Latest news with #Pre-SeasonChallenge
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Wire forward Nicholson set for NRL debut on Saturday
FORMER Warrington Wolves forward Matty Nicholson is set to make his NRL debut this weekend. Having missed out on a dream debut in Las Vegas, the back-rower has now been named in the Canberra Raiders side to face Brisbane Broncos in Round Two on Saturday. Nicholson, who left The Wire after two-and-a-half successful seasons for a crack at the Australian competition, is set to come off the bench for his Raiders bow at GIO Stadium. UK-based fans will be able to watch Nicholson make his debut as the match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Action, with the game kicking off at 8.35am UK time on Saturday morning. The 21-year-old was part of the travelling Raiders party that headed to Vegas for Round One but he did not make the matchday squad as Ricky Stuart's side beat New Zealand Warriors 30-8. He arrived in the Australian capital having scored 17 tries in 51 appearances for Warrington and he started both of Canberra's matches in the NRL's Pre-Season Challenge. However, Stuart has stuck with the established pairing of Hudson Young and Zac Hosking as his starting back-rowers and the two Australians will start again at the weekend.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clint Gutherson's role for maligned teammates as Dragons lament 'total mess'
Clint Gutherson admits he has a crucial role to play with maligned halves pairing Kyle Flanagan and Lachlan Ilias at the Dragons this season. And St George-Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan admits the situation around disgruntled prop Francis Molo - who has been a controversial no-show at training during the off-season - is a "total mess" that he doesn't have an answer to. The Dragons will get a first proper look at their new-look halves combination of Flanagan and Ilias in competitive action this weekend, when they take on the Roosters in Sunday's Pre-Season Challenge. Ilias was brought to the club to replace representative star and former skipper Ben Hunt, who joined the Broncos after spending seven seasons with the Red V. Ilias had a season to forget for the Rabbitohs in 2024 after being dumped from first grade by former coach Jason Demetriou, before suffering a serious leg injury that scuppered his hopes of returning to the NRL. The halfback was once regarded as Adam Reynolds' long-term replacement at No.7 for Souths but was told he was free to leave the Bunnies and is hoping to resurrect his career at the Dragons. The 24-year-old Ilias will look to form a deadly halves combination with playmaker Flanagan, who has also had his share of detractors during an eight-year NRL career across four different clubs. Speaking about his teammates after being named Dragons co-captain alongside fellow new recruit Damien Cook, former Eels skipper Gutherson says one of his key roles will be to help convince the halves duo that they belong at NRL level. "You've got to show them that you believe in them and that you trust in them," Gutherson told AAP. "I think that's what us older guys do, they get the best out of their younger players. It showed in the scrimmage match with Manly (last week), the belief we had in both our halves and it's about building on what we want to do as a team and let them take control of it. "It's never going to be perfect … They're probably the two most scrutinised positions on the field and people are very quick to judge when they don't get instant success. I think Lachie was doing a great job at Souths and they were probably looking for someone to pin it (their failures) on and then with the injury it was just unfortunate. I think Kyle, people just want to see him down and out, but as captain, as a leader, you want to instil that you believe in what they're doing - that's something we've worked really hard on." RELATED: Corey Parker set to 'leave everything' in $3 million move with wife Wayne Bennett hits back at shock claim in Matt Lodge contract drama Twist in Broncos hooker dilemma as young gun suffers injury Gutherson and Cook have been named at fullback and hooker, respectively, in a strong Dragons squad for Sunday's pre-season game against the Roosters. And the former Parramatta fan favourite says they both "have a point to prove" after being let go by their former clubs, with Cook allowed to leave the Rabbitohs under veteran coach Wayne Bennett. Valentine Holmes is another Dragons recruit that was allowed to leave after the Cowboys granted the Maroons star an early release, and he'll start at centre in Sunday's game. The Dragons' preparations for the new season have been rocked by Molo's stunning stand-off with the club, and his decision not to return to training since an incident last month. Molo - who is one of the team's best middle forwards - reportedly had a "disagreement" with a member of the Dragons' coaching staff and has not been seen at the club since. The Red V signed Emre Guler from the Raiders to help strengthen their playing stocks but Molo appears to be agitating for an early release from his contract. And Dragons coach Shane Flanagan admits he's not sure if the prop will play for them at all this season after describing the situation as a "total mess". 'I met with the NRL to see where we sit from a salary-cap perspective. There were a couple of things to work through with our roster," the Dragons coach News Corp. 'We are going through the legal process of his contract... It's a legal minefield. Frank is on sick leave until his sick days run out and then I have no idea what will happen. We might not get him back this season, who knows." with AAP
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phil Gould lashes out at 'rubbish' rumours after surprising Reed Mahoney claim
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has slapped down the report popular star Reed Mahoney could be pushed out of the club due to salary cap issues. On Thursday, a report emerged from Triple M Radio Mahoney was possibly going to be squeezed out of the club because the Bulldogs are facing salary cap restraints. The report prompted a fierce response from fans who jumped on social media and directed questions towards their general manager, Gould, asking for clarity over Mahoney's future. Mahoney enjoyed his best season in the NRL last year having scored four tries in the Bulldogs' return to NRL finals. Queensland coach Billy Slater also included Mahoney in his extended State of Origin squad, which was a nod to his stellar form under the guidance of new coach Cameron Ciraldo. Mahoney's fierce competitiveness, and sometimes divisive antics, on the field can make him a target for rival stars. But Bulldogs fans have embraced the 26-year-old as he leaves everything out on the field. However, the reports on Thursday certainly surprised the fan base with claims their was salary cap restraints an eye-opener. And it didn't take long for Gould to come out swinging and emphatically hit back at the suggestions around Mahoney. "It's complete rubbish," Gould told The Wide World of Sports. "I know Reed's manager really well, and I'm confident he hasn't shopped him around. I know that no one from our club has shopped him around. So there is absolutely nothing to it." Mahoney was the co-captain for the Bulldogs in 2023, but in a stunning move Canterbury Bulldogs coach Ciraldo appointed new recruit Stephen Crichton as the club's leader. This took many fans by surprise in 2024, but taking the extra pressure off Mahoney allowed him to do his talking on the field. He finished the season as the No.9 with the second-highest try assists and made the most tackles in the NRL. Mahoney will be looking at another big year under Ciraldo with heightened expectations surrounding the club after an exciting 2024. Until last year, the Bulldogs hadn't played finals footy since 2016. Ciraldo instilled a winning mentality in the group with the Bulldogs becoming one of the best defensive sides. In a giant leap forward for the club, the Bulldogs finished sixth and were knocked out in the first round of NRL finals by the Manly Sea Eagles. Crichton recently spoke about the Bulldogs' winning mentality and claimed the team are striving to go even better in 2025 with the same core group of players leading the charge. The Canterbury Bulldogs will take on the Wests Tigers in their first Pre-Season Challenge this weekend with Ciraldo naming an inexperienced side. The coach appears to be giving most of his starters an extra week's rest, before they take on the Broncos next week with a stronger line-up expected.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL urged to make changes after 'appalling' scenes as Nicho Hynes sends warning
Broncos great Corey Parker has urged the NRL to play the Pre-Season Challenge in regional areas after a dismal crowd turned up to GIO Stadium on Friday night as Nicho Hynes shined bright for the Sharks. Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon opted to play a strong side in their second trial hit-out before the NRL season starts with the Canberra Raiders also naming a strong side at home. Although a determined Hynes led the Sharks to a comfortable 40-10 victory as the halfback showed why the addition of Addin Fonua-Blake to the forward pack will lift the team as they look to turn around their finals woes. Fonua-Blake was solid in his first outing in Sharks colours as he scored a try having burst through the middle of the Raiders defence. Hynes was also stellar having scored a try himself and set up two more, before being taken off to nurse abductor tightness that hampered him towards the end of the game. While all this was going on, there were NRL fans - for the second week in a row - questioning why the game was being played in front of a small crowd. Last week, fans asked why the trial games were not moved to regional areas. The Broncos are an example of a club playing away from Suncorp. The Broncos will play a number of trial games, but their first clash is in Toowoomba. This will give fans a chance to experience the NRL closer to home and help grow the product. These games are often well attended and create a great atmosphere for players ahead of the season. Instead, the Sharks, Warriors, Penrith and Raiders all played in front of a small crowds last week. And on Thursday night, a small number of fans attended the Pre-Season Challenge clash. And this time, Parker took notice with the broadcast angle looking particularly bad. Speaking on Friday morning, Parker took aim at the NRL for the spectacle during the Raiders and Sharks at GIO Stadium and claimed more needed to be done to promote the game outside of the main areas. "If you saw the game last was appalling. There is no other way to put it. There was absolutely no crowd. We need to be taking these trial games to the bush," he said no SEN Radio. "The spectacle at GIO Stadium last night was dismal." Hynes was strong in his return to footy having copped plenty of backlash in 2024. But the halfback isn't letting the pressure get to him. Speaking on how he was feeling ahead of round one, Hynes admitted he has never been in better shape to start the season. "This is the best I've felt in my career, both mentally and physically, so I am really excited for the year. I had a good off-season, a good pre-season, so I am really happy at the moment," Hynes said after the game. Hynes was seen nursing an injury during the game having left the field early. However, he allayed fears and claimed it was only precaution. "A little tight abductor, wasn't planning on playing that long anyway, so glad I got through that," he added. "We've got our groove back. Really looking forward to keeping this same crew together, for this long now, with combinations still building." Many fans were impressed with the Sharks' new recruit Fonua-Blake. Speaking on Friday morning, Parker claimed the new signing is going to go along way in boosting Cronulla's title credentials in 2025. "He showed why he was one of the best signings. He just has a habit of scoring tries. Cronulla, they just changed gears...40-10. They were able to get their job done over Canberra. But they looked good," Parker said.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jett Cleary dragged into fresh NRL drama as Cooper Cronk raises 'diving' concerns
NRL great Cooper Cronk has led the chorus of concern around 'diving' this year after the obstruction rule was tweaked for the upcoming season. NRL footy is nearing its return with the Sharks and Warriors finishing their Pre-Season Challenge clash on Friday night with a 12-12 draw with both teams getting through relatively unscathed other than concern around Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. And while fans were keen to see how their team is shaping up for the 2025 season, others were also keeping one eye on the rule tweaks that have recently been implemented. And Storm and Roosters great Cronk has already raised concerns about the obstruction interpretation. In the second-half , Taj Ford thought he was over to score the leveller after a sweeping Sharks backline move. Although referee Liam Kennedy wasn't convinced their wasn't an obstruction as Jett Cleary attempted a tackle on a runner who barged him over. He sent it up stairs as a no try and the Bunker was quick to agree. Cleary did appear to be taken out in the defensive live this time, but Cronk felt the new tweaks in the rule will not stop players 'diving'. Cronk insisted it wasn't up to the Bunker to determine these cases, but rather for the NRL to fine players who they deem have 'milked' the situation. 'I know it's the first game, but I'm a little bit worried about this diving rule,' Cronk said. 'The Bunker is going to be under all sorts of pressure to determine if a player has dived or been impeded, and it's going to cause a lot of controversy. 'The way you get it out of our game, and stop the players from diving, is charge them a fine through the match review committee. Charge the first one, and they won't do it again.' Commentator Andrew Voss feels the NRL has let this slide for too long and it has encouraged players to find a way to trick the referees. 'They're trying to unscramble an egg," Voss said. "We've almost trained our players to, when they feel the slightest touch, lose their balance." The NRL claimed it was going to allow referees in the Bunker to use common sense when judging an obstruction rule and it would aim to reward good attacking play, rather than bad defence. However, Cronk's concern is players will still 'milk' contact to make it more obvious to the Bunker. While both teams showcased their new attacking weapons, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was quick to leave the field in the pre-season challenge. The New Zealand winger didn't appear to be in too much trouble and early reports suggests it was just precaution. While the game finished 12-all, Luke Metcalf showed he has the ability to step up and replace legend Shaun Johnson after the halfback retired last year. The Warriors were also without potential halves contenders Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd for the clash. But Metcalf was a standout in the draw as as coach Andrew Webster faces a big decision over who will wear the No.7 jersey in 2025. There were plenty of eyes on Nathan Cleary's younger brother, Jett, who was making his debut for the Warriors in the Pre-Season Challenge. The young half started on the bench, but was given time in the second-half to stretch his legs. And with Ivan Cleary in the stands watching him, Cleary impressed for the New Zealand outfit with around 20 minutes left. While the 19-year-old will probably be further down the pecking order in the halfback ranks in 2025, the youngster showed promise in his first hit-out of the year. Good to see Jett Cleary in the NRL #NRLSharksWarriors — Sharman Chandra (@sharmanchandra) February 7, 2025 Jett Cleary looks good — Kriprz (@kriprz) February 7, 2025
