In this week's issue: Big League Round 1 2010
The footy is finally back and Big League is your official guide to all the NRL action!
Jarryd Hayne may be the NRL’s biggest drawcard, but he knows he’s in for a torrid year. He has great expectations, both personally and for the Eels, and talks to Big League this week about winning this year’s Grand Final, his State of Origin goals and how his life has been since winning last year’s Dally M award.
The retirement of Hazem El Masri means Michael Ennis again takes control of the kicking tee for the Bulldogs, and it’s a role he’s excited about adopting. Although stepping into Hazem’s shoes may seem like a huge task, Ennis tells Big League that it’s a challenge he is accepting with open arms.
In the space of just four years, Sam Thaiday has gone from youngster to veteran in the Broncos forward pack. Taking on a Cowboys pack that that has added veteran giant Willie Mason to a unit already boasting rep stars, this week Sam speaks to Big League about why this season will be a test for Brisbane’s big men.
Also in this week’s issue we speak to the Panthers about their plan to return to finals footy, Justin Poore about facing the Dragons with his new club Parramatta, and new Rabbitohs coach John Lang tells us about his new look team.
Plus there’s Little League, the 16 page insert full of interviews, puzzles and prizes, just for kids.
Big League is your official guide to all Rugby League action, with exclusive team lists for the NRL, Toyota Cup, NSW Cup and QLD Cup competitions.
Big League, the official magazine of the NRL, is on sale this Wednesday at newsagents, Woolworths supermarkets and Big W stores, for just $4.95.
It’s the complete guide to the game you love.
Don’t miss it.
Editorial Round 1
ANOTHER year, another awesome contest for the Telstra Premiership trophy!
So many sub-plots... Can Jarryd Hayne maintain the form that saw him labelled the best player in the world at the end of 2009? Will new buys Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor, as well as wily coach John Lang, supercharge the Rabbitohs and reward their long-suffering fans with a legitimate title tilt?
Just how much will Manly miss Matt Orford; and just how good will his successor Kieran Foran (pictured) turn out to be?
Will the refs’ early policing of the ‘downtown’ rule end in tears (at least for some teams), in controversial circumstances?
After a seven-year absence, will Lote Tuqiri dominate the game again? Likewise Timana Tahu after two years away?
Can the Storm make a fifth straight grand final, and take a third title in four years?
Can the Knights put the unwanted headlines behind them and surprise the pundits by winning more than they’re expected to?
Can Brian Smith turn around the Roosters’ fortunes and finally win his maiden first grade premiership?
Can the Broncos be a force without Justin Hodges, and can they keep their head above water until his expected return come finals time?
How crucial will Greg Bird prove to be as the Titans step up the ladder for a fourth successive year?
Come October, how many rookies will we be praising for their precocious talents throughout the season?
How many gravity-defying moments and tries will we marvel at? And big hits, fabulous flick passes and length-of-the-field breaks?
Will the Panthers’ investment in their juniors finally get them to the finals after a six-year wait?
Will the Dragons prove they were simply unlucky to bow out so early in 2009?
Will the Cowboys get the best out of Willie Mason? Will Matt Bowen’s troublesome knees stand up to a full season?
Can Terry Campese ignite the Raiders away from home, which will go a long way towards them playing September footy?
With natural improvement, will the Bulldogs prove the team to beat?
With pretty much the same roster, will the Sharks wallow down the shallow end of the competition pool again?
And finally, can the Warriors play to their potential, and save coach Ivan Cleary’s hide?
It’s a long season – and thank goodness for that! Finally: may your team give you more joy than grief!
And Another Thing… Following Michael Maguire’s appointment as head coach at Wigan (where he’s proved an instant hit), Big League conducted an extensive search for a suitable replacement to become our Insider for 2010. We settled on Sharks assistant coach Shane Flanagan, who is busting to impart all his knowledge on key aspects of the game to help fans gain a better understanding of positional play and coaching strategy. His first column is on P8 on this week’s issue.
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