Rugby League

Brisbane Broncos  In both the pack and backline, it’s Brisbane with the trump card heading into Sunday afternoon.   Payne Haas’ 2025 campaign can’t be put into words and the work he gets through around the ruck in this one will be instrumental in unlocking the Broncos ace card the spine; fullback Reece Walsh.   His speed and ballplaying ability puts enormous pressure on edge defenders and while Melbourne’s systems are some of the best in the NRL, it’s surely a spot Walsh will feature on Sunday.   Brendan Piakura and Jordan Riki offer different qualities as line running backrowers but they both…

The countdown now begins for the NRL Grand Final as the whole season comes down to the heavy weight bout between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm. Now without our beloved Warriors in the mix, many Kiwis around the country will be watching from a neutral position, unless you’ve got personal ties to either team. But if you don’t, finding yourself without a side on Thursday afternoon of Grand Final week isn’t a bad place to be. It gives you the chance to decide who you might want to root for in the big showdown. On the flip side,…

Reece Walsh’s speed unfairly magnified the defensive issues on Canberra’s right edge last week. Still, those issues remain here and they line up against Cronulla’s preferred left edge in attack.  Braydon Trindall was a bold inclusion for the Sharks last Saturday (given the form of Daniel Atkinson the week before) but his ballplaying was superb to feed his winger two tries against a jamming Easts right edge. Trindall and Nicho Hynes also threatened to tip Teig Wilton over a few times playing short at a sliding defensive line and I’m expecting more of the same here.   With Wilton holding up…

Injuries have disrupted the preparations of both teams heading into Friday night.   Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri are big losses for a Canterbury side that typically gets great value out of their outside backs in yardage. Blake Wilson and Jethro Rinakama are handy replacements and are both blessed with speed, but neither will carry the Bulldogs out of trouble like the men they’re replacing.   Meanwhile, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen leave enormous holes in Melbourne’s spine. Their absence likely forces a change to how the Storm look to attack in this one, and fortunately for Melbourne that plays right into…