Johnathan Thurston believes playing every minute of 2011 entitles bantamweight halfback Ray Thompson a shot at taking over the No.7 jumper he has made famous at the Cowboys. Thompson’s fitness …

Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne will be given until match day to prove his fitness for the Eels’ NRL opener against Brisbane but captain Nathan Hindmarsh expects him to be ruled out. …

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin says high-priced Parramatta recruit Chris Sandow is a game-breaker – not a defensive risk – and will not be targeted by his players in Friday night’s …

Unheralded forward Nick Slyney has bulked up considerably for his second crack in the NRL for Brisbane against Parramatta on Friday night. The 23-year-old from the dairy township of Melanda …

Manly players are ready to move into a new era for the NRL club, declaring they want to create their own legacy without the man who brought most of them …

New Zealand Warriors coach Brian McClennan is unflinching in his faith that his injury-hit side can do the business up front against NRL premiers Manly on Sunday. The Warriors will …

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens insists he has more to worry about than his former players Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita when his NRL side meet Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval …

Star fullback Josh Dugan says a belief Canberra have the makings of an NRL premiership-winning side was a major factor behind him committing to the club for another two seasons. …

Brisbane have been forced to make a late change to their NRL squad to play Parramatta on Friday night with interchange forward Scott Anderson pulling out with a back injury. …

Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce is in awe of his team’s forward pack, particularly their front-row rotation which he believes is up there with the best in the NRL. The …

Star fullback Josh Dugan says the potential in the Canberra Raiders team is the main reason why he’s agreed to a new two-year contract with the NRL club. Dugan has …

Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne hasn’t given up on playing in the Eels’ NRL opener against Brisbane with the star fullback completing a training session on Thursday morning. Hayne has a hamstring …

The Cronulla Sharks and Auckland Vulcans have been installed as joint $4.25 favourites with online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au to take out the 2012 NSW Cup which gets underway this weekend. However, …

Record rains could yet prove a dampener, but NRL officials are banking on a blockbuster opening to the 2012 season to continue the code’s march into a bold new era. …

Michael Gordon is desperate to wear the Panthers No.1 jumper – but he denies missing out on the fullback spot for Penrith’s NRL season opener will force him out of …

Kieran Foran says Manly are not missing the presence of Des Hasler and claims training has been harder under new coach Geoff Toovey. Hasler ended a 27-year association as a …

Brisbane NRL centre Jack Reed knows it will be a tough ask to top his remarkable 2011 season, but not impossible. Coming from obscurity to play every game last year …

It has the portents of the immovable object up against the irresistible force – but Newcastle players deny new coach Wayne Bennett is trying to turn the Knights into a …