AUNZ Invitational XV squad named to face Lions
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The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
State of Origin 2025 Game 3: where the series decider will be won and lost
They have been outplayed for much of this year's State of Origin series, written off and then almost snuffed out at the end of Perth's dramatic Game 2. But Queensland are primed for another doubt-them-at-your-peril Maroons miracle in the shield-deciding match on Wednesday at Accor Stadium in Sydney. While the Blues are settled going into the much-anticipated clash, Queensland coach Billy Slater has made changes by both necessity and conviction. His side may have held on at the death to win the last contest 26-24, but their performance still prompted the former fullback to press the big maroon button: the break-glass-in-emergency, call-up-a-great-for-one-last-time selection shock. The tradition is part of Origin folklore, a thread tracing through Allan Langer in 2001 all the way back to Artie Beetson at the series' conception. This time it's front-rower Josh Papalii, whose impact will be one of the key determinants of the result on Wednesday night. Slater's decision to drop starting prop Mo Fotuaika from his squad highlights the coach's frustration with his forward pack. They were humbled in Game 1 and overrun in the second half of Game 2, and were ultimately lucky to avoid defeat. Even in that context however, the decision to recall Papalii is a shock. He has played 23 matches for Queensland, but none since 2022, and is now an impact player for the Raiders. The 33-year-old has averaged nine hit-ups and 100 run metres this year for the table-toppers, typically playing about a half's worth of football each week. The Blues pack led by Payne Haas and Isaah Yeo is imposing and skilful, but in Max King and Stefano Utoikamanu does include two players yet to fully establish themselves at Origin level. Slater understands the contribution of 'Big Papa' will be both direct and indirect. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan, the Maroons' go-to enforcers, are yet to impose their will on this year's series. The veteran's presence, the coach hopes, will provide a spark. The sad news on Sunday about the death of Steve Munster, father of Queensland captain Cameron, will affect the Maroons' preparations this week, given the five-eighth has left camp to be with family. He is expected back in time to play on Wednesday, but will miss crucial reps with a new-look backline. Munster delivered a man-of-the-match display in Game 2 in his first match as captain. Awarding the once-wayward star the 'C' was a gamble from Slater that paid off, and the 30-year-old was central to their success and especially their four-try, first-half blitz. After the events of recent days there are justified doubts whether Munster will be at or near his best on Wednesday, if he plays at all. Yet the experiences shared by the players this week has the potential to galvanise a squad that on paper looks like it needs every bit of help to upset the Blues in a Sydney decider. What if an emotional Munster did help his state eke out an Origin victory in the decider in the midst of one of life's darker moments? In that reality, Munster's status would draw alongside the greats of the Maroons' era of 2000s and 2010s dominance, and not far off Wally Lewis at the summit of Queensland rugby league. The Blues boast two of the most devastating players in the game, Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell, and both line up in the centres. Opposite them stand two unheralded underdogs. 20-year-old Robert Toia has acquitted himself well in his first Origin series, and Gehamat Shibasaki, the 27-year-old Broncos journeyman, lines up on the other side of the field making his debut. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion While Toia has not looked out of place at Origin level, the Blues now have 160 minutes of vision to target his tendencies. And as effective as he has been in the NRL this season, there is a reason Shibasaki was on a train-and-trial with the Broncos at the start of the season, having bounced around the lower grades and even Japanese rugby union. Slater's decision to roll with this unproven centre pairing – despite having alternatives like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Val Holmes deployed elsewhere in the backline – is more of a gamble than calling on Papalii for one or two valiant shifts in the middle. If it pays off, Queensland's narrow path to victory remains open. Blues winger Brian To'o is one of rugby league's greatest finishers, and already a Penrith and New South Wales all-timer at age 26. But his status as the best winger in the game is rooted in his work at the other end. His ability to procure the tough early metres in each set has been one of the foundations of his teams' successes, a man-made tailwind behind each set. So the injury cloud under which he finds himself is a major concern for the Blues. The 26-year-old suffered a knee injury a week ago and although scans cleared the way for him to join the Blues, the inclusion of Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz as 18th man is an insurance policy for a possible late withdrawal. While Kiraz has been electric for Canterbury this season, and offers a similar appetite for metres of his own line, he is without doubt a step down from the universally respected Panther. An absent or impaired To'o can only engender confidence for the Maroons. Slater named two fullbacks for last year's decider: Reece Walsh starting and Kalyn Ponga coming off the bench. A year later, neither wears the Maroons' No 1 jersey as Ponga's foot injury and Walsh's protracted recovery from a knee injury opens the door for Tabuai-Fidow to earn the role of the Maroons' backfield ace. The 23-year-old has been in sparkling form for the Dolphins this season, but is known more for his incisive running game and support play and less for his passing and kicking compared to Walsh. Slater explained Tabuai-Fidow's selection at No 1, after nine appearances for the Maroons at centre and wing, as the 'best fit' for the team. It's not clear exactly what the coach means, leaving it up to the Hammer to show us on Wednesday.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Williams and Callender named Wales co-captains
Alex Callender and Kate Williams have been named co-captains for Wales' two-Test series against Australia and at this year's Rugby World - who was vice-captain for the 2025 Six Nations - has previously captained Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge and fellow flanker Williams was part of the Gloucester-Hartpury side who claimed the Premiership Women's Rugby title last new appointments come after head coach Sean Lynn announced centre Hannah Jones would no longer captain her the appointment of Callender and Williams as co-captains, Lynn said: "We have made no secret of our determination to grow the leadership in the squad and appointing two captains demonstrates that. Both Al Cal (Callender) and Kate have impressed with those leadership qualities."They lead by example on the pitch and in training and have embraced all the changes we have introduced. Al Cal brings a real energy and excitement to the squad, while Kate brings a selflessness and a quiet calm authority to everything she does."Both of them represent our Wales family philosophy, are an inspiration to the future family and Kate, in particular, is a great example of the lost Welsh family of players who we know are around the world who want to play for Wales." Wales face the Wallaroos at the Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, 26 July (05:00 BST) before facing the same opposition at the North Sydney Oval on Friday, 1 August (10:00 BST).Callender, 24, said: "Playing for Wales has always been an honour and to be asked to lead the squad by Lynny (Lynn) is a real privilege."Everybody knows my late mam, Donna, who passed away in 2023, would be so proud to see me lead my country. She has always been my why and I know she is looking down on me and how proud she would be with this news."We have had a tough pre-season. We have all put the work in and we are excited to see where we are and measure ourselves against the Wallaroos as we prepare for the World Cup."Wales start their World Cup campaign against Scotland at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday, 23 August (14:45 BST).They take on Canada at the same venue a week later (12:00 BST) before rounding off their Pool B schedule against Fiji at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday, 6 September (14:45 BST)."Wales has always been a big part of my life, and it was a dream just to play for Wales," said Williams, who was born in Swansea but grew up in New Zealand."To say being asked to be a co-captain of Wales is a proud moment for my family would be an understatement."
The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
‘Open-minded' Andy Farrell says Lions Test places still up for grabs
Maro Itoje returns as captain for the Canberra showdown to lead a starting XV full of players considered first choice in their positions, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia's Super Rugby franchises, having finished third in the table, and the fixture is being treated as a dry run for the series opener against the Wallabies on July 19. Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2025 But Farrell insisted his Lions stars still have to earn the jersey after leaving the door open for others to stake their claim, with Saturday's match against an AUNZ Invitational XV the final opportunity to impress. 'The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that's going to take the field on Wednesday and I will tell you what I said to the team,' the head coach said. 'There's always going to be speculation, but it's up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday. 'Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve. 'There has to be movement in selection. The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded. 'We play on Saturday after this and have four weeks worth of training, so you have to stay open-minded. A closed book is not good for anyone. 'I wouldn't call it a blank slate, you have always got ideas, but you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.' Providing X-factor on the bench are back row Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are viable options against Australia. In normal circumstances flanker Tom Curry and prop Tadhg Furlong would be assured of Test places, but they need big games following underwhelming tours so far. Prop Ellis Genge, flanker Ollie Chessum and full-back Blair Kinghorn must also put their best foot forwards amid fierce competition for places. The likes of Dan Sheehan, Itoje, Gibson-Park, Russell and Jack Conan are nailed-on starters. After a disappointing performance against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday, the Lions are looking to build momentum before heading to Adelaide for their penultimate midweek game. The Brumbies were the only provincial side to beat the Lions in 2013 and are dangerous opponents. Team is in for @lionsofficial 🦁 The Hooper brothers could play together for the first time in a professional capacity. Prop Cameron Orr has also been drafted in for this game and could also make his Brumbies debut from the bench. Read more: — ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 7, 2025 'There is a real sense of excitement because there's a lot of history that goes with this fixture,' Farrell said. 'The last two occasions we have played the Brumbies there have been four points in it, for and against. We know the challenge ahead and it's something we have been looking forward to. 'I have heard reports of how enthusiastic and good training has been for the Brumbies as you would expect when the Lions are coming to town.'
