Latest news with #rugbyleague
Reuters
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Rugby league-Walters confirmed as Kangaroos coach for Ashes tour
SYDNEY, July 23 (Reuters) - Former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland coach Kevin Walters will lead Australia's Kangaroos on this year's three-test tour of England, where rugby league's Ashes will be contested for the first time in 22 years. The post became vacant when Mal Meninga was recruited to head up the new National Rugby League (NRL) expansion team in Perth and 57-year-old Walters was favourite to get the job once Brad Fittler ruled himself out. "Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes," Australian rugby league supremo Peter V'landys said in a statement on Wednesday. "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team." Walters has been handed a contract only for the three matches in London, Liverpool and Leeds in late October and early November, but a good showing by Australia could earn him an extension until next year's much-delayed World Cup. Similar to the cricket rivalry of the same name, rugby league's Ashes were contested between Australia and Britain 39 times between 1908 and 2003. Australia won the last 13 editions.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Missing detail about Toby Sexton called out after Bulldogs axing for Lachie Galvin
Former NRL premiership winner Matty Johns has leapt to the defence of axed Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton after flipping the narrative around teammate Lachie Galvin on its head. Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo made the brutal decision to dump Sexton in favour of Galvin for last week's nail-biting two-point win over the Dragons. The move ultimately paid dividends with Galvin setting up the match-winning try in the dying stages after throwing a superb cut-out pass to Jethro Rinakama. But it was hardly a dominant performance from the star recruit, who showed flashes of brilliance but still struggled to help take the Bulldogs attack to the next level. Ciraldo has spoken about the need to evolve his side's attack and come up with ways to try and break down the best teams and defensive structures in the competition. It's why many believe Ciraldo made the right choice by replacing Sexton with Galvin, after pointing out some of the unflattering attacking stats of the axed No.7. It was widely publicised before Sexton was dropped that he had not registered a single try assist in his past seven games. And critics also pointed out that he had the fewest try assists and line breaks of any of the halfbacks in the top four teams this season. Matty Johns takes aim at 'stats' after defending Toby Sexton But Johns said it was 'disrespectful' to discredit a player that had helped turn the previously struggling Bulldogs into a genuine premiership contender and said the stats don't tell the whole story. "One thing that does irk me a bit is the stat sheet that has been released to all the journalists on Toby Sexton," Johns began saying on SEN radio. "Saying 'oh look at this he's only got two this and that'. I just think that's so disrespectful given where Toby has taken that team. I just think he deserves a lot better than that. So it's pretty crook. "Stats tell a lie a lot of the time. And for Toby, yes he's not doing the same amount of try assists as Nathan (Cleary), those guys. But sometimes when you're in the halves it's the things you don't do that are really important. Like pushing your passes, overstepping your bounds and things like that. "Regardless of what he's done and try assists and what appears on the stats sheet, he has taken the Dogs - look where they were when he walked into that team - and look where they are now. And a lot of that is (down to) Toby." Ironically, some of the stats actually back up Johns' argument. One glance at the Bulldogs' win-loss record with and without Sexton, illustrates his influence on the team. Across the last two seasons, the Dogs have won just three of nine games (33%) when Sexton has not been playing, compared to 23 of 32 games (71.9%) when he has been in the team. RELATED: Major blow for Panthers as two players sign with Dragons Cameron Smith flags new role after missing gig to Kevin Walters But while former Bulldogs premiership winner Braith Anasta admitted that Sexton has done a sensational job at No.7 for the Dogs, he feels Galvin can ultimately take them to that next level to potentially win a premiership. 'It's not about winning right now, games, it's about winning the comp,' he said on NRL 360. 'That's the big shift here. They can win, they know they can win club games, and when it gets to the finals, we all know, the level goes up, it's elite, it's the best of the best, you've got to find another level. And they haven't found that for a while now, and they're looking for it.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Big win for the Wests Tigers as Api Koroisau agrees to long-term extension
The Wests Tigers have locked in the 'heart and soul of the team' after co-captain Api Koroisau agreed to a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028 season. It's a huge boost for coach Benji Marshall who said recently that the club was all in on the veteran hooker after it emerged that young gun Tallyn Da Silva was leaving to join the Parramatta Eels so he could get more opportunities in first grade, while the club has also had to deal with Lachlan Galvin leaving to join the Canterbury Bulldogs. Koroisau, 32, has won three titles and remains one of the craftiest hookers in the NRL and a key figure for the Tigers who are continuing to build a new identity under Marshall. He joined the club in 2023 after a very successful stint at Penrith, with the former NSW dummy-half a shining light in a team that has struggled on and off the field. 'This club has become family to me. I've felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji - he's someone I really admire and enjoy playing under,' he said. 'I'm stoked to re-sign and can't wait to help lead this team for a few more years.' The news comes a week after the club re-signed Tristan Hope who will move into the top 30 squad, with Koroisau to remain their main man for the next three seasons. The contract extension also means new franchises can't go after him, while his decision to stay could play a key role in keeping stars or enticing others to join the club. 'Api is a great player but more so he is the heart and soul of this team,' Marshall said. 'His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable. Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in. 'We are thrilled to have him and his wonderful family here long term.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Teammate's eye-opening response amid calls for NRL players to be banned from Origin
Queensland and Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan has claimed he would support both his teammates if they decide to switch allegiances and play for Samoa, but Brad Fittler has questioned if rules for eligibility around State of Origin should be amended. Fans were left scratching their heads once again at the rules in international rugby league after reported trio Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas Tino and Fa'asuamaleaui were all thinking of playing for Samoa, which would rule them out for the Ashes tour at the end of the year. One of the first jobs for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will be to try and convince the trio to play in the historic Ashes tour with all three close to automatic selections in the side. However, Carrigan has admitted he wouldn't begrudge Broncos teammate Haas or Queensland teammates Tabuai-Fidow or Fa'asuamaleaui if they opted to switch allegiances. Carrigan said while he would like to line-up alongside them, he would still cheer them on if they opted to pull on the Samoa jersey and represent their heritage. "Everyone has different cultural backgrounds and family experiences," he said. "My love to play for Australia and for my country comes from my parents and their hard work so if those boys feel passionate about representing Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that's their choice and I think it makes for a better product. I don't begrudge them at all." Tabuai-Fidow played for Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, but was hampered with injury and only featured in one game. He has represented Australia six times since then having won the Pacific Championship last year in a stacked side. Fa'asuamaleaui played six games for Australia across 2022 and 2023, but has been injured in recent years having struggled to back-up for the green and gold at the end of the season. Haas has represented Australia four times. Walters coached Carrigan and Haas at the Broncos for four years and has a good relationship with both of the forwards. And Carrigan feels Walters will be in Haas' ear about his upcoming decision. "I'd hope so, as a fan I'll line him up for us and cheer him on," he said. "Him and (Kevin Walters) have got a good relationship so I'm sure Kev will get into the big fella's ears." Backlash over player defections at international level Samoa is not considered a tier-one nation so if Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui were to make the switch, they would still be able to continue playing Origin for their respective states. And fans have become increasingly confused and frustrated with reports of players switching. Switching allegiances between a tier one and tier two nation has become a controversial debate within the game. However, the argument is State of Origin and the international game is strengthened with as many players getting involved as possible. "They're elite players in the Australian competition in our game so you want them playing for Australia, but I love where the international game is going," Carrigan added about the international game. Veteran reporter Buzz Rothfield also suggested rugby league benefits from players making the switch, but commentator Dan Ginnane claimed it's time to make Samoa and Tonga tier one nations in rugby league. It's time State of Origin was opened up for everyone, even Poms and Kiwis. Let anyone play Origin, if they of the International Rugby League too, as smaller nations hold onto their guns. — 13-A-Side (@13_A_Side_) July 22, 2025 Then there is the argument over State of Origin. Some fans feel a player should only be able to represent their state if they play for Australia. If playing for the Kangaroos deemed you eligible to play State of Origin, the current pinnacle of the sport, than less players would be so willing to make a switch. And former NSW coach Brad Fittler suggested that maybe the NRL need to think about a rule change to make players hold the Australian jersey in higher esteem. "State of Origin's the one that everyone loves playing. Unless you take State of Origin away from those tier two nations, then that won't change," Fittler told 2GB Radio. "There's a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes, especially with a lot of the Polynesian players to try to get them to go and play for Samoa, Tonga, or whatever. "I think in the Pacific Nations it's great that they're competitive. I think in a World Cup, I think it is. I don't know about this Kangaroo Tour. A lot of these players don't know the history of the Kangaroo tour. I think playing in a Test match at Wembley is a little bit more significant than playing in a Pacific Nations game." While this could be implemented this does go against the purpose of Origin, which is representing the state where you started played junior footy. Players such as Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai all represent Samoa, but play a pivotal role in State of Origin and making the competition such an elite standard.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Walters to coach Australia for England series
Kevin Walters says he "can't wait to get started" after being named Australia's head coach for their autumn series against former Brisbane Broncos head coach, who led Queensland through four State of Origin series', has been given a three-match deal to lead the men's team for the Ashes 57, replaces Mal Meninga, who left in June after the announcement that he would be taking charge of new NRL club Perth Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has also confirmed Jess Skinner will continue as coach of the women's team through to next year's World Cup. Australia's men face England at Wembley on 25 October, Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium on 1 November and AMT Headingley on 8 November, with all three matches to be shown live in the UK by the BBC. The Tests at Everton and Headingley are already sold said: "It is truly an honour and a privilege to be able to coach the Kangaroos on such a stage."He was part of the Kangaroos squad that toured Great Britain in 1990 and 1994, although he only played in Tests on the latter tour."Playing on a Kangaroos tour was always a pinnacle as a player, so to be able to lead the best of the best in this environment is very humbling and obviously very exciting," added Walters, who had a short spell at Super League side Warrington in 2001 and coached Catalans Dragons from 2009-10."This series will be an important step for the growth of international rugby league and for the Kangaroos. I can't wait to get started."Meninga's decision to take up the role with Perth Bears forced him to step down in June as ARLC rules prevent the national team head coach from holding a club job at the same Australia captain Brad Fittler, a three-time World Cup winner, had been favourite for the post until ruling himself out of the running, citing his media commitments. Cameron Smith, another ex-Kangaroos captain, was also a chairman Peter V'landys said: "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team."
