The Algorithm Age

In a side decimated by players withdrawn for State of Origin duties, the Broncos are set to usher in an unheralded debutant for a crucial clash with the Bulldogs. Ben Talty arrived from the North Sydney Bears midseason on a train-and-trial deal through to the end of 2026, having amassed 85 games in the New South Wales Cup. Named at 19th man for Friday night, he will replace Corey Jensen, out with a calf injury. Talty’s call-up continues coach Michael Maguire’s habit of forging careers. “We’ve got some good stories. Ben Talty came in here about a month ago, he’s put his head down and is going to be on the bench,” Maguire said. “He reminded me about how special rugby league is. “I was able to sit with him yesterday and talk about how he was going to debut. The big fella had a few tears and gave me a big squeeze, and it actually gave me a real sense of what it really means to play. ‘He’s been trying, he’s 26 now, so it just goes to show how ...

Calls are growing for the NRL and ARL Commission to change the rules around the Kangaroos coaching role, with Wayne Bennett blocked from taking the job while he's South Sydney coach. The NRL is on the hunt for a new Kangaroos coach after Mal Meninga was forced to relinquish the role when he signed on to become the Perth Bears' inaugural mentor. Brad Fittler was thought to be the front-runner to replace Meninga, but the former NSW coach withdrew from contention this week. It's now believed to be a two-horse race between Queensland greats Cameron Smith and Kevin Walters . Legendary coach Bennett was said to be interested in the Kangaroos job, especially with the return of the Ashes series against England later this year. But the ARL Commission has effectively banned Bennett from taking the role due to his affiliation with Souths. The Commission has always insisted the Kangaroos coach doesn't hold a role with an NRL team, as they don...

A World Cup-winner with England in 2003, Mike Catt played on two British and Irish Lions tours, to South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001. He has since become a world-renowned coach and this year joined the Waratahs as attack coach. Catt will be opposing the Lions on Saturday night, when they meet the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium. He spoke to Iain Payten about what he learned about being a Lion, and from coaching young Australian stars. Making the Lions Playing for the British and Irish Lions is the pinnacle of your career, so I was gutted when my name wasn’t read out in 1997. I was part of a strong England team, so not getting selected in the initial squad to tour South Africa was tough. It was the first time I sort of had that sort of disappointment. But we went with England down to Argentina to play, and within a week I was called up to the Lions squad. I grew up in South Africa, so it was special to be touring there. My theory was alw...