Latest news with #Origin-like
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Shane Flanagan has his contract extension. This is what he wants next for the Red V
Shane Flanagan is backing himself to deliver St George Illawarra premiership success, and with a bit more luck with injuries – and contentious decisions – says his side should have been in the finals race this year. The Dragons surprised fans on Friday by announcing Flanagan had extended his deal through to the end of 2028, despite the club set to miss the finals a second straight season on his watch. The 59-year-old was already signed until the end of next year, but with stability at board level, including the appointments of CEO Tim Watsford and recruitment manager Daniel Anderson, the Dragons were happy to nail down their coach. Flanagan knows the Dragons need to sign at least two top-class representative players, and have the money to 'shop in the big-fish pool'. 'We want to go after the elite players,' Flanagan said on Friday. 'To play finals football, you need Origin-like players, we've only got one at the moment [Valentine Holmes], we've had blokes who have been there like 'Gutho' (Clint Gutherson) and 'Cooky' (Damien Cook), but we need more. 'We'd be happy to get a front-rower and an outside back. Down the track we'll also need another fullback. 'But the future looks bright. We've got some really good kids who have probably been forced to play too much. In the end, it will be better for them.
The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
Shane Flanagan has his contract extension. This is what he wants next for the Red V
Shane Flanagan is backing himself to deliver St George Illawarra premiership success, and with a bit more luck with injuries – and contentious decisions – says his side should have been in the finals race this year. The Dragons surprised fans on Friday by announcing Flanagan had extended his deal through to the end of 2028, despite the club set to miss the finals a second straight season on his watch. The 59-year-old was already signed until the end of next year, but with stability at board level, including the appointments of CEO Tim Watsford and recruitment manager Daniel Anderson, the Dragons were happy to nail down their coach. Flanagan knows the Dragons need to sign at least two top-class representative players, and have the money to 'shop in the big-fish pool'. 'We want to go after the elite players,' Flanagan said on Friday. 'To play finals football, you need Origin-like players, we've only got one at the moment [Valentine Holmes], we've had blokes who have been there like 'Gutho' (Clint Gutherson) and 'Cooky' (Damien Cook), but we need more. 'We'd be happy to get a front-rower and an outside back. Down the track we'll also need another fullback. 'But the future looks bright. We've got some really good kids who have probably been forced to play too much. In the end, it will be better for them.
The Advertiser
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
From rattled to Origin return: Blues prop's wild month
Stefano Utoikamanu has revealed he was left rattled by Craig Bellamy's almighty Magic Round spray that had the potential to cost him a NSW State of Origin jersey. Utoikamanu will play his first game back in blue on Wednesday night since his 2023 debut, after being called on to come off the bench for NSW at Optus Stadium. The front-rower has made no secret of the fact that his move to Melbourne has helped him win back his spot, playing in an Origin-like system under Bellamy. But it also could have hurt him dearly last month, after he cost the Storm victory at Magic Round against Canberra. Bellamy's post-match criticism made headlines, after Utoikamanu was penalised for striking out with his boot after playing the ball as Melbourne set up for a field goal. The Storm coach is an advisor to Laurie Daley in this year's Blues camp, while also assisting with selections. "At the time, after the game, I was pretty rattled," Utoikamanu said of Bellamy's dressing down. "I walked into the sheds and he started spraying me. He got into me a bit. But when you actually go back and look at it, it was probably a hard call. "If I didn't put myself in that position in the first place we'd probably end up nearly winning that game. "It was a bit tough but he spoke to me after the game and we had a good chat about it and it was sweet." Melbourne lock Trent Loiero also felt the brunt of Bellamy's anger for conceding the match-deciding penalty, but has also since won a Queensland jersey. Utoikamanu said his mind did not immediately go to Origin implications and he and Bellamy moved on quickly, with the prop keeping his spot for the following week. "I just brushed it off after we spoke about how he actually looked at it and it probably was a pretty harsh call," Utoikamanu said. "But there were a few things leading up to it that I could have helped stop." NSW prepared for their shot at a second straight series win by having their first training session in Perth on Monday at HBF Park. Western Australian royalty watched on, with cricket greats Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, Socceroos goalkeeper Liam Reddy and UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena watching on. Utoikamanau's NSW return comes after he debuted for the Blues in Origin II in 2023 as a 23-year-old. But the prop was then dropped for the next game, when the Blues took an eye to the future for the dead rubber in Sydney but went without the young front-rower. "It was a bit confusing at the time, but they needed to win," Utoikamanu said. "I want to be honest, I felt disappointed. "But at the same time you need to look at the performance. I was only on there 12 minutes. "As an impact player you need to get on there and try to make a difference. If I looked at myself honestly, I didn't do that." Stefano Utoikamanu has revealed he was left rattled by Craig Bellamy's almighty Magic Round spray that had the potential to cost him a NSW State of Origin jersey. Utoikamanu will play his first game back in blue on Wednesday night since his 2023 debut, after being called on to come off the bench for NSW at Optus Stadium. The front-rower has made no secret of the fact that his move to Melbourne has helped him win back his spot, playing in an Origin-like system under Bellamy. But it also could have hurt him dearly last month, after he cost the Storm victory at Magic Round against Canberra. Bellamy's post-match criticism made headlines, after Utoikamanu was penalised for striking out with his boot after playing the ball as Melbourne set up for a field goal. The Storm coach is an advisor to Laurie Daley in this year's Blues camp, while also assisting with selections. "At the time, after the game, I was pretty rattled," Utoikamanu said of Bellamy's dressing down. "I walked into the sheds and he started spraying me. He got into me a bit. But when you actually go back and look at it, it was probably a hard call. "If I didn't put myself in that position in the first place we'd probably end up nearly winning that game. "It was a bit tough but he spoke to me after the game and we had a good chat about it and it was sweet." Melbourne lock Trent Loiero also felt the brunt of Bellamy's anger for conceding the match-deciding penalty, but has also since won a Queensland jersey. Utoikamanu said his mind did not immediately go to Origin implications and he and Bellamy moved on quickly, with the prop keeping his spot for the following week. "I just brushed it off after we spoke about how he actually looked at it and it probably was a pretty harsh call," Utoikamanu said. "But there were a few things leading up to it that I could have helped stop." NSW prepared for their shot at a second straight series win by having their first training session in Perth on Monday at HBF Park. Western Australian royalty watched on, with cricket greats Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, Socceroos goalkeeper Liam Reddy and UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena watching on. Utoikamanau's NSW return comes after he debuted for the Blues in Origin II in 2023 as a 23-year-old. But the prop was then dropped for the next game, when the Blues took an eye to the future for the dead rubber in Sydney but went without the young front-rower. "It was a bit confusing at the time, but they needed to win," Utoikamanu said. "I want to be honest, I felt disappointed. "But at the same time you need to look at the performance. I was only on there 12 minutes. "As an impact player you need to get on there and try to make a difference. If I looked at myself honestly, I didn't do that." Stefano Utoikamanu has revealed he was left rattled by Craig Bellamy's almighty Magic Round spray that had the potential to cost him a NSW State of Origin jersey. Utoikamanu will play his first game back in blue on Wednesday night since his 2023 debut, after being called on to come off the bench for NSW at Optus Stadium. The front-rower has made no secret of the fact that his move to Melbourne has helped him win back his spot, playing in an Origin-like system under Bellamy. But it also could have hurt him dearly last month, after he cost the Storm victory at Magic Round against Canberra. Bellamy's post-match criticism made headlines, after Utoikamanu was penalised for striking out with his boot after playing the ball as Melbourne set up for a field goal. The Storm coach is an advisor to Laurie Daley in this year's Blues camp, while also assisting with selections. "At the time, after the game, I was pretty rattled," Utoikamanu said of Bellamy's dressing down. "I walked into the sheds and he started spraying me. He got into me a bit. But when you actually go back and look at it, it was probably a hard call. "If I didn't put myself in that position in the first place we'd probably end up nearly winning that game. "It was a bit tough but he spoke to me after the game and we had a good chat about it and it was sweet." Melbourne lock Trent Loiero also felt the brunt of Bellamy's anger for conceding the match-deciding penalty, but has also since won a Queensland jersey. Utoikamanu said his mind did not immediately go to Origin implications and he and Bellamy moved on quickly, with the prop keeping his spot for the following week. "I just brushed it off after we spoke about how he actually looked at it and it probably was a pretty harsh call," Utoikamanu said. "But there were a few things leading up to it that I could have helped stop." NSW prepared for their shot at a second straight series win by having their first training session in Perth on Monday at HBF Park. Western Australian royalty watched on, with cricket greats Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, Socceroos goalkeeper Liam Reddy and UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena watching on. Utoikamanau's NSW return comes after he debuted for the Blues in Origin II in 2023 as a 23-year-old. But the prop was then dropped for the next game, when the Blues took an eye to the future for the dead rubber in Sydney but went without the young front-rower. "It was a bit confusing at the time, but they needed to win," Utoikamanu said. "I want to be honest, I felt disappointed. "But at the same time you need to look at the performance. I was only on there 12 minutes. "As an impact player you need to get on there and try to make a difference. If I looked at myself honestly, I didn't do that."
The Advertiser
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Red alert as Horsburgh enters Origin frame for Maroons
Queensland must find a way to fight fire with fire against the strong NSW pack, hence Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has entered the equation for a State of Origin recall. There are myths surrounding the Raiders rocket, affectionately known as "Big Red" and "Horse" by fans. One of those myths is that he is just a throwback to the 1980s who will take it to the opposition with a no-holds-barred approach. There is more to the 27-year-old than that worthy methodology. Maroons coach Billy Slater looks for Origin-like habits in his players and Horsburgh epitomised that in second-placed Canberra's recent 16-10 win over the Warriors. With time almost up on the clock, giant Warriors back-rower Marata Niukore charged towards the line for a try that would have levelled the match. Horsburgh appeared from nowhere to turn Niukore on his back centimetres from the line to save a certain four-pointer. The Raiders stalwart debuted for the Maroons in the dead-rubber game three of the 2023 Origin series which they lost. The 2025 series will go down the gurgler if the Maroons don't win in Perth on June 18 after their dismal 18-6 opening loss in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Queensland needs an enforcer to take on beastly Payne Haas and company. Horsburgh has 20 tackle breaks and 19 offloads in his 11 NRL games this year. He also has a tackle efficiency of 95.2 per cent and has averaged 134m per match in attack. It is a stellar record. Former Maroons star Ben Ikin, now the Queensland Rugby League CEO, was asked before game one about Horsburgh's omission and whether he would get another chance. "I'd say to Corey to keep playing the way you are playing and eventually you are going to find yourself in a Maroons jersey," Ikin said. "He embodies what it means to be a Queenslander. He is full of passion and is in a team that is playing outstanding footy. The Maroons program is in a pretty good place when someone like Corey Horsburgh can't make the team." NSW great and Channel Nine commentator Andrew Johns is also a fan. "I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something," Johns said when analysing the Maroons' loss. Horsburgh will line up against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney in the next fortnight where he can make a compelling Origin statement. "Hopefully I can keep playing good footy at the Raiders and put my name in the picture but the Queensland side is not an easy team to get into," Horsburgh told AAP. "I was lucky enough to do it and that's my goal again this year. "When I was a young fella I would watch Origin and I looked up to Petero Civoniceva and Matt Scott ... big tough front-rowers that never took a backward step." Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow and versatile Warriors gun Kurt Capewell are two other former Origin representatives that could stake a claim. Maroons coach Billy Slater has also had his eye on Dolphins young gun Max Plath. Plath is expected back from a foot injury for the round 14 clash with St George Illawarra and could be an option as a utility on the bench. Queensland must find a way to fight fire with fire against the strong NSW pack, hence Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has entered the equation for a State of Origin recall. There are myths surrounding the Raiders rocket, affectionately known as "Big Red" and "Horse" by fans. One of those myths is that he is just a throwback to the 1980s who will take it to the opposition with a no-holds-barred approach. There is more to the 27-year-old than that worthy methodology. Maroons coach Billy Slater looks for Origin-like habits in his players and Horsburgh epitomised that in second-placed Canberra's recent 16-10 win over the Warriors. With time almost up on the clock, giant Warriors back-rower Marata Niukore charged towards the line for a try that would have levelled the match. Horsburgh appeared from nowhere to turn Niukore on his back centimetres from the line to save a certain four-pointer. The Raiders stalwart debuted for the Maroons in the dead-rubber game three of the 2023 Origin series which they lost. The 2025 series will go down the gurgler if the Maroons don't win in Perth on June 18 after their dismal 18-6 opening loss in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Queensland needs an enforcer to take on beastly Payne Haas and company. Horsburgh has 20 tackle breaks and 19 offloads in his 11 NRL games this year. He also has a tackle efficiency of 95.2 per cent and has averaged 134m per match in attack. It is a stellar record. Former Maroons star Ben Ikin, now the Queensland Rugby League CEO, was asked before game one about Horsburgh's omission and whether he would get another chance. "I'd say to Corey to keep playing the way you are playing and eventually you are going to find yourself in a Maroons jersey," Ikin said. "He embodies what it means to be a Queenslander. He is full of passion and is in a team that is playing outstanding footy. The Maroons program is in a pretty good place when someone like Corey Horsburgh can't make the team." NSW great and Channel Nine commentator Andrew Johns is also a fan. "I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something," Johns said when analysing the Maroons' loss. Horsburgh will line up against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney in the next fortnight where he can make a compelling Origin statement. "Hopefully I can keep playing good footy at the Raiders and put my name in the picture but the Queensland side is not an easy team to get into," Horsburgh told AAP. "I was lucky enough to do it and that's my goal again this year. "When I was a young fella I would watch Origin and I looked up to Petero Civoniceva and Matt Scott ... big tough front-rowers that never took a backward step." Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow and versatile Warriors gun Kurt Capewell are two other former Origin representatives that could stake a claim. Maroons coach Billy Slater has also had his eye on Dolphins young gun Max Plath. Plath is expected back from a foot injury for the round 14 clash with St George Illawarra and could be an option as a utility on the bench. Queensland must find a way to fight fire with fire against the strong NSW pack, hence Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has entered the equation for a State of Origin recall. There are myths surrounding the Raiders rocket, affectionately known as "Big Red" and "Horse" by fans. One of those myths is that he is just a throwback to the 1980s who will take it to the opposition with a no-holds-barred approach. There is more to the 27-year-old than that worthy methodology. Maroons coach Billy Slater looks for Origin-like habits in his players and Horsburgh epitomised that in second-placed Canberra's recent 16-10 win over the Warriors. With time almost up on the clock, giant Warriors back-rower Marata Niukore charged towards the line for a try that would have levelled the match. Horsburgh appeared from nowhere to turn Niukore on his back centimetres from the line to save a certain four-pointer. The Raiders stalwart debuted for the Maroons in the dead-rubber game three of the 2023 Origin series which they lost. The 2025 series will go down the gurgler if the Maroons don't win in Perth on June 18 after their dismal 18-6 opening loss in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Queensland needs an enforcer to take on beastly Payne Haas and company. Horsburgh has 20 tackle breaks and 19 offloads in his 11 NRL games this year. He also has a tackle efficiency of 95.2 per cent and has averaged 134m per match in attack. It is a stellar record. Former Maroons star Ben Ikin, now the Queensland Rugby League CEO, was asked before game one about Horsburgh's omission and whether he would get another chance. "I'd say to Corey to keep playing the way you are playing and eventually you are going to find yourself in a Maroons jersey," Ikin said. "He embodies what it means to be a Queenslander. He is full of passion and is in a team that is playing outstanding footy. The Maroons program is in a pretty good place when someone like Corey Horsburgh can't make the team." NSW great and Channel Nine commentator Andrew Johns is also a fan. "I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something," Johns said when analysing the Maroons' loss. Horsburgh will line up against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney in the next fortnight where he can make a compelling Origin statement. "Hopefully I can keep playing good footy at the Raiders and put my name in the picture but the Queensland side is not an easy team to get into," Horsburgh told AAP. "I was lucky enough to do it and that's my goal again this year. "When I was a young fella I would watch Origin and I looked up to Petero Civoniceva and Matt Scott ... big tough front-rowers that never took a backward step." Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow and versatile Warriors gun Kurt Capewell are two other former Origin representatives that could stake a claim. Maroons coach Billy Slater has also had his eye on Dolphins young gun Max Plath. Plath is expected back from a foot injury for the round 14 clash with St George Illawarra and could be an option as a utility on the bench.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Red alert as Horsburgh enters Origin frame for Maroons
Queensland must find a way to fight fire with fire against the strong NSW pack, hence Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has entered the equation for a State of Origin recall. There are myths surrounding the Raiders rocket, affectionately known as "Big Red" and "Horse" by fans. One of those myths is that he is just a throwback to the 1980s who will take it to the opposition with a no-holds-barred approach. There is more to the 27-year-old than that worthy methodology. Maroons coach Billy Slater looks for Origin-like habits in his players and Horsburgh epitomised that in second-placed Canberra's recent 16-10 win over the Warriors. With time almost up on the clock, giant Warriors back-rower Marata Niukore charged towards the line for a try that would have levelled the match. Horsburgh appeared from nowhere to turn Niukore on his back centimetres from the line to save a certain four-pointer. The Raiders stalwart debuted for the Maroons in the dead-rubber game three of the 2023 Origin series which they lost. The 2025 series will go down the gurgler if the Maroons don't win in Perth on June 18 after their dismal 18-6 opening loss in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Queensland needs an enforcer to take on beastly Payne Haas and company. Horsburgh has 20 tackle breaks and 19 offloads in his 11 NRL games this year. He also has a tackle efficiency of 95.2 per cent and has averaged 134m per match in attack. It is a stellar record. Former Maroons star Ben Ikin, now the Queensland Rugby League CEO, was asked before game one about Horsburgh's omission and whether he would get another chance. "I'd say to Corey to keep playing the way you are playing and eventually you are going to find yourself in a Maroons jersey," Ikin said. "He embodies what it means to be a Queenslander. He is full of passion and is in a team that is playing outstanding footy. The Maroons program is in a pretty good place when someone like Corey Horsburgh can't make the team." NSW great and Channel Nine commentator Andrew Johns is also a fan. "I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something," Johns said when analysing the Maroons' loss. Horsburgh will line up against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney in the next fortnight where he can make a compelling Origin statement. "Hopefully I can keep playing good footy at the Raiders and put my name in the picture but the Queensland side is not an easy team to get into," Horsburgh told AAP. "I was lucky enough to do it and that's my goal again this year. "When I was a young fella I would watch Origin and I looked up to Petero Civoniceva and Matt Scott ... big tough front-rowers that never took a backward step." Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow and versatile Warriors gun Kurt Capewell are two other former Origin representatives that could stake a claim. Maroons coach Billy Slater has also had his eye on Dolphins young gun Max Plath. Plath is expected back from a foot injury for the round 14 clash with St George Illawarra and could be an option as a utility on the bench.
