Twelve years of pain and regret has stalwart prop James Slipper desperate for Wallabies redemption in the upcoming three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
Sports quiz of the week: Wimbledon, Euro 2025, PSG v Chelsea and the Open
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Continue reading...Veteran flyhalf James O’Connor named in Wallabies squad following injury to Noah Lolesio
More than a decade after he took on the British and Irish Lions as a rising young star, veteran fly-half James O’Connor is going to get another crack after being recalled to coach Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Origin’s series-defining moment offers an antidote to rugby league’s performative masculinity | Jonathan Howcroft
While men’s sport can often be a proxy for authentic human connection, Cameron Munster and Billy Slater show there is another way
Hug your friends. Let them cry on your shoulder. Tell them everything’s going to be OK.
Do it in public. Do it with confidence. Do it knowing it might inspire someone else in need of an ally.
Continue reading...State of Origin 2025 Game 3: Qld Maroons beat NSW Blues 24-12 – as it happened
Queensland claim series win with near-flawless display in Sydney
Tom Dearden wins Wally Lewis medal for two-try performance
Now it’s Billy Slater’s turn in front of the mic.
It’s going to take our best that’s for sure. I think both teams have been working towards a better performance, so I’m expecting something pretty special from the opposition and hopefully we can deliver as well.
It’s a courageous and brave effort isn’t it? And we all admire him for that. It goes to show you how much this footy team, this state means to him, and this game means to him. So I know his dad would be pretty proud of him.
I think our preparation has been first class. I can’t fault it. Boys are pretty dialled in. Obviously they know what’s at stake tonight and I reckon we’ll give our best performance of the three game series.
The plan with Payne [Haas] was always to get ready for tonight, rather than getting ready for a training session on a on a Monday or a Tuesday. So look, he’s ready to go. And Brian [To’o] probably surprised us with what he did on the on the Monday night. So no no concerns at all.
Continue reading...Australia 21-18 Fiji: international rugby union Test – as it happened
Wallabies survive scare from surging Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle
Out stride the two teams, side by side, accompanied by mascots. The visitors are wearing white jerseys and black shorts, the hosts are wearing their First Nations jersey, which is predominately gold, with green accents to match the green shorts.
Angus Fontaine puts it all into context for the Wallabies.
Adventurous attack. Bone-rattling defence. Mistakes punished and opportunities seized. Get in the enemy’s faces and bring the crowd into the contest from the get-go. A ragtag NSW Waratahs gave Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies a bold blueprint for how to dismantle the British & Irish Lions in the first Test on 19 July.
Continue reading...Wallabies pull off epic, last-gasp escape act in big boost ahead of Lions series
A 79th minute try from captain Harry Wilson handed the Wallabies a 21-18 victory against Fiji in front of 28,122 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Queensland captain Cameron Munster plans to play in State of Origin decider after father’s death
Munster given time to grieve with his family after death of his father
But he still plans to lead Maroons in Origin III to honour his dad
The death of Cameron Munster’s father Steven has come as devastating news just days out from the State of Origin series decider.
The Queensland captain, in a brave decision to honour his dad, plans to still lead the Maroons on Wednesday night after taking time away to grieve with his family.
Continue reading...Scrappy Lions limp past undermanned Tahs in promising Wallabies signs
Scotland centre Huw Jones crossed twice as a scrappy British and Irish Lions were forced to battle hard in grinding past a second-string NSW Waratahs 21-10 on Saturday, offering the Wallabies a glimmer of hope.
All Blacks hold off depleted France in thriller and Wales slump again in Japan
Wales capitulate to their 18th successive Test defeat
Scotland beat Māori All Blacks; Georgia 5-34 Ireland
Will Jordan scored a try in each half and Beauden Barrett kicked to perfection as New Zealand overcame three cancelled tries to claim a nervous 31-27 win over France in the series-opener in Dunedin.
Fielding only three players from the Six Nations title-deciding win over Scotland, the depleted France side gave Scott Robertson’s team a huge scare in an entertaining match at a sold-out Forsyth-Barr stadium. However, a late Barrett penalty proved enough for the All Blacks to hold on, ending a three-match losing streak against Les Bleus.
Continue reading...Sports quiz of the week: Wimbledon, Euro 2025, Club World Cup and Lions
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Continue reading...Star’s 643-day Wallabies exile finally over as Aussies handed big Suaalii boost
Former captain David Porecki will wear the Wallabies jersey for the first time in 643 days on Sunday after being named to take on Fiji in Newcastle as calf injuries ruled out a couple of star Australians.
David Porecki returns to Wallabies team to face Fiji after 643-day international absence
Hooker to partner James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in front row
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns after recovering from broken jaw
The Wallabies have opted for experience in their front row to face Fiji this weekend, with former captain David Porecki called back into the team, 643 days since he last pulled on a gold jersey.
Porecki, 32, was named on Friday in the starting XV for Sunday’s Test in Newcastle, alongside all-time cap record holder James Slipper and 80-Test tighthead Allan Alaalatoa, in a forward pack missing big guns Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who both have calf injuries.
Continue reading...Would more foreign players enhance Super League or impede youngsters?
Super League clubs are expected to increase the foreign quota from seven to 10 players next season. Should they?
Saturday night’s cracker between Castleford and Wigan at Wheldon Road was typical of Super League’s multicultural nature. The bulk of the away team’s points were scored by Australians; a Samoa international from Christchurch was the home side’s main creator; and a player born in Sydney with Maltese heritage was among the game’s outstanding performers. Castleford, with five overseas players, were narrowly beaten 26-20 by Wigan, who had four imports in their side.
Given that both teams are allowed seven overseas players, it seems strange that Super League clubs may vote next month to increase next season’s quota from seven players not trained in the European Federation to 10. Some clubs are already offering contracts based on the assumption that things will change.
Continue reading...Josh Papalii gets shock Queensland recall with NSW unchanged for State of Origin decider
Veteran prop comes out of Maroons retirement for Game 3
Blues camp back Brian To’o to recover from injury to play in Sydney
Canberra veteran Josh Papalii has been ushered out of State of Origin retirement to give Queensland’s forward pack fire and brimstone in this year’s decider, while NSW coach Laurie Daley has named an unchanged 17.
Papalii called time on his Origin career ahead of the 2023 series but will be named at starting prop when Billy Slater unveils his 17 for Origin III on Monday. The 33-year-old prop has been instrumental in the first-placed Raiders’ charge up the ladder this year and will add extra vigour to Queensland’s pack come 9 July in Sydney.
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