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Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why the Bulldogs are swinging (and missing) in the rain
Last Sunday's scenes against the Tigers mostly centred on Bulldogs recruit Lachie Galvin losing against his former club. How Jarome Luai gave Galvin a facial and verbal spray. How the Tigers celebrated with the Arabic middle finger. And how everyone in rugby league was (eventually) introduced to the word 'khawd', and the various ways it is pronounced. For a large number of Bulldogs fans, they would have been more concerned their team had failed to get the job done again on a heavy playing surface. Maybe it is nothing more than a case of playing poorly on three separate occasions against sides who wanted it more? The Dogs have completed at an average of 82 per cent this year, but that number dips to 69 per cent when you look at the three defeats in the slush. Immortal Andrew Johns, said when asked about Canterbury and their wet-track record this week: 'I think it's because they rely on a lot of set plays. And when you do those set plays in the wet, it's hard to transfer the ball quickly, laterally, which means they are not putting pressure on key defenders to make a bad decision.' Johns said Penrith also used to struggle in the slippery conditions because of the reliance on set plays, and recalled some of their classic defeats, including the World Club Challenge against St Helens, and shock loss to the Tigers one dreary Saturday night in Bathurst a couple of years ago. This masthead asked several current and former players, commentators and coaches to give their thoughts on what it is the Dogs are doing – or not doing – in wet and wild conditions. Everyone knows the Dogs have a smaller but mobile pack, how they pride themselves on getting three or four players into tackles, and having excellent line-speed in defence. When they hunt in numbers, they put pressure on the opposition, and make it difficult for any side to roll downfield and build momentum. On a slippery surface, however, the Dogs have needed to slow it down, or accept they risk getting wrong-footed and slipping over if they shoot out of the line too quickly. Because the Dogs have to hang back that split second longer, teams have been able to move up field a little easier, and get themselves into a situation where they can isolate defenders. As the rain bucketed down at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night in April, the Broncos knew the Bulldogs pack would find it harder to move sideways and rush up in defence. The likes of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Xavier Willison are much bigger than Max King, Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon, so the simple game plan was to play through the middle – and often. Halfback Adam Reynolds then had all the time in the world to work out what attacking kicks to pull out of his trick bag, which included a couple of chips for winger Deine Mariner to score in the right corner. Reynolds also took the opportunity to kick early and kick to the corner. Bulldogs chief Phil Gould used to always tell his players, 'it's easier to defend down their end than attack out of your own end', which became an even more important rule in the wet, and one the Broncos executed beautifully. The Dolphins clash in awful weather at Accor Stadium during the Origin period featured a Canterbury team that was missing nearly a dozen players through injury, suspension or Origin duty. But the Dolphins threw plenty of short passes, spent a lot of time charging up the centre of the park, and Isaiya Katoa produced a classy short-kicking game. Some of his kicks made it a rare off night for Connor Tracey, arguably the Dogs' best player this year whose absence was sorely missed against the Tigers last weekend, and will be in the coming weeks. Tigers No. 1 Jahream Bula said coach Benji Marshall pulled the spine aside last weekend when it became clear CommBank Stadium was going to be a mudheap. 'We discussed how we wanted to play, which was away from the sideline, and with a lot of 'drop plays', which is basically dropping a player back underneath you to come back through the middle,' Bula said. 'The Dogs forwards chase hard and like to put a lot of pressure on the ball player. Those drop plays help with holding them up. They have to take the drop player in a one-on-one tackle. 'We also wanted to look for early kicks.' Adam Doueihi kicked a few times on the fourth tackle from inside his own 40m. Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney did it once, while Bailey Hayward had the right idea on another occasion in the second half, only to shank it. Storm legend Cameron Smith was the best when kicking early in the wet, and Mahoney and Hayward need to be doing just that if conditions deteriorate against the Warriors. They are both good kickers. Performing in the wet can become a psychological thing. Ask any horse trainers, who have the luxury of scratching their horses from a race if the track becomes worse because of the rain, or is what they call 'downgraded'.
The Age
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Why the Bulldogs are swinging in the rain
Last Sunday's scenes against the Tigers mostly centred on Bulldogs recruit Lachie Galvin losing against his former club. How Jarome Luai gave Galvin a facial and verbal spray. How the Tigers celebrated with the Arabic middle finger. And how everyone in rugby league was (eventually) introduced to the word, 'khawd', not to mention the various ways it is pronounced. For a large number of Bulldogs fans, they would have been more concerned their team had failed to get the job done again on a heavy playing surface. Maybe it is nothing more than a case of playing poorly on three separate occasions against sides who wanted it more? The Dogs have completed at an average of 82 per cent this year, but that number dips to 69 per cent when you look at the three defeats in the slush. Immortal Andrew Johns, said when asked about Canterbury and their wet-track record this week: 'I think it's because they rely on a lot of set plays. And when you do those set plays in the wet, it's hard to transfer the ball quickly, laterally, which means they are not putting pressure on key defenders to make a bad decision.' Johns said Penrith also used to struggle in the slippery conditions because of the reliance on set plays, and recalled some of their classic defeats, including the World Club Challenge against St Helens, and shock loss to the Wests Tigers one dreary Saturday night in Bathurst a couple of years ago. This masthead asked several current and former players, commentators and coaches to give their own thoughts on what it is the Dogs are doing – or not doing – in the wet and wild conditions. Everyone knows the Dogs have a smaller but mobile pack, how they pride themselves on getting three and four players into tackles, and having excellent line-speed in defence. When they hunt in numbers, they put pressure on the opposition, and make it difficult for any side to roll down field and build momentum. On a slippery surface, however, the Dogs have needed to slow it down, or accept they risk getting wrong-footed and slipping over if they shoot out of the line too quickly. Because the Dogs have to hang back that split second, teams have been able to move up field a little easier, and get themselves into the situation where they can isolate defenders. As the rain bucketed down at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night back in April, the Broncos knew the Bulldogs pack would find it harder to move sideways and rush up in defence. The likes of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan and Xavier Willison are much bigger than Max King, Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon, so the simple game plan was to play through the middle – and often. Halfback Adam Reynolds then had all the time in the world to work out what attacking kicks to pull out of his trick bag, which included a couple of chips for winger Deine Mariner to score in the right corner. Reynolds also took the opportunity to kick early and kick to the corner. Bulldogs chief Phil Gould used to always tell his players, 'it's easier to defend down their end than attack out of your own end', which became an even more important rule in the wet, and one the Broncos executed beautifully. The Dolphins clash in awful weather at Accor Stadium during the Origin period featured a Canterbury team that was missing nearly a dozen players through injury, suspension or Origin duty. But the Dolphins threw plenty of short passes, spent a lot of time charging up the centre of the park, and Isaiya Katoa produced a classy short kicking game. Some of his kicks made it a rare off night for Connor Tracey, arguably the Dogs' best player this year whose absence was sorely missed against the Tigers last weekend, and will be in the coming weeks. Tigers No. 1 Jahream Bula said coach Benji Marshall pulled the spine aside last weekend when it became clear CommBank Stadium was going to be a mudheap. 'We discussed how we wanted to play, which was away from the sideline, and with a lot of 'drop plays', which is basically dropping a player back underneath you to come back through the middle,' Bula said. 'The Dogs forwards chase hard and like to put a lot of pressure on the ball player. Those drop plays help with holding them up. They have to take the drop player in a one-on-one tackle. 'We also wanted to look for early kicks,' Bula said. Adam Doueihi kicked a few times on the fourth tackle from inside his own 40m. Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney did it once, while Bailey Hayward had the right idea on another occasion in the second half, only to shank it. Storm legend Cameron Smith was the best when kicking early in the wet, and Mahoney and Hayward need to be doing just that if conditions deteriorate against the Warriors. They are both good kickers. Performing in the wet can become a psychological thing. Ask any horse trainer, who have the luxury of scratching their horses from a race if the track becomes worse because of the rain, or is what they call 'downgraded'. If only coach Cameron Ciraldo had the luxury of scratching his team from the Warriors game if the heavens truly open above Accor Stadium. Ciraldo has a premiership team on his hands. They have no many good players. But they ain't no 'mudders'.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why the Bulldogs are swinging in the rain
Last Sunday's scenes against the Tigers mostly centred on Bulldogs recruit Lachie Galvin losing against his former club. How Jarome Luai gave Galvin a facial and verbal spray. How the Tigers celebrated with the Arabic middle finger. And how everyone in rugby league was (eventually) introduced to the word, 'khawd', not to mention the various ways it is pronounced. For a large number of Bulldogs fans, they would have been more concerned their team had failed to get the job done again on a heavy playing surface. Maybe it is nothing more than a case of playing poorly on three separate occasions against sides who wanted it more? The Dogs have completed at an average of 82 per cent this year, but that number dips to 69 per cent when you look at the three defeats in the slush. Immortal Andrew Johns, said when asked about Canterbury and their wet-track record this week: 'I think it's because they rely on a lot of set plays. And when you do those set plays in the wet, it's hard to transfer the ball quickly, laterally, which means they are not putting pressure on key defenders to make a bad decision.' Johns said Penrith also used to struggle in the slippery conditions because of the reliance on set plays, and recalled some of their classic defeats, including the World Club Challenge against St Helens, and shock loss to the Wests Tigers one dreary Saturday night in Bathurst a couple of years ago. This masthead asked several current and former players, commentators and coaches to give their own thoughts on what it is the Dogs are doing – or not doing – in the wet and wild conditions. Everyone knows the Dogs have a smaller but mobile pack, how they pride themselves on getting three and four players into tackles, and having excellent line-speed in defence. When they hunt in numbers, they put pressure on the opposition, and make it difficult for any side to roll down field and build momentum. On a slippery surface, however, the Dogs have needed to slow it down, or accept they risk getting wrong-footed and slipping over if they shoot out of the line too quickly. Because the Dogs have to hang back that split second, teams have been able to move up field a little easier, and get themselves into the situation where they can isolate defenders. As the rain bucketed down at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night back in April, the Broncos knew the Bulldogs pack would find it harder to move sideways and rush up in defence. The likes of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan and Xavier Willison are much bigger than Max King, Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon, so the simple game plan was to play through the middle – and often. Halfback Adam Reynolds then had all the time in the world to work out what attacking kicks to pull out of his trick bag, which included a couple of chips for winger Deine Mariner to score in the right corner. Reynolds also took the opportunity to kick early and kick to the corner. Bulldogs chief Phil Gould used to always tell his players, 'it's easier to defend down their end than attack out of your own end', which became an even more important rule in the wet, and one the Broncos executed beautifully. The Dolphins clash in awful weather at Accor Stadium during the Origin period featured a Canterbury team that was missing nearly a dozen players through injury, suspension or Origin duty. But the Dolphins threw plenty of short passes, spent a lot of time charging up the centre of the park, and Isaiya Katoa produced a classy short kicking game. Some of his kicks made it a rare off night for Connor Tracey, arguably the Dogs' best player this year whose absence was sorely missed against the Tigers last weekend, and will be in the coming weeks. Tigers No. 1 Jahream Bula said coach Benji Marshall pulled the spine aside last weekend when it became clear CommBank Stadium was going to be a mudheap. 'We discussed how we wanted to play, which was away from the sideline, and with a lot of 'drop plays', which is basically dropping a player back underneath you to come back through the middle,' Bula said. 'The Dogs forwards chase hard and like to put a lot of pressure on the ball player. Those drop plays help with holding them up. They have to take the drop player in a one-on-one tackle. 'We also wanted to look for early kicks,' Bula said. Adam Doueihi kicked a few times on the fourth tackle from inside his own 40m. Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney did it once, while Bailey Hayward had the right idea on another occasion in the second half, only to shank it. Storm legend Cameron Smith was the best when kicking early in the wet, and Mahoney and Hayward need to be doing just that if conditions deteriorate against the Warriors. They are both good kickers. Performing in the wet can become a psychological thing. Ask any horse trainer, who have the luxury of scratching their horses from a race if the track becomes worse because of the rain, or is what they call 'downgraded'. If only coach Cameron Ciraldo had the luxury of scratching his team from the Warriors game if the heavens truly open above Accor Stadium. Ciraldo has a premiership team on his hands. They have no many good players. But they ain't no 'mudders'.
Courier-Mail
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
NRL news, updates: Wayne Bennett called out for sad act towards Lewis Dodd as Latrell Mitchell detail emerges
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. English playmaker Lewis Dodd has been ruthlessly dropped by Wayne Bennett once again, leading many to call out the veteran coach's actions. Dodd's time at Redfern has been difficult to say the least. Since joining the NRL club ahead of the 2025 season, Dodd has featured just six times, many of which he has come off the bench. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Offered a salary of $650,000 per-week, Dodd took a chance on the Rabbitohs, leaving England to play under Bennett. However, despite Souths' injury crisis - which Bennett says is the biggest he's ever seen - Dodd has barely been given a chance since arriving at the Rabbitohs. Bennett was asked about Dodd's future before a 60-14 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, and simply said he 'couldn't answer at the present moment' whether he would even see out his three-year contract, a hammer blow for the young half. Wayne Bennett has been slammed for his treatment of Lewis Dodd. (Photo by) And it only got worse for the 23-year-old on Tuesday as Bennett dropped him to the NSW Cup, instead opting for untested 21-year-old Ashton Ward. Bennett's decision has been met with swift criticism from the NRL world and saw former NRL player Joel Caine advised the youngster to leave the club to save his career. 'You've got to feel for Lewis Dodd. Just get out of there, mate,' Caine said on SEN. 'What a rollercoaster ride it's been for him. 'He came out here and won a World Club Challenge against Penrith (with St Helens), and was very close to man of the match. And now he's found himself behind Ashton Ward. Bennett is just not a fan of him.' Lewis Dodd has been dropped by Wayne Bennett again. (Photo by) Many fans were equally unimpressed. 'Lewis Dodd once again hard done by. Bennett has lost the plot,' one fan wrote on social media. 'Bennett has lost his mind,' another added. 'Dodd gone again. I give up at this point,' a third said. Crichton avoids sin bin for high shot Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 11.38% 0:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:21 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Crichton avoids sin bin for high shot more more May with a high shoulder. Stephen Crichton has collected Taylan...... ... more Could Wayne Bennett make a late switch? There is a chance Bennett may move fullback Jye Gray into the halves instead of Ward, if Latrell Mitchell – who was listed in the reserves in jersey No. 22 – is declared fit and ready to play against the Titans this weekend. Bennett could also return his superstar fullback to centre, in place of Tallis Duncan, who has been filling in as an outside back due to the Bunnies' extensive injury list. Latrell Mitchell is nearing his NRL return. (Photo by) Mitchell's return would be a huge boost for Souths and Bennett in his quest to avoid his first-ever wooden spoon. The Rabbitohs are equal on points with the Titans (16) after just six wins in 2025, but their inferior points differential means they are currently last on the NRL ladder with just six rounds to play. A loss to the Gold Coast on Sunday would make Bennett's Bunnies the favourite for the spoon, hence why this weekend's clash is largely being declared the 'Spoon-Bowl'. Originally published as Wayne Bennett called out for sad act towards star playmaker as Latrell Mitchell detail emerges
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Topless hakas and wild celebrations – how rugby legend is bringing winning culture to Chelsea's billion pound youngsters
FROM doing a topless haka in the Chelsea dressing room to punching the dugout in celebration of the Club World Cup win, you can see the passion that Willie Isa brings to the Blues. The former world champion rugby league star, 36, started in the Advertisement 8 Willie Isa was named Chelsea's player support and development officer earlier this year - and is already very much at the heart of what's going on at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty 8 Isa is a world championship-winning legend of rugby league Credit: Getty 8 Isa has gone viral in recent months for his hilarious antics at the Blues - including performing the haka in the dressing room Yet the viral videos of the Samoan demonstrate Isa is already very much at the heart of what is going on at Stamford Bridge. It comes as no surprise to Isa's former boss at Wigan Warriors that he has become so popular, so quickly in his new life in a new sport. In February 2024, head coach Matt Peet led Wigan to victory in the World Club Challenge. And Isa, who had been at the club since 2016, was the 'cultural architect' who set the standards on and off the field that underpinned the triumph. Advertisement READ MORE SPORT STORIES Peet told SunSport: 'It can sound vague I think, like wishy-washy words, when you talk about culture and standards. 'But it comes back to what are you willing to accept and what are you not willing to accept. 'And who's going to set where the line is and acknowledge when things fall below standard. 'Willie was someone who would be driving the cultural side of the environment, standards, behaviours, attitude, just 24/7. Those people are so important. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'We all knew he'd be an addition to any environment. So it's just fair play to Just weeks after Isa became a world champion with Wigan in February last year, he suffered an horrific injury. Simons wants Chelsea move as Villa block Rogers exit | Transfers Exposed A fractured fibula and dislocated ankle put him out for months, but even then - especially then - he made sure he continued to contribute. Advertisement In the autumn, after Wigan had lifted the Challenge Cup and Super League without him on the field, Isa said: 'I was elevated a few years back as a leader and, with the injury, I wanted to play a part in the team in some other way. 'The one-to-one stuff I love but also leading in the group. I make sure our principles stay intact as a club in performance and as people.' Isa returned to training but never to matches before Chelsea offered him the chance to show his off-field skills were transferable to a different sport. You could say Isa was to Wigan what James Milner was to Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, with the former Kop boss saying Milner was absolutely vital in setting the tone and standards which propelled the Reds back to the top. Advertisement It is a comparison which Peet agrees with and Isa would appreciate. Because, after joining Widnes Vikings in 2012, he became a committed Liverpool fan. He was in Madrid to watch Klopp's side win the Champions League in 2019 and long-term partner Gemma Bonner plays for the Reds' ladies side. 8 Isa was spotted pounding on the dugout in celebration at the Club World Cup 8 Isa is in a relationship with Liverpool Women's star Gemma Bonner, left Credit: Getty Advertisement But now Isa finds himself working for one of Liverpool's big rivals. The average age of a Chelsea starter last season - 24 years and 36 days - was the youngest in Premier League history. And Peet believes Isa is the perfect role model, mentor and confidant for Peet said: 'Any young player, they want to be challenged to improve. They want to be shown the way to lead your life as a professional, in high performance. Advertisement 'But first and foremost, they want to know that there's a genuine care there. 'That's what Willie will be good at. He'll put his arm around those that need it, but it won't be a softly, softly approach. 'It'll be driving them to be the best they can be. 'Whatever age group, whatever walk of life these players and staff are from, Willie will have a good way of engaging with people, building relationships and trust with everyone really.' Advertisement That was certainly the case at Wigan, as Peet recalled: 'The story I like telling about Willie is we were having a team culture discussion one morning. 'We asked all the players to talk about something that a team-mate had done for them which no one else knew about. 'There were 25 people in the meeting that shared and probably over half of the people mentioned Willie. 'Giving them a lift to training. Borrowing them some money. Allowing them to stay at his house rent free when things had gone wrong for them... Advertisement 'Or when they had moved over from another country, just catching up with the lads for a coffee or doing things for their families. 'You would think, in a meeting like that after a while, certain people would be friends with some groups more than others. 'But it was really evident that Willie was a good team-mate to a cross-section of the team.' 8 Isa has swapped the oval ball for the round ball Credit: Getty Advertisement 8 Isa has brought his Samoan haka from the rugby pitch to Chelsea's dressing room Behind his strapping physique and competitiveness, Isa really is a man for all seasons. Peet said: 'He's interested in his sport, no doubt. When he was in the rugby club he was 100 per cent rugby league, but then at the weekend he'd go watch Gemma or Liverpool. 'He also had a diverse range of interests. What he'd read about, what he'd talk about, politics, social issues. Advertisement 'I know that weekly he'd visit homeless shelters. Not as an appearance, they wouldn't even know he was a professional athlete. He'd just go and do it off his own bat. 'He's just an interesting guy. He's happy to have a conversation about a range of subjects. 'It'll be seen as a team role that he has, linked to culture and environment. But it's really built on individual connections and that's where Willie will excel.' By all accounts, Isa is really making an impression at Chelsea. Advertisement He is a daily presence at the club's training ground in Cobham and part of the backroom staff for every match. A popular figure. A leader of men. And, just months after swapping an oval ball for a round one, part of a world championship-winning team again. 8
