How sterile is the NRL at the moment, with referees waking up the video referee to adjudicate on whether the ball was stripped or not before packing a scrum?

The way it is going, it will end up like American football, with some guy running out on the field with a big pointer and a tape measure gauging yards gained.

Then there was the Jason Taylor thing the other night, when the Souths coach called all his players to the sideline to rev them up.

It added a bit of theatre, I thought, but he nearly got in hot water about it.

I reckon seeing as we are celebrating the game’s centenary, they should go back to the basics – no video ref, make them run on and shake hands before the game, and give them oranges at half time.

The Snipe’s cranky

The NRL Snipe has been busy trying to pick winners with not much luck but he did find time to send me this the other day.

“What about all the coaching movement at the moment, anyone that believes that News Limited doesn’t still pull the strings in rugby league, they are sadly mistaken.

“I don’t think it is coincidence that Canberra and the Cowboys are changing coaches shortly after the start of the season or that the Bulldogs have handed their job down the family line, with the common denominator being all News Limited Clubs and just a reshuffle amongst the ranks.

“Now you may well ask what about Wayne at the Broncos, why did he go to the Dragons, who aren’t News Limited.

“In my opinion, that just goes to show he has had a huge falling out with powers to be over last year’s Roosters fiasco.

“Word also has it that there is a little friction between the Super Coach and one of his former skippers.”

Now the Snipe was also irate about an insurance issue in Queensland Rugby League but I have been told the QRL have it in hand, so I’ll keep my eye on that.

Soldiering on with a broken jaw

I saw a local league game between Kawana and Hinterland the other day, and we always talk about how tough forwards are in league and union.

But what about Bulldogs fullback Daniel Grice, who played over half a game with a broken jaw?

Talk about tough.

Mighty Mal is one of ours

The Australia Rugby League Team of the century was announced this week with a highlight for Sunshine Coast people being the inclusion of the great Mal Meninga, who played a fair bit of his junior footy here, so I reckon we can claim him.

Speaking of claiming people, Norm Provan, who was named in the side, lives on the Coast now.

I was disappointed that Alfie never made it but it was a tough gig.

Team of the Century

This Wednesday at Mooloolaba Surf Club, Sunshine Coast Rugby League names their Team of The Century and, like the Australian team, there will be notable players missing out, and it could be argued long and hard about different eras and so on.

Norm Provan is the special guest and the function starts at 6.30pm, with all league fans welcome.

Give CEO Billy Moore a ring if you would like to attend on 0409 613 720.