Papua New Guinea joins Australia as 2026 World Cup hosts
As they jostle to be included as part of the NRL’s expansion plans, the Pacific country has been handed a massive boost by its Australian neighbours.
- by Adam Pengilly, Christian Nicolussi and Dan Walsh
Latest
Bulldogs enter Utoikamanu race as Richardson says Bateman move creates ‘war chest’
Canterbury has quietly expressed an interest in the Tigers prop – who has a $4 million offer on the table from the Tigers – as details of John Bateman’s return to England emerge.
- by Adam Pengilly
Ryles’ new Eels era won’t include Barrett as Talagi offered fullback chance
The incoming Parramatta coach has opted for a clean break from the Brad Arthur era, while making a final pitch to highly rated youngster Blaize Talagi.
- by Adam Pengilly
Racing NSW, Tabcorp end $6 million lawsuit days before McLachlan starts new role
The former AFL supremo will have one less issue to worry about when he starts at the ASX-listed giant after a potentially long and costly court case was discontinued.
- by Adam Pengilly
He hasn’t taken a kick at goal in eight years. Meet South Sydney’s new goalkicker
The Rabbitohs have already used six goalkickers this season and have the worst percentage of any team this year. But there’s an unlikely saviour looming.
- by Adam Pengilly
Five minutes to smash two decades of pain: The moments that won NSW an Origin epic
Just when we thought we were in for a tryless Origin match for the ages, the Blues turned the series on its head. From the ultimate super sub to Moses parting the maroon seas, here are the moments that ended NSW’s Brisbane hoodoo.
- by Adam Pengilly
Exclusive
NRL injury ward
One tackle changed Ethan Lowe’s life. Now he’s suing for $1m
Lowe has a spinal injury which means he can’t recognise he is burning his hand in the kitchen and sometimes falls over uncontrollably. The NRL’s insurer won’t let him claim under the game’s policy.
- by Adam Pengilly
Cry time: Ronaldo Mulitalo made his twin sob before he became an NRL player
Two months ago, Lorenzo Mulitalo was about to give up on his dream. Then he got home after a day working as a scaffolder and his brother made him cry.
- by Adam Pengilly
The suburbs behind rugby league’s record numbers staving off AFL
Just days out from the State of Origin decider, the sport has broken new ground with the number of registered participants. These are the areas fighting off the threat of soccer, AFL and basketball.
- by Adam Pengilly
Sharks 58 Tigers 6
NRL 2024
‘I apologise to our fans’: Marshall rips Tigers players after record mauling
Life without injured playmaking star Nicho Hynes doesn’t appear so bleak after all for Cronulla as Benji Marshall took the big stick to his under-performing players.
- by Phil Mitchell and Adam Pengilly
‘Unheralded civil case’: Text from Topine’s father to Bulldogs
Lawyers for former NRL player Jackson Topine and the Canterbury Bulldogs have appeared together in court for the first time.
- by Adam Pengilly and Adrian Proszenko