Steven Birchall

Wayne Baxter has been reappointed captain for the Singapore Memerang’s upcoming tour to Vanuatu. sgnrl.sg/baxter-to-lead… #RugbyLeague #Singapore #Vanuatu

The SGNRL has unveiled its 18-man Memerang squad for the upcoming clash against Vanuatu in Port Vila this June. sgnrl.sg/singapore-rugb… #RugbyLeague #Singapore #Vanuatu

2026 @JRL_JAPAN National Cup kicked off today with a round-robin in Muzumoto. Unsurprisingly, last year's premiers (Black Bunnies) defeated the two new clubs for 2026. Edo Cranes 30-10 Tokyo Walnuts Black Bunnies 32-4 Tokyo Walnuts Black Bunnies 48-0 Edo Cranes

Vanuatu’s national stadium, Korman Stadium, has been named as the host venue for the Singapore Sunbirds and Memerang matches against the Vanuatu Men's and Women's teams. This is the first time a Rugby League international has been held at the venue. #RugbyLeague #Singapore

@chasingroospod Not enough international RL ones...

It’s official. There are too many NRL podcasts.

@chasingroospod As we've seen with the last two Vegas events, and even with Magic Round, two games seems to be the upper limit for most fans. Going back to a Double Header is possibly the 'ideal' scenario in terms of keeping bums on seats. Does limit travel numbers though.

I honestly agree this sentiment for double and triple headers. 2 games over 2 nights would solve this (but probably cause some other problems as well)

@rlexpanda @chasingroospod Would be such an easy sell in Salt Lake with the large Tongan and Samoan communities in the region. Strategically the smart approach would be to play the Test at the end of the year and use that to promote sales to NRL in Vegas event.

@chasingroospod Better to take that somewhere else as an extra game, not instead of clubs. Salt Lake would be huge.

Let’s take Tonga vs Samoa to Vegas next year.

Great seeing Phil Browne get the opportunity to coach one of the Singapore squads.

@rlexpanda Sunshine Coast hasn't hosted an NRL Premiership match since 2023, Central Coast has had 2 (or less) each year for the past four, so hardly huge numbers. In the case of SC, the likes of Bathurst & Mudgee are better looked after then them.

@stevenbirchall The get fully fledged first grade games every year, usually multiple. They should be where the most lazy, uninterested clubs take their trial games - the clubs who now just use their home grounds every fucking year. No surprise the Tigers are top of that list. Waste of space.

This is the list of NRL pre-season venues for 2026. 3 genuine regional/expansion venues out of 16 games. If/when the NRL or its clubs ever tell you they want to grow the sport or support bush footy, they’re lying to you. Every time. #nrlpreseason

@paulmac_78 @rlexpanda Unfortunately, it wasn't every game, but they definitely put an emphasis on taking games to regional centres, especially the Semis and Final. In 95, the venues were Redfern, Parramatta, Newcastle, GC, Coolup, Inverell, Vegas, West Wyalong, Cobar & Albury.

@rlexpanda I’m old enough to remember the Tooheys Challenge where every game was played in the bush

@paulmac_78 All three newcomers have had strong first rounds. Will be interesting to see how they go depth wise come mid-season, but at least this weekends results show that their top squads are competitive.

Bradford and York making a good case for the expanded 14 team Super League

@paulmac_78 That's a huge reduction in just a few years. It was only back in 2023 they had 15 core + an invitational/host team. I imagine it takes a lot of interest out of some of the tournaments when the host nation isn't represented on the field.

The Rugby World Sevens only has 8 nations competing. Has shrunk so much from what it used to be.

@CamDonDuncan I feel sorry for whoever takes up the mantle next as they have zero opportunity to try and build playing combinations or implement a playing style prior to the tournament. Even having a hit out against a Wales or France would be better than nothing.

I wonder if Wane would have stepped down if… - England had 2 mid season internationals - England had a warm up game when they touch down in Australia - England had numerous camps throughout the season The England set up are not being given the best chance of success.

Thirdly, a number of representative fixtures have been announced. Locally, Brazil will host the Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans from the US and Oxford & Lancaster Universities from the UK. The Carcarás will also play Cambridge University, Germany Exiles & Poland in the UK.

Second, a new regional league has been announced - Liga Mantiqueira. The new league, which will kick off in March, will feature teams from Sao Lourenco, Itamonte, and Carmo de Minas.

Some encouraging news coming out of Brazil this week. First, the BRL has announced that the Brazil National Championship will return for the first time in 3 years. The tournament will feature 3 regional teams and play Men's, Women's & U17s.

Surprised not to see more noise about this partnership between the NRL and National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) heading into Vegas 26'. Looking forward to seeing some College Rugby players & teams in the Vegas 9s as a result. ncr.rugby/news/ncr-opens…

@LeagueScenePod He's combined the two figures that Stephen Kamper put out in June of it being between 4.5m-14m a year. espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id…

NSW Premier Chris Minns has revealed it would cost taxpayers $14.5 million for South Sydney to break it's contract at Accor Stadium and move to Allianz. Minns said he would like to grant the request and is working with South Sydney but said "the contract's got to be honoured."

Great signs for Rugby League in the Philippines with two new clubs set to join the PNRL Shield in 2026. The Subic Dolphins & Capital Warriors are set to join this year's 5 teams (Manila Storm, Mataki City Gorillas, Pampanga Panthers, Cavite Braves & Pacific Kumuls)