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'Won't make excuses': Knights coach backs controversial obstruction call
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Court rejects tenant's claim landlord should have insured against arrears
Mr Justice Barry O'Donnell found the claim by Elite Gastrobars Ltd that the landlord's obligation to insure under the terms of the lease cannot be understood as extending to an obligation to provide cover against the type of business interruption caused by the Covid restrictions. The obligation extended to the specified insured risks and that definition does not refer expressly or by implication to losses caused by public-health restrictions, he said. In those circumstances, the judge said Elite failed to meet the threshold that would persuade the court not to enter summary judgment against the company over rent arrears and refer the matter to full hearing. He therefore made an order granting judgment for €276,041 in favour of the shopping centre landlord BVK Elektra 2 Liffey Phase 1 ICAV. The case was also against Bunker Estates Ltd, which was the guarantor in the lease for Elite. The judge said since the case was initiated against Elite, Bunker has been dissolved and the application for summary judge against Bunker was adjourned generally. The judge said while Elite had also raised arguments about the lack of a clear explanation in the accounts for the rent arrears claim and the status of BVK, the main issue was business interruption insurance. The judge was satisfied the figures and explanations provided were accurate and reliable Elite said the arrears were related to trading difficulties during Covid and the landlord had not activated a rent review clause in the lease, which would give rise to an adjustment in the figures claimed. Mr Justice O'Donnell was satisfied that the figures and explanations provided were accurate and reliable. The defendant accepted that it had not paid the rent and other charges for periods, he said. Its primary argument was that this was related to the trading difficulties during the period of Covid restrictions and was also excusable for reasons to do with the business interruption clauses in the lease. The rent review issue was addressed by the parties and an agreed position was achieved with a consequent adjustment to the figure claimed, the judge said. He granted judgment and adjourned the case to October for final orders and cost matters.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Completely correct': NRL world fooled by James Tedesco optical illusion
OPINION NRL fans and commentators were blowing up on Thursday night in the belief the Roosters had been wrongly awarded a try that nearly cost the Melbourne Storm dearly. But a camera angle that the Bunker wasn't actually privy to shows they got the call completely correct. Tedesco looked way off-side when he streamed through in chase of a Sam Walker kick in the 64th minute. Tedesco's presence helped Mark Nawaqanitawase tap the ball back in the face of Storm fullback Nick Meaney, before Zach Dockar-Clay picked it up and scored under the posts. The Bunker ticked off the on-field call of try, which gave the Roosters a 30-28 lead before the Storm salvaged a 34-30 victory at the death. The Bunker's decision to confirm the Dockar-Clay try caused uproar, with everyone convinced Tedesco was in front of Walker when he kicked it. Under NRL rules, chasers must have both feet behind the ball when it's kicked, and the camera angles used by the Bunker official looked very sketchy for the Roosters captain. Because they weren't in line with the play, it looked like Tedesco was way off-side. Channel 9 then showed an angle that the Bunker didn't have access to, and many thought that confirmed the decision was wrong. But in actual fact it showed they got it 100 per cent right. The overhead angle, which is only used at Allianz Stadium and not shown to the Bunker because it's not available for every game, wasn't perfectly in line with the play either. In the overhead shot, the 20m line can be seen at a slight angle, and there's also a faint white line just in front of where Walker and Tedesco were. If you follow the same trajectory as those lines from where the ball left Walker's boot, you can draw the conclusion that Tedesco did in fact have both feet behind. Tedesco's head and left hand were in front of the ball, but that's not the rule. Both of his feet were behind the point at which Walker kicked the ball, meaning the Bunker nailed the decision. NRL greats didn't agree with decision However not many agreed. Andrew Johns said on Channel 9: "Is Teddy on-side here? We'll have a look at this one, I think he might be off-side. He normally never gets that wrong either." Johnathan Thurston added: "I think he is off-side the skipper - you just can't get that wrong Teddy." When the call was confirmed, Thurston simply said: "Wow." On Fox League after the game, Roosters great Bryan Fletcher highlighted how 'karma' caught up with his former team when Daniel Tupou butchered a try but dropping the ball over the line. Fletcher said it was a slice of justice for the Storm for the Tedesco decision. "This is what the karma gods do because James Tedesco was off-side," Fletcher said on the 'Late Show with Matty Johns'. "This game has a funny way of evening itself up." RELATED: Broncos lose young gun to Eels as Cowboys set to part ways with half Latrell and Turbo overlooked in NRL great's Kangaroos team for Ashes But Fletcher, Johns and Thurston were all fooled by the optical illusion. There have been plenty of howlers made by NRL referees and Bunker officials this year, but this wasn't one of them.
Irish Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Liffey Valley Shopping Centre landlord not required to have Covid cover for tenant, court rules
The High Court has rejected a claim by a company that rented a restaurant unit in the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin that the landlord seeking judgment for some €276,000 for rent arrears should have had business interruption insurance in place for closures caused by the Covid pandemic restrictions. Mr Justice Barry O'Donnell found the claim by Elite Gastrobars Ltd that the landlord's obligation to insure under the terms of the lease cannot be understood as extending to an obligation to provide cover against the type of business interruption caused by the Covid lockdown restrictions. The obligation extended to the specified insured risks and that definition does not refer expressly or by implication to losses caused by public health restrictions, he said. In those circumstances, the judge said Elite failed to meet the threshold that would persuade the court not to enter summary judgment against the company over rent arrears and refer the matter to full hearing. READ MORE He therefore made an order granting judgment for €276,041 in favour of the shopping centre landlord, BVK Elektra 2 Liffey Phase 1 ICAV. The case was also against Bunker Estates Ltd, which was the guarantor in the lease for Elite. The judge said that since the case was initiated against Elite, Bunker has been dissolved and the application for summary judgement against Bunker was adjourned generally. The judge said that while Elite had also raised arguments about the lack of a clear explanation in the accounts for the rent arrears claim and the status of BVK, the main issue was business interruption insurance. Elite said the arrears were related to trading difficulties during the Covid restrictions and that the landlord had not activated a rent review clause in the lease that would give rise to an adjustment in the figures claimed. Mr Justice O'Donnell was satisfied that the figures and explanations provided by BVK were accurate and reliable. The defendant accepted that it had not paid the rent and other charges for periods, he said. Its primary argument was that this was related to the trading difficulties during the period of Covid restrictions and was also excusable for reasons to do with the business interruption clauses in the lease. The rent review issue was addressed by the parties and an agreed position was achieved with a consequent adjustment to the figure claimed, the judge said. He did not consider that it was open to the defendant to challenge BVK's title. He granted judgment and adjourned the case to October for final orders and cost matters.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospitals scan more patients with AI technology
Staff at NHS hospitals in Hull said AI technology had cut MRI scan times, allowing them to see more patients. Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said the software used algorithms to help reduce background noise, helping to achieve sharper images in a shorter time. Karen Bunker, head of imaging, said: "This means we can reduce the scanning time on certain sequences, but still get the same imaging quality." The software has been installed at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital and will also be introduced at Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. The Air Recon Deep Learning (ARDL) software was installed on the hospitals' existing MRI machines. Staff said the software was cutting between 10 and 15 minutes from average scan times. A routine MRI head scan used to take 30 minutes but now takes 20, the trust said, while a prostate scan now takes 30 minutes instead of 45. The trust added it can now scan 31 lumber spine patients over a 12 hour period, instead of 21 before. Ms Bunker said: "People who struggle with claustrophobia or those with learning disabilities, who previously couldn't tolerate a scan, are finding they are able to endure the shorter scan times." Staff also reported fewer children needed to have a general anaesthetic to get through a scan. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. AI in healthcare: what are the risks for the NHS? Hospitals will use AI to speed up patient care AI 'co-pilot' used to speed up cancer diagnosis Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
