Friday Mar 12 20:54 AEDT

Finch confident Smith will handle role

Melbourne five-eighth Brett Finch has welcomed the idea of Cronulla targeting the Storm's new halfback, given he is one of the world's best league players.

Titans clash: Hohaia looks forward to extra space

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Nathan Cayless, Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi and Daniel Mortimer. (Getty - file)

False dawns of past leave Eels wary

Lessons of campaigns past will ensure the Eels don't get caught up in premiership trophy hype.

Dean Young: Soward up to the task

Mat Rogers: Bird will be brutal from start

Ben Ross is taken from the field in a neck brace during round one 2009. (AAP - file)

Ross comeback on hold for Souths

South Sydney prop Ben Ross' comeback is on hold for at least another month after a meeting with a specialist.

NRL opener: Dragons in disarray

Mason pressure: Webb in doubt for Cowboys

Poore on edge for clash with Dragons

Parramatta skipper Nathan Cayless says Justin Poore has been on edge as he prepares to face his former teammates.

Life deal: Gallen re-signs with Sharks

Bring it on Des, says Tuqiri

Lote Tuqiri says he looks forward to the challenge of being targeted by Manly coach Des Hasler in his return to league.

Sternum niggle: Hayne to start season in pain

New Titan: Toopi embraces surrogate family

Sonny Bill Williams looks up to Steve Price during their days at the Bulldogs. (AAP - file)

Price eager to hear from Sonny Bill

Steve Price won't get excited about Sonny Bill's return until he pledges his desire for a comeback to the 13-man code.

Hasler plan: Manly coach keen to target Tuqiri

Noddy's end: Mortimer call wont affect Kimmorley

Experts

Steve Hitstirrer

NRL season 2010It's NRL
premiership
glory for
Bennett's
Dragons. Wally Lewis

NRL Grand FinalWally Lewis takes you through
the big one.

More league headlines

Burgess returns to haunt SmithBrian Smith has only himself to blame if South Sydney recruit Sam Burgess tramples over his side after he revealed his role in unleashing Burgess. Ex-Raider Purtell with point to provePenrith will send several of their recruits into NRL action against Canberra, but none will have a bigger point to prove than ex-Raider Adrian Purtell. Warriors to wear blue against Gold CoastThe Warriors have landed a blow in their row over jerseys with Gold Coast ahead of Sunday's NRL clash. Sharks happy to get Storm first-upCronulla claim they couldn't pick a better time to take on Melbourne, believing the NRL premiers are at their most vulnerable heading into Saturday's clash. Knights try to forget tough off-seasonNewcastle have the chance to answer one of the NRL's burning questions when they take on Canterbury - just how will they react to a horror off-season. No axing threat for Broncos youngstersIvan Henjak's infants will be able to play without the threat of the axe if they stuff up against the Cowboys in Friday's NRL opener at Suncorp Stadium. Dragons up ante in bid to stay with EelsSt George Illawarra backrower Dean Young claims the Dragons can't afford to simply replicate the game-plan which won them last year's NRL minor premiership. ARL backs commission to run rugby leagueThe Australian Rugby League has confirmed it will support an independent commission to run the game in Australia. Maloney comfortable with Warriors' roleNew recruit James Maloney believes he won't be burdened by recent history when he runs out for the Warriors' NRL clash with Gold Coast on Sunday. Larder favours Aussie clash over FrenchFormer Great Britain coach Phil Larder has called for England's mid-season match with France to be replaced by a fixture against Super League-based Australians. Mannering to miss Warriors' NRL openerNew skipper Simon Mannering's wait to lead the New Zealand Warriors continues after he was ruled out of the club's NRL season opener against Gold Coast. Dragons No.1 Boyd keen to be like HayneSt George Illawarra fullback Darius Boyd has described Eels opposite Jarryd Hayne as the best in the world - and the Dragons star wants to be just like him. Bunnies pack the best in the NRL: TaylorSouth Sydney have the best pack in the NRL - just ask them. Storm bracing for tough NRL season startMelbourne are bracing for a torrid start to the NRL season as reigning premiers, but Craig Bellamy is confident his stars can overcome a limited off-season. Willie Mason named on bench for CowboysNorth Queensland's star recruit Willie Mason will make his Cowboys debut off the bench against Brisbane on Friday night. Broncos name three NRL debutantsBrisbane coach Ivan Henjak will gamble on youth for his team's NRL blockbuster against North Queensland on Friday night.

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