The Kiwi’s produced one of the world’s great sporting upsets to defeat the might of the Kangaroos on Rugby leagues holy land in Brisbane.

Highly-rated New Zealand forward Sika Manu’s World Cup is over following concerns he could require surgery should he further damage his cracked right eye socket.

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has sprung to the defence of his pack that was outplayed by Australia’s pensioner prop Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price in their World Cup opener.

The X-factor that could decide Australia and New Zealand’s fate tonight won’t even perform the Haka or sing ‘Advance Australia fair’.

New Zealand five-eighth Benji Marshall put the Kangaroos on notice today by declaring his fragile body was in the best shape of his career heading into Sunday’s World Cup opener.

Australian prop Steve Price rates the New Zealand rugby league World Cup team the best Kiwi outfit he has seen.

Australia’s domination of the Rugby League World Cup is fast closing in on death and taxes as one of life’s certainties. No nation has been able to wrestle the trophy from the Kangaroos since rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson held it aloft for the first time as skipper of the victorious 1975 squad.
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Beware temptations [...]

A year has now passed since the massacre in Wellington where New Zealand experienced their lowest of lows as they were thrashed by rivals Australia, 58-0.

France coach John Monie has played down his side’s “dark horse” status for the Rugby League World Cup, admitting cashed-up French rugby union’s pillaging had taken its toll on his talent pool.

France and history go together well. They seem made for each other and this is why the French are one of the most culturally significant nations in the world - even in Rugby League.

Sea Eagles winger David Williams is living a dream that was not even supposed to be realised this season. A man by the name of Michael Bani was in stellar form for Manly and didn’t look like relinquishing his position on the flank anytime soon.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal will join Sonny Bill Williams in the grandstands after being banned from the French Top 14 rugby field during games.

Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg has shut the door on a return to the NRL club by runaway forward Sonny Bill Williams.

Sonny Bill Williams’s recent “win” in Zoo magazine as “Australia’s most hated person” brought on mixed emotions.

Somebody forgot to tell the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane last night’s qualifying final probably won’t mean much. As the fourth and fifth qualifiers for the NRL’s McIntyre system, the result of their clash could be rendered totally meaningless within 24 hours.
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White [...]

With all the recent talk of Sonny Bill William’s defection to rugby union and the overtures Benji Marshall is supposedly receiving from cashed-up European rugby clubs, I am beginning to wonder if these are the same two injury-prone, 30-minute wonders that I have seen in recent years.

Redheads in rugby league are few and far between. In fact, they seem an endangered species. But that’s why it’s the more special seeing Canberra Raiders players Joel Monaghan and Alan Tongue being thrown into the limelight, for all the right reasons.

With 35 Test caps under his belt, 25 year old Rocky Elsom could one day become a true legend of Australian rugby. It is a shame for rugby lovers then that he is unlikely to reach what might have been his full complement of Test caps due to a mid-career break at Leinster in Ireland.

Melbourne Storm superstar Greg Inglis has turned his back on $1 million a year offers to remain loyal to his code, his club and his family.
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Greg Inglis’ decision to extend his stay with Melbourne was helped by the NRL looking into the possibility of third party sponsorship from government indigenous programs.