Canberra Raiders NRL News

Josh Papalii returns from injury to inspire Queensland in a decisive Origin match after near retirement.

The Daily Telegraph

Josh Papalii will climb out of a hospital chair in a bid to inspire a Maroons 45-year miracle after Ricky Stuart revealed the Raiders hit man almost rejected a Queensland Origin swan song.

This masthead can reveal the series of phone calls between Stuart, Papalii, Queensland coach Billy Slater and Canberra's medical staff that triggered one of Origin's great comeback stories.

Papalii will end a 1092-day absence from the Origin arena after coming out of Maroons retirement to spearhead Queensland's pack in the Sydney decider this Wednesday night.

But Papalii's Artie Beetson-style...

See more...

Adam Doueihi dismissed rumors of a falling-out with coach Benji Marshall, calling the incident exaggerated.

The Daily Telegraph

Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi has spoken up about his relationship with embattled coach Benji Marshall to rubbish suggestions of a falling-out between the pair.

It had been widely reported that the coach and his utility star had been involved in a fiery exchange at training in the lead-up to the round 16 match against Canberra during an opposed session.

Marshall joined the players in defence and tackled Doueihi with considerable force.

So I texted Doueihi to get his first-hand version of the story.

Here's his reply: "Buzz, it's been blown out of proportion.

"It may have been a tackle...

See more...

Canberra Raiders lead the table after seven victories, with key players excelling and demanding respect.

The Canberra Times

The Canberra Raiders are two points clear atop the table after a seventh-straight victory, and going into a bye week with their strike players like hat-trick hero Kaeo Weekes and speedster Xavier Savage in top form, the team has vowed to keep the dream season going.

As coach Ricky Stuart said following the 28-24 win over St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday, the "self-confessed experts" in pre-season didn't know what was building in the capital this year, but now the results are stacking up, the Raiders are demanding respect.

See more...