Bellamy backs his star players in flicking Nines MELBOURNE Storm coach ready too much. The inaug- stage we’ve got to look after More than 100 NRL players Cronk. Bellamy backed The inclusion of the Nines, Craig Bellamy says the only ural NRL Nines event will be the welfare of our elite players will represent Australia, New Slater, adamant none of his re- with $2.2 million prizemoney, way his World Cup players held in the pre-season on Feb- and I don’t think that’s hap- Zealand, England, Papua New presentative players would has come at the expense of the will take part in the NRL ruary 15 in Auckland. pening at the moment.’’ Guinea, Italy, Tonga and take part. Indigenous All Stars match. Nines is if his club is threat- ‘‘It just seems like we’re cre- Kangaroos and Storm full- the Cook Islands at the ‘‘Unless we’re going to get Bellamy has been involved ened with a big fine or being ating more in each year,’’ Bel- back Billy Slater said earlier World Cup. fined or thrown out of the with the Indigenous All Stars thrown out of the competition. lamy said. ‘‘It makes a really in the week he couldn’t see The Storm could have up to comp or something, there and said he was disappointed Bellamy says his players’ big workload for our elite himself playing in the Nines, eight players involved includ- won’t be any of our World Cup to see it suspended until 2015. welfare comes first and he players, who play Origin and with the World Cup final ing Australian stars Slater, players playing in the Nines,’’ ‘‘I’m pretty sad to be honest thinks the workload is al- play for Australia. At some scheduled for November 30. Cameron Smith and Cooper Bellamy said. it’s not going ahead,’’ he said. Roosters give Mini Potter digs his heels in a maxed EELS V TIGERS A DEFIANT Mick Potter out offer claims he’s still the right man to coach the Wests Tigers I think I’m doing a By JOSH MASSOUD with pressure mounting on the 49-year-old. good job ANTHONY Minichiello has Yesterday was another earned another contract ex- eventful day in a difficult 18 tension at the Roosters but months for the Tigers who is- manager Andrew Leeds, who it will cost him the No. 1 jer- sued a statement confirming were all brought in by former sey next season. three members of the back- coach Tim Sheens. Roosters officials have ag- room staff would leave at the The Tigers face Parramatta reed to offer their legendary end of the season. tonight and defeat by the skipper a final one-year Potter accepted the blame cellar-dwelling Eels, who go extension, his fifth in as for the club’s poor form but into the game on the back of many years. he was hopeful of remaining 10 straight losses, would in- Formal negotiations are having introduced young- tensify pressure on Potter. yet to start, but Minichiello sters David Nofoaluma and Should the club opt to axe has already been informed Jack Buchanan, and over- him with a year still remain- they will only proceed if he’s seen the development of Tim ing on his contract it would content to finish his career Simona, Curtis Sironen and mean paying three coaches. on the wing to accommodate James Tedesco. Sheens is still on the pay- excitement machine Roger ‘‘I think I’m doing a good roll having been shown the Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback. job . I’m confident I’m door last season with two It’s understood Minichiel- doing a good job,’’ Potter said. years left on his lo is satisfied with that ar- ‘‘The signs are there the $450,000-a-year contract. rangement, given Tuivasa- club is moving forward. Reports in New Zealand Sheck’s emergence as one of There are a lot of young guys have also claimed Benji the most best young pros- who are stepping up. Marshall will be presented by pects in the NRL. ‘‘We are not getting the re- the Auckland Blues Super Roosters fans will get a sults right now but the future Rugby franchise as their new preview of the future in to- is looking good.’’ 2014 signing tomorrow, 24 morrow night’s clash against ‘‘You are never really sure hours after playing at Parra- Canberra, with the 20-year- but I understand I’m under matta Stadium. old to deputise for the in- contract for another 12 However, Marshall’s man- jured Minichiello (knee). months. I’m confident of ager Martin Tauber said Minichiello will be side- keeping my job. nothing has yet been agreed lined for at least a fortnight ‘‘I take responsibility for with the Blues and the Tigers and coach Trent Robinson the football team. We are still to sign off on his release. last night guaranteed his where we are a little bit be- There was also some talk captain would return to play cause of circumstances be- from across the Tasman that fullback, regardless of how yond our control but we have the Eels game could also be Tuivasa-Sheck performs in had a tough year. Marshall’s swansong. the interim. ‘‘We don’t shy away from ‘‘I’ve no idea where that ‘‘Everyone knows that that but I’m confident the has come from,’’ Tauber said. Mini is our fullback, he’s club is moving forward.’’ ‘‘He wants to play until the been a big reason behind a The club wouldn’t confirm end of the year and is desper- lot of success this year be- who the members of staff ate to play his 200th game in a cause he controls a lot of our given their marching orders few weeks. defensive line,’’ he said. are, but it’s thought to be as- ‘‘The Tigers haven’t signed Minichiello rejected a sistant coaches Steve off on a release yet, so until two-year swansong with UK Georgallis and Royce Sim- the end of the season he’s not Super League club Wigan. Tigers coach Mick Potter feels he’s doing well and hopes to keep his job Picture: GREGG PORTEOUS mons, and rehabilitation going anywhere.’’ Great. Unbelievably $ NTNE-WS-9-A29KGE:MPUB: DA-TE: Y-C-CO-LO-R: 19,990On road. The V240 Dual Cab. The Great Ute of China just got Greater. 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