Samoa vs Tonga hype video (tsrl)

Sam Walker's Roosters career is in tatters after chairman Nick Politis pulled a $4 million-plus offer tonight. The Roosters believed Walker had agreed to a three-year deal starting at around $1.2 million a season plus a ratchet clause in line with a salary cap increase for 2028, but his camp asked for more time and then a slight upgrade. Politis then withdrew it and won't return to the table. The club will honour his 2027 deal, but won't stand in his way if he wants to leave immediately. (via Peter Badel, Tyson Jackson & Travis Meyn, Code Sports)

Robbo on Sam Walker contract situation but this was before the news broke (@7RugbyLeague)

Two big withdrawals in one night, with Young and Walker both now heading to market.

The Roosters have withdrawn their multimillion-dollar offer to Sam Walker after the two sides failed to reach an agreement tonight. He'll now hit the open market on November 1, with PNG among the clubs expected to circle. (via Peter Badel & Tyson Jackson, Code Sports)

To the people talking down on the Rugby League World Cup blowouts needs some perspective. Mismatches happen in every sport when you're trying to grow the international game. That's where it starts. At this year's FIFA World Cup, Germany beat Curaçao 7–1 and Sweden beat Tunisia 5–1. Nobody said Curaçao shouldn't be there. They scored their first ever World Cup goal and their fans celebrated like they'd won it. At the 2023 Rugby World Cup: France 96–0 Namibia New Zealand 96–17 Italy Scotland 84–0 Romania Ireland 82–8 Romania South Africa 76–0 Romania New Zealand 73–0 Uruguay Rugby union didn't scrap its World Cup over it. And we've seen what happens in our own game when you give nations time. Tonga made the semis in 2017. Samoa made the final in 2022. Those teams didn't appear out of nowhere. They were built through years of playing the best. The blowouts are the price of growth. If you want a real international game, this is what the start looks like.

What an edit 🇫🇯 (via fijibatiofficial)

The Raiders have withdrawn their four-year offer to Hudson Young, worth about $1.1 million a season, the biggest in club history. After months of talks, Canberra needed an answer before November 1. Young is contracted for 2027 but is now expected to leave after next season, with PNG in the box seat. (via David Riccio & Michael Carayannis, Code Sports)

Dolphins 6 next year??👀

Fiji celebrating in the locker room after an unbelievable performance tonight against Australia. It's not always about wins and losses. (@7RugbyLeague)

Fiji and Aussie jersey swaps (@Kangaroos)