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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Maro Itoje: British and Irish players will want to be a Lion as long as rugby is being played
Maro Itoje has made a passionate defence of the British & Irish Lions and the continuing rotation of tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Lions captain was speaking on Tuesday as the tourists transitioned from celebrating their unassailable 2-0 series lead against the Wallabies, achieved last Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, into the 2025 squad's bid for a first series sweep since 1974 against the Springboks. Last Saturday delivered a classic Lions Test match as Itoje led his side to a dramatic 29-26 victory over Australia in front of 90,307 supporters at the MCG, the win and the series secured by a late Hugo Keenan try. It was the first time a Lions side has taken a 2-0 series lead since the defeat of the world champion South Africans in 1997, though the final Test was lost. Itoje and his players have been upfront in expressing their determination to make it 3-0 over the Wallabies with this Saturday at Sydney's Accor Stadium their chance to earn a place in Lions lore. Yet with the world rugby calendar under strain, and with a breakaway Rugby 360 tournament set to be launched placing increasing pressure on international teams, the current captain made his case for the continuation of a touring tradition now 137 years old. 'It's been without a shadow of a doubt one of the highlights of my career,' Itoje said. 'When I am old and grey these occasions and these tours are going to be one of the experiences I look back (on) with extreme fondness. Read More Garry Ringrose ruled out of Lions' third Test against Wallabies 'And it's the aspiration of every British and Irish rugby player. I would be surprised if you can find a British and Irish rugby player who says they don't want to be a Lion or they don't want to play for the Lions. 'It's something that each player holds dear to their heart and the opportunity… I'm sure you could have seen from the reactions of when people got called up of what it means to the players. This is something the players want and the players will continue to want for decades and for as long as rugby is being played. 'It's something that I think world rugby wants, something I know each of the southern-hemisphere teams that the Lions tour – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – it provides a huge sense of excitement for all of those three nations. And it adds an extra bit of spice and intrigue to the Six Nations when it's Lions year. "So I am struggling to see the negatives. It is a great occasion, it is a great event and long may it continue.' Itoje, a three-time tourist playing Tests against all three of the traditional South Hemisphere opponents, was asked if the Lions should consider touring to different nations outside the usual rotation, with France having been mentioned as a possible destination. 'I don't know,' the captain said. 'I thought about this at the beginning of the tour. My answer is, with the three nations it tours, there's a strong sense of history and tradition. Perhaps the Lions is the last of the traditional organisations in the modern era. 'Part of me is keen for it to continue to rotate among the three countries it does. But, that being said, you have to stay relatively open-minded. As it stands, the three nations it tours is pretty good. Also it wouldn't feel the same if we took a short-haul flight. It needs a long-haul flight! For Itoje, the friendships forged within this four-nation squad while on tour are what he will remember most, though the 30-year-old Saracens and England captain gave the actual rugby produced by the Lions careful consideration. 'The rugby or the people? It's hard to differentiate it. If I had the best time of my life, but we lost every game…it's probably likely we wouldn't have the best time of our lives. Ultimately, it is going to be the people but the rugby makes it sweeter. I'm kind of halfway house a bit. Ultimately, it's going to be the people. Lion's Hugo Keenan, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne and Maro Itoje during the national anthem. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland. 'There is a verse that I can't quite remember what book it is from in the Bible (Mark 8:36), but it says, 'What does it gain for a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?'. If we won every game and we absolutely hated one another, in some ways that is what you are obviously going for because it is a Test series win, but I think life is more than that.' To underline his point Itoje added: 'I have built relationships with people I really did not know well. Someone like 'Showbiz', Jamie Osborne, his nickname is Showbiz. I never thought I would have a relationship with him. 'I wouldn't mind the nickname 'Showbiz' if you are going to start it but I am happy with 'Pearl' to be honest. I know now whenever I play against him in the future I can call him 'Showbiz' and he will have that little smirk on his face. 'Relationships like that. Getting to know people from different nations like Jac. I have a lot of admiration for Jac Morgan, who is a very, very talented player. I've respected him from afar while he has been doing his thing for Wales and being on his side and being alongside him while he makes such positive contributions for the team has been amazing. 'I can go through the team. Finlay Bealham is another one that I never thought we would have a good relationship, but he's absolutely hilarious, funny, he's a very endearing person. I can go through so many others.' What has united them all through their time together in Australia is an ambition to close out the series as 3-0 victors. 'We want to be part of something very special. Winning a Lions Test series is obviously extremely special but what would be an absolute dream would be to go out there and perform to the level that we think we can perform and win the third game. 'While the first two games have been great because we got two wins, there's a still a feeling that we haven't put it together in a way we know that we can. That's the exciting for us - we want to chase down the performance we have been searching for.'
Otago Daily Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
What is Rugby360? And could the All Blacks be involved?
By Ross McNaughton of RNZ If the All Blacks have been approached to take part in the Rugby360 competition, they are certainly not letting on. "Not at all, mate, no I haven't heard anything," All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea said. "I'm unaware of any of that information," coach Scott Robertson said. But according to veteran commentator Tony Johnson, R360 could be a legitimate threat to rugby's status quo. "What I'm hearing now is that this thing is real, that the money is off the scale. There is a lot of money, there are interested parties. They're certainly talking to a lot of players and they believe they can get this thing going by next year. How realistic that is, I don't know," he said. While solid details about R360 are scarce, the competition would reportedly operate eight men's and four women's teams, in a franchise system played across multiple countries. Former England midfielder Mike Tindall is a spokesperson and the league is being financed by private investment from the US, the UK, and most importantly, Saudi Arabia. It is estimated Rugby 360 will need to sign hundreds of players to operate. Any wage bill though is minuscule, compared to the riches in the Saudi Public Investment Fund, according to professor Steve Jackson at the University of Otago. "It's into the hundreds of billions, and that's just their investment strategy. And just in relation to sport, I think they're at about close to $50 billion just in the last two to three years," he said. Critics have termed this strategy sportswashing. Effectively using sport as a means to cleanse a country's reputation. And while it has gone for decades across many nations, the Saudis are the undisputed world champions. "They can hide all the human rights abuses," Jackson said. "Rugby is just another feather in the cap. You know, there's golf, there's Formula 1. There's UFC. I mean, they've got links now with the IOC and the Olympics, FIFA. So they are gathering momentum." New Zealand Rugby declined an interview request but provided a statement saying they're monitoring potential markets. "We continue to see strong player retention, driven by a focus on environments and quality teams and competitions. Pleasingly, we have large number of players committed to the long-term which recognises the incredibly exciting domestic and international rugby calendar over the next four years." World Rugby have also taken notice. "World Rugby have had a meeting very recently about it," Johnson said. "No one knows what has come out of that, but World Rugby will be under a lot of pressure from the likes of, the English Premiership, the Top 14 league in France, the Japan League, Super Rugby, because if this thing R360 gets off the ground, then those competitions will be decimated and it really will split the game." World Rugby still holds a trump card though: Test rugby. "What I understand is that no top rugby players are going to commit to this if they think there's any threat to them playing international rugby, no matter how big the money is. Or very few, which is why probably at the moment the names that are being banded around are rugby league players." But the Saudis have the money to test anyone's loyalty. Top players were reportedly offered signing bonuses of more than US$100 million to join their LIV golf tour. "We can have a lot of theories, but at the end of the day it's two words: money talks," Jackson said. Whether that money gets a 'yes' from New Zealand's best rugby players, that will all come out in the wash.
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
What is Rugby360? And is it Saudi sportswashing?
By Ross McNaughton , RNZ Ardie Savea. Photo: Brett Phibbs / If the All Blacks have been approached to take part in the Rugby360 competition, they are certainly not letting on. "Not at all, mate, no I haven't heard anything," All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea said. "I'm unaware of any of that information," coach Scott Robertson said. But according to veteran commentator Tony Johnson, R360 could be a legitimate threat to rugby's status quo. "What I'm hearing now is that this thing is real, that the money is off the scale. There is a lot of money, there are interested parties. They're certainly talking to a lot of players and they believe they can get this thing going by next year. How realistic that is, I don't know," he said. While solid details about R360 are scarce, the competition would reportedly operate eight men's and four women's teams, in a franchise system played across multiple countries. Former England midfielder Mike Tindall is a spokesperson and the league is being financed by private investment from the US, the UK, and most importantly, Saudi Arabia. It is estimated Rugby 360 will need to sign hundreds of players to operate. Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is one of several high-profile NRL players linked with a move to Rugby360. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga Any wage bill though is minuscule, compared to the riches in the Saudi Public Investment Fund, according to professor Steve Jackson at the University of Otago. "It's into the hundreds of billions, and that's just their investment strategy. And just in relation to sport, I think they're at about close to $50 billion just in the last two to three years," he said. Critics have termed this strategy sportswashing. Effectively using sport as a means to cleanse a country's reputation. And while it has gone for decades across many nations, the Saudis are the undisputed world champions. "They can hide all the human rights abuses," Jackson said. "Rugby is just another feather in the cap. You know, there's golf, there's, Formula 1. There's UFC. I mean, they've got links now with the IOC and the Olympics, FIFA. So they are gathering momentum." New Zealand Rugby declined an interview request but provided a statement saying they're monitoring potential markets. "We continue to see strong player retention, driven by a focus on environments and quality teams and competitions. Pleasingly, we have large number of players committed to the long-term which recognises the incredibly exciting domestic and international rugby calendar over the next four years." World Rugby have also taken notice. "World Rugby have had a meeting very recently about it," Johnson said. "No one knows what has come out of that, but World Rugby will be under a lot of pressure from the likes of, the English Premiership, the Top 14 league in France, the Japan League, Super Rugby, because if this thing R360 gets off the ground, then those competitions will be decimated and it really will split the game." World Rugby still holds a trump card though: Test rugby. "What I understand is that no top rugby players are going to commit to this if they think there's any threat to them playing international rugby, no matter how big the money is. Or very few, which is why probably at the moment the names that are being banded around are rugby league players." But the Saudis have the money to test anyone's loyalty. Top players were reportedly offered signing bonuses of more than US$100 million to join their LIV golf tour. "We can have a lot of theories, but at the end of the day it's two words: money talks," Jackson said. Whether that money gets a 'yes' from New Zealand's best rugby players, that will all come out in the wash. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Why Chad Townsend was picked for NRL return
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has explained the reasons why he picked veteran Chad Townsend to partner Sam Walker in the halves in a surprise move that has left Sandon Smith in NSW Cup for at least another week. Hugo Savala is expected to miss 'a week or two' after sustaining ligament damage to his left wrist while making a tackle on Saturday night, with most people expecting Smith to be brought back in. But Robinson has gone with Townsend, who played the first five rounds of the season but was dropped to reserve grade having registered no try assists for his new club. His form in NSW Cup has been solid and Robinson took great pride in rewarding the veteran playmaker with a recall. Chad Townsend will play his first NRL game since April. NRL Photos Credit: The Daily Telegraph 'It's really nice when you tell a 280-odd gamer that he's playing again (and you see) the passion and joy that's in someone's eyes,' he said. 'His character has been incredible throughout this whole time with his passion and coaching of the other guys and the energy that he puts into reserve grade. 'He's a real student of the game and one of the only players who will take home the stats package and study the game on his computer at home. 'He's a footy nerd and he studies the game and he likes to pass that on in the right way, so it's been a pleasure to have him. 'One of the reasons Chad was excited about coming was playing with Sam, and I think everyone is. We've worked hard on that combination this week and it's on us to nail it.' Smith still has another year to go on his Roosters deal and Robinson insists he remains a big part of their future plans despite strong mail that Daly Cherry-Evans will join the club in 2026. 'We just had to make it clear on what he has to do and what he's got to do in reserve grade and what we're expecting of him, like (we'd do) with most players going up and down,' the coach said. 'Sandon has been in there for a long time, but he's also really clear on what needs to happen over the next few weeks. '(What we want to see from him) are conversations we've had and we've been clear on that. We had them after the last game and also again on Monday arvo. 'There has been some good footy, but we really want that combination and we want people nailing the combinations around you. That's pretty normal in the halves. There are a few roles you have to play, and I know Sandon can play better.' Robinson was proud of how Walker handled his return from injury in the win over the Dragons, with the halfback needing another big game against the Sharks in a match that has massive finals implications. Both teams are on 22 points with eight rounds remaining, with an undermanned Roosters side thrashing Cronulla earlier this season. They are almost back to full strength, with their stars likely to attract the attention of the new Rugby 360 competition that has cash to splash and will go after some of the biggest names in the NRL. 'It's the way that world sport is going now,' Robinson said. 'We have a great product and a great competition. If you attack it with fear, then you're looking at it the wrong way. 'I think we've got the best sport and athletes in the world, so if people weren't looking at us then maybe we wouldn't be doing something right. 'We've got to look after our players and the competition and the amount of money that's in it for our players, but then also be pretty proud of the athletes that we produce.'
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck considers switch to Saudi-backed Rugby 360
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a key part of the Warriors' top-four run during the 2025 NRL season. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ NZ Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck admits a return to rugby union is not off the table, once his current contract with the Auckland league club ends in 2026. The double international logged three tests for the All Blacks in a brief dalliance with the 15-man code, before returning to league last year and has been linked with a possible switch to a new Saudi-financed Rugby 360 competition to launch in two years. Other NRL stars in the mix appear to be Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga and Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen. "It's something that my manager is aware of and he's put in front of me, but it's something in the future," Tuivasa-Sheck said. "I don't know what's happening - I'm just taking it game by game. "My contract ends in 2026 and he's doing his job just keeping my future open, but at the moment, I'm enjoying playing my footy here and hopefully I can be here for a long time." The former Dally M Medal winner left the Warriors in 2021 to chase All Blacks selection for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but never really adapted to requirements of rugby union and rejoined the Warriors for the 2024 season. The Sydney Morning Herald reports his commitment to the LIV Golf-type rebel outfit is imminent, although the competition doesn't begin until 2027. Tuivasa-Sheck has not discounted a switch back to rugby, but insists an extension with the Warriors is still an option. "That's what the manager is doing right now," he said. "He's putting options in front of me, so we'll see what happens after 2026." Tuivasa-Sheck spent last season in the centres, but is back on the wing and hitting his straps, as his team consolidates their position in the top four on the competition table. "This is home," he said. "I came back for a reason and just want to keep playing footy. "You don't get those contract chats if you're not playing good footy, so I've got to focus on that." Warriors chief executive Cam George alerted other NRL CEOs to the threat at a conference last week. "I'm aware of players that have been interviewed and engaged with," he told Sydney Morning Herald . "I'm aware of the significant financial opportunities that it could bring, particularly around the branding of the players as individuals. "I needed to alert everyone, so that they are across this and what it could bring in the next few years, because it's a real and genuine concept that is growing momentum and could be quite attractive to any number of players. "My understanding is that the financial windfalls are real and they're significant. I'm sure that the financial windfalls are far greater than anything we've ever seen before in rugby." At 32, Tuivasa-Sheck has a reputation for his professional approach to the game - whichever code - and he's nowhere near a decline in his powers. His 2025 campaign was hampered by an early hamstring injury, which sidelined him for six games, but he scored seven tries in 10 appearances, including a double against South Sydney Rabbitohs in June. "I haven't spoken to him about it [Rugby 360]," Warriors coach Andrew Webster said. "I just asked him if he was OK today with the story and he said, 'Yep', so we left it at that. "I think there might be six players that come off contract on 1 November, so we've got plenty of time to sort that out and we haven't spoken to any of them. "I don't know if Roger wants to keep playing or what his dreams are, so we'll just cross that bridge when we come to it, but we've got plenty of time at the back end of the season, before 1 November, to have those conversations." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
