The Canberra Raiders are hoping home ground advantage and the X-factor of a little known youngster will turn their NRL season fortunes around today against the Sydney Roosters.

In the midst of a difficult start to the season for the Warriors, Ngani Laumape has been a breakthrough bonus.

As Manu Vatuvei returns to the field today, it is looking increasingly likely that the veteran winger will be at Mt Smart next year and beyond.

I still have a close relationship with the Sydney Roosters and have the privilege of entering the changing rooms where I have seen players, coaches and CEOs come and go.

Canberra centre Jarrod Croker will "celebrate" his 100th match in the NRL by lining up against a devastatingly in-form Sonny Bill Williams for the first time tomorrow.

The Warriors got over a sizeable hurdle with their win over the Cowboys on Monday but it doesn't get any easier and the key will be approaching Sunday's matchup with the Rabbitohs with the same attitude.

The Warriors got the monkey off their back when they broke a long losing streak against the Cowboys. But a gorilla of a problem just won't go away, writes Chris Rattue.

The Sydney Roosters' big-money off-season signings finally hit their straps last night and it was Parramatta that bore the brunt, going down by a record 50-0.

Sonny Bill Williams wants to return to international league and has targeted New Zealand's test against Australia in Canberra this month to do it.

The Warriors may be without a win in eight months but they have no plans to replace Matt Elliott with Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.

Canberra co-captain Josh McCrone has hinted there may be an aerial bombardment heading the way of star Newcastle winger Akuila Uate at Hunter Stadium today.

A coach in the west Sydney junior grades once said the secret to getting the best out of Feleti Mateo was to convince him he was a ball-playing second rower rather than a playmaker. He maintained the latter term placed too much pressure on his talent.

Opinions vary regarding players announcing early in the season that they have signed with rival clubs for next year and beyond.

Huge strides have been taken by Ben Barba to return to the NRL - but Billy Slater showed what a big step the next one is.

A trough. A hole. A jam. Whatever your preferred name for a sports disaster zone, the Warriors are in it, big time.