ID :
167155
Thu, 03/10/2011 - 12:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/167155
The shortlink copeid
NRL ready to move on from off-field dramas
SYDNEY (AAP) March 10 - Not even 26 years of top grade coaching can take the edge off an NRL season-opener for veteran coach Brian Smith.
"After three months or so of preparation, you've got to expect it's likely to explode on Friday night," said Smith - with his Sydney Roosters going head-to-head with bitter rivals South Sydney in a highly-anticipated local derby.
The Sydney Football Stadium blockbuster shapes as a mouthwatering appetiser for what looms as one of the most competitive seasons on record, with the opening round a tipster's nightmare.
No-one would be counting down the hours to the season kick-off more eagerly than NRL chief executive David Gallop, with the game desperate to put a horrendous few weeks of negative headlines behind it.
Betting scandals, drink-driving charges, allegations of late night assaults - all that finally takes a back seat.
"We've given ourselves the perennial couple of black eyes before it's started, but I think the true believers in our sport recognise that it's not going to effect the quality of the footy and level of competition," said Smith, still chasing that elusive maiden premiership.
"I'm anticipating that it's going to be a furious start to the competition again."
And who better than the Roosters and Rabbitohs to get it started - the game's longest running rivalry set to reach a generational high.
With an unlikely run to last year's grand final as their building block, the Roosters are genuine title contenders, while the addition of superstar centre Greg Inglis has the Rabbitohs faithful dreaming of the end of a 40-year title drought.
"It does get a mention - both clubs seem to understand it's got a bit of its own history," Smith said of the rivalry.
"I guess for one of the few times in the last 20-25 years both teams are feeling like they've got the opportunity to compete at the top level and even shoot for the premiership."
Parramatta's trip to rugby union mecca Eden Park to take on the Warriors offers the first opportunity for a bit of NRL payback, with Feleti Mateo desperate to prove a point against an Eels club which deemed him unworthy of a new contract.
While the Roosters v Rabbitohs may be the most storied rivalry in the game, few have been more spectacular than the Billy Slater v Brett Stewart battle, which resumes on Saturday after a two-year hiatus when Melbourne host Manly.
For the Storm it represents a rebirth, with the club welcomed back into the fold of teams competing for the title after being stripped of all their points due to last year's salary cap scandal.
Whether their new-look squad can return to the dizzy heights of their four consecutive grand final appearances remains to be seen.
Then there's Monday night's exclamation point to the round, with Wests Tigers - the team many believe are reigning premiers St George Illawarra's greatest threat - looking to put the drama of Benji Marshall's assault charge behind them when they take on Canterbury.
The Tigers claim they're a tighter unit as a result of the scandal, but playing on emotion can be dangerous.
"There's some times in the past where I've seen clubs do that - they get all pumped up and actually do worse rather than better when they're in that state," Roosters coach Smith said.
"There's an air of anticipation in our club and I've sensed in the last two or three days that I think our guys are starting to get a little bit edgy about it."
"After three months or so of preparation, you've got to expect it's likely to explode on Friday night," said Smith - with his Sydney Roosters going head-to-head with bitter rivals South Sydney in a highly-anticipated local derby.
The Sydney Football Stadium blockbuster shapes as a mouthwatering appetiser for what looms as one of the most competitive seasons on record, with the opening round a tipster's nightmare.
No-one would be counting down the hours to the season kick-off more eagerly than NRL chief executive David Gallop, with the game desperate to put a horrendous few weeks of negative headlines behind it.
Betting scandals, drink-driving charges, allegations of late night assaults - all that finally takes a back seat.
"We've given ourselves the perennial couple of black eyes before it's started, but I think the true believers in our sport recognise that it's not going to effect the quality of the footy and level of competition," said Smith, still chasing that elusive maiden premiership.
"I'm anticipating that it's going to be a furious start to the competition again."
And who better than the Roosters and Rabbitohs to get it started - the game's longest running rivalry set to reach a generational high.
With an unlikely run to last year's grand final as their building block, the Roosters are genuine title contenders, while the addition of superstar centre Greg Inglis has the Rabbitohs faithful dreaming of the end of a 40-year title drought.
"It does get a mention - both clubs seem to understand it's got a bit of its own history," Smith said of the rivalry.
"I guess for one of the few times in the last 20-25 years both teams are feeling like they've got the opportunity to compete at the top level and even shoot for the premiership."
Parramatta's trip to rugby union mecca Eden Park to take on the Warriors offers the first opportunity for a bit of NRL payback, with Feleti Mateo desperate to prove a point against an Eels club which deemed him unworthy of a new contract.
While the Roosters v Rabbitohs may be the most storied rivalry in the game, few have been more spectacular than the Billy Slater v Brett Stewart battle, which resumes on Saturday after a two-year hiatus when Melbourne host Manly.
For the Storm it represents a rebirth, with the club welcomed back into the fold of teams competing for the title after being stripped of all their points due to last year's salary cap scandal.
Whether their new-look squad can return to the dizzy heights of their four consecutive grand final appearances remains to be seen.
Then there's Monday night's exclamation point to the round, with Wests Tigers - the team many believe are reigning premiers St George Illawarra's greatest threat - looking to put the drama of Benji Marshall's assault charge behind them when they take on Canterbury.
The Tigers claim they're a tighter unit as a result of the scandal, but playing on emotion can be dangerous.
"There's some times in the past where I've seen clubs do that - they get all pumped up and actually do worse rather than better when they're in that state," Roosters coach Smith said.
"There's an air of anticipation in our club and I've sensed in the last two or three days that I think our guys are starting to get a little bit edgy about it."
