Rugby league: NRL teams for 2001

Auckland Warriors

Brisbane Broncos

Canberra Raiders

Canterbury Bulldogs

Melbourne Storm

Newcastle Knights

Northern Eagles

North Queensland Cowboys

Parramatta Eels

Penrith Panthers

St George Illawarra

Sydney City Roosters

Sydney Sharks

Wests Tigers

AUCKLAND WARRIORS

Backs (name, age, height, weight, no. of games):

Ivan Cleary, 19, 181cm, 88kg, 138.

Clinton Toopi, 20, 185cm, 90kg, 6.

Henry Fa'afili, 20, 175cm, 89kg, 13.

Francis Meli, 20, 187cm, 92kg, 5.

Justin Murphy, 23, 178cm, 90kg, 1.

Shontayne Hape, 21, 188cm, 95kg, 13.

Richie Blackmore, 31, 188cm, 105kg, 27.

David Myles, 23, 180cm, 94kg, 38.

Cliff Beverley, 23, 183cm, 86kg, 35.

Stacey Jones, 24, 171cm, 82kg, 120.

Motu Tony, 19, 178cm, 88kg, 0.

Channerith Ly, 20, 167cm, 72kg, 0.

Richard Utai, 20, 185cm, 90kg, 0.

Forwards (name, age, height, weight, no. of games):

Kevin Campion, 29, 183cm, 95kg, 158.

Logan Swann, 25, 191cm, 100kg, 84.

Awen Guttenbeil, 24, 188cm, 100kg, 34.

Ali Lauiti'iti, 21, 186cm, 110kg, 47.

Wairangi Koopu, 21, 190cm, 100kg, 6.

Justin Morgan, 25, 190cm, 100kg, 105.

Jonathon Smith, 21, 183cm, 92kg, 2.

Jerry SeuSeu, 26, 188cm, 108kg, 51.

Anthony SeuSeu, 23, 186cm, 105kg, 0.

Richard Villasanti, 20, 185cm, 104kg, 13.

Jason Temu, 27, 180cm, 105kg, 3.

Mark Tookey, 23, 184cm, 113kg, 68.

Nathan Wood, 28, 178cm, 90kg, 97.

Jason Death, 29, 180cm, 93kg, 136.

Monty Betham, 22, 183cm, 94kg, 22.

* Prediction - 10th.

Peter Jessup: Lack of depth a worry for new-look Warriors

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BRISBANE BRONCOS

Backs - Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuquiri, Wendell Sailor, Craig Frawley, Justin Hodges, Danny Bampton, Michael De Vere, Stuart Kelly, Shane Walker, Chris Walker, Ben Ikin, Shaun Berrigan, Scott Prince.

Forwards - Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Cory Parker, Mark Corvo, Brad Meyers, Phillip Lee, Michael Ryan, Luke Priddis, Brad Meyers, Gorden Tallis, Carl Webb, Ashley Harrison.

Wayne Bennett's 14th year could be a hard one. The Broncos are sure to miss all that old talent that has gone to England. Bennett reckons he has the talent to replace them and he's been right about that before. But the new halves combination of Scott Prince and Ben Ikin or Shaun Berrigan will be critical.

Prediction - 6th.

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CANBERRA RAIDERS

Backs - Clinton Schifcofske, Shane Kelly, Greg Wolfgramm, Lesley Vainikolo, Ken Nagas, Odell Manuel, Jamaal Lolesi, Rod Jensen, Joel Monaghan, Anthony Swann, Luke Williamson, Jace Van Dijk, Michael Monaghan, Brett Finch, Mark McLinden, Craig Simon.

Forwards - Luke Davico, Alan Tongue, Ryan O'Hara, Todd Payten, Ruben Wiki, Simon Woolford, Andrew McFadden, Anthony Colella, Michael Hodgson, Darren Mapp, Sean Ruttgerson, Adam Peters, Jason Crocker, Brad Kelly, Terry Martin.

The Raiders will certainly miss skipper Laurie Daley, and much of the game-making play will now fall to the "Hat Attack" of headgeared McFadden and McLinden. They will also miss Furner for his kicking and defence. Canberra are in a semi-rebuilt state, and look short on playmaking forwards, vulnerable at the back and lacking the across-the-field class needed to go to the top level.

Prediction - 12th.

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CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Backs - Luke Patten, Rod Silva, Hasim El Masri, Gavin Lester, Nigel Vagana, Steven Hughes, Shane Marteene, Brett Howland, Willie Talau, Shane Perry, Corey Hughes, Brent Sherwin.

Forwards - Barry Ward, Darren Britt, Troy Stone, Nathan Sologinkin, Paul Rauhihi, Willie Mason, Adam Perry, Jamie Feeney, Adam Peek, Steve Price, Darren Smith, David Thompson, Dennis Scott, Craig Polla-Mounter, Steve Reardon.

The Dogs lose a guaranteed 10 points a game with Halligan gone and will suffer for lack of quality halves. They have a pack over-weighted with props and lacking class behind. The interchange restrictions might hurt them more than any other side and they look to be short on finishing class.

Prediction - 11th.

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MELBOURNE STORM

Backs - Robbie Ross, Tai Lavea, Matt Geyer, Fifita Moala, Marcus Bai, Junior Langi, Steve Bell, Brad Watts, Aaron Moule, Paul Whatuira, Brooke Martin, Steve Bell, Scott Hill, Tasesa Lavea, Matt Orford.

Forwards - Robbie Kearns, Rodney Howe, Brenton Pomery, Brett O'Farrell, Richard Swain, Glenn Turner, Matt Rua, Stephen Kearney, Russell Bawden, Ben Roarty, Peter Robinson, Danny Williams, Henry Perenara.

Things will be tougher for the Storm this season, coach Chris Anderson having to stick somewhere around the true salary cap for a change. The departure of halfback Brett Kimmorley after Anderson built the team around him will hurt and the Eagles swapper Matt Orford faces much pressure. The Storm have a great pack but may struggle to get the ball to their speedy wings.

Prediction - 8th.

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NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Backs - Robbie O'Davis, Daniel Abraham, Adam MacDougall, Timana Tahu, Justin Ryder, Darren Albert, Mark Hughes, Julian Bailey, Matthew Gidley, James Wynne, Andrew Johns.

Forwards - Josh Perry, Matt Parsons, Clinton O'Brien, Glenn Grief, Danny Buderus, Ben Donaldson, Ben Kennedy, Daniel Quinn, Steve Simpson, Daniel Smailes, Daniel Quinn, Paul Marquet, Sean Rudder, Bill Peden.

The Knights will be smarting after the pre-season injury to Matt Gidley robbed them of the intended replacement for Mattie Johns. The link from his brother Andrew, the world's No 1 half, out to a top-ranked back three, is critical. They have a mixture of talent and mediocrity in the pack and in the midfield backs, and look to have spent too heavily on too few players who will carry too many expectations.

Prediction - 9th.

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NORTHERN EAGLES

Backs - Joel Penny, Andrew King, Scott Pethybridge, Brandon Reeves, Lenny Beckett, Robert Miles, Albert Torrens, Scott McLean, Michael Sullivan, Ben Walker, Brett Kimmorley.

Forwards - Josh Stuart, Steve Trindall, Mark O'Meley, Paul Stringer, Wayne Evans, Jay Bandy, Jamie Goddard, Geoff Toovey, Steve Menzies, Nik Kosef, Adam Muir, Greg Ebrill, William Leyshon, Phil Bailey.

The Eagles are still struggling with internal ructions in the boardroom, with the Norths side still dissatisfied at everything from the jersey on. That, and the lack of class backs behind a pack that has elusive speed and great ball-playing back-up, will be the greatest threats to their season. They look short on class out wide. But Kimmorley should lift them considerably from last season.

Prediction - 5th.

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NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Backs - Tim Brasher, Lee Oudenryn, Adam Connelly, Brian Jellick, Napolioni Kuricibi, Geoff Bell, Paul Bowman, Julian O'Neill, Damien Smith, Noel Goldthorpe, Matthew Bowen, Nathan Fien.

Forwards - John Buttigieg, Brett Hetherington, Jamie McDonald, Shaun Valentine, Darrien Doherty, John Manning, Glenn Morrison, Leigh McWilliams, John Doyle, Robert Relf, Mark Shipway, Peter Jones, Kyle Warren, Daniel Strickland, Josh Hannay.

Could this be the last throw of the dice for so-called master coach Tim Sheens? Probably, but then we said that last season. Sheens was charged with developing local talent and is doing a remarkable job - it's just that it all keeps leaving for other clubs because of his inability to get along with people. The Cowboys will again rely on expensive buy-ins recovering from injury, whom others by-passed.

Prediction - 13th.

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PARRAMATTA EELS

Backs - David Vaeliki, Brett Hodgson, Eric Groethe jnr, Pat Richards, Jason Moodie, Luke Burt, Jamie Lyon, Michael Buettner, Ben Duckworth, Peter John "PJ" Marsh, Jason Taylor.

Forwards - Michael Vella, Nathan Cayless, David Solomona, Chad Robinson, David Westley, Jason Cayless, Brad Drew, Daniel Irvine, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Troy Wozniak, Daniel Wagon.

The Eels had a horrendous run of injuries last year, forcing coach Brian Smith to blood more youth than he might have liked. That looks likely to pay off, and the Eels now appear the most hardened young side in the comp. The pack is awesome, with four major talents in Vella, Solomona, Nathan Cayless and Ian Hindmarsh. Smith's problems last year were at five-eighth, and could well be there again if Jason Taylor can't regain his confidence, but the team look likely to build on Smith's foundations and recent finals failures.

Prediction - 1st.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

Backs - Peter Jorgensen, Shane Elford, Rhys Wesser, Robbie Beckett, David Woods, Chris Hicks, Matthew Reick, Ryan Girdler, Steve Carter, Matthew Rodwell, Ben Reynolds.

Forwards - Craig Greenhill, Frank Puletua, Carl MacNamara, Craig Gower, Tony Puletua, Jody Gall, Scott Sattler, Fred Petersen, Matt Adamson, Ned Catic, Lee Hopkins, Dan MacGillivary, John Cross, Sid Domic.

The Panthers are the least-changed side in the competition and that should count for a lot. They went close last year, have major emerging talents in Girdler and Gower, a mobile pack and solid halves that can unlock any defence. Their home record is one of the best in the NRL and with the confidence of finals play last season, and the belief that they let themselves down there, they should improve on the road.

Prediction - 4th.

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ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Backs - Amos Roberts, Nathan Blacklock, Jamie Ainscough, Ben Hornby, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Paul McGregor, Shaun Timmins, Trent Barrett, Ben Jeffries, Keiran Kerr, Willie Peters.

Forwards - Craig Smith, Daniel Heckenberg, Chris Leikvoll, Colin Ward, Jason Ryles, Nathan Brown, Aaron Gorrell, Darren Treacy, Lance Thompson, Chris Nero, Luke Bailey, Jason Hooper, Mark Riddell, Andrew Hart, Jamie Fitzgerald, Wayne Bartrim.

A stable side after a season of disruption including interclub in-fighting in the merged entity, player punch-ups and the distraction of Anthony Mundine's disappearance and reappearance robbing the Dragons of any chance in season 2000. They should go higher in 2001 - the lessons have been learned, and they have a hard pack and Barrett's brilliance, speed and experience out wide

Prediction - 3rd.

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SYDNEY CITY ROOSTERS

Backs - Luke Phillips, Ryan Cross, Anthony Minichello, Matt Sing, Jack Elsegood, Trent Clayton, Shannon Hegarty, Chris Flannery, Alex Wilson, Brad Fittler, Paul Green, Craig Wing.

Forwards - Quentin Pongia, Ian Rubin, Scott Logan, Dallas Hood, Peter Cusack, Simon Bonetti, Albert Talipeau, Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Bryan Fletcher, Andrew Lomu, Adrian Morley, Luke Ricketson, Dean Widders.

The loss of Lam is a biggie and Paul Green's combination with the genius Fittler will tell all about their chances. But the Roosters promise to be stronger in the halves, in the forwards and out wide this season. They're definite grand-final contenders - but are they hard and hungry enough to go all the way?

Prediction - 2nd.

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SYDNEY SHARKS

Backs - David Peachey, Preston Campbell, Mat Rogers, Paul Mellor, Russell Richardson, Colin Best, Luke Branighan, Adam Dykes, Jason Ferris, Blaine Stanley, Dean Treister.

Forwards - Martin Lang, Jason Stevens, Chris Beattie, Andrew Pierce, Stuart Pierce, Shannon Donato, Chris McKenna, Luke Stuart, Sean Ryan, Sam Isemonger, Nathan Long, Nick Graham.

The Sharks are the big under-achievers of recent seasons, choking at finals like their golfing namesake. They are still tinkering to find a class half/five-eighth combination after losing some and letting others go when they couldn't fit in. How they cope with the loss of the inspirational skipper Ettingshausen will be crucial, as will their injury toll which already excludes Rogers and Mellor from the backs and Lang from the forwards.

Prediction - 7th.

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WESTS TIGERS

Backs - Matt Seers, Joel Caine, Hasan Saleh, John Hopoate, Lee Murphy, John Carlaw, Owen Craigie, Terry Hill, Kevin McGuinness, John Simon, Lincoln Withers, Craig Field.

Forwards - Jason Lowrie, Cory Pearson, John Skandalis, Shane Walker, Ben Galea, Ciriaco Mescia, Darren Senter, Tyran Smith, Trent Runciman, Mark O'Neill, Luke O'Donnell, John Wilson.

The Tigers have the highest number of "problem" players, struggled with discipline on and off field last year, and have already started bucking up against new coach Terry Lamb's strict training regime. It's a recipe for disaster. Without McCracken they lack a forward leader while out back, Field and Simon tend to crack under sustained pressure.

Prediction - 14th and last.

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