Charlie Gamble has heard "I didn't know you were Tongan" a fair bit
Will Hopoate joins Sam Wykes to chat the new R360 project, the scary Panthers prospect and there's plenty of news and results in women's footy with Shellie Long.
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SBS Australia
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Rodeo showcasing young First Nations riders
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News.com.au
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Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper stands by decision to join English club Exeter
Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper has no regrets about signing with English club Exeter despite it possibly costing him his Australian jersey. Hooper, 24, is set to link with Exeter after the conclusion of the Rugby Championship in early October. Despite the scrapping of the Giteau Law, which limited the number of overseas-based Australians allowed to be picked for Wallabies duty, Rugby Australia chief executive officer Phil Waugh last week said domestic players of 'equal' calibre would still be prioritised. While Hooper – who has spent the past five seasons with the ACT Brumbies – is expected to be back playing in Australia in 2027 ahead of that year's Rugby World Cup, he has jeopardised his Wallabies spot for a significant period by joining Exeter. However, he's still comfortable with the decision, which was made seven months ago. 'I still stand by that decision, because I'm going to go over there and improve as a player,' Hooper said from Johannesburg. where the Wallabies will meet world champions South Africa on Sunday morning (AEST). 'I don't have a crystal ball. Unfortunately, I don't know what's going to happen in my future, but I'll just keep making decisions based on being a good rugby player and hopefully playing in that gold jersey, because I absolutely love it. 'Right now I'm just focusing where my feet are, and right now my feet are in South Africa, and I've got a job to do here. 'Soon enough, we'll be back home. I have a job to do there, and then I have a job to do in the Exeter jersey, and I'll pour every little bit of energy that I can into that team, improve as a player, hopefully improve that club, and then whatever my next journey is, I'll do the exact same thing.' Hooper is in top form after producing a man-of-the-match performance in Australia's 22-12 win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney earlier this month. It was Hooper's first starting appearance for Australia since the 2023 World Cup. Introducing ourselves to the locals ðŸ�¾ NEXT MATCH 🆚 Springboks ðŸ—'ï¸� Sunday August 17 | 1:10am AEST ðŸ�Ÿï¸� Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg ðŸ'° @StanSportAU #Wallabies — Wallabies (@wallabies) August 11, 2025 'It was a huge moment,' Hooper said. 'Watching back at the game. I think there was a few other guys that were probably more deserving. They were amazing, but it was definitely a team effort. 'I know it sounds clichéd, but it was just good for me to get back in that starting jersey. It's the first time I've been back there since the World Cup. 'It's been a long road on field and off field. It was pretty special to be out there, and just to get the win, more than anything. 'It was great to get the win with the guys and be a part of a change room that had a great vibe about it.' It's a 'vibe' the Wallabies have brought with them to South Africa. 'You saw throughout that Test series (against the Lions), we were in the business of getting better, and we're just going to continue to strive to do that,' Hooper said. 'It's really nice and calm among the group, but we know we've got a lot to take on board mentally, and then from there, we're just physically working.'
7NEWS
12 hours ago
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Titans star Carter Gordon shares fresh details on ‘traumatic' injury ahead of return to action
Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon is set to play his first rugby league game in 357 days after an inspirational return from surgery following a spinal fluid leak. The 24-year-old will play in the halves for Gold Coast 's affiliate club Ipswich in the Queensland Cup clash with Clydesdales in Miles on Saturday afternoon. Gordon underwent successful surgery in Perth in May under the care of neurosurgeon Dr Arul Bala. Signed to Gold Coast in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for 2025-26, the ex-Rugby World Cup playmaker is yet to debut in the NRL due to injury. But he has worked his way back over the past three months, including the last four to six weeks in full contact training. Gordon's last game was on August 24 last year when allocated to the other Titans feeder club Tweed Heads. He returns to action after a challenging year and as a new father to six-week-old daughter Ellie with fiancee Abbey. 'It's super-exciting. I had a bit of a crazy year with the injury and having a baby so it's a bit of a full-circle moment,' 24-year-old Gordon told AAP. 'I came into the game fresh and I've had a lot of time to watch rugby league and learn from that so it is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I've learnt.' In pre-season, Gordon woke up one morning with a sore back. Then he would get shooting pain in the head and the back of the neck any time he sat up or stood up. For two weeks he laid flat on his back, only getting up to go to the toilet. He would eat all of his food lying down. Gordon started feeling better and it got to the point where he could start doing some training, mainly running and work in the gym. The realisation hit home however that something else needed to be done. Dr Bala had the answer. 'I'd spoken to other surgeons and obviously there is a lot of risk involved,' Gordon said. 'That can be scary for both parties but when I saw Dr Bala in person in Perth he was super-confident to get the surgery done. He said, 'it is bread and butter surgery' and he was happy for me to start contact eight weeks after surgery.' Staying mentally strong was a challenge through the recovery process but Gordon stayed focused on the day-to-day process. 'It's hard to look ahead when you don't really have a set plan. It took so long to get the surgery done and properly diagnose what had happened,' Gordon said. 'By the time we did have a plan it was all about moving forward and looking good to come back and play. 'In the trenches with the injury it was hard to think about anything else because it was quite a traumatic experience. I'm very grateful to be out the other side.' Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies. He has trained at centre and in the halves at the Titans but it is a playmaker that he aims to make his mark in the NRL. 'I am playing six for Ippy (Ipswich) I believe. That's where I see myself long term,' Gordon said. 'I still want to get games in this year for Q Cup and depending how I am going hopefully get an NRL debut. 'My focus right now is getting on the field and doing my best for Ippy.'
