Buzz’s highlights and lowlights: Brad Arthur shopped to Titans; women’s Origin more popular than Matildas

The numbers reveal that women’s NSW and Queensland State of Origin teams are now more popular than the Matildas. PHIL ROTHFIELD has that and more in his highlights and lowlights.

The women’s NSW and Queensland State of Origin teams are now more popular than the Matildas.

Free-to-air TV ratings last week are the proof.

The women’s Origin game on Thursday night attracted 1.165 million viewers nationally on Channel 9 free-to-air and streaming.

On Friday night the Matildas v Argentina in Melbourne on Channel 10 got only 404,000.

These figures are not just a one-off.

All three State of Origin games have rated one million-plus while Matildas games over the past 12 months against Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Uzbekistan have averaged just under 500,000.

So what can we put this all this down to?

Game three of the women’s Origin series attracted 1.165 million viewers. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

No Mary Fowler and no Sam Kerr would affect the Matildas numbers.

The bad publicity around Kerr’s poor behaviour in the UK would also have been a turn off.

Obviously, the Matildas numbers are far bigger at a World Cup.

But there’s no stopping the incredible growth of women’s rugby league in recent times.

“The level of skill in the women’s game has evolved so quickly,” said independent commission chairman Peter V’landys.

Matildas ratings have been dipping. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“I’ve never seen growth in any sport like the NRLW. We gave them the opportunity and they’ve delivered with extraordinary skill. It’s really exciting. I’m not surprised that their TV ratings have been so good.”

Imagine how big the NRLW will be in 10 years.

There are now 30,000 women playing rugby league in NSW alone. They make up 27 per cent of total registrations.

Women’s rugby league continues to grow. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Young girls who have previously grown up to play netball or soccer have been inspired by what they have witnessed during the three State of Origin games.

They want to be the next Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Jesse Southwell, Kezie Apps, Olivia Kernick, Kennedy Cherrington, Tiana Penitani Gray or Jaime Chapman.

HIGHLIGHT

Manly Sea Eagles fullback/winger Lehi Hopoate is a future superstar. And I love how he spoke so generously and respectfully after the win over the Broncos of the guidance and influence that Tom Trbojevic has had on his development as one of the game’s most exciting players.

Lehi Hopoate is destined for greatness. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

The proof that the Broncos have gone backwards is that this time last year after 13 rounds under Kevvie Walters they were running fifth on 16 points.

SHOOSH

Strong rumours over the weekend that former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur, who has missed out on the Perth Bears job, is already being shopped to the Gold Coast Titans by his manager. It must be a difficult one for his agent Chris Orr. He also manages Jason Demetriou, Josh Hannay, Justin Holbrook and John Morris who would also be keen on the job.

Brad Arthur has been rumoured to be shopped to the Titans. Picture: Jess Hornby/Getty Images

SHOOSH

The Roosters were chucked off the Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their captain’s run because of the poor playing surface. The plan to play NSW Cup before the Roosters v Raiders NRL game also had to be abandoned – and that’s where the members and fans are now being ripped off. How can Allianz Stadium possibly cope with another NRL team? There is absolutely no way the stadium can also cater for the South Sydney Rabbitohs unless something is done to fix the embarrassing drainage issues.

SPOTTED

Rugby union convert Joey Manu back at the Sydney Roosters headquarters last week, not that he’s planning an NRL comeback. The Roosters have allowed Manu to use the club gym for two weeks before he heads to France for the rugby season.

Joey Manu was back at Roosters headquarters last week. Picture: NRL Photos

SPOTTED

Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys walking out of Gladesville Bunnings on Saturday with a Ryobi hedge trimmer. And we thought he had his own gardener.

SPOTTED

The extraordinary growth of rugby league in New Zealand is there for all to see on the back of the success of the Warriors. Rotorua over the weekend hosted a Maori tournament – the equivalent of our Koori Knockout. This event started with a handful of teams 20 years ago. On Saturday there were 50 teams competing. Almost every NRL club recruitment manager was there to check out the talent.

RIGHT MOVE

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien learnt his lesson last year about stars backing up from Origin, hence the decision to rest Kalyn Ponga with an ankle injury on Friday night against the Dragons. Last year a fatigued Bradman Best insisted on backing after Origin. He did his hamstring and was out for six weeks. The Knights play Manly on Thursday night in Newcastle. They have to win. It would have been madness to ask their superstar fullback to play three games in eight days considering the extent of an injury he has been carrying for a month.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read to discuss all the major issues from the weekend round of footy.

Originally published as Buzz’s highlights and lowlights: Brad Arthur shopped to Titans; women’s Origin more popular than Matildas