‘I've read the tours agreement': Schmidt fires back at Lions boss
Australia coach Joe Schmidt has responded strongly to a 'warning' from the British and Irish Lions that he must release players back to Super Rugby sides for tour games, saying his plans abide by the tour agreement and state sides will be well-stocked with Wallabies players.
The Lions adopted an aggressive stance on their very first day in Australia on Monday, w hen chief executive Ben Calveley told media in Perth that he expected Schmidt to continue releasing Wallabies players from his Sydney-based camp for the tour matches ahead of the three-Test series next month.
Schmidt has said he plans to 'quarantine' a group of around 25 players to prepare for a Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, and to ensure they won't be injured ahead of the Lions Test series thereafter.
After naming a Wallabies squad last week, Schmidt left five squad members in Perth to play for the Force against the Lions on Saturday.
Calveley welcomed the strength of the Force side but said he would continue to press RA boss Phil Waugh to ensure Wallabies players are also released for games against Queensland and NSW, as per the tour agreement.
In a press conference where Calveley also spoke about the Lions' willingness to play in other areas like Argentina, America and France, the threat of Australia losing its status as a destination for the lucrative Lions tours appeared to be attached.
'The agreement is very clear: it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,' Calveley said.
'That is our expectation, it's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just for a performance standpoint – the players do want to test themselves and build towards the Test series – but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures, and for the rugby-loving public. That would be their expectation as well.
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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Jockey James McDonald resumes premiership chase at Wednesday's Randwick-Kensington meeting
Champion jockey James McDonald continues his relentless march towards a seventh successive Sydney premiership with six rides at Randwick's Kensington meeting on Wednesday. McDonald has ridden 81 Sydney winners so far in the 2024-25 and with 11 metropolitan meetings remaining for the season he has a commanding premiership lead over nearest rival Zac Lloyd on 64 wins then Jason Collett on 61. In the history of Sydney racing, only one jockey has won more than six consecutive premierships and that was Hall of Famer George Moore with eight titles in a row between 1961-62 and 1968-89. Although McDonald intends taking a short break before the new season starts on August 1, he is intent on winning his seventh Sydney premiership in a row, and his ninth overall. • 'Ever since I've been back from disqualification (in 2018) I have won the premiership each year,'' McDonald said. 'It's something I am very proud of and it would be lovely to win that title again.'' McDonald hasn't ridden in Sydney since earlier this month as he has been interstate and then travelled to Royal Ascot in England last week he is the star attraction at Wednesday's winter meeting. The world's number-one ranked jockey competes as fiercely at a Sydney midweek meeting as he does in a Group 1 race which is reflected by his consistent results and premiership success in recent years. McDonald, who has ridden exactly 100 career winners at Kensington for a healthy strike-rate of 17.7%, is on favourites Frosty Girl, Pink Shalala and Getafix. Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has also had a sensational 2024-25 season with a national record of 19 Group 1 wins and has already secured his 15th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership with 132 winners. He has booked McDonald in five races on Indigo Star, Royal Air Force, Beside The Ocean, Frosty Girl and Pink Shalala. Trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton have secured McDonald for the Kensington closer on Getafix. In an exclusive interview with News Corp, McDonald reflected on his outstanding 2024-25 season, his hopes of equalling the national Group 1 riding record, and his horses to watch for the coming spring carnival. â– â– â– â– â– The Group 1 record McDonald is riding favourite Firestorm in the final Group 1 of the season, the $700,000 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and if successful he will equal the longstanding national riding record of 16 Group 1 races in a season set by 'Miracle' Mal Johnston in 1979-80. 'Firestorm is definitely a runner's chance,'' McDonald said. 'It would be a huge honour if I could get the record as I have great respect for 'Miracle'. He was an amazing jockey.'' â– â– â– â– â– The season McDonald has enjoyed a career-best season with 21 Group 1 winners so far in 2024-25 including six major race wins overseas. 'It's been a season to dream of, really,'' he said. 'I don't think I could beat what I achieved in the previous years but this season has exceeded them, to be fair. 'I'm extremely proud of my results and I also think back on those near misses in the Saudi Cup and the Dubai Turf so my season could have been off the charts.'' â– â– â– â– â– The highlight ðŸ�† AN INCREDIBLE RACE!! 🇯🇵 FOREVER YOUNG DEFEATS ROMANTIC WARRIOR IN THE 2025 SAUDI CUP!! #SaudiCup | @TheSaudiCup | @netkeiba | @JRAVAN_info | @yahagistable | #サウジカップ | #フォーエãƒ�ーヤング — Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2025 McDonald could easily have nominated his spectacular wins on champion mare Via Sistina in the Cox Plate and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, or any of his successes with Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior as his season highlight – but instead he chose a narrow loss in Saudi Arabia! 'It might sound funny but my highlight was the Saudi Cup, even though Romantic Warrior was narrowly beaten,'' he said. 'Obviously, I would have loved to have won the race but I learned so much from that loss. 'It was the most respect I have ever had for a racehorse's performance, to go down fighting like Romantic Warrior did that day (second to Forever Young). The duel those two horses had, and they were 11 lengths clear of the rest of the field, was epic.'' â– â– â– â– â– Romantic Warrior History is made! ðŸ�† ROMANTIC WARRIOR becomes the first three-time winner of the Longines Hong Kong Cup for @mcacajamez and Danny Shum! #HKIR | #HKRacing | @HKJC_Racing — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 8, 2024 Hong Kong's champion Romantic Warrior underwent surgery for a fetlock injury last month but has made a complete recovery and will return to racing later this year. 'Romantic Warrior seems fine now and will be back for sure,'' McDonald said. 'He will have his first run in November (Group 2 Jockey Club Cup) and then second-up he will be going for a fourth successive Hong Kong (International) Cup in December.'' â– â– â– â– â– The travel Just so good, Voyage Bubble! ðŸ'' We can't believe it's already 11 days since the crowning our second #TripleCrown winner in Hong Kong racing history... @mcacajamez #ThrowbackThursday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 5, 2025 McDonald's hectic schedule had him riding all over the world this season, winning races in Hong Kong, Japan, United Arab Emirates and England as well as his many commitments in Australian racing. 'I knew my schedule was always going to be pretty busy – it's affected my sleep patterns for sure,'' he said. 'I think it was my trips to the Middle East that really knocked me around the most. I did three trips in a few weeks and that took its toll. 'I've had to go to Hong Kong plenty of times but that is sort of in our time-zone and I've got that down to a bit of a fine art now. 'Then to get a winner at Royal Ascot last week was very special and capped off my season. â– â– â– â– â– Horses to watch Did we just see the Golden Slipper winner?! 😮 Wodeton wins brilliantly at Rosehill for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez! @aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAus — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025 McDonald got to put Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton through his paces at Rosehill trackwork on Tuesday morning which is a sure sign that the countdown to the spring carnival has begun. The champion jockey revealed the horses he believes will make a huge impact in the new season – Chris Waller's outstanding rising four-year-olds mares Autumn Glow, Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana. 'Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah look unbelievably good – I think they are the two most exciting horses in the country,'' he said. 'One is trying to keep her unbeaten record intact (Autumn Glow) and the other keeps raising the bar (Lady Shenandoah). 'I would love to get back on Aeliana for sure but that is up to her connections. These three are lightly-raced and untapped, really.''
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas's best bets, quaddie picks for Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday
Form expert Ray Thomas analyses the seven-race card on Randwick's Kensington track on Wednesday, presenting his best bets and quaddie picks. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET Race 2 No.3 RAGING FORCE: Speedy two-year-old from the Peter Snowden stable coming off a brilliant first-up win in smart time. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.6 FROSTY GIRL: Promising filly made a last-to-first swoop to win impressively on debut. Expect more of the same. VALUE BET Race 6 No.6 HASTY HONEY: She ran very well first-up at Warwick Farm and will appreciate the firmer track conditions. Underrated mare who is good each way value. QUADDIE Race 4: 2,6,10 Race 5: 2,3,8,9 Race 6: 3,5,6,7 Race 7: 1,2,7,13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW James McDonald has six very competitive rides including favourites Frosty Girl, Pink Shalala and Getafix. TRAINER TO FOLLOW Champion conditioner Peter Snowden has a strong team entered with the likes of Raging Force, California Sunrise and Braveheart. â– â– â– â– â– I've liked the look of POISONOUS (3) at the trials and will lean his way to make a winning debut. A well bred son of Brazen Beau, Poisonous has won both trials this preparation, showing good natural speed. INDIGO STAR (2) chased home Poisonous in a Warwick Farm trial before resuming with a narrow loss at Canterbury. He's got the edge over Poisonous in race fitness and experience. COLD BREW (1) did plenty wrong under pressure when second on this track first-up. He's been runner-up in four of his five starts and his turn is coming. STARDEEL (5) is probably looking for further but it was hard to miss his fast-finishing effort when resuming here two weeks ago. BET: POISONOUS (3) to win but watch market moves for INDIGO STAR (2). RAGING FORCE (3) was one of the favourites for the Breeders Plate on debut when he ran sixth to King Kirk back in spring. He finally resumed racing at Muswellbrook in the Red Crown and produced a brilliant frontrunning display to win easily in fast time despite the soft 6 track rating. He will be hard to catch over 1100m on the Kenso. JUST LEGENDARY (2) led for home and fought hard when second on debut at Gosford. He's drawn outside of Raging Force but will make a race of it. THE MAGIC MAN (1) showed promise when last in work and Royal Air Force is one to watch. BET: RAGING FORCE (3) to win. WOLLZEILE (1) was three-wide without cover throughout but still tried hard when fourth to Hidden Motive last start. She was stakes placed at Scone when resuming two starts back, she drops to midweek grade and is well placed after the claim. This is her chance. AGATHA (4), raced by Greg Kolivos of Pierro fame, makes her debut after some smart trial barrier efforts. In her most recent trials, she covered extra ground but powered the line in the style of her dam, the multiple stakes winner Nayeli. VINCETIO (10), who comes from a great family that traces back to Silver Slipper winners Been There and Rainbeam, and 1945 Melbourne Cup winner Rainbird, has looked a natural in successive trial wins. BESIDE THE OCEAN (5), SAPPHIRE ROSE (2), MILK FOAM (7) and LAPIS LAZULI (3) have claims in a deep race. BET: Box trifecta 1,4,5,10. FROSTY GIRL (6) created a huge impression on debut. She was a touch slow to begin, was taken back to last early, then came around the field and powered clear to beat perennial placegetter Cinsault with ease at Warwick Farm. Promising filly who is staying at 1300m but had an easy trial between runs and James McDonald stays with her. INDEFENSIBLE (10) has produced strong finishing efforts to score successive wins and getting to 1300m will suit. GLORIOSO (2) and CALIFORNIA SUNRISE (3) are also impressive last start winners. BET: FROSTY GIRL (6) to win, saver on INDEFENSIBLE (10) at odds. AXIUS (8), a striking chestnut by Justify, showed plenty of potential at his debut preparation last winter and is resuming off a long spell. He led in each of his three starts, winning with authority at Canterbury then was spelled after failing in Autumn Glow's Up And Coming Stakes. He's resuming off two barrier trials, is well drawn and gets in nicely at the weights after the claim. FORMAL (3) is flying with successive provincial wins and is also drawn to advantage. POWER OF THE BRAVE (2) will appreciate the firmer track conditions and BRAVEHEART (9) is lightly raced but has talent. BET: Box trifecta 2,3,8,9. HASTY HONEY (6) is good value in an open race. She drew the rails and was caught on inferior going near the fence but stuck to her task gamely to finish within a length of the winner, Fiddlers Green, in fourth place. It was a very good return from an underrated mare who is drawn to get the right run here. Plenty of dangers including PINK SHALALA (5) who is always thereabouts and will win one soon. VICTORY LANE (3) doesn't win often but is racing well and is suited here. KENMARE BAY (7) got a lovely ride to win well last start but has to overcome a wide gate here. BET: HASTY HONEY (6) each way. BELIEVE IN ANGELS (13) was trapped wide when racing on speed first-up at Warwick Farm but was still in the mix near the line before finishing a close third to Fiddlers Green. She was a well-backed favourite last start and is worth another chance despite drawing awkwardly again. LUGH (7) is promising. He gets back in his races but has a powerful finishing surge and this race will be run at a very solid tempo which suits him. GETAFIX (1) is the best horse in the race and will also be running home hard. FIDDLERS GREEN (2) won well first-up and usually holds his form.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Season-defining call: Cowboys switch up the halves after horror month as veteran playmaker earns Newcastle recall
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has made a raft of changes in a bid to fire up his underperforming team, with Tom Trbojevic to play just his sixth club game at centre after he was moved from fullback for Friday's match against the Wests Tigers. Lehi Hopoate will start in his preferred position at fullback, while Trbojevic moves to centre where he's starred for both NSW and Australia. 'I had a lot of input from the coaches, but we've got someone like Lehi there who's very good at fullback,' he said on Monday. 'I'm not unfamiliar with playing centre, I've done it before. It'll be a different challenge for me and one I'm excited for.' Speedster Jason Saab drops out of the 17 which sees Reuben Garrick push out to right wing, while Jazz Tevaga replaces Lachlan Croker at hooker and Corey Waddell comes in for the injured Haumole Olakau'atu. They face a Tigers side that has named Heath Mason at fullback in place of Jahream Bula (hamstring), with exciting youngster Latu Fainu set to partner Jarome Luai in the halves. Veteran playmaker Jackson Hastings has been brought in for just his second game of the year in place of livewire five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe who could miss the rest of the season after he suffered a lacerated kidney in Perth. It's a major loss for Newcastle given his speed around the ruck, with Hastings to get a rare chance after falling out of favour. They do get Jacob Saifiti in the middle, while powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew could also return against a Raiders side missing Hudson Young who has been rested to manage an ongoing groin issue. Nathan Cleary is a confirmed starter for Penrith after injuring his groin the day before Origin II, with the premiers welcoming back all their Blues stars against the Bulldogs who have again named Lachlan Galvin on the bench. Souths have received a triple boost with Campbell Graham, Cody Walker and Peter Mamouzelos all returning to the 17 for the trip to Brisbane to take on the Dolphins who have gone with Junior Tupou on the wing to replace Jack Bostock (ACL). The Jaxon Purdue experiment in the halves is over with the young gun returning to left centre which sees Jake Clifford return to the halves for a Cowboys side that has fallen apart defensively in recent weeks. Origin stars Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter are back on deck against a Titans side that has named Tom Weaver to replace halfback Jayden Campbell (concussion protocols). Kyle Flanagan has kept his spot at halfback for the Dragons who welcome back Jaydn Su'A and Christian Tuipulotu for their game against the Eels who get Dylan Brown back from suspension to partner Dean Hawkins in the halves. Jordan Samrani starts at right centre and Joey Lussick keeps his spot at hooker with Will Penisini and Ryley Smith suspended.
