It’s a promoter’s dream - a cross-code match between the Wallabies and Kangaroos - but there’s one big stumbling block. Neither national governing body appears interested.

Australia’s 2018 World Cup bid has received a huge boost, with rival football codes set to allow soccer first access to the venues it needs to host the tournament.

St George Illawarra will return to their traditional heartlands next year, ending their one-year association with ANZ Stadium.

The Wallabies have agreed to host France in a one-off Test next year after receiving an iron-clad guarantee that Les Bleus will field a full-strength line-up this time around.

The remaining home games of Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign will take place exclusively on the east coast, with the nation’s soccer chief saying Perth and Adelaide no longer have big enough venues.

Everybody hurts, even Israel Folau, who witnessed first-hand his holy ride in the NRL take a severe battering at the hands of Manly in the Grand Final.

Memories of his own grand final nightmare have left Manly premiership-winning prop Mark Carroll convinced the Sea Eagles can exact revenge against Melbourne at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.
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The NRL premiership will not be the only thing on both Brett Stewart and Billy Slater’s minds this afternoon. Although the two fullbacks will humbly admit it is of little importance now, the Australian No.1 jersey will also be on the line when both teams take to the ANZ Stadium.

Cameron Smith’s greatest rival, Danny Buderus, believes Melbourne will struggle to overcome the loss of their captain in today’s NRL grand final against Manly.

There can be few more motivating opportunities in sport than the chance to reverse a grand final defeat. Especially when the defeat was a thumping.

Premiership-winning halfback Craig Wing believes the battle between rival No.7s Cooper Cronk and Matt Orford will decide Sunday’s NRL grand final.

Manly’s bench have the edge in experience on their Melbourne rivals, says Sea Eagles legend Steve Menzies who will be sitting there when Sunday’s NRL grand final kicks off.

A 2008 season filled with player departures, sex scandals, whinging and its fair element of terrific football has made the NRL’s centenary year one that will not be easily forgotten.

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith today admitted the two-game suspension which has rubbed him out of Sunday’s NRL grand final was deserved, but said he still felt like he’d been made a scapegoat.
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Inglis says he’s ready to turn it on
Lyon is driven by premiership dream
Souths look long-term as they embark on Perth

Rugby league greats Clive Churchill, Norm Provan and Johnny Raper will be recognised with man of the match awards at this weekend’s NRL grand final, over 30 years after any of them played a game.

Test jumpers and NSW jerseys have come easily for Jamie Lyon, but the Manly five-eighth is hoping third time’s a charm as he chases the one honour he desires most — an NRL premiership.

Manly halfback Matt Orford’s former Melbourne teammates have dismissed suggestions he goes missing in big games.

Cronulla could be headed for an explosive showdown with the NRL after storming to a 36-10 finals thumping of Canberra tonight.

Paul Roos was wrong when he declared recently his side would have little impact in the AFL finals, but now the tough appraisal must be made of Sydney.
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Poor crowds in finals continue
No-one has favouritism this weekend, says Burns

After the home fans stayed away in droves last week, Sydney are confident the “Bloods” will flock to tonight’s AFL semi-final at the MCG.
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Eade demands Bulldogs confront challenge
Saints keen to correct their faults against Magpies