Latest news with #GreenandGold
Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Brisbane Broncos star defects from Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Payne Haas has sensationally defected from Australia. The Broncos prop has made a call to knock back his chance to ever wear a Kangaroos jersey again, instead making a decision to play for Samoa at international level. As first reported by Code Sports, Haas has privately informed a number of Samoan players he will be playing with them during this year's Pacific Championships. It is a hammer blow to the Kangaroos jersey and for new coach Kevin Walters just weeks after his appointment was confirmed. Payne Haas. Photo by. Haas' decision to play for Samoa is yet another hammer blow to the Green and Gold jersey with a number of other superstar players electing not to represent their country. The NSW State of Origin forward has been processing his decision for a number of months. Keeping Haas in the Green and Gold was widely seen as Walters' first priority after taking the job. His next job will be to stop Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui from switching to Samoa at international level. Haas' NSW teammates Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Steve Crichton already represent Samoa, and they will be hopeful more players will join them ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Walters' Kangaroos begin their Tour of the UK on October 25. Walters is only contracted until the end of the year. The former Queensland coach said last month he intended to sit down with Haas. Payne Haas at broncos training at Red Hill . Pic Annette Dew 'In time I will but that's probably not a conversation for today,' Walters said. 'I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating (defecting), I totally understand their situation but let's get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they're at with that. 'We'll move forward from there. One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there's great talent. We know that. 'If some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we've got plenty of depth here in Australia.' He said he would respect players if they choose not to play for Australia. Rugby league icon and former Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said last month Walters should not feel compelled to chase any players that did not want to play for Australia. 'They (Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow) are all great players but there are other players who are just as good,' Meninga said on SEN radio in Queensland. 'We've just got to see what their view is first because if you understand their view, then you understand what you need to do to move forward. 'All those traditions that Pacific Island teams have is alluring to players, so we've got to provide a similar type of environment around what is an Aussie and who do we represent and what do we celebrate.' Originally published as Brisbane Broncos star defects from Australia
TimesLIVE
05-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Springboks secure commanding victory against Italy at Loftus
Springboks got their international season with a commanding 42-24 win over Italy at a packed Loftus in a match where veteran fullback Willie le Roux went within one match from registering a 100th Test cap. Le Roux was introduced in the closing stages of this Incoming Series Test match which did not explode into a full-scale marvel where teams mostly struggled to hold onto the ball. In the end, South Africa prevailed largely because of their physicality and clinical finishing and they could have scored more tries if it was not for Italy's resolute defending. It was a match that was not shy when it comes to tries with Springboks scoring six and the visitors getting three and Handrè Pollard scoring 12 points from the kicking tee. Willie le Roux enters the fray for his 99th cap in Green and Gold 🇿🇦🔥 📺 Stream #RSAvITA on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 5, 2025 South Africa took the lead inside ten minutes when outside centre Jesse Kriel, who was stand-in captain in the absence of Siya Kolisi, dotted down on the far-right corner. The try was only confirmed after a review by the TMO that the Boks as there was suspicion that Kriel may have been offside which was not the case as celebrations confirmed. Italy suffered a blow after 22 minutes when loose-forward Lorenzo Cannone was punished to the sin bin for cynical play and the Boks took advantage immediately. The Boks took the scrum that ended with the first international try for Morne van den Berg and they increased their advantage a few minutes later when Kurt-Lee Arendse got the better of the Italian defence from a line-out. Shortly before the break, the Boks took full control of this match when Van den Berg registered his second try of the afternoon as he exploited space on the edge of the set-piece. He loves stopping them almost as much as he loves scoring them 😏🙌 📺 Stream #RSAvITA on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 5, 2025 Italy finally got their first try shortly after the restart when Manuel Zuliani crossed over the line with Giacomo Da Re converting as they narrowed the gap to 18 points. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus reacted after the try by introducing the bomb squad in the form of Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert. There were results almost immediately when Koch crossed over as the Boks reestablished their significant lead and that was followed by the second try for Italy through Pablo Dimcheff. The Italians had momentum and they scored their third through Cannone but Marco van Staden had the final say as the Boks got their season off to a good start. Scorers
The South African
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
RWC 1995 anniversary: Remembering Springboks' fallen heroes
On the eve of the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, we celebrate and fondly remember the impact of five Springboks from that iconic occasion who have sadly passed away. James Small, Joost van der Westhuizen, Chester Williams, Ruben Kruger and Hannes Strydom were hugely popular public figures and each of their deaths at relatively young ages understandably rocked South African rugby. Of course, the first member of the tightly-knit squad to pass away was in fact coach Kitch Christie, who succumbed to leukemia in Pretoria in 1998. He was 58. In the first part of this remembrance series, we look back at the career and impact of James Small. James Small Small made his debut for the Springboks against New Zealand in Johannesburg in 1992 and played in 47 Tests until 1997. He scored 20 Test tries, with the last of those in his final match in the Green and Gold, against Scotland – a try which, at that stage, broke Danie Gerber's Test record. However, it was his heroics on defence that are just as much a part of his legacy, with Small's marking of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final going a long way to helping the Springboks to victory. In total, Small donned the Green and Gold 60 times, scoring 27 tries. He played Tests against New Zealand, Australia, Western Samoa, Fiji, France, Italy, Romania, England, Scotland, Argentina and the British & Irish Lions. In his provincial, Small played for the Golden Lions (then Transvaal), Sharks (then Natal) and Western Province, appearing in Currie Cup finals for all three sides and lifting the coveted golden cup in the colours of the Sharks and WP, but never with the Golden Lions. Small played 71 matches, scoring 43 tries, for the Golden Lions and the Cats from 1988 to 1992 and again in 1998 and 1999. He was with the Sharks from 1993 to 1996 and played in 67 matches, scoring 48 tries (provincial and Vodacom Super Rugby), and he spent 1997 and the first part of 1998 with Western Province and the DHL Stormers, whom he represented 25 times, scoring 18 tries. Before his sudden death from a heart attack in 2019, the 50-year-old had turned to coaching, and assisted Robert du Preez at NWU-Pukke and the Leopards before joining Pirates Rugby Club in Johannesburg as assistant coach. Small had enjoyed some success in the hospitality industry, with ownership in a popular eatery and night spot Cafe Caprice in Camps Bay in Cape Town. He also had business interests in ADreach, a company specialising in street pole advertising in South Africa. A special player and a unique character, Small is undoubtedly one of the true legends of Springbok rugby. *Keep an eye on TheSouthAfrican as the five remaining articles in this remembrance content series will be published over the next few days Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers want more films made in Wisconsin and hope tax credits will help
Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) said SB 231 offers tax credits to encourage more films to be made in Wisconsin. (Screenshot via WisEye) Wisconsin Republicans advocated on Tuesday for a bill to encourage filmmaking in Wisconsin through tax credits and a state film office. Another bill would declare that 'gig workers' for app-based delivery services aren't employees of a company. During a Tuesday Senate Utilities and Tourism committee meeting, Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) said SB 231 offers tax credits to encourage more films to be made in Wisconsin. Bradley described a recent movie called 'Green and Gold,' about a fourth-generation dairy farmer in Wisconsin who is on the verge of losing his farm and makes a bet on the Green Bay Packers to help save it. Bradley said the director of the film, Anders Lindwall, chose to make it in Wisconsin, but that decision meant a financial sacrifice as the director turned down a major studio offer to purchase his film. The studio wanted him to relocate production to Alabama — a state with film tax incentives. 'He turned down the offer to keep his project authentically Wisconsin,' Bradley said. Wisconsin had a film incentive for a brief time in 2010 under former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, though the Republican-led Legislature discontinued that program just a few years later. Now, Wisconsin is one of only four states in the country without a film office and one of 13 without any film tax incentives. The bill would create new tax credits including one for 30% of the total cost of the salaries paid to employees who reside in Wisconsin and work in Wisconsin, one for 30% of acquiring or improving property and one for 30% production costs paid by a company to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement or television production. A person's total credits would be capped at $1 million for a fiscal year. The bill would also create a new State Film Office housed in the Department of Tourism that would implement the tax credits. Rep. David Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) said having the rate at 30% would put Wisconsin in the top tier of states offering film incentives. 'How many of you like me flinch when you see the Georgia peach logo in the credits after a movie or TV show?' Armstrong asked at the hearing. 'Do we want Illinois or Minnesota or Georgia to poach productions that could just as easily be shot in Wisconsin?' Bradley said the bill 'aims to make Wisconsin competitive by attracting filmmakers and productions through meaningful incentives, which in turn support local businesses, job creation, and increased tourism. Simply put, it would encourage filmmakers like Mr. Lindwall to choose Wisconsin, bringing their stories and economic activity to our state.' The bill has broad bipartisan support with cosponsors including Sens. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) and Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska). Sen. Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove) expressed some concerns about whether the funding for the proposal would be included in the budget since it is not in the bill. Wisconsin lawmakers are in the progress of writing the next biennial budget and while Gov. Tony Evers included a similar proposal in his budget, it was pulled out along with more than 600 other items by Republican lawmakers on the committee. 'I have a motion to bring that back in,' Bradley told Ratcliff. 'But if we pass this bill, it does not include the funding?' Ratcliff asked. 'This bill does not have the funding. The funding would come through the budget… We're going to fight real hard to try to get that funded,' Bradley said. According to fiscal estimates, the cost to state revenues would be at max $10 million. The new office would require three new positions in the tourism agency and would cost about $199,300 in 2026 and $254,000 in 2027. Film stakeholders testified in favor of the bill during the hearing. Paulina Lule, a Milwaukee native and an actress who recently starred in the MGM+ series Emperor of Ocean Park and has been in other shows including The Good Place and Scandal, told lawmakers that the bill would help people who want to showcase Wisconsin as it is in real life. Lule said she has a film she has been working on called Sherman Park, which is about the neighborhood in Milwaukee. 'I have had producers who have been interested in making this film as long as I make it not in Sherman [Park],' Lule said. 'I don't want to, and so this film has sat unfilmed for 10 years.' Lule said she recently began shooting a short film version in the Milwaukee park and was proud to be able to include a shot of the neighborhood's name on a sign. She said that making films in Wisconsin would be a powerful way to promote the state and encourage people to visit. 'Show off Racine. We can show off the real Green Bay, not just the Packers. There's more to Green Bay than just the Packers as much as I love them,' Lule said. 'You're missing out on one of the broadest… ways of promoting the state is by having stories that are authentically about Wisconsin, made in Wisconsin… with actors in it that sound like they're from Wisconsin.' Michelle Maher, a River Falls movie theater owner, said that having movies filmed in the state would also provide an opportunity for local theaters. She noted that the movie Sinners, a vampire movie set in the Jim Crow South directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, was filmed on-site in Clarksville, Mississippi. 'It was a town similar to the size of the town that I live in, River Falls,' Maher said. 'Unfortunately, that town doesn't have the movie theater that I have in my town… [Coogler and Jordan] got together and said, we are going to make sure this movie shows in this town, so they brought in a crew to be able to show that movie locally to the town that it was filmed at. What if there was a movie filmed in River Falls? Not only would I have a huge premiere for a regional area, I would have an annual event built in that would generate huge tourism opportunities and other ways to invent and reinvent that same wheel.' Lawmakers also considered SB 256, which would declare delivery drivers for app-based companies, including Uber and Doordash, are not employees of the company for the purposes of compensation insurance, minimum wage laws and unemployment insurance. The bill would allow 'portable benefits' for those workers. Bradley, the coauthor of the proposal, said the legislation is needed so that companies can provide benefits to workers without changing their 'independent contractor' status. Under this type of benefit system, accounts are linked to a worker rather than the employer, meaning the benefits follow workers to other employment opportunities, and companies and workers would both be able to contribute. 'The gig economy is here to stay, and with it, the flexibility that many workers value and desire,' Bradley said. 'Unfortunately, current laws prevent drivers from accessing crucial benefits. These include health care, paid leave and retirement savings. That's the problem SB 256 aims to address. This legislation creates portable benefit accounts funded through contributions from the platforms based on drivers' earnings. These accounts can be used by drivers to pay for a range of expenses, including health care, retirement, or coverage of loss of wages due to illness or an accident.' Lawmakers have considered the proposal before, including last session. The bill passed the Senate but never came up for a vote in the Assembly. The bill specifies that if an app-based delivery company doesn't prescribe dates, times of day or a minimum number of hours during which someone must work; terminate the contract of the driver for not accepting a specific request for transportation or delivery service request; allow drivers to work for other companies; or restrict the driver from working in any other lawful occupation or business, then a driver is not considered an employee or agent of the company. 'Previous versions of this legislation have garnered bipartisan support, and that support is only growing,' Bradley said. 'It's time we modernize our policies to meet the realities faced by thousands of Wisconsin workers.' Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) said he found it 'embarrassing, disappointing' that the committee was considering the proposal. He said there is an 'independent contractor travesty in this country.' 'As an independent contractor, these workers know what they're signing up for,' Rep. Alex Dallman (R-Markesan) said. 'They understand that they're on an independent contractor basis. They understand that they want to remain independent contractors.' Katie Franger, public affairs manager for Uber, told lawmakers that flexibility is the 'fundamental reason' people choose the company's platform for work. She said that the legislation would fit with this by allowing workers to have flexibility in benefits as well. 'Portable benefits allow each individual to choose what truly matters to them, ensuring resources are directed where they're most needed,' Franger said. When Smith asked about why they couldn't provide the benefits already, Addison DiSesa, legislative policy advisor for DoorDash, said 'providing the benefits proactively jeopardizes the independence of these workers' and that the bill 'empowers workers to get access to the benefits that they want while protecting their independence.' Maliki Krieski, a Ripon mother and Doordash worker, told lawmakers that she supports the bill because she wants to keep the flexibility that is part of the work currently. She said it allows her to take care of her child, who has diabetes. 'Our state system is outdated…,' Krieski said. 'The one thing that stands between us and any form of health care incentive, retirement plan… The only thing that stands between us and that is the state law.' Stephanie Bloomingdale, president for the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, cautioned that the bill seeks to create an exemption to current law and could be harmful to workers, who depending on the situation might qualify for certain benefits. She also pointed out that it doesn't require companies to provide access to any benefits. 'It exempts app-based delivery drivers from settled Wisconsin law concerning our workers compensation, minimum wage and unemployment insurance laws,' Bloomingdale said. Bloomingdale noted that to be considered an 'independent contractor,' when it comes to worker's compensation, workers have to meet a nine-part test, otherwise a worker is automatically considered an employee. The bill would replace this with the four-part test, which she said would be quite 'minimal.' She noted that depending on the situation some workers could potentially qualify for worker's compensation. A legislative council representative explained that 'the default is that you're an employee, and then there's a nine factored test and that leads to a determination that you might be an independent contractor.' The bill, he said, would implement a 'route that's more streamlined for these app-based drivers.' 'We oppose the bill because it does not guarantee any more or less flexibility for workers. It does not guarantee good wages and it does not guarantee benefits for workers in the gig economy. It does none of these things because the bill eliminates employee status for these workers and all the rights that come with that status,' Bloomingdale said. 'The bill does not guarantee or require that these tech giants provide any benefits, portable or fixed.' Bloomingdale said the bill would instead just 'create special exemption for these powerful corporations at the expense of Wisconsin's working men and women' and called the bill a 'slippery slope.' 'If this bill passes, we will be back here as those who do the bidding on international corporations come to this legislative body to similarly carve out a certain class of workers to evade state law and reclassify each group of workers one by one,' Bloomingdale said. 'If these companies succeed in passing this bill, their low-pay, no-protection business model could expand in virtually every industry.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Culver's Donating up to $100,000 to Agricultural Support Organizations as "Green and Gold" Makes Streaming Debut
Movie starring Craig T. Nelson and sponsored by Culver's now on streaming platforms PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After sponsoring the theatrical release of the acclaimed movie "Green and Gold," Culver's is now pledging additional support for the agricultural community to celebrate its streaming debut. The Wisconsin-based restaurant chain has announced a donation of $1 per stream of the film up to $100,000, with funds benefiting three organizations that work to support family farmers and agriculture education. Culver's will be donating $1 per rental and early digital purchase of the film (up to a total of $100,000) to three organizations: Farmer Angel Network, the Farm Foundation-led Farm Family Wellness Alliance and FFA. Each organization provides crucial programming and assistance for farmers and the next generation of leaders in agriculture. With the donations, Culver's aims to continue spotlighting the irreplaceable role of farmers and agriculture in the world while providing them with resources that help them achieve success. "Culver's has always had a heart for agriculture, and 'Green and Gold' tells the story of so many of the hardworking, dedicated family farmers responsible for feeding our guests at Culver's and people everywhere," said Alison Demmer, Culver's senior marketing and public relations manager. "It's been an honor to help shine light on the unique experience of the farming community through this movie, and we're proud to support three organizations doing incredible work to uplift farmers around the country." Directed by Anders Lindwall and filmed in Door County, Wisconsin, "Green and Gold" follows the heartfelt story of a Wisconsin dairy farmer named Buck (Craig T. Nelson) and explores the topics of family, pursuing dreams, overcoming hardship and taking risks—including a major bet on the 1993 Green Bay Packers. The film is available for early digital purchase now through April 14 on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play. Beginning April 15, "Green and Gold" will be available for rental and digital purchase on platforms everywhere. To learn more about "Green and Gold," visit To learn more about Culver's commitment to supporting the agricultural community and advancing the future of agriculture through the Thank You Farmers® Project, visit About Culver's:For over 40 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with farm-fresh ingredients and served with a smile. The ever-expanding franchise system now numbers over 1,000 family-owned and operated restaurants in 26 states. The restaurants' nationally recognized customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality. Signature items include the award-winning ButterBurger, made from fresh, never frozen beef, and Fresh Frozen Custard, including the famous Flavor of the Day program. For more information, visit or connect with Culver's on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. CONTACTNathan Dupontndupont@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Culver's Sign in to access your portfolio
