Photo: Australian Kangaroos Facebook

THE Rugby League season officially came to an end last Sunday, and what a season it was! It feels like yesterday the Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, and Warriors opened the season with a bang in Las Vegas.

 Now some eight months later, the international fixtures that have kept us entertained for the past month came to an emotional conclusion. Kevvy Walters and his Kangaroos clean swept a disappointing English team 3-0, after a 30 points to 8 victory in Leeds on Sunday morning (our time).

Harry Grant was great for the Kangaroos as his Storm teammate Cameron Munster was judged player of the series. England never really worried the boys in green and gold and now face a decision on personnel before next year’s World Cup that’s to be played here. I’d say their coach and half of the squad we just watched won’t be on the plane that’s heading down under.

Then last Sunday the Kiwis scored 30 unanswered second half points to dispose of a gallant Samoa 36 to 14. Dylan Brown was exceptional for New Zealand throughout the Pacific Championship, to now give this season’s wooden spooners Newcastle hope regarding their future after signing Brown to a 10 year deal for $13 million!

 It was also an end to Brown’s halves partner and long serving stalwart Keiran Foran’s international career, after answering coach Stacey Jones’ SOS after Jerome Hughes was ruled out of the tournament. Foran will now hang up the boots after 34 tests for his beloved Kiwis and join Manly as an assistant coach.

Meanwhile the Aussie women’s team, the Jillaroos, continued their international dominance with an emphatic victory over New Zealand’s Kiwi Ferns 40-8 in Sunday’s final at Parramatta’s Comm Bank Stadium, which was played in a carnival-like atmosphere with 30,000 (sold out) in attendance.

Rugby League rose to another level this season, both on and off the field, and the mouth waters when thinking of how great the 2026 season will be. I cannot wait. Bring it on! 

MG (random Westie) OAM