After a weekend with several surprise results, the NRL is full of people and clubs who are more than a tad miffed this week.
2026 NRL – Round 4: The devil is a prowling Panther, not a roaring lion
March 25, 2026 by 4 Comments
Ian Hauser gets Biblical this week to describe the mighty Panthers who are gobbling up whoever is in front of them. His target in the weekly mini rant is no newcomer to the role – will that bloke never learn?
2026 NRL – Round 3: Premierships may not be won in March but…
March 18, 2026 by 2 Comments
It might only be March and two rounds into the season but the signs are already ominous for several clubs, both for good and not so good. Ian Hauser makes an early season assessment of the results thus far.
2026 NRL – The hits and misses of Round 1 and a preview of Round 2
March 11, 2026 by 3 Comments
Who flashed, who flopped and what can we make of Round 1? Round 2 looks just as tricky to tip.
NRL 2026 – Vegas wrap and the rest of Round 1
March 4, 2026 by 2 Comments
With the Las Vegas extravaganza now out of the way, rugby league ‘comes home’ for the remainder of Round 1. Here’s how it’s shaping up.
Almanac Rugby League 2026 – Tip the Season’s Big Winners
February 26, 2026 by 6 Comments
A thought bubble turned into a challenge for our readers: Tip your winners of this year’s big events on the rugby league calendar. Enter via the Comments section and we’ll revisit in November to find a winner.
NRL 2026 – Las Vegas Round 1: Now we’re playing for real!
February 25, 2026 by 3 Comments
The 2026 NRL season proper kicks off on Sunday (Australian time) in Las Vegas. It’s time to get real after the faux froth and bubble of the pre-season. Ian Hauser provides the background to Round 1.
2026 NRL – Maori v Indigenous and the World Club Challenge: Serious Business!
February 19, 2026 by 2 Comments
Rugby League editor Ian Hauser is off on an early (mini) rant about the pre-season comp before he tackles the more serious matches played last weekend. Then there’s the World Club Challenge to be played early tomorrow, Australian time.
2026 NRL – And away we go!
February 12, 2026 by 7 Comments
Rugby League is back in earnest on Sunday with the annual Indigenous v Maori clashes headlining the first weekend of ‘serious’ competition. Here’s what’s ahead in 2026.
Almanac Culture: First Night at the Opera
January 24, 2026 by 6 Comments
As they say, there’s a first time for everything. Now comfortably into his 70s, Ian Hauser made his debut at the opera by taking in ‘Madama Butterfly’ at the Sydney Opera House.
Almanac Observation: Why we love sport!
January 11, 2026 by 11 Comments
It’s the unpredictability of sport that is one of the reasons Ian Hauser loves it. Here’s another example from the weekend.
Almanac Food (Christmas Treats): Oldies but goodies
December 4, 2025 by 7 Comments
With the Festive Season upon us, we thought we’d reprise editor Ian Hauser’s ‘Christmas treats’ post from a couple years ago. Ian will be making his 2026 batch of rum balls in the coming days so that they’re suitably fermented in time for Christmas.
We all have ‘treats’ that go with our experience of Christmas. Ian Hauser shares a couple that have their roots in his childhood.
Almanac Rugby League – One more thing: Key dates for 2026 – Updated!
November 14, 2025 by 1 Comment
Just before we completely sign off from the rugby league season, here are some key dates for 2026, including the full season draw for both the NRL and the NRLW.
Almanac Rugby League – The Ashes and The Pacific Championships: The season finally comes to an end
November 13, 2025 by 2 Comments
The 2025 rugby league season finally reached its conclusion with the third Ashes Test in Leeds and the Pacific Championships finals in Sydney. Ian Hauser provides the Almanac’s coverage.
Almanac (Book) Review: ‘The Hugamug Club’ by Andy Thurlow
November 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
In his retirement years, Andy Thurlow initiated a couple of community-based groups in Tanunda. The Sprocket Rockets is, not surprisingly, a cycling group. The Hugamug Club is more about coffee, cake and caring. This book features the stories of five of its members, all very different from each other but all bound by a common thread – their faith.
Almanac Rugby League – The Third Ashes Test and Pacific Championships Finals
November 6, 2025 by 4 Comments
The Kangaroos won the Ashes and the Pacific Championships have two monster clashes on finals day on Sunday. In Cup week, Ian Hauser runs his eye over the rugby league form guide.
Almanac Rugby League – The 2025 Ashes Second Test and the Pacific Championships Week 3
October 30, 2025 by 2 Comments
There’s still action aplenty happening in rugby league with the international season in full swing. Ian Hauser keeps you up with developments in both the Ashes series and the Pacific Championships.
Almanac Rugby League – The First Test of the Ashes and the Pacific Championships Week 2
October 23, 2025 by 5 Comments
The rugby league Ashes series, the first in over 20 years, begins this weekend while the Pacific Championships continues with Week 2 clashes. Ian Hauser offers his preview of a big weekend for ‘the greatest game of all’.
International Rugby League – The Pacific Championships: Week 1
October 16, 2025 by 1 Comment
Rugby league’s 2025 Pacific Championships kick off this weekend with matches in Port Moresby and Auckland. Ian Hauser provides a preview.
International Rugby League – The Ashes and the Pacific Championships
October 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
The NRL season is done and dusted. Now let’s enjoy both an Ashes Tour and the Pacific Championships. Ian Hauser provides an introduction to the 2025 rugby league international season.
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