Latest news with #Maroons
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Kangaroos coach Walters faces exodus of stars to Pacific nations
'If those boys feel passionate about representing the Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that's their choice. It makes for a better product.' That was the declaration of Kangaroos forward Pat Carrigan, who threw his support behind a slew of State of Origin stars contemplating defection to Samoa. New Australia coach Kevin Walters faces a battle to field his strongest possible side in the lead-up to this year's rugby league Ashes series in England. Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are considering shifting their allegiances to Samoa – similar to how Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita famously turned Tonga into an international force. The trio's decision comes at a pivotal time for rugby league, when growing the international game is paramount. Loading Only three teams – Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain – have lifted the trophy at 16 previous Rugby League World Cups. Samoa and Tonga have made gallant strides, with the former reaching the last tournament's final with State of Origin stars Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Josh Papalii lining up. Maroons regulars Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai have also been a part of the Samoa cause.
The Age
a day ago
- Sport
- The Age
Kangaroos coach Walters faces exodus of stars to Pacific nations
'If those boys feel passionate about representing the Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that's their choice. It makes for a better product.' That was the declaration of Kangaroos forward Pat Carrigan, who threw his support behind a slew of State of Origin stars contemplating defection to Samoa. New Australia coach Kevin Walters faces a battle to field his strongest possible side in the lead-up to this year's rugby league Ashes series in England. Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are considering shifting their allegiances to Samoa – similar to how Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita famously turned Tonga into an international force. The trio's decision comes at a pivotal time for rugby league, when growing the international game is paramount. Loading Only three teams – Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain – have lifted the trophy at 16 previous Rugby League World Cups. Samoa and Tonga have made gallant strides, with the former reaching the last tournament's final with State of Origin stars Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Josh Papalii lining up. Maroons regulars Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai have also been a part of the Samoa cause.
Daily Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
NRL news: Josh Kerr reprimanded for Ashley Klein comments, Queensland Maroons, NSW Blues, result, video
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Maroons extended squad member Josh Kerr has labelled Origin referee Ashley Klein a 'double agent' in an all-time interview following Queensland's series-deciding win in Sydney. The Dolphins forward was in good spirits on Thursday morning when he fired a light-hearted barb at Klein over his officiating in game three, with the NRL handing down a breach notice alleging Kerr's comments were 'detrimental to the best interests of the game'. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > The Queensland squad member was also deemed to have 'undermined the credibility of match officials', being given five days to respond before a potential punishment is handed down. Watch Josh Kerr's cheeky post-Origin interview in the player above. Josh Kerr labelled Ashley Klein a 'double agent' and has now been punished. 'I'm not sure how much trouble I could get into for saying it but I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and, you know, even it up or make it a bit closer,' Kerr told Fox Sports News. 'We were sitting there going, 'it's rorted, the game's rorted'. 'I haven't got the best eyesight at times but I'm watching four passes and sh*t. 'We were all on the sideline just going, 'oh, no, it's a double agent'. 'It makes it more exciting, doesn't it, and it brings out the Queenslander in all those players.' Klein came under fire after game two in which the Blues were on the wrong end of a lop-sided 10-2 penalty count. That was reversed in the decider where the Blues won the count 7-3. The Maroons were too strong for the Blues in the series decider, winning 24-12 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. The visitors led 20-0 at halftime, scoring three unanswered tries through Xavier Coates, Tom Dearden and Harry Grant. Blues centre Stephen Crichton scored the first try of the night for the hosts at the 55th minute, before Dearden went in for his second of the night at the 73rd minute, to seal the result. NSW winger Brian To'o scored a consolation try at the 79th minute. It was Maroons coach Billy Slater's third series win from his four in charge, going back to 2022. Originally published as 'The game's rorted': Maroons forward who labelled Origin ref 'double agent' reprimanded
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
InZane Rugby League: Allan Langer - It was Qld's greatest series win
On Inzane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Maroons great and Queensland Origin assistant coach Allan Langer. The man they call 'Alfie' is still recovering from all of the celebrations following Queensland's epic come from behind series win away from home in 2025. Having been part of the 1987 series win and involved in the coaching set-up in 2006 and 2020, Langer says he always had faith that Billy Slater and Tom Dearden could pilot the Maroons to victory. Langer also called for Dearden to be the Australian halfback in the end of season Tests in the UK.
Sky News AU
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
‘Go Queensland': NSW premier to promote Queensland tourism after losing State of Origin bet with Crisafulli
Australia could soon see NSW Premier Chris Minns showing off all Queensland has to offer after losing a State of Origin bet with the Queensland premier. The NSW Premier posted the challenge on social media following the state's Game 1 win, saying the 'losing premier' would appear in a tourism ad for the winning state. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli quickly accepted the challenge in a video posted to social media. 'Do you want to know how confident I am that the Mighty Maroons will win Game 2 and 3,' he said. 'I've agreed to a bet with the New South Wales premier Chris Minns… that the losing state will do a promotion for the other state's tourism.' 'Get ready to hear Chris Minns tell the world how amazing Queensland tourism is.' 'Go those Mighty Maroons.' Before Game 2, the NSW premier admitted the stakes were 'certainly high', but didn't back down from the challenge. 'Go the Blues,' he wrote at the time. Appearing on the Today show in Longreach, prior to the decider, Mr Crisafulli was all ready for a Queensland win. 'Minnsy, if you're watching, start [the ad] here in Longreach, great part of western Queensland,' he said. 'Start your tourism ad for Queensland right here, and then head over to the coast and experience all the things that we have that you don't, like the Great Barrier Reef.' The Maroons snatched a 24-12 victory over the Blues in the decider, securing the NSW premier's fate.
