Latest news with #BradFittler
Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Has the Kangaroos jersey lost it's aura?: Freddy & the Eighth
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler CLASH over which jersey means more, the Australian or Origin jersey? Winter Olympic silver medalist Matt Graham joins the show. The boys look into the crystal ball to predict the top 8 for 2025. Plus, we look back at some vintage sprays from Des Hasler and Craig Bellamy.
The Age
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Has the Kangaroos jersey lost it's aura?: Freddy & the Eighth
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler CLASH over which jersey means more, the Australian or Origin jersey? Winter Olympic silver medalist Matt Graham joins the show. The boys look into the crystal ball to predict the top 8 for 2025. Plus, we look back at some vintage sprays from Des Hasler and Craig Bellamy.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Teammate's eye-opening response amid calls for NRL players to be banned from Origin
Queensland and Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan has claimed he would support both his teammates if they decide to switch allegiances and play for Samoa, but Brad Fittler has questioned if rules for eligibility around State of Origin should be amended. Fans were left scratching their heads once again at the rules in international rugby league after reported trio Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas Tino and Fa'asuamaleaui were all thinking of playing for Samoa, which would rule them out for the Ashes tour at the end of the year. One of the first jobs for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will be to try and convince the trio to play in the historic Ashes tour with all three close to automatic selections in the side. However, Carrigan has admitted he wouldn't begrudge Broncos teammate Haas or Queensland teammates Tabuai-Fidow or Fa'asuamaleaui if they opted to switch allegiances. Carrigan said while he would like to line-up alongside them, he would still cheer them on if they opted to pull on the Samoa jersey and represent their heritage. "Everyone has different cultural backgrounds and family experiences," he said. "My love to play for Australia and for my country comes from my parents and their hard work so if those boys feel passionate about representing Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that's their choice and I think it makes for a better product. I don't begrudge them at all." Tabuai-Fidow played for Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, but was hampered with injury and only featured in one game. He has represented Australia six times since then having won the Pacific Championship last year in a stacked side. Fa'asuamaleaui played six games for Australia across 2022 and 2023, but has been injured in recent years having struggled to back-up for the green and gold at the end of the season. Haas has represented Australia four times. Walters coached Carrigan and Haas at the Broncos for four years and has a good relationship with both of the forwards. And Carrigan feels Walters will be in Haas' ear about his upcoming decision. "I'd hope so, as a fan I'll line him up for us and cheer him on," he said. "Him and (Kevin Walters) have got a good relationship so I'm sure Kev will get into the big fella's ears." Backlash over player defections at international level Samoa is not considered a tier-one nation so if Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui were to make the switch, they would still be able to continue playing Origin for their respective states. And fans have become increasingly confused and frustrated with reports of players switching. Switching allegiances between a tier one and tier two nation has become a controversial debate within the game. However, the argument is State of Origin and the international game is strengthened with as many players getting involved as possible. "They're elite players in the Australian competition in our game so you want them playing for Australia, but I love where the international game is going," Carrigan added about the international game. Veteran reporter Buzz Rothfield also suggested rugby league benefits from players making the switch, but commentator Dan Ginnane claimed it's time to make Samoa and Tonga tier one nations in rugby league. It's time State of Origin was opened up for everyone, even Poms and Kiwis. Let anyone play Origin, if they of the International Rugby League too, as smaller nations hold onto their guns. — 13-A-Side (@13_A_Side_) July 22, 2025 Then there is the argument over State of Origin. Some fans feel a player should only be able to represent their state if they play for Australia. If playing for the Kangaroos deemed you eligible to play State of Origin, the current pinnacle of the sport, than less players would be so willing to make a switch. And former NSW coach Brad Fittler suggested that maybe the NRL need to think about a rule change to make players hold the Australian jersey in higher esteem. "State of Origin's the one that everyone loves playing. Unless you take State of Origin away from those tier two nations, then that won't change," Fittler told 2GB Radio. "There's a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes, especially with a lot of the Polynesian players to try to get them to go and play for Samoa, Tonga, or whatever. "I think in the Pacific Nations it's great that they're competitive. I think in a World Cup, I think it is. I don't know about this Kangaroo Tour. A lot of these players don't know the history of the Kangaroo tour. I think playing in a Test match at Wembley is a little bit more significant than playing in a Pacific Nations game." While this could be implemented this does go against the purpose of Origin, which is representing the state where you started played junior footy. Players such as Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai all represent Samoa, but play a pivotal role in State of Origin and making the competition such an elite standard.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Furious footy legend Brad Fittler reveals which players he wants to punish by having them BANNED from playing State of Origin
NRL legend and coach Brad Fittler has reacted to some of the game's biggest stars turning their bac on playing for Australia by campaigning to ban them from the State of Origin arena. Australia will play England in a three-test Ashes series for the first time in 22 years at the end of the NRL season. However, there are real fears of a talent drain with Queensland and Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow mulling over a decision on whether to play for the Kangaroos or Samoa. The slashing fullback played a lone test for Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup before his career went into orbit. He has now played 10 matches for the Queensland Maroons and has played six Tests for Australia. However, Tabuai-Fidow could choose Samoa over Australia, with New South Wales enforcer Payne Haas and Queensland's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui also considering switching their allegiances. All of them were born in Australia. There is currently nothing in the rules stopping the stars from making the switch, as Samoa is still considered a Tier 2 nation despite reaching the final of the most recent World Cup. Players cannot switch between Tier 1 countries under the regulatioons. Fittler wants that changed, with Origin bans slapped on Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui - along with any other Kangaroos who choose to play for their island nation instead. 'The fact is they can go and play for Samoa and still play State of Origin,' he told Radio 2GB. 'State of Origin is the one that everybody loves playing. 'So unless you take State of Origin away from those tier-two nations, then that won't change. 'There's a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes, especially with a lot of the Polynesian players, trying to get them to go and play for Samoa, Tonga.' 2GB's Adam Hawse suggested that Australian officials should also be hitting the phones, but Fittler didn't agree. 'Yeah, but you know, who wants to be lobbying?' Fittler said. 'Half the time they don't ring you back anyway. 'Who wants to sit there and lobby and ask players do they want to play for the country that has nurtured and educated them, you know?' In 2017, Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita made headlines by choosing to represent Tonga over New Zealand and Australia for the Rugby League World Cup. Their shock defections triggered a wave of support, with players like Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Maʻu, and David Fusitu'a also pledging allegiance to Tonga. The move redefined international rugby league, as Tonga reached the semi-finals and nearly upset England. Inspired by Tonga's rise, several stars later chose Samoa for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, including Joseph Suaalii, Brian To'o, Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai. Samoa went on to reach the final that year, becoming the first tier-two nation to do so.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cameron Smith lifts lid on potential role alongside Kevin Walters after losing out
NRL legend Cameron Smith has revealed he could be open to an assistant role for the Australian national side after losing out on the top job to Kevin Walters. The Kangaroos are soon to name a coach to lead the nation against England in a three-match Ashes series taking place the first time since 2003. The first Test against England gets underway at London's Wembley Stadium on October 25. This week it emerged Walters is to be confirmed for the role with the incoming coach winning the position over Melbourne Storm and Queensland great Smith. NRL legend Brad Fittler was considered a favourite for the role, but withdrew from the race due to his media commitments with Channel Nine. And Smith has revealed on 100% Footy he received a phone call from Peter V'Landys telling him Walters had got the job. "I think Kev will do a great job, I was luckily enough to be coached by Kev...I think he will do a really good job," Smith said on Monday night. "I had a phone call from Peter V'Landys a couple of days ago. There was no formal discussion around me being the coach. There was no gave me a phone call just to let me know that the decision was made they are going to go with Kev. I am happy with that decision, I respect that decision. If I had a chance to put my case forward, I would have...I think it's a great appointment." Smith is considered one of the best minds in the NRL, but one of the factors that appeared to work against him is he has no experience as a head coach. He previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team. His knowledge of the game and experience as the Kangaroos captain is what led him to being an attractive candidate for the role. And Smith revealed an assistant role was brought mentioned in the phone call. "Well that was mentioned in the phone call. That could be possibly something to look I haven't had any further discussions with Peter, with Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," Smith added. While Smith revealed an assistant coaching role was a potential avenue back into the fold, it would most likely be up to Walters on who serves on his team. Regardless, Smith was thrilled with Walters' appointment, even if it was on a reported short deal. Kevin Walters preferred to Cameron Smith for Kangaroos job The former Broncos coach has won two State of Origin series in charge of the Maroons and led Brisbane to the 2023 NRL grand final, before being replaced by Michael Maguire after a poor season last year. News Corp reports that Walters has won the race to replace Mal Meninga as Australia's next coach, but only on a three-game deal that will see him lead the Kangaroos in the end of year Ashes series against England. If the Kangaroos enjoy a winning three-Test series against England and play some attractive footy in their first Ashes tour in 22 years, there's every chance Walters keeps the job for the home World Cup next year. The concern for some in the rugby league community is Australia is a few months out from the resurrected Ashes series with England that starts in October and there has no been no formal announcement of a coach. While an announcement is imminent, selection and plans need to be laid out for the historic series. Australia and England have not taken part in an Ashes-style series in 20 years. The Kangaroos have won a record 13 consecutive Ashes series.
