Latest news with #FoxLeague
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Scary': Nathan Cleary move puts NRL on notice as Panthers purr to seven straight
Nathan Cleary is back and in a big way. Everything Cleary touched turned to gold on Saturday as Penrith leapfrogged the Broncos into fifth spot on the NRL ladder with a dominant 36-2 win at home over the Tigers. The Panthers have now won seven in a row and are in the hunt for the all-important top four place, an incredible feat considering they were languishing in last spot only two months ago. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. But it was seeing their No. 7 back with the kicking tee in hand and without strapping that had Panthers fans believing a fifth straight premiership is a real possibility. Cleary was at his masterful best in Saturday's win, setting up three tries while he returned to the goalkicking duties and didn't miss any of his six attempts. The halfback hasn't kicked goals for Penrith since the round 14 win over the Tigers due to a groin injury, but being back with the tee suggests that niggling injury is now in a rear-view mirror. The 27-year-old moved freely as he tore the Tigers to shreds, creating line breaks at will with his acceleration and ball-playing mastery. 'There are a few teams in the NRL getting nervous watching that,' Andrew Voss said in Fox commentary as Cleary rang rings around the hapless Tigers. While the reigning premiers now set their sights on a top-four finish, rivals should be worried because next week, for the first time in 2025, they will be at full strength. And their form turnaround has many wondering, they can't do it again, can they? 'Penrith are travelling better than anyone in the competition other than maybe the Raiders,' Greg Alexander said in Fox commentary. Voss added: 'Rivals should be worried, very worried'. Tigers back to the drawing board The Tigers aren't the first team to have been strangled out of the contest by Penrith, but Benji Marshall will be disappointed with his side's inability to conjure anything in attack. Taylan May was held up early, and Starford Toa scooped up a loose ball, but he had no support on a night they failed to register a single line break. Their only points came from a penalty goal to open the scoring, with halfback Latu Fainu only running once before he was taken off as Sunia Turuva carted it up 25 times from the back. They don't have the squad to match it with Penrith's grinding tactics, which is why fans will be hoping they return to the free-flowing footy that works so well for them. Last week's win over the Titans gave them some breathing space in a bid to avoid the wooden spoon, but Gold Coast's win across the ditch means the Tigers are just two points clear of bottom spot.
The Advertiser
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Walters poised to become national rugby league coach
Rugby league legend Kevin Walters could be announced as Australia's new head coach as soon as Monday. The former Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take charge of the Kangaroos for Australia's first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes. Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Sunday, but expected an announcement to be made imminently. "I can't tell you anything. There'll be a decision made tomorrow," the former multi-premiership winning player said on Fox League's NRL coverage. "We'll just wait and see. Obviously I'd be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia. "It's a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We'll just see what happens tomorrow." The Australian Rugby League Commission has been on the hunt for a new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. Replacement options had been thin on the ground given ARLC rules prevent active club coaches from taking the role. That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from contention despite his interest, with Walters rocketing into the frame once favourite Brad Fittler pulled out to focus on his media duties. Cameron Smith, one of the greatest players of the modern era, had flagged his interest but is untested as a professional head coach. Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, which the Broncos narrowly lost after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a year later after the side missed the 2024 finals. Prior to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of four State of Origin series as coach. Rugby league legend Kevin Walters could be announced as Australia's new head coach as soon as Monday. The former Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take charge of the Kangaroos for Australia's first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes. Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Sunday, but expected an announcement to be made imminently. "I can't tell you anything. There'll be a decision made tomorrow," the former multi-premiership winning player said on Fox League's NRL coverage. "We'll just wait and see. Obviously I'd be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia. "It's a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We'll just see what happens tomorrow." The Australian Rugby League Commission has been on the hunt for a new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. Replacement options had been thin on the ground given ARLC rules prevent active club coaches from taking the role. That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from contention despite his interest, with Walters rocketing into the frame once favourite Brad Fittler pulled out to focus on his media duties. Cameron Smith, one of the greatest players of the modern era, had flagged his interest but is untested as a professional head coach. Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, which the Broncos narrowly lost after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a year later after the side missed the 2024 finals. Prior to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of four State of Origin series as coach. Rugby league legend Kevin Walters could be announced as Australia's new head coach as soon as Monday. The former Queensland and Brisbane mentor is poised to take charge of the Kangaroos for Australia's first Ashes tour in 22 years after the NRL season concludes. Walters was tight-lipped when quizzed about his link to the vacant role on Sunday, but expected an announcement to be made imminently. "I can't tell you anything. There'll be a decision made tomorrow," the former multi-premiership winning player said on Fox League's NRL coverage. "We'll just wait and see. Obviously I'd be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia. "It's a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We'll just see what happens tomorrow." The Australian Rugby League Commission has been on the hunt for a new Kangaroos boss since Mal Meninga stepped down to join expansion side the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. Replacement options had been thin on the ground given ARLC rules prevent active club coaches from taking the role. That precluded South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett from contention despite his interest, with Walters rocketing into the frame once favourite Brad Fittler pulled out to focus on his media duties. Cameron Smith, one of the greatest players of the modern era, had flagged his interest but is untested as a professional head coach. Walters coached Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, which the Broncos narrowly lost after a Penrith comeback, and was fired a year later after the side missed the 2024 finals. Prior to that, Walters led Queensland to victory in two of four State of Origin series as coach.
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘He's someone I idolise': Nicho Hynes reveals the meaning behind his post-try celebration in emotional tribute to Steven Munster
Footy players have been doing their bit to raise money for Try July with their celebrations, but there was extra meaning behind Nicho Hynes' dance on Friday night as he paid an emotional tribute to the passing of Steven Munster. Hynes made his NRL debut alongside Cameron Munster at the Storm back in 2019 and spent plenty of time with his father in the sheds after games. It's why he wanted to honour him after scoring a try, with the support shown by teammates and rivals highlighting Munster's standing in the game. The Sharks strike early through Nicho Hynes! ðŸ'° Watch #NRLSharksDolphins on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) July 11, 2025 'It was just a little dance that we used to do every time we had a couple of beers together,' the Sharks halfback said after he scored twice in the 24-12 win over the Dolphins. 'I've just been thinking about him a lot. I've been talking to my girlfriend about it. That could have been me. That could be anyone waking up without their dad or a parent. 'I'm sending lots of love to his family. I just remember after games at Melbourne, seeing his old man and old lady in the sheds always smiling and happy. 'It touched me a lot, big time.' The friendship goes back to 2018 when Hynes was new in Melbourne and was taken in by Munster who supported him early on and made him feel at home. The former Dally M Medal winner says he idolises the Storm champion who bravely led the Maroons to State of Origin glory on Wednesday night just days after his father died. 'I think he was meant to be on the Aussie tour that year and I think something happened and he got kicked out or whatever and he ended up coming to pre-season, which was my first pre-season there,' Hynes recalled. 'I was a nobody. I was literally there on a train and trial (deal) and he didn't have to give me any time of day, but that's not the Melbourne Storm way. They do give everyone time of day. 'He ended up having me at his house for a couple of weeks and whenever he wanted to go for a feed, he'd ask me to go for a feed. He was just someone who was so nice and caring and wanted to help out and make me better. 'I looked up to him and I've looked up to him ever since I met him. He's just someone I idolise. 'Even now, seeing the way he's handled it and went out and performed the other night, I don't think I've seen and played with a better rugby league player live – Cameron Smith, obviously – but Cam Munster… what he's gone through to do that and deliver, I'm just so proud of him.'
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
A 17-team NRLW competition could be on its way as broadcast deal beckons
Fox League presenter Lara Pitt hopes the NRLW will soon reach the stage where every NRL club fields a team in the booming women's competition. The 10-team competition has this year expanded to 12 in an all new look for the women's game, including a top six incentive. Watch every game of the 2025 NRL Women's Premiership LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. But a competition that commenced with just four teams back in 2018 could have a full slate of teams right around the corner. 'The end game would have to be to see every NRL club have their own NRLW side,' Pitt said. 'How quickly they do that will entirely come down to the way the NRL looks at it from a strategic perspective, whether there's enough talent coming through. 'I'm hoping there's the right people at NRL HQ looking at that very closely to ensure we don't expand too quickly. 'However, it's my understanding that when they negotiate the new CBA deal for the girls, which I believe is going to be done ahead of the 2028 season, that's when it looks like we could have equal men's and women's teams. 'So it's not far away. We're only five teams off.' Pitt is set to lead Fox and Kayo's weekly show, NRLW on Fox, kicking off before the season opener on July 3 between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels. This season's expansion means the Dolphins, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs are the only remaining clubs without an NRLW side, which might not be for long. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are the newest to the pack in 2025, joined by a Warriors side returning to the competition for the first time since 2020, bringing a slew of cross-code talent with them. 'It says a lot about where the NRLW is going,' the Fox host said. 'And I'm sure that rugby union isn't happy about it, but the fact is the (league) comps are only getting better.' The move of stars from union to league has come thick and fast in recent years with more women seeing potential in the game and a growing supporter base with the backing of the code. 'There are people out there that want to see what the next chapter of their careers look like, so that will only encourage more people to follow Women's Rugby League, which is really exciting,' Pitt said. 'Any coach in the NRLW that's worked with girls that have come from the Sevens program will say they are elite and they bring a great level of professionalism into the NRLW environment. 'So that's only going to be a good thing for the young girls that are learning how it's done.' The game has progressed by a mile since four teams started things off in 2018, but for Pitt, there's always room for more. 'I've dubbed it (2025) the season of more because more teams means more new faces, more rivalries and one more week of finals,' she said.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Bad scene': More chaos with ‘heated altercation' between Benji and Tigers player
Amid all the chaos at the Wests Tigers, a report has emerged detailing a heated training confrontation between coach Benji Marshall and centre Adam Doueihi. The SMH have reported that things got aggressive between Marshall and Doueihi two weeks ago after Doueihi allegedly took umbrage to a tackle Marshall made at training. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > As he often does, Marshall joined in opposed work, reportedly playing defence in a Tigers drill, with the club great turned coach tackling Doueihi. This led to a heated confrontation between the pair. 'Benji does opposed work where he steps in and plays like a half. Apparently there are suggestions that Adam and Benji during one of those opposed sessions got up and had a bit of a heated altercation,' The Daily Telegraph's Michael Carayannis said on NRL360. 'Whether it was a push and shove or verbal or anything else was exchanged but it's what happened apparently. Fox League's James Hooper believes Marshall's actions are a 'no-no' as it has the potential to open up a Pandora's box of issues. 'That's a bad scene. It's such a dangerous road that because if Benji whacks Doueihi too hard then all of a sudden, Benji's in the wrong and he's lost respect that way or vice versa, if Adam Doueihi sits Benji on his ass, what's that do for the coach's reputation in front of the group,' Hooper said. 'I just think it's a big no-no. 'This incident shows it's fraught with danger.' After a positive start to the season, the Tigers are struggling mightily having lost their last six games. Adding to their pain, promising hooker Tallyn Da Silva was allowed to walk before the mid-season transfer deadline, with the 20-year-old joining the Eels. He's the second exciting young gun to have left the club in recent months following good mate Lachlan Galvin. Hooper penned a column for on Wednesday, diving into the details around Da Silva and Galvin's exit. In that column, Hooper touched on the clique that has formed between ex-Panthers Api Koroisau, Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva was part of the reason Galvin wanted out and Da Silva was ultimately let go 18 months before the end of his contract. This was discussed on NRL360, with Hooper going into the specifics. 'I think he's let Tallyn go because there's a clique at the Wests Tigers with the senior players and Benji because Benji needs buy-in from his senior players,' Hooper said. 'That is why Benji went with keeping Api. I need to win tomorrow so that's why he's backing him in but the other factor is that he's got to keep Jarome happy because Jarome has that get out clause as of midway through next season. 'I get what Benji is trying to do.... But I think where it has caused some rumblings, is that some of the younger players do feel there might be some double standards.'
