Latest news with #PacificChampionship
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Kiwis prop Joseph Tapine's journey to 200 games for Canberra Raiders
By Nick Campton , ABC Joe Tapine is about to play his 200th game for the Canberra Raiders. Photo: Photosport When Joseph Tapine arrived at Canberra from Newcastle in 2016 as a tall and skinny second rower with plenty of ability and even more to prove, there were two things he needed to learn to carry. One was the prodigious expectations that came with his clear physical gifts. The then-21-year-old Kiwi was rangy, skilful and aggressive. He brought some hype with him from the Knights and it can take time to get a saddle on all that talent. The second is a lot more literal - for much of his first seven seasons in the NRL, the last five of which came with the Raiders, Tapine didn't really lift weights. Pumping iron is seemingly a prerequisite to perform at any level of rugby league, let alone first grade, but for years Tapine barely touched a dumbbell or a bar if he could help it. "When he first arrived we quickly understood the potential he had. We understood what everyone was talking about, his athleticism, his physicality, that was really impressive," said former teammate Sia Soliola. "It was a great natural talent, a natural ability to play the game, how easily he was able to do things. "It wasn't that he didn't train hard, he always trained hard, there were just some elements of his training he wasn't on as much, and we knew once he did he would accelerate really quickly. "Lifting weights became a big part of that. He was naturally strong, and it's a measure of how good he was that he could still perform. "But when he put the time into the gym, slowly but surely, we started to see how special he could be." Throwing tin around, which he started doing in earnest midway through 2020, brought about a change in Tapine, setting him on the path which has led him to playing his 200th game for the Raiders on Sunday against Melbourne. It was worth the weight and the wait - now there's no load Tapine can't bear, no challenge he won't rise to, and no foe he bows to. Watch the 30-year-old stride forward, seemingly always keeping his feet as defenders cling on like children clambering over their father's back, watch him use his footwork to skate across defensive lines like a dancer, watch him pull off a piece of inexplicable skill like the wonder try he scored for New Zealand last year against Tonga, and you'll seeing one of the best forwards in all of rugby league. Tapine is always quick to point to Soliola as a huge influence on his career after the two played together from 2016 to 2021, but Soliola is just as fast to point out the efforts of others in Tapine's rise. "He'll be the first to tell you about how many positive influences he's had in his life, especially his wife Kirsten," said Soliola. "She's helped shape the man he is, he pays so much testament to her. When you have someone that supports you like that I guess you're not scared of anything." Joseph Tapine, on the charge for the Kiwis against Tonga in a Pacific Championship rugby league test at Mount Smart Stadium, 2 Nov, 2024. Photo: Photosport But Soliola was up close for Tapine's transformation from a fiery yet inconsistent backrower to an elite prop forward and, eventually, a leader of men with the process culminating after Tapine assumed the Raiders captaincy this year. "He's so well-rounded, he's the complete player for that position, and as a professional, he sets high standards for players to follow, which shows how far he's come," said Soliola. "There was a lot of talk about him when he arrived and when you're around the game a long time you see a lot of players come and go who are called 'the next Mal Meninga' or 'the next Sonny Bill Williams', and Taps was put in that category but you never think it'll happen until it takes its course. "He started to grow as a leader too, very rapidly. His game and his application, his desire to grow more, he came into his own. "I started to see Taps didn't just want to grow as a player, but as a leader. It gave him a lot of confidence, wanting to do that. The man Taps has become inspires me. "To see it happen, and happen to someone who really deserves it, it's nothing but love for the dude because of the hard work he's put in on and off the field, when he wins it feels like we who witnessed it are winning as well." In the years since he put it all together, Tapine has been at the heart of all the best things Canberra has done. In 2020 it was his incredible solo try that helped spur the team to a semifinal win over the Roosters - as he left some of the best defenders the two-time defending premiers had to offer grasping at shadows on a 20-metre cannonball run to the line. Two years later, with the Raiders facing the Storm in Melbourne in the first week of the finals, Canberra was holding out for a hero and it had one in Tapine. He produced the game of his life: running for 200 metres and accruing three line break assists, and a try assist, in one of the great front row performances of the modern era. Playing the Storm on home soil is usually a death sentence but Tapine turned it into a dream as the Raiders scored a famous upset win. That year was the first time Tapine claimed Dally M prop of the year honours, which he repeated last season. Individual honours can be rare for the Raiders, who can still be out of sight and out of mind for many, but the football which has become the norm for Tapine cannot be ignored. This year neither can the rest of his side, which has defied the wooden spoon expectations to sit in the top four with the equal most wins in the league heading into Sunday's showdown with Melbourne. It has been an impressive start to Tapine's first season as captain, and with attitude reflecting leadership, it's not a surprise to see the young side take on some of his own characteristics - namely, a ruthlessness, a willingness to fight to the very end and not just an ability to do whatever it takes to win, but an eagerness to do so. The way they play is not perfect and, like Tapine, sometimes Canberra can try to be too mean for their own good. But mostly the side are playing an icy, physical, hard brand of footy, stinging like a howling gale even when the points run hot. They're a reminder that winter is coming and that in some part of Canberra it is always winter. "What's stood out is how well and how quickly everything's come together. I don't think many people would have had the Raiders in this position," said Soliola. "Talking to a lot of the guys in the pre-season, they were happy with that - the Raiders aren't given a chance a lot of the time, and that can light a fire in the belly. Joseph Tapine celebrates his try for the Kiwis against Tonga in the 2024 Pacific Championships rugby league test match at Mount Smart Stadium, 2 November 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT "It's exciting to see it come together, especially for a side that's so young." For all he's done, Tapine still has more he can achieve, as leader and as a player. Soliola is excited about the possibilities he brings to the Pasifika community, who are seeing more and more of their own in leadership roles at various NRL clubs. "Naturally, and Taps would probably be the same thing, a lot of Pasifika people don't get to step into those leadership and captaincy roles because it's not in our innate nature," said Soliola. "So it's great to see Taps, Junior Paulo and James Fisher-Harris be those captains, it shows how much the Pasifika space has grown in the NRL. "They're going to bring about a change. A lot of Pasifika kids work well when they see things modelled. They see things done, then they can follow suit." In terms of pure football, the best days for Tapine's Raiders might be still to come. With six wins and two losses, Canberra are the league's curiosity, but a win against Melbourne on Sunday will earn them attention as a real premiership threat. The Green Machine don't so much fly under the radar as they live off the grid, but that won't be possible if they come through for the skipper's 200th. Given Tapine is one of just three players still at the club who appeared in the 2019 grand final, his young charges will look to him when it matters most, just as he looked to Soliola all those years ago. That's a lot to deal with but it's been a long time since such a weight was heavy for Tapine. Now, he has a whole club on his shoulders and as hard as that can be to carry, it seems to suit him just fine. - ABC
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jillaroos' 90-4 win in Vegas raises questions for NRL
The NRL will be forced to reconsider the best way to promote the women's game in the US, after the Jillaroos trounced England 90-4 in Las Vegas. In Australia's third-biggest win of all time, Tamika Upton scored five tries and set another up two in a complete domination at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (AEDT). Winger Julia Robinson and bench centre Jess Sergis also crossed for hat-tricks for Australia, while Taryn Aiken was superb at halfback with six assists. So dominant were the Jillaroos that they ran in 17 tries in the 70-minute fixture to claim their largest victory margin over a tier-one nation. Make that FIVE tries for Tamika Upton! 🤯#NRLVegas — Jillaroos (@AusJillaroos) March 2, 2025 The win was briefly marred by a horror head-on collision from the first tackle after the break, leaving England prop Vicky Whitfield prone on the ground. After taking the hit up from the kick off, Whitfield clashed heads with Jillaroos front-rower Sarah Togatuki and both reeled from the collision. Togatuki was taken for the field with a concussion, while Whitfield was eventually taken off on a stretcher on the back of a medicab. The 30-year-old was taken to hospital for precautionary scans. Still, the main question for the NRL is whether the Jillaroos' walloping of England is the best advertisement for the women's game in the US market. With no fully-professional women's rugby or NFL competition in America, the NRLW is viewed as a space where rugby league can make an impact. But Australia's win was overwhelmingly one-sided. England conceded tries in four straight sets at different stages in both halves, and scored their only points on the full-time siren through Georgia Roache. By contrast, Pacific Championship matches between Australia and New Zealand have been far more competitive in recent years, leaving the Kiwi Ferns as a potentially better opponent for the Jillaroos next year. Women's State of Origin is also viewed as a potential way to sell the game in the US, with last year's three-game series a compelling contest. Regardless, Australia were ruthless against the Lionesses. Upton was in everything, putting Jakiya Whitfeld into a gap in the lead up to the Jillaroos' first try before scoring three more herself in the opening half. Isabelle Kelly was dominant at left centre, scoring twice and laying on a nice try for Upton when she swept out wide and passed back inside for her fullback. Prop Shannon Mato ran close to 200 metres, while Olivia Kernick laid on two tries in the second row in her first Jillaroos game since her controversial axing last year.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key Nathan Cleary detail called out amid telling injury revelation at Panthers
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed his son and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary is on track to play in Penrith's NRL season opener in Las Vegas, but admits his availability is not a certainty. The four-time premiership-winning No.7 is one of four Panthers stars that underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season, with Liam Henry, Blaize Talagi and fullback Dylan Edwards also going under the knife after the club's fourth-straight premiership in 2024. The 27-year-old Cleary passed his first major test to be fit for the round one clash against Cronulla in Las Vegas after coming through an in-house scrimmage unscathed over the weekend. And Penrith's coach told SEN radio on Tuesday morning that while his champion halfback and the other players battling off-season injuries were all expected to feature in round one, he warned that "the slightest setback" could scupper any of their hopes. "It's been a case of, if everything goes well then they'll be ready," Ivan Cleary said. "And to this point everything has gone well but the slightest setback is going to put round one in serious doubt. So at this stage they're all looking pretty good but we've still got a bit to get through yet." The Panthers are expected to name a second-string side to face Manly in Friday night's Pre Season Challenge contest at Leichhardt Stadium, with the Vegas clash against the Sharks little more than a week later. The last thing the Panthers need is a worrying injury to one of their key players before they embark on a quest for a fifth-straight NRL premiership in 2025. Penrith co-captain Cleary was restricted to just 13 games last season after once again being affected by hamstring injuries. The superstar halfback has been plagued by hamstring complaints over the years that have seen him miss rep footy with the Blues in State of Origin, with his shoulder injury ruling him out of the Kangaroos' Pacific Championship campaign. The 27-year-old has turned to a strict diet to help try and manage his hamstring issues and has spoken about his plan to cut down on his training workload - particularly around kicking - to give him the best chance to stay on the park. "Nathan has come onto the public record saying he's not going to train as hard... he's going to do more mentally," former league player Joel Caine said on SEN radio. RELATED: V'landys explains key detail behind NRL's Vegas plea to Donald Trump 'Worrying' Jacob Kiraz detail emerges as Phil Gould drops bad news Tristan Sailor in staggering twist after Reece Walsh detail forced him out "So instead of him kicking it - he's done that thousands of times - he doesn't need to kick as many balls as he has in the past, which leads to hamstring injuries and those sorts of things. He can visualise himself doing it." League great Bryan Fletcher described it as playing "smarter, not harder" and the Panthers will be hoping the approach helps Cleary avoid more injuries, play more games for them and make his likely return to the Origin arena with the Blues. Cleary spoke this week about his relationship with Matildas star Mary Fowler and how the happiness in his personal life is helping him play better footy. And Cleary warned that despite already winning four premierships at the age of 27, things could get even better for the Panthers superstar this season. 'It could,' Cleary told . 'Nothing is ever perfect. You're constantly in pursuit of happiness – I don't know what that actually means. But the feeling I have is that if everything is going well off the field, you usually play pretty well on it. And I definitely feel like that at the moment."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mitchell Moses and and Jarome Luai cop brutal truth amid Nathan Cleary return
Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai have been handed an early challenge to start the 2025 season with Brent Read suggesting they will be fighting for one NSW position with Nathan Cleary set for an Origin return. Moses produced his best ever representative performances last year having led NSW to a series victory under Michael Maguire. He then backed-up his performances for Australia having led the team to a Pacific Championship title. Moses felt right at home in the representative arena, despite missing most of the season for the Eels due to injury. However, it didn't take long for questions to be asked about his long-term position in the team if Cleary returns. The Penrith No.7 is considered the best playmaker in the game, but has never stamped his authority on the Blues jersey. Moses achieved what Cleary had not done last year and won an Origin decider. Luai partnered Moses and also produced his best game in the sky Blue jersey. And while it is way too early to lock down a candidate, Phil Rothfield and Brent Read have gone head-to-head over who will be selected. Next year, all three will be playing halfback for their clubs and could be in a running battle with each other. And Phil Rothfield was quick to ask who would be the No.7. "We have Nathan Cleary who didn't play this year vs Mitchell Moses who not only won Origin and played sensational, also played for the Kangaroos," Rothfield posed on Triple M's Footy Talk. While Rothfield found the debate interesting, Read was blunt with his reply and didn't even entertain the idea of Cleary missing out on selection if fit. "This is not a debate at all. Nathan Cleary will be seven," he said. "The debate will be Mitchell Moses or Jarome Luai at six." Rothfield said Daley had recently given Moses praise and suggested the coach is very loyal, which could work in Eels star's favour. Luai was one of NSW's best last year as he lifted his game to silence his critics. However, Luai will be playing halfback at the Wests Tigers in 2025, which adds more intrigue to Laurie Daley's decision. Fans are undecided if Moses and Cleary could work together at No.6 and No.7 with new Blues coach Daley not speculating just yet over who is in the lead. One telling move Daley made is not including James Tedesco in his pre-season camp. While Tedesco did represent NSW in Game 1 last year, Maguire opted to drop the Roosters fullback for the remainder of the series. Tedesco lost his captaincy with Dylan Edwards coming in and producing two excellent games to cement his position as the No.1 fullback for the state. However, Daley stunned fans when not including Tedesco in his pre-season meet and greet for the wider Blues squad last week. Reporter Michael Carayannis suggested he found it odd one of the best fullbacks in the game and the former captain was included in the wider squad. "Interestingly, there was no James Tedesco. There was 20-odd players. Tyran Wishart was there...I don't like forecasting Origin in February but I did find it interesting Tedesco wasn't part of the camp," Carayannis said on SEN Radio on Monday. "I thought he produced arguably his best season in the last couple of years. He was outstanding for the Roosters. So much can happen..." Daley has not ruled out including players from outside the wider squad, which leaves the door open for Tedesco to return. However, it appears Edwards will be favourite to once again wear the No.1 jersey after also starring for Australia after the NRL season.
