The NRL's expansion has ramifications for more than the existing 17 clubs, with Australian and New Zealand rugby talent also in the crosshairs.
In the wake of Jarome Luai 's announcement he will join the PNG Chiefs, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall revealed what he and the rest of the NRL were thinking.
The Chiefs are making no apologies for their ambitious recruitment drive ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2028, as they dangle lucrative tax-free salaries in front of players from the existing 17 clubs. On ABC radio last Sunday, Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas declared Luai's signing would trigger a "snowball effect", with more players expected to follow suit.
Luai's shock move illustrates how aggressive player recruitment is becoming as the NRL expands to 19 teams . The race for talent has intensified, which also has ramifications for rugby in Australia and New Zealand. The best players emerging from rugby's junior ranks have been in the NRL's crosshairs for some time, and will continue to be, as 19 clubs look to fill roster spots and pathway squads.
Adding to the challenge is the fact rugby and league co-exist in the "dual athlete" era at the underage level, meaning a considerable number of players are involved in both sports. Across the Tasman, there is increasing concern about rugby's ability to hold onto its juniors and attract the best talent to the game amid the opposition it faces from the rival code.
The Warriors' popularity is surging, and the NRL is strongly considering a second New Zealand-based franchise as part of its expansion plans. If dyed-in-the-wool Australian rugby fans scoff at the threat the NRL poses when it comes to player recruitment, they only needed to watch Manly's clash with Penrith on Sunday night.
AAP: Dan HimbrechtsHelping to pilot the Sea Eagles' attack in the halves was Joey Walsh, who played fly half for the Australian Schools and under-18s rugby team in 2023. The 19-year-old gave a glimpse of his ball-playing ability, producing a brilliant offload in the lead-up to the Sea Eagles' second try in their 18-16 loss to the Panthers.
Rugby Australia is in its best position in decades to bankroll player retention strategies and invest in junior pathways after announcing a $70.6 million surplus and cash reserves of $31.4 million for the 2025 financial year. It can also look forward to the windfall that will come with hosting the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029, respectively. RA has wisely outlined there will be no reckless spending, suggesting it has learned from past mistakes.
But when RA does loosen the purse strings, funding ways to keep its best juniors in rugby must be a priority. As NRL expansion bubbles away, two of its former stars were used as poster boys during Super Rugby Pacific's round 12 last week. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Zac Lomax were front and centre in the promotion of the NSW Waratahs' clash with the Western Force in Sydney on Friday night.
But if any diehard NRL fans watched on TV or were among the 10,096 spectators who attended the match, they witnessed a lacklustre contest that went the way of the Force, 20-17. Even Force coach Simon Cron admitted it was a "tough watch", while also describing his side's win as "ugly". Getty Images: Cameron SpencerNeither Suaalii nor Lomax had an impact, although there were limited opportunities for the ex-NSW State of Origin teammates as the match was a slog.
Importantly, however, Suaalii got through 59 minutes unscathed in his first appearance since injuring his hamstring before the Waratahs' round-four match against the Hurricanes in early March. He needs match fitness under his belt ahead of a heavy Test season with the Wallabies, and will benefit from the run against the Force. He made mistakes against the Waratahs, such as a no-look pass that went into touch, but will learn from the experience.
When positioned on the blindside wing, Lomax was intelligently used as an aerial threat off box kicks and showed he could break the defensive line when chiming in during first-phase attack. Two starts for the Force should not guarantee Wallabies selection, however, Lomax is making progress only two months after switching from league. The Force's win keeps it in the hunt for a finals berth, despite occupying 10th spot on the standings with 18 points and a 4-6 record.
The team is seven points outside the top six, ahead of three matches at home during the final four rounds of the regular season. The Waratahs are also in finals contention, as they are in eighth place on the standings with 20 points. As Lomax's code switch continues to attract attention, one of his Force teammates has quietly gone about his business.
Dylan Piestch was superb for the Force against the Waratahs, scoring two tries and getting through a mountain of work on the opposite wing to Lomax. Pietsch's game has reached new heights at the Force since he moved west from the Waratahs after the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The talk about who will be the Wallabies' first-choice wing pairing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup makes for an interesting debate, with Lomax and Mark Nawaqanitawase expected to be in the mix, alongside Max Jorgensen. Brumbies fall again ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was reluctant to offer excuses about his side's form slump following Saturday night's 30-21 loss to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
It was the Brumbies' third straight defeat, and they dropped from fifth to sixth position on the standings with a 5-6 return from their 11 matches. The result also meant the Brumbies were bumped off as Australia's top-ranked side in the competition, with the Reds climbing to fourth. Larkham faced an uphill battle before the season started, knowing he would be without Wallabies Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper following their overseas moves.
Tom Hooper left the Brumbies to join Exeter last year. The Brumbies seemed to be coping with the trio's absence when they were 5-3, but Larkham noted the fatigue of the season had taken its toll on the younger players who had stepped into the breach. Injuries have not helped either, with back-rower Charlie Cale ruled out for a lengthy period following the Brumbies' most recent win in round nine against the Highlanders.
The Brumbies went down 30-21 to the Reds in Brisbane. The Brumbies had their chances against the Reds, having fought back on the scoreboard to seize a 21-20 lead with 25 minutes left in the match. But the Reds finished over the top of their opponents, scoring a converted try and penalty goal to clinch victory. It was an improved performance from the Brumbies, who were outclassed 45-12 by the Hurricanes in their previous start during Super Round.
A buoyant Force squad awaits Larkham and his troops, who will need to arrest a poor home record when the two teams meet at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
Please follow us on Google to support us Rugby Png Chiefs Jarome Luai Wests Tigers Perth Bears Rugby Union Nrl Expansion Michael Chammas Zac Lomax Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Act Brumbies Nsw Waratahs Queensland Reds Western Force Sydney Brisbane New Zealand Warriors
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cody Ramsey’s Remarkable NRL Comeback: Defying Ulcerative Colitis and Doctors’ DoubtsSydney Roosters winger Cody Ramsey has completed one of the most inspirational comebacks in NRL history after overcoming a debilitating battle with ulcerative colitis. Despite doctors telling him he would never play again, Ramsey’s determination and mental resilience saw him return to the top grade, proving that perseverance can triumph over adversity.
Read more »
Cody Ramsey's Inspirational NRL Comeback After Battling Ulcerative ColitisSydney Roosters winger Cody Ramsey has made an emotional return to the NRL after a grueling battle with ulcerative colitis, overcoming severe health challenges, including a 27kg weight loss and multiple surgeries. His journey, marked by resilience and determination, culminated in a standout performance against Brisbane, defying doctors' predictions that he would never play again.
Read more »
‘Don’t know what team was out there’: Benji fumes at poor Tigers as Luai denies big contract claimNRL: Tigers coach Benji Marshall speaks post game after a disappointing loss to the Cronulla Sharks.
Read more »
Australian Research Offers New Hope for Traumatic Brain Injury PatientsGroundbreaking Australian research utilizing nasal cells to regenerate damaged brain tissue is showing promising results in clinical trials, potentially offering a cure for traumatic brain injury within five years. The research, stemming from Griffith University, has already demonstrated success in restoring movement to paralyzed patients and is now being applied to brain injuries, offering hope to hundreds of thousands of Australians.
Read more »
Fiona Pardington’s portraits of the lost birds of Aotearoa New ZealandPortrait-style photos of stuffed extinct or endangered birds will be exhibited at the 2026 Venice Biennale
Read more »
Dialysis units across Australia and New Zealand forced to ration lifesaving careDialysis units across Australia and New Zealand are being forced to ration lifesaving care for patients with kidney failure, according to a major new report which has warned of a 'significant threat' to patient safety.
Read more »