Simon Brunsdon

2 weeks ago | nine.com.au | Simon Brunsdon

Billy Slater is a brave, brave man. One wonders if he consulted former Queensland coach Paul Vautin before dumping captain Daly Cherry-Evans from his State of Origin team on Monday. Slater is the first coach since Vautin 29 years ago to make such a seismic statement at the selection table.

2 weeks ago | nine.com.au | Simon Brunsdon

Queensland coach Billy Slater has dumped captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in a bombshell game two selection call. Cherry-Evans is one of two Maroons axed after losing the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium. Beau Fermor is the other. Slater on Monday named a 20-player squad but Tom Dearden will start at halfback and partner Cameron Munster. Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

3 weeks ago | nine.com.au | Simon Brunsdon

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien has hit out after Knights winger James Schiller was the target of online death threats. The Hunter team was woeful in the first half of Thursday's clash with Manly and home fans booed the players off the field when they were down 16-0 at half time. Schiller had a nightmare opening 40 minutes to the game.

3 weeks ago | stuff.co.nz | Simon Brunsdon

Rugby league legend returns to NRL coachingAustralian rugby league icon Mal Meninga has been confirmed as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears. The legendary Raiders, Maroons and Kangaroos centre will lead the NRL's 18th team as it prepares to enter the league in 2027. Meninga was unveiled as the coach at a press conference at NRL headquarters on Friday morning. He confirmed he's signed a three-year contract, although the NRL only committed to him coaching the team for the 2027 season.

3 weeks ago | nine.com.au | Simon Brunsdon

North Sydney Bears legend Billy Moore has urged the new Perth NRL franchise to invest in a strong forward pack before chasing "stars" on big salaries. Mal Meninga has been confirmed as the inaugural coach of the Bears, who will enter the competition in 2027 - almost three decades since Moore's beloved North Sydney side was kicked out of the league. Meninga will now set about hiring a coaching staff, and then dive into the task of putting together the club's first playing roster.