Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

Countdown to the NRL game of the year, a touching tribute, former Sea Eagle soaring and more — check out the talking points from another big weekend in sport.

• MORE BUZZ: Lewis off target trying to shoot messenger

• NRL PHYSIO: Full casualty ward for Round 2

Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

A mark of respect for the lives lost in the Christchurch tragedy when the Waratahs and Crusaders formed a huddle before kick-off at the SCG.

A moment of silence for the Christchurch terror attack at the beginning of the Waratahs-Crusaders Super Rugby clash. Picture: AAP

HIGHLIGHT II

He’s hardly renowned for his defence, but the try-saving tackle of Penrith’s James Maloney on Edrick Lee in Newcastle on Saturday night was magnificent.

LOWLIGHT

Confirmation that a $730 million stadium will be built in Moore Park with 30,000 empty seats for Roosters, Waratahs and Sydney FC games.

SHOOSH

Which undesirable gambling identity has been banned from holding an Eels membership?

SPOTTED

Old super coach Wayne Bennett with Souths tragic and former ATC chairman Laurie Macri at Rosehill on Saturday watching Winx and the Golden Slipper. Sam and Phoebe Burgess were there, too.

SPOTTED II

Anthony Mundine back at the Dragons to give indigenous player Josh Kerr his first NRL jersey.

HARDLY A GOLD MINE

The Gold Coast Titans never rate a mention regarding expansion and relocation, despite finishing 14th, 14th, eighth, 15th and 14th in the past five years. Their average crowd has dropped from 21,000 in 2006 to 12,000 last year.

360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to discuss all the biggest issues from the weekend.

BUNNIES-BRONCOS CLASH A MUST-SEE EVENT

Wayne Bennett. Picture: AAP

Anthony Seibold. Picture: AAP

Thursday, May 2, 7.50pm, ANZ Stadium, NRL game of the year.

Cancel all appointments and order the pizzas.

This is a game and an event the NRL should be promoting now.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos is a rivalry that has become as bitter as the Blues and ­Maroons or Roosters and Rabbitohs.

This is where feuds and grudges sell tickets and attract TV ratings.

We all love it. And in this case it all starts at the top.

Old Wayne Bennett against ­Anthony Seibold, the man who took his former gig at the Broncos. They can’t stand each other.

Do a television advertisement and make them the stars.

Drag out all the nasty quotes and press conferences from October, ­November and December.

Plus we have the two clubs with the biggest membership bases in the NRL.

Look at the one-on-one battles. Big Sammy Burgess opposite Tevita Pangai Jr.

Cameron Murray against Matt Gillett. Greg Inglis up against Jack Bird. Dane Gagai in a shootout with Corey Oates for a Maroons jersey.

We can’t wait. Only 38 sleeps to go.

■ ■ ■

A lot of good judges in England, ­including former international Phil Clarke, believe Jackson Hastings is the best halfback in Super League.

This youngster was forced out of Manly last year because of weak management.

Wouldn’t the Sea Eagles like him back right now?

Kane Elgey, who was signed from the Titans, is struggling big time.

Jackson Hastings is starring for Salford in the Super League now. File photo

TAP INTO RICH NEW ZEALAND TALENT

The biggest untapped market in rugby league is in New Zealand.

We talk about the Brisbane Broncos having a city to themselves with a population of 2.5 million. Yet the Warriors have an entire country to themselves with a population of double that, almost five million.

This is such an obvious area for NRL expansion, along with a second team in Brisbane.

The Warriors have an entire country to themselves. Picture: Getty Images

The only way the game can move to 18 teams is by going into markets where there are already ­established junior pathway systems in place. Rugby league is growing big time across the Tasman and in the Pacific Islands.

The best solution is to keep the current 16 clubs and add Brisbane, Christchurch or Wellington.