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Continue reading...Wallabies announce three changes for second Lions Test with superstar’s return confirmed
The Wallabies have made three changes to its starting side for the second Test against the British & Irish Lions at the MCG, with flanker Rob Valetini returning from injury.
Judge criticises solicitor acting on behalf of players with brain injury lawsuits
More than 1,000 players from both codes taking action
Solicitor under ‘misapprehension’ about responsibilities
The judge presiding over the two brain injury lawsuits in rugby league and union has issued an extraordinary criticism of the solicitor acting on behalf of the injured players, saying that he had been under a “misapprehension” about his responsibilities and that “he seems to have a problem with the English language”.
Senior master Jeremy Cook said that Richard Boardman, whose firm Rylands Garth is representing more than 1,000 players across both codes, had failed to disclose material to the defendants, World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union, and Rugby Football League.
Continue reading...Ben Te’o: ‘Guys were fighting for spots. After too many drinks sometimes that spills over’
The Brisbane Broncos assistant coach on the Lions, union’s struggle in Australia and that World Cup fight
Ben Te’o emerges from Brisbane Broncos’ headquarters, umbrella in one hand and walking a little gingerly. As we head for the cafe at the Broncos’ lavish training base, where Te’o is now an assistant coach, he explains he has just spent two nights in hospital due to a burst appendix. To his great credit, he still felt obliged to meet, and he is good company. It is entirely complimentary to remark that Te’o has never struck as an overly complicated person. He says it how he sees it. And there is plenty to say.
It is 8am, the day before the first British & Irish Lions Test in Brisbane. Te’o has been in demand of late, for the local press wants to know how the Lions measures up against NRL’s State of Origin and the former England centre is the only man to both represent the former and play in the latter.
Continue reading...Embattled Salford players out to avoid tag of Super League’s worst ever team
The Red Devils are showing spirit and improving on the field, but they may still finish the season on zero points
For much of last Friday’s game at Leeds, no one could possibly think they were watching one of the worst teams in rugby league history. Salford eventually sank to a 40-6 defeat, a harsh scoreline given they were the better side in the first half and conceded 18 points in the 10 minutes they had a man sin-binned. Despite a week of huge upheaval – players threatening a strike, crisis meetings with the Rugby Football League and a squad stripped by injuries of another three senior players – Salford competed heroically.
It was another spirited display after their victory over Castleford – just their second win of the season – but coach Paul Rowley is not expecting things to keep getting better over the remaining eight rounds of the season. Wages are due next week, with some players extremely concerned that, once they play the final game of the campaign at home to Wakefield on 19 September, they may not receive the final two paychecks of their contracts. Threats of a strike were quashed after a meeting with the RFL, but the players know they face an uncertain future.
Continue reading...‘Why would any player want to end the game?’ Wallabies winger rubbishes ‘ridiculous’ claim
Wallabies winger Harry Potter rubbished suggestions Wednesday that Australia have a “losing mentality”, but admitted they must be better in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.
Scratchy Lions narrowly avoid all-time upset as spirited First Nations and Pasifika XV defies the odds
An inconsistent British and Irish Lions have survived a ferocious battle to stretch their unbeaten streak to seven with a nervy 24-19 takedown of an aggressive First Nations and Pasifika XV.
The greatest year in sports history? Why it has to be 1985
Four decades have passed and we’re still reminiscing about Taylor v Davis, Boris Becker, Sandy Lyle … and a lot more
I’ve been putting this off for years, but the recent Live Aid nostalgia has pushed me over the edge. We’ve all had the debate in the pub about the greatest sporting year – no, just me then? – so I’m here to argue the case for 1985. After 40 years, it is time to tell 1985 that I’m crazy for you.
There are, of course, many factors involved when it comes to picking your favourite sporting year. Allegiance matters. Therefore, Manchester United winning a treble, Europe collapsing in the Ryder Cup and Australia winning two World Cups means I don’t want to party like it’s 1999. Yet pushing all this irrational stuff to one side, there can be no doubting the credentials of 1985.
Continue reading...‘It’s not like rugby league’: How Wallabies can ignite ‘freak’ Suaalii
Wallabies centre Len Ikitau says it’s up to him to provide the platform for prized recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to terrorise the British and Irish Lions at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Breakdown | If Lions complete Australia rout, clamour for tour of France will grow
It may open the Lions to accusations of parochialism, but there is a compelling case for staying in Europe
It may be too early to start asking existential questions about the British & Irish Lions but, sitting in Melbourne’s Southbank, slap bang in the middle of Aussie rules territory, where union makes barely a ripple, you begin to wonder. The sea of red will roll in at the weekend but, for now, Melbourne is pretty much oblivious. “Some kind of carnival on I think,” was one taxi driver’s assessment.
None of this is to criticise Australia. It is a wonderful country, sports mad and as the loosehead prop James Slipper says of the locals: “They’re still Australian, so they’ll be there. I know they’ll be there. It’s one thing about this country, regardless of the sport, they’ll get behind the national colours.”
Continue reading...‘The game was over’: Wallabies veteran hits back at World Cup hero’s ‘losing mentality’ gibe
Australian veteran James Slipper has hit back at suggestions the Wallabies had a “losing mentality” during last week’s British & Irish Lions series opener loss in Brisbane.
Wales appoint Steve Tandy as new head coach to launch the post-Gatland era
Scotland coach tasked with reviving Welsh fortunes
‘Becoming head coach of my country is a massive honour’
Wales have appointed Steve Tandy as their new head coach. The 45-year-old Welshman will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland on 1 September following almost six years as Scotland’s defence coach.
Tandy is tasked with reviving his country’s fortunes after their record 18-match losing run finally ended on 12 July with a 31-22 victory over Japan in Kobe. His first match in charge will be on Sunday 9 November against Argentina in Cardiff, which will be followed by meetings with Japan, New Zealand and the world champions, South Africa, on the following three weekends.
Continue reading...James Slipper urges Wallabies to ignore ‘losing mentality’ jibe with Lions series on the line
Veteran calls for history to repeat after being part of fightback in 2013
Australia boosted by return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton from injury
Steely Wallabies veteran James Slipper is urging his battered troops to block out the “noise” as they look to stop the Lions juggernaut in their do-or-die second Test in Melbourne.
The series is on the line at the MCG on Saturday night with Slipper offering a unique perspective in the current Australian line-up as the only player to have taken part in two series.
Continue reading...‘Toothless’ and ‘un-Australian’: How captain’s damning final act exposed Wallabies — UK View
The British media has ripped into the “toothless” and “un-Australian” Wallabies following Saturday’s loss to the Lions in the series opener in Brisbane.
‘Gives you some belief’: Wallabies coach praises late fightback … but calls for improvement
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt said he was proud of the fight his side showed against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, but called on them to improve for the second Test next week.