After being touted as the only real premiership contender, the Penrith Panthers are now under pressure as captain Isaah Yeo starts rehabilitation in a bid to return for the finals. Yeo suffered a pectoral injury in their loss to the Warriors last weekend.

So are the Panthers still favourites to win the premiership?

Plus, after being sin-binned and publicly blasted by coach Ricky Stuart for striking in the closing stages of Canberra’s loss to Newcastle, which ended their slim finals hopes, is Corey Horsburgh set to join another team? And was Ricky’s wrath warranted?

This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the race to the finals.

Read the latest on the Panthers here.

After being touted as the only real premiership contender, the Penrith Panthers are now under pressure as captain Isaah Yeo starts rehabilitation in a bid to return for the finals. Yeo suffered a pectoral injury in their loss to the Warriors last weekend. So are the Panthers still favourites to win the premiership? Plus, after being sin-binned and publicly blasted by coach Ricky Stuart for striking in the closing stages of Canberra&rsquo;s loss to Newcastle, which ended their slim finals hopes, is Corey Horsburgh set to join another team? And was Ricky&rsquo;s wrath warranted? This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the race to the finals. Read the latest on the Panthers <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/tears-over-to-o-as-yeo-backed-for-shock-world-cup-appearance-20260812-p60ni9.html?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;

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Panthers under pressure as finals race heats up

NRL finals are finally here and the pick of the round for our pundits is the New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins game.

Both teams are electric to watch, and while the Dolphins might be the better team on paper, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi says the team suffers from a slow start to their game. The Kiwi team are playing at home and the Warriors will take full advantage.

There’s also been a renewed spate of criticism for the NRL’s restart rules, after Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant argued they were turning the game into “touch football”. Is there anything to this contention or are the players more upset about not being consulted about the changes in the first place?

Also this week, we’re loving Spencer Leniu. He’s been criticised for costing his team a penalty, but we argue his showmanship and his love for playing the villain is terrific to watch.

Today’s episode is hosted by deputy sport editor Billie Eder with regular guests, NRL reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko.

Further reading:
'PVL concedes rare ground after RLPA rebuke for questioning integrity of NRL stars'

NRL finals are finally here and the pick of the round for our pundits is the New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins game.
Both teams are electric to watch, and while the Dolphins might be the better team on paper, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi says the team suffers from a slow start to their game.&nbsp;The Kiwi team are playing at home and the Warriors will take full advantage.
There&rsquo;s also been a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-stars-fear-set-restarts-could-decide-a-final-v-landys-says-they-re-not-telling-the-truth-20260907-p60v1g.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">renewed spate of criticism for the NRL&rsquo;s restart rules</a>, after Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant argued they were turning the game into &ldquo;touch football&rdquo;. Is there anything to this contention or are the players more upset about not being consulted about the changes in the first place?
Also this week, we&rsquo;re loving Spencer Leniu. He&rsquo;s been criticised for costing his team a penalty, but we argue his showmanship and his love for playing the villain is terrific to watch.
Today&rsquo;s episode is hosted by deputy sport editor Billie Eder with regular guests, NRL reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko.
Further reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/pvl-concedes-rare-ground-after-rlpa-rebuke-for-questioning-integrity-of-nrl-stars-20260908-p60vl0.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">'PVL concedes rare ground after RLPA rebuke for questioning integrity of NRL stars'</a></li>
</ul>

Warriors v Dolphins, restart rules, and ‘free’ Spencer Leniu

This week, most of the NRL chat has been about Jarome Luai. The morning after the West Tigers lost to the North Queensland Cowboys, Luai was on a plane to PNG.

The Tigers' marquee player met with the PNG prime minister, and opened a golf tournament, before he visited a Pepsi factory, a brand of which he's the face.

The problem was, Tigers officials didn't know about the trip until videos and photos were posted to social media of their $1.2 million-a-year man.

Luai won't join the PNG team until 2028, so how does this flying visit stack up against his commitments to his current team? And how much of a distraction will the PNG issue be for the Parramatta Eels – Luai's team next season?

We also talk about Jett Cleary's debut on the weekend for the Warriors, and now he's been released to join Penrith next year, could he play alongside his champion brother Nathan Cleary?

This week, deputy sports editor Billie Eder joins rugby league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to dissect the latest NRL news.

This week, most of the NRL chat has been about Jarome Luai. The morning after the West Tigers lost to the North Queensland Cowboys, Luai was on a plane to PNG.
The Tigers' marquee player met with the PNG prime minister, and opened a golf tournament, before he visited a Pepsi factory, a brand of which he's the face.
The problem was, Tigers officials didn't know about the trip until videos and photos were posted to social media of their $1.2 million-a-year man.
Luai won't join the PNG team until 2028, so how does this flying visit stack up against his commitments to his current team? And how much of a distraction will the PNG issue be for the Parramatta Eels &ndash; Luai's team next season? We also talk about Jett Cleary's debut on the weekend for the Warriors, and now he's been released to join Penrith next year, could he play alongside his champion brother Nathan Cleary? This week, deputy sports editor Billie Eder joins rugby league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to dissect the latest NRL news.

Inside the Jarome Luai PNG circus

Broncos teammates and rival players have criticised coach Michael Maguire’s decision to deny Adam Reynolds a Suncorp Stadium farewell. Reynolds has been battling a calf-injury, but completed a vital training session on Monday. The decision to deny Reynolds a final appearance has not gone down well with supporters or teammates and has thrust the spotlight back on Maguire and his relationship with the playing group.

Plus, after eight wins in a row and being touted as premiership favourites by some pundits, the Roosters were beaten by bottom-of-the-table dwellers the Wests Tigers last weekend. So are they the real deal? And is this the hiccup they needed before the finals?

And the NRL will run the first trial of its controversial kick-off rule change on Thursday night in the match between Brisbane and Melbourne. In what could be a precursor to the permanent introduction of the rule for the 2027 season, the team that concedes a try will have the option to re-start by either kicking off or receiving the football. So how will it work and do we really need another change to the rules?

This week, Sports Deputy Editor Billie Eder alongside Rugby League journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko break down the latest NRL news.

Read the latest on Adam Reynolds here. 

Broncos teammates and rival players have criticised coach Michael Maguire&rsquo;s decision to deny Adam Reynolds a Suncorp Stadium farewell. Reynolds has been battling a calf-injury, but completed a vital training session on Monday. The decision to deny Reynolds a final appearance has not gone down well with supporters or teammates and has thrust the spotlight back on Maguire and his relationship with the playing group. Plus, after eight wins in a row and being touted as premiership favourites by some pundits, the Roosters were beaten by bottom-of-the-table dwellers the Wests Tigers last weekend. So are they the real deal? And is this the hiccup they needed before the finals? And the NRL will run the first trial of its controversial kick-off rule change on Thursday night in the match between Brisbane and Melbourne. In what could be a precursor to the permanent introduction of the rule for the 2027 season, the team that concedes a try will have the option to re-start by either kicking off or receiving the football. So how will it work and do we really need another change to the rules? This week, Sports Deputy Editor Billie Eder alongside Rugby League journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko break down the latest NRL news. Read the latest on Adam Reynolds <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/go-ask-them-maguire-bristles-after-walsh-hunt-dramas-in-reynolds-saga-20260826-p60rls.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here.&nbsp;</a>

Panthers under pressure as finals race heats up

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