Is Ian Roberts one of the most fearless man to ever play rugby league? The Manly and NSW State of Origin enforcer who terrified opponents for over a decade - and in 1995, became the first rugby league player in the world to come out as gay. Thirty years later, no active NRL player has followed.

This week Ian joins Connor Watson and Chris Lynn at Sportscafe to talk about the brutal era of rugby league that shaped him, the move called "Henry" designed to start all-in brawls, getting 40 stitches from Les Boyd, and what it was really like to come out in one of the toughest sporting environments on earth.

Plus the boys break down the latest NRL action, rate the best sports social clips of the week, and the Sportscafe philosopher Chur Ma Bro is back.

Carlton is under serious pressure… but what does it actually feel like when a mental crisis hits mid-game?

We talk to a legend about experiencing it firsthand, then break down the St George Illawarra Dragons coach sacking - and what happens inside a club when everything falls apart.

And Australia's top jouster shows us his weapons.

Plus:
• Tractor drives onto a cricket pitch mid-game
• Should streakers be allowed to wear clothes?
• Rugby’s chaotic origins (150 vs 150)

Kalyn Ponga joins the crew this week — opening up on his hamstring recovery, State of Origin availability, the new disruptor rule, pledging allegiance to the Kiwis, and whether the mullet era is incoming.

Connor Watson is also firmly in the NRL soap opera spotlight with his contract future up in the air.

Meanwhile Marc Ellis rocks up 20 minutes late, the great "mountaineering" debate gets settled (or does it?), Carlos Ulberg's incredible one-legged UFC title win, Warriors fans going absolutely off, and Sport of Social delivers once again.

We get diehard NRL fans and ask them the question: Are AFL fans better?
Former Australian fast bowler and double Sheffield Shield-winning coach Ryan Harris explains why batters are softer than bowlers. We also talk to someone about to conquer Everest and ask him: mountaineer or mountainer? Plus, the best leg-spin bowler in the world.

Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies shares his take on Manly’s coaching shake-up and his views on modern headgear. Meanwhile, an angry Manly fan refuses to apologize for his heated call to Connor Watson, and Marc Ellis checks in live from Japan—right between his geisha visits!

Chris Lynn challenges the goings on at Bronco’s HQ

And Connor Watson talks about how much it hurts and how he plans to bounce back.

Marc Ellis manages to insult a Matilda’s legend 3 times while trying to give her praise.
And there is more chaos than usual as Tayla Montoya has had enough and the presenters turn on the producer.

This week on Sportscafe, the crew breaks down one of the great moments in recent NRL history - Alex Johnson's record-breaking try for the Roosters against the Souths, and the 20,000 fans who decided the rules didn't apply to them. Connor Watson was on the field that night, on the wrong side of it... He gives us his perspective.

Broncos legend Gordon Tallis joins the show, and if you've ever yelled at your TV watching him on Fox Sports, turns out he's actually a good bloke.

Lachlan Carter from Those Carter Boys drops in fresh off the back of back-to-back Lions premierships, a Winter Olympics, and a stepsister with a few Olympic gold medals to her name. He talks about how it all started, retiring from swimming and filming a TikTok on the same day.

Plus: Connor Watson gets a custom Roosters jersey made for Theo Walcott and does a crossbar challenge in runners. The great debate - NRL vs AFL vs Rugby Union, who has the best athletes?

New episode every week. Subscribe so you don't miss it!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro: Connor's reaction to AJ Johnson's record-breaking try
1:34 – Welcome to Sports Cafe + breaking down the Roosters vs Souths game
3:52 – Taylah and Marcelo's experience watching the field invasion live
9:00 – Connor's story hanging out with Arsenal legend Theo Walcott
11:09 – Brisbane Broncos legend Gordon Tallis joins the show
14:24 – Gordy on coaching the Ashes series in the UK
15:19 – The debate: rugby league vs AFL vs rugby union — who has the best athletes?
25:35 – Rugby Rivals show discussion + the Clash of the Codes throwback
32:49 – Those Carter Boys' Lachlan Carter joins + building a viral sports content brand
43:07 – Sport of Social: rating the week's wildest viral clips

This week on Sportscafe, it's rivalry week - and the most heated derby in the NRL is front and centre. Roosters star Connor Watson joins the panel fresh off a loss to the Warriors, giving us the inside word on what Roosters vs Rabbitohs week really feels like in the eastern suburbs.

Plus, AFL premiership winner and accidental Australian Kabaddi captain Campbell Brown drops in with his AFL tips, his Gold Coast Suns premiership prediction, and the story of how he became national captain of a sport he'd never heard of.

Also on the show: the Australian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri's nightmare home race, Zac Lomax's move to rugby union, and Tayla joins remotely from her post-Vegas sick bed.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
01:04 Most Heated NRL Rivalry
07:28 Warriors vs. Roosters Unpacked
09:34 Drilling Derails the Show
13:20 Melbourne Grand Prix
16:12 Zac Lomax to Rugby Union
18:15 AFL Star Campbell Brown Interview
26:25 Australia’s Close Call in Baseball with Japan
37:45 The Sport of Social

The NRL season is underway and it’s already delivering drama.

NRL legend Steve Renouf joins Sportscafe to break down the biggest talking points from the opening round of the 2026 NRL season.

From early season pressure on contenders, to standout performances across the league, Renouf gives his perspective on where the competition is heading, and which teams are already making a statement.

And in true Sportscafe fashion… things don’t exactly go to plan when Marc decides to join the show from a sauna mid-episode.

Subscribe for new episodes of Sportscafe every week.