LeagueNews.co

The NFL's Australian push intensified with the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne's MCG in the competition's historic opening round. Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh attended...

Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters retain cross-code rising star

LeagueNews.co6:58, September 18, 20267:10, September 18, 2026

Seymour Stowers-Smith captained St Andrew's College to its first New Zealand First XV Championship in 2026. The Christchurch school defeated Tauranga Boys' College 34-24, strengthening the teenager's credentials across both...

New Zealand Warriors

New Zealand Warriors Unveil Inaugural Hall Inductees

LeagueNews.co6:26, September 18, 20266:40, September 18, 2026

Sir Peter Leitch, known as the "Mad Butcher," is among the first figures honoured in the New Zealand Warriors' new Hall of Fame. The Warriors recognised four inaugural inductees at...

New Zealand Warriors Newcastle Knights

Warriors Lock Clark's Reinvention Faces Newcastle

Robbie Hamilton18:03, September 17, 202618:15, September 17, 2026

Clark has played 49 consecutive Warriors matches at lock, after one appearance from the bench last season. The 29-year-old will start at No.13 against Newcastle in Sunday's elimination final at...

South Sydney Rabbitohs

South Sydney eye Walker extension at 36

LeagueNews.co17:24, September 17, 202617:40, September 17, 2026

South Sydney expects Cody Walker and Ashton Ward to form its preferred halves combination when the 2027 season begins. The plan follows Walker's impressive finish to 2026, despite the 36-year-old...

Penrith Panthers

Blaize Talagi's Penrith Future In Doubt

LeagueNews.co15:46, September 17, 202616:00, September 17, 2026

Penrith's salary-cap pressure could contribute to Blaize Talagi leaving the club after the 2026 season, although no rival offer is confirmed. Talagi remains contracted through next year, but journalist Michael...

Wests Tigers

Flanagan Eyes Wests Tigers Assistant Role

LeagueNews.co15:30, September 17, 202615:40, September 17, 2026

Benji Marshall has won only 23 of 72 matches during his three seasons as Wests Tigers head coach. Although Marshall is not under obvious pressure, the club's board may have...

Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla's Jones Eyes Unlikely Finals Run

Robbie Hamilton14:30, September 17, 202614:45, September 17, 2026

Riley Jones has gone from an overlooked 24-year-old to a Cronulla finals centre within four weeks. His opportunity followed injuries to Jesse Ramien and Mawene Hiroti, plus Michael Gabrael's suspension....

New Zealand Warriors Newcastle Knights

Newcastle Relish Hostile Warriors Atmosphere

LeagueNews.co14:26, September 17, 202614:45, September 17, 2026

Bradman Best believes Newcastle's finals clash with the New Zealand Warriors at Auckland's Eden Park will recreate the intensity of State of Origin. More than 40,000 Warriors supporters are expected,...

Canberra Raiders Manly Sea Eagles

Manly's Pursuit of Raider Hits Roadblock

LeagueNews.co14:10, September 17, 202614:14, September 17, 2026

Owen Pattie is expected to retain Canberra's number-nine jersey, strengthening doubts over Tom Starling's future with the Raiders. Pattie limited Starling to about 20 minutes per match late in 2026,...

NRL News

Cleary Injury Complicates Australia's Moses Call

Robbie Hamilton13:58, September 17, 202614:00, September 17, 2026

Mitch Moses may choose Australia over Lebanon at the home World Cup if Nathan Cleary's foot injury removes the Penrith halfback from contention. Cleary suffered a bone-stress problem during the...

Penrith Panthers

Penrith's Finals Record Tested by Cleary Injury

Robbie Hamilton13:52, September 17, 202613:55, September 17, 2026

Nathan Cleary's stress-related right-foot injury has become central to Penrith's premiership hopes, but the Panthers expect their halfback to play next Sunday's preliminary final. He will undertake light duties and...

Newcastle Knights

Snowden's Spark Fuels Newcastle's Hopwood

Robbie Hamilton13:42, September 17, 202613:55, September 17, 2026

Newcastle forward Cody Hopwood will face James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett in Auckland on Sunday, only a year after debuting in the Knights' wooden-spoon season. The 20-year-old has started just...

NRL News

Fusitua Earns Shock Queensland Reds Call-Up

Robbie Hamilton13:36, September 17, 202613:40, September 17, 2026

Injuries and Wallabies commitments have pushed Queensland Reds coach Vern Cotter to recall unlikely reinforcements for Super Rugby AUS. Former Warriors winger David Fusitua will start at outside centre against...

Penrith Panthers

Penrith's Finals Record Faces Cleary Test

Robbie Hamilton12:54, September 17, 202612:55, September 17, 2026

Isaah Yeo delayed surgery on a ruptured pec before returning for Penrith's final-round match. "It's just been a bit of see how it travels. So far it has given me...

Melbourne Storm

Papenhuyzen Questions His Storm Role

LeagueNews.co12:50, September 17, 202612:55, September 17, 2026

Sua Fa'alogo's breakout performance made Ryan Papenhuyzen question his place at Melbourne, after Fa'alogo scored twice and assisted five line breaks in a 52-4 victory. Watching from New Zealand, Papenhuyzen...

Cronulla Sharks

Slater Unconvinced by Cronulla's Premiership Credentials

LeagueNews.co12:34, September 17, 202612:40, September 17, 2026

Jesse Trindall's return from a dislocated shoulder gave Cronulla a needed lift, with Billy Slater describing his display as "Physical courage to go after the game." Trindall's influence helped the...

Wests Tigers

Luai's Wests Tigers awards no-show criticised

Robbie Hamilton12:22, September 17, 202612:25, September 17, 2026

Jarome Luai's absence from the Wests Tigers' end-of-season awards has triggered criticism from several former players and NRL commentators. The Tigers said Luai was in Samoa promoting his nation's Rugby...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Gagai Faces Fitness Race

Robbie Hamilton12:14, September 17, 202612:25, September 17, 2026

Dane Gagai's contest with Latrell Mitchell left the Newcastle veteran struggling physically ahead of the Knights' semi-final against the New Zealand Warriors. Gagai, 35, had been outstanding against Mitchell last...

Penrith Panthers

Penrith Prelim Timing Raises Fairness Questions

Robbie Hamilton11:34, September 17, 202611:45, September 17, 2026

The NRL's preliminary-final schedule gives Friday's winner nine days before Sunday October 4, two more than Sunday's winner. Announced Thursday, the games are Friday September 25 at 7.50pm and Sunday...

Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm secure five amid exits

LeagueNews.co10:42, September 17, 202610:55, September 17, 2026

Melbourne's 2027 backline changes could increase Moses Leo's opportunities after Warbrick and Meaney leave for the Warriors and Perth Bears. Melbourne Storm confirmed Leo, Hugo Peel, Stanley Huen, Trent Toelau...

Penrith Panthers Redcliffe Dolphins

Dolphins, Panthers Face Uneven Finals Schedule

Robbie Hamilton10:30, September 17, 202610:40, September 17, 2026

The NRL's 2026 preliminary finals will be played on Friday, September 25, and Sunday, September 27. The Dolphins will face either the Sydney Roosters or Cronulla Sharks at Brisbane's Suncorp...

Melbourne Storm

Papenhuyzen Regrets Messaging Storm Teammates

Robbie Hamilton10:14, September 17, 202610:25, September 17, 2026

Ryan Papenhuyzen is pursuing life beyond the NRL, working as a professional golf caddie and joining Channel 7's coverage team for the Rugby League World Cup in October and November....

Penrith Panthers

Panthers Selection Squeeze After Cogger Return

Robbie Hamilton9:26, September 17, 20269:40, September 17, 2026

Blaize Talagi made a strong return at centre against the Roosters, rushing up on Hugo Savala and forcing the pass that Brian To'o turned into the decisive try. His position...