Cronulla's captain-in-waiting Wade Graham and State of Origin hopeful Matt Prior have officially agreed to terms to remain with the premiers beyond 2017.

Newcastle have missed out on another recruitment target, with Matt Prior set to re-sign with Cronulla on a three-year deal.

James Segeyaro was still trying to get to know some of his new Cronulla teammates when he had his first field session with the NRL squad, but a familiar face also finding his feet with the premiers is adamant the livewire hooker will be a hit in the Shire.

The entry of Parramatta, who have joined Newcastle among the Sharks premiership winner's suitors, into the marketplace only further complicates the major decision that is looming for the 22-year-old.

James Segeyaro and Kieran Foran could make their long-awaited NRL returns after being named as part of extended benches for their new clubs.

Josh Dugan has starred for a resolute St George Illawarra in a gritty victory over the premiers but only after figuring in the game's latest concussion controversy.

Controversial hooker James Segeyaro has been cleared to start training with NRL champions Cronulla as his contractual dispute with Leeds nears a resolution.

They are already a premiership-winning halves pairing – now Chad Townsend and James Maloney want to prove their partnership is ready for the representative stage.

Andrew Fifita has opened up about how close he came to walking away from rugby league, describing himself as "the world's most hated man" during his tumultuous premiership season.

I know the competition is only two rounds old, however, I'm prepared to say that if Parramatta halfback Corey Norman stays fit for most of this season, he could well be a runaway winner in all of the player of the year awards.

A James Maloney masterclass and a Wade Graham hat-trick sunk the Canberra Raiders in front of their biggest first-up home crowd since 2002.

Canberra might have gone within two wins of glory in 2016, but coach Stuart is the first to tell you past results count for nothing.

Rugby league legend Steve Roach will be tuning in to watch the Raiders and Sharks for one thing - Junior Paulo and Paul Gallen.

Two weeks ago Edrick Lee reported to Raiders headquarters for training, now he has been named to play against them.

The NRL has defended the Broncos amid criticism that the utility remained on the field briefly after a head clash with Sharks forward Sam Tagataese on Thursday night.

Jayden Brailey is used to roaming the family at Southern Cross Group Stadium and jammed in at one end of ANZ Stadium when the Sharks won the grand final, but the hot seat he has now landed in won't be given up without a fight.

NRL clubs' handling of concussed players is set to come into sharp focus again after Brisbane delayed taking Alex Glenn off the field in their season-opening win over premiers Cronulla.

Wayne Bennett doesn't do the talking, his teams do. And after joking pre-match he was searching under the grandstand for his supposed lost "aura", he delivered a pointed message for his pre-season critics from Sydney. Or Brisbane. Wherever they are.

Valentine Holmes has officially been ruled out of Thursday night's NRL season-opener against Brisbane.