Castleford sign forward Stimson
Castleford Tigers have signed former National Rugby League (NRL) forward Josh Stimson on a short-term deal until the end of the season.The 29-year-old Australian has previously had stints Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans.He played for Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup this season, scoring one try in 11 appearances."He's quality player and been in some really strong environments, and I'm excited to see him bring that experience and desire to Castleford," head coach Danny McGuire said.
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The Guardian
24 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lions warn Joe Schmidt over Wallabies player release for tour matches
Every big tour is a hectic learning curve as the 2025 British & Irish Lions are already finding. The squad had to call off their post-arrival recovery dip in the Pacific Ocean – a letdown both for local news crews and the lurking sharks off Cottesloe beach – because of inclement weather and the first media squall of the trip has also blown in. The Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, has made clear the touring side expect the Wallabies head coach, Joe Schmidt, to make his national players available for their Super Rugby teams before the Test series commencing next month and the host nation has been gently reminded of that contractual detail following the Lions' arrival in Australia. 'The agreement is very clear; it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,' Calveley said at the Lions' official welcome overlooking the Swan River. 'That is our expectation. It's really important that these games are competitive. 'It's not just for a performance standpoint – the players do want to test themselves and build towards the Test series – but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures, and for the rugby-loving public. That would be their expectation as well.' The opening game against Western Force should fulfil that criteria with Nic White, Darcy Swain and Nick Champion de Crespigny all potentially available to face the Lions on Saturday. But another couple of Wallaby squad members, Carlo Tizzano and Ben Donaldson, have been retained in camp by Schmidt before Australia's warm-up Test against Fiji next week and it remains unclear how many will represent the Lions' next clutch of opponents. 'We'll see a competitive fixture at the weekend and that's what we're looking for,' Calveley said. 'We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to that Test series against the Wallabies.' Following the Western Force game, the next three fixtures are against the Reds, the Waratahs and the Brumbies, and Lions tour manager, Ieuan Evans, is similarly keen to encounter the strongest possible opposition. 'I think what's clear is that we are an elite sporting touring team and we need to be challenged and tested in our preparations towards the Tests,' Evans said. Discussions, accordingly, will continue with Australian officials, although the requirements of the Australia-Fiji game in Newcastle will clearly complicate the situation. The Lions, meanwhile, insist there are no plans to divert from their traditional tour rota but Calveley did say he was potentially open to the idea of the Lions touring other countries such as France in future. 'You can certainly understand why people would get excited about that sort of concept. We would as well. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'What's not to like about some of those wonderful clubs you could play against and some of those wonderful venues? I think what's encouraging for us is that whatever country you speak to they are interested in having a relationship with the Lions, whether that's in their country or on UK or Irish soil.'
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
David Campese in brutal criticism of four Lions
Australia legend David Campese launched a scathing attack on four British and Irish Lions following the defeat to Argentina on Friday night in their first warm-up match. Marcus Smith, Duhan van der Merwe, Jac Morgan and Tommy Freeman were all in the crosshairs in Campese's column for Planet Rugby, where he also said the Lions would get hammered 3-0 by Australia if they did not buck their ideas up. Here, Telegraph Sport analyses his key criticisms and whether 'Campo' was right or wrong. Marcus Smith Then you have Marcus Smith at full-back. Yes, in attack he was threatening and he played a part in two of the Lions' tries, but, and it's a big but, Australia is the land of the physical, athletic full-back and the spiral bomb. That's what we do – we're brought up on Aussie Rules and the skills transfer. The Lions simply cannot afford the luxury of Smith's defence at 15. He doesn't understand the positional requirements and he's simply too small and light to compete one to one. Yes, as an impact player or starting ten, he will do a great job, but as a starting full-back? Come on! What we say: There is a lot going on here and it is perhaps worth adding a touch of nuance. It is completely understandable that Smith is still learning the positional requirements of full-back. Friday was only his eighth start there in his senior career to date. Defensively, he was not at fault for any of the Pumas' tries. For the first, Argentina outflanked a narrow front line because the Lions did not fold enough men around the ruck. For the second and third, the Pumas savaged the Lions in transition situations. Campese is certainly correct that aerial duels are not a strength of Smith's, but I wonder whether these contests are so chaotic now after the crackdown on escort runners blocking off chasing wings – even Freddie Steward struggled in the Premiership final thanks to the commitment of Will Muir – that Farrell put more stock in the up-side of a secondary playmaker. It was Smith or Elliot Daly for that first game anyway, because neither Hugo Keenan nor Blair Kinghorn were available. Farrell would never admit as much publicly, but I looked at the match against Argentina as an 80-minute audition for Smith to be a versatile, impactful replacement on a six-two bench. In that respect, the run-out was worthwhile for the reason Campese highlights himself: the proactivity Smith demonstrated when the Lions had possession. Duhan van de Merwe I simply can't understand how Duhan van der Merwe, a man of 6'5', fails under the high ball in the way he does. He's bloody massive yet managed only one from five in the air in a dismal display under the ball. Tommy Freeman worked hard- 15 carries and the most line breaks, but he was turned over four times- twice in the air and twice on the floor. What we say: Van der Merwe did look vulnerable aerially on Friday night and, generally, it is not a strength of his - and the tweak to the law regarding escort runners has made it even harder for wings - but it is fair to reflect that he can do things that other wings can't and that it was his first appearance since March owing to ankle ligament damage. Certainly, however, the Scot did little to dampen the narrative surrounding James Lowe, and how he is odds-on to start the first Test on the left wing. Jac Morgan I had to check to be sure Jac Morgan was even playing, such was his lack of impact. Yes, he grabbed one good turnover, but when your openside spends 55 minutes on the pitch, makes four carries for six metres, and manages six tackles (one every nine minutes!) you wonder why he's failing to execute the basic roles of his position. He also failed to control anything around the drop zone, a key factor, and generally went missing in action in a woeful personal performanc e. What we say: Harsh from Campo! Morgan might not have been ubiquitous and, certainly, he is now in a race against time to put pressure on his competitors for a Test berth but there were a couple of punchy carries and there was a notable jackal turnover amid the industriousness. Campo criticises Morgan's ball-carrying but is that really what you pick your openside for? The Welshman was not alone in looking a bit subdued at times on Friday night. Tommy Freeman Tommy Freeman worked hard — 15 carries and the most line breaks — but he was turned over four times — twice in the air and twice on the floor. That aerial battle — Rodrigo Isgro and Ignacio Mendy absolutely cleaned the Lions out at the contestables. What we say: Is this like when cricketers seek out a star player for additional sledging? Freeman was not without fault. He threw one overeager offload to Smith in the first half. Much later, in the second period, he coughed up an Argentina clearance in the back-field under no pressure. However, the promise outweighed the errors by some margin. Freeman roamed around the field to pick up touches, clearly settling into the role that the Lions coaches have asked of him. Sione Tuipulotu should have gathered an early offload from the rangy wing off the tail of a line-out and Freeman's work in the air was excellent. As good as the Pumas duo were, the Lions man reinforced his reputation as one of the best in this area. Campese might be clutching at straws, here, because Freeman still seems set for a big tour.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Lions receive warm welcome at ceremony in Perth
The British and Irish Lions started their first full day in Australia by attending a welcome ceremony at Kings Park in Lions were treated to some traditional music while captain Maro Itoje handed over a team jersey to Indigenous elder Trevor forward Henry Pollock was spotted holding tightly on to mascot BIL. Tradition dictates that the Lions' youngest squad member must look after the toy lion at all times or be given a fine. A cracking setting looking over the city of Perth is not a bad way to start tour life.
