Latest news with #ShaneFlanagan
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Gutherson fires as Dragons inflict more pain on Knights
Clint Gutherson has inspired St George Illawarra to a 20-6 win over NRL strugglers Newcastle to heap more pressure on Knights coach Adam O'Brien. Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga failed to back up from Wednesday night's State of Origin opener with a lingering ankle injury and his side badly missed their star fullback at Jubilee Oval on Friday. The Knights' attack was directionless and they made just three line breaks all night, taking until the 70th minute to score their only try through Kai Pearce-Paul. In contrast, the Dragons had no such concerns, with Gutherson their energiser bunny from the first minute til the last. While Parramatta might have drawn the best out of Gutherson, there is little doubt the 30-year-old's communication and workrate at fullback are keeping the Dragons dreams of a top-eight finish alive. Shane Flanagan's men were by no means polished - Valentine Holmes and Tyrell Sloan bombed late tries too - but their ability to fight and scrap in games will ensure they are a chance towards the back end of the season. Halfback Kyle Flanagan was the architect of the Dragons' opener when he took advantage of some lax Newcastle defence to send Jaydn Su'A over the line in the 20th minute. Su'A was subbed off straight afterwards and did not return, with the would-be Maroons forward suffering a suspected ankle injury. But it didn't knock the Dragons off course with Shane Flanagan's pack finding plenty of joy up the middle. First a rampaging Jack de Belin run was the catalyst for the workaholic Gutherson to cross before Damien Cook sent man mountain Loko Pasifiki Tonga over for his first NRL try. St George Illawarra had an 18-0 lead at halftime to condemn the listless Knights to a seventh game this season where they failed to score in the first half. The Dragons threatened to inflict more misery on O'Brien's struggling side with rugby sevens convert Nathan Lawson impressing with his work from the backfield on his NRL debut. Lawson, who played outside Valentine Holmes on the left wing, finished the evening with 176m from 17 carries and did not look out of place. Holmes kicked a 62nd minute penalty goal to improve the Dragons' buffer, with the Knights finally scoring through Pearce-Paul after 69 minutes. The Knights could have more headaches, with Leo Thompson and Tyson Frizell placed on report.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gutherson fires as Dragons inflict more pain on Knights
Clint Gutherson has inspired St George Illawarra to a 20-6 win over NRL strugglers Newcastle to heap more pressure on Knights coach Adam O'Brien. Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga failed to back up from Wednesday night's State of Origin opener with a lingering ankle injury and his side badly missed their star fullback at Jubilee Oval on Friday. The Knights' attack was directionless and they made just three line breaks all night, taking until the 70th minute to score their only try through Kai Pearce-Paul. In contrast, the Dragons had no such concerns, with Gutherson their energiser bunny from the first minute til the last. JDB on a breakaway, hands it off to Skip to finish the job 😤#BreatheFire #NRLDragonsKnights — St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) May 30, 2025 While Parramatta might have drawn the best out of Gutherson, there is little doubt the 30-year-old's communication and workrate at fullback are keeping the Dragons dreams of a top-eight finish alive. Shane Flanagan's men were by no means polished - Valentine Holmes and Tyrell Sloan bombed late tries too - but their ability to fight and scrap in games will ensure they are a chance towards the back end of the season. Halfback Kyle Flanagan was the architect of the Dragons' opener when he took advantage of some lax Newcastle defence to send Jaydn Su'A over the line in the 20th minute. Su'A was subbed off straight afterwards and did not return, with the would-be Maroons forward suffering a suspected ankle injury. But it didn't knock the Dragons off course with Shane Flanagan's pack finding plenty of joy up the middle. First a rampaging Jack de Belin run was the catalyst for the workaholic Gutherson to cross before Damien Cook sent man mountain Loko Pasifiki Tonga over for his first NRL try. St George Illawarra had an 18-0 lead at halftime to condemn the listless Knights to a seventh game this season where they failed to score in the first half. The Dragons threatened to inflict more misery on O'Brien's struggling side with rugby sevens convert Nathan Lawson impressing with his work from the backfield on his NRL debut. Lawson, who played outside Valentine Holmes on the left wing, finished the evening with 176m from 17 carries and did not look out of place. Holmes kicked a 62nd minute penalty goal to improve the Dragons' buffer, with the Knights finally scoring through Pearce-Paul after 69 minutes. The Knights could have more headaches, with Leo Thompson and Tyson Frizell placed on report.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Gutherson fires as Dragons inflict more pain on Knights
Clint Gutherson has inspired St George Illawarra to a 20-6 win over NRL strugglers Newcastle to heap more pressure on Knights coach Adam O'Brien. Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga failed to back up from Wednesday night's State of Origin opener with a lingering ankle injury and his side badly missed their star fullback at Jubilee Oval on Friday. The Knights' attack was directionless and they made just three line breaks all night, taking until the 70th minute to score their only try through Kai Pearce-Paul. In contrast, the Dragons had no such concerns, with Gutherson their energiser bunny from the first minute til the last. While Parramatta might have drawn the best out of Gutherson, there is little doubt the 30-year-old's communication and workrate at fullback are keeping the Dragons dreams of a top-eight finish alive. Shane Flanagan's men were by no means polished - Valentine Holmes and Tyrell Sloan bombed late tries too - but their ability to fight and scrap in games will ensure they are a chance towards the back end of the season. Halfback Kyle Flanagan was the architect of the Dragons' opener when he took advantage of some lax Newcastle defence to send Jaydn Su'A over the line in the 20th minute. Su'A was subbed off straight afterwards and did not return, with the would-be Maroons forward suffering a suspected ankle injury. But it didn't knock the Dragons off course with Shane Flanagan's pack finding plenty of joy up the middle. First a rampaging Jack de Belin run was the catalyst for the workaholic Gutherson to cross before Damien Cook sent man mountain Loko Pasifiki Tonga over for his first NRL try. St George Illawarra had an 18-0 lead at halftime to condemn the listless Knights to a seventh game this season where they failed to score in the first half. The Dragons threatened to inflict more misery on O'Brien's struggling side with rugby sevens convert Nathan Lawson impressing with his work from the backfield on his NRL debut. Lawson, who played outside Valentine Holmes on the left wing, finished the evening with 176m from 17 carries and did not look out of place. Holmes kicked a 62nd minute penalty goal to improve the Dragons' buffer, with the Knights finally scoring through Pearce-Paul after 69 minutes. The Knights could have more headaches, with Leo Thompson and Tyson Frizell placed on report.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Been to two Olympics': Dragons confirm late switch with Nathan Lawson locked in to make NRL debut
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed former sevens star Nathan Lawson will make his NRL debut for the club on Friday night after try-scoring machine Christian Tuipulotu was ruled out. Tuipulotu scored seven tries in five matches but hasn't played since the round 6 win over the Titans when he came off with a hamstring injury having already crossed for a double. The left winger was named to make his return in Friday's match against the Knights, but the club has decided to play it safe, with Tuipulotu expected to come back next week against the Dolphins. 'CT is very close,' Flanagan said. 'We could have pushed him if it was a semi-final or something like that. With his history, we told him he was playing all week and we'd get him to the start line, and then we were always going to pull him at the last minute because he's had that hamstring that has caused a few problems. 'Our staff thought it would be better off if he had a really good training week and then get him ready for next week.' The late change has opened the door for Lawson to make his NRL debut after joining the Dragons in the off-season following a decorated sevens career. Lawson went to two Olympics with the Australian side and scored a stack of tries for the national team, with the recruit doing well in his eight games in reserve grade where he scored a hat-trick against Manly last month. 'It was interesting with the presentation with his dad and his partner this morning that we presented a jersey to a bloke that's been to two Olympics and represented Australia numerous times,' Flanagan said. 'I think he's had 25 Test matches and he's been player of the year, so it was interesting that it's a reverse cycle that he's making his debut now in a different code. 'He's really excited about it and I'm really looking forward to him playing. 'One thing I know is that he'll compete really hard.' Maroons winger Valentine Holmes is set to play just 48 hours after the State of Origin opener, with the Dragons looking to build on their fantastic win over the Broncos before last week's bye. The Red V sit just outside the top eight but have the chance to move up the ladder during the Origin period where they'll be close to full strength. 'Every game is important, but in this period during Origin, some sides have different issues with a few players away,' their coach said. 'We're not disrupted, so (we have) to keep it simple, prepare well and make sure we're ready to play during this period. 'After the Origin period, it's just a race to the finals. If you get this period right then you put yourself in with a chance.'
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Needed competitors'
NRL: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and Damien Cook were thrilled to hold off a surging Broncos outfit, causing a huge upset in round eleven.
