This basketballer lived in a shipping container. Now he's part of Australia's equal record NBA draft haul
'But it's definitely warmed up a little bit, and it's a great place to be.'
ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that Zikarsky was expected to spend the next two seasons on a two-way contract with the Wolves, allowing him to be able to develop his game between the NBA and its development league.
Olbrich joins Giddey at the Bulls
Olbrich could team up with fellow Aussie Josh Giddey, who is a restricted free agent and tipped to receive a lucrative new contract from the Bulls after starring for them this past season.
Teams don't have to sign second-round picks to contracts and can choose to send them overseas to develop, but there seems a good chance all four will end up in the US league next season.
Timberwolves president Tim Connolly said he was 'fired up' about snaring the 18-year-old Zikarsky, who has trained in Minnesota since late March.
'He was a very good competitive swimmer, near Olympic level [at underage level] prior to getting into basketball, so we are fired up,' Connolly told a press conference.
'He is a long-term play but a guy who trained locally, so he appreciates Minnesota. We had a great workout with him, and had him much higher on our board.'
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Australia's equal-best NBA draft haul
With four Australians chosen, this year's draft ranks equal with the 1997 intake for the most Australians ever selected, with Zikarsky (pick 45) the first of the quartet picked up.
In 1997, South East Melbourne Magic's Chris Anstey ended up with the Dallas Mavericks after the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him in the first round. C.J. Bruton, Paul Rogers and Ben Pepper were all taken in the second round.
The Timberwolves could opt to have the 221-centimetre Zikarsky play elsewhere next year to continue his development, or they could bring him in to learn from veteran centre and four-time NBA defensive player of the year Ruby Gobert.
Olbrich was taken by the LA Lakers at pick 55 but had his draft rights traded to the Bulls, who could offer him a two-way contract in which he would move between the G-League and the NBA. Toohey could face a similar situation with the Warriors.
ESPN reported during the draft coverage that Proctor was tipped to earn a roster spot with the Cavs, who wanted a young guard to add depth to their line-up.
Two-way contracts see players earn about $US600,000 and move between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate. They can suit-up for up to 50 NBA games, and teams can choose to upgrade their contract to a full-season one.
The Bulls have a rich history with Australian players. Luc Longley won three-straight titles playing alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s, while Anstey, Cam Bairstow and Luke Schenscher all spent time at Chicago in the years after.
Cavs pick up Proctor, Toohey goes to Golden State
The Cavaliers made Proctor the latest Aussie to join their ranks when they took him with pick 49. He joins the team where Matthew Dellavedova (who went undrafted) won a title with LeBron James, while former second-round pick Luke Travers was a two-way player in Cleveland this past season.
Cavs general manager Mike Gansey told media that Proctor was expected to sign a multi-year contract with the team.
Toohey, a wing for the Sydney Kings, had to wait for the 52nd pick to hear his name called out by Golden State.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told media the team traded into the second round to draft Toohey and Florida shooter Will Richard, and he didn't think either player was 'years away' from making an impact for the team.
Toohey impressed scouts with his feel for the game and defensive nous, but fell into the second round where the Warriors took him with a selection that was originally held by the Phoenix Suns.
Proctor played with Duke University in US college basketball and his teammates Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel were selected in the top 10.
Flagg flies in Dallas; Maluach steals the show
The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the draft on Thursday, while 10th pick Maluach stole the show after he capped a stunning rise from South Sudan to the NBA.
Cooper Flagg is on his way to the Dallas Mavericks as the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, but the tears of South Sudanese centre Maluach stole the show during the first round.
The 216-centimetre Maluach was overcome upon hearing his name called on Thursday (AEST), completing a rise from the streets of South Sudan to the NBA academy, the South Sudan Olympic team and Duke, where he played this past season.
His draft rights will be part of the Kevin Durant trade, so while he was drafted by Houston Rockets, he will be headed to the Phoenix Suns.
Maluach said he wanted to change perceptions about Africa and promote the best of the continent, rather than its struggles.
'The moment met my expectations,' Maluach said. 'I didn't think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out. I was so happy. Everything was just going through my head, my whole journey and my people and the continent I represent, the continent of Africa.
'It just makes me proud because I had beliefs. I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.'
Heckler disrupts the draft's first round
Flagg, a Maine native and Duke forward, was a certainty to be the first pick after his stellar season in the US college basketball system, but some conspiracy theorists in the crowd had their say at the start of the event.
A fan could be heard screaming 'Dallas was fixed' on the TV broadcast microphones just before NBA commissioner Adam Silver walked to the stage to open the draft.
There is an unfounded conspiracy theory among some fans that the Mavericks were awarded the top pick in the NBA draft lottery in return for the shock mid-season trade that resulted in Dallas sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in return for Anthony Davis.
Mavs fans protested for weeks after the Doncic trade, while the Lakers gained a young superstar to take over from LeBron James when he eventually retires.
The Mavericks received the first draft pick, despite having just a 1.8 per cent chance of doing so. The NBA hosts an annual lottery draw for its top selections as a way of avoiding teams deliberately finishing last to gain the first pick.
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'No, I don't know what to say about that,' Flagg said when asked about the conspiracy theory.
'I have no insider information, if that's what you're looking for. But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.'
Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper was taken at No.2 by the San Antonio Spurs, followed by Bahamas and Baylor University guard V.J. Edgecombe at No.3, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers.
In the name of the brothers
Duke guard Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets with pick four, followed by Rutgers guard Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz and Texas guard Tre Johnson, who joined the Washington Wizards with pick six.
Knueppel is the oldest of five brothers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all of whom have names starting with 'K': Kager, Kingston, Kash and Kidman. All five appeared on the ESPN broadcast of the draft and all are aspiring basketballers.
New Pelicans could be headed to Melbourne
The New Orleans Pelicans, who will play two pre-season games in Melbourne against NBL clubs later this year, picked Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears at No.7 and traded for big man Derick Queen at No.13. The pair will likely debut in Pelicans colours at Rod Laver Arena.
Fears hopes the pair can become stars together as the Pelicans re-tool their roster under new boss Joe Dumars. Fears found out about the trade while talking to the media.
'That's super dope. Derik is a great guy, super talented. You can expect a lot from him this season,' Fears said.
'I feel like our connection and our duo is going to go a long way, as well. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing to build that connection, two rookies coming in. You guys should expect big things.'
San Antonio were again big winners as they drafted the highly touted Harper at No.2 and then grabbed Arizona defensive ace Carter Bryant at No.14 to pair with French superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Harper is the son of five-time NBA championship winner Ron Harper who won three titles with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and two with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Byrant's LA Lakers.
Chinese centre Yang Hansen was a surprise early selection by Memphis Grizzlies at No.16, and his draft rights were traded to Portland.
The LA Clippers used the 30th pick on Swiss seven-footer Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hazlewood rips through West Indies as Australia take 1-0 series lead
A fourth day looked likely before Lyon went bang-bang to hand Australia a comprehensive victory. 'When Joshy got the two [wickets] in a row I thought we were half a chance. The wicket was just playing a lot of tricks,' Cummins said. 'I thought we'd make decent inroads today but didn't think we'd get 10. 'Give Joshy a wicket with any little bit in it and he finds it. He just hits the right area, ball after ball, and presents good seam. He was fantastic. I thought he was great at Lord's last week without perhaps the returns he deserves, so it's a huge asset to have on our side.' Mitchell Starc took the first wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite but Hazlewood was the chief destroyer, removing John Campbell (23) and Brandon King in consecutive balls before his hat-trick ball went through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Hazlewood then snared Roston Chase (2) and Keacy Carty (20) to edge Australia closer to victory. At one point in his spell, Hazlewood took 4-4 from 16 balls. Resuming on 4-92 with an 82-run lead, Australian duo Travis Head (61) and Beau Webster (63) knuckled down for a commanding 102-run partnership to take the game away from the West Indies. The West Indies' terrible fielding in this Test was on display once again when Head was dropped on 21 by Greaves at second slip early in the day. It was the home side's seventh dropped catch in the slips across the match. Head and Webster's partnership was the first fifth-wicket century stand by an Australian pair in Tests since Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith put on 153 against Pakistan in Melbourne in 2023. Webster continues to prosper at Test level and now has a very tidy return of 305 runs at 43.57 from eight innings. Head, who was named man of the match, was out lbw to Shamar Joseph before Webster was unlucky to be caught down the leg side to the same bowler, leaving Australia at 6-208. Carey pushed the game along by crunching a 40-ball half century, which included two big sixes down the ground. There was a period in the middle session when Australia smashed 68 from 46 balls. Australia's wicketkeeper eventually perished for 65 as Joseph finished with figures of 5-87 for the innings to help bowl the tourists out for 310. 'I thought those three were brilliant,' Cummins said. 'They kept the scoreboard ticking over. That was the difference. Those guys took the game away from the West Indies.' Loading Joseph, who appeared to be carrying some kind of injury, pushed through the pain to pick up nine wickets for the match (9-133) in an impressive display after his heroics at the Gabba early last year. The West Indies' highest successful run chase in Bridgetown came in 1999 when Brian Lara made an unbeaten 153 to steer his side to a target of 308 against Australia with one wicket in hand. On this occasion, they never got close. A day after West Indies coach Daren Sammy slammed the performance of match officials, the side's captain Roston Chase also expressed his displeasure. 'There were so many questionable calls in the game and none of them went our way,' Chase said. 'We had some questionable calls and that really set us back in terms of creating a big lead on the total that Australia set. 'It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we are penalised harshly. Sometimes we're even banned. You're talking about guys' careers.'
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
What's gambling cost? Advocates slam political inaction
Australia risks losing a whole generation of kids to gambling, as criticisms are levelled at the government for failing to implement reforms from a landmark report two years on. The "You win some, you lose more" parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, chaired by fierce gambling reform advocate the late Peta Murphy MP, delivered 31 recommendations in 2023. The unanimously supported proposals focused on reducing harm, protecting children and applying a long-overdue public health approach to gambling in this country. But two years to the day, gambling reform advocates, health bodies and church groups say the federal government have been silent. More than 80 per cent of Australians want a gambling advertisement ban, and parents are sick of turning on the TV only to find their 10-year-olds discussing the game in terms of odds, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said. "Smoking is legal, but kids shouldn't be seeing it. Same with gambling. People can gamble, but there's grooming of kids," Rev Costello told AAP. "We now have, with the two-year implementation (delay), a whole generation of kids who only think of NRL and AFL in terms of odds." Gambling harms lead to suicides, one-in-four 18-to-24-year-old young men are addicted, 600,000 underage Australians gambled last year, and domestic violence spikes threefold if there is gambling in a family, Rev Costello said. "This industry has been treated as having a normal social license when it's actually pushing very addictive products," he said. "We have literally given our kids over to sports betting companies as fodder for their profits." Vested interests, including the AFL and NRL, sports betting companies, and the commercial broadcasting networks, had stalled reforms, Rev Costello said. The nation's peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association, is demanding the government immediately action all 31 recommendations, accusing it of exposing millions of Australians to predatory betting companies. "Every day of delay means more Australians fall victim to an industry that profits from harm and despair," AMA President Danielle McMullen said. Wesley Mission chief executive Stu Cameron expressed deep disappointment in the government's failure to act on a bipartisan road map to tackle gambling harm."Two years on, the silence from Canberra is deafening," Rev Cameron said. "While the government hesitates, lives are being torn apart." The three say the government must use their parliamentary mandate to make systematic reforms, including banning gambling ads, implementing a national regulator and treating gambling as a health issue. A spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells said she has had several meetings with harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes. He said the government had delivered "some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history", pointing to mandatory ID verification and banning credit cards for online gambling and launching BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Australians top the list for the world's highest gambling losses, placing $244.3 billion in bets every year. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Australia risks losing a whole generation of kids to gambling, as criticisms are levelled at the government for failing to implement reforms from a landmark report two years on. The "You win some, you lose more" parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, chaired by fierce gambling reform advocate the late Peta Murphy MP, delivered 31 recommendations in 2023. The unanimously supported proposals focused on reducing harm, protecting children and applying a long-overdue public health approach to gambling in this country. But two years to the day, gambling reform advocates, health bodies and church groups say the federal government have been silent. More than 80 per cent of Australians want a gambling advertisement ban, and parents are sick of turning on the TV only to find their 10-year-olds discussing the game in terms of odds, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said. "Smoking is legal, but kids shouldn't be seeing it. Same with gambling. People can gamble, but there's grooming of kids," Rev Costello told AAP. "We now have, with the two-year implementation (delay), a whole generation of kids who only think of NRL and AFL in terms of odds." Gambling harms lead to suicides, one-in-four 18-to-24-year-old young men are addicted, 600,000 underage Australians gambled last year, and domestic violence spikes threefold if there is gambling in a family, Rev Costello said. "This industry has been treated as having a normal social license when it's actually pushing very addictive products," he said. "We have literally given our kids over to sports betting companies as fodder for their profits." Vested interests, including the AFL and NRL, sports betting companies, and the commercial broadcasting networks, had stalled reforms, Rev Costello said. The nation's peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association, is demanding the government immediately action all 31 recommendations, accusing it of exposing millions of Australians to predatory betting companies. "Every day of delay means more Australians fall victim to an industry that profits from harm and despair," AMA President Danielle McMullen said. Wesley Mission chief executive Stu Cameron expressed deep disappointment in the government's failure to act on a bipartisan road map to tackle gambling harm."Two years on, the silence from Canberra is deafening," Rev Cameron said. "While the government hesitates, lives are being torn apart." The three say the government must use their parliamentary mandate to make systematic reforms, including banning gambling ads, implementing a national regulator and treating gambling as a health issue. A spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells said she has had several meetings with harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes. He said the government had delivered "some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history", pointing to mandatory ID verification and banning credit cards for online gambling and launching BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Australians top the list for the world's highest gambling losses, placing $244.3 billion in bets every year. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Australia risks losing a whole generation of kids to gambling, as criticisms are levelled at the government for failing to implement reforms from a landmark report two years on. The "You win some, you lose more" parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, chaired by fierce gambling reform advocate the late Peta Murphy MP, delivered 31 recommendations in 2023. The unanimously supported proposals focused on reducing harm, protecting children and applying a long-overdue public health approach to gambling in this country. But two years to the day, gambling reform advocates, health bodies and church groups say the federal government have been silent. More than 80 per cent of Australians want a gambling advertisement ban, and parents are sick of turning on the TV only to find their 10-year-olds discussing the game in terms of odds, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said. "Smoking is legal, but kids shouldn't be seeing it. Same with gambling. People can gamble, but there's grooming of kids," Rev Costello told AAP. "We now have, with the two-year implementation (delay), a whole generation of kids who only think of NRL and AFL in terms of odds." Gambling harms lead to suicides, one-in-four 18-to-24-year-old young men are addicted, 600,000 underage Australians gambled last year, and domestic violence spikes threefold if there is gambling in a family, Rev Costello said. "This industry has been treated as having a normal social license when it's actually pushing very addictive products," he said. "We have literally given our kids over to sports betting companies as fodder for their profits." Vested interests, including the AFL and NRL, sports betting companies, and the commercial broadcasting networks, had stalled reforms, Rev Costello said. The nation's peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association, is demanding the government immediately action all 31 recommendations, accusing it of exposing millions of Australians to predatory betting companies. "Every day of delay means more Australians fall victim to an industry that profits from harm and despair," AMA President Danielle McMullen said. Wesley Mission chief executive Stu Cameron expressed deep disappointment in the government's failure to act on a bipartisan road map to tackle gambling harm."Two years on, the silence from Canberra is deafening," Rev Cameron said. "While the government hesitates, lives are being torn apart." The three say the government must use their parliamentary mandate to make systematic reforms, including banning gambling ads, implementing a national regulator and treating gambling as a health issue. A spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells said she has had several meetings with harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes. He said the government had delivered "some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history", pointing to mandatory ID verification and banning credit cards for online gambling and launching BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Australians top the list for the world's highest gambling losses, placing $244.3 billion in bets every year. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Australia risks losing a whole generation of kids to gambling, as criticisms are levelled at the government for failing to implement reforms from a landmark report two years on. The "You win some, you lose more" parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, chaired by fierce gambling reform advocate the late Peta Murphy MP, delivered 31 recommendations in 2023. The unanimously supported proposals focused on reducing harm, protecting children and applying a long-overdue public health approach to gambling in this country. But two years to the day, gambling reform advocates, health bodies and church groups say the federal government have been silent. More than 80 per cent of Australians want a gambling advertisement ban, and parents are sick of turning on the TV only to find their 10-year-olds discussing the game in terms of odds, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said. "Smoking is legal, but kids shouldn't be seeing it. Same with gambling. People can gamble, but there's grooming of kids," Rev Costello told AAP. "We now have, with the two-year implementation (delay), a whole generation of kids who only think of NRL and AFL in terms of odds." Gambling harms lead to suicides, one-in-four 18-to-24-year-old young men are addicted, 600,000 underage Australians gambled last year, and domestic violence spikes threefold if there is gambling in a family, Rev Costello said. "This industry has been treated as having a normal social license when it's actually pushing very addictive products," he said. "We have literally given our kids over to sports betting companies as fodder for their profits." Vested interests, including the AFL and NRL, sports betting companies, and the commercial broadcasting networks, had stalled reforms, Rev Costello said. The nation's peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association, is demanding the government immediately action all 31 recommendations, accusing it of exposing millions of Australians to predatory betting companies. "Every day of delay means more Australians fall victim to an industry that profits from harm and despair," AMA President Danielle McMullen said. Wesley Mission chief executive Stu Cameron expressed deep disappointment in the government's failure to act on a bipartisan road map to tackle gambling harm."Two years on, the silence from Canberra is deafening," Rev Cameron said. "While the government hesitates, lives are being torn apart." The three say the government must use their parliamentary mandate to make systematic reforms, including banning gambling ads, implementing a national regulator and treating gambling as a health issue. A spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells said she has had several meetings with harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes. He said the government had delivered "some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history", pointing to mandatory ID verification and banning credit cards for online gambling and launching BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Australians top the list for the world's highest gambling losses, placing $244.3 billion in bets every year. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Arthur tips star for England recall ahead of Ashes
Leeds head coach Brad Arthur has backed Jake Connor to make his England return after the Rhinos half-back produced another dazzling display in the Rhinos' richly entertaining 48-30 win over Leigh at Headingley. Connor kicked eight from eight conversions and set up the final try for Mikolaj Oledzki just three days before Shaun Wane names his performance squad ahead of the Autumn Ashes against Australia. Despite stern competition from the likes of Wigan's Harry Smith and Hull KR hero Mikey Lewis, Arthur believes Connor ought to be in the reckoning for his first England appearance since 2018. The former Parramatta mentor said: "I think he's probably done enough to get a mention. We've got a quite a good representation in there and if the boys keep playing well it only enhances Jake's opportunities." Asked if the often confrontational Connor is the kind of player whom the Australians might fear having to face, the Sydney-born Arthur grinned before respoding: "I'm pretty happy with Jake's behaviour on the field. "He's been very discreet when he's having a little niggle, and he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it." Leeds' eight-try show was exactly what Arthur ordered after last week's painful loss at St Helens, and he conceded he was prepared to overlook some of the defensive frailties in a remarkably open 14-try affair. "You can sit here and be negative and talk about the defence of both teams but that sort of game is what the fans want to see, lots of tries and great skill on show," added Arthur. "We came here to have a response from last week and go after the game and we did that, so that's all I'm worried about. It was fourth versus third and we jumped a spot there. "We've done a lot of nice things. Overall we're trying to grow the game and it's what people want to see. I'll put it down to a nice win." Leigh's defeat came at a price as head coach Adrian Lam revealed full-back David Armstrong and winger Darnell McIntosh are set to miss the upcoming games against leading duo Wigan and Hull KR after aggravating knee injuries at Headingley. Armstrong, who started the game heavily strapped, required lengthy treatment after 15 minutes and was eventually withdrawn at half-time before McIntosh, who temporarily replaced him at the back, was struck by a similar problem. "(Armstrong) will be out for a couple of weeks now," confirmed Lam. "He's had a bit of a knee injury, and with McIntosh it's the same thing with the knee, and I think he'll (also) be out for a couple of weeks." Lam was less enamoured with the open nature of the game than Arthur, but conceded he could have expected little more after a gruelling week in the wake of last week's tiring win over Catalans Dragons in France. "It was a weird game - we looked lethargic from last week in that heat," he said. "It was a short turnaround and it looked like we hadn't played together at times tonight. "I think the fans got their money's worth (but) some of the things we were doing in the game were just uncharacteristic. Having said that, we scored some very good tries and didn't give up." Leeds head coach Brad Arthur has backed Jake Connor to make his England return after the Rhinos half-back produced another dazzling display in the Rhinos' richly entertaining 48-30 win over Leigh at Headingley. Connor kicked eight from eight conversions and set up the final try for Mikolaj Oledzki just three days before Shaun Wane names his performance squad ahead of the Autumn Ashes against Australia. Despite stern competition from the likes of Wigan's Harry Smith and Hull KR hero Mikey Lewis, Arthur believes Connor ought to be in the reckoning for his first England appearance since 2018. The former Parramatta mentor said: "I think he's probably done enough to get a mention. We've got a quite a good representation in there and if the boys keep playing well it only enhances Jake's opportunities." Asked if the often confrontational Connor is the kind of player whom the Australians might fear having to face, the Sydney-born Arthur grinned before respoding: "I'm pretty happy with Jake's behaviour on the field. "He's been very discreet when he's having a little niggle, and he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it." Leeds' eight-try show was exactly what Arthur ordered after last week's painful loss at St Helens, and he conceded he was prepared to overlook some of the defensive frailties in a remarkably open 14-try affair. "You can sit here and be negative and talk about the defence of both teams but that sort of game is what the fans want to see, lots of tries and great skill on show," added Arthur. "We came here to have a response from last week and go after the game and we did that, so that's all I'm worried about. It was fourth versus third and we jumped a spot there. "We've done a lot of nice things. Overall we're trying to grow the game and it's what people want to see. I'll put it down to a nice win." Leigh's defeat came at a price as head coach Adrian Lam revealed full-back David Armstrong and winger Darnell McIntosh are set to miss the upcoming games against leading duo Wigan and Hull KR after aggravating knee injuries at Headingley. Armstrong, who started the game heavily strapped, required lengthy treatment after 15 minutes and was eventually withdrawn at half-time before McIntosh, who temporarily replaced him at the back, was struck by a similar problem. "(Armstrong) will be out for a couple of weeks now," confirmed Lam. "He's had a bit of a knee injury, and with McIntosh it's the same thing with the knee, and I think he'll (also) be out for a couple of weeks." Lam was less enamoured with the open nature of the game than Arthur, but conceded he could have expected little more after a gruelling week in the wake of last week's tiring win over Catalans Dragons in France. "It was a weird game - we looked lethargic from last week in that heat," he said. "It was a short turnaround and it looked like we hadn't played together at times tonight. "I think the fans got their money's worth (but) some of the things we were doing in the game were just uncharacteristic. Having said that, we scored some very good tries and didn't give up." Leeds head coach Brad Arthur has backed Jake Connor to make his England return after the Rhinos half-back produced another dazzling display in the Rhinos' richly entertaining 48-30 win over Leigh at Headingley. Connor kicked eight from eight conversions and set up the final try for Mikolaj Oledzki just three days before Shaun Wane names his performance squad ahead of the Autumn Ashes against Australia. Despite stern competition from the likes of Wigan's Harry Smith and Hull KR hero Mikey Lewis, Arthur believes Connor ought to be in the reckoning for his first England appearance since 2018. The former Parramatta mentor said: "I think he's probably done enough to get a mention. We've got a quite a good representation in there and if the boys keep playing well it only enhances Jake's opportunities." Asked if the often confrontational Connor is the kind of player whom the Australians might fear having to face, the Sydney-born Arthur grinned before respoding: "I'm pretty happy with Jake's behaviour on the field. "He's been very discreet when he's having a little niggle, and he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it." Leeds' eight-try show was exactly what Arthur ordered after last week's painful loss at St Helens, and he conceded he was prepared to overlook some of the defensive frailties in a remarkably open 14-try affair. "You can sit here and be negative and talk about the defence of both teams but that sort of game is what the fans want to see, lots of tries and great skill on show," added Arthur. "We came here to have a response from last week and go after the game and we did that, so that's all I'm worried about. It was fourth versus third and we jumped a spot there. "We've done a lot of nice things. Overall we're trying to grow the game and it's what people want to see. I'll put it down to a nice win." Leigh's defeat came at a price as head coach Adrian Lam revealed full-back David Armstrong and winger Darnell McIntosh are set to miss the upcoming games against leading duo Wigan and Hull KR after aggravating knee injuries at Headingley. Armstrong, who started the game heavily strapped, required lengthy treatment after 15 minutes and was eventually withdrawn at half-time before McIntosh, who temporarily replaced him at the back, was struck by a similar problem. "(Armstrong) will be out for a couple of weeks now," confirmed Lam. "He's had a bit of a knee injury, and with McIntosh it's the same thing with the knee, and I think he'll (also) be out for a couple of weeks." Lam was less enamoured with the open nature of the game than Arthur, but conceded he could have expected little more after a gruelling week in the wake of last week's tiring win over Catalans Dragons in France. "It was a weird game - we looked lethargic from last week in that heat," he said. "It was a short turnaround and it looked like we hadn't played together at times tonight. "I think the fans got their money's worth (but) some of the things we were doing in the game were just uncharacteristic. Having said that, we scored some very good tries and didn't give up."
