controlling a breakdown that was constantly under pressure from the Lions. Without Genia the Wallabies could have been facing a much bigger scoreline at the final siren. Was Folau's Wallabies' debut the greatest of all-time? That is a debate best decided in the pub. He is such an incredible athlete. All of Folau's attributes were on display when he scored his two first half tries; power, skill, speed and balance.

WHERE TO NOW?

There are no beds left in the Wallabies' casualty ward. Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe and Berrick Barnes will all undergo scans. The Wallabies found a nice balance to their side in the first Test and need to reassess their team for the do-or-die battle in Melbourne. Will Quade Cooper come into the side? O'Connor didn't set the world on fire and was completely out-played by his opposite number. Beale showed glimpses of why he is considered one of the most dangerous players in world rugby. Does he start at fullback or switch with O'Connor? There will no doubt be a number of backline changes for the second Test. The Wallabies pack held their own against a monster pack and should stay unchanged. The Lions team should be one to 15 for the Melbourne Test, resting several frontline players for the Rebels game.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More