Latest news with #LenIkitau
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
This is the Wallabies squad Schmidt should select to play the Lions
4 Nick Frost (Brumbies): Despite those occasional question marks about his defence, he is still a pretty complete second-rower and is highly disciplined: he doesn't give away many soft penalties. 5 Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais): He's never quite delivered his best for the Wallabies but should get a decent run-in to the first Test, especially if his French club do not go far in the Top 14 playoffs, or even make it (to be decided this weekend). 6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies): An easy decision, although he'll go into the series with a target on his back because Lions coach Andy Farrell will know that he is central to the Wallabies' momentum. 7 Fraser McReight (Reds): Hasn't reached the same heights as last year but is at the stage of his career where he doesn't need to keep proving himself in Super Rugby. Everyone knows the level he can reach, and for that reason he's ahead of Tizzano. 8 Harry Wilson (Reds): A far closer call than at the start of season, given his run of injuries. But he's still stepped up when needed for the Reds. Form will be closely watched against the Crusaders, because the back row is a unit where Schmidt has options. 9 Tate McDermott (Reds): He's played his way in by rediscovering his running game in and around the ruck. As brave as they come and would represent the dash of boldness the Wallabies need to break down the Lions defence. 10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies): Schmidt showed last year that Lolesio was his man and there has been no compelling reason to change that. Understanding with Len Ikitau and Tom Wright is critical. 11 Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): A massive loss in the context of the Waratahs' season, but has the speed and game smarts to slot straight back into the Wallabies if he is fit. 12 Len Ikitau (Brumbies): Showed last year he can easily move into the No 12 jersey to be the real leader in the midfield. The class act that will be needed against the Lions in an area where they look strong. 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs): Limited to just seven games for the Waratahs, but showed enough to a major ball-carrying weapon for the Wallabies. Schmidt will desperate to engineer even the slightest amount of space on the outside for Suaalii. 14 Harry Potter (Force): Last year's Wallabies performances have informed the majority of my picks, but Potter has mounted a compelling case over the out-of-sorts Andrew Kellaway. The latter can change my mind with a good Test against Fiji, however. 15 Tom Wright (Brumbies): He really has developed into the all-round package at fullback. His ability to carry the ball in both hands to keep his options open is a world-class asset. Loading Reserves: Matt Faessler (Reds), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Jeremy Williams (Force), Pete Samu (Bordeaux-Begles), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Hunter Paisami (Reds). This is the area where it has been so difficult to make decisions. If the Lions show their hand early and run with three No 7s, Carlo Tizzano might have to come in on a 6-2 split with Paisami dropping off. Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson are also pushing hard, but Samu's ability to cover all three back-row positions gives him the edge. Lynagh over O'Connor? The Rugby World Cup in 2027 has played a role with Lynagh's development critical to that tournament. Suaalii's ability to cover fullback (and wing at a push) also lessens the need for Ben Donaldson as a No 10/15 replacement.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
This is the Wallabies squad Schmidt should select to play the Lions
4 Nick Frost (Brumbies): Despite those occasional question marks about his defence, he is still a pretty complete second-rower and is highly disciplined: he doesn't give away many soft penalties. 5 Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais): He's never quite delivered his best for the Wallabies but should get a decent run-in to the first Test, especially if his French club do not go far in the Top 14 playoffs, or even make it (to be decided this weekend). 6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies): An easy decision, although he'll go into the series with a target on his back because Lions coach Andy Farrell will know that he is central to the Wallabies' momentum. 7 Fraser McReight (Reds): Hasn't reached the same heights as last year but is at the stage of his career where he doesn't need to keep proving himself in Super Rugby. Everyone knows the level he can reach, and for that reason he's ahead of Tizzano. 8 Harry Wilson (Reds): A far closer call than at the start of season, given his run of injuries. But he's still stepped up when needed for the Reds. Form will be closely watched against the Crusaders, because the back row is a unit where Schmidt has options. 9 Tate McDermott (Reds): He's played his way in by rediscovering his running game in and around the ruck. As brave as they come and would represent the dash of boldness the Wallabies need to break down the Lions defence. 10 Noah Lolesio (Brumbies): Schmidt showed last year that Lolesio was his man and there has been no compelling reason to change that. Understanding with Len Ikitau and Tom Wright is critical. 11 Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): A massive loss in the context of the Waratahs' season, but has the speed and game smarts to slot straight back into the Wallabies if he is fit. 12 Len Ikitau (Brumbies): Showed last year he can easily move into the No 12 jersey to be the real leader in the midfield. The class act that will be needed against the Lions in an area where they look strong. 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs): Limited to just seven games for the Waratahs, but showed enough to a major ball-carrying weapon for the Wallabies. Schmidt will desperate to engineer even the slightest amount of space on the outside for Suaalii. 14 Harry Potter (Force): Last year's Wallabies performances have informed the majority of my picks, but Potter has mounted a compelling case over the out-of-sorts Andrew Kellaway. The latter can change my mind with a good Test against Fiji, however. 15 Tom Wright (Brumbies): He really has developed into the all-round package at fullback. His ability to carry the ball in both hands to keep his options open is a world-class asset. Loading Reserves: Matt Faessler (Reds), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Jeremy Williams (Force), Pete Samu (Bordeaux-Begles), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Hunter Paisami (Reds). This is the area where it has been so difficult to make decisions. If the Lions show their hand early and run with three No 7s, Carlo Tizzano might have to come in on a 6-2 split with Paisami dropping off. Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson are also pushing hard, but Samu's ability to cover all three back-row positions gives him the edge. Lynagh over O'Connor? The Rugby World Cup in 2027 has played a role with Lynagh's development critical to that tournament. Suaalii's ability to cover fullback (and wing at a push) also lessens the need for Ben Donaldson as a No 10/15 replacement.
RNZ News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Reds, Brumbies look to protect 'Fortress Australia'
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Of the many surprises Super Rugby Pacific has thrown up this season, the Australian teams' spotless record at home to New Zealand rivals ranks among the most astonishing. Having once dominated Australian sides home or away, none of New Zealand's six teams have breached "Fortress Australia" on their trips "across the ditch" after 10 rounds this season. The players freed up by the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels have strengthened Australia's four remaining teams and made the once-lopsided competition far more intriguing. Following Western Force's 17-17 draw with the Hurricanes in Perth last week, it will be the Reds and Brumbies' turn to repel the New Zealand invaders. The Reds face arguably the harder task when they host the Blues on Friday night. Although the Blues lie eighth in the table with a 3-6 losing record, they are desperate to keep their title defence alive after a tough 25-22 loss at the Crusaders last week. They have won on each of their last three trips to Queensland and racked up 40-plus point scores against the Reds in their last three matches. But coming in fresh off a bye, Les Kiss's fourth-placed Reds will fancy themselves to snap the losing streak on Anzac Day. "The spirit of the Anzacs is something we should make sure we continue to honour," Kiss told reporters. "Those types of occasions become special and it deepens the meaning .... they become the big games." The third-placed Brumbies face the seventh-placed Hurricanes tomorrow, returning to their Canberra Stadium home following an impressive 24-0 victory away to Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe. Stephen Larkham's Brumbies had a relatively slow start to the season but are now in top gear. They have won their last three matches to retake the mantle of Australia's best-performing team. Len Ikitau of the Brumbies is tackled by Selestino Ravutaumada of the Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 5 match between the Brumbies and the Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium in Canberra. 14 March 2025. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch / Photosport The Brumbies have also won five of their last six matches against the Hurricanes and, with the return of Wallabies centre Len Ikitau from concussion, they will be hard to beat. "Last weekend gives us massive confidence, especially in and around the defence part of our game," Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said. "It's going to be a physical game up front. You've got to earn the right against these blokes and I don't think it'll be any different this weekend." The Brumbies lie four points behind the leading Chiefs who host the fifth-placed Force in the first Super Rugby match at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui tonight. Bay Oval, Tauranga Photo: Aaron Gillions / Bay Oval is known more for hosting international cricket but the Chiefs will be confident of producing their best rugby at the ground against a team they have not lost to since 2014. Victory may not be enough to stay top of the table, though, with the second-placed Crusaders level on points with the Chiefs. The Crusaders can swipe top spot with a big win over the ninth-placed Highlanders in tomorrow's South Island derby in Dunedin. Earlier on Saturday, Fijian Drua will look for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they travel to Auckland for a bottom-two clash against Moana Pasifika. Drua entered the season with great expectations after making the playoffs last year but defeat by Moana will all but end their hopes this term. - Reuters
The Star
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies centre Ikitau signs short-term deal with Exeter
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales v Australia - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 17, 2024 Australia's Len Ikitau in action before scoring a try Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia centre Len Ikitau will join Exeter for the 2025-26 Premiership Rugby season before returning to Canberra's ACT Brumbies as part of a Rugby Australia contract extension through to the 2027 World Cup. The 26-year-old has become a hot property since last year's stellar season-ending tour of Europe, highlighted by a sublime flick pass that set up the winning try to Max Jorgensen over England at Twickenham. The sabbatical offered to 39-test Ikitau to play in England echoes those given to long-serving All Blacks in New Zealand. "We believe the short stint in the UK will prove beneficial to Len's continued development and look forward to welcoming him back in the Australian Rugby fold before the first Test of the 2026 season," RA's high performance boss Peter Horne said in a statement on Thursday. An explosive line-breaker and elite defender, Ikitau was a shock omission from Eddie Jones's 2023 World Cup squad but has become one of Joe Schmidt's first-choice midfielders at the Wallabies. "I wanted a change," Ikitau told reporters on Thursday of the England move. "I love the Brums, but I felt like it was time to try a new place out. "It wasn't like I didn't love the game, but I've been in Canberra since 2016. "It's been a long time. I wanted a little refresher, play a different brand of footy, live in a different country with my family and travel if we get the chance to." The terms of Ikitau's deal were not disclosed but his nine-month stint in England will net him about 770,000 pounds ($1.02 million), according to media reports. Ikitau will link up with former Wallabies prop and Brumbies teammate Scott Sio at the struggling Chiefs, who are second-bottom of the Premiership table. ($1 = 0.7529 pounds) (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Wallabies centre Ikitau signs short-term deal with Exeter
MELBOURNE, April 24 (Reuters) - Australia centre Len Ikitau will join Exeter for the 2025-26 Premiership Rugby season before returning to Canberra's ACT Brumbies as part of a Rugby Australia contract extension through to the 2027 World Cup. The 26-year-old has become a hot property since last year's stellar season-ending tour of Europe, highlighted by a sublime flick pass that set up the winning try to Max Jorgensen over England at Twickenham. The sabbatical offered to 39-test Ikitau to play in England echoes those given to long-serving All Blacks in New Zealand. "We believe the short stint in the UK will prove beneficial to Len's continued development and look forward to welcoming him back in the Australian Rugby fold before the first Test of the 2026 season," RA's high performance boss Peter Horne said in a statement on Thursday. An explosive line-breaker and elite defender, Ikitau was a shock omission from Eddie Jones's 2023 World Cup squad but has become one of Joe Schmidt's first-choice midfielders at the Wallabies. "I wanted a change," Ikitau told reporters on Thursday of the England move. "I love the Brums, but I felt like it was time to try a new place out. "It wasn't like I didn't love the game, but I've been in Canberra since 2016. "It's been a long time. I wanted a little refresher, play a different brand of footy, live in a different country with my family and travel if we get the chance to." The terms of Ikitau's deal were not disclosed but his nine-month stint in England will net him about 770,000 pounds ($1.02 million), according to media reports. Ikitau will link up with former Wallabies prop and Brumbies teammate Scott Sio at the struggling Chiefs, who are second-bottom of the Premiership table. ($1 = 0.7529 pounds)
