Latest news with #ConnorWatson
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Connor Watson: Playing with the firecracker Spencer Leniu you never know what you're going to get!
The great Connor Watson (31:53) is starting to dream of a finals appearance after his Roosters' 64-12 win over fellow finals contenders the Dolphins. He started from the bench and was watching on amused when the game exploded in the 9th minute with Spencer Leniu one of 4 players sent to the bin. But he realises that his team have been far too inconsistent over the whole season to take anything for granted even though they have given themselves a chance. Plus you can catch the odd couple - Luke Lewis and John Gibbs' views on the big topics of the week in Six Again (10:53) and the First Thought (50:02) this week is on Dud signings. Plus you can get to know the man behind the madness - The Cog - Ralph Tucker (1:16:40).
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘The thing that's let us down the most': Roosters concede one good defensive performance won't be enough as they fight for finals spot
The Roosters have the attacking brilliance to beat any team on their day, but representative hooker Connor Watson says they must find defensive consistency if they are any chance of making the finals and competing for the title. The famed Bondi Wall has been the cornerstone of the club's success since Trent Robinson took over as coach in 2013, with the Roosters only conceding 500 points once during that time in the disastrous 2016 campaign. They have made the finals every year bar 2016, with the current side sitting ninth having already leaked 451 points – the seventh-most in the NRL this season. That included a run of 119 points in four matches from round 18 onwards, but they steadied the ship and allowed just one try in appalling conditions against Manly last week – the fewest points they've conceded in a match since round 9, 2023. The ninth-placed Roosters now face the Dolphins who are ahead of them on the table by two points but boast a vastly superior for and against, which makes Saturday's trip to Brisbane feel like a finals game in August. 'We'd obviously like to be entrenched in the eight and playing for the top four,' Watson said. 'But the reality is we need to keep winning to make the finals. For us with a young side, it's really exciting for everyone to have these important games coming up for us to show what we're really capable of. 'The Dolphins have been in red-hot form and they can score points from anywhere. Last time we went up to Brisbane and played them during Magic Round, I thought we played well, but the game was probably a bit closer than what it was after halftime. 'Hopefully, we learn from that and defend a bit better. 'Even though the game against Manly on the weekend, the conditions weren't great and some of the intensity came out of the footy, I thought our goal-line 'D' took a step in the right direction. 'For the last month since Origin, that's probably the thing that's let us down the most.' That defensive display against Manly where they absorbed plenty of pressure in the first half and then attacked the hosts through Sam Walker's kicking game will give them plenty of confidence, but it's only a starting point. The best defensive teams are the ones that contend for titles, and Watson accepts that's what hurt them last year when they leaked 94 points in three finals matches. 'It gives you confidence, but there's also the reality of the weekend and how wet it was,' he said. 'Manly weren't going to be able to attack as well as they can, so it's about understanding (our defence) was good, but we need to keep getting better and attacking with more intensity. 'For us to be the side that we want to be and to do the things that we've talked about all year, it's important for us (to defend well). 'Last year we attacked really well but our defence wasn't good enough for us to make the grand final and win the comp. 'The big thing for us this year has been our defence, but the last month has been really poor except for the weekend.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters star turns on NRL after teammate banned under mid-season rule change
Roosters star Connor Watson has hit out at the NRL's decision to change the criteria for the rookie of the year award, which has seen Mark Nawaqanitawase banned from winning it. Cross-code star Nawaqanitawase was among the leading contenders for the award, which recognises the best first-year player in the NRL. But league bosses made the decision to block Nawaqanitawase from winning the gong as they felt the situation would have been unfair to some other 'traditional' rookies. The outside back played 58 games for the NSW Waratahs and 11 Test matches for the Wallabies before switching codes to the NRL last year. He's technically a rookie because he never played NRL before, but league bosses feel he doesn't really fit the criteria due to his experience in rugby union. Last week the Australian Rugby League Commission made a subtle tweak to its rules to prevent Nawaqanitawase winning the award. Under the new rule, players who have played five or more professional matches in another sporting code are now ineligible for the Dally M Rookie of the Year. The codes in question will be determined by the NRL on a case-by-case basis, but Nawaqanitawase's rugby background rules him out. It leaves Roosters teammate Robert Toia, Warriors forward Leka Halasima and Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi as the leading candidates for the gong. But according to Watson, the NRL's change is completely unfair on Nawaqanitawase. Watson took particular exception to the fact the rule has been changed mid-season. "Mark would probably be the favourite to win it," Watson said at the launch of the NRL's Indigenous Round on Tuesday. "So I feel like it's hard to make that call halfway through the year when he's played so well. If you're going to make a decision like that, you probably do it at the start of the year." NRL boss defends rookie of the year change But NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the mid-season change was "really simple". Abdo declared: "The (ARL) Commission has made a policy change decision around the eligibility for rookie of the year, and I think it's contemporary. (The rule) hasn't been looked at for a while. The decision was really simple. It is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through pathways systems, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it's in other sports." Nawaqanitawase has 13 tries on the season heading into Round 22, putting him equal-fifth overall. Only Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (17), Tyrell Sloan (15), Xavier Coates (14) and Philip Sami (14) have more, while Daniel Tupou and Tolutau Koula also have 13. RELATED: Stunning news about Latrell Mitchell as Bennett axing divides NRL hits Wests Tigers player with fine over 'offensive' gesture The 24-year-old Nawaqanitawase was even floated as an option to make his State of Origin debut for NSW before the start of the series. According to Watson, he's made a bigger impression off the field as on it. "That's probably been the best part of having him in the team," Watson said. "His energy every day and the positivity that he has around the group is good because sometimes when your season is inconsistent as it has been this year, everyone can get a bit down in the dumps. Mark comes in with a smile on his face every day and lifts the boys up." with AAP
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Favourite to win it': Connor Watson has a crack at the NRL over controversial rule change concerning teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase
Roosters star Connor Watson says the decision to make teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase ineligible for the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award should have been made at the start of 2025 and not with only a few rounds left in the season. Nawaqanitawase was one of the favourites to win the award this year along with Leka Halasima, Isaiah Iongi and Roosters teammate Robert Toia, only for the ARL Commission to change the rule because of his rugby accolades. The cross-code sensation excelled for the Wallabies and represented Australia in sevens at the 2024 Olympics before he switched to rugby league last year and played one NRL game for the Roosters. He has emerged as a genuine star on the right edge in 2025 and has already wrapped up try-of-the-year honours for his solo effort against the Bulldogs. But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed on Tuesday that the State of Origin bolter wasn't eligible to join Harry Grant, Sam Walker and Jack Bostock as winners of the award. MARK NAWAQANITAWASE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🤯 #NRLBulldogsRoosters — NRL (@NRL) May 16, 2025 'The commission had made a policy change decision around the eligibility for rookie of the year, and I think it's contemporary and hasn't been looked at for a while,' he said. 'The decision was really simple. It (the award) is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through pathways systems, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it's in other sports.' Halasima played four games for the Warriors last year but still qualifies because he didn't reach the five-match threshold, while Canberra's Savelio Tamale would have been in the mix had he not been injured. Individual awards don't define a player's legacy, but it's a shame that Nawaqanitawase won't be recognised given he's scored 13 tries this season and has been a shining light with the ball. 'Mark would probably be the favourite to win it, so I feel like it's hard to make that call halfway through the year when he's played so well,' Watson said. 'If you're going to make a decision like that, you probably do it at the start of the year. 'It's pretty cool that Mark's had a rule named for him. It just shows the impact that he's had. 'Regardless of how he plays, Mark as a person has brought so much to the team. That's probably been the best part of having him in the team other than everything else he does. 'His energy every day and the positivity that he has around the group is good because sometimes when your season is inconsistent as it has been this year, everyone can get a bit down in the dumps. But Mark comes in with a smile on his face every day and lifts the boys up.'
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Disgusting act towards NSW star goes too far after State of Origin decider
NSW utility Connor Watson was almost struck by a full can of liquid in an ugly moment following Queensland's State of Origin victory on Wednesday night. In an incident caught on camera, the Roosters star was walking up the first tier of seating inside Accor Stadium after the post-match ceremonies were completed when an object was thrown towards him from above. As first reported by Code Sports, the object narrowly missed Watson as he shook hands with a spectator on his way to the area at the back of the grand stand. The video shows people in the stadium were shouting Watson's name before the item was thrown. The item was reportedly a full can of beer. Members of the stadium security eventually attended the scene. 'Stadium security staff are reviewing CCTV footage and will work with police,' a stadium spokesman said. Watson has told Code Sports he was 'shocked'. 'I've had to go up there, my family and friends were up there,' Watson said. 'One of my mates is in a wheelchair, and he can't come down the stairs, so I have walked up there to go see him. 'As I'm walking, a can of Canadian Club lands right next to me and it's like someone had thrown it at me. 'If they did throw it... the words I want to use for it... I can't say right now. 'If it was thrown, it's disappointing to think someone thinks it's OK to do that. 'If that got me in the head... it seemed like it came from the top level. 'These younger guys, came up to me saying they have footage of the incident, of me walking and the can land right next to me. 'It's disappointing to be honest. 'I'm just going up to visit my family and friends, I shouldn't have to worry about someone throwing a can at me. 'If someone has done it, they should do something about it.' The offender faces a ban and police may investigate. Australian sports journalist Mark Gotlieb posted on X the person responsible should be 'banned for life'. The Blues have come under fire from rugby league commentators since Billy Slater's Maroons came back to win the series after losing the opener at Suncorp Stadium. NSW coach Laurie Daley and captain Isaah Yeo have been nothing but classy in the aftermath of the Maroons' stunning 24-12 victory. Galvanised by Cameron Munster's brave decision to play days after his dad's passing, the Maroons defied the odds to blow NSW off their home ground in Sydney in a blistering first half. Nathan Cleary also showed great class in congratulating Queensland, but it has not stopped the No. 7 from a barrage of criticism. Cleary has won three State of Origin series, but he is still yet to dominate the arena like the great rugby league halfbacks, including Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Allan Langer. Cleary has won four premierships with Penrith and a World Cup with the Kangaroos, but he is now winless in the three Origin deciders he's played in. Mitchell Moses has looked the most damaging NSW playmaker in recent seasons, but he missed the last two games of the year with injury. Channel 9 caller Mat Thompson said: 'He's yet to win one. There are very few things that the 27-year-old champion halfback has not achieved in the game, but piloting his state to a victory in Game 3 is one.' Phil Gould was scathing of NSW's attack and the lack of spirit shown by the Blues, saying on Nine post-game: 'Origin is different to club football and it looked like an Origin side playing against a club side.' After the Blues' shocking first half, when they trailed 20-0, Gould said: 'Credit to Queensland, they've played perfect Origin football. 'I can't say the same for NSW in attack. They've looked very predictable. They've looked rushed. There's been no cohesion in defence. They're really disconnected all up and down the field, not just on their goal line. NSW just look so predictable. There's nothing dangerous coming at you and Queensland are really connected. 'They've played perfect Origin football and I don't know what NSW are doing to be honest.' An emotional Cleary told Nine post-game: 'Shattering to be honest. Just wasn't good enough. And at the end of the day, we probably didn't react well enough to their rushing defence. And they saved tries, they scrambled and we struggled to do that.'
