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Down the Sideline | Rugby League Podcast
Ep 14. Was The Origin Send-Off Actually Good For Rugby League?
The Down the Sideline Podcast goes live for the very first time as David Boldeman, Adrian Manca and Tim Micallef tackle one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 NRL season.
Five days after State of Origin I, the boys revisit the Kalyn Ponga send-off and ask a question few others are asking: was the controversy actually good for rugby league?
Rather than debating whether the referee got the call right, the discussion explores the reaction from fans, commentators and media throughout the week, and whether the incident created exactly the sort of conversation and attention the game thrives on.
The boys also look ahead to Origin II, break down the Panthers vs Warriors thriller that may prove to be the match of the season, discuss the Dragons finally getting off the mark, examine the growing pressure on Michael Maguire and the Broncos, and debate the NRL's new taunting crackdown.
Plus, the return of Boldo's Soapbox, Upset Alert and tips for every Round 14 clash.
This episode includes:
- Was the Kalyn Ponga send-off actually good for rugby league?
- Origin II team changes and predictions
- Panthers vs Warriors fallout
- Dragons finally break through for their first win
- Pressure building on the Broncos and Michael Maguire
- Winners and losers from Round 13
- The NRL's controversial taunting rule
- Upset Alert
- Round 14 tips
Down the Sideline is the rugby league podcast that looks beyond the scoreboard, exploring the stories, personalities, media narratives, business decisions and big-picture issues shaping the game.
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12. Ep 12. Why Does Origin Feel So Flat This Year? | Down the Sideline Podcast
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13. Ep. 13 Why Does Origin Feel So Flat This Year?
56:38||Season 2026, Ep. 13State of Origin is almost here… so why does rugby league suddenly feel flat?In the debut episode of Down the Sideline, David Boldeman and Adrian Manca break down the strangely quiet build-up to the 2026 State of Origin series, the impact of split rounds on the NRL season, and whether the game has lost some of its momentum during its biggest moments.The boys preview Game I of Origin, debate Nathan Cleary’s pressure heading into the series, discuss the changing rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland, and ask whether the “mate vs mate” hatred that once defined Origin still exists.Also in this episode:Andrew Abdo’s shock move to Tennis AustraliaWhat happens next for the NRL CEO role?Vegas teams announced for 2027Is the Vegas concept actually helping the game?Ricky Stuart vs the refereesDolphins resurgence and finals chancesSouth Sydney’s struggles without Latrell MitchellWarriors vs Panthers discussionUpset AlertFull NRL Round TipsDown the Sideline looks at rugby league through the lens of media, money, momentum and what the biggest stories actually mean for the game.Live every Monday @ 8:30PM AEST on YouTube.Audio episodes available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.