We’re still in the middle of the season’s preliminaries and already the NRL is making headlines. With only 10 days to go until the new NRL season kicks off in Las Vegas, NRL supremo Peter V’Landys is trying to get The Trumpster to roll up at Allegiant Stadium! At that rate, is a global takeover next on PVL’s agenda? But, on the other hand, would you be totally surprised if The Pres comes along after he rocked up to the Super Bowl and then ‘did a lap’ in The Beast at Daytona? Stranger things have happened.
Last weekend’s Indigenous v Maori games provided a great start to the season’s more significant matches. Full of energy, spirit, skill and pure effort (especially in the final stages), both games provided a real spectacle, as well as nail-biting finishes, with honours shared between the two cultures. If you missed the games, catch up on the highlights of the men’s and women’s matches via these links.
Before we go any further today, let’s spare a thought for Rabbitohs fans who got the double whammy news this week that Cameron Murray has probably done an Achilles and could miss the whole season, while one-man headline Latrell Mitchell has done a hammy. With a few other late starters to their season, is it all over for the Bunnies before it even starts? Or, can Master Coach Bennett pull something out of this fire?
Round 3 of the Pre-season Challenge will be played out over the weekend, starting with the Sea Eagles v Panthers and Wests Tigers v Eels games tomorrow tonight. Saturday’s games incorporate the annual Charity Shield match between the Dragons and the Rabbitohs. This weekend’s games will also see the first appearance of the season for a number of high profile players looking to get a game under their belts before the season proper gets underway. Cue The Munster, Reyno, Haas, Tino et al. You can check all of the team lists here.
Next week sees the return of The Footy Almanac’s two top tipsters and full-time funsters, Rabbit in the Vineyard and he who was formerly known as Prop in the Canfield. ‘Prop’ has moved on in life to join the best club I’ve ever been a part of – The Retirement Club. To mark the transition, he will henceforth be known as Prop by the Sea to more accurately reflect his location surfside on the Gold Coast. Stand by for the resumption of their normal services next Thursday.
With time now running short, make sure you’ve signed up for the Almanac’s NRL footy tipping competition. No entries will be accepted after March 2. Click here for the link to make sure you’re in the running for bragging rights come season’s end. I’ve already done the paperwork, not that anyone will be particularly intimidated by that news given my modest ranking at the end of last season.
And while you’re at it, why not register to come along to our Almanac rugby league lunch at Souths Juniors Kingsford on March 29? You’ll find all of those details here.
There’s never a dull moment in rugby league!
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About Ian Hauser
A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.
great summary, as always Ian
The ‘All Stars’ games – so culturally significant – as was the AFL game in Perth – long may they continue
Trump at an NRL match – stranger things have happened!
Happy rugba league
Rabbit in the Vineyard
Looks like Ricky Stuart was right about his not wanting his son in Las Vegas!
Ian, this is madness playing games over there and teams are only courting trouble. It has happened many times in the AFL when teams went on end-of-season-trips. Thank heavens club trips have been banned.