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News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ukrainian internationals doing country proud: Players to watch at Beer Footy & Food Festival
Rugby League is a tough game for anyone who plays, but the few trying to play in Ukraine have put new meaning on the word tough. Despite going through a war, rugby league staffers have kept games running in the country, with a contingent of Australian based players looking to show a strong front this weekend when they take on Thailand at North Sydney Oval. One of those players, halfback Daniel Janissen, who has played in the Ukraine national team, is using his fellow countrymen as inspirations for what they have accomplished in the last few years. 'What they are doing on the ground in Ukraine is amazing,' Janissen said. 'Building the sport in the country and keeping it going while the country is in the midst of a war, it's very inspiring.' While many will look at Sunday's clash as an exhibition match, Ukraine Tridents will have a few eager fans keeping track overseas. 'The boys that are over there follow what we do pretty closely, and they're very proud,' Janissen said. 'It makes us very happy that people on the other side of the world have the same pride and passion that we do, when we put on the jersey.' Janissen is only one of many players who will take the field on Sunday, with the Beer Footy & Food Festival hosting three international matches before North Sydney play Penrith in NSW Cup. The Philippines will be coached by former Melbourne Storm and Waratah player Paul Sheedy who will be looking to continue to build into a strong international season. With Latin Heat taking on the Philippines, Ukraine v Thailand, and Africa United against Lebanon, here are some of the players representing your country this weekend. Daniel Janissen Country: Ukraine Age: 37 Position: Halfback Club: Cardiff Cobras Job: Carpenter Represented Ukraine in recent World Cup Qualifiers last year. Played rep football with the Newcastle Knights and played First Grade in the Newcastle Competition. Daniel wouldn't be able to still play rugby league if it wasn't for the ongoing support from his partner Paris. 'I'D LOVE TO ADOPT': FOWLER REVEALS BABY PLANS WITH CLEARY Kurt Russell Lavado Warren Country: Philippines Age: 25 Position: Utility Club: St. Patricks JRLC Job: Carpenter Proudly half Australian and half Filipino, currently living in Seven Hills. For nearly six years, Kurt has been working as a carpenter, a trade he's deeply passionate about and genuinely enjoys. One of his biggest goals is to one day debut for the Philippine Tamaraws. Khalil Rahme Country: Lebanon Age: 24 Position: Front row Club: Bulldogs Job: Teachers Aide/Support Worker Rugby League is a passion of mine and has been influential throughout Khalil's whole life. Coming from a family deeply connected to the sport, Khalil has been fortunate to pursue my passion while balancing training, full-time work, and university studies. Khalil's other passion is working as a disability support worker and teacher's aide. Alex Berger Country: Ukraine Age: 26 Position: Second Row Club: RAN Tridents Job: ADF Alex's grandmother (Vera McSwaine) on his Mother's side is a Ukrainian born who escaped Ukraine under the Soviet Union banner as a young child with her family. They managed to flee and make it to Australia via Italy and settled down in Brisbane during the 1950s. Liam Byrnes Country: Philippines Age: 19 Position: Front row Club: Hills Bulls Job: Gym Reception Born in the Philippines, Liam moved to Wellington in rural NSW. He spent most of his life playing rugby, playing in some junior representative sides, but once he played his first game for the junior Tamaraws at 17, he knew he had to switch back to league. Not once in his life did he ever think he would get the opportunities given to him. Liam is humbled, honoured, and thankful. Adam Meslemani Country: Lebanon Age: 19 Position: Centre Club: Ryde Eastwood Hawks Job: Plumber Adam is half Australian and half Lebanese. He grew up playing for Strathfield Raiders & Concord Burwood Wolves and have always loved the game. Adam's dream is to make the NRL one day and make his family proud who have always supported him through his entire journey. Tom Mencinsky Country: Ukraine Age: 29 Position: Front row Club: Sydney Oysters Job: Finance Growing up playing rugby union, Tom never thought league would play such a big role in his life. Having four grandparents born in Ukraine, Tom's heritage and culture runs very strong and he's proud to represent his family and where they have come from. Pat Phakhanam Country: Philippines Age: 18 Position: Lock Club: Carina Juniors Brisbane Job: Real Estate Agent Pat Phakhanam is a proud Filipino – Thai athlete who has been immersed in rugby league since the age of 11, rising through the ranks at Carina Juniors. Off the field, Pat balances a dual career as a real estate agent and a dedicated disability support worker, all while studying. These roles reflect his strong work ethic, reliability, and compassion. With deep roots in both his community and heritage, Pat's ultimate ambition is to break into the Queensland Cup with the Easts Tigers and represent the Philippines on the international stage. Ben Edwards Country: Ukraine Age: 30 Position: Fullback Club: Cessnock Goannas Job: Oaks Minor Hotel's Cypress Lakes A proud East Maitland griffins junior & former representative of the Newcastle Knights from 15s through to the under 20s squad, Ben has had the privilege to represent C. C. C Country, The Newcastle rebels & play alongside some greats like Mitch Barnett and Mitchell Moses. Ibrahim Elcheikh Country: Lebanon Age: 20 Position: Prop Club: Blacktown Workers Job: Electrician Ibrahim has been playing footy all my life. Not only is it a hobby and something he enjoys but it's a passion. It keeps him disciplined. Ibrahim sets new goals and higher standards and pushes his limits until they're achieved.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
New Ulster signing Juarno Augustus called up to South Africa pre-season squad
New Ulster signing Juarno Augustus is one of nine uncapped players named in an extensive 54-man South African squad for the first four of the Springboks' 14 international matches this year. The 27-year-old number eight moves to Belfast from Northampton Saints, although his arrival may be delayed by international commitments if he makes the final squad. Coach Rassie Erasmus retains 31 of the squad that won the 2023 World Cup – including Leinster's RG Snyman and Munster's Jean Kleyn – in a sign of continuity but has also made clear he intended using Tests against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia to try out new prospects. Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merweis is another of the uncapped players called up, along with props Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, flankers Renzo du Plessis and Vincent Tshituka and utility forward Cobus Wiese, whose brother Jasper is a regular in the squad. READ MORE The new backs are Sharks centre Ethan Hooker and Ntokozo Makhaza, who has been selected from university rugby without any franchise experience. The squad assembled on Sunday except for players still involved in the closing stages of the United Rugby Championship or English Premiership. 'We are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'Having an expanded squad will not only afford us the opportunity to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions.' South Africa used 50 players last season in an attempt to balance the load and build towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia. 'With a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season,' the coach added. Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane were not considered due to injury. The Springboks will meet the Barbarians in their first encounter on South African soil in Cape Town on June 28th followed by two Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5th and 12th respectively and Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19th. From August the Springboks play in the Rugby Championship and in November go on a European tour with tests in Italy, France, Ireland and Wales. South Africa squad Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Ulster), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (both Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
