After three years away from first grade, Pat Herbert was ready to get on with the rest of his life but a call from Wests Tigers got him off the job site and into an NRL pre-season.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has outlined how the new interchange rules will help clubs going forward while also downplaying fears that some players may not get enough minutes due to the expanded benches.

The new recruits are on show as the St George Illawarra Dragons take on the Newcastle Knights in their first trial at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Rugby league is back!

The Run Nation Championship will see two athletes run at each other, in a sport criticised for its head injury risks. Organisers argue the championship has been professionalised, and will grow to be as big as boxing.

Earlier this week, Cameron Munster joked former teammate Cameron Smith may have taken up a Brisbane Broncos coaching gig with an eventual eye towards replacing Craig Bellamy.

Payne Haas will reportedly sign a one-year extension when he returns from the Broncos’ World Club Challenge trip abroad.

The legal showdown between the Parramatta Eels and Zac Lomax may not be done and dusted by the time the NRL season kicks off in early March, a court has been told.

The Australian Open has finished and the English cricketers are long gone, which means we’re just weeks away from the start of the NRL season in Las Vegas on March 1 (AEDT).

*Watch Josh Addo-Carr in Rivals, which premieres exclusively on Kayo Sports on March 1 after the Las Vegas NRL season opener.