An Auckland Tourism, Events And Economic Development report has revealed that the 2014 Auckland 9’s pumped over $9 million into the cities local economy. Over 68,000 attended the two day event held at Eden Park with estimates that over 16,000 were New Zealanders traveling into Auckland to attend and another 6,000 making the trip from…
It seems that each and every year, an NRL side is decimated during the Origin period, and loses the momentum they had built over the opening ten or so rounds. Usually it is the Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos or Sydney Roosters, however this year, the boys from Belmore are the ones most affected. The table…
If there is one thing I love writing about, it is referees… Paul Gallen and Greg Bird have called for a return to one referee for State Of Origin football. They believe one referee, one voice, would help ease confusion over decisions and make it easier for players who have to deal with just one…
Wayne Bennett has told News Limited that he is unsure of his future beyond this season as the Knights ownership saga drags on. Bennett has said he wants to see what happens with the change of ownership at the Newcastle Knights before he makes a decision but he intends to be coaching somewhere next season….
The hopes of Queensland supporters took a blow today when halfback Daly Cherry-Evans failed to train with his Queensland team mates today. Cherry-Evans had targeted today as his deadline to be fit, and with Ben Hunt training in his place, things aren’t looking good for the Maroons halfback. Of course Laurie Daley has been telling…
There has been a lot written about Jarryd Hayne this week as we get closer to State Of Origin two. While there were some questions about his fitness leading into the game this incredible field goal kick should put those concerns to bed: Pretty incredible, and there are no special effects there at all!
Last night I posted an article about Lee Mossop and his ridiculous comments to BBC Radio where he said that Super League is physically tougher than the NRL. He made these comments after playing just 32 minutes so far during the 2014 NRL season. People that follow me on Twitter and Facebook went off on…
On Saturday night during the Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights match, Fox Sports offered viewers the option to press the red button on their remote control and take in a different match commentary provided by Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher. So, how to Hindy and Fletch go? Well, it was different! Both called players by…
Parramatta Eels English forward Lee Mossop may have spend most of the season on the sidelines, but he has told the BBC that Super League is more physical than the NRL. Mossop, who made the move from Wigan to the Parramatta Eels at the end of last year, played his first game of his NRL…
Kevin Sinfield has been awarded an MBE for his services to Rugby League. It is 2014, and quite honestly I can’t be bothered looking up what an MBE is or who hands them out, but good luck to Kevin Sinfield and who ever campaigned to have this honour bestowed upon him. I’m sure it will…
Over the course of his career Jarryd Hayne has shown that when he is playing at his best, he is possibly the best player in the world. While injuries and inconsistency has plagued his career at times, you get the feeling that things have changed. He has been playing great football for Parramatta this year…
Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh has ruled out the club taking any legal action against ASADA as the Essendon AFL club and its former coach have done over the last 24 hours. Keogh has stated that the club wants to get through the ASADA process and not prolong it any further than needed. The Sharks…
Jason Nightingale has told News Limited that he expects some of his team mates to try and get under the skin of Jamie Soward when he runs out for Penrith against the St George/Illawarra Dragons for the first time. While Nightingale said he has no problems at all with Soward, you get the feeling some…
Overnight players from the Essedon AFL club received show cause letters from ASADA meaning that the investigation into the alleged use of performance enhancing substances has been concluded. The Cronulla Sharks are expected to receive their show cause letters next week, however the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that a second NRL club will also…
In one of those “What the hell are they thinking?” moments, the Daily Telegraph is reporting that is New South Wales win State Of Origin two, they will have to wait until game three of the State Of Origin series to receive the Origin shield. You would think it makes sense to hand the trophy…
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Brisbane Broncos will make a massive offer to Daly Cherry-Evans to join the club in 2016. While the Broncos may be dealing with a salary cap investigation, rises in the cap coupled with their unmatched ability to put together massive third party deals with sponsors in Brisbane…
Dave Taylor joined the Queensland State Of Origin squad yesterday and walked into a barrage of criticism…from his own coach! Mal Meninga has said that Dave Taylor has not done the job for Queensland in the past and that he expects more out of the 130 kilogram giant. It is kind of a strange way…
Benji Marshall has given Tim Sheens his backing to take over the coaching role at the St George/Illawarra Dragons. Marshall played the majority of his career under Sheens at the Wests Tigers where the pair won a Premiership together in 2005. A number of names have already been tossed up for the Dragons coaching job….
Yesterday it was confirmed that Will Hopoate and Josh Dugan will replace the injured Morris brothers in the squad for the second State of Origin squad, with Dugan set to take up the centre position. Josh Dugan has always lifted in the Origin arena, and was amongst the state’s best in last years series, however…
Brent Tate has spoken about the affects on his family that the backlash from his comments made after State Of Origin one caused, while also stating that none of it fazed him. The article, which you can tell is from the Courier Mail because of the way it is written to make all of New…
Clint Newton has attacked NSW coach Laurie Daley and QLD coach Mal Meninga for not releasing players to attend a meeting been the Rugby League Players Association and the NRL. The strange thing about Newtons comments is that the RLPA is supposed to represent all players, they don’t have to be in the room to…
Catalans Dragons have boosted their half-back options with the signing of Sam Williams from NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons on in a deal until the end of the current Super League season. With Scott Dureau still yet to return from the bicep injury he sustained in February, Williams will add some much-needed options to the…
The lull in the competition, due to players being out, meant last Saturday Night I turned on 7mate to watch Essendon vs Richmond. Although AFL is about a million light-years behind the NRL in terms of the game, the quality of the television presentation was far superior. Not only was the game broadcast LIVE, but…
Imagine having to make a million dollar decision about your entire career at the age of 21. For some people that decision would be difficult at the best of times. For others it would feel almost overwhelming. Over the last few seasons we have seen a number of younger players in the game make big…
After missing out signing Josh Mansour, Kevin Proctor and having James Tedesco backflip on his decision to join the club, Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart written a press release. The statement which was released via the clubs official web site reads: Ricky Stuart Statement The Canberra Raiders’ recent disappointing recruitment results will not alter or…
Fijian born and raised winger Semi Radradra has expressed his desire to represent New South Wales and Australia. This despite the fact that he has only been in Australia a few years and even under the new State Of Origin eligibility rules he does not qualify to play for New South Wales. The worst part…
News Limited is reporting that Ben Te’o will switch codes at the end of the 2014 NRL season and play Rugby Union, possibly in an effort to turn out for England at the next Rugby Union World Cup. This move has been quietly on the card for a while and even as late as yesterday…
Beau Ryan has announced his immediate retirement from Rugby League due to a neck injury. Ryan has been trying to play through the injury for a long while now but this season in particular it has become clear that any time he received contact in a tackle the injury was troubling him. Ryan had a…
Zak Hardaker has finally owned up to a homophobic slur he made during last weekends games against the Warrington Wolves, a slur that was clearly heard by viewers of the game. The statement which was released on the Leeds Rhinos official web site reads: “Because of the RFL’s investigation, this is the first opportunity I…
Ben Te’o made his thoughts about Danny Weidler very well known in a press conference yesterday. Ben Te’o has every right to refuse to talk to certain journalists. I am one of the few people that support Darius Boyd when he refuses to talk to anyone at all. We live in a free country, and…