Thu August 4, 2011
by Steve Mascord
CLINTON Schifcofske is planning to go into player management when he retires - but he probably never thought his last act as a player would be lead a strike.
In case you've missed it, Crusaders players are to meet the Rugby Football League over the decision of Crusaders to withdraw their Super League licence application and over unpaid wages.
Schifcofske told the Guardian: "If the outcome of that [the meeting] isn't good for us, then you'll certainly hear about it and we might not play again."
Striking is a big call but given the events of the past week-and-a-bit, Discord believe it would be justified. Players' pension payments being used as spending money by a club - if that's what occurred - is unforgivable.
To our readers who defended the RFL's actions in this affair, I point to the comments of Gary Hetherington in League Express on Monday.
"There is a good deal of anger from Super League clubs at what has unfolded at the Crusaders," Hetherington said.
"The damage it has done to the reputation of Super League and rugby league as a whole is serious and much of the blame lies at the RFL's door. They have been very close to the situation for the past 18 months or so and the problems at the club have been well known in the game.
"The RFL cannot sit in its ivory tower handing out assessments on clubs without also looking at its own performance. This issue should not be swept under the carpet."
Luckily it's Challenge Cup weekend this weekend so there is a bit of breathing space to sort out the mess regarding the players. But the RFL should take some responsibility for what has happened under their watch.
----------
FOR the record, I don't personally believe the NRL has done much wrong in the venue allocation for the finals.
Yes, Brisbane, North Queensland, Melbourne and the Warriors will all have an advantage over Sydney teams when it comes to home finals. But if Sydney Roosters and South Sydney were in the top four, they'd have an advantage too.
As pointed out in Rugby League Week, there aren't many sporting competitions in the world where eight and a half clubs are from one city and the rest are flung across three states, a territory and another country.
It makes sense that venues you want to use at finals time are also used by clubs. I think the NRL has done the wrong thing by discounting Wollongong from hosting finals while ruling it OK for Newcastle, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Townsville but aside from that, they're doing the best they can with a difficult situation.
----------
MATT Bowen picked the right time to negotiate with North Queensland over a new contract. His form has been sensational over the last few weeks and his emergence as a playmaker in the absence of Jonathan Thurston has been a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, another week and another departure at Penrith. What will that club look like in 12 months' time?
----------
FEEDBACK time and Rob, I think it's highly doubtful that Crusaders will even be playing at a lower level. The players who signed with them will be exempt from the import quota if they join another club.
Thunbpy, my point is that if we are going to expand, we have to do it properly. We have to sink money in expansion teams like the AFL are doing with GWS. Expansion teams need favourable treatment and central funding for years. They can't be admitted and left to wither on the vine.
Stephen, do you have mail about a nines tournament in Samoa? If so, please tell! Corey, I don't know if anyone would pay Harlequins a transfer fee for a player that isn't theirs! Hard to see anyone copping that....
Fri July 8, 2011
Source: www.crusadersrfl.comCrusaders have announced their squad for Saturday's clash against Hull KR (KO 3PM).
Head Coach Iestyn Harris has bolstered the squad with the loan signings of Aled James, Joe Burke and Dalton Grant.
The trio have joined on one-month loans from South Wales Scorpions will go straight into the squad on Saturday.
Hep Cahill is suspended, while seven squad members have been suspended by the club following a breach of club discipline.
But Crusaders are boosted by the return from injury of captain Clinton Schifcofske.
Aled James, who has been captain of South Wales Scorpions since inception, s no stranger to the Crusaders.
James started his rugby league at Cardiff Demons before he was signed by Widnes Vikings in 2003, who were then in Super League. He signed for Sheffield Eagles in 2004, then returned to Wales to play for the Crusaders in 2006.
The 29-year old made his Wales debut against Russia in 2003 and has since won 11 Welsh caps and was in the Wales side that beat France 12-11 last year to qualify for this season's Four Nations.
"It's like a fourth Crusaders debut for me," said James. "I started in the Crusaders in the first season in 2006. I went back into rugby union for a bit with Glamorgan Wanderers and then I came back in 2008 and 2009 and played some Super League.
"Then earlier this year I played in pre-season friendlies for Crusaders. No matter how many times I feel that it was my last game for Crusaders, I keep coming back."
It may be Joe Burke's and Dalton Grant's Crusaders Super League debuts but both have played for the club in the past at junior levels.
Burke is tipped for a bright future in the game and is looking forward to his potential Super League debut.
"It'll be really good," he said. "It's been hard work with the Scorpions this year but we're all trying hard and it could have been a number of players picked for the Crusaders so I just need to take my opportunity.
"I was grateful for the opportunity to play for Crusaders against Widnes and Catalan in pre-season friendlies, those were both really good experiences and will hopefully this will help me in Saturday's game."
Dalton Grant added:
"It feels really good," he said. "I think I've done pretty well with the Scorpions so far this season. Obviously the boys have helped me a lot. I'd love be full time Super League one day and this is a good stepping stone for me.
"Being in a full-time Rugby League environment will be massive for me. It's something I've never done before and being around Super League players and being coached by Iestyn Harris will really help me in my career."
Crusaders squad to face Hull KR -
(From) - 1. Clinton Schifcofske, 2. Gareth Thomas, 3. Tony Martin, 4. Vince Mellars, 5. Stuart Reardon, 6. Michael Witt, 8. Ryan O'Hara, 9. Lincoln Withers, 10. Mark Bryant, 13. Frank Winterstein, 15. Jordan James, 16. Ben Flower, 18. Elliot Kear, 21. Paul Johnson, 24. Lee Williams, 29. Aled James, 30. Joe Burke, 31. Dalton Grant.
======================================================================================================
 2011 engage English Super League
Crusaders RL
24 games; 2 tries, 62 goals, 132 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Feb 11] W 42-12 v Salford City. [FB] 14 Pts; 7g
[View] Round 2 [20 Feb 11] L 18-20 v Harlequins (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 3 [26 Feb 11] L 26-30 v Bradford (H). [FB] 10 Pts; 1t, 3g
[View] Round 4 [04 Mar 11] L 18-42 v Hull FC (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 5 [13 Mar 11] L 22-40 v Hull KR (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 6 [18 Mar 11] L 22-32 v Catalans (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 7 [27 Mar 11] L 18-56 v Castleford (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 8 [02 Apr 11] W 16-10 v Salford City (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 9 [08 Apr 11] L 18-34 v St Helens (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 10 [15 Apr 11] L 6-64 v Warrington (A). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 11 [22 Apr 11] W 32-6 v Huddersfield (H). [FB] 12 Pts; 1t, 4g
[View] Round 12 [25 Apr 11] L 16-34 v Leeds (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 13 [01 May 11] L 16-48 v Wigan (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 14 [13 May 11] W 23-10 v Wakefield (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 15 [27 May 11] L 12-28 v St Helens (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 16 [03 Jun 11] L 16-56 v Warrington (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 17 [11 Jun 11] L 18-31 v Catalans (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 21 [09 Jul 11] L 10-38 v Hull KR (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 22 [16 Jul 11] L 20-26 v Castleford (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 23 [31 Jul 11] W 40-6 v Wakefield (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 24 [12 Aug 11] W 31-12 v Harlequins (H). [FB] 10 Pts; 5g
[View] Round 25 [21 Aug 11] L 18-58 v Hull FC (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3g
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 11] L 24-48 v Bradford (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 27 [09 Sep 11] L 10-42 v Wigan (A). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
======================================================================================================
2010 engage English Super League
Crusaders RL
20 games; 3 tries, 54 goals, 120 points.
[View] Round 9 [06 Aug 10] W 16-12 v Harlequins (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 10 [05 Apr 10] L 16-20 v Bradford (A). [FB]
[View] Round 11 [11 Apr 10] W 20-10 v Wakefield (A). [FB]
[View] Round 12 [25 Apr 10] L 10-38 v Huddersfield (H). [FB]
[View] Round 13 - Magic Weekend [01 May 10] W 19-0 v Bradford. [FB]
[View] Round 14 [16 May 10] L 10-54 v Hull KR (A). [FB]
[View] Round 15 [22 May 10] L 26-46 v Wigan (H). [FB]
[View] Round 16 [06 Jun 10] L 22-50 v Harlequins (A). [FB] 10 Pts; 1t, 3g
[View] Round 17 [13 Jun 10] W 44-20 v Bradford (H). [FB] 16 Pts; 8g
[View] Round 18 [20 Jun 10] W 32-26 v Leeds (A). [FB] 12 Pts; 6g
[View] Round 19 [27 Jun 10] L 0-41 v Wakefield (H). [FB]
[View] Round 20 [04 Jul 10] L 10-30 v Warrington (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 21 [11 Jul 10] L 12-30 v Huddersfield (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2g
[View] Round 22 [17 Jul 10] W 26-22 v Catalans (A). [FB] 10 Pts; 5g
[View] Round 23 [25 Jul 10] W 30-24 v Castleford (H). [FB] 10 Pts; 5g
[View] Round 24 [01 Aug 10] W 60-16 v Salford City (H). [FB] 24 Pts; 2t, 8g
[View] Round 25 [13 Aug 10] L 16-18 v Hull FC (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 4g
[View] Round 26 [21 Aug 10] L 10-36 v St Helens (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1g
[View] Round 27 [04 Sep 10] W 30-24 v Hull KR (H). [FB] 10 Pts; 5g
[View] Finals Week 1 [11 Sep 10] L 12-18 v Huddersfield (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 4g
======================================================================================================
2006 State of Origin
Queensland Origin
1 games; 2/3 goals, 4 points.
[View] Origin [05 Jul 06] W 16-14 v NSW Origin. [FB] 4 Pts; 2/3g
======================================================================================================
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canberra Raiders
23 games; 6 tries, 76/90 goals, 2 field goals, 178 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 06] W 27-14 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 06] L 20-56 v Roosters (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/4g
[View] Round 4 [01 Apr 06] W 21-20 v Panthers (H). [FB] 5 Pts; 2/4g, 1fg
[View] Round 5 [09 Apr 06] L 12-30 v Bulldogs (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/2g
[View] Round 6 [15 Apr 06] W 18-14 v Warriors (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 8 [29 Apr 06] L 28-30 v Broncos (A). [FB] 12 Pts; 1t, 4/5g
[View] Round 9 [06 May 06] W 30-10 v Eels (A). [FB] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Round 10 [14 May 06] L 28-38 v Sharks (H). [FB] 12 Pts; 1t, 4/5g
[View] Round 11 [20 May 06] L 12-22 v Knights (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/2g
[View] Round 12 [27 May 06] W 15-14 v Cowboys (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 13 [03 Jun 06] W 24-22 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 4/4g
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 06] W 28-26 v Bulldogs (A). [FB] 16 Pts; 2t (14th, 42nd), 4/5g
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 06] L 12-22 v Storm (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/3g
[View] Round 16 [25 Jun 06] W 42-10 v Roosters (H). [FB] 18 Pts; 1t, 7/7g
[View] Round 18 [08 Jul 06] L 12-24 v Panthers (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 1t, 2/2g
[View] Round 19 [16 Jul 06] W 20-18 v Tigers (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 4/5g
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 06] W 31-12 v Dragons (H). [FB] 11 Pts; 5/5g, 1fg
[View] Round 21 [29 Jul 06] L 8-21 v Rabbitohs (A). [FB]
[View] Round 22 [06 Aug 06] W 30-18 v Broncos (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/6g
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 06] W 19-18 v Tigers (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 25 [26 Aug 06] L 18-22 v Storm (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 26 [02 Sep 06] W 26-24 v Sharks (A). [FB] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Finals Week One [09 Sep 06] L 12-30 v Bulldogs (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/2g
======================================================================================================
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canberra Raiders
19 games; 6 tries, 58 goals, 2 field goals, 142 points.
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 05] W 39-14 v Knights (H). [FB] 23 Pts; 2t (5th, 80th), 7/7g, 1fg
[View] Round 3 [28 Mar 05] W 25-18 v Souths (A). [FB] 9 Pts; 1t (65th), 2/5g, 1fg
[View] Round 4 [02 Apr 05] W 42-22 v Dragons (H). [FB] 18 Pts; 9/9g
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 05] W 24-16 v Roosters (H). [FB] 12 Pts; 1t (52nd), 4/5g
[View] Round 6 [17 Apr 05] L 14-36 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
Match Fact: 800 career points for Canberra
[View] Round 7 [24 Apr 05] L 10-46 v Storm (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 1t (17th), 1/2g
[View] Round 14 [11 Jun 05] L 12-20 v Broncos (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 1t (36th), 2/2g
[View] Round 15 [19 Jun 05] L 10-28 v Bulldogs (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 16 [25 Jun 05] W 23-22 v Cowboys (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/4g
[View] Round 17 [03 Jul 05] W 22-14 v Panthers (H). [FB] 10 Pts; 5/5g
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 05] L 0-20 v Storm (A). [FB]
[View] Round 19 [17 Jul 05] W 26-18 v Eels (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/5g
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 05] L 16-24 v Warriors (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/3g
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 05] L 18-24 v Broncos (A). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
[View] Round 22 [07 Aug 05] L 14-22 v Tigers (H). [FB] 2 Pts; 1/3g
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 05] L 16-29 v Souths (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 2/4g
[View] Round 24 [20 Aug 05] L 28-31 v Cowboys (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 4/6g
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 05] L 10-48 v Eels (A). [FB] 2 Pts; 1/2g
[View] Round 26 [03 Sep 05] L 18-36 v Sea Eagles (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/3g
======================================================================================================
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canberra Raiders
2 games; 7/10 goals, 1 field goals, 15 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 04] W 21-12 v Dragons (A). [FB] 9 Pts; 4/6g, 1fg
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 04] L 18-34 v Panthers (H). [FB] 6 Pts; 3/4g
======================================================================================================
|
Schifcofske, Clinton
rleague UK Edition
rleague RSS Feed