From The Couch: NRL Round Zero

From The Couch: NRL Round Zero

Nick Tedeschi

From The Couch celebrates its 20th year in 2024 and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy the year at the column’s new home, Neds.

From The Couch has had many homes but is incredibly grateful to be part of the Neds family.

Expect the same biting, incisive, no holds barred commentary you have enjoyed over the last two decades – only at Neds.

Vegas Was An Unbelievable Success: For all true rugby league fans who have longed believed in its greatness and been frustrated by its inability to grow itself, Sunday was an incredible day.

By any measure, the NRL’s jaunt to Las Vegas was a rousing success.

Take out the long term benefits – and they certainly seem to be there – the Vegas adventure was an unqualified success both at home and in Sin City.

The NRL’s trip has dominated sporting coverage in Australia and led to a huge boon for the city with 14000 Australians making the trip.

Over 40000 attended the event with the game receiving incredible coverage in mainstream US media including bringing in a number of sportsmen as well as Lachlan Murdoch.

Many questioned Peter V’Landys, few believed the NRL could pull it off.

They have made a mess of plenty of things but they have nailed this, however going forward, the NRL needs to keep making it bigger and better.

For starters, they need to walk back a commitment that all teams will play there – they should send only the best and while we’re at it, they need to bring in more glitz from Hollywood.

Rugby League is on the precipice of being a global game.

Coloured In-Goals Forever: There is no greater signifier that there is a big game in Rugby League than coloured in-goals.

Even though it was only mentioning sponsors, the in-goals in Vegas looked spectacular, as they always do when filled in.

The NFL does it at nearly every home ground for every team every week, telling the world that every NFL game is important, the NRL should follow a similar approach.

Everyone loves the coloured in-goal and if you don’t then you are an idiot, plus the yellow goal posts were certainly something to behold.

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200: If Spencer Leniu is found guilty of causing Ezra Mam “a monkey”, as he is accused of, the NRL should oust the new Roosters recruit for a long period of time with a season not an unreasonable option.

Leniu’s attack on Mam is not acceptable in any sport but particularly in rugby league where the code has a long history of leading the nation in breaking barriers for non-white players, including being the first Australian sport to have an Australian indigenous representative and captain.

Mam’s adamancy, the full support of the Broncos that include a late-night clash with Leniu and Leniu’s lack of contrition, stating post-game that it was “just all fun and games on the field”, should all lead to a huge suspension if the allegations are proven.

His post-match quote is utterly outrageous and completely unacceptable.

Gerry Can’t Help Himself: While there were few complaints about the officiating across the weekend, the decision of Gerard Sutton to place himself front and centre at the end of the Manly-South Sydney clash by awarding Richie Kennar a second try in the final minutes that was a clear and obvious double movement.

In no year since the video referee has been around would it have been awarded and would not have been awarded before the video ref began to be used.

Kennar clearly had hands on him and propelled the ball over the line.

The decision has huge ramifications – betting amongst them – but most importantly it just sets a ridiculous precedent that will cause fury when it is ignored a week later.

The Worst Recruit of 2024 – Exceptionally Early Edition: It should come as no surprise at all that Jaxson Paulo is not up to first grade standard.

He was awful at the Rabbitohs, he was awful at the Roosters and he was just horrific in his Manly debut.

His missed tackle on Jacob Gagai that led to the debutant’s try was absolute amateur hour.

He had an error, missed two tackles, one of which resulted in his side conceding a try and was the only Manly back not to run for 100m.

If that wasn’t enough, he was the only outside back to have a play-the-ball speed of over four seconds – an astonishing 4.23s.

Take away his average skillset – Paulo puts absolutely zero effort in and I have a feeling that Reuben Garrick will be back on the wing within a month.

NRL Grid a Must for all NRL Fans: If you have not tried NRL Grid, what are you doing with your life?

It is a fantastic game that digs up some great memories of players past.

Greg Smith anyone?

2024 Field Goal Update – 0: We were robbed of our first field goal – a delightful shot from Sam Walker on the stroke of halftime that would have given the Roosters a 9-4 lead – thanks to a highly controversial and utterly stupid crackdown on blockers.

Rules were already in place to stop players standing next to the play-the-ball – now they are seemingly being extended to anywhere behind the ruck.

This new rule essentially stops two players standing side by side behind the ruck even though they are technically receivers at the time they take up the position.

It is complete lunacy and totally unenforceable but, of course, Grant Atkins managed to insert himself in the action by penalising the Roosters. Complete garbage.

Fun Fact #1: Nathan Cleary has eligibility to play for Ukraine while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is eligible for Denmark.

Fun Fact #2: Alex Johnston needs 25 tries this season to equal Ken Irvine’s 51-year record of 212 premiership tries.

Johnston has scored at least 21 tries in each of the last four seasons.

Fun Fact #3: Seven active players have 100 or more tries heading into the season.

Betting Market of the Week: The AFL’s view of the NRL’s rollicking Vegas success:

  • $501: They were happy for the NRL and Australia
  • $3.00: They were bitterly jealous that all of the headlines were taken by the NRL
  • $1.40: They are too insular an organisation and don’t care what rugby does

Rumour Mill: Former Eel and current Wigan star Bevan French is looking at a return to the NRL with the Dragons and Dolphins both reportedly interested.

Angus Crichton is not being shopped to clubs but the Roosters would not stand in his way if an opportunity arose given the depth at the Chooks in the backrow.

The Coaching Crosshairs: Jason Demetriou’s seat is getting warmer and warmer with each loss.

After last year’s stunning collapse, conceding six tries and losing to Manly has the focus back on him.

Most important in the Souths coaching scenario though is Wayne Bennett’s departure from the Dolphins at the end of the season.

Bennett had great success at the Rabbitohs and left on good terms and considering their window is closing with each year that passes on the bodies of Damien Cook and Cody Walker, a short stint back in charge would certainly be considered.

Moronic Coaching Decision of the Week: Kevin Walters may have taken Brisbane to the Grand Final last year but questions remain over his abilities.

He is certainly not off to a good start this year.

Despite playing a virtual rookie in Brendan Piakura, he opted to go with three middles and a hooker on the bench.

That had immediate consequences when Piakura was knocked out two minutes into the game.

It led to Patrick Carrigan being shifted as an edge, not only negating Carrigan’s impact but directly leading to the first try.

Playing three middles on the bench was utter stupidity from Walters and it bit him and the Broncos badly.

Watch It: The NRL may have done America best but they certainly did not do it first and they certainly did not do it with the most pomposity with that claim going to Maurice Lindsay and Wigan in 1989 when they played their ‘American Challenge’ match against Warrington.

Rocking up to an interview in a red and white decorated horse and carriage was truly Lindsay to a tee.

Thanks to ‘Tides of History’.

Watch it here.