Opinion
NRL 2024
Why Wayne Bennett loves the game, but doesn’t chase the game
He’s into his fifth decade as an elite coach, but Wayne Bennett’s traits suit the way the modern game is played.
- by Roy Masters
Latest
Opinion
NRL 2024
NRL rule changes are messing with players’ minds
In the high-pressure match environment players are struggling to comprehend and understand “policy tweaks” to how the game is officiated.
- by Roy Masters
Analysis
NRL 2024
TV hides the blemishes, but NRL living large thanks to halo effect
The schedulers of the NRL’s draw deserve much credit for an exhilarating start to the season by successfully building on the Las Vegas showcase.
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
NRL 2024
The game has changed. Wingers’ values should be soaring like Coates
Wantaway Dragon Zac Lomax has allowed himself to be caught in a time warp of the game’s own making where centres are still more valued than finishers.
- by Roy Masters
Why Penrith’s punt at history has been helped by head office
The NRL’s new focus on the “downtown rule” threatened to minimise the impact of Nathan Cleary’s high bombs. But the adaptable premiers have already changed their tactics.
- by Roy Masters
Rebels set Wednesday deadline for RA rescue plan discussions
Legal action against Rugby Australia appears inevitable if the governing body shows no willingness to resolve the financial issues that have the Melbourne franchise on the brink of liquidation.
- by Roy Masters
Analysis
NRL 2024
Recency bias and a lopsided competition: Breaking down the NRL’s top 50
Playing positions, the form of your team and indeed who that team is all weighed heavily when Nine and Herald experts sat down to map out their list of the game’s best.
- by Roy Masters
Analysis
NRL 2024
‘Just sin, baby!’ Why NRL officials should be wary of the NFL in Las Vegas
The ‘Welcome, mate’ from American sports teams can turn nasty very quickly – as several NSWRL coaches discovered back in the 1980s.
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
NRL 2024
What the NRL needs to copy from the Super Bowl … and it’s not Taylor Swift
The NFL’s approach to deciding a game in overtime is much better than the NRL’s golden point lucky-dip.
- by Roy Masters
Opinion
NRL 2024
How rugby league rule breakers became rule makers
Former Test second-rower John Elford, who died last weekend, will be long remembered.
- by Roy Masters
Analysis
NRL 2024
Clubs push for V’landys to step up as NRL executive chairman
Peter V’landys says he has “no interest whatsoever” in a beefed-up executive role in rugby league and has backed his CEO, Andrew Abdo.
- by Roy Masters