Rugby League Rat Pack

A great friend and mentor joins the Rat Pack for our most recent 'Sit Down'. Matty Elliott is the former Bradford Bulls in Super League, Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, and New Zealand Warriors Head Coach in the NRL along with leading the USA Tomahawks to qualification at the 2013 RLWC sits down with the Rat Pack to chat about his illustrious career as player and coach. Off the field Matt leads 'The Change Room' which is an Australian performance collective. For over thirty years they have helped people, teams and organizations move from where they are to where they need to be — in corporate leadership, in elite sport, and in recovery. A must watch!

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The Rugby League Rat Pack is back with a massive Grand Final edition!

The NRL and NRLW are heading toward the biggest games of the season, and the boys are diving into the drama, the matchups, the biggest moments and everything you need to know before the Grand Finals.

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Join Niuy, Bobo, Duck Arse & Captain America for complete analysis of the NRL Grand Final, including the Newcastle Knights' dramatic win over the Panthers, the Roosters' place in the Grand Final, and the NRLW Grand Final between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters.

Of course the Pack give their predictions too!

Plus, the guys look back at their AMNRL Grand Finals, Bobo ranks the best and worst entertainment performances at sporting events and Captain America awards another MVP.

In This Episode:

Dramatic Newcastle win that sent the Knights to the NRL Grand Final

The Rat Pack's Grand Final weekend discussion

AMNRL Grand Final trivia and photos

The NRL Grand Final and the road to the big game

The NRLW Grand Final NRLW highlights and commentary

Bobo's Breakdown and Grand Final entertainment

The best and worst Grand Final entertainment performances

A look back at classic Grand Final programs from the 1980s

Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award: Sandon Smith

Old-school rugby league jerseys

Grand Final predictions

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A former NRL star with the Brisbane Broncos, Parramatta Eels, and Wests Tigers along with being a Qld Maroon and Tongan international, Joe Ofahengaue joins the lads for a Sit Down to discuss his playing journey in Australia and his current love of the Super League with the Leigh Leopards. Where he is a candidate for the prestigious Man of Steel award. In an interesting twist Jofa has connections to three clubs that will be at NRL Vegas 2027 along with a fourth club, the Broncos that were one of the inaugural teams in 2024. Enjoy this fascinating chat with one of the games most exciting players in the past decade. We look forward to seeing Jofa again in Las Vegas soon!

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The Rugby League Rat Pack is back for Episode 29 with an informative conversation featuring Jillaroos & Women's Rugby League World Cup Coach Jess Skinner!

Jess joins the boys to talk about her rugby league journey, the growth and future of the women’s game, coaching, Indigenous rugby league, the World Cup and what comes next for the sport.

Plus, Niy, Bobo, Duck Arse & Captain America tackle the latest NRL Finals action, preliminary final predictions, NRLW, Super League, Bobo’s Breakdown, the Most Valuable Preston Award and the countdown to Scrum Vegas IV in Las Vegas!

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In This Episode

00:00 Introduction - Rugby League Playoffs!

05:03 We found Vassy!

05:50 Jess Skinner joins the Rat Pack

07:11 Jess’ Rugby League Journey

13:10 Launching Rugby League in her Community

15:10 That time the girls beat up on the Rat Pack in touch footy

17:16 Challenges of being a female in a male dominated sport

18::50 Advice to women rugby league players

20:16 Women coaching in juniors and the bush

21:46 Biggest Changes & Opportunities in women’s game

27:09 Women’s game best way to grow Rugby League in the USA

29:04 Women’s World Cup Selections 32:03 Coaching the Indigenous Team

35:41 Great Women Players

36:13 Jessica Sergis

37:06 Jess’ Coaching Style and Influences

44:28 Tiana Granby and Roots Rugby Family

46:08 First Nations Women’s Rugby League

51:26 What happens after World Cup selections?

1:02:01 NRL Recap

1:06:29 Referee Ashley Klein dumped for preliminary finals after major mistake in New Zealand

1:10:06 Road to NRL Final: Round 3 Predictions

1:15:08 Bobo’s Breakdown: Underdogs

1:17:39 Super League Round Up

1:19:50 Most Valuable Preston Award

1:21:38 NRLW Playoffs scores and highlights

1:22:59 NRLW Round 2 Predictions

1:26:17 Countdown to Scrum Vegas IV

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The Rat Pack welcomes Rugby League Coach Lee Addison to explore his rugby league journey, his move to Australia, coaching philosophy, working with Australian schools, adapting coaching delivery for today's players and his path to the USA. Lee also shares his perspective on the recent Warriors vs. Dolphins matchup and looks back to Team USA's Rugby League World Cup "Shock the World" campaign.

Plus, Niuy, Bobo, Duck Arse & Captain America analyze the NRL playoffs, look ahead to the NRL Grand Final, recap the Super League playoff picture, preview the NRLW Finals Series before the highly anticipated Bobo's Breakdown and the Most Valuable Preston Award!

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In This Episode

• Lee Addison joins the Rat Pack to share his rugby league journey
• Coaching lessons from Lee Addison
• How today's players differ from previous generations
• Why coaches need to adapt their delivery to today's players
• Lee's experience coaching Australian schools
• Lee's path to the USA
• Rugby League World Cup: "Shock the World" campaign
• NRL Finals Week 1 recap
• The road to the NRL Grand Final
• Super League playoff update
• NRLW scores, highlights and Finals Series preview
• Bobo's Breakdown: Mental Edges in the NRL Playoffs
• Most Valuable Preston: Dylan Edwards

Chapters 00:00 Introduction - NRL Playoffs!

04:30 NFL in Australia at NCG

07:38 Lee Addison joins the Rat Pack

09:31 Lee Addison’s Rugby League Journey

22:08 How Lee got to Australia

28:45 A lesson from Lee

30:54 Lee’s takeaways from Warriors v Dolphins

32:07 Qualities of a great coach

35:06 How are players of today different than older players?

40:02 Coaches need to adapt their deliveries

41:45 Coaching at Australian Schools

49:34 How Lee found his way to the USA

52:40 Rugby League World Cup: Shock the World Campaign

1:04:57 NRL Recap

1:09:41 Road to the NRL Grand Final

1:12:36 Super League Round Up

1:14:13 NRLW Scores and Highlights

1:20:25 NRLW Finals Series Preview

1:22:30 Bobo’s Breakdown: Mental Edges in the NRL Playoffs

1:24:45 Most Valuable Preston: Dylan Edwards

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Stephen Crowe joins the Rugby League Rat Pack for a wild trip through Newcastle Knights history, the 1997 Grand Final, rugby league battles, NRL Finals, Super League and the latest NRLW action.

In this episode, Niuy, Vassy, Bobo, Duck Arse & Captain America are joined by special guest Stephen Crowe, a Newcastle Knights old boy and longtime supporter of the New York Knights. Crowe shares stories from his rugby league journey, including the unforgettable 1997 Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Grand Final, what happened on the pitch, his championship ring story, the 2002 Grand Final team and the Knights' connection to New York.

The boys also break down the current NRL Finals picture, recap the weekend's biggest games, look around the Super League, revisit some old-school rugby league stories and continue the countdown to Scrum Vegas IV in Las Vegas!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Stephen Crowe joins the Rat Pack
• Stories from the 1997 Newcastle Knights Grand Final
• Rugby league fights and old-school stories
• Crowe's rugby league journey
• Newcastle Knights and the New York Knights
• The latest NRL Finals picture
• Rabbitohs vs. Knights
• Warriors vs. Dolphins
• Sharks vs. Cowboys
• Panthers vs. Roosters
• Super League Round Up
• Bobo's Breakdown: NRL has the best Playoff Format
• Captain America's MVP: Coby Black
• NRLW scores and highlights
• The countdown to Scrum Vegas IV

CHAPTERS:

00:00 NRL Finals, NFL in Australia and more!

03:23 Vassy Returns

04:12 Old School Hunter Mariners Jersey

05:39 Countdown to Scrum Vegas

07:20 Spencer Leniu vs Keaon Koloamatangi: A Study in Discipline

10:00 When Captain America got stripped of Captaincy on the Pitch

11:55 Stephen Crowe joins the Pack

14:11 Crowe gets smashed on the Pitch

15:05 Stephen Crowe’s Rugby League Journey

21:36 Playing in the 1997 Grand Final: Newcastle vs Manly

26:27 Fists on the Pitch!

28:53 Stephen Crowe gave his championship ring to a teammate

33:12 Semi-Pro Days: Transitioning to Team Management

37:31 Newcastle Knights helping New York Knights

41:15 2002 Grand Final Team

46:36 What is Stephen doing now?

51:57 NRL Recap

58:51 Analyzing the NRL Ladder & Finals

58:58 Rabbitohs v Knights

1:00:42 Warriors v Dolphins

1:01:07 Sharks v Cowboys

1:02:06 Panthers v Roosters

1:03:25 Super League Round Up

1:06:34 Bobo’s Breakdown: NRL has the best Championship Format

1:11:09 Captain America’s MVP: Coby Black

1:18:20 NRLW Scores and Highlights

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Rugby league and Hollywood collide in this special episode of the Rugby League Rat Pack!

Niuy, Bobo, Duck Arse & Captain America welcome Josh Brandon, boss of the L.A. Roosters and a Hollywood screenwriter, who cleverly works rugby league player names into his movie and TV scripts!

Fresh off the USARL National Championship Final, Brandon joins the conversation after a thrilling clash with the Tampa Mayhem. The Pack looks back at the final and projects what’s next for rugby league on the West Coast of the USA before Josh shares his unique journey from rugby league to Hollywood.

Plus, the latest NRL, NRLW and Super League action, Scrum Vegas IV, Bobo’s Breakdown and Captain America’s MVP.!

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In This Episode:

• Josh Brandon’s rugby league journey
• Building the L.A. Roosters
• Rugby league player names in Hollywood scripts
• Josh’s work as a Hollywood screenwriter
• Casting NRL players in movies and TV
• The story behind the L.A. Roosters
• Possible rugby league expansion in Los Angeles
• Growing the women’s game on the West Coast of the USA
• L.A. Roosters merchandise and the Roosters vs. Sacramento
• NRL predictions and Sam Walker’s injury status
• NRL Round 26 recap
• NRL ladder analysis and predictions
• NRL rule change experiment
• Super League roundup
• Captain America’s MVP
• Why the women’s game can help grow rugby league in the USA

Chapters:

00:00 Las Vegas Invasion - Break out the Budgies!

02:36 Countdown to Scrum Vegas!

05:53 Championship Final in the USA: L.A. Roosters vs Tampa Mayhem

07:10 Josh Brandon Joins the Pack

08:28 Josh’s L.A. Story: Roosters in Hollywood

12:55 Rooster Player Names in Hollywood

15:41 Casting NRL Players

16:56 How the L.A.Roosters came to be

18:23 2026 USARL Men's Finals Recap: L.A. Roosters vs Tampa Mayhem

22:08 Talent Level of West Coast Players

23:48 Possible expansion in Los Angeles

25:20 Growing the Women’s Game on the West Coast of the USA

26:28 Player Names to Know

27:32 L.A. Roosters Merchandise!

28:43 Video: Roosters Trip to Sacramento

32:44 Help from Sydney Roosters

36:06 Josh’s latest book: William Shatner and You!

36:43 Roosters NRL Predictions

37:17 Sam Walker Injury Status

40:04 Where’s Vassy?

40:30 NRL Recap

43:42 Jai Arrow Tribute

50:50 The Bird

51:22 NRL New Rule Change

55:41 Bobo’s Breakdown

57:26 Why the Women’s Game is best way to grow the sport in the USA

1:02:42 Super League Round Up

1:04:22 Most Valuable Preston Award

1:07:54 NRLW Scores & Highlights

1:14:40 NRL Insights: Are the Rabbitohs for Real?

1:15:51 Analyzing the NRL Ladder/Predictions

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Jeff Hardy played almost 400 first grade games in the NRL in Australia, and Super League in England. He joins the Rat Pack to talk about his junior career with his local club the Brighton Seagulls and powerhouse high school team at James Cook Boys HS coached by Brian Smith. Jeff played at the Illawarra Steelers, St George Dragons, Castleford Tigers, Sheffield Eagles and Huddersfield Giants. His on field career translated into off the field success mentoring students as a high school Phys Ed teacher and establishing programs for young indigenous men across Australia. Enjoy this special sit down with a good friend of the Rat Pack who has been an avid supporter of the development of Rugby League in the USA.

Canadian Rugby League takes center stage as the Rugby League Rat Pack welcomes Blake Stewart (Whistler Wolves RFC) and Josh Knight (Rugby League British Columbia) for a wide-ranging conversation about the growth of the game in Canada, the connection between Canadian and American rugby league, and the upcoming Scrum Vegas IV!

Niuy, Bobo, Vassey, Duck Arse & Captain America also break down the latest NRL and NRLW action, celebrate the latest Most Valuable Preston Award winner, examine an experimental new rule in Rugby League and analyze how Mullets impact the game.

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In This Episode:

• Blake Stewart and Josh Knight join the Rat Pack to discuss the Canadian Rugby League
• The roots and growth of rugby league in Canada
• How rugby union has influenced the Canadian game
• The Toronto Wolfpack and the development of rugby league
• Why rugby league is easy to understand and how the sport can grow
• Women’s rugby league in Canada
• Where to watch rugby league in Canada
• Adam Reynolds announces his retirement
• The latest NRL and NRLW results, scores and highlights
• Bobo’s Breakdown features an experimental rugby league rule
• Captain America’s Most Valuable Preston Award goes to Josh Feledy
• Mullets on the pitch, a field goal for the win and a memorable moment for Vassy

Chapters

00:00 Rugby League in Las Vegas & Canada

05:39 Where to find the Rat Pack

06:22 Adam Reynolds retirement & playing vs Tomahawks 09:47 Josh Knight & Blake Stewart join

10:47 Canadian Rugby League

15:08 Rugby League Roots in Canada

16:49 Rugby Union Influence

19:53 Toronto Wolfpack

22:10 Rugby League Easy to Understand

25:53 Rugby League Format in Canada

30:40 Growing the Game in Canada

33:16 Women’s Rugby League in Canada

39:32 Watching Rugby League in Canada

46:58 Josh on Stage in Las Vegas

48:39 Connection to USA Rugby League

50:51 Who’s Coming to Scrum Vegas IV?

52:54 Umina Bunnies

58:02 Most Valuable Preston Award: Josh Feledy

1:00:55 Vassy not into it

1:01:53 Mullets on the Pitch

1:03:54 Field goal for the Win!

1:06:55 Moment of Silence for Vassy

1:07:33 Bobo’s Breakdown: Experimental Rule

1:15:04 NRL Recap

1:23:30 NRLW Scores & Highlights

1:27:50 When to Watch NRL & NRLW this week

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In the first of the Rugby League Rat Pack Specials, the 'Sit Down' series: The Rat Pack chat to top NRL Coach Andrew Webster and discuss his ties to the AMNRL going back over 20 years, why the War on the Shore was the original Magic Round, how the '05 Grand Final vs the Aston Bulls still haunts him and the lessons he's learned in the USA and the path less traveled.