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

Latest

NRL

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 24: Cowboys Assistant coach James Maloney looks on during the round 12 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on May 24, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Maloney sacked by Cowboys after drink driving charge

Assistant coach James Maloney has been fired by the Cowboys following an off-field incident involving police in the lead-up to Saturday night’s clash against the Bulldogs in Sydney.

NRL

Australia's Wallabies celebrate after defeating to Argentina's Los Pumes their Rugby Championship match at Estadio UNO Jorge Luis Hirsch stadium in La Plata, Buenos Aires on August 31, 2024. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Buzz: Penny-pinching Rugby Australia exposed

Wallabies players who travelled to Argentina for the Test match over the weekend were in for a rude shock. Plus, why Kevin Walters has bought himself more time as Broncos coach. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals his highs and lows from the week in sport.

NRL

NRL 2024 RD26 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v New Zealand Warriors - Kayal Iro, Sin Bin. Picture: NRL Photos

Buzz: Proof NRL’s high tackle ‘crackdown’ denial is a load of rubbish

The NRL hates us using the word crackdown, but there is no denying the cold, hard facts. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals the sharp spike in sin-bins for high tackle offences.

NRL

DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 30, 2024. Canterbury Bulldogs fans before their game against the Manly Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Fun police bite into Dog parties

The fun police have put the leash on partying Canterbury Bulldogs fans celebrating the end of their finals drought. That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

NRL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: General Manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and commentator Phil Gould is seen before game three of the State of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on July 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

What’s the Buzz: Gould opens up on Bulldogs’ real saviour

Cameron Ciraldo and Phil Gould have rightly received most of the credit for the Bulldogs’ remarkable resurgence, but neither would be at the club in the first place without the influence of a certain figure. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals the Bulldogs’ true saviour.

UpdatedNRL

Brad Fittler's cringeworthy interview with Australia's Olympic gold medallist sisters Jessica (left) and Noemie Fox.

Nine responds to outrage over Brad Fittler’s cringey interview

A car crash live interview with Australia’s gold medal-winning Fox sisters has rugby league great Brad Fittler under fire after critics called him out over “inappropriate” remarks.

Boxing/MMA

Zerafa post fight. Picture: No Limit Boxing.

‘No option’: Zerafa’s brother should get life, says Fenech

BRENDAN BRADFORD and PHIL ROTHFIELD reveal the fallout from Wednesday night’s disgraceful post-fight fracas between the Zerafa and Browne teams, with the trainer hit in the fracas releasing a statement and Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech has his say on the matter.

NRL