NRL 2021

Out of ICU, 'grateful' Fifita inspired by injured triathlete for comeback bid

Fifita is up, about and out of the ICU at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital following successful laryngeal surgery - he is expected to make a full recovery and play rugby league again.

The veteran forward met with Leary, the Noosa triathlete hospitalised for over a month by a life-threatening bike crash in July, over the weekend while the pair are both recovering in hospital.

Butcher cut down as Roosters carve up Dragons with late flurry

After three tries within 15 minutes, either side of half-time, gave the Dragons the ascendancy as they turned a 14-0 deficit into a 16-14 lead, the Roosters responded strongly to remain in fourth spot on the ladder. 

The win was soured by the loss of Adam Keighran (failed HIA) and Nat Butcher to a suspected serious knee injury. Dale Copley, Sam Verills, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves were also struggling at different stages of the match.  

Another starring display from James Tedesco got the Roosters rolling in the first half.

Back me or sack me: Kevvie’s ultimatum after frank admission on Broncos’ dark times

The Broncos currently sit second-last on the ladder and showed little improvement earlier in the season but appear to have turned a corner in the past month.

The challenge for Walters though will be to now maintain those results on a more consistent basis, with reports Broncos bosses will make a call on his future next year in April.

Walters though is entirely committed to the task and urging the Broncos to give him long-term security to work with the reshaped roster he has started to put together.

Sivo blow: Eels brace for loss of winger after Moses turns streak buster

It was a relieving 32-16 result as halfback Mitchell Moses stood up to ensure Parramatta snapped their four-match losing streak.

Arthur labelled the performance "Mitchy's best running game of the year" after the No.7 tallied three try assists and kicked beautifully.

It may not appease the doubters, but Arthur said the style of the victory wasn't of much importance after a lean trot that has resulted in the Eels slipping from the top four before the finals.

"We had one job tonight and that was to win a game of footy," he said.

Party like it's 1975: Munster magic takes Storm into record books

The Storm now stand alongside the 1975 Eastern Suburbs side with the longest winning streak of all time but they had to fight back from 10-0 down early to achieve the milestone.

"We didn't put too much energy into thinking about the record but I'm really proud of this group for being able to win 19 in a row," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

"That's hard to do in any era I'd imagine but certainly the era we're in now... I'm really proud of the playing group for what they've done.

The shock move that could shake up NRL expansion race and ambush $100m frontrunner

NRL expansion plans are back on the table after temporarily being benched while the governing body focused all its time and energy on keeping the competition alive amid Sydney’s Covid outbreak.

Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys confirmed to News Corp earlier this week that formal meetings with the three hopeful teams will be held over the next fortnight.

Those three teams that are vying for a place in the competition are the Brisbane Firehawks, Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Jets.

‘More drama’ for Eels as club is sued over 2016 salary cap scandal

The Australian’s Brent Read revealed on NRL 360 that the club is aware of what is unfolding but refused to comment on it.

“They’re getting sued... if we go back five years to the 2016 salary cap scandal and there was a company that was involved in that, that was paying some players third party agreements. I think Jarryd Hayne and Anthony Watmough were the guys getting paid by them,” he said.

Knights utility Watson poised for Roosters return

Just days after Watson celebrated his 100th NRL appearance, the Knights announced on Tuesday that Watson had accepted a deal elsewhere and would leave after four seasons in the Hunter.

There has been no official statement on Watson's next move, but NRL.com understands the Roosters are leading the race to secure his signature.

Manly prepare for Turbo's time in the garage

Mystery surrounds Trbojevic's immediate playing future after a high shot from Maika Sivo led to the gun No.1 coming from the field during Saturday's 56-10 thrashing of Parramatta.

A recurrence of a previous facial fracture appears to have spared Manly a more severe blow but is likely to mean the gun No.1 is not risked in coming weeks.

‘Might start looking like rugby union’: Legend’s warning after controversial penalty

The Broncos were penalised for a high shot on Roosters second-rower Sitili Tupouinua after James Tedesco jumped at the opportunity to call for a captain’s challenge on a tackle.

The replay showed that Thomas Flegler had made contact with Tupouinua and so the Roosters were awarded the penalty, with Adam Keighran nailing the goal to seal a 21-20 win.

A frustrated Michael Ennis was practically speechless when asked about the incident on Big League Wrap.

“If that’s a penalty... I don’t know... you take this one James, I’ve had enough of this,” he said.