Latest news with #ConnorWatson
ABC News
29-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
How New South Wales supersub Connor Watson learned to become a State of Origin matchwinner
Connor Watson still isn't quite sure of how the pass happened, he's just glad that it did. The New South Wales utility put his stamp on another Origin as he latched onto a Zac Lomax pass close to the line, twisted his way through four Queensland defenders to pop a miracle ball up for Dylan Edwards to score the try that wrapped up Game I for the Blues on Wednesday night. It was a great show of skill and desire, albeit one Watson didn't get to see finished given he was trapped under a pile of Maroons defenders as Edwards crashed over but the noise was unmistakable. "When I threw that ball I didn't know what was going to happen and then I heard everyone cheering — far out, no way that just came off," Watson said. "It was a bit of a fluke — Lowy (Zac Lomax) got me the ball, the line was so close even though I knew I wouldn't get there myself. "I just tried to throw it up and Dyl, being a great fullback, was in support got it across the line." It's the second Lang Park match in a row where Watson has come on fresh in the final stages of the match with the game in the balance and come up with a key play to steer the Blues home. In last year's decider, when he also came on with 15 to go and the match in the balance, he dribbled an offload to Jarome Luai deep in his own half that gave the New South Wales five-eighth the space to take on the Queensland defence, slice through and find Bradman Best for the breakout try of the game. Watson's versatility opened the door for him to become part of the New South Wales side but through three games it's his impact late in matches that's come to the fore. In 30 minutes of game time combined across his last two matches, the Roosters hooker has made more of an impact than some players do in their Origin careers. It isn't easy to sit on the bench for over an hour and wait for your number to be called. It takes a lot of patience, both to ride it out and to not be too frantic when you come on in an effort to make the most of it. The latter was something Watson struggled with in the early stages of his career but has now mastered, especially for New South Wales. Like all good bench matchwinners, Watson understands that 15 minutes can be more than enough time to find a winning play. "Early in my career, and I had this conversation with some of the younger guys at the Roosters this year, I'd chase it almost too much because when you get little time you want to make as much of an impact as possible," Watson said. "But bring energy, putting yourself in different positions and those opportunities will come, you don't need to force them. "When I was young I'd go on and try to go crazy, but you can burn out doing that. "Coming on with 15 minutes to go is still plenty of time to make an impact, you just have to trust that opportunity will come. "I was itching to get out there and it can take a while but it's worth the wait. "I focus on my defence and in attack I just push, do that and things will be alright." After winning their first Lang Park decider in 30 years last series, making further history of their own was a focus for Laurie Daley's side in the lead up to Game I. They've now won back-to-back games at Lang Park for the first time in over a quarter-century and a win in Perth in three weeks' time would be their fourth consecutive victory and give the state it's longest winning streak since 1996-97. With Watson and his cohorts getting more and more acclimatised to the Origin furnace, it would take a brave punter to back against them doing so. "Every Origin game I've played the physicality and the intensity of the contact stands out, that's what separates it from the NRL," Watson said. "The ruck is a bit slower but the speed of the ball moving is higher, defences and attack moves faster. The more you play it, the more you understand what it's like. "It's great to get a win up here, but there's still two games to go yet."
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
HUGE scare for NSW as Crichton limps off
State of Origin: NSW Blues' Connor Watson talks through Stephen Crichton's training injury that saw him limp off the field.
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brandon Smith is no longer a Sydney Roosters player after his move to South Sydney was confirmed
Brandon Smith has officially been granted an early release by the Roosters, with the injured hooker set to link up with the Rabbitohs today where he'll continue his rehab before returning to action in roughly seven weeks. Smith signed a two-year deal to join Souths in 2026 but will make the move now after passing his medical on Monday. Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Monday that the decision was purely financial, with Connor Watson and Zach Dockar-Clay doing a good job for the club this season. Smith joined the Roosters in 2023 after a successful stint in Melbourne, but endured a slow start to life at his new club before finding form last season, only for him to suffer a serious knee injury on the eve of the finals. 'We appreciate Brandon's contributions over the last two and a half years, he was playing some very good football before he was sidelined by his knee injury,' Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said. Thank you Brandon 🫶ðŸ�»ðŸ�' Details in the comments — Sydney Roosters ðŸ�' (@sydneyroosters) May 12, 2025 'With his return to play not too far away, we thank Brandon and extend our best wishes in the next chapter of his career.' Smith will now join Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs just a few years after he told him he'd play under him at the Dolphins, only to change his mind and sign for the Roosters. 'I dudded Wayne and I broke his trust because I told him I was going there,' he said last week. 'Two years down the track, he's still interested in me. That shows me he wants me. Every chance I've had with him over the past two days, he's been outstanding. 'The feeling of not being wanted is bad, but being wanted is better.' The only question now is where Smith will play for the Rabbitohs, with the 2020 premiership winner not fussed whether he plays hooker, lock or off the bench. Cameron Murray will be the lock when he returns from injury next year, while Peter Mamouzelos was playing well before he hurt his elbow at Magic Round. Smith's versatility is one of his biggest strengths, and he'd gladly return as an impact player off the bench once he finally gets the green light to come back from his devastating knee injury. 'I'm 28 going on 29, so this contract isn't about me,' he said. 'It's about my career and me wanting to win games and put the club before myself. 'I want to win games whether I play lock or hooker or prop. Whatever Wayne needs, I'll do it.' 'I'm not set on being a hooker and I'm not set on being a lock. I'd play on the bench if I had to. I just want to enjoy my football again and get back to form.'
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Smith joins Roosters exodus as NRL rival pays big transfer fee to get star mid-season
The Sydney Roosters are reportedly set to release hooker Brandon Smith to arch rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs effective immediately. Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Hot on the heels of bombshell news that gun winger Dominic Young was free to leave, and with Terrell May's off-season axing fresh in mind amid his hot form at Wests Tigers, CODE Sports reported the Roosters and Souths have been in negotiations for a release over the past 48 hours. A deal is expected to be reached by the end of the week. Under the terms of the agreement, Souths will have to pay $180,000 in the form of a transfer fee to secure Smith for the rest of the 2025 season. The Roosters will use the money they are saving from Smith's $800,000 a year contract to top up a number of rising stars including Naufahu Whyte and Blake Steep who have performed so impressively in recent times. The saving could also be used for their reported big money move to sign Daly Cherry-Evans for 2026. Smith is due back from ACL injury in around six weeks, but the Roosters have Connor Watson playing well and Sandon Smith as another hooker option when Sam Walker returns to the halves. Smith struggled to reach the heights of his Storm career ar the Roosters and negotiated a three year deal with Souths from 2026, which will now be brought forward. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennet said in March Smith was a '100 per cent' player he wanted in his team. 'I'd love to see him at South Sydney, so hopefully we can get to the negotiating table and get a deal,' Bennett said. 'He's just 100 per cent. Like Cam Murray and those players, they just give their absolute best every time they get on the footy field. 'They don't always get it right, but you know that the one thing they're doing is just competing for everything and they're giving their best for the side.'
