The "qualifying tournament" for the 2017 Women's World Cup – to be held at the weekend – descended into high farce when three teams forfeited and the fourth claimed to have therefore qualified.

The impressive Test debuts of Shannon Boyd and Valentine Holmes have given Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga some welcome Four Nations selection dilemmas.

Former Canterbury mentor Warren Ryan says the club has put "unnecessary pressure" on Des Hasler, but believes the two-time premiership-winning coach is capable of making the changes required to transform the Bulldogs back into genuine title contenders next year.

Canberra Raiders prop Paul Vaughan accepts big money, three-year deal to join St George.

Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle concedes the club is unlikely to achieve its stated goal of winning two premierships by 2019, but remains adamant Des Hasler represents its best chance of breaking a concerning title drought.

He is yet to decide whether to pledge his allegiance to Australia or New Zealand, but Kalyn Ponga has just made an important call on his future.

Des Hasler has survived to coach Canterbury in 2017, with club legend Steve Mortimer instead the casualty at Friday's emergency four-hour board meeting called to resolve the club's future.

Raiders confident move to Canberra has powerful prop heading in the right direction.

Canberra Raiders prop to make his Kangaroos debut against the Kiwis in Perth.

He has arguably Australia's greatest exponent of centre play standing just a few feet away at training each day, but it's an entirely different message Josh Dugan has ringing in his ears from Mal Meninga.

Representing Australia has been a boyhood dream for Trent Merrin. And here is the proof.

Australian coach Mal Meninga has named three debutants for Saturday's Perth Test against the New Zealand.

South Sydney have re-signed star halfback Adam Reynolds until the end of the 2021 season.

The Canberra Raiders aren't surprised assistant Dean Pay has emerged as a Bulldogs coaching candidate.

Canberra's Josh Papalii has been ruled out of the Kangaroos' Four Nations campaign.

Jake Trbojevic is in line for a shock Test debut after being drafted into the Kangaroos squad for the injured Josh Papalii and the Manly forward can hardly believe it.

"We should not look back," Des Hasler said at Canterbury's season launch back in February, "Unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience."

Greg Bird has parted company with the Gold Coast after the Titans granted his request for a release from the club.

Outspoken Canterbury sponsor Gary Johnston believes it would be "insane" to sack Des Hasler, but his support is unlikely to prevent the club from parting ways with the two-time premiership-winning coach by the end of the week.