Grudge match: 10 big rivalries to keep the NRL ticking along throughout the 2014 season

THE NRL has always been a competition to thrive on lingering grudges, with State of Origin now one of the biggest sporting contests in Australia on the back of a fierce rivalry.

New South Wales and Queensland are the two teams that hate each other the most. No contest.

But there’s plenty more personal rivalries with potential to light spotfires in NRL games across the season.

Here are our top 10 rivalries to watch in 2014.

Which rivalry most whets your appetite for the season ahead? Vote in the poll and leave a comment at the bottom of the page to have your say!

PAUL GALLEN v NATE MYLES

Sticking with the Origin theme, who could forget the biggest one-on-one stink we’ve seen in a number of years as the NSW skipper teed off on Myles in game one last year. It’s cooled down a fair bit since then, with both speaking publicly of their respect for the old adage that what happens on the field, stays on the field. Still, you feel like the embers could be stoked when their paths cross, either in Origin again, or even in round one, when the Sharks host the Titans.

RICKY STUART v PARRAMATTA

After arriving at the blue and golds to much fanfare in 2013, Stuart walked out on the Eels in acrimonious circumstances, mid-contract and after delivering the club some unwanted cutlery. Unfortunately we’ll just have to close our eyes and imagine what kind of reception he’d get from Eels fans if the Raiders played at Parramatta Stadium this season. Instead, Sticky got the best possible result from the draw; a wait until round 22 to meet his old employers in, wait for it... Darwin! We’ll just have to wait and see if the Eels players are as forgiving as NRL HQ.

BEN BARBA v BULLDOGS

While Stuart has been spared the humiliation of a return to Parramatta, the NRL have done the right thing by cashing in on Barba’s controversial early exit from the Bulldogs. The 2012 Dally M Player of the Year will be front and centre in all of the promos as his new club the Broncos visit ANZ Stadium for the Friday night game in a round one clash with the Bulldogs. Barba was on the outer with plenty of his Bulldogs teammates by the end of last season, so don’t be surprised if he’s treated to plenty of special attention.

SBW v TOHU HARRIS

It was a backflip that smacked of a prima donna with no grasp for the common touch. Sonny Bill, arguably the best player in the world, first left his country in the lurch by deciding against representing New Zealand at last year’s World Cup; then he decided he’d like to play for the Kiwis afterall. In the meantime, Storm youngster Tohu Harris had been celebrating the biggest news of his short career, only to have his World Cup dream, and the much-needed cash injection that went with it, ripped away by the whim of the Roosters superstar. Harris spoke about the incident again recently and is clearly smarting from the disappointment. Let’s hope the tensions are still simmering when the Storm meet the Roosters at AAMI Park in round 13.

JAMIE SOWARD v STEVE PRICE

After being one of the key pieces in Wayne Bennett’s 2010 premiership puzzle, Soward had a miserable time under the tutelage of Price, losing form, confidence and eventually his place in the side before mutually agreeing to part ways with the Dragons midway through last season. By that stage it was clear Price and Soward didn’t see eye-to-eye. With the former Origin five-eighth back in the NRL with the Panthers, you’d expect the round 14 clash between the two clubs to mean a little bit more to the proud and often prickly Soward.

COWBOYS v THE REFS

This isn’t a battle the Cowboys can go looking for a square up in but after being bundled out of the finals two years in a row in controversial circumstances, their suspicion about the men in pink can only be growing stronger. Paul Green is a coach who seems to be big on discipline in all its forms so it will be interesting to watch how the Cowboys react if big decisions from the men in the middle go against them yet again.

JOSH DUGAN v THE HOODOO

After being dumped by the Raiders following his well-publicised spat with David Furner, and a rooftop ‘recovery session’ with Blake Ferguson, Dugan found himself at a club that just cannot beat the Green Machine to save themselves. The Dragons have now gone nine straight games against the Raiders without tasting victory - a hoodoo that Dugan will quickly want to reverse so he can show his face around Mooseheads again.

CAM SMITH v NATE MYLES

Yes it was a long tour, and even in the happiest of families brothers can get under each other’s skin and tensions can boil over. But when it comes to Cam Smith’s relationship with Nate Myles, something just doesn’t smell quite right. According to reports, the Queensland teammates weren’t far off coming to blows during a night out in Manchester while on tour with the Kangaroos at last year’s World Cup. When given the chance to clear up rumours that Myles had asked his captain to “step outside” the enforcer hardly issued a convincing denial: “It’s two degrees outside, why would I ask him outside?” was all he would say. Let’s see what happens when the pair go hammer and tongs for their club sides in round five.

PAUL GALLEN v DYLAN NAPA

For the second straight year, Paul Gallen has got a young upstart to put in his place after being put on his back in a brutal tacle in a club game. Last year it was Josh Papalii in the vengeful Gallen’s sights, this time round it’s the Roosters’ fiery red-head Napa. In just seven games for the reigning premiers, the 21-year-old Napa has showed reputation means absolutely nothing to him. But Gallen’s got a long memory and might just take the chance to put a shot on when the Sharks meet the Roosters in round seven, just a few weeks before the sides for Origin I are picked.

SAM BURGESS v JAMES GRAHAM

There’s no other word for it; these two hate each other. While in camp for England at last year’s World Cup there was a clear split in the team, and these two were central figures in it. It all blew up in a night out on the town, when Graham and Burgess went hammer and tongs in an incident that finished up with Gareth Hock driving half the team home under the influence of alcohol and being dumped from the squad as a consequence. With that tournament done and dusted the two Englishmen no longer have to keep the peace as teammates and they’ll have the chance to settle things when the Rabbitohs clash with the Bulldogs in a Good Friday match up in round seven. It should make for compulsive viewing!