Our injured skipper's career, a "winning" new jersey, a Super start to our new competition, Rep Weekend tickets on sale and more
GAL’S MIXED BAG
NSW VB Blues skipper Paul Gallen received bad – and good news – this week. It was initially feared a knee injury sustained by Gallen in Townsville while playing for Cronulla against the Cowboys was career-ending – but suspicions weren’t confirmed and the talismanic forward could be back in as few as three weeks. Phew! Get well soon, Gal.
NEW VB BLUES TRAINING JERSEY
True Blues Paul Gallen, Steve Mortimer, Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley, Danny Buderus, Wayne Pearce, Geoff Toovey and Brad Fittler united for lunch during the week to launch a winning captains jersey in a bid to create a consistent winning culture ahead of the Origin series. Printed on the training jersey are all nine winning captains (including Benny Elias, who was overseas at the time of the unveiling) in some of the most iconic Blues moments, including the night Steve Mortimer was hoisted by team-mates after NSW won their maiden Origin series in 1985. Click here for our look at our 1985 success, the first part of our new series.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP NSW UNDERWAY
Round 1 of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW, formerly known as the NSW Cup, has been run and won – and the first week points to arguably the most-open competition in decades. In the first round all the sides that missed out on last year’s finals series either won or drew their matches… and just two of last year’s top-eight sides recorded victories! To coincide with the launch of the competition, this week we began an in-depth video analysis of the competition, hosted by the ABC's Jen Browning and featuring extended player info and interviews. Click here to view the first episode of The Wrap.
COUNTRY-CITY TICKETS ON SALE
Fans will be able to watch the best Rugby League players in NSW face off for as little as $15 in the 2016 AAMI Country v City, which will be held in Tamworth. Tickets for the general public went on sale this week for the annual clash, which will be held at Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct on Sunday, 8 May.
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
NSW Rugby League True Blues including Laurie Daley, Steve Roach, Anthony Minichiello, Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, Ryan Hoffman, Josh Dugan and Brett Morris have taken the lead in a game-wide initiative launched this week aimed at stamping out unacceptable behaviour on the footy field and the sidelines.
MATTS, BALL HEATING UP
The NSWRL's under-16s and under-18s competitions, Harold Matthews and SG Ball, are nearing the halfway mark - and the competition is more intense than ever. The major pathway for junior stars to the NRL, NSW VB Blues Origin players find their feet and professional contracts through these competitions. Catch up on the latest news and the rising stars from these competitions in the latest episode of Jamie's Jury.
