Big Rigs

Durko's dissections: NRL previews for round 13

Veteran rugby league scribe Tony Durkin has assessed the form and come up with who he thinks will be the winners in round...

brisbane broncos canberra raiders canterbury bulldogs cronulla sharks gold coast titans james roberts manly sea eagles melbourne storm newcastle knights new zealand warriors north queensland cowboys parramatta eels penrith panthers south sydney rabbitohs st george illawarra dragons sydney roosters tony durkin wests tigers

06th June 2019 7:06 AM

James Roberts returns to the South Sydney line-up on Thursday night following his departure from the Broncos. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Seibold building framework at the Broncos

Tony Durkin has been blown away by the job that new coach Anthony Seibold is doing in revolutionising the Brisbane...

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02nd March 2019 7:03 AM

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, right, directs his troops during a recent training session in Brisbane. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Outstanding Bellamy deserves another premiership

Veteran rugby league journalist Tony Durkin believes the NRL has got it wrong with the coach of the year award, arguing it...

andrew johns anthony seibold billy slater bob fulton brandon smith brian smith brodie croft chris anderson christian welch cooper cronk dally m coach of the year george piggins jarome hughes joe stimson john lang jordan mclean melbourne storm norm provan nrl grand final roy masters south sydney rabbitohs sydney roosters tim sheens tohu harris tony durkin trent robinson wayne bennett

28th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

Storm coach Craig Bellamy with two of the men he is relying on to deliver the club back-to-back premierships, star fullback Billy Slater, left, and captain Cameron Smith, right. Picturre: Stefan Postles/AAP

Durkin: Smith to lead Storm to premiership glory

Veteran rugby league scribe Tony Durkin has assessed the chances of the Roosters and the Storm in Sunday's NRL grand...

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27th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

The NRL judiciary's decision to clear Billy Slater of a shoulder charge has the Melbourne Storm a firm favourite for Sunday's grand final. Picture: Stefan Postles/AAP

Durko says beat-up story disrespects Inglis and Cordner

A suggestion the next Kangaroos skipper will be the winning captain from the Roosters-Rabbitohs clash has fired up Tony...

boyd cordner darren lockyer greg inglis laurie daley mal meninga nrl south sydney rabbitohs sydney roosters tony durkin

22nd Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

Greg Inglis shows his elation after the Rabbitohs' win over the Dragons in last Saturday's NRL semi-final. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Durko's dissections for week three of the NRL finals

The decider is approaching. Veteran rugby league scribe Tony Durkin has assessed the NRL preliminary finals and reckons...

andrew fifita billy slater cameron munster cameron smith cooper cronk craig bellamy cronulla sharks dylan napa greg inglis james tedesco josh dugan latrell mitchell luke lewis matt moylan melbourne storm nelson asofa solomona paul gallen south sydney rabbitohs sydney roosters tony durkin valentine holmes will chambers

20th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

The Storm's Cameron Smith shows his elation as the final whistle sounds in Melbourne's qualifying final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Hamish Blair/AAP

Gladiator may have met his match in Sydney public

The Gladiator has issued a command, but even Russell Crowe may have a hard time cutting through the Sydney's public apathy...

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15th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe watches from the stands during the round 25 NRL match between South Sydney and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Dean Lewins/AAP

Durko's dissections for week two of the NRL finals

Veteran rugby league journalist Tony Durkin reckons he knows the winners of this weekend's NRL semi-finals

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13th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

The Panthers' Nathan Cleary embraces James Maloney at full-time in last Saturday's elimination final against the Warriors. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP

Durko's dissections for week one of the finals

Veteran rugby league journalist Tony Durkin previews the opening week of the NRL finals and makes his selections

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06th Sept. 2018 7:09 AM

George Burgess will be joined by brothers Tom and Sam in the Rabbitohs' forwards. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Durko's dissections: NRL previews for round 25

Veteran rugby league journalist Tony Durkin assesses the NRL match-ups in the final round of the regular season - and gives...

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30th Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

Greg Inglis scores a try for the Rabbitohs in their round-24 clash last week with the Canberra Raiders. Picture: Rohan Thomson/AAP

Role model notion's ridiculous but two may fit the bill

Tony Durkin believes it's a mistake to view sporting stars as role models, but nominates Kalyn Ponga and Lachlan Lewis as...

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25th Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

The Knights' Kalyn Ponga seems level-headed and unspoiled by his sudden rise to the top. Picture: Darren Pateman/AAP

Origin's terminally doused Dragons' early season fire

The Dragons' early fire has been extinguished by State of Origin, writes Tony Durkin, who points to the toll the series has...

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18th Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

Paul Vaughan is among the Dragons feeeling the State of Origin pinch. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP

Durko's dissections: NRL previews for round 23

Veteran rugby league scribe and astute tipster Tony Durkin assesses the NRL's round 23 clashes

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16th Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett directs proceedings at training on Monday in Brisbane.

Cut down by Gus, Griffin delivers his own reference

Gus Gould may have shot down Anthony Griffin, but the sacked Panthers coach has delivered a brilliant reference for...

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10th Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

Sacked Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has answered his critics in an interview on NRL 360. Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

Durko's dissections: NRL Round 22 previews

THE Broncos face a danger game when they line up against the Cowboys - News Regional rugby league columnist Tony Durkin...

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09th Aug. 2018 6:08 AM

Johnathan Thurston kicks a field-goal to seal victory for the Cowboys over the Broncos in 2017.

NRL gets a big golden tick for Immortals night

If gold medals were bestowed on awards nights, one would now be sitting in the NRL trophy cabinet as recognition of...

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03rd Aug. 2018 6:08 AM

Mal Meninga poses for photographers after being inducted as the 13th rugby league Immortal in Sydney on Wednesday night. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AAP

Durko's dissections: NRL Round 21 previews

Veteran rugby league journalist Tony Durkins assesses the clashes in round 21 of the NRL and, of course, gives his tips

brisbane broncos canberra raiders canterbury bulldogs cronulla sharks gold coast titans manly sea eagles melbourne storm newcastle knights north queensland cowboys nrl round 21 parramatta eels penrith panthers south sydney rabbitohs st george dragons sydney roosters tony durkin warriors wests tigers

02nd Aug. 2018 7:08 AM

Alex Glenn stretches during a Brisbane training session on Wednesday. Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

Game paid for Super League

The biggest rugby league story of the 1990s was the advent of Super League - and columnist Tony Durkin twice broke stories...

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25th July 2018 7:07 AM

Steve Renouf, right, celebrates with Broncos teammates during their Super League grand final win in 1997. Picture: Bruce Long

Durko's dissections for round 19

Veteran rugby league expert Tony Durkin checks out the clashes in round 19 of the NRL and tips who he thinks will win and...

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19th July 2018 7:07 AM

The Canterbury Bulldogs are struggling but should have the edge on the Eels in a clash that could decide who gets the wooden spoon. Picture: Darren Pateman

Dragons must deal with the State of Origin hoodoo

The Origin hoodoo, experienced by so many clubs in the past, is about to hit the Dragons like a sledgehammer, Tony Durkin...

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13th July 2018 7:07 AM

The Dragons' fortunes will largely rest on how its five Origin players, including Ben Hunt, handle the physical and mental pressure of their respective Origin experiences, Tony Durkin argues. Picture: David Moir/AAP

Durko's NRL previews for round 18

Rugby league expert Tony Durkin offers his insights into the NRL's round-18 clashes, and his tips of course

tony durkin

12th July 2018 7:07 AM

The Sharks have a great recent record against the Panthers, winning seven of their past eight encounters.

Durko's dissections for round 16

Veteran rugby league scribe Tony Durkin assesses the clashes and offers his tips in round 16 of the NRL

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28th June 2018 6:06 AM

The Dragons sit on top of the NRL ladder after winning 11 and losing three of their 14 games.

Alfie saves the day: Maroons' masterstroke revisited

IF JOHNATHAN Thurston were to make a shock comeback for Origin III this year, the similarities to the 2001 series would be...

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21st June 2018 11:06 AM

Allan Langer with coach Kevin Walters keep a close watch on proceedings during a Queensland training session.

Titans' Taylor made for State of Origin

Gold Coast playmaker Ash Taylor has talent to burn, Tony Durkin says, but needs to address his game if he wants to play...

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16th June 2018 7:06 AM

The Titans' Ash Taylor should be playing State of Origin, Tony Durkin says.

Durko's NRL dissections: round 15

Tony Durkin examines the prospects of NRL teams in their round 15 clashes

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14th June 2018 6:06 AM

Tony Durkins says the Rabbitohs look like premiership material.

NRL previews: Parramatta pulls switch

DURKO'S Dissections: Parramatta coach Brad Arthur counting on radical switch to turn Eels around for must-win match against...

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24th May 2018 6:05 AM

Mitchell Moses (left) and Clint Gutherson will link up in the halves for the Eels.

NRL Previews: Crunch time for Cowboys

NORTH Queensland will be looking for a positive end to a turbulent week when they line up against Wests Tigers.

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10th May 2018 7:05 AM

Cowboys coach Paul Green has had a tough week.

NRL Round 9 previews

Tony Durkin assesses the chances of the respective teams in round nine of the NRL season

brisbane broncos canterbury bulldogs newcastle knights nrl nrl previews south sydney rabbitohs tony durkin

03rd May 2018 7:05 AM

Andrew McCullough trains with the Brisbane Broncos at Red Hill on Wednesday.

NRL previews for round eight

Tony Durkin previews round eight of the NRL season and gives his tips

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25th April 2018 1:04 PM

The Roosters desperately need Cooper Cronk to step up against the Dragons.

Crisis merchants do the game a disservice

Tony Durkin agrees with Todd Greenberg's "crisis merchants” comment but says the NRL needs to be more attuned to...

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20th April 2018 6:04 AM

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie have great power in their hands.

NRL PREVIEWS: Round 7

Tony Durkin assesses the form and chances of the teams for this NRL round

nrl nrl round seven tony durkin

19th April 2018 10:04 AM

The unbeaten Dragons are riding a wave of confidence but face an acid test on Friday night against the Warriors in New Zealand. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP

Durkin: Never call a Cowboy to a gunfight

JT is Wyatt Earp and the Lone Ranger rolled into one.

cowboys johnathan thurston sportopinion tony durkin

14th April 2018 12:04 PM

Johnathan Thurston is still recovering from injury. (AAP Image/David Rowland)

Wayne's pain just not footy

Tony Durkin says the Wayne Bennett-Nathan Brown should never have happened and Brown should have been sanctioned by the...

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12th April 2018 5:04 PM

Knights coach Nathan Brown has apologised to Broncos counterpart Wayne Bennett for some crass remarks.

Durko's Dissections: NRL Round 4 previews

Rugby league commentator Tony Durkin provides expert analysis and tips for all the Round 4 NRL games

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29th March 2018 6:03 AM

The Cowboys loom as a stern test for the Panthers.

Junior plays loyalty card

Tevita Pangai Junior has played just 34 NRL matches. And of those, all but his two run-on appearances to start this season...

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23rd March 2018 5:03 PM

Tevita Pangai jnr has had an impressive start to the season.

NRL previews: Round 3 matches dissected

Michael Morgan returns for the Cowboys in their grand final rematch against Melbourne but Tony Durkin doesn't believe it...

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22nd March 2018 11:03 AM

Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan will line up in the halves for the Cowboys.

Hunt becomes the hunted: NRL Round 1 previewed

News Regional rugby league writer Tony Durkin previews round one of the NRL season

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08th March 2018 7:03 AM

Ben Hunt will trot out for the Dragons against his former Broncos teammates.

Immortal must be big Norm

Forget Darren Lockyer, Peter Sterling, Alfie Langer - even forget the great Mal Meninga. Tony Durkin reveals who the ninth...

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03rd Jan. 2018 6:01 AM

Norm Provan (left) with Arthur Summons re-create their iconic Gladiators image.

Craig Bellamy is worth $3 million

Craig Bellamy's success rate proves he deserves to be the highest paid person in rugby league, writes Tony Durkin

craig bellamy melbourne storm sportopinion tony durkin

07th Oct. 2017 6:10 AM

MORE SUCCESS: Storm coach Craig Bellamy after Melbourne's grand final win.

Meticulous Des failed to shore up his own job

Despite finishing season 2017 with three wins on the trot, the Dogs were horrible this past year.

canterbury bulldogs des hasler sportopinion tony durkin

22nd Sept. 2017 5:09 AM

Sacked Bulldogs coach Des Hasler watches over a training session in Sydney.

NRL previews for the preliminary finals

Tony Durkin looks at the Storm-Broncos and Roosters-Cowboys clashes.

nrl previews tony durkin

21st Sept. 2017 5:09 AM

Darius Boyd during a Brisbane Broncos training session.

Ranting players as bad as whingeing coaches

Players charging towards referees has become a disgraceful look for the game and is getting out of control.

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15th Sept. 2017 5:09 AM

Referee Ashley Klein sends James Maloney of the Sharks to the sin bin during the NRL elimination final against the Cowboys.

NRL previews for week two of finals

Tony Durkin looks at who will survive the two elimination clashes.

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14th Sept. 2017 7:09 AM

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers celebrates after the qualifying final win over the Sea Eagles.

Storm is rolling on, but history warrants caution

Past seasons say the Storm are most vulnerable on grand final day.

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08th Sept. 2017 5:09 AM

Storm players and officials pose with the J.J. Giltinan Shield, awarded to the NRL premiers, after the round 26 NRL match against the Canberra Raiders.

Thanks James - we respect you too

Sharks star said that - apart from the players - those involved in rugby league are merely "accessories”.

james maloney sportopinion tony durkin

01st Sept. 2017 5:09 AM

James Maloney of the Sharks spills the ball under the tackle of Ryley Jacks and Felise Kaufusi of the Storm in round 14.

Durko's NRL previews for round 26

It's the final round of the season so Tony Durkin checks out all the weekend's clashes.

nrl previews tony durkin

31st Aug. 2017 9:08 AM

The Broncos and Cowboys last met in round two this year.

Talk of Todd Carney's return to NRL bubbles along

Love him or loathe him, ex-Dally M winner was a super talent in NRL.

sportopinion todd carney tony durkin

25th Aug. 2017 6:08 AM

Former Sharks, Roosters and Raiders star Todd Carney in 2013.

Titans fiasco shielding mess at the Warriors

Gold Coast is not the only NRL club in a mess. And it may not even be the messiest.

nz warriors sportopinion tony durkin

18th Aug. 2017 5:08 AM

David Fusitu'a of the Warriors after the team was defeated by the Raiders in round 23.

Give Gal his earned respect in milestone match

Sharks stalwart has been an incredible servant to rugby league.

paul gallen sportopinion tony durkin

11th Aug. 2017 5:08 AM

Paul Gallen of the Sharks takes the ball up against the Rabbitohs in round 20.

Young playmakers give a glimpse of possible future Origins

Nathan Cleary and Ash Taylor are able to handle the big stage.

ashley taylor nathan cleary sportopinion tony durkin

21st July 2017 6:07 AM

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