Latest news with #Thorburn
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Former Wales skipper Paul Thorburn wants a full shake-up of the game in this country (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) These are your evening headlines on Saturday, May 24 Jones on WRU's 'wanted list' Adam Jones is on the Welsh Rugby Union's 'wanted list' as they search for a permanent new coaching ticket. The legendary prop has been recalled by the WRU ahead of their summer tour of Japan but is not a permanent fixture in the coaching set-up. Of course, Jones spent the Six Nations as a coach of Wales on secondment from Harlequins. RugbyPass have reported that Jones is on the WRU's "wanted list" to work alongside Danny Wilson and Steve Tandy long term, so Quins are preparing for that situation. The report says that Northampton Saints scrum coach Matt Ferguson, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, will become a Quins target if Jones switches to Test match coaching on a permanent basis. Heading to the Far East with Jones and Sherratt will be Wilson, T Rhys Thomas and Gethin Jenkins. Article continues below Leigh Halfpenny has reportedly been contacted about a role this summer too. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Thorburn: Welsh rugby needs full shake-up Wales legend Paul Thorburn says Welsh rugby needs a "full shake-up" following recent controversial developments. The game in Wales is tremendously divided at the moment, with Ospreys and Scarlets failing to agree to the Welsh Rugby Union's Professional Rugby Agreement, which prompted the two west Wales sides to issue a statement revealing their concerns. Former Wales skipper Thorburn told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the WRU need full control of the regions in order for the game to thrive again. "Personally, I'm for a full shake-up. I think the regions, however many there are, need to be totally owned and controlled by the governing body," he explained. "I think the governing body needs a bit of a shake-up as well in terms of how it manages the professional game, but I think now is the time. "If we don't sort it out and bring those clubs into control of the governing body where the money is directed centrally, we're only going to be having the same conversation in 10 years' time." Thorburn also touched on the possibility of a region being cut following the WRU's announcement. "Ultimately, if that's what is needed (cutting a region) for the future and sustainability of international rugby and the game in general then so be it," he continued. "To me, a blank sheet of paper, let's put all of these parochialisms to one side and let's work out what's going to be the best to sustain international rugby and grow that pathway. "We also have to look after the community game because it's not looking great. If you don't have players coming through, you haven't got an international game." Cardiff star bids farewell Gabriel Hamer-Webb has bid farewell to Cardiff, following confirmation of his upcoming departure from the club. The 24-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers this summer, joined Cardiff on a short-term deal from Bath back in the 2023-24 season, and enjoyed two stints before making his stay permanent. An impressive end to the season had put him in the conversation for the upcoming Wales tour of Japan, only for uncapped Ospreys winger Keelan Giles to be picked instead. Taking to Instagram, Hamer-Webb wrote: 'To my teammates, the fans of Cardiff, and the staff, I cannot thank you enough for the many memories. 'I've gained since being a part of such a special club, I've gained friends for life and will always be a fan. Was no easy decision, but I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter in my career.' World Club Cup announced PA staff European Professional Club Rugby has announced the first World Club Cup will take place in 2028. A tournament featuring the best club sides from both the northern and southern hemispheres, to be held every four years, has received unanimous backing from all the sport's governing bodies. Sixteen teams will qualify – eight from the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder drawn from Super Rugby Pacific and Japan. EPCR chairman Dominic McKay confirmed before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup final between Northampton and Bordeaux in Cardiff that an idea mooted for 'the last two or three years' will now be delivered. McKay said: 'We've been trying to work our way through this project to see if we can deliver it. 'And over the last few days we've had great meetings with our Board, great meetings with our General Assembly, who represent the three leagues (the TOP14, United Rugby Championship and English Premiership) and stakeholders from seven unions, and everyone is unanimous about wanting to deliver a World Club Cup – through EPCR.' The tournament will launch in June 2028, elevating the Champions Cup knock-out rounds to the Rugby World Club Cup and 'supercharging' the closing stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup, the EPCR said. McKay added: 'The Investec Champions Cup is the greatest club competition in the world, and we're going to continue to protect that, nurture it and develop it further. 'We've got some ambitious plans for both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, which we'll unveil over the coming weeks. 'And, to elevate the whole of professional club rugby, we want to create this World Club Cup proposition in 2028 and 2032 with our friends from the South. Article continues below 'We have these incredible competitions that we own and operate, and we want to find a way to elevate them further and bring in teams from Australia, from New Zealand, from Japan, and we'll do that through the World Club Cup.'
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Former Wales captain calls for WRU control of all clubs as 'writing on the wall'
Former Wales captain calls for WRU control of all clubs as 'writing on the wall' The pair were speaking on BBC Radio Wales to dissect the stand-off between the WRU and the two west Walian sides The WRU are facing a challenge from west Wales clubs Scarlets and Ospreys (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Former Wales international Paul Thorburn says he understands the concerns from the Ospreys and Scarlets around the WRU's ownership of Cardiff Rugby, but has urged the Welsh game to move towards a set-up closer to the Irish model of union control. Both the Ospreys and Scarlets made the decision not to sign up to Welsh rugby's new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) earlier this month, causing the union to announce it was to move away from the approach of four evenly funded professional sides, which could in turn see the number of professional sides in Wales reduced to three. The two clubs had already expressed concerns around the union's takeover of Cardiff Rugby, and had sought assurances that it "will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs". Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, former Neath full-back Thorburn said he could see where the two clubs were coming from, but also said the financial management of some regions hadn't been up to scratch in recent years. "I understand that," he said. "But I'm also aware that some of our regions have been less than sensible when it comes to good financial management. I've witnessed it first-hand where excessive salaries have been paid to some of the management they've brought in from overseas, beyond our ability. "You can't spend what you haven't got. That's a simple fact of life. I think we need a complete wholesale review of where we are in the game. If these measures are there to try and spend a few years sorting it out, so be it. Article continues below "I am an advocate of the Irish model. There seems to be far more collaborating and working together over there. I don't see why we can't have a similar model over here." Thorburn said he also supported the idea of bringing all the regions under the control of the union. "I think the writing has been on the wall for some time that the game is walking a very thin tightrope. Let's be fair and honest, Welsh rugby is never going to compete financially with the likes of France, England and Ireland. Never have done, never will do. "I've been an advocate for, I have to say, trying to bring the regions within the control of the Union - albeit I'm not saying the Union is brilliantly administered necessarily. "But it certainly needs a better structure where we're all working collaboratively. In our history, we've had problems with our clubs, then regions, with some going financially in a very difficult position. There's no consistency, that's the problem. I think we now need to have a better working model, where everyone is working together. I don't believe that has been the case over the years." Commenting alongside Thorburn, Nigel Davies said examining the number of professional sides as way to map out a route out of this latest crisis, was potentially the wrong way of looking at things. "Paul makes a good point about collaboration and a plan to move forward," he said. "But surely that's what should have been done over the last 18 months. "We've come up with this One Wales strategy, which I've looked at in detail, and while there is significant talk about what they want to happen, there's no detail about how it's going to happen. "You would have thought that would have encompassed what needed to happen, how we can move forward within the professional game as well as the community game. Article continues below "I think the one problem we've got, people talk about the number of regions and what the right number is. I think that's the wrong question. It's what we want our professional teams in Wales to look like to be successful. "That's men and women's. Until we have that model and are clear about what successful rugby teams in Wales look like, I think it's very difficult to have this conversation. "I think that's part of the problem. Paul mentions that some of the regions have been mismanaged in the past. He's probably right and the regions are the first to admit that."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Child murderer found dead in jail
A man convicted of killing a foster child in his care has reportedly been found dead in his jail cell. Rick Thorburn murdered 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer in 2015 and was sentenced to life in prison. Thorburn was found dead in his cell in regional Queensland on Friday, and is understood to have taken his own life. A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman confirmed the death of Thorburn, as reported by The Courier Mail. 'The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,' a spokeswoman said. 'Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful. 'The incident has been reported to police and QCS will assist with their investigation.' Tiahleigh was reported missing in October 2015, from the home of Thorburn, his wife Julene and their two sons south of Brisbane. Julene ran a home childcare business from the house. Tiahleigh's body was found six days later on a river bank. Her older foster brother, Trent Thorburn, had sexually abused her. Trent later pleaded guilty to incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice; an attempt to cover up the sexual abuse sparked Rick to kill Tiahleigh. A Coroner investigating Rick's actions after he had pleaded guilty to murder said Tiahleigh was resilient despite a tough start in life. 'She loved hip hop dancing, cheer leading, animals and horse riding. She was described as a 'delightful girl' and 'a child people fell in love with' by those who knew her,' Coroner Jane Bentley found. 'Despite being subjected to neglect, abuse, abandonment and adversity, Tiahleigh remained a kind and gentle girl. She had many friends at high school. 'She was not 'streetwise' but immature and naive for her age. Although in the past she had experienced some behavioural issues as a result of the harm that she had suffered, she had not been involved in the justice system and had no history of self-harm, drug or alcohol use.' More to come Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide call back service 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 13YARN 13 92 76 (For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
Los Angeles Times
11-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Say goodbye to boring tomatoes: Where to find the most unusual ones for your garden now
In case you didn't get the memo, March is Tomatozania-mania-party time in Southern California, when specialty growers offer pop-up sales of hard-to-find tomato varieties, rain or shine. We're talking serious exotics with a range of flavors from smoky to sweet and evocative names like Thorburn's Terra Cotta, Cherokee Purple, Evil Olive Cherry and Brandywine Pink. Cal Poly Pomona's 28th Tomatozania plant sale begins Saturday, March 15, at the school's Farm Store in Pomona, selling more than 150 varieties of tomatoes all grown by Cal Poly Pomona student employees (who are also plant science majors). Proceeds support the school's plant sciences program and the students. Its annual Pepperzania begins in April at the store, with more than 150 varieties of peppers, and in May it offers the hottest of the hot peppers during its Ultimate Pepper Plant Sale. Independently owned Tomatomania! is celebrating its 25th year of pop-up sales of tomatoes and peppers, offering more than 100 varieties of tomatoes at 13 venues between Santa Barbara to San Diego counties and Santa Ynez. Its first event began Feb. 28 at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar (where remaining tomatoes are available through March, until they run out) and other Tomatomania events are scheduled well into April. Its venues for the remainder of March include Otto & Sons nursery in Fillmore (March 13-15), Tapia Brothers Fruit Stand in Encino starting March 21, Wachter's Hay & Grain in Ojai on March 29 and Anawalt Lumber in Hollywood March 29-30. And on March 22-23, Jo Anne and Alex Trigo are reopening Two Dog Organic Nursery just for the weekend to sell 44 tomato varieties — 12 more than last year — at their Mid-Wilshire home-based nursery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The Trigos closed the daily operation of their nursery in 2021, 'but there's just something about sowing LOTS of seeds at the beginning of the New Year that I can't seem to 'retire' from,' Jo Anne wrote in her email announcing the sale. And true to their nature, the Trigos also are offering a few companion plants, such as tomatillos, basil and Persian cucumbers. Get in on these sales as soon as you can, but before you plant, be mindful of the rain — which we badly need after a very dry winter. Depending on how much rain we get, your soil might need a few days to dry out before you start planting, said Tomatomania owner Scott Daigre. Tromping around in wet gardens can compact your soil, making it hard for tiny roots to grow and water to penetrate deep into the ground. Daigre has a long list of general tomato growing tips on his website, as well as tips for growing tomatoes in coastal areas and in containers. (Two Dog Nursery has an extensive list of tips as well.) Here are a few important reminders:
