NRL News
Ashley Klein targeted after Warriors’ season ended by Knights
Official had to be protected by security on way off pitch in Auckland
The NRL has threatened to ban fans who peppered referee Ashley Klein with projectiles, with the integrity unit investigating the aftermath of the Eden Park clash.
Vision from after full-time in Newcastle’s 12-10 win over the Warriors on Sunday showed Klein being hit with a raft of bottles, cups and rubbish as he walked from the field.
Continue reading...Rabbitoh granted NRL dispensation to appear in 99th game for club
Forward will join 100 club next week against Roosters
Jai Arrow made a brief but heartwarming return to an NRL field on Saturday as the forward brought up his 99th game for South Sydney Rabbitohs in an emotionally charged appearance that paves the way for him to reach his 100-game milestone next week.
Arrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year and immediately announced his retirement from rugby league, leaving him on 98 appearances for the club.
Continue reading...Queensland boss quits after winning three of five State of Origin series
Smith, Ballin, Thurston and Te’o touted as possible replacements
Billy Slater has made the shock decision to stand down as Queensland State of Origin coach, bowing out after five years in the role.
Maroons officials confirmed on Friday afternoon they were on the look out for a replacement, after Slater decided not to continue.
Continue reading...Australian officials touring clubs to gauge mood
Wigan and Warrington set date for Dublin clash
NRL officials have arrived in England to hold talks with clubs as the prospect of a groundbreaking deal with Super League nears completion, while two of the competition’s heavyweights, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, confirmed they will lead an on-the-road weekend to Dublin in 2027.
Rugby league’s two premier club competitions have been in discussions for most of this year about a deal that would see the NRL invest a significant sum into Super League, while taking authoritative control of the competition in a bid to transform its long-term fortunes. That investment would also ensure the financial security of clubs. Both competitions put talks on hold while they finalised their broadcast details; the NRL has just completed a A$5.3bn (£2.8bn) deal for its rights, while Super League expects to confirm in the next week how its new-look broadcast deal will be shaped. Sky Sports is expected to show two or three games a week, with the rest of the fixtures streamed or broadcast elsewhere.
Continue reading...Daley resigns after leading NSW to famous 2026 series victory
Coach finishes with two series wins from six during two stints
Laurie Daley has ended months of speculation by officially quitting his role as NSW State of Origin coach.
The NSWRL on Monday paid tribute to “true blue” Daley while announcing he would be stepping down after NSW successfully won back the shield from Queensland following a turbulent 2026 campaign.
Continue reading...Roosters record mammoth 82-12 NRL win in Townsville
Points tally is the third-highest in premiership history
Sydney Roosters sent a warning to the rest of the NRL about their premiership credentials with a 82-12 whipping of North Queensland in Townsville, the most points by a winning team in 91 years.
Halfback Sam Walker, in the midst of a multi-million dollar contract negotiation, showed why Roosters supremo Nick Politis wants to keep him at the club for life in a masterclass display.
Continue reading...The Blues rose to the challenge of wrapping up the series in Maroons territory by dominating from start to finish at Suncorp Stadium
Continue reading...New South Wales claim the Origin shield 2-1 after Nathan Cleary stars in commanding game-three victory over Queensland
Billy Slater matches with: “It’s been a great prep”.
Tactically: “Be confident and go and get your game… Chase your game, go and get it.”
Continue reading...Coach Billy Slater brings back North Queensland’s Nanai for Game 3
To’o and Kotoni Staggs among four NSW players dropped
North Queensland second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has been recalled to the Maroons side while star winger Brian To’o and second-rower Dylan Lucas are among four players dropped by NSW for the State of Origin decider.
Aerial specialist Nanai has been superb in 11 Origin games for the Maroons and is fresh from a stunning two-try man of the match display for the Cowboys in the 26-12 win over Penrith on Saturday.
Continue reading...Forward pleaded guilty to judiciary for comment in reserve-grade game
Former Tigers and Panthers player yet to make NRL debut for third club
Newcastle forward Asu Kepaoa has been hit with a six-match ban for using a homophonic slur in a round-of-16 NSW Cup match.
The 26-year-old fronted the NSWRL judiciary on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to making the slur in the Knights’ reserve-grade defeat of St George Illawarra last week.
Continue reading...The 2026 series is locked at one all after Queensland defeat NSW thanks to a stunning second-half onslaught
Tonight’s referee is Ashley Klein, but there have been calls the NRL should have found a replacement. Klein took centre stage in Origin I for his decision to send off Kalyn Ponga, and he has since been the subject of media stories due to his historic gambling activities. His performance will be scrutinised like no whistleblower before.
Laurie Daley is delighted to have Payne Haas back in his XIII: “the best front row in the game”, according to the NSW coach, and he’s relieved to be able to call upon the game management and kicking prowess of Mitchell Moses.
Continue reading...Evans becomes first men’s player to come out since Ian Roberts in 1995
Former Roosters and Eels player had struggled with suicidal thoughts
Former prop forward Kane Evans says a weight has lifted from his shoulders after he became only the second male NRL player to come out as gay. In an emotional interview with Channel Nine’s 100% Footy, the 131-time NRL player said he had struggled with addiction, suicidal thoughts and experienced homelessness as he grappled with his sexuality.
“I had three goals in life,” Evans said. “And it was to play NRL, to buy my parents a house, and then I wanted to top myself, because I was living in denial from a young age. I know that I’m gay. But I went down every other avenue to sort of build up these walls. To be someone, to escape who I am.”
Continue reading...New South Wales lift Origin shield after beating Queensland 12-4 in third game on the Gold Coast
The women’s State of Origin finale is under way…
A much more traditional rendition of the national anthem than we heard last night precedes both teams crouching into tight huddles for the final rev ups.
Continue reading...Harry Grant was asked about his side’s new halves pairing, and the influence of Sam Walker on the team. “It’s been enjoyable to build that combination,” he said. “Really talented players individually and hopefully both those boys can bring that creativity tonight.”
With Grant, Cameron Munster, and Kalyn Ponga in the 13, Sam Walker won’t be asked to shoulder too much of the burden on debut, which should afford him the freedom to shine.
Continue reading...Maroons coach Slater hints Broncos fullback will be back
James Tedesco makes return to NSW Blues for game one
Sydney Roosters playmaker Sam Walker has been backed by Billy Slater to guide Queensland from halfback but Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has bene left out of the squad for the State of Origin opener on 27 May in Sydney.
The omission of Walsh, below his best in recent weeks, will be a surprise to some but Newcastle talisman Kalyn Ponga has a wonderful pedigree in Origin football at No 1.
Continue reading...