The haunting Origin stat stalking Slater and the Maroons
It’s been almost 30 years since Queensland lost four State of Origin games in a row, and that says it all about the pressure riding on shoulders of coach Billy Slater, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Teams
Broncos bounce back: Walsh return inspires derby demolition
Returning superstar Reece Walsh scored two tries and played a major role in helping snap Brisbane’s losing streak, with the Broncos running over the Titans to ease the pressure valve on coach Michael Maguire.
‘He plays 100 miles an hour’: NRL enforcer’s son to make his debut
Son of a gun set to make his debut in Qld derby as two Cowboys return from injury. FULL TEAM LIST
Cowboys conundrum: Selection headache looms for Payten
The Cowboys could be without up to seven first-choice players when they host the Dolphins with Origin selection and the NRL judiciary wreaking havoc on the squad. Find out which prospects are in the equation for an NRL call-up.
Damage control: Broncos hire crisis expert to protect club’s brand
The Broncos have moved to protect the club and its brand following a series of ugly headlines over the last 18 months, hiring one of the country’s most experienced spin doctors.
‘The players don’t run this club’: Broncos boss blasts Reece rumours
Brisbane legend Gorden Tallis last week gave the club an uppercut by claiming Reece Walsh runs the Broncos. Now Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy has hit back at suggestions player power reigns at Red Hill.
Papalii breaks Raiders records and Rabbitohs’ hearts
South Sydney gave up a 12-point lead to a blazing hot Green Machine, who celebrated veteran prop Josh Papalii’s record-breaking club appearance in style.
Johns: Young and fearless Raiders are reinventing the Green Machine
Ricky Stuart’s second placed Raiders are a perfectly balanced mix of tough and experienced while also young and fearless, writes MATTY JOHNS.
Storm’s $10m plan to keep star quartet amid expansion threat
Melbourne are under siege for their best talent with the Perth Bears and PNG set to hit the player market. As a result, the Storm are ready to launch one of the richest retention drives in the club’s history.
Storm warning: Masterplan to ramp up junior scouting in Qld
While Melbourne will end their 27-year association with Queensland feeder teams, they won’t leave the Sunshine State alone, with the Storm turning up the heat on the Broncos in the battle for Queensland talent.
‘Real deal’ Warriors march on as Sharks’ title credentials crumble
Cronulla’s premiership credentials continue to plummet after back-to-back poor performances, while the Warriors have cemented themselves as a genuine title threat off the back of former Shark Luke Metcalf.
Pathways to stardom: The 27 rookies on fast track to NRL debuts
From the brother of the game’s best player to the son of a current NRL coach, and a ready-made Kalyn Ponga replacement – these are the prodigies ready to make their first grade debuts.
Gould fronts Bulldogs players to stave off Galvin concerns
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould made an impromptu visit to Belmore to address Canterbury’s playing group amid fears the mid-season arrival of Lachlan Galvin could derail the club’s premiership aspirations.
Cut or move? The five Bulldogs in limbo after Galvin signing
Lachlan Galvin’s debut was certainly a hit, but it left many questions unanswered. FATIMA KDOUH analyses where the logjam of playmaking talent fits at Belmore.
‘Not acceptable’: Friday night flogging for Flanno and the Dragons
Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins have rocketed into the NRL’s top eight after Isaiya Katoa led his team in an attacking rout against the hapless Dragons.
Volkanovski’s personal $10k gift to the Dragons
UFC champion Alex Volkanovski has a deeply personal reason for why he’s contributed $10,000 – as well as helping out with their wrestling sessions – to the Dragons’ NRLW program.
Bulldogs overcome contentious sin bin in Galvin’s dream debut
It was a classic clash between bitter rivals the Bulldogs and Eels on holiday Monday, punctuated by a contentious sin bin and mid-season recruit Lachlan Galvin’s first try for the club.
Bulldogs have a SuperCoach party against Eels
There were many positional questions prior to Lachlan Galvin’s Canterbury debut, and some – not all – were answered as Matt Burton put his stamp on the No. 6 jersey against the Eels. See all the winners and losers from the King’s birthday clash.
$2m cross-code raid: Cashed-up rugby clubs launch Ponga pursuit
Kalyn Ponga is in demand for a lucrative overseas code switch, with European rugby clubs looking to poach the Knights and Maroons star for a move that could see him earn north of $2m annually.
Exiled $800k playmaker’s shock NRL re-call
Newcastle half Jackson Hastings is set to make his first appearance in the NRL this season as Adam O’Brien contends with his injury-ravaged side.
Tigers sign exiled NRL star, ready to pounce on unsigned Bronco
Taylan May will join Wests Tigers for the remainder of the season after securing a train-and-trial deal, as the club ramps up its pursuit of Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds.
‘That was outrageous’: Marshall tees off at refereeing
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has taken aim at match officials following his side’s loss to the Panthers, pointing to two contentious penalties that had an impact on the result.
Bennett responds to links with axed star
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has responded to reports linking the Rabbitohs with axed Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo.
The Cobbo rumour that blindsided Bennett
Wayne Bennett has a proven track record of saving NRL careers, but the South Sydney supercoach has ruled out offering a lifeline to off-contract Brisbane star Selwyn Cobbo. See why here.
Roosters re-sign Golden Boot winner
The Roosters remain the team to beat in the NRLW after they re-signed the reigning Golden Boot winner on a long-term deal.
‘Why can’t he?’: Legend calls out Leniu
Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has clipped Blues bench enforcer Spencer Leniu, challenging the Roosters star ahead of Game 2.
Buzz: The $50k blunder jeopardising the Sharks
The Cronulla Sharks made a recruitment blunder three years ago that has come back to haunt them, writes BUZZ ROTHFIELD.
NRL icon a laughing stock after blunder
Paul Gallen has come clean on an embarrassing detail of his Cronulla captaincy, leaving Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith in stitches.
Fears injured Sea Eagles gun may have played last NRL game
A significant shoulder injury could force one of Manly’s forward leaders into premature retirement after just 164 NRL games.
Like Broncos sacking Wally: Inside Maroons decision to axe DCE
Mal Meninga says Daly Cherry-Evans’ State of Origin axing is the biggest call in Queensland in more than 30 years, as biggest names in the game weigh in on where it all went wrong for the Maroons skipper.
NRL to review Marshall comments after defending contentious calls
The NRL has backed two referee calls which were labelled as “outrageous” by Benji Marshall in his side’s loss to the Panthers, with the Tigers coach’s incensed comments now under review.
‘We’ve got to take weight off him’: Tigers yet to get the best out of Luai
Jarome Luai was meant to be the Tigers’ $6 million saviour, and while the club insists they couldn’t be happier with ‘Romey’ on and off the field, they concede more can be done to help their playmaker excel.
Broncos shake-up: Walsh gamble, Carrigan switch confirmed
Michael Maguire has rushed fullback Reece Walsh back into the squad and pulled the trigger on a selection switch in a bid to correct the form crisis gripping the club.
Turbo, Vunivalu, Va’a: Roosters rookie tops list of NRL’s 20 fastest tries on debut
Every kid dreams of a try on debut. Roosters rookie Xavier Va’a waited just 49 seconds for his, topping a Fox Sports Lab investigation for the 20 fastest tries on debut since records began. See all the famous names and watch the clips of their rapid first tries.
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