The NRL and Super League seasons may be done and dusted but there is still plenty of rugby league.

The most exciting perhaps, is the World Cup Nines tournament.

Revisiting the concept on a global scale, players from across the world will be on show to both win and earn playing contracts, should they not already have one.

With exciting talent and new talent on the rise, the World Cup Nines is proving to be a competition to watch with bated breath.

With so much talent to choose from, here are our picks for the talents to keep an eye on from each side:

Australia: Ryan Papenhuyzen, potentially a surprise pick as not only a Nines selection but as a player to watch.
However, the nimble Melbourne Storm fullback had a debut season to remember, bamboozling and wrong-footing defenders with quick feet.

The Nines are perfectly suited for his abilities where, in open space, he will be able to find holes, exploit gaps and support the forwards through the middle.

New Zealand: Braden Hamlin-Uele had a breakout year in the NRL for the Cronulla Sharks this season, providing them with punch and starch.

The Kiwis will be hoping for much of the same from the hulking prop, who has shown a good work-rate, a strong motor and a tendency to bulldoze.

With early metres so crucial to gain an ascendancy, a player of Hamlin-Uele’s size is an added bonus for a Kiwi side littered with talent.

Tonga: Fanitesi Niu is a name that we may hear a lot more of, and the kid can play, if you believe Brisbane Broncos fans. 

A versatile utility back, Niu has all the tools to succeed in the Nines format and at the top level. Pace, agility, strength, he could be a surprise packet as he stakes an NRL claim.

With an impressive tournament among some current top players, Niu’s career trajectory could be set for a big change.

Samoa: Luciano Leilua has taken perhaps a bit longer to hit the consistent level fans expected of him but now that he has? Well, look out. 

A barnstorming back-rower with size and a big engine to boot, he will run at defenders all day and look to create additional chances to attack.

In a Samoan side that perhaps lacks elite halves, his influence on the edges to create chances may be a key for Samoan wins.

England: George Williams is Canberra bound in 2020 and both Canberra Raiders fans and NRL fans will get their first look at him in this tournament. 

An elite half at the English level, Williams’ guile, tenacity and deft kicking, will be valuable attributes both for Canberra and England.

In attacking positions, Williams’ class is expected to shine through and give England as many chances as possible to score.

Wales: Regan Grace, a prodigious talent that has burst onto the scene for St Helens. Scoring tries for fun, his finishing abilities have put the Super League on notice. 

Those skills will be perfectly suited to the Nines format, where he can use a combination of pace, natural ability and finishing, to capitalise on Welsh chances.

Although many do not give them a chance, it is players like Grace who can put them in winning positions.

France: Jason Baitieri, now an elder statesman of the game, is the leadership you want in your side. 

His name may sound familiar to Australian fans but it is his time at Catalans Dragons that has seen him excel.

His experience will prove invaluable for a relatively young French side, as they look to cause some upsets.

Lebanon: Reece Robinson will look to use all his experience and nous to help an inexperienced Lebanese side produce results.

Not the side many were expecting for this tournament, off-field dramas have seen no major NRL stars selected.

So it is Robinson, a multiple NRL representative, that will lead the young pups into what will be their toughest challenge yet.

Cook Islands:Brad Takairangi has been around the NRL for a while and now has the chance to produce in the Nines format. 

With a Cook Islands side that has several players probably unknown to fans, the experience alone will be an honour for these players.

Papua New Guinea: Garry Lo, a prolific try-scorer, looms as a key attacking threat for Papua New Guinea. 

No stranger to creating opportunities and scoring, he leads a bevvy of talented Papua New Guinean players on the rise.

Plenty of talent to keep an eye on and plenty of exciting games are just around the corner.

The NRL can ill-afford off-field attention but it has once again, with Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona caught throwing punches in a viral video. 

The video has been seen by hundreds and thousands across Australia, as the Storm confirmed the incident involving their hulking prop.

Outside the popular Seminyak area, numerous outlets such as The Herald Sun are reporting that the man called NAS, was retaliating to a king-hit suffered by teammate Suliasi Vunivalu.

The matter has since been referred to the NRL Integrity Unit as they now investigate the matter and the sequence of events.

Can’t escape the off season even if you go to Bali….. pic.twitter.com/jnToGE8F9F

— The Roast (@thenrlroast) October 13, 2019

The Storm issued a brief statement on the matter, although did not name Asofa-Solomona in it. They are treating it seriously.

“Melbourne Storm has reported an incident involving a member of our NRL squad currently on holidays in Bali to the NRL’s Integrity Unit.

Storm has launched a full investigation into what has occurred.

Storm takes these type of incidents very seriously and will not be making any further public comment at this time.”

Arriving home from Melbourne this morning, Asofa-Solomona spoke briefly to a reporter without stopping and said his side of the story would soon be told.

“My side of the story will be told soon”

Melbourne @Storm player Nelson Asofa-Solomona has returned to Melbourne after being involved in a Bali street fight pic.twitter.com/F53Ze2ZGzm

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 13, 2019

A nightclub owner has this morning come out defending Asofa-Solomona, pointing out that what the video shows does not portray the full story.

“It’s so bad because they don’t see the reality (of) what happened before,” Assiego told 9 News.

“His reaction was aggressive for sure but … I feel sorry for him.”

His 2019 season saw a dip in form and many Wests Tigers fans reluctant to retain him, and so, an immediate release will see Esan Marsters join a rival NRL club. 

Although not confirmed, that club is expected to be the North Queensland Cowboys.

Since making his debut for the Tigers and in the NRL back in 2017, Marsters has played in 61 games with 17 tries to his name.

With a chance for more opportunity and his reported club the Cowboys needing established centres, the Tigers gave him their well wishes.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to thank Esan for his contribution to Wests Tigers,” Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.

“We were able to give Esan his first-grade debut several years ago and it’s been pleasing to see him grow and contribute in numerous ways since then.

“This new long-term deal is a great opportunity for him and we wish both he and his partner Isabelle all the best in the future.”

With Marsters’ move to the Cowboys now confirmed, fans will be hoping the Kiwi international can recapture his 2018 form.

“Esan is a high-quality centre, he’s an international and we believe he is one of the more dangerous outside backs in the NRL,” Cowboys Director of Football Peter Parr said.

“The outside backs is an area we have been looking to increase our depth and we believe Esan is going to be a quality signing for our squad for 2020 and beyond.

“He’s only 23, so his best football is still in front of him, which is exciting considering what he has already achieved in his career.”

We had the NRL Nines before that disappeared but the Nines are back! This time, in the form of the Rugby League World 9s.

Scheduled to be played at Bankwest Stadium over two days (the 18th and 19th of October), it promises to be a ripper two days.

Twelve nations will start the tournament in the men’s game and four in the women’s game but only team can take it out in both.

The teams are Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, England, France, Samoa, Wales, Lebanon, Cook Islands and the United States.

For the women, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and England will do battle.

All the teams as they filter through will be named here so sit back, relax, and enjoy the litany of quality named by the sides.

We’ll also add in a little breakdown of each team after they’re listed and what their chances are.

Australia: Josh Addo-Carr, Ryan Papenhuyzen & Curtis Scott (all Melbourne Storm). Jai Arrow & AJ Brimson (both Gold Coast Titans). Nathan Brown, Mitch Moses & Clint Gutherson (all Parramatta Eels). Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys).
Reubenn Garrick (Manly Sea Eagles). Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks). David Fifita (Wakefield). Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons). Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights). Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs).

Cook Islands: Tevin Arona & Junior Pua (both Canterbury Bulls), Anthony Gelling (Widnes Vikings), Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos), Kayal Iro & Brodie Tamarua (both New Zealand Warriors), Steven Marsters (St George Illawarra Dragons), Sam Mataora (Belconnen United), Tepai Moeroa & Brad Takairangi (both Parramatta Eels), Moses Noovao-McGreal & Paul Ulberg (both Norths Devils), John Puna (Easts Tigers), Reubenn Rennie & Vincent Rennie (both Mounties RLFC) & Aaron Teroi (Central Queensland Capras)

Coach: Tony Iro

Ricky’s View: Although the Cook Islands do possess some NRL pedigree in Waratahs bound Tepai Moeroa and Eels utility Brad Takairangi, it probably will not be enough to cause any ripples.

They will try their hearts out and the Kukis will have their time to cheer, but the bigger, stronger sides, will overpower their efforts.

England: James Graham & Gareth Widdop (both St George Illawarra Dragons). Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs). Daryl Clark & Blake Austin (both Warrington Wolves). Jake Connor (Hull FC). Ryan Hall (Sydney Roosters). Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos).
Reece Lyne (Wakefield Trinity). Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants). Ryan Sutton & Elliott Whitehead (both Canberra Raiders).
Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons). Jake Trueman & Liam Watts (both Castleford Tigers). George Williams (Wigan Warriors).

Fiji: Kevin Naiqama (St Helens) (C), Suliasi Vunivalu & Isaac Lumelume (both Melbourne Storm), Waqa Blake & Maika Sivo (both Parramatta Eels), Brayden Wiliame (Catalans Dragons), Mika Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons), Penioni Tagituimua (Nadera Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles), Silistino Ravutaumada & Taane Milne (both New Zealand Warriors), Viliame Kikau, (Penrith Panthers),  Penaia Leveleve (Nabua Broncos), Maika Tudravu (Army Bears), Joseva Lawalawa (Ravoravo Rabbitohs) & Luke Nadurutalo (unattached).

Coach: Brandon Costin.

Ricky’s View: The back five will be star-studded, boasting experience, speed, pace, raw power and the ability to change a game.

Where Fiji might struggle, however, is in the middle. For, it is there, where the land is barren and where the struggles may arise.

If the outside backs can excel like most Fijian backs do, it could be the key for Fiji to succeed.

France: Lilian Albert, Charlie Bouzinac (both FC Lezignan). Bastien Canet (AS Carcassonne), Louis Jouffret (Batley Bulldogs), Thomas Lasvenes (Villenueve XIII), Hakim Miloudi (Toronto Wolfpack) & Arthur Mourgues (St Esteve XIII Catalans).
Jordan Dezaria, Paul Marcon, Gavin Marguerite, Justin Sangare & Jusseaume Mathieu (all Toulouse Olympique).
Lucas Albert, Jason Baitieri, Alrix da Costa, Lambert Belmas & Arthur Romano (all Catalans Dragons).

Lebanon: Kayne Kalache, James Roumanos & Elie El-Zakhem (all Canterbury Bulldogs). Reece Robinson (Queanbeyan Kangaroos). Travis Robinson (Newtown Jets), Jacob Kiraz (North Queensland Cowboys), Jalal Bazzaz (St George Illawarra Dragons), Anthony Layoun (Mounties RLFC), Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), Jayden El-Jalkh (Wests Magpies), Adam Rizk & Josh Rizk (both Ryde-Eastwood Hawks), John-Paul Nohra & Charbel Tasipale (both Parramatta Eels), Johnny-Lee Gabriel (Balmain) & Ahmad Haraljy (USA Sevens).

Coach: Rick Stone.

Ricky’s View: It pains me to say this after their good fortunes at the World Cup, but sadly, I don’t give Lebanon much hope.

Had the disputes over essentially nothing not originated, they would have been blessed with a bevvy of elite NRL talent.

The same talent that saw them become a fan favourite at the last World Cup.

New Zealand: Leeson Ah Mau, Ken Maumalo & Kodi Nikorima (all New Zealand Warriors). Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels). James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers). Corey Harawira-Naera, Jeremy Marshall-King & Reimis Smith (all Canterbury Bulldogs).
Shaun Johnson, Briton Nikora & Braden Hamlin-Uele (all Cronulla Sharks). Kevin Proctor (Gold Coast Titans). Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine & Bailey Simonsson (all Canberra Raiders). Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos).

Papua New Guinea (PNG): Stargroth Amean & Wartovo Puara (both Barrow Raiders). Watson Boas (Doncaster RLFC). Edwin Epape & Edene Gebbie (both Wynnum-Manly Seagulls). Bernard Lewis (Sydney Roosters). Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks).
Garry Lo & Moses Meninga (both PNG Hunters). Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos), Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm), Nixon Putt (Norths Devils), Dan Russell (North Queensland Cowboys), Jedudiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins), Stanford Talita (Hela Wigmen) & Terry Wapi (PNG Hunters).

Samoa: Bunty Afoa & Ligi Sao (both New Zealand Warriors). Dean Blore, Moses Leota, Jarome Luai & Brian To’o (all Penrith Panthers). Michael Chee-Kam & David Nofoaluma (both Wests Tigers). Tino Fa’asuamaleaui & Marion Seve (both Melbourne Storm). Tim Lafai & Luciano Leilua (both St George Illawarra Dragons). Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders). Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights). Lalatoa Mafa’afa (Canterbury Bulldogs) & Jorge Taufua (Manly Sea Eagles).

Ricky’s View: Another team blessed with efficient backs, yet struggling for game-changing, standout halves.

It will not stop them from having a dig and they will draw on their NRL experience across the team.

Though may fall just short of the final hurdle, but are good enough to jag a semi final spot.

Coach: Matt Parish

Tonga: John Asiata, Jason Taumalolo and Peter Hola (all North Queensland Cowboys). William Fakatoumafi (New Zealand Warriors). Andrew Fifita and Sione Katoa (both Cronulla Sharks). Tevita Funa (Manly Sea Eagles). Delouise Hoeter (Manly Sea Eagles). Jamil Hopoate, Fanitesi Niu, Joe Ofahengaue & Tevita Pangai Jr. (all Brisbane Broncos). Sione Katoa & Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (both Penrith Panthers). Tuipolutu Katoa (Canterbury Bulldogs). Robert Jennings (Wests Tigers).

Ricky’s View: If there is one team that is going to challenge the top sides, this Tongan side is that team.

With the board dispute resolved following a change and intervention by the Government, they are ready to rumble.

With huge, hulking players in Taumalolo, Hola and Pangai, these three have the potential to tear teams up the middle and cause havoc.

That, of course, allows the smaller men around the ruck and out wide to simply finish tries.

They will be an entertaining side to watch.

Wales: Rhys Evans, Dalton Grant & Cobi Green (all Bradford Bulls). Will Evans (Burleigh Bears). Connor Davies, Curtis Davies & Dan Fleming (Halifax RLFC). Elliot Kear & Rhys Williams (London Broncos RL). Lloyd White (Mackay Cutters). Regan Grace (St Helens). Gavin Bennion, Mike Butt & Rhodri Lloyd (all Swinton Lions). Ben Evans (Toulouse Olympique). James Olds (Wests Brisbane Panthers).

Ricky’s View: The Welsh team will come over with a fire in the belly, eager to prove themselves on the international stage.

With players that have been capped numerous times already and played on the big stage before at World Cups, they will not be daunted by the sheer weight of the task at hand.

They will come prepared and they will come with resolve, and that is all you can ask, with a few potential surprise wins along the way.

United States: David Washington, Charlie Jones and Khalial Harris (all Jacksonville Axemen). Ryan Burroughs (RU), Bureta Faraimo (Hull FC), Corey Makelim (Sheffield Eagles), Danny Howard (Wentworthville Magpies), Jerome View (Souths Logan Magpies), Kristian Freed (Wests Mitchelton), Jay Florimo (The Entrance), Eddy Pettybourne (Central Queensland Capras), Joe Eichner (Northern Pride), Mark Offerdahl (Goondawindi), Junior Vaivai (Toulouse Olympique XIII) & Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks).
Jamil Robinson, Marcus Satavu, Brandon Anderson, Connor Donohue & Brock Davies (all Brooklyn Kings).

Ricky’s View: This US side will have plenty of heart, ticker and drive, though the relative lack of experience at the highest level will likely see them falter.

Although, they do boast an exciting talent in Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who has impressed since making his club debut.

He is eligible due to his family ties with American Samoa.

We now kno who will play who in each game on 2019 grand final day.

The day will mark the end of all regular season club games for the main Australian competitions and this will take place live and free on channel 9.

INTRUST SUPER CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWTOWN JETS VS BURLEIGH BEARS

To kick off the day in Sydney, the Intrust Super Championship game will see the Newtown Jets take on the Burleigh Bears.

The Bears finished the Intrust Super Cup regular season 3rd on the ladder with 17 wins and 6 losses.

They had to beat the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Sunshine Coast Falcons to qualify for the Grand Final.

Triumphant in the ISC grand final, the Burleigh Bears defeated the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 28-10 to qualify for the championship game.

On the other hand, the Newtown Jets finished 7th on the ladder in the Canterbury cup with 11 wins, 1 draw and 10 losses.

Even though they were heavy outsiders, they would go on a magical run through the finals.

This started off with a 44-20 win over the Mount Pritchard Mounties.

The following week, they defeated the 3rd place Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with a late try to advance to the prelims.

In the preliminary final, they defeated the minor premiers, the St George Illawarra Dragons, to advance to the grand final.

The clash against the Wentworthville Magpies was an epic.

After the culmination of 80 minutes, we didn’t have a winner. 14-all with 10 minutes of extra time to play.

The Magpies took the early lead with a field goal but William Kennedy would score the game winning try in extra time.

Will the Newtown Jets continue their underdog run through the finals?

Will the Burleigh Bears be the first QLD team to win the championship since 2015?

HOLDEN WOMENS PREMIERSHIP

BRISBANE BRONCOS VS ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Following the Intrust Super Championship, the second Holden Women’s Championship winner will be decided.

The Brisbane Broncos have been the powerhouse of the NRLW since its conception.

They proved this earlier in the year by defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons In Round 1, 14-4.

Following this was a 20-0 win over the Sydney Roosters in round 2 but they would suffer their first ever loss in round 3.

This was a 10-8 loss to the New Zealand Warriors. These results were enough to get the Broncos the minor premiership.

The St George Illawarra Dragons on the other hand, came into this season with the wooden spoon of the previous season to their name.

Even with this, they came into the season as premiership favourites.

They started the season in round 1 with the Broncos leaving a 14-4 dent in their premiership favourite hopes.

However, they turned this around with a 26-6 win over the New Zealand Warriors and a 24-16 win over the Sydney Roosters.

This got them into second position on the ladder by for and against points.

Will the defending premiers and minor premiers of the Brisbane Broncos emulate the men of 1992 and 1993 and go back-to-back?

Will the Dragons make good of the preseason premiership hopes?

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP

SYDNEY ROOSTERS VS CANBERRA RAIDERS

The main event of the day, the Telstra Premiership grand final.

The Sydney Roosters host the Canberra Raiders in a must-see clash to decide the 112th Telstra Premiership winner.

The Sydney Roosters came into the season as heavy favourites to go back-to-back to win the premiership.

They proved that this could very well come true in the regular season as they finished 2nd on the ladder with 17 wins and 7 losses.

In the first qualifying final, they laid on an attacking masterclass against the 3rd place South Sydney Rabbitohs at the SCG.

They ran away with the 30-6 win to earn a bye and a ticket to the preliminary finals.

In the preliminary finals, they matched up with the minor premiers, the Melbourne Storm at the SCG.

Though it wasn’t as high-scoring as the qualifying final, they showed their defensive capabilities for a 14-6 win to earn a spot in the grand final.

The Canberra Raiders came into the season with many people having them in the bottom 8.

Not many people will have expected the resurgence of the former powerhouse we had in the 80s and 90s in the days of Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley.

They proved the doubters wrong and finished 4th on the ladder with 15 wins and 9 losses.

In the second qualifying final, they faced the 1st placed Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.

A late game winning try from John Bateman gave them a bye and a home preliminary final.

In the preliminary, they proved to be as tough as a brick wall defensively to win 16-10 and book a spot in the grand final.

Will the Sydney Roosters be the first team to go back-to-back since the 1992 and 1993 Brisbane Broncos?

Will the Canberra Raiders win their first premiership since 1994?

All of our questions will be answered live and free on Channel 9 on Sunday.

In 2013, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an investigation into the Sharks supplements program.

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks used this program during the 2011 season.

At the time, the head coach was Shane Flanagan and he was the one who lead the program.

The NRL caught the Sharks using illicit substances during this program and subsequently handed many players and staff members lengthy bans.

It was not until 2018 that the NRL found out that Shane Flanagan had sent over 50 emails to the Sharks management.

The ban strictly prohibited this.

Due to these emails, the NRL de-registered Shane Flanagan from coaching in the NRL.

John Morris would take over as the Sharks head coach in 2019 as Flanagan fought to be able to coach again.

This was successful as after the 2019 season, the NRL re-instated Flanagan into coaching in the NRL.

This was with a clause that Flanagan can not be a head coach until 2022.

Flanagan has been signed by the St George Illawarra Dragons to be the assistant coach to Paul McGregor.

Many different news sites reported this throughout the week as well as NRL 360 on Monday night.

Buzz Rothfield said that this signing was due to Phil Gould’s assessment and report on the Dragons.

Will Shane Flanagan help lead to the Dragons to a top 8 finish?

Maybe even a premiership? We will see next year.

A long, storied career, saw Tim Mannah play out his entire first-grade life-time with one team, the Parramatta Eels. 

With an off-field role set for 2020, the veteran prop has decided to retire from rugby league at the end of the season.

With a grand final in the Intrust Super Cup coming up and a chance to go out a winner, Mannah knew it was the right time.

“I’ve had a great time in the game and it’s given me and my family so much,” Mannah said.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support I’ve received from the Eels and our passionate Blue and Gold Army, I truly believe we have the best fans in the world.

“I’ll always have amazing memories of the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way, but now I’m excited to open a new chapter in my career.”

Despite talk that things may have ended sourly at the club, there was nothing but praise for what he has achieved in the blue and gold.

“On behalf of everyone at Parramatta Eels, we’d like to congratulate Tim on an incredible rugby league career,” said Eels CEO, Bernie Gurr.

“We are very pleased he will remain an Eel, as he makes his transition into life after football and forges an equally successful career off the field.

“I know everyone in Rugby League will join with me in wishing Tim and his young family nothing but the best for the future.”