Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: NRL journalist ‘manhandled’ by Accor Stadium security guard

An unsavoury moment between an NRL journalist and an Accor Stadium security guard played out “in front of a crowd of players’ families and friends” following Canterbury’s win over St George Illawarra. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS.

Accor Stadium saw an ugly confrontation following Canterbury’s win over St George Illawarra.Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport, revealing an unsavoury moment between an NRL journalist and an Accor Stadium security guard following Canterbury’s win over St George Illawarra.

HIGHLIGHT

Every single Wallaby player sang our national anthem loud and proud at Suncorp Stadium at the rugby union Test on Saturday night. It’s the one thing the rah-rahs do better than rugby league.

Wallabies players singing the national anthem loud and proud. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

An incorrect call from the bunker in the dying stages cost St George Illawarra the two points against the Bulldogs. Referee Adam Gee correctly ruled Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz had lost the football in the play-the-ball. His decision was overruled by the bunker. It gave Canterbury the field position when they really needed it. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan had every right to blow up about it.

LOWLIGHT II

An Accor Stadium security guard grabbed AAP journo Jasper Bruce as he was heading to the press conferences on Saturday evening. “He grabbed my arm and tried to manhandle me,” Bruce said, “That and the yelling from him was not a good look in front of a crowd of players’ families and friends.”

SPOTTED

So how did demoted Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton perform in NSW Cup on Saturday? Axed by coach Cameron Ciraldo for not showing enough in attack, Sexton played a key role in a 58-20 win over the Manly Sea Eagles. He played five-eighth outside of young gun Mitchell Woods. The Dogs scored 10 tries and Sexton landed eight conversions. Now this is a reserve grade side that had lost its three previous games – to Norths 50-0, to Newcastle 26-18 and to Penrith 36-6. All this while the NRL squad got home via a couple of shonky calls against the Dragons at Accor Stadium.

SPOTTED II

It could only happen in the NRL. They start the year with a crackdown on the play the ball. It lasts for about a month. For the next three months they drop off. Some shocking play the balls are ignored by the referees. They let the game flow. Then, all of a sudden, we hit round 20. The crackdown returns. Penalties are blown for incidents we’ve ignored. All we want is some consistency.

SPOTTED III

We have seen some sensational wingers over the years. From Eric Grothe at the Parramatta Eels and Wendell Sailor through to the more recent stars – Brett Morris, Brian To’o and Alex Johnston. On Saturday Xavier Coates scored his ninth career hat-trick. He is up there with the best I’ve ever seen.

Xavier Coates was a standout in a losing Storm outfit. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

SPOTTED IIII

Jack Wighton’s departure from the Canberra two years ago has proven to be a blessing in disguise. The former Origin star has tried his backside off every week at the South Sydney Rabbitohs. But him leaving the national capital gave Ricky Stuart the opportunity to promote Ethan Strange. This youngster is an exceptional player. He had 11 runs and seven tackle busts for 95 metres against Parramatta on Saturday. He will eventually be the NSW five-eighth in Origin outside of Isaiya Katoa.

SHOOSH

The first change to the NSW State of Origin team next year has got to be in the hooker position. Blayke Brailey will surely wear the Blues number nine jersey ahead of Reece Robson.

SHOOSH II

The pressure continues to build on Cowboys coach Todd Payten. They now have the worst for-and-against in the competition. Already the club’s chief executive Jeff Reibel has announced he is leaving at the end of the next season. We’re hearing there will be an announcement regarding Payten’s future in the very near future.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read to dissect all the big issues from Round 20. Special guest on heavy hitters is new St George Illawarra chief executive Tim Watsford.

COACH KILLER

Poor old Des Hasler.

Another loss – albeit a brave one – but not enough to save his coaching career.

When Wests Tigers utility Adam Doueihi landed the match-winning field goal with seconds remaining it was the death blow for Hasler’s NRL coaching career.

There is no coming back from here.

Next week the Titans travel to New Zealand for Hasler 500th game as an NRL coach.

It will be one of his last games.

He might be under contract for next year but there is a clause where he can be terminated if the club fails to make the top eight.

The Titans are now in need of a major reboot.

They have a roster that is better on paper than their position on the premiership ladder would indicate.

Three forwards who played Origin this year - Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor.

Yet on Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval it was the same old story.

Ill-discipline, poor choices and a clunky attack.

Dumb errors like conceding a penalty for not packing in for a scrum on time in the dying stages.

The two points from Api Koroisau’s goal was the difference on the scoreboard at the end of the day.

Owners Rebecca and Brett Frizell will allow Hasler to do his 500th game in New Zealand next weekend.

But that will be it.

Originally published as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: NRL journalist ‘manhandled’ by Accor Stadium security guard