NRL
SportAustralian Associated PressArthur rejects Sterlo fears on Eels attack
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has rejected claims from Eels legend Peter Sterling that his side's attack is too one-dimensional to challenge the NRL's best, insistent only the polish is missing.The Eels start a crucial run home to the finals on Thursday night against the Sydney Roosters, sitting two points clear of their rivals in the battle for a top-four spot.
SportAustralian Associated PressBulldogs prop cops three-match suspension
Canterbury have copped another blow to their already miserable season with prop Luke Thompson suspended for three weeks at the NRL judiciary.The Englishman was found guilty on Tuesday night of a grade-two dangerous contact charge for a hit on Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey.
SportAustralian Associated PressTonga star Taumalolo commits to World Cup
Tonga stalwart and North Queensland star Jason Taumalolo says he intends to play in the 2021 World Cup in England despite the withdrawal of New Zealand and Australia and he expects his team-mates to follow suit.Speaking via zoom at a North Queensland Cowboys press conference in Townsville on Tuesday, Taumalolo echoed the words of Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, the St Helens boss, who insisted at a time when the tournament hung in the balance his players were still committed to it.
NewsAustralian Associated PressRoberts under NRL investigation for breach
Wests Tigers star James Roberts is being investigated by the NRL for breaching Queensland's COVID-19 protocols while in quarantine in a Gold Coast hotel.It comes after Queensland's chief medical officer Jeannette Young last week warned she was close to revoking the NRL's border exemptions to keep the competition running in the state.
SportAustralian Associated PressRoosters look at market for NRL backup
Sydney Roosters are exploring the NRL market with the hope of signing an outside back before August 1 following a spate of injuries in the already depleted side.Matt Ikuvalu and Billy Smith were confirmed as the latest casualties on Tuesday for the Roosters, who are already missing Brett Morris and Joseph Suaalii for the rest of the season.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL hopefuls Penrith cop more injury blows
Penrith's NRL premiership hopes have taken another blow with State of Origin winger Brian To'o to undergo surgery on a syndesmosis injury.The NSW star picked up the injury in his left ankle in the first half of Saturday's victory over Brisbane and is expected to be out for six weeks.
SportAustralian Associated PressPanthers a fresh NRL start for TPJ: Haas
Payne Haas believes Tevita Pangai Junior will emerge out of his three-month stint at Penrith a more complete player, with the Tongan star's defence certain to improve at the Panthers.After signing a three-year deal with Canterbury last week, Pangai will start a three-month stint at the foot of the mountains next week when he runs out against the Sydney Roosters.
SportAustralian Associated PressPapenhuyzen, Smith next on list for Storm
With certainty in the top job, Melbourne will now turn their attention to settling the NRL futures of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Brandon Smith.The Storm on Tuesday announced a five-year extension for Craig Bellamy with an assurance he will stay on as head coach until at least the end of next season.
SportAustralian Associated PressExits won't stop global crusade: Taumalolo
A disappointed Jason Taumalolo insists Australia and New Zealand's World Cup withdrawals won't stop his crusade to grow international rugby league.Taumalolo confirmed on Tuesday he still intended to play for Tonga in this year's World Cup, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to linger over the tournament.
SportAustralian Associated PressBellamy signs long-term Storm extension
Craig Bellamy admits he was tempted by offers from Brisbane and Cronulla but the thought of leaving Melbourne without a head NRL coach for next season was a major reason behind his long-term extension.The three-time premiership-winning coach will extend his reign to at least a 20th season with the Storm after signing a five-year deal to stay at the club.
SportAustralian Associated PressClubs behind RLWC withdrawals, Graham says
Former England captain James Graham says self-interest by the NRL clubs is at the heart of the decision by Australia and New Zealand to pull out of the World Cup.The holders and 2008 champions cited player safety during the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for withdrawing from the England-based tournament which is due to get under way on October 23 but Graham has dubbed it a "straw man argument".
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL admit adjustment on crackdown calls
The NRL admit they have marginally shifted the goalposts on the high tackle crackdown, but claim its a positive that they are able to keep pace with the game.The bunker's decision not to send off Tom Flegler for a high tackle that knocked out Penrith's Isaah Yeo drew criticism over the weekend, amid claims of inconsistency on the issue.
SportAustralian Associated PressEels primed to hit back against Roosters
Parramatta enforcer Junior Paulo admits they were lured into playing Canberra's game in their round-19 loss, but has warned history won't repeat itself when they take on the Sydney Roosters on Thursday.The fourth-placed Eels have a difficult run-in to the finals with matches against the Roosters, South Sydney, Manly, Melbourne and Penrith still to come.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL players set for freedom on Wednesday
The NRL's strict COVID bubble is set to burst on Wednesday with players to be granted their freedom again for the first time in a month.The majority of players will complete their two-week quarantine stint on Wednesday, after travelling from NSW and the ACT earlier this month.
SportAustralian Associated PressStars won't want World Cup risk: V'landys
Peter V'landys claims Indigenous All Stars will not want to head to the Rugby League World Cup in England once they realise the health risk it poses.An idea to have Indigenous and Maori sides replace the Kangaroos and Kiwis will be discussed at a meeting of World Cup officials on Monday night in England.
SportAustralian Associated PressTuivasa-Sheck ends NRL career early
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's NRL career is seemingly over after he decided to return home to New Zealand and end his Warriors season early.Already bound for rugby union next year, Tuivasa-Sheck has made the call to rush back home on Thursday before the trans-Tasman bubble is closed for at least eight weeks.
SportAustralian Associated PressLuai no certainty for Samoa at World Cup
Jarome Luai says he has reservations about playing at this year's Rugby League World Cup for Samoa, as he considers staying at home with his pregnant partner.Samoa shape as the biggest beneficiaries of Australia and New Zealand's withdrawals from the tournament, with several big-name stars eligible for the Pacific nation.
SportAustralian Associated PressPanthers bid for rare double over Storm
Penrith will attempt to use their Melbourne showdown to make premiership statement with a chance to join rare company and beat the Storm twice in the same NRL season.Saturday night's clash shapes as crucial in the battle for the minor premiership, with both sides level and six rounds to play.
SportAustralian Associated PressTitans face backline trouble after charge
Gold Coast's backline stocks have taken another hit with centre Patrick Herbert facing a two-game NRL ban for his high shot on Jordan Pereira.With fellow Titans centre Brian Kelly in doubt to face Canterbury on Sunday with an ankle injury, Herbert added to Justin Holbrook's concerns on Monday.
SportAustralian Associated PressManly fight to remain under NRL's radar
Des Hasler's famous radar is back with Manly insisting they aren't among the NRL best sides despite being one of the most dominant teams of the past three months.The Sea Eagles loom as the genuine dark horse of the finals, with Tom Trbojevic's red-hot season making them one of the biggest threats to Melbourne and Penrith.
SportAustralian Associated Press'Thin' Sharks await Johnson injury scans
Shaun Johnson will miss Cronulla's crucial clash against Manly, with the Sharks sweating on the seriousness of the star half's hamstring injury.Johnson joined a growing casualty ward after suffering a right hamstring issue in Sunday's scrappy victory over Canterbury.
SportAustralian Associated PressJohnson injured as Sharks topple Bulldogs
Cronulla have suffered a potentially season-defining blow after star Shaun Johnson limped off with a hamstring injury in a 44-24 triumph over Canterbury.The Sharks played the final hour without their halfback and had to survive a second-half surge from the Bulldogs, but did enough to improve to seventh spot on the NRL ladder.
SportAustralian Associated PressBans no excuse for poor NRL form: Griffin
Anthony Griffin has refused to blame the staggered suspensions of 12 players for St George Illawarra's turn in form after Sunday's 32-10 loss to the Gold Coast.Corey Norman, Daniel Alvaro and Zac Lomax served their one-week bans on Sunday for the illegal barbecue at Paul Vaughan's house that cost the prop his contract earlier this month.
SportAustralian Associated PressFifita stars as Titans thump Dragons
Cody Ramsay will have nightmares about David Fifita after he was monstered by the Gold Coast star in St George Illawarra's 32-10 NRL loss.After a sorry performance for the Titans last week, the Queensland Origin second-rower was idling on the bench for 23 minutes against the Dragons before he was unleashed for impact.
SportAustralian Associated PressFlegler, Aloiai cop NRL bans for tackles
Brisbane forward Tom Flegler is facing three weeks on the NRL sidelines for a high shot that knocked out Penrith captain Isaah Yeo.The 21-year-old Flegler has been charged with a grade three careless high tackle by the NRL's match review committee and could miss just two matches with an early guilty plea.
