There were 26 penalties in the Raiders' loss to Manly. The figure prompted Ricky Stuart to declare penalties were "ruining the fabric of our game" and the NRL was at the risk of becoming "boring" like rugby union.

Does he have a point? Are people turning away from rugby because of penalties? Or are their other factors?

The NRC will introduce rugby-league style laws this season in a bid to speed up the game, and Super Rugby is desperate for crowds to return to stadiums in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The World Cup and the Wallabies, however, could put the spotlight back on rugby.

Either way, the Raiders' took a hit in that loss to Manly, but they're still in a perfect position to finish third or fourth.

We look at the Raiders' run home, Joey Leilua's brain explosion and the challenge against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.

We also check out which Brumbies made the cut in Australia's World Cup squad and why some, including Pete Samu, didn't.

Listen to The Nosebleed Section for all the latest Raiders, Brumbies and Canberra sporting news.