Hinds: It’s Storm, rock, scissors

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MEMO Warriors. Don't bother turning up at AAMI Park to play the Storm on Friday. If you do, expect to leave with your gruntle well and truly dissed.

Melbourne is the big ticketholder in this season's Ref-lotto. This is how their lucky numbers have come out.

Round 4: Lose 26-28 to a last minute Gold Coast penalty after the referee ruled the ball had been stripped from the Titans' Luke Douglas, when a shortsighted wombat in an obstructed viewing seat in Helsinki could see Douglas dropped it cold.

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Round 5: Beat St George-Illawarra 28-24 with a try scored from a play the ball after time had elapsed, proving the old adage that the team that plays for the full 80 minutes and six-tenths of a second will prevail.

Round 6: Lose 22-24 to a last minute Canberra try after a clear-cut potentially game-winning Storm try in the 70th minute was disallowed because ... ummm, the referee went rock and the video referee went scissors?

See the pattern Warriors? Whether it's a routine blunder or a touch judge accidentally tripping a rampaging winger as he dashes for the line, destiny is against you in Melbourne. The game demands it.

Cameron Smith disputes a no try decision with referee Gerard Sutton. Source: Getty Images

That the Storm remain both victim AND beneficiary of a series of officiating cock-ups that have blighted this season remains the NRL's tissue thin line of defence against accusations of, at best, serial incompetency and at worst utter buffoonery.

Think of it like this. The NRL refereeing is now like a sort of mid-career U2 with some fairly ordinary work usually followed by something more to your liking. If you're on the receiving end of a "Rattle and Hum'' decision one day week, you could soon be the beneficiary of an "Achtung Baby.''

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Last year Manly coach Geoff Toovey made his amusingly shrill call for an investigation into the refereeing at Brookvale. On Friday night you didn't hear any Sea Eagles calling for CSI Moore Park to pick apart the decision that cost North Queensland victory.

Yin and yang. The referees giveth, the referees taketh away. Are you buying it?

Me neither. And don't get the coaches started.

Craig Bellamy starts a game apoplectic then gets worked up.

That Bellamy's head didn't explode when the "no try'' message went up at Canberra Stadium on Sunday was the only thing more surprising than the decision.

Modern coaching — for better or worse — is the art of reducing uncertainty. Of leaving a team less exposed to human foibles and fallibility.

Cameron Smith ask's referee Gerard Sutton why no try was ruled. Source: News Corp Australia

You can defend refereeing mistakes on the grounds that players make them too.

But, in the current context, only if players were completing one set in 25, converting goal attempts at two per cent and attempting to catch high balls on their noses.

Referees, we know, are also only as good as the rules they enforce.

But what happens when they contradict themselves so often no one can remember what the rules are?

If in one game you can't obstruct with a stray toenail and in another you can build a brick wall?

There has been talk of the NRL establishing a central video refereeing "bunker'' staffed by the best analysts to which all decisions would be referred.

Cue the memes of the 'Last Days of the Third Reich' with an agitated video refereeing Fuhrer in his bunker raging about the incompetence of his generals: "Check the grounding? Check the GROUNDING!!!! Why do these traitorous fools disappoint me so?''

Cameron Smith ask's referee Gerard Sutton why a no try decision was ruled. Source: News Corp Australia

Unfortunately the refereeing fiasco obscured a weekend when the NRL found the defibrillators and gave a flatlining season a much needed jolt.

The pulsating Bulldogs-Souths game — marred, naturally, by its own obstruction controversy — had both the big crowd and the electricity we'd missed.

The only thing we should have been complaining about was that the flat-Earthers at Nine would not let us watch the Canberra-Melbourne game live.

Instead we hung around like racetrack ghouls to see for ourselves if the refereeing blunder was as bad as the social media flap suggested.

It was. Which might provide another unlikely source of consolation for the NRL.

Even on delay the refereeing is so routinely awful you can't keep your eyes off it.

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NY Knicks fire coach

The Knicks have fired Mike Woodson after falling from division champions to out of the playoffs in one season. Picture: Sharon Ellman Source: Sharon Ellman / AP

THE New York Knicks have fired head coach Mike Woodson after the team missed the NBA playoffs, team president Phil Jackson says.

The Knicks went 109-79 in three seasons under Woodson, twice making the playoffs before slumping to 37-45 this season. They finished behind Atlanta for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Jackson, who has coached a record 11 NBA championship teams, was brought in by owners last month to start to rebuild the Knicks.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mike Woodson and his entire staff," Jackson said. "The coaches and players on this team had an extremely difficult 2013-14 season, and blame should not be put on one individual.

Knicks coach Mike Woodson reacts to a call during a game against the Washington Wizards. Picture: Frank Franklin II Source: AP

"But the time has come for change throughout the franchise as we start the journey to assess and build this team for next season and beyond."

The ouster of Woodson and his coaching staff could open the door for Steve Kerr, a former player under Jackson on three of his six NBA championship teams with Chicago who is familiar with the triangle offence Jackson prefers.

The moves could have a major impact on whether or not star playmaker Carmelo Anthony opts to stay with the Knicks or leave for another club that might offer him a better chance at winning an NBA crown.

Woodson, who replaced Mike D'Antoni in March, 2012, had a contract option for next season picked up by the Knicks in 2013 after guiding the team to its first division crown since 1994 in a 54-28 season and a trip to the second round of the playoffs.

But the Knicks began this season 3-13 and only at the final stretch made a playoff run.

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Benji pleads, find me a NRL home

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When Benji Marshall left the Wests Tigers six months ago the star playmaker said he would never play for another NRL club — today the 29-year-old has issued a public plea to all clubs to give him one last shot at rugby league.

After being told he had no future in Super Rugby with the Auckland Blues, Marshall yesterday instructed his long-time manager Martin Tauber to find him a new home.

BENJI REQUESTS RELEASE TO MAKE NRL RETURN

With Marshall and his wife Zoe having purchased a home in Auckland this month, the Warriors shape as the most logical destination. New Zealand recruitment manager Dean Bell also chased Marshall hard when the playmaker's relationship with the Tigers began to sour after being dropped to the bench.

Benji Marshall runs the ball for the Auckland Blues against the Brumbies Source: Getty Images

But it's believed interim coach Andrew McFadden is reluctant to turn to Marshall as a solution to his side's woes. However, McFadden could be overruled by Warriors owner Eric Watson.

Tauber last night claimed Marshall's preference was to return to Sydney, despite the fact he's making big money via endorsements across the Tasman. Tauber also stressed that no deal had been done with a rival club.

BENJI'S NOT A GREAT ATHLETE

BRENDAN CANNON: GIVE IT UP, BENJI

"He wants to come back to Sydney," Tauber said.

"He will come back, no question, so we have got to find a home."

Tauber said Marshall sat down with Auckland coach Sir John Kirwan on Sunday morning and was told he was no longer wanted at the Blues.

Benji Marshall farewells the crowd after his last home game for the Wests Tigers. Source: News Limited

Tauber explained: "He spoke to Sir John Kirwan yesterday morning and (Kirwan) said: 'Look, it is just not working. There are some choices'.

"You can go back and play club rugby in Auckland. It was highly unlikely he would play in their Super 15 squad again this year. He said otherwise we could probably release you to go back to the NRL."

And Tauber was adamant that the former New Zealand captain had not done a deal with any NRL club.

Benji Marshall in action for the Blues. Source: News Limited

"We have got nothing," Tauber said. "We have not spoken to anybody. This all only took place yesterday morning and we weren't anticipating or planning anything."

CODE FLOPPERS: WHEN CAREER CHANGES GO BAD

Reminded of Marshall's parting comment that he would never play against the West Tigers, Tauber said: "Well, he has given me the instruction to try and find him an NRL club. That comment he made was probably made at the wrong time. It won't exist."

Asked if he had spoken to any NRL clubs, Tauber added: "None whatsoever. The piece about Salford, I have never spoken to them. There has been speculation about Cronulla, I have never spoken to Steve Noyce or Darren Mooney or any of them."

Benji Marshall makes a break during for the Tigers against the Dragons. Source: News Limited

It's believed Marshall, however, has reached out to the Sharks via some of his former Tigers teammates who are now playing in the Shire, including Beau Ryan.

Marshall makes no secret about the fact he wants to call Sydney home. And he wants to make his NRL comeback sooner rather than later.

"We have got some personal things to deal with because he has just bought a beautiful new home (in Auckland).

"He could play by the middle of May and remember the deadline is the end of June for transfer."

What do you think of Benji's decision to quit rugby?

WHERE WILL BENJI GO?

Each club's first-choice halves combination and whether they
are interested in signing Marshall

BRONCOS - Five-eighth: Josh Hoffman, Halfback: Ben Hunt, CEO Paul White: "No."

BULLDOGS - Five-eighth: Josh Reynolds, Halfback: Trent Hodkinson, CEO Raelene Castle: "I don't think so. Not something we've discussed."

RAIDERS - Five-eighth: Jack Wighton, Halfback: Terry Campese, Coach Ricky Stuart: "Not us."

COWBOYS - Five-eighth: Johnathan Thurston, Halfback: Robert Lui, CEO Peter Jourdain: "No."

TITANS - Five-eighth: Aidan Sezer, Halfback: Albert Kelly, CEO Graham Annesley: "No."

SEA EAGLES - Five-eighth: Kieran Foran, Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans, CEO David Perry: "No interest."

STORM - Five-eighth: Ben Hampton/Ben Roberts, Halfback: Cooper Cronk, Football director Frank Ponissi: "Benji would be a great addition but there is one problem — $$."

KNIGHTS - Five-eighth: Jarrod Mullen, Halfback: Tyrone Roberts, CEO Matt Gidley: "No. He is not in our recruitment plans."

EELS - Five-eighth: Corey Norman, Halfback: Chris Sandow/Luke Kelly, CEO Scott Seward: "No."

PANTHERS - Five-eighth: Jamie Soward, Halfback: Peter Wallace, CEO Phil Moss: "No interest."

RABBITOHS - Five-eighth: Luke Keary/John Sutton, Halfback: Adam Reynolds, CEO Shane Richardson: "Absolutely no interest whatsoever."

SHARKS - Five-eighth: Todd Carney, Halfback: Jeff Robson, CEO Steve Noyce: "We haven't had any discussions with Benji or his management."

DRAGONS - Five-eighth: Gareth Widdop, Halfback: Michael Witt/Sam Williams, CEO Peter Doust: "We have no interest in Benji."

ROOSTERS - Five-eighth: James Maloney, Halfback: Mitchell Pearce, COO Brian Canavan: "We're very happy with our halves and have both locked in to long-term arrangements with the club."

WARRIORS - Five-eighth: Chad Townsend/Thomas Leuluai, Halfback: Shaun Johnson, Unavailable for comment

TIGERS - Five-eighth: Curtis Sironen, Halfback: Luke Brooks, CEO Grant Mayer: "There's no room in our top 25 for Benji Marshall next year."

Which club will Benji Marshall most likely end up at?

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Moyes facing sack at Man United

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MANCHESTER United looks set to fire manager David Moyes after his disastrous first season at Old Trafford in which the club has failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995.

The British press were reporting that a decision to sack Moyes was imminent late Monday night, a day after the Red Devils lost 2-0 at Everton for their 11th Premier League defeat of the season.

Under Moyes, United will finish the season with its lowest ever Premier League points total following the club's worst form at home for over a decade. First home losses to Newcastle since 1972, West Bromwich Albion since 1978, Stoke since 1984, plus home and away defeats by Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton currently places the club in seventh spot and out of the Europa League berths.

A plane flies overhead with a banner criticising Moyes in the match between United and Aston Villa. Source: Getty Images

Tottenham is six points ahead of United in the last spot for European football's second-tier competition. The last time United fail to qualify for Europe was in the 1981-82 season.

"We need to end the season on a high," Moyes told MUTV, United's in-house television station, on Monday.

"We want to finish by winning all of our games. We'll do everything we possibly can to make that happen."

United plays Norwich, Sunderland, Hull and Southampton in its final four matches of the season.

There was no comment from United about Moyes' future but the Guardian reported that the Glazer family owners of the club and vice-president Ed Woodward were in discussions about whether they should continue with the Scot.

Moyes shakes hands with Everton manager Roberto Martinez at the end of Sunday's match. Source: AFP

Moyes signed a six-year contract with United at the end of last season when he was hand-picked by Sir Alex Ferguson after the 71-year-old Scot's trophy-laden 26-year career at the club.

But the continual poor run of results and the absence of any improvement on the pitch has given the owners pause for thought about entrusting Moyes with significant sums for the much-needed overhaul of the squad.

There was fresh uncertainty at United earlier this week after reports emerged that forward Danny Welbeck is considering his future at the club following a lack of game time this season.

Leading British bookmakers have stopped taking bets on David Moyes being sacked as Manchester United manager.

Moyes chats to Ryan Giggs, who has played sparingly under him amid reports they don't get along. Source: Getty Images

Sky Bet cut their odds on Moyes leaving United before the end of May to 1/4 from 9/4 before suspending betting.

Ladbrokes installed United great Ryan Giggs, currently a player/coach at Old Trafford, as the 5/1 favourite to replace Moyes before they too suspended betting on their "next manager to leave" market.

Atletico Madrid's Diego Simone, Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp and the Netherlands' Louis van Gaal have also been linked with the United job.

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FIFA to inspect unfinished stadiums

Arena Sao Paulo will host the opening match of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Croatia. Source: Miguel Schincariol / AFP

FIFA's top World Cup official is visiting Brazil this week to inspect the three stadiums yet to be completed for the World Cup, including the one hosting the tournament's opening game in June.

Secretary General Jerome Valcke will inspect construction work at the Itaquerao in Sao Paulo on Tuesday to begin his latest tour of host cities.

He will later visit the two other stadiums still under construction ahead of football's showcase event — one in the southern city of Curitiba and another in the western city of Cuiaba.

The Socceroos will meet world champions Spain in their Group B match at Curitiba on June 23, and Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop is among those who have expressed concern at the stadium's progress.

Valcke's agenda also includes a visit to the north-eastern city of Fortaleza to check the site of its fan fest, the event which allows people without tickets to watch matches for free in public areas.

Valcke will also meet with representatives of the host cities to get updates on their preparations. His final stop will be in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday to participate in the board meeting of the local World Cup organising committee.

The secretary-general is expected to be back in Brazil in late May to visit at least some of the host cities. He will stay until the end of the tournament.

Brazil has been struggling to get the country ready for the World Cup. Infrastructure work is far from completed and local organisers were not able to finish the six stadiums that had to be ready by the end of last year as wanted by FIFA.

The Itaquerao in Sao Paulo is a main concern because it will host the high profile Brazil-Croatia opener on June 12. Work at the stadium was significantly delayed last November after a crane collapse killed two workers. Earlier this year, another accident killed one of the workers helping install the 20,000 temporary seats that will be needed for the inaugural match.

After the visit to the Itaquerao, Valcke will travel to Curitiba to inspect the Arena da Baixada, which also is expected to be ready only in mid-May.

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