ABC NRL Daily

When Billy Slater called I thought it could have been a scam

On the build up to the Men's State of Origin it was great to jump inside both camps. Maroons debutant Jojo Fifita wasn't expecting to made the squad - so much so that when Queensland coach Billy Slate called he thought it could have been a scam! Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis and Michael Carayannis were joined by Penrith's Scott Sorensen through the afternoon and they discussed the sad news of Jai Arrow's Motor Neurone diagnosis and how Sorensen's future club the Perth Bears are shaping up. Maroons Origin Legend Dallas Johnson talked about his 1st State of Origin series which was 20 years ago and another current player - the Blues Hudson Young - shone a light on Laurie Daley's messaging and who's in control of the music in the NSW Camp.

A lesson in resilience

Andrew Moore spoke to Dolphins prop Tom Flegler about his fairytale return from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him for almost two years, but has seen him get the call from Billy Slater welcoming him back to Queensland's Origin side.

We want to play that Manly style of Footy

Manly stalwart Reuben Garrick is loving life under Kieran Foran and he reckons they've rediscovered their team identity. He chatted to Glen Lauder and Alan Tongue about the improved defence, winning without Tom Trbojevic and knowing it's his final year at the club. Plus the team discuss some of the State of Origin selections and talk about the sad news of Jai Arrow's Motor Neurone Disease revelation.

NRL Monday: Victor Radley. Why?

New South Wales coach Laurie Daley joins Andrew Moore on NRL Monday to defend his selections ahead of State of Origin 1. We review the seventh edition of Magic Round and find out who is hot, and who is under the pump. Plus, John Gibbs is in studio to share his thoughts on both Origin line-ups, and he debates Moorey about whether officiating is to blame for blow-out scores.

Ponga at half back would be lunacy

The Rugby League World is massed in Brisbane for Magic Round and on the eve of the naming of the Men's Origin teams it's an ideal opportunity to get two great Origin pugilists to name their squads for Game 1. In the Blue Corner - Luke Lewis, and in the Red (well, Maroon) corner Billy Moore. The uber Queenslander reckons talk of Kalyn Ponga at half back is wide of the mark.  Also, Lewey joins Andrew Moore and John Gibbs to tackle the issues of the week in Six Again. And North Queensland back rower Sam McIntyre jumped on for a chat after picking up three ABC Sport Player of the Year points in the Cowboys gritty win over the Roosters. The 'First Thought' is the GOAT and there's a doubly special Live Song of the Week from Denis Carnahan celebrating our septuagenarian sideline Johnny Gibbs.