A young Blake Ferguson first met Mal Meninga when he was in charge of the Prime Minister's XIII. Now the Sydney Roosters star wants to head back to Papua New Guinea with an entirely different goal.
A form dip could prove costly in terms of a second chance in the finals but Wayne Bennett knows he has a few key areas covered as the 2015 grand finalists prepare to see out the season against the Roosters.
Cronulla ended a four-game winless run and got their minor premiership challenge back on track with a strong 37-12 win over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.
The Sydney Roosters were far too good for the St George Illawarra Dragons, stampeding to a massive 42-6 victory in what can only be described as a most dominant display.
Fresh from their best performance of the season seven days after their previous benchmark, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was in no mood to discuss the cloud hovering over the soon-to-be dethroned minor premiers.
Trent Robinson didn't need anything to blow up at this time. Just a bunch of blokes standing in front of his players wearing something resembling more a red rag – rather than a Red V.
The fallout from allegations surrounding controversial gambler Eddie Hayson continues to send shockwaves through the NRL after another contact, Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan, was stood down.
The Roosters have suspended recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan after the NRL advised the club it is investigating whether he is a fit and proper person for registration.
Judging by the Roosters' 22-10 victory over North Queensland, they are the best-looking 15th-placed team I have ever seen.
Paul Green is adamant the premiers can defend their NRL title from outside the top four after a morale-sapping loss to the Roosters.
Johnathan Thurston once told Mitchell Pearce if he wanted to get close to the State of Origin shield he better find Wally Lewis' statue. Pearce surely would have reminded him his own days with the NRL silverware is fast ending.
Representative forward Aidan Guerra faces an uncertain future at Sydney Roosters after being dumped from the Tricolours side for their NRL clash with North Queensland.
So impressive was teenager Nathan Cleary's role in Penrith Panthers 38-18 win over Sydney Roosters that rival players and coaches were left in awe and running out of superlatives following the youngster's performance on Monday night.
Just one point now separates four teams vying for the top eight after the Panthers' 20-point win over the Roosters.
The Wallabies ran an opposed session against the Sydney Roosters in preparation for their upcoming Rugby Championship fixtures.
After putting his former club Brisbane to the sword, Dale Copley has put his Broncos axing behind him as he seeks to reignite his NRL career.
Referees boss Tony Archer has defended the bunker's decision to controversially deny Brisbane a try in their NRL loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Future is bright for Sydney Roosters after a thumping win over title challengers, Brisbane Broncos.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has indicated out-of-favour playmaker Jackson Hastings is set to leave the Tricolours after the NRL season.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will likely miss the club's clash with Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night.