The Six-Again "Failed Effort," Referee Distrust, and the Kangaroo Coaching Charade

Kenty and Woz take aim at the NRL’s "eroding integrity" and the "weak management" currently governing the sport. From a direct call to kill the six-again rule to the baffling delay in naming Kevin Walters as the Australian coach, Kenty offered a raw assessment of the game's current direction.

The "Failed Effort" of the Six-Again Rule

The episode centered on a blistering critique of the six-again rule, which Kenty labeled a "failed effort" that must be scrapped at the end of the season. He argued that the rule has created a profound lack of transparency and an "erosion of trust" among fans who no longer understand why decisions are being made.

"I think that this six-again, I think it has to go down as a failed effort... I think we need to kill the rule. I think we need to get rid of it."

Kenty suggested that the lack of public statistics or explanations for six-again calls—likening fans to "mushrooms kept in the dark"—leaves the game vulnerable to allegations of "managing" scores. He pointed to the statistical anomaly of halftime "square-ups," where teams trailing by large margins almost invariably win the penalty count in the second half.

"The best bet you can make in rugby league right now is at halftime, back the team that's just been caned in the penalties in the first half to come back with the start in the second half... you'll win seven out of eight games every weekend."

Flanagan, the Bunker, and "Wood Ducks"

The panel addressed the NRL's decision not to fine Shane Flanagan for his "nuclear" press conference following the Dragons' loss to the Bulldogs. Kenty interpreted the lack of a fine as a "silent admission" that Flanagan was right about the officiating blunders. He reserved particular vitriol for the Bunker official, whom he dubbed a "wood duck" for overturning an on-field decision that appeared correct.

"The referee got it right and the wood duck in the bunker he got it wrong... the Lily-Livered NRL, they have decided to just give him a free pass on that one."

The Kevin Walters "Charade"

The conversation turned to the "rushed" and "clunky" appointment of Kevin Walters as the new Kangaroos coach. Despite reports that Walters had secured the job, the NRL’s delay in an official announcement was criticized as a petty attempt to avoid appearing "dictated to" by the media.

"I don't know why we're going through this charade now of not naming him other than the NRL don't want to appear to be being dictated to or being beaten to the punch by the media."

Kenty expressed his support for Walters, noting he "ticks all the boxes" with NRL and Origin coaching success. He emphasized that the role of a national coach on tour is as much about "controlling the mood" as it is about tactics, citing legendary examples of how Bob Fulton managed internal squad tensions between NSW and Queensland players in the 1980s.

International Defections and the Parramatta "New Era"

In a significant shift for the international game, Kenty discussed rumors that stars like Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow may choose to play for Samoa over Australia this season. Far from being critical, Kenty welcomed the move as a way to "awaken the international scene."

On the club front, Kenty was bullish about Parramatta’s future under incoming coach Jason Ryles, particularly with the return of Mitchell Moses.

"I think Mitch Moses coming back into the side, he’s the lynchpin... I think Ryles is a quality coach and I think you can already see the impact he’s having on Parramatta."

The Final Word on "Woke" Sports Symbols

Closing on a controversial note, the pair discussed the ongoing debate in the U.S. regarding Native American team names, with Kenty dismissing the push for change as a "woke argument" led by "non-sporting people."

"No organisation has ever named their emblem... with a view of wanting to exploit it or ridicule it. They actually do it as a galvanizing symbol to be proud about... bugger off, stay away from sport."

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.