Plucked from obscurity after just 14 first grade games for North Sydney, Johnston was one of six debutants rushed into the New South Wales team for Game Two in 1983 but was at Lang Park three years earlier as a member of the NSW under-18s team, a night forever remembered as the one and only time Beetson ever played for Queensland.When Johnston moved down from Gunnedah as a 19-year-old to link with Norths he began his apprenticeship by playing a season of reserve grade in 1982 where he lined up against a Parramatta team boasting Beetson and Bob O’Reilly and later a St George reserve grade team containing six internationals.Currently travelling around Australia with his wife Michelle, NRL.com tracked down Johnston on his way to Uluru and he said watching Fifita cut a swathe through the Queenslanders from his caravan in Darwin was unlike anything he had ever seen before.”Andrew Fifita is something out of the box,” said Johnston, who played 64 games for Norths, Easts and Souths as well as stints with Hull KR and Halifax in the UK.”He’s the best front-rower in a long time. There are lots of good footballers running around but that game the other night that’s probably the best performance I’ve seen from a front-rower in a State of Origin game. It was phenomenal.”I realise a lot went our way and Queensland were on the back foot but he was responsible for them being on the back foot a lot of the time.”He’s got a step, he’s got an offload, he’s very hard to pull down.”He takes a lot of players out of the defensive line every time he takes the ball up, which you want, and he’s got a quick play-the-ball.”Like the Blues that have debuted in the past decade Johnston came in at a time when Queensland was brimming with some of the finest players the game has ever produced in Australia.The Maroons had won five of the first six Origins ever played, prompting Blues selectors and coach Ted Glossop to make wholesale changes in order to try and combat the dominance of the likes of Lewis, Meninga, Miles, Close, Vautin, Niebling and Conescu.Eleven different players made their Origin debuts for NSW in the first two games of the 1983 series but notification of selection was far different than it is some 30 years on.”I’m an electrician by trade and I was working out in western Sydney somewhere and I heard it on the wireless that I was to report to the [Sydney] Cricket Ground for a medical,” Johnston recalled.”I turned up and I still had my Norths shorts that I’d played in the weekend before still in the back of the car and we got a T-shirt and a tracksuit and that was about it.”Coming into the side with established players like Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny, Mick Cronin, Geoff Gerard was the other front-rower and there was another fella from the country, Paul Field from Cootamundra.”He got into the State of Origin side from the country which doesn’t happen these days of course.”When people talk about footballers, that Queensland side… Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Kerry Boustead, Chris Close, they were great players that we played against and it’s great to be able to sit back and say I played against them and held my own.”As for whether this current Blues team is on the verge of turning a king-tide that has been running against them, Johnston is supremely confident he will be watching the series being decided in Game Two, wherever he is on his travels.”Geez they’ve had a wonderful side for the past 10 years but I just can’t see us getting beat,” said Johnston.”I just can’t see it. I’ve had my doubts in the past but I’m pretty confident in this side that they’ve got at the moment.”
Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Caption: Sydney Roosters celebrate after their victory over St Helens. The back-to-back NRL champions defeated Wigan Warriors in the 2019 one-off fixture and, despite falling behind against Saints on Saturday, once again came out on top against their Super League counterparts.Luke Thompson – who will head to Australia after the season to join the Canterbury Bulldogs – opened the scoring when he crashed over from Theo Fages’ pass for a converted try.The Dragons roared back, however, with Daniel Tupou hanging on to a low pass by his boots before waltzing over the line on his side’s left flank.Joseph Manu put the visitors in front when he touched down on the opposite side of the field for his first of the game, diving over as Saints were caught short of numbers out wide.Kyle Flanagan – making his debut for the Roosters – hit the posts with both conversion attempts, making it 8-6 at the half-time interval..@sydneyroosters RULE! #WorldClubChallenge pic.twitter.com/m6NHtCvKIN— NRL (@NRL) February 22, 2020Saints had opportunities to hit back after the break, wing Tommy Makinson ruled to have knocked on as he attempted to score under pressure.Instead it was the Roosters who crucially scored next, Manu grabbing his second try. Luke Keary then provided the finish following Siosiua Taukeiaho’s initial break from inside his own half, putting the game beyond St Helens.Alex Walmsley did plunge over for a late consolation score, Makinson adding the extras, but Sydney held on to retain the trophy and maintain their 100 per cent record in the annual competition.
He said that while the SP PNG Hunters had captivated the imagination and lifted the profile of PNG on the international stage, he will pay equal attention to developing the code domestically. “A large population of our rugby league members, and this includes the women, are involved in our domestic competitions and we need to focus a lot more of our attention on these players than we have done in the past,“ said CutmoreHe said that he knew it wouldn’t be a quick-fix solution with a lot of challenges existing. But he added the PNGRFL would do its utmost to address these issues and further develop the game domestically.
Some of the 500,000 fans expected in the Gulf nation might be accommodated under canvas near stadiums.”At the heart of this World Cup is a commitment to showcase hospitality and friendship of the Middle East,” said a spokesman.”As a result, we are actively researching the concept of supporters sleeping under the stars.”Bedouin campsites are inspired by the homes of tribes that have historically lived in the Arabian and Syrian deserts.The tournament has already been moved from its traditional June-July slot to December over concerns about high temperatures.
Oviedo: “It is a team that has been suffering from getting out of the relegation positions, goes out and gets in. There they beat us and won us well. We can’t trust. If you let him attack he has people to hurt. A part of the game will go through take away the ball and have patience, it doesn’t squeeze so high, but it waits for you to three quarters, in front of teams like that, the best recipe is patience, we have to take advantage of our ability to move the ball to create spaces, it is a rival with tools to beat anyone. It’s such an important game to keep up the good streak this year. “Three consecutive draws: “We need to win and keep on a good run. The draws if we were in another position maybe they would be worth more. A priori we need to add three by three if we want to continue cutting distances up. We never go out to tie. We draw and we match going is a problem, not a good result. “Eye to teams below: “We care only about ourselves. We do not expect those above to fail. We still all depend on ourselves. To favor the results of others, you have to win. After winning I look at the results, but if we do not win, We don’t care about the rest. We are waiting to reduce distances. “Appeal Decision for the ‘Zozulia Case’: “In this country it usually happens, not only in sport but in normal life, those who have to impart justice do anything but impart justice. I do not know what they are put there for, I do not understand it very well. they should sanction others. If we could not feel persecuted, in fact, I manifest it. We, after what I have seen in other fields, have been sanctioned because we are. To dedicate yourself to certain things not only you have to have language, you also have to have them well placed and make fair decisions.If people who have to make those decisions have language, but you lack balls … They make wrong decisions.If they punish us we assume it, but they also have to sanction the rest or we feel aggrieved. In Vallecas you can not say certain things, but in other fields yes? They had a fantastic opportunity to impart justice and have let it go. If you miss me? Well, no, you don’t miss me in absolute. “Yacine Qasmi: “He has come with a little discomfort, yesterday he trained with us and today too. It’s pretty good. The club has signed it. He comes to reinforce the top and the club has wanted this player to be. We have received him in the best way possible to make you feel as comfortable as possible and start working now. “ Ulloa hasn’t scored at home yet: “I talk to him a lot. The last games are not that he hasn’t scored, he hasn’t even finished off. That does worry us. We should use him more in the area. We’re going to try to put the best balls we can. So far no it was the scoring mark that he expected and that none expected. It gives us a lot but if we want to fight for the promotion we need goals. We need him to find that shot again, that goal. We are all working to meet the goal again. forward sees that they do not arrive it gets more obstinate. We are here to help you. “Solid back and fewer goals scored: “I told the players that we were lacking madness. I have not changed, I do not want to, nor do I plan to change. I have modified things that need to be improved. This team lacks madness from time to time because with our quality it would make us impossible to stop. I’ve seen it at times. Another thing is that it has helped us to win or not. The defensive consistency also depends on the players. This year we are marking less than any year. If to mark you have to fit from time to time I bet because so. It is not opening the games without meaning, but when you have to do it. So much draw says a lot about that. “Saul, change in the first half: “I did not have a good day, that happens also in football, and he understood. He had a bad game and looking for the general good I felt the need to have to change it. I bet on Tito because he gave us good results and that’s why he I keep on. I know that I will use the left sides on what lies ahead. “The words of Mario Suarez in an interview (“Not ascending would be a failure”): “Mario is very sensible and makes clear the demand of all who are here. I could make a thousand excuses, which more convincing, to say that the goal of this year is no longer to ascend, but I am not going to do it. I am not going to do it because it would sound like excuses. We are going to fight the most. I would only modify one thing of his sentence. I understand failure as something that is not achieved because you have not put everything necessary. If this team does not get promoted, it will not be for that, it will be for other things, it would be a disappointment and not a failure, we self-demand it, inside the locker room, that says a lot about the mood of the locker room, we are uncomfortable where we are. I love that. It puts some pressure on us, but it is normal within what we ask ourselves. If they are convinced that the goal is that, I will help them. “Low: “Those already known. Yacine will enter. Morro, Comesaña and Pozo are still injured.”Yacine Qasmi, the great noveltyStriker Yacine Qasmi is the great novelty of Lightning in the call for the match against Oviedo. The Franco-Moroccan, 29, arrived on the last day of the market and has overcome some inconvenience, so he could enjoy his first minutes with the Strip. It falls from the Luna contest. Nor are the injured Comesaña, Pozo and Morro on the list.
The last winter market You can also mark the future of the eighths. Naples and Tottenham they were the teams that spent the most on this market, 34.5 million each. The loss of Kane forced the spurs to sign the Dutch Bergwijn, the most expensive signing among the 16 clubs that aspire to raise the Ear (the spurs they paid the PSV 30 million). The Mourinho will face a Leipzig which in January was done with the services of Dani Olmo. The young Spanish international made a great first phase of the tournament with the Dinamo Zagreb, who could not qualify for the eighths, but who placed, even more, in the first line of the showcase of the great promises of European football. Although without a doubt the signing that has caused the most impact in Europe has been that of Haaland by the Dortmund for 20 million euros. The Norwegian was the great revelation of the group stage, in which he scored eight goals with Salzburg. With the Germans, its premiere has been a movie: eight goals in his first 270 minutes that is, a goal every 33 minutes.New trainers, new signings and new sensations. The Champions returns with new airs.City and Liverpool remain favorites to win the titleLittle has changed the belief of bettors since the end of the Champions group stage: City and Liverpool they are still both big favorites to lift this European Cup. Of course, the reds have slightly improved their forecasts while citizens the have worsened. His rivals in eighths are Real Madrid and Atlético. Bettors now see whites more favorite than two months ago while they see the Simeone team with less chance than then. The Barça, third applicant to the title. The next Tuesday the Champions returns and its winds run in a different direction than the one that blew on December 16, when it they crossed the crosses of the round of 16. In these two months the football landscape has suffered relevant changes which directly affect the maximum continental competition, such as favorable streaks of some teams in their respective leagues, the January signings, on which they were spent 166 million, or even some change of coachReal Madrid Y Bayern they are the face of the coin in terms of sensations. Both are now leaders of LaLiga and Bundesliga, respectively, and their statistics have improved visibly during this stop of the Champions League. Barça and Juventus They are the cross. The change of coach has affected the performance of the Catalans, whose game does not finish convincing while in the vecchia signora, the spectacular streak of Christian, which reaches the eighth at its best since it went to Turin, is not sufficient to wrest the lead from a great Inter who dreams of breaking the hegemony bianconera in Series A.Interestingly, the another club who has changed coach in these months has been the rival of Barça, the Naples. Gattuso took the reins of the Italian team as soon as the group stage ended and, although they fell into the last day before Lecce, the Neapolitans have demonstrated a improvement in the last month with three consecutive victories, including one to Juventus.
Neymar’s father And he went further, ensuring that the rumors will not stop in these times of crisis: “It will not be different now. Although we are in the midst of a global pandemic, things will continue to emerge. He is very happy at PSG, with the qualification for the next round in the Champions …“Finally, Neymar’s father admitted the offer made by Corinthians when his son was still a member of Santos. “It is true. I said to Andrés: “You have no money” and he gave me a piece of paper: “Sign here.” He’s crazy (laughs). I wanted Neymar to stay for a while in Corinthians and then go to Barcelona “, story. “I said to Andrés: ‘You have no money’ and he gave me a piece of paper: ‘Sign here’. He’s crazy” “He always chooses the path he wants to follow”
Neymar’s father Neymar and his future are again protagonists in times of crisis for COVID-19. Again he speculates again with his departure from Paris Saint Germain and his return to Barcelona, just as it happened last summer. The player is being held at his home in Rio de Janeiro, with no contact with outsiders other than through his social networks. The one who did speak was his father. “Playing for Barcelona has always been his dream since he was a child. He always chooses the path he wants to follow. The others onlywe work it administratively, to make the best contract, to place it in the best home and with the best management of your career “, affirmed journalist Beto Saad.
Points standingP W D L GF GA GD Pts1. Man City 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 32. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 33. Crystal Palace 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 34. West Ham 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 35. Aston Villa 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 36. Liverpool 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 37. Man United 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 38. Chelsea 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 19. Everton 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 110. Newcastle 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 111. Southampton 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 112. Swansea City 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 113. Watford 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 114. Bournemouth 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 015. Tottenham 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 016. Stoke City 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 017. Sunderland 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 018. Norwich City 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 019. Arsenal 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 020. West Brom 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
New president of Netball Jamaica (NJ), Dr Paula Daley Morris, wants to improve the popularity of the sport locally and help the Sunshine Girls take that next step on the international stage, as she embarks on her tenure for the next two years.Dr Daley Morris, who was elected unopposed at the association’s annual general meeting last Saturday, said although she believes changes are necessary to improve the sport, they will go through a process to ensure that whatever works is retained.”My vision is to spread it across the island; I want it to be popular like other major sports, I want the game to be viewed more than it is being viewed on TV, I want it covered more in the newspapers,” she said.”Like the schoolboy Manning Cup, on any given day, you are supposed to be able to hear it on one or two stations. I don’t want Jamaicans to just be interested when the Sunshine Girls are playing but interested in the sport on a whole,” she insisted.”Internationally, like all other Jamaican presidents, I have the same aspiration, to be on top of the (World Cup) podium,” she pointed out.Dr Daley Morris added that the semi-pro league, which started two years ago under previous president Marva Bernard will play a great part in the development of the sport as her administration sees it as part of the bigger picture.”We have been taking a very professional approach to transition. We have the services of a change management company named JACE (management consultants).”We are looking into the organisation to see how we have been doing things. We can’t make wholesale changes. There has to be a process and we are trying to understand where we are as a body, then we are going to meet the stakeholders,” she explained.Taking the association out of it’s present financial predicament and putting it on firm footing at the end of the next two years is her primary objective.”My biggest challenge is funding. We are in the red and it’s not easy to take over something in the red and that is why we have to get a handle on things so we can come out of the red.”I want to leave the association in good standing. I want to leave a structure that is good so the company can develop. My constitution must sustain development and improve performances all round.”So our ladies, our operations, our training, even the way the common girl looks, when they play the game it must be different,” noted Daley Morris, who thanked Jamaicans for their outpouring of support for her appointment.
Following the unexpected death of former national players and local football greats such as Winston ‘Twinny Bugs’ Anglin, Stephen ‘Shorty’ Malcolm and Peter ‘Jair’ Cargill, former national team captain, Anthony ‘Badas’ Corbett, was inspired to start a foundation in order to honour the memories of these greats who thrilled and entertained football fans in years gone by but passed on and left struggling families behind. Corbett, who is in the island lending support to national under-20 coaches Altimont ‘Freddy’ Butler and Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner at the request of the duo hopes to garner more support for his Unsung Heroes Foundation so the organisation can offer greater support to families of former nationals who have passed on. “Myself, Butler and (Michael) Tulloch started the Foundation about five years now. We built and registered the Unsung Ones Foundation because we want to help families of players who are not here anymore,” he stated. “Look at Jair (Peter Cargill). He was everything that we wanted to be when we were young. We wanted to play pro, Cargill played pro; we wanted to go to World Cup, Cargill did that; we wanted to coach the national team, Cargill did that, so he did everything,” Corbett pointed out. “Now he’s gone on and left his family, a single mother, who’s fighting to send the youth to school. So we need to spend time to find out and that is why we have this foundation trying to help. It’s tough because it’s just me and Tulloch trying to do everything, and we just would like some people to come in and help,” he told The Gleaner. The foundation has remained active in its over five years of existence, but only on a minor scale. However, the former football ambassador, who captained the national team for six years, wants the organisation to improve so it can really reach out to the families of outstanding former players who are truly in need. “Every year, we play some games and try to keep things alive, because it’s about 70-odd players who passed on. I would like players to come together and celebrate our lives. We want a day to play a game that we can say ‘Cobra’ (Barrington Gaynor), Peter, Twinny Bugs, Shorty, well done. “We want to carry it on because we don’t want to forget the past and the ones that are gone … so support the Unsung Ones Foundation and make it work,” he said. “We want to include everyone, we don’t want to exclude nobody, even the women who play ball, because we easily forget. So we need the foundation so these people can get help,” said Cargill.