NRL news from around the web

This iron Rooster has been the NRL's best forward in 2026

from ABC News: Rugby League

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 at 9:33am AEST

Fresh off another act of blunt-force artistry, there can be no doubt that Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte has been the best forward in the NRL in 2026. 

Nathan Cleary goes in to bat for Phoenix Crossland over 'complete accident'

from ABC News: Rugby League

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 at 6:40am AEST

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary urges trolls to stop abusing Phoenix Crossland online over the tackle that broke his leg, saying it was a "complete accident" and confirming the Knights hooker had apologised.

The Knights and the Warriors are the life blood of rugby league

from Stuff.co.nz - League

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 at 1:00am AEST

Somewhere between Newcastle’s 12-man heroics, Nathan Cleary leaving in an ambulance and thousands of Knights fans losing their minds, rugby league reminded us what sport is meant to feel like. Mark Reason

‘It does not matter’: Why nasty hip drop tackle must be punished

from FOX SPORTS League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 9:45pm AEST

The punishment handed to Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland following his nasty hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary continues to be debated.

‘Some haven’t come back’: Brutal reveal injured Nathan Cleary will never be the same... and could be done

from FOX SPORTS League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 7:59pm AEST

The worst fears for Nathan Cleary’s future have been raised as the game’s best player starts his recovery from a shocking broken leg suffered in the preliminary final loss to the Knights.

'I'll be back': Cleary vows to return after surgery

from ABC News: Rugby League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 5:02pm AEST

Nathan Cleary thanks supporters after surgery on his badly broken ankle, writing "I'll be back" in an upbeat Instagram post. Meanwhile, Billy Slater questions the NRL over rule-changes that he says led to the incident that saw Cleary injured.

Kiwis star reveals ‘tiring abuse’ caused by allegiance switch

from Stuff.co.nz - League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 4:08pm AEST

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has lifted the lid on a ‘disappointing’ group of people that have continued to ‘abuse’ him over the years. Liam O'Loughlin

Cleary sight DCE ‘could not believe’; big win for 30,000 Knights fans — NRL Daily

from FOX SPORTS League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 3:43pm AEST

Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans says it was “really difficult” to watch Nathan Cleary suffer a catastrophic injury in Sunday’s preliminary final, with the Roosters star sending his love and thoughts to Cleary’s family.

‘Bullet wound’: Shocking details of Cleary’s shattered ankle revealed

from Stuff.co.nz - League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 2:06pm AEST

Nathan Cleary’s leg was held straight as he was taken from the field on Sunday to reduce the risk of cutting off the blood supply to his foot. Christian Nicolussi

Sandon Smith leads Newcastle out of an Immortal shadow

from ABC News: Rugby League

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 at 12:13pm AEST

Sandon Smith's two tries in the NRL preliminary final didn't just win Newcastle the game, it earned the Knights halfback a share of history alongside the club's greatest ever player.