The Dangerous Throw from State of Origin I

As originally published at League Unlimited (@leagueunlimited).

If anything, Josh Reynolds and Beau Scott should be thanked for putting the dangerous throw back under extreme scrutiny. The New South Wales pair have been in the spotlight since Wednesday night's Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium, in which the Blues stunned their Maroon counterparts 12-8.

But it's the 27th minute tackle on Queensland winger Brent Tate that has had everyone talking. As Tate ran the ball from dummy half, he was met in a terrifying tackle from Reynolds and Scott which saw the North Queensland Cowboy suplexed into the turf. Further review of the footage shows Scott hitting Tate around the chest before Reynolds drives in with shoulder and ultimately lifting the Maroon.

The ugly incident, after which Tate said he had never felt more frightened, saw both Blues charged by the Match Review Committee - Scott with a grade one and Reynolds with a grade two. Reynolds successfully challenged the judiciary last night, leaving Queenslanders seething and New South Welshman celebrating the release of their saviour.

The biggest issue at play here, for me anyway, is the absolute ignorance by the NRL and their crackdown on the dangerous tackles. When Melbourne Storm's Jordan McLean was suspended for seven games after a tackle on Alex McKinnon left the Newcastle Knight in a coma, the NRL came out and announced a crackdown on lifting tackles, with harsher penalties to face any player who put the ball carrier in a dangerous position.

Just weeks after the incident, the NRL's fan base is up in arms with the inconsistent nature of the comments and subsequent incidents, which saw Greg Bird's charge downgraded to miss just two games and Reynolds downgraded to a grade one, meaning he misses no games. What message is this supposed to send to players and fans? As the Reynolds incident has seemingly shown, any player with a clean record can just about spear tackle their opposite number without fear of suspension - provided the ball carrier escapes serious injury. It is an absolute mockery of the rules, and raises more questions than ever.

What the NRL need to do is step in, send a clear message and STICK TO IT. I'd would be supportive if David Smith or Todd Greenberg came out and said "this is the crackdown, anyone found guilty of putting players in a dangerous position will sit a minimum one week out".

In my ideal world, if a player is put in a dangerous position, all defenders involved in the tackle receive a minimum one-week ban, and the bans/gradings are identical. As it is now, and as was shown by that incident, two players involved in an illegal tackle can somehow receive different punishments. You can't get two blokes in a tackle and then argue over who had more of an impact - they're rugby league players, not physicists. The fact is, there's two blokes in the tackle, they've both contributed to the dangerous position, and they should both cop an equal penalty. If they have to make them harsh, make it harsh - let's ensure we are never faced with another McKinnon, and avoid other players forced to play with a turtle shell like our man Tate. It might make players think twice about lifting tackles, but more importantly, it will send a message to EVERYONE in the game, which could ultimately make the game safer.

Even though the dangerous tackle count is rare as it is, I'd expect the rate to go down even further, and we could even get a boost of participation at grassroots level as parents know something is being done.

VIDEO & IMAGE CREDIT: Channel 9

Defence leads Queensland Rangers to memorable victory

When it comes to defence, Queensland do it best.

It is a part of the game that Queenslanders pride themselves on, the famous Maroon wall that stops anything Blue in its tracks.

Queensland Rangers proved it again at Lismore’s Oakes Oval, running in five tries to register a 24-12 win over the New South Wales Ron Massey Cup representative team.

The game itself was an absolute cracker.

New South Wales controlled the early stages of the game and scored first through centre Cecil Mackenzie.

Queensland stood their ground and repelled further attacking raids, building up a defensive effort the 17 Maroons will remember for some time.

They took a 10-6 lead into half time, before producing arguably the best defensive effort displayed by a Queensland Rangers team in recent memory.

The Ron Massey Cup team were camped in their attacking third, pounding the line and coming within inches on several occasions. The Maroons held them out for what seemed like an eternity, and you could sense all they needed was an opportunity.

A sniff came in 50^th minute when they forced an error and earned a penalty to march downfield. They worked their way up to within 10m of the try line, before a cross field kick on the last found a flying Justin Castellaro in the right corner.

In the blink of an eye Castellaro doubled his haul, setting up a memorable victory for the men north of the border.

Coach Paul Lowe agreed Quensland built their win on the defense, saying the extra work during camp paid off.

“We worked on our defence during camp and they showed it tonight,” Lowe said.

“They were outstanding all night. Shaun Maloney was monstrous up front. He made every hit up count. The boys were brilliant right across the park, especially in defence.

“Justin has Queensland Cup written all over him. He was great tonight but he was all week. He brought enthusiasm to every task we set him.

“Mitch Seri and Jody Henry’s kicking games were outstanding. They  controlled the game with their kicking.”

Players to watch
Ron Massey Cup Rep 
Cecil Mackenzie (Wentworthville): Best in a beaten lot. Great footwork to score crucial tries in heavy traffic. Solid defence.
Aaron Fluke (Wentworthville): Never gave up on searching for the win. Wasn't helped when halves partner Jake Fitzpatrick was sin binned. Gallant effort.
Francis Tuigamala (Wentworthville): Handful for defence when on ground and hits like a ton of bricks. Poor temper got better of him. Damaging ball runner and makes a lot of metres.
Queensland Rangers
Justin Castellaro (Northern): Can score a try from nothing. Safe under the high ball, great vertical leap, handful for defence.
Shaun Maloney (Poinsettias): Front-rower from years past. Displayed complete disregard for personal safety in bringing ball back from kickoff for huge gain. Hits as hard in attack as he does defence.
Jody Henry and Mitch Seri (Poinsettias and Northern): Had the ball on a string and dictated terms through superior kicking games. Got Qld back on front foot with pinpoint kicks. Set up several tries. Great combination.


 

QUEENSLAND RANGERS 24 (Castellaro 2, Templemen, Maloney, Cooke tries; Seri, Joass goals) def NSW Ron Massey Rep Team 12 (Mackenzie 2 tries; Fluke 2 goals) at Oakes Oval, Lismore.

Queensland wall stands tall to repel Country

Queensland Maroons under-18s ran roughshod over Country New South Wales to win 24-8 in a dominant display at Lismore’s Oakes Oval.

A tense clash saw the game halted twice for fighting in the first half as Queensland took a 10-4 advantage to the break thanks to tries to Tim Wolens and Chris Law. Kyle Laybutt kicked one goal.

The game continued in physical fashion in the second half with plenty of heavy hits, solid defence and a typical backs to the wall effort of which Queenslanders would be proud.

Queensland was left with 12 men on the field shortly after the break as Country took the ascendency.

They conceded one try through Country winger Zac Leonard, but managed to hold out in a period coaches and managers agreed won them the match.

“I thought our defence was strong the whole game but those 10 minutes were brilliant,” coach Steve Sheppard said.

“It was pretty tough going in patches and the middle of the ground was pretty heavy. The boys kept up their efforts and did us proud.”

Manager Darryl Swan agreed.

“That defensive effort won us the game,” Swan said.

“They were down to 12 players but they stayed strong and showed real guts to hold Country at bay.”

Hooker Chris Law was a standout for Queensland, orchestrating the attack from dummy half and nabbing a try for himself.

“He was great,” Sheppard said.

“I think Timmy Wolens was brilliant as well. He did some really good things all game. Bradyn Torpy had a great game as well but I think we had 17 positive contributions tonight.”

Players to watch
Country NSW:
Jayden Connors (Tingha): Pocket rocket at the back. All class. Plenty of speed and stood tall in well beaten team.
Kirren Roughly (Milton Ulladulla): Big step and proved handful for defence in centre. Made plenty of metres when given ball in space. Good defence. 
Qld Maroons:
Kyle Laybutt (Central): Controlled Queensland's attack with poise beyond his years. Plenty more development to come. Exciting prospect.
Josh Beehag (Redcliffe): Outstanding at the back. Defused attacking kicks with ease. Kept popping up in support.
Chris Law and Jack Brock (Townsville): Hooker and prop respectively. Law orchestrated attack and gave halves great service. Pinched plenty of metres. Brock extremely strong up the centre of the park.
Tim Wolens (Gold Coast White): Very strong kid with big future. Must have been close second for man of the match. Heaps of metres, very aggressive and strong defence.

QUEENSLAND 24 (Hargreaves, Perry, Wolens, Law, Brock tries; Laybutt 2 goals) def COUNTRY NEW SOUTH WALES 8 (Roughly, Leonard tries) at Lismore’s Oakes Oval.

Queensland claim victory in Country clash

A second half shut-out paved the way to victory for Queensland Maroons under-16 team as they overcame New South Wales Country 22-8 at Lismore’s Oakes Oval.

Country five-eighth Jayden Ehsman put his team in a strong position at half time after a try and two goals, with a Tristan Hope try narrowing the half time gap to 8-4.

A few words from coach Craig Grauf at half time stirred Queensland into action, piling on three converted tries to set up the winning margin.

“I wish we would’ve won by more actually,” Grauf said at full time.

“We kept them in the game but the boys’ effort in defence kept us going well.

“I think we showed we had a bit more footy in us but we let ourselves down a few times. The boys are just that next level down in their development; just that extra metre and a half of effort from where they need to be for higher footy.”

Queensland had their fair share of quality performers, with five eighth Joshua Faiud and man of the match Bernard Lewis putting in a strong performance at fullback.

Unheralded replacement hooker Aaron Ulai shone from the bench, while Cameron Torpy drew praise from Grauf.

“Josh was fantastic. He had a lot of responsibility playing five-eighth and captaining the team but he stood up and showed he could do it,” Grauf said.

“Cameron lifted the side really well. He was only supposed to play on the edge but he slotted into the forwards and made plenty of metres.

“Wes Mooka caused them trouble all night and Aaron was fantastic.”

Players to watch
Country NSW
 Jayden Ehsman (Glenn Innes): No secret why he scored all of Country's points. Directed attack and always there in support. Performed well behind beaten forward pack.
Queensland Maroons
Joshua Faiud (SEQ): My man of the match. Was in everything. Created many opportunities. Scored a try. Big future.
Keenan Yorston (SEQ): Qld always have a sensational centre. Yorston could've finished with four if he grounded all opps. Amazing speed and footwork, untouchable in heavy traffic. Slippery.
Bernard Lewis (Marlins): Safe as a bank at the back. Turned defence into attack. Good positioning in defence.
Aaron Ulai (SEQ): Plucked from Brisbane Second Division as replacement hooker. Broke tackles with ease, provided good service for halves. Give him an inch he'll take a mile.

QUEENSLAND 22 (Yorston, Fauid, Hope, Uluiviti tries; Herbert 2, Faiud goals) def NSW Country (Ehsman try; 2 goals) at Oakes Oval, Lismore.

QRL Round 1: Tweed Heads v Burleigh Bears

HENRY PILES ON POINTS IN FIERY DERBY
A 14-point haul from halfback Beau Henry helped Tweed Heads Seagulls to a gritty 26-20 victory over Burleigh Bears at a windy Les Burger Field today.
Moved to the Cabarita Beach ground due to Piggabeen being unplayable, the Seagulls made the ground their fortress as they collected the two points.
It wasn’t as easy as it sounds, with multiple scuffles, two sin bins, several blood bins and poor handling punctuating the grudge match.
Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle said he would take the win regardless of how it came, as he started his coaching career with a first-up win.
“I was really proud,” Zimmerle said of his troops.
“The thing that determined who won it was the team who defended the best.”
Burleigh coach Carl Briggs said it was a disappointing start for his team but paid credit where it was due.
“From a Burleigh point of view we were very disappointed,” Briggs said as the Seagulls launched into their team song in the background.
“Full credit to Tweed who came out and took their chances and got what they deserved.
“When they got a sniff of it they took a hold of it but we came in and out of the game.”
The loss of Todd Seymour after a fight with Henry in the 30th minute hurt the Bears, but Briggs refused to use the loss of his halfback as an excuse.
“You build the majority of your game around your number seven,” Briggs said.
“He’s looking at a face fracture of some sort but I’m not going to blame that.
“We still had 16 players to use on the field and I had belief that those guys could win the game.”
Seymour was sent to the sin bin after his role in the scuffle, but didn’t return as he went to hospital for scans.
The Bears weren’t the only team hurting after the game, with a queue of three Seagulls, including Gold Coast Titan Mark Minichiello, receiving stitches.
Starting the season with a 0-4 record was a real prospect for the Seagulls, but the first-up win over their local rivals places them in good stead when it comes to confidence.
“We go Wynnum the defending premiers, grand finalists Redcliffe who have the best team in the comp, then up to Northern Pride,” Zimmerle said.
“It is going to be tough but it will help give the guys some confidence, and we will have a better idea as to what kind of season we’re in for.”
Kingi Akauola produced a dominant performance in the middle for the Seagulls today and Zimmerle will be looking for another big effort from his pack leader in next Sunday's home clash against Wynnum.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 26 (James Wood, Beau Henry, Cory Blair, Luke O’Dwyer tries; Beau Henry 5 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 20 (Steve Michaels, Jordan Rankin, Sam Meskell, Shane Gray tries; Jordan Rankin 2 goals) at Les Burger Field, Cabarita.

Match report produced for the QRL and found at http://www.qrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=70173