Latest news with #Australian-raised
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
'I'm sorry': Aussie college star breaks down in tears when asked very personal question during press conference
A Nebraska college football star from Melbourne was overcome with emotion after a reporter asked him a very personal question about his family. An Australian sports star has broken down in a press conference after being asked a question about his family. Archie Wilson travelled over 16,000km to Nebraska earlier this year, leaving his family behind to chase his football dream. Wilson grew up in Frankston South playing AFL most of his life, representing Haileybury College. The 18-year-old joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers over summer and on Tuesday he became emotional during a press conference after discussing the difficulty of leaving his family in Melbourne. 'So, what's it like first time away from them (family)?' the reporter asked. 'That part is hard... I'm sorry,' Wilson said as he leant over the podium and broke down in tears. 'Yeah, I love them a lot. 'I have two little brothers and a mum and a dad and that's the tough part about being here. I love them a lot and I miss them. 'But they know this is what's best for me and it's good I can still talk to them plenty over the phone. They're coming here to see the first few games, so I am looking forward to that.' Wilson landed in the US after being picked up through the Prokick Australia program. The program has produced over 270 Australian athletes who have gained college football scholarships. — Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) July 28, 2025 Currently, five Australian-raised punters are in the NFL: Mitch Wishnowsky, Michael Dickson, Tory Taylor, Cameron Johnston, and Matt Hayball. A handy Aussie football background has given Wilson a name in the States due to his ability to kick and throw the ball long distances. 'That guy is special, he truly is,' special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler said. 'He's 18 years old, leaves home for the first time, goes to a different country, and leaves his family which he's extremely close to. 'His teammates love him because of the energy he brings in the building, not just because of what he can do with the football.' Nebraska's 2025 season starts with a night game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium – the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
After a 115-year wait, another piece of ‘Australian' history for the Lions
The father of Sione Tuipulotu said his family were 'in tears' after hearing that the Melbourne-raised Scotland centre had been selected to start for the British and Irish Lions against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday. Named in the Lions No.12 jersey, Tuipulotu will become the first Australian-raised player to play in a Test match for the Lions in 115 years, and the third ever, at Suncorp Stadium. The last to do it was the feted Tom Richards in 1910. Lions coach Andy Farrell opted for a Scottish streak in a side dominated by Irishmen, with eight in the starting side and another three on the bench. Of the 11 in the 23, eight are from Irish club Leinster. With the squad's only Welshman, Jac Morgan, missing out on a spot, the Lions will not have a player from Wales in the Test team for the first time since the 1899 tour of Australia. Tuipulotu, the former Junior Wallaby and Rebels player, won the battle for the inside centre role over Bundee Aki; capping a remarkable journey that began when the 28-year-old left Australia in 2019 to pursue a career in Japan, and then with Glasgow in Scotland. Qualifying for Scotland via grandmother Jacqueline Thompson - his 'Greenock Granny' who has become a minor celebrity in her own right - Tuipulotu debuted for the Scots in 2021 and last year became Scottish captain. After being selected in the Lions squad, he impressed in games against Argentina, the Western Force, NSW and the AUNZ side, and was given the nod to make history by becoming a 'Test Lion' in Brisbane. Fohe Tuipulotu said he'd been messaged by his son with the news, and he and his wife Angelina and youngest son Ottavio had plans to fly to Brisbane on Friday.
The Age
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
After a 115-year wait, another piece of ‘Australian' history for the Lions
The father of Sione Tuipulotu said his family were 'in tears' after hearing that the Melbourne-raised Scotland centre had been selected to start for the British and Irish Lions against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday. Named in the Lions No.12 jersey, Tuipulotu will become the first Australian-raised player to play in a Test match for the Lions in 115 years, and the third ever, at Suncorp Stadium. The last to do it was the feted Tom Richards in 1910. Lions coach Andy Farrell opted for a Scottish streak in a side dominated by Irishmen, with eight in the starting side and another three on the bench. Of the 11 in the 23, eight are from Irish club Leinster. With the squad's only Welshman, Jac Morgan, missing out on a spot, the Lions will not have a player from Wales in the Test team for the first time since the 1899 tour of Australia. Tuipulotu, the former Junior Wallaby and Rebels player, won the battle for the inside centre role over Bundee Aki; capping a remarkable journey that began when the 28-year-old left Australia in 2019 to pursue a career in Japan, and then with Glasgow in Scotland. Qualifying for Scotland via grandmother Jacqueline Thompson - his 'Greenock Granny' who has become a minor celebrity in her own right - Tuipulotu debuted for the Scots in 2021 and last year became Scottish captain. After being selected in the Lions squad, he impressed in games against Argentina, the Western Force, NSW and the AUNZ side, and was given the nod to make history by becoming a 'Test Lion' in Brisbane. Fohe Tuipulotu said he'd been messaged by his son with the news, and he and his wife Angelina and youngest son Ottavio had plans to fly to Brisbane on Friday.
The Age
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Lions channel Australian cricket great by forecasting 3-0 sweep of Wallabies
'There's a big thing that we've been speaking about, about being one of the best Lions teams ever,' Earl said last week. The current Lions squad have set their sights on becoming the first touring team in history, dating back to 1888, to return home having won every game. The mighty 1974 team, containing Wales' galaxy of stars, remained undefeated, but after winning 21 games in a row, they drew the fourth Test with the All Blacks. The 2025 team's claim would come with the caveat of having lost to Argentina in Dublin before they left, however. The Lions' first Test side will be named on Thursday, and it could contain two Australian-raised former Junior Wallabies in the starting side - winger Mack Hansen and inside centre Sione Tuipulotu. Though he didn't start in the stronger sides used against Queensland and the Brumbies, Hansen is admired by Lions coach Andy Farrell for his work rate and capacity to influence games. And a concussion to Irish centre Garry Ringrose has lifted Tuipulotu's chances, given his Scottish centre partner Huw Jones is favoured to take the No.13. The 'Huwipulotu' partnership is well established and in-form, and it could see the Melbourne-raised Tuipulotu given the nod over Bundee Aki for. 'I thought Hugh and Sione were very good so we've got a nice cover there,' Farrell said in Adelaide. 'Obviously, we had a discussion to be had after this game anyway, so who knows which way we would have gone because it was true what we said about leaving it open. 'I know that people think that you've got a fixed mind after Wednesday's game, but that's not the truth so we'll sit down and assess that game and then have a tough task in picking what's going to be a good Test side to take on Australia in the first one.' Asked if he looked at the Scottish duo as a pair, when it comes to selection, Farrell said: 'No, honestly, we don't. 'We look at what's right for the team. I can't remember ever looking at a sheet over the last three or four weeks and thinking that combination has to happen because of the country that it's from. That doesn't exist in the group and rightly so,' he said. After the furore created early in the tour when Lions chief executive Ben Calveley warned Rugby Australia to release Wallabies to the Super Rugby sides, the Lions have won most games comfortably. The Waratahs and Brumbies held the Lions to 11 and 12-point wins, respectively. Loading Asked if the tour games had been sufficiently testing to prepare the Lions for Test matches, Farrell said: 'The games that we've had have been testing, and if we win with 50 points the competition is not strong enough, but then if somebody puts a tough performance on us, it's us that's not good enough.'
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lions channel Australian cricket great by forecasting 3-0 sweep of Wallabies
'There's a big thing that we've been speaking about, about being one of the best Lions teams ever,' Earl said last week. The current Lions squad have set their sights on becoming the first touring team in history, dating back to 1888, to return home having won every game. The mighty 1974 team, containing Wales' galaxy of stars, remained undefeated, but after winning 21 games in a row, they drew the fourth Test with the All Blacks. The 2025 team's claim would come with the caveat of having lost to Argentina in Dublin before they left, however. The Lions' first Test side will be named on Thursday, and it could contain two Australian-raised former Junior Wallabies in the starting side - winger Mack Hansen and inside centre Sione Tuipulotu. Though he didn't start in the stronger sides used against Queensland and the Brumbies, Hansen is admired by Lions coach Andy Farrell for his work rate and capacity to influence games. And a concussion to Irish centre Garry Ringrose has lifted Tuipulotu's chances, given his Scottish centre partner Huw Jones is favoured to take the No.13. The 'Huwipulotu' partnership is well established and in-form, and it could see the Melbourne-raised Tuipulotu given the nod over Bundee Aki for. 'I thought Hugh and Sione were very good so we've got a nice cover there,' Farrell said in Adelaide. 'Obviously, we had a discussion to be had after this game anyway, so who knows which way we would have gone because it was true what we said about leaving it open. 'I know that people think that you've got a fixed mind after Wednesday's game, but that's not the truth so we'll sit down and assess that game and then have a tough task in picking what's going to be a good Test side to take on Australia in the first one.' Asked if he looked at the Scottish duo as a pair, when it comes to selection, Farrell said: 'No, honestly, we don't. 'We look at what's right for the team. I can't remember ever looking at a sheet over the last three or four weeks and thinking that combination has to happen because of the country that it's from. That doesn't exist in the group and rightly so,' he said. After the furore created early in the tour when Lions chief executive Ben Calveley warned Rugby Australia to release Wallabies to the Super Rugby sides, the Lions have won most games comfortably. The Waratahs and Brumbies held the Lions to 11 and 12-point wins, respectively. Loading Asked if the tour games had been sufficiently testing to prepare the Lions for Test matches, Farrell said: 'The games that we've had have been testing, and if we win with 50 points the competition is not strong enough, but then if somebody puts a tough performance on us, it's us that's not good enough.'
