my favourite part of the whole thing has been
The day after the story broke, one of rugby league's dumbest journos (and by fuck isn't that a crowded field) James Hooper pens an "article" titled "Spare Us The Outrage Snowflakes, Israel SHOULD Be Allowed In The NRL". In said drunken pub rant, Hooper uses the example of one Ian Roberts to show just how inclusive Rugby League is.
By the end of the same day Ian Roberts had come out strongly against the signing, calling it a shit storm.
Smart move.
Interesting that he's asked for a release from Catalans on compassionate grounds yet is trying to line up an NRL contract. Well Folau bold face lying is pretty well known so they really should have known better.
What lies? Genuinely.
Maybe when he said heโd walk away from his contract if he was hurting ARU and itโs sponsors and then went and did the exact opposite.
Smart move.
Interesting that he's asked for a release from Catalans on compassionate grounds yet is trying to line up an NRL contract. Well Folau bold face lying is pretty well known so they really should have known better.
What lies? Genuinely.
Maybe when he said heโd walk away from his contract if he was hurting ARU and itโs sponsors and then went and did the exact opposite.
You mean when he was unlawfully sacked and settled out of court? That's a hell of a bold face lying standard for everyone in society to follow, but ok.
@KiwiMurph said in NRL 2021:
@Nepia Not to re-hash all this but Folau was under a different contract when he made those remarks. When everything went down he was under a different new contract.
Up to you if you want to make a distinction on the contracts, like you I canโt be arsed Re-hashing all this (I just found the Catalan situation interesting), was just replying to Siam out of courtesy.
I donโt have Fox anymore so if he goes back to league itโs no skin off my nose.
16 days later
Someone please help me understand why the NRL have an Indigenous and Mฤori All Stars game when the commentators and referees can't even pronounce the word Mฤori properly, let alone any of the players names. Bit of a joke really.
Someone please help me understand why the NRL have an Indigenous and Mฤori All Stars game when the commentators and referees can't even pronounce the word Mฤori properly, let alone any of the players names. Bit of a joke really.
Yeah, they could have at least added someone to the team who could pronounce the names. I was out for dinner but could have made myself available.
Fierce haka though.
Someone please help me understand why the NRL have an Indigenous and Mฤori All Stars game when the commentators and referees can't even pronounce the word Mฤori properly, let alone any of the players names. Bit of a joke really.
They got Benji Marshallโs name okay...
Tough conditions out there making it hard to watch.
@act-crusader said in NRL 2021:
Someone please help me understand why the NRL have an Indigenous and Mฤori All Stars game when the commentators and referees can't even pronounce the word Mฤori properly, let alone any of the players names. Bit of a joke really.
They got Benji Marshallโs name okay...
Tough conditions out there making it hard to watch.
Nah it's Bunji not Beanji, you've bin in Aussie too long.
10 days later
The Warriors don't expect to have any home games this season.
The NZ Warriors won't be playing at home this season, even if a trans- Ta$man bubble is in place.
The club had hoped to return to Mount Smart Stadium in April for their round five clash with Manly, but unless there is clear certainty around borders remaining open, that won't happen.
The club says even if a bubble does open, it doesn't mean the team will be able to come home straight away.
Club CEO Cameron George has told Newshub it's too risky for the competition to have the team travel back and forth, if there's no certainty the borders will stay open.
Newshub ubderstands George and head coach Nathan Brown will discuss the situation with the team and their families this weekend, with an announcement expected in the coming days.
And we're almost underway, comp kicks off on Thursday with Souths v Melbourne.
One assumes Cam Smith is still playing for Melbourne.
Warriors have i think a home game against the Titans. It's actually a pretty big game for both clubs. The Titans have made a lot of good moves and are expected to push hard for finals. If they continue being the Gold Coast Titans, then people will be pissed. The Warriors obviously have a new coach, a bit of a new look side, are still based in Australia. What sort of a season are we looking at?
Storm v Roosters GF then?
Also a question, if i may. Is there a sport with a worse set of "high profile journalists" than Rugby League? And why do these fucking goons continue to get extended air time on Fox League? Rothfield is a sour old drunk who copped a clip from Cooper Cronk last night. Paul Kent just hates everything about the NRL (but desperately wants to be best mates with the names of the sport). That bald flog Hooper is just a dropkick. And yet these guys are nearly the faces of the Fox League channel.
Who is signing off on this shit?
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
Storm v Roosters GF then?
I heard that Souths are the favourites to win it all based on a poll.
The majority expect the Warriors to miss the playoffs - again.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
Storm v Roosters GF then?
I heard that Souths are the favourites to win it all based on a poll.
The majority expect the Warriors to miss the playoffs - again.
Souths look bloody good. I just wonder about their halves come the real pointy end, and if a pack built around the lessor Burgess's is actually good enough.
The Roosters, provided a couple of key guys stay fit (radley a prime example) are hard to go past. wait, who is their halfback?
I don't expect the Warriors to finish higher than 10th.
@Sneakdefreak must still be scarred from the 2019 season.
@donsteppa said in NRL 2021:
@Sneakdefreak must still be scarred from the 2019 season.
our NRL chat is very hollow without him
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
Storm v Roosters GF then?
I heard that Souths are the favourites to win it all based on a poll.
The majority expect the Warriors to miss the playoffs - again.
Souths look bloody good. I just wonder about their halves come the real pointy end, and if a pack built around the lessor Burgess's is actually good enough.
The Roosters, provided a couple of key guys stay fit (radley a prime example) are hard to go past. wait, who is their halfback?
I don't expect the Warriors to finish higher than 10th.
TAB and polls are like NZ cricket supporters who call for Kane's head. They look at games in isolation and to be fair, Souths played one of the worst looking sides in St George last start. You need a lot of luck also to win a comp, mainly surrounding injuries and staying injury free. Reynolds is a great half back but is an injury magnet. You have Benchi (Benji on the bench) who could pull a hammy any second too. Latrell when interested is a game breaker and also has vision but also has a history of injuries. Cody is probably the only one who doesnt go down consistently. A great 5/8 and has been given license this year to play both sides, so this should help Souths and if all of this magically occurs they will have a good chance.
Lam (Adrian's son) is the first up half back for the roosters partnering with Keary, Sam Walker is a player of the future and may get a shot later in the year, but wont be named later today.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
@donsteppa said in NRL 2021:
@Sneakdefreak must still be scarred from the 2019 season.
our NRL chat is very hollow without him
I remember sneak, he used to have far too much time to do write ups and they were good too. Good on him, I never have time
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
wait, it appears Cam Smith has just sort of wandered off in to the sunset?
Storm out.
He will appear later this year either at the Titans or Broncos
@bayimports said in NRL 2021:
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
@donsteppa said in NRL 2021:
@Sneakdefreak must still be scarred from the 2019 season.
our NRL chat is very hollow without him
I remember sneak, he used to have far too much time to do write ups and they were good too. Good on him, I never have time
I think he is/was an actual journo.
@bayimports said in NRL 2021:
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
@donsteppa said in NRL 2021:
@Sneakdefreak must still be scarred from the 2019 season.
our NRL chat is very hollow without him
I remember sneak, he used to have far too much time to do write ups and they were good too. Good on him, I never have time
I think he is/was an actual journo.
that explains the impressive effort, wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't the one running the warriors fans insta page nzwarriorsfaithful, they always have some really good inside info.. more so than the warriors real website 
First team named for 2021 and its the warriors.
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu'a, Euan Aitken, Peta Hiku, Ken Maumalo, Kodi Nikorima, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Eliesa Katoa, Bayley Sironen, Tohu Harris. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Leeson Ah Mau, Bunty Afoa, Adam Pompey, Sean O'Sullivan, Tom Ale, Josh Curran
A couple of unexpected ins including Egan and Katoa.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
Also a question, if i may. Is there a sport with a worse set of "high profile journalists" than Rugby League? And why do these fucking goons continue to get extended air time on Fox League? Rothfield is a sour old drunk who copped a clip from Cooper Cronk last night. Paul Kent just hates everything about the NRL (but desperately wants to be best mates with the names of the sport). That bald flog Hooper is just a dropkick. And yet these guys are nearly the faces of the Fox League channel.
Who is signing off on this shit?
Haha very true, and why does James Hooper put on that stupid accent lol.
@bayimports said in NRL 2021:
First team named for 2021 and its the warriors.
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu'a, Euan Aitken, Peta Hiku, Ken Maumalo, Kodi Nikorima, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Eliesa Katoa, Bayley Sironen, Tohu Harris. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Leeson Ah Mau, Bunty Afoa, Adam Pompey, Sean O'Sullivan, Tom Ale, Josh Curran
A couple of unexpected ins including Egan and Katoa.
Better looking and more Kiwi looking team than I thought they would put out this year.
I hope Egan lives up to the hype this year, looked mostly average and often ponderous last year but the diehard Warriors fanbois were raving about him.
@nepia I think Egan will go ok behind a big pack (which he has now). Is he is the same league as Smith, Cheese or Grant ...hell no ha ha. Im more worried about our halves. CHT showed promise at the end of last year, Kodi is a bit rocks and diamonds too. I guess if the team can stay injury free, they will have a shot for the eight, but they need a few things to go there way.
@bayimports said in NRL 2021:
@nepia I think Egan will go ok behind a big pack (which he has now). Is he is the same league as Smith, Cheese or Grant ...hell no ha ha. Im more worried about our halves. CHT showed promise at the end of last year, Kodi is a bit rocks and diamonds too. I guess if the team can stay injury free, they will have a shot for the eight, but they need a few things to go there way.
Being in Oz for the season is a decided disadvantage. They will need to get off to a strong start to get everyone up. I'm not holding my breath
@bayimports said in NRL 2021:
@nepia I think Egan will go ok behind a big pack (which he has now). Is he is the same league as Smith, Cheese or Grant ...hell no ha ha. Im more worried about our halves. CHT showed promise at the end of last year, Kodi is a bit rocks and diamonds too. I guess if the team can stay injury free, they will have a shot for the eight, but they need a few things to go there way.
Being in Oz for the season is a decided disadvantage. They will need to get off to a strong start to get everyone up. I'm not holding my breath
TBH, I don't know if it is as big a disadvantage to the playing. A siege mentality due to adverse conditions can take a team pretty far.
@bayimports Kodi was often times our only attacking spark at times last year. And, to go back to Egan, he was having to create everything because he was getting ponderous ball from a hooker who wasn't a threat.
@Bovidae Yep, and that's why their fanbois fluff him regardless of his actual performances. I reckon Kodi is probably the potential best 9 in the team but we need him in the halves.
There was a game last year when her reminded me of Townsend when he was at the Warriors. If he comes good like Townsend did I hope it's at the Warriors and not after he leaves for another club.
@nepia Actually I agree with you on all these points. Kodi was often our most dangerous half, the problem for Kodi too was when he had an off day it was really noticeable as often others didn't stand up. CHT really has to step up consistently this year and time will tell if he is good enough. If there is a significant threat coming from both halves then that should create more gaps.
I also agree and think the team will bond well over here, I don't think that will be a big playing group distraction, clearly a mega huge negative financial impact for the club, but not necessarily a playing group one.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:
Also a question, if i may. Is there a sport with a worse set of "high profile journalists" than Rugby League? And why do these fucking goons continue to get extended air time on Fox League? Rothfield is a sour old drunk who copped a clip from Cooper Cronk last night. Paul Kent just hates everything about the NRL (but desperately wants to be best mates with the names of the sport). That bald flog Hooper is just a dropkick. And yet these guys are nearly the faces of the Fox League channel.
Who is signing off on this shit?
At a guess you're talking about this?
If there's anything worse than the players and administrators in league, it's the "journalists".
I admire Cameron Smith for many things
He's really really fucking good at rugby league.
His prep is obviously meticulous because he's played more games than anyone else
He wins. A lot.
He plays the game with as clear a head as any rugby player i have ever seen
He winds up New South Welshmen like nothing i have ever seen
He winds up NSW-centric NRL journos just by existing
Now you can add laying out the bitter hypocrisy of the journalism industry for all to see. The major whinge from them seems to be "oh, you selfish fluffybunny, you just wanted to have us talk about you and not the season launch". this from the same bunch of shameless fluffybunnies that will sit on a dirt-dishing story that will make the league look bad until the time when it will get the most clicks, like the week of the first game, or GF week. Cam nicked your spot didn't he fuckheads? I reckon it was supposed to be the Victor Radley non-story, but Cam stole all their thunder. jam it in your ass.
That deadshit James Hooper still got to hit publish on his whiney "cam smith is a shit bloke because he won't talk to me" article he clearly penned last year, so what's his fucking problem?
Onya Cam, you do you.
@mariner4life I was reading that expecting the โbutโ that never came. 
Listening to this comms team specially Gould pleasure themselves over Benji Marshall doing sweet fuck all reminds me why I prefer pay TV coverage.
Benji has been given credit for the 2 tries the very poor rabbits have scored. It's been all fucking Cody Walker but because Benji got his old hands on the ball somewhere on the lead up it's time for Gus and to a slightly lesser extent John's to give each other a reach around on air.
Adam Reynolds is a hell of a goal kicker.
I imagine, as no one is commenting it's because one wanky team is playing another.
@raznomore said in NRL 2021:
Listening to this comms team specially Gould pleasure themselves over Benji Marshall doing sweet fuck all reminds me why I prefer pay TV coverage.
Benji has been given credit for the 2 tries the very poor rabbits have scored. It's been all fucking Cody Walker but because Benji got his old hands on the ball somewhere on the lead up it's time for Gus and to a slightly lesser extent John's to give each other a reach around on air.
Jesus, is that tired old flog still on TV ? Fuck me days he should have been put out to pasture years ago.
