Cronulla have stood down under-20s player Jayden Walker.

Kangaroos prop Paul Gallen has dismissed Australia's claims to the world No.1 ranking.

As far as build-ups to a test match go, it's hard to imagine a worse scenario for the Kiwis and coach Stephen Kearney.

Parramatta Eels staff set to be deregistered have decided to fight the NRL's salary cap punishments in the Supreme Court

Manu Vatuvei has been given leave from the Warriors on medical grounds following last week's drama when six players were stood down for breaching team protocol.

Stephen Kearney named his side in Sydney this morning.

There are a number of reported reasons why sports people take the cocktail - a main one is replicating recreational drugs without running foul of anti-doping rules.

Stephen Kearney may spring another selection shock ahead of the Anzac test - with Tohu Harris a possibility to be used at five-eighth on Friday.

Kiwis league captain Jesse Bromwich claims Warriors stood down in energy drinks-drugs saga will be back in test footy in future.

Warriors star posts to social media to challenge his critics in the wake of his club imposed ban from Kiwis test selection.

The Kangaroos are a strong chance of introducing a war dance when Australia and New Zealand host the next rugby league World Cup in 2017.

Five of the six Warriors players banned by the club have admitted to mixing prescription drugs with energy drinks.

Warriors managing director Jim Doyle says the club is "more than justified" in extending the punishment of the "gang of six" into the international arena.

COMMENT: The Warriors' "line in the sand" has turned into a deep sea trench. It feels like a step too far and it is certainly unprecedented.

Jesse Bromwich will captain the Kiwis in Stephen Kearney's just-released squad for next Friday's Anzac test. Only one Warriors player has been named.

A patched-up Warriors side exorcised some of the demons of a miserable past week with a cathartic NRL victory at Mt Smart Stadium today.

Time to swing the axe. This purge must start at the top. These are the players whose contracts need to be cut, writes Chris Rattue.

It appears that Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino and Bodene Thompson have been blocked from representing the Kiwis by their club.