Latest news with #AutumnInternationals
The Star
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Australia lose two hookers ahead of Lions series finale
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales v Australia - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 17, 2024 Australia's Matt Faessler in action with Wales's Jac Morgan Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Wallabies have been forced to call Brandon Paenga-Amosa into the team for Saturday's final test against the British & Irish Lions after hookers Dave Porecki and Matt Faessler both picked up injuries in training. Porecki, who started last week's second test, suffered a heel injury and Faessler, who started the first, picked up a calf issue in training on Thursday. Billy Pollock moves up from the replacements to start in place of Porecki on Saturday, while Paenga-Amosa will come off the bench as the Wallabies look to grab a consolation win after losing the first two tests. Captain Harry Wilson said the team had great faith in the powerful Paenga-Amosa, who played the last of his 20 tests against Ireland last November. "Brandon joined us yesterday afternoon after a bit of a tough Thursday training session, it's obviously gutting to lose great players in Porecki and Fez," the number eight told reporters at Stadium Australia on Friday. "But we've got a lot of confidence in BPA, he's been around this group for quite a long time over the last year and he's already faced the Lions three times. So he's got a lot of confidence and ... he has fit in very quickly." Paenga-Amosa, who faced the Lions in tour matches for Western Force, the Australia-New Zealand selection and the First Nations-Pasifika XV, will bring power to the front row but his lineout throwing has sometimes been wayward. Coach Joe Schmidt had already been forced into three changes to his team by injuries but Wilson said it had been good to have fresh faces Taniela Tupou and Dylan Pietsch in the matchday squad. "What they've given us is fresh legs on the training park, fresh energy, more chatter around the training field. Just been nice and they're just raring to go," he said. "They've had to watch the last two test matches so they're all very excited at this opportunity and I've got no doubt they'll take it." The fourth change Schmidt made in his initial selection was a call-up for Nic White, who announced on Thursday that he would be retiring from test rugby after Saturday's match. The Wallabies players all wore fake moustaches at Friday's training session in honour of the scrumhalf's famously hairy upper lip. "He's a competitor, and he's loved by the group," Wilson said. "He will be missed in this gold jersey, because he really does represent what it is to be a Wallaby." Wilson admitted the players had been crushed after losing the second test to a last-minute try last Saturday but spirits had risen during the week. "We just want to keep improving. We want to keep being a better team," he said. "We need to play an 80 minute game and get the result which I think we deserve for each other." Revised team: 15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Dylan Pietsch, 10–Tom Lynagh, 9–Nic White, 8–Harry Wilson, 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Tom Hooper, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Billy Pollard, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Zane Nonggorr, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Tate McDermott, 22–Ben Donaldson, 23–Andrew Kellaway (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies are making progress despite Lions loss, says coach Schmidt
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory despite seeing his side slip to a late series-deciding loss to the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday. The 29-26 defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the Wallabies second in succession against Andy Farrell's team and means the Australians have only pride to play for in the final test in Sydney next weekend. The nature of the performance from a Wallabies side that held an 18-point lead over the tourists at one point before Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try has given Schmidt belief his team are moving in the right direction. "I think they are progressing," said the New Zealander. "It's never linear. It always tends to ebb and flow. "Our challenge is to try and be as consistent as we can, even within the game. When you build a lead of 23-5 and that slips, that's hugely disappointing. Particularly when it happens in the last play of the game. "We are trying to build consistency, we're trying to play a brand of rugby that entertains people and at the same time a brand of rugby that we enjoy playing. "I'm really proud of the effort the players put in and I'm really disappointed for them." Schmidt's side for the third test is likely to be missing wing Harry Potter, who was replaced by Tate McDermott in the 19th minute of the game. "I don't think Harry Potter will be fit, that's a hamstring injury that looked severe enough to put him out for a period of time, so that might be an opportunity for somebody else," said Schmidt. "We've got a fair few bumps and bruises, including some fall-out from the last action of the game and we'll get players checked out and see how they come through." The Wallabies have announced former New Zealand lock Tom Donnelly will join the set-up as an assistant coach ahead of the Rugby Championship. He will replace the departing Geoff Parling. (Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
The Star
25-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies confident with return of leaders Valetini and Skelton, says captain
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland v Australia - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - November 30, 2024 Australia's Rob Valetini in action as he is tackled by Ireland's Bundee Aki REUTERS/Lorraine O'sullivan/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -The return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton has given the Wallabies a boost of confidence before their bid to win the second test against the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday and square the series, captain Harry Wilson said. Loose forward Valetini and lock Skelton will add weight and power to Australia's starting 15 after calf injuries forced the pair to miss the 27-19 defeat by the Lions in the Brisbane opener. "You get a lot of confidence when you have two people with their experience and their presence coming to your side," Wilson told reporters at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. "It always does give you a lot of confidence and they're two real leaders in the group and having them back in such a big match is really exciting for us. "I think Bobby loves playing for Australia, so he's missed two games this year, which he hasn't missed many over the last five or six years, so he's really excited," added Wilson of Melbourne native Valetini. "He's had a really good week's prep, his body's looking good and I know he loves playing here in Melbourne, so he'll be fired up." Despite the tight scoreline in Brisbane, Australia were well beaten by the Lions in the collisions while affording their ball-carriers too much time and space in the first hour, making the hosts' bench-led comeback too little, too late. With wet weather expected, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named six forwards on his bench, which Wilson said would give the starting pack freedom to go hard early. "We want to impose ourselves physically," said Wilson. "We want to back our skills and we just want to go out there and start fast, which (with) a 6-2 bench means another person gets to go off the field. "So, more reason to go out there, start fast, throw your body around, knowing there's some quality bench players that come in and finish." The third and final test in the series takes place in Sydney on August 2. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Wallabies confident with return of leaders Valetini and Skelton, says captain
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland v Australia - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - November 30, 2024 Australia's Rob Valetini in action as he is tackled by Ireland's Bundee Aki REUTERS/Lorraine O'sullivan/File Photo MELBOURNE - The return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton has given the Wallabies a boost of confidence before their bid to win the second test against the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday and square the series, captain Harry Wilson said. Loose forward Valetini and lock Skelton will add weight and power to Australia's starting 15 after calf injuries forced the pair to miss the 27-19 defeat by the Lions in the Brisbane opener. "You get a lot of confidence when you have two people with their experience and their presence coming to your side," Wilson told reporters at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. "It always does give you a lot of confidence and they're two real leaders in the group and having them back in such a big match is really exciting for us. "I think Bobby loves playing for Australia, so he's missed two games this year, which he hasn't missed many over the last five or six years, so he's really excited," added Wilson of Melbourne native Valetini. "He's had a really good week's prep, his body's looking good and I know he loves playing here in Melbourne, so he'll be fired up." Despite the tight scoreline in Brisbane, Australia were well beaten by the Lions in the collisions while affording their ball-carriers too much time and space in the first hour, making the hosts' bench-led comeback too little, too late. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Asia Cambodia and Thailand are willing to consider ceasefire: Malaysian PM Anwar Singapore Prison officer accused of taking bribes to smuggle nude photos, prescription drugs to inmate Sport 'We can match Malaysia or do even better', say Singapore's divers Business MAS' measures spark cautious optimism for Singapore stock market revival: Analysts With wet weather expected, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named six forwards on his bench, which Wilson said would give the starting pack freedom to go hard early. "We want to impose ourselves physically," said Wilson. "We want to back our skills and we just want to go out there and start fast, which (with) a 6-2 bench means another person gets to go off the field. "So, more reason to go out there, start fast, throw your body around, knowing there's some quality bench players that come in and finish." The third and final test in the series takes place in Sydney on August 2. REUTERS
The Star
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies Valetini, Skelton, Porecki return from injury for second Lions test
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales v Australia - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 17, 2024 Australia's Rob Valetini in action with Wales' James Botham and Blair Murray REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt has added a considerable heft to his pack with the inclusion of Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Dave Porecki in his starting line-up for Saturday's second test against the British & Irish Lions. The Wallabies were outmuscled by the tourists at the collision in the first hour of last week's loss in the series opener in Brisbane and the return of flanker Valetini and lock Skelton from calf injuries should help in that area. Hooker Porecki missed the first-test defeat because of a concussion sustained in Australia's warm-up match against Fiji and his recall in place of Matt Faessler should help in the lineout, where the Wallabies struggled at Lang Park. Schmidt resisted making any further changes to his starting side and 22-year-old Tom Lynagh will lead an unchanged backline from flyhalf at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in his second test start. Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and Faessler have been dropped to allow the return of Valetini and Porecki, while lock Jeremy Williams remains in the matchday squad among the replacements after making way for Skelton. Schmidt has opted for a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards on the bench with the powerful Langi Gleeson also returning from injury to join flanker Carlo Tizzano as back-up for the loose forwards. "The squad has recovered well after a very physical first test and the week's preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together," Schmidt said in a news release. "We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we'll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night." The third and final test takes place at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Aug. 2. Team: 15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Harry Potter, 10–Tom Lynagh, 9–Jake Gordon, 8–Harry Wilson, 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Rob Valetini, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Allan Alaalatoa, 2–David Porecki, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Billy Pollard, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Tom Robertson, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Carlo Tizzano, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Ben Donaldson (Reporting by Ian Ransom, writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Christian Schmollinger)
