TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 15 December 2008

RE: Media Summary Wednesday 10 December to Monday 15 December 2008

Bennett unsure if he will be back in black: Wayne Bennett says he's still undecided about whether to continue his involvement with New Zealand after their World Cup success amid further intrigue about the Australian coaching job. Bennett was part of the brains trust behind the Kiwis' stunning World Cup win, a result that led to 's post-match meltdown and subsequent decision to stand down. Speaking after a function for Dragons members at Kogarah at the weekend, Bennett said he was yet to consider whether to continue his international coaching career.

All action when coach Bellamy is in town: Coaches lined up to listen and more than 100 young players are there to show what they can do in front of one of the top men in the sport. Sam Worthington reports. Craig Bellamy hasn't earned his reputation as one of league's premier coaches by sitting on his hands. The Storm coach's off-season started with a whirlwind trip across the United States, picking the brains of professional NFL, basketball and baseball teams. Next stop is a weekend in Wellington.

The league is dead, long live league: A bold plan is gathering momentum for a new independent commission to rule , with News Ltd surrendering its half-partnership in the NRL in exchange for the old power structures of the national and state bodies being dismantled.

Leeds coach McClennan honoured: Brian McClennan, who guided Rhinos to the engage title at his first attempt, received further recognition for his efforts on Thursday when he was named as one of five individuals of the year. The former New Zealand head coach is acknowledged in the 13th Gillette Rugby League Yearbook, which contains a comprehensive review of the 13th World Cup as well as the domestic season.

NRL approves 2 referee system: The NRL has today passed one of the most groundbreaking rule changes in the history of the game. The will now use a 2-referee system, with a single referee in charge of the play-the-ball area and the other ‘head’ referee standing at the 10-metre opposing teams defence line. The ‘head’ referee will police the 10m rule, and be responsible for making the calls and blowing the whistle.

Vagana to take up role with National Rugby League: The former Kiwis international will join the National Rugby League in as an education and welfare officer in January next year. Vagana, the former Warriors, Canterbury, Cronulla and South Sydney player, replaces former Test prop who held the role earlier this year before resigning. Vagana's role will involve getting players to focus on off- field education opportunities and careers after football. He says when at the Bulldogs he did an architectural technology course which both gave him a sense of security for the and ensured he had a balanced perspective about football. Source: Radio New Zealand, 11 December 2008

League glue for learning: An academy aimed at educating and motivating Taranaki's young rugby league players was launched yesterday. The Taranaki Rugby League Education Academy, a joint venture between Taranaki Rugby League and Witt, will kick off in February. It aims to encourage young men into further education by promising advanced training and rugby league skills needed to make it to Australia's National Rugby League (NRL).

Hannam signs with Warriors: A former Masterton boy is heading for the top in rugby league. Kane Hannam, 16, has signed a four-year contract with the Warriors under-20s Toyota Cup team and the past pupil of Masterton West Primary School has NRL selection at the top of his priority list.

No rugby offers yet for Marshall: Kiwis rugby league star is a long way from confirming his future, although it may well not be in rugby league. Marshall's manager Martin Tauber says reported switches to rugby union could become reality.

Bennett unsure if he will be back in black Wayne Bennett says he's still undecided about whether to continue his involvement with New Zealand after their World Cup success amid further intrigue about the Australian coaching job.

Bennett was part of the brains trust behind the Kiwis' stunning World Cup win, a result that led to Ricky Stuart's post-match meltdown and subsequent decision to stand down.

Speaking after a function for Dragons members at Kogarah at the weekend, Bennett said he was yet to consider whether to continue his international coaching career.

"I have made no decisions there," Bennett told The Sun-Herald. "I am just trying to give St George some of my time right now."

Asked whether he would consider the Australian coaching job, now or in the future, Bennett said: "I'm not making any decisions about those things today or tomorrow.

"I'm here at St George and I'm getting myself sorted out here. We'll see how it all pans out."

Queensland coach remains the favourite to replace Stuart, although it's unclear whether he would need to relinquish the Maroons post to be eligible.

State of Origin coaches are prevented from overseeing the national team for fears of bias.

Roosters coach described himself as "no chance" of applying for the role yesterday but firmly believed it should go to someone without club affiliations.

"We should get to a stage where club coaches shouldn't coach rep teams," Fittler said.

"You can see how demanding it is.

"I don't think you need to look any further [than Meninga] - if he wants to do it, it's pretty straightforward, really."

Laurie Daley has been touted as a potential candidate but the great and NSW selector said Meninga would be the "obvious choice".

"I would feel you would need to be invited to do it - it's not something that you put your hand up for and say 'yes, I'm available'," Daley said.

"There are plenty of people who would like to see Mal get it."

Bennett, meanwhile, told a gathering of about 1500 Red V members that he was pleased with the Dragons' pre-season progress. And while he received a warm welcome, Bennett joked that not everyone was pleased with his appointment.

"People have been encouraging and wishing me well but we did have some guy ring up the other day and said he wasn't keen on me as coach - but still wanted to be a Red V member. Hopefully we can swing him around," Bennett quipped.

(Source: Sun Herald, 15 December 2008)

League crew deserve their day in the sun Did I miss something? I'm still standing on Queen St waiting ... for the ticker- tape parade for the Kiwis rugby league team.

I just don't get it. You could have inflated the Hindenburg with all the hot air blowing from the media about the All Blacks beating up a bunch of nobodies on another grand sham tour which had all the suspense of a good floss. The All Blacks get their asses kissed for merely doing their job and nothing more. They certainly didn't scale any great heights - it wasn't like they were really tested. And yet here we have the Kiwis delivering the real deal in spades by knocking out the best team in the world in a cracker of a world cup final, and all they got was a quiet pat on the back before someone turned off the lights.

Where's the real parade for the boys, with the ticker-tape and the yahooing and back-slapping and chest- thumping!?!

If memory serves me right, New Zealand's world cup trophy case used to have enough room in it to park the Queen Mary. This is no longer the case thanks to the Kiwis, who completely rewrote the script. Australia thought hell would have to freeze over before they lost their stranglehold on the world cup - well, don't look now, but the devil is wearing a fur coat.

This was a genuine sporting moment for the ages, easily surpassing those billionaire pimps in America's Cup yachts who always seem to be on parade. And what do the Kiwis get? Zip, nada, the big fat goose egg from the City fathers - shame on you, John Banks!

And the media totally lost the plot on this historic sporting feat. Instead of shining the spotlight on the Kiwis' triumph, the post-match story was all about Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart ranting at the referee.

It was pathetic really, especially when you consider that this same mob of scribblers is now all in a lather over the prospect of All Blacks prop Carl Hayman turning tail and running out on his contract with his struggling English rugby club, Newcastle. And nobody seems to think that it's wrong or bad taste or maybe a bit unethical for Hurricanes chief executive Greg Peters to be having unofficial talks with Hayman.

Let me get this straight - it's OK for a stud All Black to come home through the back door, but if you yell at a referee you're the scum of the earth. Double- standard, anyone?

Anyway, while I've got my spanking stick out I'll have to mention New Zealand Rugby League chairman Ray Haffenden, who's living in another time zone.

Big Ray boldly declared that the NZRL, in its own low-key way, would be doing its best to bring the world cup joy to the public. His big boast was that the cup was in the Santa Parade in Auckland - whoa Nelly, stand back!!

Here's a tip for you, Ray: the "low- key" approach probably worked in your era, right around when Fred Flintstone was yelling: "Yabadabadooo!" But in today's world - that's the one without horse-drawn carts - the old saying that "opportunity knocks but once" is a crock!

The truth is, there are all kinds of opportunities trying to kick down the door: the opportunity to be broke . . . the opportunity to catch horrendous diseases and die an ugly and terrifying death . . . and the opportunity to watch life's parade passing you by.

Those kinds of opportunities set up camp on your doorstep and come sniffing around your windows.

I'm telling you, Ray it's the good opportunities that actually stay at home. You've got to go knock on their door - hell, not just knock, but hammer, bite, scratch and claw!

Come on Ray, the players certainly did their job on the paddock, and now it's your turn to do your job ... make some noise Ray . . . make a lotta noise. Your players and the fans deserve it!

(Source: John Dybvig, Sunday Star Times, 14 December 2008)

All action when coach Bellamy is in town Coaches lined up to listen and more than 100 young players are there to show what they can do in front of one of the top men in the sport. Sam Worthington reports.

Craig Bellamy hasn't earned his reputation as one of league's premier coaches by sitting on his hands.

The coach's off-season started with a whirlwind trip across the United States, picking the brains of professional NFL, basketball and baseball teams. Next stop is a weekend in Wellington. Bellamy landed in town on Thursday night, speaking at the Wellington league awards, ran a coaches forum last night and this weekend is overseeing a players' clinic in Wainuiomata with a view to spotting the next big thing.

The coach's pulling power is such that numbers have swelled to more than 100, including a youngster who is paying his own way from Greymouth.

"I'm only too happy to come over, our game is really important to me so anywhere I can help promote the game or help people get better at coaching or playing then I'm only too happy to help," Bellamy said.

His assistant at the Storm, Kapiti Coast product , gave his CV the ultimate boost by winning the World Cup and, despite being knocked back for the Parramatta job, is tipped as ready to step up.

"He does a great job with us and I don't think it's going to be too long before he gets an NRL job if that's what he wants," Bellamy said.

Bellamy spoke to Kearney throughout the tournament to trade ideas and rejected the popular theory that Wayne Bennett was pulling the strings.

"Steve was the coach so he would have had the last say on things," he said.

Bellamy learned his craft as assistant to Bennett at and hoped he was acting as a similar mentor to Kearney.

"It was a great learning experience under Wayne so hopefully I've been able to pass some of that on," he said.

"But I'm sure Steve's the same as I was after working with Wayne, in that you've got your own personality and your own beliefs.

"You've got to coach in the way that suits you and what you believe in."

Bellamy joked that the meticulous Kearney "probably irons his undies and socks".

"He's very thorough, very hard-working and, though he probably doesn't show it a whole heap, he's quite passionate about what he does as well."

Melbourne's growing link with Wellington already boasts plenty of success stories.

Kearney, Johnny Lomax and Paul Whatuira all played at the club and and Arana Taumata are on the books along with new under-20s signings Blaise Lomax and Lazarus Mulu.

"Sika was probably our most improved player this year, I've always had a big rap on him," Bellamy said. "I know he can even get better. He still hasn't really expressed himself skill-wise on the field as I know he can.

"I see a lot of things at training that he can do that he's probably not quite game to do on the field yet. We're certainly encouraging him to do that and I think he'll get better."

Teenage pivot Taumata, who played senior league for Wainuiomata as a 14-year-old, has been given a lifeline at Melbourne after being sacked by the Bulldogs when it was alleged he had broken a man's jaw.

Bellamy was initially reluctant to sign Taumata but changed his mind after meeting him face to face. "I sort of trust my own judgment when I meet people and when I met him there was something about him I liked and I thought he was genuine in wanting to reform," he said.

"AJ has had his moments so he was looking for another chance and probably one of the things he needed to do was get out of Sydney.

"He's a pretty big part of our jigsaw for next year and if he can play well for us there'll certainly be a spot for him in our starting team."Wellington Rugby League award winners in Scoreboard D4

(Source: The Dominion Post, 13 December 2008)

The league is dead, long live league A bold plan is gathering momentum for a new independent commission to rule rugby league, with News Ltd surrendering its half-partnership in the NRL in exchange for the old power structures of the national and state bodies being dismantled.

Queensland has become the lead boulder in the avalanche of reform, appointing former Queensland deputy premier Terry Mackenroth as a director of the QRL and recalling former Super League boss to its reconstituted body. Ribot has challenged the NSWRL to similarly modernise.

Because Mackenroth, nicknamed "the Minister for the Broncos" while he was Queensland treasurer, and Ribot, the Broncos chief executive at the outbreak of the divisive three-year , have fealty to a club that played a Trojan horse role in the costly conflict with the ARL, their appointments have sent a clear message the Maroons establishment is serious about reform.

However, the NSWRL, with its structure of 10 vice-presidents, might resist change, while some clubs oppose cutting News Ltd adrift at a time of global financial meltdown. Nevertheless, the man charged by the NRL with driving structural reform, Titans chief executive Michael Searle, insists an independent commission is inevitable and praised the appointment of Mackenroth, who has subsequently been elected to the ARL board and could become the code's first commissioner.

Ribot also lauded Mackenroth, known as the "Old Fox", saying, "history will record it as one of the catalysts to help us implement an independent commission".

Searle said of the new body, which would comprise six to eight independent commissioners and be charged with running the national 16-team competition, the representative program and have responsibility for development: "The independent commission would become the [new] ARL. The NSW and Queensland rugby leagues would co-exist but would not have representatives on the commission.

"A core principle is independence. It's difficult to have true independence if the state representatives are on the independent commission."

Searle, who heads the committee of NRL club executives pledged with negotiating a restructure, is confident the ARL and News Ltd will vote themselves out of office.

"We've been meeting News Ltd and ARL people and the general consensus is an independent commission is the best model moving forward," he said. "Getting agreement on corporate governance with both has been important."

Roosters chairman Nick Politis, one of the ARL's three representative on the powerful NRL partnership committee, would meet News Ltd senior executive Peter Macourt, one of the media company's trio of representatives, shortly, Searle said.

Politis, a key deal broker, could not sit on the commission if he retained his club position. "He's fully committed to the process," Searle said.

Ribot praised the QRL's commitment to structural reform by its introduction of three independent directors to sit beside three representatives of state divisions. "It has shown the lead in the process to an independent commission. They've made change at a cost to themselves. This is a huge step forward for the game in Queensland and maybe the NSWRL can go the same way."

Ribot inferred change could be harder to achieve with the NSWRL's antiquated structure, while throwing a few stones at critics of his appointment, such as Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, whom he likened to the knight in The Life of Brian , fighting a war that is long over.

"Maybe Denis's aim in life is to become a vice-president of the NSWRL," he said. "They've cut off both his arms and both his legs but he's still there on the bridge, spitting at people. Meanwhile, Queensland has moved on."

Ribot also fired a barb at News Ltd newspapers, which ridiculed his role in the costly Super League war, while not once mentioning the media company funded it.

"I can't ever recall my accountant or bank manager coming back and saying, 'You've just blown $400m of your money"' he said. NRL boss praised Ribot's role in the conflict.

"For all the trouble it caused, Super League was borne out of a belief in the game. 'Reebs' loves the game and wanted to see it change. Big ideas often have problems when implemented, from player salaries and after- footy benefits to centralised merchandising and a judiciary panel of ex-players. Reebs was a true believer. Unfortunately, when you make an omelette, you break a few eggs."

The existing peace treaty between the ARL and News Ltd has the media company exiting the game in 2018, or earlier if its investment is repaid, although the wording of the agreement is vague. One senior NRL official argued the ARL could wait out the period, aware News Ltd's core business is not being the co-owner of a sport.

However, News Ltd's half ownership would revert to the 16 NRL clubs, not the ARL, meaning any future structure would still see the ARL sharing power.

"The ARL would have to restructure for the independent commission to happen," Searle said, while conceding it was critical the new body was not the existing NRL partnership in disguise, with News Ltd and the ARL organising their representatives to sit on it.

"It's important we don't have a gerrymander. It still has to be agreed with the ARL and News Ltd what the legal entity is.

"It would be a non-profit-making entity but the process of appointment of commissioners has to be resolved.

"The model we are proposing is a hybrid of America's National Football League, but not to the extent where the clubs determine who the commissioners are. It is closer to the NFL model than it is to the AFL Commission where the clubs don't have the weight we would want them to have in our system. We've got to get it right. It's got to be a model which works for the next 100 years."

Ribot, who began his administrative career as assistant to long-term QRL chief executive Ross Livermore, said he was very impressed with his first QRL board meeting last Friday.

"I felt humbled to be sitting at the table as representative of the Queensland clubs," he said. "I tried to put up a few road blocks to my appointment, asking them to find someone else and inquiring whether it was unanimous but they just kept ticking all the boxes. I'm very honoured. It was like coming home."

(Source: The Canberra Times, 13 December 2008)

Leeds coach McClennan honoured Brian McClennan, who guided to the engage Super League title at his first attempt, received further recognition for his efforts on Thursday when he was named as one of five individuals of the year.

The former New Zealand head coach is acknowledged in the 13th Gillette Rugby League Yearbook, which contains a comprehensive review of the 13th World Cup as well as the domestic season.

Also singled out for his impact on rugby league in 2008 is Wakefield scrum-half Danny Brough, who won the Albert Goldthorpe medal and led Scotland to their first World Cup win. The others are Wayne Bennett, who was assistant coach to World Cup winners New Zealand, Super League Man of Steel James Graham and Golden Boot winner .

"In so many ways, 2008 was a momentous year for rugby league, if only for the way the playing season came to an exhilarating climax in the World Cup," said the book's contributing editor Tim Butcher.

"The 13th World Cup was much-maligned for a conservative entry of only 10 teams, and the accepted 'fact' that Australia were so far ahead of the rest that all the matches were academic.

"But what we got was a truly memorable four weeks Down Under that produced some magnificent, colourful occasions, and New Zealand's triumph capped a wonderful World Cup, which is bound to be bigger and better next time around in 2013."

(Source: Press Association, 12 December 2008)

NRL approves 2 referee system The NRL has today passed one of the most groundbreaking rule changes in the history of the game.

The National Rugby League will now use a 2-referee system, with a single referee in charge of the play-the- ball area and the other ‘head’ referee standing at the 10-metre opposing teams defence line.

The ‘head’ referee will police the 10m rule, and be responsible for making the calls and blowing the whistle.

The new second referee will only relate information and provide tips to the referee who has the whistle.

During a game, the head and secondary officials will change positions and rotate their lead and follow roles.

“This is a major step and another demonstration of the priority that is placed in officiating our game,” NRL CEO David Gallop said today. “Today’s decision is a fundamental change to the refereeing model and one that reflects the pace and demands of today’s game.

“Not for a second do I think this will stop people arguing about on-field decisions but they can’t argue about the professionalism or the dedication of those involved in making the decisions.”

In other changes, the NRL has changed the powers of the video referee, the video officials will now not be allowed to make a call on stripping decisions and also their ability to make calls on foul play.

Officials have been given the green light to discipline grapple tacklers, now they are able to sin bin the offender for serious, or repeat infringes.

The NRL will also take steps to “regulate public comment” from the players or game officials about potential judiciary bound situations.

And in another major alteration to NRL rules for next season, a defending player who tries to block a try- scoring attempt by using their feet or legs face misconduct charges.

The changes ensure the NRL remains at the forefront of development, one of the few sports who regularly change or improve their rules - not just for the safety, but for the betterment and further entertainment the game provides.

(Source: www.nrlnews.com 11 December 2008)

League glue for learning An academy aimed at educating and motivating Taranaki's young rugby league players was launched yesterday.

The Taranaki Rugby League Education Academy, a joint venture between Taranaki Rugby League and Witt, will kick off in February.

It aims to encourage young men into further education by promising advanced training and rugby league skills needed to make it to Australia's National Rugby League (NRL).

"Within the demographics of our members there's a lack of education about what it really takes to be successful in sport and in life in general," Taranaki Rugby League general manager Sash Stosic said.

"The priority (of the academy) is not sport. The player quality is not a key factor, it's attitude and a desire to be educated," he said.

"We want them to have the skill and qualification to succeed in life whatever they do. The sport becomes the glue."

The academy will initially focus on catering for up to 20 young men from throughout the region, but Stosic said there was potential to expand in to other sports and attract students from around the country. A year-long course, it aims to produce tertiary-qualified graduates by focusing on education and life skills as well as sport. A co-ordinator will be appointed to keep an eye on the students and provide inspiration and guidance.

"A lot of our boys wouldn't envision going into tertiary education but they do think about league.

"The sport becomes the motivator."

Stosic said for those who displayed real talent the academy would teach, through mentors and role models, the mind frame needed for success.

"I think people sometimes think if they train all the time they will be successful. There are a lot of other factors that affect success."

Potential candidates attended the launch of the programme at the Sport Taranaki complex last night and Stosic said there had already been interest.

Witt CEO Richard Handley said the initiative was exciting.

"I believe it's a really good model and if it works I would like to see it widely used."

(Source: Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 2008)

Hannam signs with Warriors A former Masterton boy is heading for the top in rugby league. Kane Hannam, 16, has signed a four-year contract with the Warriors under-20s Toyota Cup team and the past pupil of Masterton West Primary School has NRL selection at the top of his priority list.

A son of Wayne and Sharon Hannam who lived at Grey Street in Masterton before the family moved to Auckland in 1997 and a grandson of Ken and the late Lyn Hannam of Masterton and Gladys and the late Alan Bold, also residents of Masterton, Kane Hannam was first introduced to rugby league in 1997.

And he didn't take long to make an impact, being named most improved player for the New Lynn Stags under- 7s in his first year and scoring more than 100 points for them over the next three seasons, during which he won their most aggressive tackler and most courageous player awards

Hannam was a Waitakere under-10, under-11 and under-12 representative in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively and he made the Auckland under-13 side in 2005.

The season after that he was named as the best defensive player in the Auckland under-14s and was part of a national junior training camp.

The 2007 season saw Hannam captain the Waitakere under-15s, named most consistent player in the Auckland under-16s and also awarded the trophy for most promising schoolboy at club level where he played for Bay Roskill Vikings. And national honours also came his way, being included in the under-15s New Zealand Junior Kiwis side

This year Hannam, now playing for Richmond Bulldogs under-16s, was selected as skipper of the New Zealand Maori side in that age group and after trialling successfully for the Warriors development squad he was "picked up" by two of the big names in New Zealand rugby league, Tony Iro and Dean Bell, for the Junior Warriors Toyota Cup team, signing the four-year contract in the process.

Hannam, who is 1.8m tall and weighs in at 83kg, generally plays in the second row and has also tasted considerable success in track and field, as a sprinter, long jumper, discus thrower and shot putter.

A younger brother Shane is making big waves in rugby league too, having already played for the Auckland and New Zealand Maori under-14 sides. He is currently recovering from a broken leg.

(Source: Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 2008)

No rugby offers yet for Marshall Kiwis rugby league star Benji Marshall is a long way from confirming his future, although it may well not be in rugby league.

Marshall's manager Martin Tauber says reported switches to rugby union could become reality.

Sydney's Sunday Telegraph reported Marshall is set to stun the league world with a defection to rugby in Europe.

The newspaper reported Marshall had all but decided to quit and was likely to tell his National Rugby League club within a week.

But the Canberra Times reported a move could be prevented if Marshall was able to play rugby in the off- season in Japan.

Marshall comes off contract from the Wests Tigers in the NRL at the end of next season and Tauber says that while rugby is a serious option, they have not actually had any offers, and the only conversation they have had so far has been with the Tigers. He says at this stage no rugby clubs from Japan or Europe have spoken to them.

The Japanese rugby season does not clash with the NRL, which would allow him to return in time for the rugby league season.

Tauber says Marshall is very keen to try to play for the All Blacks.

(Source: NZ Herald, 09 December 2008)