Rugby league’s tackle-height trial begins at Bradford to mixed reactions

The trial to protect players from concussion will span 24 games but high penalty count in first match is not encouraging

State of Origin 2023 teams: Queensland Maroons injuries force squad changes for game two

Jeremiah Nanai, Xavier Coates and Moeaki Fotuaika have been recalled to replaced injured Tom Gilbert, Selwyn Cobbo and Jai Arrow

With tens of thousands of union fans left without a club, rugby league may attempt an expansion into other strongholds

St Helens thrashed local rivals Wigan 34-16 to keep up the pressure on Catalans at the top of the Super League

IMG will decide soon on whether Magic Weekend will continue but the champions, St Helens, used the occasion to beat Huddersfield 48-6

Catalans Dragons move top of Super League on points difference after thrashing Wigan 46-22 while scoring eight tries on Magic Weekend

Minute-by-minute report: The Maroons hold the advantage in the two-match series after an eight-point victory in Sydney

Queensland held firm under late pressure from New South Wales to take a 1-0 lead with the series to conclude in Townsville next month

New South Wales have an almighty task on their hands to stay in the series after losing a game they should have won

NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons hard to separate ahead of upgraded Origin which sets the scene for expanded NRLW

Doubles for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo in a series opener that saw the lead change four times gave the 12-man Maroons a memorable 26-18 win

Queensland draw first blood in the 2023 State of Origin series with 26-18 win over NSW in Adelaide

Queensland’s 3-0 series win over NSW in 2010 is the only sweep since 2000 and this year’s series is again too close to call

The NSW back’s absence is a blow for the Blues and State of Origin itself – he is one of the few who are irreplaceable