Sonny Bill Williams Quits Bulldogs

The unthinkable has happened in the NRL Rugby League world. NRL star player Sonny Bill Williams quits Bulldogs for French Rugby Union.

Unhappy with the Bulldogs for most of 2008, SBW has been trying to negotiate more money for his NRL playing contract and the Bulldogs, including CEO Todd Greenburg felt SBW was happy with things.

The fans will be shocked.

The Bulldogs slump from one disaster to another, but this time - their best player has now gone. It's a long way back from here. Reports suggest Sonny Bill Williams has already left Australia and is about to play 2nd Grade French Rugby in Toulon.

Melbourne Storm go Rock Climbing

NRL and Rugby League sporting heros from the Melbourne Storm will be doing something very unique tomorrow morning for their recovery session after tonight’s clash against the Dragons at Olympic Park. Let's hope the Storm squad members aren't hampered by any injures in what could be a risky setup @ Indoor Rock Climbing!

(Hmmm, brings back memories of Robbie Kearns falling off a horse during NSW State of Origin duties some years ago with Wayne Pearce as NSW coach)

The squad’s climbing skills will be put to the test when they arrive at the Hard Rock Indoor Rock Climbing Centre in Swanston Street at 11.00am.

The spectacular setting, both inside and out, will provide some great vision and pictorial opportunities.

For more information on the centre, go to www.hardrock.com.au.

*Selected players will be made available for interview upon completion of the recovery session.

WHAT: Melbourne Storm recovery session – indoor rock climbing

WHERE: Hard Rock Indoor Rock Climbing Centre, 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22^nd from 11.00am

NRL News

NRL News launched 2 years ago has quickly grown to become the no. 1 public Rugby League authority site, bringing the latest NRL news to the internet world with the freedom not available to the likes of Fox Sports, League HQ (Fairfax) or even the NRL.com - reporters can speak their mind without fear or concern for political position.

In addition to regular NRL News and NRL editorials, the NRL News.com site features popular Rugby League forums, Video Vault and visitor feedback.

At present the NRL News.com website receives over 2000 individual hits each and everyday and has an email subscriber base of several thousand that receive updates on every article posted by the large team of reporters.

The internet and the advent of 'blogs' has quickly seen the online world become the 'hub' or major resource for breaking news as opposed to old world media and standard newspapers who have previously had a hold over Rugby League and NRL in general such as the Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald. Visitors want to quickly see the latest NRL Results and the NRL Table position of their supported team from anywhere in the world and instantly.

Brian Smith craves NRL Results for Knights

Sent to Newcastle to get them performing again, former Eels coach Brian Smith started with a bang in 2007 - orchestrating a major clean-out of players at Knights in the hope he could start getting some more favourable NRL Results. With the retirement of Andrew Johns, the Rugby League world was in shock - but more so was Newcastle, they needed a star player or star team to replace the loss and the current crop of players simply wouldn't cut it. Enter Brian Smith, long term players were sent packing from the footy club and Smith knew, a new younger and more talented brand of player was needed to get things going.

NRL draw gets harder

As the NRL season moves to Round 2, NRL Results and ladder position will get harder as teams try to remain confident and deal with the new interchange rule that only allows 10 substitutions rather than the previous 12 allowed in 2007.

Souths found the going tought, as coach Jason Taylor admitted his side cannot score enough points. The Bulldogs were brave and did enough to get themselves home after trailing for much of the Round 2, 2008 game in Sydney. ANZ Stadium was abuzz as the Dogs got themselves to their first win of the year, muscling the bigger Souths pack and getting some nice momentum for Round 3.

NRL pacesetting by Storm

www.nrlnews.com

The 2007 eventual NRL Premiership winners the Melbourne Storm have trotted out nicely this year, accounting for the NZ Warriors in their home Monday Night Football game in front of a healthy 20,000 crowd - Victorians coming out to support the Rugby League nicely.

As always early NRL Results are all important as teams look to put some points in the bag early to not only get them to a good ladder position and gain confidence, but it does make things easier at the back end of the season when the Footy is tough and playing talent might be scarce through injury concerns.

Winning well and winning early is the key to overall NRL success.

NRL 2008 Underway

The kick-off has been and gone. The NRL 2008 Rugby League season is now underway with only a single game left for Round 1 already.

With most of the NRL Results already recorded for this round, some surprises already - with the Cronulla Sharks gritty in their defence based win over the high flying Manly footy side at Brookvale Oval. The Parramatta Eels turned on some stylish late play to beat Rugby League warhorses the Bulldogs in a spiteful clash.

Confidence is key and League teams need to get their first wins up early to get a snowball effect going and keep things on track for a Top 8 Semi Final finish.

The final game of NRL Round 1 sees the Vodafone NZ Warriors away to the Melboune Storm at the Telstra Dome.