The PNG Chiefs' signing fanfare of the past few weeks has left serious questions circulating about the Perth Bears' recruitment. With the Bears set to join the NRL next year – a year before the Chiefs - can coach Mal Meninga secure a marquee player for the Bears?

And with the State of Origin teams to be selected at the end of the NRL round this weekend, the biggest question for NSW selectors is who will play fullback for the Blues: the incumbent Dylan Edwards or veteran James Tedesco who is in sparkling form?

This week Sydney Morning Herald rugby league writers, Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko discuss those questions and preview Magic Round.

The PNG Chiefs' signing fanfare of the past few weeks has left serious questions circulating about the Perth Bears' recruitment. With the Bears set to join the NRL next year &ndash; a year before the Chiefs - can coach Mal Meninga secure a marquee player for the Bears? And with the State of Origin teams to be selected at the end of the NRL round this weekend, the biggest question for NSW selectors is who will play fullback for the Blues: the incumbent Dylan Edwards or veteran James Tedesco who is in sparkling form? This week Sydney Morning Herald rugby league writers, Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko discuss those questions and preview Magic Round.

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>

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New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

Will the Bears sign a marquee player? And State of Origin selection begins

As the NRL competition edges closer to the finals, the race to the top of the pack intensifies. The Panthers are slight premiership favourites as the Roosters and Warriors start to mount their finals campaigns.

But it's the race to the bottom of the eight that is still in contention, and with only three rounds remaining in the regular season, can your team make it?

And the Wests Tigers have had the season from hell but it could get even worse this Sunday as they face a full-strength Roosters side sitting at the top of the table.

This week, sports reporter Billie Eder joins rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to break down the latest in the NRL.

Read Christian's latest opinion on the Wests Tigers here.

As the NRL competition edges closer to the finals, the race to the top of the pack intensifies. The Panthers are slight premiership favourites as the Roosters and Warriors start to mount their finals campaigns. But it's the race to the bottom of the eight that is still in contention, and with only three rounds remaining in the regular season, can your team make it? And the Wests Tigers have had the season from hell but it could get even worse this Sunday as they face a full-strength Roosters side sitting at the top of the table. This week, sports reporter Billie Eder joins rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to break down the latest in the NRL. Read Christian's latest opinion on the Wests Tigers <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-have-had-the-season-from-hell-it-s-about-to-get-even-worse-20260818-p60pb3.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here.</a>

Three-horse race as teams jostle for top eight

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>

Panthers under pressure as finals race heats up

After much speculation, Matt King has been officially unveiled as Laurie Daley’s successor as NSW Blues coach for the next two series, with an option to activate a third if successful.

So what does this mean for super-coach Ivan Cleary, who has signalled his intent to coach at a representative level, when he finishes up his time with the Panthers at the end of next season?

Plus, with only a handful of rounds remaining in the regular season and the top four all but locked up, is there a team that can compete for the premiership with the Panthers?

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

Read Christian's analysis on the Blues coaching here.

After much speculation, Matt King has been officially unveiled as Laurie Daley&rsquo;s successor as NSW Blues coach for the next two series, with an option to activate a third if successful. So what does this mean for super-coach Ivan Cleary, who has signalled his intent to coach at a representative level, when he finishes up his time with the Panthers at the end of next season? Plus, with only a handful of rounds remaining in the regular season and the top four all but locked up, is there a team that can compete for the premiership with the Panthers? This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the latest NRL news. Read Christian's analysis on the Blues coaching <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/what-matt-king-s-nsw-coaching-contract-means-for-ivan-cleary-20260803-p60l3j.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here.</a>

Will the Bears sign a marquee player? And State of Origin selection begins

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