Update: South Newcastle postpones Kurri Kurri clash

The Advertiser13-05-2025

Update: South Newcastle has postponed Saturday's game against Kurri Kurri Bulldog until Saturday, May 17.
Kurri Kurri welcomes back key recruits Mitch Garbutt, Connagh Takairangi and Kye Hopwood for their round four clash against South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Paul Stringer said the Bulldogs would be at full strength after having the bye over the Anzac Day weekend.
"Mitch should get a clearance on Tuesday. Kye Hopwood got the plaster off his arm on Monday and should be right," Stringer said.
"Connagh Takairangi had his foot in the boot and he'll be right to play.
"We'll have the full complement of players. We play South Newcastle at Merewether. They had a two-point loss against Maitland and it will be a tough game."
Takairangi and Garbutt both missed the 34-6 round two loss against Lakes United, while Hopwood will be lining up for his first game since joining the Bulldogs.
Garbutt lasted just 20 minutes in the Bulldogs drought-breaking win against Northern Hawks in round one. Takairangi who played the rest of the match after coming on to replace Garbutt was among the team's best.
"We were a bit short on troops against Lakes. We had a few out injured and I gave a couple of local kids a run, we competed very well in the first half," he said.
"It was like 10-6 at half-time, and then we completed at just 60 per cent in the second half and gave them too much cheap footy.
"I think we had 10 penalties for the game, so when you hand over so much footy to them our defence broke and they scored four late tries against us."
Stringer said going forward the team needed to adopt its game to maximise the strength of their forward pack.
"We've got to play teams down the middle and move them from either side of the goal posts," he said. "We've got to pass the footy a lot more rather than just one-out runs."
"The halve are very good, and the forwards are all good with the football as well. They are skilful. We need to move the ball and play eyes up football."
Update: South Newcastle has postponed Saturday's game against Kurri Kurri Bulldog until Saturday, May 17.
Kurri Kurri welcomes back key recruits Mitch Garbutt, Connagh Takairangi and Kye Hopwood for their round four clash against South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Paul Stringer said the Bulldogs would be at full strength after having the bye over the Anzac Day weekend.
"Mitch should get a clearance on Tuesday. Kye Hopwood got the plaster off his arm on Monday and should be right," Stringer said.
"Connagh Takairangi had his foot in the boot and he'll be right to play.
"We'll have the full complement of players. We play South Newcastle at Merewether. They had a two-point loss against Maitland and it will be a tough game."
Takairangi and Garbutt both missed the 34-6 round two loss against Lakes United, while Hopwood will be lining up for his first game since joining the Bulldogs.
Garbutt lasted just 20 minutes in the Bulldogs drought-breaking win against Northern Hawks in round one. Takairangi who played the rest of the match after coming on to replace Garbutt was among the team's best.
"We were a bit short on troops against Lakes. We had a few out injured and I gave a couple of local kids a run, we competed very well in the first half," he said.
"It was like 10-6 at half-time, and then we completed at just 60 per cent in the second half and gave them too much cheap footy.
"I think we had 10 penalties for the game, so when you hand over so much footy to them our defence broke and they scored four late tries against us."
Stringer said going forward the team needed to adopt its game to maximise the strength of their forward pack.
"We've got to play teams down the middle and move them from either side of the goal posts," he said. "We've got to pass the footy a lot more rather than just one-out runs."
"The halve are very good, and the forwards are all good with the football as well. They are skilful. We need to move the ball and play eyes up football."
Update: South Newcastle has postponed Saturday's game against Kurri Kurri Bulldog until Saturday, May 17.
Kurri Kurri welcomes back key recruits Mitch Garbutt, Connagh Takairangi and Kye Hopwood for their round four clash against South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Paul Stringer said the Bulldogs would be at full strength after having the bye over the Anzac Day weekend.
"Mitch should get a clearance on Tuesday. Kye Hopwood got the plaster off his arm on Monday and should be right," Stringer said.
"Connagh Takairangi had his foot in the boot and he'll be right to play.
"We'll have the full complement of players. We play South Newcastle at Merewether. They had a two-point loss against Maitland and it will be a tough game."
Takairangi and Garbutt both missed the 34-6 round two loss against Lakes United, while Hopwood will be lining up for his first game since joining the Bulldogs.
Garbutt lasted just 20 minutes in the Bulldogs drought-breaking win against Northern Hawks in round one. Takairangi who played the rest of the match after coming on to replace Garbutt was among the team's best.
"We were a bit short on troops against Lakes. We had a few out injured and I gave a couple of local kids a run, we competed very well in the first half," he said.
"It was like 10-6 at half-time, and then we completed at just 60 per cent in the second half and gave them too much cheap footy.
"I think we had 10 penalties for the game, so when you hand over so much footy to them our defence broke and they scored four late tries against us."
Stringer said going forward the team needed to adopt its game to maximise the strength of their forward pack.
"We've got to play teams down the middle and move them from either side of the goal posts," he said. "We've got to pass the footy a lot more rather than just one-out runs."
"The halve are very good, and the forwards are all good with the football as well. They are skilful. We need to move the ball and play eyes up football."
Update: South Newcastle has postponed Saturday's game against Kurri Kurri Bulldog until Saturday, May 17.
Kurri Kurri welcomes back key recruits Mitch Garbutt, Connagh Takairangi and Kye Hopwood for their round four clash against South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Paul Stringer said the Bulldogs would be at full strength after having the bye over the Anzac Day weekend.
"Mitch should get a clearance on Tuesday. Kye Hopwood got the plaster off his arm on Monday and should be right," Stringer said.
"Connagh Takairangi had his foot in the boot and he'll be right to play.
"We'll have the full complement of players. We play South Newcastle at Merewether. They had a two-point loss against Maitland and it will be a tough game."
Takairangi and Garbutt both missed the 34-6 round two loss against Lakes United, while Hopwood will be lining up for his first game since joining the Bulldogs.
Garbutt lasted just 20 minutes in the Bulldogs drought-breaking win against Northern Hawks in round one. Takairangi who played the rest of the match after coming on to replace Garbutt was among the team's best.
"We were a bit short on troops against Lakes. We had a few out injured and I gave a couple of local kids a run, we competed very well in the first half," he said.
"It was like 10-6 at half-time, and then we completed at just 60 per cent in the second half and gave them too much cheap footy.
"I think we had 10 penalties for the game, so when you hand over so much footy to them our defence broke and they scored four late tries against us."
Stringer said going forward the team needed to adopt its game to maximise the strength of their forward pack.
"We've got to play teams down the middle and move them from either side of the goal posts," he said. "We've got to pass the footy a lot more rather than just one-out runs."
"The halve are very good, and the forwards are all good with the football as well. They are skilful. We need to move the ball and play eyes up football."

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'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker

The Advertiser

14 hours ago

The Advertiser

'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.