DISCORD 2012: Edition 14

by NRL

DISCORD doesn't see why the debate about suburban grounds has to be resolved right now.

Sure, playing NRL matches at tiny, rickety old grounds that barely have running water should be the exception rather than the rule. But until we can fill enormodomes regularly, moving into them fulltime is a bad look.

Perhaps what we really need is what they have in Super League - new, boutique stadia that hold 15,000 and down. The Sydney Football Stadium and - certainly - ANZ Stadium are too big for our regular season matches, even if they provide better corporate facilities.

The clubs need to start filling their new homes before they order everyone else to join them.

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DID Reni Maitua spark the change in philosophy at Parramatta that led to last week's drought-breaking win over Manly?

In this week's Rugby League Week, a number of players told me that coach Stephen Kearney had given them permission before round five to unleash their natural ability and not stick so rigidly to his structure.

When I asked Kearney where this initiative came from, he replied: "I don't want to say."

But Discord's spies saw Kearney and veteran forward Maitua deep in discussion at a Parramatta pub early last week - we're talking more than a hour of powwow. I know we're putting two and two together and getting a million, but who knows?

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I am indebted to colleague Terry Liberopoulos for these two morsels of information, which I am sure will interest Discord's readers.

Firstly, South Africa wants to hose the 2017 World Cup. If there's any money behind it, the RLIF will take it seriously. Secondly, the ARL has demanded Papua New Guinea meet certain conditions or funding - and the Prime Minister's XIII game - will be pulled.

Check out Terry's Rugby League review if you are not already a regular readers.

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FEEDBACK time and Warriorman, the Reds weren't a failure last time - they were kicked out as part of the compromise between the ARL and Super League. Mr Costelloe, yes it's on. Generally speaking the Friday night game is live while the Saturday night game is replayed late afternoon Sunday.

Aaron, I'm with you mate but there was no mention, was there? Jack, well spoken! It's a scandal - but one that must be fixed by administrators and not coaches. Stephen my understanding is that there will be a senior and an Unders NZ Origin next year. But to my way of thinking, that's not good enough. I think there should be an Under 20s tri-series - that would allow the kids to compare oranges with oranges.

Here's this week's podcast:

http://stevemascord.com/2012/04/03/white-line-fever-podcast-episode-22/

Your thoughts?