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**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 07:57 AM

On a blustery afternoon at the Halliwell-Jones it was Warrington who got the better of Wigan Warriors in their first pre-season run out of 2008, as they took a 30-22 victory in Lee Briers' Testimonial.

This was the Wolves third work out already and it told as the home side raced into an 18-0 score in the opening thirty minutes.

Games between the two are often blood and thunder and although it was only a Testimonial encounter both sets of players really got stuck into it. Both sides mixed and matched it as the game progressed with Louis Anderson twice taking out Thomas Leuluai late, the latter resulting in a 10-minute rest for the new Kiwi signing.

Wigan included in their starting thirteen debutant Andy Coley. Elsewhere Sean O'Loughlin was chosen in the centres with young 18 year old winger Andrew Thornley on his outside. Warrington included Matt King, Michael Monaghan and Anderson in their line-up.

It was the home side that started the brighter, King held just short in the opening moments and on four minutes in was Louis Anderson who was able to cross for the games first try from a short pass, Briers added the conversion, 6-0.

On 8 minutes Warrington were in again, Bridge with an inside pass to Andy Bracek for the try, Briers made it two from two 12-0.

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**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 07:57 AM

Wigan Warriors Centre George Carmont has now jetted into the UK and met up with his new team mates for the first time at Warrington on Sunday.

George landed at Manchester Airport on Sunday lunch time and was whisked to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to watch the game.

He will have his first training session with the Club on Monday. Speaking about his arrival Brian Noble said,

"He watched the game at Warrington from the stand. We will get a weeks training into him and see what sort of shape he's in to see if he will figure at Bradford next Sunday. His work permit got lost in the post which was nobody's fault, these things happen. He's here now and we are looking forward to working with him."

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 08:10 AM

Great Britain hooker Terry Newton pledged his loyalty to Bradford Bulls after rejecting the chance of a return to hometown club Wigan Warriors.

Warriors coach Brian Noble made an audacious bid to lure the 29-year-old Newton back to the JJB Stadium, offering former St Helens hooker Mickey Higham in exchange, but received short shrift from both club and player.

Newton contacted the Bradford Telegraph & Argus newspaper from the club’s training camp in Lanzarote to set the record straight after first seeking reassurances from Bulls coach Steve McNamara and chairman Peter Hood.

“I’ve spoken with Steve McNamara about it, told him my thoughts and we both agreed it’s right for me here,” he said.

“I’ve got two years left on my contract and, as long as Bradford want me, I’m never going to go to them and say I want out. So, unless Macca changes his mind or Peter Hood does, I’m a Bradford Bull.

“Macca’s reassured me he wants me at the club and now I’m just looking forward to getting the season started.”

McNamara said: “We’ve had an approach from Wigan and turned it down out of hand.

“We’re not interested in Terry Newton leaving our club and certainly not interested in taking Mickey Higham as his replacement, which is what Wigan were offering.

“Tez is an absolutely vital component in our whole organisation, a tremendously gifted footballer, and so it’s simply not an option.”

Newton, who was dropped by Great Britain after playing in the first Gillette Fusion Test against New Zealand last October, could face his hometown team on Sunday when Bradford take on Wigan in the Paul Deacon testimonial match at the Grattan Stadium, Odsal.

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 08:10 AM

Australia international Matt King, who ended his spell at Melbourne Storm with a tryscoring display in their Grand Final triumph over Manly last September, made a winning start to his career at England.

The 6ft 3in centre got on the scoresheet for his new club Warrington Wolves as they warmed up for the engage Super League season with an impressive 30-22 win over Wigan Warriors in a testimonial match for Wolves captain Lee Briers.

King thrilled an 81,000 crowd at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium on his farewell appearance down under but he admitted he was suffering from nerves as he ran out in front of 6,500 fans at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“It’s good to get the first one out of the way,” he said. “I was pretty nervous coming into the game.

“Playing my first game for a new club after four and a half years was a pretty nerve-wracking thing. But the more footie I play, the more I’m going to feel like it’s home. It’s going to be a lot of fun I should think.”

King, who plucked the ball out of the leaden skies for a trademark try in the second half, has signed a three-year contract with ambitious Warrington and is looking forward to playing in a more expansive competition.

“It’s fun, it’s a little bit different to what I’m used to,” he said. “In Australia we’re a little bit more focused on our defence but over here there’s a definite emphasis on attack.

“That suits my game and I think I’ll enjoy it. It really is a better spectacle for the fans. 30-22 is a pretty healthy scoreline. I think everyone enjoyed the game.”

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 08:11 AM

Bradford Bulls have turned down a daring Wigan Warriors bid for hooker Terry Newton.

Warriors coach Brian Noble offered cash and/or hooker Mickey Higham in exchange in his attempt to lure the Great Britain international back to the JJB Stadium but Bradford and the player have both flatly refused any deal.

Newton contacted the Bradford Telegraph & Argus newspaper from the club’s training camp in Lanzarote to insist: “I don’t want to sign for Wigan.

“I enjoyed my time playing there and they are my hometown club but I’m at Bradford now and want to win trophies.

“I think Bradford is the place to do that. I’m enjoying myself here, the squad is excellent and we’re going places.”

Rumours had been rife in Wigan that former Bradford boss Noble would move for the talented 29-year-old, who spent six seasons at the Warriors and still lives in the town.

Since his shock move across the Pennines in April 2006, Noble has already plundered his former club for prop Stuart Fielden and assistant coach Phil Veivers, tried luring conditioner Martin Clawson and had a bid turned down for Great Britain centre Paul Johnson.

It is also believed Noble was keen on taking centre Shontayne Hape, while Newton has always been high on his list.

Bradford coach Steve McNamara confirmed: “We’ve had an approach from Wigan and turned it down out of hand.

“We’re not interested in Terry Newton leaving our club and certainly not interested in taking Mickey Higham as his replacement, which is what Wigan were offering.

“Tez is an absolutely vital component in our whole organisation, a tremendously gifted footballer, and so it’s simply not an option.

“I’ve spoken to him and he’s completely happy, while very excited about our prospects for 2008.”

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 09:41 PM

Melbourne Storm will tonight set aside their premiership winning rugby league skills, and put their cricket skills to the test when they take on the St Albans Cricket Club first-grade team in the first annual Fosters/Bridgestone St Albans Cup Twenty20 clash.

The Storm team, which includes Golden Boot winner Cam Smith, star halfback Cooper Cronk, veteran Matt Geyer and a host of other NRL first-grade stars, have been honing their skills for the past two years for the St Albans fifth-grade team in the Moonee Valley Cricket Association.

Now they get to take on the first-grade team, who are in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, tonight from 6:00pm at King's Park Reserve in King's Park.

WHAT: Twenty20 cricket match between Melbourne Storm and St Albans Cricket Club
WHERE: King's Park Reserve, Gillespie Road, King's Park (Melways Ref.: Map 13 E10)
WHEN: Tonight (January 15) from 6:00pm

Entry is free, and BBQ and refreshments will be available at the ground.

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 09:41 PM

The New Zealand Rugby League today reprimanded Kiwi captain Roy Asotasi over comments he has made about national coach Gary Kemble.

Asotasi has told newspaper reporters in Australia that he and other players had no confidence in Kemble as coach after last year's internationals against Australia, Great Britain and France.

"Roy has made comments which are both inappropriate and unacceptable for any Kiwi captain or player to make about a New Zealand coach," said NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden.

"By doing this, Roy has shown no respect for the New Zealand coach's position. He has also shown little regard for the game's heritage and those Kiwi captains and players who have gone before him.

"I spoke to Roy this morning to tell him we couldn't have the Kiwi captain making public comments of this type about the Kiwi coach."

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE

**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 10:32 AM

engage Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos will travel to Jacksonville in Florida this Thursday after an emphatic 50-4 win over Oldham in Kevin Sinfield's Testimonial game.

The Rhinos head to America for a ten day training camp which will include a high profile game against South Sydney Rabbitohs, who are co-owned by Hollywood star Russell Crowe, on Saturday 26th January in the University of North Florida.

New Head Coach Brian McClennan is pleased with his side's progress as they prepare for the start of the defence of their title when Hull KR visit Headingley Carnegie for an all ticket game on Saturday 2nd February.

Commenting after Sunday's win McClennan said, "We got plenty out of the Oldham game and the timing of the trip to Florida is perfect, we really want to get onto some dry pitches; the Rhinos are a team that are better on top of the ground.

"Defensively we did well, Oldham were very brave, they contested throughout. We only conceded one try and it came off a kick and that was really pleasing, our defence is progressing really well and is going to get better too.

"The main thing on Sunday was to celebrate Kevin and it was a bit of a fairytale finish for him. Everyone can feel that they contributed in a special way to a special guy on his day. That was the key thing, he is held in such high regard and deservedly so."

Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield said it was a proud day for him as he celebrated his testimonial with two tries. "I was very proud to have all my family here to see me play in front of such a bunch of loyal fans. The supporters have been very supportive of me since my debut in 1997 and I really enjoyed it. I've never played against an Oldham side before so it was a little bit special ? I'm sure they let me through for those tries!"

Sinfield also paid tribute to his fellow team mates and the fans for their support, "The Leeds guys really put their hand up, it wasn't just a run out, it was a really important part of our preparation. It's vital to start piecing together what Brian wants. The crowd figure was great for this time of year and the weather that we've had, it was a big effort and I'd like to thank everyone who turned out; I really appreciate it and they played a key part in an important day for me."

**truebluefan** · 01-16-2008, 05:47 PM

Hull FC captain Lee Radford and Richard Whiting both face long spells out through injury and will miss the clubs warm weather training camp.

Radford had his broken thumb pinned and will be out for seven to eight weeks and Whiting, who has had a plate put in his broken arm, has been ruled out for four months.

The pair was casualties in last weekend's trial game against Huddersfield Giants at the KC Stadium.

New signing, Australian Test hooker Shaun Berrigan was also injured in a 30-22 defeat against the Giants and he has gone to Leeds today for a scan on his shoulder.

Hull, who fly out to Portugal on Thursday for a weeks training have other injuries.

Great Britain international Richard Horne is having a scan tomorrow on a foot injury and his international partner Gareth Raynor picked up a hamstring injury against the Giants.

Willie Manu and Matt Sing are both under treatment for foot injuries, Graeme Horne has a pectoral injury but all three are expected to be fit for Hull's final trial game against Doncaster on January 27th.

**truebluefan** · 01-16-2008, 05:48 PM

Harlequins RL have confirmed their 26-man squad for Super League XIII.

The line-up includes new signings Danny Ward, David Howell, Dwayne Barker and Gareth Haggerty.

The squad includes a record six players who have come through the Academy system in London - Michael Worrincy, Tony Clubb, Joe Mbu and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, plus Will Sharp and Lamont Bryan who have been promoted to the first team for this season.

The club has retained the core of its 2007 squad with 20 players staying on from last year. Rob Purdham will remain as captain, and the coaching staff has been bolstered by new Assistant Coach Latham Tawhai, last year's National League Two Coach of the Year with London Skolars.

Harlequins Head Coach Brian McDermott said: "I believe it's important to start building our core of homegrown youngsters now - we can't wait for a couple of years until it becomes compulsory to have a certain number of Londoners in our team. I want a squad of predominantly London boys playing Super League in London for Harlequins.

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