McKenzie vs Barrett in clash of gun 10s
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs will take on Beauden Barrett of the Blues in a clash of two gun No.10s in the Super Rugby finals on Saturday.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Do something special': Blues hunt key win without star
Harry McKay's sore knee has dealt Carlton a significant blow on the eve of their must-win game against Essendon, forcing the club to make a fifth change. McKay missed Thursday's main training session and the Blues confirmed on Saturday morning that he will sit out Sunday's MCG blockbuster against their arch-rivals. Hudson O'Keeffe will make his AFL debut as McKay's replacement, while Michael Voss had already recalled Jack Silvagni, Zac Williams, Orazio Fantasia and Alex Cincotta for the critical clash. The Blues are mired in a 4-7 record and a misfiring attack as they return from their bye. With McKay out, Charlie Curnow is now their main key forward. Fellow forward Lachie Fogarty is acutely aware his optimism is an unpopular opinion, but he feels the Blues can do plenty in the second half of the season. Carlton have been in most games this year and showcased what is possible with an excellent round-seven win over Geelong. "I have a lot of belief that we can still do something special. A lot of people would find that hard to believe," Fogarty told AAP. "We're doing a lot of things right in terms of defence and our contest work has been as good as ever. "Again, it probably goes back to the scores per inside 50s - we rank 18th in the competition. It's something we've been getting after for a while. "We're working on that connection between midfielders and forwards and making sure we're running the right patterns." The Blues also know better than anyone that fortunes can turn quickly in such an even league, having gone on a roll at the end of 2023. Likewise, Hawthorn stormed into last year's finals after a barren start and Melbourne are right back in the hunt this season. "We definitely know it is possible ... it doesn't matter where it's at, you have to put up your best fight, no matter what. Anything is possible," Fogarty said. The Blues forward returned from his hamstring injury and kicked two goals in their pre-bye loss to GWS. He is in a good space, having enjoyed a strong pre-season. "It's probably been a bit of a challenge, win-loss, but at the same time I'm a pretty positive person," he said. Should the Blues fix their woes ahead of centre, Curnow will be licking his lips given the injured-riddled Bombers defence. But Essendon were outstanding last week in a narrow away loss to Brisbane and will fancy their chances. Other than the motivation of taking on one of their biggest rivals, Carlton will also honour club heritage by wearing the special-edition "Blueout" guernsey on Sunday night. It changes the iconic club symbol from white to a shade of blue. The first time they wore the Blueout jumper? Round three, 2017 - a win over Essendon. Harry McKay's sore knee has dealt Carlton a significant blow on the eve of their must-win game against Essendon, forcing the club to make a fifth change. McKay missed Thursday's main training session and the Blues confirmed on Saturday morning that he will sit out Sunday's MCG blockbuster against their arch-rivals. Hudson O'Keeffe will make his AFL debut as McKay's replacement, while Michael Voss had already recalled Jack Silvagni, Zac Williams, Orazio Fantasia and Alex Cincotta for the critical clash. The Blues are mired in a 4-7 record and a misfiring attack as they return from their bye. With McKay out, Charlie Curnow is now their main key forward. Fellow forward Lachie Fogarty is acutely aware his optimism is an unpopular opinion, but he feels the Blues can do plenty in the second half of the season. Carlton have been in most games this year and showcased what is possible with an excellent round-seven win over Geelong. "I have a lot of belief that we can still do something special. A lot of people would find that hard to believe," Fogarty told AAP. "We're doing a lot of things right in terms of defence and our contest work has been as good as ever. "Again, it probably goes back to the scores per inside 50s - we rank 18th in the competition. It's something we've been getting after for a while. "We're working on that connection between midfielders and forwards and making sure we're running the right patterns." The Blues also know better than anyone that fortunes can turn quickly in such an even league, having gone on a roll at the end of 2023. Likewise, Hawthorn stormed into last year's finals after a barren start and Melbourne are right back in the hunt this season. "We definitely know it is possible ... it doesn't matter where it's at, you have to put up your best fight, no matter what. Anything is possible," Fogarty said. The Blues forward returned from his hamstring injury and kicked two goals in their pre-bye loss to GWS. He is in a good space, having enjoyed a strong pre-season. "It's probably been a bit of a challenge, win-loss, but at the same time I'm a pretty positive person," he said. Should the Blues fix their woes ahead of centre, Curnow will be licking his lips given the injured-riddled Bombers defence. But Essendon were outstanding last week in a narrow away loss to Brisbane and will fancy their chances. Other than the motivation of taking on one of their biggest rivals, Carlton will also honour club heritage by wearing the special-edition "Blueout" guernsey on Sunday night. It changes the iconic club symbol from white to a shade of blue. The first time they wore the Blueout jumper? Round three, 2017 - a win over Essendon. Harry McKay's sore knee has dealt Carlton a significant blow on the eve of their must-win game against Essendon, forcing the club to make a fifth change. McKay missed Thursday's main training session and the Blues confirmed on Saturday morning that he will sit out Sunday's MCG blockbuster against their arch-rivals. Hudson O'Keeffe will make his AFL debut as McKay's replacement, while Michael Voss had already recalled Jack Silvagni, Zac Williams, Orazio Fantasia and Alex Cincotta for the critical clash. The Blues are mired in a 4-7 record and a misfiring attack as they return from their bye. With McKay out, Charlie Curnow is now their main key forward. Fellow forward Lachie Fogarty is acutely aware his optimism is an unpopular opinion, but he feels the Blues can do plenty in the second half of the season. Carlton have been in most games this year and showcased what is possible with an excellent round-seven win over Geelong. "I have a lot of belief that we can still do something special. A lot of people would find that hard to believe," Fogarty told AAP. "We're doing a lot of things right in terms of defence and our contest work has been as good as ever. "Again, it probably goes back to the scores per inside 50s - we rank 18th in the competition. It's something we've been getting after for a while. "We're working on that connection between midfielders and forwards and making sure we're running the right patterns." The Blues also know better than anyone that fortunes can turn quickly in such an even league, having gone on a roll at the end of 2023. Likewise, Hawthorn stormed into last year's finals after a barren start and Melbourne are right back in the hunt this season. "We definitely know it is possible ... it doesn't matter where it's at, you have to put up your best fight, no matter what. Anything is possible," Fogarty said. The Blues forward returned from his hamstring injury and kicked two goals in their pre-bye loss to GWS. He is in a good space, having enjoyed a strong pre-season. "It's probably been a bit of a challenge, win-loss, but at the same time I'm a pretty positive person," he said. Should the Blues fix their woes ahead of centre, Curnow will be licking his lips given the injured-riddled Bombers defence. But Essendon were outstanding last week in a narrow away loss to Brisbane and will fancy their chances. Other than the motivation of taking on one of their biggest rivals, Carlton will also honour club heritage by wearing the special-edition "Blueout" guernsey on Sunday night. It changes the iconic club symbol from white to a shade of blue. The first time they wore the Blueout jumper? Round three, 2017 - a win over Essendon.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Coach gives Reds the Kiss of life after sorry Super bow
Les Kiss is searching for answers after his Queensland Reds were bundled out at the quarter-final stage for a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific season. The colossal Crusaders enhanced one of world sport's most remarkable records to ruthlessly end the Reds' season with a 32-12 victory in Christchurch. Surpassing tennis's 30-love scoreline, the Crusaders improved their perfect record in home finals to 30-0 to at their fortress on Friday night to leave the Reds wondering where to next. "The Crusaders, they're hard to beat here. I think we've beaten them once in 26 years now, so it's tough," Kiss lamented. Needing to become the first Australian side in three decades to win a play-off match in New Zealand to make the semi-finals, the writing was on the wall for the Reds well before they kicked off at Apollo Projects Stadium. Adding to the odds stacked against Kiss's side, the Reds had lost 13 of their previous 14 games against the 12-times Super Rugby kings, while the Crusaders were also riding a 16-match winning streak in finals stretching back to 2016. The Crusaders, typically, made the ill-disciplined visitors pay with the only two first-half tries. The hosts then resisted an early second-half challenge to put the Reds to the sword, jumping out to a 27-0 advantage with two more strikes before a couple of late consolation tries improved the losing scoreline. "Obviously really disappointed with the result," Reds captain Tate McDermott said. "Really proud of this group and the season we had but, yeah, you've got to give credit to the Crusaders. "They were 're all over us at the breakdown and collision area and we just couldn't get into our cycle." It was an all-too-familiar flame-out for the Reds, who have now departed in the quarter-finals every year since 2022, falling twice to both the Crusaders and the Chiefs and always in New Zealand. Kiss has one more season to right the wrongs before taking over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next July. The 60-year-old is adamant the Reds are capable of taking the next step in 2025. "We used 38 players this year. That's one thing I'm very proud of," he said. "We didn't have a good injury run, but that happens, but the boys who stood up and came in - Dre Pakejo for one, Joe Brial has had a massively good year. "You know, young men that keep stepping up for us. That's really pleasing. I'm very proud of the program that it delivers that. "However, this is a point that we've stopped at each year and we've got to be able to find a way to get through to that next level for sure. "We've got enough good people in the organisation, from the players right through to our professional rugby staff, so we can do it. We know that. "I really feel for them all because they put a great shift in this year, all of them, and to finish up like this is despondent." The Reds' exit from the finals leaves the ACT Brumbies as Australia's last team standing. After finishing third in the minor premiership, the Brumbies host the fourth-placed Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night and will progress to the semi-finals even if they lose, provided the sixth-placed Blues don't upset the minor premiership-winning Chiefs in Hamilton. Les Kiss is searching for answers after his Queensland Reds were bundled out at the quarter-final stage for a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific season. The colossal Crusaders enhanced one of world sport's most remarkable records to ruthlessly end the Reds' season with a 32-12 victory in Christchurch. Surpassing tennis's 30-love scoreline, the Crusaders improved their perfect record in home finals to 30-0 to at their fortress on Friday night to leave the Reds wondering where to next. "The Crusaders, they're hard to beat here. I think we've beaten them once in 26 years now, so it's tough," Kiss lamented. Needing to become the first Australian side in three decades to win a play-off match in New Zealand to make the semi-finals, the writing was on the wall for the Reds well before they kicked off at Apollo Projects Stadium. Adding to the odds stacked against Kiss's side, the Reds had lost 13 of their previous 14 games against the 12-times Super Rugby kings, while the Crusaders were also riding a 16-match winning streak in finals stretching back to 2016. The Crusaders, typically, made the ill-disciplined visitors pay with the only two first-half tries. The hosts then resisted an early second-half challenge to put the Reds to the sword, jumping out to a 27-0 advantage with two more strikes before a couple of late consolation tries improved the losing scoreline. "Obviously really disappointed with the result," Reds captain Tate McDermott said. "Really proud of this group and the season we had but, yeah, you've got to give credit to the Crusaders. "They were 're all over us at the breakdown and collision area and we just couldn't get into our cycle." It was an all-too-familiar flame-out for the Reds, who have now departed in the quarter-finals every year since 2022, falling twice to both the Crusaders and the Chiefs and always in New Zealand. Kiss has one more season to right the wrongs before taking over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next July. The 60-year-old is adamant the Reds are capable of taking the next step in 2025. "We used 38 players this year. That's one thing I'm very proud of," he said. "We didn't have a good injury run, but that happens, but the boys who stood up and came in - Dre Pakejo for one, Joe Brial has had a massively good year. "You know, young men that keep stepping up for us. That's really pleasing. I'm very proud of the program that it delivers that. "However, this is a point that we've stopped at each year and we've got to be able to find a way to get through to that next level for sure. "We've got enough good people in the organisation, from the players right through to our professional rugby staff, so we can do it. We know that. "I really feel for them all because they put a great shift in this year, all of them, and to finish up like this is despondent." The Reds' exit from the finals leaves the ACT Brumbies as Australia's last team standing. After finishing third in the minor premiership, the Brumbies host the fourth-placed Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night and will progress to the semi-finals even if they lose, provided the sixth-placed Blues don't upset the minor premiership-winning Chiefs in Hamilton. Les Kiss is searching for answers after his Queensland Reds were bundled out at the quarter-final stage for a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific season. The colossal Crusaders enhanced one of world sport's most remarkable records to ruthlessly end the Reds' season with a 32-12 victory in Christchurch. Surpassing tennis's 30-love scoreline, the Crusaders improved their perfect record in home finals to 30-0 to at their fortress on Friday night to leave the Reds wondering where to next. "The Crusaders, they're hard to beat here. I think we've beaten them once in 26 years now, so it's tough," Kiss lamented. Needing to become the first Australian side in three decades to win a play-off match in New Zealand to make the semi-finals, the writing was on the wall for the Reds well before they kicked off at Apollo Projects Stadium. Adding to the odds stacked against Kiss's side, the Reds had lost 13 of their previous 14 games against the 12-times Super Rugby kings, while the Crusaders were also riding a 16-match winning streak in finals stretching back to 2016. The Crusaders, typically, made the ill-disciplined visitors pay with the only two first-half tries. The hosts then resisted an early second-half challenge to put the Reds to the sword, jumping out to a 27-0 advantage with two more strikes before a couple of late consolation tries improved the losing scoreline. "Obviously really disappointed with the result," Reds captain Tate McDermott said. "Really proud of this group and the season we had but, yeah, you've got to give credit to the Crusaders. "They were 're all over us at the breakdown and collision area and we just couldn't get into our cycle." It was an all-too-familiar flame-out for the Reds, who have now departed in the quarter-finals every year since 2022, falling twice to both the Crusaders and the Chiefs and always in New Zealand. Kiss has one more season to right the wrongs before taking over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next July. The 60-year-old is adamant the Reds are capable of taking the next step in 2025. "We used 38 players this year. That's one thing I'm very proud of," he said. "We didn't have a good injury run, but that happens, but the boys who stood up and came in - Dre Pakejo for one, Joe Brial has had a massively good year. "You know, young men that keep stepping up for us. That's really pleasing. I'm very proud of the program that it delivers that. "However, this is a point that we've stopped at each year and we've got to be able to find a way to get through to that next level for sure. "We've got enough good people in the organisation, from the players right through to our professional rugby staff, so we can do it. We know that. "I really feel for them all because they put a great shift in this year, all of them, and to finish up like this is despondent." The Reds' exit from the finals leaves the ACT Brumbies as Australia's last team standing. After finishing third in the minor premiership, the Brumbies host the fourth-placed Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night and will progress to the semi-finals even if they lose, provided the sixth-placed Blues don't upset the minor premiership-winning Chiefs in Hamilton.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
'Do something special': Blues hunt key win without star
Harry McKay's sore knee has dealt Carlton a significant blow on the eve of their must-win game against Essendon, forcing the club to make a fifth change. McKay missed Thursday's main training session and the Blues confirmed on Saturday morning that he will sit out Sunday's MCG blockbuster against their arch-rivals. Hudson O'Keeffe will make his AFL debut as McKay's replacement, while Michael Voss had already recalled Jack Silvagni, Zac Williams, Orazio Fantasia and Alex Cincotta for the critical clash. The Blues are mired in a 4-7 record and a misfiring attack as they return from their bye. With McKay out, Charlie Curnow is now their main key forward. Fellow forward Lachie Fogarty is acutely aware his optimism is an unpopular opinion, but he feels the Blues can do plenty in the second half of the season. Carlton have been in most games this year and showcased what is possible with an excellent round-seven win over Geelong. "I have a lot of belief that we can still do something special. A lot of people would find that hard to believe," Fogarty told AAP. "We're doing a lot of things right in terms of defence and our contest work has been as good as ever. "Again, it probably goes back to the scores per inside 50s - we rank 18th in the competition. It's something we've been getting after for a while. "We're working on that connection between midfielders and forwards and making sure we're running the right patterns." The Blues also know better than anyone that fortunes can turn quickly in such an even league, having gone on a roll at the end of 2023. Likewise, Hawthorn stormed into last year's finals after a barren start and Melbourne are right back in the hunt this season. "We definitely know it is possible ... it doesn't matter where it's at, you have to put up your best fight, no matter what. Anything is possible," Fogarty said. The Blues forward returned from his hamstring injury and kicked two goals in their pre-bye loss to GWS. He is in a good space, having enjoyed a strong pre-season. "It's probably been a bit of a challenge, win-loss, but at the same time I'm a pretty positive person," he said. Should the Blues fix their woes ahead of centre, Curnow will be licking his lips given the injured-riddled Bombers defence. But Essendon were outstanding last week in a narrow away loss to Brisbane and will fancy their chances. Other than the motivation of taking on one of their biggest rivals, Carlton will also honour club heritage by wearing the special-edition "Blueout" guernsey on Sunday night. It changes the iconic club symbol from white to a shade of blue. The first time they wore the Blueout jumper? Round three, 2017 - a win over Essendon.
