Cheesed off: Souths recruit to miss six weeks after injuring knee in defeat to Manly
Smith, making his debut for Souths and playing for the first time since he tore his anterior cruciate ligament last September, while at the Sydney Roosters, fell awkwardly in a tackle by Manly prop Matthew Lodge five minutes from full-time.
He limped from the field in obvious discomfort and Souths coach Wayne Bennett said afterwards the Kiwi international had suffered suspected medial ligament damage, which could rule him out for 'six to eight weeks'.
Asked if he had any concerns about the tackle, Bennett replied: 'It's up to them [the match review panel] to decide, but we're not playing with a lot of luck, and we didn't get any there from that decision, either … I'm frustrated by a lot of things right now, but it's not going to do me no good.'
Smith's latest injury was to his right knee – the same one that required reconstructive surgery last year.
Asked about Smith's mood, Bennett said: 'He's happy that it's only six to eight weeks, instead of eight months. At least he can see the light at the end of the tunnel this time.'
Manly coach Anthony Seibold: 'I haven't had a look at it, but it wasn't a penalty from that one. I'm not sure. I'd have to have a look at it.'
Smith's injury was another body blow for Souths, who slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat and remain 16th on the competition ladder, six points adrift of the eight with seven rounds to play.
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News.com.au
24 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Leave him alone': Matt Lodge not charged by match review committee for tackle that could end Brandon Smith's season
Sea Eagles veteran Matt Lodge has avoided a charge for a tackle that may have ended Brandon Smith's season, with the prop forward receiving support from the injured star who was adamant there was 'nothing wrong' with the contact. Smith suffered suspected medial ligament damage to his right knee, with early fears that he could miss 6-8 weeks in what was his first game back from an ACL injury that ended his 2024 campaign. The former Rooster made the move to South Sydney earlier this season and was five minutes away from getting through his first match when he was caught awkwardly in a tackle close to the line. Brandon Smith suffered a suspected MCL injury - contact mechanism on outside of lower leg fairly textbook for MCL/syndesmosis damage. Early assessments from the Rabbitohs suggest he will miss 6-8 weeks - likely moderate to high grade injury. Rough in his first game back. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 6, 2025 Smith knew something was wrong immediately, with play stopped as the club's medical staff helped him off the field where he limped up the tunnel. No penalty was given at the time, and Lodge hasn't been charged for dangerous contact despite plenty of people thinking he had performed a hip-drop tackle. Smith, however, posted on social media that Lodge had done nothing wrong. 'So happy to be back,' Smith posted on Instagram on Sunday night. 'Wasn't how I wanted it to go, but back playing the game I love. 'Just want to make sure everyone understands Matt Lodge done (sic) nothing wrong. It was an accident. 'We are friends, and if you watch, you can see nothing was wrong so please leave him alone. This stuff happens all the time. 'Much love and thanks for all the nice messages.' Lodge's weight landed on the ground before his upper body appeared to pin Smith's leg, which caused the injury. The match review committee looked at the incident and deemed the tackle didn't meet the criteria of a hip drop, with Souths coach Wayne Bennett not overly pleased with the call on Sunday night. 'It's up to (the NRL) to decide, but we're not playing with a lot of luck, and we didn't get any there from that decision either,' Bennett said, having voiced his frustrations over hip-drop inconsistencies earlier this year. 'I'm frustrated by a lot of things right now, but it's not going to do me any good. 'He's happy that it's only six to eight weeks instead of eight months. At least he can see the light at the end of the tunnel this time.' There were no charges from Sunday's matches.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Kiwis rule in US - Van Gisbergen, Dixon title double
Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Bike rider fatally hit by bus outside Taronga Zoo remembered as loving dad and motorsport figure
A cyclist who died after being hit by a bus outside a Sydney zoo is being remembered as a loving father of two. New Zealand businessman and motor racing entrepreneur, Tim Miles was on a morning ride with his wife on a cycling track outside Taronga Zoo when he was struck. Paramedics rushed to Bradleys Head Rd in Mosman about 10.35am on Sunday, however, Miles was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver was not injured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Another four people were onboard the bus at the time of the accident, and none were injured. In a statement, Miles' family said the world had lost a 'bright, shining light'. 'Tim was involved in a tragic and ultimately fatal accident this Sunday morning in Sydney while enjoying one of his favourite hobbies — cycling,' the 50-year-old's family said. 'His loss is keenly felt by friends and family, especially wife, Tracy, and daughters Caley and Erin. 'Tim was a family man, though one who loved nothing more than stressing out his beloved Tracy about his latest motorsport-related purchase or adventure, all the while proudly telling stories of his two daughters' successes in life. Miles' family said he was born in Ashburton on New Zealand's South Island and initially chased his dream as a racing driver, before focusing on the business side of the sport. 'His passing will be notably impactful on his other love — a motorsport community that felt Tim's impact as a competitor, an owner, a supporter and as a businessman for more than 35 years. 'It was through his success in business that allowed him to extend his passion for motorsport and his family, the two of which often intertwined.' Supercars Australia also paid tribute to Miles, who they called a keen racer and 'pivotal figure' in the sport. 'Supercars is saddened to learn of the passing of Tim Miles, an extraordinary figure in Australian motorsport,' the organisation said in a statement. 'As a corporate advisor and former team owner, Tim played a crucial role in shaping the future of Supercars.' The group said Miles was instrumental in the sale of Supercars to Archer Capital in 2011 through his company Miles Advisory Partners. 'In 2021, Tim brokered the sale of Supercars to Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises Pty Ltd,' it said. 'The proud Kiwi was a regular competitor in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and GT World Challenge Australia. This year, he was competing with Melbourne Performance Centre and Audi alongside countryman Brendon Leitch.' Miles was previously a co-owner of Triple Eight Race Engineering team, and was also the co-founder of Tasman Motorsport. An investigation into the fatal incident is continuing, and a report will be prepared for the coroner, police said. Anyone with information or any footage of the incident urged to contact crime stoppers.
