Russell Packer has emerged as a prime target of the Newcastle Knights and it is becomingly increasingly likely the popular prop won't be at Mt Smart next season.

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?

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.

Ratepayers will contribute up to $12 million over the next five years towards the Auckland NRL Nines tournament, which will be officially launched today.

It's taken him a whole season to prove his worth but Tony Williams finally delivered when it mattered for Canterbury as the Bulldogs drove the final nail into Penrith's NRL finals hopes with a 34-14 win at ANZ Stadium last night.

So the rollercoaster ride continues.

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

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.

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.

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".

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.

Dominique Peyroux has proved his value as the closer for the Warriors, steadying things in the final minutes with the result on the line, but he's staking a claim for an expanded role and his coach seems ready to give it to him.

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.

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.

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.

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.