Our Journalists

Phil RothfieldSports Editor-at-Large

Phil Buzz Rothfield is a 43-year veteran of sports journalism. He covered his first rugby league grand final in 1978 – the Manly Sea Eagles – Cronulla Sharks replay. Buzz has been involved in the coverage of every State of Origin game since its inception in 1980 and has covered sport in major countries including England, Russia, the United States and Brazil.

@BuzzRothfield

Phil Rothfield

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NRL

WIGAN, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Victor Radley of England looks to break past Mackenzie Yei and Rhyse Martin of Papua New Guinea during Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between England and Papua New Guinea at DW Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

What’s the Buzz: PVL to look at proposal to shake-up Origin

Peter V’landys to look at the State of Origin eligibility shake-up that could allow NRL stars Victor Radley and AJ Brimson to play for both England and NSW and Queensland respectively.

NRL

Spencer Leniu confronts Johnathan Thurston after the Broncos game.

WATCH: The moment Leniu got in Thurston’s face

This is the ugly moment that Spencer Leniu confronts Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Watch the video here.

VideoNRL

NSWRL hits back after ‘pile driver’ sparks junior grading furore

It’s the tackle that rocked a junior rugby league competition and left a 12-year-old boy with a smashed humerus. The NSWRL has hit back at critics to vigorously defended its grading process.

OpinionNRL

Shameful rules that broke a 12-year-old rugby league player

Rugby league’s dangerous and outdated junior grading system is eating away at the fabric of the game. Just ask Oliver Campbell, the broken 12-year-old who will walk away from the game he loves.

NRL

Chris Zammit (R) told Nick Politis he needed to quit the club mid-season.

Roosters rocked: Recruitment guru departs to return to Qld

The Sydney Roosters’ highly-regarded recruitment man Clint Zammit has quit the club mid-season to return to North Queensland.

UpdatedNRL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Siosifa Talakai of the Sharks is tackled during the round three NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sharks Stadium, on March 22, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Early Mail: Duo back for Sharks, Knights, Dragons cop blows

The Sharks have beefed up their pack ahead of Saturday’s clash against Manly while a luckless Dragons forward is set for more time on the sidelines. See the latest NRL early mail.

VideoNRL

Club investigating incident that made 12yo quit rugby league

De La Salle is investigating a dangerous lifting tackle that made a 12-year-old club junior quit rugby league. The incident has prompted demands for an overhaul to the junior grading system. WATCH THE FOOTAGE

NRL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Sea Eagles watches on as a penalty is given to the Storm during the round five NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park, on April 06, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Proof DCE circus tearing Manly apart

All in sundry will deny it but there’s no hiding the fact Manly is suffering from the Daly Cherry-Evans contract drama as evidenced in the club’s diabolical loss to Melbourne at Brookvale Oval. Plus Buzz’s highlight, lowlight and spotted.

NRL

Buzz: Contentious stadium to break all-time attendance record

It’s the ground everyone wants to abandon, but now Accor Stadium is set to host the biggest crowd in regular season history. BUZZ ROTHFIELD reveals why the venue still has a vital place in the game’s future.

NRL

NRL 2025 RD02 Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos - Adam Reynolds

Adam Reynolds may be forced into early retirement from Broncos

Adam Reynolds has no interest in playing for any NRL club other than the Broncos, but with salary cap space tight and plenty of players pushing for upgrades, the champion half’s hand may be forced.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/phil-rothfield/page/11