INSIDE ❘ TEAM LISTS ❘ STAT ATTACK ❘ WOMEN'S STATE OF ORIGIN DENVER TEST ❘ MARCELO MONTOYA ❘ ORIGIN INJURY WOES ❘ REP TEAM POSTERS + MORE Est. 1920 Volume 99. Rep Round. June 21-27 2018 Twitter &Facebook: @bigleaguemag THE PINNACLE Civoniceva: National pride over state duty TE Representative Round .. ORIGIN PRIDE Theoldrivalryisgiven a new level of respect YOUR HOME OF NRL EVERY GAME OF EVERY ROUND LIVE IN HD WITH NO AD-BREAKS DURING PLAY. Foxtel Now requires internet, data & a compatible device. Foxtel and some services not available to all homes. Foxtel marks are used under licence by Foxtel Management Pty Ltd. Blues squad: Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan KICKING PAMELA Cleary, Damien OFF WHALEY Cook,BoydCordner (c), Angus Crichton, Jack de Belin, Tyson RIDAYnight,afewbeers,watchingsome Frizell, Ryan James, FfootyonthehillatNorthSydneyOval. Luke Keary, David Tellme,doesitgetanybetterthanthat? Klemmer, James Andnotjustanyfooty,butStateofOrigin. Maloney, Latrell Twoteamsstackedwiththebesttalent Mitchell, Tyrone theirrespectivestatescanoffer–players Peachey, Matt Prior, whoarewillingtobruiseandbleedforthe James Roberts, Tariq region they represent. What. A. Dream. For Sims, James Tedesco, the first time the women will play under Jake Trbojevic, theStateofOriginbanner.Previously Tom Trbojevic, thesecontestshavebeenknownasthe Paul Vaughan Interstate Challenge, but bringing the game Maroons squad: intotheOriginfamilygivesitanewlevel Billy Slater, Valentine of respect – because it’s not hard to figure Holmes,GregInglis out.Theseincrediblewomenarejustas (c), Will Chambers, toughandjustaspassionateabouteither Dane Gagai, Cameron theblueormaroonjerseyasthemen.You’d Munster, Ben Hunt, have to be to endure so much to be able to Jarrod Wallace, laceontheboots.Mosthavetakenannual Andrew McCullough, leavefromfull-timejobstoattendcamps, Dylan Napa, Gavin dealt with injury, ignorance and so much Cooper, Felise more throughout the years. Only now we’re Kaufusi, Josh McGuire. startingtoseethemgettherecognition Interchange: Kalyn (and pay) they deserve, but there have been Ponga, Josh Papalii, hundreds of women who have toiled to get Coen Hess, Jai Arrow. to this moment. Being broadcast live on Tim Glasby both paid and free-to-air television would havebeenapipedreamafewyearsago. When New South Wales and Queensland runontothefieldonFridaynight,they’ll be representing not only their states, but Inevitable injuries the women who worked to get them there. We’ve come so far to be able to witness the moment. force Origin shuffle Fyoualsowatchedthe2017WorldCup, Iyouwillbeequallyasexcitedtoseethe UEENSLAND selector Darren you’vegottodealwithatthislevel. PacficTestsatCampbelltownStadiumon Lockyersaysthere’snopoint Idon’tthinkthisistheworstinjury Saturday.Thesefournationsaresoproud QcomplainingabouttheMaroons’ list I’ve seen, but even if it was, what andsoexcitingtowatch,Itrulybelieveit’s horrorinjurytollasit’ssimplyapart canyoudo?You’vejustgottotryto one of the most moving events on the NRL of the game. pick the best replacements,” he said. calendar each year. The Maroons were ravaged by “Ourdepthhasbeentested,but injuries leading into the series opener adisappointmentforoneplayeris andthenewsisn’tmuchbetteraheadof an opportunity for someone else. Sunday’sgameatANZStadium.Michael Everything happens for a reason, Morgan (biceps) is likely to miss the rest By MARTIN and while it’s disappointing for of the season, Cowboys team-mate Matt GABOR someonetomissoutthroughinjury, @martinjgabor Scottwasn’tconsideredforselection it opens the door for someone who FEATURES duetoinjurywhileBillySlater(hamstring) thoroughly deserves the opportunity. 16-17 JASON TAUMALOLO and Dylan Napa (ankle) have been named “Probably the most important thing to 18 MARCELO MONTOYA but are racing the clock to be fit. remember is that it doesn’t matter what 20-21 STATE OF ORIGIN NSWhavetheirownconcernsafterabrutal theteamlookslikeonpaper;it’saboutwhat 22 WELFARE MANAGERS clashatAllianzStadiumonFridaysawPanthers you’ve got between the ears and who wants 24 1999 ORIGIN CLASSIC prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard (jaw) ruled out it more on the night.” 38-39 NSW V QUEENSLAND fortherestoftheseries,LatrellMitchellwas Havingjustmissedoutonmakinghisdebutin 40-41 PNG V FIJI helpedfromthefieldonamedi-cab,while GameOne,KnightswunderkindKalynPongahas 42-43 SAMOA V TONGA veteran James Maloney (sciatic nerve) is also been picked on the bench to replace Anthony 44-45 NZVENGLAND in some doubt. Milford. In his Big League column last week, “WeknewMattScott’sbodywasstruggling, Blues great Nathan Hindmarsh said he was UPFRONT 3-15 Dylan Napa picked up a knock and Michael relievedtheMaroonsdidn’tpickthefullback TEAM POSTERS 26-31 Morgandoesn’tlookgreat,soit’snotideal. and hoped he wasn’t picked until 2019. CLUB NEWS 32-34 Butitiswhatitis,”LockyertoldBig League. The Blues have also made some changes, “TheBlueshavetheirownissues–Reagan with Matt Prior named to replace Campbell- OTHER COMPS 46 Campbell-Gillard is a big loss for them, James Gillard, beating out fellow rookie Ryan James, RESULTS 48-49 Maloneylookedlikehepickedsomethingup ina20-mansquad.LukeKeary,whoison Smith Ellen COVER PHOTO: HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES andLatrellMitchellleftthefieldonamedi-cab standbyascoverforMaloney,hasalso so they have their own concerns. It’s something been named by coach Brad Fittler. PHOTO: Representative Round BIG LEAGUE 2018 3 McGillvary ready to prove himself again By STEVE MASCORD was feigning forgetfulness becausehethought ERMAINE McGilllvary says McGilllvary would Jhe’ll know where he stands respond to the indignity. with Wayne Bennett this “I catch him watching week as soon as the England me sometimes,” the coachgreetshiminDenver. Huddersfield man If Bennett doesn’t call says. “I’ll be sitting on him‘Jermaine’,he’llknow atablehavingajoke he’sgotsomeworktodo with someone. in keeping his wing spot “IfhethinksI’vecome away from challengers outofmylane,thatI’m for the historic clash getting too big for my with New Zealand at boots, I’m too confident, Sports Authority Field at he puts me down again. Mile High this weekend. He’ll be, like, ‘Jermaine Whiletheabsenceofso –what’syourlastname many big Kiwi names will again?’ and everyone will hold the attention of many start laughing. Australasian fans in the “He knows when to lead-up,oneofthestars reelmeinandheknows of last year’s World Cup when to leave me alone. has his own battles upon is expecting? I might as well go “He’s the best which to focus. outthereanddowhatIwant. coachI’veeverhad,hisman “BeforetheWorldCup,Iwas “Sothat’swhatIdid.Iplayed management is second to none.” getting loads of stick – I thought with the freedom and I went all Thisfixtureissupposedtotake ‘whathaveIdonewrong?’”the right. We didn’t win in the end, so place for two more years but NRL 30-year-old told Big League. thattookabitoftheglossoffit.” clubs have indicated they will not “Igotoutthereandthought McGillvary scored seven tries releaseplayersforitagain. ‘I’ve worked too hard in my and ran more metres than any WhileEngland’sstarsappearto career and where I’ve come player in the tournament. It was have stood up to their clubs over from to care what people think’. afarcryfromhisfirstexperiences releases, new Kiwis coach Michael “I said to myself when whichBennett,whomhethought Maguire was forced to name seven IwenttoAustralia‘what’sthe didn’t even know his name when newfacesinasidebereftofstars worstthatcanhappen?Iplay theyenteredcamptogether. including Roger Tuivasa-Sheck poorly and it’s what everyone It turns out the master coach and Shaun Johnson. JWH revved up for Kiwi return By MARTIN GABOR I’mreallyexcitedtohave‘Madge’ forced off early with an ankle [Maguire]onboardandI’mlooking injury, the front-rower took it OOSTERS enforcer Jared forwardtobringingthegame uponhimselftoleadthecharge RWaerea-Hargreaves says to Denver,” Waerea-Hargreaves through the middle, finishing he’s honoured to have retained told Big League. with 244 metres, 39 tackles hisspotintheKiwissideahead “I’maproudKiwiandI’dnever and eight tackle-breaks in of this weekend’s historic clash give up on playing for them, even astunning80-minutedisplay. against England in Denver. ifImissedoutonselectionthis “I just wanted to keep it The29-year-oldhasplayed timearound.Iwouldhavekept simpleandlayareallygood 22TestsforNewZealandsince doingmythingfortheRoosters platform, especially with Sio making his international debut becauseI’dliketothinkthatdoor Siua and his partner having in2009,buttherewerefearshe is always open.” a baby, and ‘Naps’ getting and several senior players could Any doubts over his inclusion injured pretty early,” he said. be overlooked with new coach were dispelled on Friday night “You take responsibility as Michael Maguire keen to blood as Waerea-Hargreaves claimed aleaderwhenthathappens rookies in his first game in charge. man-of-the-match honours as andyou’vejustgottotell Matt King/Getty Images (McGillvary); Nathan Hopkins/NRLPhotos.com (James); “Thisisthepinnacleforus the Roosters downed Penrith. yourselftolift.Ijustdid Kiwi players. Playing for your With Sio Siua Taukeiaho my part for the team and country is an absolute honour. unavailable and Dylan Napa thankfully we got the result.” Regi Varghese Regi Varghese (Cup) PHOTOS: The PNG Kumuls have 10 players who played in last year’s World Cup quarter-final against England. UU New South Wales 4 BIG LEAGUE 2018 Representative Round ISSN: 0311-175X Editor: Pamela Whaley Subeditor: David Piepers Staff Writers: Michael Blok, la Martin Gabor, Darcie McDonald Contributors: Fiona