Latest news with #Origin1
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daley's admission about Jake Trbojevic and Terrell May after Mitch Barnett blow
NSW coach Laurie Daley is considering former captain Jake Trbojevic and Tigers prop Terrell May as possible replacements for the injured Mitch Barnett having been forced to make a change for State of Origin 2. Fans were left devastated for Barnett after the NSW enforcer went down grasping at his leg on the weekend in the Warriors' win against the Rabbitohs. The Warriors forward was one of the best players for NSW with his aggression helping his team win field territory against Queensland in Origin 1. But after being ruled out for the rest of the season, Daley has been forced to look elsewhere to fill the position. Bulldogs prop Max King will likely shift to the starting side alongside Game 1 player-of-the-match Payne Haas, which leaves a front-row position available on the bench. Stefano Utoikamanu was a surprise selection in the NSW squad for Game 1, with many stunned Daley didn't go with May. Utoikamanu was on standby for Haas due to a quad injury, but Haas was later ruled fit to play. Speaking on Tuesday, Daley suggested Utoikamanu could slot right onto the bench having already been around camp for the series opener. However he didn't rule out bringing former captain Trbojevic back into the fold as NSW look to seal the series in Perth. Trbojevic captained NSW to the series win last year, but played very few minutes across the three games. The forward was on the cusp of being dropped for Game 1, but he suffered a concussion playing for club team Manly and it ended his chances of playing at Suncorp. Daley suggested on Tuesday that the experience of the former NSW captain could be handy for Game 2 in Perth. He also said May and Souths prop Keaon Koloamatangi will come into calculations amid some brilliant form at NRL level. 'You've got Terrell May there who has been playing some really good football this year for the Tigers,' Daley said on SEN Radio. 'We had Stefano (Utoikamanu) in camp… Stefano was going to come in if Payne (Haas) didn't come up so he's obviously one of the front runners. 'Keaon Koloamatangi's been excellent the last few weeks. He's another one we're looking at. Jake (Trbojevic) hasn't played football, but we're hoping he may be able to get some football this weekend and if he does, then I'm sure that a guy of his experience and leadership will come up in conversations as well.' Trbojevic's inclusion would raise some eyebrows with a number of front-rowers certainly exceeding his efforts in 2025. Across the last few weeks, Koloamatangi has arguably been the standout forward of the competition. Koloamatangi was moved to prop in recent weeks and has thrown up some barnstorming efforts having run for more than 200 metres in his last three games. On average he has made more than 40 tackles per game and scored against the Warriors on the weekend. Few could argue Koloamatangi deserves a call-up, but May has also been strong to start the season. But Daley is looking for that aggression that Barnett brought, which doesn't translate to stats. 'I think some of the work that Mitch (Barnett) did… when you go back and review the tape, some of the things you miss on game night,' Daley said. 'When you go back and analyze it, you just look at what he provided for the team. He was great and that to me is where it starts upfront, isn't it?" RELATED: Laurie Daley urged to backflip after NSW forward ruled out of Origin NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah Speaking after the announcement of his NSW Game 1 squad, Daley defended his decision to omit May. 'I think it was more about the fact that other players have been playing particularly well. Max King, what he's been able to do has been excellent," the coach said. "Terrell's playing some really good football and like all the others he's just got to keep banging down the door and his opportunity will come at some stage, But we just thought at this stage in Game 1 that's the team we wanted to go with. Max Deserves his chance. Stefano has really improved out of sight the past couple of weeks.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trainer at centre of State of Origin incident unmasked as former NSW player's brother
The NSW trainer who copped a stern warning from referee Ashley Klein in State of Origin 1 on Wednesday night has been revealed as Robbie Farah's brother. Eddie Farah was running the water for the Blues at Suncorp Stadium, and found himself at the centre of controversy late in the second half. Klein could be heard telling the trainer: "Do that again and you won't come back on." Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans was also none-too pleased with Farah's actions. The trainer's actions weren't picked up clearly on TV cameras, but it's believed he picked up the ball and handed it to Mitchell Moses before a Queensland scrum 10 metres out. Moses then threw the ball away, before Farah is believed to have booted it over the dead-ball line. Cherry-Evans was seen pointing towards the trainer before Klein beckoned him over and issued him with a warning. "Trainer, if you do that again you will not come back on the field," the referee stated. Cameron Smith said on Channel 9: "A little bit of gamesmanship happening there." There was also a suggestion Farah might have sprayed water on the ball, but that was merely speculation. Farah was seen being spoken to by an NRL official on the sideline after running off the field. RELATED: Daly Cherry-Evans responds amid call to axe Queensland captain 'Absolute joke': Fans fume over post-match moment after Origin 1 The delay in proceedings might have worked a treat for the Blues, with Valentine Holmes being bundled over the sideline on the first play after the scrum. However Jeremiah Nanai forced an error from Latrell Mitchell on the very next play, and Xavier Coates scored in the corner. Farah was the head physiotherapist at South Sydney from 2006 to 2023, before taking on the same role for the Blues in 2024. His brother Robbie played 303 NRL games (277 for the Wests Tigers) and 16 State of Origin games for the Blues. The incident on Wednesday night came amid increased scrutiny around the actions of trainers, with Shane Elford of the Panthers and Mitchell Dunn of the Cowboys hit with one-game bans recently for spraying water on the ball. The two NRL clubs were also fined $10,000 each after the actions of the trainers was captured on camera during a game in Round 10. The NRL sent a stern reminder to all clubs about the expected behaviour of trainers after Elford and Dunn were caught trying to give their teams an unfair advantage and make the ball slippery for their opponents. 'The NRL has issued North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers with breach notices relating to the actions of club trainers in round 10,' a statement from the NRL read. 'The breach notices propose a fine for each club of $10,000 and a two-match suspension for each trainer involved (one match suspended). The NRL has also reminded all clubs about the limitations of the roles of trainers on match days. Any action, other than those permitted under the NRL rules, may be considered a breach liable to sanctions.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nathan Cleary reveals 'unfortunate' news about Mary Fowler as girlfriend jumps ship
Nathan Cleary has revealed girlfriend Mary Fowler has jumped ship and will be supporting NSW in State of Origin - despite being born in Queensland. But the Blues halfback also revealed 'unfortunate' news that she won't be in attendance for Game 1 in Brisbane. Fowler is a proud Queenslander and was born in Cairns, but she's switched her State of Origin allegiances to support her boyfriend. Cleary will return to the Origin arena to lead NSW against Queensland, after missing the entire 2024 series due to injury. Currently in England rehabbing her knee after an ACL injury, Fowler phoned Cleary on Sunday night to congratulate him on his selection. And she had one very important request - that he send her a NSW jersey. 'I'm gonna have to (send her a jersey), I reckon. She's already put in the request, so I think I'm gonna have to,' Cleary told on Monday. "She reckons she is going for the Blues, so I think I have swung her." Fowler's defection is easy to understand considering she already plays for the Blues herself - English club Manchester City. And while the Matildas star has been in Australia in recent weeks catching up with Cleary and her family, she's likely to be abroad when Origin 1 kicks off on May 28. RELATED: Laurie Daley under fire over second brutal act towards Terrell May Billy Slater's dagger for Michael Maguire with eye-opening move Had she not been injured she would have been free to attend, but City's medical team are keen to have her back in the UK for her rehab. 'I don't think so,' Cleary said when asked if Fowler would be at any of the Origin games this year. 'It's pretty unfortunate because she was meant to be back last week, so she would have been able to come to the game. But, yeah, she's sort of attacking her rehab at the moment and hopefully she can get back at some stage, but nothing is confirmed yet.' Cleary will team up with Mitchell Moses in the halves for NSW, after Moses and Jarome Luai led the Blues to a series triumph last year. Moses came in for the second and third games, combining lethally with Luai as NSW came back to win 2-1. But Cleary's availability means there's no room for Luai this year, who hasn't been in great form for Wests Tigers. Moses will play his sixth game of Origin footy on Wednesday week - but his first in a series opener. "I haven't played in a Game 1 before, so I'm excited for that and go up there and hopefully do a job on them," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a good moment [the 2024 series win] - I don't think it's a defining moment. "It was a good moment to have and to win the series up there, but that series is gone and done and moving on from there and we'll look to do a job this year. It gives you a bit of confidence I guess, but it's a new series and new team." On playing with Cleary he said: "Any time you can play with a player of his calibre, it's massive and I'm really excited about that. I'm excited to even learn off a player like Nathan. "He's a quality player and I'm excited for the challenge. He competes on every play, he's the ultimate competitor and he's shown that pretty much his whole career. It's exciting to play with a player like that, who doesn't leave anything to chance out on the field."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cameron Munster switch gathers steam as Ponga faces brutal axing from Origin
Cameron Munster playing fullback for Queensland might not be as far-fetcher as it seems, particularly after another uninspiring performance from Kalyn Ponga on Friday night. Ponga started the year in superb form and edged ahead of Reece Walsh in the race to be Billy Slater's Maroons fullback. With Walsh suffering a knee injury and ruled out of Origin 1, the spot is there for the taking for Ponga. But the Knights have now lost seven of their last eight games, and Ponga's form has fallen off a cliff. The superstar fullback had 22 runs for a whopping 254 metres in a 28-6 loss to Parramatta on Friday night. He broke six tackles and made two line-breaks, helping set up the Knights' only try to James Schiller. It was probably enough to convince Slater to pick him in Origin 1 on May 28, but many were left suggesting the concerning dip in form might be too big of a risk. Slater has the option of using Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, but would likely prefer he remains in the centres. There have also been whispers in recent days that Slater is even considering using Munster at fullback to accomodate Tom Dearden at five-eighth. Dearden has been in good form for the Cowboys and is the incumbent No.6 for the Australian Kangaroos. With Daly Cherry-Evans seemingly a lock to play halfback despite some poor form of his own, Slater could look to utilise both Munster and Dearden in the starting team. It would mean Ponga is forced to play the No.14 role off the bench, or miss out entirely. Injured utility Ben Hunt even flagged the possibility of Munster playing fullback this week. "There's definitely really good options - depending on what Billy wants to do," he said on 4BC radio. "You're hearing some chat about maybe Munster going to fullback and things like that. If he wants to put Munster at fullback and start Tommy (Dearden) in the halves, then you've got KP (Kalyn Ponga) on the bench, so that's pretty handy as well. [Ponga's] debut he played in the middle and was probably our best player. He wouldn't be a bad option." RELATED: Stephen Crichton learns fate after calls for State of Origin ban Blow for NSW as forward set to be ruled out of Origin opener Ponga started on the bench in Game 3 last year with Walsh at fullback, but wasn't particularly effective when he came on the field. The Maroons' attack looked a bit clunky, with too many playmakers trying to get involved. Discussing the possibility of Munster playing fullback on Friday, NRL Immortal Andrew Johns described it as "ridiculous". He said on the 'Immortal Behaviour' podcast: "You don't weaken one position to strengthen another. Munster hasn't played fullback for a long time and fitness-wise, it's totally different - you are doing a lot more running. "You're also organising the defensive line, that's an art in itself. It won't happen … not at all." Speaking on Friday night after Newcastle's loss, Ponga admitted his form isn't where he'd like it to be. 'I want to be there obviously," he said of State of Origin selection. "It's a prestigious jersey. It's an honour to wear (the Queensland) jersey. I would love to be in that arena again.' Ponga is terrible. Munster deserves the fullback spot over him. #NRLKnightsEels — Daniel (@danieleth00) May 16, 2025 Ponga will lose the origin series for us if he's picked at FB for QLD — Gillyman (@gillyman96) May 16, 2025
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Terrell May drops sad news about Origin amid staggering call to axe Stephen Crichton
Terrell May has revealed he doesn't expect to be picked for NSW in State of Origin 1 and believes media reports that he'll be overlooked are accurate. And NSW legend Andrew Johns has made the staggering call that he thinks Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic should be picked in the centres ahead of Stephen Crichton. May is the form front-rower of the competition alongside Payne Haas, and many thought they were certain to line up for NSW together in Origin 1. But reports in recent days have suggested May will be overlooked because coach Laurie Daley has concerns around his defence. Daley is likely to go with forwards who can physically dominate Queensland like Mitch Barnett and Spencer Leniu, whereas May is more known for his skill and footwork. May has been an offloading machine in 2025, but it appears Daley values other qualities in his front-rowers. Speaking on his Twitch stream while playing video games on Thursday night, May told a friend he was playing with: 'You know that Blues jersey I bought you? Chuck it in the bin." The friend responded: 'Oh yep. Have they already done it (named the team)?' To which May said: "Nah but have you seen the thing (reports) that came out?" When asked if it was just media speculation, May said the reports had to be coming from those in the know. "Nah it's not the media. How do you think it got leaked, you think they're not just playing Chinese whispers." He finished off by saying: "Might have to switch my allegiance." May has been a popular pick amongst fans for months, with many believing he's a certainty for a State of Origin debut. But tellingly, leading figures like Greg Alexander, Cooper Cronk and Johns have left him out when naming their predicted teams. Johns named the 17 he would pick on the 'Immortal Behaviour' podcast on Thursday, and there was no room for May. But bizarrely, Johns also left out Bulldogs captain and superstar Crichton. The NSW legend said he'd only pick Crichton if Trbojevic wasn't available, while predicting Brian To'o and Zac Lomax will retain their wing spots. To'o and Lomax will only have played one game apiece before Daley picks the team for Origin 1, but they were so good last year that many believe it doesn't matter. "I don't care if they only play one game," Johns said of To'o and Lomax. "They'll be right as long as they get through (this weekend)." But Johns' decision to go with Trbojevic over Crichton raised more than a few eyebrows. Trbojevic hasn't played Origin since 2023 due to a horrid run of injuries, and hasn't looked fully-fit at any stage in 2025. He's already missed games this year due to hamstring and knee injuries, and many believe it'd be too big of a risk to pick him for the Blues. As for Crichton, he's the best defensive centre in the NRL and carved up the Raiders last weekend with ball in hand. With major uncertainty surrounding Jake Trbojevic's place in the team, many believe Crichton should be made NSW captain after the leading the Bulldogs to the top of the NRL ladder. But Johns thinks Nathan Cleary will get the captaincy, and doesn't believe Crichton should be picked unless Trbojevic isn't good to go. Needless to say, it sparked some furious reactions on social media. Meanwhile, Johns picked Dylan Edwards over James Tedesco at fullback, and Mitchell Moses over Jarome Luai at five-eighth. Curiously, he went with two back-rowers on the bench in Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu, despite conventional wisdom saying you need two front-rowers instead. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NRL on Nine (@nrlonnine)
