Round 14
Penrith Panthers 20 l. Sydney Roosters 24

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Tupou confirmed as Smith's alleged mystery biter
Wed June 20, 2007
Sydney Roosters forward Anthony Tupou has been confirmed as the player Penrith lock Nathan Smith accused of biting him on the weekend.

Smith is believed to have told Sydney tabloid 'The Daily Telegraph' that a Roosters player who he refused to identify had bitten him during the Panthers narrow 24-20 loss in Saturday night's clash.

The NRL in it's weekly review of weekend action reported,

"Biting allegation raised in media by Smith against Tupou.

"Smith clearly wraps his arm around the head/face of Tupou in effecting the tackle. Contact with Tupou's mouth is initiated by Smith wrapping his arm around Tupou's face.

"Additional angles viewed of incident but difficult to identify any intentional action by Tupou.

"No evidence of biting to sustain a charge without a formal complaint.

"Panthers club contacted to request statement from player Smith regarding this incident which was declined by the player. No further action."

The NRL match review panel headed up by Greg McCallum decided not to cite Tupou for the incident or Smith for the allegations made to the newspaper.

However, the NRL through Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley wrote to the Panthers reminding them of the ramifications of making serious allegations and not going through with them.

The NRL is very strong on issues such as biting and eye gouging when a player makes a claim in the heat of the moment or in Smith's case to a newspaper and doesn't follow through with the allegations. While Smith was happy not to take action against Tupou, the NRL does not want players to make these allegations and than later on decide to back out of the process.

While some may view Smith's actions as heat of the moment and later decides to back down. The offences of eye gouging and biting are very serious and it leaves a slur on an innocent player and in this case Tupou's even though no action has been taken.


Pearce inspires Roosters to dramatic victory
Sun June 17, 2007
Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce has had his critics this season from Roosters supporters campaigning for Josh Lewis and Jamie Soward, but in the last two weeks has showed why Chris Anderson believes he is the real deal.

Anderson and Pearce have copped plenty from Roosters supporters this season and last night Pearce scored a dramatic 90m try in the final 30 seconds as the Roosters came from 20-18 down to steal victory. Pearce had a fine match up to that last moment and the week before he was the star in the Roosters record scoring romp against the Cowboys. Anderson decided from Round 2 that Pearce was to be the long-term Roosters halfback and invested all the confidence and faith possible in him by allowing Lewis and Soward to join rival clubs mid-season. Many believed that Soward was the No.7 and Anderson copped plenty of criticism for his support of Pearce over Soward and Lewis.

It was the first time Pearce and Craig Gower came into battle since the infamous flare up on a Sunshine Coast Golf Course in the 2005/06 off season where Gower lost the Penrith captaincy for a year. Pearce held his own against one of the most accomplished and experienced halfbacks in the game and in fact finished on top of his arch-rival.

The wet and wild weather surrounding the Sydney area since Thursday played its part in the match, but the performance of referee Ben Cummins was a much bigger concern. Cummins was unable to make a decision with any conviction where he obsessively relied on video referee Pat Reynolds rather than show control and leadership. The video can be an asset at times, but ultimately referees have to be decisive, the boss and be confident in their own ability. Cummins was not the boss last night and as a result his performance was ordinary and below par.

Unfortunately the video referee had an equal shocker disallowing two fair tries in the opening four minutes and from that moment Cummins should have just taken control of the match himself rather than relying on the failing technology that is spoling the game.

Penrith had ample opportunities to win the match and showed a lack of opportunity to close out the match where simple ball control was all required. The Panthers have the ability to score points all over the park, but they have no idea just to play good complete sets and just doing the simple things correct.

Michael Jennings and Nathan Smith scored early tries for the Panthers in the 9th and 25th minutes and at 10-0 they should have went on with the match.

The Roosters bounced back with Sam Perrett scoring in the 32nd minute and the score remained 10-6 to the Panthers until half-time.

Junior Moors put the Panthers eight points five mintues into the second half and the Roosters struck back with two tries in seven minutes to Setaimata Sa and Amos Roberts to lead 18-14. Sa's try came from a deft grubber kick by Pearce and Roberts went through some weak defence up the middle.

Joel Clinton crossed for the Panthers in the 64th minute in a decision where Cummins didn't race off to the video to regain the Panthers after earlier Rhys Wesser was disallowed a try when he was 5m offside from a Panthers kick that was fumbled by Joel Monaghan.

Penrith were attacking the Roosters line with 45 seconds to go when they fumbled the ball around on the last tackle when Sa put incredible pressure on Gower with Pearce scooping up the loose ball and he had too much pace for the Panthers cover to score.

Anderson has decided to give new kids a go this season as the Roosters begin rebuilding from their three successive Grand Finals during 2002-04 and the poor recruitment and retention of the last three seasons. Anderson after a few heavy defeats is now being rewarded with his faith in youth and enthusiasm with three wins in the last four matches. Anderson is a fine coach and one not afraid to change the foundations for long-term success as he enjoyed with Halifax, Canterbury, Melbourne and Australia. The Roosters are now reaping the benefits of Anderson's style of coaching and whilst the skies in Sydney maybe very bleak, they are looking much better out Bondi way.

The Panthers have the talent and points in them to beat most sides in the Premiership and they got the better of Manly only three weeks ago. However, until they learn to play with discipline and control they'll continue to be the 3rd biggest under-achievers in the game after the Dragons and Bulldogs.

Thu June 14, 2007
• Anasta and Minichiello ruled out of Roosters clash against Penrith
  
Tue June 12, 2007
• Anasta moved to lock as Anderson retains halves
  

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