Latest news with #LyhkanKing-Togia
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fittler knocks back Kangaroos job; Dragons lose another rising star to Souths
Glover had also combined well with Lyhkan King-Togia at reserve grade level, with the latter chosen to partner Kyle Flanagan in the top squad in recent months. Feeling his pathway was blocked and being off contract at the end of the season, Glover has signed a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs. Wayne Bennett feels Glover has the potential to become a regular first grader and the chance to learn under the veteran coach proved irresistible. The Dragons also recently lost another exciting prospect, forward Finau Latu, to Canterbury. Latu, a member of the 2023 Australian Schoolboys squad, had already signed with the Bulldogs from 2026 and the Red V granted him an immediate release before the June 30 transfer window closed. Shane Flanagan described the scrutiny on his son as 'unfair' after his side's win over Parramatta amid calls from some critics for him to be dropped. Kyle scored a try and performed strongly against the Eels, but it's unlikely to be enough to silence his detractors if he can't hold his form during the run to the finals. Glover won the Hastings Deering Colts player of the year award while at Brisbane Tigers for the best player in the Queensland Cup. The halfback moved south to the Bulldogs, struggled with homesickness, suffered a turf toe injury that wiped him out for most of the 2023 season, but stuck it out and came back in time to be part of Canterbury's Jersey Flegg-winning side. He shifted to the Dragons, where he has been among the stats leaders in the NSW Cup, but will leave in the belief he will fulfil his NRL dream at Souths. 'The next step is to play NRL,' Glover said in an interview in April. 'I can't do too much until I get picked, so my main focus is to play consistent Cup footy and try to steer my team to victories. Loading 'I'm just trying to stay involved and do the best I can.' Asked at the time about the prospect of having to leave the Red V due to a lack of opportunities, Glover said: 'If there's a better opportunity for me to play consistent first grade, I would enjoy the challenge of taking up the next step to another level.' That will come at the 'Pride of the League'. The Lewis Dodd experiment doesn't appear to have paid off for Souths, Bud Sullivan is technically only at the club while on loan from Wests Tigers, Cody Walker is in the twilight of his career, while Jamie Humphreys is still establishing himself as a first grader.
West Australian
08-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
‘He kills it': Lyhkan King-Togia relishing his NRL return after magical moments in Brisbane
Young gun Lyhkan King-Togia has received rave reviews from his Dragons teammates after an eye-catching performance at Magic Round where he provided an instant spark to their attack that they've been missing this year. King-Togia turns 20 next week but played like a man with years of experience under his belt as he took his chances against the Wests Tigers and set up two tries in his first start at halfback in the NRL. His promotion to the first grade side was inevitable after setting up nine tries in reserve grade, while Lachlan Ilias had managed just four assists to start the season as he worked his way back from a horror leg injury. 'I thought Lyhkan did a really good job,' representative centre Valentine Holmes said. 'He only had the preparation of one week and I thought he did well. He listened to what the attacking coaches asked him to do, he set up a couple of tries and defended really well. 'It's a big step up from NSW Cup to the NRL – and it's not only NRL but Magic Round on the big stage. 'We all know what a talent he is and the ball-playing skills that he has. Most young halves these days are silky, but it's usually the defensive side of things where you need to be really good at because if teams see a young half, they'll send traffic their way. 'It's about being solid defensively, and I think he was sound.' King-Togia played four games last season and is a big part of the club's future after signing a new deal last week, and he showed he's ready to be their halfback now. 'It was good fun to get back out with the boys in Queensland where I'm from,' he said. 'It doesn't feel too different (having the seven on my back). It was kind of the same thing with the games last year where I just wanted to go out and have fun. 'Flanno (coach Shane Flanagan) just wants me to go out and have fun, and I feel that's when I'm at my best when I'm having fun. 'If I'm consistent and just worry about my part in the team then the rest will take care of itself. 'I'm grateful to be anywhere in the team. It was a big goal to get in the team and I'd play anywhere and do the best for the boys.' It was a rough start to the year for the emerging talent who broke his jaw before the first trial game which meant he couldn't get valuable minutes under his belt. But he's back now and ready to take on the Warriors this weekend, with King-Togia born in Auckland and idolising their former halfback Shaun Johnson. He's not fussed about the chat around who should start in the halves going forward, with Ilias also performing well in a big win in NSW Cup last week. 'He knows what he's got to do, and I'm sure he'll do the best he can to get back,' King-Togia said. 'If he's back then it's good for the boys.' After showing he can handle the big stage at Suncorp Stadium, King-Togia now gets the chance to shine in familiar surroundings in Wollongong where he feels at home. 'He kills it in Cup and he's so nonchalant,' winger Corey Allan said. 'He's your typical backyard footy player but he knows how to read the game. He sticks to the game plan, but when he needs to, he turns it on. That's the most dangerous thing about him.'
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dragons wield the axe after Anzac Day debacle
Promising playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia is poised to replace the axed Lachlan Ilias, and it's unlikely to be the only change in the St George Illawarra line-up. Despite scoring a slashing try in the Anzac Day loss to the Roosters, Dragons winger Sione Finau is poised to be another casualty for Saturday's clash with Wests Tigers. Corey Allan, who made one State of Origin appearance for the Maroons in 2020, is tipped to make his Dragons debut after overcoming an ACL injury that wiped out his entire 2024 season. King-Togia has made four NRL appearances to date and recently signed a contract extension that will result in him progressing to the club's top-30 squads for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Once the decision was made to drop Ilias, coach Shane Flanagan pondered whether to promote King-Togia or his NSW Cup halves partner Jonah Glover. Ultimately, King-Togia won the race to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. There's expected to be a shake-up in the South Sydney halves as well, with Lewis Dodd likely to partner Bud Sullivan at the scrumbase. Dodd has made two brief NRL appearances for the Rabbitohs coming off the bench, but will get the chance to show what he can do for an injury-hit Souths line-up. Latrell Mitchell is unavailable due to suspension. Josh Schuster is edging closer to making his Rabbitohs debut, but won't be called up for the clash against the Knights.
The Age
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Dragons wield the axe after Anzac Day debacle
Promising playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia is poised to replace the axed Lachlan Ilias, and it's unlikely to be the only change in the St George Illawarra line-up. Despite scoring a slashing try in the Anzac Day loss to the Roosters, Dragons winger Sione Finau is poised to be another casualty for Saturday's clash with Wests Tigers. Corey Allan, who made one State of Origin appearance for the Maroons in 2020, is tipped to make his Dragons debut after overcoming an ACL injury that wiped out his entire 2024 season. King-Togia has made four NRL appearances to date and recently signed a contract extension that will result in him progressing to the club's top-30 squads for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Once the decision was made to drop Ilias, coach Shane Flanagan pondered whether to promote King-Togia or his NSW Cup halves partner Jonah Glover. Ultimately, King-Togia won the race to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. There's expected to be a shake-up in the South Sydney halves as well, with Lewis Dodd likely to partner Bud Sullivan at the scrumbase. Dodd has made two brief NRL appearances for the Rabbitohs coming off the bench, but will get the chance to show what he can do for an injury-hit Souths line-up. Latrell Mitchell is unavailable due to suspension. Josh Schuster is edging closer to making his Rabbitohs debut, but won't be called up for the clash against the Knights.
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Dragons show faith in Lyhkan King-Togia with new contract as he prepares for possible NRL return at Magic Round
Lyhkan King-Togia has signed a contract extension with the Dragons amid reports the young playmaker will replace Lachlan Ilias in the halves for Saturday's crucial showdown with the Wests Tigers at Magic Round. The 19-year-old has been in stellar form in NSW Cup and is fresh from setting up three tries in his side's 30-point win over the Sea Eagles. The Dragons Academy graduate has been rewarded for his consistent form with a new two-year deal that means he will progress into the club's top 30 squad in 2026. King-Togia showed promising signs at the back end of last season when he played four NRL matches, with the young gun in line to return to first grade in Brisbane this weekend with Ilias tipped to be dropped after a mixed start to life at his new club. 'Locking down Lyhkan for another couple of seasons is exciting for the club,' Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said. 'He got a taste of first grade at the end of last year and has been playing good footy to start this season for our NSW Cup team. 'He's an exciting young half on the up and we're looking forward to watching him continue to improve over the coming seasons.'
