NRL

The Broncos and the five-eighth have been involved in prolonged negotiations over a new deal, as the club desperately sought to secure the 20-year-old’s future after he played a major hand in the side’s run the grand final.

Mam burst onto the scene in 2022 with his electric pace and ability to find the try line instantly making him a prospect to watch for the future.

Yet after enduring a tough first season, which saw him lose his place in the side towards the end of the campaign, Mam thoroughly re-established himself in Kevin Walters' side in 2023. 

Broncos mentor Kevin Walters made the claim this week during his first media availability for 2024, in which he all but confirmed 21-year-old Cobbo will step into the centre role made vacant by Herbie Farnworth's departure to the Dolphins. 

While Cobbo played four games in the centres back in his rookie season in 2021, he hasn't started an NRL game there since and last November was picked by Mal Meninga to play for the Kangaroos on the flank, having earlier in the year scored a double on the right wing for the Maroons in Origin I. 

The Wests Tigers are set to announce another big signing in the coming days, with Storm centre Justin Olam reportedly agreeing on a deal with the reigning wooden spooners.

The Tigers got their main off-season target in Jarome Luai on a five-year deal from 2025, and according to The Daily Telegraph, Olam will also be heading to Concord.

The Penrith star revealed the news in a press conference in Darling Harbour after the Panthers reportedly waived the 10-day cooling off period.

Luai described the call to leave the Panthers as “probably the toughest decision of my career and probably life so far.”

"We want to keep growing," Abdo told News Corp. "By the end of 2024, we will know what it looks like for an 18th franchise and potentially beyond that."

Ever since the Dolphins were brought into the competition at the start of this year, focus has quickly switched to which new franchise will join them to even up the numbers in the NRL.

Since joining the club in 2021, Laybutt appeared in four games in his maiden NRL season, including a two-try performance in the Round 26 victory over The Dolphins.

Laybutt debuted for Cowboys in round 13 against Parramatta Eels this year.

The PNG international spent the 2023 season on a train and replacement contract. With impressive performances, both in the NRL with Cowboys and with PNG Kumuls in Pacific Championships, Zac was promoted to the top 30 squad.

appears Wests Tigers are now in the driving seat to take home his signature with head coach Benji Marshall reported to have met with the PNG centre.  

According to Daily Telegraph, Marshall has flown to Melbourne to meet Olam in one of the biggest signs that he’s very much interested in bringing to the Concord club.

The 28-year-old made his NRL debut in 2018 and has also played nine tests for PNG, becoming a cult-hero for rugby league fans here in PNG.

A 12-0 scoreline had the New Zealand faithful daring to dream at halftime and the fairytale final continued as the Kiwis ran in another 18 unanswered points to hand the Kangaroos their heaviest ever defeat.

Seven days after going down to their Tasman rivals 36-18 in Melbourne, Michael Maguire's side were all class with halves Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown steering the ship and wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jamayne Isaako dazzling on the edges.

With Maika Sivo and Kurt Donoghue both claiming a double at Santos National Football Stadium, the Bati blew the game open early in the piece with the Kumuls unable to match the visitor's speed and class in attack. 

However, the Kumuls refused to lie down despite the scoreline, orchestrating two tries late in the second half to keep the passionate PNG faithful on their feet.

The Kumuls opened their account in the third minute when halfback Lachlan Lam shifted the ball left to find fan favourite Alex Johnston who threw a dummy to split the Bati defence close to the line.

Australia never trailed in the contest and after an opening 21 minutes in which the match ebbed and flowed, they always enjoyed a lead on the scoreboard, with a double from front-rower Lindsay Collins and the accurate boot of returning winger Valentine Holmes doing much of the damage at AAMI Park. 

While Australia were already 12-6 up when he entered the field in the 27th minute, Harry Grant was the man who kicked the Kangaroos up a notch when the game sat in the balance, while fellow Queenslander Patrick Carrigan was big off the bench too, carrying 16 times for 145 metres.