Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker aiming for second straight Canberra Cup.

Canberra Raiders boss sees benefits of football department spending cap provided it allows for innovation.

The NRL has warned Canterbury it will not receive its $110,000 appearance fee if they continue to rest stars David Klemmer and Josh Reynolds at the Auckland Nines.

On a day that sorely missed the flare of Shaun Johnson, North Queensland sensation Kalyn Ponga showed why Newcastle offered him a $3 million dollar deal over five years despite just two NRL games to his name.

Former dual international Craig Wing predicts Ben Barba will benefit personally and professionally from his own cross-code switch, although one of the troubled star's long-time teammates has questioned the motives behind the move.

• Live

Follow full live coverage of the fourth edition of the NRL Auckland Nines from Eden Park.

A day after signing a contract that made him the highest-paid player yet to play NRL, Mosese Suli was at Rookwood Cemetery honouring the memory of the man who made it possible.

The NRL has changed the way it views a shoulder charge, saying the amendments make things "clearer and simpler for fans and players".

Canberra Raiders and Kiwis veteran Jeff Lima will hang up the boots at the end of the 2017 NRL campaign.

Blake Austin is one of the headline acts but could spend much of the Auckland Nines wrapped in cotton wool.

Ryley Jacks has put the tools aside to chase an NRL career with Melbourne Storm.

The players' union has formally tabled its intention to fight for a guaranteed share of the game's revenue as Johnathan Thurston spoke of the playing group's frustration in having to decide their futures without knowing a salary cap figure for next year.

The NRL has removed the grey area from the controversial shoulder charge interpretation, making changes to the rule after a season marred by inconsistency.

The nine big questions heading into the fourth edition of the NRL Auckland Nines this weekend.

Hayne's pursuit of an NFL career in 2015 was considered one of the biggest sporting achievements by an Australian athlete.

• ANALYSIS

In most professional sports, tailored suits with delicately woven club motifs have replaced those old striped jackets with wired pocket insignia but the blazer mentality lives on in rugby league.

So Ben Barba should be pilloried for signing a big-money deal with French rugby? Give me a break.

A year ago Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt were slapped with 12 month State of Origin bans. Now Queensland great Trevor Gillmeister believes the Maroons must embrace the Brisbane pair this year to plan for life after Johnathan Thurston.

Gold Coast star Jarryd Hayne has nominated former club Parramatta as one of the teams to beat at this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines.