Former Ulster star relishing second shot at Lions as he braces to lead Queensland Reds into battle: ‘It's actually pretty crazy'
No better man to have on board for Wednesday at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, someone who knows exactly how it feels to have locked horns before with the British and Irish Lions.
It's been quite the odyssey for prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen eight years on since he played for the Hurricanes when the famous tourists were in his native New Zealand – a game which ended with both teams locked together on 31 points – having also now plied his trade at Wasps and Ulster before linking up with Les Kiss at Queensland Reds in 2023.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Wimbledon organisers prepare for the heat as temperatures soar in SW19
It is forecast to be one of the hottest June days ever in parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to well exceed 30C in SW19. A heat rule is likely to be in place for the players, meaning an extra 10-minute break between sets two and three in women's singles and three and four in men's singles, but it could also be a difficult day for fans and officials. We've waited long enough for this moment ☺️#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2025 Chief executive Sally Bolton said: 'Obviously it's a very warm day. The first obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour. For us Brits here at the championships it feels very hot. We do have the heat rule available to us, which is well used on the tour.' Heat stress readings, measuring air temperature, surface temperature and humidity, will be taken at three points during the day, with the heat rule instigated if the reading goes behind 30.1C. 'Beyond that we've got protocols in place for the ball boys and ball girls on court,' continued Bolton. 'They've got cooling scarves, we'll be rotating them more if we feel we need to. 'For colleagues working around the grounds we've got plenty of changes in shift patterns to make sure they're getting regular breaks. 'And for the guests that will be joining us we're offering the same advice as lots of the medical professionals – come prepared, bring a hat, wear sunscreen, wear light clothing if you can, take breaks out of the sun. 'We've got over 100 water points around the grounds so definitely stay hydrated, and keep an eye on your friends and others around you. 'If people look like they're suffering a little bit from heat stress, we've got a really significantly sized medical team here so we've got people to help if that's needed. 'We're not used to these sort of temperatures but we're absolutely ready for it and actually delighted that it's sunny and not wet like it was last year.' One big change at the tournament this year will be the absence of line judges, with all courts now exclusively using electronic line calling. It's almost time ☀️🌱#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2025 The decision has not gone down well in the officiating community and with traditionalists, and Bolton insisted it is not a money-saving exercise. 'The technology investment we've had to make to deliver ELC is not insignificant,' she said. 'I think it will be a little bit different and I think it will take us all a little bit of time to get used to that but we felt very much that it was time to move on.' Fans attending on the first couple of days at least will have a bumper selection of British players to follow, with 23 in action across the main singles draws, the most since 1984. Numbers in the queue in Monday morning were so high that by 10am organisers were recommending for people intending to join it not to travel. 'I'm sure that the number of Brits in the draw is contributing to that general excitement,' added Bolton.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Hottest-ever start to Wimbledon with 29.7C recorded
Temperatures reached a provisional high of 29.7C at Kew Gardens in west London on Monday afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 29.3C set in June 2001. Temperatures have risen to 29.7C at Kew Gardens, so it is provisionally warmest start to Wimbledon on record 🎾 — Met Office (@metoffice) June 30, 2025 Spectators queued from the early hours to enter the All England Club in south-west London, with many using fans, umbrellas and sunscreen to cope with the heat. Vicki Broad, 57, a retired nurse from Swansea, who was the first person in the queue, said: 'The sun has been tough but we're in the shade now.' Paul Jackson, from Stockport, told the PA news agency: 'We were a bit worried about the heat, but it's been manageable.' 'We've been drinking water, wearing hats, and making the most of the shade.' The competition has drawn crowds from across the globe – some managing the weather better than others. Maria Iniesta, 47, a physician from Madrid living in Houston, joked: 'It's been funny to watch the British people sweating – it's been easy for us.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Hottest-ever start to Wimbledon with 29.7C recorded
Temperatures have risen to 29.7C at Kew Gardens, so it is provisionally warmest start to Wimbledon on record 🎾 — Met Office (@metoffice) June 30, 2025 Spectators queued from the early hours to enter the All England Club in south-west London, with many using fans, umbrellas and sunscreen to cope with the heat. Vicki Broad, 57, a retired nurse from Swansea, who was the first person in the queue, said: 'The sun has been tough but we're in the shade now.' Paul Jackson, from Stockport, told the PA news agency: 'We were a bit worried about the heat, but it's been manageable.' Spectators shelter from the sun in the stands (Mike Egerton/PA) 'We've been drinking water, wearing hats, and making the most of the shade.' The competition has drawn crowds from across the globe – some managing the weather better than others. Maria Iniesta, 47, a physician from Madrid living in Houston, joked: 'It's been funny to watch the British people sweating – it's been easy for us.'
