logo
Angus Crichton: Its a privilege to step into an arena where everyone hates you

Angus Crichton: Its a privilege to step into an arena where everyone hates you

NSW back-rower and 2024 Wally Lewis medallist Angus Crichton spoke to Andrew Moore, Matthew Elliott and Michael Carayannis for Thursday NRL on ABC Sport.
Angus said the Blues were relishing the opportunity to defend the last year's Shield win under new coach Laurie Daley.
He said it was a privilege for the team to feel the hate of Queensland fans at Lang Park in the series opener.
Crichton said fellow back-rower Liam Martin was living on aggro pills and together they were ready to demolish the Maroons halves.
The panel also discussed the possibility of Mal Meninga being appointed as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NSW coach Laurie Daley gives new Maroons halfback Tom Dearden ultimate compliment for a halfback
NSW coach Laurie Daley gives new Maroons halfback Tom Dearden ultimate compliment for a halfback

News.com.au

time23 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

NSW coach Laurie Daley gives new Maroons halfback Tom Dearden ultimate compliment for a halfback

NSW coach Laurie Daley has paid rival halfback Tom Dearden the ultimate compliment by comparing Queensland's running man to Maroons legend Allan Langer, who spent years terrorising the Blues. Newly appointed Queensland captain Cameron Munster has often been likened to Maroons great Wally Lewis in the big games, but it's his new halves partner who has earnt glowing comparisons just a week out from the crunch clash in Perth. Langer was a nightmare for tiring defenders and would punish anyone if they were slightly off their assignment, with his lack of size not stopping him from making defenders look silly close to the line. Daley and Langer crossed paths plenty of times at club level and in Origin, and the Blues boss is preparing for another attacking assault from Dearden, who has replaced long-time captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey. 'I don't buy into what the opposition do, but what I do know is that Tom Dearden is a great player,' Daley said at the NSW training base in Leura. 'If anyone has ever listened to my radio station that I do, I reckon he's the person I rap most on that radio show over the past 18 months. 'I just love everything about him, and he's going to be a difficult challenge for us because he's a threat every time he has the ball. 'With him and Munster, if they're in a running frame of mind, then it's going to be a big test of our defence.' Daley said the Blues couldn't afford to sit back and let Queensland's halves attack their line, with the NSW legend on the receiving end of plenty of Langer's trick shots. Dearden has played four matches for Queensland at five-eighth and came off the bench in game one, but this will be the first time he starts at halfback as the Maroons fight to keep the series alive. 'He's just continually at you and he never rests. The moment that you rest is the moment that he finds you,' Daley said. 'He's got a little bit of 'Alfie' (Langer) about him. It's a different style, but Alfie was always one of those players that was at you, at you, at you, and the moment that you made the wrong decision, he was through. That's what Dearden is. 'He's such a good, tough player who challenges the line and is a massive threat for us.' Dearden punches above his weight in defence and is a dogged runner of the ball who can hurt you with his short passing game when he's not throwing dummies. Blues hooker Reece Robson has seen Dearden take more ownership at the Cowboys after moving to halfback for their past three games, and he's expecting nothing different from him next week. It's not a foreign scenario for Dearden, who replaced Cherry-Evans in the Kangaroos side last year and was named man of the match playing in the halves alongside Mitch Moses in the Pacific Championships final. 'It's not for me to speak about the 'Chez' situation up there, but as a teammate of Tommy's at the Cowboys, I'm glad that he gets his opportunity at half,' Robson said, with Dearden setting up four tries in three games at halfback this year. 'He's definitely played well in the opportunities that he's already had with Queensland – not as the chief playmaker yet – but playing in the halves these days can be pretty similar, especially in Origin where it's war and attrition out there. 'He'll give it his best and go well, but we've got to make sure that we do our job to nullify him and the rest of them as best we can.'

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge signs two-year extension
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge signs two-year extension

News.com.au

time28 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge signs two-year extension

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been lauded as a 'once-in-a-generation coach' after ending a lengthy period in limbo and signing a new two-year deal. The 2016 premiership winner was off contract at the end of 2025 and had been linked to a potential move to Melbourne earlier in the season as contract talks continued. But he'd made it clear he wouldn't be coaching anywhere in 2026 if it wasn't at the Bulldogs and has now inked a deal keeping him at the club until the end of 2027. Having already become the club's longest-serving coach, Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler sang Beveridge's praises after locking him in. 'The extension of Luke's contract as senior coach is demonstrative of the trust, connection and partnership we have with him. Luke is a once-in-a-generation coach at our club. His commitment to the Bulldogs is unwavering,' Watson-Wheeler said. 'The considered process we have undertaken has resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the board and the unified belief that he is the best person to drive sustained success at the Bulldogs. 'As the game evolves, Luke continues to deliver a cutting-edge brand of footy and finds new ways to challenge and motivate our exciting playing group. We're optimistic about the future under his continued leadership.' Since taking the helm in 2015, Beveridge has won one premiership, taken his side to two Grand Finals and 13 finals (both club records) and holds the highest winning percentage (56.58 per cent among anyone who has coached 100 or more games for the Bulldogs. Beveridge also claimed back-to-back AFL Coaches' Association Coach of the Year awards in his first two seasons and said things were building again for the Dogs who are 6-6 going into Thursday's clash with St Kilda. 'It is the right time to thank the playing group and our staff for their commitment to growth and their willingness to explore their best and discover the possibilities outside of their comfort zone,' Beveridge said. 'The evolution of our people in recent times has been quite dramatic with the promise you see in each other starting to shine through. 'I am honoured to renew my commitment to our great club beyond this year as I endeavour to be the best leader, ambassador and coach that I can be for our people, our members and those who support us.'

Mayday, Mayday: Wests Tigers answer Taylan's call
Mayday, Mayday: Wests Tigers answer Taylan's call

West Australian

time30 minutes ago

  • West Australian

Mayday, Mayday: Wests Tigers answer Taylan's call

iicests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson believes Taylan May deserves a second chance in the NRL, after signing the outside back on a train-and-trial deal. The Tigers on Tuesday formally won the race for May's signature, with the Samoan international agreeing to a deal for the rest of this season. The contract is May's first since he was released from Penrith last season, after the Panthers attempted to rip up his contract over a number of off-field indiscretions. The 23-year-old also had domestic violence charges against him dropped in March, after his wife who had accused him of punching did not show up in court. May had pleaded not guilty to the charges and has since spent time in a mental health facility undergoing treatment. The former Panther will not be able to immediately return to the field, with the NRL only conditionally approving his comeback. In a statement on Tuesday, the Tigers said training and off-field standards needed to be met before May could play again. "Taylan, like all our players, will be joining a club which has a culture of putting healthy relationships first," CEO Shane Richardson said. "Taylan has made enormous strides since we first met with him 10 weeks ago through voluntarily attending education and counselling sessions. "All players deserve a second chance and we think this is the environment which gives him the best chance of success both on and off the field." May's move to the Tigers came after he had met with South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and toured the club's Heffron Park facilities. Bpt the Tigers signing will allow him to play alongside his brother Terrell, with the duo and older brother Tyrone May all keen to one day play together. "Clearly, Taylan is a quality player who will further strengthen our squad in the back end of the competition," Richardson said. "But we also believe his best chance of success on and off the field is if he is around family and friends. "He will now have the chance to not only return to a team environment but also to play alongside his brother Terrell – which is important to him."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store