TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 18 May 2009

RE: Media Summary Tuesday 12 April to Monday 18 May 2009

They are happy helping others: One helps out people from the other side of the world, one mentors the troubled kids at her league club, and another just looks after his mum. What the five winners of this year's Young Community Leaders Awards have in common, though, is a dedication to social work, rather than their social lives. Emma Daken, Teresa Edge, Henare Mihaere, Fofo Molia and Libby Tuite were chosen from nearly 60 nominees to receive the awards, which recognised Wellingtonians under the age of 25 working in the not-for- profit sector, either as a volunteer or in a paid position.

Anzac test to stay - and it'll be in : Despite the Kiwis' dire results in mid-year tests across the Tasman, the Anzac league test is likely to survive and remain in Brisbane because the cannot afford to host the game. NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden admits there are conflicting views about the test's value after New Zealand's run of eight successive defeats but has given it his backing and said the league cannot afford to scrap the game, nor host it.

No sign of league World Cup cash: Six months since the World Cup final, the much-trumpeted tournament profit apparently still sits in a Rugby League International Federation bank account. New Zealand has not been told what the final profit is, or how it will be distributed and RLIF boss Colin Love couldn't be reached last night. Newspaper reports last year said the tournament would make $5 million and the proceeds would be directed to emerging nations. But NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden last night revealed: "Nothing has been allocated, and nothing can be until the International Federation meeting. I am sure that some has been earmarked, but as for being allocated, as far as I know, it should be sitting somewhere. "I have not seen the final figures. We have seen figures in the paper that said it was $5m, but I don't know the exact figure and we will probably get that at the meeting." Source: Steve Kilgallon, Sunday Star-Times, 17 May 2009

Club games to screen live on net: Imagine watching your mates playing live on your mobile phone or iPod. The possibility of grassroots Kiwi team being shown in broadcast quality on the latest technology opened last night when the Rugby League agreed a landmark deal with Maori Television to show two club games a week on national TV.

Two Kiwis on their way out of NRL: Kiwis coach is philosophical about two Kiwis leaving the NRL to pick up more money in . The flow of Kiwis to the UK has stepped up, despite moves to shut a loophole which has allowed players to pay less tax on their earnings.

Players named in England’s Elite Training Squad: Initial 17 players named in England’s Elite Training Squad Programme. The RFL has announced an initial group of 17 players from nine different clubs who will form part of an England Elite Training Squad and benefit from access to world leading facilities, individualised player development plans and improved sports science throughout the season. The 17, a combination of seasoned and potential internationals of the future, will also form part of a National Registered Testing Pool of players which the RFL has had to nominate under new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

Huddersfield sign Kiwi Fa'alogo: New Zealand Test second-rower David Fa'alogo will join on a four-year deal from the start of next season. The 28-year-old has been granted an early release by NRL side South . Giants coach Nathan Brown told their website: "David is a world-class player and will bring a huge amount to our team and the Super League competition.

Ryder among the finalists: Jesse Ryder is back in the news only this time it is in a positive light. A day after admitting falling off the wagon again in his battle with the booze, Ryder has been named a finalist for The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards, to be held on June 11. ... The Coach of the Year looks a two-horse race between rugby league's Stephen Kearney and rugby's Jamie Joseph, though the third finalist, Greg Fraine, is highly respected in the triathlon field. Kearney steered the Kiwis to World Cup glory and Joseph was at the helm when the Ranfurly Shield was won. commentator hits out over rugby league scheduling: It is time for rugby league to consider completely overhauling its scheduling because at the moment the balance isn't right, writes former rugby league star Gorden Tallis. I couldn't agree more with the comments of (North ) Cowboys stars Luke O'Donnell and in regard to the scheduling of last Friday night's Test match. The match and the players who contested it, as well as the City-Country fixture in Orange on the same night, were not afforded the respect they deserved.

Kiwis won when it counted: There’s no question that one-off games don’t seem to suit the Kiwis. When you look at our record we perform pretty poorly when we’re not in a series type of environment. And that’s just what happened at Brisbane when the boys took a 38-10 hiding from the Kangaroos. But I will say this: I was very impressed with Stephen Kearney because the coach just took it on the chin.

Kiwis to ask for help over suspensions: SUSPENDED Kiwi hooker has labelled the judiciary decision that denied him a place in last Friday's Test as "bulls--t" while the NZRL intends to table a formal protest about the suspensions of its players on the eve of the Anzac match. Luke was reluctant to discuss the decision made by the judiciary but told Auckland's Sunday News he couldn't believe he'd been forced to miss a Test for striking out at Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi.

They are happy helping others One helps out people from the other side of the world, one mentors the troubled kids at her league club, and another just looks after his mum.

What the five winners of this year's Young Community Leaders Awards have in common, though, is a dedication to social work, rather than their social lives.

Emma Daken, Teresa Edge, Henare Mihaere, Fofo Molia and Libby Tuite were chosen from nearly 60 nominees to receive the awards, which recognised Wellingtonians under the age of 25 working in the not-for- profit sector, either as a volunteer or in a paid position.

The awards were presented by Governor-General Anand Satyanand last week after being judged by a panel that included Olympian Danyon Loader and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia.

Ms Tuite, nominated by the Porirua Vikings Rugby League Club for her work as a team manager, said she was "really, really excited" about the award, which came with a certificate and a $1000 cheque.

"It was quite humbling because I don't do this because I want to be recognised, I do it because I love the sport and I like to help people."

Ms Edge, who volunteers at Refugee Services Aotearoa, had similar feelings. "I felt like a bit of a fraud really, because what I do is not official leadership in any way, it's just what I love doing."

Mr Mihaere, who coaches sports and music groups in between caring for his mother, a stroke sufferer, said he did not expect to receive the award after meeting the 25 other finalists.

"I was surprised. I didn't think I had a chance."

Wellington Community Trust chairman Mattie Blackburn said thewinners had gone "way above the call of duty".

"I was proud to be involved in acknowledging the passion and commitment of these young people."

THE QUIET ACHIEVERS

* FOFO MOLIA

When Hope City Church pastor Richard Tautolo drowned on Christmas Day 2007, the Porirua community wondered who would fill the huge gap he left in the city's social welfare network. It was Fofo Molia, 24, who stepped up, taking over the running of the church's after- hours programme for at-risk youth, organising youth events and providing her home as a haven for young people. She juggles her volunteer work with her job as a community youth worker at Pacific Health Services Porirua, and has a daughter, Angel, 5.

* EMMA DAKEN Emma Daken, 20, first walked into the public eye when she became the youngest Kiwi to travel the length of the country on foot in her quest to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. She raised more than $28,000 during her journey, inspired by a friend suffering from the life-shortening disease. She persisted with the walk despite suffering a virus, shin splints, blisters and a sore back. She is finishing off a degree in politics, development studies and international relations, and says she has several ideas "bouncing around in my head" for a new fundraising event.

* LIBBY TUITE

Libby Tuite, 22, is not just any old manager. For the past two years she has used her role as manager of Porirua Vikings Rugby League Club's premier men's side to mentor the younger team members, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has helped several into work or training, saying rugby league is a good way to "get them out of the rut that they're in". Her hard work was rewarded last year when she was named team manager of the year, after her team won its championship. She also works as a case manager at Work and Income in Porirua.

* HENARE MIHAERE

Henare Mihaere, 18, says he is "not really sure" why he was given his award, before rattling off a big list of activities and commitments. In between acting as the primary caregiver for his mother, who suffered two strokes three years ago, he has two jobs, coaches several barbershop quartets and a choir at St Patrick's College Wellington, and runs a children's course at Miramar Golf Club. He plays violin and piano and captained the school's , golf and teams last year. He has taken the first half of this year off to train with his own barbershop group for a world competition in Anaheim, California, but will study for a double degree in music and psychology when he returns to New Zealand.

* TERESA EDGE

At an age when most people are still finding their own feet, Teresa Edge, 19, is helping New Zealand's newest residents to stand upright. In the past two years, she has helped three refugee families settle into their new lives here, helping with practical things such as filling in forms, enrolling their children in school and finding furniture, as well as being a friendly face for them to turn to. Language and cultural barriers make the task tough sometimes, but she says helping the families is a privilege. Her volunteer work will go on hold when she heads to Canada on a university exchange this year but says she will "definitely" continue with it on her return.

(Source: The Dominion Post, 18 May 2009)

Anzac test to stay - and it'll be in Brisbane Despite the Kiwis' dire results in mid-year tests across the Tasman, the Anzac league test is likely to survive and remain in Brisbane because the cannot afford to host the game.

NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden admits there are conflicting views about the test's value after New Zealand's run of eight successive defeats but has given it his backing and said the league cannot afford to scrap the game, nor host it.

But Haffenden is trying to make it easier for national coach Steve Kearney by proposing a global mid-year international window so the Kiwis can be better prepared.

He will attend a Rugby League International Federation meeting in Singapore on May 27 ready to argue for a blank mid- season weekend in the NRL and Super League calendars to allow a proper test window with games including New Zealand v , England v France and Samoa v Fiji.

And, after Issac Luke's controversial one-game suspension which ruled him out of this year's test, Haffenden will also take with him a discussion paper prepared by the NZRL seeking a reform of the judiciary system.

But Haffenden's pragmatism will disappoint league historian Bernie Wood, who says the answer to the Anzac test question is to hold the game in Auckland on Sunday, April 25, next year, which is exactly 100 years since the inaugural meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League.

"The incoming board need to focus on it straight away, before the NRL frames its programme for next year, that there has to be a centennial test here in New Zealand," said Wood. "My plea to them is to act immediately, stamp their authority and demand our turn to have a test in New Zealand." However, Haffenden responded: "Bernie's idea has got merit and if we had a few million in the bank, it would have a bit more merit. We will look at everything and it's the right idea, we will pursue them.

"My view is the Anzac test should remain. I don't buy into the argument that because we only had so many days preparation it was unfair. We had a strong enough team, we got beaten by a better team.

"If we can get money in the bank through other sources, then you may be prepared to give away a couple of hundred grand to accommodate the punters [and play at home]. But until we have got our head above water, we can't do that. It's nice to be romantic and say it's 100 years of rugby league, and the idea is superb, but maybe there are other things we can do that the public would respond just as well to."

An NZRL board meeting this week, the last for the present board before it is replaced by a new nine-member panel under Sparc-led reforms, will formalise the league's position, but if they don't succeed in securing a global test window, they may instead ask Australia for the game to be played on a Wednesday night, to give their players 10 clear days preparation instead of five.

The Singapore meeting will also finalise plans for this October's Four Nations tournament between Australia, New Zealand, England and France in the northern hemisphere.

(Source: Steve Kilgallon, Sunday Star Times, 17 May 2009)

Club games to screen live on net Imagine watching your mates playing sport live on your mobile phone or iPod.

The possibility of grassroots Kiwi team sports being shown in broadcast quality on the latest technology opened last night when the agreed a landmark deal with Maori Television to show two club games a week on national TV.

The contract includes a clause allowing Maori TV to live-stream matches on its website, and even has provisions for the future broadcast of games to phones and iPods.

It's thought that league is the first grassroots club sport to secure a proper broadcast deal.

Back in the 1980s, Auckland club league was packed with Kiwi internationals and crowds of 15,000 would flock to the big games at . But while it remains the best grassroots competition in the country, its nowadays played at suburban grounds before crowds in the hundreds, thanks to competition from live NRL. Which makes this deal something of a coup.

"It's huge, it's big, it's fantastic, not only for our clubs, but our players, our partners, our referees: the game at domestic level will have total recognition on television," enthused ARL general manager Pat Carthy.

"I can't think of any other sport at domestic level with this coverage. We're delighted."

After three months' intensive negotiation, broadcasts start in a fortnight, with one game shown every Saturday night (time delayed) with full Maori commentary on the Te Reo channel, and a second game the following day on regular Maori TV. Four suburban grounds and Mt Smart No2 have been found to have suitable facilities for broadcast.

Auckland's deal was met with interested surprise elsewhere. Football has struggled for domestic television coverage, with Sky showing only the O-League final and NZFC semifinals and finals.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Michael Glading said of securing such a domestic broadcast deal: "We've talked in principle [internally] about it but we haven't really explored it, but if the question is would we do it, then yes. We've obviously got a good relationship with Sky but we've always wondered if Maori TV was an option and this is very interesting."

Asked about the advent of internet, mobile and iPod viewing, Glading said: "You'd have to be blind, dumb and deaf not to think about those things going forward."

(Source: Steve Kilgallon, Sunday Star-Times, 07 May 2009)

Two Kiwis on their way out of NRL Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is philosophical about two Kiwis leaving the NRL to pick up more money in England.

The flow of Kiwis to the UK Super League has stepped up, despite moves to shut a loophole which has allowed players to pay less tax on their earnings.

Roosters centre has signed a three year deal with St Helens while forward David Fa'alogo is being released from the final year of his Rabbitohs contract at the end of the year to play at Huddersfield for four seasons.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney says it is disappointing two senior Kiwis are going but he can not hold it against them and while it is hard to pick players from the UK for the mid-year test in particular, he will not rule out the duo for future ANZAC test selection.

He says it just turned out this year that it was too hard to bring players back from England.

Kearney says while it is disappointing, there is plenty of depth coming through the junior ranks of the NRL and that is only continuing to grow with the new under-20 competition.

(Source: NZ City, 15 May 2009)

Players named in England’s Elite Training Squad Initial 17 players named in England’s Elite Training Squad Programme

The RFL has announced an initial group of 17 players from nine different clubs who will form part of an England Elite Training Squad and benefit from access to world leading facilities, individualised player development plans and improved sports science throughout the season.

The 17, a combination of seasoned and potential internationals of the future, will also form part of a National Registered Testing Pool of players which the RFL has had to nominate under new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

In addition to all players in engage Super League and The Co-operative Championships continuing to face both blood and urine drug tests in and out of competition, this group of 17 players from 18 May must give their whereabouts for one hour each day when they are available for out of competition testing.

Nine of the group of 17 players named in the Elite Training Squad featured in last year’s World Cup in Australia and include captain of Rhinos, St Helens’ Man of Steel James Graham and Warrington’s .

Bradford’s and Wigan’s Sean O’Loughlin who both missed last year’s World Cup due to injury are also named.

Amongst the new names to the England set-up are Wakefield Wildcats centre and Hull FC’s .

The duo of and also make the programme as does Harlequins’ Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook and Salford City Reds' Richard Myler – two players who made their England debuts last year in the Gillette International against Wales.

Tony Smith said: “The first group of players to be included in the Elite Training Squad programme are a mixture of youth and experience from a number of different clubs. I believe the players selected so far reflects that not only are we planning for this autumn's Four Nations tournament but also the 2013 World Cup which we hope to stage in this country.

"More players will be added to the programme throughout the season and the aim is to provide an elite training environment for a wide range of players from a variety of different clubs who, in turn, will benefit from their players being involved. "Although only 17 players have been named so far, by no means does it guarantee their place in the mid- season Test against France or the upcoming Four Nations. As always the playing squads will be picked on form which means the door is still wide open to all players with international aspirations."

The Elite Training Squad programme forms part of the RFL’s Seven Point Plan, centred around widening the talent pool, world class coaching and much improved athlete preparation, that it believes will deliver international success in the future.

In addition to more names being added to the Elite Training Squad programme throughout the year, the RFL will announce the appointment of an Elite Training Squad Manager in the next fortnight year.

The appointed person will be responsible for leading the implementation of the Elite Training Programme and developing individual players plans.

This initial phase will be developed in conjunction with the engage Super League clubs, coaches and players. The programme will be monitored and refined over the coming months with the first phase reviewed after the Four Nations.

England meet France in the Gillette Fusion International on Saturday 13 June in Paris. Tony Smith will announce his squad for the fixture about 10 days before the date of the game.

England Elite Training Squad

Phase One Name Age Club Community Club

Ryan Atkins 23 Wakefield Wildcats Bramley Phoenix

Tom Briscoe 19 Hull FC

Sam Burgess 20 Moor

Rob Burrow 26 Featherstone Lions

Maurie Fa’asavalu 29 St Helens Overseas

James Graham 23 St Helens Thatto Heath/Blackbrook

Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook 23 Harlequins RL Greenwich Admirals Danny McGuire 26 Leeds Rhinos East Leeds

Adrian Morley 32 Eccles

Richard Myler 18 Salford City Reds West Bank

Sean O’Loughlin 26 Wigan St Patricks

Jamie Peacock 31 Leeds Rhinos

James Roby 23 St Helens Blackbrook

Michael Shenton 22 Castleford Tigers Smawthorne Panthers

Joe Westerman 19 Castleford Tigers Featherstone Lions

Ben Westwood 27 Warrington Wolves Knights

Jon Wilkin 25 St Helens East Hull

(Source: www.therfl.co.uk 15 May 2009)

Huddersfield sign Kiwi Fa'alogo New Zealand Test second-rower David Fa'alogo will join Huddersfield Giants on a four-year deal from the start of next season.

The 28-year-old has been granted an early release by NRL side South Sydney.

Giants coach Nathan Brown told their website: "David is a world-class player and will bring a huge amount to our team and the Super League competition.

"He is big, powerful and aggressive and he can cause the opposition problems both with and without the ball." Brown added: "His signing is a massive boost to the club and we are looking forward to working with him from day one of our pre-season in readiness for a big year.

"His signing can only help our drive to bring more quality players in and build on what we will achieve this year."

Fa'alogo said: "I am really looking forward to joining Nathan Brown at the Giants next year as it has always been my goal to play in the UK.

"The Giants are very ambitious and near the top of the competition so I am sure that I can go there and help them achieve success."

Fa'alogo, who made his debut for Souths in 2002, has played 13 Tests for the Kiwis since 2006 and was part of their World Cup winning side last year.

(Source: www.news.bbc.co.uk 14 May 2009)

Ryder among the finalists Jesse Ryder is back in the news only this time it is in a positive light.

A day after admitting falling off the wagon again in his battle with the booze, Ryder has been named a finalist for The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards, to be held on June 11.

The hard-hitting batsman is a finalist in the Sportsman of the Year category, though he will be hard pressed to edge out Olympic Games 1500m bronze medallist Nick Willis. The other men's finalists are Jonathan Wyatt (mountain running) and Karl Purdie (yachting).

Paralympian Paula Tesoriero is a notable finalist in the Sportswoman of the Year after her heroic deeds on the bike in Beijing. Her competition comes from triple jumper Marissa Pritchard, duathlete Stephanie Anderson and cricketer Lucy Doolan, who was instrumental in the White Ferns making the final of the World Cup.

The Coach of the Year looks a two-horse race between rugby league's Stephen Kearney and rugby's Jamie Joseph, though the third finalist, Greg Fraine, is highly respected in the triathlon field. Kearney steered the Kiwis to World Cup glory and Joseph was at the helm when the Ranfurly Shield was won.

A panel of judges will decide the winners of 10 award categories and the overall Supreme Award but the other award Personality of the Year will be decided by a public vote.

The nominations are All Black centre Conrad Smith, the remodelled Kate McIlroy and two former athletes now working in front of the television camera, Murray Mexted and Brendon Pongia.

(Source: The Dominion Post, 13 May 2009)

Fox Sports commentator Gorden Tallis hits out over rugby league scheduling It is time for rugby league to consider completely overhauling its scheduling because at the moment the balance isn't right, writes former rugby league star Gorden Tallis.

I couldn't agree more with the comments of (North Queensland) Cowboys stars Luke O'Donnell and Johnathan Thurston in regard to the scheduling of last Friday night's Test match.

The match and the players who contested it, as well as the City-Country fixture in Orange on the same night, were not afforded the respect they deserved.

While players backing up in rugby league is a thing of legend -- Thurston's heroics for Australia and the Cowboys being a case in point -- it doesn't necessarily make it right.

Friday night's Test match was an important international fixture. It was the first meeting of the nations since last November's World Cup boilover.

It drew almost 40,000 people to Suncorp Stadium but the Kangaroos were given no chance to savour either representing Australia or their success.

Instead they were all shipped off on early morning flights to rejoin their club sides, with Thurston and (St George Illawarra) Dragons utility backing up inside 24 hours.

Similarly a host of players who competed in the City-Country game in Orange on the same night were expected to traverse the country for club duties.

In Queensland, City-Country is viewed as a bit of a Mickey Mouse concept, but after spending a few days in Orange in the build-up to this year's game it is clear it means plenty to the players who are vying for NSW Origin jumpers and also the fans in the regional centres where the game is played.

In my mind the prestige of both representative matches was cheapened by the fact that they were played on the same night and also the players were then forced to back up for, or withdraw from, club commitments.

As a result those club fixtures also lost some of their appeal. For instance Broncos fans, who paid the same price as any other week at the turnstiles, were robbed of the opportunity to watch in action.

It is time to look outside the square, so here are a few ideas I believe would be worth considering the next time rugby league broadcast rights are up for discussion.

Firstly, reduce the length of the NRL to 15 rounds, where every team plays the other once. At the moment the competition isn't equitable given you don't play everybody twice.

It would allow State of Origin and Test matches to become stand-alone fixtures. Now before the broadcasters begin whingeing about loss of product, you need to value add to those rep game weekends.

Rather than just having the Kangaroos up against the Kiwis make it an international carnival where Tonga can play Samoa and Fiji can play PNG, all over one weekend at the same venue.

NRL clubs would be expected to release players for the match and the benefits in terms of development for those nations would be massive.

City-Country could also be played on the same weekend -- but not at the same time as the Test.

When the State of Origins are played, there should be a similar concept in New Zealand where the North Island plays the South. It would be a great way for the Kiwis to strengthen their game over there.

NRL clubs will argue that a reduction in games in tough economic times will hurt their bottom line, but I disagree and would argue that less can actually be more.

Look at the NFL in the States. They play a much shorter season, but it makes every game more important. Most games are sold out and television ratings are through the roof.

The loss of revenue from fewer home games could also be covered by the reintroduction of a pre-season competition where clubs would be encouraged to take games to Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and regional areas.

That would not only increase support of rugby league in those areas, it would also broaden exposure for sponsors giving the NRL a genuinely national presence.

Of course no schedule is ever going to please everyone, but when the Australian halfback and others such as NSW Origin coach Craig Bellamy suggest we should be looking to do things differently the game's powerbrokers should open their ears.

(Source: Gorden Tallis, Fox Sports, 12 May 2009)

Kiwis won when it counted There’s no question that one-off games don’t seem to suit the Kiwis.

When you look at our record we perform pretty poorly when we’re not in a series type of environment.

And that’s just what happened at Brisbane when the boys took a 38-10 hiding from the Kangaroos. But I will say this: I was very impressed with Stephen Kearney because the coach just took it on the chin.

He didn’t offer up any excuses or blame short turnarounds or the annual loss of a key player to the judiciary. He simply offered no excuses and accepted that the better team on the day won it.

If you think it didn’t matter to the Green and Golds think again. Before the test the headlines in the papers were interesting with a lot focused on the Kiwis and particularly .

One paper’s headlines read: Benji earmarked to lead Kiwis to a golden era – King of the Kiwis.

But another was clearly focused on revenge for the world cup loss to our boys, headlining its coverage: World cup debacle was unacceptable.

But after the game it was all about Australia – and rightly so since they were outstanding.

One paper labelled it: Kangaroos remind Kiwis we are the true champions, and another: Roos bury demons and brave Kiwis.

It went on to write that the Kangaroos had taken a test of strength and that it was Sweet Roo-venge.

Some might say you can’t argue with that but I can actually. The Kangaroos might like to think they’ve reminded us they are the true champions but they’re not. No one can ever take it away from the Kiwis that they’re the world cup champions. It’s as simple as this: We won when it counted, they didn’t.

That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed because I am. But if you told me I could pick a one-off Anzac test win or a world cup final win I can tell you I wouldn’t waste a lot of time making that decision.

I did think most of the Warriors boys did well in the test so I am looking forward to getting back to Mt Smart Stadium this weekend for the game against the .

It seems like forever since we were last at home and I can’t wait for this one because it is always a special one for Micheal Luck in particular against his former club, just as I’m sure it will be for Jacob Lillyman when his old mates show up.

It will also be game number 100 for and I hope he has an absolute blinder to mark the occasion because he is a terrific young man and a great example of a hard-working professional who remains very level- headed and grounded.

The Cowboys are coming off a very good win over the weekend, having beaten St George 24-20.

There were three games over the weekend and I failed to back a winner in any of them.

I also tipped Brisbane but the Broncos were beaten by Manly 22-20 and thought the would win over the , which they didn’t, going down 23-18.

But onwards and upwards I say and roll on Sunday. Look out for the Bendon Man cheer team at the gate because they will be handing out Canterbury Heritage jersey vouchers from 11.30am with the Vodafone Junior Warriors kicking-off at 11.50am.

Smashproof will give a performance on the main field before the boys take to the field against the Cowboys for a 2pm kick-off.

And we have re-signed Patrick Ah Van, Aaron Heremaia and until the end of 2011. Of course the club has already signed Steve Price, Ropati, and .

Utility back Ah Van is only 21, made his NRL debut in 2006 and is just six games short of his 50th first-grade appearance.

Halfback-hooker Heremaia is 26 and halfback-standoff John is 20 and both have been earmarked as future first- graders.

(Source: The Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, Auckland Stuff, 12 May 2009)

Kiwis to ask for help over suspensions SUSPENDED Kiwi hooker Issac Luke has labelled the judiciary decision that denied him a place in last Friday's Test as "bulls--t" while the NZRL intends to table a formal protest about the suspensions of its players on the eve of the Anzac match.

Luke was reluctant to discuss the decision made by the judiciary but told Auckland's Sunday News he couldn't believe he'd been forced to miss a Test for striking out at Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi.

"I don't know," he said. "I've really tried not to think about it but it's still running through my mind, whether it was a harsh call or not. Personally, I felt the decision was bulls--t."

New Zealand league bosses are expected to be more circumspect with their language when they demand the game's international federation review suspensions of its players before Tests against Australia.

NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden will formally table his concerns at the next international bosses' meeting later this month. The Kiwis are angry Luke was given a one-week ban last Wednesday, a week after NRL stars and escaped charges after fronting the judiciary for incidents that appeared more serious.

In recent years, the Kiwis have played the Anzac Test without suspended players Stephen Kearney, Jarrod McCracken, Quentin Pongia, Ali Lauititi and .

NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz admitted his organisation would take steps to ensure it won't happen again.

"The fact we kept our heads down and didn't say anything in relation to the suspension of Issac Luke was, for the most part, at the request of the coach," said Cordtz. "The cards at the moment seem to be stacked against us but that's not to say there's this active effort to undermine our competitiveness."

Meanwhile, Knights enforcer Steve Simpson has revealed he will apply for a representative exemption and has considered making 2010 his farewell season.

The 29-year-old forward has severe cartilage damage to his right knee that will hamper him for life.

"I didn't think I was a chance of getting picked in the Country side - it forced my hand a bit," he said.

(Source: Aaron Lawton and Josh Rakic, League HQ, 10 May 2009)