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29 Apr 2002 Brisbane halfback Allan Langer is in doubt for Friday night's National Rugby League game against South Sydney after aggravating a hamstring injury in the Broncos' win over Newcastle. Langer went into the match under a fitness cloud, but played a starring role as Brisbane beat the Knights 18-12 at ANZ Stadium. However, the 35-year-old No.7, who announced his availability for the Queensland State of Origin side today, is likely to be rested for the clash with the Rabbitohs. Hooker Michael Ryan will also miss the match after dislocating his knee in the win over Newcastle. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguebroncos South Sydney first division player, 23-year-old Damien Mostyn, has been charged with drug dealing by police. Mostyn has been charged with supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and one charge of supplying prohibited drugs. Police say the drugs involved are amphetamines and ecstasy. He was charged last month and has been granted conditional bail. Mostyn is expected to appear in Sutherland Local Court on May 23. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/04/item20020429062000_1.htm 23 Apr 2002 Souths went down to Parramatta last night in a performance that gave all fans renewed hope for a better season, pushing last years grand finalists all the way before seccumbing 22 points to 14. On a wet Monday night, nearly 17,000 faithful supporters turned out and they could not be dissappointed with the efffort. It was only the presence of New South Wales State of Origin forward Nathan Hindmarsh that ensured the Eels got the three points and moved into the top 8. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=45 Parramatta took the points, South Sydney proved a point - and Eels coach Brian Smith was determined to make one. Souths coach Craig Coleman reckoned the reborn club was well on its way after last night competing well with the Eels in all three grades, culminating in an honourable 22-14 Monday Night Football loss at the Sydney Football Stadium. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/22/1019441225374.html PARRAMATTA took more than 70 minutes to shake off a plucky South Sydney and pick up its second win of the National Rugby League season with a 22-14 victory at Aussie Stadium. It was another less than convincing performance from last year's grand finalists, with the game hanging in the balance until Parramatta second rower Nathan Hindmarsh raced 40 metres to score off an Adam Dykes pass with only seven minutes remaining. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,4182936%255E5927,00.html Parramatta was again forced to fight another "war of attrition" last night at Aussie Stadium. This time, however, it ended with a victory for Brian Smith's National Rugby League side. The Eels, eight days after fighting out a 20-20 draw with St George Illawarra which Smith also branded a war, got the two points with a 22-14 win over a gutsy South Sydney in difficult conditions. It was another performance built more on substance than style, or as Smith called it, "guts and determination and grizzle and whatever it takes to grind out a win". The Eels led 10-2 early and then 16-8 midway through the second half, but the Rabbitohs refused to lie down and twice edged within two points. It took a 40 metre try from Parramatta second rower Nathan Hindmarsh with seven minutes left to seal an important win for the Eels, who went into the match without captain Nathan Cayless, Test centre Jamie Lyon and hooker Brad Drew. No side appears to have been affected more by the rule changes in the off-season, particularly the new interpretation of the 10m rule. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3185.asp A SLICE of brilliance from Kangaroo secondrower Nathan Hindmarsh gave last year's grand finalists Parramatta a hard-fought victory over a competitive South Sydney at Aussie Stadium last night. With the game in the balance at 16-14 and the Rabbitohs playing with the "Never Say Die" attitude that got them back into the NRL, Souths looked poised to spring a major upset. That was until Hindmarsh and five-eighth Adam Dykes struck with seven minutes remaining. Dykes ran out of dummy-half and created space for Hindmarsh who beat centre Andrew King and sprinted 55m to score. Hodgson converted and the Eels had scraped home 22-14. Parramatta coach Brian Smith heaped praise on Souths saying he was surprised at how bullish the Rabbitohs' attack was. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4183870%255E2771,00.html 21 Apr 2002 Paul Stringer wishes his coach, Craig Coleman, would keep his big mouth shut. The Rabbitohs prop, who will play a pivotal role if Souths are to topple the Eels tomorrow night, has been floated as a possible State of Origin representative by, you guessed it, Coleman. "Yeah, well, Tugger's been mentioning it a bit in the press," Stringer said on Friday, while lounging on Terrigal Beach on the central coast http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/20/1019233284017.html 17 Apr 2002 Coach Craig Coleman has dropped four players from the first grade squad beaten by the Cowboys last weekend. Those to pay the price and be dropped to First Division for the upcoming game against Parramatta on Monday night are centre Andrew Hinson, hooker Jamie Fitzgerald, secondrower Adam Peek and, the biggest scalp, fellow secondrower Paul McNicholas. In their place comes Mr Perpetual Motion Jason Death. He�s recovered from a minor back injury and is ready to play. So too are new additions Duncan McGillvray (returning from a broken finger) and Frank Puletua (leg injury) and classy fullback Wade McKinnon goes back into the starting lineup after recovering from a strained hamstring. This allows Andrew King to slot back into the centres, replacing Hinson. It�s no secret that Craig Coleman was less than happy with the team�s performance in Townsville last weekend. He remains confident that the players will run onto Aussie Stadium on Monday night ready, willing and able to play�.and that�s exactly what they�ll have to do against a team such as Parramatta , which is itself desperate for a win. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=41 16 Apr 2002 South Sydney coach Craig Coleman hopes to have Glenn Grief back at work Tuesday after the big prop met on Monday with Rabbitohs officials to discuss his condition and position at the National Rugby League club. Grief sought the meeting after Coleman earmarked him for a stint in First Division with Newtown - Souths' feeder club - when he made his comeback from a lingering back injury. The Rabbitohs were understood to be upset that Grief, a premiership winner with Newcastle last season, failed to front up to Aussie Stadium to support the team's round four clash with the Bulldogs. Grief blamed his absence on a breakdown in communication and that when the Rabbitohs told him to take a break, he simply headed back to Newcastle. The 28-year-old hasn't played since hurting his back against the Sydney Roosters in round one, forcing Coleman to name one of his most experienced campaigners to make his return through the lower grade. But Coleman said the meeting was a positive step forward for both parties as club and player strive to overcome their differences. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,94285-2-19,00.html South Sydney officials and prop Glenn Grief have met and cleared the air over a matter described as a breakdown in communication. Grief hasn�t played since the Rabbitohs round one loss to the Sydney Roosters when he injured his back, and sought the meeting with the club after coach Craig Coleman had hinted he may have to return through first division. Coleman and other officials are believed to have been unhappy that Grief didn�t attend Souths� round four match against the Bulldogs, but Grief said he had returned home to Newcastle that weekend after being told to take a break. Everything's good, Coleman said. He's had a back injury but I think he's going to start training again tomorrow. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=25820&category=news 15 Apr 2002 South Sydney officials and prop Glenn Grief have met and cleared the air over a matter described as a breakdown in communication. Grief hasn�t played since the Rabbitohs round one loss to the Sydney Roosters when he injured his back, and sought the meeting with the club after coach Craig Coleman had hinted he may have to return through first division. Coleman and other officials are believed to have been unhappy that Grief didn�t attend Souths� round four match against the Bulldogs, but Grief said he had returned home to Newcastle that weekend after being told to take a break. "Everything's good," Coleman said. "He's had a back injury but I think he's going to start training again tomorrow." SMH A rejuvenated North Queensland Cowboys side defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 points to 18 at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on saturday night. The Rabbitohs were coming off a heavy loss to the Bulldogs last week and needed a solid victory to re-establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the NRL for season 2002. It was not to be though as the Cowboys ran in five tries to Souths' three to give them their maiden win against the Rabbits since their inception in 1995 and their first win for the year. Souths were playing with a very strong wind at their backs in the first half which they needed to capitalise on and gain an early first half lead. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=40 14 Apr 2002 South Sydney NRL coach Craig Coleman labelled his team's performance in losing to North Queensland the worst he has ever seen. He said it was the most embarrassing match of his football career and an embarrassment to the club and its fans. The Rabbitohs lost to the troubled Cowboys 30-18 in Townsville in North Queensland's first win of the season. "We played woeful. Disgraceful as a matter of fact. I'm embarrassed for our fans. I'm embarrassed for South Sydney football club," he said. "I think it's the worst game I've ever seen. "They reckon our game up here in 1999 was the worst one played but I reckon this was worse. But good luck to the Cowboys." http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguecowboys Bitterly disappointed South Sydney coach Craig Coleman chose words like woeful, embarrassing and disgraceful to describe his team's performance on what he rated "the worst night of my football life". http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/13/1018333432567.html North Queensland has picked up its first win of the National Rugby League season with a surprise 30-18 victory over South Sydney in Townsville. The Cowboys have been hammered in their first three matches of the competition, but bounced back to post a five tries to three victory over the Rabbitohs in their second match under new coach Graham Murray. http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/news.asp?id=19610 The North Queensland Cowboys have turned around the misfortunes of recent weeks to register their first competition points of the season with a 30-18 win over the Rabbitohs at Dairy Farmers Stadium. It hasn�t been the best of starts to a season for the Cowboys, who before this game, had conceded 180 points and in the process seen their coach replaced in record time. But their very inexperienced team with only a sprinkling of senior players, looked on a mission after a woeful performance against the Warriors in front of their home fans last week. http://www.playtheball.com/news/news.asp?newsid=5590 The Cowboys finally have something to smile about after passing their troubles onto the Rabbitohs. North Queensland clocked its first win of the National Rugby League season on Saturday night, beating South Sydney 30-18 at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The Cowboys were hardly recognisable as the struggling team which suffered four heavy defeats in as many weeks, conceding 180 points. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,93796-2-19,00.html 13 Apr 2002 South Syndey coach Craig Coleman has been forced to change his line-up for the Rabbitohs clash with NRL strugglers the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday evening. Fullback Wade McKinnon, the club's most explosive backline player during the first four rounds of the season, has been ruled out of the Dairy Farmers Stadium clash with a hamstring strain. Coleman has indicated that McKinnon's place at fullback will be taken by Andrew King, who regularly plays alongside Russell Richardson in the centres. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=44064 The South Sydney Rabbitohs are predicting a tough fight from injury-ravaged North Queensland during tomorrow's tussle in Townsville. Despite four heavy defeats for the Cowboys in as many weeks, Souths coach Craig Coleman said he expected them to lift after a week with with new coach Graham Murray. The Cowboys have a terrible record so far this year, suffering four heavy losses in as many weeks in which they conceded 180 points. They have also had bad luck with injuries, and must do without State of Origin reps Paul Bowman, John Doyle and John Buttigieg, as well as veteran Tim Brasher. But Coleman said he was dismissing the Cowboys' 50-20 loss last week to the Warriors as a one-off and going into the game with all guns blazing. "Every time I've come up here to play them they have always been very hard, so we are expecting a tough game," he said. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3113.asp 10 Apr 2002 South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Adam Muir has been ruled out for the next three weeks due to a fractured thumb. Muir will require surgery to repair the problem and won�t return until at least round eight of the National Rugby League competition. Former Dragons forward Andrew Hart has been named captain for this weekend�s clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=44049 SOUTH SYDNEY captain Adam Muir will undergo surgery on Thursday on a fractured thumb which will sideline him for up to three weeks. Muir was diagnosed with the injury after undergoing x-rays yesterday, with former St George Illawarra forward Andrew Hart to wear the captain's armband in Saturday's National Rugby League game against North Queensland in Townsville. Coach Craig Coleman also named former Manly and Canberra forward Anthony Colella on the bench while another former Dragon Jamie Fitzgerald will start at hooker in place of the injured Jason Death (back). http://foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,4102523%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 9 Apr 2002 North Queensland Cowboys captain Paul Bowman is likely to be named in Graham Murray's side to play the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Dairy Farmers Stadium this Saturday evening. Bowman missed the first two weeks of the NRL season rehabilitating from off-season shoulder surgery, only to damage rib cartilage in the Cowboys third round loss to Melbourne. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=44032&rc=329 South Sydney skipper Adam Muir will visit a specialist today to find out whether he has a fractured right thumb. Muir is in doubt for Saturday's tussle with the hapless North Queensland while Rabbitohs hooker Jason Death will miss the match with a back injury. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3071.asp Hagan was again forced to defend his National Rugby League club's policies against trouble-makers following reports that it was mainly Bulldogs fans who hissed, booed and made pig noises during the minute's silence for murdered Sydney police officer Glenn McEnallay. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3069.asp 8 Apr 2002 Bulldogs chief executive Bob Hagan has denied the club's supporters should shoulder all the responsibility for failing to observe a minute's silence last Friday night for a slain Sydney police officer. Some members of the crowd whistled, booed and made pig noises during the tribute to Constable Glenn McEnallay before the National Rugby League match between the Bulldogs and South Sydney at Aussie Stadium. "Nobody in their right mind could condone the complete lack of respect shown by isolated individuals during the minute's silence for Glenn McEnallay," Hagan said. "Given our problems in the past it is easy to label Bulldogs supporters as the sole offenders in this instance, but it is incorrect and unfair to suggest that this sort of behaviour was confined to Bulldogs supporters. http://au.sports.yahoo.com/020408/1/mbj.html The minute of silence for Constable Glenn McEnallay was marred on Friday night by inappropriate behaviour from minority sections of the crowd at Aussie Stadium. With more than 22,000 people on hand to watch the match between South Sydney and the Bulldogs, a few members of the crowd made noise, disrespectful comments, and cat-calls to other sections of the crowd as all others observed a minute's silence prior to kick-off. Both South Sydney and the Bulldogs are aware that poorly behaved supporters from both clubs displayed a distinct lack of respect for Constable McEnallay, who lost his fight for life last week after being shot in the course of duty, "Nobody in their right mind could condone the complete lack of respect shown by isolated individuals during the minutes silence for Glenn McEnallay," said Bulldogs chief executive Bob Hagan. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=44020&rc=329 6 Apr 2002 Sharp centre Nigel Vagana burst South Sydney's bubble with a breathtaking display to lead the Bulldogs to a 32-6 victory in tonight's National Rugby League match at Aussie Stadium. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3049.asp SHARP centre Nigel Vagana burst South Sydney's bubble with a breathtaking display to lead the Bulldogs to a 32-6 victory in the NRL match at Aussie Stadium. Vagana tore the hearts out of the Rabbitohs with five wonderful tries, equalling the Bulldogs club record previously set by Edgar Newham against Balmain at the SCG way back in 1942. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4081893%255E9787,00.html THE end to South Sydney's early season euphoria was lost in the scramble for the record books last night after Nigel Vagana scored five tries to equal a Bulldogs club record which has stood for 60 years. In Canterbury's premiership season of 1942, winger Edgar Newham scored five tries against Balmain at the SCG. It has taken six decades and the efforts of a quietly spoken centre who sleeps a lot in his spare time to at least knock the dust off Newham's record. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4083091%255E2771,00.html 5 Apr 2002 South Sydney centre Russell Richardson has passed a fitness test and will take his place in the Rabbitohs side to play the Bulldogs at Aussie Stadium tomorrow night. [Got the all clear] Richardson, who scored three tries in the Rabbitohs comprehensive 44-20 victory over the Northern Eagles last weekend, has recovered from a shoulder problem. "Russell is playing," said Souths media manager Norm Lipson. "He had a bit of bruising on his shoulder which made it a bit tender, but now he's at 100 percent. "We are as per program," he added. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43953 St George Illawarra hooker Mark Riddell, suspended for a late hit on Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta at the weekend, has found an unlikely supporter in Anasta's uncle George Piggins. Piggins, who will on Friday night watch his nephew attempt to undo Souths' two-match winning streak, said he could sympathise with the Dragons hooker. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguedragons South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman has named an identical starting side for this weekend�s clash with the Bulldogs that he did for the match with the Northern Eagles last weekend. He saw no need for changes after the Rabbitohs thrashed the Eagles 44-20, but has named a seven man interchange bench. Andrew Hinson, who has displayed good form in lower grade trials, and Adam Peek have both been named on the bench. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43926 South Prop Paul Stringer has answered the critics of Souths forward pack saying he hopes people keep tipping against the Rabbitohs and keep writing them off. Stringer likes the underdog tag and is willing to predict at this early stage the Rabbitohs will have the last laugh with a final 8 spot in September. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3044.asp WHEN George Piggins watches his nephew Braith Anasta run out for the Bulldogs at Aussie Stadium tonight it will be with some regret and anger. The South Sydney president is moving ahead with rebuilding the Rabbitohs but admits there are still shreds of bitterness which come to the surface after their two years in exile. The catalyst for his latest relapse is the Rabbitohs' encounter with the Bulldogs, a team which is beginning to find the rhythm and bounce. For this reason it is a match which will test South Sydney's resolve after they put the horror of the opening round behind them to record successive victories in the last two weeks. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4075536%255E2771,00.html 4 Apr 2002 South Sydney prop Paul Stringer admits his off-field spat last year with his Bulldogs counterpart Mark O'Meley may have been the best thing to happen to his rugby league career. Stringer and O'Meley, then team-mates with the Northern Eagles, were pilloried after coming to blows outside a Central Coast pub in March 2001. They were fined $7,500 each but Stringer concedes the incident was the catalyst for him to take stock of his rugby league career. He went on to forge a regular starting berth at the Eagles and this season has been among the Rabbitohs' best, prompting coach Craig Coleman to rate him one of the top props in the NRL. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguesouths 3 Apr 2002 The Rabbitohs Towering Inferno, Paul McNicholas, has escaped suspension from the NRL judiciary following a careless high tackle charge coming out of the big win over the Northern Eagles. McNicholas was put on report in the 72nd minute by referee Steven Clarke for a careless high shot on Eagles replacemnet forward Jason King. The NRL judiciary imposed a base penalty of 75 points with an early guilty plea allowing the big fella to take his place on the bench for this weeks big clash against the Bulldogs. "To tell you the truth I was concerned about getting a week. I know there was no malice in the tackle; it was more laziness than anything else" said a relieved McNicholas. The 2nd rower becomes more upbeat when talking about his year back at the Rabbitohs following his two seasons with the Sharks. "I'm really enjoying the year so far. It's good to be home for an exciting new era at a rejuvenated Souths. There is a plethora of enthusiasm in the place." http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=33 2 Apr 2002 Dragons officials are not concerned about actor Russell Crowe approaching winger Nathan Blacklock. Sharks coach Chris Anderson said on Sunday he had heard Crowe was trying to get Blacklock and 2001 Dally M winner Preston Campbell to South Sydney. But St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said last night: "I don't think someone in a position like his would get involved in such an undertaking." http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/01/1017206185632.html Unhappy hooker Preston Campbell is set to be dropped by Sharks coach Chris Anderson for the game against Brisbane on Sunday after saying he wants to quit the club. But Anderson says he is willing to consider any request from the 2001 NRL player of the year - who is disillusioned with being dummy-half - to play a different on-field role for the remaining two years of his contract. The confessions of Campbell and his management that the 23-year-old is not satisfied with his situation at the Sharks have overshadowed even the apparently imminent demise of North Queensland coach Murray Hurst. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/01/1017206186272.html SHARKS coach Chris Anderson has thrown reluctant hooker Preston Campbell a positional lifeline after insisting he will see out the final two years of his contract. Anderson says Campbell won't be getting a release under any circumstances and switching to other positions in the side is not out of the question. "I have started Preston at hooker ahead of Dean Treister because I thought that would be good for him," Anderson said. "It now might be better for the team if we bring him on after 15 or 20 minutes. http://foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,4058702%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html Actor Russell Crowe has been accused of breaking rugby league's anti-tampering laws. Sharks coach Chris Anderson says the Oscar winner has been talking to halfback Preston Campbell and St George Illawarra winger Nathan Blacklock about a move to South Sydney Rabbitohs. Anderson told The Australian newspaper: "I heard two weeks ago that Russell Crowe was ringing Preston and Blacklock trying to get them to go to Souths. "If that is the case, it's absolutely wrong." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/rugby_league/newsid_1905000/1905041.stm The Sharks have issued a statement declaring that disgruntled hooker Preston Campbell will remain at the club. Campbell, the 2001 Dally M Player of the year, has been moved to hooker this year after the Sharks bought halfback Brett Kimmorley in the off-season. Campbell was upset with the signing andreportedly had asked to be released from his contract that is due to expire at the end of 2003. The issue of Preston seeking a release or being prepared to sit out the remainder of his contract was never discussed and was never an issue according to Campbell or the club, the statement said. The primary area of concern for Campbell was the thought he was being pigeon-holed as a hooker with the Sharks. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=25370&category=news 1 Apr 2002 Sharks coach Chris Anderson has accused actor Russell Crowe of breaking rugby league's anti-tampering laws by trying to lure Preston Campbell from the Sharks to South Sydney. Campbell, the NRL player of the year in 2001, is unhappy at the Sharks as he has been moved from halfback to hooker to accommodate the signing of former Kangaroo Brett Kimmorley. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguetamper The South Sydney Rabbitohs duo of Scott MacLean and Wade McKinnon, combined to lead their side to an important NRL victory. The pair, who are former junior team-mates, played crucial roles in the Rabbitohs 44-20 win over the Northern Eagles. Winger MacLean, celebrating his 21st birthday, scored a career best 16 points. Fullback McKinnon claimed two tries, including an 85 metre solo effort. Rabbitohs centre Russell Richardson also made a considerable contrbution with three tries. They outscored the Eagles by eight tries to four and secured their first home win since being dumped from the competition in 1999. MacLean was pleased with his performance against his former club. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/rugby_league/newsid_1903000/1903866.stm Tingha dynamos Nathan Blacklock and Preston Campbell are both unhappy at their current clubs with both players looking for a release form their contracts. It is believed according to reports in the Sun Herald that Blacklock and Campbell if they get their way could be headed to South Sydney in a package deal. Campbell is privately very unhappy about being moved to hooker and not being given a genuine chance to retain the halfback position. But in fairness to Chris Anderson and the Sharks coaching staff, the form of Brett Kimmorley has been exceptional this season and whilst he isn't back to the Melbourne 1998-99 form, he has been playing very well. Blacklock has been going through problems on the personal front following a split with his partner Alison and the tragic death of his father Mervyn last year. There are reports that Blacklock is even thinking about giving up football and is under pressure to move back home. Campbell's name has been linked to Souths since the moment Cronulla signed Kimmorley last year. Campbell wants to play halfback and wants to play for Souths on the proviso that Blacklock comes with him. Both Campbell and Blacklock are cousins. http://nrl.rleague.com/news/index.php?id=5887 Actor Russell Crowe has been accused of breaking rugby league's anti-tampering regulations by approaching 2001 NRL player of the year Preston Campbell and Test winger Nathan Blacklock to join his favourite club, South Sydney. Chris Anderson, the Sharks' and Australian national coach, made the allegation yesterday after renewed reports that Campbell wanted to break his contract with the team. It was also revealed yesterday that St George Illawarra winger Blacklock, Campbell's cousin, had asked for a release. Both were linked with the Rabbitohs, whom Crowe reportedly offered to fund in recruiting of a top player for next season. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/31/1017206172537.html Sharks coach Chris Anderson has accused New Zealand actor Russell Crowe of breaking rugby league's anti-tampering laws by trying to lure Preston Campbell from the Sharks to South Sydney. Campbell, the NRL player of the year in 2001, is unhappy at the Sharks as he has been moved from halfback to hooker to accommodate the signing of former Kangaroo Brett Kimmorley. Clubs are forbidden from making offers to players until after June 30 but while Crowe is a prominent supporter of the Rabbitohs he has no formal links with the club. However, he has offered to fund player recruitment http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,90961-2-19,00.html Souths president George Piggins is playing down wlidly circulating rumours that his club is on the verge of imploding. For weeks now there have been stories of mass disquiet in the Rabbits' head office with suggestions CEO Paul Dunn had offered his resignation. A signifigant part of the problem is media officer Norm Lipson, whose relationship with certain staff members, including Dunn, is causing major headaches. "I've heard the rumours," said Piggins. I asked Paul if he had offered his resignation and he said 'no'. What more can I do? Paul Dunn has one of the most difficult jobs in rugby league, but providing the budgets are met, I can't see there being any problem. He has my full support." Souths have lost staff and board members in recent times and everyone from Russell Crowe to Reggie Rabbit is aware there are problems. http://www.rabbitohs.com/burrows/news/2002.shtml#1017535800 Birthday boy Scott MacLean and his old junior teammate Wade McKinnon combined to spark South Sydney to a sizzling 44-20 win over Northern Eagles in the National Rugby League contest at Aussie Stadium. Winger MacLean scored a first grade career best 16 points on his 21st birthday and fullback McKinnon bagged two tries, including an 85 metre solo effort. A hat-trick of tries to centre Russell Richardson supplied the majority of the Rabbitohs' remaining ammunition as they ran in eight tries to four. A blistering burst of 18 unanswered first half points put Souths 24-6 up and paved the way for their first NRL home win since they were dumped from the competition in 1999. Trailing 24-12 at halftime, the Eagles got within eight after a Tasesa Lavea try, but long distance scores from Richardson and MacLean put the Rabbitohs out of reach. http://au.sports.yahoo.com/020331/1/ge7.html South Sydney has given the legions of Rabbitohs faithful plenty to shout about after it stormed to its second win of the NRL season with a 44-20 flogging of the Northern Eagles last night. Souths first home win at Aussie Stadium follows hot on the heels of their upset on the road in Canberra last weekend, fuelling further hope for their masses of loyal fans just three weeks into a season in which they are celebrating their return to the top flight after being controversially culled by NRL powerbrokers in 1999. Souths overwhelmed the Eagles eight tries to four, Russell Richardson and Wade McKinnon bagging five tries between them for the cock-a-hoop Bunnies. http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/news.asp?id=19189 |
