Latest news with #QCup
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Big Ben's return can chime for a loud Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Hopes Big Ben's return can chime for a Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths-Logan. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for South-Logan in the Queensland Cup this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job."
News.com.au
06-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Tough call': Reason behind Fifita axing revealed... and how it could lead Titans to a star halfback
The reason behind David Fifita's shock Titans axing has been revealed, and it could end up leading to the pursuit of a star halfback. The Daily Telegraph journalists Phil Rothfield and Brent Read dropped the news during Monday night's episode of NRL360 that Fifita was dropped to Queensland Cup last weekend after requesting to start on the left edge. At the moment, Beau Fermor is lighting it up for the Titans as the left edge back rower, so Hasler denied Fifita's request with backing from key players. Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. 'Apparently he went to coach Des Hasler last week and said he wanted to play on the left edge,' Rothfield revealed. 'Des backed Beau Fermor, who I think has been their best forward this year. Des told Fifita if he wanted to play left edge, go play for Ipswich in the Q Cup. 'I like it. Fifita is on big bucks but has been underdelivering for a long period of time, had the opportunity to go to the Roosters or Penrith next year, but Des isn't copping it anymore. Tough call.' Fifita had a chance to light the world on fire against inferior opposition and earn his spot back, but failed to do so, only recording 58 metres from nine hit ups for Ipswich against the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup. The Titans have lost five in a row, so they can't afford players like Fifita toiling away in reserve grade. There is plenty of pressure on the Titans, with Hasler unable to so far turn the club around despite coaching a team loaded with talent. Given this, and the fact Fifita has been quite inconsistent at NRL level in 2025, Read opined that one of them won't be at the club when this season ends. 'I don't think one of them will be there at the end of the year. Des or Dave,' Read said. With the Titans playing group reportedly backing Hasler's decision, it seems that Gold Coast players are fed up with Fifita. An extremely talented forward who has starred for Queensland, Fifita just hasn't been able to recapture his best form in 2025 and is too often too quiet for someone of his ability. According to Rothfield, Fifita's inconsistency has perturbed Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. 'We know that Tino is such a club-first player. Do you hear whispers that he's frustrated with the lack of input from Fifita?' Rothfield said. 'I'm not tipping Tino in here but it's just something I'm hear.' Being on $1 million a season, it's unlikely a rival club takes Fifita's gaudy contract off the Titans' hands. However, Read believes that even if the Titans pay a chunk of the deal to let the forward sign elsewhere, that would still leave significant money to sign a much-needed playmaker, even throwing a potential target out there. 'Someone would sign him,' Read said. 'The Gold Coast would have to chip in a fair bit of money but it frees $700,000 for them, that's a lot of money to get a halfback with. 'With a free $700k, go buy Adam Reynolds. Get Adam Reynolds for one year to lead that team around the park.' Reynolds reportedly wants to stay with Brisbane beyond this season but according to his agent, won't take a massive haircut to stay.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita opens up about his shock NRL axing - 'real truth will come out'
Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita has declared the 'real truth will come out' surrounding his NRL axing - as the representative backrower prepares to turn out for the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup. Fifita, 25, was dropped by Titans coach Des Hasler following the team's last start 50-18 defeat against the Cowboys. The contrast couldn't be bigger - while his teammates will tackle the Bulldogs at a sold out Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round on Sunday, Fifita will instead run out at North Ipswich Reserve versus Northern Pride. But rather than kick stones, Fifita - on a contract worth $1million a season - is determined to fight his way back into Hasler's plans. 'There is a reason for why this has real truth will come out one day,' he told News Corp. 'Everyone doesn't know the real story. 'It's hard for me to speak the truth now, but I'll have fun and smile and play well for the Jets. Fifita - on a contract worth $1 million a season - will play for Ipswich this weekend in the Q Cup and is determined to fight his way back into Hasler's plans 'I know what I can do when I feel happy and what side [left] I want to play on. 'I'll be giving 100 per cent. It is what it is.' Fifita has endured a testing five years on the Gold Coast since quitting the Broncos in 2020. He also has ankle surgery last year which limited his pre-season training. Ipswich chairman Steve Johnson has known the Queensland Origin star since he was a kid - and doesn't anticipate Fifita will be playing reserve grade for long. 'David has taken it extraordinarily well. He was always going to,' he told AAP. 'He and I have a long relationship, and when he rang this week, he was excited to get back and play with the Jets. 'He just needs to clear his head and enjoy it, he is ready to rip in.' Fifita's future at the Titans is blurred given he will be a free agent when he enters the final year of his contract on November 1. He famously backflipped on a whopping $3.4million contract with the Sydney Roosters last year because he didn't want to move away from his partner Shaylee Bent. She is a footy star in her own right, on the books of the Titans' NRLW side until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys young gun bags first NRL hat-trick
Robert Derby has become the poster boy for Papua New Guinea with the North Queensland flyer snaring his first NRL hat-trick. The 23-year-old had a break-out performance in the Cowboys' crushing 50-18 victory over Gold Coast on Saturday night in Townsville. With all three tries coming in the second half, Derby twice combined with star playmaker Tom Dearden to score while he added his last via a penalty try in the last play of the game. Derby was pulled back by Alofiana Khan-Pereira but won the race to the ball only to knock on. The bunker ruled that he likely would have scored cleanly without interference and awarded the try. Watch all the highlights as the Cowboys take on the Titans in Round 8!#NRLCowboysTitans — NRL (@NRL) April 26, 2025 The winger also easily topped the run metres for North Queensland, with 206, the post-contact metres with 51 and the line-breaks with four. Derby was born in Port Moresby and lived in throughout the country in Mendi, Goroka and Mount Hagen before arriving in Australia as an eight-year-old. He represented the Kumuls in last year's Pacific Championships, but made his NRL debut in 2023. Derby played just one North Queensland match that year but, due to injury and veteran Kyle Feldt holding down a wing berth before his shift to St Helens, had to wait until this season for another chance. Cowboys coach Todd Payten says Derby, who has been a regular starter since round three, continues to grow in confidence. "I thought he was awesome," Payten said. "He carries the ball really strong, he's put together a good month of footy. "He was down in confidence after the trial match we had up in Cairns, he had to go back to QCup, bide his time, he worked hard on his craft." Signed with the Cowboys until the end of 2028, Derby is certain to be a major recruitment target of the PNG club when it joins the NRL that year. But Payten won't be handing him over without a fight. "He's got something that kid ... it's about him keeping his head down and keep working - he's going great."
