Payten ready to prove doubters wrong after tough 2025
Todd Payten has opened up on a difficult 2025 amid rumours he could be sacked as North Queensland coach, but insists the Cowboys are a different team in 2026.
rugby league
Stupid expectations: Flanagan won’t talk up title hopes
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan insists the Dragons are on the rise, but says he's only being realistic by conceding 2026 won't be a title year.
NRL looking at global expansion one country at a time
Las Vegas will remain on the NRL's calendar even if it goes global, with Peter V'landys eying off gradual international expansion over the next three years.
‘Stop doing it’: Flaw Broncos must fix to defend title
Brisbane launched six stunning comebacks on the way to last year's title but the loss to Hull KR, after a failed resurgence, gave the players a reality check.
‘We travel enough’: Cowboys’ NRL global round warning
The NRL are eying off gradually building towards four overseas double-headers each season by the end of this decade, but there will be some hurdles with clubs.
Sivo bags four in Vegas as coach Arthur makes statement
Former Parramatta flyer Maika Sivo has scored four tries in just his second game for Leeds, helping the Rhinos to a 58-6 demolition of Hull KR.
‘It’s perfect’: Dolphins co-captain move frees Gilbert
Dolphins star half Isaiya Katoa will co-captain the side in 2026 with Tom Gilbert, who says the new partnership will bring out the best in both.
Knights relief for Fletcher with Ponga still main man
Kalyn Ponga remains the most important man in Newcastle's attack, inspiring the Knights to a 28-18 season-opening win over North Queensland in Las Vegas.
Sweet spot: Vegas a success for NRL, but where to now?
If 2026 is as good as it gets for the NRL in Vegas, that could be considered a success. But the league must work out how to keep the hype and where to go next.
Disappointed: Dragons say Vegas ended with wrong call
Stephen Crichton has nailed a golden-point field goal to lift Canterbury to victory in Las Vegas, but St George Illawarra insist he was set up by a wrong call.
‘Maybe they’re watching’: Burton’s boot could crack NFL
Spurred on by a week in the US, Canterbury star Matt Burton believes he could 'definitely' make it as a punter in the NFL.
Roosters’ Walker urges patience with DCE combo
Sydney Roosters playmaker Sam Walker is realistic it will take time for his halves partnership with Daly Cherry-Evans to hit its stride.
Warriors ace sinbinned in hectic trial loss to Dolphins
Jackson Ford is the latest Warriors player whose NRL round one status is up in the air after he was sinbinned in a 38-34 trial loss to the Dolphins.
Cleary in doubt for round one as Tigers tame Panthers
Nathan Cleary looks set to miss Penrith's NRL season opener after he was sin-binned in a trial loss to Wests Tigers.
‘Can’t keep doing that’: Broncos to learn from UK loss
Brisbane Broncos, licking their wounds after defeat in the World Club Challenge, know they can't afford the sort of slow start that cost them the global crown.
Manly keep in-demand centre on five-year deal
Tolu Koula will remain at Manly until the end of 2031, after the Sea Eagles fought off external interest to keep him at Brookvale.
Penrith’s Nathan Cleary faces two-game NRL ban
Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary is set to miss the start of the NRL season with suspension.
Another wing down: Sharks’ pre-season win comes at cost
Cronulla winger Sione Katoa has sent a scare through the Sharks after hurting his groin in a 48-6 pre-season trial win over Canberra.
Cherry-Evans and Walker gel in first Roosters hit-out
Sam Walker scored a try and set up two more in his first pre-season outing next to Daly Cherry-Evans, before Parramatta came back to beat Sydney Roosters 28-22.
Titans belt Storm as Hannay era builds momentum
Gold Coast's key spine players fired and the Titans defended like demons in a 42-12 trial game thrashing of Melbourne.
Walker wows, Fifita makes statement in Rabbitohs win
South Sydney's new signing David Fifita had a cracking club debut in a 30-6 whipping of Manly as veteran playmaker Cody Walker had a ball in Mudgee.
Cleary seeks downgrade on charge as Panthers roll dice
Nathan Cleary will be available to play Brisbane in round one or will miss the opening three rounds after Penrith decided to challenge his high tackle grading.
Hynes comes out swinging against Sharks halves critics
Nicho Hynes has heard claims that he and Braydon Trindall are the NRL's most under-pressure halves pairing, and he wants it known he couldn't disagree more.
NRL trumpets itself as No.1 show after record year
The NRL has announced a record surplus and its biggest viewing numbers at the ARL Commission's AGM, in addition to claiming its best ever financial position.
Grass greener at Titans for budding criminologist Bai
Gold Coast forward and criminology student Cooper Bai leant on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui before committing to the club as he targets emulating leading NRL locks.
Cherry-Evans to play like a halfback wearing No.6
Daly Cherry-Evans is wearing a different number along with a different jersey in 2026, but he says it's unlikely his game will change as Sydney Roosters' No.6.
Nathan Cleary free to play NRL round one
Nathan Cleary has learned his fate at the NRL judiciary after the Penrith halfback fought to overturn a two-game ban.
Foxx out: Eels flyer grounded for start of NRL season
Josh Addo-Carr has undergone surgery on his thumb after being injured in Parramatta's pre-season win over the Sydney Roosters.
State of the Bears: Perth sets bold goal for first year
Perth believe they could be the NRL's biggest commercial success in their first season with a big sponsorship base and high membership interest.
Burton learns Vegas fate as Dogs hold hope for Thompson
Matt Burton has undergone scans on his sore hamstring after Canterbury's trial win over Newcastle, while the club is confident Leo Thompson's calf is fine.
‘Be Batman’: Tigers shake-up to bring out best in Luai
Jarome Luai's decision to turn his back on being Wests Tigers' halfback is set to benefit one of the NRL's ultimate utilities.