NRL

Perth may have more chance of joining Super League than the NRL

After beating the NRL to the punch by playing a premiership fixture on the other side of the world, English officials have revealed there had been discussions about a Perth team joining the likes of Toronto, New York, London and Toulouse in an expanded Super League.

"We've got New York and a number of other areas very interested and there are whispers from Perth that they are interested because there is a direct flight now into London," Wigan owner Ian Lenagan said.

Warriors taking extreme measures to make top eight

The message is simple - work hard.

Players have started on an even keel competing to impress at the upcoming trials ahead of game one of the season against South Sydney Rabbitohs in March.

"There was a gap we needed to close in certain areas, hence why we made a decision on the back end of the year to bring someone to the club like Alex (Corvo)." says Kearney.

"It's pretty demanding but that's because that's what the game asks for and the boys have really responded."

NRL star could sue over arm wrestle

Ross told Australia's Daily Telegraph he faces a fourth operation after revealing he would now have permanent nerve damage in his right arm. He sustained the injury during an on-air arm wrestle with former Kangaroos and Wallabies winger Wendell Sailor which went catastrophically wrong.

The former Dragons, Panthers, Sharks and Rabbitohs prop, who has spent thousands of dollars after sustaining damage to his elbow, nerves and shoulder, says he endures constant pain and struggles to surf or swim.

Flanagan: Holmes is Sharks No.1

Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed there will be no positional switch in the Telstra Premiership for his talented speedster. 

“The speculation about Val comes because of how good he plays on the wing, not how poorly he plays at fullback,” Flanagan told NRL.com.

Tonga coach wants NRL to invest more money in to Pacific teams

Tonga sealed their second win in the tournament against Samoa on Saturday night at a packed-out FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

The stadium was a sea of colours as fans showed up to sing, cheer and dance for their Pacific teams. 

Woolf says the experience was one of a kind and it proves that Pacific teams are worth the investment.

"The first step I think is putting on more games. We'd love to play Samoa every year and I know they'd love to play us every year and I'm sure the fans would love to see that as well."

NRL announces regional 2018 matches

Premiership matches will be held in Mudgee, Tamworth, Bathurst and Gosford next year, as well as Gladstone, Toowoomba and Cairns.

It means the 2018 season will include the most number of regional locations in NSW and Queensland in the history of the NRL Premiership.

The Gold Coast Titans will take two matches to regional centres (Gladstone and Toowoomba), while South Sydney will continue play one of its matches in Cairns.

NRL stand firm over fines

 

The governing body confirmed the Sharks would be slugged $30,000 and the Sea Eagles $20,000 after Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and Manly's Trent Barrett both lashed the whistleblowers after their week-one finals exits.

Both clubs appealed their penalties after they were handed down a fortnight ago, however NRL head of football Brian Canavan said neither would be granted reductions in their fines.

"Given the seriousness of the breaches - and the need for the integrity of the game to be maintained - it was decided that the penalties should stand," Canavan said.

Cowboys upset Eels to close in on final

The Cowboys pulled off one of the biggest boilovers of the year in front of 41,287 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

The Cowboys only snuck into eighth spot when St George Illawarra were beaten by Canterbury in the last round but will now take on the Sydney Roosters next Saturday for a spot in the grand final.

The Townsville side were effectively written off after co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott were ruled out for the year but continue to defy the odds.

Brisbane outmuscle Panthers to advance

The stage was set for Brisbane's horror injury night when Queensland winger Corey Oates was heavily concussed in a sickening collision with teammate Anthony Milford in the 21st minute.

Forwards Sam Thaiday and Jai Arrow (both concussion) joined him on the sideline by the second half.

Yet Brisbane somehow still racked up their seventh-straight finals win at Suncorp Stadium to book a grand final qualifier with the Storm.

The Panthers season is over despite also bravely battling on with injury.

Storm looking to build into finals

The Storm are going to finish first on the NRL ladder regardless of the result on Saturday night, but with some player milestones, a departing legend and finals around the corner, the Melbourne centre says there's plenty to play for.

"We've still got a lot on the line," Chambers said. 

"You need to be playing good footy leading into the back end of the year, it’s crazy to think you've got nothing on the line.

Tags: