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Randall Embraces Middle Move in Titans Overhaul

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The Gold Coast Titans are undergoing a tactical identity shift under new head coach Josh Hannay, with Chris Randall becoming the latest veteran to trade his utility status for a permanent home in the forward pack.

After spliting his 97-game career between dummy-half and the back row, Randall has officially transitioned into a middle forward for the 2026 season. He follows teammate Klese Haas, who recently confirmed his own departure from the edge.

“I’m not a back-rower any more. I am a middle now,” Haas said.

Hannay’s arrival has brought sweeping changes to Parkwood, including a significant roster overhaul involving 12 departures. Beyond the personnel changes, the coach is prioritizing positional “certainty”—a welcome change for a player like Randall who has often been the team’s “Mr. Fix-it.”

“When Josh first came he chatted to me about trying to lock down one position and giving me that chance to actually get the reps in at the one position,” Randall explained. “I have been training in the middle and not getting moved around. I haven’t had that for a while these past couple of pre-seasons.”

While Randall’s versatility remains an insurance policy for the Titans, he admitted that being a utility player can hinder individual growth.

“I am always happy to jump in where I have to and help the team but it can be a bit of a blessing and a curse. You miss the reps at the one position and you can’t kick on and get better at the one spot because you keep changing,” Randall said. “At the moment I have just been training in the middle and I am really enjoying it. Hopefully I can build off that this year.”

Randall and Haas join a formidable engine room led by Maroons stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika, alongside Jaiman Jolliffe. This shift is made possible by the Titans’ newfound depth at hooker; with Sam Verrills starting and the arrival of Oliver Pascoe and Luke Sommerton, Randall’s days behind the ruck appear over.

“I haven’t been a hooker at all this pre-season. We have got a few numbers at hooker this year which helps,” Randall noted. “I don’t think I will be a hooker this year.”

With “Tino” capable of playing both prop and lock, Randall is eyeing a potential starting role at No. 13. While the competition is fierce, the former Knight is focused on the upcoming trials to prove he belongs in the run-on side.

“Everyone would love to be starting,” Randall said. “We are all competing for spots. Nothing is ever set in stone and we have got trials coming up and I think Josh will have a few decisions to make. All I can do is keep training my best and hopefully I can get a starting spot, if not on the bench.”

Source: Australian Associated Press | Image – AAP © 2026

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Lock him in: New Dolphin follows path of England greats

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Morgan Knowles in action during a NRL Dolphins' training

The stars have aligned for England international Morgan Knowles to start the NRL season at lock forward where he has such a rich pedigree.

The 28-year-old has reunited at the Dolphins with his former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf, with whom he won three consecutive Super League grand finals and a Challenge Cup final.

Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King set to miss up to four months with a knee injury so versatile Kurt Donoghoe, who mostly played No.13 in 2025, is set to start the season at hooker.

Max Plath, another lock option, is not expected to return from an ACL rupture until round three, while captain Tom Gilbert is likely to initially slot into the back-row after his pectoral/shoulder comeback.

Knowles played in the the recent Ashes series at lock and was named in the Super League Dream Team in the position.

“That’s my position …loose forward,” Knowles said.

“Ideally that’s where I want to play but the competition is fierce and there are loads of great players.

“First and foremost for myself I want to earn the respect of my teammates. Selection will come off the back of it.”

Leaving Saints was not easy for a man who played 246 games for the club and describes himself as “proudly Cumbrian and proudly English”.

Knowles watched the likes of the Burgess brothers and James Graham make the jump from Super League to NRL with distinction and is determined to do the same.

“I’ve only known one club. I came through the academy at Saints and had my full career there,” Knowles said.

“It’s refreshing being at a new club and a new competition in the NRL. Obviously I had a relationship with Woolfy from working with him over in England. I trust him so when the opportunity came up I jumped at it.

“It was a tough decision. I love the club at St Helens. I was just ready for a new challenge, to take myself out of my comfort zone and come over here and prove myself again. 

“If I could do a quarter of what some of those English boys have come over and done I’d be very happy.”

Knowles has forged a reputation for being mobile, tough and hard-working.

The NRL should suit him.

“The ruck is a little bit different (in the NRL) and the boys are used to training at that speed so that is something I will have to try and catch up with,” Knowles said.

“I am a lighter middle forward so it suits my game a little bit more.”

The no-nonsense approach of Knowles gells with coach Woolf and it is a partnership the Saints legend knows will work a treat. 

“It was pretty daunting coming over to a different competition, different country and not knowing anyone,” he said.

“Having the comfort of him knowing the player I am and person, and me likewise having that trust, was a big reason behind my decision.

“Woolfy thinks a lot of St Helens too so (contract negotiations) were always respectful but we kept in contact since he left. 

“He said, ‘if you ever want to come out I want to be in the conversation’.  I was coming to the end of my contract at St Helens and I trust him, so when the opportunity came up I jumped at it.”

Copyright @ AAP 2026

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Rabbitohs offer lifeline to ex-Knight Adam Elliott

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Adam Elliott of the Knights during the warm up

South Sydney have offered an NRL lifeline to free agent Adam Elliott, the veteran forward signing in 2026 for the Rabbitohs on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old suffered an arm injury with Newcastle in round 12, ending his campaign last year. His contract was not renewed by the Knights at the end of the season.

Elliott has played 173 NRL games since making his debut for Canterbury Bulldogs against Manly in 2016 and also had a season with Canberra before landing in Newcastle.

Souths’ head of recruitment Mark Ellison said Elliott would add experience and depth to their forwards ranks.

“Adam has been a consistent performer at the NRL level for a decade now and we feel he will add experience and create more depth within our forwards stocks this season,” Ellison said.

“He is renowned as a hardworking and aggressive forward, a punishing defender, and he has a reputation as a leader of men and a player that teammates want to play with.”

Souths recently suffered a blow when Kangaroos star Keaon Koloamatangi signed a five-year deal with St George Illawarra Dragons from next year.  

Wayne Bennett’s men were ravaged by injury last season with captain Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham all enduring lengthy spells on the sidelines, leading to the Rabbits’ 14th-placed finish. 

But all are expected to return and join Elliott, who represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2019 and 2024, as well as Country Origin in 2017.

Copyright @ AAP 2026

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Ben Hunt Finally Lifts the Trophy for Brisbane Broncos

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Adam Reynolds (left) Ben Hunt of the Broncos celebrate winnin the NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Brisbane Broncos, veteran Ben Hunt can finally sleep soundly. After years of carrying the weight of a past mistake, the ultimate redemption story culminated in a premiership ring on Sunday.

Following the thrilling 26-22 Grand Final victory over the Melbourne Storm, the 35-year-old looked like a man who had shed a giant burden forever.

Many PNG fans remember the heartbreak of the 2015 Grand Final.

In that devastating 17-16 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys, it was Hunt who dropped the crucial kick-off in golden-point extra-time. For a decade, he wondered if he would ever make it back to the big stage to make amends.

He did get back, and he got the job done.

So, how many sleepless nights did he endure in the interim?

“I can’t count them. There were plenty,” Hunt said in the jubilant Broncos dressing room.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment for the last 10 years. I really have. It’s taken 350-plus games but it is all worth it. It really is. All the hard yards … the family, friends and coaches that have put time into me over the years, it’s a little bit of repayment for them.”

Hunt admitted he tried to keep his focus only on the game, but the emotional floodgates opened at the siren.

“I hadn’t thought too much about the redemption side of it. I just tried to focus on this game really but now that’s it is done and has sunk in, it is a weight off the shoulders,” he said.

“It’s okay for me to talk about the 2015 grand final now because we have moved on and got another one.”

“When the siren went, it instantly hit me like a ton of bricks.”

Broncos coach Michael Maguire summed up the sentiments of the entire rugby league world about five-eighth Hunt’s title dream finally being realised.

“Benny Hunt in 2015 … he had a tough moment in the grand final. To be able to give him a hug after that was a special moment because I know what players go through,” Maguire said.

“They get beaten up at times and the critics don’t miss them.”

“To see a smile on his face and just sitting in the changing room with the players with just a grin from ear to ear, it’s bloody unreal.”

Hunt said his move to rejoin the Broncos where he made his debut, after linking with St George Illawarra for seven turbulent seasons, was “probably the best decision I ever made.”

The veteran had to watch the final tense moments from the sidelines after being concussed with eight minutes to go. His halves partner, fellow 35-year-old Adam Reynolds, was right there with him after he was replaced with a calf injury in the 49th minute.

“It was one of those head knocks where it hits you flush. I knew I was stumbling,” Hunt said.

“I couldn’t get my legs under me but I had my wits about me. I definitely didn’t have on my bingo card that me and Reyno would be on the sideline with a couple of minutes to go, that’s for sure.”

“I went back out with about three minutes to go and it was a long bloody three minutes.”

Reynolds and Hunt embraced immediately after full-time. The two old mates came together in what Reynolds jokingly called “a nursing home” moment full of emotion.

“Ben deserves it probably more than anyone. He has been through his ups and downs,” Reynolds said.

“To see him get this moment at full-time and embrace him was certainly a career highlight.”

“We have both been through a lot over the last couple of years and when he came back to the club it was all about trying to achieve this dream.”

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Bulldogs Warned to Fix “Comfortable” Mindset

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Bulldogs’ Viliame Kikau and captain Stephen Crichton are calling for the team to fix its “too comfortable” mindset as they head into the final stretch of the season.

The Bulldogs have had an up-and-down month, alternating between strong wins over Manly and the Warriors and disappointing losses to the Tigers and Roosters.

This inconsistency, according to Kikau, comes from a lack of effort.

“Just some of the areas that we pride ourselves on, all the effort areas, that came up a few times,” Kikau said after reviewing the loss to the Roosters.

“That’s been addressed and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”

Crichton agreed that the problem is mental, not physical.

“It’s kind of tapping into that mindset, where your mindset was in those two good games and where that mindset was in the two bad games,” he said.

The Bulldogs’ season will be defined by the next seven weeks, not the past seven months, Crichton warned.

“We were playing really good footy at the start of the year but no one remembers what happens at the start of the year. It’s where we are right now and the opportunity right in front of us is very special.”

The team’s senior players are taking charge to ensure there is no complacency when they face the Storm.

“As leaders of the group, we try and address it straight away so we don’t get that in the team,” Kikau said.

“Hopefully there’s none this week.”

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Kumuls Star Johnston Cleared to Talk with New PNG NRL Team

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South Sydney Rabbitohs legend, Alex Johnston is now free to begin early negotiations to become the first player for Papua New Guinea’s new NRL franchise.

Johnston, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Rabbitohs, has a special clause in his deal that allows him to start talks with the new team before the usual cut-off date. This gives the PNG franchise a major advantage in securing a high-profile player with deep ties to the country.

Johnston’s grandmother was born in Papua New Guinea, and he is a proud representative of the Kumuls, having played 10 Tests for the national team. His connection to the country is well known, and he has often spoken about his love for PNG and its passionate fans.

South Sydney CEO, Blake Solly confirmed the special arrangement stating “Alex said with his connection to PNG it would be cool to be player number one.”

“He has been a captain of the national team, played 10 Tests and is revered in PNG. He will always have a home here at Souths, but if Alex and his family do decide they want to be part of the PNG team on its entry to the NRL competition; we respect and support that decision,” Solly added.

During a recent visit to PNG, Johnston expressed his strong interest in joining the new team.

Beyond playing for the new franchise, Johnston is also motivated to represent the Kumuls in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea. He hopes to help the team go further in the tournament than ever before.

“My motivation has always been to win competitions. Now it’s also to create a legacy and play for my family and make them proud,” Johnston said.

“I want to encourage those young kids playing rugby league to dream big.”

Currently, Johnston is closing in on the all-time NRL try-scoring record. With 207 tries in 239 games, he is just six tries shy of Ken Irvine’s record of 212. He will have a chance to add to his tally this weekend when the Rabbitohs take on the Gold Coast Titans.

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Storm Claim Top Spot as Broncos Face Injury Nightmare

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In a big blow for the Brisbane Broncos and their hopes of a top-four finish, the Melbourne Storm have taken over the number one spot on the NRL ladder.

The Storm’s 22-2 victory over the Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday night was a strong display, but the real story was the shocking injury toll suffered by Brisbane.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire was left stunned after both his star halves, Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam, were knocked out of the game in the same play just 21 minutes in.

To make matters worse for the Brisbane faithful, winger Selwyn Cobbo also went off with a hamstring problem late in the match. All three players are now waiting for scan results that will determine the severity of their injuries, putting a massive hole in the Broncos’ side.

The injuries happened in a bizarre sequence as Reynolds and Mam chased down Storm winger, Xavier Coates after he intercepted a pass. While Cobbo made a brilliant try-saving tackle on Coates, the play proved costly for the Broncos. Mam suffered his injury in the tackle, while the experienced Reynolds pulled up clutching his leg moments later.

To their credit, the Broncos, with hooker, Ben Hunt and center, Kotoni Staggs filling in as a makeshift halves pairing, fought hard and kept the game close for a while.

But the Storm, a very strong team, were too good.

Tries from Tyran Wishart and Ryan Papenhuyzen gave Melbourne a 12-2 lead at half-time, and they finished the job in the second half with two more tries, including a penalty try.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy was very happy with his team’s performance, especially their strong defence, which kept the Broncos from scoring a single try.

This result continues a bad run for the Broncos at AAMI Park, where they have not won for nine years.

The Storm have now won 17 of their last 18 games against the Brisbane side.

For the many NRL fans across Papua New Guinea, this is a worrying sign for the Broncos, a team with a huge following in the country.

The loss of key players like Reynolds, Mam, and Cobbo could be a big problem for their premiership ambitions as the finals get closer. Everyone will be hoping for good news from the scans.

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Dolphins back in NRL eight after blitzing Cowboys

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Two rugby players, one dark skinned and one light skinned wearing red dolphins jumpers.

The Dolphins have had plenty of “finest hours” this year, but their 43-24 win over North Queensland was one of the best, despite nervous moments in the second half.

With 10 of their top 30 out injured, the Dolphins were brave and brilliant at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night to destroy the Cowboys and all but finish their top-eight hopes.

The Dolphins roared back into the NRL top eight with a brilliant attacking display inspired by new No.6 Jake Averillo and rampant fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. 

Back-rower Connelly Lemuelu had one of his best games as a Dolphin behind a rampant Averillo who continues to shine no matter what position he plays.

“I love what he brings to the team,” Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.

“He’s just a real footy player. Wherever we put him he gets the job done. He’s played four positions the last five weeks and handled every one of them really well.” 

Dolphins back-rower Oryn Keeley, who was sensational, was put on report for a dangerous tackle on Jaxson Paulo, and the Cowboys lost star winger Murray Taulagi to a left hamstring injury while scoring his second try. 

The Dolphins led 24-6 at halftime after the Cowboys had 29 tackles inside the opposition quarter compared to two for the Dolphins.

The hosts, in front of 23,172 fans, went out to a 34-6 lead in the 47th minute with tries to Harrison Graham and Jamayne Isaako and appeared set for 50 points.

The Cowboys had other ideas. Taulagi went over out wide, No.6 Jaxon Purdue drew fullback Scott Drinkwater, and half Tom Dearden finished a long-range attacking play to score a third try in eight minutes. 

Averillo put the result to bed with a 76th-minute try.

The first half showcased the Dolphins at their best. Keeley crashed over after a stellar pass from skipper and halfback Isaiya Katoa inside five minutes.

The Cowboys hit back minutes later, with Taulagi scoring his 60th career try out wide with a brilliant cutout pass by Drinkwater. 

The hosts were under assault early but hung on with true grit, before a 95m burst by  Averillo after a Cowboys error gave the Dolphins a 12-6 lead.

Averillo was at it again in combination with star centre Herbie Farnworth to send Tabuai-Fidow flying in for another long-range try. 

Tabuai-Fidow dropped his next chance cold from a Farnworth pass, but Averillo was on fire with another super pass. Lemuelu streaked away and Tabuai-Fidow did the rest. 

The second half was see-sawing, but the Dolphins never looked like losing to a Cowboys side who must now win all their remaining games to make the top eight.

“It was very disappointing conceding the points we did in that first 40,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.

“It put us under far too much pressure and it was too much to chase down. We showed a heap of fight to get us back in the game but there were a couple of costly moments with 12 or 13 minutes to go.” 

The Dolphins once again showed how resilient they are, no matter who is playing. Prop Peter Hola made his club debut while rookies Aublix Tawha (prop) and Tevita Naufahu (wing) were also strong.

“I just love the way they keep turning up for each other,” Woolf said.

Source: AAP

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Broncos Stage Stunning Comeback Against Sharks

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Brisbane pulled off an incredible comeback, overturning a 16-point deficit to defeat a wasteful Cronulla 34-28. Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was the spark that ignited their resurgence.

It looked like the Broncos were down and out when Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey darted over from dummy half in the 56th minute, putting Cronulla up 28-12 in front of 39,042 fans at Suncorp Stadium. But the home side had other plans, scoring four tries in just 18 minutes, with Walsh setting up two, to snatch fifth position on the ladder from the Sharks.

“I guess we expect Reece to come up with those things. He just keeps competing,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.

“The captain (Adam Reynolds) spoke to them at halftime and sharpened them up a bit.

“It was pleasing that with their backs against the wall … to fight the way they did and get the win at the end.

The match was not without its dramatic moments. Sharks forward Teig Wilton was taken to hospital in the first half after suffering blurred vision from an eye injury. Then, just before halftime, Sharks winger Sione Katoa had what was described as a “brain explosion,” getting sin-binned for a ridiculous touch on Ezra Mam while he was on the ground in the ruck.

Despite the Sharks being a man down, the Broncos couldn’t capitalise immediately. Brailey scored from close range, and the result seemed secured for Cronulla. However, the Sharks then completely fell apart.

Brisbane Broncos rugby players
Ezra Mam of the Broncos scores a try during the NRL Round 16 match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Broncos winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was ruled to have knocked on, and Walsh made the Sharks pay with a pinpoint pass to centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall then kicked out on the full, allowing Broncos winger Josiah Karapani to storm in, even as Sharks half Nicho Hynes fell over claiming an obstruction.

Skipper Adam Reynolds then weaved through traffic and delivered a basketball-style pass for Karapani to complete his second try in as many weeks. Reynolds nailed the conversion from the sideline, giving Brisbane a 30-28 lead. The comeback was sealed when Walsh carved through Hynes to set up Shibasaki for his second try of the night.

“Our discipline to stick to our plan and defence has been poor for weeks. Even when we were leading, you could see signs we were hanging on,” Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses. We need to do something about it. We’ve got to address our discipline.”

The first half was a bizarre affair, with the Sharks leading 22-12 at the break. Brisbane’s kicking game and line speed were poor, with fullback Walsh even giving up two seven-tackle sets. The Sharks, in contrast, attacked with freedom, with halves Trindall and Hynes playing key roles.

Trindall set up centre Siosifa Talakai for a try and then put Wilton through a gaping hole, with fullback William Kennedy finishing it off for a 10-0 lead.

The Sharks had opened the scoring through Talakai after Broncos winger Jesse Arthars spilt a bomb. Kennedy scored his second with a classic try after Hynes sent second-rower Briton Nikora on his way.

Trindall then put Hynes through for a stroll to make it 22-6, after Broncos hooker Cory Paix darted over from dummy-half for a soft try. Mam’s try just before halftime kept the home side in the contest, setting the stage for their incredible second-half turnaround.

Source: Australian Associated Press (AAP)

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Slater says Maroons won’t be dictated to on kick-off

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Spencer Leniu of the Blues is tackled by Harry Grant and Patrick Carrigan of the Maroons during Game 1 of the State of Origin 2024 between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

A defiant Billy Slater has declared that the Queensland Maroons won’t be pressured into kicking off to NSW firebrand Spencer Leniu in State of Origin II.

As Maroons prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui said he was not scared of Leniu on Tuesday, Slater would not be drawn on whether the Maroons would kick to the Blues front-rower.

Of the four long kick-offs from Queensland in their game one loss, none went to Leniu or Payne Haas, in what has since been labelled by some as a pre-determined plan.

The situation left Leniu fuming, with the Sydney Roosters prop appearing to swear in frustration as the Maroons changed the direction of their kick to avoid him.

Haas has largely stayed away from the debate over the past week, but on Monday said he would want the ball kicked off to Leniu if he was in the Maroons side, since he’d want the chance to take down a powerful rival.

Former NSW front-rower Willie Mason has also accused the Maroons of being “s**t scared” of Leniu, while Braith Anasta labelled Queensland “weak”.

Slater dodged a question on Tuesday on whether Leniu would have the chance to take a hit-up from a kick-off at Optus Stadium.

But the Maroons coach did defend his team’s right to prioritise their own tactics over the entertainment factor.

“We don’t ask Nathan (Cleary) to kick to a specific corner. He does what he wants,” Slater said of the Blues halfback. 

“He gets his game on. So, we’ll be getting our game on.

“I get all the dilemma about it, but at the end of the day, it’s about building a game and a game plan that best suits you.  

“It’s not about what (the media) want or anyone else wants.”

Asked about the issue, Maroons front-rower Fa’asuamaleaui rejected any suggestion Queensland’s pack were scared of Leniu.

“I’m not scared of anyone,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“I just want to do my job for Queensland and I’m not going to back down from anyone and that’s our whole team. 

“We’re just going to get out there, get our game on and do what we do best and play our game.

“(We’re) not backing down from anyone.”

Slater wouldn’t say whether the Maroons would make late changes to their pack, or if Kurt Mann could start at hooker in place of Harry Grant.

The Maroons have won six of eight games when Grant has come off the bench, as opposed to a 0-4 record with him starting.

NSW second-rower Angus Crichton had accused Queensland of mind games last week, refusing to believe Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan weren’t starting.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has already let slip that he will move to the right wing at Optus Stadium, after playing left centre in the series-opening 18-6 loss in Brisbane.

That defeat has piled the pressure on Slater, who has already axed captain Daly Cherry-Evans and replaced him with Tom Dearden in the halves.

Written by: Scott Bailey (AAP)

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