NRL – Worldwide Sports News

April 9, 2021

Two-point field goal returns to NRL after 51-year absence

Adam Reynolds slots long-range kick in Souths’ win over Brisbane
‘Opportunity to grab some easy points,’ says Reynolds

Fifty-one years ago a South Sydney star forced the game to do away with the two-point field goal, so it was fitting that Adam Reynolds kicked the first one of the new era. Reynolds on Thursday night nailed a 43-metre drop goal in Souths’ 35-6 win over Brisbane, becoming the first man to score a long-range double-pointer this year.

But it was far from the first two-point field goal in rugby league. Until 1970 field goals had always been worth two points, before the introduction of limited tackles made them a far too popular option.

April 8, 2021

Jake Friend retires from rugby league immediately due to concussions

Friend took medical advice after NRL round-one concussion
Roosters co-captain suffered more than 20 throughout career

After weeks of deliberation, Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend has announced his immediate retirement from the NRL due to concussion concerns. The 31-year-old three-time premiership winner said he made the decision after extensive medical advice following a third concussion in less than six months.

April 5, 2021

Scrutiny of new NRL rules intensifies after landslide weekend

Average of 26.1 points separates teams at full-time
Not ‘great for the game’, says Warriors coach Nathan Brown

The NRL’s new rules are back under the spotlight after the most lopsided round in almost 17 years. A combined total of 209 points decided the eight games of round four, with an average of 26.1 points between teams at full-time.

Parramatta’s 14-point win over the Wests Tigers on Monday capped off the biggest margin in a round since round 16 in 2004 when 29.6 was the average difference between sides. Before Monday’s game the mark was previously at 205 points for the weekend since the NRL went to 16 teams, set in round 21 of 2013.

April 4, 2021

Rugby league star Nita Maynard charged after allegedly assaulting two Sydney hotel security guards

Former NSW State of Origin representative had to be restrained after becoming aggressive, police said

Women’s rugby league star Nita Maynard has been charged after allegedly assaulting two security guards at a Sydney hotel.

The former NSW State of Origin representative was arrested after being asked to leave Cronulla’s Northies hotel on Friday night.

April 1, 2021

‘He’s a specimen’: Joseph Suaalii ready for NRL but likely to be made to wait for debut

Much-hyped 17-year-old ‘doesn’t look out of place at all’
Sydney Roosters set to err on side of caution this weekend

So close and yet so far. And yet still closer than before. This appears to be Joseph Suaalii’s lot this weekend.

The “will he, won’t he?” refrain has been humming all week since the 17-year-old was named in the Sydney Roosters’ extended squad on Tuesday. But, long story short, he probably won’t make his NRL debut against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday afternoon, based on what coach Trent Robinson had to say.

March 28, 2021

Brisbane’s Covid lockdown causes headaches for Queensland sport

AFL, NRL and Super Rugby teams affected by three-day measure
A-League and NBL may also potentially be impacted

Australia’s major sporting codes are again dealing with a significant Covid-19 disruption after Brisbane was sent into a minimum three-day lockdown.

The Queensland state government on Monday confirmed “significant” further community transmission of coronavirus since last week’s outbreak. Greater Brisbane – including the Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redlands areas – will go into lockdown at 5pm AEST on Monday.

March 27, 2021

Luke Keary’s knee adds to Roosters’ injury woes

Luke Keary set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Halfback joins long Roosters injury list

Braith Anasta believes NRL title dreams are over for the Sydney Roosters with star halfback Luke Keary expected to be ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. Almost half of the Roosters side are set to be sidelined next week after the club was plunged deeper into an injury crisis in Friday’s 26-16 defeat to South Sydney.

The loss of the NSW Origin star Keary is the third high-profile casualty at the Bondi club already this season, with co-captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner sidelined for concussion concerns. Compounding the bad news is a suspected MCL injury for five-eighth Lachlan Lam, while Lindsay Collins was prone after a sickening but accidental collision with a teammate’s elbow.