Set of Six: Luck deserts Warriors

Shaun Johnson of the Warriors is carried off the field after picking up an injury to his leg during the round 20 NRL match. Photo / Getty Images.

Herald rugby league writer David Skipwith breaks down the latest developments from the world of league.

Mannering the foodie

Warriors skipper Simon Mannering was spotted downtown yesterday, grabbing lunch at award-winning chef Al Brown's old-school New York Jewish style Federal Delicatessen. The back-rower has previously been seen on a day off enjoying the fare at Brown's neighbouring Depot Eatery, showing his good taste in good grub. Earlier in the season, Warriors managing director Jim Doyle and NRL head honcho Dave Smith were also spied enjoying a breakfast meeting there.

Luck deserts Warriors

Former Broncos, Queensland and Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer says the Warriors campaign was derailed by bad luck with Shaun Johnson's season-ending injury. "To win premierships you've got to do a lot right but you've got to have an element of luck as well," said Lockyer. "When you lose a key man like a halfback it's going to impact on you."

Lockyer's dream home

Interviewing Lockyer over the phone from Brisbane this week was made difficult with sounds of a building site in the background. "We're just in the back end of building our house," he explained. The former playmaker laughed off suggestions his new pad was a mansion, saying: "We've got three boys so it needs to be tough."

Big call for Rona

Bulldogs try-scoring sensation Curtis Rona could be a bolter for the Kiwis' end-of-year tour to England but may have a tough call to make if selected. Rona and his partner are expecting their first child in November, right in the middle of the three-test series. "It's going to be a tough decision for me and my partner if I do make the squad if I stay or go," said Rona. "Either way it's a win-win situation for me, I'll be pretty happy [even if I don't get picked] with the first bub to come."

Injuries cruel to Ridge's career

Spare a thought for Titans forward Ben Ridge who announced his retirement this week following a horrific run of injuries. The 25-year-old back-rower made his NRL debut against the Dragons in 2010, but managed just 53 games in five years thanks to a broken ankle, torn hamstring, cracked sternum, two pectoral tears, dislocated shoulder, torn groin and knee ligament damage.

Muddy waters

So where does the NRL go from here with their crackdown on the shoulder charge? The judiciary's exoneration of Issac Luke, Jorge Taufua and Aidan Guerra over the controversial tackle has only served to muddy the waters. The game's governing body is expected to release a statement clarifying its position on the shoulder charge.