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Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rebel rugby raid on stars as real as a PNG corruption scandal
His agent Bruce Sharrock confirmed the story was correct, but had one detail wrong - the million dollar figure we floated was 'unders'. R360 is believed to be offering deals up to $US2m a season, more than double Kalyn Ponga's $1.4m a year at the Knights which makes him the highest-paid player in the NRL. If they're throwing well over a million at Tuivasa-Sheck in the twilight of his career, how much will be thrown at other known targets in Ponga and Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen? And how much will be thrown at as yet unknown targets? For R360 to pull off its grand plan of eight franchises bouncing around the world F1 and LIV Golf-style between June and September next year and beyond, it needs at least 200 players - or 25 per team. The competition will primarily interest a northern hemisphere audience, and will target players currently in the Investec Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup), the premier European competition. If you want to sell a new competition to European rugby fans you need players known to them. But they will want international players to boost interest and television rights in other parts of the world in this global-based sports economy. There's even talk of a pacific-based team. Finding proper answers about exactly where R360 is at is like trying to catch air, but a few things are known. By September, organisers need three things to secure the proposed Saudi Investment Fund and other private equity funding. It needs the eight franchises purchased and formalised as legal entities, a broadcast partner on board and the two hundred players signed. It is believed they have the commitment of 140 players. While this is a huge problem for rugby, with the World Cup looming in 2027, it's also a big problem for the NRL. With the Perth Bears entering in 2027 and PNG scheduled for 2028, the NRL needs players. As many as it can get. With 17 teams right now the playing ranks are already thin, and some positions are desperately short such as halves. When it grows to 19 teams, a further 70-odd players are needed. Even ten players signing with R360 would hurt. The live example is LIV Golf. In Australia, many think it's a success because the Adelaide event is so popular. But, it's a rarity and is about the only one. In the United States, it is an absolute disaster. Poor crowds are an issue, but the bigger issue is television viewing numbers. On Fox Sports in the US, the average number tuning in is about 175,000. Some Sundays have drawn about 400,000. That's compared to an average PGA Tour audience of about three million on CBS and NBC. The LIV number is beyond disastrous and tanking worse than the careers of many who signed their careers-away to play. Luckily for them, they were paid up front as for many their form and relevance has disappeared without a trace. Cam Smith anyone? Loading Whether LIV is working or not doesn't matter - what matters is they signed great players such as Phil Mickelson, our own Smith and Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau etc and took them out of the PGA Tour and the Tour is now weaker for it. Threats to the NRL have come and gone before, and it has survived. It always will. But right now, times are delicate. Some teams, such as the Wests Tigers have been appalling for years and new teams are coming.
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Rebel rugby raid on stars as real as a PNG corruption scandal
His agent Bruce Sharrock confirmed the story was correct, but had one detail wrong - the million dollar figure we floated was 'unders'. R360 is believed to be offering deals up to $US2m a season, more than double Kalyn Ponga's $1.4m a year at the Knights which makes him the highest-paid player in the NRL. If they're throwing well over a million at Tuivasa-Sheck in the twilight of his career, how much will be thrown at other known targets in Ponga and Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen? And how much will be thrown at as yet unknown targets? For R360 to pull off its grand plan of eight franchises bouncing around the world F1 and LIV Golf-style between June and September next year and beyond, it needs at least 200 players - or 25 per team. The competition will primarily interest a northern hemisphere audience, and will target players currently in the Investec Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup), the premier European competition. If you want to sell a new competition to European rugby fans you need players known to them. But they will want international players to boost interest and television rights in other parts of the world in this global-based sports economy. There's even talk of a pacific-based team. Finding proper answers about exactly where R360 is at is like trying to catch air, but a few things are known. By September, organisers need three things to secure the proposed Saudi Investment Fund and other private equity funding. It needs the eight franchises purchased and formalised as legal entities, a broadcast partner on board and the two hundred players signed. It is believed they have the commitment of 140 players. While this is a huge problem for rugby, with the World Cup looming in 2027, it's also a big problem for the NRL. With the Perth Bears entering in 2027 and PNG scheduled for 2028, the NRL needs players. As many as it can get. With 17 teams right now the playing ranks are already thin, and some positions are desperately short such as halves. When it grows to 19 teams, a further 70-odd players are needed. Even ten players signing with R360 would hurt. The live example is LIV Golf. In Australia, many think it's a success because the Adelaide event is so popular. But, it's a rarity and is about the only one. In the United States, it is an absolute disaster. Poor crowds are an issue, but the bigger issue is television viewing numbers. On Fox Sports in the US, the average number tuning in is about 175,000. Some Sundays have drawn about 400,000. That's compared to an average PGA Tour audience of about three million on CBS and NBC. The LIV number is beyond disastrous and tanking worse than the careers of many who signed their careers-away to play. Luckily for them, they were paid up front as for many their form and relevance has disappeared without a trace. Cam Smith anyone? Loading Whether LIV is working or not doesn't matter - what matters is they signed great players such as Phil Mickelson, our own Smith and Marc Leishman, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau etc and took them out of the PGA Tour and the Tour is now weaker for it. Threats to the NRL have come and gone before, and it has survived. It always will. But right now, times are delicate. Some teams, such as the Wests Tigers have been appalling for years and new teams are coming.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'It's nice to play rugby and get match-fit' - Tadhg Furlong back to his best but warns of second Test swing
While Tadhg Beirne grabbed the headlines in the British and Irish Lions' commanding first Test win in Melbourne, another Tadhg has also found his top form in Australia. Tadhg Furlong only played nine games for club and country in 2024/25 as he dealt with a series of niggling injuries, and arrived into Lions camp in June following a six-week layoff, with his final game in the domestic season coming in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in early May. His place in the squad was by no means guaranteed, but having worked his way ahead of Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham in Andy Farrell's depth-chart, he justified that faith with a vintage display in Brisbane as he helped the tourists to a 27-19 win. "I haven't been playing a whole lot of rugby," he replied, when it was suggested to him that he looks like someone who is enjoying his game. And while the Lions' hectic travel schedule has led to less time on the training pitch, the 32-year-old (below) believes it's worked in his favour. "I love rugby. I genuinely do. It's never a chore for me to train or to play. "Ironically the lack of training on this tour is great for my body because you come to the game fresh. Previously I would have had a lot of overload injuries. It's nice to play rugby and get match-fit by playing rugby, two games a week." A Lion in 2017 and 2021, Furlong has now started all seven Tests across these three tours, but the Leinster tighthead is still looking to win a series, having drawn against New Zealand before losing to South Africa four years ago. Across those two previous tours, he's seen both series flip in the second Test. Eight years ago, the Lions recovered from a defeat to the All Blacks with an impressive win in Wellington, while roles were reversed in Cape Town in 2021, when the Springboks came from behind to clinch the second and third Tests. And those experiences are a stark reminder that the Lions' work is far from over ahead of their trips to Melbourne and Sydney. "There's a flow to it. The group is edgy, we don't know each other. We don't know Australia, what they're like on the pitch, they don't know us. "You do all your prep, there's a realisation then after that about what it takes in the game, there's an ebb and flow on it. "As stupid as it sounds, it's all about putting the game out there and there'll be tweaks and changes and nuances, a little bit of tit for that. "It's a little bit like the old Heineken Cup used to be with the double header, it changes. "There's two sides to the coin. Obviously, there's us not getting complacent, learning the lessons. We have a midweek game again, it'll be great to see the boys go out and see who puts their hands up. We can do the Tuesday-Saturday [schedule], we know that, so if lads go well there then we know they will be in contention. "The other side of that is that we know what it means to the Aussies, the desperation is all on the line for them next weekend." Four years on from the South African series being played out to the backdrop of silence in empty stadiums in Cape Town, Suncorp Stadium was fully charged with the touring supporters outnumbering their Australian hosts. And Furlong says that support hasn't gone unnoticed. "Class, even the town, you know? On Thursday it filled up, you can feel it, everyone wears red. "I'm sure Canterbury are delighted with the sales of the stuff, everyone seems to be wearing the kit, they wear their club hat or whatever. "It's why the Lions is special, it's not lost on us." Among that support is his mother Margaret, who joined the camp along with the other families of the squad for a special jersey presentation on Thursday evening, a poignant moment for the family after the passing of Tadhg's father James in late 2023. "My mam and aunty are over, she did my jersey presentation on Thursday. "It's nice, to be fair to her it's not easy to be here, any time she'd have travelled previously was with my father but she's great, she's out and about. "She was kayaking on the river this morning, she sent me a picture out on the river, fair play to her."
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
TV View: Ronan O'Gara and rest of Sky Sports pundits left underwhelmed by 'flat' Lions Test
Rugby has really missed Sky Sports. Yes, the British broadcasting giants can go over the top. Some of their coverage verges on the hysterical at times. But, boy, can they get viewers excited and engaged ahead of a big match. Yesterday's first Lions Test was no different. From the moment Wolfmother's adrenaline-pumping anthem 'Joker and the Thief' came pumping out during the opening credits, the stall was set out. Warren Gatland. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Warren Gatland lead a stellar cast of pundits pitchside at a heaving Suncorp Stadium. 'The greatest rugby supporters in the world are in full voice,' said Sky Sports presenter Alex Payne as he passed the torch over to Miles Harrison, Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara in the commentary box. Anyone who has ever been to a Top14 or ProD2 game in France would challenge that viewpoint. Anyway, we digress. Ronan O'Gara. Pic: Sky Sports There's something comforting about having Harrison on comms. The voice of so many great Lions moments as well as many heady Heineken Cup days, he was in fine form yesterday. Biggar and O'Gara, meanwhile, have proven an inspired choice on co-commentary duties. The former Test fly-halves mixing insightful analysis with plenty of good humour. Dan Biggar. Pic: Sky Sports Both were full of praise for Finn Russell during that dominant first quarter. Game recognises game. As for some of Andy Farrell's selection calls, Biggar backed the Lions boss. Finn Russell. Pic: Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images 'Beirne has big games in big games,' said the former Wales out-half after the Munster man snagged his second turnover penalty in the space of 18 minutes. ROG was living every second of this Test match. 'No!' was O'Gara blunt assessment when he saw Jake Gordon shaping to dink a kick behind this suffocating Lions blitz defence. Hugo Keenan duly fielded the ensuing chip with ease. Australia's Nick Frost and Tadhg Beirne of the Lions compete for a lineout. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie But it soon became clear that this was not going to be a Test epic and you could hear O'Gara and Biggar beginning to wane. 'Australia just can't get any momentum,' was the view of Sam Warburton back in the Sky studio. Gatland didn't see much hope for the hosts either during the half-time analysis. 'I'd be pretty happy. The dominance is starting to show in terms of gainline, carries. Australia are hanging in there. They need to score early in the second half. Otherwise this could be a bit of a blowout.' Dan Sheehan scores a try. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Cue Dan Sheehan crossing after about 90 seconds. Game over. The energy seemed to drain out of Biggar and O'Gara after that. It was becoming obvious that this first game – and perhaps the entire Test series – is going to be one-way traffic. Then Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii seemingly barged his way through Ben Earl and Bundee Aki, two of the second-half cavalry, to give the ailing Aussies a glimmer of hope on the hour mark. No try in the end. It was that kind of night for the hosts. 'Tadhg Beirne is made of concrete,' O'Gara noted as the Wallabies continued to run into a red wall of Lions defenders. In the end, the hosts managed a few consolation scores, but this never really felt like a real contest. 'It just feels a bit flat doesn't it,' Biggar observed in the dying minutes of this encounter. Few would argue with the Welshman's assessment. Even Sky Sports were struggling to hype up what was essentially a non event.
Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Pat Ryan: 'We were favourites for the All-Ireland final last year with the bookies and we didn't win'
All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Cork 7-26 Dublin 2-21 After the goal-rush, comes the rush for tickets. About 60,000 Cork souls populated Croke Park on Saturday where they were treated to a spectacular display by the Munster champions. But the maths for the All-Ireland final on Sunday week are stark. 60,000 into 16,000, the allocation Cork will be expected to receive won't go, and that's before players, management, officers, sponsors and other corporate affiliations are considered. Following this seven-goal salute, everyone with a Cork affiliation will want to be back in Croke Park on July 20 as a wait that has extended to 20 years appears close to an end. If this is the closest many Cork folk get to their heroes this year, boy did they get a show. And boy did they show up. Not since the Heineken Cup semi-final in Lansdowne Road 2006 has the home support in Dublin been so dominated by the following in red. Their team returned the favour. As Brian Hayes spread his arms to celebrate his second goal, Cork's fourth, in the 32nd minute it felt like a torch was being passed. Hayes conjuring John Fitzgibbon conjuring Christy Ring. All that was missing was the little jump kick. Read More Seven questions for Cork after a seven-goal rout On Saturday, he brought his tally for the championship to 5-8. He laid off a pass for one of Alan Connolly's three goals, whose 3-2 haul was a point more than he had scored up to his point (1-8). Seventeen goals in six championship games (35 for the season) is rivalling the 18 their 1990 predecessors produced in five matches on their way to the first part of that year's double. A summer when Fitzgibbon accounted for six of them, Kevin Hennessy five, Mark Foley three and the late Ger Fitzgerald two. The swashbuckling ways of Pat Ryan's men is enthralling but he has reason to be wary of the fanfare and the perception the final is a coronation. After a similarly valorous display against Tipperary in the Munster final came a reminder in Ennis two weeks later that they weren't all-conquering. 'If we're winning matches and we're playing well and performing well, you're going to be favourites,' he said on Saturday. 'But, as we know ourselves, it doesn't make a difference what the bookies are going to do. You have to turn up and perform. We were favourites probably for the All-Ireland final last year with the bookies and we didn't win.' Longing can often be misplaced as confidence but this Cork team inspire faith. They overran Dublin with three goals inside the first 12 minutes and led by 10 at the break, 4-13 to 1-12. Once more, Tim O'Mahony proved Croke Park and its wide pasture is much to his liking. He was everywhere and along with fit-again Declan Dalton was vital in throwing Dublin out of shape. Saturday was justification for a couple of their team-mates too. Connolly hasn't been his usual rapier self in this championship but he had been sick earlier in the year and it had been debilitating. Read More Cork v Dublin player ratings: Outstanding Dalton set the tone for Cork With this latest hat-trick, he reminded everyone why he is Cork's best finisher. 'Alan was carrying probably a couple of injuries at the start of the year, momentum has kind of made a difference to him,' explained Ryan. 'He had a bit of a heel issue, he had a bit of an Achilles issue and he was kind of playing through them a small bit. 'But we could see a different Alan over the last while, he was hungry – in the Munster final, his work-rate was top-class, his tackling from behind, his hunger. Today, he probably didn't work as hard from tackling from behind, because he was winning more ball, and that's where I'd be kind of critical a small bit of time! But look, he was really sharp in training over the last three to four weeks and we expected a huge performance off him today.' Seán O'Donoghue was in warrior mode, backing up the form he had demonstrated in the Munster championship. He was part of the moves for Cork's fourth and final goals and was integral to the shutdown effort on Dublin. It was a show of force in contrast to some of his 2024 performances, which suggested he may lose his starting place this season. It has been theorised that he has looked a different player since the captaincy was transferred to Rob Downey but his manager cited other factors that may have mitigated against him last year. 'I think sometimes fellas get a name into their head and they try and give them flak and then everybody jumps up on top of it,' said Ryan. 'I think it's happened down in Cork with different players through the years but we've no question about Seán. We see it every night in every training. He's probably our best trainer, diligent, everything. 'He did a lot going on last year with captaincy, having a new baby, building a house. All those things can take a bit of distraction away from yourself, but he's been brilliant for us, a great leader within the group. I'm delighted with Seán's performances, but he needs to play a bit better now again the next time.' Ryan added: 'I think the key thing to Seán this year is that he had a clear run of injury. He had a clear run of injury, in good shape, played lots of matches – that's the key for any player.' Save for Seamus Harnedy's hamstring, it's all going swimmingly for Cork but one more strait must be navigated. The one that has bewitched them the lifetimes of some senior inter-county hurlers. Scorers for Cork: A. Connolly (3-2); P. Horgan (0-8, 6 frees); B. Hayes, T. O'Mahony (2-1 each); D. Dalton (0-5, 2 frees); D. Fitzgibbon (0-3); S. Kingston (0-2); D. Healy, C. Joyce, C. Lehane, J. O'Connor (0-1 each). Scorers for Dublin: C. O'Sullivan (2-5); S. Currie (0-7, frees); F. Whitely, C. Burke (0-3 each); B. Hayes, J. Hetherton, D. Burke (0-1 each). CORK: P. Collins: N. O'Leary, E. Downey, S. O'Donoghue; C. Joyce, R. Downey (c), M. Coleman; T. O'Mahony; D. Dalton, S. Barrett, D. Healy; P. Horgan, B. Hayes, A. Connolly. Subs: R. O'Flynn for D. Healy (50); S. Kingston for P. Horgan (55); T. O'Connell for R. Downey (59); C. Lehane for S. Barrett (63); J. O'Connor for D. Dalton (67); DUBLIN: S. Brennan; J. Bellew, P. Smyth, A. Dunphy; P. Doyle, C. McHugh, C. Donohoe; C. Burke, B. Hayes; R. McBride, F. Whitely, R. Hayes; C. O'Sullivan, J. Hetherton, S. Currie. Subs: D. Lucey for A. Dunphy (15); D. Power for C. McHugh (21); D. Burke for R. McBride (h-t); D. Ó Dúlaing for R. Hayes (46); C. Ó Riain for C. O'Sullivan (67). Referee: J. Murphy (Limerick). Read More Pat Ryan still chasing perfection but embracing the buzz around Cork
