NRL

Dynamic fullback Matt Dufty starred with two tries and two first-half assists for Jack Bird and Mikaele Ravalawa but the scoreboard didn't quite reflect a tough contest where Parramatta struggled to execute.

St George Illawarra's goal-line and scramble defence was outstanding as they displayed line-speed and aggression from the get-go, shocking the Eels and mounting an 18-0 half-time lead.

They overcame the sin-binning of Tariq Sims early in the second half, after which the hosts finally scored, to eventually kick clear.

The Australian Christian Lobby took out the ad this week in The Daily Telegraph in an effort to heap pressure on the NRL, who said no to a return to their league after he left Australian rugby union under a cloud after his explosive sacking and a subsequent court case over a number of disputed social media posts.

On their petition page, the Australian Christian Lobby write: “Israel Folau is a much-loved Australian champion who has been banned from the NRL for once sharing a post on social media that they didn’t like.

From 19 April travellers on flights between New Zealand and Australia will not need to go into Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) - opening up quarantine-free travel between the two countries.

The rugby league club reiterated on Tuesday that they will stay in Australia until 21 June.

At the outset of the NRL season the Warriors had planned to return to Auckland for their round five clash against Manly Sea Eagles on 9 April to be played at Mt Smart Stadium.

They have been beaten 32-12 by the Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground, after leading 12-4 midway through the first half.

The result leaves the Warriors' 11th on the NRL ladder, outside the top eight on points differential.

"They were a bit too good for us," Warriors coach Nathan Brown said.

"Even though we were in the game for longer periods than what it ended up, I still think we've got a way to go to catch up with those sides.

Fifita was linked to the Dragons on Tuesday after Morris left the premiership-winning prop out of his game-day 17 for a third consecutive week.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin was coy on the club's interest in Fifita when pressed on Thursday, while Morris insists he had no knowledge the Sharks prop was interested in moving on.

"It's all speculation as far as I can see," Morris said on Friday.

"We've had no approach from Andrew or his management so I'm not going to get drawn into any comment."

The NRL has been criticised for not taking stronger action after several players were concussed by high tackles. Melbourne’s Kaufusi remained on the field after clocking Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson, who took no further part in the game and is sidelined for this weekend’s clash with Cronulla. Kaufusi escaped with a two-game ban after entering an early guilty plea to a grade-two dangerous contact charge.

South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds was also knocked out of the game after copping a high hit from Manly’s Keppie on Saturday night. Keppie also remained on the field.

The dual Dally M Medallist, NSW State of Origin and Australian test star on Monday became a convicted rapist. Stints representing state and country, flying high in the NFL or chasing an Olympics rugby sevens dream in Fijian paradise faded from view.

A Sydney jury found the 33-year-old guilty of sexual intercourse without consent of a woman in her Newcastle home in 2018. It was the same night as the NRL grand final and Hayne had been at a buck's party.

He denied any criminality, but said he regretted what happened between the pair.

For at least the next two seasons and effective immediately, the club's home ground in Penrith will be known as BlueBet Stadium.

"For a number of years Panthers intentionally retained the naming rights to our home ground," Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said.

"However the significant and ongoing financial impact of COVID-19, combined with the considerable investment from BlueBet, made this a fantastic opportunity we simply couldn't pass up.

Taumalolo will seek further medical advice before deciding the appropriate course of treatment but the club expects the Tongan wrecking ball to spend up to a month on the sidelines.

Former Warrior Lachlan Burr and back-rower Shane Wright have been included in the reserves for the Saturday's clash with the Dragons and will come into calculations to replace Taumalolo.

It's capped a delicate week for Taumalolo, who was publicly questioned by Cowboys coach Todd Payten following a sub-par performance against the Panthers in round one.

The 31-year-old Samoa international suffered a career-ending and life-changing spinal injury 14 months ago while playing for Rovers in a preseason friendly.

Former Hull KR, Sydney Roosters and Penrith prop Masoe damaged two vertebrae in an innocuous tackle but within months astounded doctors who warned he may never walk again by taking a few unaided steps.

However, he has now been diagnosed tetraplegic, which means he has partial or total loss of use of all four limbs and torso. He can still walk only a few steps on his own and has no sensation or dexterity in his hands.