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Purveyor of the Three Rs - Rugby league🏉, Rock'n'roll🤘 & the Road🛣️! @TwoTribes1997: The Untold Story Of #rugbyleague's Divided Year OUT NOW!
Articles by Steve Mascord
Tonga driven by bitter memories of 2025 Samoa shellacking
Forgetting last year’s Samoa-Tonga Pacific Championships game could be forgiven for most neutral fans. A lot has happened in rugby league since. But Tonga half Isaiya Katoa, returned from an ankle injury for tomorrow’s sold-out rematch at Commbank Stadium, can’t forget the 34-6 defeat at Suncorp Stadium. He doesn’t want to, either, because his harsh critique of why it happened is driving Tonga’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
England 34 Papua New Guinea 12: PNG kills English hope
Image: David Neilson/SWpix ENGLAND men are mathematically still in the World Cup – but only mathematically. In a remarkable contest at WIN Stadium, England looked on track to run up the required cricket score to avoid missing the semis for the first time when they led 22-0 after 20 minutes. Then the wheels completely fell off. Not only did their hopes of running up the required score disappear into the nearby Pacific but they found themselves in a battle just to win the game.
Samoa 24 England 6: Fetu bundles England out of the women’s World Cup
Image: David Neilson/SWpix ENGLAND are out of the women’s World Cup. With a wind behind them, Fetu Samoa grabbed a 12-0 lead by halftime at WIN Stadium on the back of a ‘true hat-trick’ by winger Freedom Crichton Ropati, each try unconverted. The famous wind sock on the stadium hill indicated England had a big environmental advantage after halftime. But instead of scoring first, Stuart Barrow’s side conceded first, to Mercedez Taulelei-Siala on the other wing.
England 98 Wales 18: Holders with powerful start to World Cup defence
Image: David Neilson/SWpix ENGLAND shrugged off an early Welsh challenge to make a convincing start to their wheelchair World Cup defence. It was just 18-12 to Tom Coyd’s team after 20 minutes at WIN Entertainment Centre but the 2022 winners soon found their groove, leading 46-12 at halftime. Halifax’s Robert Hawkins, who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, scored a stunning 11 tries in the 98-12 pasting.
'It's quite remarkable': McDermott
England needs to not only defeat Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on Friday night, but also overturn a 68-point differential. They also must rely on Tonga beating Samoa at CommBank on Sunday night, otherwise they are eliminated regardless. McDermott, who has worked as a player and coach in the professional game for more than 30 years, says he has never been in this kind of scenario before. “Never, yeah, never. It’s quite remarkable,” he said.
Ireland 110 United States 10: Wolfhounds open wheelchair World Cup with massive win
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Skid Row unveils new singer Justin Sargent
SKID Row has announced Broadway vocalist Justin Sargent as their new lead singer after more than two years without a permanent frontman and an extensive global search. “I’ve been singing Skid Row songs for years but never imagined I’d actually be joining the band!” Sargent said. “It’s an incredible honour to be part of something with such a legendary history,” he added, in reference to the band’s 40th anniversary.
St Helens release Nene Macdonald
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Check out the trailer for KISS’s new End Of The Road film
KISS have released the official trailer for their new documentary film End of the Road, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the band’s lengthy farewell tour. The tour, which began in January 2019 and concluded with a final performance at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 2, 2023, marked the end of five decades of live shows for the rock group. The trailer showcases the band’s signature stage theatrics alongside candid moments from the road.
Roosters withdraw offer to Australia star Sam Walker
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The Unofficial Rugby League World Cup Podcast: Episode three
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Australia 36 Fiji 22: Teddy’s heroic extended to word as well as deed
Words: Steve Mascord | Image: NRL Photos
Australia 36 Fiji 22: Fiji dices with history in remarkable display
TOM Trbojevic posted three tries – but it was the three scored opposite him that had Fiji threatening to become only the sixth national team to beat Australia. Mick Potter’s side twice led the World Cup holders in front of 41,108 – bigger than the 2017 World Cup final crowd – before succumbing 36-22. Stream Soccer Five-eighth Kurt Donoghue was stellar all night, icing a five-star display by putting wingr Semi Valemei over for his thrird try with 10 to go.
New Zealand 82 Cook Islands 16: Cooks’ magical eight minutes
Image: Andrew Cornaga/SWpix LOCAL boy Jamayne Isaako smashed the New Zealand record for points in a Test – but first there was a glimpse at Christchurch’s packed NZ$650 million stadium of what World Cups are about. That is, the plucky underdog taking it to the star-studded favourites and their fans in the stands daring to dream. It didn’t happen in the women’s game: New Zealand 90 France 0.
'You can't get that anywhere else': Inside PNG's unrivalled passion for rugby league
JUNIOR Paulo ended up even. There was the knitted hat he was proudly wearing after the game, and the bilum around his neck. “But I don’t have any shorts on and I don’t have a jersey,” the 32-year-old grinned after Samoa’s 64-6 win over Papua New Guinea at a cacophonous Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday. Jermain McEwen took off - and signed - his boots before giving them to a cherubic pair of ball kids. Stephen Crichton was down to his undies, signing warm-up tops and singlets.
Tonga 36 Lebanon 0: Tonga works hard to chop down Cedars
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Samoa 76 Wales 0: Fetu eclipses England score in big victory
SAMOA outstripped England’s scoreline against Samoa as week two of the World Cup kicked off at CommBank Stadium. With the crowd building up throughout for the men’s clash between Tonga and Lebanon, the Welsh once again found the opposition a bit too hot in a 76-0 loss. The question of how Samoa would fair against England will be answered next Friday at WIN Stadium but based on tonight’s result, Frank Pritchard’s side will be favourites. England beat Wales 70-6 at HBF Park last Saturday.
Motley Crue continuing ‘not necessarily a good thing’
LA GUNS Guns frontman Phil Lewis has declared he is “not necessarily sure” that Mötley Crüe coming out of retirement “was a good thing” – while also expressing reservations about Deep Purple In a TotalRock interview Lewis described Deep Purple’s decision to keep touring after a farewell announcement as “very noble,” but added: “I’ve recently heard some stuff that they’re doing live.
“They had already slaughtered the pigs - that’s how late the decision was” (2011)
NEW Zealand rugby league officials should pay the Cook Islands significant compensation for cancelling last week’s Test match, according to a local sponsor who says the decision cost the small country a quarter of a million dollars. Chris McInley, a local sportswear manufacturer, says he was told he was not welcome at the hastily arranged…
Cherie Currie stroke diagnosis
FORMER Runaways singer Cherie Currie has revealed she has suffered a stroke, with a ’90 percent blockage’ of an important artery. The 66-year-old musician first informed followers of her condition in a video posted to X from her hospital bed at 2 o’clock in the morning on October 18. In that initial update Currie explained how a video she had shared earlier had prompted her to seek help.
'Our shared space': The truth about the PNG Chiefs
Words and image: Steve Mascord
Mother Teresa and Saint George helping Hugo fend off fatigue
You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content His Sydney Roosters - and England - teammate Victor Radley told a radio interviewer after the NRL grand final: “I’m knackered - I don’t know if I’ve got another game in me”. That was more a reference to the elixir-like qualities of being rested at the end of the regular season than the World Cup but fellow premiership-winner Hugo Savala admits: “Well, I guess, yeah, we were buggered - but I definitely have more games in me.
Joey Kramer returns to Aerosmith
ORIGINAL Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is set to return to the stage with the band for their upcoming California, Dream On: Aerosmith And Friends shows at the Hollywood Bowl. Rehearsal photographs shared by the group this week show Kramer behind the drum kit alongside Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton. The appearances on October 29 and November 1 will mark Kramer’s first performances with Aerosmith since February 2020. Kramer’s return completes the classic five-member...
Seattle 1 Sydney 0: Nevermind overtakes Back In Black
IN a big win for Seattle over Sydney, Nirvana’s 1991 album Nevermind has overtaken AC/DC’s 1980 release Back in Black in total equivalent album sales, according to data compiled by Chartmasters. The analysis combines physical sales, digital downloads, streaming figures and tracks appearing on compilations to calculate equivalent album sales units. Nevermind now stands at approximately 66.832 million equivalent album sales, narrowly ahead of Back in Black at around 66.831 million.
Mother Teresa and Saint George helping Hugo fend off fatigue
You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content His Sydney Roosters - and England - teammate Victor Radley told a radio interviewer after the NRL grand final: “I’m knackered - I don’t know if I’ve got another game in me”. That was more a reference to the elixir-like qualities of being rested at the end of the regular season than the World Cup but fellow premiership-winner Hugo Savala admits: “Well, I guess, yeah, we were buggered - but I definitely have more games in me.
North Wales out, considering court action
Earlier today, the RFL released a statement claiming that the Crusaders have “withdrawn from the process of securing club membership for the 2027 season”. The statement goes on to say: “Any future participation was conditional on a comprehensive business plan being approved by the governing body before being admitted for the 2027 fixture list.
Bachman Turner Overdrive announces Australian tour
CANADIAN rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive have announced their first-ever Australian tour, scheduled for February 2027 as part of the No Speed Limit Tour. The five-date run will take in major capital cities, beginning at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday February 3.
World Cup Touchstones - Dateline: Port Moresby
Words: Steve Mascord
Hetfield comments spark renewed hostility between Sharon Osborne and Roger Waters
SHARON Osborne resumed selling “another prick in the wall” t-shirts when her beef with Roger Waters flared again after James Hetfield made remarks during a concert in Las Vegas. Speaking to the crowd at the Sphere on 10 October, Hetfield said: “Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bullshit, OK? We are here… no bullshit… we’re here to forget about all the outside shit, OK?
Samoa ‘better than 2022’
By STEVE MASCORD SAMOA are better this World Cup than when they made Pacific sports history by qualifying for the World Cup final for years ago That’s the opinion of France coach Laurent Frayssinous, whose side was dismantled on Friday night by Toa Samoa 78-4 – Les Chanticleers biggest loss since Mal Meninga’s last game, a 74-0 win for the Kangaroos in Beziers in 1994. “Last time we played them (Samoa) at the World Cup, I think they’ve got a better team,” said Frayssinous.
Bon Jovi’s Forever tour to resume in Melbourne
JON Bon Jovi told Wembley he “ain’t finished yet” and – true to his word – his band‘s comeback tour is going to continue – starting in Melbourne. But the decision to play only in Melbourne and Sydney next March has upset fans in other Australian states. The tour also takes in Hyde Park in London, New Jersey, Chicago, Boston and Toronto. The band’s last tour of Australia was in 2018. Given these new dates are a week apart, there is clearly the opportunity to add more – as the band did in London.
NRL deal moves a step closer
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Soen announces rescheduled dates
SWEDISH proggers Soen have already announced rescheduled dates after an undisclosed family emergency forced them to postpone when they were at Stockholm Airport checking in to come to Melbourne. They immediately recorded a video apologising to fans and now the replacement gigs have been announced. It all kicks off on January 16 at Crowbar in Brisbane and moves through Sydney and Melbourne over the next two days.
Dread and buried: England refuse to revisit Loss Vegas
In any list of words likely to be uttered in the England camp this week in the build-up to their clash with the Jillaroos, “Las” and “Vegas” are near the bottom. “It’s not banned - but we’ve done all our learning from Vegas now,” England coach Stuart Barrow said after his side’s tournament-opening 70-6 win over Wales at this Saturday’s venue, HBF Park. “It’s buried, it’s in the past.
Guns N’Roses Suncorp Stadium show scaled down
AS GUNS N’Roses announced they’re taking next year off touring, developments around their upcoming Brisbane show indicate that may not be such a bad idea. Recent seat maps for the Suncorp Stadium gig on December 5 show the stage moved to the halfway line – a strong indication that ticket sales are not where the band and promoters hoped they would be. “We’ll get done with and next year basically Guns is off,” guitarist Slash told Sirius XM.
Result does not mean Catalans and Toulouse have failed, says France coach
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'Doesn't faze me': Kini ready to step into Ponga's dancing shoes
Keano Kini is ready to step into the breach left by Kalyn Ponga’s arm injury, promising to 'play my own footy' should he be catapulted into the role against Cook Islands. Ponga announced himself on the international stage as one half of a King Kong v Godzilla match-up with Australia’s Reece Walsh on Thursday night - only to be forced off 20 minutes after suffering a broken left arm as Australia snatched an enthralling 24-22 win at Allianz Stadium.
Fiji 40 Cook Islands 12: Bati party in Newcastle
Image: Brett Phibbs/SWpix FIJI missed the semis for the first time in four World Cups in 2022 – and with a number of players unavailable, were at long odds to reverse the slide this time around. But with Dolphin Kurt Donoghoe guiding them around McDonald Jones Stadium, the Bati only needed an hour to prove their candidacy as they raced to a 34-0 lead over Cook Islands.
Fiji 12 New Zealand 18: Bulikula in stunning women’s World Cup debut
Kiwi Ferns Co-Captain Raecene McGregor during the Pacific Championships rugby league test between New Zealand Kiwis v Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 19 October 2025 Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz - © PhotosportNZ via SWpix.com IT TOOK a couple of late scores for New Zealand women to avoid being victim to the World Cup’s first bonafide upset.
England 12 Tonga 30: England left with little more than a World Cup prayer
Brian McDermott’s side crashed 30-12 at Tonga amid uproarious scenes in the red-daubed stands at HBF Stadium in Perth tonight. If the rest of the matches in pools B and C go according to form and Tonga also lose to Samoa on November 1, England and Tonga would end on equal points.
England 12 Tonga 30: England left with little more than a World Cup prayer
By STEVE MASCORD Brian McDermott’s side crashed 30-12 at Tonga amid uproarious scenes in the red-daubed stands at HBF Stadium in Perth tonight. If the rest of the matches in pools B and C go according to form and Tonga also lose to Samoa on November 1, England and Tonga would end on equal points.
England 70 Wales 6: Hat-tricks for Davies and Boyd
Paige Travis crossed adjacent to the posts with Tayla Preston’s goal tying the scores in 25 degree heat at Perth’s HBF Park. It took six minutes for Georgia Wilson to cross on the right and from then until halftime, England purred with five more tries for a 40-6 lead. Leeds debutant Connie Boyd finished with a hat-trick, Isabel Rowe, Amelia Brown, Anna Davies all doubles in a 70-6 triumph. Rowe equalled the record for points in a single match with 26.
England 70 Wales 6: Hat-tricks for Davies and Boyd
Paige Travis crossed adjacent to the posts with Tayla Preston’s goal tying the scores in 25 degree heat at Perth’s HBF Park. It took six minutes for Georgia Wilson to cross on the right and from then until halftime, England purred with five more tries for a 40-6 lead. Leeds debutant Connie Boyd finished with a hat-trick, Isabel Rowe, Amelia Brown, Anna Davies all doubles in a 70-6 triumph. Rowe equalled the record for points in a single match with 26.
Glenn Hughes undergoes 10-hour open heart surgery
ROCK legend Glenn Hughes is recovering from 10 hours of open heart surgery. The former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath bassist and vocalist shared an update on social media after an eight-day stay at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Westwood, Los Angeles. “Now Home after an 8 day stay, and a 10 hour open heart surgery operation, called aortic valve replacement, exactly the same procedure I had done in 2013,” Hughes wrote.
The World Cup Show: Episode one
Paid episode The full episode is only available to paid subscribers of rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads
Samoa 78 France 4: Fa’alogo goes from fan to phenomenon
Words: Steve Mascord
Australia 40 Samoa 0: Jillaroos win game, Samoa hearts
Image: Fiona Goodall/ SWpix GIVEN the scoreline, it’s not an easy task reflectin on how well the losing side defended for long stretches. Frank Pritchard’s Fetu Samoa put up a strong showing but the Jillaroos stayed mainly in second gear as they got their World Cup defence off to a winning start with a 40-0 win. It was 28-0 to Australia by halftime at CommBank Stadium, where Samoa earlier towelled up France 78-4 in the men’s tournament.
Samoa 78 France 4: Four tries for Fa’alogo in record World Cup rout
Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix MOST tries in a Rugby League World Cup is a record held jointly by Valentine Holmes and and Josh Addo-Carr. The mark they each set was 12. Having not even been in Samoa’s starting side for their 78-4 belting of France at CommBank Stadium last night, Sua Fa’alogo is already a third of the way there after just one match.
'Doesn't faze me': Kini ready to step into Ponga's dancing shoes
Keano Kini is ready to step into the breach left by Kalyn Ponga’s arm injury, promising to 'play my own footy' should he be catapulted into the role against Cook Islands. Ponga announced himself on the international stage as one half of a King Kong v Godzilla match-up with Australia’s Reece Walsh on Thursday night - only to be forced off 20 minutes after suffering a broken left arm as Australia snatched an enthralling 24-22 win at Allianz Stadium.
'There's a lot more to go in this tournament'
Words: John Davidson | Image: David Neilsen/SWpix
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