Latest news with #CooperCronk
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cronk rips Cherry-Evans over 'poor' scenes amid major concerns for Jake Trbojevic
Cooper Cronk was highly critical of Daly Cherry-Evans' defence as the Sea Eagles slumped to a disappointing loss to Canberra on Friday night. Manly went down 28-12, leaving them 10th on the NRL ladder and needing to win all their remaining games to make the finals. To make things even worse, they'll be without Jake Trbojevic next week after the veteran forward copped his third concussion of the season. The Sea Eagles needed a big game from their captain DCE to have any chance against the table-topping Raiders. But Cherry-Evans was found wanting in defence on a number of occasions. After Manly took an early 6-0 lead, Ethan Strange brushed past DCE with ease on his way to scoring a brilliant solo try. Cronk labelled Cherry-Evans' effort "poor" after he threw his arms out and didn't put his body on the line. "Cherry-Evans got caught up on Hudson Young as the lead runner, that was a poor effort there," Cronk said. "The No.1 rule against Strange is he has a strong left foot and will always try and beat you back inside." Strange gave Cherry-Evans a bath all night and completed his hat-trick in the second half thanks to another poor effort from the Manly captain. Strange collected a pass from Jed Stuart and then put a fend in Cherry-Evans' chest, who once again opted to try and grab Strange rather than use his shoulder or go low. Cherry-Evans fell off the tackle rather limply, giving Strange a free passage to the line. Later in the game, Cronk declared that Cherry-Evans' decision to leave the club derailed the Sea Eagles' season. Manly made a promising start to the year and appeared to be flying, but went downhill when Cherry-Evans publicly declared 2025 was his final year at the club. The captain's performance was also savaged on social media, with many questioning whether the Roosters have made the right call to sign him for 2026. Concerns for Jake Trbojevic after third concussion this year Meanwhile, there are genuine concerns for Trbojevic after he suffered a category-one concussion in the second half. He'll now be stood down for 11 days, meaning he won't be available in Round 24 for Manly's clash with the Tigers. The 31-year-old has now suffered three concussions this season, and there are fears for what it might mean for his career. The former State of Origin forward is contracted to Manly until the end of 2026, and has been in negotiations with the club about extending. But Sea Eagles assistant Michael Ennis summed up the grim situation with some telling comments after the game. Speaking on Fox Sports, Ennis sent his well-wishes to Jake and the Trbojevic family and said everyone was hoping he makes a speedy recovery. Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty - set to be teammates with Trbojevic at Manly next season - also said he'd check on Jake after the game. "I'll check on Jakey Trbojevic," Fogarty told Channel 9. "He's a warrior of our game and it's very unfortunate to see anyone go down like that, especially someone like Jake who is so nice." RELATED: NRL fans call out Nathan Cleary 'joke' after Andrew Johns complaint Shane Flanagan's eye-opening admission about Kyle after extending deal Manly coach Anthony Seibold said in his press conference: "It is hard to watch. He cares so much about the team. Josh Papalii is one of the biggest players in the competition and Jake goes down there and he's trying to turn the tide for us and ... "The good thing is, he's sitting up inside the dressing room there. But it's category one, so he'll definitely miss next week. That might be the third (concussion) this season so it's really disappointing for him and us. We're already missing six or seven forwards." On social media, speculation was rife about what it might mean for Trbojevic moving forward. Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters had previously floated Trbojevic as a smokey for selection in the end-of-season Ashes tour, but he might be forced to make a difficult call on his career. Worried for him. The one he had earlier in the year was really bad — Simon Anderson (@simonjourno) August 8, 2025 Big hit. Good to see the players rally around to make sure he was OK. 🤞🏽Think he'll have some serious decisions to make about the rest of the season and his career. — Gav Harris (@GavHarris4) August 8, 2025 Tough sport. He'd have to be thinking retirement. — BoneFD (@BoneFD) August 8, 2025
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Get up': Cooper Cronk calls out Warriors player for unforgivable act
A New Zealand Warriors player has been called out for an act that may have cost his side victory against the Dolphins last Friday. The Warriors are fighting to hang on to a spot in the top four but are just one point ahead of the red hot Penrith Panthers after going down 20-18 in a last gasp defeat to the Dolphins in Auckland. The Warriors looked to be headed for victory late in the game when Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin in the 73rd minute. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. But the Dolphins rallied with 12 players on the field when halfback Isaiya opted to go for the try, and the Phins went across field to set up Jamayne Isaako for the matchwinning try. Speaking on Fox League's Matty & Cronk show, Cooper Cronk said: 'To be down to 12 players, having to score a try with a minute on a clock, I'm like, 'What are you thinking?'' Matty Johns replied: 'I think it shows a lot of belief and the ability to operate under extreme pressure and get it done. Cronk added: 'I think they also got lucky a bit.' He was referencing the passage of play that led up to Isaako's try, when Warriors forward Leka Halasima lay down on the turf after chasing across field, allowing the Dolphins to get an overlap in attack. Watch the Warriors player lay down in the video above Lying on the turf, Halasima lifts his head up and appears to consider getting to his feet, before remaining slumped face-first on the ground. 'Down to 12 (players), the probability of them scoring … I like that they just threw the ball around because that's your best opportunity,' Cronk said. 'But there was a moment, Halasima. He goes down and he lay down on the ground. 'Here he is, the game is on the line, the Dolphins are down to 12 players. 'He puts in a really good effort to chase a player across the field and he's down there on the ground. You've got to get up. Unless you've got a broken leg, you've got to get up. 'Just a body in the (defensive) line might have stopped this (the matchwinning try). '(It's a) learning from the young kid. He might have copped a boot, I'm not sure what happened. But he's just got to get in the line.' Halasima scored a try earlier in the second half but the review session wouldn't have been too enjoyable for the 19-year-old. The Warriors are limping to the end of the home and away season, with injuries to halfback Luke Metcalf (ACL), James Fisher-Harris (calf), Wayde Egan (concussion), Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) and Mitch Barnett (ACL). 'It's such a shame but the injuries at the moment have put the brakes on their season,' Johns said. The Dolphins are also battling their own injury woes after gun centre Herbie Farnworth went down with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for around a month. Cronk added: 'They've done a tremendous job, the Dolphins. To cover some of those forward injuries at different stages. 'Even when Herbie goes down, to keep fighting and get that victory. 'But they can't lose gifted athletes like that. That's their point of difference in attack. All of a sudden, there's a couple of tackle busts you're not going to get each game. 'Once you start coming up against better teams in the finals … For them, Herbie probably needs to come back for them to be a chance.' The Warriors take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday night at Accor Stadium, while the Dolphins host the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a crucial clash between two teams on the cusp of the top eight. 'We assume the Sharks get seventh because of their run,' Cronk said. 'There's three teams vying for eighth spot and they're all playing each other (Manly, Roosters, Dolphins).'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Cronk urges NRL to make rule change as fans blast 'unfair' Tigers scenario
NRL fans are questioning whether the rule needs to be changed around head-high tackles with Cooper Cronk suggesting it's brutal Stephen Crichton remains on the field after his collision ruled Talyan May out for the game. The Tigers proved they were up for the fight against the Bulldogs in the wet weather drenching CommBank as they ran out 28-14 winners. Although the game was embroiled in controversy when Bulldogs captain Crichton collected a falling May with his shoulder on the way down. Alex Seyfarth was currently in the sin bin for the Tigers after making high-contact with little effort to stop the shoulder to the head. Unfortunately, May was deemed a category one HIA and the centre is now facing 11 days out from the game. Plenty of Tigers fans, including coach Benji Marshall, expected Crichton to also get 10 in the bin for the ugly tackle that left May dazed. Although the Bunker deemed there were mitigating circumstances in Crichton's contact to the head with May slipping in the wet. And Crichton was put on report for the incident and the Tigers were handed a penalty. But commentator and NRL great Cronk felt the rule needs to be re-worked. Crichton remains on the field and gets to play the final 15 minutes of the game, while May is ruled out and the Tigers at a disadvantage. Commentator Warren Smith said the ruling is one of the 'anomalies' of the game. While Storm and Queensland great Cronk suggested in commentary something needs to be done about the rule. "I agree with that. The game needs to sort that out. Taylan May gone from the field, but Stephen Crichton stays on," Cronk said. And fans agreed. While many felt there are inconsistencies over when mitigating circumstances come into the equation, others felt the rule doesn't favour the team being penalised. There were suggestions if the player is off for a category one, than the offending player should also be off the field. The Tigers have the bye next week, which is fortunate because he won't miss a round of action. Although it didn't help them in the moment with only a penalty rewarded to them, while they had Seyfarth in the bin. How the hell does Seyfarth get 10 in the bin and Crichton doesn't??? 😤🤯🤯 — Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85) August 3, 2025 May gone, Crichton should have gone. Farcical. #NRLTigersBulldogs — Smokey Johansson (@smokeyjoh) August 3, 2025 So how isn't Crichton binned for that hit? I know it's wet and he's slipped but it's direct and forceful to the head, has to be a binning surely#NRLTigersBulldogs — Harry Eaton (@HgEaton) August 3, 2025 Critta shoulder charge to the head on May. May cat 1. Critta not binned. Seems unfair. Several Dogs knock ons and offsides missed too. Rub of the green definitely going to Dogs #NRLTigersBulldogs — The Alaskan (@cockroachBLUE) August 3, 2025 I'm sorry, Crichton should not get to stay on the field if that's a Cat 1. Mitigation or not, direct shoulder force into the head with his feet planted and shoulder cocked. NRL needs to fix this. #nrl #nrltigersbulldogs — Brad A (@bradlz2912) August 3, 2025 Benji Marshall questions Stephen Crichton ruling Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall also questioned the decision to allow Crichton to remain on the field. Marshall tried to remain calm when talking about the situation, but sideline reports suggested he was animated when Crichton made the tackle. And he couldn't fathom how Seyfarth was sent to the bin and Crichton was not. 'I really don't want to get in trouble to be honest,' Marshall said. 'I just can't understand why one is one thing and why another one's another thing and now we lose Taylan for 11 days. Lucky we have got the bye. 'We can't use our 18th man unless he gets sin-binned.' RELATED: Classy Jayden Campbell act missed in Panthers trainer furore Fans fume over Reece Walsh act as Bennett rocked over 18th man drama Marshall was questioned over whether there are inconsistencies in how some of the rules are enforced. 'You're saying the issue is sometimes you see players sin-binned for one thing and then not for another?' the reporter said in the press conference. "I'll use your words,' Marshall replied. The game was also billed as the reunion between Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin. The Tigers playmaker was seen standing over Galvin after a tackle and celebrating when he won a penalty. And while Luai got the win over his former teammate the two ended all claims there is tension between the pair having embraced each other after the game. "That's footy bro, I'm a competitor," Luai said. "It doesn't really matter who's on the other side. It's brothers and opposition, that's how I see it."
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Billy Slater delivers truth bomb for Broncos fans after backlash around Reece Walsh
Maroons coach Billy Slater has hit back at criticism of Reece Walsh after insisting the Broncos would have been thumped by the Eels if not for their star fullback. NRL great Cooper Cronk described Walsh's display as 'rocks or diamonds' in last week's shock 22-20 defeat to the lowly Eels, with the Brisbane No.1 having a second half to forget as his side missed the chance to close in on the top-four. Walsh was at fault for Parramatta's opening try to Sean Russell when he failed to diffuse a towering bomb from Mitchell Moses. And his sloppy pass gifted Parramatta crucial field position that led to Zac Lomax's second try. The 23-year-old also took several poor options in attack that included a forward pass and an attempted 40/20 kick that went out on the full. But it was Walsh's piece of individual brilliance to step through Parramatta's defensive line and set up a try for Billy Walters that saw Brisbane reclaim the lead, before Josh Addo-Carr scored to put the Eels back in front. With time almost up, Walsh was then denied a match-winning try for being offside on a kick from Gehamat Shibasaki, prompting Broncos fans to chastise him for another erratic display. However, Queensland coach Slater - who has worked closely with Walsh at Origin level and rates him highly - insists the backlash against the Brisbane No.1 is unwarranted. Speaking on Nine's Sunday Footy Show, Slater admitted there were parts of Walsh's game he needed to work on but claimed the Broncos would have suffered a much heavier defeat if it wasn't for him. "Well if Reece didn't play on the weekend, they get beat (sic) by 20," the Queensland coach said. "Sure, there's parts of his game he needs to work on - but he nearly won the game for them twice. There were a lot of errors around Reece on the weekend, but all the good stuff was around Reece as well. If he doesn't play, they don't even get close." RELATED: Tributes flow as NRL premiership-winner announces retirement Bulldogs rocked by potentially season-ending blow for star player Damning stat about Latrell amid calls for 'investigation' at Souths Billy Slater says Brisbane still haven't figured out ideal style Slater said Brisbane's loss was more symptomatic of their failure to successfully adapt their game plan when behind on the scoreboard. "I don't think the Broncos understand who they are and what they're trying to do. They are trying to play a really consistent and structured type of game, but when they get behind, they feel like they've got to play," he added. "When you're trying to play catch-up, that's when errors happen." The Maroons mentor says the 'high-percentage style of game' that Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has tried to introduce is evident. He believes the Broncos are still trying to figure out what works best for them though but believes with six games still to play before the finals series begins, there's still time for Brisbane to find their rhythm. "I just don't think the Broncos have worked out the balance to their game yet," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast. "You can see they are trying to play a high-percentage style of game and trying to work really hard to get that fluency... I just don't know if it suits all of their players. "Kotoni Staggs didn't see much ball, he wasn't injected into the game. They need to work out how to extract the best out of their footy team and work to their strengths. Once they find that, they are one of the best teams in the competition. Consistency has been a real issue for them this year and it was an issue even within the game. There's still a bit of work to do, but they've got six weeks to work it out.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL world says same thing about Reece Walsh as teammate spotted in worrying scenes
NRL great Cooper Cronk summed it up perfectly after describing Reece Walsh's display in Brisbane's shock 22-20 loss to Parramatta as 'rocks or diamonds'. While a worrying late-game development for Payne Haas compounded the Broncos' woes as Michael Maguire's side saw their top-four hopes take a crushing blow on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. Walsh thought he'd won an absorbing but scrappy encounter against the lowly Eels when he pounced on an error from Joash Papalii after a grubber kick from Gehamat Shibasaki in the final minute. But replays showed Walsh was in front of his teammate when the ball was kicked and the match-winning try was chalked off to leave Brisbane and their home fans shattered. It summed up a night to forget for Walsh, who put in another error-riddled display that also included some flashes of brilliance. Brisbane's superstar fullback was at fault for Parramatta's opening try to Sean Russell when he failed to diffuse a towering bomb from Mitchell Moses, who was outstanding in his return from injury and also set up a first half try to Zac Lomax with a pinpoint cross-field kick. Veteran Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds ensured the home side took a slender lead into halftime though after taking an intercept and running some 80 metres to score. The Broncos captain also put Kobe Hetherington over the tryline with a crafty inside pass to give Brisbane a two-point lead at the break. Reece Walsh shattered after game to forget for Broncos Walsh had a second half to forget for the Broncos though and it was his sloppy pass that gifted the Eels possession and led to Lomax's second try. Moses - who returned from a calf injury he picked up in NSW camp before Game 2 game two of the Origin series - was again at the heart of it as his pass put Will Penisini into space to set up Lomax to cross out wide. RELATED: Jahrome Hughes forced to miss funeral for Storm teammate's father Unused camera angle that shows NRL world fooled by optical illusion With Brisbane chasing the game, Walsh took several poor options in attack that included a forward pass and an attempted 40/20 kick that went out on the full. But the superstar No.1 gave a stunning reminder of what he's capable of in an electric last-tackle player that saw him step through Parramatta's defensive line and set up Billy Walters for a go-ahead try. The Eels hit the lead again a short time later though when Josh Addo-Carr found space out wide and raced over for a milestone 150th try in the NRL. It set the stage for a grandstand finish but Walsh and the Broncos were ultimately left frustrated after the fullback strayed into an offside position off Shibasaki's grubber to cap off a rollercoaster game for the erratic No.1. Hobbling Payne Haas adds to Brisbane's pain To make matters worse for Brisbane, NSW Origin prop Haas could be seen limping badly at the end of the match. Maguire left Haas on the bench for 30 minutes in the middle of the match as he battled a lingering lower back complaint. But he came back on for the final stint, before suffering another possible injury that could have serious implications for Brisbane at the back-end of the season. "Payne is OK," Maguire said in his post-match press conference. But he suggested the superstar prop is feeling the effects of a long and gruelling season that saw him battling the back issue during the State of Origin series for NSW. "That's just his challenge at the moment to get himself right," the Broncos coach added. Reece Walsh ALMOST won it for the Broncos! 📺 Watch #NRLBroncosEels on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: BLOG MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) July 25, 2025 Only justice that Walsh was offside. After the game he had he didn't deserve to be the hero. The kid is good but needs to work on basic skills instead of the flashy things #NRLBroncosEels — Living The Dream (@DMiddy78) July 25, 2025 What are they paying Walsh again? He's a brilliant footballer but he is a mirror of what is everything wrong with the BroncoThey want to play pretty ball. They don't want to get in the grind and do it dirtyIt's why they'll remain disappointed every year #NRLbroncoseels — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) July 25, 2025 The whole gunslinger gimmick really isn't working out for Reece Walsh. The Broncos need a consistent, disciplined fullback, not someone who goes for the Hail Mary play 5 times a game. He needs to rein it in. #NRLBroncosEels — Adam Hayward (@adamkhayward) July 25, 2025 Was that 6+ mistakes by Walsh tonight. #NRLBroncosEels — Ghost of wawrence (@whereswawrence) July 25, 2025 with AAP
