JT calls for Origin to go three in a row

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JOHNATHAN Thurston has slammed NRL officials for allowing the State of Origin schedule to become "borderline ridiculous".

The game's best playmaker said the series must become a stand-alone event with the three Origins played on consecutive Wednesdays with players banned from competing for their clubs in between.

Thurston said players backing up for their NRL clubs following an Origin game was becoming a serious welfare issue.

WAYNE BENNETT'S ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

DCE'S KNEE INJURY IMPROVING

Johnathan Thurston at Queensland training. Source: News Corp Australia

Thurston played for the Cowboys just three nights after Origin I, widely regarded as the most intense contest in the concept's history.

"After being part of Game One, and how much interest it brought not only across the nation, but around the world, to be backing up for our clubs is getting borderline ridiculous," the five-eighth said.

"The boys take a lot of pride in backing up for their club.

"I just don't know why we have to do it. The power brokers of the game can surely come up with a better system.

"I have never been a part of such a brutal game before.

"It was one of the fastest games I have been a part of.

"When you have to back up for your club a few days later it is tough work."

TAYLOR HAS NEVER DONE THE JOB FOR US: MENINGA

BLUES HAVE INCENTIVE TO TAKE OFF GLOVES

Johnathan Thurston in action for Queensland. Source: News Corp Australia

Wayne Bennett recently released his own vision of an Origin schedule that would dramatically reduce player workload.

The Bennett plan sees Origin played over a one-month period in June.

Each State would pick a 22-man squad and play three games in three weeks on Wednesday nights.

They take a mandatory 10-day break after Origin III and then return to club football.

Johnathan Thurston of the Maroons reacts to something on the field. Source: Getty Images

"I totally agree with it," Thurston said of Bennett's plan.

"From what I have read crowd numbers are down, TV ratings are down this time of the year.

"Why we're still pushing (for the same schedule) ... I don't know why.

"Club footy will benefit from it. It will create more interest for fans when club footy returns.

"Having the three games stand alone, without a doubt in my mind, is the way to go."

MENINGA CLAM BEFORE ORIGIN STORM

INJURY CRISIS GIVES MAROONS UNDERDOG STATUS

Johnathan Thurston at training. Source: News Corp Australia

The difficulty is, the code is locked in to a broadcast deal with Channel Nine and Fox Sports until the end of 2017.

Even if the ARL Commission wanted to change the schedule, broadcasters could point to the contract and block any move.

Origin I was the most watched television program this year and the highest rating Game One in history.

Game Two in Sydney next Wednesday is expected to be the highest rating Origin of all time.

The reason is the quality if football gets better each year and players are rightfully questioning the toll their performances take on their body long-term.

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Dragons tales inked with art and soul

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FEW people drive into Ivanhoe. Fewer still remember it.

Leaving this speck of a bush town to exist, almost exclusively, in those brief seconds it takes to pass through towards somewhere better.

"And maybe it is forgettable,'' shrugs Joel Thompson.

"But for me, the town means everything."

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD: DRAGONS

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

And with that, the St George Illawarra enforcer then removes his training singlet, revealing underneath, and spread right across the base of his back, that beautiful landscape motorists see as they drive into his western NSW home all one pub, 200 residents and no internet access.

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

"As a kid, my upbringing was fairly tough, unsettled,'' Thompson explains.

"Things happened and, while I won't go into them here, I was shifted throughout the state to places like Wagga, Gundagai, Condobolin and Griffith.

"But driving home into Ivanhoe, I always felt safe. For me, seeing that little sign rising up ahead has always been the best feeling in the world."

And it's because, of those 200 residents, two were grandparents, Albert and Gloria Thompson.

BENJI BACKS SHEENS REUNION AT DRAGONS

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

A pair of "guardian angels" whose names and images also adorn his skin.

Indeed, this is the underlying beauty of tattoos.

While increasingly more common in the NRL than short skirts on a Saturday night, know that within this swirling blur of Japanese dragons, Polynesian sleeves and who knows how many Southern Crosses, there still exists the unique and revealing stories of proud young men.

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

And nowhere is this more evident than the Dragons.

A wonderfully illustrated outfit where three of the most heavily inked stars — fullback Josh Dugan, winger Peter Mata'uita and forward Thompson — have sat for hours, outlaid thousands, even bought a chainsaw so their stories can be drawn.

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

"A gift for my uncle," Mata'utia laughs of the Stihl payment.

"He did my sleeve.

"My first tattoo though, I was 11. A famous Samoan artist was in the area so I had him do a small, tribal band the traditional way.

"They use a sharp stick with serrated teeth. It's dipped in ink, then hit into your skin with another little stick like a hammer.

"That one means a lot as does the name of my mum, Falesoa, tattooed onto my chest because she brought up seven children on her own. I also have stuff for my sisters, my partner ... but I have a long way to go yet."

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

For Thompson, however, the journey is well underway.

Take, for example, that right arm existing in tribute to his grandmother via her portrait, the picture of nursed baby and a lengthy poem about guidance and love.

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

On his left side, too, sit tributes to his late grandfather while both legs and chest flow with artwork for family like wife Amy, daughter Bella and another in planning for baby girl Imogen, six months.

"And then, after that, it will be time to finish my back,'' he smiles.

"I'm thinking a sunset over Ivanhoe."

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Cancer, injury won’t stop Lewis

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THEY say State of Origin is the world's toughest sport.

For 80 minutes, players send their bodies to hell and back.

Nothing on a football field, though, can surpass what Luke Lewis has endured over the past two years.

Lewis underwent radiation after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He endured two operations.

In the past two Luke Lewis has suffered series injury and he underwent treatment for thyroid cancer. Source: News Corp Australia

His wife Sonia had her own cancer issues. Lewis left his childhood club, Penrith, in sad circumstances and was then forced to have a full shoulder reconstruction after colliding with
on-field signage during last year's World Cup.

Nothing though was going to squeeze the life out of Luke Lewis.

The champion back-rower is now just 80 minutes from helping NSW end Queensland's eight-year reign.

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"It has been a tough run over the past two years," Lewis told The Daily Telegraph. "You have to go through tough times, I suppose. For me, it's been tough. I had my thyroid cancer which was disappointing but at the same time I learnt a lot.

"I try and look at the positives to come out of it. I had the radiation, I got a positive out of that.

"At the same time I did my shoulder. That was six months out, that was a rocky road, lots of ups and downs. You just learn to live with what happens. You find out who your friends are, who sticks by your side when you are going through tough times."

Luke Lewis is tackled during game one of the 2014 Origin series. Source: News Corp Australia

Lewis is a true inspiration. He is polite, warm and accommodating. He deserves success.

"The biggest thing I learnt, and it might sound funny, is that you never know what tomorrow will bring," Lewis said. "You might have a real bad day, people might be talking about you and you feel everything is against you.

"But you wake up the next day and have a good day. You might meet someone who can turn your life around. There are some blokes I have met outside of footy over the last three years that I would trust with my life in some ways.

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"When you go through tough times, something happens and then you say 'how good is life'. I don't take anything too seriously. I just make sure I am doing the right things for myself and my family."

Lewis said he wasn't frightened when told of his cancer scare.

"My mum and wife got more scared than me," he said. "To me, it was 'whatever, they have made a mistake'. The doctors were pretty awesome."

Lewis will play a key role coming off the bench next Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium. His experience and utility value will be invaluable.

Luke Lewis during a NSW training session at Coffs Harbour. Source: News Corp Australia

"I'm stoked to be here — I am pretty pumped," Lewis said. "The last three years we have built up a really good mateship. We have a really good balance in this side.

"Hopefully come Wednesday night we can turn up for each other, play for each other and we'll see what the result is at the end.

"A lot of us have learned about Origin over the last couple of years.

"If I got to the end of my career said I had won Origin against one of the best Queensland sides ever, that would be pretty nice."

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Turnstile Thurston key to Blue success

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THIS is the chilling statistic the Blues believe will crush Queensland's dynasty — Johnathan Thurston has missed 16 tackles in his past three games against NSW dynamo Jarryd Hayne.

Queensland stars will be ordered to protect Thurston in Origin II this Wednesday night after the Hayne Train steamrolled him with his 100kg frame in the series opener.

Hayne has systematically worked over the Maroons pivot at club and Origin level, scoring two tries and creating five more in Thurston's defensive channel in the past two months.

TAYLOR HAS NEVER DONE THE JOB FOR US: MENINGA

BLUES HAVE INCENTIVE TO TAKE OFF GLOVES

Jarryd Hayne runs into Jonathan Thurston. Source: News Corp Australia

In two fixtures against Hayne's Eels outfit this season, Thurston missed a total of 10 tackles, including four in the return bout at Pirtek Stadium last Friday night.

But Hayne turned up the heat in Origin I when Thurston missed six tackles — including one attempt on the Eels maestro which led to Brett Morris scoring NSW's opening try.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga is wary of NSW's plan to fatigue Thurston and challenged his troops to collectively nullify Hayne's attacking assault.

MENINGA CLAM BEFORE ORIGIN STORM

INJURY CRISIS GIVES MAROONS UNDERDOG STATUS

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"Every team isolates JT when they play against him so it's nothing new for us," Meninga said.

"We know that they will try and tire them, we are prepared for that and they (NSW) are doing a pretty good job on it.

"At the end of the day, JT is experienced enough to be able to handle those situations himself.

"But the guys around JT can help (in defence), that's one of their roles."

Thurston admitted on Thursday he was under pressure to hit back in Origin II, declaring Hayne is in career-best form after his Game One destruction of the Maroons.

MILFORD READY TO EMULATE HERO LOCKY

BLOCKBUSTER CROWD TO MAKE ORIGIN HISTORY

Jarryd Hayne palms away Johnathan Thurston. Source: News Corp Australia

"He's on cloud nine at the moment and playing the best football I have probably ever seen him play," Thurston said.

"I always look forward to the challenge of coming up against him.

"We will have our hands full again. There is pressure on myself and pressure on the whole team.

"Their game plan centres around getting the ball to Jarryd Hayne in space.

"There is not much you can do about it, you just need to do your best.

"It all starts through the middle third ... if he is coming off quick play the balls, it is good luck, just do your best."

INJURY CRISIS HAS HUNT READY TO STEP UP

Jarryd Hayne of the Eels is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Maroons backrower Chris McQueen, who defended beside Thurston in Origin I, said it is his job to keep Queensland's left-edge intact.

"I was inside 'Thursto' the last game and I definitely feel I can do a better job working inside him," he said.

"It's my job to get the boys inside me working. We can do a better job defensively.

"JT is not the biggest guy in the team so it's our job to look after him and make sure we are getting the numbers right when they are attacking either edge.

"JT can do some special things with the ball, so the more NSW get at him and tire him out, the better off they are going to be.

"Maybe that was part of their plan in the first game."

Is Johnathan Thurston Queensland's weak link in defence?

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Harley Bennell commits to Gold Coast

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HARLEY Bennell will today break the hearts of Western Australia's two AFL clubs by announcing he has signed a new three year deal worth over $1.5m to stay with the Suns.

The midfielder's re-signing caps a stunning retention campaign by Suns list manager Scott Clayton that has seen David Swallow, Sam Day, Steven May and Brandon Matera commit to new deals this season.

YOUNG GUN MARTIN CLOSE TO RETURN

Highly-rated draftees Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens also added an extra year to their standard two-year draft contracts before they had played a game.

Locking away the in-demand West Australian is the feather in Clayton's cap. The Suns would not comment last night but The Courier-Mail understands Bennell travelled to Perth on Wednesday, a day ahead of his team mates, to finalise the contract with his WA based manager Colin Young and to inform his family of his decision.

Harley Bennell marks in front of Jack Newnes. Picture Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Bennell is the second best player at the club behind skipper Gary Ablett and his deft ball handling, vision and uncanny goal sense adds a different dimension to a side attracting reviews for its blue-collar ethos.

He was also the player, along with Steven May who could play key forward at most clubs in the competition, the Suns' had to work hardest to keep.

The 22-year-old could have become one of football's highest paid players has he chosen to return home to Western Australia.

The Suns' young midfield is the envy of the entire competition because of its balance. They pride themselves on contested footy and are one of the best clearance sides in the competition while the pace of Bennell, Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara ensure they are deadly on the outside.

Each player brings something different to the mix.

Swallow is one of the most combative players in the competition, Dion Prestia is a tireless accumulator and O'Meara combines natural two-way running with strong finishing skills.

Harley Bennell at recovery at the All Saints Anglican School Pool. Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

Gamebreaker Bennell is the cream on the cake. He brings creative outside run and is a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one contests inside the attacking fifty.

Meanwhile, the Suns have reported a 17 per cent increase in crowd numbers this season.

Sunday's crowd of 21,354 for the clash with the Swans was the third largest in the club's four-year history, only exceeded by the 23,302, against Collingwood in 2011 and 21,485 for the inaugural game at Metricon Stadium against Geelong the same year.

Suns CEO Travis Auld said the club hoped to break the record in coming weeks against Geelong and Collingwood.

"Our supporters have in a short time developed a real passion to come to the footy and support their team and we will need that support when we take on Geelong and Collingwood at home over the next few weeks, promising to draw big crowds once again,'' he said.

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Aussie government mulling legal action

Frank Lowy (centre) was at the forefront of Australia's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Corp Australia

THE Australian government is considering legal action against FIFA to retrieve the $40 million spent on Australia's bid to host the 2022 World Cup amid allegations of corruption by eventual winner Qatar.

A Fairfax report says Federal Minister for Sport Peter Dutton is 'considering all options' in the wake of recent revelations that Qatari officials allegedly paid cash to FIFA officials to secure votes.

But he added they would wait for the results of FIFA's independent investigation conducted by Michael Garcia, which is due in mid-July, before proceeding.

"I think it's one step at a time, and the first step is to wait and see what happens in the process; wait and see what the world body does. And then I think we can consider options," Dutton said.

Qatar won the bid convincingly while Australia only picked up one vote in the December 2010 ceremony. Revelations in recent times allege some $US5 million in cash as well lavish gifts were provided by former FIFA vice-president Mohammed bin Hammam.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy had previously called for the bid money to be returned.

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D-Mac learning to run his own race

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CROWS development coach Alan Stewart is famous for throwing curly questions at young footballers in pre-draft meetings.

In late 2006 he wanted to test the mettle of an Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Adelaide was considering for its third round pick.

David Mackay was coming off a 28-disposal game in the Chargers' TAC Cup Grand Final win but Stewart turned the tables and drilled the then 18 year old on an earlier final where his impact hadn't been as great.

Mackay responded by saying he was a confidence player and it had been down that day. Stewart pounced.

"Alan Stewart would say if you have ability and you work as hard as you can there shouldn't be any need to have confidence all the time." Mackay said.

"When things aren't going the way you want them to (you have to move) past that and not let it affect your performance."

It was an important lesson for Mackay and one that he drew on last year after being dropped from Adelaide's line up for the first time.

Crows wingman David Mackay gets a kick away against St Kilda. Picture: Quinn Rooney.

Once considered one of the Crows' brightest prospects, a lack of form and confidence saw the 25 year old sent back to the SANFL. It hit Mackay hard.

"For all of us who play it's the biggest thing in your life at the time. You have to stay positive but it's not easy," he said.

"I wasn't getting my hands on the ball enough and I wasn't running as well as I could and having the impact on games I needed to be having."

Mackay watched vision of his games at the end of the season and realised he wasn't covering the ground as well as he had in the past.

He ramped up his workrate at training - reaching "a better level than I ever have before" - and focused on playing to his strengths.

Then in late November, senior Crows assistant Dean Bailey was diagnosed with cancer, a tragedy which had a profound effect on Mackay.

David Mackay celebrates a goal against St Kilda. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

"I worked really closely with Bails. In a way it highlighted what was important in life and even though it's a big business and such an important thing what we do, it's still just footy," Mackay said.

"I guess it put things in perspective for me. Made me think I need to enjoy what I'm doing and make the most of it.

"We're very lucky to be able to do what we do. You don't want to get to the end of your footy career and say the whole thing was a battle."

Mackay has honoured Bailey's passing with an electric start to the 2014 season.

He's averaging career bests in disposals (20.3), inside 50s (3.8) and score assists (1.5) and has re-assumed his position as one of the best ball users in the AFL.

Of the competition's top 100 ballwinners, only Jobe Watson has a better retention rate than Mackay.

"One of things I pride myself on is being able to use it well when I do get it," Mackay said.

"As a team it's probably something we haven't done that well this year and it cost us early on.

"It's really hard to play against teams that can control the ball and make you defend for long periods."

Mackay is also embarking on the dashing runs from half back that are a feature of his game when he's playing well.

His average running bounces have jumped from 0.9 to 3 per game and his teammates up field are reaping the benefit.

"That was my biggest focus going into the preseason this year was to get back running again," he said.

"So far it's been a marked improvement from last year. It needs to be a strength of my game and I'm trying to make it that again.

"We're only early in the season but I certainly feel like I'm playing much better footy than I was last year."

THE GREAT RETAINERS

AFL's best retention rates

Jobe Watson (Essendon) - 82.4%

David Mackay (Adelaide) - 82%

Cale Hooker (Essendon) - 82%

Robert Murphy (Bulldogs) - 81.5%

Joel Selwood (Geelong) - 81%

And the worst ...

David Mundy (Fremantle) - 51.8%

Bernie Vince (Melbourne) - 58.6%

Michael Rischitelli (Gold Coast) - 59.1%

Danyle Pearce (Fremantle) - 60.7%

David Swallow (Gold Coast) - 60.9%

David Mackay with girlfriend Sarah Endersbee. Source: News Limited

LIFE BALANCE PUTS D-MAC IN A GOOD PLACE

DAVID Mackay is hoping the Crows can play deep into September this season but there's another important date the following month he's also eyeing off.

The 25 year old is getting married to fiancee Sarah in October.

"The planning is all underway," Mackay said.

"I'm looking forward to that."

Mackay lives with Sarah in a house he bought at Grange a few years ago.

"We love living down here, particularly during the warmer months, with the beach so close," he said.

You sense Mackay is in a really good place in his life after a 2013 season which tested him in ways he hadn't been tested before.

Growing up in Melbourne as the son of a father and mother who worked in biochemistry and pathology at the Austin Hospital, Mackay excelled at most things he turned his hand to.

He was a house captain at Trinity Grammar, won the TAC Cup Grand Final with Oakleigh Chargers and realised his dream of playing AFL when he was selected by the Crows with pick 48 in the 2006 draft.

So losing his place in Adelaide's line-up midway through last season was a learning experience for the dashing half back - one that has left him better prepared to face life's challenges.

"There's always going to be ups and downs but when you get the down periods you just have to move on from them quickly, learn from them and not be so caught up in them and keep moving forwards and look for the positives," Mackay said.

"That's something I've tried to do."

Contracted at Adelaide for another two seasons, Mackay has shown his loyalty to the Crows the past two years.

First he knocked back a four year, $2 million offer from Melbourne to sign a new deal with Adelaide and then last year refused to be included in any potential deal to lure Jared Polec to West Lakes.

"I love being part of this group. It's a great group," Mackay said.

He's hoping his commitment will be rewarded with team success in the near future.

Adelaide has recovered from an 0-3 start to enter tomorrow's game against the Demons with a chance to move to 4-3.

"We're starting to get stronger," Mackay said.

"We're getting a few players back fit and our game style is starting to click over a bit.

"We know when we play our best footy it does measure up."

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Fans remember Senna 20 years on

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THOUSANDS of Formula One fans gathered for a commemoration on Thursday at the Imola circuit — 20 years to the day after Brazilian champion Ayrton Senna was killed here in the sport's darkest day.

Dozens of enthusiasts drove their own cars around the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit to mark the tragic anniversary of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen attended a ceremony for the man seen as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

"Our hearts sank when they told us the news," said Marco, a 31-year-old Italian Formula One fan who was at Imola as a young boy on the day of the crash.

Marco wore the same type of helmet that Senna had on that day and was taking his car around the circuit.

Hero ... Formula One Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso (C) pays tribute to Brazilian's F1 driver Ayrton Senna during a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death in Imola. Source: AFP

Daniela, 39, from Belo Horizonte in Brazil said: "What moves me about Senna was his humility, his enormous charisma. He is in our hearts like family".

Another Brazilian fan, 57-year-old Renato said: "His will to win was what I liked about Ayrton.

"He proved that a Brazilian could be internationally known and that was a great encouragement for us." Marco, 34, who wore a chequered flag around his shoulders, said simply: "He was the best driver ever".

A Catholic priest led a memorial service on Wednesday at the Tamburello corner where the triple world champion's Williams careered off into a concrete barrier on lap seven at 307km/h.

He was flown to Bologna hospital but was pronounced dead at 6:40pm local time on that ill-fated Sunday.

● AYRTON SENNA: HIS 10 GREATEST DRIVES

● AYRTON THE AUSSIE: SENNA IN ADELAIDE

● SAYING GOODBYE TO MY HERO, AYRTON SENNA

● BRUNO SENNA: WE DIDN'T EXPECT THE WORST

● 1994 — THE YEAR THAT CHANGED FORMULA 1

● BRABHAM RELIVES F1'S DARKEST WEEKEND

Thursday's ceremony comes after a week of commemorative events held to mark the tragic accident, which ushered in a raft of changes to improve F1 safety.

Paved the way ... Formula One Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen (L) pays tribute to Brazilian's F1 driver Ayrton Senna during a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death. Source: AFP

Football club Corinthians from Sao Paulo, the city where three million people turned out for Senna's funeral, paid tribute to their local hero by wearing crash helmets with the Brazilian flag colours before kick-off in a match against Nacional-AM on Wednesday.

The Senna anniversary is made all the more poignant as another great F1 driver, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, continues his fight for life after the German's skiing accident on December 29.

Ironically, it was Schumacher who went on to win the Imola race 20 years ago.

Senna's death, 24 hours after Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger was killed and two days after his fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was injured, was F1's blackest weekend.

And all this week emotional tributes have been paid to the 1988, 1990 and 1991 champion.

"He was an incredible legend," said 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton. "You like to think that one day you may be recognised as someone that was able to drive similarly to him," added the Mercedes driver.

"On my schoolbooks I didn't have pictures of girls, obviously I was too young but I had Ayrton there and the same in my room," said 2005/06 champion Alonso.

Senna's sister Viviane, said this week that her brother's legacy is alive and well through the Ayrton Senna Institute which she chairs.

Not forgotten ... A Brazilian flag is hanged on a fence to pay tribute to Brazilian's F1 driver Ayrton Senna during a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death in Imola. Source: AFP

She recalls a conversation she had with him weeks before his death when he told her how he wanted to contribute to a better future for Brazil by helping to open up opportunities for children.

She said: "Ayrton really wanted Brazil to work, for everyone to have a chance and from this dream the Institute was born.

"Currently, we are working with more than two million children and training some 75,000 teachers per year across around 1000 cities around the country." Senna's death prompted extensive changes, including the reform of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association. Engine capacities were reduced and tethers to help prevent wheels flying off following accidents were introduced.

The HANS device to protect drivers' heads and necks were made compulsory, and run-offs were extended and improved.

As evidence that the improvements put in place worked the last F1 fatality in a grand prix was Senna.

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Prepare yourselves for Super 20

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THE wackiest spin-off to rugby's quantum leap to Super 18 in 2016 is that further expansion is now more certain than ever with potential franchises possible on the west coast of the US, in Europe or Asia.

The new-look format of four conferences, with its enlarged eight-team finals series, looks more like "Super 20 minus 2" than Super 18.

It is a super-structure with pieces missing until they are filled for 2022 and beyond as Super 20.

The five-team Australian and New Zealand conferences have a symmetry.

The two unbalanced South African-centric conferences of four teams do not but you can bet, for 2022, there will be two extra teams with dreams and big bankrolls joining the party.

If it is all a bit dizzying to take in, it is. Super Rugby is going global.

Argentina's entry to Super 18 has been rubber-stamped by Thursday's big news while rugby powerbrokers in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and even Europe could all be in the tender process to be the 18th and last team for 2016.

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There has been some serious horsetrading between countries and with broadcasters.

The Reds will play only six local derbys a year rather than the current eight but will be compensated by playing every Kiwi team each season rather than missing out on the crowd-pulling Crusaders (2013) and Chiefs (2014) because of the current draw's quirks.

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver is claiming as a big win that the Australian and New Zealand conferences will feed five of the eight teams into the finals series because the South Africans clearly wanted it capped at four.

The South Africans will still host two quarter-finals so there will be an annual lamb to the slaughter ritual of a less-fancied Australasian team flying there to battle all the odds.

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"Sadly, the least represented country in the finals since Super Rugby began has been Australia so to have three wildcards from the Australasian group into the finals is a real positive when you think of how lucrative hosting a finals game can be," Pulver added.

The regular rugby fan doesn't need to over-analyse what cross-over games mean.

There will still be 15 opponents to a robust regular season but losing a home game ever second year is a $200,000-plus hole for a team like the Reds.

A big positive is that Pulver has involved Australia's three commercial TV networks in the format discussions and is bullish that some part of Super Rugby will be on free-to-air screens in 2016.

"I'm confident there will be more Super Rugby seen on free-to-air," Pulver said.

That will be one of the code's biggest wins to take the on-field fireworks to people who have just not been able to watch Super Rugby before.

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Simon Dwyer is league’s secret shame

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EVEN if someone did ring, Simon Dwyer couldn't lift the phone with his right hand.

Put simply, it's shot. Useless. Disabled ever since that afternoon two years ago when, attempting a tackle at Campbelltown Stadium, this promising Wests Tiger ripped five nerves straight off his spinal column.

So what has been done since?

Remembering that before rugby league disabled him — before his hand swelled, shoulder routinely slipped out of joint and the pain medication gave him seizures — this young forward was among the brightest prospects in the game.

Simon Dwyer watches from the sidelines at NSW City training. Source: News Corp Australia

Not only on the cusp of NSW Origin selection, but owning a thwack which, ironing out no less than Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, was hailed on these very pages as 'Hit of the Century'.

So in the two years since the Greatest Game of All ruined him, who from the NRL has called?

"I've never been contacted by anyone at the NRL,'' Dwyer shrugs.

MCKINNON RE-SIGNS WITH KNIGHTS

Players Association, then?

"Ah, I'm not even sure what they do,'' he concedes. "Seem a waste of time. I don't even know if I have a manager anymore. I saw him at a game recently and he said 'Hi', but that was it.

"It's a little disappointing to think, if I were in any other job, insurance would cover this injury. But being a footballer ... yeah, I'm on my own."

Simon Dwyer is rugby league's secret shame.

That isn't him talking either — it's us.

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For while he was once among the most feared defenders in footy, this affable 25-year-old — a fella working as City Origin assistant in Dubbo this week because "Freddy never forgot me" — refuses to whack a game that so badly betrayed him.

Indeed, who has time?

What with the daily physiotherapy, the massages and weights. Bloke even bought his own acupuncture kit.

Which makes him the kind of bloke who doesn't covet interviews.

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But when cornered at City training on Thursday — still wearing the same sling he vowed two years ago would not stop his NRL return — he somewhat reluctantly agreed to open up.

Explaining not only his own battle, but the happiness at seeing Alex McKinnon — a footballer three years his junior — being so well supported by the NRL, the Newcastle Knights, indeed the entire rugby league community.

Dwyer has been wearing a sling since his injury two years ago. Source: News Corp Australia

"What Alex has suffered — terrible,'' Dwyer says almost in a whisper. "And I hope he gets all the support possible because not only does he deserve it, it's the right thing to do.

"I mean, we keep hearing how rugby league is business, so why isn't it run like one? Why aren't footballers insured?

"Cars and houses get insured, but not us. It's tough but, while you hope things change, you've just gotta get on with it."

Which is how Dwyer has been every day since that attempted tackle.

When colliding awkwardly into the hip of Canterbury prop Michael Hodgson — "my shoulder went one way, my head the other" — he ripped from his spinal cord the C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1.

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"Initially I felt frozen," Dwyer recalls. "I couldn't talk, couldn't move, couldn't feel anything from the neck down.

"There was only a weird sensation, like my legs and arms were in the air. But looking back at video since, I was just flat."

Eventually, a Wests Tigers trainer sat Dwyer up and, after relevant checks, tried to walk him from the field.

"But I was like, 'shit, I can't feel my legs','' he continues. "Eventually, all the feeling came back. Well, everywhere but my right arm."

And so in the weeks following, this tough Sydney westie underwent surgery that saw nerves taken from different parts of his body — including his left arm and diaphragm — and then redirected into his motionless limb.

Dwyer. in his playing days with Wests Tigers. Source: News Limited

Yet two years on, and living at home with his parents, he still has no movement in his fingers. Can manage just one arm curl "against gravity".

Holding a cup of water, or phone, impossible.

Still, Dwyer refuses to quit.

Right now, driving on a disabled permit, learning to write as a leftie and battling on without those pain killers that caused him "little side effects".

Like what?

"Seizures,'' he shrugs.

So what is being done?

For while the Knights may have honoured McKinnon's contract upgrade, Dwyer had his deal terminated by the Tigers — who couldn't fit him under the salary cap — and, instead, was appointed to staff on a smaller three-year agreement.

Dwyer's staff appointment with Wests Tigers runs out this year. Source: News Limited

It is a deal for which the disabled footballer has always been grateful. An agreement which, we also note, runs out this year, right?

"I'm not sure what's happening yet,'' he says. "I would love to stay in the game and really enjoy my work at Wests Tigers, doing video for the boys and statistics for (coach) Mick Potter on game day.

"The club has said they're yet to finalise things for next year so who knows?"

Dwyer is also grateful to Freddy.

The NSW Origin great who not only called him into camp in 2012, but has made this former City forward his first staffing appointment in the two years since.

"Which is incredible because some guys, they don't even have that,'' Dwyer says. "Only last week I got a call from another footballer in a similar situation.

"He's struggling and, given the extent of my injuries, wanted to know what the NRL had done. But, you know ... what could I say?"

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