Earlier today, LeagueFreak.com guest writer Daniel Nichols spoke to Contender Champion and the man who will stand across the ring from former World Champion Daniel Geale on Feb 19th, Garth Wood. Below is a sample of the interview that covers the upcoming fight, Garth’s time on the Contender, Daniel Geale’s comments that made this personal, and…
It has been a very tough time for English Rugby League in recent years. With clubs struggling to survive and question marks around the long term future of the game in England, supporters over there have been worn down over time. One bright spot has been the performance of a number of English players at…
Over the years we have all become use to hearing ridiculous statements coming out of England. Whether it be clubs trying to pull the wool over the eyes of their own supporters by pumping the tyres of old imports, English magazines giving false accolades to English players to boost circulation numbers, of even the RFL…
Leeds Rhinos have been handed the perfect pre-season boost ahead of the new Super League campaign after it was confirmed that stalwart Jamie Peacock had agreed a contract extension. The former England captain, who had previously said that 2014 would be his last year before retiring, has, at the grand old age of 36, penned…
The NRL has brought in a list of new rule changes and rule interpretations ahead of the 2014 season. While some of these rules will be good and help move the game along, other just seem like change for changes sake. The new rules that have been brought in for the 2014 NRL season are:…
Whether you love him, hate him, or are simply entranced by the chameleon qualities of his hair, you cannot deny that Phil Gould knows his stuff. Sure, he often comes across as his own biggest fan and as a commentator it’s usually not hard to tell which team he prefers. But the connections he holds…
Phil Gould will remain at the Penrith Panthers through to the end of 2017 in a deal which will allow him to finish a rebuilding job he started. Gould has made a number of changes at the club with the biggest being signing coach Ivan Cleary from the New Zealand Warriors. While the Panthers have…
With less than 2 weeks until the Super League 2014 Season, I thought we’d have a look at the 3 clubs that will surprise us the most in the 2014 season. Obviously you have the teams that will always be fighting for the top spot in the Super League table, but I think there could…
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…