Latest news with #ARLCommission
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Coaching may be next as Townsend bids farewell to 15-year career
'To be honest, there were aspects of it where it was hard and not hard,' he said. 'I feel like when you know, you know, and I feel like that my time is now. 'I've given this game everything I've had for the last 15 years, and I feel like I don't want to play any more next season, and that's a really comforting thought for me. 'I got told by an ex-teammate of mine that when you know, you know, and I'm very grateful that I'm in that position that I know.' Townsend said his plan is 'definitely to stay involved in the game', either in the media or as a coach. He had many fond memories and career highlights, but winning a premiership with the Sharks was the pinnacle. 'I grew up in the Shire,' he said. 'I was a Sharks fan. I had my Sharks flag on the hill. I got a photo of ET [Sharks legend Andrew Ettingshausen] signing a shirt of mine in the sheds.' Fonua-Blake had given up on Origin. Now there's a glimmer of hope He resigned himself long ago to never being able to play State of Origin, but if the goalposts were to shift suddenly, Addin Fonua-Blake would love to have a shot. Fonua-Blake, the Cronulla and Tongan international front-rower, is one of a handful of players likely to be impacted by a landmark ARL Commission proposal to change Origin eligibility rules. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys confirmed last week that he was considering an overhaul of Origin qualification criteria, specifically so that NSW and Queensland players have an opportunity to represent tier-one nations other than Australia. Under the current rules, players such as Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o are able to represent their states as well as playing internationally for a tier-two nation, in their case Samoa. Players are not permitted to play Origin if they align themselves with tier-one nations New Zealand and England. Fonua-Blake, who was born in Sydney and played his junior football with Mascot Jets, cost himself any chance of Origin selection when he accepted a position in New Zealand's 2017 World Cup squad, playing one game off the bench in a 74-6 hammering of Scotland. He has since changed his allegiance from the Kiwis to tier-two Tonga, whom he captained at the Pacific Championships last year. And while Fonua-Blake insists he has no regrets about the momentous decision he made as a 21-year-old, he would be open to the prospect of pulling on a sky-blue jersey. 'Oh look, at the moment if the opportunity comes along and I'm good enough to make the team, then yeah, obviously I'd welcome the idea,' he said. 'But right now, I'm just focused on the Sharks. Either way, if they keep the rules, change the rules, they'll do as they see fit. All that is outside my control.' Fonua-Blake is at peace with his Origin exclusion, saying: 'That ship sailed a long time ago for me, and I'm happy representing Tonga and playing for the Sharks.' But he admitted to being 'a bit jealous' every year when the interstate series kicked off. 'They're probably the biggest games on the calendar and you'd love to be a part of it,' he said. 'So yeah, like I said, if the opportunity came along, I wouldn't mind having to go in that arena and see how I go. We'll see what happens, I guess.' Loading Meanwhile, Fonua-Blake was confident an Achilles issue that hindered him during Cronulla's 14-12 win against South Sydney on Saturday was nothing to worry about. He still managed to carry the ball 162 metres and make 20 tackles in his 47 minutes on the field, helping Cronulla to post their third consecutive victory. 'It was an ugly win, but sometimes you've got to win ugly,' Fonua-Blake said. Dragons boss locked in for three more years as recruitment guru arrives Dan Walsh, Michael Chammas Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster will continue in the role for another three years following changes to the St George Illawarra constitution aimed at providing further off-field stability at the joint-venture club. Lancaster's lengthy extension comes at a critical juncture for the club given last Friday's gallant loss to North Queensland has coach Shane Flanagan staring down a second successive bottom-eight finish, which would extend the Dragons' finals drought to seven seasons. Daniel Anderson starts as recruitment manager at St George Illawarra this week, having been lured from the Roosters, while chief executive Tim Watsford took charge of the club only in June. Lancaster's current three-year tenure was due to expire at the end of this season under terms agreed to following WIN Corporation's purchase of the Steelers' 50 per cent share in the club in 2018. The initial privatisation agreement stipulated a new chair every 12 months on a rotational basis. Between 2018 and 2022, Andrew Gordon, Brian Johnston, Craig Young and Lancaster served in the role, before club policy was changed to guarantee a minimum three-year term for each chair. A similar agreement has now been signed off by the St George Illawarra board. As a result, Lancaster – a member of the board at Nine Entertainment, publisher of this masthead, and WIN chief executive – is now set to remain at the Dragons helm until at least the end of 2028. On the field, Friday's defeat to the Cowboys was St George Illawarra's ninth by eight points or less this season. Had the Red V won half of those tight losses, they would be among the five-team log jam scrambling for a finals spot. Anderson will lead a revamped recruitment department at the club from Monday, with the Dragons in the market for star power up front and in the halves to complement a promising batch of emerging local juniors. NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Peter V'landys flags major change to State of Origin eligibility rules
Rugby league supremo Peter V'landys has revealed the ARL Commission are considering a landmark change to State of Origin eligibility rules in a bid to reduce the impact on New Zealand and England's national teams. Under the current rules, players who are eligible for tier-one nations New Zealand and England effectively have to choose whether they want to play internationals against Australia or play Origin. But players eligible for tier-two nations such as Tonga and Samoa, are eligible to play for New South Wales or Queensland. NSW Blues stars Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai have all pledged to play for Samoa at this year's Pacific Championships. Rising Canberra Raiders star Kaeo Weekes was the latest big name to make the decision, committing to a representative career with Australia and the NSW Blues after reportedly rejecting an approach to play for the Kiwis. Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa also previously opted to play for Tonga over New Zealand in order to keep his Origin hopes alive in the future. But that could all change as the ARL Commission reviews a potential change to eligibility. 'It is something we're going to have to look at again and to me there does seem to be a stronger push this time for change,' V'landys told SMH. 'It is a strong argument that if you've played your footy in Australia before the age of 13 and you are eligible to play Origin, why shouldn't you be able to? 'If we were to change the rules, it would only be for New Zealand and English players. 'They're the tier-one countries impacted. [Players from] tier-two nations like Samoa and Tonga can still play State of Origin and represent those nations. 'It's a polarising idea. When we've consulted on any possible Origin eligibility changes some people have loved it, others hated it. 'We want a strong international game and calendar, and we want Australia to be challenged. And we want to respect the players and the nations they want to play for, and the argument for change is one we'll consider. 'It wouldn't be open slather – it would be mostly New Zealand players, and any change would be considered to ensure they're not left behind.' Under the potential changes, Kalyn Ponga could play for the Kiwis and Queensland, while Victor Radley would be free to represent England and NSW. That is the only change under consideration, and players would still need to have lived in NSW or Queensland before 13 to qualify for Origin. According to NZRL chief Greg Peters, 11 players in this year's Origin squads are eligible for the Kiwis. Peters welcomed the potential changes, highlighting Ponga as the perfect example. 'A guy like Kalyn Ponga is a good example. He's a proud Maori, proud New Zealander and a proud Queenslander. But at the moment he doesn't have the ability to play for New Zealand should he chose to. He's a really good example,' he said. 'The other one is Jarome Luai. Who knows, Jarome Luai might probably want to play for Samoa, and good on him for doing so. 'But he played Junior Kiwis and the point is that his pathway to the Kiwis was shut down the moment he was selected to play Origin. 'Samoa is going to have a team stacked full of Origin players, which is great for the game, but it's not available to us. We strongly support a review of these rules.'
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane news live: Private health giant to close most of its Qld psychology clinics
Latest posts Latest posts 6.48am Friday, dry day: Weather into the weekend We can expect a sunny Friday, with light winds and a chance of morning frost in the west. Enjoy the clear day – the weather bureau predicts a 95 per cent chance of rain tomorrow, with the chance of up to 20 millimetres to fall. Showers should ease on Sunday, for a mostly sunny start to the week next week. 6.48am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Male childcare workers have been turned away from centres and had casual shifts cancelled, potentially breaching gender discrimination laws, following horrific allegations of child abuse in daycare facilities. Imported American steak is a topic many of Australia's fine-dining restaurants would rather avoid. The operators of more than 10 hatted restaurants have declined or failed to respond to Good Food's requests for comment on their appetite for US steak. Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71. US President Donald Trump has denied he was seeking to ruin the business empire of his one-time ally Elon Musk as retribution for their dispute over the US president's signature tax law. An Australian man has been found dead inside a hotel room in Thailand one day before his flight back home, according to local media. A passenger plane carrying about 50 people has crashed in Russia's far east and initial information suggested everyone on board was killed, Russian emergency services officials said. And in sport, David Warner is among 16 Australian cricketers caught up in the collapse of a T10 league in the Cayman Islands, after players refused to take the field due to non-payment. Plus, the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Isaiya Katoa could be free to play State of Origin and represent New Zealand as the ARL Commission considers a landmark change in the game's eligibility rules. 6.46am The top stories this morning Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Friday, July 25. Today should be a sunny day, with a top temperature of 22 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'. As former boxing champion Anthony Mundine prepares to launch Australia's first bare-knuckle fighting event in Brisbane – and issued a fight challenge to Conor McGregor – medical experts say the sport is 'brutal, outdated and dangerous'. Two months after Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek intervened in a fellowship for an author accused of glorifying terrorism, new details of his efforts have emerged. Brisbane's Siang Lu has won the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel Ghost Cities, becoming the first male Asian writer to take out the coveted $60,000 literary prize.
The Age
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Age
Brisbane news live: Private health giant to close most of its Qld psychology clinics
Latest posts Latest posts 6.48am Friday, dry day: Weather into the weekend We can expect a sunny Friday, with light winds and a chance of morning frost in the west. Enjoy the clear day – the weather bureau predicts a 95 per cent chance of rain tomorrow, with the chance of up to 20 millimetres to fall. Showers should ease on Sunday, for a mostly sunny start to the week next week. 6.48am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Male childcare workers have been turned away from centres and had casual shifts cancelled, potentially breaching gender discrimination laws, following horrific allegations of child abuse in daycare facilities. Imported American steak is a topic many of Australia's fine-dining restaurants would rather avoid. The operators of more than 10 hatted restaurants have declined or failed to respond to Good Food's requests for comment on their appetite for US steak. Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71. US President Donald Trump has denied he was seeking to ruin the business empire of his one-time ally Elon Musk as retribution for their dispute over the US president's signature tax law. An Australian man has been found dead inside a hotel room in Thailand one day before his flight back home, according to local media. A passenger plane carrying about 50 people has crashed in Russia's far east and initial information suggested everyone on board was killed, Russian emergency services officials said. And in sport, David Warner is among 16 Australian cricketers caught up in the collapse of a T10 league in the Cayman Islands, after players refused to take the field due to non-payment. Plus, the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Isaiya Katoa could be free to play State of Origin and represent New Zealand as the ARL Commission considers a landmark change in the game's eligibility rules. 6.46am The top stories this morning Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Friday, July 25. Today should be a sunny day, with a top temperature of 22 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'. As former boxing champion Anthony Mundine prepares to launch Australia's first bare-knuckle fighting event in Brisbane – and issued a fight challenge to Conor McGregor – medical experts say the sport is 'brutal, outdated and dangerous'. Two months after Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek intervened in a fellowship for an author accused of glorifying terrorism, new details of his efforts have emerged. Brisbane's Siang Lu has won the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel Ghost Cities, becoming the first male Asian writer to take out the coveted $60,000 literary prize.
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Fittler withdraws interest in coaching Kangaroos
Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4. Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4. Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4.
