Rugby League Insider with James Hooper

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider PodcastBrought to you by FanaticsTV.James Hooper is joined by Craig Gower and Brandon Savage to review the 2026 NRL Grand Final, as the Sydney Roosters defeat the Newcastle Knights 19–18.The team breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable finals run, the Roosters’ clinical performance, Daly Cherry-Evans’ key moments, James Tedesco’s legacy and the impact of Spencer Leniu.Plus, the Knights’ future, Roosters recruitment and academy success, Kangaroos selection discussion, and the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Welcome and Roosters crowned 2026 premiers1:40 — Newcastle’s brave grand final performance4:00 — Key moments: Dom Young, Ponga and Newcastle’s tries6:20 — Daly Cherry-Evans’ field goal and game management8:00 — Roosters’ possession, kick chase and clinical edge10:00 — Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase and the Roosters’ big names12:00 — Spencer Leniu’s impact off the bench13:40 — Roosters’ forward pack and physicality15:05 — Newcastle’s future and Justin Holbrook’s impact18:10 — Thomas Cant at dummy-half and Newcastle’s desperation22:30 — Roosters recruitment, academy and next generation25:30 — James Tedesco’s place among the great Roosters fullbacks28:00 — Kangaroos squad discussion and selection calls29:30 — Pacific Championship concerns and player availability32:00 — Tedesco, Edwards and the fullback debate35:55 — Rugby League Insider’s World Cup coverage36:55 — Final wrap-up📞 INSIDER HOTLINEGot a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.☎️ (02) 8001 6260Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSEJoin the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week.👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast Brought to you by FanaticsTV.James Hooper is joined by Anthony Watmough and Brandon Savage for a huge grand final week edition of Rugby League Insider.The team break down Newcastle’s extraordinary finals run and whether they can upset the star-studded Roosters to complete one of rugby league’s great fairytales.Plus, the Kangaroos World Cup squad, key grand final match-ups, Connor Watson’s fitness, Phoenix Crossland’s tackle on Nathan Cleary and the hip-drop debate, player welfare, Herbie Farnworth’s Roosters link, Raiders contract news, and Ivan Cleary’s hopes of keeping Nathan at Penrith.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider 2:25 — Kangaroos World Cup squad: Turbo, Teddy, Walsh and the big selection calls 15:53 — Can Newcastle upset the Roosters in the grand final? 23:24 — Key match-ups: Gagai and Dom Young target the Roosters’ edges 26:10 — Newcastle’s young halves and the grand final game plan 29:02 — Connor Watson’s fitness and Roosters team selection 32:00 — Concussion protocols and the independent doctor call 33:11 — Phoenix Crossland, Nathan Cleary and the hip-drop tackle debate 43:00 — Player welfare, fatigue, interchanges and the NRL’s balancing act 47:31 — Herbie Farnworth’s Roosters sponsor post and contract speculation 52:53 — Raiders extend Ethan Sanders; Hudson Young’s future 57:35 — Ivan Cleary wants Nathan to remain at Penrith 58:47 — Grand final wrap-up and FanaticsTV watch-party details📞 INSIDER HOTLINE Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you. ☎️ (02) 8001 6260 Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSE Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week. 👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider PodcastBrought to you by FanaticsTV.James Hooper is joined by Christian Nicolussi and Brandon Savage for a full NRL Grand Final week breakdown.The team unpack Phoenix Crossland’s suspension after the tackle that injured Nathan Cleary, the fallout for Newcastle, and why the Knights’ remarkable run has captured the rugby league world.Plus, Connor Watson’s race to be cleared, the Roosters’ key selection calls, Newcastle’s defensive heroes, Adam Gee’s grand final appointment, Dally M predictions, and the coaching cases for Justin Holbrook, Andrew Webster and more.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider5:49 — Phoenix Crossland’s ban and Nathan Cleary injury fallout8:00 — Crossland’s response and Newcastle’s grand final preparations12:00 — Judiciary stories and grand final precedents24:30 — Connor Watson’s concussion call and Roosters selection dilemma32:23 — Newcastle fever: the city’s grand final buzz36:00 — Knights’ defensive heroics and why they can challenge the Roosters41:14 — Roosters team preview: Reece Robson, depth and key match-ups48:35 — Adam Gee appointed grand final referee53:20 — Dally M predictions: can Nathan Cleary win from hospital?58:42 — Coach of the Year debate: Holbrook, Webster, Bennett and Ivan Cleary64:20 — Captain of the Year: Kalyn Ponga’s Newcastle transformation67:18 — Final wrap-up📞 INSIDER HOTLINEGot a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.☎️ (02) 8001 6260Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSEJoin the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week.👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast Brought to you by FanaticsTV. James Hooper is joined by Simon Woolford and Brendan Savage to unpack the biggest NRL talking points. The team discuss Newcastle’s remarkable run from wooden spoon to the grand final, Phoenix Crossland’s tackle on Nathan Cleary, and the stories shaping grand final week in rugby league. Plus, Justin Holbrook’s coaching impact, the Roosters’ dangerous attack, Daly Cherry-Evans’ influence, team selection calls, and predictions for the weekend’s biggest match.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Welcome to Rugby League Insider 1:58 — Newcastle’s incredible grand final run 5:46 — Phoenix Crossland tackle, Nathan Cleary injury and hip-drop debate 17:08 — Justin Holbrook’s impact and Newcastle’s belief 28:40 — Roosters preview: Mark Nawaqanitawase, forward pack and key match-ups 35:35 — Roosters’ selection dilemmas: Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu 40:15 — Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker and the grand final records on the line 43:17 — Viewer questions: Cleary, Crossland and Penrith’s finals exit 54:22 — Ivan Cleary’s selection calls and final wrap-up📞 INSIDER HOTLINE Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you. ☎️ (02) 8001 6260 Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSE Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year. No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week. 👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider PodcastBrought to you by FanaticsTV.James Hooper is joined by Darcie McDonald and Anthony Watmough to unpack one of the wildest preliminary-final weekends in recent memory.The team breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable 12-man win over Penrith, including Phoenix Crossland’s send-off, Nathan Cleary’s injury and the Panthers’ costly selection calls. They then look ahead to a blockbuster Grand Final between the fairytale Knights and the star-studded Sydney Roosters.Plus, Sandon Smith’s breakout performance, Newcastle’s game plan to expose the Roosters, Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge, DCE’s premiership chance, and why the Hunter region is fully behind the Knights.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Newcastle’s stunning 12-man win over Penrith1:54 — Where the Knights’ comeback ranks among great finals wins3:20 — How Newcastle exposed Penrith’s edge defence5:48 — The Knights’ fairytale run and the Newcastle fan wave9:08 — Phoenix Crossland’s send-off and Nathan Cleary’s injury18:58 — Did Penrith get their selection calls wrong?20:27 — Panthers’ edge defence, leadership and late-game errors23:06 — Sandon Smith’s quick tap and the defining moments26:00 — Newcastle’s resilience and belief heading into the Grand Final30:00 — How the Knights can target the Roosters’ defence31:12 — Roosters v Dolphins and Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge33:52 — Can Newcastle win it after last year’s wooden spoon?36:42 — Grand Final odds, pressure and the Roosters’ strike power41:58 — Why the Knights have nothing to lose43:10 — Phoenix Crossland referred straight to the judiciary46:10 — Does DCE deserve to finish with another premiership?48:05 — Final Grand Final predictions and wrap-up📞 INSIDER HOTLINEGot a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you.☎️ (02) 8001 6260Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSEJoin the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week.👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

One of the great finals performances — Newcastle played 44 minutes with 12 men after Phoenix Crossland's send-off and Nathan Cleary's broken leg, and somehow beat the Premiership-favourite Penrith Panthers 22-14 to book a grand final berth. Hoops, Anthony Watmough and John Sutton break down Kalyn Ponga's captain's performance, the small battles Newcastle won everywhere on the field, and where it all went wrong for Ivan Cleary's Panthers. Plus, a preview of next week's decider against the Roosters. ⸻ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Newcastle's Incredible 12-Man Miracle 00:55 - Choc & Sutto React To History 01:58 - Comparing This To Rugby League's Bravest Performances 03:10 - How The Knights Out-Panthered The Panthers 04:12 - Kalyn Ponga's Captain's Performance 05:38 - Cleary's Injury Twist 07:21 - Warren's Bold Grand Final Prediction 09:13 - Shades Of '97 And 2001 12:24 - Newcastle's Forward Pack: The Unsung Heroes 13:12 - Gagai's Inspirational Farewell-Season Form 14:02 - Were Penrith Ever The Deserved Favourites? 16:24 - Ad Break 16:54 - How Much Does This Win Take Out Of Them? 20:55 - Cleary's Costly Coaching Calls Under Scrutiny 24:35 - Panthers' Bench Carnage Explained 27:18 - Sam Smith's Pivotal Quick Tap 28:09 - Penrith's Injury Toll: Brown, Suli, Mooney 29:04 - Average Joes vs The Purple Cobras 30:04 - How Newcastle Can Trouble The Roosters 33:21 - Sutton's Grand Final Tip 35:21 - Outro: Average Joes All The Way⸻🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper⸻🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSE Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year. 👉 Join now: fanatics.tv

Description:Live from the Hyde Park House pub — the Sydney Roosters have booked their first grand final berth since 2019, outclassing the Dolphins 36-20 at Suncorp Stadium. Simon Woolford and Sean O'Sullivan break down Marky Mark's stunning 313m masterclass, the controversial bunker call that upheld a Dolphins try, and the fresh headache of Connor Watson's grand final-ending HIA. Plus, reaction to the Dolphins' season ending short, breaking news on George Williams' move to the Dragons, and a preview of Sunday's Panthers-Knights blockbuster.⸻TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Roosters Into The Grand Final: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!01:03 - Simon Woolford's Instant Reaction02:05 - Sean O'Sullivan Breaks Down The Result03:24 - DCE & Sam Walker's Statement Combination06:48 - Izzy Katoa's Ugly Head-Slam Tackle09:14 - Victor Radley's Lucky Judiciary History09:58 - Bunker Chaos: Osako's Try Controversy14:10 - Marky Mark's Man-Of-The-Match Masterclass16:56 - The Numbers: Marky Mark's 313m Game19:07 - What This Grand Final Means For Robbo & The Roosters20:56 - Reece Robson's Rise Under Robinson22:21 - Breaking: Connor Watson OUT Of The Grand Final23:09 - Ad Break24:08 - Connor Watson HIA Category Bombshell Explained24:46 - Dolphins' Gutsy Season Ends Short27:16 - Is This The Dolphins' Ceiling Or Just The Start?30:09 - Breaking: George Williams Set For Dragons Move30:34 - Previewing Panthers v Knights33:19 - Outro & Grand Final Preview⸻🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper⸻🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSEJoin the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.👉 Join now: fanatics.tv