Buzz Rothfield: The NRL competition now a non-event
HOW the NRL’s schedule is killing the game, which Blues player is most likely to get the cut after game one and why Reynolds and Maloney deserve another crack. BUZZ ROTHFIELD gives his verdict.
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WE love State of Origin and last night was another super game of football. A real dogfight.
But at the same time the NRL competition has become a non-event.
This weekend we have only one game in Sydney – the lowly Roosters v Wests Tigers game at Allianz Stadium.
Last weekend there was not one game in Sydney all weekend.
We’re talking about rugby league heartland here. A city that hosts nine clubs.
Yet in two weeks we get one weekend game. This is not good enough.
The schedule is a farce and the sooner Todd Greenberg does something about it the better.
HALVES DESERVE ANOTHER CRACK
NSW have been looking for a dominant half-back since Andrew Johns retired.
We’ve tried Trent Hodkinson, Mitch Pearce, Peter Wallace and Jarred Mullen.
Last night it was Adam Reynolds’ turn and it was no fault of his that the Blues came off second best in a 6-4 arm wrestle.
Sure he missed a conversion he would normally land at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
But overall it was a strong debut. Both he and James Maloney deserve another crack in the return game at Suncorp Stadium.
WHICH HEAD WILL ROLL AT BLUES?
If NSW are to make any changes, controversial bench selection Dylan Walker would be the player to go.
He was on the field for only nine minutes, which would leave many to ask why he was even there in the first place.
The Blues have better options to consider for game two. They need someone more dynamic who can break a close game open. Someone sharper. Someone like Jack Bird.
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