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Carney to push Braith into pack
Brad Walter and Will Swanton | September 12, 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/c...519638060.html
FORMER Canberra bad boy Todd Carney yesterday took the first steps towards reviving his NRL career by completing a deal with Sydney Roosters as besieged South Sydney coach Jason Taylor vowed to fight to save his.
Carney, who has been playing for the Atherton Roosters and working in a pub in Cairns this season after being sacked by Canberra last year, flew to Sydney yesterday to finalise an agreement with the Bondi club that contains strict conditions about his off-field behaviour.
The contract, believed to be for four years, has to be approved by the NRL but the Roosters were given permission to commence negotiations with Carney two weeks ago after the 23-year-old playmaker furnished a number of references from employers, local dignitaries and high-profile members of the community at a 30-minute meeting last month.
Roosters captain Braith Anasta welcomed the signing, and said he expected to shift to lock next season.
''When they first said they were going to sign him they told me I wasn't moving from five-eighth but I couldn't possibly see that happening and, to be honest, it doesn't bother me because he's a great player and he will be an attribute to our team,'' Anasta said.
The finalisation of the deal with Carney came as the Roosters announced that his former Raiders teammate, Phil Graham, would be the club's first signing since the appointment of Brian Smith as coach.
The Herald yesterday revealed that Smith was also close to securing the services of former Test prop Jason Ryles, who is set to return to the NRL after a season with French Super League club Catalans.
Meanwhile, Taylor last night indicated he would not stand down from his position as Souths coach after being given until 5pm on Tuesday to show cause as to why his contract shouldn't be terminated over an incident at the club's ''Sad Sunday'' festivities in which he was punched by departing second-rower David Fa'alogo.
CCTV footage of the incident is understood to show Taylor karate chopping players and slapping them at the function, which had a Japanese theme in honour of Japan-bound rugby union convert Craig Wing. Fa'alogo took exception to Taylor's antics and punched him.
''I have done nothing wrong, I love the club and I want to continue coaching,'' Taylor told Channel Nine.
Knights coach Rick Stone, meanwhile, has cleared hooker Isaac de Gois to play against the Bulldogs tonight but de Gois cast doubt on his own availability.
Steve Simpson rubbished concerns about the Knights' lack of big-game experience going into the qualifying final at ANZ Stadium but, after clearing de Gois of a serious knee injury, Knights doctor Neil Halpin should've diagnosed Simpson with a case of wishful thinking.
While Brett Kimmorley's absence from the Dogs leaves a gaping hole in experience, most of the Knights are finals greenhorns.
''I don't think it's going to be an issue at all,'' Simpson said. ''Everyone is up for the occasion and looking forward to it. That's what semi-finals are all about - go out and give your all and enjoy the atmosphere.
''I don't think we'll struggle in that area. To be honest, experience doesn't count for much when you're out there. You've just got to hook in and get the job done. The boys have been playing since they were six and seven years old. If we play well, I think we'll get the game.''
Brad Walter and Will Swanton | September 12, 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/c...519638060.html
FORMER Canberra bad boy Todd Carney yesterday took the first steps towards reviving his NRL career by completing a deal with Sydney Roosters as besieged South Sydney coach Jason Taylor vowed to fight to save his.
Carney, who has been playing for the Atherton Roosters and working in a pub in Cairns this season after being sacked by Canberra last year, flew to Sydney yesterday to finalise an agreement with the Bondi club that contains strict conditions about his off-field behaviour.
The contract, believed to be for four years, has to be approved by the NRL but the Roosters were given permission to commence negotiations with Carney two weeks ago after the 23-year-old playmaker furnished a number of references from employers, local dignitaries and high-profile members of the community at a 30-minute meeting last month.
Roosters captain Braith Anasta welcomed the signing, and said he expected to shift to lock next season.
''When they first said they were going to sign him they told me I wasn't moving from five-eighth but I couldn't possibly see that happening and, to be honest, it doesn't bother me because he's a great player and he will be an attribute to our team,'' Anasta said.
The finalisation of the deal with Carney came as the Roosters announced that his former Raiders teammate, Phil Graham, would be the club's first signing since the appointment of Brian Smith as coach.
The Herald yesterday revealed that Smith was also close to securing the services of former Test prop Jason Ryles, who is set to return to the NRL after a season with French Super League club Catalans.
Meanwhile, Taylor last night indicated he would not stand down from his position as Souths coach after being given until 5pm on Tuesday to show cause as to why his contract shouldn't be terminated over an incident at the club's ''Sad Sunday'' festivities in which he was punched by departing second-rower David Fa'alogo.
CCTV footage of the incident is understood to show Taylor karate chopping players and slapping them at the function, which had a Japanese theme in honour of Japan-bound rugby union convert Craig Wing. Fa'alogo took exception to Taylor's antics and punched him.
''I have done nothing wrong, I love the club and I want to continue coaching,'' Taylor told Channel Nine.
Knights coach Rick Stone, meanwhile, has cleared hooker Isaac de Gois to play against the Bulldogs tonight but de Gois cast doubt on his own availability.
Steve Simpson rubbished concerns about the Knights' lack of big-game experience going into the qualifying final at ANZ Stadium but, after clearing de Gois of a serious knee injury, Knights doctor Neil Halpin should've diagnosed Simpson with a case of wishful thinking.
While Brett Kimmorley's absence from the Dogs leaves a gaping hole in experience, most of the Knights are finals greenhorns.
''I don't think it's going to be an issue at all,'' Simpson said. ''Everyone is up for the occasion and looking forward to it. That's what semi-finals are all about - go out and give your all and enjoy the atmosphere.
''I don't think we'll struggle in that area. To be honest, experience doesn't count for much when you're out there. You've just got to hook in and get the job done. The boys have been playing since they were six and seven years old. If we play well, I think we'll get the game.''
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