Latest news with #RugbyAustralia
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nathan Cleary at centre of fresh bombshell after warning about move for Mary Fowler
Wallabies legend Tim Horan claims he's heard growing rumours that Nathan Cleary is "quite keen" on a switch to rugby union. It comes after concerns from Matty Johns earlier this year about losing Cleary to rugby, amid speculation his relationship with Mary Fowler could see the four-time premiership winner quit the NRL and move overseas to be closer to the Matildas star. Fowler plays for English football giants Manchester City and spends the majority of her time in the UK and Europe. And Cleary has admitted previously that moving overseas and playing in the English Super League is something that could interest him in the future. Johns pointed out that a move abroad would put Cleary firmly in the shop window of powerful European rugby clubs and feared it would inevitably lead to a poaching raid from the rival code. "My only fear with Nathan is him going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically he's right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs," Johns said. "And there would be a temptation there (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make a bid sooner rather than later, that's the only thing that would concern me." But Wallabies legend Horan suggested the NRL should be more concerned about the threat from Australian rugby after suggesting the 27-year-old could be eyeing a code switch. "There's been some rumours the last two months that he's quite keen," Horan said on Stan Sports' Rugby Heaven program this week. "I've heard it totally separate, he's quite keen to come to rugby." Horan's revelation came during discussions around which State of Origin stars could be targeted by Rugby Australia, after Cleary starred in the Blues' Game 1 win over the Maroons. RELATED: Blow for Billy Slater with Queensland player banned from Origin Trainer at centre of Origin incident unmasked as NRL great's brother Cleary has done just about everything in his league career, with four NRL premierships and a World Cup title amongst his extensive list of achievements. The one constant criticism of Cleary is that he hasn't dominated an Origin series, but if the Blues star can help mastermind back-to-back series wins over the Maroons this year, a switch to rugby could be a step closer. The Panthers are last on the NRL ladder and look more like a club in transition after a series of high-profile departures off the back of their four-straight premiership successes. And Cleary might view it as the perfect time to consider a switch, ahead of Australia's home Rugby World Cup in 2027. In order to be eligible to play for the Wallabies though, Cleary would be required by Rugby Australia to play domestically for one of the country's Super Rugby franchises. However, that would put an end to the notion of Cleary moving overseas to be closer to Fowler. Cleary is arguably the best rugby league player in the world and a potential switch to rugby could be even more significant for Rugby Australia than former NRL star Joseph Suaalii's big-money move. Horan concedes Rugby Australia would be silly not to explore the possibility if Cleary was interested, but said the focus should still be on developing players within the 15-a-side code. "I don't think it's the right thing for Australian rugby to do, we've got a lot of talent coming through," the two-time Rugby World Cup winner said. "But I tell you what, if Nathan Cleary says 'I'm interested in playing the game', you've got to have a coffee."
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Golden point could be played in Lions' third Test against Australia to avoid shared series
RUGBY AUSTRALIA HAVE proposed that extra time be played in the event that a deciding Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions ends in a draw. Phil Waugh, CEO of Rugby Australia, confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that 'really constructive conversations' have taken place between Australia and the Lions' board about a tiebreak format ahead of this summer's tour. Advertisement The 2017 series between the Lions and New Zealand was anticlimactically shared after each side won a Test and the final Test was drawn 15-15. And Rugby Australia have suggested extra time as a means of splitting the sides should this year's series follow a similar pattern, with the hosts' preference being to adopt the 'superpoint' format from Super Rugby, wherein a period of 10 additional minutes is played and the next score of any kind decides the game. 'We've had some really constructive conversations,' said Rugby Australia CEO Waugh. 'That's got to go to the Lions board around whether it's a drawn series, or you decide it through golden point or extra time. 'Our preference, if we put the fans at the centre of everything we're doing, I think that the familiarity that everyone has with 'superpoint' and the interest for that in our market is a good guide. 'Obviously, we will be making sure both parties agree. But I think that if you're thinking about some fan engagement, that's certainly very appealing.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Lions consider golden point extra time proposal
The British and Irish Lions board is considering a proposal for sudden-death extra time if a deciding third Test this summer against Australia finishes in a Australia chief Phil Waugh revealed he suggested at meetings in London that 'golden point' extra time - which means the first team to score wins - should be played in such 2017, the Lions and New Zealand shared the series after the deciding third Test finished 15-15, with captain Sam Warburton saying it was "a bit of an anticlimax for the players".Former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said the draw was "a bit like kissing your sister and no-one wants that"."We've had some really constructive conversations. That's got to go to the Lions board around whether it's a drawn series, or you decide it through golden point or extra time," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald., external"Our preference, if we put the fans at the centre of everything we're doing, I think that the familiarity that everyone has with 'golden point' and the interest for that in our market is a good guide."Obviously, we will be making sure both parties agree. But I think that if you're thinking about some fan engagement, that's certainly very appealing."For regular season games this year, Super Rugby Pacific brought in 'golden point',, external where if the teams are level at full-time then an 10 minutes of extra time is played, with a draw then declared if there is no winning April, Australian side Western Force and New Zealand's Hurricanes played out a thrilling 17-17 draw, with no score in extra Super Rugby Pacific knockout games, two 10-minute periods of standard extra time are the teams are still level, up to 10 minutes of golden point extra time are played, followed by a kicking competition if necessary. Confirmation of 20-minute red card Waugh confirmed both sides had agreed that the 20-minute red card will be used during the rule means the offending team can replace the red-carded player 20 minutes after being reduced to 14 year's Six Nations used 20-minute red cards for the first time after a trial at the Autumn Nations Cup in centre Garry Ringrose, who will tour Australia this summer with the Lions, was given a first-half 20-minute red card against the 20 minutes passed, Bundee Aki replaced Ringrose and played a key role in seeing the game home for Ireland."We've been very vocal in our support for the 20-minute red card," Waugh Lions will play a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June before leaving for Australia, with the three-match Test series against the Wallabies starting in Brisbane on 19 July.
