Season over for Tariq

TOWNSVILLE: North Queensland’s Tariq Sims will miss the remainder of the NRL season after break- ing both bones in his left leg during North Queensland’s 30-28 win over Penrith. Sims will undergo surgery in Townsville this week to re- pair the breaks, which are in a similar position to where he fractured his leg against Cronulla last August. The side’s medical staff will take a conservative ap- proach to Sims’ return. ‘‘We expect he is going to be able to make a full recov- ery but when that will be will be decided at a later date,’’ Peter Parr, the club’s general

PUB: manager of football, said. The 22-year-old had just been called into ’s squad for the NSW TNEWS NT State of Origin as 18th man, to provide injury cover for members of the state team. Stand-in captain Matt Bowen said it was heart- breaking to see the boom for- ward go down once more. DATE: ‘‘It’s always hard, but I’m sure he’ll be better for it next time around,’’ Bowen said. 21-MAY-2012 SNAPSHOT STAT THAT MATTERS: St The Rabbitohs’ defence slams St George Illawarra speedster into the ground at Kogarah Oval yesterday Picture: GETTY IMAGES George Illawarra’s loss to South was their second defeat in in as many weeks. MAN OF THE ROUND: Adam

PAGE: Reynolds. South Sydney’s young halfback was outstanding in his side’s 19-18 win over St George Illawarra

22 and kicked the winning field Mature Reynolds goal in golden point. MAGIC MOMENT: Josh

COLOR: Mansour’s ridiculous athletic put-down for Penrith against North Queensland, where he hung in mid-air while his feet hovered an inch above the touchline, was a classic

C example of what young players are capable of. M slays Dragons TALKING POINT: Should the 18th and 19th men for Y By IAN McCULLOUGH Price’s troops have lost in got his feet on the ground study the likes of Cooper State of Origin teams be

K golden point, following last and it’s great to see a Cronk, risked for their club sides five SYDNEY: South Sydney Monday’s 13-12 loss to Pen- young kid stand up like and days before the code’s coach Michael Maguire rith at Centrebet Stadium, that and he’s getting what and learn. showpiece game? lauded the performance and Maguire was delighted he deserves.’’ ‘‘Having a year off gave We can’t take a trick JUDICIARY WATCH: of rookie halfback Adam in Reynolds’ progression Reynolds’ progress has me a chance to watch a lot of Roosters: Brad Takairangi Reynolds as his side chalked from raw playmaker into a made the departure of Chris football and see what all the in golden point (dangerous contact). KEY INJURIES: Tigers: Chris up a third successive NRL quality NRL halfback in just Sandow to Parramatta look top halfbacks are like,’’ Lawrence (hamstring), win, edging out St George 10 games. a shrewd piece of business Reynolds said. Cowboys: Tariq Sims Illawarra 19-18 at Kogarah ‘‘Reyno’s been continually by the Rabbitohs and he ad- ‘‘They’re all mature and (broken leg), Manly: Kieran Oval yesterday. improving,’’ Maguire said. mitted he wasn’t sure if he keep the pressure on and ‘‘We can’t take a trick in Foran (ankle). The 21-year-old broke the ‘‘He’s got a mature head would ever get a first-grade that is what I have to do in golden point,’’ he said. UNDER PRESSURE: Steve Dragons’ hearts with a field but he stepped up another opportunity or how he my game.’’ Five-eighth Jamie Soward Price. Taking over from Wayne goal two minutes into golden level today with the way he would fare when he did. Dragons coach Steve Price starred for the Dragons but Bennett at St George Illawarra point, capping off an assured controlled the game. He also missed the whole remained pleased with his was unable to get his side ac- was never going to be easy, display that also included a ‘‘Not only kicking the field of the 2011 season following side’s display and said he ross the line. but the rookie coach has now try and three conversions. goal, but the kicking long a knee reconstruction and would not push the panic ‘‘I thought he was great, it seen his side lose three It was the second time in and the chasing he did. the young father-of-two button, despite a third suc- was the best game from him successive matches. as many games that Steve ‘‘He’s a mature kid, he’s said that allowed him to cessive loss. this season,’’ Price said. Dominant Watmough denies holding grudge

By JOE BARTON versial omission lifted his side at every avail- ‘‘I love playing Origin and they’ve got can knock them ‘‘Who am I to question his for Wednesday’s able opportunity — it was the it was pretty disappointing off. I just hope they do a num- selection?’’ Watmough said. SYDNEY: After putting in a game, looked type of performance the when Sticky (Stuart) rang me ber on them.’’ ‘‘He’s there for a reason powerhouse performance like a man on a Blues will need to derail but in saying that he’s gone Watmough revealed Stuart and he’s there to make the that would’ve sent a strong mission as he Queensland’s bid for a sev- in a direction and there’s no had called him to let him calls. I’m a big boy, I’ll live reminder to NSW selectors of guided his enth straight series win. animosity or ill feeling or know of the omission — say- with it.’’ his talents, Manly back- Watmough under-strength But the 28-year-old insisted anything,’’ Watmough said. ing club teammate Tony Wil- The Kangaroos forward, rower team to an 18-10 victory over that while he was disap- ‘‘I wish the Blues and liams had been given Wat- who played against New Zea- declared he held no grudges the at Broo- pointed to be missing this Sticky the best for game one mough’s spot on the bench land in last month’s Test, despite being overlooked for kvale Oval yesterday. year’s series opener he bore and I really hope that they despite having not played said he had not given up hope the State of Origin opener. The tireless worker ran for no ill will towards coach stick it to Queensland be- due to suspension since of returning for Origin II at Watmough, a contro- 129m, made 34 tackles and Ricky Stuart. cause I do believe that team round three. ANZ Stadium on June 13.

22 NT NEWS. Monday, May 21, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au