GrogDog
bad attitude
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Canterbury Bulldogs endure another disastrous Auckland Nines campaign
CANTERBURY playmaker Josh Reynolds says frustrated Bulldogs fans must “look at the bigger picture” after another disastrous Auckland campaign has earned them the tag ‘Worst Nines Team Ever’.
On a controversial weekend for the Belmore club, Canterbury failed to win a game, head coach Des Hasler again boycotted Eden Park and the NRL threatened to withhold the team’s $110,000 appearance fee after Reynolds and NSW Origin forward Dave Klemmer sat out the entire opening day.
Angry fans also took aim on social media, not only slamming the club’s apparent apathy for Nines but questioning why they should take part in a Bulldog’s online auction of Nines jerseys when those belonging to the biggest names were barely worn.
“And I totally understand,’’ Reynolds said when quizzed on the frustration.
CASUALTY WARD: Who got hurt at the Auckland Nines?
Josh Reynolds gets a pass away against the Sharks on day two of the Auckland Nines at Eden Park. Picture: Mark Evans
“I’d hate to be at home with a Parramatta supporter sitting beside me, having them winning games when we’re not.
“I was a fan once, still am.
“So I understand they want to win. I want to win. There’s no one at the Bulldogs who wants to win more than me.
“But I just feel sometimes they have to sit back and look at the bigger picture.”
Following the NRL threat to strip them of cash, both Reynolds and Klemmer were used in Sunday’s loss against Cronulla — although the No. 6 was only on field for a total of nine minutes, 35 seconds.
Suffering their second winless event in three years, Canterbury now join St George Illawarra as the only clubs who have never made an Auckland Nines playoff game.
Yet while the Dragons still have a 33 per cent winning ratio, the Bulldogs own a paltry 25 per cent.
Matthew Evans scores a try for the Sharks against the Bulldogs.
Quizzed on Canterbury’s perceived lack of interest, Reynolds said it was more about having players prepared for the NRL season while also giving younger players a go.
He added that while he would’ve loved more minutes, players like he and Klemmer had to be saved from themselves.
“To Des’s credit, he knows we’re pretty competitive,’’ Reynolds laughed.
“Knows we’re not all there in the head.
“We’ve just played in a dead rubber game and I couldn’t even control myself in that.”
Malakai Houma of the Sharks is tackled by Lachlan Lewis of the Bulldogs.
But wouldn’t one of league’s most competitive men like to be winning?
“I’d love to be in the playoffs,’’ he added.
“But the way Des looks at it is giving the young guys a go.
“Which isn’t to say he doesn’t have interest in the Nines.
“I hate when people say we don’t send over a strong team. I look at these young guys and think they’re real strong players.
“Heaps of them will go on and play first grade ... but at this moment in time you have to get them in there somehow. I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...utm_source=TelegraphSport&utm_medium=Facebook
After reading these comments from JR I believe most of the playing group are beyond help and need to be replaced ASAP.
CANTERBURY playmaker Josh Reynolds says frustrated Bulldogs fans must “look at the bigger picture” after another disastrous Auckland campaign has earned them the tag ‘Worst Nines Team Ever’.
On a controversial weekend for the Belmore club, Canterbury failed to win a game, head coach Des Hasler again boycotted Eden Park and the NRL threatened to withhold the team’s $110,000 appearance fee after Reynolds and NSW Origin forward Dave Klemmer sat out the entire opening day.
Angry fans also took aim on social media, not only slamming the club’s apparent apathy for Nines but questioning why they should take part in a Bulldog’s online auction of Nines jerseys when those belonging to the biggest names were barely worn.
“And I totally understand,’’ Reynolds said when quizzed on the frustration.
CASUALTY WARD: Who got hurt at the Auckland Nines?
Josh Reynolds gets a pass away against the Sharks on day two of the Auckland Nines at Eden Park. Picture: Mark Evans
“I’d hate to be at home with a Parramatta supporter sitting beside me, having them winning games when we’re not.
“I was a fan once, still am.
“So I understand they want to win. I want to win. There’s no one at the Bulldogs who wants to win more than me.
“But I just feel sometimes they have to sit back and look at the bigger picture.”
Following the NRL threat to strip them of cash, both Reynolds and Klemmer were used in Sunday’s loss against Cronulla — although the No. 6 was only on field for a total of nine minutes, 35 seconds.
Suffering their second winless event in three years, Canterbury now join St George Illawarra as the only clubs who have never made an Auckland Nines playoff game.
Yet while the Dragons still have a 33 per cent winning ratio, the Bulldogs own a paltry 25 per cent.
Matthew Evans scores a try for the Sharks against the Bulldogs.
Quizzed on Canterbury’s perceived lack of interest, Reynolds said it was more about having players prepared for the NRL season while also giving younger players a go.
He added that while he would’ve loved more minutes, players like he and Klemmer had to be saved from themselves.
“To Des’s credit, he knows we’re pretty competitive,’’ Reynolds laughed.
“Knows we’re not all there in the head.
“We’ve just played in a dead rubber game and I couldn’t even control myself in that.”
Malakai Houma of the Sharks is tackled by Lachlan Lewis of the Bulldogs.
But wouldn’t one of league’s most competitive men like to be winning?
“I’d love to be in the playoffs,’’ he added.
“But the way Des looks at it is giving the young guys a go.
“Which isn’t to say he doesn’t have interest in the Nines.
“I hate when people say we don’t send over a strong team. I look at these young guys and think they’re real strong players.
“Heaps of them will go on and play first grade ... but at this moment in time you have to get them in there somehow. I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...utm_source=TelegraphSport&utm_medium=Facebook
After reading these comments from JR I believe most of the playing group are beyond help and need to be replaced ASAP.
