Latest news with #OldBoys
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Northern close in on title with win
Northern have all but wrapped up the men's Southern Premiership title with a hard-fought win over the defending champions. A 2-1 win over Mosgiel at the Caledonian Ground maintained their perfect record of nine wins from nine games, pushing them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Mosgiel nearly took the lead in the opening two minutes when Morgan Day's goal-bound header was blocked on the line. Northern took the lead in the sixth minute when Rory Hibbert rifled home from close range, scoring his 11th goal of the season. On the hour mark Northern doubled their lead when Nick Treadwell pounced on a loose pass in the midfield and, seeing keeper Kobe Watt off his line, lofted the ball home from 40 yards out. Harvey Stephens reduced the deficit with 14 minutes to go, when he swept home a fine cross from Jack Walecki. However, Northern held on to preserve their 100% record. Queen's Park beat Otago University 4-3 after the students held a 3-2 halftime lead. Queen's Park's win leaves five teams separated by only three points from second to sixth. With Northern all but wrapping up the title, interest is at the bottom as to what team may be relegated. Old Boys, from Invercargill, have dropped to the bottom of the table with a 3-1 loss at home to Dunedin City Royals. Zachary Tull gave the home side a 20th-minute lead which they held until the first half stoppage time, when Samuel Hawke equalised. Old Boys then conceded two penalties and George Barker scored both, in the 48th and 77th minute. Timaru's Northern Hearts and Green Island drew 2-2. The game was locked up 1-1 at the break, as Finley Kruger canceled out the home side's Bailey Chambers 29th-minute goal. It looked like Hearts would drop to the bottom of the table when Kellan Crowe put Green Island ahead with nine minutes to go, however Hayden Teixeiras' 87th minute equaliser meant the home side earned a point keeping them one point ahead of Old Boys. In the women's Southern Premiership Georgia Kennedy scored twice as the Dunedin City Royals beat top-of-the-table Otago University 2-1 at Culling Park. Queen's Park beat Roslyn-Wakari 3-0, while Green Island were 6-0 victors over Northern. — Neville Watson
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Toohey's News: Knights consider Origin hero as recruitment option
Newcastle Knights officials have internally discussed targeting off-contract Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papali'i as a fall-back option if veteran forward Tyson Frizell walks away from a contract extension with the club. Papali'i, Canberra's most capped player, will quit the Raiders at the end of the season but is yet to decide on his playing future. At the same time, Frizell and veteran centre Dane Gagai are also off contract and currently weighing up their options and canvassing potential interest from rival clubs. Both have offers on the table from the Knights but are yet to commit. While a signing deadline is not in place for either player, it's understood potential replacements have been spoken about should they decide to move on. "There's no real pressure on them to make a decision but that might change if an alternative suddenly becomes available," one source told us. "Paul Bryan knocked back a two-year extension and within a couple of weeks, his spot was filled by Lachie Crouch. "Papali'i has definitely been talked about as an experienced old head who could replace Friz if he leaves. He could come in and mentor the club's young forwards." We spoke to Knights recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan about Frizell and Gagai and whether Papali'i would be approached if Frizell did not re-sign. He gave little away. "We want Friz and Gags to stay and they've been made offers so the ball is in their court at the moment," he told us. "That's where it stands." Has outgoing Knights prop Leo Thompson already put the cue in the rack for the season as he prepares for his big-money move to the Bulldogs in 2026? That's the suspicion among more than just a few fans as he returns against a big Melbourne Storm forward pack on Saturday night at MJ Stadium after completing a four-match ban for a crusher tackle. For a player who has earned himself a huge pay rise and an $800,000 plus salary at the Dogs, Thompson hasn't fired many shots in his final year at the club that helped develop him into a Kiwi international prop. Plenty will be taking note of what sort of an impact he has against Melbourne after a month off. There is further pressure on Thompson with new front row signing Lachie Crouch a standout in NSW Cup against the Bulldogs last weekend and already closing in on an NRL debut. Fletcher Sharpe is understandably taking things slowly as he recovers from the serious season-ending internal injuries he suffered during the Knights win over the Dolphins in Perth a few weeks ago. Sharpe, who is still not allowed to drive after lacerating his kidney and damaging his spleen during the game, was spotted on Saturday watching his brother playing soccer for the Belly Bombers at Bellbird on Old Boys day where he obligingly signed a stack of autographs after being mobbed by kids. Then on Monday, he was briefly back among teammates at Knights headquarters seeing the club's medical and coaching staff before undergoing further X-rays on Tuesday to chart the progress of his recovery. When he's feeling up to it, coach Adam O'Brien plans to bring him into the office to get him involved in video analysis of games. You can cross Storm prop Tui Kamikamica off the list of potential recruitment targets for the Knights. The club is showing no interest in the off-contract Fijian. The same goes for prop Josh Kerr, who is unlikely to be re-signed by the Dolphins.. Knights coach Adam O'Brien was taking no risks when he decided to stand Tyson Gamble down from NSW Cup on the weekend as injury insurance following the sudden death of Jackson Hastings' mother Megan last week. Although Gamble is in need of game-time after an injury-disrupted season, O'Brien reasoned that Hastings, who was extremely close to his mum, may have needed some time off this week so didn't want to tempt the injury Gods by playing Gamble against the Bulldogs in reggies. But as it turned out, Hastings was on deck for training on Monday and keen to play against the Storm. Former teammates and friends of Knights foundation player Glenn Miller, one of the toughest to pull on the red and blue, are rallying around the 61-year-old and his family as he battles chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE]. Around 100 ex-players and friends, some flying in from interstate, are expected at the Queens Wharf Brewery on Saturday around midday for a function to catch up with Miller and help support their great mate and his family during the toughest of times. MORE KNIGHTS NEWS Newcastle Knights officials have internally discussed targeting off-contract Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papali'i as a fall-back option if veteran forward Tyson Frizell walks away from a contract extension with the club. Papali'i, Canberra's most capped player, will quit the Raiders at the end of the season but is yet to decide on his playing future. At the same time, Frizell and veteran centre Dane Gagai are also off contract and currently weighing up their options and canvassing potential interest from rival clubs. Both have offers on the table from the Knights but are yet to commit. While a signing deadline is not in place for either player, it's understood potential replacements have been spoken about should they decide to move on. "There's no real pressure on them to make a decision but that might change if an alternative suddenly becomes available," one source told us. "Paul Bryan knocked back a two-year extension and within a couple of weeks, his spot was filled by Lachie Crouch. "Papali'i has definitely been talked about as an experienced old head who could replace Friz if he leaves. He could come in and mentor the club's young forwards." We spoke to Knights recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan about Frizell and Gagai and whether Papali'i would be approached if Frizell did not re-sign. He gave little away. "We want Friz and Gags to stay and they've been made offers so the ball is in their court at the moment," he told us. "That's where it stands." Has outgoing Knights prop Leo Thompson already put the cue in the rack for the season as he prepares for his big-money move to the Bulldogs in 2026? That's the suspicion among more than just a few fans as he returns against a big Melbourne Storm forward pack on Saturday night at MJ Stadium after completing a four-match ban for a crusher tackle. For a player who has earned himself a huge pay rise and an $800,000 plus salary at the Dogs, Thompson hasn't fired many shots in his final year at the club that helped develop him into a Kiwi international prop. Plenty will be taking note of what sort of an impact he has against Melbourne after a month off. There is further pressure on Thompson with new front row signing Lachie Crouch a standout in NSW Cup against the Bulldogs last weekend and already closing in on an NRL debut. Fletcher Sharpe is understandably taking things slowly as he recovers from the serious season-ending internal injuries he suffered during the Knights win over the Dolphins in Perth a few weeks ago. Sharpe, who is still not allowed to drive after lacerating his kidney and damaging his spleen during the game, was spotted on Saturday watching his brother playing soccer for the Belly Bombers at Bellbird on Old Boys day where he obligingly signed a stack of autographs after being mobbed by kids. Then on Monday, he was briefly back among teammates at Knights headquarters seeing the club's medical and coaching staff before undergoing further X-rays on Tuesday to chart the progress of his recovery. When he's feeling up to it, coach Adam O'Brien plans to bring him into the office to get him involved in video analysis of games. You can cross Storm prop Tui Kamikamica off the list of potential recruitment targets for the Knights. The club is showing no interest in the off-contract Fijian. The same goes for prop Josh Kerr, who is unlikely to be re-signed by the Dolphins.. Knights coach Adam O'Brien was taking no risks when he decided to stand Tyson Gamble down from NSW Cup on the weekend as injury insurance following the sudden death of Jackson Hastings' mother Megan last week. Although Gamble is in need of game-time after an injury-disrupted season, O'Brien reasoned that Hastings, who was extremely close to his mum, may have needed some time off this week so didn't want to tempt the injury Gods by playing Gamble against the Bulldogs in reggies. But as it turned out, Hastings was on deck for training on Monday and keen to play against the Storm. Former teammates and friends of Knights foundation player Glenn Miller, one of the toughest to pull on the red and blue, are rallying around the 61-year-old and his family as he battles chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE]. Around 100 ex-players and friends, some flying in from interstate, are expected at the Queens Wharf Brewery on Saturday around midday for a function to catch up with Miller and help support their great mate and his family during the toughest of times. MORE KNIGHTS NEWS Newcastle Knights officials have internally discussed targeting off-contract Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papali'i as a fall-back option if veteran forward Tyson Frizell walks away from a contract extension with the club. Papali'i, Canberra's most capped player, will quit the Raiders at the end of the season but is yet to decide on his playing future. At the same time, Frizell and veteran centre Dane Gagai are also off contract and currently weighing up their options and canvassing potential interest from rival clubs. Both have offers on the table from the Knights but are yet to commit. While a signing deadline is not in place for either player, it's understood potential replacements have been spoken about should they decide to move on. "There's no real pressure on them to make a decision but that might change if an alternative suddenly becomes available," one source told us. "Paul Bryan knocked back a two-year extension and within a couple of weeks, his spot was filled by Lachie Crouch. "Papali'i has definitely been talked about as an experienced old head who could replace Friz if he leaves. He could come in and mentor the club's young forwards." We spoke to Knights recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan about Frizell and Gagai and whether Papali'i would be approached if Frizell did not re-sign. He gave little away. "We want Friz and Gags to stay and they've been made offers so the ball is in their court at the moment," he told us. "That's where it stands." Has outgoing Knights prop Leo Thompson already put the cue in the rack for the season as he prepares for his big-money move to the Bulldogs in 2026? That's the suspicion among more than just a few fans as he returns against a big Melbourne Storm forward pack on Saturday night at MJ Stadium after completing a four-match ban for a crusher tackle. For a player who has earned himself a huge pay rise and an $800,000 plus salary at the Dogs, Thompson hasn't fired many shots in his final year at the club that helped develop him into a Kiwi international prop. Plenty will be taking note of what sort of an impact he has against Melbourne after a month off. There is further pressure on Thompson with new front row signing Lachie Crouch a standout in NSW Cup against the Bulldogs last weekend and already closing in on an NRL debut. Fletcher Sharpe is understandably taking things slowly as he recovers from the serious season-ending internal injuries he suffered during the Knights win over the Dolphins in Perth a few weeks ago. Sharpe, who is still not allowed to drive after lacerating his kidney and damaging his spleen during the game, was spotted on Saturday watching his brother playing soccer for the Belly Bombers at Bellbird on Old Boys day where he obligingly signed a stack of autographs after being mobbed by kids. Then on Monday, he was briefly back among teammates at Knights headquarters seeing the club's medical and coaching staff before undergoing further X-rays on Tuesday to chart the progress of his recovery. When he's feeling up to it, coach Adam O'Brien plans to bring him into the office to get him involved in video analysis of games. You can cross Storm prop Tui Kamikamica off the list of potential recruitment targets for the Knights. The club is showing no interest in the off-contract Fijian. The same goes for prop Josh Kerr, who is unlikely to be re-signed by the Dolphins.. Knights coach Adam O'Brien was taking no risks when he decided to stand Tyson Gamble down from NSW Cup on the weekend as injury insurance following the sudden death of Jackson Hastings' mother Megan last week. Although Gamble is in need of game-time after an injury-disrupted season, O'Brien reasoned that Hastings, who was extremely close to his mum, may have needed some time off this week so didn't want to tempt the injury Gods by playing Gamble against the Bulldogs in reggies. But as it turned out, Hastings was on deck for training on Monday and keen to play against the Storm. Former teammates and friends of Knights foundation player Glenn Miller, one of the toughest to pull on the red and blue, are rallying around the 61-year-old and his family as he battles chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE]. Around 100 ex-players and friends, some flying in from interstate, are expected at the Queens Wharf Brewery on Saturday around midday for a function to catch up with Miller and help support their great mate and his family during the toughest of times. MORE KNIGHTS NEWS
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Valley claims place in final after last-gasp match-winning try
The Citizens Shield. Photo: Rugby In North Otago Valley snatched a dramatic last-second win to book their place in the Citizens Shield final. They trailed Old Boys 17-13 in the final minute of Saturday's semifinal. Old Boys had a lineout inside their own 22m but Valley pinched it, giving them one last roll of the dice. Their forwards rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Pick and go after pick and go got them closer and closer to the line until Nathan Maafu scored the match winner. The win sets up an Excelsior v Valley final for the third straight season. Earlier, Valley dominated the early stages of the match, scoring the first try on the opening five minutes. A lineout move brought Kippei Taninaka from the left wing all the way out to the right and created an overlap so when he gave it to right winger Jakob Cunningham, the young speedster had enough room and pace to cross over. Isaac Clunie knocked over a penalty to make it a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes. Old Boys finally got their hands on the ball in Valley territory and made it count. They won a scrum 5m out from the line in the dead centre of the field. Junior Fakatoufifita carried off the back and the big fellow would not be denied. Another Clunie penalty on the stroke of halftime gave Valley a six-point lead heading into the sheds. Both sides stood tall defensively in the second half. Muddy conditions made it difficult to play with any width or flair so each forward pack carried the brunt of carries. Eventually, the Valley defence cracked. Inoke Fislau found some space down the left wing and stepped past one defender before making his way to the try line. While he was brought down, Fisilau had enough momentum to carry himself over the line to score. Alex Wilson added the tough conversion to put Old Boys in front for the first time. The Old Boys goal kicker nailed a penalty not long after to make it a four-point game before the late game drama. It was an impressive display from Valley to fight right to the very end. Lock Anthony Docherty was a menace at lineout time, pinching multiple Old Boys throws. First five Clunie and fullback Ben Paton pulled all the right strings as well.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Valley, Old Boys looks too close to call
Old Boys' No 8, Junior Fakatoufifita. PHOTO: ODT FILES No more than three points have separated the two all season. So, it is safe to say tomorrow's semifinal between Valley and Old Boys is set to be a humdinger as they fight for a spot in the Citizens Shield final in North Otago. Valley have been one of the top seeds all season and have beaten Old Boys twice this year: 26-24 on April 26, and 22-19 on June 17. But Old Boys have proved time and time again that you can never count them out. The Oamaru side head into the game on a high. They strung together their best performance of the season to eventually dispatch Athletic Marist 36-24 last weekend in a highly entertaining encounter. Old Boys halfback Tini Feke ran away with a hat-trick before halftime and young Alex Wilson stepped up off the tee to keep his side in front. No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita was a massive ball-carrier as always, and will be one for Valley to shut down early. Valley will be wanting to bounce back and have a fire in the belly after losing their quarterfinal 31-15 to defending champions Excelsior at home last week. The men from Weston wrapped up the regular season as the top seed and had a rare blip in an otherwise strong campaign to start their playoffs. However, they still get a shot at the final after the loser of the 1 v 2 quarterfinal is thrown a lifeline. Valley are always strong up front and prop Jake Greenslade still found his way to the line twice last week. They will look for the spine they are always known for to step up against a physical Old Boys Excelsior have the week off after booking their spot in the final.
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Broncos stand by 'legend' after drink-driving charge
The Brisbane Broncos are standing by club great Steve Renouf despite allegations he was caught drink-driving at nearly four times the legal limit. The 55-year-old former NRL star allegedly returned a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.197 when intercepted by police at 10.45pm on Tuesday in the Brisbane suburb of Red Hill. He has apologised for his actions since being charged with one count of driving under the influence of liquor, adding he would accept his punishment and aim to do better. But Broncos coach Michael Maguire refused to criticise the Queensland and Australia representative when quizzed about the incident on Thursday. Labelling Renouf a "legend", Maguire said the club's Old Boys organisation, which looks after former players, would support the four-time premiership winner. "One thing I do know about this place is that they support their Old Boys, it's a very strong club in that space," he said. "Everyone will be reaching out and looking after him. "That's all people need, whether or not you play at the club or are in the walks of life, people go through things, you reach out and help out." Renouf, who won't face court until July 16, said his actions were unacceptable. "I have let down my family, the Broncos' fans, the rugby league community, the Queensland public and my mob," he wrote in an Instagram post. "I am sorry for letting everyone down and am embarrassed and disappointed with my actions. I will accept my punishment and will aim to do better." It is not the first driving scandal at the Broncos in the past 12 months. Star five-eighth Ezra Mam was suspended for nine games after a head-on collision with an Uber when he was driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system. The three occupants of the Uber were injured, including a young girl. Mam was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for six months. Renouf played 183 games for the Broncos, scoring 142 tries, while he also represented Queensland and Australia. He was named in the centres in the Indigenous team of the century that was picked in 2008.
