Eels young gun Iongi set to miss next month with broken hand
NRL backs ‘outrageous’ calls that left Dragons coach seething
Tabuai-Fidow considers Samoa switch
Walters’ rise to Kangaroos role imminent
Key points

The Parramatta Eels have released out-of-favour back-rower Ryan Matterson from his contract for the remainder of the season.

Matterson, a former NSW Origin representative who has spent the majority of the season either in NSW Cup or in the club’s injury ward, will depart the club immediately to join English club Warrington Wolves on a loan deal for the rest of the Super League season.

The 30-year-old still has one more year to run on his deal with the Eels, worth around $700,000 in 2026.

Under the agreement of the loan deal, Matterson is entitled to return to Parramatta next year if he chooses against pursuing opportunities elsewhere.

The Eels had given him permission to negotiate with rival clubs, but his management hasn’t been able to land him a contract in the NRL.

Wolves coach Sam Burgess, however, has agreed to a deal with Matterson for the remainder of the competition as he looks to improve on his side’s current standing in eighth position on the ladder.

Eels young gun Iongi set to miss next month with broken hand, NRL backs ‘outrageous’ calls that left Dragons coach seething, Tabuai-Fidow considers Samoa switch, Walters’ rise to Kangaroos role imminent, Key points

Ryan Matterson is on his way to the UK.

It’s a similar deal to what the Wests Tigers agreed to with the Wolves last year when the out-of-favour Bateman departed for the Super League mid-season.

The deal helped the Tigers pay less on the salary cap and ultimately led to Bateman choosing to continue his career at the North Queensland Cowboys instead of returning to play at the Tigers under coach Benji Marshall.

The Eels are privately hopeful Matterson can find a deal elsewhere in 2026 as the realisation that he is not part of coach Jason Ryles’ plans sinks in. Matterson has played just four games of NRL off the bench for the Eels this season.

Building block locked in: Wests Tigers extend deal with key part of Benji’s re-build

Api Koroisau has signed a two-year extension with the Wests Tigers, which will keep him at the joint venture club until the end of 2028.

The 32-year-old was already contracted through until the end of next year, but the Tigers were eager to retain their skipper as they continue to rebuild under coach Benji Marshall.

Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has inked an extension.

Koroisau’s extension has been anticipated for a number of weeks and was the reason the Tigers let emerging talent Tallyn Da Silva go to Parramatta.

“This club has become family to me. I’ve felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji - he’s someone I really admire and enjoy playing under,” Koroisau said.

“I’m stoked to re-sign and can’t wait to help lead this team for a few more years.”

Marshall said Koroisau was a crucial part of the team’s future success.

“Api is a great player, but more s,o he is the heart and soul of this team,” Marshall said.

“His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable. Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in. We are thrilled to have him and his wonderful family here long term.”

Eels young gun Iongi set to miss next month with broken hand

The Parramatta Eels have been dealt a blow with rookie-of-the-year contender Isaiah Iongi expected to miss the next month with a broken hand.

The Eels were set to be boosted by the return of halfback Mitchell Moses, but the positive news has been offset by the disappointment of their fullback being sidelined.

Iongi suffered the broken hand in the opening half of his team’s 40-16 loss to Canberra over the weekend.

The 22-year-old played close to 65 minutes with the broken hand, finishing the game despite the injury.

Joash Papalii has been playing in the halves but is the club’s back-up fullback. It could open the door for Dylan Brown to return to the team in the halves however coach Jason Ryles has previously stated his desire to plan for the future.

NRL backs ‘outrageous’ calls that left Dragons coach seething

The NRL have defended the two contentious calls Dragons coach Shane Flanagan claimed cost his side victory against Canterbury and a potential NRL finals berth.

An NRL spokesperson confirmed Dragons forward Luciano Leilua was correctly penalised for interfering with a Jacob Kiraz play-the-ball, and there was no video evidence to suggest Viliame Kikau knocked on when being tackled by Tyrell Sloan.

After reviewing footage on Monday, the spokesperson backed the Bunker’s decision to punish Leilua for knocking the ball out of Kiraz’ hands, and how he still had hold of Kiraz as he tried to get to his feet. The footage showed Leilua with his left hand on the elbow of Kiraz, then his foot comes forward and dislodges the ball.

Kiraz did not play the ball correctly, but was not given the chance to do so because of Leilua’s actions.

Kikau also appeared to knock the ball into Sloan when he raced in off his wing in the 78th minute. Rather than stop play and give the ball to the Dragons, referee Adam Gee awarded the Dogs a fresh set, and they scored the match-winner a minute later.

The spokesperson was satisfied Kikau was trying to quickly pass the ball, and that there was nothing to suggest the ball travelled forward into Sloan.

The NRL were satisfied the bunker got it right penalising Luciano Leilua for interfering with a play-the-ball.

“They’re a good side the Bulldogs, they compete hard, but there were some decisions tonight that cost us two competition points, and could cost us an opportunity to play semi-finals,” he said.

Flanagan preferred not to comment on Monday, and was focused on making sure his side were ready for the road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys on Friday.

Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) and Mat Feagai (ankle) are in contention to replace Sione Finau on the left wing after the youngster dislocated his shoulder scoring against the Dogs in the second half on Saturday night.

Flanagan will not be fined for questioning the decisions by the referee and Bunker.

Tabuai-Fidow considers Samoa switch

Michael Chammas

Queensland superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is considering walking away from the Kangaroos to represent Samoa at the end-of-season Pacific Championship.

With NSW prop Payne Haas and Maroons counterpart Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also weighing up the move, the news of Tabuai-Fidow’s potential defection looms as a hammer blow to incoming coach Kevin Walters’ hopes of winning the first Ashes series in more than two decades.

The Dolphins fullback, who has represented Australia for the past two years and would be an almost guaranteed selection in the Kangaroos team for the Ashes, is strongly considering changing his international allegiance.

The Australian Rugby League Commission is putting the finishing touches to the deal for Walters to take charge of the Kangaroos in the three-Test series against England starting at the end of October.

One of Walters’ first assignments will be to convince a host of Australian-eligible players to represent the Kangaroos instead of the countries of their family heritage.

Other potential Kangaroos who have previously represented Samoa include Stefano Utoikamanu and Jeremiah Nanai.

Tabuai-Fidow represented Samoa at the 2022 World Cup, where injury limited his involvement to just one game. He was one of Queensland’s best players in game three of this year’s State of Origin series after being moved to fullback to cover for the injured Kalyn Ponga.

Tabuai-Fidow’s form has him strongly in the conversation for the Kangaroos No.1 jersey currently held by Penrith’s Dylan Edwards. Other fullback options include Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga – if he is fit to play and chooses to represent Australia.

Walters’ rise to Kangaroos role imminent

Dan Walsh

The ARL Commission will meet this week to sign off on Kevin Walters taking over as Kangaroos coach for the upcoming Ashes tour on a short-term deal.

Walters’ appointment as Mal Meninga’s successor is expected to be announced this week, pending approval by the ARLC, with the former Queensland Origin and Brisbane coach set to take charge of the Kangaroos’ tour of the UK in October/November.

Meninga’s move to take charge of the incoming Perth franchise has caused a lengthy delay in the naming of his replacement, with Brad Fittler pulling out of the race last month.

A three-Test contract will see Walters lead Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003, with the Kangaroos then aiming to defend their World Cup on home soil at the end of 2026.

A successful Ashes tour – with the three Tests expected to be played in front of sold-out crowds – would put Walters in strong contention to retain the national role, though it would preclude him from any NRL coaching opportunities.

“I can’t tell you anything, there’ll be a decision made tomorrow,” Walters said on Fox League on Sunday. “We’ll just wait and see. Obviously I’d be very privileged and grateful to get the opportunity to coach Australia.

“It’s a privilege to put the green and gold on and to coach the side, even more so. We’ll just see what happens tomorrow.”

The Commission considered changing its policy of not employing NRL coaches in charge of representative sides, but ultimately opted against the shake-up. Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention as a result, despite the veteran coach’s interest and South Sydney’s approval.

Queensland great Cameron Smith had also expressed interest in coaching the Kangaroos, but is now in line for an assistant role alongside Walters.

Storm enforcer banned for elbowing rival’s head, mixed injury news for Roosters

One enforcer in, one enforcer out.

Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set to miss Thursday’s showdown with the Roosters as he faces a three-game ban for elbowing, while the Tricolours own hitman Victor Radley will manage a shoulder injury after scans cleared him of serious injury.

The Roosters do face being without halfback Hugo Savala once more for a critical clash with the Storm though after he was spotted in what the club described as a precautionary moon boot while already recovering from a wrist injury.

Savala had a cortisone injection to ease a foot injury last week and given the young playmaker was already out with ligament damage in his wrist, he is considered unlikely to be available.

While Roosters coach Trent Robinson recalled Chad Townsend for his first NRL appearance since April in an error-riddled 31-18 loss to Cronulla last week, playmaker Sandon Smith was also withdrawn from NSW Cup on Saturday.

Immortal Andrew Johns on The Sunday Footy Show described Townsend’s elevation over Smith against the Sharks as a “head scratcher” that he couldn’t comprehend given Smith’s Anzac Day heroics against the Dragons and running threat this season.

Radley failed to finish the Sharks contest but has been cleared to play against Melbourne provided he gets through a short training week unscathed.

Rival Asofa-Solomona was on Sunday issued a 2-3 game suspension pending his plea after he elbowed Manly’s Jake Simpkin in the head, his fifth judiciary charge in the past two seasons.

The Storm and Kiwi star had loomed as a crucial figure in Thursday’s trip to Sydney given his game-breaking ability and penchant for playing on the edge, and over it, as was the case when he hit Lindsay Collins high in the first minute of last year’s preliminary final.

Asofa-Solomona missed last year’s grand final after being issued a five-game ban and now faces sitting out the Roosters and Eels clash for the third-placed Storm. An unsuccessful challenge at the judiciary would sideline him for the following round 23 fixture against Brisbane as well.

Collins on Sunday said he took no added motivation from Asofa-Solomona’s season-ending shot on him last year, but conceded the Roosters pack was beaten physically early on by Cronulla.

“We did, we missed it (physically),” Collins said. “So we need to do something about it. It’s a big job, especially for the front row in that position. We’ve just got to set the tone for the game and how it will be played out with that physicality.

“It’s about going into the game, not expecting things to happen. You have to create it. The only way to create that physicality is by being physical.”

After losing what was effectively a four-point game in terms of the NRL ladder against fellow finals contenders Cronulla, the Roosters’ face a season-defining three weeks against Melbourne, Manly and the Dolphins.

Hooker Connor Watson said Townsend and Walker - who produced a combined six errors on Friday night - should not shoulder the blame for the poor attack against the Sharks.

“It’s more about what us forwards do and give (the halves) a good platform to play off,” Watson said. “Our football was played out of our own end, it just felt like we were coming out of our own half the whole time. As halves you don’t get much opportunity when you’re doing that.”

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.