40/20

One of the big discussion points this week has been Nathan Cleary’s foot.The Penrith superstar suffered a “stress-related bone issue”, according to the club, and his fate for the finals is still very much up in the air.Another player whose future is uncertain, but for an entirely different reason, is Josh Addo-Carr. The Parramatta star allegedly tested positive to cocaine at a random police roadside test last week and it’s the second time he has been embroiled in a drugs drama.But back to the game, the Newcastle Knights travel to New Zealand for finals week two. While the Warriors start as favourites, our panel dives into the extraordinary season of Knights coach Justin Holbrook.Today’s episode is hosted by Sydney Morning Herald deputy sports editor Billie Eder, and features panellists Adrian Proszenko and senior sports journalist Chris Barrett.
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NRL finals are finally here and the pick of the round for our pundits is the New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins game.
Both teams are electric to watch, and while the Dolphins might be the better team on paper, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi says the team suffers from a slow start to their game. The Kiwi team are playing at home and the Warriors will take full advantage.
There’s also been a renewed spate of criticism for the NRL’s restart rules, after Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant argued they were turning the game into “touch football”. Is there anything to this contention or are the players more upset about not being consulted about the changes in the first place?
Also this week, we’re loving Spencer Leniu. He’s been criticised for costing his team a penalty, but we argue his showmanship and his love for playing the villain is terrific to watch.
Today’s episode is hosted by deputy sport editor Billie Eder with regular guests, NRL reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko.
Further reading:
'PVL concedes rare ground after RLPA rebuke for questioning integrity of NRL stars'
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This week, most of the NRL chat has been about Jarome Luai. The morning after the West Tigers lost to the North Queensland Cowboys, Luai was on a plane to PNG.
The Tigers' marquee player met with the PNG prime minister, and opened a golf tournament, before he visited a Pepsi factory, a brand of which he's the face.
The problem was, Tigers officials didn't know about the trip until videos and photos were posted to social media of their $1.2 million-a-year man.
Luai won't join the PNG team until 2028, so how does this flying visit stack up against his commitments to his current team? And how much of a distraction will the PNG issue be for the Parramatta Eels – Luai's team next season?

We also talk about Jett Cleary's debut on the weekend for the Warriors, and now he's been released to join Penrith next year, could he play alongside his champion brother Nathan Cleary?

This week, deputy sports editor Billie Eder joins rugby league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to dissect the latest NRL news.
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Broncos teammates and rival players have criticised coach Michael Maguire’s decision to deny Adam Reynolds a Suncorp Stadium farewell. Reynolds has been battling a calf-injury, but completed a vital training session on Monday. The decision to deny Reynolds a final appearance has not gone down well with supporters or teammates and has thrust the spotlight back on Maguire and his relationship with the playing group.

Plus, after eight wins in a row and being touted as premiership favourites by some pundits, the Roosters were beaten by bottom-of-the-table dwellers the Wests Tigers last weekend. So are they the real deal? And is this the hiccup they needed before the finals?

And the NRL will run the first trial of its controversial kick-off rule change on Thursday night in the match between Brisbane and Melbourne. In what could be a precursor to the permanent introduction of the rule for the 2027 season, the team that concedes a try will have the option to re-start by either kicking off or receiving the football. So how will it work and do we really need another change to the rules?

This week, Sports Deputy Editor Billie Eder alongside Rugby League journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko break down the latest NRL news.

Read the latest on Adam Reynolds here.
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As the NRL competition edges closer to the finals, the race to the top of the pack intensifies. The Panthers are slight premiership favourites as the Roosters and Warriors start to mount their finals campaigns.

But it's the race to the bottom of the eight that is still in contention, and with only three rounds remaining in the regular season, can your team make it?

And the Wests Tigers have had the season from hell but it could get even worse this Sunday as they face a full-strength Roosters side sitting at the top of the table.

This week, sports reporter Billie Eder joins rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to break down the latest in the NRL.

Read Christian's latest opinion on the Wests Tigers here.
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