Category: NRL

• 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.

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• 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.

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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.

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• 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.”

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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.

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New South Wales launch incredible comeback from 0-20 down after Queensland let first-half dominance slip away

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.

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• 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.

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• Decorated coach to remain with club in advisory role after 2027

• Penrith assistant Peter Wallace to take over in job in 18 months

Ivan Cleary has 18 months remaining in his current role at the Penrith Panthers before the four-time premiership-winning NRL coach steps aside and his assistant Peter Wallace takes over.

The 55-year-old announced on Wednesday he would not renew his contract when it expires at the end of next season, but will remain in Penrith in an advisory role beyond 2027.

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• NRL coach undecided on plan for next season in light of medical condition

• Rugby league veteran turns spotlight on return to form in Wests Tigers clash

Craig Bellamy is staying private about his illness, the veteran Melbourne coach wanting the spotlight to remain on the Storm rather than his health.

Bellamy fronted the media at AAMI Park ahead of the Storm’s Sunday afternoon clash with Wests Tigers, with the side looking to stop a record-extending seven-match losing streak.

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• Rugby league veteran to stay at NRL club amid horror start to season

• Specialists say coaching ability not affected in immediate future

Craig Bellamy has been diagnosed with an unspecified neurodegenerative disorder but will remain as coach of Melbourne Storm in the immediate future, the club has said.

The club issued a statement 24 hours out from Melbourne’s NRL clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane, with the 66-year-old Bellamy recently undergoing a series of medical tests.

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• Tigers star agrees to $1.2m-a-season tax-free deal after PNG visit

• Try-scoring record-holder Alex Johnston also confirms 2028 move

Jarome Luai has declared he wants to grow a nation after confirming he will leave Wests Tigers to take up a tax-free contact and become the face of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028.

Luai has signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, which includes an option in his favour for a third year.

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• CEO Andrew Abdo: ‘There are clear pros and cons for it’

• London Broncos key to multimillion takeover vision

Super League could move back to a winter competition to allow year-round global broadcasting of rugby league if the NRL agrees a deal to take control of the British game.

Andrew Abdo, the CEO of the NRL, told the Guardian the Australian governing body would consider the calendar switch as a key part of a potential multimillion-pound takeover and investment package that would also include a strong focus on a London-based club and major governance reform.

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• Visiting Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo sustains deep gash

• Calls intensify for ageing GIO Stadium to undergo refurbishment

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has joined growing calls for Canberra’s GIO Stadium to undergo a face lift after revealing he would need stitches after glass shattered on him in the ageing arena.

While the visiting coach was left with a deep gash in his hand, Raiders boss Ricky Stuart also weighed in, calling his side’s home arena a “shithouse stadium” and claiming authorities didn’t care about the state of the 1970s-built venue.

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• Wild celebrations during game despite threat of fines

• Winger scores 213th try of his career against Roosters

Thousands of fans have stormed onto the field at Allianz Stadium to celebrate South Sydney veteran Alex Johnston breaking the NRL’s try-scoring record.

The winger entered the history books when a break down the left edge put him over for his 213th career try, and his second in Friday’s clash with bitter rivals Sydney Roosters.

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