TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 07 September 2009

RE: Media Summary Tuesday 01 September to Monday 07 September 2009

Warriors may ditch Vulcans: The Warriors are re-evaluating their commitment to the Vulcans and might look to the Fox Memorial as a place to farm out squad players from next season. The Vulcans is just one area being looked at in the Warriors' extensive review of the 2009 season. This year the Warriors contributed about $100,000 to the NSW Cup side in return for game time for some of their squad players like Aidan Kirk, Denan Kemp, and Daniel O'Regan.

Warriors to get tough and tight: The Warriors will play hardball with the Kiwis and won't release players who are under an injury cloud for next month's Four Nations. The club are undertaking a major review of what has been a disappointing season, looking at everything from coaches and players to travelling schedules and management structures, and one thing they have already identified is the drain of international football on players.

Passion for returns to Timaru as Warriors find form to make semi-finals: Now the league season has come to a close, the Timaru Warriors have found a new lease on life after surpassing their original goal and making it into the semi-finals of the Canterbury Rugby League senior reserve championships. Unlike the well-known NRL with its league clubs, function rooms, fields and stands, the Timaru Warriors started their season at the opposite end of the scale.

A last farewell to one of the greats: Tomorrow the curtain falls on the career of someone who many good judges rate as the best rugby league halfback of the modern era. has enjoyed a career that most players can only dream of achieving. He was anointed as the "Little General" by commentators because it was obvious to all watching that he could and did organise his troops.

RFL chairman wants Ashes revival - Lewis adds to voice to recent campaign: Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis is keen for to put the Ashes up for grabs against England when the sides meet at the end of October. officials must decide whether to bow to pressure from past and present Test players who have called for the Ashes to be revived after a six-year absence.

Kiwis order medical tests for injured Warriors: The Kiwis will be performing their own medical tests to assess whether Warriors and will be fit for the inaugural Four-Nations. The pair are in doubt for the season-ending tournament after being ruled out of the Warriors final match against the Storm.

Warrior Likiliki makes junior team of year: Centre Siuatonga Likiliki is the solitary New Zealand Warrior named in the 's (NRL) Toyota Cup team of the year. Likiliki, who made his senior NRL debut against Parramatta last month, has been one of the stars for the Warriors' juniors who sit sixth on the competition ladder.

Tickets go on sale one-off rugby league test: Tickets go on sale today for Kiwis' one-off rugby league test in Rotorua. Tickets go on sale today for the only rugby league test being played in New Zealand this year [1 September] with demand for the Rotorua match expected to be strong from around the upper North Island. Fans will get a rare chance see the reigning world champion Kiwis up against a strong Tonga side at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday 14 October.

Warriors undergo independent review: A high-profile group today began an independent review of the as the club's disappointing National Rugby League campaign draws to a close. Chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the four-man group would spend time at the Warriors organisation this week, observing operational elements of the leadup to their final match of the season against in Auckland on Saturday.

Warriors may ditch Vulcans The Warriors are re-evaluating their commitment to the and might look to the Fox Memorial as a place to farm out squad players from next season.

The Vulcans is just one area being looked at in the Warriors' extensive review of the 2009 season. This year the Warriors contributed about $100,000 to the NSW Cup side in return for game time for some of their squad players like Aidan Kirk, Denan Kemp, Isaac John and Daniel O'Regan.

The Vulcans, though, gain little traction in Auckland and home crowds can dip to as low as 200 at Mt Smart Stadium No 2. They attract closer to 1000 when they play at the home of Fox Memorial teams.

Yesterday they were beaten 68-8 by the Bankstown City Bulls in their last game of the season. They finished last of the 11 teams.

"The concept of the Vulcans has a lot of merit," outgoing Warriors football director John Hart said. "Has it achieved its aim? I would say both the and us would have question marks over that and we would have to sit down and work out where we go."

"The perfect solution would be if the Fox [Memorial competition] was as strong as NSW Cup," Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah added. "That would be fantastic. The Knights ballot their players out to teams [in the local competition] or we could have our own team."

Auckland Rugby League chairman Cameron McGregor said they were committed to the Vulcans and hoped the team would survive if the Warriors withdrew their financial support. It cost the ARL about $300,000 in the first two seasons of the competition but that figure is likely to be closer to $150,000 this season.

"There's a huge gap between the Fox and NRL and we see the Vulcans as an important link between the two," McGregor said. "It's not just the players who benefit. It's also allowing us to get our coaches up to that level, as well as our managers, trainers and referees.

"The amount of money we were putting into it in the first two years was clearly unsustainable. We are trying to get the cash commitment down to a minimum. Whether the Warriors support us or not, we would like to find a way to keep the team going.

"We need to talk to the Warriors about their continued involvement. They would have to get permission from the ARL to play in the Fox and that's not a foregone conclusion. We think that would be counter-productive."

Maori Television are in talks about televising some Vulcans' games next season and the ARL are also looking at making Cornwall Park their home ground so fans know exactly where the team play each week.

(Source: Michael Brown, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Sep 06, 2009)

Warriors to get tough and tight The Warriors will play hardball with the Kiwis and won't release players who are under an injury cloud for next month's Four Nations.

The club are undertaking a major review of what has been a disappointing season, looking at everything from coaches and players to travelling schedules and management structures, and one thing they have already identified is the drain of international football on players.

It was one of the major points in an interview with Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah and outgoing football director John Hart about the club's massively disappointing 2009.

Scurrah and Hart also indicated that:

* Coach needs to deliver in 2010.

* Future recruitment will focus on fewer but better Australian players.

* The club made mistakes on recruitment and the release of players. * Sonny Fai's death had a major detrimental effect on players and the depth of the squad.

* Changes will be made to the structure of the club, including Hart relinquishing his role as director of football.

International availability

The availability of the Warriors' Kiwis is a contentious issue. In the past, the club believed they were sympathetic to the Kiwis' cause to the detriment of their own fortunes but Hart says that has to change.

"We are not going to play games [with the Kiwis] but we have players with injuries and we are not sending injured players away for another two months for them to be cannon fodder next year," he says.

"We are very supportive of the Kiwis and I think we have been the most supportive club for years. We have hardly ever pulled players out and we will only do it on the basis of injuries and necessity. We give the Kiwis our management team so no one can say we're not committed to them.

"We are not putting any pressure on individuals and telling them they aren't allowed to go. We will wait until the end of the season and do a fair medical but we are not going to send players injured."

Medicals will be conducted by Warriors doctor John Mayhew and Kiwis doctor Simon Mayhew.

Simon Mannering (knee, groin), Manu Vatuvei (knee), (shoulder), Sam Rapira (chest) and Kevin Locke (shoulder) are all struggling and are in serious doubt for the Four Nations. Australian prop Steve Price (eye, Achilles, finger), who has played only 14 games this season, is also an unlikely starter.

Mannering's heavy workload of 92 straight NRL games and 19 consecutive tests was clearly taking its toll on the second-rower, while Ropati has been badly out of form. Rapira and Vatuvei have played well but have battled with injury all season and the exciting Locke might need a shoulder reconstruction.

Ivan Cleary

Despite this year's high injury toll, which saw five regulars sitting out last night's final NRL game against the Storm, Cleary will not escape the spotlight.

"The coach has to be accountable, like everyone," Hart says.

"Ivan knows that. He has to deliver next year. It's a big year for him, and everyone at the club. He knows we will be addressing very aggressively any shortfalls [from the review] and making sure we get the resources and structures in place to help him. Ivan is under review but we are not about to kick Ivan Cleary out."

Cleary has been in charge for four seasons and earlier this year signed a new deal through to the end of 2012. The club rate him highly and hope coaching stability leads to success.

Release mistakes

Hart and Scurrah admit mistakes have been made this season, including on recruitment and the early release of players.

Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Epalahame Lauaki and were all told they weren't in the club's future plans and all four left when they found other clubs. It was often a messy process, however, and some were let go prematurely.

New recruits Denan Kemp, Jacob Lillyman and, to a lesser extent, have also underwhelmed.

"We have to accept that it's not great for any team environment when a number of people, players or staff, are leaving mid-stream," Scurrah says. "It's something we need to learn from. Player transition is part of professional sport but we had more than most would have anticipated."

Hart adds: "We got the issues of [Michael] Witt, [Grant] Rovelli and [Epalahame] Lauaki wrong. It dragged out."

Sonny Fai

"The death of Sonny Fai threw us. He was our back-up to [at centre] or he was going to be a ball- playing back-rower - so it affected the balance of the squad," says Hart. "His death also had a horrendous impact on this team. There was a deep attachment there with some players. It was tragic."

Less but better

The Warriors have added only two players to next year's squad, halves Brett Seymour and James Maloney. They are still undecided about another prop and winger but aren't in a hurry with a swathe of players off contract.

Next year they might target another marquee player for the 2011 season but there is now more of a determination for quality rather than quantity when dipping into the Australian market, especially with the success of their under-20 team.

"Less but better, that's what we're trying to do," Scurrah confirms.

"In 2005, we had about 17 of 35 players from Australia. Now we have about 10 of 80 players on our books, so we are obviously going down a different path. We are only two years into it but it has already shown fruit."

Hart says: "We will never get a [Johnathan] Thurston or [Scott] Prince. Of course we will chase them but let's be realistic. Thurston won't be coming here because we won't be able to compete so we have to develop our own."

The Warriors' review will be ongoing. The recruitment of Hugh McGahan, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham and former softballer Dean Rice to look into the team's preparations last week was just a small part of it.

Structure

Scurrah has looked at the structure of 12 NRL clubs and found the Warriors have the skinniest organisation. Some clubs employ more in their football department than the Warriors do in their whole club.

They are likely to add more staff but Hart has relinquished his job as director of football. He will remain on the board and still have an active but less formal role, with Scurrah adding the football department to his portfolio to replicate what most NRL clubs do.

"It was always our intention for the CEO to take over the football department eventually," Scurrah said. "We will engage John in more strategic things in the future."

The club's review is still far from complete and Hart says nothing will go unexamined.

"We will look at everything," he says. "Recruitment, selection, coaching, structure. We are putting ourselves under the spotlight but we are not broke. We are in good shape. We have just had a disappointing bloody year.

"If we were broke, we would have players running riot [off the field], and our management team and players would not be as close-knit as they are. We wouldn't have sponsors re-signing with us and we wouldn't sell out our corporate hospitality every week.

"But we need to be better than what we are because we all want one thing. We just want the team to be successful."

(Source: Michael Brown, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Sep 06, 2009)

Passion for rugby league returns to Timaru as Warriors find form to make semi-finals Now the league season has come to a close, the Timaru Warriors have found a new lease on life after surpassing their original goal and making it into the semi-finals of the Canterbury Rugby League senior reserve championships.

Unlike the well-known NRL with its league clubs, function rooms, fields and stands, the Timaru Warriors started their season at the opposite end of the scale.

Their team was mostly made up of players, with only six having played league before.

Their unmarked field came complete with wonky goal posts and long grass to sit on, their function rooms-cum- changing facilities were a tight fit for the after-match functions and their uniforms were two years old. But none of these things fazed the 20 players who signed up to be Warriors, because it was about doing something different and recreating what was once a successful league team, Warriors president James Blisset said.

Mr Blisset said his love for the game gave him the confidence to ignore the lack of luxuries and produce a team Timaru could be proud of.

"The team's goal this season was to be competitive. We needed to get the guys playing the game and enjoying it. They far exceeded that goal and made it to the semi-finals," he said.

Former Timaru Warrior Sonny Hammond helped the club to find sponsorship and by the first pre-match game the club was able to invite its opposition to their new after-match function rooms - otherwise known as the No. 8 Wired bar.

"The No. 8 Wired bar started around the same time as we did, so it helped us both out," Mr Blisset said.

Timaru Warriors captain Amosa Anglem said he was nagged by his friends to play for the team and when he gave in, he never looked back.

He said his confidence grew and, like his friends, he was determined to play league in the rugby-filled town.

"The guys in the team are loyal to the game. They play for themselves, their wives, their families and for Timaru," Anglem said.

Jinny Reynolds is a journalism student at Aoraki Polytechnic.

(Source: Jinny Reynolds, Otago Daily Times, 05 September 2009)

A last farewell to one of the greats Tomorrow the curtain falls on the career of someone who many good judges rate as the best rugby league halfback of the modern era.

Stacey Jones has enjoyed a career that most players can only dream of achieving.

He was anointed as the "Little General" by commentators because it was obvious to all watching that he could and did organise his troops.

He is a loyal and courageous man who is loved by all in the game. The type of affection from all fans towards Jones is unique and few experience it.

He delivered by his actions - on and off the field - a sense of pride in New Zealand people that has been rarely matched by any sportsman or sportswoman.

But there is something special about halfbacks, whoever they are.

They are the players who seem to play with a freedom and confidence that disappears from most others with age.

Deep down, referees love them although that wasn't always the case.

In the NRL nowadays the scrum is a gathering place for the forwards of both teams to meet and have a little hold of each other.

As a consequence halfbacks are part of a charade and feed an uncontested ball under their own teams' side of the scrum.

For reasons known only to them, referees very occasionally ask a halfback to feed the scrum again because something made them unhappy.

And on even rarer occasions the referee will award a penalty - for what, who knows? Typically nowadays halfbacks are rarely penalised although they are still a cheeky bunch. They are talking constantly to the referee and for that matter to anyone else who will listen.

But there were periods in the history of the game when halfbacks were only as good as their methods of cheating (putting the ball under their own hooker's feet was just one trick). And because of that it wasn't uncommon for a halfback to be dragged into the scrum for a "talking to" by the opposing frontrow who were becoming frustrated.

Halfbacks have been at the centre of some of the biggest stoushes on a footy field you would ever see.

Funny thing though: although they would be in the middle of the action, few were ever hurt - mainly because they were too quick getting out of the brawls they started.

Australia's legendary Tommy Raudonikis was probably an exception because not only did he enjoy belting his opposing halfback, he also didn't mind standing toe to toe with their forwards as well.

Many of the true characters of league have been halfbacks and crowds love them.

I was lucky during my career to coach some of the game's great number sevens. Kiwis Shane Varley, Clayton Friend, Gordon Smith and Gary Freeman were terrific, so too were Aussies Mark Murray ( Norths), Steve Mortimer (Oceania), Geoff Toovey, (Manly) and Alan Langer (). And at Wigan I had Andy Gregory and Shaun Edwards.

All of them wore a cheeky grin, were very courageous and most of all were coachable. In other words although they were blessed with exceptional talent they listened. And each one of them gave me a valuable insight to what makes a great halfback.

But perhaps only Alan Langer attracted the same sort of fondness that Jones has generated during his career from all fans.

I never coached Stacey Jones so I never really got to know him.

But the strange thing is that, like all fans, I feel I do know him. On the field he has always played with an engaging type of personality.

It is one that makes you feel he is part of your own family, it's very special.

Jones does not deserve to retire from the NRL in a team that are unfortunately at the wrong end of the competition. His efforts for the Warriors have been truly memorable and his fairytale career deserved to finish on a bigger stage.

However, that's football and tomorrow Jones will do as he has always done, just give a wry smile at the end of the match, wave to the crowd and get back into the dressing rooms.

All Warriors fans would like to hope that Jones' farewell alone will help inspire his Warriors team to an upset win over the Storm in his last match.

It may be a bit much to expect, but if the NRL heavyweights are to get tipped over, you can bet Jones will be in the thick of it.

In round two of the NRL this year, Jones, aged 32, came off the bench and out of a two-year retirement to personally steal a 26-24 victory away from Manly, the reigning champions. And from that moment he has lived this season with too many unfair expectations on his shoulders.

The unsettled Warriors halfback and five-eighth positions have seemed to be a problem this season for coach Ivan Cleary. But Jones has never let a coach down! Not only throughout this year, but for any coach through his entire career. Certainly he has lost the great acceleration he once had, but he's never lost the speed between his ears. Great players don't. Their ability to read the game before others is what sets them apart.

As a coach you just hope what they see at the time fits in with how you expected the game to be played. I'm sure I speak for many fans when I wish Stacey and his family all the best for the future and thank him for what he has meant to the game in New Zealand.

(Source: NZ Herald, Friday Sep 04, 2009)

RFL chairman wants Ashes revival - Lewis adds to voice to recent campaign Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis is keen for Australia to put the Ashes up for grabs against England when the sides meet at the end of October.

Australian Rugby League officials must decide whether to bow to pressure from past and present Test players who have called for the Ashes to be revived after a six-year absence.

Some current England players, including captain and Jon Wilkin, as well as ex-Kangaroos , and , have proposed that England and Australia play for the Ashes when they meet in the Gillette Four Nations at Wigan on October 31.

"There is so much history and tradition surrounding the Ashes Trophy that it makes no sense whatsoever to have it gathering dust in a cabinet year after year," said Lewis.

"The Ashes have brought out the best in generations of players since they were first played for in 1908 and it would be fantastic if the current England and Australia players were given the same opportunity.

Reservations "I am aware that some people have reservations about playing for the Ashes Trophy in a one-off fixture, especially within the Gillette Four Nations, but the sport has more to gain than it stands to lose from bringing the Ashes back.

"When England play Scotland in rugby union they do so for the Calcutta Cup and there is no suggestion that it detracts from the significance of the Six Nations Championship.

"There are few names in any sport that are more evocative than the Ashes and I can understand why some people in Australia may be reluctant to let them go, especially given what's happened recently in cricket.

"However I would urge the ARL to have the courage of their convictions and put the Ashes back on the international calendar."

Great Britain last won the Ashes in 1970 but have triumphed in several one-off matches since, most recently in a Tri-Nations clash in in 2006.

(Source: Sky Sports, 02 September 2009)

Kiwis order medical tests for injured Warriors The Kiwis will be performing their own medical tests to assess whether Warriors Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei will be fit for the inaugural Four-Nations.

The pair are in doubt for the season-ending tournament after being ruled out of the Warriors final match against the Storm.

Convener of selectors Howie Tamati says they will not simply be leaving the decision on the pair's availability up to the Warriors. He says it is important to have an independent doctor assessing the players rather than just accepting what the clubs are saying.

"All the clubs in the NRL, all the Superleague clubs, if they had it their way, they'd rule all of their players out because they want to keep them for their clubs".

Tamati says they would not have an international game if they let the clubs dictate which players were available. Meanwhile, the Kiwis selectors are yet to decide on Setaimata Sa's fate after the Roosters centre was charged by police following an incident at a Sydney hotel. Sa has been included in the preliminary squad for the Four- Nations.

Tamati says they will wait for the police to conclude their investigation before deciding whether Sa should be stood down from the squad. But he says behavioural issues play a part in their decision-making when naming a team. He says the expectations are that Kiwis players act professionally at all times and represent themselves in the best possible fashion.

The selectors will get together this weekend to name the final Four-Nations squad.

(Source: Newstalk ZB - September 2, 2009)

Warrior Likiliki makes junior team of year Centre Siuatonga Likiliki is the solitary New Zealand Warrior named in the National Rugby League's (NRL) Toyota Cup team of the year.

Likiliki, who made his senior NRL debut against Parramatta last month, has been one of the stars for the Warriors' juniors who sit sixth on the competition ladder.

Also named in the junior team of the year were two New Zealand-born Manly Sea Eagles; second-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and five-eighth who both made the step up to the top grade.

Among others to graduate to the NRL this season were (), () and Auckland-born Taioalo Vaivai ().

The team of the year was voted for by the 16 coaches in the junior competition.

Each player named will receive a $A2000 ($NZ2495) education grant in addition to the grants clubs already receive for education and workplace training.

Toyota Cup team of the year: Malcolm Webster (South Sydney), Joe Vickery (St George-Illawarra), Taioalo Vaivai (South Sydney), Siuatonga Likiliki (New Zealand Warriors), (Canberra Raiders), Robert Lui (Wests Tigers), (St George-Illawarra), (), Travis Waddell (Canberra Raiders), (St George-Illawarra), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly Sea Eagles), Jake Marketo (St George-Illawarra), (Manly Sea Eagles). Interchange: Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Joel Romelo (), (Melbourne Storm), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles).

(Source: NZPA - September 1, 2009)

Tickets go on sale one-off rugby league test Tickets go on sale today for Kiwis' one-off rugby league test in Rotorua.

Tickets go on sale today for the only rugby league test being played in New Zealand this year [1 September] with demand for the Rotorua match expected to be strong from around the upper North Island.

Fans will get a rare chance see the reigning world champion Kiwis up against a strong Tonga side at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday 14 October.

Events & Venues Rotorua general manager Peter McLeod says League is accommodating fans, especially families, with discounted advance-purchase ticket prices as low as $60 for a family of five in reserved grandstand seats.

“These very reasonably priced pre-purchase tickets are fantastic for a rugby league international of this standard.

“I encourage league fans to get in quick and get their tickets early as this is a one-off test and tickets will disappear fast.” Advance purchase prices are: Adult Grandstand $20, Child Grandstand $10, Family Grandstand Concession (2 adults, 3 children) $60. At the gate prices will be: Adult Grandstand $25, Child Grandstand $10, Adult General Admission $15, Child General Admission $5.

Tickets are available from today at Ticketmaster at the Rotorua Convention Centre and Ticketmaster outlets throughout New Zealand, or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nzor by phone on 0800 111 999.

(Source: www.scoop.co.nz Tuesday 1 September 2009)

Warriors undergo independent review A high-profile group today began an independent review of the New Zealand Warriors as the club's disappointing National Rugby League campaign draws to a close.

Chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the four-man group would spend time at the Warriors organisation this week, observing operational elements of the leadup to their final match of the season against Melbourne in Auckland on Saturday.

The observers are former Warriors players Monty Betham and Awen Guttenbeil, former-Kiwis captain Hugh McGahan and former New Zealand softballer Dean Rice.

Scurrah said a more stringent review than usual was necessitated by the Warriors' poor season, which sees them languishing in 14th place out of 16 teams.

"Everyone at the club acknowledges our NRL efforts this year haven't been acceptable and we're committed to doing all we can to bring about significant improvement next year," he said in a statement.

"One of our primary goals is to establish ourselves as a regular finals club. After making the playoffs the previous two seasons it was a major disappointment for us to miss out this year.

"While we conduct internal reviews after each season and are already doing so for this season, we also believe it would be beneficial to seek some external views on how we operate."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said he hoped the overall review process, including a subsequent internal review, would provide benefits for the club next year.

"For a variety of reasons our efforts this year have been disappointing, especially after making the finals in the previous two seasons," he said.

"No one in our organisation is pleased with what has happened, especially me. We know we need to improve if we're to achieve what we expect of ourselves next year and we're determined to do all we can."

(Source: NZ Herald, 01 September 2009)