NRL
SportAustralian Associated PressTrbojevic beats Tedesco in battle of No.1s
In the battle of the superstar fullbacks, Tom Trbojevic won.Frustrated by his quiet night a week before, the Manly champion summoned yet another brilliant performance in a 42-6 semi-final win over Sydney Roosters.
SportAustralian Associated PressTurbo-powered Manly too good for Roosters
A Tom Trbojevic-inspired Manly have thumped the Sydney Roosters in Mackay to march into their first NRL preliminary final since 2013.The Sea Eagles' superstar fullback fired back after his quiet night last week against Melbourne, scoring two tries and setting up another as Manly claimed a comprehensive 42-6 semi-final win over the Roosters.
SportAustralian Associated PressFatigue no issue for young Penrith: Cleary
For the past two years nothing has punctured Penrith's confidence, but being at the top for so long comes with its challenges.Best laid plans, like winning through week one of the NRL finals to earn a break, can be derailed by even the most minor dips in form.
SportAustralian Associated PressCleary blocks blocking talk escalating
Ivan Cleary has refused to delve further into the kick blockers debate, dead-batting Peter V'landys' claims last week's war of words was good for the game.One week after he engaged in a tense pre and post-match feud with Wayne Bennett, Cleary remained stone-faced for the majority of Friday's captain's run press conference.
SportAustralian Associated PressPenrith lose weapon To'o for semi-final
Penrith have lost one of their most potent weapons after regaining another for Saturday night's NRL semi-final against Parramatta as they fight to avoid the worst finals capitulation in 32 years.In a blow for the Panthers on the eve of the clash, State of Origin winger Brian To'o has been ruled out with a minor ankle complaint.
SportAustralian Associated PressBowling drop drove Ellyse Perry to evolve
Ellyse Perry is not ready to let go of bowling, revealing how a season of less time with ball in hand has left her more driven to evolve heading into her 15th international summer.Perry will lead Australia's attack against India when the multi-formatted series starts next week, with regular spearhead Megan Schutt missing following the birth of her child.
SportAustralian Associated PressEels get big shot at semi-final hurdle
Brad Arthur has spent close to 12 months preparing Parramatta to go one step beyond a semi-final - one step beyond the hurdle they've fallen at three times in the last four years.The Eels are trying to reach their first preliminary final in 12 years.
SportAustralian Associated PressManly's Parker has plan for centre Morris
Manly centre Brad Parker has a simple plan to get past his Sydney Roosters opposite Josh Morris in their sudden-death NRL semi-final on Friday night - send Tom Trbojevic at him first.Morris is renowned as one of the best defenders in the competition and although retirement is looming, there are still no cracks in his armour.
SportAustralian Associated PressFrance set to host England in league Test
England will play France in an international Test in October as part of their build-up to the Rugby League World Cup delayed to next year.The World Cup was scheduled for October in England but was postponed to 2022 after Australia and New Zealand pulled out, citing player welfare concerns in the COVID-19 pandemic.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL clubs get extra $7 million in funding
The NRL will hand out a combined $7 million in COVID-19 relief packages to clubs to make up for lost revenue through a lack of crowds and home games.Clubs in NSW, the ACT and Victoria have been doing it tough due to lockdowns and closed leagues venues that has affected their bottom lines.
SportAustralian Associated PressKaufusi backs Slater as next Qld coach
He didn't want Paul Green to leave but Felise Kaufusi has backed Billy Slater to become the next Queensland coach, saying his ex-teammate is more than ready to step up.Slater has reportedly been offered a three-year deal by Queensland after Green stepped down from the role following a 2-1 series loss on debut.
SportAustralian Associated PressRoosters put faith in Marschke at hooker
Ben Marschke will go from an out-of-contract reserve-grade hooker to semi-finals starter after Trent Robinson placed his faith in the rookie to take on Manly.Robinson on Thursday admitted regular hooker Sam Verrills was "extremely flat" after being handed a two-game ban at the NRL judiciary, with the Roosters still shocked by the outcome.
SportAustralian Associated PressArthur, Penisini come full circle for Eels
The Brad Arthur who strikes fear into battle-hardened NRL players is the same coach who delivered harsh truths to a 12-year-old Will Penisini back when he was playing for Rouse Hill Rhinos.Seven years ago Arthur was made Parramatta's new NRL mentor and fresh into the job he had enough energy to keep coaching his son Jake's junior team on the weekends.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo.1 showdown to decide NRL semi-finals
1 semi-final showdown some 545 days in the making.In the 18 months since James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic last clashed, the NRL has shut down, changed rules and seen an attacking revolution.
SportAustralian Associated PressTaupau faces NRL finals date with destiny
After a rollercoaster career of highs and lows, milestone man Marty Taupau believes Saturday night's NRL semi-final with the Sydney Roosters also looms as his date with destiny.Eleven years after debuting as a rakey forward under Des Hasler at Canterbury, the transformed Manly enforcer is chasing an elusive first finals win for the veteran coach who he didn't always see eye to eye with.
SportAustralian Associated PressSt Helens sign Eels hooker Joey Lussick
Reigning Super League champions St Helens have signed Parramatta hooker Joey Lussick for next season.The 25-year-old Lussick, who made 59 appearances for the Salford Red Devils before returning to Australia at the end of the 2020 season, has signed a three-year deal with the Saints.
SportAustralian Associated PressCampbell-Gillard plays down NRL rivalry
Reagan Campbell-Gillard knows the bitter western Sydney rivalry from both sides but ahead of Saturday's semi-final he wants to be clear - Parramatta is his home now.The ex-Penrith prop is one of a handful of players who have made the switch between arch-rivals over the years but was nonchalant to the point of being guarded when asked about his old club.
SportAustralian Associated PressRoosters prop marvels at rookies' courage
Veteran Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has played 20 finals games but marvels at the courage of his inexperienced teammates in their first NRL post-season campaign.Teenager Sam Walker's match-winning field goal against Gold Coast kept the Roosters alive for at least another week, but more than their talent it's the attitude from the rookies that impresses the battle-hardened forward most.
SportAustralian Associated PressHasler ball 2.0 takes charge at Manly
Welcome to Des Hasler ball, version 2.Nine years after turning James Graham into the biggest ball distributor in the NRL in his first year at Canterbury Hasler is at it again.
SportAustralian Associated PressCapewell finds title hope in Panthers loss
Kurt Capewell rejects the suggestion Penrith needed a loss to learn a finals lesson but insists he's more confident now than ever they can win the NRL title.A 16-10 loss to South Sydney last weekend has forced the Panthers onto the hard route to the October 3 decider, needing to get through Parramatta and then minor premiers Melbourne to make the grand final.
SportAustralian Associated PressRoosters lose banned Verrills for NRL semi
The Sydney Roosters will be forced to rely on a third-string hooker to get them to the grand final after Sam Verrills was banned for two games at the NRL judiciary.In a horror night for the Roosters, Verrills failed in his bid to have his careless high tackle charge downgraded to a fine.
SportAustralian Associated PressBulldogs tear up Lewis' NRL contract
Lachlan Lewis' case of the eBay speaker has cost him the final month-and-a-half of his Canterbury contract after he was sacked by the NRL club.The Bulldogs confirmed on Tuesday night they had terminated Lewis' contract immediately, before it was due to expire at the end of next month.
SportAustralian Associated PressKick pressure a part of the game: Cleary
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary says he's not worried by the extra attention on his kicking game despite it being the centre of controversy leading into the NRL finals series.The Panthers halfback on Tuesday said he cops no more than the average halfback in the NRL and accepts it as part of the game from the best teams in the competition.
SportAustralian Associated PressEels recall Matterson for NRL finals derby
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has reversed a controversial move to rest Ryan Matterson from week one of the NRL finals by recalling the star second-rower to face Penrith on Saturday night.After a three-week suspension for a high shot, the 26-year-old was available but overlooked for Sunday's sudden-death 28-20 win over Newcastle.
SportAustralian Associated PressTaylor, Peachey released by Titans
Ashley Taylor has been moved on by Gold Coast three seasons after he was considered the Titans' saviour, while Tyrone Peachey has also been dumped by the NRL club.Mitch Rein was also not offered a new deal as the club confirmed their roster movements on Tuesday, having been knocked out in a gutting one-point finals loss to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
