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West Australian
44 minutes ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Brumbies want Lions share of Wallabies selection
While his own position in the Wallabies isn't assured, Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio is plumping for his Canberra teammates to dominate Test selection to face the British and Irish Lions. Lolesio is Australia's incumbent flyhalf, wearing the 10 jersey on all four Tests of last year's UK spring tour, but announced through the Super Rugby Pacific season he would departing the Brumbies to play club rugby in Japan. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been coy on his selection thoughts, only saying players who have committed their future off-shore remain "in the mix". Making a successful return from a back injury last round, Lolesio told AAP he hadn't spoken recently to Schmidt, but would be "super stoked" to be named. The Brumbies are preparing to host the Hurricanes on Saturday night in a Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final after finishing third on a congested ladder. The Reds placed fifth and will take on the second-ranked Crusaders while NSW Waratahs (eighth) and Western Force (ninth) missed the finals. Before the Lions toured in 2001 the Brumbies won the then Super 12 competition, and had 13 players selected in the 31-man Wallabies squad, which went on to win the series 2-1. Given the ACT outfit are again Australia's top team, Lolesio would like to see his teammates recognised. "Super Rugby is basically a trial for higher honours and I believe whoever is the best team in their country, whoever finishes on top in the country should have the majority of the players earn higher honours," Lolesio said. "We've got a lot of talent all over Australia and each team has been very competitive compared to previous years ... but I'd love to see heaps of Brumbies boys make it." The Wallabies only play one Test - on July 6 against Fiji - before taking on the might of the northern hemisphere so Lolesio felt using team combinations would be smart. His sentiments were backed Brumbies teammate and incumbent Wallabies fullback Tom Wright. "In a team sport, that cohesion, it's definitely something that would go a long way," Wright told AAP. "I feel like naturally, the team that's able to progress through the year as far as we can, hopefully we're represented well in the gold jersey and that's a great indication of guys how hard they've worked in our Brumbies jersey all year." Ten-Test Tom Hooper is one of the form forwards in the competition, but like Lolesio, is also leaving Canberra, headed to the UK to play for Exeter. While they suffered a late loss against the Crusaders in the final round, Hooper said the Brumbies were unquestionably Australia's "winningest" side and hoped that counted for himself and his teammates. "I think that a winning culture is really important and it's something that we've worked really hard to develop here for a long time," the 24-year-old told AAP. "Whether it's myself or it's another 15 of my teammates, I'd just be so stoked to see some Brumbies boys in the squad because we do understand how to win games and we're a great team down here."
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Brumbies want Lions share of Wallabies selection
While his own position in the Wallabies isn't assured, Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio is plumping for his Canberra teammates to dominate Test selection to face the British and Irish Lions. Lolesio is Australia's incumbent flyhalf, wearing the 10 jersey on all four Tests of last year's UK spring tour, but announced through the Super Rugby Pacific season he would departing the Brumbies to play club rugby in Japan. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been coy on his selection thoughts, only saying players who have committed their future off-shore remain "in the mix". Making a successful return from a back injury last round, Lolesio told AAP he hadn't spoken recently to Schmidt, but would be "super stoked" to be named. The Brumbies are preparing to host the Hurricanes on Saturday night in a Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final after finishing third on a congested ladder. The Reds placed fifth and will take on the second-ranked Crusaders while NSW Waratahs (eighth) and Western Force (ninth) missed the finals. Before the Lions toured in 2001 the Brumbies won the then Super 12 competition, and had 13 players selected in the 31-man Wallabies squad, which went on to win the series 2-1. Given the ACT outfit are again Australia's top team, Lolesio would like to see his teammates recognised. "Super Rugby is basically a trial for higher honours and I believe whoever is the best team in their country, whoever finishes on top in the country should have the majority of the players earn higher honours," Lolesio said. "We've got a lot of talent all over Australia and each team has been very competitive compared to previous years ... but I'd love to see heaps of Brumbies boys make it." The Wallabies only play one Test - on July 6 against Fiji - before taking on the might of the northern hemisphere so Lolesio felt using team combinations would be smart. His sentiments were backed Brumbies teammate and incumbent Wallabies fullback Tom Wright. "In a team sport, that cohesion, it's definitely something that would go a long way," Wright told AAP. "I feel like naturally, the team that's able to progress through the year as far as we can, hopefully we're represented well in the gold jersey and that's a great indication of guys how hard they've worked in our Brumbies jersey all year." Ten-Test Tom Hooper is one of the form forwards in the competition, but like Lolesio, is also leaving Canberra, headed to the UK to play for Exeter. While they suffered a late loss against the Crusaders in the final round, Hooper said the Brumbies were unquestionably Australia's "winningest" side and hoped that counted for himself and his teammates. "I think that a winning culture is really important and it's something that we've worked really hard to develop here for a long time," the 24-year-old told AAP. "Whether it's myself or it's another 15 of my teammates, I'd just be so stoked to see some Brumbies boys in the squad because we do understand how to win games and we're a great team down here."
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wilson in frame as Reds assess injury damage for finals
Harry Wilson and Tim Ryan remain chances to face the Crusaders in the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Christchurch. But Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is all but certain to be ruled out of Friday's clash after a head knock suffered late in the side's big defeat of Fijian Drua added to the side's injury-riddled season. Incumbent Wallabies captain Wilson failed to finish in Saturday's 52-7 win at Suncorp Stadium after suffering a knock to the same arm he fractured earlier this season. Wilson had scans on Sunday but was spotted at Ballymore on Monday and is yet to be ruled out of the sudden-death clash. Winger Ryan (ankle) can also prove his fitness this week but the six-day turnaround will likely rule out back-up playmaker McLaughlin-Phillips. Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Massimo De Lutiis and Alex Hodgman are among the key Reds on their swollen injury list. Enigmatic utility forward Seru Uru (knee) could return for the clash. The Reds, who ended a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last season, will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday. With McLaughlin-Phillips sidelined it's likely Lynagh will need to clock on for an 80-minute shift. The Wallabies hopeful, in silky form against the Drua, is confident the side can hold their nerve and upset the Crusaders. "We're just going to play how we want to play and won't let the occasion dictate that," the No.10 said. The Reds were well beaten in Christchurch earlier this season and blown away in last year's quarter-final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. "Just play smart footy ... when things don't go our way, get little wins and try to stack them rather than have those errors back to back," Lynagh said of how they'll attempt to control the contest in enemy territory. "We've got belief to turn it around if things aren't going our way. "We've come a long way and added some good additions." Former Reds playmaker James O'Connor has excelled as a replacement No.10 after shifting to the Crusaders this year. The Wallabies veteran is back in the conversation for Test honours ahead of the British and Irish Lions series after wearing the No.10 against the tourists 12 years ago. "I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks, but it'll be good to come up against him again," Lynagh, who counted O'Connor as a mentor when he arrived at Ballymore, said. The son of Wallabies great Michael is bidding to make history, with no Australian father-son combination yet to run out against the British and Irish Lions. "I want to take care of the Reds' season first," Lynagh said of his aspirations. "The deeper you go, the better opportunity and more time to show what you've got, but I want to take care of what's in front of us at the moment." Harry Wilson and Tim Ryan remain chances to face the Crusaders in the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Christchurch. But Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is all but certain to be ruled out of Friday's clash after a head knock suffered late in the side's big defeat of Fijian Drua added to the side's injury-riddled season. Incumbent Wallabies captain Wilson failed to finish in Saturday's 52-7 win at Suncorp Stadium after suffering a knock to the same arm he fractured earlier this season. Wilson had scans on Sunday but was spotted at Ballymore on Monday and is yet to be ruled out of the sudden-death clash. Winger Ryan (ankle) can also prove his fitness this week but the six-day turnaround will likely rule out back-up playmaker McLaughlin-Phillips. Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Massimo De Lutiis and Alex Hodgman are among the key Reds on their swollen injury list. Enigmatic utility forward Seru Uru (knee) could return for the clash. The Reds, who ended a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last season, will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday. With McLaughlin-Phillips sidelined it's likely Lynagh will need to clock on for an 80-minute shift. The Wallabies hopeful, in silky form against the Drua, is confident the side can hold their nerve and upset the Crusaders. "We're just going to play how we want to play and won't let the occasion dictate that," the No.10 said. The Reds were well beaten in Christchurch earlier this season and blown away in last year's quarter-final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. "Just play smart footy ... when things don't go our way, get little wins and try to stack them rather than have those errors back to back," Lynagh said of how they'll attempt to control the contest in enemy territory. "We've got belief to turn it around if things aren't going our way. "We've come a long way and added some good additions." Former Reds playmaker James O'Connor has excelled as a replacement No.10 after shifting to the Crusaders this year. The Wallabies veteran is back in the conversation for Test honours ahead of the British and Irish Lions series after wearing the No.10 against the tourists 12 years ago. "I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks, but it'll be good to come up against him again," Lynagh, who counted O'Connor as a mentor when he arrived at Ballymore, said. The son of Wallabies great Michael is bidding to make history, with no Australian father-son combination yet to run out against the British and Irish Lions. "I want to take care of the Reds' season first," Lynagh said of his aspirations. "The deeper you go, the better opportunity and more time to show what you've got, but I want to take care of what's in front of us at the moment." Harry Wilson and Tim Ryan remain chances to face the Crusaders in the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Christchurch. But Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is all but certain to be ruled out of Friday's clash after a head knock suffered late in the side's big defeat of Fijian Drua added to the side's injury-riddled season. Incumbent Wallabies captain Wilson failed to finish in Saturday's 52-7 win at Suncorp Stadium after suffering a knock to the same arm he fractured earlier this season. Wilson had scans on Sunday but was spotted at Ballymore on Monday and is yet to be ruled out of the sudden-death clash. Winger Ryan (ankle) can also prove his fitness this week but the six-day turnaround will likely rule out back-up playmaker McLaughlin-Phillips. Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Massimo De Lutiis and Alex Hodgman are among the key Reds on their swollen injury list. Enigmatic utility forward Seru Uru (knee) could return for the clash. The Reds, who ended a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last season, will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday. With McLaughlin-Phillips sidelined it's likely Lynagh will need to clock on for an 80-minute shift. The Wallabies hopeful, in silky form against the Drua, is confident the side can hold their nerve and upset the Crusaders. "We're just going to play how we want to play and won't let the occasion dictate that," the No.10 said. The Reds were well beaten in Christchurch earlier this season and blown away in last year's quarter-final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. "Just play smart footy ... when things don't go our way, get little wins and try to stack them rather than have those errors back to back," Lynagh said of how they'll attempt to control the contest in enemy territory. "We've got belief to turn it around if things aren't going our way. "We've come a long way and added some good additions." Former Reds playmaker James O'Connor has excelled as a replacement No.10 after shifting to the Crusaders this year. The Wallabies veteran is back in the conversation for Test honours ahead of the British and Irish Lions series after wearing the No.10 against the tourists 12 years ago. "I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks, but it'll be good to come up against him again," Lynagh, who counted O'Connor as a mentor when he arrived at Ballymore, said. The son of Wallabies great Michael is bidding to make history, with no Australian father-son combination yet to run out against the British and Irish Lions. "I want to take care of the Reds' season first," Lynagh said of his aspirations. "The deeper you go, the better opportunity and more time to show what you've got, but I want to take care of what's in front of us at the moment."
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Five lessons from Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua matches at the weekend
Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua Photo: supplied It wasn't the ending Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua would have wanted. On Saturday night, the two Pasifika teams lost their final Super Rugby Pacific matches for the season. Moana were thrashed 64-12 by the Hurricanes in front of just over 20,000 fans at the Sky Stadium. It was a match they needed to win to claim a sixth-place finish in the competition. But they were not able to withstand the Hurricanes' pressure, and lost out of getting into the quarterfinals. However, they finished seventh for the first time in the competition since 2022, the year they made their debut. In Brisbane, the Fijian Drua went down 52-7 to the Queensland Reds. So what went wrong? What could the teams learn from their respective encounters? Are there lessons they can take forward to 2026? Here are five lessons from the team's performances. There were some who said Moana Pasifika might have peaked early, with their best effort coming against the Blues a month ago. That argument comes in light of the team's big losses to the Chiefs and the Hurricanes in the last two weekends. Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium on Saturday 24 May 2025. Photo: Jeremy Ward Did they peak early? Assistant coach Stephen Jones believes they had prepared well for both matches and just could not click on the day. He said both the Chiefs and the Hurricanes were just too superior and suffocated Moana Pasifika. Did the two teams suffer from the lack of mental toughness? It was a question both head coaches, Drua's Glen Jackson and Moana's Fa'alogo Tana Umaga, were asked now and then. How are their players handling the pressure? Would they come back from losses they had suffered and be ready for their next matches? Both teams showed a lot of promise early in the season and while the Drua struggled from the midway mark, Moana Pasifika showed they had a lot in their tank and won six matches. But the North Harbour-based side struggled against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes. To many, it looked as if the side had not been able to handle the high of winning against the Blues. The Drua had a 'on and off' season, winning one and then losing three on the road. One thing both sides had in common was the fact that a lot of their players were still new to Super Rugby. It showed. Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua Photo: supplied One of the standouts is the fact that most of the players in both teams still need a lot of game time. They need to be playing throughout the season, in competition that will make them seasoned campaigners. Drua's Jackson said they will also look at those local players in Fiji playing in the Skipper Cup competition. He lamented earlier that the majority of his players are not able to play in the New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC). Moana Pasifika, on the other hand, have a number of young players in the NPC. They all need to be getting games consistently. One of the biggest problems for both teams has been the injuries suffered by some of their key players. It proved to be critical in their campaign for the top six. What will it mean moving forward? How can the two teams ensure their players are injury-free for the season they are needed for? It is an ongoing issue that they both will have to work on moving into the new season. Moana Pasifika fans, crowd and supporters, Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, round 16 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez With some players confirmed to leave both clubs, it would be critical that new recruits are secured. Not just new recruits but those who can be identified as key players who can help both clubs improve. There have been talks of some star players joining Moana Pasifika, following the inspirational Ardie Savea. Whether the club will have the resources to do that is another story. With almost seven months to go before the pre-season begins again, it is therefore important that both teams get their talent identification going early. One thing is certain though: both the Drua and Moana Pasifika are here to stay and have key roles to play in keeping Super Rugby Pacific going.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
McKellar seeing progress at Waratahs despite Super Rugby exit
New South Wales Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar is confident his team is moving in the right direction despite missing out on the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs following their 46-6 loss to the Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Saturday. McKellar's side needed to win against the defending champions to sneak into the top six places in the standings and earn a berth in next week's championship rounds, but the Blues prevailed with wing Rieko Ioane scoring a hat trick of tries. The result leaves the Waratahs in eighth place in the 11-team competition and seven points adrift of the playoff spots as the squad missed out on the post-season action for the second year in a row. "There's always pressure and there's been progress," said McKellar, who took over from Darren Coleman ahead of the current campaign. "We've won six games this year, but we wanted to win more. The progress is in the daily detail. "We understand we represent a very big organisation, and a very proud one, and we want to get us back to the top group within the competition. "But it's going to take time and changing daily habits and how things have been done for a long time and we're getting there." The road back to the Super Rugby summit remains a long one for a Waratahs side that finished with little more than half the total points of table-toppers the Waikato Chiefs and having conceded 134 more points than they scored. McKellar, however, plans to give his players a week to recover from the season before starting preparations for his team's next fixture, against the touring British and Irish Lions at Sydney Football Stadium on July 5. "That's obviously a massive game and something for us to look forward to and get excited about, the boys will be dead keen for that," he said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity as a rugby player and as a coach. We're really grateful to be involved in such an event and we'll get up for that." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
