After years of heartbreak and upset, the Wests Tigers are on a magic run, sitting alongside Penrith as joint NRL leaders.

But with star fullback Jahream Bula linked to the Bulldogs - much like Lachy Galvin last season - will we see history repeat itself?

And with the Storm looking like a shadow of their former selves, is the Melbourne dynasty done?

This week, national sports editor Neil Breen returns alongside league reporter Christian Nicolussi and Zac Bailey from Nine News to dissect the latest in the NRL.

Read Christian Nicolussi's latest column here, and follow all our NRL coverage here.

After years of heartbreak and upset, the Wests Tigers are on a magic run, sitting alongside Penrith as joint NRL leaders. But with star fullback Jahream Bula linked to the Bulldogs - much like Lachy Galvin last season - will we see history repeat itself? And with the Storm looking like a shadow of their former selves, is the Melbourne dynasty done? This week, national sports editor Neil Breen returns alongside league reporter Christian Nicolussi and Zac Bailey from Nine News to dissect the latest in the NRL. Read Christian Nicolussi's latest column <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-fans-need-jahream-bula-to-stay-phil-gould-isn-t-helping-20260413-p5zneu.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here</a>, and follow all our NRL coverage <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here</a>.

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

Claws out for Tigers and the call that left Jordan Mailata speechless

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have recorded six losses in their past seven matches and questions from fans are growing louder as to who should be held accountable for their inconsistency and lack of form. Should coach Cameron Ciraldo be blamed or does the fault land with halfback Lachlan Galvin and captain Stephen Crichton?

And 'Fozball' has been locked in for the next three seasons at Manly with Kieran Foran signing an extension to remain as head coach of the Sea Eagles until the end of 2029.

In Origin news, Payne Haas and Mitchell Moses are now fit and likely to return to the NSW starting line-up for game two.

This week, sports reporter Billie Eder joins rugby league writer Christian Nicolussi and national head of sport Neil Breen to break down the latest NRL news.

Read the latest on Kieran Forans's extension here. 

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have recorded six losses in their past seven matches and questions from fans are growing louder as to who should be held accountable for their inconsistency and lack of form. Should coach Cameron Ciraldo be blamed or does the fault land with halfback Lachlan Galvin and captain Stephen Crichton? And 'Fozball' has been locked in for the next three seasons at Manly with Kieran Foran signing an extension to remain as head coach of the Sea Eagles until the end of 2029. In Origin news, Payne Haas and Mitchell Moses are now fit and likely to return to the NSW starting line-up for game two. This week, sports reporter Billie Eder joins rugby league writer Christian Nicolussi and national head of sport Neil Breen to break down the latest NRL news. Read the latest on Kieran Forans's extension <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/done-deal-kieran-foran-signs-with-manly-until-end-of-2029-20260602-p6037g.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here.&nbsp;</a>

Why Canterbury’s season is a ‘dog’s breakfast’

The NSW blues have claimed the opening match of the State of Origin series for 2026 - but only just. After 20 minutes the Blues were down 20-0 and the game seemed over, but after Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge in the second half, the Blues pulled off one of their greatest comebacks and escapes of all time.

But should Kalyn Ponga have been sent off or did he only deserve 10 minutes in the sin bin?

And did the best team actually win?

This week, national sports editor Neil Breen and rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi with Zac Bailey from Nine News break down Origin game 1 and bring you the latest insight from the NRL.

Read Christian Nicolussi's analysis here.

The NSW blues have claimed the opening match of the State of Origin series for 2026 - but only just. After 20 minutes the Blues were down 20-0 and the game seemed over, but after Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge in the second half, the Blues pulled off one of their greatest comebacks and escapes of all time. But should Kalyn Ponga have been sent off or did he only deserve 10 minutes in the sin bin? And did the best team actually win? This week, national sports editor Neil Breen and rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi with Zac Bailey from Nine News break down Origin game 1 and bring you the latest insight from the NRL. Read Christian Nicolussi's analysis <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/why-origin-referee-was-entitled-to-ignore-the-bunker-and-send-off-kalyn-ponga-20260528-p601hf.html">here.</a>

The Blues great escape in Origin thriller

The State of Origin teams have been selected and concern about the balance of the Blues' side is mounting ahead of game one in Sydney next week.

But could coach Laurie Daley’s selections be a masterstroke given the new rules and changes to the pace of the game?

And why has Maroons coach Billy Slater not only opted for a new fullback, but left Reece Walsh out of the Queensland squad entirely?

To tackle all these issues and inside mail are Sydney Morning Herald league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Prosenko, and Nine's Zac Bailey.

The State of Origin teams have been selected and concern about the balance of the Blues' side is mounting ahead of game one in Sydney next week. But could coach Laurie Daley&rsquo;s selections be a masterstroke given the new rules and changes to the pace of the game? And why has Maroons coach Billy Slater not only opted for a new fullback, but left Reece Walsh out of the Queensland squad entirely? To tackle all these issues and inside mail are Sydney Morning Herald league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Prosenko, and Nine's Zac Bailey.

Claws out for Tigers and the call that left Jordan Mailata speechless

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