‘It's Tom's time': How Maroons vindicated Slater's biggest coaching call
But in the aftermath of his side's thrilling 26-24 triumph to keep the series alive in Perth, Maroons coach Billy Slater offered an emphatic response when asked if his call had been vindicated.
'You won't get a negative word out of me for Daly Cherry-Evans, he's a wonderful player and has been a wonderful player for a long period of time,' Slater declared.
'It's Tom's time now. He didn't surprise any of us, I don't think, in what he put out there, so I'm really proud of him. It's the first time he's worn the No.7 jersey for Queensland, and I wouldn't imagine it would be the last.'
Cherry-Evans' snubbing marked the first time in nearly three decades Queensland had dropped their captain midway through a series, but Dearden demonstrated he was the future of the state alongside new leader, Cameron Munster.
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The North Queensland Cowboys star's ability to dig deep and straight into the defensive line led to Kurt Capewell's try and the first for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while his pinpoint crossfield bomb for 'The Hammer' created his second.
He ran with vigour for his 64 metres, yet more impressively, he came up with 25 tackles for no misses to announce himself as Queensland's long-term halfback – a role that appeared Sam Walker's destiny.
In what was the first time Dearden partnered with Cameron Munster in the halves, the pair linked up in a dominant opening 40 minutes to lead by 20 points.
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tonga set to secure two of NRL's brightest young guns
Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown. Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown. Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown.
7NEWS
7 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima set for Tonga call-up
Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. 'They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do,' Woolf said. 'We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning.' Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. 'Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while,' Woolf said. 'I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. 'Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well.' Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. 'Leka has been great as well this year,' Woolf said. 'He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. 'It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games.' Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. 'I can either play for Tonga or Australia,' Staggs said. 'I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision.' Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
Footy fans help consumer spending roar into growth
Footy fever has helped score a try for consumer spending, with a series of big matches prompting Australians to open their wallets, the nation's biggest bank says. The British and Irish Lions rugby union tour and the State of Origin rugby league decider helped push household spending up 0.8 per cent in July, according to the Commonwealth Bank. "Fans spent up on travel, entertainment and accommodation," economist Belinda Allen said. About 83,000 fans bought tickets for the State of Origin decider, which was won by Queensland, in Sydney on July 9. The British and Irish Lions tour included nine matches in six cities attended by about 452,000 people, with all but two played in July. Recreation spending was up 1.8 per cent and hospitality spending increased 1.5 per cent. Overall, 10 out of the 12 CommBank Household Spending Insights Index categories recorded growth in July. Motor vehicle spending rose 1.4 per cent, insurance increased 1.2 per cent, and health was up 1.1 per cent. "We have been anticipating a lift in household spending for some time, supported by rising real disposable incomes, increased household wealth, and a resilient labour market," Ms Allen said. Spending on education was flat, and utilities fell 0.5 per cent. The index shows spending has risen 6.4 per cent in 2025. The biggest gains occurred in the communications and digital, up 10.9 per cent; recreation, up 10.3 per cent; and hospitality, up 10.0 per cent. "Strong growth in spending on recreation and hospitality over the year underscores that consumers are prioritising experiences and being deliberate about their spending choices," Ms Allen said. "We expect a further pickup in spending through the rest of this year and into next, helping to drive a broader economic recovery." Education was the weakest category in 2025, down 1.8 per cent. Spending on utilities was up over the year due to cost-of-living energy subsidies being wound back. The bank expects the Reserve Bank to further cut the cash rate in November to 3.35 per cent. "A lower rate environment should help fuel consumer optimism and spending in the year ahead, and into 2026," Ms Allen said.
