State of Origin Game 2 NSW vs Queensland live: Meninga swipes Woods over ‘Grubgate'
Welcome to news.com.au's live coverage of Game 2 in this year's State of Origin series.
Following a dominant NSW victory in the series opener, Queensland has to win Game 2 in Perth on Wednesday night to avoid a second consecutive series defeat.
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After an unusually subdued build-up to Game 1, which NSW claimed 18-6 in Brisbane, a feud between Maroons coach Billy Slater and former Blue Aaron Woods has dominated talk ahead of Game 2 in Perth.
Woods called Slater a 'grub' last week, with the former fullback responding in an extraordinary press conference on Tuesday when he referenced mental health concerns and the death of former Queensland coach Paul Green.
Slater, 41, then fronted another press conference on game day to apologise for those remarks in a saga that has quickly been labelled 'Grubgate'.
It has all created a strange and slightly uncomfortable air ahead of Game 2, which will be held in front of a bumper crowd at Perth's Optus Stadium.
The match kicks off at 8.05pm AEST and we'll have all the big hits and major talking points for you right here.
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Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Billy Slater apologises to Paul Green's family following emotional reference in State of Origin press conference
Billy Slater has apologised to the family of Paul Green after referencing the late Queensland coach during an emotional State of Origin press conference on Tuesday in Perth. The Queensland coach's apology was in response to his retort to former New South Wales forward Aaron Woods called him a 'grub' on Sydney's Triple M, in the lead up to the second encounter between Queensland and New South Wales on Wednesday. When Slater was asked by the media on Tuesday about Woods' barb, he referred to Green during the press conference. Slater implied Green, who took his own life in 2022, had not been able to handle the pressures of coaching and public criticism. "You don't know what people are going through. And although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn't be. Maybe our last coach didn't," he said in the controversial moment on Tuesday. After his death it was revealed Green had been suffering with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Following public backlash on Wednesday morning Slater held a press conference to apologise for the reference of Green. 'Yesterday, I wrongly made the link between Paul Green's death and the stress and pressures of coaching, which wasn't accurate, nor was it appropriate,' Slater said. 'I feel terrible about what I said. I spoke to Amanda Green this morning and apologised for any hurt that may have caused her and her family. 'Paul had CTE, which is a different disease to what I was referring to. Once again, I'm deeply and genuinely sorry.' Green''s death came one year after coaching Queensland in 2021. Woods didn't mince his words on Wednesday morning on Triple M, suggesting Slater's reference was 'completely unnecessary'. 'I (made) those comments last Tuesday, so that was a week ago,' Woods said. 'I stand by them. It's part of something I said in the lead-up to this game. (Slater) has had seven days to reply. He's taken his time. He's been very well thought out. He's been very measured in what he's had to say. 'A lot of his comments I agree with. You've got to have an opinion, whether it's good or bad. It's a hard position he is in at the moment. 'You've got to take out he's lost game one of the series, up in Queensland, he's coming off a losing series, which was a decider in Queensland as well, so he is under a lot of pressure. 'But one particular comment he did make, I just thought Billy went a bit over the boundary, and I thought it was completely unnecessary for the situation. I don't really care about Queensland.' After losing Game I, 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium, Slater is under intense pressure for Origin II, with Queensland needing to win so they can secure a series-decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9. A loss at Optus Stadium against the Blues would make Slater the first Maroons coach since 1996-97 to lose four consecutive State of Origin matches. Game II of this year's State of Origin kicks off Wednesday night at 6:05pm AWST, 7:35pm ACST and 8:05pm AEST.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Everything you need to know about British and Irish Lions tour
For the first time in 12 years, the British and Irish Lions are coming to Australia. And they'll have a packed schedule when they arrive, with nine games locked in to be played in just over a month — including three against the Wallabies. Here's all you need to know to be ready for when the tour kicks off. When are the British and Irish Lions coming to Australia? The opening game of the British and Irish Lions 2025 tour is against Western Force on Saturday, June 28. The Lions play eight further games on the tour. Why is the tour so significant? The British and Irish Lions have not toured Australia for more than a decade. The Lions have a rich history and there is a prestige behind being chosen as one of the best players from England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland. The team tours every four years and last came to Australia in 2013. Where in Australia will the Lions play in 2025? The Lions play games in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide. Who are they playing? The British and Irish Lions will face Western Force, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, the AUNZ XV, a First Nations & Pasifika XV and the Australian national team, the Wallabies. Where can I watch the games? Stan Sport. Select matches will also be shown on Channel 9. Can I watch the games for free? Select games will be shown on Channel 9 free-to-air. Why are the British and Irish Lions coming to Australia? The tour is the first time in 12 years the British and Irish Lions have come to Australia and is being billed as a month-long festival of rugby. Are other international Rugby Union teams coming to Australia in 2025? The Wallabies will take on Fiji, Argentina and New Zealand in home matches this year. Where can I buy tickets? Tickets are available from Ticketek. What is the schedule? Saturday, June 28 – Western Force vs British and Irish Lions, Optus Stadium Wednesday, July 2 – Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions, Suncorp Stadium Saturday, July 5 – NSW Waratahs vs British and Irish Lions, Allianz Stadium Wednesday, July 9 – ACT Brumbies vs British and Irish Lions, GIO Stadium Saturday, July 12 – AUNZ XI vs British and Irish Lions, Adelaide Oval Saturday, July 19 – Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions, Suncorp Stadium Tuesday, July 22 – First Nations and Pasifika XV vs British and Irish Lions, Marvel Stadium Saturday, July 26 – Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions, Melbourne Cricket Ground Saturday, August 2 – Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions, Accor Stadium Who's playing? The Wallabies squad is expected to be announced on Thursday, June 19. This is the British and Irish Lions squad: Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851 Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853 Ben Earl (Saracens/England) Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #848 Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C) Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837 Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841 Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) Betting and odds The British and Irish Lions are $1.30 favourites to win their series against the Wallabies ($3.40). Why are they called the British and Irish Lions? When the team orginiated, Ireland was part of Britain. The Lions nickname originates from a 1924 tour when players had Lions on their ties. What countries make up the British and Irish Lions? England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales Ireland (3rd), England (6th), Scotland (7th) and Wales (12th). Australia is ranked 8th.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
State of Origin Game II LIVE updates: NSW look to take out series against Queensland at Optus Stadium in Perth
Go to latest Pinned post from 6.00pm Have your say: who will win? Latest posts 6.04pm Slippery start on the cards for Origin II It's been a temperamental day weather-wise in the West, which could spell for a slippery start to Origin II. According to our weatherman Christian Nicolussi on the ground in Perth, it's been on and off showers this afternoon. But in good news for the 55,000 or so fans turning out to Optus Stadium, it looks like it may have cleared for the night. Any kind of breeze has also disappeared with the rain, and it's a pleasant 18 degrees for the players. 6.00pm Who our experts are tipping in game two 6.00pm Have your say: who will win? 6.00pm Welcome one, welcome all Evening sports fans, By now you know the drill - pizza ordered, chores done and if you're Gladys Berejiklian, can of Coke on ice - it's State of Origin night. We're in Perth for this one, the WA capital with a shiny new rugby league team on the way and a media baron determined to ignore it. Queensland need to win to keep the series alive, NSW were superior in game one and that's piled all sorts of pressure on Maroons coach Billy Slater. The Blues are warm favourites, the Maroons distinct outsiders - yep, it's definitely Origin. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi are our men on the ground in Perth, Dan Walsh here Sydney-side jibbering away with Billie Eder and Kayla Olaya keeping a tight rein on things. Kick-off is at 8:05pm AEST and we've got plenty to keep you amused until then.
