logo
‘The dog ate my passport': All Blacks rookie sorts pet's mess to rescue debut

‘The dog ate my passport': All Blacks rookie sorts pet's mess to rescue debut

The Guardian4 days ago
Leroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery. 'The dog ate my passport.'
The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson's Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise.
Carter was rushing to get things together for the squad's assembly and departure when he realised the family dog had intercepted his passport.
'I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the [team] manager and I just left it on my bedside table,' Carter said. 'My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone and it's gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners.
'It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it's all [sorted] now. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it.'
The All Blacks squad leaves on Friday to play Argentina in Cordoba on 17 August and Buenos Aires a week later in the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship which also includes Australia and South Africa.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Steve Borthwick is proving his doubters wrong, No 10 debate isn't over and the veteran who still has a lot to offer: What England have learned from impressive summer
Steve Borthwick is proving his doubters wrong, No 10 debate isn't over and the veteran who still has a lot to offer: What England have learned from impressive summer

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Steve Borthwick is proving his doubters wrong, No 10 debate isn't over and the veteran who still has a lot to offer: What England have learned from impressive summer

While the focus of the rugby world was on this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, Steve Borthwick 's England quietly continued their impressive progress elsewhere. A fine 2-0 series win in Argentina – one achieved without their first-choice players who were with the Lions – and an expected hammering of the USA extended the national team's winning run to seven matches. It is not just about positive results, however. England are not only winning, but at the same time also building significant strength in depth and playing an attractive brand of rugby too. Here, Daily Mail Sport's Alex Bywater looks at what head coach Borthwick has learned this summer ahead of the team's next challenge – the November Tests… Style of play… When Borthwick guided Leicester to the Premiership title, in essence getting him the England job, the Tigers played a very pragmatic style of rugby. That continued in his early days at international level, especially at the 2023 World Cup. But since then, Borthwick has proved his doubters wrong. England now play a fine brand and are very good to watch in attack, as was shown in Argentina. Don't forget, Argentina beat the Lions in Dublin and were at full strength for the first Test before rotating for the second. Borthwick's game plan is clear. It's simple and effective, to the point where it doesn't seem to matter who plays. That bodes really well for the future. Back-row luxury… England are building enviable strength in depth and no more is that true than in the back-row. While the likes of Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Henry Pollock were on Lions duty, Ben Curry, Sam Underhill, Tom Willis and Guy Pepper all impressed against the Pumas. Moving forward, Borthwick is considering a 6:2 bench split or even a 7:1 – a la Rassie Erasmus' South Africa – as he realises he has so many brilliant loose forwards from which to choose. There is huge competition for places across the board which will only make England a better team. Watch out for Bath's Pepper, 22. He is a coming force. No 10 debate isn't over… Fin Smith took over from Marcus Smith as first-choice playmaker in the Six Nations and England went on to finish second behind France. It seemed then that Fin Smith had taken control of the shirt. But there can be no doubt the autumn will begin with a conversation as to who should start at fly-half. George Ford was simply masterful in Argentina, not only pulling the strings as a playmaker but also impressing in a leadership role. Then there is the return of Owen Farrell to consider too. England have four brilliant potential 10's to pick from. Over to you, Steve! Farrell still has something to offer… Farrell's late Lions call-up divided opinion. However, he showed more than enough in his time on that tour to prove he can still deliver at the highest level. After one disappointing season in France with Racing 92, Farrell is now back in English rugby with Saracens. He will be available to Borthwick this November, if he wants. This is a big call. Farrell will be 34 by the time the autumn comes round, so you could make an argument to say England should look to the future. But Borthwick is a pragmatic coach and works in the present. It is likely that if Farrell starts the new season well with Saracens, he will be selected. If his form replicates that from the end of the Lions tour, he would deserve a place in the extended squad at the very least. Itoje is the man… When Borthwick appointed Maro Itoje as England captain and demoted Jamie George to a foot soldier at the start of the year, eyebrows were raised. Now there can be no doubt who is England's leader. Itoje wasn't with England this summer as he was on duty skippering the Lions to a series win and unbeaten tour. Away from his day job, Borthwick would have watched on and been hugely impressed. Itoje has been a remarkable player for some time. But he has grown into a true leader of men. Itoje, still only 30, will guide the England ship through to the 2027 World Cup. Of that there is no doubt. R360 threat… Away from the field, Borthwick and English rugby's hierarchy will have learned this summer that the ongoing development of rugby's proposed breakaway league R360 has the genuine potential to derail the national team's progress. R360 don't want to ruin international rugby. But any England players who choose to join for the league's scheduled start in September 2026 will have to give up their Test careers to do so. That's because RFU rules state England players must be employed by Premiership clubs. R360 is targeting players like Ford, George and Henry Slade, among others. As previously reported by Daily Mail Sport, of the 23 England players who faced Wales at the end of the Six Nations, double figures are understood to have agreed in principle to join R360. This could yet have a seismic impact on Borthwick's England project and it will be fascinating to see how this development unfolds in the next 12 months. It's definitely one to watch. This is just the start… Borthwick can be very pleased with England's last two campaigns. They have shown the immense talent the country has. There has been undoubted progression. But England have to improve again from here if they are to be able to beat the best consistently. November series matches against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina offer a tough challenge, but one this developing England team can undoubtedly rise to.

Squash Ireland claims facilities will be lost due to plans for padel courts by rugby club
Squash Ireland claims facilities will be lost due to plans for padel courts by rugby club

BreakingNews.ie

time4 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Squash Ireland claims facilities will be lost due to plans for padel courts by rugby club

A planning row has broken out after a sports governing body claimed plans by a south Dublin rugby club to develop padel courts would result in the loss of facilities that have been enjoyed by a local squash club for over 60 years. Squash Ireland has lodged an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the recent decision by Dublin City Council to grant planning permission to Old Belvedere Rugby Football Club for alterations to facilities at its clubhouse off Anglesea Road in Ballsbridge. Advertisement The rugby club wants to demolish part of the existing clubhouse in order to construct three new indoor padel courts as a measure to secure the long-term future of the rugby club. Part of the facilities earmarked for demolition include squash courts used by Old Belvedere Squash Club which has been in operation continuously at the Anglesea Road grounds since 1962. The squash club's committee has also separately appealed the council's ruling. However, the chairman of Old Belvedere RFC, James McCarthy, said the squash courts were 'a financial drain' as they did not even cover the costs of operating the facility. Advertisement Mr McCarthy said they were no longer a viable option for the rugby club and it had decided that the development of padel courts would provide it with an opportunity to secure its long-term viability following a strategic review. He claimed padel was one of the fastest growing sports globally including in Ireland where there was increasing demand but limited infrastructure. Mr McCarthy argued that squash, in contrast, was a minority sport that has seen a significant decline in participation levels in recent years with less than 50 active players in the Old Belvedere club. He estimated the use of the squash courts in Anglesea Road were at 'less than 20% capacity' while he predicted padel courts would be in use 'closer to 80%.' Advertisement Mr McCarthy claimed the development of the padel courts was a critical part of its strategy 'to future-proof' the rugby club at a time it was facing serious financial pressures. He also said the building containing the squash courts contained significant asbestos-related hazards. The rugby club noted that Old Belvedere Squash Club had rejected the generous offer of the private sponsor of the padel project to include one squash court in the proposed development. 'It is deeply regrettable that a small number of squash members appear willing to jeopardise this much-needed project…in pursuit of preserving an unsustainable status quo,' said Mr McCarthy. Advertisement However, Squash Ireland said it was extremely concerned at the council's decision to grant planning permission for the development. The governing body of squash in Ireland claimed it would result in 'the demolition of a long-established successful squash club with no provision for replacement of the facilities or equivalent.' The president of Squash Ireland, Rosie Berry, claimed the decision was contrary to the council's own established policy contained in the Dublin City Development Plan of 2022-2028 which seeks 'to protect existing and established sport and recreation facilities' unless there was clear evidence that there was no long-term need for a facility. Dublin City Council acknowledged that members of the squash club were disappointed that no agreement could be reached with Old Belvedere RFC about the future provision of squash facilities within the grounds but said it appeared that the proposed development would not contravene its policies in relation to the protection of existing sports facilities. Advertisement Ms Berry said such a finding had been presented by the council 'without detailed justification.' 'There is no evidence to suggest a lack of long-term need for these facilities,' she added. Squash Ireland also pointed out that there is no proposal by Old Belvedere RFC to provide any replacement squash facilities. It claimed the rugby club had rejected a fully costed revised proposal prepared by Old Belvedere Squash Club that would have incorporated both squash and padel facilities. Ms Berry also stressed that the padel courts were not an adequate replacement for the existing squash courts as both sports were distinct with different participation levels, skill requirements and community bases. 'The introduction of padel should not come at the expense of a well-established and successful squash club,' said Ms Berry. While Squash Ireland fully supported the development of padel courts on the rugby club's grounds, Ms Berry said such support could not be provided 'in all good conscience' if it was 'at the expense of a much-loved squash club facility.' The captain of Old Belvedere Squash Club, Justin O'Doherty, said the proposed development was 'a gross and unnecessary act which offers no alternative plan for the continuance of the existence of our squash club.' He claimed the club was 'a thriving success story' which boasted over 100 members. Mr O'Doherty said the council's assessment of the rugby club's planning application was 'fundamentally remiss.' A ruling on the appeals is expected in early December.

Brogan hat-trick helps Leinster to win over Ulster
Brogan hat-trick helps Leinster to win over Ulster

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

Brogan hat-trick helps Leinster to win over Ulster

Irish Women's Interprovincial Championship, Energia ParkLeinster 37 (22)Tries: Baker 2, Brogan 3, Neill, Gaffney Cons: CaugheyUlster 21 (14)Tries: Sheerin, Daley, Barrett Cons: Sheerin 3 Back-to-back champions Leinster began their Women's Interprovincial Championship title defence with a seven-try victory over Ulster in a game played without any of the Irish international preparing for this month's World Cup, Emma Brogan scored a hat-trick and Katy Baker crossed once in each half during the 37-22 win. The hosts, now under new head coach Ben Martin, raced into an early lead with scores from Baker, Brogan and Jane Neill staking them to a 17-0 tries from debutant Siobahn Sheerin and captain India Daley in the five minutes before half-time brought Ulster back to within just three, but they were dealt a further blow before the turn as Brogan grabbed her second just prior to the the second half, Jade Gaffney and Sophie Barrett traded scores to leave Leinster just six points ahead going into the final half an hour, but a yellow card for Brenda Barr curtailed the visitors' challenge. Baker would score her second soon after while Ulster were a player down, before Brogan completed her hat-trick in the final minute to provide additional gloss to the scoreline. Leinster: McCormack; Brogan, Baker, Martin, Boylan; Caughey, Gaffney; Moore, Callan, Layde, Ni Chonchobhair, Jordan, Short, Boyne (capt), Keegan, Burke, Dunne, Searle, Kelly, McConnell, O'Sullivan-Sexton, Marley; Thompson, Sheerin, O'Neill, Smyth; Farrell McCabe, Boyce; Roberts, Clenaghan, Barrett, Darley, Barr, Starrett, Hetherington, Daley (capt).Replacements: Simpson, McLean, Fannin, Beacom, Hill, McIlroy, McCormill, Sloan.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store