The man they all came to see didn't disappoint as Sonny Bill Williams tormented his former NRL club with a starring role in the Sydney Roosters' 38-0 demolition of Canterbury at Allianz Stadium.

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.

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.

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.

The jokes flowed after some unknown Cronulla Sharks players were recently accused of taking a performance-enhancing substance for horses.

The Titans outlined their potential as NRL finalists last night with this defeat of Manly.

An emotional Shane Flanagan has been reinstated as Cronulla coach, but the four other football staff members sacked by the besieged NRL club won't be getting their jobs back.

The Warriors might have hoped Cronulla could be a little vulnerable on Sunday, given the emotional drain of the past month with the drugs investigation across the Tasman, but all of that will go out the window if Shane Flanagan is back on deck.

Warriors fans who are a little deflated by the fact their team are in the middle of a club-record 10-game losing streak should try to keep things in perspective.

The Warriors are keeping a watching brief on Todd Carney's movements and could attempt to lure him to Mt Smart if things don't work out at Cronulla.

Self-doubt is crippling the Warriors from what I observed in the round one game against Parramatta.

Rugby League Players' Association chief David Garnsey says anti-doping authorities shouldn't punish players for taking performance-enhancing drugs if they were unwittingly sanctioned by clubs.

New Zealand and Australia will bid to co-host the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, raising the possibility of the game's biggest tournament being held in this country for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Ultimate professional Alex Glenn plans to take over some of the big power plays of departed Brisbane forward Ben Te'o, starting tonight against Manly.

The NRL have lined up yet another combustible first-round clash. The Broncos are desperate to start their season on a winning note, as talk echoes around Queensland about their long premiership "drought".

Stephen Kearney admits the departure of Darren Lockyer in 2012 left a bigger than expected hole at the Broncos.

The Kiwis produced one of their best performances in recent times in a one-off test against the Kangaroos, however they still came up short.