'Always give a champion an opportunity'
NRL: Cooper Cronk has called for captain Daly Cherry-Evans to retain his halfback jersey after his incredible bounce back against the Broncos.
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
England's Vegas hiding by Australia did damage: coach
Former England women's rugby league head coach Craig Richards believes the 90-4 humiliation by Australia in Las Vegas in March did "a lot of damage" to the perception of the sport in this country. His side's march to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup had a surge of interest in the women's game and led indirectly to a number of star England players landing historic contracts in the fully professional NRL. Richards, who announced his departure from the England job in an emotional press conference after their last defeat to New Zealand, hopes the chastening experience in the US will act as a timely wake-up call for the domestic game. "Social media-wise, it did a lot of damage," said Richards of the Las Vegas clash, which was bolted onto an international program that also saw the start of the men's NRL season and the Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington. "I don't think it was a true reflection of where we are at. I'm not saying we're anywhere close to beating the Aussies, but I also don't believe there is a 90-point gap. "Internally it didn't harm us, but it made us question whether we are resting a little bit, and if we need to dig in a little bit deeper. I think the women's game is still in a good place, but we don't hide from the fact that there is still a lot to be done." After leaving the international set-up, Richards returned to St Helens where he succeeded Matty Smith as women's joint head coach alongside Derek Hardman for the start of the current campaign. He will lead Saints out at Wembley on Saturday as they bid for their fifth successive women's Challenge Cup win against Wigan, in a match Richards hopes will serve as a timely reminder of the strength of the English women's game. Former England women's rugby league head coach Craig Richards believes the 90-4 humiliation by Australia in Las Vegas in March did "a lot of damage" to the perception of the sport in this country. His side's march to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup had a surge of interest in the women's game and led indirectly to a number of star England players landing historic contracts in the fully professional NRL. Richards, who announced his departure from the England job in an emotional press conference after their last defeat to New Zealand, hopes the chastening experience in the US will act as a timely wake-up call for the domestic game. "Social media-wise, it did a lot of damage," said Richards of the Las Vegas clash, which was bolted onto an international program that also saw the start of the men's NRL season and the Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington. "I don't think it was a true reflection of where we are at. I'm not saying we're anywhere close to beating the Aussies, but I also don't believe there is a 90-point gap. "Internally it didn't harm us, but it made us question whether we are resting a little bit, and if we need to dig in a little bit deeper. I think the women's game is still in a good place, but we don't hide from the fact that there is still a lot to be done." After leaving the international set-up, Richards returned to St Helens where he succeeded Matty Smith as women's joint head coach alongside Derek Hardman for the start of the current campaign. He will lead Saints out at Wembley on Saturday as they bid for their fifth successive women's Challenge Cup win against Wigan, in a match Richards hopes will serve as a timely reminder of the strength of the English women's game. Former England women's rugby league head coach Craig Richards believes the 90-4 humiliation by Australia in Las Vegas in March did "a lot of damage" to the perception of the sport in this country. His side's march to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup had a surge of interest in the women's game and led indirectly to a number of star England players landing historic contracts in the fully professional NRL. Richards, who announced his departure from the England job in an emotional press conference after their last defeat to New Zealand, hopes the chastening experience in the US will act as a timely wake-up call for the domestic game. "Social media-wise, it did a lot of damage," said Richards of the Las Vegas clash, which was bolted onto an international program that also saw the start of the men's NRL season and the Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington. "I don't think it was a true reflection of where we are at. I'm not saying we're anywhere close to beating the Aussies, but I also don't believe there is a 90-point gap. "Internally it didn't harm us, but it made us question whether we are resting a little bit, and if we need to dig in a little bit deeper. I think the women's game is still in a good place, but we don't hide from the fact that there is still a lot to be done." After leaving the international set-up, Richards returned to St Helens where he succeeded Matty Smith as women's joint head coach alongside Derek Hardman for the start of the current campaign. He will lead Saints out at Wembley on Saturday as they bid for their fifth successive women's Challenge Cup win against Wigan, in a match Richards hopes will serve as a timely reminder of the strength of the English women's game.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie Matt Dufty bans mum from Challenge Cup Final
Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us." Warrington full-back Matt Dufty has banned his mum from this weekend's Challenge Cup final at Wembley because she has never seen him win. Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. "My mum hasn't seen me win yet," laughed Dufty. "She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week." The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL, but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. "My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year," added Dufty. "He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. "So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family." Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. "It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role," added Dufty, who played for St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. "For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader." Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. "It was always something we watched back home," added Dufty. "Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. "Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us."
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
China's censors in anniversay overdrive and a mother's hunger strike to save her imprisoned son
Fran Kelly brings you compelling conversations with some of the most interesting people from around the world, on the issues that challenge, entertain and inspire us.
