Wellington Phoenix vs Wrexham live updates
The Welsh side, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, finish their Wrexham Down Under tour following matches against Sydney FC (lost 2-1) and Melbourne Utd (won 3-0).
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Josh Oluwayemi, 5. Fin Roa Conchie, 9. Hideki Ishige, 15. Isaac Hughes, 17. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, 18. Lukas Kelly-Heald, 24. Xuan Loke, 25. Kazuki Nagasawa (c), 27. Matthew Sheridan, 29. Luke Brooke-Smith, 39. Jayden Smith
Subs: 35. Matt Foorde, 40. Eamonn McCarron, 31. Ryan Lee, 32. Ryan Watson, 33. Dylan Gardiner, 34. Nick Murphy, 36. Luke Mitchell, 37. Anaru Cassidy, 42. Fergus Gillion, 44. Dan Makowem, 45. Lewis Partridge, 46. Lachlan Candy, 47. Luke Flowerdew, 48. Mac Munro
Wrexham AFC: 1. Arthur Okonkwo, 24. Dan Scarr, 4. Max Cleworth, 3. Lewis Brunt, 47. Ryan Longman, 37. Matty James, 6. Tom O'Connor, 38. Elliot Lee, 7. James McClean (c), 45. Harry Ashfield, 18. Ryan Hardie
Subs: 21. Danny Ward, 13. Callum Burton, 34. Aaron James, 19. Jacob Mendy, 5. Eoghan O'Connell, 44. MaxPurvis, 23. Sebastian Revan, 29. Ryan Barnett, 15. George Dobson, 12. George Evans, 40. Alex Moore, 22. Modou Faal, 9. Ollie Palmer, 42. Callum Edwards
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
21 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Wallabies furious after controversial late try gives Lions win
The Wallabies have suffered a heart-breaking series defeat to the British and Irish Lions losing the second Test at the MCG 29-26 after a controversial last-minute try. The Australians looked set to level the series, taking an 18-point lead, but the Lions roared back with fullback Hugo Keenan finding a gap out wide to score with 45 seconds left on the clock. However Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt believed the try shouldn't have been awarded after Wallabies flanker Carlo Tizzano appeared to have been cleaned out with a shoulder to the neck in the build-up. While the TMO and referee Andrea Piardi reviewed the hit by Welsh flanker Jac Morgan, he didn't deem it a penalty and the try stood. A shattered Schmidt said contact was made above the shoulders, which made it illegal. "You just have to read law 9.20 ... we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're talking about," Schmidt said. "We've watched a number of replays from different angles, and so it is what it is, we just have to accept it." Jubilant Lions coach Andy Farrell had a different view and described it as a "brilliant clear-out". Coming after the Wallabies loss in Brisbane, the Lions will lift the Tom Richards Cup with a third Test still to play in Sydney. The result means the Wallabies are the first team since the 1966 Lions tour to lose the series in two games, with that Australian outfit losing both matches in a two-Test tour. In the Lions' last two visits down under, in 2001 and 2013, the Wallabies have won the second Test in Melbourne. It appeared this series would also follow that script as the hosts came out firing in front of a crowd of 90,307, the largest ever to watch a Lions match in Australia. With Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who sat out the first Test through injury, adding size to the pack, the Wallabies answered their critics and aimed up early in a physical display that had the tourists on the back foot. Two penalty kicks by Tom Lynagh gave the Wallabies an early six-point lead but the Lions were first across the tryline in the 15th minute through hooker Dan Sheehan. While the Wallabies lost Harry Potter to a hamstring injury and had to use reserve halfback Tate McDermott on the wing, they didn't miss a beat. Prop James Slipper, only the second Wallaby to have played in two series, scored for an 11-5 lead and everything seemed to be going the home side's way. With Lions winger Tommy Freeman yellow-carded after his team's multiple infringements, the home side extended the lead to 23-5 lead after 30 minutes with halfback Jake Gordon and fullback Tom Wright both scoring. But the red tide started to turn and the Lions closed the gap to 23-17 by halftime. The second half was an arm wrestle and a 59th-minute try by prop Tadgh Beirne set up a thrilling finale, with just two points between the teams. The Wallabies showed desperation in defence and it looked like they would hold on for a famous victory but the Lions had the final say. Kiwi Schmidt said it was one of the most painful losses of his long coaching career. "I felt we had the game to really challenge them, and we demonstrated that when we built the lead, but they're a really good side, and the experience they have just allowed them to stay calm, and execute their game," he said of the Lions. "So it was a heck of a test match, and yeah, we're absolutely gutted." With celebrations from their change-room drowning out the press conference, Farrell was thrilled to have the series locked down. "These lads have dreamed of being a British and Irish Lion all their lives and to get to the point where we come to the MCG, 90,000 people, with a dramatic finish like that to win the series, is what dreams are made of," he said. "It's a special moment for everyone so we are absolutely delighted that we showed the courage of what it takes to be a Lion."
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Squad's potential excites coach
Georgia Cormick, pictured in action for the Spirit last year, brings experience after a season with the Western Force in Super Rugby Women. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES There is a quiet optimism about where the Otago Spirit could head this season. Head coach Matt Direen unveiled his 35-strong squad last week with an exciting blend of experienced heads and new blood to compete in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship this season. The Spirit made it to the Championship final last year, where they fell short against the Manawatu Cyclones. Direen knows what it takes to get there, having made the step up to head coach this season after several years as assistant, and is excited by the "unrealised potential" among his squad. "I think this squad has ability to go a long way and I don't think they potentially realise [yet] ... exciting to be sort of helping them reach that potential," Direen said. "Obviously some new girls coming in that bring quite a lot and established players that have proven they can do it. "Getting them all to realise just how good they can be as a squad is what we're trying to achieve at the moment." Several wise heads are back, including Tegan Hollows and Eilis Doyle, who played for Matatu, and Georgia Cormick and Sheree Hume, who played for the Western Force in Super Rugby Women. Exciting backs Charlotte Va'afusuaga, who was the Spirit's MVP in 2024, and Naomi Sopoaga also made their Matatu debuts. Former Tasman back-turned-loose forward Sarah Jones has shifted south, and halfback Abigail Paton — both were part of Matatu — returns home after a year with Canterbury. "The value of experience in today's game is massive," Direen said. "Having a few older heads having been in and in amongst that, and know what's required in terms of training and preparation. "You can tell those things from a coach, but seeing them modelled by players like Tegs, and Eilis, and those sort of girls, it's way more valuable than my words." Another experienced campaigner in Greer Muir will take over the captaincy this season. She replaces Julia Gorinski, who has retired but remains with the squad as assistant manager. Muir had developed as a calm head in pressure situations, set high expectations and delivered clear messages her players responded to, Direen said. "You notice a player when they talk [and] everyone else is quiet and Greer's that kind of person. "We've got a few leaders in that space, but Greer was certainly someone that stood out." Bella Rewiri-Wharerau has been ruled out for the season, but remains as an analyst, and Zoe Frood, Paige Church and Te Atawhai Campbell are also among the injury list. Campbell should hopefully be available at some stage, but the others were "not looking quite as promising", he said. The Spirit make the trip to Lincoln on Sunday to play a "game of three halves" against Tasman and Southland. They then head away to play Canterbury ahead of their Farah Palmer Cup opener. Both games were vital for "bridging between club footy and that next level" and preparing them for the season ahead. The Spirit open their season against North Harbour at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 10.
1News
4 days ago
- 1News
Kiwi Toa Henderson wins Royal Welsh Open shearing title
Two Kiwi shearers have made it onto the podium at the Royal Welsh Open All Nations Shearing Championship this morning. Toa Henderson from Northland took out first place in the competition, winning the memorial trophy, the crystal award and £600 (NZ$1347). The 35-year-old, who won the Golden Shears and New Zealand Open championships' double in March, blasted through the 20 Welsh speckle lambs in under 12m 38 seconds, to be first off the board in the six-man final. Former Royal Welsh Open winner and defending champion Jack Fagan from Te Kuiti placed third, just 0.15pts behind in his bid to win the title for a third time. Coming in sixth was a third New Zealand shearer, Matt Smith, from Northland and Hawke's Bay. ADVERTISEMENT Henderson told the crowd he felt "pretty good" taking the Welsh title in his first season. Northland's Toa Henderson took out first place in the competition. (Source: 1News) "Awesome final, I really enjoyed it. To all my family back home, I'm rapt with this," he told the cheering crowd. He also acknowledged his wife Phoebe, saying it was her birthday today. The overall test series went to the Welsh team, claiming their second win on the home stage. It was the 50th anniversary of the Royal Welsh championship.
