Newcastle Knights winger James McManus will play just his second State Of Origin match next Wednesday night in a move that sees the in form winger make a decision I completely understand. McManus, who was born in Scotland, has turned his back on a walk up start in the World Cup for his nation of…
A big crowd in Perth to see the Bunnies and the Warriors has relit the calls for the NRL to expand with a return to the west the main topic of discussion. Earlier Brad Fittler suggested that the Melbourne Storm be relocated to Perth, regarding that I’m not sure what his thinking was as the…
In what has to be one of the dumbest ideas I have ever read, former test captain Brad Fittler has tossed up the idea that the NRL should look at moving the Melbourne Storm to Perth in the future. Fittler, who was trying to talk up the prospects of a having a National Rugby League…
The Queensland Rugby League have named their lineup for the third and deciding game of the 2013 State Of Origin series. As expected there have been no changes to the team that completely annihilated New South Wales in game two. The Maroons have brought Jacob Lillyman and Will Chambers into the squad though. The official…
The Castleford Tigers have announced that they have rejected a bid by the Salford Reds to acquire play maker Rangi Chase. Chase has been the subject of a number of bid by various teams over the last 18 months. He was all by one his way to Hull FC for the 2013 season before Visa…
At present a lot has been said about Origin ruining Club Football weekends as we have only 4 lacklustre games played per Origin weekend and only to keep broadcasters happy though most of these games are shells of themselves. For example Roosters vs. Bulldogs was Sonny Bill’s return to the Kennel at ANZ Stadium the…
St Helens have released the following statement in an effort to clarify a luke Walsh’s contract with the club starting in 2014: ST.HELENS R.F.C. would like to state that, contrary to incorrect reports in Australia, Luke Walsh has signed a two-year contract with the club, with an option for a further year, from 2014. Saints…
You can’t say enough about the way Sam Burgess has carried himself during his time playing in the NRL. On top of being one of the best forwards in the game, Burgess has been great with the media and fans. The big Englishman has really gone a long way to opening the door for other…
Note: Jarryd Hayne, Paul Gallen and Josh Renynolds were replaced by James McManus, Aaron Woods and Boyd Cordner respectively. The New South Wales Rugby League has named a 20 man squad heading into State Of Origin game three. After getting smashed in the second game there have been a coupl of slight changes to the…
They either look like world beaters, or the worst side in the competition. There is no in between! The Raiders are a strange side in that they seem to always be struggling to take that next step. In the past injuries have killed the clubs chances, player behaviour hasn’t helped, and the club has become…
Over the last few months I have had a number of people asking who I would select in my England side for the World Cup. Today I have decided to post the side I would take into the opening World Cup match against Australia. I have no doubt that some people will not be happy…
At 33 years of age Anthony Minichiello knows his career is drawing to a close. When you consider how many injury problems he has battled over his career, it’s almost a miracle he is still playing. Not only that, Minichiello is playing pretty damn well for the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters clearly have other plans…
Don’t yo just love the commitment that some Super League imports show their new clubs! Before even kicks a ball in anger for St Helens 2014 signing Luke Walsh is already talking up the fact that he has a get out clause in his contract if another NRL clubs makes him an offer. In an…
As the Melbourne Storm take on the Brisbane Broncos in Friday Night Football my mind turns towards two of the greatest players either club has produced. Both Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith both rate among the greatest players to every play Rugby League. Both players have built a reputation as the games ultimate winners and…
The NRL has released the following statement in regards to Manly Sea Eagles winger David Williams after he was charged by Police: The National Rugby League will await the completion of court proceedings before determining if any disciplinary action is warranted in relation to the charging of Manly player David Williams. The NRL Integrity Unit…
After being hit with a fine for breaching the 2012 salary cap the Manly Sea Eagles have made a statement on their web site. It reads: The Sea Eagles today received a fine notice from the NRL in regards to alleged salary cap breaches in 2012. The $85,000 penalty was the result of an alleged…
I’ve had some questions bubbling away inside me for some time now, and nobody seems to answer me, and this morning, for no particular reason I can think of, they seem to have begun to boil over. I just want to sit down and watch TV with a cup of tea, but my head is…
Catalan Dragons forward Steve Menzies has announced his retirement from Rugby League after an incredible 20 year career. Menzies first grade career started all the way back in 1993 and he soon made a name for himself as a wide running back rower for the Manly Sea Eagles. His combination with Cliff Lyons become legendary….
This is something we need to sit down and discuss now. With Ben Barba looking to leave the Bulldogs and head back to Queensland, we have now got to a point where a number of key players the club has invested time and money into have somehow found ways to leave the club. Sonny Bill…
The Rugby League Down South Podcast is back! Ian Ramsdale gives you a comprehensive look at Rugby League in and around London and speaks to the movers and shakers on the game in the national capital. Episode 19 looks at Jamie Sowards debut for the London Broncos with Ian talking to the former St George/Illawarra…
Mark down Saturday October 19th on your calender as it will be the first time England plays a Rugby League international against Italy. The match will be held in Salford and will provide both teams with a decent hit out as they head into the World Cup. Italy will play the match just 3 days after…
With pretty much all of Rugby Union’s interest in Australia currently surrounding former Rugby League player Israel Folau, it is pretty clear that the ARU is desperate to re-sign the former Queensland State Of Origin winger and keep him from returning back to the greatest game of all. When asked about what the Australian Rugby…
After The Super League War the newly formed National Rugby League had a problem on it’s hands. It had more clubs than it wanted and all of them were spending more money than they had. Players salaries were completely out of control and the NRL knew it had to get spending on player salaries back…
A lot has been made in the media of Israel Folau playing Union, Sonny Bill possibly going back and Benji Marshall having a whinge etc but also finding a way to keep and attract best and brightest stars to the Greatest Game of All. Now most people suggest raising the cap or as Andrew Johns…
Centrebet has join the web site as a sponsor and as a result they will be providing odds for NRL matches and representative games for LeagueFreak.com readers. With Origin two now behind us attention is squarely set on the upcoming round of NRL matches. Here are the current head-to-head betting markets for Round 16 of…
He is one of the most marketable players in the game. When he is in form, there is no doubt Benji Marshall is also one of the best Rugby League players in the world. With the Wests Tigers ridiculously questioning whether they should upgrade the contract of the best player in their lineup, the NRL…
The Sydney Roosters have re-signed Sonny Bill Williams through to the end of the 2014 season according to the Daily Telegraph. Williams made a smooth return to the game and has managed to avoid the injury problems that have plagued his career in the past. Over the last few weeks in particular Williams has looked…
Earlier tonight Rugby League Week’s Mole confirmed the previously rumoured news that Remondis will soon be announced as the Shark’s new stadium sponsor. For those who don’t know the company a quick google search will reveal: “REMONDIS Australia stands for service excellence. As one of the world’s leading water, waste and environmental management organisations, REMONDIS…
The Rugby Football League had entered into a commercial partnership with Toyota. While the financial details of the deal have not been disclosed (RED FLAG) it is known that Toyota will supply 50 hatchbacks for RFL types to drive around England in. You always know that a sporting organisation has done a fantastic deal when…
Ancient monument to wingers across the land, Francis Meli, will leave St Helens at the end of the season and join the Salford Red Devils on a one year deal for the 2014 season. Meli, best known for his time at the New Zealand Warriors a decade ago, is 34 years old and his signing…