Russell Crowe famously gave the Roosters the gladiatorial thumbs down in 2009.

Coerced by skipper Paul Gallen into taking the field last weekend, Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita admits he didn't want to play in the opening weekend of the NRL finals.

Ricky Stuart has decided to return to coach the Canberra Raiders in 2014 and beyond, so what is a contract worth now?

Kiwis coach Steve Kearney believes he has the answer to a question that has dogged his team through the ages.

Presuming the more likely parts of the last-ditch plan work out, the Warriors will be left hoping one of two giant upsets occurs in the final round of the NRL.

Canberra have confirmed the sacking of Blake Ferguson after the NSW Origin wing failed to front a Raiders board meeting yesterday to explain his erratic behaviour.

The two-day rugby league extravaganza will be contested by the NRL’s 16 teams as they compete for the inaugural title and a share of a record New Zealand and Australasian sport’s purse of A$2.25 million. The NRL Auckland Nines – which will be held at Eden Park on February 15/16. courtesy Duco Events.

So the rollercoaster ride continues.

The Warriors will have to achieve something never done in their history - and may need to rely on other results going their way - but coach Matt Elliott remains incredibly bullish his team can make the playoffs.

Dare to dream. This was almost inexplicable - a stunning performance that defied the poor results of the past month and kept their play-off hopes alive.

Shaun Johnson's performance against the Raiders last night was reflected afterwards by his body.

Despite his foibles, fragility and moments of frustration in 2013, the man whose opinion matters most thinks Manu Vatuvei has improved and will "only get better".

It's one of the most enduring myths of the NRL, but this year it's become laughable.

The Warriors are set to play three NRL matches at Eden Park in 2014.

Generation next put on a show to warm the heart of every Wests Tigers fan as halfback Luke Brooks produced one of the most memorable NRL debuts in years to guide his side to a 34-18 win over St George Illawarra at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.

Unfortunately, the nature of knockout football is that we reward mediocrity by giving weaker teams a second chance.

For me, the most effective way to learn combines learning from the experience of losing or disappointment with the confidence gained from winning games and being successful.

The owner of UK Super League outfit Warrington Wolves has been in touch with organisers of the Auckland Nines about whether his side might one day compete in the event.

Rugby league star Benji Marshall has confirmed today that he is moving back to New Zealand to play rugby for the Blues.

The Kiwis selectors have a few difficult decisions ahead of them as they settle on their World Cup squad but they might be saved from having to make one of the hardest calls with Benji Marshall's switch to rugby.

A desire to please his parents was behind Steve Matai's decision to switch allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa at this year's World Cup.

Like most players, Issac Luke rattles out the line that he just hopes he makes the New Zealand side for the upcoming World Cup. In reality, he's the one player the Kiwis can't do without if they're to defend their world title.

The Roosters, Rabbitohs and Storm might loom as favourites for this year's title but I would suggest the Warriors would rather play any of those three this weekend than Manly.

The mark of the best players is not how well they play, it's how often they do it and it's something Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is coming to grips with.

Kevin Locke says he will "definitely" be at the Warriors next season.

As frustrating as it was, there were two small mercies in last night's dispiriting loss to the Sharks.

The Warriors have a bad case of Saturday night fever - and this affliction is nothing to sing and dance about.