'The Lord's team' — Ardie Savea weighs in on Moana Pasifika situation
"I think any competition needs them in," said Mr Savea at the team's home of North Harbour Stadium, where the All Blacks are preparing for the first test against France.
Moana Pasifika are currently in the midst of financial struggles, after allegations were made of owners using public funding to service the side.
"Like I said, we're the Lord's team, we're the people's team. So hopefully, you know, whatever that looks like above my shoulders, it can work out," said Mr Savea.
This week Moana Pasifika owners Pasifika Medical Association Group have denied any public funding has gone into the side, while Te Puni Kōkiri has launched an independent review into allegations of inappropriate use of public funding allocated for Whānau Ora commissioning services.
On top of this, Sky TV are believed to be close to ending their jersey sponsorship deal and NZ Rugby's projected reduced broadcast deal will likely affect the amount of funding Moana receive.
Mr Savea is contracted until the end of the 2027 season, however, has a clause that allows him to spend next season playing overseas. The 96-test loose forward confirmed last month that he would be heading back for another lucrative short term deal at Japanese team Kubota Spears in 2026.
All Blacks season kicks off Saturday
Meanwhile, Mr Savea is part of an intriguing loose forward picture for the All Blacks, who will face France this Saturday. He will certainly start Saturday's season opener, but just who joins him is yet to be seen.
"It's hard because the loosie roles are quite interchangeable now on the field. You know, there's no specific role. It's not about you individually. It's how you collectively as a trio work together," said Mr Savea.
Former Hurricanes teammate Du'Plessis Kirifi and impressive Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie are in line to make test debuts, while Samipeni Finau will likely start at blindside,
"I played with Dupes for a while at the Canes and Christian, they've played awesome and they're in here for a reason. (But) All Blacks is a different level. So it's up to us to get around each other and best prepare for this level."
The expectations are high for the All Blacks to start their campaign off with a big win over a very inexperienced and understrength French team, which was today further hampered with news of an injuries to fullback Cheikh Tiberghien and wing Gabin Villière. However, in typical All Black fashion, Mr Savea said no opponent would be taken lightly.
"It's what the jersey demands, and it doesn't matter who you play. You have to go out there and put your best foot forward. That's just the standard we uphold for ourselves."
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The Advertiser
18 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'A bit daunting': Knights recruit's job to fill superstar's boots
Botille Vette-Walsh knows she has big boots to fill. The departure of 2023 Dally M Medallist and Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton to the Brisbane Broncos has left a gaping hole in the Knights' attack. Upton is lethal every time she gets her hands on the ball and was the back-to-back Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final in Newcastle's 2022 and 2023 premiership victories. But, Vette-Walsh is a distinguished No.1 in her own right and brings experience and leadership to Newcastle. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has also played on the sport's biggest stages. She featured in the NRLW's first game in 2018, and has represented NSW, Australia and the Maori All Stars. But this move feels like a fresh start, and Vette-Walsh is excited for the challenge. "It was a bit frightening to be honest, Meeks [Upton] is Freaky Meeky for a reason," Vette-Walsh said. "She's one of the best, if not the best fullback in the game for the last few years, so trying to fill that space or fill those shoes was a little bit daunting for me. "But, it's a great challenge for me to step up and try to raise my standard, be a better fullback, be a better teammate. "The girls have been awesome. Sometimes I think, 'Shit, I'm not as quick as Meeks', but I'm doing my best and it's been good. It's been refreshing." Vette-Walsh played for the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra and Parramatta before being co-captain of Wests Tigers for the past two years. A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee sidelined Vette-Walsh for the 2022 season. The recovery period took longer than anticipated but she feels closer to the peak of her powers ahead of round one. "Probably the biggest life lesson was doing my ACL," Vette-Walsh said. "A lot of people would come back within 12 months but it took me 18 months. I had a lot of little niggles coming back that I just couldn't get past. "So 18 months after, back on the field and it's probably taken me a good two-and-a-half years to get back to where I want to be. "I'm still not there yet but I feel like I'm making progress and some of the [strength and conditioning] staff up here has really opened my eyes to some of the rehab I probably missed." Vette-Walsh, who has represented New Zealand in touch and athletics, is working in the Knights' community department and is loving the move to Newcastle. "Although I'm an older player, I kind of feel rejuvenated because I'm out here trying to prove myself again," she said. "Everyone up here is super fit, so I've had to raise my standards and get out of my comfort zone. "I'm an older player, probably at the back of my career, so to try to have a fresh start and change up my lifestyle a little bit was exciting and probably something that I needed to do." She is also hoping to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of Knights players, including versatile outside back Lilly-Ann White. The 19-year-old has played fullback for NSW 19s but will start on the wing in the Knights' season-opener against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday night (5.40pm). "I'm a bit older, so speed is not my top effort anymore, but just experience, probably the confidence I can instil into everyone around me as well," Vette-Walsh said. "I knew coming up here, we had young Lilly, who's the next best thing. That's my job, to make sure she feels comfortable, confident in herself and just give her all the little life hacks as a fullback so she doesn't have to wait until she's 25 to learn it." Botille Vette-Walsh knows she has big boots to fill. The departure of 2023 Dally M Medallist and Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton to the Brisbane Broncos has left a gaping hole in the Knights' attack. Upton is lethal every time she gets her hands on the ball and was the back-to-back Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final in Newcastle's 2022 and 2023 premiership victories. But, Vette-Walsh is a distinguished No.1 in her own right and brings experience and leadership to Newcastle. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has also played on the sport's biggest stages. She featured in the NRLW's first game in 2018, and has represented NSW, Australia and the Maori All Stars. But this move feels like a fresh start, and Vette-Walsh is excited for the challenge. "It was a bit frightening to be honest, Meeks [Upton] is Freaky Meeky for a reason," Vette-Walsh said. "She's one of the best, if not the best fullback in the game for the last few years, so trying to fill that space or fill those shoes was a little bit daunting for me. "But, it's a great challenge for me to step up and try to raise my standard, be a better fullback, be a better teammate. "The girls have been awesome. Sometimes I think, 'Shit, I'm not as quick as Meeks', but I'm doing my best and it's been good. It's been refreshing." Vette-Walsh played for the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra and Parramatta before being co-captain of Wests Tigers for the past two years. A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee sidelined Vette-Walsh for the 2022 season. The recovery period took longer than anticipated but she feels closer to the peak of her powers ahead of round one. "Probably the biggest life lesson was doing my ACL," Vette-Walsh said. "A lot of people would come back within 12 months but it took me 18 months. I had a lot of little niggles coming back that I just couldn't get past. "So 18 months after, back on the field and it's probably taken me a good two-and-a-half years to get back to where I want to be. "I'm still not there yet but I feel like I'm making progress and some of the [strength and conditioning] staff up here has really opened my eyes to some of the rehab I probably missed." Vette-Walsh, who has represented New Zealand in touch and athletics, is working in the Knights' community department and is loving the move to Newcastle. "Although I'm an older player, I kind of feel rejuvenated because I'm out here trying to prove myself again," she said. "Everyone up here is super fit, so I've had to raise my standards and get out of my comfort zone. "I'm an older player, probably at the back of my career, so to try to have a fresh start and change up my lifestyle a little bit was exciting and probably something that I needed to do." She is also hoping to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of Knights players, including versatile outside back Lilly-Ann White. The 19-year-old has played fullback for NSW 19s but will start on the wing in the Knights' season-opener against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday night (5.40pm). "I'm a bit older, so speed is not my top effort anymore, but just experience, probably the confidence I can instil into everyone around me as well," Vette-Walsh said. "I knew coming up here, we had young Lilly, who's the next best thing. That's my job, to make sure she feels comfortable, confident in herself and just give her all the little life hacks as a fullback so she doesn't have to wait until she's 25 to learn it." Botille Vette-Walsh knows she has big boots to fill. The departure of 2023 Dally M Medallist and Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton to the Brisbane Broncos has left a gaping hole in the Knights' attack. Upton is lethal every time she gets her hands on the ball and was the back-to-back Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final in Newcastle's 2022 and 2023 premiership victories. But, Vette-Walsh is a distinguished No.1 in her own right and brings experience and leadership to Newcastle. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has also played on the sport's biggest stages. She featured in the NRLW's first game in 2018, and has represented NSW, Australia and the Maori All Stars. But this move feels like a fresh start, and Vette-Walsh is excited for the challenge. "It was a bit frightening to be honest, Meeks [Upton] is Freaky Meeky for a reason," Vette-Walsh said. "She's one of the best, if not the best fullback in the game for the last few years, so trying to fill that space or fill those shoes was a little bit daunting for me. "But, it's a great challenge for me to step up and try to raise my standard, be a better fullback, be a better teammate. "The girls have been awesome. Sometimes I think, 'Shit, I'm not as quick as Meeks', but I'm doing my best and it's been good. It's been refreshing." Vette-Walsh played for the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra and Parramatta before being co-captain of Wests Tigers for the past two years. A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee sidelined Vette-Walsh for the 2022 season. The recovery period took longer than anticipated but she feels closer to the peak of her powers ahead of round one. "Probably the biggest life lesson was doing my ACL," Vette-Walsh said. "A lot of people would come back within 12 months but it took me 18 months. I had a lot of little niggles coming back that I just couldn't get past. "So 18 months after, back on the field and it's probably taken me a good two-and-a-half years to get back to where I want to be. "I'm still not there yet but I feel like I'm making progress and some of the [strength and conditioning] staff up here has really opened my eyes to some of the rehab I probably missed." Vette-Walsh, who has represented New Zealand in touch and athletics, is working in the Knights' community department and is loving the move to Newcastle. "Although I'm an older player, I kind of feel rejuvenated because I'm out here trying to prove myself again," she said. "Everyone up here is super fit, so I've had to raise my standards and get out of my comfort zone. "I'm an older player, probably at the back of my career, so to try to have a fresh start and change up my lifestyle a little bit was exciting and probably something that I needed to do." She is also hoping to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of Knights players, including versatile outside back Lilly-Ann White. The 19-year-old has played fullback for NSW 19s but will start on the wing in the Knights' season-opener against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday night (5.40pm). "I'm a bit older, so speed is not my top effort anymore, but just experience, probably the confidence I can instil into everyone around me as well," Vette-Walsh said. "I knew coming up here, we had young Lilly, who's the next best thing. That's my job, to make sure she feels comfortable, confident in herself and just give her all the little life hacks as a fullback so she doesn't have to wait until she's 25 to learn it." Botille Vette-Walsh knows she has big boots to fill. The departure of 2023 Dally M Medallist and Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton to the Brisbane Broncos has left a gaping hole in the Knights' attack. Upton is lethal every time she gets her hands on the ball and was the back-to-back Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final in Newcastle's 2022 and 2023 premiership victories. But, Vette-Walsh is a distinguished No.1 in her own right and brings experience and leadership to Newcastle. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has also played on the sport's biggest stages. She featured in the NRLW's first game in 2018, and has represented NSW, Australia and the Maori All Stars. But this move feels like a fresh start, and Vette-Walsh is excited for the challenge. "It was a bit frightening to be honest, Meeks [Upton] is Freaky Meeky for a reason," Vette-Walsh said. "She's one of the best, if not the best fullback in the game for the last few years, so trying to fill that space or fill those shoes was a little bit daunting for me. "But, it's a great challenge for me to step up and try to raise my standard, be a better fullback, be a better teammate. "The girls have been awesome. Sometimes I think, 'Shit, I'm not as quick as Meeks', but I'm doing my best and it's been good. It's been refreshing." Vette-Walsh played for the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra and Parramatta before being co-captain of Wests Tigers for the past two years. A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee sidelined Vette-Walsh for the 2022 season. The recovery period took longer than anticipated but she feels closer to the peak of her powers ahead of round one. "Probably the biggest life lesson was doing my ACL," Vette-Walsh said. "A lot of people would come back within 12 months but it took me 18 months. I had a lot of little niggles coming back that I just couldn't get past. "So 18 months after, back on the field and it's probably taken me a good two-and-a-half years to get back to where I want to be. "I'm still not there yet but I feel like I'm making progress and some of the [strength and conditioning] staff up here has really opened my eyes to some of the rehab I probably missed." Vette-Walsh, who has represented New Zealand in touch and athletics, is working in the Knights' community department and is loving the move to Newcastle. "Although I'm an older player, I kind of feel rejuvenated because I'm out here trying to prove myself again," she said. "Everyone up here is super fit, so I've had to raise my standards and get out of my comfort zone. "I'm an older player, probably at the back of my career, so to try to have a fresh start and change up my lifestyle a little bit was exciting and probably something that I needed to do." She is also hoping to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of Knights players, including versatile outside back Lilly-Ann White. The 19-year-old has played fullback for NSW 19s but will start on the wing in the Knights' season-opener against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday night (5.40pm). "I'm a bit older, so speed is not my top effort anymore, but just experience, probably the confidence I can instil into everyone around me as well," Vette-Walsh said. "I knew coming up here, we had young Lilly, who's the next best thing. That's my job, to make sure she feels comfortable, confident in herself and just give her all the little life hacks as a fullback so she doesn't have to wait until she's 25 to learn it."
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Best I've seen': new faces, code-hoppers show Knights can contend for title
They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench.
West Australian
18 hours ago
- West Australian
Senator Penny Wong spruiks WA's geographic position as a key benefit in AUKUS pact during Quad trip
Penny Wong has spruiked WA's geographic position as a key benefit in the AUKUS pact, which she described as a 'win, win, win' during discussions with US counterparts in Washington. The Foreign Affairs Minister said the Quad meeting — a diplomatic dialogue between Australia, the US, Japan and India — had focused on the strategic importance of the deal, which WA would play a central role in. 'The focus yesterday was much more on what we can do together and also on AUKUS — that's a win, win or a win, win, win,' she told Sky on Thursday. Senator Wong said 'geography and capability' of Australia's defence posture benefited America in the pact. 'That's one of the benefits of AUKUS — the geographic location of Fleet Base West and the additional capability that that will provide,' she said. 'That is more maintenance for American submarines, that translates to more days in the water for US submarines.' A new defence precinct at Henderson, south of Perth, will be the maintenance home of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The precinct will be home to a production line churning out army landing craft — first medium then heavy — and general-purpose frigates at new shipbuilding facilities. It is in the vicinity of The Royal Australian Navy's largest naval base, HMAS Stirling at Garden Island — housing much of Australia's fleet submarines and frigates as a key defence hub. 'One of the great things about the AUKUS arrangements is it increases the capability of all three countries,' Senator Wong said. 'Certainly, in the near and medium term it's a benefit to the US because it increases both the build rates but also maintenance rates. That equals submarine capability in the water.' In 2023, Australia's defence strategic review stated that WA's north was the first line of defence alongside the Northern Territory. The high-level talks on Indo-Pacific security in Washington comes amid growing pressure from the Trump administration for Australia to hike its defence spending. Senator Wong said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hadn't raised defence spending during the Quad meeting or sideline bilateral discussions. She also said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was 'very flexible' about arrangements to meet with US President Donald Trump and that Secretary Rubio made clear 'they're keen for a meeting'. 'We're obviously very flexible about those arrangements,' Senator Wong said. 'The president is a very, very busy man, but I was pleased that Secretary Rubio made clear that obviously they're keen for a meeting, they want to reschedule it, it was disappointing, as he said, that they had to reschedule because the President had to return as a consequence of what was occurring in the Middle East.'
