Rugby League News

Stephen Crichton will likely remain in the NSW Blues lineup despite form concerns, overlooking standout players Staggs and Koula.

LeagueNews.co

The NSW Blues are likely to keep Stephen Crichton in their lineup for the first game of the 2026 State of Origin series, despite his struggles at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Crichton has been a regular starter for the Blues in previous years, but concerns about his form and injuries have emerged early this season.

This uncertainty coincides with the standout performances of Kotoni Staggs and Tolutau Koula at their clubs; however, reports from News Corp indicate that both will be overlooked for selection.

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Canterbury's Adam O'Brien was filmed punching the coach's box amid frustrations over the Bulldogs' recent performance slump.

The Australian

Canterbury assistant coach Adam O'Brien has been captured in a fiery coach's box moment, as frustrations over the Bulldogs' slump spilled over at Magic Round.

In the short clip, which has gone viral online, O'Brien can be seen punching the window of the coach's box at Suncorp Stadium.

Pressure is building at the Bulldogs after the powerhouse Sydney club slumped to another loss this weekend, this time against Cronulla.

The Bulldogs, who entered 2026 as genuine finals contenders, have now managed only a single win from their last eight starts.

Earlier this year, coach Cameron Ciraldo was involved in his own headline-grabbing moment in the coach's box moment at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

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Dolphins thrash Souths 32-10; NSW concerns rise over Mitchell and Murray's injuries ahead of Origin I.

The Australian

Dolphins duo Max Plath and Selwyn Cobbo charged into the Origin mix as NSW sweat on Souths stars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray after Redcliffe's 32-10 romp on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The resurgent Dolphins overcame bouts of heavy rain to conjure a Magic Round mauling of a sloppy Souths side and charge back into the top eight with their third consecutive win.

To compound Souths' woes, skipper Murray was reported for a cannonball tackle, while Mitchell hobbled off seven minutes from time in a disastrous sight for the Blues ahead of Origin I on Wednesday week.

But there were few worries for the dynamic Dolphins (5-5), who have found their groove and surged into sixth spot provisionally after Plath, Cobbo and Isaiya Katoa ran riot to inspire a 20-0 half-time lead.

The only downside for the Dolphins was a hamstring injury to pivot Kodi Nikorima that is likely to rule him out of next Thursday's away clash against Canberra.

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