Rugby League: Kearney rates win above his 250th

By PETER JESSUP

Kiwi Stephen Kearney rated the Melbourne Storm's first win at Newcastle above his record-setting 250th first-grade appearance in the Australian rugby league premiership.

The Storm captain is the first New Zealander to reach the mark, although he might not get much past the end of the season. Approaching 32, Kearney said he would announce a decision on his future soon.

The Storm were never threatened in the 28-18 win but injury cast a cloud. Halfback Matt Orford broke a bone in his hand - a further medical examination today will determine how long he'll be out - and centre Steven Bell turned an ankle.

Newcastle's State of Origin players Matt Gidley and Danny Buderus had tired games and gifted uncharacteristic turnovers, but the Storm's Queenslanders Billy Slater and Cameron Smith were on fire.

Souths' season took another bad turn with captain Bryan Fletcher carried from the field after he dislocated his knee cap in the 71st minute of another loss, 18-38 to the Sharks.

He also has a further medical exam today but yesterday estimates were that he'd need up to 10 weeks out.


Origin prop Ryan O'Hara had an early try and centre Joel Monaghan a hat-trick as Canberra reversed their four-game losing streak to turn a 16-all halftime draw with Manly into a 48-22 victory.

Monaghan had two tries in four minutes mid-second half, Adam Mogg a double in a game where Kiwi captain Ruben Wiki and halfback Brad Drew provided the breaks.

On Friday night, NSW Origin discard Mark Gasnier was repeatedly booed at Brisbane, where the Broncos beat the Dragons 24-22.

Penrith scored two tries in the final five minutes as they came from behind to beat the Bulldogs 40-29 yesterday. The Panthers trailed 29-28 with only five minutes remaining but charged into the lead in the 75th minute when Trent Waterhouse rattled on to a short ball from hooker Luke Priddis - playing halfback - to score.

Barnstorming New Zealand forward Joe Gulavao put the exclamation point on the victory with a last-minute try.Wests beat Parramatta 33-6.

* Fall-out continues after the Origin game, with NSW coach Phil Gould - who said he would quit after this series because he couldn't stomach the players' behaviour - turning his guns on the media.

Gould has suggested to the NSWRL that there be no Origin II camp and no bonding session in the week before; the players are to train and go home.

"Over the past three years we've ... provided greater behind-the-scenes access than ever for the media, but apparently it's still not enough. They still want the dirt," Gould said in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"The media won't be allowed at those two training sessions in the first week because we won't have time."

The NSW sponsor Wizard Home Loans, though, wants management change anyway to prevent any further bad publicity.

Bulldogs forward Willie Mason, one of those fined after leaving the team hotel and catching a public bus back from a suburban brothel, has agreed to behaviour bonds to save his contract with Canterbury.