Latest news with #ReyLee-Lo
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as cult hero lands Welsh coaching job and North goes controversial with Lions call
Today's rugby news as cult hero lands Welsh coaching job and North goes controversial with Lions call These are the rugby stories making headlines on the morning of Saturday, June 28 Cardiff Rugby hero Rey Lee-Lo (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) These are your headlines on the morning of Saturday, June 28 North predicts Lions series George North has predicted a Lions series win in Australia this summer but has "controversially" gone for the hosts to win the first of the three-Test series. Andy Farrell's men get their tour under way on Saturday, with a game against Western Force in Perth the curtain-raiser to a fascinating summer Down Under. A year ago this series was widely predicted to be a whitewash in favour of the tourists but a revival of sorts from the Wallabies during the autumn has seen those predictions revised somewhat. Most are still in the Lions camp but plenty are, like North, feeling that the hosts could be a lot hotter to handle than some may think. Article continues below "I was thinking about this," North told the BBC when asked for his prediction for 2025. "Controversially I'm going to go Australia win the first one, Lions win the second, and it goes down to the third and Lions win 2-1." North's own Lions story in Australia 12 years arguably made him a household name. From picking up and marching Israel Folau back to his brilliant second Test try, North will go down in Lions folklore. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's probably the Izzy Folau carry," he said when asked what Lions fans want to talk about when they meet him. "And then it gets on to the try and the excitement and drama the Test series brought. Going to the decider [in 2013] was incredibly special as a player, but as a fan it was also as incredible. "I never thought I'd be able to play for the Lions, playing for your country for me is the biggest honour anyone can award you and I never thought I'd be in the conversation to be a Lion, let alone tour two times. "But to then say you've had an impact that people remember, an iconic moment, it doesn't half put a smile on my face." Cardiff legend lands coaching role with Welsh club Cardiff legend Rey Lee-Lo has landed a coaching role at the Arms Park club following his retirement at the end of the season. Lee-Lo has been appointed as a transition coach and will also mentor some of the young centres at the club like rising Wales U20s stars Steffan Emanuel and Elijah Evans. The Samoa international hung up his boots at the end of the 2024/25 season after a decade in the Welsh capital having previously represented New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes. Lee-Lo is a cult hero at the Arms Park and is undoubtedly among the finest overseas players to have graced the Welsh game. The 38-year-old will coach Cardiff's next generation of players and Matt Sherratt will be hoping his influence will rub off on the likes of Emanuel, Evans, Osian Darwin-Lewis and even Mason Grady who is back in training after recovering from an ankle injury. Lee-Lo joins Sherratt, Corniel van Zyl (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), Jonny Goodridge (attack) and Scott Andrews (assistant forwards coach) in the senior Cardiff coach team for the 2025/26 season. Darge: Gut punch to miss out on Lions Scotland star Rory Darge admits it felt like it was a "gut punch" to miss out on Lions selection this summer. Back-rower Darge will instead be preparing for a summer in the South Pacific, with games against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa. The 25-year-old insists, however, that he would be ready to answer Andy Farrell's call should it come via an injury SOS. "Before the squad announcement, I wasn't particularly expecting to be there," admitted Darge. "Part of that might be you're protecting yourself a little bit for when you don't get announced. But I also just think my position is so competitive. "Even still, when the names are getting read out and you're watching it on TV, they are going in alphabetical order and it gets past your name, it does feel like a gut punch. "I was obviously delighted for the other boys who did get picked. But it's a weird mix of emotions. I've got a lot on my plate with Scotland at the moment and we're focusing on trying to get three wins from three. Article continues below "The Lions obviously aren't my main focus. But, yeah, if the call was to come, I would certainly be ready for it."
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby favourite finds the perfect words as he chokes back tears in emotional farewell speech
Welsh rugby favourite finds the perfect words as he chokes back tears in emotional farewell speech Rey Lee-Lo has spent a decade in the Welsh capital, playing 180 times for Cardiff Rey Lee-Lo gives an emotional farewell speech at Cardiff's awards night (Image: Cardiff Rugby ) Departing Cardiff centre Rey Lee-Lo found the perfect words as he delivered an emotional farewell speech at the Arms Park club's awards night last Wednesday. The 39-year-old was given a special recognition award by Cardiff as his departure was confirmed as part of the club's leavers list. Lee-Lo, who joined the club in 2025 from the Hurricanes, has played 180 times for Cardiff - with the Samoa international becoming an integral part of the Blue and Blacks' midfield. Throughout his decade in the Welsh capital, Lee-Lo formed a strong centre partnership with his close friend, Uilisi Halaholo. Lee-Lo was honoured with an award at Cardiff Rugby's end of season awards night last week, with former Cardiff teammate Nick Williams presenting him with the award. As he was given the award at the Tiger Yard in Cardiff Bay, those in attendance - including his Cardiff team-mates and coaches - gave the centre a standing ovation ahead of his emotional speech. "First of all, like I always do, we thank God for this lovely day and bringing us all here safe today," said Lee-Lo. Article continues below "2015 is a long time ago. This club means a lot to me. "This is my family away from my family back home. It's a pleasure and an honour to play 180 games for one club. "That's something that will stay with me forever. I just want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart. "Thanks to the club and the late Peter Thomas for everything. And all the sponsors, everyone involved, the back-room staff. "I can't say enough. I just want to say thank you for everything." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. In his own speech, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt confirmed that Lee-Lo would be staying at the club in some non-playing capacity. "To stay at a club, I don't know what he's going to do yet, but we found a way of keeping him around the dressing room and helping the younger players out," said Sherratt. "Because we can't let go of people like Rey Lee-Lo." Lee-Lo had originally been set to depart in 2023, only to sign another deal with the club. Article continues below Then, last year, the club flew his family over to Wales to surprise Lee-Lo ahead of what was expected to be his final appearance - only for the evergreen Samoan to play for another year.
