NRL 2025 LIVE: Revamped Sea Eagles face Luai-less Tigers; Knights take on Raiders

2 months ago 23

Key posts

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Your say – Sea Eagles or Wests Tigers?

5.50pm

Seibold explains Tom Trbojevic’s move to centre

5.50pm

Rabbitohs look to lock in Bennett

By Michael Chammas

South Sydney have moved to extend the contract of veteran coach Wayne Bennett until at least the end of the 2028 season.

Bennett, who is just seven months into a three-year stint, has been told the club wants to ensure he stays at the Rabbitohs for the rest of his career. The club will wait until the end of the season to begin formal negotiations.

Bennett has indicated to those close to him that he wants to continue working beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2027 season.

He has already been floated as the potential inaugural coach of the Papua New Guinea franchise, which is set to enter the competition in 2028.

Read the full story

5.40pm

Benji Marshall on the Tigers’ new halves duo

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has spoken to Fox Sports about his new-look halves, with Api Koroisau combining with Latu Fainu with Jarome Luai sidelined tonight.

5.39pm

RLPA blocks NRL’s new judiciary powers

By Adrian Proszenko

The NRL’s controversial plan to bypass the match review committee to cite players has been blocked until a formal dispute filed by the players’ union has been resolved.

Head office has come under fire for granting itself “unfettered power” to charge players for on-field offences, and now they will be unable to implement the initiative, at least in the short term, amid claims due process wasn’t followed.

The Rugby League Players’ Association on Thursday filed a formal dispute over the issue, claiming the NRL didn’t follow the agreed consultation process as mandated by the collective bargaining agreement. Under the CBA’s “status quo provision”, the change can’t come into effect until the dispute is resolved.

Read the full story

5.28pm

Your say – Sea Eagles or Wests Tigers?

5.28pm

Manly v Tigers team lists

Manly Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate 19. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic.

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Nathan Brown 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Wests Tigers

1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 9. Apisai Koroisau 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 14. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal.

Bench: 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Luke Laulilii.

5.27pm

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our Friday night coverage of tonight’s NRL action, kicking off with Manly’s clash with the Wests Tigers before Newcastle host Canberra.

It’s Dom Brock on blog duties tonight, with Adrian Proszenko chipping in from Brookvale for the Sea Eagles-Tigers game and Robert Dillon reporting at Knights v Raiders.

Plenty of team news already for tonight’s opener, with under-pressure Manly coach Anthony Seibold reshuffling his backline, most notably shifting Tom Trbojevic to the centres and Lehi Hopoate to fullback. Jason Saab is also into the side on the wing in place of the injured Tommy Talau.

Meanwhile the Tigers have lost superstar half Jarome Luai who is dealing with a boil on his chest. Apisai Koroisau is set to shift into the halves alongside Latu Fainu, with Tallyn Da Silva starting at hooker. Heath Mason has moved to fullback in place of the injured Jahream Bula (hamstring).

It’s a tough test for the Tigers but also a hugely important game for Manly. Stay tuned for all the action.