NRL Round 18 Preview - Kalyn Ponga & Tommy Turbo Return... Could They Play Origin?

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Levels Podcast:
Willie Mason & Justin Horo present Levels Podcast, twice a week reviewing & previewing all the NRL games also giving their best tips.
Willie Mason is a former Kangaroo and NSW representative, is considered one of the most successful front rowers in NRL history. In 2004, he was a part of the famous 'Dogs of War' team that won the Grand Final, and he also received the Clive Churchill Medal during that match.
Justin Horo is a former NRL player who played 120 games for Parramatta and Manly from 2010 to 2015. In addition to playing in the UK Super League, he also represented the New Zealand Māori team.
0:00 NRL SEASON GOING SO FAST + REAL TEAMS COMING TO LIFE
8:00 BSC AT COLES
8:40 MASE & LATRELL MEDIA COMPARISON
17:56 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE
22:45 KZbin QUESTIONS, MOSES, NICHO
29:40 GUTHO, EELS AND REFS - NO MORE REF CHAT!
42:08 NRL VS FOX LEAGUE STATS
46:33 EELS COACHING JOB FINALLY
49:00 LEVELS BETS FRIENDS TAB MULTI
49:45 EELS V RABBITOHS
52:50 CRONULLA V TITANS
55:27. BRONCOS V PANTHERS
58:55 BULLDOGS V WARRIORS
1:00:50 TIGERS V STORM
1:02:50 NTH QLD V MANLY
1:06:20 ST G V ROOSTERS
1:09:30 CANBERRA V NEWCASTLE

[@levelsnetwork]

CAN WE BEAT LAST EPISODES 1000 LIKES?! LIKE THE EPISODE ITS A CHEEKY ALGORITHM BOOSTER!

[@sioneFelila501]

Mase speaking facts on the media ✊ love the podcast boys 💯🤙

[@markkilleen4457]

Willie was dropping truth bombs all over this one. When he said if they really cared about the players Walshy wouldn't have played for like 6 weeks it made me emotional honestly. Love listening to the insights every week! Please never change, guys.

[@somethingdifferent9508]

I listened to the podcast and came to KZbin just to like it. You guys deserve all the praise. Don't know what im going to do in the off season :(

[@amostenana6988]

Love how real willie is 💯 This show is so good

[@joeyclark3995]

up da Levels. QLD POWER

[@annalise_nz]

Thanks for another great conversation. Your podcast is much more positive e and constructive than mainstream sports media.

[@thorneobrien2086]

One thing i also wonder with the referees, do they hold a grudge against the referee who is in the bunker and overturns their decision, so when the positions are swapped are they out to get the ref, who is now on field but last week overturned heaps of their calls when they were on field? And vice versa.

[@jesseeide4741]

Best NRL podcast, you guys are a joy to listen to every week 💯

[@cooperhewett9676]

Question for big OG. what was it like coming back into club land after origin with any Queenslanders, after a win or a loss?

[@TheGeneral92]

Mase said something... "if you believe the papers shame on you, that's how easily manipulated you are". I remember not liking Ben Hannant because some nerd jurno's said he's not well liked by his teammates because he's a square, a couple years later i'm watching his bloke interview and realise he's the best bloke, he's funny and a legend.

[@Pafuki25]

Was never a fan of Justin Horo, but he’s legit now. Mase & Horo 💯

[@tysongarratt7382]

Hey Legends, been absolutely loving the podcast I 100% agree with what you’ve said about the 6 again only one in a set and the next one should be a penalty, limits teams in defence on the line actually taking advantage of the 6 again by giving them away early and letting them set their defence better, Chooks and Penrith do this almost every game

[@Rugby_Slant]

Fellas, love the podcast! I really like the take on mental health on the game and how this can’t affect someone! Do you think the NRL has to take some ownership on this with the clips that they post on the internet of refs decisions and players fumbles etc? I understand it’s to grow the sport but also players and referees mental health comes in to play as well! Anyway, love the podcast guys! Keep it up! Hope you enjoyed the post on my Instagram of the international brawl😉😂

[@FieldPlug]

MITCH KENNY DAWG OF THE WEEK 43 tackles made, line break, tackle break, even picking up a try when the game was 8-6 and in the balance 😤😤😤

[@aranuimagner7561]

Have to give uncle scope the props! Burton golden point field goal win!! Shit! What was that paying at the TAB? 😅 thank you lads for all your thoughts! Such a good poddie! Die hard OG Wahs fan since 95. So disappointed in the loss but can’t deny the effort. Love to hear your lads thoughts on the Wahs chances for the finals and what we need to do to get back in to the 8. 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@Paix323]

The chat from Willie about media is true in the world of us as people in general. With social media and what not, we need to focus on the people in our lives and not give a fuck about those with a opinion through a screen. Love ya work boys

[@toa9151]

63rd man in had me REELING😂😂 love ya Hindy

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

My name is “A light that never goes out” btw, it’s a song by The Smiths 😂😂 that’s cracked me up man fucking hell “aiiighttt that never goes out”

[@okusfayreno8599]

Nah fuck all 🍞 kicking back with the levels boys 🍞

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Growing up in Adelaide, I didn’t follow any League at all except through a magazine called Alpha. Only players I knew as a kid were the main ones featured in there. They were JT (my 🐐 and one of two main reasons I’m a Cowboys fan), Braith (because he was a good looking rooster) and Willie (because they depicted him as the bad boy of the league). Can’t even imagine the media attention he was copping in Sydney, if even a kid from Adelaide who knew bugger all league still knew about him 😅 Interesting to hear Willie talk about the media landscape

[@sackthaat]

Let me tell you. Growing up in Sydney, everyone knew who Willie Mason was, even your random aunty who knows nothing about rugby league.

[@user-ih6on5mm5d]

Hey fellas, love the podcast. Listen mostly on Spotify but wanted to jump on here to hopefully get my take included in the next show. You spoke about the ruck infringement and not nothing what the call was for. They should implement a system similar to union where the reason for the infringement is displayed on the TV at the bottom. The bunker should be able to identify the infringement and just put up a quick note at the bottom saying "hands in ruck" etc

[@tysongarratt7382]

1:06:37 Hey Legends, just to add as someone from Illawarra it kills me when the Dragons only get mentioned as St George Dragons it just feels like each year the media and even the dragons themselves are pushing the area out of the name when in reality if it wasn’t for the Illawarra the Dragons would probably not even be in the league anymore, this is coming from a South’s fan aswell

[@justenbeashel]

"Hindy got 70 tackles....63rd man in". 😂 I genuinely almost spat out my drink laughing ☠️ he was the king of the flop. The mop (his hair) with the flop

[@saveit4last]

Don't forget half his crack hanging out every time he done a flop

[@jaycee571]

About time someone recognised this

[@levelsnetwork]

We take the mickey a bit because of his role on Fox and he's a good sport but Hindy was a dawggg! - Horo

[@MitchyLifts1]

Best poddy ever, calling it now Magic round 2025 running it straight at mase for a laugh

[@RandomMaori-xy5ul]

Hey guys love the pod cast i listen to you while driving at work 😂 keep up the good work! do you think the old Super league had faster play the balls then the old ARL did? Compared to today's NRL game? As most teams now days try and slow the play down as much as they can, and that's why there are so many set re-starts in the game, as to the Super league were it was a tackle call then release steight away or get penalize. One, do we need to take a page out of that book to make the game more faster? Or do we get the refs to sort out the ruck area a bit better with the slow down of the play??? Thoughts 🤔

[@markvanthoff9282]

Love the poddie - 1st picked up tiktok then spotify if am at the gym or commuting. KZbin at home. Just on the 6 agains - i think the issue here is the threshold seems to have lowered - too many given for slight infringements. Must be close to penalty offence to be given. Also different threshold for parts of the field. Thoughts ?

[@cokeman9135]

I don’t (rarely)watch NRL 360 anymore because of this- thank fudge you tell it how it is and not a woman’s day show. (This is the most quality show out of the multitude of podcasts available now).

[@biminiblock]

Boys love the show. Few things regarding the ref chat I think is being over looked. 1, its the stadium that plays the “bell” and “ruck infringement” not refs. They actually communicate the reason for the infringement to bunker comms on audio. 2, which is a huge issue overlooked by the NRL. The top 4 refs, each perform bunker review duties on each other’s games. If there is a chance in background to come in from the bunker and over rule a decision made on field they do it every time. They are as competitive as players and at the end of the day, all trying to get origin, finals and gf appearance.

[@simontomlinson5307]

Guys loving the podcast keep up the great work! How does the game fix golden point? I personally would be happy with a draw after 80mins but I get the punters want a result. Golden try gets suggested a bit? I don’t know the solution but watching 6 hit ups for a shot at field goal isn’t the best sometimes

[@benjy4030]

Hey guys, Big Fan of the show, just a thought about the origin, whilst it’s obvious that the NRL won’t match fix for legal reasons, I do think it’s ridiculous that both the bunker and on field referees can be from the same state, in my opinion, if the on field is one state then the bunker has to be the other. I believe Both referees for game 2 were from nsw (correct me if i’m wrong) which as a queenslander who hates losing, rubs me the wrong way

[@cokeman9135]

Suggestion to counter six again- would they consider doing 30 minute halves? Reduces fatigue and maybe injuries? Thoughts?

[@13radripnon46]

do Red Rabbits have the staff and GI Lateral to do Mathematical chance of FGoals down by twoNews between 2 Fern?!?

[@oprichards]

Gents, got a question for you. Ive been a long time fan of DCE as a player, purely because he has been a proper representative of what I believe is important to QLD. Hes copped a lot of flack over the years, and i have never been a fan of Manly but have still respected and spoke up for DCE as a player. Watching him dive like a soccer player against the Cowboys on the weekend has made me lose all respect for him. What do you think of that sort of activity as former players? As a side note, ive always thought a mandatory 5min, off-field physical check (like the HIA) for players that are "injured" would speed up the game and stop a lot of the rot.

[@jenno96]

Hey boys, just finished watching the Broncos game and as a fan, was finding myself frustrated that they didn’t go down their right hand side the until the 77th minute, despite rookie half Jack Cole being forced to defend at left centre from the 5th minute. Is that where the experience of Adam Reynolds would have come in to exploit that weakness? Whilst the game was a great grind in the middle for the most part, I still feel as if we could have gone down that side more than once

[@maxfish4770]

Well said Mase. Its mind over matter, you don't mind and the media don't matter. I was amazed to hear Mitchell say what outsiders think affects him As for refs, they are over coached and gun shy. It's bloody hard to ref especially with the bunker (local league flows better). I used to mouth off until made to ref a 14s game. It was horrible, the little buggers were all over me

[@13radripnon46]

on the BSCigars with Kempy lol

[@justenbeashel]

The lime and berry BSC drinks taste delicious, what a throwback with chaos pre workout hahaha, that shit got banned didn't it? 😂☠️

[@bigdog1391]

Hey legends! What is it about getting beaten by the Panthers in a grand final that causes your club to fall off a cliff in following years!? For me this talks to great teams being about consistent greatness, and why the 03 tigers, 05 panthers, and 10 dragons aren't really thought about as dominant teams in the same way that the other premiers are since the start of the nrl era. Even the 15 cowboys are in danger of falling into that category. Just perception and taking nothing away from those teams. Love to hear your thoughts. Cheers from Tassie!

[@cunningstunt5]

Spot on with the ruck infringements. Need an explanation at least.

[@mitchellpaterson1631]

What time they start talking bout turbo and KP ?

[@ZacHart91]

Hey boys, I watch a lot of games on my phone when the Mrs has had enough so I use headphones to hear. The ref's do often call what the 6 again is for but not necessarily the player. It would be hard for them to identify the player and call what it's for while the ball is still in play.

[@RemixxTheFirst]

Triple OG and Horoscope! A common theme I see throughout these refs are - Same Teachings, different understandings. And it shows throughout a full weekend of games. Heard chats from Various podcasts saying ex-players should be in the bunker. Is that something you guys would back?

[@michaelgreer112]

Boys on the back of the great Mitchell Pearce episode, do you think you would get any current players in. Would love to hear the opinions of someone like Jazz. A lot of people have opinions on how he played but we never hear much from him

[@Whatthefarkery]

Bunker is so so close. If they spoke through a ruling like they do a pelenty try (proximity of a player, likelihood, common sense yada yada) I feel this would work with adding "milking nature of the defender" "the Kents not superman, he won't make it" also just a quick one with 6 agains. I'd get rid of them and go back to pelenties..... but they're all quick plays. But I guess that doesn't work with the captins challenges. Because I can't work out what's a quick play and what isn't, Any help? Haha love the pod

[@jaycee571]

Melbourne couldn't keep everyone Penrith couldn't keep everyone Roosters............hold my beer

[@jimmy_read]

Koloamatangi b2b dawg of the week? His work rate and effort week in week out is ridiculous

[@cokeman9135]

I didn’t think Willie mason was a bad character and I listened to 2ue/gb non stop and read the telegraph and courier mail heaps and RLW as well. I think bolts and bozo were pretty fair but bolts bagged Bennett heaps for no reason.

[@moey6938]

Scope, can you bring in Latrell?

[@lockstock2SB]

With the game being at its fastest speed its ever been maybe bringing back the second reff will help get rid of the inconsistencies keeps the decisions to the refs and then the bunker is just like the old video ref

[@jimmy_read]

Boys jacko hastings getting 88m because he’s that quick off the mark surely?? Quickest half in the comp !!

[@justenbeashel]

Bro he's faster than khan pereira

[@gazzae6026]

Cleary might be back this week🔥🔥😮‍💨

[@tmac6797]

Hastings into the line is classified as a line engagement stat for Fox Sports. NRL stats don't use them

[@Jaime_nz]

You spoke about Liam Martins try BILLY SLATER Wouldn't have let him score, he would get there for starters and then he would stop him on the line and with a crash, upend him and flip him awkwardly so he cannot ground the ball

[@Jaime_nz]

All while Billy's hand was between the ball and tryline

[@amyk574]

Here for the algorithm 🫡

[@13radripnon46]

the Shitney RorTahWah$ lol

[@Moneyalmenial]

The refs absolutely DO tell the players what the 6 agains are for. You can see who has conceded it on the NRL site straight away. I have a radio and have listened to the ref's mic feed at every home game for my club for the last decade. They always say the name of the player and what it's for. Most of the time they have warned the player immediately before they get pinged. This happens a lot for markers not being square or being back 10. Whether or not the player hears it, I don't know. But they do call it out, you guys can easily check with the players.

[@livingscapes]

Willie spot on about 6 agains keeping the game flowing /making it a more compelling watch. I'm in Auck, grown up watching Union but can't stomach it now: too many stoppages, scrum resets etc etc. Yawn fest compared to NRL

[@seanturner3447]

Phoenix Crossland and Gamble would not be on a fair bit of money 🤣

[@chicominetti9115]

around 41 minutes Mace said something and scoffed about refs not being biased in game 2,, but did mention all the 6 agains, and how the scoreline was 36-0 at halftime... which kind of makes the point to some people that maybe it WAS a little dodgy tbh. Its origin, the best players in Aus, nsw were good, qld werent as good,,, but were nsw 36 points in ONE half better... hmmm, dont think so sorry! Barely see that in nrl, with lesser quality teams... I think the reffing was heavily biased, and Mace inadvertently just made my point, and many other Qlders feel the same. Us Qlders have many receipts of- the multiple VERY late hits, many high hits, neck twisting, trips and pushes in the back off the ball, spear tackle,. And there were no sinbins (for any of those plays) and everyone got off from judiciary... little bit suss to many. Also think its naive to think nrl wont tell refs- hey its in our best interests and yours, if you give the 50/50s to nsw or qld or whoever tonight. the world isnt all fairness and rainbows, people do immoral things for money, kind of always have... Also try to remember us Qlders watch podcasts too, and maybe it doesnt have to be so nsw biased all the time.

[@ProteinPapi69]

Was OG sick or hungover, he sounds rough

[@jalexander9698]

Hey mase.. we know what you mean

[@ThomasCoots-g6l]

Hey boys, love the mahi you lads do, never change. I hate to harp on about referees and the bunker but as a one eyed warriors fan I’m wondering how decisions can be so clearly wrong. The late Salmon hit on TMM was clearly a penalty everyone seen it even my bulldogs supporting mates seen it yet the bunker and the 3 referees can’t, they had 3 Minutes to make a decision as both players were getting seen by the doc and still nothing. Next morning Salmon banned for 2 weeks, I know warriors fans are known as a bunch of whiners but I really do think there is a clear biased in the NRL against the warriors and wonder if this is seen. The club continues to get flogged, Name a crucial call that has gone in the warriors favour the wrong way, I know you say they even Out over time but I really don’t see that with the warriors and it is starting to look like an Australian run competition and over in New Zealand Warriors fans and media are over it

[@Noobkx]

#FreeLuki

[@joshloreto2676]

Adam g just made one of the worst short dropout calls ever. Everyone makes mistakes but how KASEY badger has a job is unexplainable

[@dhdshsk8874]

sounds like willies been sillyy

[@franciswiki-williams2191]

Give me a quick reminder every episode to give yous a quick like :)

[@S268001]

#HawkTuah24

[@cokeman9135]

2 shows a week is enough. Any more and it’s like too much chocolate. Quality over quantity.

[@13radripnon46]

x2 bunker the General couldnt handle pressure..most payed refs 2games is physical more mental draining than player in origin backing up to nrl..maybe refs union now??? demoted equals confidence and giving up..need tech to take over touchies to create more fulltime ref talent brothers

[@roryt1983]

Ponga yea, Turbo no.

[@richardnovak9910]

Walsh injury prone like ponga. Inconsistent.

[@chichfm5108]

Fatrell doesn't get racially vilified, the fans get the sheets when he walks in defence and lets in tries. As the highest played player and the fullback he SHOULD come under more scrutiny than the average players/

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Fatrell is insane dude 😅 but yeah, Trell Mit when he applies himself is elite, but his mentals should come in to question because he definitely doesn’t always apply himself

[@Jp-do9ny]

Funny thing is, Tedesco gets waaay more hate and he isn't half the grub Latrell is

[@newglorydays-yu6bb]

C'mon bro I get it he's not a fullback end of story

[@jaycee571]

Fatrell is classic keyboard warrior comment, if you and trell are in a room just the two of you, I bet the house you don't say a word.

[@LMT95]

The guy has consistently been at the top level for 5-6 years. Back to back premierships and multiple origins. Which he shone in both. There’s nothing more that people love than a black fulla that shuts his mouth and isn’t an advocate for his people and culture. Trell Mit is one of the best players in our game, and an even better human being.

[@user-oo4zo8yy5u]

KP would've won game two Origin Billy

[@tevitawolfgram]

Cutho, Mitch, renalds are the biggest sooks in the nrl. The whinging and whining does my head in. Cameron smith, DCE, Cleary are masters at speaking to the ref. Teddy and Jake T are too soft. Got to find the balance.

[@user-ll4wu3kb2m]

Timestamps plz

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

In the caption bro

[@cokeman9135]

I didn’t think Willie mason was a bad character and I listened to 2ue/gb non stop and read the telegraph and courier mail heaps and RLW as well. I think bolts and bozo were pretty fair but bolts bagged Bennett heaps for no reason.