Another piece of the Wallabies jigsaw in place as Wright extends
Another piece of the Wallabies jigsaw in place as Wright extends
SYDNEY - Rugby Australia locked in another of the players they hope will help the Wallabies to success against the British & Irish Lions and at the 2027 World Cup when fullback Tom Wright extended his contract for another three years on Friday.
Wright, a dynamic ball carrier who played 12 tests in the number 15 shirt last year, was courted by rugby league clubs looking to entice him back to the 13-man game as well as by overseas union sides but decided to stay put.
"There's definitely so much to look forward to, and it definitely played a part," the 27-year-old told reporters in Canberra.
"Guys' careers can pan over a certain amount of time, and it just doesn't fall at the same time that a Lions series does. A few years ago, I probably didn't appreciate how awesome that opportunity might be ... to don the jersey against the Lions.
"With it being so close now, you sort of get the taste for that atmosphere starting to build, and how much hype there is around, and similarly with a home World Cup ..."
Wright played rugby league professionally after school before making the switch back to union with the ACT Brumbies and said the desire to remain in Canberra with his young family was another big attraction.
Under Director of High Performance Peter Horne, Rugby Australia have been remarkably successful this year in securing the services of a number of top players through 2027 and beyond.
Wright joins Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Fraser McReight, Nick Frost, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Isaac Kailea and Lachlan Lonergan in committing his future to Australia.
"Tom has developed into an excellent outside back," Horne said in a RA statement.
"He has established himself as a consistent and popular member of the Wallabies squad and we feel he is entering the prime of his career as a test player."
Australia host the Lions in three tests at the end of July and start of August. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
'I'll sleep like a baby': Emotional Kohli fulfils 17-year dream with IPL triumph
AHMEDABAD, India - Virat Kohli's carefully crafted image of a snarling warrior melted away as the 36-year-old was reduced to an emotional wreck after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 17-season wait for a maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Tuesday. Bengaluru were effectively assured of victory in the final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad after Josh Hazlewood began the final over with two dot balls. As the broadcasters' camera panned, it caught a teary-eyed Kohli covering his mouth with cupped hands in disbelief. As Bengaluru sealed a six-run victory, Kohli hunched over the turf and punched it in delight before being mobbed by teammates. "It's been 18 long years," an emotional Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told the broadcasters. "I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season... "To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled." Kohli has been with Bengaluru since the inaugural edition of the league in 2008, including nine seasons as captain of a franchise that made the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but lost on all three occasions. The relief was palpable as he hugged former Bengaluru teammate AB de Villiers. "I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what," Kohli said. "I've had moments when I thought otherwise, but I stuck to this team. I stood behind them and they stood behind me. "I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else... "This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL." Kohli has won multiple World Cups with India but the IPL had remained an unticked box, until Tuesday. "I'm someone that wants to win the big tournaments, the big moments, and this one was missing. Tonight, I'm going to sleep like a baby," he said. "There is an end date to our career. By the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say 'I gave it everything I had'." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Knicks fire Thibodeau after Eastern Conference defeat
FILE PHOTO: May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau looks on prior to game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS NEW YORK - The New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, the team said on Tuesday, days after they were eliminated in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Thibodeau led New York to the playoffs in four out of the five seasons he was in charge, getting the team to the penultimate stage of the postseason for the first time in a quarter century this year. "Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction,' Knicks President Leon Rose said in a statement. "We can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach." The NBA Finals kick off on Thursday with the Pacers playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Premier League clubs agree to extend price cap on away tickets
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 21, 2024 General view of fans buying tickets outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo Premier League clubs unanimously agreed on Tuesday to extend the current 30 pounds ($40.56) cap on away ticket prices for a 10th season, the league said in a statement. Since the price cap was introduced in 2016, away game attendance has risen from 82% to 91%. The cumulative away attendance for the 380 matches during the 2024-25 season was 953,420. "The Premier League and clubs recognise the additional costs associated with fans following their team during the season, and the incredible atmospheres they create at matches," the league said in a statement. This comes after fans of several Premier League clubs united under the Football Supporters' Association campaign "Stop Exploiting Loyalty", prompting a ticket price freeze next season from clubs like Liverpool, Brentford, and Manchester City. The new season of England's top flight will begin on August 15 and conclude on May 24, 2026. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
