At 33 years of age Anthony Minichiello knows his career is drawing to a close. When you consider how many injury problems he has battled over his career, it’s almost a miracle he is still playing. Not only that, Minichiello is playing pretty damn well for the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters clearly have other plans…
Don’t yo just love the commitment that some Super League imports show their new clubs! Before even kicks a ball in anger for St Helens 2014 signing Luke Walsh is already talking up the fact that he has a get out clause in his contract if another NRL clubs makes him an offer. In an…
As the Melbourne Storm take on the Brisbane Broncos in Friday Night Football my mind turns towards two of the greatest players either club has produced. Both Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith both rate among the greatest players to every play Rugby League. Both players have built a reputation as the games ultimate winners and…
The NRL has released the following statement in regards to Manly Sea Eagles winger David Williams after he was charged by Police: The National Rugby League will await the completion of court proceedings before determining if any disciplinary action is warranted in relation to the charging of Manly player David Williams. The NRL Integrity Unit…
After being hit with a fine for breaching the 2012 salary cap the Manly Sea Eagles have made a statement on their web site. It reads: The Sea Eagles today received a fine notice from the NRL in regards to alleged salary cap breaches in 2012. The $85,000 penalty was the result of an alleged…
I’ve had some questions bubbling away inside me for some time now, and nobody seems to answer me, and this morning, for no particular reason I can think of, they seem to have begun to boil over. I just want to sit down and watch TV with a cup of tea, but my head is…
Catalan Dragons forward Steve Menzies has announced his retirement from Rugby League after an incredible 20 year career. Menzies first grade career started all the way back in 1993 and he soon made a name for himself as a wide running back rower for the Manly Sea Eagles. His combination with Cliff Lyons become legendary….
This is something we need to sit down and discuss now. With Ben Barba looking to leave the Bulldogs and head back to Queensland, we have now got to a point where a number of key players the club has invested time and money into have somehow found ways to leave the club. Sonny Bill…
The Rugby League Down South Podcast is back! Ian Ramsdale gives you a comprehensive look at Rugby League in and around London and speaks to the movers and shakers on the game in the national capital. Episode 19 looks at Jamie Sowards debut for the London Broncos with Ian talking to the former St George/Illawarra…
Mark down Saturday October 19th on your calender as it will be the first time England plays a Rugby League international against Italy. The match will be held in Salford and will provide both teams with a decent hit out as they head into the World Cup. Italy will play the match just 3 days after…
With pretty much all of Rugby Union’s interest in Australia currently surrounding former Rugby League player Israel Folau, it is pretty clear that the ARU is desperate to re-sign the former Queensland State Of Origin winger and keep him from returning back to the greatest game of all. When asked about what the Australian Rugby…
After The Super League War the newly formed National Rugby League had a problem on it’s hands. It had more clubs than it wanted and all of them were spending more money than they had. Players salaries were completely out of control and the NRL knew it had to get spending on player salaries back…
A lot has been made in the media of Israel Folau playing Union, Sonny Bill possibly going back and Benji Marshall having a whinge etc but also finding a way to keep and attract best and brightest stars to the Greatest Game of All. Now most people suggest raising the cap or as Andrew Johns…
Centrebet has join the web site as a sponsor and as a result they will be providing odds for NRL matches and representative games for LeagueFreak.com readers. With Origin two now behind us attention is squarely set on the upcoming round of NRL matches. Here are the current head-to-head betting markets for Round 16 of…
He is one of the most marketable players in the game. When he is in form, there is no doubt Benji Marshall is also one of the best Rugby League players in the world. With the Wests Tigers ridiculously questioning whether they should upgrade the contract of the best player in their lineup, the NRL…
The Sydney Roosters have re-signed Sonny Bill Williams through to the end of the 2014 season according to the Daily Telegraph. Williams made a smooth return to the game and has managed to avoid the injury problems that have plagued his career in the past. Over the last few weeks in particular Williams has looked…
Earlier tonight Rugby League Week’s Mole confirmed the previously rumoured news that Remondis will soon be announced as the Shark’s new stadium sponsor. For those who don’t know the company a quick google search will reveal: “REMONDIS Australia stands for service excellence. As one of the world’s leading water, waste and environmental management organisations, REMONDIS…
The Rugby Football League had entered into a commercial partnership with Toyota. While the financial details of the deal have not been disclosed (RED FLAG) it is known that Toyota will supply 50 hatchbacks for RFL types to drive around England in. You always know that a sporting organisation has done a fantastic deal when…
Ancient monument to wingers across the land, Francis Meli, will leave St Helens at the end of the season and join the Salford Red Devils on a one year deal for the 2014 season. Meli, best known for his time at the New Zealand Warriors a decade ago, is 34 years old and his signing…
Parramatta Stadium will receive $20 million in funding for upgrades to the training, corporate and media facilities while the capacity of the ground will be increased by 3,000 to an overall total of 24,000. In the past I have been critical of the way that certain stadiums have received funding that did little more that…
South Sydney forward Roy Asotasi will leave the NRL at the end of the season and joining the Warrington Wolves in Super League on a two year deal. Asotasi had been linked to a move to the Bradford Bulls earlier this season. The Wolves have been on the look out for a replacement for Adrian…
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Parramatta Eels made an approach to St Helens hooker James Roby to join the club for the 2015 season, only for Roby to knock them back. The Eels are on the look out for players anywhere they can find them after showing the door to over a…
After South Sydney’s exploits this season, Rabbitohs coach, Michael Maguire, looks set to become the most wanted man in the NRL at the end of the current NRL campaign. With South Sydney charging towards their first minor premiership since 1989, there is a growing concern among the Rabbitohs fans that they may lose their head…
Paul Gallen has been a fantastic leader for the Cronulla Sharks. At times he has taken opposition teams on single handedly up front, hitting the ball up without fear, making a million tackles, he has simply never let the Sharks down. At State Of Origin level it has been more of the same. Even as…
The NRL has a responsibility to take over and mentor the Super League whilst clubs could create an alliance or sister club in the UK. Super League is the 2nd biggest market but with the right promotion could be the new golden goose of Rugby League and it really wouldn’t take much of an outlay…
There are no excuses any more… With the NRL raking in around $300 million per season, and putting $40 million in the bank for future projects every year, there are no excuses for Rugby League to lose a single player to any other sporting code. Likewise, there is no reason why the NRL should have…
He is one of the true stars of the game, and yet the Wests Tigers are not convinced that they should pay any extra money to Benji Marshall and finalize a deal that would see Marshall remain a one club player. You get the feeling that if Benji Marshall wanted to head to another club…
In a new feature on LeagueFreak.com I will be putting the games best clubs, best coaches and best players in head to head battles that will be decides by you, the reader. The first edition of League Freaks Friday Night Fights is a great one. An ancient rivalry between two clubs that hate each others…
Game two of the 2013 State Of Origin series was a disaster for New South Wales. Not too many of the Blues players could hold their head high after the 26-6 thrashing Queensland handed them. Two players stood out though… Aaron Woods and Nathan Merritt made their State Of Origin debuts after a groundswell of…
The Newcastle Knights have signed current Hull KR halfback Michael Dobson for the 2014 NRL season on a one year deal. Why? At 27 years of age, Michael Dobson is who he is. We know what he offers as an NRL player and we know that he isn’t about to come back and be a…