Monday 25 July 2016 12:52, UK
Jenna Brooks has all the big stories coming out of the NRL as Robbie Farah's future continues to raise questions, Cronulla march on, and has Wayne Bennett taken on too much with his England responsibilities?
Farah's fight
Robbie Farah has gone from New South Wales representative to New South Wales Cup in a week.
The veteran hooker still has a year left on his contract but his future is in doubt, after coach Jason Taylor dropped the former Tigers captain to reserve grade this week in a bid to freshen his side's attack.
"I've played four games in the last 12 weeks for the Tigers, three of those have been wins and in three of those, we've scored over 30 points. So if you think that's a lack of cohesion in attack, I think you guys can form an opinion over that," Farah said.
Farah, who has played 247 games for the Tigers, believes he is being pushed from the club. "I will continue being professional and try and keep my mouth shut and try not to do anything wrong because I think that is what they are trying to get me to do. But I think I am a bit smarter than that."
Wayne's worries
Brisbane suffered a shock 31-12 defeat to Penrith on Friday, as they lost for the sixth time in eight games.
The Broncos' poor form has some Australia pundits questioning Bennett's role with England and if the super coach has taken on too much with his extra responsibilities.
While Bennett couldn't explain the loss, he isn't panicking just yet. "We just turned up here and it didn't happen," he said after the defeat. "It's about ball control and repeat sets."
15 without loss
Cronulla have never won a premiership in their 50 year history, but they remain top of the ladder with a 15th win in a row.
Ben Barba helped the Sharks' NRL domination continue, leading his team to a 36-4 win over Newcastle. He scored two tries and set up another two to hand Nathan Brown's Knights a 12th defeat in a row.
The Eastern Suburbs hold the record of 19 most consecutive wins and that was in 1975. With six rounds to go, the question everyone is asking is can they not only break that record, but can they win their first premiership?
Cronulla play seventh-placed Gold Coast Titans on Monday.
Burgess praise for Watkins
Sam Burgess has praised Leeds centre Kallum Watkins and believes he could be a huge success in the NRL, if he was to move from Super League.
"I'd like to see Kallum Watkins. He's currently playing at Leeds Rhinos and he's a great player." Burgess said, "In a good system with some great training over here, I think he'd be amazing."
So could Watkins be the next Englishman to be lured to Australia?
Injured JT
Johnathan Thurston will be sidelined for at least two weeks after tearing his left hamstring during North Queensland's impressive 36-0 win over the Bulldogs on Thursday.
The star playmaker limped from the pitch after 44 minutes. "I felt a twinge when I put in a grubber kick and when I went to run, I couldn't accelerate." Thurston said
The Cowboys continued to pressure Canterbury after they lost their co-captain, scoring another three tries to record an 11th straight win at home.
Norman ban
Corey Norman has been suspended for eight games, effectively ending his season, after a string of off-field incidents. Norman pleaded guilty to drug possession after being caught with illegal substances at a casino in Sydney. The Parramatta stand-off was also fined £11,300.
NRL head of integrity Nick Weeks said: "The message is clear... players cannot put themselves in a position where they may damage their own reputations and that of the game."
Norman is out of contract at the end of the season, and may have played his final game for the Eels, given the ban.
Despite his questionable behavior, it's been reported that St George Illawarra are chasing the Parramatta player, with some suggesting the Dragons have already offered him a lucrative three-year deal.
Leeds' new recruit James Segeyaro is another player being linked with St George Illawarra. Segeyaro has impressed for the Rhinos since moving to the UK from Penrith and it's believed the Dragons are closely monitoring his progress.
London halfback Jamie Soward, who spent seven years with the Dragons, has tweeted his support. "Wow that instantly changes things for next year. Combo would be amazing."
Statement of intent
Salford have made a huge statement of intent heading into the middle 8s. They've signed Luke Burgess and Feleti Mateo from Manly until the end of the season.
It won't be the first time the pair have played in Super League. Burgess started his career at Leeds, while Mateo has spent some time with London.
Salford coach Ian Watson expects Mateo to add another dimension to the team. "Feleti is going to give us a little bit of skill factor out there. He's got a great offloading game and he's played at the highest level as well."
Watson was also full of praise for Burgess. "Luke's played at the highest level, he defends really well so hopefully he will add to the group that we've got and they will help the boys achieve what we set out for at the beginning of the season."
The Sea Eagles duo will arrive in time to play in the opening game of the qualifiers.
Saints targets
Brisbane centre Jack Reed has been linked with St Helens. The England international is currently sidelined with a serious shoulder injury, but if he recovers, he could replace Jordan Turner, who moves to Canberra next season.
Josh Hoffman is another NRL player who has been linked with St Helens. The Gold Coast centre is weighing up his future in Australia, after his manager confirmed the former Kiwi Test star has been told he is no longer needed at the Titans next year.
