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Irish Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Irish Times
View from Down Under: The Lions are very welcome guests, but they could do their hosts more harm than good
Since the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Australia three weeks ago, the sword of Damocles has been hovering over the heads of the Wallabies and never more so than in the Test week. The Lions are a unique guest to host. On the positive side of the ledger, their visit comes once every 12 years and they come laden with financial benefits, attention for rugby and some of the finest players in the world. However, this guest is also keenly aware of their own value and the desire from others to host them at any time. French Rugby Federation vice-president Abdel Benazzi is reportedly travelling to Melbourne next week to engage with Lions officials about the suitability of hosting the world's most famous touring team. It's hard to blame the former flanker, given that his federation is facing a minimum loss of €19.2 million, potentially rising to €28.9 million after hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The romanticism of the Lions and its rich tradition has faded, replaced by cold, clear financial returns for both host and guest. According to the Australian Financial Review, the last Lions tour made €19.5 million profit for Rugby Australia and this tour could make more than €55 million. It is not yet clear what the Lions' profit will be, but comfortably, it will be far higher than previous tours of New Zealand and South Africa. READ MORE Slow Lions build-up finally culminates in Test week Listen | 37:54 If Australia has appeased the Lions with its financial clout, the Wallabies also need to fulfil the far more challenging role of being a competitive opponent in the Test series. A brutal whitewash will leave Rugby Australia far weaker at the negotiating table. At this stage, the Lions are not contractually locked into visiting the country again in 12 years' time. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt always knew he was facing the biggest challenge of his coaching career when he left his fishing rod and golf clubs in his garage at home in New Zealand to help save Australian rugby. Injuries to two of the most crucial parts of his Test jigsaw have made the job even more difficult. In Australia, traditionally, the Wallabies outhalf has been a role with a limited shelf life. Schmidt changed this by investing in Noah Lolesio, who blossomed under the former Ireland coach. After the narrow win against Fiji, Lolesio sadly underwent a spinal fusion procedure in a Brisbane hospital. Schmidt has now handed the playmaking keys to Tom Lynagh, son of the great Michael. Tom Lynagh has only played three Tests for the Wallabies and is now trusted as the man to pilot his country to victory in the city where his father remains a legend. Rob Valetini is Australia's best ball carrier but will be absent for the Lions tests through injury. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Inpho The Wallabies have also lost their best ball-carrier, Rob Valetini, to injury. The giant flanker has been voted Australia's best player for the past two years. The Brumbies backrower complements the slick jackaling ability of Queensland's open side Fraser McReight perfectly. Valetini shovels opponents off the ball at the breakdown, allowing McReight to swiftly win penalties on the floor. [ Gordon D'Arcy: Time for Lions and Wallabies to leave the 'meh' behind and make some real magic Opens in new window ] Valetini is suffering from a calf strain and is joined on the treatment table by the mutual heft of La Rochelle lock Will Skelton and the Waratahs' best player this season, number eight Langi Gleeson. Schmidt has been forced to give a debut to the uniquely named Nick Champion de Crespigny. De Crespigny is an elite economics graduate and the grandson of Rafe Champion de Crespigny, a noted expert in ancient Chinese history. His aristocratic name and bearing belie an intensely physical player who McReight affectionately referred to as 'a psycho' when asked for a description for the gathered press. Australia's injury problems have led coach Joe Schmidt to call on Nick Champion de Crespigny. Photograph:The Wallabies traditionally have a strong record at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, but they will start this game as huge underdogs. The Lions have named a strong side, and off the field, there have been changes. All written press are now banned from the 10 minutes they used to get to watch the Lions training, although the Wallabies have not changed their policy. [ Farrell and Schmidt announce their opening hands as atmosphere builds in Brisbane Opens in new window ] At the Lions team announcement last Thursday in Adelaide ahead of the ill-fated game against the Australian and New Zealand selection, a child tried to ask a question, before being shut down by team management. Business before pleasure. To their credit, the Lions have started to open up slightly, hosting signing sessions in Brisbane for their thousands of fans and also despatching the amiable trio of Henry Pollock, Duhan van der Merwe and Josh van der Flier for the tough gig of being hosted by the Great Barrier Reef foundation on the famous coral. The preamble has almost been completed and the first Test is set. Australia are desperate to be perfect hosts, but they need to prove it where it matters most; not on spreadsheets, but on the pitch. In a country where rugby is frequently said to be hanging by a thread, a win against the odds in the first Test would be the true kiss of life.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Wallabies call on Nick Champion de Crespigny for surprise debut in Lions opener
Australia insist they still have enough firepower to upset the British & Irish Lions despite the loss of a number of influential players through injury. Their big back-rower Rob Valetini, the massive lock Will Skelton and the in-form Langi Gleeson are all conspicuously absent from their first Test lineup, forcing head coach Joe Schmidt to turn to the uncapped flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny instead. With the fly-half jersey entrusted to the inexperienced Tom Lynagh and a reshuffled front row it is not the side Schmidt would have originally envisaged picking for a game of this magnitude. Valetini, Skelton and Gleeson are all expected to be fit for the second Test in Melbourne but if the Wallabies are going to win this series they will almost certainly need a fast start. Champion de Crespigny has already featured for the Western Force against the Lions on this tour but a massive game now looms for himself and the 22-year-old Lynagh, the son of the former Wallaby captain Michael, who will also be making his first start after three appearances off the bench. The Lynaghs are now set to become the first Australian father and son to play Test rugby against the Lions. The absence of Valetini's ball-carrying is a sizeable blow but Schmidt says others are capable of filling the void. 'We try not to base our whole game around any individual,' Schmidt said. 'I'd like to think that we can still go out with quiet confidence that we can put a game together that can at least keep the British and Irish Lions pretty honest on the day.' Valetini and Skelton both suffered calf strains in training for Australia's warm-up Test against Fiji while Gleeson has a bruised thigh. It has opened the door for Champion de Crespigny, 29, who only returned to Super Rugby this season following a stint playing for Castres in the French Top 14. Hooker Matt Faessler also returns following a hamstring injury but Schmidt acknowledges the Lions present 'a massive challenge' to the home side. 'With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly, from the performance we had against Fiji recently,' Schmidt said. 'We're very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.' There is no shortage of responsibility, consequently, on Lynagh's young shoulders. 'I'm really excited for Tom,' Schmidt said. 'He's a great kid. You wouldn't think he's necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what's happening, but he does have a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence as well. His kicking game is strong, he's got good acceleration and he's incredibly brave. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 8pm AEST/11am BST, Saturday 17 July Australia Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Ala'alatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt). Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew and Irish Lions Hugo Keenan (Ire); Tommy Freeman (Eng), Huw Jones (Sco), Sione Tuipulotu (Sco), James Lowe (Ire); Finn Russell (Sco), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ire); Ellis Genge (Eng), Dan Sheehan (Ire), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Maro Itoje (Eng, captain), Joe McCarthy (Ire), Tadhg Beirne (Ire), Tom Curry (Eng), Jack Conan (Ire). Replacements Ronan Kelleher (Ire), Andrew Porter (Ire), Will Stuart (Eng), Ollie Chessum (Eng), Ben Earl (Eng), Alex Mitchell (Eng), Marcus Smith (Eng), Bundee Aki (Ire). 'It's a fantastic opportunity for him. We twice had him lined up for his first start for the Wallabies last year and he picked up little niggles. It's probably not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions but you've got to start somewhere. And if not now, when? So now is good. I'm confident in him and it's a stadium he knows really well. If he can settle early, hopefully he can get a rhythm that allows him to dictate the game to a degree. 'Whatever does get thrown at Tom, I am confident that he'll cope and I'm very confident he'll learn from the occasion. It may be that he has to learn quickly because of the magnitude of the game and the quality of the opposition.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Victorian regulator weighs unprecedented intervention in AFL's fight with bookmakers over gambling revenue
The Victorian gambling regulator is considering whether to make an unprecedented intervention in a dispute between the AFL and bookmakers, which could set a limit on the league's revenue from wagering. Earlier this year, the AFL proposed a significant increase to the amount of money it receives from each bet placed on its game. The league also proposed a minimum $20,000 annual fee for all bookmakers, including small operators who focus on racing. Leaked documents seen by Guardian Australia revealed the cash grab was justified as a way to address what AFL executives termed an 'unprecedented' increase in 'integrity risks' posed by the wagering industry, which has exploded in popularity in recent years. The documents outlined concerns the AFL's integrity system was seriously deficient and struggled to identify whether players, coaches and staff were using inside information to manipulate betting markets, in breach of their contracts. Bookmakers opposed to the increase were told they needed accept it before the season began, or be banned from taking bets on the sport. By law, all bookmakers must have an agreement with a sport's governing body. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email When the increase was first proposed, several gambling companies described it as 'unsustainable' and said it could cripple smaller operators willing to pay their 'fair share' to support integrity measures. Some bookmakers have told Guardian Australia they increased financial inducements – such as bonus bets or bet-matching – to encourage people to spend more money, despite knowing this could increase harm. In June 2023, a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling called for financial inducementsto be banned. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has confirmed it is assessing an application to intervene in the dispute and make a determination about the AFL's conduct and the reasonableness of its fees. The application was made by an unnamed bookmaker. Before making a decision to intervene, the regulator must assess whether both parties have engaged in genuine negotiations. It must also assess whether a resolution is possible without the regulator's involvement. It has been assessing the application for more than two months. The regulator has the power to ask for information from the AFL, recover costs for any investigation, and make compulsory determinations to settle the dispute. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Previous applications received by the VGCCC did not meet the criteria for a determination as outlined in legislation,' a spokesperson for the regulator said. Two sources at established bookmakers who were not authorised to comment publicly said a determination could set a limit on how much money the AFL could make from gambling. They said a determination could also impact future negotiations. Lachlan Gepp, an expert gambling and sports rights lawyer at Addisons, which has represented bookmakers, said product fees had become 'uncommercial and unreasonable' in recent years. The fees were introduced in the early 2000s. 'It should be remembered that the laws requiring betting integrity agreements were introduced in Victorian and New South Wales betting legislation to coincide with the blow-up of corporate online bookmaking and to provide funds to the AFL to administer an integrity concern that otherwise did not exist,' Gepp said. 'Make no mistake: in 2025, product fees have been morphed into a tax strategy designed to play catchup to the NRL and positioned by AFL spin doctors to solve an invisible growth in betting integrity issues.' The AFL has argued the integrity challenges are real and serious. Its correspondence outlining the increase to bookmakers did not mention commercial objectives. 'If the VGCCC determines that the product fee rate sought by the AFL is unreasonable or an overreach in terms of what the law is designed to do, then that outcome has been a long time coming for the online wagering industry,' Gepp said. The AFL declined to comment. One relatively small bookmaker, who declined to be named because of the commercial sensitivity of the issue, and so that they could speak freely, said they had increased inducements in response to the AFL's proposal. 'We will need to introduce additional incentives, not because we want to, but because the market demands it. Without them, we may not be able to keep the business running,' the bookmaker said. In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available on 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Woman in THAT viral 'bathroom' video with Wayne Carey goes public and unleashes on the women who filmed her
The woman filmed at a Melbourne bar with AFL star Wayne Carey in a now-viral video has gone public to describe her immense distress at the release of the footage. Kate Aston, 38, a Melbourne marketing and communications executive, has described the dissemination of the clip as 'a deliberate act of bullying'. Aston posted a lengthy statement to Instagram Stories on Thursday, revealing that she had initially chosen to remain silent to protect her professional reputation and her mental health, but has come forward to hold those who released the video to account - and set the record straight. 'Overnight, from footage of me simply exiting a toilet at a bar, I've had my life turned upside down,' she wrote. 'What has happened to me could happen to anyone, and no one should have to go through what I have been put through – the damage, the speculation, the impact on my livelihood, all from the malicious actions of a small few.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Aston says that she fears the impact the video will have on her future, her career - and even her personal relationships. 'At a time when I am navigating my next career move and visibility matters, the personal and professional toll has been immense,' she said. 'Who would want to employ me, date me, be associated with me? What's left now that this has all happened to me?' The executive indicated she would be taking legal action over the matter. 'Whilst it's only been a matter of days since this incident unfolded, there has been immeasurable damage to my reputation, and my ability to lead a normal life has been adversely affected,' she said. 'These women and others who've provided hateful commentary have put into jeopardy my reputation, and so I've been left with no choice but to try to protect it. 'Two women not known to me have turned my life upside down and I have to set the record straight.' Aston believes her future finances have also been impacted by the release of the video. 'From a professional perspective, my ability has been put into question which has had immediate financial repercussions, one that is costing me every day with the effects likely to be long-term and irreversible,' she wrote. 'Whilst I appear strong, those closest to me know that my suffering over recent days has been colossal.' The executive says that she is speaking out not only for herself, but in the hopes of standing up for 'every woman that has been targeted'. 'I have been put in this situation simply because of the cyber-bullying actions of other people,' she said. 'There needs to be some sort of accountability for their actions.' 'In addition, it is my hope by shining light on this incident and taking legal action, a new precedent will be set, one that discourages this type of behaviour from continuing into the future.' On Wednesday, footy great Wayne confessed that he is the man shown in a viral video that allegedly featured a man and woman emerging from a bathroom in a trendy Melbourne bar. The North Melbourne premiership winner said he has contacted Victoria Police in an effort to have the people who filmed and distributed the video held accountable for their actions. The footage, which was taken at the Toorak Cellars bar in Armadale in the city's inner south-east, shows Carey and the unnamed woman walking into view around 20 seconds apart. A female voice is heard saying 'we've got you on camera' as the woman walks past, before asking 'What's he doing in there?' and remarking, 'She looks embarrassed.' Carey and the woman depicted in the clip have lashed out over the video, with the ex-AFL star branding it 's**t shaming' and cyberbullying, and both parties insisting there was no 'tryst' in the toilets. 'Annoyed is the wrong word, I've gone through about 10 different emotions in the last three days,' he said on Sam Newman's You Cannot Be Serious podcast. 'I've gone through disbelief, sadness, I've gone through anger. 'This woman has been thrown into this just because I could kick a footy. 'And you've got two vile, disturbing, probably p**sed women who want to do this to another woman.' He continued: 'That's all they were doing, they were s**t-shaming another woman. 'If two men had done that they would be raked over hot coals, it would be the biggest story going around. 'But because it's two women doing it to another woman … you don't know what's going on, this other woman has had all sorts of stuff going in her life, I've since found out. 'You talk about vile and disgusting, what they've done and who they have affected by a few sh**s and giggles drinking their chardonnay, sitting up there, doing whatever. 'Once again, I'm not going to name them because that would be as pathetic as what they are. I'll let the law take care of it.'
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Footy world stunned by Jake Stringer act against his old club
Jake Stringer looks to be settling in beautifully at the GWS Giants and it is not sitting well with his last AFL stop. The 31-year-old Stringer has been a polarising figure across his 223-game career with the Bulldogs, Bombers and now Giants. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. An All-Australian back in 2015 and a six-time club leading goalkicker, Stringer has also had off-field issues and left both the Dogs and Essendon on bad terms. Facing the Bombers for the first time since ending his 123-game stint with the Melbourne club, Stringer said pre-match on Fox Footy he was 'hoping for a few boos'. He didn't need to worry about that, with the boos raining down whenever he touched the footy against his injury-ravaged club. Unfortunately for Essendon fans, that happened a lot, with Stringer playing a starring role as the Giants built a big lead at Marvel Stadium. Journalist and Bombers fan Caspar McLeod tweeted pre-game: 'Jake Stringer … please take it easy on us.' The powerfully built 192cm forward had other ideas, however, stamping his authority on the game in the second term. GWS only took a seven-point lead into quarter-time before Stringer burst into action. Midway through the second term, he was booed when he tried to take a mark and again when a forward entry ended up in his vicinity. He then got his moment from a ball-up in the forward 50m, when Kieren Briggs tapped the ball to Stringer, who had an open goal ahead of him. But he opted to handball to young teammate Max Gruzewski, who kicked the goal. 'Wow. Wow. Jake Stinger, that is awesome,' David King said on Fox Footy. 'We've seen him do this at centre bounce clearances over the last few years, but from forward 50 stoppage I'm not sure I've seen him do much of this.' Jack Riewoldt added: 'I love this. I think it shows where Jake Stringer's mindset is, coming up against his old side. 'He gives this away to the young player Gruzewski and this shows where his mindset is at, the team player Jake Stringer is.' King then joked: 'And in true forward fashion, he handballed it so poorly he was a chance to get it back.' Just 10 secs of game time later, Tom Green found Stringer on the lead and he took the uncontested mark as the boos rained down again. 'The booing is the loudest we've heard Bombers fans all night,' Mark Howard said in commentary. 'Stringer gave the last one off, he's been in a rich vein of goalkicking form. 'Six-time leading goalkicker, off four last week, from 50 Stringer … Essendon cannot kick a goal and the Giants cannot miss.' That stretched the Giants' lead to 28 points as they started to pull away. 'They get to him, they know what this means to Jake,' King said after he kicked his first. 'He's probably circled this one in the calendar, a lot of unhappy Bombers fans. 'He's just been so good to watch this guy for a long period of time, he's a 'moments' player.' Gruzewski's goal sparked a run of four gin seven minutes to break the game open before debutant Liam McMahon finally responded with Essendon's first goal. Dating back to last week's dreadful performance against Richmond, the Bombers had gone 92 minutes of game time between goals. Early in the third term, Stringer intercepted a handball and threw the ball on his left foot and found Callum Brown, who missed his set shot. The premiership player with the Dogs then pulled off a spectacular mark after a forward entry from Toby Bedford and snapped the goal for his second of the night. 'Wow, they have recruited a highlights package, there's no doubt about that the Giants,' King said. 'He's just starting to find his feet in this line up. I tell you what, this is when you want him rolling, back half of the year.' He had three goals by three quarter-time and it's fair to say Bombers fans weren't enjoying the show and many watching on were keen to comment on the persistent booing. 'Lol who's booing Jake Stringer? He got pushed out of the club for a bag of potato chips, please,' was one comment on X. Richmond fan Paul White tweeted: 'Bomber fans booing Jake Stringer. So on point for those in red and black.' Jasper Chellappah offered: 'I have never seen Jake Stringer pass a goal off before, let alone running into an open goal.' A fourth wrote: 'Why boo Jake Stringer? He didn't leave. Essendon chose to move him on. ' The Giants' X account then got in on the action. 'The crowd here really like Jake Stringer,' they tweeted. Another fan gushed: 'I am feeling proud of Jake Stringer tonight, that play showed him being a teammate and towards the young player, and the goal for himself he deserves that, it was a great goal too. Just ignore the noise. Well done.' It's only early in Stringer's time with the Giants, but he's made a promising start as he makes his mark away from the Melbourne footy bubble.
