Players thrown under bus in one big RLPA game
Rugby league players are being thrown under the bus by their own leaders, who have unknowingly placed the careers of every NRL star in jeopardy.
Opinion
The Tackle: Arrogant ‘crotch chop’ celebration backfires
There’s no greater revenge than a joke that backfires. And now the Wests Tigers are eating humble pie after a smug jibe blew up in their faces.
Monday Buzz: Only way forward for Tigers is to sack Sheens
Tim Sheens has been back at the Wests Tigers for two years and in that time the already struggling club has gone hopelessly backwards, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Gould snubs generous ‘Spudd’ Carroll offer
NSW Blues and Manly legend Mark Carroll has joined the long list of those ‘blocked’ by Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould. It’s all in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
What’s the Buzz: NRL clubs unite to end current Origin format
Four of the game’s biggest names have been injured during the State of Origin period, prompting fed-up NRL club bosses to call for a radical change to the game’s biggest rivalry.
Matty Johns: Dodgy cars, secret deals and Gus’s cheque book
With the NRL Rich 100 revealed this week, MATTY JOHNS reveals the untold stories of contract talks during Super League – and rest assured it was a very different era.
The rule change set to shake-up NSW coaching race
It’s the potential rule change from the NSW Blues that could completely blow apart the race for Brad Fittler’s State of Origin coaching job.
Key Dragons staffer quits as bloodletting begins
A respected St George Illawarra staff member has handed in his resignation after reports the club was in negotiations to replace him in 2024.
Monday Buzz: NRL heart-throb officially off the market
South Sydney captain Cameron Murray celebrated a big off-field milestone, while a rugby league recluse made a rare NRL appearance. Buzz’s highlights and lowlights.
Dragons: Flanagan’s two new targets identified
Shane Flanagan is putting his stamp on the St George Illawarra Dragons – informing one veteran he will not be required in 2024 and reshaping his support staff.
The shining light who could spark Blues redemption
There was very little to smile about for NSW fans on Wednesday night. But all is not lost for the Blues. And this is why.
Why NRL must make an example and stand Hunt down
The NRL cannot sit back and watch Ben Hunt squirm his way out of St George Illawarra, writes Paul Crawley. It is time for the game to stand up for something.
Why NSW must make tough call on Teddy
It’s too late for Brad Fittler to save his job, but it’s not too late for the next NSW coach to come in and fix what went wrong on Freddy’s watch.
Maroons’ ruthless plan to inflict ultimate humiliation on Blues
Despite claiming back-to-back series victories for the first time since 2017, Queensland plans on landing a 13-year killer blow on the Blues in Sydney.
Analysis: Selection moves that can save NSW Blues future
With another State of Origin series gone, it’s time for the Blues to swing the selection axe in order to set up the future writes FATIMA KDOUH.
Origin Buzz: Blues never had hope amid blatant ref blunders
NSW was always going to need an even share of the 50/50 calls to have any hope but copped a number of highly-questionable decisions, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Knights players fume over Ponga’s special treatment
Knights players are asking serious questions after Greg Marzhew was axed for missing a team bus while Kalyn Ponga went unpunished last year, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
New Dragons era begins under Flanagan
The Dragons have moved swiftly on Shane Flanagan after their board endorsed his appointment as coach. Find out when he will be joining the Red-V.
‘Archaic’ rule Flanno must negate to be next Dragons coach
Shane Flanagan has made a last pitch to help the Dragons, but he still has a significant hurdle to overcome – the club’s archaic boardroom rules on coach appointments.
Buzz: Radio boss steps in to end Johns feud
The rift between NRL brothers Matty and Andrew Johns is worse than many think and their boss will step in to solve it, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Mystery as Gould backflips on Flanagan
Phil Gould appears to have done an Olympic class backflip on Shane Flanagan and the reasons for his about-face are hard to understand, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Hynes puts Origin hopes aside to deliver inspiring message
Just days out from his final audition for a NSW starting jersey, Nicho Hynes was more focused on changing lives than saving the Blues’ Origin series, writes BRENT READ.
Suaalii cops big ban as worrying trend claims another victim
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s forgettable season has just gotten worse after the Roosters star was whacked by the NRL match review committee for raising his knee in a tackle.
Dead V: The NRL must step in and save Saints
The Dragons should be one of the most powerful brands in Australian sport, but instead they’re a mess. It’s time for the NRL to step in and save St George Illawarra, writes David Riccio.
NSW need a miracle, his name is Latrell
It is not impossible for NSW to level the Origin ledger in Brisbane, but it is unlikely writes Brent Read, provided they pick Latrell Mitchell and stick by an out of form star.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Disgraced NRL stars share jail cell
Disgraced NRL stars Jarryd Hayne and Manase Fainu are sharing the same prison cell — read all the details and more NRL news in What’s the Buzz.
Dragons coach fires back at de Belin critics
St George Illawarra interim coach Ryan Carr has staunchly defended his decision to hand the Dragons’ captaincy to controversial forward Jack de Belin.
‘Ruining the game’: Gould fumes at NRL trend
Phil Gould has had an absolute gutful of an ugly trend that’s only getting worse in the NRL, labelling it an ‘absolute disaster’ that’s ‘ruining the game’.
Final proof loyalty is dead in Queensland
For years Queensland have claimed the moral high ground over NSW when it comes to team selections. But it seems the Maroons ‘pick and stick’ policy has been given the flick, writes Dean Ritchie.
Why the Origin legend of Queensland is dead
As the 2023 State of Origin series rapidly approaches, the legend that Queensland have clung to since 1980 is officially dead.
Why Ryles needs to lead Dragons’ new Red dawn
The once mighty Dragons are a spent force, a rabble rotten from the board down – that may be a popular line many are spinning but Brent Read argues why the Red V can rise again.
‘It’s insane’: Fittler‘s doomed selection call
New South Wales coach Brad Fittler is confronting the frightening reality the form of the state’s biggest star has “festered to a new low”.
Buzz: Can NRL’s most pampered team turn season around?
Nick Politis ensures the Sydney Roosters never go without anything, and now they’re playing like a team without desire. But its not too late to turn it around in 2023, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Why women are flocking back to rugby league
Rugby league has never been tougher, it’s just a different kind of tough. And it’s a big reason why it’s more appealing to a female audience, MATTY JOHNS writes.
Monday Buzz: Gould’s Knights attack shot down by his peers
Phil Gould’s criticism of the Knights and coach Adam O’Brien for allowing players to take a mid-season overseas holiday has been quickly shot down by sharper and more modern minds.
Buzz: Albo’s sneaky NRL-inspired coronation fashion statement
SAINT, SINNER, SHOOSH: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brought a touch of the NRL to the coronation of King Charles – check out all the hottest NRL news and gossip.
What’s the Buzz: Channel 9 benches legends for Magic Round
Channel 9’s biggest names were nowhere to be seen on the opening two nights of the NRL’s Magic Round coverage.
Matty’s Magic Round: Night I stitched up Joey on Caxton Street
Parties, police warnings, a Caxton cage and stitching up his brother. Matty Johns reveals why Magic Round is a must-do event on the NRL calendar.
Kent: The Origin lesson NSW can never learn from Queensland
The Blues won’t admit it but they take a sneaky look at how Queensland operate from time to time. But can they trust what they find?
Sloan horror show exposes hypocrisy of Griffin hit squad
Lazy critics used Anthony Griffin’s decision to drop Tyrell Sloan last year as proof he had fallen out with their emerging talent. Now it’s been proven an act of kindness, PAUL KENT writes.
Buzz: Farce as boxing promoter negotiates NRL mega deals
The Jack Wighton saga is seemingly done and dusted – but there’s one aspect of the negotiations that just doesn’t sit right, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Raiders can get revenge on Souths without the NRL
Instead of sulking over Jack Wighton’s defection, Paul Crawley says Canberra should use the flawed NRL system to get payback on South Sydney.
‘Should know better’: Kent lashes league dinosaurs
Paul Kent has had enough of archaic statements like “what’s he supposed to do” in defending dangerous hip-drop tackles. How many legs need to snap before critics change their views?
NRL’s cash for converts scheme is a proven failure
Rugby league is in panic mode with offers of a salary cap discount to recruit stars from rugby union, this is not a new move, but it is one doomed to failure, writes Brent Read.
Kent: Wests Tigers axe Anzac jersey scapegoat
The employee responsible for the Anzac jersey saga has been quietly let go by the Wests Tigers – but not for the kit blunder, PAUL KENT reveals.
Monday Buzz: The AFL would love Wighton to leave Raiders
The Raiders’ grip on the Canberra sporting public is not what is used to be, and the club can ill afford ot lose its biggest drawcard, writes Phil Rothfield.
Kent: Wighton war discloses NRL disgrace
The revelation that Jack Wighton could be the latest NRL star who takes less money to play for a glamour club exposes an integrity issue for the code, writes Paul Kent.
Matty Johns: Trbojevic should pick Freddy’s NSW pack
I’m certain Brad Fittler won’t make the same selection mistakes as last year – and the NSW Blues coach should lean on the Origin warrior he overlooked for Game I last year.
Kent: Rewarding losers is a weakness on society
Attempts to find a way to reward the NRL’s losers takes us back to the schoolyard where every kid gets a ribbon. That mentality, not the rules, is what needs to change, writes PAUL KENT.
Gutsy Panthers ripe for a three-peat
The Penrith Panthers did one of the bravest things in rugby league, they broke a winning system, but what they built has made them stronger, writes MATTY JOHNS.
Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/opinion/page/3