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Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Roosters bash the Bulldogs black and blue to sound finals alarm
Key posts 10.03pm Roosters bash the Bulldogs black and blue to sound finals alarm 9.55pm Tupou completes hat-trick as Roosters march into top eight 9.33pm Burton intercept gives Bulldogs some hope 9.25pm Galvin gets it wrong, Walker gets it right as Tupou scores again 9.15pm Whyte crashes over for his second and the Dogs are in trouble 8.51pm Roosters pile on the pressure and score another 8.36pm Walker edges Roosters ahead after penalty 8.25pm Walker kicks for Tupou and it's all square Hide key posts Latest posts Pinned post from 10.03pm on Aug 15, 2025 By Dan Walsh For a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, according to those outside the Roosters' opulent Allianz Stadium walls (and quietly, a few within the Tricolours HQ), Trent Robinson's side is giving the 2025 title race one hell of a shake. And for a pack featuring roughly $3.5 million in Origin and international talent, it is undoubtedly hustling, bustling Kiwi prop Naufahu Whyte who is now the Roosters' spiritual leader. Just ask Canterbury, beaten first physically with Whyte leading the assault, then on the scoreboard too – 32-12 – as the front-rower bagged two tries in nine minutes and doubled his career tally. For all the hand-wringing after a small galaxy of stars left the building and the Broncos put 50 on them in round 1, the Roosters have suddenly emerged as one of the NRL's form sides. How else can you describe them? In the past three weeks they've outmuscled Manly in the wet, thrashed the Dolphins and now trounced the Bulldogs, a genuine premiership contender. All while knowing their season could be all but scotched with a loss anywhere in that run. All season, Whyte has been immense. And for all the representative credentials of his teammates like Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Victor Radley, the 23-year-old with big hair and a bigger motor is the top prop around Bondi way. By the time Robinson gave him his first breather on Friday night, Whyte had two tries, 113 metres from 17 runs and 22 tackles to show for his 54 minutes at the coalface. 'I thought the system of play these guys wanted to play pulled [the Bulldogs] apart and then Naufahu has been leading the way a lot in that,' Robinson said. 'He's been impressive, really impressive.' Skipper James Tedesco added: 'He's been here for a while and this year I think he's just matured and grown as a person and a player. He's really turned into a leader... he's become one of the best front-rowers in the game.' The Roosters' timely run has lifted them into the top eight with games against Parramatta, Melbourne and South Sydney to finish the season. Their finals fate is now not only in their hands, but alongside Penrith, Robinson's side suddenly shapes as one rivals won't fancy crossing in September. Canterbury's yo-yoing of late meanwhile, is cause for concern. A 42-4 carve-up of Manly, into an insipid loss to the Tigers, back to their best against the Warriors, and now beaten black and blue by the Roosters is hardly an encouraging form line. 'I sort of blame myself there,' a quietly fuming Cameron Ciraldo said. 'Guys are carrying niggling [injuries] and they just get through training instead of actually training. I'm going to stop that. If you can't train it results in a performance like that. 'We've got a deep squad and a lot of good players who didn't play tonight. If we don't want to prepare to win then I'll put someone in that does.' Aside from Enari Tuala's opening try, and a late Matt Burton intercept, the Roosters had the Bulldogs covered. Standing opposite Tuala, Daniel Tupou was a natural target for Sam Walker's chipped and dinked kicks – putting a pair of tries on a platter for the veteran. Between Tupou's first two tries came a rough and tumble grind the Roosters slowly gained the ascendancy of. Thanks to Whyte. The big man's first try was fortuitous, a late Angus Crichton offload falling his way when Canterbury's line couldn't be cracked. But Whyte's second was a front-rower's dream – with Lachlan Galvin a bug on his windshield and carried for five metres to the tryline, along with three of his teammates. Loading The Bulldogs' rally came all too late from 26-6 down. After the Roosters had dominated the physical exchanges for an hour, Canterbury found their shoulders and hammered the Roosters into errors. Each error that left them defending deep in their own end was covered by scramble defence, though. And Canterbury turned balls over as they pushed passes and chased points. Tempers frayed along the way too – with Sam Hughes and Max King both on report for high shots, though Billy Smith may have the most to worry about for an ugly cannonball tackle. Otherwise for the Roosters, who finished in style as Tupou claimed his third try of the evening, life is looking pretty good. 9.55pm on Aug 15, 2025 Tupou completes hat-trick as Roosters march into top eight That's the cherry on top for the Roosters and Daniel Tupou, who dives over for his hat-trick try in the left corner after some lovely passing from Sam Walker and James Tedesco. Tupou is now past 180 tries and closing in on Billy Slater's career tally of 190. Tupou is 34 years old but has still got it. Walker meanwhile can do no wrong and fades his right-foot conversion in from the left touchline, capping a dream night for the Roosters. It's hard to believe they came into tonight's game sitting ninth on the ladder, but they'll leapfrog the Dolphins and Sharks – at least for now – and climb into seventh place. Roosters beat Bulldogs 32-12 at Allianz Stadium 9.50pm on Aug 15, 2025 Roosters defence comes up trumps again Great defence again from the Roosters now – the Bulldogs go left, the Roosters defence slides, Mark Nawaqanitawase holds his spot on the wing, and when the ball finds Jacob Kiraz the Tricolours swarm to tackle him over the sideline. Another penalty for a high tackle against the Bulldogs, this time on Max King, but after Roosters players run in again referee Grant Atkins has words with Tricolours skipper James Tedesco. If another Roosters player runs in for a bit of argy bargy they'll be spending the final minutes of this one in the sin bin. Meanwhile time has just about run out on the Bulldogs tonight. Roosters lead 26-12 with five minutes left 9.43pm on Aug 15, 2025 Bulldogs go close, then take pressure off with Hughes high shot Another Roosters error now, Mark Nawaqanitawase doing well to bring down a bomb then beat the attempted tackle of Viliame Kikau, only to lose his grip on the ball while getting tackled. It gives the Bulldogs a new set 10 metres out from the Roosters' line – another try here could make this a very interesting finish. It's not a great set from the Bulldogs, but it finishes well when they go through the hands to the left, and Jacob Kiraz kicks ahead and tackles Hugo Savala in the in-goal. But this time Savala's dropout is a short one, which goes off Stephen Crichton's legs and ends up in the hands of Spencer Leniu. The Roosters have it back, and Billy Smith is hit high by Sam Hughes on the following play. The Roosters don't like it and players are rushing in from everywhere. The referee calms things down and it's a penalty to the Roosters. 9.33pm on Aug 15, 2025 Burton intercept gives Bulldogs some hope A better kick from Lachie Galvin this time – once again it's caught easily by Daniel Tupou, but this time he takes it in the field of play and is shoved into the in-goal by the swarming Bulldogs defenders. The dropout gives Canterbury a much-needed repeat set, but it ends when Matt Burton's grubber is easily defused by Mark Nawaqanitawase. Both wingers have been great for the Roosters tonight, as have both halves, and their props – across the board really they've been excellent. Angus Crichton has been a handful on the left edge, Victor Radley has shown some real class with his short passing in the middle, and the Tricolours' defence has been great. But now… a rare mistake. And it's a costly one – Hugo Savala throwing an intercept pass for the very quick Matt Burton who streams clear to beat Nawaqanitawase to the tryline. Stephen Crichton nails the conversion. 9.25pm on Aug 15, 2025 Galvin gets it wrong, Walker gets it right as Tupou scores again Everything's going the Roosters' way now – so much so that even when the Bulldogs get a trip upfield via a penalty and Lachlan Galvin puts up an attacking bomb, it backfires. Galvin's bomb is a little too deap, Daniel Tupou takes it in the in-goal, and charges upfield to take a quick 20-metre tap. The Roosters charge down into Canterbury territory with their seven-tackle set, and on the last, another perfect Sam Walker kick is on the spot for Tupou to leap over Enari Tuala and score his second. All too easy. Roosters lead 24-6 with 25 minutes left 9.15pm on Aug 15, 2025 Whyte crashes over for his second and the Dogs are in trouble A rare error from Connor Tracey, who makes a meal of a Hugo Savala bomb, gives the Roosters another shot at the Bulldogs line. And they go in again, Naufahu Whyte running off Sam Walker and carrying three Canterbury defenders over the tryline with a bullocking run. The Roosters scored 64 points last week. They won't match that tonight but they are every chance of running away with another big win, even against this excellent Bulldogs defence. Roosters lead 20-6 after 47 minutes 9.12pm on Aug 15, 2025 Burton blunder then a cracker from Crichton The second half is underway and once again Matt Burton looks to hammer a long 40-20 – but it's a little off target and Mark Nawaqanitawase makes a big play, planting a foot over the sideline before taking it on the full – and the Roosters get possession well inside Bulldogs territory. The Roosters attack to the left but Billy Smith is wrapped up by a great Stephen Crichton tackle that spills the ball free. Roosters lead 14-6 after 43 minutes 9.03pm on Aug 15, 2025 Half-time stats snapshot: Roosters well on top 8.54pm on Aug 15, 2025 Roosters with all the momentum at the break It's all Roosters now. Five-eighth Hugo Savala makes a half break, then Sam Walker puts up another testing bomb, Mark Nawaqanitawase taps it back, and James Tedesco kicks for the in-goal to force another dropout. The Bulldogs kick it long and hold on for the final few seconds, and will be happy to go into the half-time break. Roosters lead 14-6 at half-time
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Trainer Greg Wright has rethink on name change after The Right Way wins again at Doomben
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former Kiwi aluminium smelter worker Greg Wright had been planning to right a wrong and change the name of his horse, but now he thinks it would be a mock. Six-year-old gelding The Right Way won as a well-backed $3 chance at Doomben on Saturday, making it three wins from his last five starts. Pro Tips View All All Tipsters - Last 12 Months Profit Profit 0 * ROI 0 Strike Rate 0 Units Tipped 0 Avg. Winner Odds 0 • 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! Scoring the BM90 Handicap (2000m) on Saturday was a sweet enough moment, but it was even better with Wright's dad Alister on track. Alister owns the galloper and splits his time between living in Australia and New Zealand. The Right Way was meant to be named The Wright Way, after the son and father team, but the name of the galloper was incorrectly submitted. 'I was going to apply to change the name, but I don't think I will now,' Greg Wright said. 'The horse is winning and I am worried if I change his name I might put the mock on him and he might stop winning. 'This was my first winner in Brisbane, this horse just loves to run and he gives you everything he has got.' • 'I almost had to have a beer to function': How hoop won booze battle When Greg Wright moved to Australia five years ago, he and his dad purchased mainly unraced young horses. The Right Way was one of those and was bought sight unseen on his pedigree by Alister Wright. Trainer Greg Wright (left) after The Right Way's win at Doomben, with Wright's Dad Alister pictured on the right. Picture: Trackside Photography A NEW RACING DAWN? The Brisbane Racing Club is seizing the moment in the quieter months of the racing season and hosting regular themed Saturdays to try to attract and engage new audiences. The recent Teddy Bears Picnic at the Races was one of those days, with a day of fun for families with the jumping castles, a children's disco and pony rides. Saturday at Doomben was the Mekka race day with doof doof music and other dance party style entertainment for the funky young crowd, headlined by Thundamentals. For the racing purists, there was co-mingling between the general admission crowd and the members. • 'Elitist, outdated, unengaging': AI's brutal warning for racing On September 6, there's a country music race day at Doomben and also a special wine lunch with Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting. Also upcoming is a day where 160 years of racing at Eagle Farm will be celebrated and it's understood the entry price on that day will be the equivalent of what it would have been 160 years ago. There's a bit of something for everyone on these off-season days and racing needs to chase these opportunities. 'We have challenged ourselves to look at more ways to broaden racing's appeal,' BRC chief executive Karl deKroo said. 'We are always going to have our rusted-on racing fans and that's great. 'But a big part of what we need to do is to look at our offerings and offer different things on different days.' It comes after artificial intelligence gave a brutal warning to racing, finding it was often 'elitist, outdated and unengaging'. The AI platform ChatGPT found racing should 'rebrand racing days as experience, not just betting events.' Originally published as Trainer Greg Wright has rethink on name change after The Right Way wins again at Doomben
7NEWS
19 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Blow for Warriors as Jackson Ford sidelined for Grade 1 crusher tackle
Warriors second-rower Jackson Ford has been hit with a three-match ban, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular NRL season. Ford was charged with a Grade 1 crusher tackle on Correy Allan in the Warriors' 14-10 win over his former club, St George Illawarra, on Friday night. It is a massive blow for the injury-hit Kiwi outfit who are in a top-four battle with reigning premiers Penrith. Should Ford choose to contest the charge at the judiciary and lose, that ban would extend to the Warriors' opening game of the finals series. Andrew Webster's charges have only just regained fourth position on the ladder after the Panthers suffered a 22-18 loss to Melbourne on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Canterbury's Sam Hughes has avoided a ban but has been fined $1,800 for his high shot on Sydney Roosters' Billy Smith in their 32-12 loss on Friday. Smith, meanwhile, escaped sanction after being put on report for a cannon ball tackle on Hughes earlier in the match.
