NRL

Pacific names ridicule: NRL managers to complain

In the 'Footy Kids in Cars' clip on the Matty Johns Show children were asked what the funniest name in the NRL was before making them pronounce Pacific Island players' names.

The video also aired on Sky TV in New Zealand.

NRL manager of wellbeing and education, Nigel Vagana confirmed he and Frank Puletua, NRL head of Pacific strategy, would complain to the NRL and Fox Sports Australia.

Playoff positions in Penrith's hands

With a month to go in the regular season former Knights premiership winner Danny Buderus believes they will shape the final make-up of the top eight.

Starting with the sixth-placed Cowboys this Saturday night at Pepper Stadium the Panthers play four teams all still fighting for a finals berth and could either crush their dreams or see their own hopes of a top eight finish fall by the wayside.

Warriors outplayed by Cowboys

Second rower Bunty Afoa scored his first try of the season to get the Warriors on the board, thanks to some quick hand work from Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Issac Luke's conversion put the Warriors in an early 6-0 lead, but twenty minutes in the Cowboys were even it out.

The visitors looked set to leave the first half 6-6 but The Cowboys took advantage of their errors, scored and converted another try.

Sharks and Roosters claim NRL wins

Defending premiers Cronulla were soundly beaten by Gold Coast Titans last weekend, but responded by seeing off the Bunnies at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Friday.

Wade Graham and Fa'amanu Brown scored first-half tries either side of a Braidon Burns four-pointer, with the returning James Maloney converting both Sharks scores and also landing a penalty to make it 14-6 at the break.

Lewis re-signs with Sharks

Currently in his fifth season at the Cronulla club and his 17th overall in the NRL, Lewis will play his 299th top grade match when the Sharks play the Titans in round 19.

Lewis has been in outstanding form for the Sharks in 2017, playing 14 of 16 matches while scoring four tries, two of those spectacular long-range efforts in his team’s last two games.

Pleased to have his future sorted for another season, Lewis was not only looking forward to the remainder of this year and to the Sharks continuing to mount a strong title defence, but also to what lay ahead in 2018.

Waqa set to join NRL's growing Fiji contingent

Waqa, who was a member of Melbourne's 2012 premiership-winning team, will take the number of Fijians in the NRL to 23 if he can convince Storm coaching Craig Bellamy to sign him after a stint with French rugby union club, FC Grenoble.

The 31-year-old recently returned to Melbourne, where his family had been living, after breaking his jaw and was offered a training contract with the Storm.

Melbourne football director Frank Ponissi said a decision would be made on whether to sign Waqa before June 30 so he is eligible to play the remainder of the season.

Bennett still wants more from Broncos

Brisbane dismantled the Penrith Panthers on Thursday night, skipping out to a 28-0 lead before winning 32-18 in an impressive performance at Suncorp Stadium.  

It was the Broncos' sixth win of the season and fourth in a row, helping the men from Red Hill recover from the sloppy 2-3 record they had accumulated after five weeks of the competition. 

‌Now with a week off from club duty, Bennett will turn his focus to his English coaching responsibilities with England's national rugby league side to face Samoa on May 6. 

Another ANZAC win for the Storm

Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr scored a try in the 66th minute to give his side the lead for the first time, while Felice Kaufusi capped off the 20-14 victory when he barged over as the clock wound down.

It was Melbourne's seventh win in eight games this season, moving them two points clear of the chasing pack.

Last year the Warriors were trounced 42-0 in the same match but showed their intent from the opening whistle and David Fusitu'a collected his first try in the 10th minute.

Warriors unable to tame Raiders

Leilua has put his hand up for a New South Wales State of Origin debut after spearheading his sides 20-8 win of the Warriors.

As well as tries either side of half-time, Leilua amassed 125m, seven tackle busts and two linebreaks as Ricky Stuart's side recorded their third victory on the trot.

While there are lingering question marks over the 25-year-old wrecking ball's defence, he received a ringing endorsement from Balmain and NSW great Steve Roach during the Fox Sports broadcast.

SBW made a mistake

Williams covered up the BNZ logo on his blues jersey in their match against the Highlanders last weekend due to religious beliefs.

NZR and the Blues have now given him permission have the logos of two banks, BNZ and Investec, removed from his kit.

NZR General Manager of Rugby, Neil Sorenson, said conscientious objections have

been in the collective employment agreement for almost ten years.