Latest news with #Origin2
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thurston's dagger for DCE after poor moment that could end State of Origin career
Johnathan Thurston has criticised the game-management of Manly - led by Daly Cherry-Evans - that saw them cough up a 16-0 lead to lose to Newcastle on Thursday night. And it could spell the end of the Queensland captain's State of Origin career. The Knights produced a woeful first-half and were booed off by their own fans, but came back for a staggering 26-22 victory in the second. Speaking on Channel 9 after the game, Thurston said the game-management of Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles "wasn't up to scratch". Fellow Queensland legend Cameron Smith agreed that Cherry-Evans needed to ice the game for Manly considering he's one of the premier halves in the NRL. But the comments from Thurston were most telling considering he's an assistant coach to Billy Slater for the Maroons. Many have called for Tom Dearden to start at halfback in State of Origin 1, after Cherry-Evans failed to fire in Game 1. The Manly halfback produced a strong performance against the Broncos last weekend, but crashed back to earth on Thursday night. There was a particularly poor moment with 23 minutes remaining that might spell the end of Cherry-Evans' Origin career. After the Knights had reduced the deficit to 16-12, the Manly halfback took the ball on the short-side near the halfway line and looked to kick it into touch to give his team a breather. But he belted it out on the full and gave the Knights prime field position for another attacking raid. James Schiller crossed a short time later to make it 16-16, and despite Manly regaining the lead the Knights managed to win in golden-point. Thurston's comments paint a grim picture for Cherry-Evans as Slater weighs up whether to axe his halfback and captain for Origin 2. "I don't know. I will find out Monday or Sunday," DCE said in his post-match presser. "You always find out on the Sunday or Monday." DCE kicking the kick off out on the full probably summed up their issues; scrambled thinking rather than game management — Stuart Akister (@StuartAkister) June 5, 2025 Didn't have to do anything in attack once you lead 22-16 with 10 to go. Kick long and defend for less than 10 minutes. 5 sets of defence. DCE just had absolutely no game management in the final 20. Embarrassing for someone who wants 1 mill next year — Sam (@desmoneyfr) June 5, 2025 Is DCE trying to kick his way into the Original team? That's 3 shockers so far #gomanly — Lyn Shields 🦅 (@lynshields) June 5, 2025 Andrew Johns is among the many who have called for Dearden to replace Cherry-Evans, and the Cowboys half will get another chance to impress against the Storm on Friday night. "I genuinely don't know what has been said," Cherry-Evans said on Thursday night about the speculation he'll be axed. "I understand it's a pretty busy period when it comes to my name. But I am just doing my best to keep my head down. Train and play with the Manly boys and be a good dad." RELATED: Cameron Smith's truth bomb for Billy Slater after 'weak' accusation Kevin Walters calls out Broncos amid sad Adam Reynolds situation Speaking before the Knights game, Cherry-Evans' Queensland predecessor Cooper Cronk urged his old teammate Slater to meet with the half before making a call. "I think Billy should have a heart-to-heart coffee catch up with Daly and ask him how much the jersey means," Cronk said on Fox League. "Because the series is on the line, and Daly the captain and halfback needs to deliver. (How he plays against Newcastle), I don't think it matters. Billy would have made that gut instinct call up already." Tellingly, a poll of over 28,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has Dearden and Cameron Munster as the overwhelming favourites to be the Queensland halves for Game 2. Over half of the readers who voted would axe DCE for the game in Perth. with AAP
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Door ajar for Reece Walsh as Kalyn Ponga could be banned from entire Origin series
Kalyn Ponga has reportedly been spotted meeting with International Rugby League boss Troy Grant in a move that could spell the end of his State of Origin career. Ponga scored the match-winning try in golden-point against Manly on Thursday night, and probably did enough to retain his spot for the Maroons in Origin 2. The fullback had 19 runs for 191 metres, five tackle breaks and the winning try as Newcastle came back to beat the Sea Eagles 26-22. And while he may have done enough to retain his spot in Game 2, his future in State of Origin has been thrown into massive doubt. is reporting that Ponga has recently seen in a meeting with IRL boss Grant, in what was most likely a discussion about switching his international allegiances from Australia to New Zealand. Ponga has always been bound to play for Australia at international level because represented the Aussie team at the Rugby League World Cup 9s event in 2019. However he's never played a Test match for the Kangaroos, and has constantly avoided making a call that would rule him out of playing for NZ. It's believed Ponga hasn't wanted to turn his back on the possibility of playing for the Kiwis one day because of his Maori heritage. The IRL recently changed the rules and allowed AJ Brimson to switch allegiances from Australia to England. Brimson had been bound by the same situation that Ponga was in that he too played for Australia at the World Cup 9s event in 2019. But the IRL - headed by Grant - recently approved Brimson's application to represent England and declared the World Cup 9s event was no longer a relevant factor. The IRL said because the 9s event has effectively been discontinued, it doesn't hold any standing anymore and was "unfairly" blocking players from featuring at Test level. 'At the time, the 9s World Cup was part of IRL's calendar planning and it was intended to be held every four years,' a statement from the IRL read. 'However, the tournament has effectively been discontinued and is not part of IRL's medium term planning. 'Therefore, the tribunal felt that players who had played in the 2019 World Cup 9s were being unfairly restricted as they elected for their country based on a different set of circumstances to players who elect for a country through a 13-a-side match.' The rule change effectively opens the door for Ponga to play for New Zealand if he so wishes. And the fact he was recently spotted meeting with Grant has fuelled the rumour mill that he wants to play for the Kiwis. But a switch in international allegiances would bring an end to Ponga's Origin career. Because New Zealand are a Tier 1 nation, anyone who represents the Kiwis isn't allowed to play State of Origin. It's the same for Brimson, who has ultimately ended his Origin career with Queensland by defecting to England. RELATED: Cameron Smith's truth bomb for Billy Slater after 'weak' accusation Kevin Walters calls out Broncos amid sad Adam Reynolds situation Ponga is likely to see out this year's Origin series for the Maroons, but a switch to represent New Zealand next season would mean Billy Slater will have to find a new fullback for Queensland. It opens the door for Reece Walsh to reclaim the spot he lost this year, while Slater also has the option of using Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the No.1 jersey.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NRL world left saddened after awful news about Ian Roberts comes to light
NRL fans are sending messages of support to Ian Roberts after the rugby league icon revealed this week he was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Roberts played 213 first-grade games in the 80s and 90s across stints with South Sydney, Manly and North Queensland. The forward also played 11 State of Origin games for NSW and 13 Test matches for Australia. In 1995 he famously became the first player in rugby league history to come out as gay, winning widespread support around the sporting and wider communities. The 59-year-old was a hard-as-nails forward, and played during an era before concussion protocols and high-tackle crackdowns. And it's had brutal consequences, with Roberts revealing publicly this week that he's been diagnosed with epilepsy. 'There are consequences long-term,' he said on Channel 9. 'In the last 12 months I've had a bit of an issue myself. I was just recently diagnosed with epilepsy. I reckon the damage I did to myself was not taking the shots (tackles), it was making the shots." He added: I'm good, I just started a new process with medication which has really helped.' RELATED: Family detail as Bellamy tipped for stunning switch to QLD team Fresh blow for Billy Slater as Queensland gun set to miss Origin 2 Considering the consequences he's now suffering, Roberts said he would definitely change a few things about the way he played. 'When you're 19 and 20, you're never going to be 50, you are never going to be 60, (because) that is too far away," he said. 'But the fact is I'm 60 this year and knowing what I know now, and my own personal situation, there are things I would have changed about my playing style. In 1990 when I made that conscious effort to pull off more big hits, or to toughen my image up, I definitely wouldn't be doing that.' Roberts is the latest high-profile former player to reveal health issues suffered as a result of their playing days. Wally Lewis, Mario Fenech and Steve Mortimer are among the many who have suffered brain damage and are now dealing with different levels of dementia. Roberts also issued a passionate plea to end the controversial 'run it straight' trend that has emerged in recent months. The trend involves average people running at full-speed into an opponent, who tries to hit them as hard as they can. Former NRL player George Burgess was involved in an organised version of the trend at one stage, while a teenager died in New Zealand last month while participating. Run it straight challenge at the Manly Stadium 😂 — Skyrugby (@sky_rugby) June 2, 2025 The Manly Sea Eagles have also launched an investigation after vision emerged on social media of fans participating in the trend at their home game against Brisbane last Saturday night. 'These type of collisions have long-term, potentially catastrophic effects," Roberts said. 'I'd like to send a shout-out to Mario Fenech and Rebecca Fenech. Mario has stood up in the last couple of years about his situation, and this is what we're facing. (Run it straight) is based on outrage, and shares and likes, so all this stuff gets air-time, but it is really dangerous stuff. 'It takes sporting bodies, codes, or the government to get behind this (banning it). Parents need to know what their children are watching and what they're doing. You've got to keep poking the bear. This is long-term, potentially catastrophic consequences for young people. We can't keep ignoring it.' Fans took to social media with messages of support after learning of Roberts' battle with epilepsy. Many joined him in calling for 'run it straight' events to be banned. Ian Roberts, another icon of the game. When will people take this seriously — HA'LE (@Riggs3660) June 3, 2025 I can't believe Ian Roberts is 60 this year!It doesn't seem like it was 30 years ago that he was running riot for Manly, Souths and the Cowboys. — Chris Symon (@ChrisSymon1) June 2, 2025 Epilepsy & what these dipshits are doing for fun are so far apart except the one thing they both have in common is with both you could lose your life — Matt Allen (@mattman1469) June 3, 2025 FAFOJust dumb people doing dumb shxt. — Yappy71 (@Cruisin1971) June 3, 2025
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fresh blow for Broncos as Melbourne Storm player could backflip on Brisbane deal
Questions are being asked about whether the Broncos have left the door ajar for Grant Anderson to backflip and remain at the Melbourne Storm. Reports emerged last November that Anderson had agreed to a deal with the Broncos for 2026, but it hasn't been announced officially over six months later. Speaking after the Storm's win over Manly in Round 5 when Anderson scored a hat-trick, coach Craig Bellamy confirmed Anderson's departure without mentioning the Broncos. "It's a shame for us he's leaving next year," Bellamy said. "With all due respect, whenever he's been in our team, he's done a good job. "Today he played a really important part – he obviously scored three tries and made some big metres for us coming out of our own end. I think he was a really big help for [debutant Moses Leo] as well. He's a really good talker. "Whenever we're a back down, he'll go to the centres or the wing or in the halves or play fullback. He does such a good job for us. We'd like to send him out on a good note." Anderson has been in-and-out of first-grade over the last 12 months, but now looks to have cemented his place in the NRL side. Bellamy has axed Sua Fa'alogo for the Round 14 game against North Queensland, keeping Anderson on the wing instead. The 25-year-old has scored nine tries in 10 games this year, and questions have emerged about whether the move to Brisbane is a done-deal. Discussing the situation on Triple M radio on Sunday, leading journalist Michael Hooper said - bizarrely - the contract hadn't been lodged with the NRL as yet. There's a chain of thought the Broncos don't want to spook Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo by announcing the signing, considering they're keen to keep both at the club. But the fact the contract hasn't been ratified by the NRL has led to suggestions it could fall apart if Anderson gets cold feet. Queensland-based journo Zane Bojack floated the possibility this week that Anderson could backflip and remain in Melbourne. Speaking on the 'InZane Rugby League' podcast, Bojack said: "The interesting thing is I don't think he's going for big money, the Storm just let him go. I think now when you realise how good he's been for the they might think to themselves 'we shouldn't let him go'." Cause he's going to backflip. No one wants to be a bronco anymore — Chuckstar86 ⚡️ 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 ⚡️ (@chuckstar86) June 3, 2025 What is the big hush hush??? — Victoria pearson (@victorialp1982) June 3, 2025 RELATED: Family detail as Bellamy tipped for stunning switch to QLD team Fresh blow for Billy Slater as Queensland gun set to miss Origin 2 Speaking on Triple M on Sunday, Hooper said: "The funny thing with the Grant Anderson contract is it's never been formally announced. If you speak to anyone at Melbourne, they certainly believe it is going to happen, but the Broncos have never put out a formal announcement." In the same segment, James Graham asked what more Kotoni Staggs has to do to earn a new deal at the Broncos, and questioned why the club would sign Anderson. "He (Staggs) must be sitting there thinking 'I carried this team last year. Why did I bust my arse?" Graham said. "And why would they go and sign Grant Anderson in November?' Grant Anderson's agent must have thought it was a prank phone call from the Broncos considering they're supposedly trying to re-sign Staggs and (Selwyn) Cobbo."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Put your name to it': Broncos legend calls for 'lying' figure to come forward publicly
Agenda-driven lies concocted by the media. That's former Brisbane star Corey Parker's take on claims the listless Broncos are being over-trained and worn down by coach Michael Maguire's unrelenting approach. It comes after former Penrith international Greg Alexander accused the NRL glamour team of giving up against Manly last round, labelling players "wusses" if they had a problem with Maguire's intense methods. "When someone says, "I'm hearing whispers…', that's just code for 'I'm making a story up'," Parker said on SEN radio. "I haven't heard it and I've dug deep into the Broncos in regard to some of these rumours. The whole 'training is too hard' line is ridiculous. Anyone who comes out and says training has been too hard, go and speak to the Penrith Panthers or the Melbourne Storm over the last two decades. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right?" Parker suggested the source of the rumours would soon be disclosed in a bid to end the unrest at Brisbane. "Put your name to it," he challenged those behind the whispers. "And standby because I reckon there's going to be a fair bit come out in the next week over some of the agenda-driven things that pop out in the media." Alexander was stunned to hear dissension over Maguire's training methods could be the reason behind the Broncos' poor form, calling Brisbane players out for their pathetic performance against the Sea Eagles. "I don't think I have said it about a team this year – they have turned it up," he said. "Brisbane has got some problems (but) please don't tell me the Brisbane players are whingeing because Michael Maguire is too hard on them. Cry me a river you little wusses. If that is true, none of them deserve to be playing in the NRL. Tell me that is not true." "Cry me a river!"Brandy goes nuclear on the Broncos after their string of bad performances!Can they turn it around?#NRL — SEN League (@SENLeague) June 2, 2025 RELATED: Payne Haas could link with brother as manager makes call on future NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah The Broncos have lost six of their last seven matches, freefalling to 11th on the ladder after a strong start to the season. Maguire, in his first year at the club, is under immense pressure to turn things around, starting with Saturday's local derby against Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium. It's the first of three consecutive home matches that are set to make or break the Broncos' season. Energetic fullback Reece Walsh is expected to return from injury against the Titans as he pushes for inclusion in Queensland's squad for Origin 2, while veteran halfback Adam Reynolds will run out for his 300th NRL game.
