40/20

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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After being touted as the only real premiership contender, the Penrith Panthers are now under pressure as captain Isaah Yeo starts rehabilitation in a bid to return for the finals. Yeo suffered a pectoral injury in their loss to the Warriors last weekend.

So are the Panthers still favourites to win the premiership?

Plus, after being sin-binned and publicly blasted by coach Ricky Stuart for striking in the closing stages of Canberra’s loss to Newcastle, which ended their slim finals hopes, is Corey Horsburgh set to join another team? And was Ricky’s wrath warranted?

This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the race to the finals.

Read the latest on the Panthers here.
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After much speculation, Matt King has been officially unveiled as Laurie Daley’s successor as NSW Blues coach for the next two series, with an option to activate a third if successful.

So what does this mean for super-coach Ivan Cleary, who has signalled his intent to coach at a representative level, when he finishes up his time with the Panthers at the end of next season?

Plus, with only a handful of rounds remaining in the regular season and the top four all but locked up, is there a team that can compete for the premiership with the Panthers?

This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the latest NRL news.

Read Christian's analysis on the Blues coaching here.
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