40/20

In one of the biggest upsets in State of Origin history, the Blues ambushed the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, winning the decider 30-12. In the post-match press conference, Blues coach Laurie Daley unloaded on his critics, saying some of the criticism of him and his team had crossed the line. But was the scrutiny of his selections and tactics from the opening two matches warranted? Plus, NSW halfbac...

With the State of Origin series level at one-all, the Blues are still a chance to secure a rare series win at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night. However, the blow torch has been applied to NSW coach Laurie Daley for his selections and the performance of a side that haven’t played to their potential. So are the Blues any chance of winning in front of a hostile, sold-out crowd in Brisbane?...

With the State of Origin decider still a few weeks away, the NRL returns to regular programming this week under the watchful eye of under-fire Blues coach Laurie Daley, who will be searching for team changes in the lead-up to Origin game three. Meanwhile, speculation continues to mount around the return of Israel Folau to the game. Will we see the veteran back in the NRL? Or should he be avoided a...

In front of the largest Origin crowd in history, the Maroons have thumped the Blues at the MCG in game two of the State of Origin series. After trailing 12-8 at the break, the Maroons came out firing, launching an all-out attack to down the Blues 44-24, sending the series to a decider for game three in Brisbane. So was Queensland just too good or were the NSW team selections to blame? Today from M...

Former NRL player Kane Evans came out as gay in a raw and vulnerable interview earlier this week with James Bracey on Nine’s 100% Footy . Kane is just the second former NRL player to speak publicly of their homosexuality, following Ian Roberts in 1995. So, how will the NRL respond, and what will this mean for the wider community? Plus, with changes to both the Blues and Maroons line-ups for...

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have recorded six losses in their past seven matches and questions from fans are growing louder as to who should be held accountable for their inconsistency and lack of form. Should coach Cameron Ciraldo be blamed or does the fault land with halfback Lachlan Galvin and captain Stephen Crichton? And 'Fozball' has been locked in for the next three seasons at Manly w...

The NSW blues have claimed the opening match of the State of Origin series for 2026 - but only just. After 20 minutes the Blues were down 20-0 and the game seemed over, but after Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge in the second half, the Blues pulled off one of their greatest comebacks and escapes of all time. But should Kalyn Ponga have been sent off or did he only de...

The State of Origin teams have been selected and concern about the balance of the Blues' side is mounting ahead of game one in Sydney next week. But could coach Laurie Daley’s selections be a masterstroke given the new rules and changes to the pace of the game? And why has Maroons coach Billy Slater not only opted for a new fullback, but left Reece Walsh out of the Queensland squad entirely?...

The PNG Chiefs' signing fanfare of the past few weeks has left serious questions circulating about the Perth Bears' recruitment. With the Bears set to join the NRL next year – a year before the Chiefs - can coach Mal Meninga secure a marquee player for the Bears? And with the State of Origin teams to be selected at the end of the NRL round this weekend, the biggest question for NSW selectors...

After a rockstar red carpet tour of Papua New Guinea, where he met with club and government officials alike, Jarome Luai has become the marquee signing for the PNG Chiefs, who are set to enter the NRL in 2028. Luai will continue to play for the Wests Tigers for the remainder of this season and next, but could the news of the co-captain leaving the club derail their blistering form? Meanwhile, with...

After their seventh straight loss to start the season, St George Illawarra have finally swung the axe with head coach Shane Flanagan departing the club at the start of the week. And new coach Dean Young has wasted no time leaving his imprint on the Dragons after being handed the job on an interim basis; assistant coach Michael Ennis also exiting stage right. So, can Young turn his side's fate arou...

After years of heartbreak and upset, the Wests Tigers are on a magic run, sitting alongside Penrith as joint NRL leaders. But with star fullback Jahream Bula linked to the Bulldogs - much like Lachy Galvin last season - will we see history repeat itself? And with the Storm looking like a shadow of their former selves, is the Melbourne dynasty done? This week, national sports editor Neil Breen retu...

St George Illawarra’s fifth straight defeat means it’s their worst start to a season since the club’s merger and coach Shane Flanagan admits he doesn’t have the answers yet. Can he turn things around or will we see another coach die by the sword in 2026? Flanagan isn’t the only coach under pressure this week as Ricky Stuart’s Raiders flounder at the bottom of th...

After three straight losses, Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has been sensationally sacked by Manly. But was it fair? And how will interim coach Kieran Foran cope? Plus, as the Panthers continue to dominate, will Nathan Clearly be crowned the NRL's greatest player of all time? This week, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi joins national sports editor Neil Breen and Channel Nine's Zac Baile...

The Brisbane Broncos are the gift that keeps on giving for rugby league journalists. The reigning premiers can’t stay out of the headlines, and now we have defensive coach Ben Te’o resigning after a heated altercation with head coach Michael Maguire. So why are the Broncos imploding so close to their grand final win? And how will Manly fans react as Daly Cherry-Evans runs out for the R...

Bronson Xerri has thrown his toys out of the cot after being dropped to reserve grade by Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo. But did a breakfast with general manager Gus Gould smooth everything over? And who’s more under the pump this week – the Sea Eagles or the Broncos? After shockingly poor performances last weekend will we see them turn things around? This week, Herald l eague reporter...

The Zac Lomax circus continued this week as he inked a deal with Rugby Australia, joining the Western Force for two years. Lomax's comments about his dream of “one day representing the Wallabies on a truly international stage” left International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant less than impressed, saying “Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out”. So will...

The NRL season for 2026 kicked off under dazzling lights in Las Vegas - blinding some, but not our league experts. Here, we put players, coaches and clubs under the blowtorch for the remainder of round one. Will DCE be under the pump? Will Shane Flanagan’s honesty cost his team? And what of Zac Lomax? There was a lot more to the story as it unravelled daily. This week our national sports edi...

There are only a few sleeps away from NRL Christmas with the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm facing off in the Grand Final on Sunday. But has the new rebel Rugby 360 competition, looking to poach marquee NRL players, spoiled the party like the Grinch? And is this the beginning of a new era for the Kangaroos? As new coach Kevy Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the upcoming...

As the last days of September loom only four teams remain in the NRL competition, and by the end of the weekend we’ll know who will face off in the grand final. So now the Sharks have our respect, can they weather the Storm in Melbourne? Can the Broncos superstar spine deal with Panthers four-time champion winning half-back Nathan Cleary? And should Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase be pick...

The first week of the finals did not disappoint, and with the Roosters and Warriors exiting the competition, six teams now remain. So this week, can the Sharks earn the respect they’ve asked for or will the Raiders prove too difficult? Can young gun Lachy Galvin steer the Bulldogs to a win over the Panthers? And Victor Radley has been slapped with a 10 game ban, and another $30,000 fine. Mic...

Finals footy is here and although grand final day is only four weeks away, no one can settle on a favourite to lift the trophy. Will the Bulldogs return to form as Sexton comes back in and Mahoney is axed? Will the Warriors fans rattle the Panthers in Auckland on their quest for five premierships in a row as they start from the back of the pack? And will we see ‘Big Papa’, Josh Papalii...

In a special bonus episode of 40/20, Michael Chammas comes to you with breaking news from the NRL. The Newcastle Knights are in crisis as star fullback Kalyn Ponga's management is in talks with New Zealand Rugby Union teams about a sensational code switch, while Knights coach Adam O'Brien's time in Newcastle looks all but over at season's end. Today, Nine Publishing's national head of sport Neil B...

Well, in an almost perfect performance Queensland have ambushed New South Wales to claim the Origin series for 2025. The decider will go down as one of the Maroons most empathic performances, defeating the Blues 24 points to 12 in Sydney.  The contest effectively over at half-time with Queensland leading 20 nill.  So how did Queensland turn it all around from Game 1?  And where did...

Well no one saw this coming but State of Origin 2025 is one all, and we are off to a decider. Queensland defied the odds after an emotional build up to game 2, holding on to defeat New South Wales in Perth… but only just.  So can the new Maroons captain, Cameron Munster, inspire his state again?  Or can the Blues finally deliver an 80 minute performance and lift the shield at home...