NRL 2024
The $1.25m contract black holes hurting battling NRL clubs
The true cost of moving on an unwanted NRL player has been revealed as Parramatta seek a different strategy for future contract negotiations.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Latest
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
Opinion
For subscribers
Why a 20-team NRL competition solves rugby league’s biggest problems
PNG and the Perth Bears are a lock – but the identity of the third new franchise is anyone’s guess.
- by Andrew Webster
Eels face wooden spoon battle with $4.5m of talent on sidelines
Interim coach Trent Barrett will hold the fort for old Dragons teammate Jason Ryles with roughly 40 per cent of the Eels’ salary cap sidelined for the rest of the season.
- by Dan Walsh
Walsh labels Suaalii ‘class human’ after Origin high shot, apology
Reece Walsh says the NSW centre who flattened him in Origin I has shown himself as a “class human being” in seeking him out for an on-field apology after the series decider.
- by Scott Bailey
Analysis
Penrith Panthers
Cleary’s clutch miracle shouldn’t have happened. But he’s just that good
After a 10-week injury lay-off, Nathan Cleary and his Panthers teammates needed just three simple plays to set up the NRL’s best match-winner for the most unlikely play.
- by Dan Walsh and Billie Eder
Sea Eagles 38 Titans 8
Manly Sea Eagles
End in sight to Brooks’ 223-game finals drought as he rains on Hasler’s parade
Luke Brooks owns the longest finals drought of any player, but surely not for long after helping shore up Manly’s surge to fifth following the Bulldogs’ later loss.
- by Dan Walsh
Panthers 28 Dolphins 26
Nathan Cleary
‘It was pretty surreal’: Cleary makes perfect comeback with field goal victory
Nathan Cleary played just his sixth match for the defending premiers this season, but stood up when it counted to put a plucky Dolphins side to bed.
- by Billie Eder
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
Broncos 30 Knights 14
Match report
Walsh sees more space on Reynolds’ Broncos return
Reece Walsh has declared Adam Reynolds’ return can give him more space again at Brisbane, after returning to close to his damaging best against Newcastle.
- by Scott Bailey
Exclusive
NRL
Family launches legal action after death of country league player
An inquest was held into the death of Grant Cook, who died during a rugby league game in 2016. However, that’s not the end of the matter.
- by Adrian Proszenko