Latest news with #non-WorldCup
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Three big names in mix to play Springboks in huge boost for Wallabies
Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou are all in contention to play for the Wallabies next Sunday morning in Johannesburg. South Africa have won more than 70 per cent of the Tests they've played on the high veldt at Ellis Park and the addition of the form trio would be a huge boost for the Wallabies, given their last win at the stadium was 62 years ago. Speaking to this masthead at Sydney Airport on Saturday before departing for South Africa, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said Tupou, Valetini and Skelton will all push for selection against the world champions after outstanding performances against the British and Irish Lions. 'They're definitely all in contention for Ellis Park,' Schmidt said. 'Obviously, Will played 60 minutes [in the third Test against the Lions], Nela [Tupou] played 60-odd [minutes] in Sydney. It feels like a long time ago; it wasn't even a week ago. 'So they're fine and Bobby [Valetini] did a really good run yesterday, so our ambition is that he'll train fully with us this week.' Skelton is likely to play his first game in The Rugby Championship in a non-World Cup year since 2016 after an outstanding Lions series. Schmidt was unable to confirm whether Skelton will be able to stay with his Wallabies teammates beyond the South Africa tour, but credited the second-rower's Irish coaches Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan for their support in facilitating his time in The Rugby Championship. 'At the moment we're just taking it almost week by week, maybe two weeks by two weeks,' Schmidt said. 'We'll get those two weeks done [against South Africa], we'll assess at the end of that, and then we'll go again in the block at home against Argentina and then … home games against the All Blacks.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Three big names in mix to play Springboks in huge boost for Wallabies
Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou are all in contention to play for the Wallabies next Sunday morning in Johannesburg. South Africa have won more than 70 per cent of the Tests they've played on the high veldt at Ellis Park and the addition of the form trio would be a huge boost for the Wallabies, given their last win at the stadium was 62 years ago. Speaking to this masthead at Sydney Airport on Saturday before departing for South Africa, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said Tupou, Valetini and Skelton will all push for selection against the world champions after outstanding performances against the British and Irish Lions. 'They're definitely all in contention for Ellis Park,' Schmidt said. 'Obviously, Will played 60 minutes [in the third Test against the Lions], Nela [Tupou] played 60-odd [minutes] in Sydney. It feels like a long time ago; it wasn't even a week ago. 'So they're fine and Bobby [Valetini] did a really good run yesterday, so our ambition is that he'll train fully with us this week.' Skelton is likely to play his first game in The Rugby Championship in a non-World Cup year since 2016 after an outstanding Lions series. Schmidt was unable to confirm whether Skelton will be able to stay with his Wallabies teammates beyond the South Africa tour, but credited the second-rower's Irish coaches Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan for their support in facilitating his time in The Rugby Championship. 'At the moment we're just taking it almost week by week, maybe two weeks by two weeks,' Schmidt said. 'We'll get those two weeks done [against South Africa], we'll assess at the end of that, and then we'll go again in the block at home against Argentina and then … home games against the All Blacks.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies bring the power to beat Boks with Valetini, Skelton named in squad
The Wallabies' hopes of beating the Springboks at altitude for the first time in 15 years have been boosted by the inclusion of power forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in the tour squad to fly to South Africa on Saturday. Life after the Lions will begin in earnest for the Wallabies on Friday when they gather in Sydney ahead of a journey to Johannesburg the next day, for the first of their opening two matches of the Rugby Championship. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named a 35-player squad on Thursday, and, crucially given their impact during the recent Lions series, Valetini was included on the list despite missing the third Lions Test with a calf injury, and Skelton was confirmed as having agreed to remain with the Wallabies instead of returning to France. Skelton is poised to play his first Rugby Championship fixtures in a non-World Cup year since 2016, and his size and strength will be vital if the Wallabies are to take down the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 17. The last time the Wallabies beat the Boks at high altitude was in Bloemfontein in 2010. Taniela Tupou was also named in the squad, despite being in doubt for the first Test with a toe injury. Power is the name of the game for Schmidt, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also finally recalled to the Wallabies squad after displaying dominant form against the Lions in three tour fixtures for Queensland, the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika side, but failing to get a call-up for the Test series. The big Reds lock has replaced Josh Canham. Elsewhere, the selection of Tane Edmed to replace Tom Lynagh (concussion) was confirmed as well but in another interesting twist, James O'Connor was also named in the group, though his original plan had been to join Leicester immediately after the Lions series.
The Age
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Wallabies bring the power to beat Boks with Valetini, Skelton named in squad
The Wallabies' hopes of beating the Springboks at altitude for the first time in 15 years have been boosted by the inclusion of power forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in the tour squad to fly to South Africa on Saturday. Life after the Lions will begin in earnest for the Wallabies on Friday when they gather in Sydney ahead of a journey to Johannesburg the next day, for the first of their opening two matches of the Rugby Championship. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named a 35-player squad on Thursday, and, crucially given their impact during the recent Lions series, Valetini was included on the list despite missing the third Lions Test with a calf injury, and Skelton was confirmed as having agreed to remain with the Wallabies instead of returning to France. Skelton is poised to play his first Rugby Championship fixtures in a non-World Cup year since 2016, and his size and strength will be vital if the Wallabies are to take down the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 17. The last time the Wallabies beat the Boks at high altitude was in Bloemfontein in 2010. Taniela Tupou was also named in the squad, despite being in doubt for the first Test with a toe injury. Power is the name of the game for Schmidt, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also finally recalled to the Wallabies squad after displaying dominant form against the Lions in three tour fixtures for Queensland, the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika side, but failing to get a call-up for the Test series. The big Reds lock has replaced Josh Canham. Elsewhere, the selection of Tane Edmed to replace Tom Lynagh (concussion) was confirmed as well but in another interesting twist, James O'Connor was also named in the group, though his original plan had been to join Leicester immediately after the Lions series.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Plans for Netball World Cup every two years
Australia beat England 61-45 in the final of the 2023 World Cup [Getty Images] World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to "future-proof" uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games. The World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in 2027. Advertisement The long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising costs. World Netball also plans to introduce a men's World Cup competition. "We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026," World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event. "These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone. "As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term." Advertisement The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic leagues. They also are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup years. Netball has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider audience. Australia won the bid to host the 2026 Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget blowouts. Just a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising costs. Advertisement Glasgow has agreed to step in as host for next year's event but only after getting assurances they could run a scaled-down version, with 10 sports set to take place across four venues in the city. "International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate," Harold added. "World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits." Australia beat England in the final of the 2023 World Cup to claim a record-extending 12th title. The governing body says men's netball is "gaining momentum rapidly" and intends to support that growth by introducing a World Cup. Advertisement England men played their first international match in October 2022, having been formed just seven months earlier. Australia, a dominant force in both men's and women's netball, has been running a men's and mixed netball championship for more than 40 years. New Zealand, the Caribbean and Americas regions all field men's national teams and clubs continue to emerge across Africa. "The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion," Harold said. Advertisement "I have enjoyed engaging with men's netball groups over the past few months and we will continue to collaborate with them to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup happen in the next few years."
