Latest news with #MCG
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Farrell considers options for 'biggest game of our lives'
Halfway through his post-match chat at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday night, Andy Farrell, really for the first time on this tour, gave it the Gettysburg Address in terms of what lies in wait for the British and Irish Lions against the Australia in Saturday's second storied Melbourne Cricket Ground. A crowd of 85,000-plus. A chance to win the series and put their names in Lions history. "If you can't get up for what's coming, we're all in the wrong place," said Lions coach Farrell. "To me, this is the biggest game of our lives, every one of us."That's a heck of a statement given the magnitude of some of the contests these players have appeared in over the years, but there was no doubting Farrell's sincerity. This is huge right enough. The MCG isn't just a sports stadium, it's a palace sitting on hallowed ground. It's gobsmacking in its scale even when empty. When full, or nearly full, it'll be a momentous place on Saturday night when the Lions walk out which Lions? The inference from the camp is that Joe McCarthy, a big performer on this trip and a fine player in the first Test, is not going to be fit for Saturday. McCarthy hasn't trained all said he will see how the Ireland lock is on Thursday but the team will have been named by then. Too late for Big Joe, word, also, is that Mack Hansen, a strong contender for the bench if all things were equal, is not going to make it either. Farrell says Hansen's foot injury is progressing but then posed a question of his own about whether he was progressing quickly enough. A rhetorical question, you sense. The Keenan or Kinghorn conundrum When it gets to this stage of the tour, with one win required to take the series, you start reading the tea leaves on everything Farrell says. The coach was critical of aspects of his team in the 24-19 win against a fired-up First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday night."We started to play the game a little bit like an exhibition match and it was never going to be like that," he said."We weren't earning the right to play. There's an allure of space that we thought was there and it wasn't there. We kept playing out the back and big wide passes and getting hit behind the gain-line and making it tough for ourselves."Given that Blair Kinghorn went wide in an exhibition-type way in the first half - and got intercepted twice - the feeling was that Farrell was talking about his Kinghorn, a class act, was deemed to be one decent night away from taking over from Hugo Keenan at 15 in the second Test, with the Irishman not having had his best performance in now? What about the exhibition barb? Farrell confused things further when he said that Kinghorn was very "assured". Two intercepts flew in the face of said, Kinghorn was just back from injury and has a brilliant body of work with Toulouse all season. So, Keenan or Kinghorn at 15? It's a tough call. Maybe Keenan starts and Kinghorn is on the bench as cover for wing and full-back. Ringrose and Tuipulotu centre partnership? Wings Tommy Freeman and James Lowe played below par in the first Test but it would be a surprise if either lost their place. The centres? Now that's an area of Jones and Sione Tuipulotu formed a formidable partnership in Brisbane. Maybe Jones could have been more clinical at times, but he played well. Garry Ringrose is now fit again, though. Does that change things? Very possibly, given that Ringrose looked to be in the box-seat at 13 before getting concussed against the Brumbies and missing out on the first Ringrose spoke glowingly of the Scottish centres on Tuesday night. "What has impressed me most is their skill at the line," he said. "What is expected of centres is to be able to carry when it's tight, play through the line when it's on, then pull the trigger."Those two are exceptional at that. It's been brilliant training against them, training with them, picking their brains on decision-making based on what they see. "From playing against Scotland and watching them play for Glasgow, it's unreal to actually work with them and have those conversations. They're unbelievably intelligent, skillful, physical and both of them are all-court in what they do."High praise, but Jones and Tuipulotu would have eulogies for Ringrose, too. It would run the risk of an uprising in Scotland, but a Ringrose-Tuipulotu partnership on Saturday is a very real would be brutal on Jones, but this is an unforgiving landscape. We're talking of players of supreme class. Ringrose is arguably that bit more of a rounded player than Jones. It's fine margins. What changes would McCarthy's absence bring? With McCarthy likely to be ruled out, who comes in? Tadhg Beirne might step up into the second row with Ollie Chessum coming in at six. Again, it's the tea leaves talking. Farrell doesn't give much bench is an area of significant interest. Same front-row cover, for sure. If Chessum is promoted, Farrell needs another lock and line-out jumper. James Ryan has almost been the forgotten man of this tour so far, but he was going around crushing people on was taken off after 54 minutes. Why? For fear that having been yellow-carded already he might be heading for a second one? Or to rest him? There's also the case of Scott Cummings whose tour began badly against the Western Force in then, Cummings has grown steadily. He's physical, busy and impressive. He put in an admirable performance at the Marvel Stadium, but he played 80 minutes. If Farrell had him in mind for a bench spot on Saturday wouldn't he have spared him a full game of attrition against such a hard-hitting opponent?You watched the sheer power and might of some of the First Nations and Pasifika XV and wondered what Joe Schmidt is doing in not picking them in his Wallabies Tupou at prop, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto at lock, Seru Uru and Charlie Gamble in the back row were immense and caused the Lions a world of trouble. Yes, it was the second-string Lions but power is power and Schmidt's boys lacked it in Brisbane. Maybe the great man has miscalculated in bypassing some gigantic options under his Jac Morgan was taken off after 51 minutes the implication was that he had done enough and that he was likely to be on the bench for the second Test. Wales, perhaps, are about to have some Lions joy at last. Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock both went the full 80 minutes. Probably not a good sign. Has Farrell done enough to make the bench? What of Owen Farrell? There was a near comedic moment in the aftermath of Tuesday's game when Farrell Sr was asked to comment on Farrell Jr's performance."How do you think you played?" father asked son."He asked you…" son told the son played well in what was his first 80-minute game since 27 April and only his third 80 minutes since last October. If it's Farrell versus Bundee Aki for a bench spot, who wins? Farrell can cover 10 and 12, but Aki is more battle-hardened. It's a conundrum. Not a bad one way Farrell and his coaches slice it, it still looks highly decent, it still looks like a side more than capable of finishing the job in a stunning setting on Saturday night. The personnel might change a tad from week to week, but the outcome, says the smart money, will remain the same.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Garry Ringrose keeps his head level and his hand up for second Test selection
As well as being a seriously talented, committed and professional footballer, Garry Ringrose has always been a very even-tempered and level-headed team man, a trait which must have served him particularly well in the last couple of weeks. Ringrose had looked on course to be the starting outside centre for the Test series when he last spoke post-match in the media mixed zone a fortnight ago in Canberra after the Lions' win over the Brumbies. He'd scored his third try in three games, but later that night and the following day Ringrose felt not quite right and after concussion was diagnosed, he had to observe a 12-day return to play protocol. That ruled him out of the first Test and though named on the bench in Tuesday's win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV, the plan probably wasn't for him to play 63 minutes. But his performance will have given Andy Farrell every reason to pick Ringrose at outside centre against Australia in Saturday's second Test at the MCG. That extended shift, alas, was due to Darcy Graham's misfortune, which rather took the gloss off Ringrose's night. READ MORE 'It was gutting to see Darcy go off and you could see how much it meant to him, which I think hits home after the game because it's easy to think just about the game – 'ah, it's a close one and there's loads of stuff we can do better'. 'But then when you think about something like that, how tough it is on him, how much it means to him, how proud he should be to get his first Lions cap it kind of puts everything into perspective,' said Ringrose The Leinster and Ireland centre spoke about his own evident joy at playing in his fourth non-Test match as a pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming moment and, of course, his boyish enjoyment of being part of this Lions tour is all the more real after unluckily missing out on the last two. He also probably applied the same kind of balanced attitude when he missed out on the chance of playing in the first Test. Garry Ringrose in action for the Lions during the game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho 'After that something wasn't sitting right,' he said in regards to the post-Brumbies mixed zone. 'Then I spoke with the doc and he was really helpful and supportive over the next day as well. I didn't quite feel right so we made a call to enter the protocol and do what the medics and Andy wants. It's a tough decision to make but they only want what's best for the player, so it is nice having that support.' As for dealing with the disappointment, he reasoned: 'I guess it's the nature of the beast. If you weren't dealing with that little battle there's some other little battle that one's dealing with. And everyone has their own story that they're trying to do themselves proud for their team-mates, and family, so we're all in the same boat in that regard.' Plenty of ball came Ringrose's way and he showed up well in what was an unexceptional Lions win against the composite side. 'It wasn't a pretty game but when it's a good win it's never as good a win as you think it is, and when maybe the performance isn't at the level you want it to be it's never as bad as you think it is. That's probably what I've learned. So, keen to review and see where we can better and still to get a win is the bottom line and we're happy with that.' His introduction meant Jamie Osborne shifted to the right wing, where he scored his second try on debut, and more than justified his call-up. 'It doesn't surprise me,' said Ringrose and recalled Osborne coming through the Leinster academy. 'You're training with him for a year or two and you could just see [he had] something. So absolutely delighted for him and his family as well. Called in late and then to fit in, from Irish camp to fit in. It just doesn't surprise me. The quality of person he is, the quality of player he is to deliver like that. It's cool.' But it meant Ringrose played alongside Owen Farrell , a player he has long admired. Listening to Ringrose discuss the team's captain for the night, the respect Farrell junior commands as a leader is palpable. Garry Ringrose chats to Owen Farrell during the Lions' game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho 'It was a challenging turnaround from the first Test, then you're travelling, then your captain's run. He didn't miss a beat in that leadership and bringing players with him,' said Ringrose, becoming effusive by his standards. 'When he talks, everyone listens. What he's saying is the right pitch and hits the spot every time, and I could feel it out there as well. That's not even talking about the rugby side of things. 'His ability at the line because he's that kind of 10/12, similar to the [Scottish] lads, physicality at the line when it's needed. What else?' asks Ringrose aloud, and picks out more examples, before concluding: 'In big moments, he's someone who consistently delivers and he delivered today.' Ringrose's balanced attitude and contentment is helped by having so many family here in Melbourne. 'My wife Ellen, my young fella Freddy, my folks Niall and Ann, two brothers Karl and Jack, then I have some family in Melbourne as well. A good crew. It was cool seeing them after the game. My dad's sister and a couple of cousins.' That will keep him both happy and motivated, and will ease any pain if the ill-timed concussion ahead of the first Test and the 65-minute shift now counts against him. Ringrose was asked when the players will be told the team for the second Test, he seemed genuinely truthful when smiling and answering: 'I dunno. I really dunno.' Likewise, he laughed off any notion of sleepless nights. 'Not really, because everyone is there for the team and I've been lucky enough to work with Faz and a couple of coaches for so long that I've just complete trust in their decision-making and back whatever it is, and wherever my role fits in. Then, as I say, go all in on that.' Yep, Ringrose's equilibrium really does serve him well.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Garbage piles up in Gurugram after mass exodus of workers: ‘A collapse years in making'
Gurugram's waste management system is nearing collapse after a mass exodus of domestic and sanitation workers, allegedly driven by a police verification and detention drive targeting suspected illegal immigrants. With hundreds of informal workers fleeing the city in recent days, the fallout has been swift: door-to-door waste collection has halted across several sectors, streets are overflowing with unsegregated garbage, and housing societies are scrambling to manage trash with ad hoc arrangements. The panic is palpable, with residents and activists attributing the mass exodus to a wave of detentions reportedly targeting Bengali-speaking informal workers. From Sectors 103 and 57 to Palam Vihar, Golf Course Extension Road, and Gurugram-Faridabad Road, mounds of waste line the streets, raising fears of a looming public health emergency. Civic volunteers and residents say the absence of trained sanitation staff has left them no option but to hire tractor-trolleys for waste disposal - often leading to indiscriminate dumping without segregation. 'They didn't even inform us. Many just vanished overnight out of fear,' Richa Vohra, a waste volunteer from Sector 57 told HT. Between July 13 and 21, at least 100 individuals - many employed as house helps or garbage collectors - were allegedly detained by police. According to residents, five were later released after reportedly being told to board trains to Assam. The status of the others remains unclear. Families say most of those detained are Indian citizens, some of whom have lived in Gurugram for over five years. 'They were not even allowed to go home and fetch their Aadhaar cards. The police just dragged them into vans,' a relative of 45-year-old garbage collector Anwar Hussain was quoted as saying by HT. Activists and experts argue the situation is a direct result of systemic negligence by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). 'Gurgaon's waste services have catastrophically failed,' said Ruchika Sethi Takkar, founder of Citizens for Clean Air. 'MCG's disregard for SWM Rules 2016 and failure to institutionalise waste workers has brought the system to its knees.' Takkar said citizen groups have already submitted a representation to MCG and the deputy commissioner, demanding an emergency contingency plan that includes temporary dry waste depots, immediate public communication, and interim collection arrangements. 'This is not a sudden crisis,' said waste management expert Kusum Sharma. 'This is a collapse years in the making. Had MCG followed SWM norms—created dry waste centres, enforced source segregation, and integrated informal workers—this situation could have been averted. Now, the city is entirely dependent on a workforce that is being criminalised.' While citizens struggle to bridge the gap, officials have remained largely silent until now. MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya admitted the city's operations had been hit hard. 'Most of the drivers and waste collectors are migratory workers, and their going away will affect our operations. We're working with senior officials and the chief minister to find alternatives and minimise disruption,' he said. But activists say the crisis extends beyond civic breakdown. 'This isn't just about garbage,' said Takkar. 'It's about the collapse of the invisible economy that keeps the city running. Without a humanitarian plan, the infrastructure will collapse.' In Palam Vihar and other sectors, residents report migrants approaching them for help, fearing harassment despite having valid documentation. 'They're being targeted for their identity,' said one resident. 'Even those with ration cards and Aadhaar are being treated like criminals. This is inhuman.' Rahul Khera, a Sector 54 resident and social sector expert, noted that although four new private agencies have been hired by the MCG, 'regardless of who's collecting the waste, it's migrant labour doing the job. They make up 100% of the city's frontline waste workforce. If they leave, this city will shut down.' He stressed the need for reforms but condemned the current approach. 'Even immigrants with valid documentation are afraid. This isn't governance—it's fear mongering.' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Dr Arpit Jain said the verification drive was being conducted per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, with a focus on suspected illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. 'Details of any suspect are sent to the home secretary, district magistrate, or deputy commissioner of the concerned state for verification. If the report is negative, we initiate deportation proceedings with help from the central government, after placing the individual in a holding area. If the report confirms Indian citizenship, the person is released,' Jain said. He confirmed that even those with Aadhaar and other documents are being held temporarily until their credentials are verified by state authorities. 'We are ensuring that no genuine citizen faces unnecessary harassment.' However, police have refused to disclose the locations of the four holding centres or the number of individuals currently detained or deported, citing security reasons.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Nice little chip off the left peg'
Owen Farrell captained the British and Irish Lions to a 24-19 win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV on was Farrell's first full 80 minutes since the end of April and he put in another solid outing, setting up Jamie Osborne's first try with a deft Andy and Owen Farrell however never get too carried away."How do you think he played?" Andy Farrell asks his son in response to that question."He asked you," Owen replied."Nice little chip off the left peg. Some good things from him. But there are always work ons."Owen added: "I enjoyed it. There is always things you can do better obviously. But I loved being out there. I loved that it was difficult, that it was hard. I feel like I've been in a tough match now. So I'm grateful for that."Owen Farrell missed out on a first Test bench spot against Australia to Marcus he done enough to come in for the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday?
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Andy Farrell provides update on Marcus Smith after Lions injury scare
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has allayed fears over Marcus Smith 's availability for the second Test against Australia after confirming that the playmaker had passed his head injury assessment (HIA). Smith was taken down the tunnel in the 73rd minute just seven minutes after being introduced against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. It was subsequently confirmed that the 26-year-old, who featured off the bench in the first Test win over the Wallabies, had required an HIA after taking a bang to the head. Had he failed the HIA, Smith would have had to undergo a mandatory 12-day stand down period, ruling him out of the second Test. However, Farrell suggested there were no concerns over his availability after coming through the assessment. 'He is fine, he has passed everything,' Farrell said. The First Nations & Pasifika side gave the Lions' heavily-rotated team a stern examination at Marvel Stadium, falling five points short in a 24-19 defeat with few of those involved for the tourists staking a Test claim. A tidy performance from captain Owen Farrell could see him come into consideration for a bench role, while Blair Kinghorn and Garry Ringrose both played significant and valuable minutes on their return from injury. Head coach Farrell is not yet sure, though, if Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen will be in contention to feature at the MCG on Saturday. McCarthy has been dealing with a foot injury after sustaining a problem in the first Test, while Hansen was unavailable for that game - both are yet to train this week, suggesting that their involvement is in serious doubt. Farrell and his coaching staff will assemble for a selection meeting on Wednesday before the Lions train again and name their side publicly on Thursday. The Lions made a strong start to their final midweek game of the tour but squandered a 14-point lead before half time in a clunky performance, even though they eventually prevailed. Of the showing, Farrell said: 'I thought 14 points up and finding space everywhere, we started to play the game a little bit like an exhibition match and it was never going to be like that so, I was pretty pleased with how we addressed that at half time and started showing some proper intent in our game. 'Whether we got the rewards for it is a different story but we fought our way back into the game. I am delighted for a lot of lads who have just played their first game, some have just played their first game on tour, delighted to keep the wins rolling.' Some of those who featured in the win are now likely to go home, with Farrell suggesting that late call-ups Gregor Brown, Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman may be among them.
