Category: NRL

The return to Australia in 2026 is a blow to expansionists, but a slimmed-down tournament makes sense for the sport

By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required

Expansionists have twice been denied the excitement of new hosts. Initially, the next World Cup was going to be held in the United States and Canada in 2025, before France took over as potential hosts. When that plan fell through, the tournament was pushed back to 2026, with New Zealand and Fiji suggested as hosts, only for it to be confirmed this week that the World Cup is going back to Australia (and Papua New Guinea) again.

Continue reading...

• Blues claim series 2-1 after 14-4 win over Maroons at Suncorp Stadium
• Bradman Best and Mitch Moses the only try-scorers in Brisbane

Ashley Klein retains the whistle for the third and final match of the series. He dismissed Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i in Origin I then sent a couple of brawlers to the bin in Origin II. There’s every chance he’ll be busy again tonight with the series on the line.

NSW half Mitchell Moses was all business when he spoke to Paul Gallen. Asked what the Blues needed to do tonight, the Eels No 7 responded: “Kick well, finish our sets, get them coming off our line and take it to them. They’re not happy with the way they performed game two so they’ll come out fired up, so are we.”

Continue reading...

• Penrith, Cronulla, Canberra and NZ Warriors to play in season-opener
• Wigan and Warrington to kick off event with Super League fixture

The NRL has turned its 2025 Las Vegas season-opening fixtures into a nine-hour extravaganza, with its double-header, women’s Test match and Super League fixture all to be played on the same day.

League bosses confirmed the game’s worst-kept secret on Tuesday, with Penrith, Cronulla, Canberra and the Warriors bound for Vegas next year.

Wigan v Warrington: 1.30pm PST; 8.30am AEDT

Canberra v Warriors: 4pm PST; 11am AEDT

Australian Jillaroos v England Lionesses: 6pm PST; 1pm AEDT

Penrith v Cronulla: 8.30pm PST; 3.30pm AEDT

Continue reading...

• Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo recalled for Maroons
• Bradman Best replaces injured Latrell Mitchell for NSW Blues

Billy Slater has rejected claims he is rattled ahead of State of Origin III, after breaking with tradition and pulling Queensland players from media interviews ahead of the decider.

Maroons management made the call to not have their players conduct one-on-one interviews in a full-squad media session, as is tradition in Origin camps. Players will still be available throughout the camp, with a limited number per day.

Continue reading...

• Jillaroos and England women set to clash alongside NRL double-header
• Super League clubs also expected to be part of 2025 schedule in US

Australia are set to play a women’s Test against England in Las Vegas as part of the NRL’s expanded four-game extravaganza for 2025. NRL bosses will announce a schedule for next year’s Las Vegas venture as early as this week, with the season-opening NRL fixtures all but locked in.

It is expected Penrith and Canberra will host games against Cronulla and the Warriors, as part of the season-opening double-header in the US.

Continue reading...

Ex-NRL player thanks his supporters outside Sydney’s Downing Centre court after prosecutors elected not to proceed to fourth trial

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The former NRL player Jarryd Hayne has thanked his supporters after rape charges against him were dropped, bringing to an end a near-six-year legal battle, including three trials and two convictions.

The 36-year-old described the fight to clear his name as a “rollercoaster” as sexual assault charges against him were formally withdrawn.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

• Blues skipper played 29 minutes in game one defeat by Maroons
• Liam Martin sat out training as he recovers from a toe injury

NSW captain Jake Trbojevic is unfazed by the prospect of playing limited minutes again this State of Origin series, shrugging off the criticism that followed his cameo in game one. Meanwhile, the Blues insisted second-rower Liam Martin is on track to play in the must-win second game despite missing training to rest his toe injury on Wednesday.

Trbojevic played only 29 minutes after starting the series opener in the front row. His second stint in his first game as captain came in the last four minutes, with victory out of NSW’s reach. The prop’s bit part in the 38-10 loss emboldened critics of Michael Maguire’s decision to name Trbojevic as skipper, a role he has not held on a full-time basis in 12 seasons at Manly.

Continue reading...

• Reece Walsh recovers from concussion to play at MCG
• Latrell Mitchell one of five new faces in NSW team

Reece Walsh has been selected for Queensland in Game Two of the State of Origin series while Dylan Edwards will line up alongside Mitch Moses and Latrell Mitchell among five new faces in the NSW side for the MCG clash.

Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi, 18th man in Game One, comes onto the bench for the Maroons while Warriors back-rower Kurt Capewell, who can also play centre, earns a recall also on the bench.

Continue reading...