FOR fans it'll be as much about the new coaches as the players when St George Illawarra host Canterbury in a NRL trial on Saturday.

GOLD Coast Titans forward Greg Bird has appealed for Willie Mason to be thrown an NRL lifeline, calling him one of the "superstars" of the game.

THE Raiders have fired a salvo in the battle for NSW Origin fullback Josh Dugan by questioning what Canterbury intend to do with Ben Barba.

FORMER Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy's appeal against his conviction for match-fixing has been rejected.

PAUL Gallen was the most popular pick, while Wayne Bennett sprung two surprises with his coach's pick in naming the NRL All Stars side. Team

EXTRAORDINARY details surrounding the betting plunge in the Ryan Tandy match fixing scandal have come to light in court today. 

JUST because they're tough, don't think your favourite NRL players are only interested in partying during the off season.

THE Bulldogs are gearing up for a massive play to make NSW Origin fullback Josh Dugan the first big-name recruit of new coach Des Hasler.

REIGNING premiers Manly face the possibility of being torn apart at the end of this year.

THE good news, for the disappointed and disillusioned, is the NRL will be able to do what the courts couldn't. Ryan Tandy may well be banned for life.

RYAN Tandy has been sentenced to six months non-custodial sentence - to be served in the community under an Intensive Correction Order.

TERRY Campese's hopes of resurrecting his NSW Origin career received a huge boost yesterday when he was named in the emerging Blues squad.

FIRST the Bulldogs stole supercoach Des Hasler and his staff from Manly.

CANTERBURY believe they deserve to host the expected NRL return of Sonny Bill Williams next year in a grudge match against the Roosters.

JAMAL Idris says he's desperate to start the new NRL season with the Gold Coast in the best shape of his young career.

RETIRED Bulldog captain Andrew Ryan has no problem with Sonny Bill Williams returning to the NRL after he walked out on Canterbury in 2008.

NRL boss David Gallop would seek assurances from Sonny Bill Williams should he rejoin the rugby league competition.

WHEN Sonny Bill Williams shot through on the Bulldogs in 2008, I described it as the most dishonourable act from a football player I could recall.

SUPERSTAR Sonny Bill Williams is on the verge of signing a $4 million deal to return to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters.

PHIL ROTHFIELD delivers his fearless predictions on what to expect in the 2012 NRL season.