TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 16 March 2009

RE: Media Summary Tuesday 10 February to Monday 16 March 2009

Bronson Harrison following in Wiki's footsteps: In Raiders circles there are few compliments bigger than being compared with club legend . So as prepares to play his first game for the Raiders tomorrow night he can rest assured he has the complete backing of his teammates.

Missing World Cup triumph only regret: Everyone from the coaches, and Wayne Bennett, and seemingly, through to the kit man have been lauded for their roles in the Kiwis' stunning World Cup win. But one man whose exploits are often overlooked is . Asotasi wasn't at that famous night when the Kiwis upset 34-20. He still had an arm in a sling, thanks to the torn pectoral muscle sustained in the last 10 minutes of his penultimate NRL game of the season. It dashed any hopes of captaining the Kiwis at the World Cup.

Bennett rues letting Harrison slip away: It's not often that Wayne Bennett admits he got it wrong. But that was certainly the case with Bronson Harrison. About the time Bennett signed on to coach the Dragons, Bronson's manager, Sam Ayoub, shopped the Tigers back-rower to several clubs. Bennett was given the opportunity to snap up the 23-year-old but passed. The Kiwi international subsequently signed with the Raiders.

Battle looms for Kiwi T'eo: -born Bronco Ben Te'o is refusing to comment on a possible battle between and New Zealand for his services. It is believed the second-rower, who joined the Broncos this season after leaving last year, would prefer to play for Queensland. QRL managing director Ross Livermore said state selectors had inquired about the Kiwi for the Emerging Origin camp in January but the ARL said he was ineligible.

Hell Brenton rocking Tom: Even 'super heroes' become mere mortals when they're grounded by back injuries as Headingley's own 'Superman' has discovered. But the New Zealand star is ready to 'fly' again tonight for the first time in six months. And Webb, given his nickname by adoring ' fans, will come face-to-face with New Zealand team mate, .

Eastwood to Dogs: The Bulldogs are firming to become home for after the former Brisbane forward, bound for Leeds before a visa problem grounded him, met club officials last week. Eastwood had been favoured to sign with the if his visa appeal was rejected. However, the Warriors said they wanted the Kiwi international on their books by the start of the season, which for them is tomorrow. With the clock ticking, Eastwood met Bulldogs officials last week and the club is believed to have turned their sights on the former Bronco rather than their original target, , who is also awaiting the results of an appeal to play in the UK. (Source: www.leaguehq.com.au 13 March 2009)

John Bishop Appointed to the Board of WSD Global Markets: New Zealand financial services company WSD Global Markets has appointed former banker and business executive John Bishop as an independent director. Mr. Bishop has extensive experience in the Corporate and SME markets both in New Zealand and overseas covering a wide range of business sectors including banking, financial services, accountancy, import/distribution, freight forwarding, insurance broking, education, property and community care.

Benji to remain a Tiger until 2011: New Zealand Test star said he wants to become one of 's great halfbacks after agreeing to a new two-year deal with the Wests Tigers. Marshall ended the speculation over his future on Thursday by announcing he would remain a Tiger until the end of 2011. The 24- year-old had been toying with the idea of playing rugby in Japan during the league off-season, but the NRL ruled he could not do so if he had an ongoing commitment with the Tigers.

I have not failed as a leader: David Gallop: NRL chief executive David Gallop felt the heat turned on his own position today as rugby league confronted the latest in its string of player behaviour scandals. Gallop was forced to defend his performance in combating repeated outbreaks of anti-social behaviour when he fronted the media after the NRL suspended Manly's star Brett Stewart from the first four rounds of the competition. Parra boy returns to coach: LAST week saw the premiership launch of the 2009 NRL season at Hyde Park. Last year's centenary season gave the code a reason to celebrate its grassroots. This year looks to be much the same at our own , where new coach Daniel Anderson is starting a three-year era, replacing Michael Hagan, who had two years in the job.

GPS trial will put players on track: EVER wondered how hard a collision is between two giant props? Now you'll be able to find out after the NRL approved the use of GPS tracking devices. The monitors, which are attached to the players' vests and sit between the shoulder blades, will measure heart rates, speeds, distances travelled and the force of impacts during matches.

Bronson Harrison following in Wiki's footsteps In circles there are few compliments bigger than being compared with club legend Ruben Wiki.

So as Bronson Harrison prepares to play his first game for the Raiders tomorrow night he can rest assured he has the complete backing of his teammates.

After relocating to Canberra from the Wests Tigers at the end of last season, the Kiwi back-rower has already won plenty of admirers at the Raiders for his work ethic and leadership skills.

The 23-year-old has been so impressive that teammate Josh Miller last week predicted his impact at the club would be similar to that of Wiki, a Raiders premiership player who played 225 first-grade games in a 12-year career with Canberra.

Considering Wiki was Miller's idol when he was growing up, that's a pretty big endorsement.

''He's [Harrison] a great player and such a professional at training and we're lucky to have him,'' Miller said.

''I reckon he's going to be like another Ruben Wiki for the Raiders. That is a big rap, but he's got all the tools to do it.

''He's got the drive, he does a lot of extra training and he's really professional about what he does. He's got the size, he's got great skills. He's a great buy for us.''

There are plenty of similarities between Harrison and Wiki, who retired after helping the New Zealand Warriors to a preliminary final last year. Both were born in Auckland, have similar physical attributes and have represented their country with distinction. They both also have the same quiet, attention-commanding aura.

But whereas Wiki has already left a monumental stamp on the game, Harrison still has plenty left to prove. He admits his last season at the Tigers wasn't memorable, as he regularly swapped between the front and back- rows. But after playing a huge role in New Zealand's World Cup win in November, Harrison is confident he can have a big impact at the Raiders in 2009.

''The big thing for me was [the World Cup] lifted my confidence,'' Harrison said.

''Just being around the team and the coaches was great for me. I want to be starting for the Raiders for the whole season and I'd like to keep my [Kiwi] jersey.''

Harrison found it hard to cope with the constant swapping between positions last season, but that is something he is unlikely to face at the Raiders. Coach David Furner has already indicated he wants Harrison wearing the No12 jersey for the duration of the year.

Harrison said remaining in one position was his preference, but he was still willing to move around should injuries strike.

''My confidence last year was down because of a lot of uncertainty. I was playing a bit of front-row, a bit of back- row, a bit of everywhere ... I didn't really have a spot. Even swapping from tight back-row to wide back-row, it's a lot of jobs to remember, especially when you've got a lot of tap moves. ''The defensive roles are a lot different as well, so it does make it a little bit tougher. But you're there for the team, you're not there for yourself. Wherever the team needs you is where you play. If the team needs me [to change positions] I'm not going to be hiding from it, I'm going to be right up there giving my best.''

There's little prospect of Harrison hiding tomorrow when he lines up against his former teammates for the first time. He's excited about playing against the Tigers, but he's more worried about performing for the Raiders than impressing anyone at his former club.

That's the team approach Wiki would have had.

(Source: The Canberra Times, 15 March 2009)

Missing World Cup triumph only regret Everyone from the coaches, Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett, and seemingly, through to the kit man have been lauded for their roles in the Kiwis' stunning World Cup win. But one man whose exploits are often overlooked is Roy Asotasi.

Asotasi wasn't at Brisbane that famous night when the Kiwis upset Australia 34-20. He still had an arm in a sling, thanks to the torn pectoral muscle sustained in the last 10 minutes of his penultimate NRL game of the season. It dashed any hopes of captaining the Kiwis at the World Cup.

Asotasi's biggest contribution came when he and Souths team-mate led a public campaign 12 months earlier to oust as Kiwis coach after abysmal results against Australia and Great Britain.

It was a controversial strategy and one for which he received widespread condemnation from the likes of former Kiwis coach .

Asotasi, then, felt vindicated when the Kiwis triumphed.

"I have no regrets. I knew was in good hands once Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett were appointed. I was happy with that. It wasn't hard for me personally [to deal with the criticism] because I knew what was at stake.

"The only thing I had in mind was success for New Zealand rugby league. We had a lot of players who felt the same way and felt there needed to be a voice from Kiwi players," he says.

"We fought. David Kidwell and I decided we would be that voice for the players. I have no regrets."

It doesn't mean he didn't find it tough having to sit out the tournament. He "popped in" to see the team before the opener against Australia and took part in haka practice but was otherwise divorced from proceedings.

"I would have sacrificed all my other years playing for the Kiwis just to be in the World Cup," he says. "It was disappointing but I was happy for them at the same time. It would have been a special team to be a part of."

Asotasi had delayed his wedding and had planned a celebratory tattoo. He's now hopeful of playing in May's Anzac test when, he says, Australia will be seeking revenge.

His immediate thoughts will be on captaining the Rabbitohs, starting with their match today against cross-town rivals the Roosters. Souths have been written off, despite winning seven of their last nine games in 2008 and recruiting Colin Best and .

The bookies rate them among the favourites to pick up their fourth wooden spoon in eight years. An NRL captains' poll gives them no chance of making the playoffs.

"It's easy [to respond to that], you don't respond," says Asotasi, who also had surgery on an ankle. "We don't train all off-season and pre-season to wait for a poll. If we did, we would have lost already. "It's probably good because we like to fly under the radar. The last two years, Souths have been in the papers for good and bad reasons. We just want to keep a low profile. Personally, I'm feeling fresh and itching for some games. I haven't had a break like it since 2003. I've got over my injuries.

"We are hoping to be a lot better than 2008. It was a frustrating year. We are a lot better prepared mentally and we feel a lot better now as a team and coaching staff. We have some good buys in Wesser and Best and we feel we have the best squad the Rabbitohs have ever had."

Souths have 20 premierships (although none in modern times), and Asotasi is convinced they will be playoff contenders. As captain, he will demand success. Just as he did with the Kiwis coaching position.

(Source: Michael Brown, Herald on Sunday, 15 March 2009)

Bennett rues letting Harrison slip away It's not often that Wayne Bennett admits he got it wrong. But that was certainly the case with Bronson Harrison.

About the time Bennett signed on to coach the Dragons, Bronson's manager, Sam Ayoub, shopped the Tigers back-rower to several clubs. Bennett was given the opportunity to snap up the 23-year-old but passed. The Kiwi international subsequently signed with the Raiders.

About three days after New Zealand won the World Cup, Ayoub got a call from Bennett. "His exact words to me were: 'Sam, I should have taken your tip on young Bronson Harrison,"' Ayoub recalled.

"Wayne worked closely with Bronson during the Kiwis' campaign and he said he didn't realise what a good player and good kid he proved to be.

"It's not often a coach will go to the trouble of doing that after passing on a player. It was a nice gesture from someone of his stature."

Harrison said Bennett's words had given him plenty of confidence as he prepared to face his former club at Campbelltown Sports Stadium tomorrow night. "It's a great compliment coming from Wayne, he's a great coach," Harrison said.

Wests Tigers captain said it would be "weird" to play against Harrison after the pair played almost all their junior football together.

"It's going to be interesting, I've played with Bronson since I was 14 or 15," Farah said. "It's going to be weird playing against him this week. I'm sure there will be a few jibes out there - hopefully [Harrison and former Tigers Stuart Flanagan] won't let out too many secrets from over here."

(Source: www.leaguehq.com.au 15 March 2009)

Battle looms for Kiwi T'eo Auckland-born Bronco Ben Te'o is refusing to comment on a possible battle between Queensland and New Zealand for his services.

It is believed the second-rower, who joined the Broncos this season after leaving Wests Tigers last year, would prefer to play for Queensland.

QRL managing director Ross Livermore said state selectors had inquired about the Kiwi for the Emerging Origin camp in January but the ARL said he was ineligible.

Te'o played his first senior football for Keebra Park in Queensland's Arrive Alive Cup but was ruled ineligible for state selection because he played for the at high school.

Broncos football manager Peter Nolan said Te'o had always stipulated Queensland was his first preference in representative football.

"Right through negotiations with Ben it has been clear he has the desire and passion to represent Queensland if he is good enough," Nolan said. "His focus is on doing well for the Broncos but he is very passionate about Queensland."

Te'o represented Samoa, the country of his heritage, in last year's World Cup but that wouldn't prevent him playing for Queensland or New Zealand.

However, when asked which team he wanted to play for, Te'o refused to comment.

"I don't want to talk about any of that stuff," he said yesterday.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said a decision on where Te'o wanted to play his representative footy was up to the player himself.

"Without seeing the article, it's not really for me to comment on what Ben wants to do," Kearney said.

"I suppose if there's one position we are quite strong in it would be the forwards.

"In saying that, I'm always interested in players with New Zealand heritage who want to play for the Kiwis.

"My philosophy has always been to pick players who want to play for their country."

(Source: Aaron Lawton, www.leaguehq.com.au 15 March 2009)

Hell Brenton rocking Tom Even 'super heroes' become mere mortals when they're grounded by back injuries as Headingley's own 'Superman' Brent Webb has discovered.

But the New Zealand star is ready to 'fly' again tonight for the first time in six months.

And Webb, given his nickname by adoring Leeds Rhinos' fans, will come face-to-face with New Zealand team mate, Thomas Leuluai.

He can only grin and bear it though when Wigan Warriors rival Leuluai shows off his World Cup winners' medal.

But patriot Webb insisted: "I was very proud of the Kiwis in the World Cup.

Stephen Kearney and the boys were too good for Australia.

"Tommy was key to that.

He copped some stick at the start of the tournament but to his credit he used that to his advantage and turned things round.

"He went from strength to strength. He will certainly be someone we have to watch."

Webb also missed Leeds' engage Grand Final victory over St Helens last October. And he wasn't quite ready to return to action for the World Club Challenge defeat to Manly Sea Eagles earlier this month.

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"It is a big relief to be back," he said.

"Missing out on the Grand Final was hard and then when the Kiwis won the World Cup that was tough.

"But once I had had the operation I could start getting my head around it.

"I'm not much of a spectator but something that has to be done when you are injured.

"I was there for the boys though all the way," added Webb, whose wife Jenny is expecting the couple's second child.

"I helped out with the water-carrying in the World Club but I got sacked from that job after just one game!"

Leeds are looking to retain top spot with a fifth successive victory.

Wigan have won three recent league meetings at Headingley but lost key play-off games in 2007 and 2008. They arrive at Headingley with the same squad that battered Bradford last weekend and are bidding for a third successive Super League win.

(Source: www.mirror.co.uk 13 March 2009)

John Bishop Appointed to the Board of WSD Global Markets New Zealand financial services company WSD Global Markets has appointed former banker and business executive John Bishop as an independent director.

Mr. Bishop has extensive experience in the Corporate and SME markets both in New Zealand and overseas covering a wide range of business sectors including banking, financial services, accountancy, import/distribution, freight forwarding, insurance broking, education, property and community care.

He worked in the banking sector in the UK and in New Zealand and held the position of General Manager of Commercial and Business Banking with ASB as a member of the Bank’s executive management team until 2003 when he left to pursue his own business interests.

Mr. Bishop is currently a director of New Zealand Rugby League, Instant Finance Limited, Tasman Insurance Consultants Limited, Insurance Holdings (Fiji) Limited, KCL Property Management Limited, as well as being a founding Trustee of the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust and a Trustee of the Mercy Hospice (Auckland) Foundation.

He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and is an accredited member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

WSD is an international brokerage house specialised in derivative products, with dealings in Foreign Exchange, Precious Metals, Futures, Options and Contract For Differences (CFDs). WSD is headquartered, registered and regulated in New Zealand and also has operations in Thailand, USA, UAE, and Africa. It is an NZX Futures and Options participant firm.

(Source: www.businesswire.com 12 March 2009)

Benji to remain a Tiger until 2011 New Zealand Test star Benji Marshall said he wants to become one of rugby league's great halfbacks after agreeing to a new two-year deal with the Wests Tigers.

Marshall ended the speculation over his future on Thursday by announcing he would remain a Tiger until the end of 2011.

The 24-year-old had been toying with the idea of playing rugby in Japan during the league off-season, but the NRL ruled he could not do so if he had an ongoing commitment with the Tigers.

As talks with Japanese clubs failed to eventuate, Marshall didn't hesitate in committing his future to the merger club.

"Money is one thing and changing scenery is another but the lifestyle I have here, the family, the friends, the support I have and the reputation I have here definitely played a big factor in me staying at the Wests Tigers," said Marshall.

"I also thought about my representative career for New Zealand and on the back of winning the World Cup, I thought maybe I'd like to improve on that a little bit longer.

"I am only 24 and when my contract expires in three years, I'll be 27 and maybe by that time, I might have a family and something else different to consider then.

"For now it is about me. I still have a lot left in what I want to do in the game.

"By changing to halfback, hopefully I will now become one of the best halfbacks in the game and build up a bigger and better career at the Wests Tigers. "Hopefully I will have a big year this season as I have had my time on the sidelines. Hopefully this is a new start for me."

Marshall's commitment is another boost to the Tigers after the club secured hooker and captain Robbie Farah, plus forwards and on long term deals.

Tigers chief executive Scott Longmuir praised Marshall for showing commitment to the club even while he looked at his options overseas.

"There was plenty of speculation about what Benji was going to do in the future," he said.

"Whilst all that was going on, Benji never backed away saying he loves the Wests Tigers and wants to play for the Wests Tigers in the long term."

(Source: Morning Herald, 12 March 2009)

I have not failed as a leader: David Gallop NRL chief executive David Gallop felt the heat turned on his own position today as rugby league confronted the latest in its string of player behaviour scandals.

Gallop was forced to defend his performance in combating repeated outbreaks of anti-social behaviour when he fronted the media after the NRL suspended Manly's star fullback Brett Stewart from the first four rounds of the competition.

The decision came after Manly said they would play Stewart in their season-opener on Saturday despite him being charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in the hours after Manly's boozy season launch last Friday.

The NRL said Stewart - the face of their $1.5 million-dollar advertising campaign to launch the 2009 season - was being stood down for the drinking conduct which led to him being refused service and asked to leave the launch premises and not as a judgement on the criminal charge against him.

Since being widely commended for his handling of the Bulldogs' salary- breaches in his first season as NRL boss in 2002, the league has suffered through numerous drunken player behaviour scandals in Gallop's time at the helm.

Not that he hasn't tried to prevent them.

But despite Gallop implementing a series of programs aimed at educating players on the responsible consumption of alcohol and the appropriate treatment of women, the code has been rocked time and again by controversy.

Among others, there have been the Bulldogs' Coffs Harbour episode; separate toilet trysts with women by and three Brisbane players; Tevita Latu punching a woman; allegedly assaulting his girlfriend; 's unsavoury phone calls after a NSW State of Origin team bonding night; Wes Naiqama's drink driving episodes; 's alleged fondling of 's daughter; Anthony Laffranchi facing a sexual assault charge he was cleared of; and 's deregistering from the NRL after repeated alcohol-related misconduct.

In the wake of the latest incident involving the game's poster boy Stewart, Gallop was asked if it was getting to the point where he must consider resigning because of his inability to stamp out outbreaks of anti-social behaviour.

Gallop was steadfast in his belief he was not to blame and it was a long process.

"We need to continue to educate players about the types of issues that have been pitfalls for players for many years," Gallop told journalists.

"We need to impose penalties where we consider that the rules have been broken."

The league boss offered a strong "no" when asked if he had failed in his leadership duties. When criticised over varied treatment of cases involving players - some being allowed to play on until their cases are heard in court and others not - Gallop maintained "it is very difficult to have a hard and fast rule".

"Each situation will be different," he said. "The extent to which the facts are in dispute will be different.

"There's a court process for these types of allegations and that's where we are today."

Gallop was clearly displeased the Sea Eagles board went against his strong advice by naming Stewart in their team to play the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

"Certainly I discussed the Manly board's decision with them last night and I questioned the decision that they've reached," he said.

Gallop may also be accused in some quarters of double standards for not suspending Eagles forward , who has been accused of punching a sponsor at the Manly function.

Instead, the league fined the Eagles $100,000 for "not managing the function appropriately".

"He (Watmough) was not chosen to be the face of the game and indeed launch our season as the other player (Stewart) was," Gallop said.

"My understanding is that he (Watmough) will face penalties from the club. Certainly the penalty that we've imposed on the club is intended to capture that incident."

(Source: The Herald Sun, 11 March 2009)

Parra boy returns to coach LAST week saw the premiership launch of the 2009 NRL season at Hyde Park. Last year's centenary season gave the code a reason to celebrate its grassroots.

This year looks to be much the same at our own Parramatta Eels, where new coach Daniel Anderson is starting a three-year era, replacing Michael Hagan, who had two years in the job.

Anderson is a Parra boy through and through, having grown up in Winston Hills.

He returns to the club where he spent a decade learning his craft in the 1990s. He said the appointment was an honour and had been a long-term goal.

``I have a long history with the Parramatta Club,'' Anderson said.

``I consider it a real privilege to be given the opportunity to coach the team over the next three years. I started my coaching career here back in 1991 and it's long been a goal of mine to return.

``I'm a Parramatta boy. I grew up here and apart from the last eight years I've spent my life here.''

He has come from coaching English Super League giant St Helens, which he led to the 2006 Super League premiership and three straight Challenge Cup titles.

In 2001, he coached the New Zealand Warriors to their first NRL finals appearance and to the grand final in the next year.

He also coached New Zealand between 2003 and 2005.

(Source: Parramatta Sun, 11 March 2009)

GPS trial will put players on track EVER wondered how hard a collision is between two giant props? Now you'll be able to find out after the NRL approved the use of GPS tracking devices.

The monitors, which are attached to the players' vests and sit between the shoulder blades, will measure heart rates, speeds, distances travelled and the force of impacts during matches. "A number of clubs have been extremely interested in the benefits that GPS data can provide for several years," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said. "We're now at the point where the majority of clubs are using equipment for training purposes.

"Whilst (NRL chief executive) David Gallop and I were visiting all clubs over recent weeks, it became obvious ... they are anxious to use the equipment during competition matches.

"After consultation with club medical officers, our insurers and the players' association we've agreed to a four- week trial."

Manufacturer GP Sports System managing director Adrian Faccioni said the devices, which are used widely in the AFL, could eventually help with injury prevention in rugby league. To illustrate his point, Faccioni said premier Manly had been using the devices at training for several seasons and had the lowest rate of injury among all clubs.

"From a game perspective what this will allow them to do for the first time is to actually get a true understanding of the physical demands in a game," Faccione said. "They'll know every single second how hard a position is working, how far they run, how fast they run, what their heart rate's doing."

So far 11 NRL clubs have signed on to use the devices and Faccioni is in talks with the Nine Network about displaying the technology during games.

"We were hoping to do our first broadcast this weekend but we've had some technical glitches so we'd hope at least once in the next four weeks we'll actually do some live heart rate from some key players in Friday night games," Faccioni said.

"With time we'll add distances, we'll add speeds, we'll even be able to add impact so when two forwards smash into each other we'll be able to tell you how hard they ran into each other."

Meanwhile, coach said a desire to ensure felt more comfortable led to the captain being returned to five-eighth for Sunday's premiership opener against South Sydney.

The Roosters had played the pre-season with Anasta at lock and Setaimata Sa in the No6 jersey.

However, the pair have swapped places for the club's match with its traditional rival at the .

"It was always going to be Setaimata Sa," Fittler said.

"I think both positions are very similar. It's about the team feeling confident and comfortable and that's how we came to the decision.

"(Anasta) had a crack at playing lock, I think he just felt more comfortable at five-eighth.

"It's about everyone feeling confident, especially in those early rounds."

Craig Wing remains unavailable for the Rabbitohs as he recovers from off-season surgery.

The Warriors have named teenage prop on the interchange bench for Saturday night's game against Parramatta.

Ah Mau, a star in the Toyota Cup last season, has already been compared to former New Zealand hardman Quentin Pongia.

Canberra recruits and Bronson Harrison have been named in the Raiders side for Monday night's game against Wests Tigers.

Journeyman Ben Rogers will play five-eighth for Newcastle against Gold Coast on Sunday.

And Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has named youngsters , and in his backline for Friday night's game with North Queensland.

Yow Yeh is 19, while Winterstein and Glenn are 20. Opposing them for the Cowboys will be former Test centre Willie , who is attempting to re-ignite his career in Townsville after leaving the Bulldogs.

(Source: Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read, The Australian, 11 March 2009)