Australia Rugby League

Ex-Wallabies star Israel Folau set for two more legal battles upon return to Australian rugby league

Palmer’s Mineralogy company is bankrolling Folau’s proposed bid to play rugby league for the Southport Tigers in Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition this year.

The 32-year-old the dual international, who had his contract terminated by Rugby Australia (RA) in 2019 after saying “hell awaits” gay people in a social media post, is hoping to play for the Tigers alongside brothers John and Eni in the third-tier competition.

Palmer has indicated he wants Folau to be on the field for Southport’s clash against Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park this Saturday.

Delayed NRL season set to affect 2021 World Cup

RLWC2021 CEO Jon Dutton confirmed during an international teleconference with journalists that the dates and venues for matches had been finalised but plans to announce ticketing details have been delayed due to uncertainty over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dutton said he was still confident of meeting the stated goal of selling 750,000 tickets for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair World Cup events but prices may be revised as the economic downturn caused by the global health crisis is expected to leave fans with less money to spend.

Fiji hope to replicate Tonga's rugby league success

That's the belief of Bati coach Brandon Costin, who watched his team rout a star-studded Samoa 44-18 in Auckland last Saturday.

Fiji now have the opportunity to lift the Oceania Shield if they defeat Papua New Guinea in their final pool B clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

The triumph would also clinch promotion into the Oceania Cup next year, which will result in Tests against New Zealand and Tonga in pool A.

The Kangaroos won't participate because of their tour to Europe.

Australia names PM teams for inaugural Fiji matches

The annual fixture had been played in Papua New Guinea since 2005 but with the Fiji National Rugby League gaining traction in its efforts to get a team into Australian domestic competitions, a match has been organised in Suva.

It will mark the first time Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's men's and women's teams will take on their Fiji counterparts for the first time.

Cronulla Sharks skipper Wade Graham will captain the men's side, which includes 12 debutants.