After heavy back-to-back defeats in Brisbane not seen since the ‘97 & ‘98 series, Billy Slater has swung his axe, sensationally dropping Queensland halfback and captain Daley Cherry-Evans for State of Origin Game 2. The Blues now have the Maroons on the ropes and are in a prime position to throw a knockout blow and claim the Origin series in Perth next Wednesday night. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi discuss the new team line-ups ahead of next week's game.

After heavy back-to-back defeats in Brisbane not seen since the &lsquo;97 &amp; &lsquo;98 series, Billy Slater has swung his axe, sensationally dropping Queensland halfback and captain Daley Cherry-Evans for State of Origin Game 2. The Blues now have the Maroons on the ropes and are in a prime position to throw a knockout blow and claim the Origin series in Perth next Wednesday night. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi discuss the new team line-ups ahead of next week's game.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald, NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.

Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to smh.com.au.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald,&nbsp;NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the&nbsp;latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.
Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl">smh.com.au.</a>

40/20

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

Billy Slater swings the axe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/c4a14dce-1ecf-4d89-bd87-b2f800c1c4db/transcript

The Zac Lomax circus continued this week as he inked a deal with Rugby Australia, joining the Western Force for two years. Lomax's comments about his dream of “one day representing the Wallabies on a truly international stage” left International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant less than impressed, saying “Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out”.

So will Lomax have what it takes to play in the Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies? Or could we see him back in the NRL?

Plus, as Alex Johnston is poised to break rugby league’s try-scoring record on Friday night will we see fans storm the field to celebrate?

This week, Herald sports reporter, Christian Nicolussi joins national sports editor, Neil Breen to dissect the latest news in league with host Zac Bailey from Nine News.

The Zac Lomax circus continued this week as he inked a deal with Rugby Australia, joining the Western Force for two years. Lomax's comments about his dream of &ldquo;one day representing the Wallabies on a truly international stage&rdquo; left International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant less than impressed, saying &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out&rdquo;. So will Lomax have what it takes to play in the Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies? Or could we see him back in the NRL? Plus, as Alex Johnston is poised to break rugby league&rsquo;s try-scoring record on Friday night will we see fans storm the field to celebrate? This week, Herald sports reporter, Christian Nicolussi joins national sports editor, Neil Breen to dissect the latest news in league with host Zac Bailey from Nine News.

The 'sloppy' Zac Lomax circus and round two's brutal reality checks

The NRL season for 2026 kicked off under dazzling lights in Las Vegas - blinding some, but not our league experts.

Here, we put players, coaches and clubs under the blowtorch for the remainder of round one. Will DCE be under the pump? Will Shane Flanagan’s honesty cost his team? And what of Zac Lomax? There was a lot more to the story as it unravelled daily.

This week our national sports editor Neil Breen shares his predictions for the season with host Zac Bailey from Nine News. One of Breenie’s predictions floored Zac.

The NRL season for 2026 kicked off under dazzling lights in Las Vegas - blinding some, but not our league experts. Here, we put players, coaches and clubs under the blowtorch for the remainder of round one. Will DCE be under the pump? Will Shane Flanagan&rsquo;s honesty cost his team? And what of Zac Lomax? There was a lot more to the story as it unravelled daily. This week our national sports editor Neil Breen shares his predictions for the season with host Zac Bailey from Nine News. One of Breenie&rsquo;s predictions floored Zac.

Zac Lomax affair uncensored: Explosive texts, blindsides, and 'bully boy' tactics

There are only a few sleeps away from NRL Christmas with the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm facing off in the Grand Final on Sunday.

But has the new rebel Rugby 360 competition, looking to poach marquee NRL players, spoiled the party like the Grinch?

And is this the beginning of a new era for the Kangaroos? As new coach Kevy Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the upcoming Ashes series against England.

Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the Rugby League news ahead of the Grand Final.

There are only a few sleeps away from NRL Christmas with the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm facing off in the Grand Final on Sunday. But has the new rebel Rugby 360 competition, looking to poach marquee NRL players, spoiled the party like the Grinch? And is this the beginning of a new era for the Kangaroos? As new coach Kevy Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the upcoming Ashes series against England. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the Rugby League news ahead of the Grand Final.

Billy Slater swings the axe

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