Rugby League Insider - James Hooper NRL podast

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by two-time premiership winner Anthony Watmough, Sydney Morning Herald journalist Christian Nicolussi and Brandon Savage to unpack the biggest rugby league talking points. The team break down the epic Tonga v Samoa World Cup clash, Junior Paulo’s shoulder charge, and whether anyone can stop the Kangaroos.

Plus, November 1 free agency is officially here: Jack Bostock’s next move, Herbie Farnworth and the Roosters, Nathan Cleary’s Penrith v PNG decision, a possible Matt Burton–Sam Walker swap, Hudson Young and AJ Brimson to PNG, the latest from Melbourne and what’s going on at Manly.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome: November 1 is here and free agency is open
0:55 — Tonga v Samoa: an Origin-style World Cup epic
5:51 — Junior Paulo’s shoulder charge: will he miss the Kangaroos clash?
8:53 — Can anyone beat Australia? The forward pack battle
13:43 — How the game unfolded: Ronnie Volkman, Spencer Leniu and the goal-kicking woes
17:21 — Chuck’s Halloween mask prank on Brandon
20:27 — Can Tonga or Samoa go all the way?
21:30 — The miracle injury comebacks: what’s going on?
27:32 — November 1 mayhem: Jack Bostock to the Dragons and Herbie Farnworth to the Roosters
32:17 — Nathan Cleary: Penrith or PNG?
35:20 — Loyalty v money: Chuck on chasing premierships
41:49 — Nick Politis and Gus Gould to meet: a Matt Burton–Sam Walker swap?
45:27 — Hudson Young and AJ Brimson to PNG
45:56 — Melbourne mail: Craig Bellamy, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster
47:14 — Is Matt Burton the right marquee signing for Perth?
50:10 — Manly free agents and what’s going on at the Sea Eagles
52:29 — Wrap-up

📞 INSIDER HOTLINE Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you. ☎️ (02) 8001 6260 Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

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🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast
Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by Anthony “Choc” Watmough and Brandon Savage to unpack the Sam Walker contract saga and the fallout at the Sydney Roosters.
Could Walker land at the Bulldogs? The team debate his next move, a potential partnership with Lachlan Galvin, and how Matt Burton, the Perth Bears and Papua New Guinea could shape the NRL player market.

Plus, Zane Harrison’s Titans future, Cameron Munster’s contract situation, Choc’s stories about Des Hasler and Manly’s World Club Challenge trip, and a look ahead to Tonga v Samoa.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome, opening bloopers and Friday banter
1:53 — Choc on work, family and life after footy
7:54 — Sam Walker’s Roosters fallout and lessons from Manly
12:18 — Could the Bulldogs land Sam Walker?
14:56 — Matt Burton, Perth Bears and the halfback domino effect
22:29 — NRL 360 coverage and the Roosters’ media strategy
27:17 — Gus, Uncle Nick and the politics behind Walker’s next move
34:37 — Zane Harrison’s Titans deal and proving your worth
36:54 — Choc’s wild World Club Challenge memories
39:25 — PNG’s recruitment targets: Cleary, Walker and more
40:36 — Cameron Munster’s contract and Melbourne’s salary-cap history
44:39 — Des Hasler pranks and Manly’s training-ground stories
48:27 — Walker’s options: Bulldogs, PNG, Cowboys, Souths and rugby
54:06 — Tonga v Samoa, World Cup chat and final wrap-up
📞 INSIDER HOTLINE

Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.
☎️ (02) 8001 6260
Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper
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🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast
Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by Simon Woolford, Christian Nicolussi and Brendan Savage to unpack a massive week of NRL contract drama.

The team discuss Sam Walker’s shock Roosters contract breakdown, with Hoops challenging reports that he agreed to a deal before backflipping. Where could Walker land next, and could a swap involving Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden be an option?

Plus, Hudson Young’s uncertain Canberra future, the PNG Chiefs’ recruitment power, Hoops’ mail on Herbie Farnworth and the Roosters, Penrith’s contract decisions, and Melbourne’s coaching succession.

The boys also debate Australia’s World Cup selections, Ethan Strange’s Kangaroos debut, Manase Fainu’s potential return to rugby league, and the blockbuster clash between Tonga and Samoa.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider
1:12 — Hudson Young’s Canberra contract shock
2:49 — Sam Walker bombshell: Hoops challenges the backflip reports
8:27 — Where could Walker land? Bulldogs, Souths, PNG and a Cowboys swap
15:52 — Did the Roosters’ opening offer sour negotiations?
19:33 — Hoops’ Herbie Farnworth mail and the Roosters’ recruitment strategy
24:57 — Could Melbourne make a play for Walker?
27:18 — Salary cap growth and Penrith’s contract balancing act
32:58 — Could the Titans enter the Walker race?
35:01 — Craig Bellamy’s future and Melbourne’s succession plan
38:18 — Hudson Young, the Raiders’ withdrawn offer and PNG interest
49:27 — Kangaroos selections: Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco and the halves
52:29 — Ethan Strange’s journey from Thailand to a Test debut
54:34 — Manase Fainu and a potential return to rugby league
58:24 — Tonga v Samoa: ticket demand, predictions and Australia’s World Cup threats
1:03:58 — Final wrap-up

📞 INSIDER HOTLINE
Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.
☎️ (02) 8001 6260
Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

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🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast
Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by Sean O’Sullivan, Darcie McDonald to unpack the biggest rugby league talking points.

The team discuss Fiji’s brave challenge against Australia, Kurt Donoghoe’s outstanding performance, and the Kangaroos’ selection headaches. Should James Tedesco or Reece Walsh wear the No.1, and who gets the nod at halfback — Tom Dearden or Sam Walker?

Plus, World Cup blowouts, Tonga’s blockbuster clash with Samoa, Matt Burton’s future at Canterbury, and the November 1 player market. Could Harry Grant transform the Titans, and what lies ahead for Melbourne’s biggest stars?

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider
1:59 — Fiji push Australia and Kurt Donoghoe shines
6:12 — Sean O’Sullivan on Donoghoe’s remarkable rise
10:20 — Tedesco or Walsh? Australia’s fullback dilemma
12:05 — Dearden or Walker? Picking the Kangaroos’ halfback
17:53 — World Cup blowouts and growing the international game
25:47 — Tonga v Samoa: a blockbuster awaits
28:23 — Samoa’s jersey giveaways and PNG fans’ incredible journey
29:40 — Matt Burton’s future: Bulldogs, playing position and rival interest
37:54 — November 1: big names and a changing player market
39:26 — Could Harry Grant transform the Titans?
41:09 — Melbourne’s future: Bellamy, Munster and player uncertainty
45:45 — Why Hooper would tell Harry Grant to name his price
48:02 — Zane Harrison’s future on the Gold Coast
51:58 — Does the NRL’s contract system need to change?
56:05 — Final wrap-up

📞 INSIDER HOTLINE
Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.
☎️ (02) 8001 6260
Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper
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Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.
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Choc Fires Up Over PNG’s NRL Advantage, Bradman Best’s Future & Tigers Rebuild | RLIEP185

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast

Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by Anthony “Choc” Watmough and Brandon Savage to unpack the biggest NRL off-season talking points.

The team discuss Bradman Best’s future at Newcastle, the November 1 player market and the PNG Chiefs’ recruitment advantage — with Choc firing up over tax-free deals, third-party agreements and what it all means for the Perth Bears.

Plus, Mal Meninga’s coaching tensions, Cooper Bai’s future, Wayde Egan’s Warriors extension and the Wests Tigers’ rebuild. Can Benji Marshall turn things around?

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider
2:49 — International footy preview and Tonga’s big omission
3:26 — Bradman Best’s future: Newcastle or Parramatta?
8:01 — Contract talk in representative camps: has the game changed?
9:56 — Super League stories and rugby league’s contract wars
16:10 — Choc fires up over PNG’s recruitment advantage
22:54 — Perth Bears: Mal Meninga, coaching tensions and recruitment
30:18 — Choc’s Manly exit and the politics of rugby league
35:16 — Cooper Bai’s future and PNG’s third-party deals
42:29 — Wayde Egan’s Warriors extension and Kiwis eligibility
46:18 — Tigers secure Samuela Fainu: a key piece of the rebuild
48:15 — Second chances and the pathway back to the NRL
50:06 — Tigers recruitment and expectations for next season
52:51 — Benji Marshall’s coaching, player managers and burying the hatchet
59:22 — Final wrap-up and weekend plans

📞 INSIDER HOTLINE
Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.
☎️ (02) 8001 6260
Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper
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🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSE
Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.
No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week.
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Head to www.fanatics.tv for more insights & banter.
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