Josh Papalii ready to step into the ring against Ben Hannant
Rugby League by Peter Badel
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Subscriber only Josh Papalii will enter the 2021 premiership in the best shape of his career after a punishing pre-season of boxing training has seen the Queensland Origin enforcer shave a whopping 15kg from his frame. One of the most feared defenders in the NRL, Papalii will test his hitting power in the ring when he squares off against former Maroons prop Ben Hannant in the All Stars boxing event in Townsville on Friday night. Papalii was originally slated to fight NSW Origin rival Junior Paulo, but the pair weren t keen because of their Samoan ties, prompting fight promoters to summon former Broncos and Cowboys premiership prop Hannant.
Josh Papalii ready to step into the ring against Ben Hannant
Rugby League by Peter Badel
Premium Content
Subscriber only Josh Papalii will enter the 2021 premiership in the best shape of his career after a punishing pre-season of boxing training has seen the Queensland Origin enforcer shave a whopping 15kg from his frame. One of the most feared defenders in the NRL, Papalii will test his hitting power in the ring when he squares off against former Maroons prop Ben Hannant in the All Stars boxing event in Townsville on Friday night. Papalii was originally slated to fight NSW Origin rival Junior Paulo, but the pair weren t keen because of their Samoan ties, prompting fight promoters to summon former Broncos and Cowboys premiership prop Hannant.
October
October 1: Veteran coach Wayne Bennett accepts an offer from the Queensland Rugby League to step into the breach as Maroons coach for the 2020 State of Origin series following Kevin Walters’ appointment as Broncos coach. Bennett last coached the Maroons in 2003.
The NRL confirms it has opened an investigation into the 2003 Dally M Medal that was not awarded due to industrial action by the game’s players’ association. The
Daily Telegraph had led calls for Penrith’s Craig Gower to be awarded the medal after revealing he would have almost certainly won the count.
The Sydney Roosters lose star recruit Sonny Bill Williams for their qualifying final against Penrith with a neck complaint.
Rugby League by Paul Crawley
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Subscriber only This is the ultimate list for every footy fan to savour as they start counting down the days to the new NRL season. It includes a young Englishman with the potential to push Kalyn Ponga out of fullback at Newcastle, and a young tearaway prop described as a new Jared Waerea-Hargreaves just waiting for his shot to start hurting people . We ve compiled a list of 80 footballing stars of the future, the top five from each club who have not yet played first grade. Some are expected to make their top-grade debuts in 2021 while others might have to wait a little longer.