NSW v QLD "Changing of the Guard"
James Horwill reflects on the historic 2011 Reds victory that broke a 7 match losing streak v NSW, in a season that he later led the Reds to a Super Rugby title
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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Force to feature in Super Rugby AUS competition
Rugby Australia has confirmed that a competition consisting of Australia's four Super Rugby clubs will start in September. The Super Rugby AUS competition will run over four weeks and involve the Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and Western Force. Each team will play each other once, with a final involving the top two sides taking place on October 5, 'We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches,' RA's high performance and competitions general manager Ben Whitaker said. 'This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action. 'The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August. 'Super Rugby AUS will also be an opportunity to showcase the best emerging player and coaching talent out of club rugby, along with the national and Super Rugby pathway programs.' Dates are set! ðŸ�¨ âš'ï¸� We'll face @Panasonic_WK on October 25 at Ballymore for the Saitama Queensland Shield in a match presented by Quest Kelvin Grove. — Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) June 17, 2025 Meanwhile, the Reds will host Japanese club Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Ballymore on October 25. 2025 Super Rugby AUS schedule Round 1 NSW Waratahs v Western Force – September 13 Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies – September 14 Round 2 NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds – September 20 Western Force v ACT Brumbies – September 21 Round 3 ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – September 27 Western Force v Queensland Reds – September 28
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Super Rugby spin-off: new comp to fix fixture shortage
Rugby Australia have moved to fill a gaping, five-year fixtures hole by confirming a rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS tournament. The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5. The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers. It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds. But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed. "We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday. "This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action. "The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August." Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised. Rugby Australia have moved to fill a gaping, five-year fixtures hole by confirming a rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS tournament. The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5. The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers. It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds. But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed. "We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday. "This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action. "The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August." Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised. Rugby Australia have moved to fill a gaping, five-year fixtures hole by confirming a rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS tournament. The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5. The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers. It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds. But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed. "We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday. "This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action. "The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August." Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cleary feels Luai love as he prepares to equal Johns
Nathan Cleary has warned that NSW's squad has the feel of Penrith's best days again, with he and Jarome Luai slipping straight back into their old combination. Cleary has a chance to win his fourth State of Origin series as NSW halfback on Wednesday, with the Blues heavy favourites to taste victory at Optus Stadium. It will come on an historic night for the Panthers star, who will join Andrew Johns and Mitchell Pearce for the most games in the NSW No.7 jersey, with 16. Cleary and Luai have been teaming up since the age 15, winning 107 of the 134 games they have played together at all levels before the latter's move to Wests Tigers this year. Luai's call up to the NSW's 18-man squad for the injured Mitch Moses now means there are nine members of Penrith's NRL premiership dynasty in the Blues' group, with Matt Burton 18th man. "It is a bit of that feel of that 2021 grand-final team," Cleary said on Tuesday. "(Jarome and I) understand each other's games pretty well. So in that regard, it was a pretty seamless transition with him coming back in. "He was a part of the series last year too. He has those combinations already with the guys around him. "Our combination doesn't change. It's probably more him coming back into the side with those other guys. And I thought he's done that really well." Cleary will be one of the most scrutinised players on the field in Perth on Wednesday night. Despite the four premierships rings at Penrith, there is still a slight stigma attached to the halfback in that he is yet to own an Origin series. Cleary has often been among the Blues' best in big wins, but critics point to the fact he is yet to have a standout moment at the clutch in close games. However, that is largely due to the fact that when NSW have won in the past seven years, Cleary has starred and the Blues have won comfortably. As he prepares to equal the mark made by Johns and Pearce, Cleary said he was far removed the man who debuted under coach Brad Fittler in 2018. "(Origin) comes with more expectations now, with the standing in the game and the amount of games I've played," Cleary said. "But I'm in a position to play my best footy, I had a very simplified role (back then) and contributed where I could. "It's the same now, I want to do my role and my best for the team, but it's having a greater influence on what we're able to do." The 27-year-old is now comfortable with shouldering the pressure associated with having become one of the faces of the game in recent years. Cleary has long labelled the 2019 season as one of the most important of his career, narrowing his focus and making him mature after a poor year for Penrith. He believes this season has also made him a better footballer, with the Panthers trying to climb from the bottom of the ladder after round 12 and back into finals contention. Now into his 10th NRL season, Cleary said his relationship with the sport had also changed since his Penrith debut in 2016 and his NSW start two years later. "I'm still passionate about it, I still love watching it. But I would say in terms of professionalism, that's changed," Cleary said. "This is a duty to my teammates, to my club when I'm playing for my club, and for my state when I'm playing for my state. "I just went out there and played when I was younger. Now it's much more regimented with what I need to do to play my best. "I think I'm definitely more consistent because of that, rather than when I was an 18-year-old." Nathan Cleary has warned that NSW's squad has the feel of Penrith's best days again, with he and Jarome Luai slipping straight back into their old combination. Cleary has a chance to win his fourth State of Origin series as NSW halfback on Wednesday, with the Blues heavy favourites to taste victory at Optus Stadium. It will come on an historic night for the Panthers star, who will join Andrew Johns and Mitchell Pearce for the most games in the NSW No.7 jersey, with 16. Cleary and Luai have been teaming up since the age 15, winning 107 of the 134 games they have played together at all levels before the latter's move to Wests Tigers this year. Luai's call up to the NSW's 18-man squad for the injured Mitch Moses now means there are nine members of Penrith's NRL premiership dynasty in the Blues' group, with Matt Burton 18th man. "It is a bit of that feel of that 2021 grand-final team," Cleary said on Tuesday. "(Jarome and I) understand each other's games pretty well. So in that regard, it was a pretty seamless transition with him coming back in. "He was a part of the series last year too. He has those combinations already with the guys around him. "Our combination doesn't change. It's probably more him coming back into the side with those other guys. And I thought he's done that really well." Cleary will be one of the most scrutinised players on the field in Perth on Wednesday night. Despite the four premierships rings at Penrith, there is still a slight stigma attached to the halfback in that he is yet to own an Origin series. Cleary has often been among the Blues' best in big wins, but critics point to the fact he is yet to have a standout moment at the clutch in close games. However, that is largely due to the fact that when NSW have won in the past seven years, Cleary has starred and the Blues have won comfortably. As he prepares to equal the mark made by Johns and Pearce, Cleary said he was far removed the man who debuted under coach Brad Fittler in 2018. "(Origin) comes with more expectations now, with the standing in the game and the amount of games I've played," Cleary said. "But I'm in a position to play my best footy, I had a very simplified role (back then) and contributed where I could. "It's the same now, I want to do my role and my best for the team, but it's having a greater influence on what we're able to do." The 27-year-old is now comfortable with shouldering the pressure associated with having become one of the faces of the game in recent years. Cleary has long labelled the 2019 season as one of the most important of his career, narrowing his focus and making him mature after a poor year for Penrith. He believes this season has also made him a better footballer, with the Panthers trying to climb from the bottom of the ladder after round 12 and back into finals contention. Now into his 10th NRL season, Cleary said his relationship with the sport had also changed since his Penrith debut in 2016 and his NSW start two years later. "I'm still passionate about it, I still love watching it. But I would say in terms of professionalism, that's changed," Cleary said. "This is a duty to my teammates, to my club when I'm playing for my club, and for my state when I'm playing for my state. "I just went out there and played when I was younger. Now it's much more regimented with what I need to do to play my best. "I think I'm definitely more consistent because of that, rather than when I was an 18-year-old." Nathan Cleary has warned that NSW's squad has the feel of Penrith's best days again, with he and Jarome Luai slipping straight back into their old combination. Cleary has a chance to win his fourth State of Origin series as NSW halfback on Wednesday, with the Blues heavy favourites to taste victory at Optus Stadium. It will come on an historic night for the Panthers star, who will join Andrew Johns and Mitchell Pearce for the most games in the NSW No.7 jersey, with 16. Cleary and Luai have been teaming up since the age 15, winning 107 of the 134 games they have played together at all levels before the latter's move to Wests Tigers this year. Luai's call up to the NSW's 18-man squad for the injured Mitch Moses now means there are nine members of Penrith's NRL premiership dynasty in the Blues' group, with Matt Burton 18th man. "It is a bit of that feel of that 2021 grand-final team," Cleary said on Tuesday. "(Jarome and I) understand each other's games pretty well. So in that regard, it was a pretty seamless transition with him coming back in. "He was a part of the series last year too. He has those combinations already with the guys around him. "Our combination doesn't change. It's probably more him coming back into the side with those other guys. And I thought he's done that really well." Cleary will be one of the most scrutinised players on the field in Perth on Wednesday night. Despite the four premierships rings at Penrith, there is still a slight stigma attached to the halfback in that he is yet to own an Origin series. Cleary has often been among the Blues' best in big wins, but critics point to the fact he is yet to have a standout moment at the clutch in close games. However, that is largely due to the fact that when NSW have won in the past seven years, Cleary has starred and the Blues have won comfortably. As he prepares to equal the mark made by Johns and Pearce, Cleary said he was far removed the man who debuted under coach Brad Fittler in 2018. "(Origin) comes with more expectations now, with the standing in the game and the amount of games I've played," Cleary said. "But I'm in a position to play my best footy, I had a very simplified role (back then) and contributed where I could. "It's the same now, I want to do my role and my best for the team, but it's having a greater influence on what we're able to do." The 27-year-old is now comfortable with shouldering the pressure associated with having become one of the faces of the game in recent years. Cleary has long labelled the 2019 season as one of the most important of his career, narrowing his focus and making him mature after a poor year for Penrith. He believes this season has also made him a better footballer, with the Panthers trying to climb from the bottom of the ladder after round 12 and back into finals contention. Now into his 10th NRL season, Cleary said his relationship with the sport had also changed since his Penrith debut in 2016 and his NSW start two years later. "I'm still passionate about it, I still love watching it. But I would say in terms of professionalism, that's changed," Cleary said. "This is a duty to my teammates, to my club when I'm playing for my club, and for my state when I'm playing for my state. "I just went out there and played when I was younger. Now it's much more regimented with what I need to do to play my best. "I think I'm definitely more consistent because of that, rather than when I was an 18-year-old."
