By Michael Chammas, Billie Eder, Christian Nicolussi and Dan Walsh
Parramatta have released out-of-favour back-rower Ryan Matterson for the remainder of the year.
Matterson, a former NSW Origin representative who has spent most of this season either in NSW Cup or in the club’s injury ward, will leave immediately to join English club Warrington on a loan deal for the rest of the Super League season.
The 30-year-old still has one more year to run on his deal with the Eels, worth around $700,000 in 2026.
Under the terms of the loan, Matterson can return to Parramatta next year if he chooses not to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
The Eels had given Matterson permission to negotiate with rival clubs, but his management has been unable to land him a contract in the NRL.
Wolves coach Sam Burgess, however, was prepared to take a chance on the player as he looks to improve on his side’s current position of eighth on the Super league ladder.
Ryan Matterson is on his way to the UK.Credit: Getty Images
The deal is similar to the one Wests Tigers negotiated with the Wolves last year which allowed John Bateman to leave the club mid-season for a stint in Super League.
That arrangement helped ease the Tigers’ salary cap pressure and ultimately led to Bateman choosing to continue his career at the Cowboys this season instead of returning to play at the Tigers under Benji Marshall.
The Eels are privately hopeful Matterson can find a deal elsewhere in 2026, with the player not in the long-term plans of coach Jason Ryles. Matterson has played just four NRL games off the bench for the Eels this season.
Tigers extend Koroisau until end of 2028
Billie Eder
Api Koroisau has signed a two-year extension with the Wests Tigers, which will keep him at the joint venture club until the end of 2028.
The 32-year-old was already contracted through to the end of next year, but the Tigers were eager to retain their skipper as they continue to rebuild under coach Benji Marshall.
Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has inked an extension.Credit: Getty Images
Koroisau’s extension has been anticipated for a number of weeks and was the reason the Tigers let emerging talent Tallyn Da Silva go to Parramatta.
“This club has become family to me. I’ve felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji - he’s someone I really admire and enjoy playing under,” Koroisau said. “I’m stoked to re-sign and can’t wait to help lead this team for a few more years.”
Marshall said Koroisau was a crucial part of the team’s future success.
“Api is a great player, but more so he is the heart and soul of this team,” Marshall said. “His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable. Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in. We are thrilled to have him and his wonderful family here long term.”
Eels young gun set to miss next month with broken hand
Michael Chammas
Parramatta have been dealt a blow with rookie-of-the-year contender Isaiah Iongi expected to miss the next month with a broken hand suffered in the loss to Canberra at the weekend.
Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi.Credit: NRL Images
The Eels were set to be boosted by the return of halfback Mitchell Moses, but the positive news has been offset by the disappointment of their fullback being sidelined.
Joash Papalii has been playing in the halves but is the club’s back-up fullback. It could open the door for Dylan Brown to return to the team in the halves however coach Jason Ryles has previously stated his desire to plan for the future.
NRL backs ‘outrageous’ calls that left Dragons coach seething
Christian Nicolussi
The NRL have defended the two contentious calls Dragons coach Shane Flanagan claimed cost his side victory against Canterbury and a potential NRL finals berth.
An NRL spokesperson confirmed Dragons forward Luciano Leilua was correctly penalised for interfering with a Jacob Kiraz play-the-ball, and there was no video evidence to suggest Viliame Kikau knocked on when being tackled by Tyrell Sloan.
After reviewing footage on Monday, the spokesperson backed the Bunker’s decision to punish Leilua for knocking the ball out of Kiraz’ hands, and how he still had hold of Kiraz as he tried to get to his feet. The footage showed Leilua with his left hand on the elbow of Kiraz, then his foot comes forward and dislodges the ball.
Kiraz did not play the ball correctly, but was not given the chance to do so because of Leilua’s actions.
Kikau also appeared to knock the ball into Sloan when he raced in off his wing in the 78th minute. Rather than stop play and give the ball to the Dragons, referee Adam Gee awarded the Dogs a fresh set, and they scored the match-winner a minute later.
The spokesperson was satisfied Kikau was trying to quickly pass the ball, and that there was nothing to suggest the ball travelled forward into Sloan.
The NRL were satisfied the bunker got it right penalising Luciano Leilua for interfering with a play-the-ball. Credit: Getty Images
Flanagan was seething after the game, describing the Leilua call as “outrageous”.
“They’re a good side the Bulldogs, they compete hard, but there were some decisions tonight that cost us two competition points, and could cost us an opportunity to play semi-finals,” he said.
Flanagan preferred not to comment on Monday, and was focused on making sure his side were ready for the road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys on Friday.
Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) and Mat Feagai (ankle) are in contention to replace Sione Finau on the left wing after the youngster dislocated his shoulder scoring against the Dogs in the second half on Saturday night.
Tabuai-Fidow considers Samoa switch
Michael Chammas
Queensland superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is considering walking away from the Kangaroos to represent Samoa at the end-of-season Pacific Championship.
With NSW prop Payne Haas and Maroons counterpart Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also weighing up the move, the news of Tabuai-Fidow’s potential defection looms as a hammer blow to incoming coach Kevin Walters’ hopes of winning the first Ashes series in more than two decades.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is considering representing Samoa.Credit: Getty Images
The Dolphins fullback, who has represented Australia for the past two years and would be an almost guaranteed selection in the Kangaroos team for the Ashes, is strongly considering changing his international allegiance.
The Australian Rugby League Commission is putting the finishing touches to the deal for Walters to take charge of the Kangaroos in the three-Test series against England starting at the end of October.
One of Walters’ first assignments will be to convince a host of Australian-eligible players to represent the Kangaroos instead of the countries of their family heritage.
Other potential Kangaroos who have previously represented Samoa include Stefano Utoikamanu and Jeremiah Nanai.
Potential Samoa team
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Brian To’o
- Izack Tago
- Stephen Crichton
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Blaize Talagi
- Jarome Luai
- Terrell May
- Danny Levi
- Payne Haas
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Jaydn Su’A
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Sua Fa’alogo
- Spencer Leniu
- Josh Papalii
- Shawn Blore
Tabuai-Fidow represented Samoa at the 2022 World Cup, where injury limited his involvement to just one game. He was one of Queensland’s best players in game three of this year’s State of Origin series after being moved to fullback to cover for the injured Kalyn Ponga.
Tabuai-Fidow’s form has him strongly in the conversation for the Kangaroos No.1 jersey currently held by Penrith’s Dylan Edwards. Other fullback options include Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga – if he is fit to play and chooses to represent Australia.
Walters’ rise to Kangaroos role imminent
Dan Walsh
The ARL Commission will meet this week to sign off on Kevin Walters taking over as Kangaroos coach for the upcoming Ashes tour on a short-term deal.
Incoming Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters.Credit: Getty Images
Walters’ appointment as Mal Meninga’s successor is expected to be announced this week, pending approval by the ARLC, with the former Queensland Origin and Brisbane coach set to take charge of the Kangaroos’ tour of the UK in October/November.
Meninga’s move to take charge of the incoming Perth franchise has caused a lengthy delay in the naming of his replacement, with Brad Fittler pulling out of the race last month.
A three-Test contract will see Walters lead Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003, with the Kangaroos then aiming to defend their World Cup on home soil at the end of 2026.
A successful Ashes tour – with the three Tests expected to be played in front of sold-out crowds – would put Walters in strong contention to retain the national role, though it would preclude him from any NRL coaching opportunities.
Storm enforcer banned for elbowing rival’s head
Dan Walsh
One enforcer in, one enforcer out.
Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set to miss Thursday’s showdown with the Roosters as he faces a three-game ban for elbowing, while the Tricolours’ own hitman Victor Radley will manage a shoulder injury after scans cleared him of serious injury.
The Roosters do face being without halfback Hugo Savala once more for a critical clash with the Storm though after he was spotted in what the club described as a precautionary moon boot while already recovering from a wrist injury.
Savala had a cortisone injection to ease a foot injury last week and given the young playmaker was already out with ligament damage in his wrist, he is considered unlikely to be available.
While Roosters coach Trent Robinson recalled Chad Townsend for his first NRL appearance since April in an error-riddled 31-18 loss to Cronulla last week, playmaker Sandon Smith was also withdrawn from NSW Cup on Saturday.
Immortal Andrew Johns on The Sunday Footy Show described Townsend’s elevation over Smith against the Sharks as a “head scratcher” that he couldn’t comprehend given Smith’s Anzac Day heroics against the Dragons and running threat this season.
Radley failed to finish the Sharks contest but has been cleared to play against Melbourne provided he gets through a short training week unscathed.
Rival Asofa-Solomona was on Sunday issued a 2-3 game suspension pending his plea after he elbowed Manly’s Jake Simpkin in the head, his fifth judiciary charge in the past two seasons.
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