Rugby League News | Raidercast

Mon, 18th May, 2026, 9:10 AEST
Blues to Retain Crichton for Origin Opener
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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Sat, 16th May, 2026, 11:44 AEST
Watch: Bulldogs attack coach Adam O'Brien punches Suncorp Stadium widow
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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Sat, 16th May, 2026, 9:24 AEST
Potential double blow for Blues as Latrell Mitchell fails to finish game, Cameron Murray on report as Dolphins win
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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Fri, 15th May, 2026, 17:44 AEST
Walsh not done yet after positive start: Foran
Jamal Fogarty returns for Manly, pushing teenage talent Joey Walsh to the bench despite his impressive recent performances. Coach Foran remains optimistic about Walsh's future.
The Canberra Times
Jamal Fogarty is ready and roaring to make his Manly return, but coach Kieran Foran says teenage sensation Joey Walsh will still play an integral part in Manly's push for the NRL finals.
The Sea Eagles face a depleted Wests Tigers on Saturday in Magic Round and have been boosted by the return of their star halfback Fogarty from a groin injury.
But the 32-year-old's inclusion has relegated Walsh to the bench after showing glimpses of his glittering potential across the past two games for Manly.
The strong performances came after Foran initially followed in ex-Manly coach Anthony Seibold's footsteps to keep the 19-year-old developing in the NSW Cup.
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Fri, 15th May, 2026, 5:46 AEST
NSW Blues news: 12 spots up for grabs, three-way back-row shootout, enforcer to lose spot
Eight Blues players are confirmed for the State of Origin opener, with key positions still undecided before the Magic Round.
The Australian
Eight Blues players have been locked in as certainties for the State of Origin series opener with the NRL's annual Magic Round set to prove the tiebreaker for several key positions in the NSW team.
Coach Laurie Daley will name what is expected to be a 20-man squad on Monday morning, with 12 selections still uncertain for game one at Accor Stadium on May 27.
It is understood that Parramatta's Mitchell Moses has won the battle to partner Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary in the halves, beating Wests Tigers' Jarome Luai and Canberra's Ethan Strange to the five-eighth position, although the latter may be named on the bench to make his Origin debut.
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Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton is well in the frame but, like his team, his form has dipped in recent weeks and it's understood a two-game suspension won't necessarily damage the chances of Brisbane's Kotini Staggs. Staggs may now be slightly ahead of Crichton heading into Magic Round.
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