How 2020 GF loss gave Penrith last piece of the puzzle
Penrith's ruthless attitude was born out of a grand final loss to Melbourne, with players walked over by the Storm in 2020 and taught how to play big games.
rugby league
Warriors keen to make life ugly for ‘pretty boy’ Walsh
The Warriors are aware of the threat electric Brisbane No.1 Reece Walsh poses in Saturday's preliminary final.
‘Gold for Gold’: The slogan pushing Titans’ title dream
Gold Coast's NRLW side has the chance to become the first team based on the Glitter Strip to hoist rugby league's top prize aloft.
Farnworth to honour Broncos ‘pact’ before Dolphins move
Centre Herbie Farnworth has no regrets about joining the Dolphins for 2024 as an unspoken commitment made three years ago drives his Brisbane title quest.
Panthers, Storm name injured stars for prelim final
Jahrome Hughes and Jarome Luai both hope to return from injury and play in Friday's Penrith-Melbourne preliminary final.
Ikin ‘more confident’ Slater will stay Maroons coach
QRL boss Ben Ikin warned the NRL not to mess with the State of Origin schedule and says negotiations with Maroons coach Billy Slater are at their "pointy end".
Coach feedback may not sway NRLW expansion plan: Abdo
Seven of the NRLW's 10 head coaches are against expanding the competition in 2024 but that won't necessarily stop the league from adding more teams.
No change to grand final time if Warriors qualify: NRL
The NRL will not consider shifting the grand final to an earlier timeslot if the Auckland-based Warriors beat Brisbane to qualify for the showpiece match.
Broncos made no approach to break contract: Ben Hunt
Dragons captain Ben Hunt insists he has had no contact about a move to the Broncos, despite reports Brisbane are being investigated by the NRL.
Ref Klein dropped as Abdo lashes NRL’s ‘blame culture’
The NRL's CEO Andrew Abdo says the sport has a problem with blame as the league drops a top-ranking match official over his performance in the semi-finals.
Leniu’s study of Melbourne prop to play out in prelim
Penrith prop Spencer Leniu describes Nelson Asofa-Solomona as Melbourne's "really big scary guy", and one he has been studying since high school.
‘Blew them out of water’: Haas lethal as teen Warrior
Broncos prop Payne Haas was contracted to the Warriors as a teenager and left a lasting mark on former coach Andrew McFadden and seasoned forwards he monstered.
Storm centre Olam enjoying unexpected return for finals
Melbourne centre Justin Olam thought he was no chance of a return to the Storm's line-up come finals time after a brutal axing in July.
Reece Walsh credits daughter Leila for Broncos success
Broncos No.1 Reece Walsh, 21, is a young father and he says his daughter Leila has helped him stay calm and grounded amid a whirlwind of adulation.
Majority of coaches opposed to NRLW expansion in 2024
Most NRLW coaches do not believe the league is ready to go to 12 teams in 2024, fearing the competition is not ready to grow again.
Storm star Hughes hopeful of return for Panthers prelim
Melbourne star Jahrome Hughes has made promising progress as he races the clock to return for the Storm's preliminary final against Penrith.
Referee Klein’s finals fate won’t hinge on Storm errors
NRL football boss Graham Annesley can't make any promises over Ashley Klein's hopes of officiating in the preliminary finals.
‘No regret’: Former Warrior Walsh paved way for Charnze
Brisbane's Reece Walsh intends to end the season of his former club but his Broncos return worked out for him and Warriors No.1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Cleary hurts finger but Penrith backs halves to play
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary are expected to play in Penrith's NRL preliminary final against Melbourne despite injury concerns.
Crichton buoyed on by Ciraldo’s long days at Bulldogs
Stephen Crichton is happy hearing reports Canterbury players believe they are being pushed too hard, insistent it is the only way his future club will improve.
Broncos academy reaps rewards with Walsh and company
The home-grown Broncos brought 14 of their 17-man side through their junior pathways academy system after identifying their talents early and nurturing them.
Warriors can weaponise pressure in NRL prelim: Johnson
The Warriors are carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders but Shaun Johnson believes the semi-final win shows they can use that pressure positively.
Indigenous rugby league pioneer Lionel Morgan dies
The first Indigenous player to represent Australia in rugby league, Lionel Morgan, has died aged 85.
Broncos’ Arthars regains mojo after Warriors loan year
Brisbane winger Jesse Arthars says a year with the Warriors in 2022 remains "a cherished memory" that also helped him find his best form on his Broncos return.
Titans seal finals spot, Cronulla post record NRLW win
Gold Coast have secured a top-four NRLW finish after comfortably seeing off Canberra 30-6 as Cronulla created history in a 56-6 win over Parramatta.
Storm’s Wishart excited for potential clash with Cleary
Tyran Wishart has started at halfback just twice this season but the Melbourne utility has no fear about a potential clash with Penrith NRL star Nathan Cleary.
Luai firming to play in Penrith’s preliminary final
Penrith star Jarome Luai looks increasingly likely to play in their NRL preliminary final against Melbourne, as he battles to overcome a shoulder injury.
Roosters’ Hopoate faces ban, set to miss NRLW finals
Prop Pani Hopoate is set to miss the Sydney Roosters' NRLW finals tilt after receiving a two-match ban for a hip-drop tackle.
NRLW star Nathan-Wong cleared of neck damage
St George Illawarra NRLW five-eighth Tyla Nathan-Wong has been cleared of neck damage and released from hospital.
Wait and see on Johnson’s injury management: Warriors
The Warriors are content to play Shaun Johnson's calf injury by ear as they prepare to battle Brisbane but the halfback is confident that he will line up.
Broncos lock in NRLW finals spot, Roosters to host semi
Brisbane have beaten St George Illawarra 46-12 to wrap up an NRLW finals spot, while the Sydney Roosters finish second after beating North Queensland 40-16.