Broncos stars deny they've ‘given up'
NRL: Adam Reynolds says criticism of the Broncos' free falling season is irrelevant after accusations of players giving up against Manly.
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News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Socceroos v Japan, FIFA World Cup qualifier live coverage and how to watch on TV
Australia coach Tony Popovic has implored his side to 'finish the job' ahead of the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifier against rivals Japan on Thursday in Perth. A drought-breaking win over the Asian powerhouse would all but assure Australia an automatic berth in next year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos have a three-point lead and a significant goal difference advantage over Saudi Arabia as they jockey for second place in Group C of Asian qualifying. But a loss or draw against already qualified Japan means Australia will be thrust into a critical clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10. A win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage if Saudi Arabia claim victory in their away game against Bahrain later on Thursday. 'We just need to finish the job off. We can take a major step tomorrow night by winning,' Popovic told reporters on Wednesday. 'There's a real excitement from the group, but there's a calmness and confidence in our ability.' Australia have not beaten Japan since 2009, but hopes are high against a considerably weakened side resting a slew of top players. Leeds United star Ao Tanaka, Reims forward Junya Ito and Hidemasa Morita from Sporting Lisbon are among the players missing for the Samurai Blue. In contrast, Australia will boast a near full-strength side and buoyed by the recent return of Parma defender Alessandro Circati from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. 'It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence in this group,' said Popovic, who has turned Australia's fortunes around since replacing Graham Arnold in September. 'At some point, Australia will beat Japan. We have a chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take that opportunity.' A febrile atmosphere is tipped with 50,000 fans expected to attend Optus Stadium despite stormy weather in Perth ahead of the game. 'We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us and mean to Australia,' Popovic said. 'I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner.' With an eighth straight World Cup appearance assured, Japan are using their trip to Australia and subsequent home game against Indonesia as an opportunity to trial younger players and build depth. Japan's 27-man squad includes eight uncapped players, but Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo provide plenty of class for the Asian nation eyeing a first World Cup triumph. 'The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup,' Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. 'So we really need to take each match and the time we prepare for matches seriously. 'We need to build the strongest team possible (for) the World Cup.'
The Advertiser
42 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
NRL hands bans, $35k in fines to player agents
Two NRL player agents have received bans totalling 18 months and a collective $35,000 in fines for separate breaches of their accreditation, with one accused of failing to disclose police charges to the league. Mario Tartak, who represents such players as Josh Addo-Carr, Damien Cook and Haumole Olakau'atu, is alleged to have communicated with an underage player without a parent or guardian present. The NRL also claims he "entered into a commercial arrangement with two NRL clubs", which is a breach of the league's accredited agent scheme rules. Tartak has been offered a 12-month suspension and $25,000 fine, with the NRL factoring in previous breach proceedings when considering his punishment. The agent received a breach notice from the NRL in 2019 for failing to disclose bankruptcy proceedings. A second agent Matthew Desira has been offered a six-month ban and $10,000 fine. The NRL claims the agent of Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall did not disclose "police charges and court proceedings" brought against him. The pair's suspensions have the potential to cause headaches for players off contract this year, as well as those who will become free agents on November 1 ahead of their deals ending next season. Tartak's clients Addo-Carr, Cook, Nathan Brown and Luciano Leilua are among those off contract in 2026, while Danny Levi and Josh Schuster headline his list of players with deals expiring this year. Players can still be managed by other agents that operate out of the same company as Tartak and Desira. Elsewhere, the NRL has issued Des Hasler with his final warning for criticising the match officials after the Gold Coast coach singled out a bunker referee in round 13. Hasler has become the second coach this season to receive an official final warning from the league after North Queensland boss Todd Payten last month. "Mr Hasler has been reminded of his obligations under the NRL Rules and Code of Conduct as well as his general responsibility as a sporting leader," read a statement from the NRL. "Negative public remarks about match officials significantly hinder the recruitment and retention of match officials at the community and pathways tiers of the game. "All rugby league participants are reminded to respect match officials who perform a vital role within the game." Asked about his comments ahead of Saturday's clash with Brisbane, Hasler said: "I was just pointing out a few things." Hasler was frustrated with a pivotal decision in the second half of his side's 28-16 loss to Melbourne last week and promised then to seek clarification from the NRL. Titans hooker Sam Verrills was denied a try on the grounds he had made contact with teammate Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as he attempted to burrow past Melbourne defenders lying in the ruck. Bunker official Kasey Badger ruled Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had been denied the chance to tackle Verrills because of this contact, with the Storm scoring their match-sealing try minutes later. "Kasey got it wrong, again," Hasler said then of the call. "There's an email from the NRL about players lying in the ruck; that's fine, let them lie in the ruck, but you shouldn't lose the advantage. "They were lying all over the ground and six again, penalty, I don't know whether it was called, and young Vez (Verrills) picks up the ball and dives through, doesn't touch anyone, (Storm fullback Ryan) Papenhuyzen wasn't obstructed. "That was the word-for-word what the NRL sent out so I'll be interested to see what their explanation was." Two NRL player agents have received bans totalling 18 months and a collective $35,000 in fines for separate breaches of their accreditation, with one accused of failing to disclose police charges to the league. Mario Tartak, who represents such players as Josh Addo-Carr, Damien Cook and Haumole Olakau'atu, is alleged to have communicated with an underage player without a parent or guardian present. The NRL also claims he "entered into a commercial arrangement with two NRL clubs", which is a breach of the league's accredited agent scheme rules. Tartak has been offered a 12-month suspension and $25,000 fine, with the NRL factoring in previous breach proceedings when considering his punishment. The agent received a breach notice from the NRL in 2019 for failing to disclose bankruptcy proceedings. A second agent Matthew Desira has been offered a six-month ban and $10,000 fine. The NRL claims the agent of Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall did not disclose "police charges and court proceedings" brought against him. The pair's suspensions have the potential to cause headaches for players off contract this year, as well as those who will become free agents on November 1 ahead of their deals ending next season. Tartak's clients Addo-Carr, Cook, Nathan Brown and Luciano Leilua are among those off contract in 2026, while Danny Levi and Josh Schuster headline his list of players with deals expiring this year. Players can still be managed by other agents that operate out of the same company as Tartak and Desira. Elsewhere, the NRL has issued Des Hasler with his final warning for criticising the match officials after the Gold Coast coach singled out a bunker referee in round 13. Hasler has become the second coach this season to receive an official final warning from the league after North Queensland boss Todd Payten last month. "Mr Hasler has been reminded of his obligations under the NRL Rules and Code of Conduct as well as his general responsibility as a sporting leader," read a statement from the NRL. "Negative public remarks about match officials significantly hinder the recruitment and retention of match officials at the community and pathways tiers of the game. "All rugby league participants are reminded to respect match officials who perform a vital role within the game." Asked about his comments ahead of Saturday's clash with Brisbane, Hasler said: "I was just pointing out a few things." Hasler was frustrated with a pivotal decision in the second half of his side's 28-16 loss to Melbourne last week and promised then to seek clarification from the NRL. Titans hooker Sam Verrills was denied a try on the grounds he had made contact with teammate Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as he attempted to burrow past Melbourne defenders lying in the ruck. Bunker official Kasey Badger ruled Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had been denied the chance to tackle Verrills because of this contact, with the Storm scoring their match-sealing try minutes later. "Kasey got it wrong, again," Hasler said then of the call. "There's an email from the NRL about players lying in the ruck; that's fine, let them lie in the ruck, but you shouldn't lose the advantage. "They were lying all over the ground and six again, penalty, I don't know whether it was called, and young Vez (Verrills) picks up the ball and dives through, doesn't touch anyone, (Storm fullback Ryan) Papenhuyzen wasn't obstructed. "That was the word-for-word what the NRL sent out so I'll be interested to see what their explanation was." Two NRL player agents have received bans totalling 18 months and a collective $35,000 in fines for separate breaches of their accreditation, with one accused of failing to disclose police charges to the league. Mario Tartak, who represents such players as Josh Addo-Carr, Damien Cook and Haumole Olakau'atu, is alleged to have communicated with an underage player without a parent or guardian present. The NRL also claims he "entered into a commercial arrangement with two NRL clubs", which is a breach of the league's accredited agent scheme rules. Tartak has been offered a 12-month suspension and $25,000 fine, with the NRL factoring in previous breach proceedings when considering his punishment. The agent received a breach notice from the NRL in 2019 for failing to disclose bankruptcy proceedings. A second agent Matthew Desira has been offered a six-month ban and $10,000 fine. The NRL claims the agent of Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall did not disclose "police charges and court proceedings" brought against him. The pair's suspensions have the potential to cause headaches for players off contract this year, as well as those who will become free agents on November 1 ahead of their deals ending next season. Tartak's clients Addo-Carr, Cook, Nathan Brown and Luciano Leilua are among those off contract in 2026, while Danny Levi and Josh Schuster headline his list of players with deals expiring this year. Players can still be managed by other agents that operate out of the same company as Tartak and Desira. Elsewhere, the NRL has issued Des Hasler with his final warning for criticising the match officials after the Gold Coast coach singled out a bunker referee in round 13. Hasler has become the second coach this season to receive an official final warning from the league after North Queensland boss Todd Payten last month. "Mr Hasler has been reminded of his obligations under the NRL Rules and Code of Conduct as well as his general responsibility as a sporting leader," read a statement from the NRL. "Negative public remarks about match officials significantly hinder the recruitment and retention of match officials at the community and pathways tiers of the game. "All rugby league participants are reminded to respect match officials who perform a vital role within the game." Asked about his comments ahead of Saturday's clash with Brisbane, Hasler said: "I was just pointing out a few things." Hasler was frustrated with a pivotal decision in the second half of his side's 28-16 loss to Melbourne last week and promised then to seek clarification from the NRL. Titans hooker Sam Verrills was denied a try on the grounds he had made contact with teammate Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as he attempted to burrow past Melbourne defenders lying in the ruck. Bunker official Kasey Badger ruled Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had been denied the chance to tackle Verrills because of this contact, with the Storm scoring their match-sealing try minutes later. "Kasey got it wrong, again," Hasler said then of the call. "There's an email from the NRL about players lying in the ruck; that's fine, let them lie in the ruck, but you shouldn't lose the advantage. "They were lying all over the ground and six again, penalty, I don't know whether it was called, and young Vez (Verrills) picks up the ball and dives through, doesn't touch anyone, (Storm fullback Ryan) Papenhuyzen wasn't obstructed. "That was the word-for-word what the NRL sent out so I'll be interested to see what their explanation was."
The Advertiser
43 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
