NRL
SportAustralian Associated PressSharks braced for trio of tough NRL tests
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon knows the importance of the next three weeks for his NRL side as they face a weakened Melbourne to start a tough run of fixtures.The Sharks sit fourth on the ladder and, as well as hosting Melbourne on Thursday night, must play the other top-four sides North Queensland and Penrith in consecutive weeks.
SportAustralian Associated Press'Fun' Suncorp holds no fear for Blues
It's been the graveyard of many NSW State of Origin dreams but the prospect of attempting to win a series at Suncorp Stadium doesn't faze Blues halfback Nathan Cleary.The Blues will have to defy history if they're to defeat the Maroons on enemy territory in next Wednesday's decider.
SportAustralian Associated PressMaroons plot to avoid Burton 'nightmare'
NSW kick-chasers might discover some fresh roadblocks in the State of Origin decider after Queensland forward Pat Carrigan promised his backs wouldn't endure another Matt Burton "nightmare".The Blues inclusion was a key part of their game two turnaround, the centre complementing Nathan Cleary with his high, spiralling bombs that spooked the Maroons' back three.
SportAustralian Associated PressWarriors land CNK as Walsh released
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has denied the NRL club has a problem retaining players after they announced fullback Reece Walsh would be released to rejoin Brisbane.The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday that they had signed Canberra's Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, but the acquisition of the Kiwi fullback on a three-year deal was overshadowed by news of Walsh's departure.
SportAustralian Associated PressWalsh reportedly set for Broncos return
Brisbane are reportedly poised to land gun fullback Reece Walsh, who is set to return to the Broncos barely a year after leaving Red Hill.The young star requested a release from the New Zealand Warriors on Tuesday and has been given permission to negotiate with only the Broncos as part of that release, according to News Corp.
SportAustralian Associated PressCowboys have lifted me to Blues: McLean
They're going to be the enemy next week at Suncorp Stadium but Jordan McLean believes his North Queensland NRL teammates have secured him a NSW jersey.McLean, 30, will become the sixth-oldest Blues' debutant in State of Origin history in next week's decider at Suncorp Stadium after being named as the replacement for the injured Payne Haas.
SportAustralian Associated PressDual injury blow for NRL's Rabbitohs
South Sydney have been dealt two fresh injury blows just one week after welcoming Latrell Mitchell back from an absence of almost three months.Considered a chance for State of Origin selection before the series began, centre Campbell Graham will now miss up to two months of football after sustaining a facial fracture in the win over Parramatta last week.
SportAustralian Associated PressHynes thankful for Origin relegation
Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes insists he is not disappointed to have missed out on selection for the State of Origin decider, given his axing will allow him to face his former side, premiership heavyweights Melbourne.NSW coach Brad Fittler selected Hynes as 18th man for the first two games of 2022 as well as the final game of last year's series.
SportAustralian Associated PressGilbert sheds madman tag for Origin debut
Queenslanders expecting Tom Gilbert to channel his inner "madman" will be sorely disappointed.The State of Origin debutant reckons that's not him, going as far to say efforts to shed that tag are the reason he'll complete a childhood dream and play in next Wednesday's State of Origin decider.
SportAustralian Associated PressInjured Haas out for at least two weeks
Payne Haas is expected to miss at least two NRL games recovering from shoulder problems that have also kept him out of the NSW team for the State of Origin decider.Brisbane prop Haas has AC joint issues in both his shoulders and will finally take matches off to recover after pushing through the injuries in recent weeks.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL regrets Canberra six-again blunders
NRL head of football Graham Annesley has defended the six-again rule despite conceding Canberra could have been awarded three penalties rather than fresh sets in the last 20 seconds of their 12-10 loss to St George Illawarra.The Raiders were attacking the Dragons' line in search of a late try on Sunday when St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt was guilty of three infringements.
SportAustralian Associated PressRooster Lodge happy to shed enforcer tag
Matt Lodge is happy to say his time as an NRL enforcer is over after signing for his third club in the space of a year.The prop has joined the Sydney Roosters on a contract until the end of the season after leaving Brisbane and the Warriors in acrimonious circumstances over the last 12 months.
SportAustralian Associated PressHaas out of Origin as Blues bank on McLean
NSW coach Brad Fittler has labelled Jordan McLean an "unsung hero" and hopes the North Queensland prop can channel his club form into a long-awaited State of Origin debut.McLean, who replaces the injured Payne Haas at prop, was preferred to Parramatta's Reagan Campbell-Gillard to play in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
SportAustralian Associated PressSlater shows faith as Qld 'Cowboy-d'
Billy Slater has demanded his under-pressure Queensland side "do their job better" as the coach delivered a show of faith with an extra sprinkle of Cowboy for the State of Origin decider.Maroons selectors made just one personnel change for next Wednesday's game three at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with North Queensland forward Tom Gilbert set to debut off the bench.
SportAustralian Associated PressWighton struggles as Dragons down Raiders
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart refused to condemn referee Peter Gough after the Raiders were denied a penalty in front of the goalposts in the dying moments of their 12-10 NRL loss to St George Illawarra.Joe Tapine was tackled five metres out from the St George Illawarra line with six seconds left but Dragons utility Jack Bird and captain Ben Hunt deliberately laid over the top of the Raiders prop.
SportAustralian Associated PressWarriors triumph in New Zealand homecoming
Stand-in Warriors coach Stacey Jones admitted his side "weren't flash" in their 22-2 NRL win over the Wests Tigers, but after almost three years playing away from home it's unlikely supporters or the team itself will be too concerned.The win in front of 26,000 fans at a sold out Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Warriors.
SportYahoo Sport AustraliaQueensland rocked by devastating blow ahead of State of Origin III
The Maroons have been dealt a cruel blow ahead of the State of Origin series decider. Read more here.
SportAustralian Associated PressQueensland's Kaufusi out of Origin finale
Billy Slater expects to have Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga on deck for the State of Origin decider, but the Queensland coach has revealed he will be without the services of Felise Kaufusi.Melbourne back-rower Kaufusi left game two in Perth and headed straight to the US to be with his unwell father.
SportAustralian Associated PressWighton backed for Blues Origin recall
Latrell Mitchell may have eased Brad Fittler's centres headache by ruling himself out of the State of Origin decider but the NSW coach must still decide whether to stick or twist.Blues legend Andrew Johns thinks he will stick.
SportYahoo Sport AustraliaNRL world erupts over Latrell Mitchell announcement in interview
Latrell Mitchell made a staggering announcement after a successful return to NRL after 12 weeks. Read more here.
SportAustralian Associated PressJohns backs Mitchell's selfless NSW call
Andrew Johns has backed Latrell Mitchell's decision to withdraw from NSW selection for the State of Origin decider after the South Sydney fullback made his long-awaited return to NRL action.Mitchell had been sidelined since round five with a hamstring problem but returned for the Rabbitohs in an assured 30-12 win over Parramatta on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressMitchell pulls pin on Origin III selection
Latrell Mitchell has declared himself unavailable for State of Origin selection despite making a successful NRL comeback in South Sydney's 30-12 upset win over Parramatta.Mitchell has voluntarily withdrawn from contention for Origin III, leaving Matt Burton, Jack Wighton and Stephen Crichton jostling for two spots in the centres.
SportAustralian Associated PressCowboys beat Broncos, record Qld sweep
North Queensland have continued their march towards a NRL top-four finish with a thrilling 40-26 home derby win over rivals Brisbane.Scott Drinkwater had a hand in three of the Cowboys' six tries on Saturday as a late flurry from the Broncos kept the strong sell-out Townsville crowd on the edge of their seats.
SportAustralian Associated PressSharks down Dogs to claim NRL win in wet
Canterbury were unable to overcome the elements and a stoic Cronulla defence as the Sharks claimed an 18-6 win to strengthen their spot in the NRL's top four.In front of 8837 fans at a rain-soaked CommBank Stadium, the Bulldogs were aiming for a third straight win for the first time since 2019 but came up short.
