November 1 is going to be interesting 🍿 But it won't be like the NBA, where deals drop the second the clock ticks over. That never happens in the NRL, and it's landing mid-World Cup too, which is another spanner. But we've never had this many elite players off contract at once. And clubs can't sit on million-dollar offers too long or they risk losing their Plan B and Plan C targets. So honestly, i have no idea how it all is going to play out. But can't wait.

A new name has entered the race for the NRL's 20th licence: Mana Pasifika. The side would spread its home games across the United States (including Hawaii), Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands. Per: Daily Telegraph

Jack Bostock won't stay at the Dolphins beyond next season and is ready to move on from 2028, David Riccio reports.

Zane Harrison wants to stay at the Titans and is pushing for an extension to be locked in as soon as possible, according to David Riccio.

Ethan Strange cancelled a holiday, with no refund, to join the Kangaroos' World Cup camp. Kevin Walters has reportedly promised him a debut during the tournament. Per: SMH

Stefano Utoikamanu is reportedly keen to return to Sydney for his next NRL deal so he can be closer to family. Per: SMH

Canberra have withdrawn their extension offer to Hudson Young. He knocked back a deal that could have included a fifth year at $1.1M. The Raiders are now expected to chase Liam Martin with the cap space set aside for Young. Per: SMH / Daily Telegraph

Sam Walker's camp wanted $6.8M over four years. The club would only go to $5.6M over four with ratchet clauses. Manager Clinton Schifcofske: "Sam's just focused on playing for Australia and the Roosters next year at this point." (SMH)

France: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet comes into the centres for the injured Latrell Siegawalt, while Leo Darrelatour moves onto the wing for Fouad Yaha. Cesar Rouge starts at five-eighth, with Thomas Lacans moving to No.7 and Theo Fages going to the interchange. Alrix Da Costa is the new hooker, Mathieu Cozza starts in the back row and Amir Bourouh moves to the bench.

Lebanon: Joseph Nohra moves to No.6, with Moustafa Dirani named at hooker. Jalal Bazaz goes back to the bench alongside new faces Yehya Ayache and Shadi Hammoud.

Cook Islands: Paul Ulberg returns on the wing for Esom Ioka, who left the field injured last week after scoring a hat-trick. No other changes to the 19-man squad for the Aitu ahead of their clash with Australia.

Fiji: Sunia Turuva moves to fullback, with Ronald Philitoga coming onto the wing for the injured Bayley Bentley-Hape. Emosi Ravosai starts at prop in place of Mitchell Prest, who is suspended for one game. Jordan Miller and Joseph Litiadamu are the new faces on the six-man bench.

Papua New Guinea: Zac Laybutt moves to fullback, with Josh Feledy and Nene Macdonald coming into the centres. Morea Morea and Rodrick Tai make way, while Luca Moretti returns at prop and Liam Horne comes in at lock. Valentine Richard drops to the bench alongside Zev John, Finley Glare, Jacob Taulani, Sanny Wabo and Robert Mathias.

England: Two changes to Brian McDermott’s starting side for Round 3. Hull KR’s Jez Litten comes in at hooker, while Morgan Knowles returns at lock after missing the first two games with a calf injury. Brad O’Neill drops to the reserves after wearing No.9 last week, with Victor Radley moving to the bench.

New Zealand: Dane Gagai and Moses Leota return after being rested last week, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to the interchange and Joseph Tapine shifting to lock. Isaiah Papali’i returns to the starting side in the back row, while Xavier Willison, Erin Clark and Scott Sorensen move to the interchange. Tanner Stowers-Smith, Leo Thompson and Jacob Laban drop to the reserves.

Australia: Reece Walsh returns at fullback, with Isaiah Yeo, Liam Martin and Cameron Munster also back in the side. Tom Dearden starts at No.7 alongside Munster, with Sam Walker dropping to the reserves. Ethan Strange could make his Test debut off the bench, while Pat Carrigan, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Harry Grant return to the starting side. James Tedesco moves to the interchange, with David Fifita and Blayke Brailey dropping to the reserves.

Tonga: Isaiya Katoa returns at halfback, with Tui Lolohea moving to five-eighth and Latu Fainu to the interchange. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Rob Toia return to the starting side, while Tyson Frizell returns at lock. Jason Taumalolo moves to prop and Siaua Wong returns to the starting side, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki dropping to the reserves.

Samoa: No changes to Ben Gardiner’s starting side for the clash with Tonga. Jazz Tevaga returns to the interchange after missing the PNG game, while Deine Mariner is named among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury.

English team announced

Samoan team announced