League: NRL puts faith in bad boys

Former NSW and Australia representative Greg Bird is rebuilding his career with the Titans. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - The pin-up boys played their part, now the National Rugby League (NRL) surely prays its rogues' gallery also plays by the rules during the 2010 premiership race.

On-field excellence has been routinely undermined by after hour indiscretions in recent seasons and for the NRL's image-conscious handlers this season is no exception ahead of Friday night's opening match between Parramatta and St George Illawarra.

The alleged drug dealing of Danny Wicks and Chris Houston ensured Newcastle assumed the unacceptable behaviour mantle by proxy, a dubious honour previously held by the Bulldogs, Cronulla and most recently, Manly.

For every positive headline about Jarryd Hayne auctioning boots for a young cancer sufferer, there has usually been a Newcastle debacle to remind the NRL not all news is good publicity.

Now persona non grata in a league heartland, Wicks and Houston might not play again, although considering this season's assembly of recidivist offenders a return cannot be ruled out.

After all, the NRL has an enduring capacity to forgive.

For every Hayne, Benji Marshall, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater about to mould their team's premiership tilt, there is a Greg Bird, Todd Carney or Brett Seymour gifted an opportunity to rebuild their reputations.

Bird might attract the highest level of scrutiny from opposition fans following his acquittal in November on charges of glassing his girlfriend Katie Milligan.

Bird was based at Cronulla when the police investigated, but has since returned from France to face the music when the Gold Coast Titans host the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.

The boozing exploits of Carney and Seymour are legendary, and in the latter's case a weakness that saw the halfback banished from Brisbane and Cronulla before the Warriors signed him on trust as a replacement for last season's stop gap Stacey Jones.

While Sonny Bill Williams' future plans resemble a soap opera, two other rugby rebels have been welcomed back.

Timana Tahu returns to Parramatta following a flawed switch to the Waratahs and Lote Tuqiri has jetted in from Leicester, a European stopover after the Australian Rugby Union rescinded his contract, to join Marshall's Wests Tigers.

The wisdom of extending Marshall's contract to 2015 has been queried in light of his medical history, but by becoming a "one-club" man the Kiwis international undeniably boosted the code by removing any prospect of it losing one of its most marketable commodities.

Hayne's loyalty to Parramatta was also embraced after overtures from Aussie Rules, an approach Karmichael Hunt did not resist.

Hunt is a high profile loss, particularly for the Broncos, who are tipped to miss the playoffs for the first time in 18 years despite the presence of Darren Lockyer.

Pundits are equally dismissive of the Warriors, with a panel in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper forecasting a finishing spot between 13th and last in the 16-team competition.

Former NSW Origin coach Phil Gould was more definitive: "Last, last, last," he proclaimed in the Sun-Herald's Footy Guide.

At least the Aucklanders are not alone in being given no hope of challenging reigning premiers Melbourne and pre-season favourites Parramatta.

St George Illawarra have suffered a mini-exodus from last year's minor premiership-winning squad, the Sharks and Roosters are in rebuild mode after a disastrous 2009 while North Queensland's fortunes revolve around Jonathan Thurston, who is mulling over his future.

And drug dramas aside, Newcastle must negotiate the early rounds without their only marquee player, an injured Kurt Gidley.

New Zealanders feature in each first grade squad and while Marshall obviously attracts attention, Penrith fans crave Frank Pritchard at his damaging best.

Ben Roberts and Bryson Goodwin will play a significant role in the Bulldogs attack and Roy Asotasi leads South Sydney's pack of behemoths, reputedly their biggest pack in 20 years.

Kieran Foran's development at Manly also has ramifications for the Kiwis given the halfback role has been problematic since the Jones era.

Meanwhile, Graham Lowe has made his presence felt as Manly's chief executive, a role he assumed in November.

A year ago the Sea Eagles' season launch culminated in fullback Brett Stewart facing sex charges - that are yet to be resolved - and forward Anthony Watmough punching a sponsor.

In contrast, last week sweeties, soft drinks, balloons and a clown troupe were party to a low-key function.

Long-suffering NRL chief executive David Gallop will be anxious the family-friendly entertainment doesn't stop there.

- NZPA