Latest news with #Vautin
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why commentary legend Fatty Vautin won't return to the microphone
For the first time in three decades, Paul 'Fatty' Vautin watched State of Origin from the comfort of his couch, casting aside an illustrious tenure as one of rugby league's most endearing media personalities. But when asked if he would miss the aura, the feeling of calling one of sport's greatest spectacles, he revealed his final season on the microphone told him he would not. Why? Because the former Queensland Maroons coach was unsure at times what he was analysing. 'After 33 years, I thought last year was the perfect time to finish up. I didn't want to turn into the crusty old bloke on the panel who's always talking about how it was better in the '80s – and it was better in the '80s,' Vautin said. 'But at the moment, with the way the rules are going, everyone is confused. One week they're targeting head-highs, the next week they're targeting play the balls, the following week it's something else. Loading 'I really feel for the referees, I feel they're a bit confused. They're just doing their best.' Officiating is far from blame for the Queensland Maroons' loss in game one of the 2025 series. Their ill-discipline at times plagued them, some cheap penalties from Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Pat Carrigan and Harry Grant carting the Blues down field too frequently. NSW didn't need much help in that area, running for 124 more post-contact metres and 30 more tackle busts than their rivals courtesy of a dominant forward pack, while wingers Brian To'o and Zac Lomax passed 200 metres each to get their sets flowing.
The Age
a day ago
- Sport
- The Age
Why commentary legend Fatty Vautin won't return to the microphone
For the first time in three decades, Paul 'Fatty' Vautin watched State of Origin from the comfort of his couch, casting aside an illustrious tenure as one of rugby league's most endearing media personalities. But when asked if he would miss the aura, the feeling of calling one of sport's greatest spectacles, he revealed his final season on the microphone told him he would not. Why? Because the former Queensland Maroons coach was unsure at times what he was analysing. 'After 33 years, I thought last year was the perfect time to finish up. I didn't want to turn into the crusty old bloke on the panel who's always talking about how it was better in the '80s – and it was better in the '80s,' Vautin said. 'But at the moment, with the way the rules are going, everyone is confused. One week they're targeting head-highs, the next week they're targeting play the balls, the following week it's something else. Loading 'I really feel for the referees, I feel they're a bit confused. They're just doing their best.' Officiating is far from blame for the Queensland Maroons' loss in game one of the 2025 series. Their ill-discipline at times plagued them, some cheap penalties from Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Pat Carrigan and Harry Grant carting the Blues down field too frequently. NSW didn't need much help in that area, running for 124 more post-contact metres and 30 more tackle busts than their rivals courtesy of a dominant forward pack, while wingers Brian To'o and Zac Lomax passed 200 metres each to get their sets flowing.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maroons great names captain Cherry-Evans' heir apparent
State of Origin master coach Paul Vautin has pinpointed Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as the missing piece from last year's Queensland defeat, predicting the 2025 campaign will announce him as the Maroons' long-term leader. Speaking as he unveiled 'Fatty Says' – an app that will enable users to hear his AI-generated commentary of the series – Vautin declared the Titans' skipper was the front-runner to succeed Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans. After suffering a ruptured ACL, Fa'asuamaleaui was forced to watch Queensland's 2024 series defeat from the sidelines, as well as his Gold Coast club's third-straight bottom-four finish. But when asked if the 25-year-old's absence was central to the Maroons' downfall, Vautin offered an emphatic 'yes'. 'I watch every game, and Tino is the best forward I've seen in 20 years,' Vautin told this masthead. Loading 'He's all action; he wants to get involved in nearly every play: he runs hard, he's effective at the line – he normally gets halfway through the line every time he runs – and he's got a great offload. 'The other thing is, his defence is outstanding, he's a great tackler, and he chases from marker. No one chases from marker these days. I reckon I made half of my tackles in my career chasing from marker, it's the best place to defend from. 'He gets it, and he chases, and he smashes them. He's a wonderful leader, so I think he's the best forward in the game, and we missed him a lot last year.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Maroons great names captain Cherry-Evans' heir apparent
State of Origin master coach Paul Vautin has pinpointed Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as the missing piece from last year's Queensland defeat, predicting the 2025 campaign will announce him as the Maroons' long-term leader. Speaking as he unveiled 'Fatty Says' – an app that will enable users to hear his AI-generated commentary of the series – Vautin declared the Titans' skipper was the front-runner to succeed Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans. After suffering a ruptured ACL, Fa'asuamaleaui was forced to watch Queensland's 2024 series defeat from the sidelines, as well as his Gold Coast club's third-straight bottom-four finish. But when asked if the 25-year-old's absence was central to the Maroons' downfall, Vautin offered an emphatic 'yes'. 'I watch every game, and Tino is the best forward I've seen in 20 years,' Vautin told this masthead. Loading 'He's all action; he wants to get involved in nearly every play: he runs hard, he's effective at the line – he normally gets halfway through the line every time he runs – and he's got a great offload. 'The other thing is, his defence is outstanding, he's a great tackler, and he chases from marker. No one chases from marker these days. I reckon I made half of my tackles in my career chasing from marker, it's the best place to defend from. 'He gets it, and he chases, and he smashes them. He's a wonderful leader, so I think he's the best forward in the game, and we missed him a lot last year.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Billy Slater's move alongside Paul Vautin after Queensland loss in State of Origin
Queensland coach Billy Slater admits the timing of the Maroons reunion couldn't be better as he looks to bounce back from his state's loss to NSW last year. Queensland legends will meet on Friday to celebrate 30 years since Maroons legend Paul Vautin coached the state to an unlikely 3-0 win over NSW in what is considered the greatest upset in State of Origin history. And one attendee who could not be more thrilled at the timing of the celebrations is Slater. The legendary Maroons fullback lost his first series as coach last year when Michael Maguire masterminded a 2-1 series victory with the decider at Suncorp. Slater shut down speculation he would be walking away from the role as he looks to get revenge over NSW. And the Storm great is ready to take revenge and admitted the timing of the celebrations will serve as a reminder to his players how important winning back the shield is to the state. "I am glad there will be a celebration around the 30 years of what the 1995 team did because all Queenslanders will remember where they watched this series and how this footy team made them feel," Slater said on the reunion. "Thirty years on we are recognising a memorable series for Queenslanders." Slater admitted it was victories like that of Vautin's team that you remember for the rest of your life as a footy player. And Slater wants to replicate the feat. "It is important to remember," Slater said. "I was 12 years old when this series was played and the inspiration and passion - you carry for the rest of your life. "Fatty Vautin, coaching his first series up against one of the iconic coaches in our game, Phil Gould, and up against a whole host of stars. There was no Allan Langer and the like in this footy team but they were a group of Queenslanders who went out there and inspired their state against the odds." The Oriign series was at the time of the Super League war. Ahead of Game 1 in 1995, the ARL ruled up to 11 players from the previous series could not play. This included seven Broncos players. The Blues had nine Australian representatives and Phil Gould was coaching the team. NSW were 9-1 favourites with experience and star power on their side. Facing a tough situation, the Queensland hierarchy asked Vautin to take over and see if he could inspire the troops facing a star-studded NSW team. And Maroons legend Chris Close, who was the team manager, was left shocked at how Vautin left everyone speechless with his tactics and ability to inspire the troops. "We arrived for our first camp and Fatty addressed the team and used all his wily ways to enhance and glorify the situation we were in," Close recalled. "Fatty outlined a game plan that no-one expected. "They expected him to come in as host of The Footy Show and be a clown but it wasn't the moment for that. Fatty has a genuinely gifted footy brain and his game plan was very simple and one that everyone could follow and participate in. All you needed to have was a big heart and a lot of want. He had a group in the room he convinced." Vautin won't be calling the State of Origin clash for Channel 9 in 2025 having retired from broadcast at the end of last year. The Queensland legend will most likely be in attendance to be honoured for his achievements wearing the Maroon jersey. Slater does have a number of positions up for grabs in his Queensland team this year with veterans such as Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans' participation not yet decided. Both are in the twilight of their careers and have not guaranteed they will take part in this year's series.
