Creagh Backing Axing

Fine for Tamou Creagh backing axing ‘not fair’ DRAGONS V COWBOYS raiser to the Dragons’ win what they were told, he said leave the club when he join- The Cowboys arrive on the over Newcastle at Hunter the squad was behind him. ed Penrith next season. NSW south coast on the back By PETER BADEL ST GEORGE Illawarra skip- Stadium last week. ‘‘The senior playing group ‘‘I spoke to him last week of five successive defeats and per Ben Creagh says Jamie The former Blues five- and Pricey spoke earlier in and he is pretty upset, as you are without NSW prop Ja- COWBOYS coach Neil Soward is still upset at being eighth has again been left the week about the reasons would be,’’ he said. mes Tamou, who will serve Henry yesterday took aim dumped to reserve grade by out of the Dragons side to for Sowie playing for the ‘‘He’s been a part of our the first game of a two-match at NRL boss David Smith Dragons coach Steve Price face the struggling Cowboys Cutters and we fully support club for a long time. I am suspension after being ar- for carrying out the order but says the players are fully in Wollongong tonight. them,’’ Creagh said. good mates with him and rested for drink-driving. that James Tamou also be behind the decision. Price met the Dragons ‘‘Pricey and the support been through a lot with him Creagh said the 24-year-old hit with a $20,000 fine for Soward suffered the ig- players this week and ex- staff have the very best inter- in Origin and in the grand is a big loss for the Cowboys dual driving offences. nominy of playing for the plained his reasons for axing ests of the club at heart.’’ final win. It’s tough for him but the return of Johnathan On the eve of his side’s Illawarra Cutters in the Soward and, although Creagh said he would be at the moment, but he will Thurston from injury is a clash against the Dragons NSW Cup in the curtain- Creagh refused to divulge sad to see the playmaker bounce back.’’ concern for the home side. tonight at WIN Stadium, Henry criticised the pro- cess that saw Smith person- ally demand the NRL’s integrity unit impose a financial sanction against the Cowboys enforcer. In consultation with the NRL and the club’s senior- player group, Cowboys hi- erarchy initially agreed to sideline Tamou for two matches, including Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week. Smith then called for Ta- mou to be fined, which ef- fectively amounts to $50,000, given the NSW prop will miss out on a $30,000 Origin match fee. ‘‘We were instrumental in talking to the integrity unit and I suppose they have come over the top and hit him with another $20,000,’’ Henry said. ‘‘We came to an agreement and they (the NRL) were in agreement as well. We were instrumental in putting forward that ban.’’ Move to put Inglis on wing FORMER NSW centre Mark Gasnier has called for the Maroons to move Greg Inglis to the wing to lift his The Dalai Lama with Souths players Roy Asotasi (left) and Nathan Merritt in Sydney yesterday and (below) wearing his Bunnies cap Pictures: PHILIP HILLYARD involvement in Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland again face the issue of how to best use Souths ask Lama for some good karma Inglis after the Maroons centre admitted feeling like a ‘‘headless chook’’ trying By NICK WALSHAW ‘‘But at least our excuse, ‘‘Rabbit, very quick,’’ the ing mistaken for security to get quality ball in his it’s solid,’’ Asotasi said. ‘‘I spiritual guru grinned. guards by Team Dalai Lama, side’s 14-6 loss in Origin I. ROY Asotasi may have a mean, how can ‘Madge’ drop ‘‘Very quick. Very good.’’ the Souths pair were then Inglis averages 173.7m a white Buddhist scarf draped two blokes who’ve just had And just like that the gifted white scarfs which game at fullback for Souths around his neck, but the his entire side blessed by the mighty South Sydney Rab- would be placed around this season but made only hulking prop is not at peace. Dalai Lama?’’ bitohs, the perennial battlers their necks if His Holiness 10 runs for 57m at left No, he and fellow Rabbitoh Yes, Souths fans, you of rugby league, had attained chose to bless the only centre for the Maroons. Nathan Merritt are franti- heard right. a premiership advantage. sportsmen on his guest list. With Billy Slater en- cally rushing — at pace — for On a bizarre morning in- ‘‘Thankfully, he had a Someone asked how, after trenched in the No. 1 jum- a taxi that’s now impossibly volving one deity, two Bun- sense of humour,’’ Asotasi 42 years with no success, per, Gasnier believes shift- long odds of getting them, on nies and who knows how said. ‘‘Having been raised could the boys from Redfern ing Inglis would allow time, from here at the Hilton many Buddhists, His Holi- Catholic, brought up in a get a little peace, love, com- Queensland to use his 106kg to a midday training session. ness stroked a little black spiritual household, I found passion? No drama. frame on kick returns. A run which, only that Rabbitoh logo on the front of him really interesting. And ‘‘So ‘Madge’ should be OK Queensland’s team for morning, coach Michael a white South Sydney cap — he really seemed to like the with us being late,’’ Merritt Origin II on June 26 will be Maguire had warned his thereby giving his first ever cap we gave him.’’ said. ‘‘Especially if the bless- named on Tuesday. stars not to miss. blessing to an NRL side. Indeed, after initially being pays off.’’ ‘‘GI is a better winger than Slater,’’ said Gasnier. ‘‘It (playing wing) allows him to roam. It’s a luxury Queensland have, they Titans, Broncos will pounce if Barba opts to jump should play him on the wing. Dane Nielsen can THE TITANS have ex- said the fullback had yet to Barba is reluctant to quit cussed with Titans and Kelly said. ‘‘I sit on the foot- PUB: come in and play in the cen- pressed interest in Ben indicate whether he wanted the Bulldogs, but will con- Broncos officials but the ball committee and while NTNE-WS-14-J37KTE:GE:LO-R:MDA-Y-C-CO- tres and defensively do his Barba as the Dally M Medal- out of the club. template a shift to the Titans clubs will only formalise John (Cartwright) and Mi- job. That way, GI can be- list confronts a dilemma that His recent months of tur- or Brisbane if Currie leaves talks if the 24-year-old wants chael (Searle) still do the come a second fullback.’’ could influence his future at bulence are compounded by Sydney to be closer to her to rescind his Bulldogs deal, majority of the work, there is Gasnier found an ally in the Bulldogs. a vexing off-field issue in- family on the Gold Coast. which expires in 2015. a reporting requirement to former NSW and Test pivot Barba’s tenure at Belmore volving his ex-partner Ains- ‘‘The only reason he might Titans shareholder Darryl come back to me on potential Matthew Johns, who is con- remains clouded beyond this lie Currie, who is consider- look to go north is if the Kelly confirmed the club was recruits and signings. vinced a switch to the wing season and the Titans and ing a move to the Gold Coast mother of his kids moves prepared to open talks. ‘‘It would depend how would give Inglis more op- Broncos are ready to pounce. with their two young chil- north,’’ Orr said last night. ‘‘At the moment, we would much Barba wants and portunities with the ball. Barba’s manager Gavin Orr dren Bronte and Bodhi. Barba’s name has been dis- certainly welcome Ben,’’ whether we can afford him.’’ www.ntnews.com.au Friday, June 14, 2013. NT NEWS. 37.

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