The Northern Territory news Sat 25 Feb 2012
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2012-02-25
This publication contains may contain links to external sites. These external sites may no longer be active.
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/238940
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/629104
54 NT NEWS. Saturday, February 25, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au P U B : N T N E W S D A T E : 2 5 -F E B -2 0 1 2 P A G E : 5 4 C O L O R : C M Y K 1080127v4 SPORT l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ntnews.com.au FOOTROT FLATS Consistency on 10m rule NRL referees have been instructed to be stricter with ruling the defensive 10m, after complaints of inconsistencies were raised by coaches last season. While the overall feedback from coaches relating to the two-referee system, introduced in 2010, was positive, referees boss Bill Harrigan said there were concerns over discrepanc ies in how far the refs would take back a defensive line. We found that with the two referees, occasionally you would have one who would set a 10m where the other (in the game) might bring defenders back 12m, for example, Harrigan said. We have acknowledged this and we thought we could rectify that in 2012. Back to best for Hodges A SUPER-fit Justin Hodges wants to re-establish himself as rugby leagues premier centre in 2012. Dogged by a chronic hamstring injury last year, which restricted him to 17 games, the 29-year-old is determined to repay Brisbanes faith. Im in the best shape ever, declared Hodges a week out from the Broncos season-opener against Eels. Ive done a heap of longdistance running to get some work into my legs which I havent done in previous years. My sidesteps back probably last year and before, I wasnt really striding out. Ive got that back now which is good. Hodges, who played the third Origin game last year in Darren Lockyers last appearance for Queensland, said he would like to build on his 11-Test career. Id love to, but obviously Im getting older and Ive been there and done that, he said. I dont want to be one of those older players standing in the way of the young bloke coming through. If Im playing good football for the Broncos and the selectors pick me, obviously Id love to play. Kangaroos wait for pay AUSTRALIAN Rugby League chairman John Grant says hell make an urgent phone call to fix up payments of $500,000 still owing to the Kangaroos for winning the Four Nations. Three months have passed since Australia beat England 30-8 in the final. Were going to fix it, were going to make a phone call and fix it, said Grant, clearly annoyed the Australians have been the last to get paid. Its not right. Pushed further he said: Im going to make a call, lets leave it at that. Its on my radar I found out about it this morning. In the transition that goes on between the ARL and the commission, a lot of things have fallen through the cracks. The touring players are owed $25,000 each, $10,000 of which goes to their super. Retired captain Darren Lockyer confirmed he hadnt received any of the prizemoney. Im not worried I wont get the money, and I am probably in a different boat to a younger player who has a mortgage and is relying on the money, he said. Eyes on old Chooks Minichiello, Anasta must prove worth to Roosters RUGBY LEAGUE SYDNEY Roosters coach Brian Smith assured veteran stars Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta yesterday if they deliver results, theyll be rewarded with new NRL contracts. Smith said both were in the clubs plans but, as the oldest at the Roosters, they would have to prove their worth. Reality says that at this point in time in their careers, theyve got to show us that theyve still got what it takes to cut the mustard at the top level, Smith said. And I think youd be foolish if you backed them out but we still need to see it. Minichiello admitted he would find it difficult to play against the Roosters the only team hes represented since debuting in 2000 but floated the idea of finishing his career overseas if a new deal was not forthcoming. Theres no doubt that Ill be playing on, said Minichiello, who turns 32 in May. To be honest, I cant see myself pulling on another jersey in the NRL. Thats just me. Ive been loyal to the Roosters my whole career. Im letting my manager sort out a few things overseas just to have a look at what is going on. Ive always negotiated with the Roosters solely throughout my whole career and, as you get to be a senior player, you like to keep your options open and see whats out there. But Ive been loyal to the club and the clubs been loyal to me throughout the years as well, so that wont change. Smith indicated the club would find a place for Minichiello beyond 2012 if he backed up with a season as productive as last year, when he made a return to the State of Origin arena. Hes not been told that hes not required here next year. In fact, if he plays again like he did in 2011, Im pretty sure he will be here, Smith said. Territorian James McManus has been in good form during the Knights trial matches this year, scoring tries in both games By GREGOR MACTAGGART NEWCASTLE Darius Boyd, JamesMcManus, Wes Naiqama, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley (c), JarrodMullen, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Adam Cuthbertson, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan; Interchange:Matt Hilder, Richie Faaoso, Joel Edwards, Alex McKinnon. McManus named on wing TERRITORIAN James McManus will line-up on the wing when the Newcastle Knights open the 2012 NRL season against St George Illawarra at Hunter Stadium on Thursday night. New Knights coach Wayne Bennett announced his first 17-man line-up at the clubs season launch yesterday in Newcastle. McManus finds himself among a backline boasting boom off-season recruit Darius Boyd, named at fullback, and Timana Tahu, back at the club following spells with Parramatta, NSW Waratahs and Penrith. The 26-year-old, who played his junior football with Katherine Bulldogs and Palmerston Raiders, has been in good form during Newcastles trial campaign, scoring two tries in as many games. Skipper Kurt Gidley was named at five-eighth and Jarrod Mullen at halfback, while Danny Buderus and Kade Snowden join Tahu as comeback kids in the starting side. Buderus, who played 220 NRL games with the Knights before a three-year stint at English Super League club Leeds, will start at hooker, while NSW prop Snowden returned from Cronulla during the off-season.