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THE NRL is back - but round one was chock full of drama and controversy.
There was no shortage of talking points.
NO EXCUSES
I am sure there are fans out there irate that Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew Fifita have been suspended for shoulder charges last weekend. They are out for a total of five games.
The apologists will suggest rugby league has lost its spectacular collision and banning the shoulder charge will take away some of the game's toughness.
Whether we like it or not, the rules are now in place. Players cannot shoulder charge, it's that simple.
They know the rules and have to abide by them otherwise they will be on the sidelines for a few games, like Williams and Fifita.
Williams and Fifita placed their clubs in difficult positions. The shoulder charge lives in the past. It has no place in the future.
Players rubbed out for shoulder charging only have themselves to blame.
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FIFITA
The question has to be asked…why did Andrew Fifita leave Cronulla?
Sharks fans will be shattered he has decided to join Canterbury on a rich four year deal.
The Sharks did a lot for Fifita - they really turned around his flagging career. The money difference between the two offers apparently wasn't that much so I can only assume the Bulldogs offered more stability and you have to wonder if he felt he had a better chance to win a premiership.
I am just happy Fifita decided against joining rugby union. We didn't want to lose another player after Sonny Bill and Sam Burgess decided to leave rugby league.
But I am disappointed Fifita left the Sharks. He owes them a huge debt of gratitude.
Catch the full replay from the North Queensland Cowboys' clash with the Canberra Raiders at 1300SMILES Stadium
EXPERIENCE
Round one showed me, yet again, the value of having experienced halves in your side.
I always thought Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward would be a successful combination for Penrith, and that was proven on Saturday afternoon against Newcastle.
I thought their experience and kicking game was the key factor late in the match. They will play a huge role in Penrith moving up the competition ladder this year.
Gareth Widdop was exceptional in his first game for St George Illawarra. I noticed Saints skipper Ben Creagh said Widdop brought a calmness and coolness to the Dragons side.
That's what great halves do.
And what more can be said about Johnathan Thurston? He didn't panic when his Cowboys fell 16 points behind Canberra. He doesn't play, North Queensland don't win.
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PENALTIES
I see there were an extra two penalties per game over the eight matches in round one compared to last year. Were the refs knit-picking?
Generally speaking there are always a few additional penalties in round one with refs trying to assert their authority, especially under new interpretations.
I noted too the blocks of penalties awarded to one side in some games. It gives that side so much momentum.
Three or four penalties in a row can change a match in minutes - like we saw when Melbourne took control in the second half at Brookvale.
Personally I don't think the refs were knit-picking. I really enjoyed the decline of the wrestle in the play-the-ball.
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PARRA POWER
I cannot write a column without mentioning the early success of my Parramatta Eels.
I know they won in round one last year and went on to collect the wooden spoon but I think things are different this year.
I saw some really positive signs under new coach Brad Arthur.
The most outstanding aspect of their win over New Zealand was their defensive line speed. At times last year that was virtually non-existent.
Will Hopoate was impressive in his first NRL game in two years. You can't imagine how difficult it must have been returning to the NRL after that time away.
Parramatta's enthusiasm was wonderful, as it should be in round one. But the signs are there that Parramatta are ready to make a significant move under the competition ladder.
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