NRL

NRL: Level of scrutiny biggest challenge for officials says new refs boss

Announced in the role on Wednesday, Maxwell said there were "not many other sports worldwide" where officials are under the same scrutiny as the NRL.

The NRL has failed to come to an agreement with its referees after scrapping the two-referee system.

"It's a challenging sport," he said. "As previous people have been in these shoes they ... try and create an environment that is not about the officials and get the balance between the continuity of the sport and the compliance levels."

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Stacked roster means all Raiders spots up for grabs

After a challenging 2020 season in which Canberra fell a game short of a return to the grand final, the depth at the club has been boosted by the performances of several younger players in an impressive second half of the year.

Croker even includes his own spot as one that will have to be won back.

The likes of Matt Timoko and Harley Smith-Shields are doing the hard yards at training to stake their claim for Croker's centre position in the opening rounds of 2021 while the 30-year-old continues his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery.

Panthers boss adamant contracts won't disrupt 2021 campaign

The NRL runners-up will return to pre-season training on December 14 but much of the focus throughout the side's break has centred around their young off-contract stars, including Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai.

Fletcher maintains the Panthers, aside from losing skipper James Tamou, should be in a position to challenge for the title again in 2021 after falling short in October.

Souths season continues

The Eels led 18-8 at half time much to the delight of the home crowd before Damien Cook fired up the Rabbitohs with a hand in three tries as they rattled up 30 points in 40 minutes after the break.

Parramatta's week started with first Maika Sivo being lost to injury, then Blake Ferguson being scratched as well, before Michael Jennings was suspended yesterday for failing a drugs test.

A showdown with minor premiers Penrith next Saturday night is their reward, Wayne Bennett once more delivering them to within 80 minutes of another grand final.

Star Penrith forward Viliame Kikau banned by NRL judiciary for dangerous tackle

Kikau was on Tuesday night found guilty at the NRL judiciary of endangering Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and banned for one match.

The suspension came after his legal team failed with their argument that the Sydney Roosters prop had contributed by dipping his body and making the situation look worse.

The verdict comes as a blow to Penrith's hopes of playing in their first grand final in 17 years, given Kikau is the most damaging second-rower in the competition.

Fears rugby league players from region missing out on NRL due to Covid-19

The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on the domestic game in Aotearoa, with the national secondary schools and youth tournaments among a host of events to be cancelled.

Experienced administrator and rugby league agent, Jordan Friend, said the coronavirus has been devastating for the development of young players in New Zealand.

"Cancellations of these tournaments will affect players in terms of less exposure, but also mentally for kids not getting that opportunity," he said.

Warriors seal eventful season with high-scoring win

The Warriors ran in eight tries during Sunday's 40-28 win in a fitting farewell for retiring forward Adam Blair.

Blair announced on Saturday the Manly game would be his last after 15 seasons in the NRL and his teammates sent him off with an emotional haka and an entertaining game of rugby league.

Manly paid tribute to Warriors' sacrifices this season with a guard of honour prior to kick-off but did not look like they would go easy on the New Zealand club when they scored two tries inside the opening eight minutes.

Tuivasa-Sheck limps off in Warriors defeat

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck limped off midway through the second-half of the Warriors' 26-14 loss to the Raiders in Canberra with a hamstring strain.

It's expected to keep him out of their final round match against the Manly Sea Eagles next Sunday.

The Warriors were again in the contest for the entire 80 minutes.

They led 14-6 after half an hour courtesy of two tries from Peta Hiku and two penalties and a conversion from Chanel Harris-Tavita.

But the Raiders snatched a 16-14 halftime lead after two tries in six minutes.

Bulldogs stun Rabbitohs

There was no shortage of controversy with Canterbury scoring twice while Jaydn Su'A was in the sin bin for a high shot that knocked Lachlan Lewis out of the match, while a Souths try was awarded without the aid of a Bunker despite winger Jaxson Paulo going into touch before he grounded the ball.

The result puts Souths' hopes of a home final in jeopardy with Newcastle able to leapfrog them into sixth if they beat the Dragons while Brisbane drop to last and will now need to win one of their last two games to avoid the wooden spoon.

     

Tuivasa-Sheck nominated for medal for leading Warriors through Covid crisis

The Kiwis fullback is on a list of 14 nominees for the Ken Stephen Medal for outstanding community service.

He was nominated by the Warriors after leading the side through their four-month campaign in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tuivasa-Sheck – the NRL’s Dally M Medal player of the year in 2018 – was the only Warrior who did not have his family with him, and he has missed his daughter’s birthday during his enforced Australian exile.