Latest news with #NSW
Sydney Morning Herald
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's not weak, it's smart': Maroons defend decision not to kick off to Spencer Leniu
Queensland Origin officials have defended the decision to avoid kicking off to Blues wrecking ball Spencer Leniu on Wednesday night, insisting it was 'smart business' rather than 'weak'. TV cameras captured Leniu mouthing profanities and throwing his arms in the air in frustration after Val Holmes spotted him come on to the field at the half-hour mark, then aimed his kick-off towards the opposite side away from the Roosters prop. It denied a fired-up Leniu – one of the game's most destructive front-rowers – the chance to run the ball hard back at the Queensland defence and deprived viewers of a contest that had been eagerly anticipated due to the simmering tensions between Leniu and Queensland fans. The 24-year-old was painted as NSW's biggest villain because of his sideline run-in with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium six weeks earlier. Local newspaper The Courier Mail ran a photo of Leniu on their back page the day before the game with the headline, 'Smash This Blues Grub'. Former NSW firebrand Willie Mason claimed Queensland had been 'shit scared' after watching Leniu run over the top of NSW teammate Max King in the Roosters' match against Canterbury a week earlier. In that same game, Leniu took another kick-off carry and knocked out Daniel Suluka-Fifita. 'To him [Leniu], it's like, 'You don't even have the balls to kick it to me', Mason said on his Levels podcast. 'You called him out, a call to arms if you will, and then you kicked it the other way. Yuck.' However, Maroons assistant coach Josh Hannay said it made sense to avoid Leniu because he was so damaging when coming off the back fence. He said Queensland also tried to avoid kicking to where Payne Haas was standing. 'It's not weak to do that, it's smart – it's smart business to try and take away someone's strength,' Hannay said.
The Age
37 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘It's not weak, it's smart': Maroons defend decision not to kick off to Spencer Leniu
Queensland Origin officials have defended the decision to avoid kicking off to Blues wrecking ball Spencer Leniu on Wednesday night, insisting it was 'smart business' rather than 'weak'. TV cameras captured Leniu mouthing profanities and throwing his arms in the air in frustration after Val Holmes spotted him come on to the field at the half-hour mark, then aimed his kick-off towards the opposite side away from the Roosters prop. It denied a fired-up Leniu – one of the game's most destructive front-rowers – the chance to run the ball hard back at the Queensland defence and deprived viewers of a contest that had been eagerly anticipated due to the simmering tensions between Leniu and Queensland fans. The 24-year-old was painted as NSW's biggest villain because of his sideline run-in with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium six weeks earlier. Local newspaper The Courier Mail ran a photo of Leniu on their back page the day before the game with the headline, 'Smash This Blues Grub'. Former NSW firebrand Willie Mason claimed Queensland had been 'shit scared' after watching Leniu run over the top of NSW teammate Max King in the Roosters' match against Canterbury a week earlier. In that same game, Leniu took another kick-off carry and knocked out Daniel Suluka-Fifita. 'To him [Leniu], it's like, 'You don't even have the balls to kick it to me', Mason said on his Levels podcast. 'You called him out, a call to arms if you will, and then you kicked it the other way. Yuck.' However, Maroons assistant coach Josh Hannay said it made sense to avoid Leniu because he was so damaging when coming off the back fence. He said Queensland also tried to avoid kicking to where Payne Haas was standing. 'It's not weak to do that, it's smart – it's smart business to try and take away someone's strength,' Hannay said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Souths make call on Blues superstar as key returns near
Latrell Mitchell will back up from State of Origin for South Sydney, with the superstar fullback a confirmed starter against the Warriors. Mitchell trained freely with Rabbitohs teammates on Saturday morning, just 60 hours after featuring in NSW's series-opening win at Suncorp Stadium. The Souths No.1 had always been keen to play straight away for the Bunnies, after flying home before the rest of the Blues on Thursday morning. But the 27-year-old's injury-affected start to 2025 had left some questions over whether he would be able to back up against the second-placed Warriors. Confirmed starter for tomorrow's clash against the Warriors ✅❤️💚MATCH PREVIEW: — South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) May 31, 2025 "He didn't have any injuries," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "It's always good to have him back and playing for us. It brings a lot of confidence to everybody." Mitchell's availability is timely for a Souths side that has been the most injury-ravaged in the competition over the opening half of the season. Cody Walker and Jack Wighton are both set to return next week against Canberra, but will not recover from injuries in time to face the Warriors. Hooker Peter Mamouzelos is also still out, while mid-season recruit at dummy-half Brandon Smith is at least a month away from his ACL rupture comeback. Lock Cameron Murray is still aiming to return from an achilles injury before the end of the season, despite suffering a setback in his recovery in April. But still, Bennett can see the silver lining in South Sydney's predicament. "This week's the first time all season we've been able to pick the same team two weeks in a row," Bennett said. "That's a plus for us. It's looking a lot more healthy for everybody." Despite the injury hits, the Rabbitohs still entered round 13 in sixth spot and appear to have returned to form after losing four straight in April and May. Sunday will mark Bennett's 950th club match in in charge since joining Canberra in 1987, but this year already looms as one of the veteran coach's greatest feats. The Rabbitohs ran 16th last season, finishing only one win clear of wooden-spooners Wests Tigers before Bennett's second stint at Redfern. "They've been so consistent at not beating themselves," Warriors coach Andrew Webster said. "They are going really well. Wayne Bennett's teams don't beat themselves. High on completions, work hard, play the full 80 and we'll have to be on our toes. "It's a good challenge."
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Excessive': Insane family feud reignited after stair death
EXCLUSIVE An ugly family feud involving the $40 million fortune of a wealthy Australian family has been reignited – thirteen years after the mother was found dead in a pool of blood in Sydney's east. Millionaire businessman Giovanni 'John' Angius found his ex-wife Laura dead at the bottom of the staircase of their $6 million home in 2012, in a case that remains unsolved. However, it was in 2022 after Mr Angius died from COVID-19 at 85, that the family's history was examined in court, as both his mistress and granddaughter lodged claims over his estimated $38 million fortune, which was left entirely to his daughter Jenny. Last year, the NSW Supreme Court ruled Mr Angius' lover Thi Quy Le was entitled to $250,000 and a Waterloo unit block he owned, which she ran as a laundromat, after finding they had a 'close personal relationship'. Ms Le, who was 27 years his junior, told the court they started having an affair in 2003. The court also found his granddaughter Natalie, who has multiple sclerosis, was entitled to $2.55 million of the estate after deeming she was partly financially dependent on Mr Angius due to her medical condition. However, this week, the messy case was thrust back into the NSW Supreme Court as Jenny appealed the court's decision to award her niece Natalie the $2.55 million. The court heard how Jenny claimed the amount was 'excessive' and argued that Natalie could work despite her condition as her health was 'stable'. 'Jenny was critical of the primary judge's assessment of the expert evidence regarding Natalie's medical condition, submitting that the award did not correctly take into account her current health and level of disability,' the court decision stated. 'As Natalie submitted, Jenny's focus on Natalie's health at the time of the hearing failed to account for the evidence that her lifetime needs would grow as her condition deteriorated.' Jenny also argued the court had 'imposed the entire burden of her care onto [Natalie's] grandfather's estate'. The court heard that Natalie 'accepted' the amount awarded to her was large, however, was in the context of an 'extremely large' estate. Justice Mark Richmond upheld the decision of the original judge and dismissed the case with costs. Divorce, death and deception The court previously heard how the family first began feuding in 2011 when Mr and Mrs Angius separated. The separation came about four years after Mrs Angius first learnt about her husband's affair with Ms Le. According to court documents, Mr Angius' daughter Jenny took his side, while their son Robert took their mother's. When Mrs Angius died, their son Robert told how he climbed a tree and jumped through a window to retrieve a hidden will she wrote in Italian. The rift led to the insane scenario of Robert and Mr Angius bidding against one another for the Coogee home. John eventually bought the home for $6 million, about $2 million above reserve. As the auction ended, a victorious Mr Angius Snr shouted to the stunned crowd: 'Someone understand me. My wife never wanted to sell this house. She never wanted to die here.' Robert was eventually given Mrs Angius' entire $13 million fortune, however, is estranged from his first wife Silvana and daughter Natalie. Mrs Angius' death led to a coronial inquest, however, was left open and handed to the unsolved homicide squad. None of Mrs Angius's family was accused of any wrongdoing in relation to her death, and nobody has ever been arrested or charged.
SBS Australia
an hour ago
- Climate
- SBS Australia
‘Dead cows in the house': How floods devastated Australian farmers
Dairy farmer Kevin Schlenert says he's continuing to find cattle who were washed away in floodwaters. Some are turning up alive, but many are still being discovered dead far downstream. Source: SBS News Content warning: The story contains distressing images of dead animals. Brothers Kevin and Doug Schlenert have been lifelong dairy farmers, carrying on in the footsteps of three generations of their family. Floods that devastated the NSW mid-north coast last week destroyed their diary production facilities and killed at least 70 per cent of their herd. "I've got no dairy now to keep going. I don't know which way to turn at the current moment,' Kevin said, speaking with SBS News at his home in Glenthorne on Sunday. "I don't know if I can bounce back from this. I really don't know.' Kevin said the water rose so fast he became trapped inside his home for 24 hours before he was picked up in a neighbour's boat. "It raised very quick. I went to the steps [of my house] within half an hour, then all of a sudden, in an hour and a half it was at the windowsill. "I sat in my bedroom on the mattress where I was found floating. "I had my dog and cat on the mattress with me. I had to vacate out the window.' He said one heifer floated into the house, while he sat on his floating mattress. "One got into my bedroom. She was alive and swimming, and she wanted to climb on the mattress," Kevin said. What he saw when he returned shattered him. "I found three [cattle] alive in my house and five dead ones inside the house. I have removed them and buried them," Kevin said. "It's heartbreaking to see them because you reared them as babies, and you get attached to them." He said he found more dead cattle downriver and heard of more washed up on beaches. Kevin's story is one shared by many dairy farmers in the area. His brother Doug, who shares the property and dairy with Kevin and also lost livestock, says the entire community is "drained". "There's a few dairy farmers here that haven't been hit bloody hard, they've been hit that hard it's not funny," Doug told SBS News on Wednesday. "One family, they've lost a hundred head of cattle — and they were big freaking cows. "The dairy industry up in the Manning is a big community. But [in] times like this we'll struggle." During a visit to the area on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited a dairy farm in West Taree. Doug says he would have liked to have seen the Albanese visit more impacted farmers. "He didn't come anywhere near me. He didn't show his face in Glenthorne." "I'd like to say to him, 'I found 32 dead cows, prime minister, are you gonna replace them?'" Kevin said cows are turning up alive, but it's difficult to get them back to the pastures. "We're not equipped to go onto the beaches and find them," he said. "We don't have horses, motorbikes to get them off the beaches, and there's still cattle running loose on the streets." Since Kevin's story was first shared this week, many have expressed sorrow and a desire to help. Kevin and Doug said they've felt touched by the messages of support, but stressed their plight was shared across the region, by dairy farmers, feed producers, oyster growers, beekeepers, shops, and residents. "If people want to help, they can help — we've just gotta get the dairy up and running. That's going to be a real big task," Doug said. But both he and Kevin said they're not sure if they'll be able to come back from this. "I think this has just pushed the boundaries too far." "I've been through the 2021 flood, and this year I think this is the fourth one I've been through, and I don't know if I can come out of this on the other side of it." "It's in our blood — my dad, his dad, and his dad. Three generations of dairy farmers," Doug said. He says they need a new vat and compressors to start up dairy production again, as their equipment was destroyed in the flood. For now, they're milking cows in a neighbour's dairy. Kevin says he's received the one-off $1,000 payment made available for flood victims. He says he's also eligible for a $130,000 two-year interest-free loan from the government. "Then I'd start paying it back over 12 years. That would be getting me close up to 70 years of age, I don't know if I still want to be dairying then," Kevin said. More than money, Kevin wants to see real and lasting change. He wants flood warning sirens installed across the Manning River catchment, which is one of the biggest in NSW. "Make sure the sirens are put on the river because you never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at us again," Kevin said. "If the river rises, they go off quicker than what the SES can get the text messages to us or any news crew get messages to us." "If the politicians don't get off their bums and put the flood warning sirens in place, it's not going to prevent another disaster like this." While in the region this week, Albanese acknowledged the particular challenge facing primary producers, including dairy farmers. "We know there are major challenges, but what we're about now is dealing with the immediate concerns of recovery and looking after people during this period," Albanese said. NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said he'd like to see more meaningful support for farmers. "We haven't heard any indication of when a category C or D declaration might be made, which would unlock what we know is needed for primary producers and also for small businesses, which is grant funding," Saunders said. "Nobody can manage or wants another concession alone. That's currently what's on offer. Nobody can afford that. Nobody's had insurance. "If they've had a loan previously, they're worried about paying that off. They need a helping hand in the form of a grant. They do not need another loan." Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain on Wednesday said the federal government was "hoping to enact category C ... shortly". A spokesperson for Dairy Australia said as well as financial support, the mental health of farmers is a growing concern, given the scale of the flood impacts. "Dairy Australia's regional teams are reaching out to flood-affected farmers with direct check-in calls to better understand the impact on their farms and well-being," the spokesperson said. "The locally led NSW Dairy Emergency Leadership Group is also providing practical support, prioritising immediate response needs such as assisting in allocating/sourcing fodder, generator support for those without power, milking machine techs, vet assistance, matching options for cow parking, mental health support, and communications to impacted farmers." Dairy Australia says some fundraisers have been set up for impacted farmers, but that the organisation does not endorse any specific charity or fundraising campaign. "We do note that the NSW SES is leading the flood response, and Rural Aid has stepped in to provide practical support to farmers recovering from natural disasters. Both of these organisations accept donations," the spokesperson said. Hundreds of fundraisers have been set up for residents and businesses impacted by the NSW floods. A spokesperson for GoFundMe says it has established a crisis team to oversee heightened fundraising activity. "We also launched a dedicated hub of verified fundraisers to help Australians discover fundraisers for those impacted by the floods." "It is not uncommon for those with no direct connection to launch a fundraiser, out of kindness and goodwill. In these cases, all donations are safely held until GoFundMe are able to ensure that funds can be transferred safely to the intended beneficiary. "If our specialists are unable to verify a connection, the fundraiser will be removed and donors refunded." Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at .
