Is the Wallabies working the canteen enough to get you to their game? It should be
THE Wallabies were once Australia's favourite team. Sports fans above the age of 30 will recall the halcyon days.
But times have changed, which is why the new-generation Wallabies have been bending over backwards to connect with fans in Newcastle the past few days.
Players were mobbed by school kids at an open training session on Friday.
Wallabies then served in the canteen, cooked snags on the barbecue, sold raffle tickets, and stood in the cold watching club rugby on Saturday
Joseph Sua'ali'i - the game's $5 million man - joined starry-eyed youngsters for a game of touch footy.
The Wallabies have invested in Newcastle, and they're hoping the city invests in them when they play Fiji this weekend.
It's a long way from those glory years, and it's hard to imagine the likes of George Gregan, Wendell Sailor or Matt Burke having to man the canteen to drum up support.
In 2002, the Bledisloe Cup took pride of place in a clattered trophy cabinet.
Not even a heart-breaking defeat courtesy of a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal in the World Cup final on home soil in 2003 hurt the Wallabies' popularity.
As the saying goes - or went - 'everyone wanted tro be a Wallaby'.
You could mount a similar argument in 2015.
Again, Australia made the World Cup final, going down 34-17 to the All Blacks.
Kids wanted to be the next Will Genia, the next Israel Folau, Matt Giteau, Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale ...
However, the Wallabies results and popularity have since dropped off a cliff.
Rock bottom was the 2023 World Cup in France and Australia's failure to progress past the group stage.
The Matildas, Aussie cricket, Socceroos and Kangaroos now vie for Australia's most-loved-team tag.
The Wallabies sit fifth, ahead of the Boomers, just.
But maybe, just maybe, it's time for the Australian public to jump back on board.
An encouraging 2024 under well-credentialed Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt is reason for optimism.
The Wallabies take on Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday ahead of a blockbuster series against the British and Irish Lions.
The hard work has not been restricted to the training paddock and gym.
The Wallabies have gone above and beyong to interact with the community since arriving in Newcastle.
"Going to watch the Shute Shield, everyone was very accommodating," Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight said. "There were plenty of young fans getting autographs. We had about 300 school kids at an open training session as well. It has been great.
"Getting together with communities and representing the brand of the Wallabies is super important."
So too is winning Test matches.
While there is much hype about the Lions series, the Wallabies are focused on Fiji.
The Pacific Island nation upset Australia 22-15 - and sent shockwaves across the 2023 World Cup - in their last encounter.
"That was a tough game obviously," said McReight, who played breakaway at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
"They were up for it and played a cracker. It was the first time they had beaten us in 60 or 70 years.
"This is not a warm-up game. This is a game we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, which is a bloody good side.
"They have threats all over the park, but so do we. It is about building on how we finished last year.
"Now we are in year two under Joe Schmidt, we build a bigger base and be more clinical.
"We watched some clips [from the last loss to Fiji] this week. A lot of the clips were the first time I had rewatched parts of that game. We are not too worried about getting revenge.
"We have a new group here. We have a new destination where we want to go."
Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is one of two uncapped players, alongside Corey Toole, in the 36-man Wallabies squad.
The 28-year-old from Canberra, like many of the current crop, is largely unknown in the wider rugby community.
He finished school and moved to Sydney, where he played in the Shute Shield before four years in the Top 14 in France with Castres.
He played for the Force in a 54-7 defeat to the Lions on Saturday - the tourists' opening game - and arrived in Newcastle Sunday night.
Now, he has a chance to make a name for himself with the Wallabies.
"To play for the Wallabies is the pinnacle," Champion de Crespigny. "You grow up watching them. It would mean everything to me."
And just maybe to the rest of us.
THE Wallabies were once Australia's favourite team. Sports fans above the age of 30 will recall the halcyon days.
But times have changed, which is why the new-generation Wallabies have been bending over backwards to connect with fans in Newcastle the past few days.
Players were mobbed by school kids at an open training session on Friday.
Wallabies then served in the canteen, cooked snags on the barbecue, sold raffle tickets, and stood in the cold watching club rugby on Saturday
Joseph Sua'ali'i - the game's $5 million man - joined starry-eyed youngsters for a game of touch footy.
The Wallabies have invested in Newcastle, and they're hoping the city invests in them when they play Fiji this weekend.
It's a long way from those glory years, and it's hard to imagine the likes of George Gregan, Wendell Sailor or Matt Burke having to man the canteen to drum up support.
In 2002, the Bledisloe Cup took pride of place in a clattered trophy cabinet.
Not even a heart-breaking defeat courtesy of a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal in the World Cup final on home soil in 2003 hurt the Wallabies' popularity.
As the saying goes - or went - 'everyone wanted tro be a Wallaby'.
You could mount a similar argument in 2015.
Again, Australia made the World Cup final, going down 34-17 to the All Blacks.
Kids wanted to be the next Will Genia, the next Israel Folau, Matt Giteau, Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale ...
However, the Wallabies results and popularity have since dropped off a cliff.
Rock bottom was the 2023 World Cup in France and Australia's failure to progress past the group stage.
The Matildas, Aussie cricket, Socceroos and Kangaroos now vie for Australia's most-loved-team tag.
The Wallabies sit fifth, ahead of the Boomers, just.
But maybe, just maybe, it's time for the Australian public to jump back on board.
An encouraging 2024 under well-credentialed Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt is reason for optimism.
The Wallabies take on Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday ahead of a blockbuster series against the British and Irish Lions.
The hard work has not been restricted to the training paddock and gym.
The Wallabies have gone above and beyong to interact with the community since arriving in Newcastle.
"Going to watch the Shute Shield, everyone was very accommodating," Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight said. "There were plenty of young fans getting autographs. We had about 300 school kids at an open training session as well. It has been great.
"Getting together with communities and representing the brand of the Wallabies is super important."
So too is winning Test matches.
While there is much hype about the Lions series, the Wallabies are focused on Fiji.
The Pacific Island nation upset Australia 22-15 - and sent shockwaves across the 2023 World Cup - in their last encounter.
"That was a tough game obviously," said McReight, who played breakaway at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
"They were up for it and played a cracker. It was the first time they had beaten us in 60 or 70 years.
"This is not a warm-up game. This is a game we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, which is a bloody good side.
"They have threats all over the park, but so do we. It is about building on how we finished last year.
"Now we are in year two under Joe Schmidt, we build a bigger base and be more clinical.
"We watched some clips [from the last loss to Fiji] this week. A lot of the clips were the first time I had rewatched parts of that game. We are not too worried about getting revenge.
"We have a new group here. We have a new destination where we want to go."
Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is one of two uncapped players, alongside Corey Toole, in the 36-man Wallabies squad.
The 28-year-old from Canberra, like many of the current crop, is largely unknown in the wider rugby community.
He finished school and moved to Sydney, where he played in the Shute Shield before four years in the Top 14 in France with Castres.
He played for the Force in a 54-7 defeat to the Lions on Saturday - the tourists' opening game - and arrived in Newcastle Sunday night.
Now, he has a chance to make a name for himself with the Wallabies.
"To play for the Wallabies is the pinnacle," Champion de Crespigny. "You grow up watching them. It would mean everything to me."
And just maybe to the rest of us.
THE Wallabies were once Australia's favourite team. Sports fans above the age of 30 will recall the halcyon days.
But times have changed, which is why the new-generation Wallabies have been bending over backwards to connect with fans in Newcastle the past few days.
Players were mobbed by school kids at an open training session on Friday.
Wallabies then served in the canteen, cooked snags on the barbecue, sold raffle tickets, and stood in the cold watching club rugby on Saturday
Joseph Sua'ali'i - the game's $5 million man - joined starry-eyed youngsters for a game of touch footy.
The Wallabies have invested in Newcastle, and they're hoping the city invests in them when they play Fiji this weekend.
It's a long way from those glory years, and it's hard to imagine the likes of George Gregan, Wendell Sailor or Matt Burke having to man the canteen to drum up support.
In 2002, the Bledisloe Cup took pride of place in a clattered trophy cabinet.
Not even a heart-breaking defeat courtesy of a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal in the World Cup final on home soil in 2003 hurt the Wallabies' popularity.
As the saying goes - or went - 'everyone wanted tro be a Wallaby'.
You could mount a similar argument in 2015.
Again, Australia made the World Cup final, going down 34-17 to the All Blacks.
Kids wanted to be the next Will Genia, the next Israel Folau, Matt Giteau, Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale ...
However, the Wallabies results and popularity have since dropped off a cliff.
Rock bottom was the 2023 World Cup in France and Australia's failure to progress past the group stage.
The Matildas, Aussie cricket, Socceroos and Kangaroos now vie for Australia's most-loved-team tag.
The Wallabies sit fifth, ahead of the Boomers, just.
But maybe, just maybe, it's time for the Australian public to jump back on board.
An encouraging 2024 under well-credentialed Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt is reason for optimism.
The Wallabies take on Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday ahead of a blockbuster series against the British and Irish Lions.
The hard work has not been restricted to the training paddock and gym.
The Wallabies have gone above and beyong to interact with the community since arriving in Newcastle.
"Going to watch the Shute Shield, everyone was very accommodating," Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight said. "There were plenty of young fans getting autographs. We had about 300 school kids at an open training session as well. It has been great.
"Getting together with communities and representing the brand of the Wallabies is super important."
So too is winning Test matches.
While there is much hype about the Lions series, the Wallabies are focused on Fiji.
The Pacific Island nation upset Australia 22-15 - and sent shockwaves across the 2023 World Cup - in their last encounter.
"That was a tough game obviously," said McReight, who played breakaway at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
"They were up for it and played a cracker. It was the first time they had beaten us in 60 or 70 years.
"This is not a warm-up game. This is a game we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, which is a bloody good side.
"They have threats all over the park, but so do we. It is about building on how we finished last year.
"Now we are in year two under Joe Schmidt, we build a bigger base and be more clinical.
"We watched some clips [from the last loss to Fiji] this week. A lot of the clips were the first time I had rewatched parts of that game. We are not too worried about getting revenge.
"We have a new group here. We have a new destination where we want to go."
Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is one of two uncapped players, alongside Corey Toole, in the 36-man Wallabies squad.
The 28-year-old from Canberra, like many of the current crop, is largely unknown in the wider rugby community.
He finished school and moved to Sydney, where he played in the Shute Shield before four years in the Top 14 in France with Castres.
He played for the Force in a 54-7 defeat to the Lions on Saturday - the tourists' opening game - and arrived in Newcastle Sunday night.
Now, he has a chance to make a name for himself with the Wallabies.
"To play for the Wallabies is the pinnacle," Champion de Crespigny. "You grow up watching them. It would mean everything to me."
And just maybe to the rest of us.
THE Wallabies were once Australia's favourite team. Sports fans above the age of 30 will recall the halcyon days.
But times have changed, which is why the new-generation Wallabies have been bending over backwards to connect with fans in Newcastle the past few days.
Players were mobbed by school kids at an open training session on Friday.
Wallabies then served in the canteen, cooked snags on the barbecue, sold raffle tickets, and stood in the cold watching club rugby on Saturday
Joseph Sua'ali'i - the game's $5 million man - joined starry-eyed youngsters for a game of touch footy.
The Wallabies have invested in Newcastle, and they're hoping the city invests in them when they play Fiji this weekend.
It's a long way from those glory years, and it's hard to imagine the likes of George Gregan, Wendell Sailor or Matt Burke having to man the canteen to drum up support.
In 2002, the Bledisloe Cup took pride of place in a clattered trophy cabinet.
Not even a heart-breaking defeat courtesy of a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal in the World Cup final on home soil in 2003 hurt the Wallabies' popularity.
As the saying goes - or went - 'everyone wanted tro be a Wallaby'.
You could mount a similar argument in 2015.
Again, Australia made the World Cup final, going down 34-17 to the All Blacks.
Kids wanted to be the next Will Genia, the next Israel Folau, Matt Giteau, Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale ...
However, the Wallabies results and popularity have since dropped off a cliff.
Rock bottom was the 2023 World Cup in France and Australia's failure to progress past the group stage.
The Matildas, Aussie cricket, Socceroos and Kangaroos now vie for Australia's most-loved-team tag.
The Wallabies sit fifth, ahead of the Boomers, just.
But maybe, just maybe, it's time for the Australian public to jump back on board.
An encouraging 2024 under well-credentialed Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt is reason for optimism.
The Wallabies take on Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday ahead of a blockbuster series against the British and Irish Lions.
The hard work has not been restricted to the training paddock and gym.
The Wallabies have gone above and beyong to interact with the community since arriving in Newcastle.
"Going to watch the Shute Shield, everyone was very accommodating," Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight said. "There were plenty of young fans getting autographs. We had about 300 school kids at an open training session as well. It has been great.
"Getting together with communities and representing the brand of the Wallabies is super important."
So too is winning Test matches.
While there is much hype about the Lions series, the Wallabies are focused on Fiji.
The Pacific Island nation upset Australia 22-15 - and sent shockwaves across the 2023 World Cup - in their last encounter.
"That was a tough game obviously," said McReight, who played breakaway at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
"They were up for it and played a cracker. It was the first time they had beaten us in 60 or 70 years.
"This is not a warm-up game. This is a game we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, which is a bloody good side.
"They have threats all over the park, but so do we. It is about building on how we finished last year.
"Now we are in year two under Joe Schmidt, we build a bigger base and be more clinical.
"We watched some clips [from the last loss to Fiji] this week. A lot of the clips were the first time I had rewatched parts of that game. We are not too worried about getting revenge.
"We have a new group here. We have a new destination where we want to go."
Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is one of two uncapped players, alongside Corey Toole, in the 36-man Wallabies squad.
The 28-year-old from Canberra, like many of the current crop, is largely unknown in the wider rugby community.
He finished school and moved to Sydney, where he played in the Shute Shield before four years in the Top 14 in France with Castres.
He played for the Force in a 54-7 defeat to the Lions on Saturday - the tourists' opening game - and arrived in Newcastle Sunday night.
Now, he has a chance to make a name for himself with the Wallabies.
"To play for the Wallabies is the pinnacle," Champion de Crespigny. "You grow up watching them. It would mean everything to me."
And just maybe to the rest of us.
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The Woy Woy junior made his debut in game three of the 2023 series, scoring two tries, before being recalled last year for the decider, crossing for a crucial try in the Blues' 14-4 win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Hampered by injuries at times throughout his career, all going well, Best should make his 100th NRL appearance for the Knights at home in their match against the Warriors on Sunday, July 20. Now in his seventh NRL season, given his representative honours, Best is fast becoming one of Newcastle's most experienced players. With the ability to break a game open, he is embracing that responsibility as he approaches his 24th birthday in August. "I've got to step up to that challenge and take it with both hands," he said. "I know how much I mean to this team, so I think for me it's just trying to be in big moments and create moments. "Going out there and doing my part." Knights centre Bradman Best isn't sure if he will have a footy player or boxer on his hands in years to come. Best and his partner, Kayla Fenech, are expecting their first child next January. The couple announced the news late last week. "It's unreal for me and my partner," Best said. "To have her by my side, and then it's very exciting to bring bub early next year. I can't wait." Kayla is the daughter of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who won several world titles through the late 1980s and early 90s. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and had a professional record of 29 wins, three losses and one draw. "He can't wait, he's stoked," Best said of Jeff's reaction. "He keeps telling me how good the genes are going to be. "My family are very happy as well, and proud." A star in his own right, having played 98 NRL games, two Origins and been on the cusp of representing Australia last year, Best comes from rich sporting bloodlines himself. His father Roger Best played in the lower grades for Manly and with the London Broncos in England, while his grandfather, Peter Byrne, played a handful of games for Manly and Newtown. Bradman almost joined Manly as a teenager because of those ties. So combined with the Fenech genes, will baby Best ultimately make their way into boxing or rugby league? "Hopefully, if it's a boy, he can choose," Best, who has an interest in boxing himself, said. "He'll be pretty talented I think." Best's baby will be due just a few weeks before the Knights head to America next year for the 2026 season-opener in Las Vegas. Still receiving plenty of congratulations late last week, Best headed to Hamilton Island over the weekend for a brief break while Newcastle's players were given some time off during this week's bye round. But his trip was interrupted by a surprise call-up to the NSW squad. Best was only playing his second match back from an injury spell in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday, but had scored a double in his return appearance against the Dolphins a week prior. The 23-year-old was an incumbent heading into this year's Origin series, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of potential selection for games one and two. Best has been named at No.20 for the Blues and isn't expected to play, but if he was a late inclusion, it would be the third consecutive year he has played in Origin III. The Woy Woy junior made his debut in game three of the 2023 series, scoring two tries, before being recalled last year for the decider, crossing for a crucial try in the Blues' 14-4 win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Hampered by injuries at times throughout his career, all going well, Best should make his 100th NRL appearance for the Knights at home in their match against the Warriors on Sunday, July 20. Now in his seventh NRL season, given his representative honours, Best is fast becoming one of Newcastle's most experienced players. With the ability to break a game open, he is embracing that responsibility as he approaches his 24th birthday in August. "I've got to step up to that challenge and take it with both hands," he said. "I know how much I mean to this team, so I think for me it's just trying to be in big moments and create moments. "Going out there and doing my part." Knights centre Bradman Best isn't sure if he will have a footy player or boxer on his hands in years to come. Best and his partner, Kayla Fenech, are expecting their first child next January. The couple announced the news late last week. "It's unreal for me and my partner," Best said. "To have her by my side, and then it's very exciting to bring bub early next year. I can't wait." Kayla is the daughter of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who won several world titles through the late 1980s and early 90s. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and had a professional record of 29 wins, three losses and one draw. "He can't wait, he's stoked," Best said of Jeff's reaction. "He keeps telling me how good the genes are going to be. "My family are very happy as well, and proud." A star in his own right, having played 98 NRL games, two Origins and been on the cusp of representing Australia last year, Best comes from rich sporting bloodlines himself. His father Roger Best played in the lower grades for Manly and with the London Broncos in England, while his grandfather, Peter Byrne, played a handful of games for Manly and Newtown. Bradman almost joined Manly as a teenager because of those ties. So combined with the Fenech genes, will baby Best ultimately make their way into boxing or rugby league? "Hopefully, if it's a boy, he can choose," Best, who has an interest in boxing himself, said. "He'll be pretty talented I think." Best's baby will be due just a few weeks before the Knights head to America next year for the 2026 season-opener in Las Vegas. Still receiving plenty of congratulations late last week, Best headed to Hamilton Island over the weekend for a brief break while Newcastle's players were given some time off during this week's bye round. But his trip was interrupted by a surprise call-up to the NSW squad. Best was only playing his second match back from an injury spell in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday, but had scored a double in his return appearance against the Dolphins a week prior. The 23-year-old was an incumbent heading into this year's Origin series, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of potential selection for games one and two. Best has been named at No.20 for the Blues and isn't expected to play, but if he was a late inclusion, it would be the third consecutive year he has played in Origin III. The Woy Woy junior made his debut in game three of the 2023 series, scoring two tries, before being recalled last year for the decider, crossing for a crucial try in the Blues' 14-4 win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Hampered by injuries at times throughout his career, all going well, Best should make his 100th NRL appearance for the Knights at home in their match against the Warriors on Sunday, July 20. Now in his seventh NRL season, given his representative honours, Best is fast becoming one of Newcastle's most experienced players. With the ability to break a game open, he is embracing that responsibility as he approaches his 24th birthday in August. "I've got to step up to that challenge and take it with both hands," he said. "I know how much I mean to this team, so I think for me it's just trying to be in big moments and create moments. "Going out there and doing my part."
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Australian cricket champ Nathan Lyon passes ‘songmaster' baton to Alex carey
Legendary spinner Nathan Lyon has called time ... not on his career, but on his role as the Australian 'songmaster'. The songmaster is a time-honoured position within the team, and decides where and when the victory song will be sung after a Test victory. As it is widely known, the Australian team sings Under the Southern Cross after a win, and Lyon has been in charge of leading the song on 67 occasions after Mike Hussey handed him songmaster duties 12 years ago. Now, Lyon has revealed his time is done and Alex Carey is taking over, while insisting this is not the first step to retirement. 'I've been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it's been one of the biggest highlights of my career,' he said. 'It definitely doesn't mean I'm retiring anytime soon. 'It's more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. 'I ran my race with it, and it's time for someone else to put their touch on it.' Lyon said he believed Carey — who was the stand-in songmaster in 2023 when Lyon was injured during the Ashes — was the ideal candidate. And Carey will follow in the footsteps of other champion wicket-keepers and spiritual leaders such as Rod Marsh and Ian Healy. Greats such as Allan Border, Ricky Ponting, and Justin Langer have also held the role. Lyon explained the handover process, which is now becoming a type of ritual ... and how Hussey had passed on the appointment to him 12 years ago. 'I went up to his room on the second night (of the first Test against West Indies),' he said. 'I wrote him a little hand(written) letter … and spoke to him about the reasons why I've come to the decision. 'He was pretty taken aback by it, but it was pretty cool little moment.' As the team headed to Grenada for the second Test (starting at 12am on Friday AEST), Lyon stressed retirement was a long way off and there were bucket-list items he still wanted to tick off. 'I've always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England,' Lyon said. 'We've got that opportunity in a couple of years' time, but we've also got to take it Test by Test and make sure that we're doing everything here in West Indies right. 'Then we've got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. 'But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure.'
