Wrap - Payne Seeks Release

1. NRL I. Beating the Melbourne Storm these days is like winning the comp - especially in Melbourne! The Tigers are showing some newfound steel in their defence and did really well to win. Comps are not won in March however.

Refereeing. The absolute obsession with silly penalties and nitpicking is making the game look stupid. Penalty goals are not great entertainment.

2. Eels. Well the curse of Hayne may just strike Brad Arthur yet. A 54-0 smashing is a complete embarrassment for a team who were 'training all the winter...and there is not a team that's fitter". 54-0 speaks of massive attitude problems. I suspect they need a clean out already. Hayne is done and I am tipping that he may get an early release soon. Who would have thought that they would fold in a heap with all those poor decision makers in their team? This broken record is finished with them. They are barred from The Wrap until they next win three straight.

3. NRL II. Conversely, Penrith comebacks in the heat continue (down 14 as well this week), with them capitalising on the oppressive western heat that they are well used to in those parts. I noticed Robbie Farah is stirring up again being on the bench and not playing. I wonder if they are getting the ladder ready at Redfern Oval for Robbie to sit on the old scoreboard and attract further sympathy. The Tigers look like they have moved on.

The Broncos played strongly and were beaten but for a last minute tackle by the goalposts. No Michael Morgan in that North QLD team changes them big time.

The Warriors look at lot sharper (especially Tuivasa Sheck), but got a bit lucky with the video referee. There are some big blokes in that team and no Simon Mannering yet either. Great start, but they have not played the top teams yet.

Billy Slater is a class act. 300 games and still as fit, skillful and slick as ever. Genius.

4. Newcastle Jets. A tremendous turn around this season in the A League by Ernie Merrick to ignite the fans up the M1. Sydney FC losing to Brisbane again opens the door. Ever since Graham Arnold has announced his Socceroos intentions, the wheels have fallen off. Can't believe reports that David Carney got in the car and went home after being subbed off. Surely the petulance of soccer players does not extend that far.

5. About Time. Heard the most important improvement in high levels of junior rep soccer. The sin bin for players arguing with the referee. Who would have thought? Long overdue. Now for it to appear in the top leagues and the game will be striding ahead.

6. Rugby. Australian team dominance over the South African teams continues. Brumbies back in the winners list. Beating the New Zealand teams is the next challenge. The Waratahs 51 point defeat of the Rebels was pretty awesome too. Ireland also won the six nations Grand Slam on St Patrick's Day! Top effort that! Eddie Jones is on the skids...great and surprising while it lasted. He would be hard to cop after a while I suspect.

7. Cricket.  The demise of NSW cricket is extraordinary and generally, the standard of Shield cricket has slipped massively. The absolute absence of batsmen who have steel and character is further evidence that batting in Australian national teams will remain a huge problem for some time to come. It makes being the world's number one team impossible long term. When Hilton Cartwright is the leading run scorer, you are in trouble.

8. Golden Slipper Next Week. 'Sunlight' first and daylight second....

9. PGA Golf. Tiger's resurgence is heating up nicely for The Masters. Dipped a little in the second round at the Bayhill but is five shots off the lead in tenth...can he do it?