Ep 14. Was The Origin Send-Off Actually Good For Rugby League?

The Down the Sideline Podcast goes live for the very first time as David Boldeman, Adrian Manca and Tim Micallef tackle one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 NRL season.Five days after State of Origin I, the boys revisit the Kalyn Ponga send-off and ask a question few others are asking: was the controversy actually good for rugby league?Rather than debating whether the referee got the call right, the discussion explores the reaction from fans, commentators and media throughout the week, and whether the incident created exactly the sort of conversation and attention the game thrives on.The boys also look ahead to Origin II, break down the Panthers vs Warriors thriller that may prove to be the match of the season, discuss the Dragons finally getting off the mark, examine the growing pressure on Michael Maguire and the Broncos, and debate the NRL's new taunting crackdown.Plus, the return of Boldo's Soapbox, Upset Alert and tips for every Round 14 clash.This episode includes:Was the Kalyn Ponga send-off actually good for rugby league?Origin II team changes and predictionsPanthers vs Warriors falloutDragons finally break through for their first winPressure building on the Broncos and Michael MaguireWinners and losers from Round 13The NRL's controversial taunting ruleUpset AlertRound 14 tipsDown the Sideline is the rugby league podcast that looks beyond the scoreboard, exploring the stories, personalities, media narratives, business decisions and big-picture issues shaping the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.