Nick Tedeschi

The six-time premiership winner, three-time World Cup champion and World Cup winning captain deserves a place among the pantheon of greats

New club with links to North Sydney will be a welcome addition but league must set them up for success to build on budding support in the west

Rugby league has a long and disappointing history in America but the trip to Las Vegas – fuelled by gambling dollars – may be different

Dally M medal winner Tamika Upton scored two tries and set up two more as the Knights twice came from behind to win back-to-back titles

A Nathan Cleary masterclass, culminating in a winning try late on in a wildly see-sawing NRL grand final, delivered a third straight premiership for Penrith

A significant part of Brisbane’s hopes will rely on undermining Penrith’s formula for defensive success

Penrith are in new territory eyeing their third-straight title but Brisbane will be fired up by the chance to slay a giant

The decision to hire Kevin Walters proved a masterstroke after the Brisbane club endured one of its darkest days just three years ago

Sustained success has played a significant role but so too has the way the club has leaned into links with Australian rules football

A record crowd of over 18,000 in Townsville witnessed a historic Women’s State of Origin clash, which was decided by a last-minute penalty try

Slater has re-instilled the Maroons’ famed State of Origin resilience but there are some tough questions about Blues coach Brad Fittler

The NSW back’s absence is a blow for the Blues and State of Origin itself – he is one of the few who are irreplaceable

Australian fans fell in love with the singer after her collaboration helped cleanse the game’s image and instil in it a true sense of worth

The Dolphins have shown the way so far this season but there are no guaranteed rewards for adding an 18th, 19th and 20th team

Failure to secure a new CBA has led to media boycotts, talk of strikes and threats to the NRLW as uncertainty hovers over the new season

The league is at odds with its players and clubs over myriad issues, with even a rebel competition in the mix

Australia wrapped up their pool matches at the Rugby League World Cup with a 66-6 win over Italy but it will not fill coach Mal Meninga with confidence

His forced absence is bad news for Queensland but Maroons mythology was built on these backs-against-the-wall moments

With five-year contract extensions the father-son duo can build the dynasty Penrith have always craved

Teams with true designs on lifting the premiership trophy probably number six at best and likely just three