Latest news with #BrianTo'o
1News
4 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Blues on the cusp of back-to-back Origin success
NSW are 80 minutes away from back-to-back State of Origin series wins after the Blues' forwards set the platform for a historic 18-6 win at Suncorp Stadium. The Blues dominated Queensland on Wednesday night, with only missed conversions from all four tries stopping the scoreline from blowing out. After winning last year's decider in Brisbane, the victory marked the first time the Blues have breached the Suncorp fortress in successive games in 27 years. NSW have also now won three straight games for the first time in 19 years, after coming back from 1-0 down in last year's series. But of most importance to the Blues is that they can now win this year's series in Perth on June 18, with another chance to come in Sydney three weeks later. ADVERTISEMENT "Any time you can come here and win you've got to be happy, so extremely happy," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "But it's only camp one. We'll see what (Queensland) are like when they bounce into game two. "Because one thing I know about Origin is there's always a response. You get hit in the face, there's a response next game." For all their dominance, NSW were still made to sweat for their win. After leading 14-0 just before the break, they lost Brian To'o to the sin-bin on the stroke of halftime when he tackled Xavier Coates in midair as the Maroons winger attempted to plant a try. There was no penalty try but it did leave the Blues exposed, beginning the second half. They looked up to the task when six men bundled Valentine Holmes into touch. ADVERTISEMENT But from the next play Coates scored, Jeremiah Nanai's pinpoint hit on Latrell Mitchell sending the ball loose and the Maroons pouncing. At 14-6 it was still anyone's game, both sides error-riddled under fatigue as the quality descended. Two-try zero Zac Lomax and Connor Watson combined to produce the moment, both somehow popping offloads in tackles, allowing Dylan Edwards to score the clincher with eight minutes to play. Halves Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary clicked in their partnership debut for NSW while Stephen Crichton shrugged off his early-week injury crisis. Mitchell was also immense in his Origin return at centre. That was all made possible by a dominant Blues pack, with man-of-the-match Payne Haas topping 150 metres after barely training on a quad tear in the build-up. "For a big bloke and limited prep to jump out of the ground and do what he did was inspirational," Daley said. ADVERTISEMENT The Blues' go-forward quietened the capacity crowd in the first half, with the Maroons giving away three ruck penalties inside the first 10 minutes to gift the visitors field position. Harry Grant was ineffective at hooker while Pat Carrigan missed five tackles and had the Maroons pack's only tackle break at half-time, compared to 12 from the Blues forwards. "They were much better than us. I feel pretty flat to be honest about our performance," Queensland coach Billy Slater said. "The flatness comes from how we hurt ourselves. Very ill disciplined in the first half, and then that just snowballed against us." Queensland have now scored just one try in their last two games at Suncorp, with that coming when the Blues were down a man on Wednesday. "That's not good. That's not a good stat," Slater said. "Probably as disappointing as the performance tonight." NSW's dominance didn't show on the scoreboard until later in the half on Wednesday, with Haas breaking the line and offloading before Lomax scored. To'o crossed four minutes later, Mitchell's brilliant, mid-air offload setting that try up before a slick left-to-right movement allowed Lomax to score his second.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Reality TV star dad Dylan Wright reveals his genius hack for looking after kids on State of Origin night - and it's as easy as pushing play
A savvy dad who loves his Origin footy has revealed a genius hack that guarantees parents will be able to watch the big game with their kids tucked into bed - and all you have to do is press play. The clever tip happens to come from 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright, who posted his clever tactic on TikTok on Wednesday night. 'Origin night one, got dinner on, it is quarter to six,' his clip began. 'The girls didn't want to miss out so... I put on last year's game two - and they think it is live. Huge win, they will be asleep by 7pm.' Wright - who performed the national anthem at last year's Origin opener in Sydney - later confirmed in a comment that his daughters were sound asleep by 7.10pm, well ahead of kick-off in Brisbane at 8.05pm AEDT. 'Such a good cheat code,' said one of Wright's 47,000-plus TikTok followers. 'Parent of the year,' joked another. A third weighed in with: 'Credit where credit is due.' After producing on the field, a number of NSW Blues stars then proudly took on their 'other' job, parenting. Debutant prop Max King was interviewed while holding his son Hercules, while Mitch Moses enjoyed a moment out on the field with his daughter Aspyn. In the sheds, Brian To'o's young son Atreus stole the hearts of footy fans after defending his father from his Blues teammates as they horsed around with him following their 18-6 victory in the Origin series opener. To'o was solid for the Blues, grabbing a first half try before he was sin-binned - but also suffered his share of knocks. In a clip posted to social media by teammate Spencer Leniu, To'o could be seen with his ribs and leg both heavily strapped. Stephen Crichton and Leniu tried to help the Penrith star get his jersey off as To'o winced in pain. It was too much for To'o's 18-month-old son Atreus, who gestured for Leniu and Crichton to stop hurting his dad before throwing a bottle at them. And in ominous news for Queensland, man of the match Payne Haas is confident he take his game to new heights. In hilarious scenes on live tv, Max King's son Hercules covered his dad's face (pictured) as the interview drew to a close on Channel 9 Carrying a quadriceps complaint, the Brisbane prop entered camp in doubt to play - but then bashed the Maroons in a first-half clinic that set up his team's victory. Haas's 140 run metres, 18 runs, three tackle breaks, three offloads and 29 tackles led a pack that set the tone in a dominant first half before hanging tough in a scrappy second half. 'I got a bit nervous on the bus, but all the boys showed faith in me,' the front-rower said of his mental state after managing his leg complaint. Haas is only 25 but has already played 15 Origins after debuting in 2019. 'I'm just doing my job; I love this jersey so much. I love these boys and love playing for the people of New South Wales,' he said. 'I've just watched it (Origin) since I was a kid, I just love this jersey. 'But I wouldn't say I'm at the top (of my game). I'm only 25, long way to go and still working.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
See the heartwarming moment State of Origin star Brian To'o's baby son sticks up for him when he's 'bullied' by his teammates
Brian To'o's young son Atreus has captured footy fans' hearts by defending his father from his Blues teammates as they horsed around with him following their 18-6 victory in the Origin series opener. It was a margin that flattered Queensland, considering Nathan Cleary (0-3) and Zac Lomax (0-1) missed all four try conversions attempts. Star winger To'o had a solid game for New South Wales, but suffered his share of knocks in the process. In a clip posted to social media by teammate Spencer Leniu, To'o could be seen in the sheds following the Blues' triumph with his ribs and leg both heavily strapped. Stephen Crichton and Leniu tried to help the Penrith star get his jersey off after the win as To'o winced in pain. It was too much for To'o's 18-month-old son Atreus, who gestured for Leniu and Crichton to stop hurting his dad before throwing a bottle at them. The sight of the tiny tot standing up to the NRL giants sent onlookers into fits of laughter. NSW playmaker Mitch Moses also posted heartwarming photos of himself after the match with his daughter Aspyn, who was wearing a tiny replica Blues jersey as she kissed his forehead while he sat on the field, soaking in the victory. While Moses, Crichton, Leniu and To'o all played well, Payne Haas turned in an 'inspirational' performce, on one leg, to power the Blues within reach of back-to-back State of Origin series wins. Carrying a quadriceps complaint, the Brisbane prop entered camp in doubt for Wednesday's series opener against Queensland. He barely trained but then bashed the Maroons in a first-half clinic that set up their victory. Haas's 140 run metres, 18 runs, three tackle breaks, three offloads and 29 tackles led a pack that set the tone in a dominant first half before hanging tough in a scrappy second half. 'I got a bit nervous on the bus, but all the boys showed faith in me,' the Broncos prop said of his mental state after managing his leg complaint. Haas is only 25 but has already played 15 Origins after debuting in 2019. Mitch Moses also gave fans a heartwarming moment as he celebrated the win with his daughter Aspyn (pictured) 'I'm just doing my job; I love this jersey so much. I love these boys and love playing for the people of New South Wales,' he said. 'I've just watched it (Origin) since I was a kid, just love this jersey . 'But I wouldn't say I'm at the top (of my game). I'm only 25, long way to go and still working.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
NSW Police annihilate Queensland in just three words after Origin beat down
Queenslanders are licking their wounds after another NSW ambush at Suncorp Stadium, but south of the border, Blues fans are more than happy to stick the boot in. While the scoreline appeared close at 18-6, it was a near complete capitulation from the Maroons, who hardly looked like scoring, only taking advantage of a Brian To'o sin bin on the stroke of halftime to boot a penalty goal, before Xavier Coates scored in the 45th minute against 12 Blues. The scoreline could have been much worse with Nathan Cleary and Zac Lomax leaving their goalkicking boots at home, kicking just one penalty goal and missing all four conversion attempts. In front of a crowd that was 57 people short of the all-time record at Suncorp Stadium, the usually rowdy Queensland fans were kept quiet as the Maroons never really got started, slumping to the state's first back-to-back losses at Suncorp Stadium in Origin since 1997-98. Pre-game the confidence was oozing out for the state with the Queensland Police Service taking to Facebook to post a confident message — as well as letting fans know not to get behind the wheel after a big night. 'Maroons fans, we'll be patrolling harder than Queensland's defence tonight so don't even think about driving after hitting the Milton mangoes,' the post read. 'Cherry-Evans can't save us from traffic, so expect delays around Suncorp from 4pm. Get there safe, get home safe and let's show 'em the only thing the Blues can catch is public transport back to NSW. 'Unlike a NSW training session, we'll be watching.' It was far from the only banter with Queensland Health offering health advice 'for the burn that's coming after you (NSW) lose tonight's game', while the Queensland Government page said: 'We've dispatched extra supplies of aloe vera and tissues to the border (just in case). Hang in there NSW, we'll try not to win too convincingly …' While the police forces usually have some decent banter in the lead up to Origin matches, the NSW force timed it perfectly to stick the boot in at full-time. 'Didn't age well,' the response read. Queensland Police responded on Thursday morning writing: 'You got us this time – well done, Blues. But hey, don't get comfy,' as well as 'Also we didn't realise telling people not to drink and drive could age badly NSW? Interesting.' NSW Police also hit back at Queensland Health, writing: 'At least they can take their own advice.' A fan also hit back at the Queensland Government tissue offer, saying: 'Keep your tissues and CRYYYY'. While the quality of the game was largely panned by fans at full-time, it's good to see the banter continue. But the result raises more questions for the Maroons, who will now need to win in Perth to force an Origin decider in the Blues backyard to stop NSW lifting the shield for a second year. The footy world has turned on the ageing Maroons with captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who became the oldest player in Origin history, and five-eighth Cameron Munster copping a brunt of the criticism.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
State of Origin: 'Brave' New South Wales too good in game one
Brian To'o of the Blues celebrates scoring a try during the State of Origin game one, in Brisbane, on 28 May, 2025. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND / PHOTOSPORT New South Wales have opened the State of Origin Rugby League series with an 18-6 win over Queensland in Brisbane. The Blues dominated the first half, with their forwards making yards through the middle and their outside backs capitalising on the creativity of halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses. Zac Lomax and Brian To'o scored tries in the space of ten minutes to have the visitors 14-2 in front at the break. Queensland scored their only try just after halftime through Xavier Coates when To'o was in the bin for a foul while contesting an aerial ball. Queensland were roared on by their 52,000 fans, but New South Wales were able to control the game. Dylan Edwards scored in the 73rd minute to seal the win for the Blues. It was the second successive win for New South Wales at Suncorp after they clinched last year's series there in the decider. Game Two is in Perth on 18 June and game three in Sydney on 9 July. Mitchell Barnett of the Blues during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: DAVE HUNT / PHOTOSPORT "They're always tough to win up here but I thought we were very brave tonight," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "I think we can get a lot better, but one thing I'm very proud of the guys is that we spoke about being physical and they went out and did that." Meanwhile, Maroons five Cameron Munster admitted they played some dumb football. "We just shot ourselves in the foot in the first half," he told Channel Nine. "We've just got to be smarter, we played some dumb footy and gave them too many opportunities. "It's frustrating. Eighteen points, [with] what we dished up it probably should've been more." New South Wales prop Payne Haas was named man of the match. He ran 122 metres and made 28 tackles. See how the game unfolded with RNZ's blog.
