Paul Gallen, midway through the second round, looked gone.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters has resisted the urge to stake an early claim for Kalyn Ponga's allegiance, overlooking the NRL prodigy for the 2017 Emerging Maroons squad.

State of Origin is still more than five months away but NSW coach Laurie Daley has given his first selection insight declaring Jarryd Hayne, Matt Moylan and James Tedesco will all be picked.

NRL players trialling for NFL franchises might quickly become a thing of the past.

Manly has snared out-of-favour Bulldogs forward Lloyd Perrett.

Their fans are often mocked for not wanting to travel over the Spit Bridge, but Manly's administration has crossed the famous landmark and gone a whole lot further to help a rejuvenation on the northern beaches. And it's come with the blessing of one of rugby league's sharpest minds.

The NRL has sought the counsel of its greatest competitor, the AFL, as it prepares to adopt the biggest equalisation measure since the introduction of the salary cap.

Moments after Junior Paulo took off his shirt, revealing a rippling frame almost 20kg heavier than his own, Paul Gallen spoke with a bravado befitting his second occupation.

Robbie Farah is hellbent on featuring in an opening round grudge match against his former club the Wests Tigers and will forego surgery on a torn biceps sustained at training during the week.

Former Raiders skipper and ACT Australian of the year Alan Tongue was told he was too small for the NRL, but he never gave up on his dream.

Raiders suffer major pre-season injury blow with Kurt Baptiste ruled out for an extended period after rupturing his Achilles

The last thing Sio Siua Taukeiaho expected weeks after suffering a serious knee injury was a contract extension. But the Roosters' gamble might have been a shrewd one.

A trimmed-down Junior Paulo hopes landing a blow on Paul Gallen's chin will give Green Machine supporters some revenge.

Australian, Queensland and Storm captain, Cameron Smith, will join the RLPA as a board member, adding further authority and status to a body growing in membership and credibility.

The only sure thing about Ben Barba's future, according to Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan, is that no one can be sure what it holds.

The Panthers have returning New Zealand internationals Peta Hiku and Dean Whare gunning for full fitness next year, but there is one man who doesn't want to shift from the centres to accommodate them.

Canberra Raiders trio Joey Leilua, Junior Paulo and Shannon Boyd are a step closer to leading the NSW State of Origin revival.

He's already a cult hero, but Kato Ottio wants to break into the NRL to prove he can live up to the hype.

Former NRL star and host of The Footy Show Beau Ryan fulfilled the wishes of a dying woman as he rushed to be at her hospital bed on Tuesday night.