NRL goes old school: Luke ODonnell

Cowboys enforcer Luke ODonnell is set to go 'old school Rugby League' when he lines up against the Wests Tigers Liam Fulton and wants to get even after some heavy contact between the two last season.

Forget NRL Results for a moment as the two battle it out and what should be a throwback to the by-gone days of Rugby League in the 1980's were hard men battled it out week after week, much like the story behind the Final Winter - where Newtown, the former foundation 1908 club were forced to leave the ARL competition and try and start again as clubs tried to change to become more financial.

NRL Round 2 2008 Flashback to 1980?

Could the NRL Round 2 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers prove to be a Rugby League flashback to the bad old days of 1980? Both teams are not only hell bent on getting the right NRL Results, but after the Liam Fulton and Luke ODonnell clash - there could quite possibly be fireworks between the former League and Footy team-mates and former school mates from St Gregory's in Campbelltown?

It should be classic NRL and while both teams will be trying to be on the right side on the scoreboard - the physical clash should be spectacular!

Winning and Injuries key to NRL

The two biggest factors in winning an NRL premiership apart from the referee's whistle and the bounce of the football - are obviously winning your matches and ensuring that injuries don't cut down your top players from the clubs first grade squad.

NRL Results are based more on the team that your club can field on the day, as players struggle to remain fit each week after heavy hits knocks and twists from their routine which involves so much body contact.

The NRL clubs remain focused on having large squads of players to cater for injuries should they occur rather than just relying on a small batch of players for a team - that can quickly change if the body is struck down with niggles regularly.

NRL Results

For all the latest updates; including scores and NRL Results during this years Rugby League Premiership in Australia - ensure you bookmark NRLNEWS.COM as you major source of League information and breaking news.

Focusing on every team in every round, each aspect of the result and NRL scoreboard will be discussed. Just what hardcore fans and followers need; week in week out.

Rugby League Injuries

Why is it that in NRL today, players are always injured? Weekly - many clubs have stars on the sidelines and struggle to make the depth required to win consistently. Back in the early days of Rugby League - the players trained less and yet rarely got injured. Also, when they did get injured, the generally recovered faster and missed less match time.

Why is this?

For more NRL News and information, including forums and daily news articles - visit NRL News (www.nrlnews.com)

Peter Sterling Parramatta Eels

Quite possibly a Rugby League player that arrived well before his time. The likeable Peter Sterling was a revelation for the Parramatta Eels as he helped take them to their first premiership against the Newtown Jets in 1981.

A young Sterling was still a notable star in a team of heros as the Eels boasted many big names such as Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Eric Grothe and Steve Ella.

Sterling defeated all comers and was a regular State of Origin and Australian Rugby League rep. Pushed hard by the likes of Steve Mortimer for competition at halfback, Sterling truly could have been a contender with the likes of today's NRL stars and quite possibly given the modern day hero Andrew Johns a decent nudge.

Sterling battled injury later in his career and has since begun working with Channel 9 as a football commentator.

Sam Backo

Who could forget slammin' Sam Backo. Former Canberra Raiders and Queensland big man, Backo was a wrecking ball as he slammed through opposing ARL teams in his Rugby League heyday.

Sam's son Daniel is now playing Rugby League up north and is set for NRL experience in the short term future.