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Tuesday Wrap
A quick look around the traps at all the recent NRL news, including a raft of off-season player movements and the impending announcement of the 2013 Season Draw.
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Draw release pending this week
The long wait for fans to see who their club plays in season 2013 is almost over - last Friday the NRL confirmed they will be releasing the 2013 NRL Premiership Draw late this week.
The fixture will include all 26 rounds, with the first 20 rounds fully scheduled in advance. It is understood the make-up of the remaining six rounds will be released to the public by the time of Round 16.
Stay tuned later this week as the draw is released - discussion will be hot on both our forums and our social media pages!
Sonny to sign on the dotted line
After months of speculation, this morning former Bulldogs, Toulon and All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams will make his agreement with the Sydney Roosters official.
The talented second-rower walked out on the Canterbury-Bankstown club in mid-2008, with the club later claiming the spoon in a demoralising year. Last night on Ten News, retired Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri blasted Williams, breaking a four-year silence from players of the club.
Williams' deal will see him join the Tricolours for the 2013 season, linking up with other key club signings in James Maloney and Michael Oldfield.
Knights continue Bronco-raid
The Newcastle Knights have added further youth to their playing squad, with young Broncos forward Mitchell Frei joining the steel city club. The move continues a recent trend of Broncos becoming Knights, with troubled outside back Dane Gagai joining Wayne Bennett's men mid-season last year.
The move nearly completes the Newcastle playing roster, which also sees the additions of Jeremy Smith, Beau Scott and David Fa'alogo in the red and blue for 2013.
New roles for retired legends
They may have hung up the boots, but retired legends Nathan Hindmarsh, Hazem El Masri and Petero Civoniceva are continuing to give back to the game which has been so kind to them over the years.
New full-time roles for these players will see Hindmarsh looking after general community engagement in Western Sydney, while El Masri's focus will be on new migrants and multiculturalism. Civoniceva will work out of Brisbane with special focus on Pacific Islander programs.
Hindmarsh (Eels) and Civoniceva (Broncos, Panthers) both retired this year, while El Masri (Bulldogs) left the game in 2009 and has been active in numerous cultural and development programs since.
Indigenous talent on show for the Prince
With Prince Charles on a royal visit to Australia, rugby league was front and centre late last week, with indigenous NRL stars including Greg Inglis, Greg Bird and Willie Tonga showcasing their skill with a game of beach touch football.
The players faced off with indigenous students on Bondi Beach under the watchful eye of the Prince of Wales. While rain almost hampered the plans, eventually the sun broke through, enabling the trio to take to the beach with the students.
England smash France in autumn series final
While the result was entirely predictable, England made an emphatic statement ahead of next year's World Cup with a 48-4 victory over France.
England led the match 48-0 until the final minute, with the French bagging a lone consolation try late in proceedings. English winger Ryan Hall bagged four tries in the rout.
England 48 (Ryan Hall 4, Sam Tomkins 2, Josh Charnley, Rob Burrow tries; Kevin Sinfield 8/8 goals) defeated France 4 (Mathias Pala try)