News that covers Rugby League in Australia.
Benji Marshall is likely to play Rugby Union in 2014 after asking for a release from the Wests Tigers from the remainder of his contract. Marshall, who has been on a mid season holiday in Bali, informed the Tigers via his manager of his intentions. The Tigers are likely to grant him a release. When…
When the Penrith Panthers ventured to Parramatta Stadium to face the Eels on Saturday night, no one was accusing the game of being a blockbuster. While the Panthers are in rebuilding mode, their form over the last month or so has been pretty good. Still, this is a team that isn’t the most exciting side…
It seems the NRL’s tough stance against off field incidents is set to continue with the league putting the brakes on plans for Blake Ferguson to return to the field as soon as this weekend. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the NRL will wants Blake Ferguson to complete a 4 week alcohol rehabilitation…
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Canterbury Bulldogs are keen to extend the contract of English forward James Graham, and that the Warrington Wolves are keen to lure the former England captain back to Super League. I’ve been told that if Graham was to return to Super League, it would be to his…
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Wests Tigers officials expect Benji Marshall to re-sign with the club within the next few days. There has been a lot of mail recently that Marshall had already put pen to paper with the ARU, however that seems to be off the mark. I’ve been very strong in my…
On face value, it is hard to argue against the original intent of banning shoulder charges. The NRL came out with statistics that showed that, while shoulder charge’s made up a very small percentage of overall tackles made, the amount of concussions and injuries that come out of shoulder charges were very high. I hated…
Bulldogs playmaker Josh Reynolds has been dropped from the NSW bench for State Of Origin three. Boyd Cordner will take Reynolds place as the Blues look to add more side o the bench. Cordner has been in fantastic form for the Roosters in recent week. It’s great to see that he will get his opportunity….
It has been a long pursuit but finally the St George/Illawarra Dragons have finally captured the signature of Canberra Raiders halfback Sam Williams. Williams is part of a very good halves rotation at the Raiders. The 22 year old has only signed a one year deal with the Dragons but I’ve not doubt he will…
Paul Gallen will miss State Of Origin three after being ruled out with a foot injury he picked up in game two. Gallen has played a number of series now carrying injuries. He has been a fantastic leader for New South Wales. Going into State Of Origin three without him on the field will be…
The Parramatta Eels are chasing South Sydney Rabbitohs backup hooker Nathan Peats as the club looks to continue it’s rebuilding efforts. Peats would require an early release from his Rabbitohs contract but would be a fantastic buy for Parramatta. The Eels have been linked to Penrith Panthers hooker Kevin Kingston but according to the Sydney…
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are leading the way in Rugby League in terms of membership numbers after breaking through the 27,000 members mark. The milestone comes just a few months after the club broke through the 25,000 members barrier. It was not all that long ago that clubs discouraged people from becoming members of football…
Because a knee jerk reaction from the NRL has seen an issue (fighting) that was under control blow up to dominate discussion in the game, it has allowed crazies to come out of the woodwork and put forward ideas that do not pass the ten second test. What is the ten second test? Well if…
The Manly Sea Eagles have finalised a proposal to play at least one game in China over the next three years according to the Sydney Morning Herald. With the Sea Eagles and Canberra Raiders having major sponsors that both have ties to China, the game is seen as a great way to promote the game…
The teams have been selected. The referees have been told that both sides are cheating. Queensland drank some beer. New South Wales didn’t drink some beer. The stage has now been set for an epic conclusion to the 2013 State Of Origin series. So, what would I like to see happen in this game. You…
He was a star athlete that people would watch play any sport. He was a player that the founding fathers of Rugby League knew was a key to getting punters in through the turnstiles. We name an award after him, and over a century after his first Rugby League game his name still carries so…
When Paul Gallen put a combination on Nate Myles chin in State Of Origin one, it was a major talking point in the game. It didn’t matter what else happened in the contest, the way Gallen went after Myles was a moment every single person that watched the game wanted to talk about. The reaction…
In what has to be one of the dumbest ideas I have ever read, former test captain Brad Fittler has tossed up the idea that the NRL should look at moving the Melbourne Storm to Perth in the future. Fittler, who was trying to talk up the prospects of a having a National Rugby League…
The Queensland Rugby League have named their lineup for the third and deciding game of the 2013 State Of Origin series. As expected there have been no changes to the team that completely annihilated New South Wales in game two. The Maroons have brought Jacob Lillyman and Will Chambers into the squad though. The official…
You can’t say enough about the way Sam Burgess has carried himself during his time playing in the NRL. On top of being one of the best forwards in the game, Burgess has been great with the media and fans. The big Englishman has really gone a long way to opening the door for other…
Note: Jarryd Hayne, Paul Gallen and Josh Renynolds were replaced by James McManus, Aaron Woods and Boyd Cordner respectively. The New South Wales Rugby League has named a 20 man squad heading into State Of Origin game three. After getting smashed in the second game there have been a coupl of slight changes to the…
They either look like world beaters, or the worst side in the competition. There is no in between! The Raiders are a strange side in that they seem to always be struggling to take that next step. In the past injuries have killed the clubs chances, player behaviour hasn’t helped, and the club has become…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…