Has Walsh surpassed Cleary as NRL’s best player? Roos skipper just wants to see them together

The chance to see Nathan Cleary and Reece Walsh perform in the same team is just one of the reasons Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo is counting the sleeps to the start of the Ashes series.

Walsh is rugby league’s form player following a stunning grand final performance and a remarkable finals series, but halfback Cleary remains the premier big-game performer, according to his clubmate Yeo.

The skipper also acknowledged Cleary would be further boosted by getting the chance to unite with Manchester City and Matildas partner Mary Fowler while in England for the Ashes in October and November.

While many now regard Walsh the best player in the game, Yeo was not so fast to concede he had gone past his Penrith teammate.

Despite Walsh’s grand final heroics, when he dragged the Broncos back from 22-12 down at half-time to win 26-22, Yeo said it was impossible to ignore what Cleary had been able to do for the Panthers, who came storming home from last on the NRL ladder in round 12 to fall just short of a fifth straight premiership.

Cleary and Cameron Munster are expected to be Australia’s starting halves against England with Walsh at fullback, and Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses – who was a late call-up to the PM’s XIII team – battling for the No. 14 jersey.

“Reece has been the form player of the competition,” Yeo said. “You don’t want to put the grand final win down to one player, but geez, he was one hell of a contributor.

“He’s renowned for his attack and X-factor, [but] his defence the past five or six weeks [has been excellent]. He came up with some really big stops.

“He’s a player full of confidence. It’s one thing having confidence, and another thing to back it up, and he’s certainly done that.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing him [with Cleary]. His [Cleary’s] form was a big part of how we turned our season around.

“He understood he was going to have to shoulder a bit more of the load, and come up with some really big plays, and he did just that.

“We were sitting last at the turn [halfway through the year]. I thought his ability to get us back in, and even when things were going wrong, to keep us in the fight and ultimately come up with big plays [was incredible]. He was Dally M halfback of the year, and runner-up in the Dally M, he was just outstanding.”

The Ashes schedule will allow Cleary to catch up with Fowler, who had the chance to see a few NRL games live this year, including Penrith’s golden-point loss to the Storm, and is expected to overcome a ruptured ACL and be back playing by Christmas.

“It will be nice; I’m sure they’ll enjoy catching up, for sure – he doesn’t get to spend much time with her, but he’ll get a fair opportunity now,” Yeo said.

Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters was happy for Moses to play for the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea on Sunday, and said of his chances of playing in the Ashes: “We picked him on tour because we need him over there to play for Australia.”

“I’m sure at some stage he’ll get an opportunity,” Walters said.

“It will be my job and the other staff to keep them all hungry and competing for spots. We have good depth in all our positions.”

Meanwhile, Yeo said he was confident he could cope with the physical and mental demands of a three-Test series after another busy season where he played 21 club games and three Origin matches.

“I love it. I’m representing my country, and there’s no higher honour – if you can’t get up for that, you’re mad,” he said.

Storm grant Asofa-Solomona immediate release

Melbourne will clear Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s hefty wage from their salary cap after the Storm on Thursday released the powerful front-rower from the final two years of his contract.

The New Zealand prop has been linked to a move to breakaway rugby competition R360, and would also be expected to command interest from rivals in the NRL.

One of the Storm’s longest-serving players, Asofa-Solomona has been a cornerstone of the club’s pack since his debut in 2015. But he has been suspended for the past two grand finals, and Melbourne desperately missed his size and power in losses to Penrith and Brisbane.

Asofa-Solomona played 215 games for the Storm and won premierships in 2017 and 2020.

The 29-year-old was on a contract of nearly $850,000 a season, meaning his exit will give Melbourne room to move in their cap.

It will also prompt questions about whether Asofa-Solomona will be one of the first players to sign with R360, given the 201cm front-rower grew up playing rugby.

“I have been committed to the Storm since signing as a junior in 2011,” said Asofa-Solomona, who was named in New Zealand’s Pacific Championships squad this week.

“With over 10 years now at the top level, and given all I have achieved with the club, I have chosen to step away and consider other opportunities and new challenges. I’ve loved my time in Melbourne. I’m very thankful to all the players, coaches and staff that I had the privilege to work alongside during my time at such a prestigious club.”

Asofa-Solomona is one of two Storm stars linked to the R360 competition. Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has also confirmed talks with the rebel league.

Tigers, Eagles veterans eye player swap

Adrian Proszenko

League veterans Jack Bird and Nathan Brown are considering a surprise player swap.

Bird and Brown are contracted to Wests Tigers and Manly, respectively, until the end of 2026. However, the pair – who have both represented the NSW Blues – are open to an immediate switch that has the potential to benefit both parties.

The Sea Eagles have already plugged a hole in their pack with the signing of St George Illawarra prop Viliami Fifita. Fifita made four NRL appearances for the Dragons, but is going back to Manly, where he spent his formative years.

The Sea Eagles have been short on middle forwards, but the signing of Fifita, the expected re-signing of two-time premiership winning front-rower Siua Taukeiaho and the return from injury of Taniela Paseka will bolster the pack for 2026.

Manly have also signed South Sydney prop Davvy Moale from 2027, although the club is exploring the prospect of him joining immediately. That move would help free up funds for the Rabbitohs to complete the signing of enigmatic Titan David Fifita.

The arrival of Viliami Fifta and potentially Moale during the summer could give Manly the flexibility to consider Bird, who is capable of playing in the centres, halves, as an edge or middle forward, or off the bench. The Tigers have given the 30-year-old – who has made 173 NRL appearances with the Sharks, Broncos, Dragons and Tigers – permission to explore his options.

Should Bird head to the northern beaches, the Tigers could get Brown in return. Brown began his NRL career at the joint venture, making a single first-grade appearance before establishing himself as an enforcer during stints at the Rabbitohs, Eels, Roosters and Sea Eagles.

The hard-running back-rower has been a crowd favourite at Brookvale, where he is known for fearless kick-off returns. His aggression could bolster an improving Tigers pack in which Terrell May was nominated for Dally M prop of the year in his first season at the club.

There is a discrepancy between the contract value of Bird and Brown for next year, but it is not considered insurmountable. The Sea Eagles have just extended the contract of Aaron Schoupp and are working through delicate negotiations to extend the deals of Tom and Jake Trbojevic.

There is also a cloud over the Tigers’ biggest stars, with the futures of Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula unclear. Both players have options in their contracts that could make them free agents from November 1. Bula’s contract options go both ways, meaning the Tigers can retain him, should they choose, at a price of about $900,000 for 2027.

‘Important for our sport’: Broncos keen to revive World Club Challenge

Adrian Proszenko

Brisbane is open to participating in the World Club Challenge clash as the NRL hopes to resurrect the concept.

The match was scrapped in 2025 due to scheduling commitments, given that NRL premiers Penrith were already committed to playing in Las Vegas.

Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed the 2026 champions are keen to take on their Super League counterparts after their epic 26-22 win over Melbourne.

“We’ll have those discussions with the NRL later this week,” Donaghy said.

“We understand it wasn’t played last year with Penrith playing in Las Vegas, but we do see it as an important concept for the growth of our sport internationally.

“I’ve seen it work both here and in the UK, so we’ll have those discussions with the NRL, understand how they see it working, and we’ll go from there.”

Hull KR will take on Wigan in the Super League grand final at Old Trafford this weekend, although it’s likely the WCC will only go ahead if Wigan wins. Hull KR have already committed to taking on Leeds for their 2026 season opener in Las Vegas, which could make it logistically difficult to make a Broncos clash work.

However, the NRL is looking at ways to boost the standing of the English competition and will work with all parties in a bid to make the WCC happen.

“We will work with the Broncos and the Super League champions in due course,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“We can’t confirm the date or match at this point until the winners of the Super League are known.”

Meanwhile, more squads have been named for the season-ending internationals. Kiwis coach Stacey Jones’ 21-man squad for the Pacific Championships against Samoa and Tonga has been bolstered by the addition of several stars who were unavailable last year due to injury. They include Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.

Foran, who has retired from the NRL, will be part of one last campaign for the Kiwis.

Maroons centre Robert Toia will make his debut for Tonga, joining fellow newcomers Stefano Utoikamanu, Leka Halasima and Demetric Vaimauga. Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake have been named as co-captains.

Samoa has named a squad that includes premiership-winning Broncos prop Payne Haas, as part of a strong forward pack that will include Junior Paulo, Terrell May and Josh Papalii.

Walsh free to play, a punching ban and facial fractures avoided – the grand final fallout

Dan Walsh

Clive Churchill medallist Reece Walsh will be free to make his Kangaroos debut after dodging a grand final ban.

Walsh’s post-decider relief came as Roosters NRLW back-rower Aliyah Nasio was referred directly to the judiciary for striking following a brawl in which she traded punches with Broncos star Julia Robinson shortly after full-time.

Walsh can avoid a two-game ban for his first-half high shot on Xavier Coates – which was deemed a grade 1 careless high tackle given the Storm winger was falling into contact – with a $3000 fine and an early guilty plea.

The Broncos No.1 was named in Australia’s Ashes touring party on Monday and is expected to pip Dylan Edwards as the Kangaroos’ first-choice fullback.

Melbourne lock Trent Loiero is facing a 2-3 game ban for his grade 2 careless high tackle on Brendan Piakura, which led to the Storm forward’s sin-binning in the dying stages of Brisbane’s 26-22 triumph.

Piakura ($1800) and Jahrome Hughes ($1000) will both avoid missing any game time for low-grade incidents in the decider.

Nasio, meanwhile, is facing time on the sidelines for her part in the on-field melee as Brisbane prevailed in the NRLW grand final.

The Roosters forward clashed with Robinson and landed at least one punch that left the Brisbane centre’s nose and lip bloodied as teammates piled in.

No other players were charged over the fracas, but Rooster Jasmin Strange is facing either a $400 fine or one-match ban if she pleads guilty to tripping Brisbane’s Gayle Broughton in the first half.

Roosters hooker Keeley Davis and teammate Rima Butler were on Monday named in the Jillaroos Pacific Championship squad, with both forwards cleared of suffering serious facial injuries in a sickening head clash.

Davis’s right eye closed over due to swelling almost immediately, while Butler’s right cheekbone was badly swollen as well as both Roosters played out the final minutes of the decider.

Davis was diagnosed with a haematoma, which was able to be drained for a relatively quick recovery afterwards. Butler was also cleared of any structural damage and named as one of five potential debutants in Australia’s Pacific Championships squad, with the Jillaroos first game against Fetu Samoa on October 26.