Why does the NRL keep more Kiwis tuned in than almost any other sporting code?
Ask anyone who follows rugby league in New Zealand and you will hear a version of the same answer. The NRL has become a Friday night ritual.
The Warriors are the local heartbeat. Origin season turns lounge rooms into pubs across the country, and by the time September rolls around, most fans have a finals scenario sketched out before the qualifiers have even kicked off.
But what is actually driving that loyalty? Is it the Warriors finally getting their structure right, the rise of the Roger Tuivasa-Sheck generation of New Zealand-born players, the steady pipeline of Kiwi talent across other clubs, or just the fact that the league happens to be the most watchable contact sport in this part of the world?
Super League Magic Weekend 2026: Teams, fixtures and what to expect at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
All 14 Super League teams will battle it out on the same pitch over two days in July. The Magic Weekend, covering July 4 and 5, sees round 17 of the league played in Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It promises to be an exciting round of rugby, writes Sports News Blitz’s rugby league fan Tom Down.
Rugby League analysis: Are games played abroad helping the sport to grow?
A rugby Super League fixture was played in Paris on June 6, and the competition is set to return to Las Vegas for the third time in 2027.
Wigan Warriors took on Catalan Dragons at the Stade Jean Bouin in a commemorative fixture to celebrate 30 years of the Super League.
But with the sport still struggling to grow its domestic audience, the decision to host matches in other countries may not be the way forward, writes Sports News Blitz’s Tom Down.
Rugby league betting tips: Predictions and suggested bets for Super League Round 11
Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos take on title challengers Wigan Warriors in Round 11 - and there’s a Yorkshire derby between York and Castleford.
With Leeds Rhinos beating high-flying Wakefield last week and St Helens defeating York, the quality is shining through with these two teams looking like hot favourites early on.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Ward takes a look at upcoming fixtures, highlighting the best betting angles and offering some choice tips.
Rugby league tips: Predictions and suggested bets for Super League round nine
The league leaders' shield chase is well and truly alive - Wigan face a tough test away at Warrington, Wakefield travel to St Helens and much more.
With a mixed bag of results last week, the play-off chase is still at large for half of the teams in the league, as well as that top spot.
The favourites are Leeds Rhinos but Wigan, Warrington and Wakefield are right behind them and will have something to say about that.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Ward takes a look at upcoming fixtures, highlighting the best betting angles and offering some choice tips.
Rugby league news: Predictions and suggested bets for Super League round eight
Another huge round awaits in the Super League, with teams battling for play-offs spots and everything still to play for. And while there isn’t a standout game this weekend, the stakes remain just as high as the next gameweek is likely to give us a clearer picture of who could break into the top six.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Ward takes a look at upcoming fixtures, highlighting the best betting angles and offering some choice tips.