North Queensland Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston has flagged the idea that the NRL Grand Final should be played two weeks after the semi finals, with the NRL All Star Game played during the week off. This is a similar set up to the one the NFL uses where the Superbowl is played two weeks after…
There is no doubt that at representative level, Johnathan Thurston’s record is incredible. You can not deny his impact on Queensland’s historic State Of Origin winning run. Throw in his fantastic record at international level, that now include that elusive World Cup victory, and Thurston has done it all at rep level where the great…
Newcastle Knights forward Willie Mason has been charged with drink driving after allegedly blowing over the legal limit while on his way to training on Monday morning. Mason will face court on February the 20th. It is unfortunate timing for Mason who was one of the big names promoting the Auckland 9’s next month. Based…
In no way am I trying to disrespect Johnathan Thurston, a future immortal, but I think Penrith have got lucky with his decision to stay in North Queensland. At his best, Johnathan Thurston was a phenomenon of a player. He was everything you want in a halve. He had a great passing game, kicking game,…
The New Zealand Warriors are the first NRL club to name their Auckland 9’s squad. It is a young team and I think it shows the mix of players from different grades we can expect from most teams that will compete at the Auckland 9’s. New Zealand Warriors Auckland 9’s Squad: Jayson Bukuya Raymond Faitala-Mariner…
First Utility, an independent energy company that has captured less than 1% of the UK’s overall energy market, will sponsor Super League for three seasons in a deal that will reportedly see them pay around £750,000 per year for the privilege. While it is a concern that the RFL did not release actual figures, it…
South Sydney youngster Luke Keary will meet with NRL Head Of Football Todd Greenberg in an effort to break the brand new State Of Origin eligibility rules and play for Queensland. Keary, who under the new rules qualifies only to play for New South Wales, is being supported by the Queensland Rugby League. There is…
Brad Fittler has been given the all clear by ASADA and the NRL to take part in the Auckland 9’s. Now we get to see what happens when a player that retired in 2004 decides to make a comeback in 2014. In Rugby League it is rare that you see players retire from the game…
The Auckland 9’s jerseys have been revealed in Sydney this morning. The jerseys are being posted online by the NRL’s Official Twitter Feed. You can click here to see the draw for the 2014 Auckland 9’s. Here is a look at every NRL club jersey that will be on show at the 2014 Auckland 9’s:…
As a Rugby League supporter, your support should not be unconditional. Your time and entertainment budget is very valuable. You should never, ever forget that. The London Broncos are a terrible joke at the moment. A franchise that is directionless, under funded, poorly managed and who does not belong anywhere near Super League. Let me…
It was over a couple of cold ones the other night that my mate came out with something that rather took me by surprise. He did not come out of the proverbial closet, nor did he express an admiration for One Direction. But it was with a concerning amount of self-assurance that he told me…
The writing is on the wall for Stephen Kearney as the NZRL has made the decision that he will have to re-apply for his role as the coach of the New Zealand Rugby League team. Kearney guided the New Zealand team to their first World Cup success in 2008 and backed that up with an…
In a case of “What the hell are they thinking?”, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed Lote Tuqiri to a one season contract. Tuqiri has recently been playing Rugby Union in Ireland where he found himself the focus of the media for for alleged extra curricular activity. Lote Tuqiri’s last stint in the NRL was…
If you follow Rugby League in Australia then you know who the RLW Mole is. While some journo’s are quick to say they break news, none of them come close to the inside information that The Mole reveals on a weekly basis. I was lucky enough to get a chance to ask the RLW Mole…
In the long list of completely ridiculous situations that have emerged at the London Broncos in recent seasons, this is up there with one of the most embarrassing. The London Broncos announced on Friday that they had signed retired Australian forward Ben Ross for the 2014 Super League season. That Ross would need to come…
I decided to try my best to explain the new Super League/Championship restructure. Please be patient. I understand this will be very confusing. Trust me when I say I have tried to make this as simple as I possibly could. I’m not joking… Explaining The Super League/Championship Restructure: Phase One There will be two divisions…
Let me guess…you’ve stopped talking about the fact that Rugby League clubs at every level across the UK are in financial meltdown. You’ve stopped talking about the lack of funding being put into development. You have stopped talking about how terrible the current Rugby Football league administration is. Why? Because with a combination of smoke…
Each new season these days seems to see the arrival of a new Referees Coordinator, or Elite Performance Manager, as it is now known. Regardless of which title they use, it has been a long time since the NRL’s refereeing system resembled something coordinated. Or Elite. Full of hope and promise, they assure us they…
Andrew Webster of the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Penrith Panthers fullback James Roberts has broken his ankle at training this afternoon. Roberts was not only expected to feature in the Panthers Auckland 9’s side but was also a big chance of cementing the number 1 jersey in first grade this season. A broken…
Would you be shocked if I told you that Queensland was whinging once again about State Of Origin eligibility rules? This time the issue surrounds South Sydney youngster Luke Keary. Keary was born in Queensland but moved to New South Wales at a young enough age that he no longer qualifies to play for Queensland….
For the first time in it’s history, the NRL’s most illustrious trial game, the Charity Shield will be heading south to Win Stadium in Wollongong. The reason it is not being played at ANZ Stadium or Allianz Stadium, as it has been in the past, is due to an Eminem concert at ANZ Stadium, and…
Every Rugby League fan knows one thing about our game. That thing is, if its not broke then somebody will break it. Even if you think that statement is exaggerated, you know there is some truth in it. You could even extend the statement to, if it is broke somebody will make it worse. The…
The Charity Shield will be played outside of Sydney for the first time in its history after organizers of the match ran into the perfect storm in terms of scheduling conflicts. With the World Club Challenge and a concert to contend with, the Charity Shield match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George/Illawarra…
Daniel Lane of the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Paul Gallen will make his boxing debut on the 19th of February, just weeks before the Cronulla Sharks season kickoff against the Gold Coast Titans on the 10th of March. It is a very strange decision by Gallen to take part in the bout just…
English Rugby League fans rejoice, for as Steve McNamara goes, so to do your hopes and dreams! McNamara spoke to News Limited about his move to the NRL Champion Sydney Roosters as an assistant coach, saying his move to Australia is a good thing for the English game. McNamara’s highest honour as a coach is…
With all the excitement about the upcoming NRL Trials and 9s tournament, a huge story seems to have been over looked, the appointment of Tony Archer as the referee’s boss. Ok so it’s not a huge story and most people won’t care beyond knowing who to abuse on social media when their team hard done…
The Sydney Roosters host Wigan on the 22nd of February in the first World Club Challenge match held in Australia since the 1997. Wigan are putting everything they have into their preparation for this match. While they did lose fullback Sam Tomkins from their Grand Final winning team they did manage to pick up Matthew…
When you lead a club to a Premiership, and then a couple of seasons later you are told you can leave that same club mid season because they simply don’t want you any more, that is not something anyone should take lightly. Similarly, if you are a halfback for a club that has one of…
The following is an official press release from the Newcastle Knights: The Newcastle Knights met with Russell Packer on Sunday, the first opportunity since his custodial sentence was issued last Monday. In accordance with Club Policy, Packer has been formally advised his employment has been terminated, effective immediately. “There was never any doubt we would…
When Sonny Bill Williams left the NRL in 2008, to join French RU side Toulon, I never thought he would play the game of Rugby League again. I thought the way he left the game was way out of line and the ultimate act of betrayal. At the same time though I have always rated…