Seventh NSW Blues player to miss Ashes tour with Australia
Liam Martin, who would have been one of the first picked for the end-of-season tour with the Kangaroos, has confirmed he is expecting his first child with fiancée Chelsea, and is ready to stay at home for the birth.
Martin had to miss last year's Pacific Championships because of a shoulder injury, but was one of the back-rowers for Australia in 2023, and also a member of the World Cup-winning squad in 2022.
Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Spencer Leniu and most likely Payne Haas will commit to playing for Samoa at the end of the year, while Stefano Utoikamanu, who has also played for Samoa, said he was keen to honour his father's heritage and represent Tonga.
Brad Fittler this week pulled out of the race to replace Mal Meninga as Kangaroos coach, saying he wanted to focus on his media commitments with Channel Nine. There has been a push from senior Maroons for Cameron Smith to take over from Meninga, who relinquished the post once he took over as head coach of the new Perth Bears franchise.
Kevin Walters and even Wayne Bennett, who have both worked as representative coaches, remain in the mix.
Martin said he never wanted to pass up an opportunity to play Test football, but did not want to be stranded on the other side of the world when his first child was born.
'We're due in October – I'm pretty excited – but it means I'll probably have to pull out of the Ashes,' Martin said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
29 minutes ago
- ABC News
Parramatta Eels defeat Cronulla Sharks 18-16 in NRLW round one
Revenge was sweet for Parramatta as they delivered a home defeat for Cronulla by 18-16 to kick off their 2025 NRLW season in style. The scoreline was the same when the Sharks pipped the Eels in their last meeting, in round two last year. It also kept Parramatta's strong away record intact, now five away wins in a row. Eels coach Steve Georgallis said there was a definite "fire in the belly" among his players from last year's disappointing fifth placing, missing the finals by one spot. "We thought we had the team to make the finals and we probably looked back at that Cronulla game we should have won," he said. "As a coach, that gave us some impetus towards this week to give them a bit of fire in the belly and get up for the game." Attacking kicks by halfback Rachael Pearson, darting runs by Maroons player Rory Owen, and brick-wall defence by forwards led by Elsie Albert and Chloe Jackson set up the win. Jackson was also a force in attack, scoring two tries. Cronulla had 13 players in their side who took part in last year's grand final defeat to the Sydney Roosters,compared to an Eels outfit containing five NRLW debutants. But the Eels high completion rate of 87 per cent and lower error rate — seven to the Sharks's 11 — proved the difference. "Our grit, our try-line defence … we never gave up," Georgallis said. "We worked so hard for each other and that's one of the traits from last year I'm so happy they've brought through to this playing group." The Eels were straight onto the job, scoring two tries in their first two forays inside the Sharks 20-metre zone, which helped set up a 12-6 half-time lead. Second rower Jackson fell on the ball over the line after a Pearson kick ricocheted off the goal-post pad, then six minutes later Pearson chipped ahead for herself and scored in the 13th minute. Pearson's two conversions had Parramatta sitting pretty at 12-0. Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray said her side's defence wasn't up to scratch. "And we let them in early with yardage penalties and early errors. They built momentum off those opportunities," she said. "It wasn't our style of footy that first half with our low completions." The home side's first try took 28 minutes after several scoring opportunities ended unhappily. After a good bust from lock Brooke Anderson against her old club, interchange prop Filomina Hanisi barged over under the posts. The conversion by Georgia Hannaway put the Sharks back in the hunt (12-6). Hanisi had the worst of starts to the second half, hurting her left knee in a tackle and having to be helped off the field by trainers. She will have scans. However, the Sharks were next to score, taking advantage of injured Eel Taneka Todhunter in back-play. Cronulla kept advancing towards the line and utility Nakia Davis-Welsh made a darting 10-metre solo run to the line. Five minutes later and despite some valiant Eels goal-line defence once again, hooker Quincy Dodd darted through from dummy-half to give Cronulla the lead for the first time (16-14) in the match. It didn't last long before Jackson grabbed her second, burrowing through Cronulla defenders. Parramatta nearly added to their score when winger Zali Fay went for a dash down the touchline but fullback Emma Verran caught her in cover defence a metre out from the line. AAP
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Jockey Tommy Berry excited by Welwal's hopes in the wet in Winter Stakes at Rosehill
Star jockey Tommy Berry is brimming with confidence Welwal's form upswing and a wet track can deliver a late season stakes success at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Berry and the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr -trained import narrowly missed out in the Listed Civic Stakes last start and will attempt to go one better in the Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m). It was the first time Berry had ridden Welwal under race conditions in the Civic Stakes and the performance left the gun hoop convinced the gelding is ready to win. Welwal only had a couple of runners behind him in the Royal Randwick test before surging home down the outside to finish a close second to Headley Grange. 'He was ready to run a big race and the stable knew that as well, they were very confident with his chances,' Berry said. 'They would have liked a bit more give in the ground to be a good thing but they will get that this weekend. 'I am surprised the market hasn't reacted to that this weekend because he is an ideal wet tracker and off the back off his last start, you would have thought he would be harder in the market but I am happy with the way he is going.' Welwal has been a drifter in early betting from $6 out to $7.50 with punters looking to land a plunge on Whinchat, which has been sensationally backed from $15 into $4.80 favouritism. Welwal was brought to Australia to target the Golden Eagle and spent his early years in Australia with Chris Waller before joining Price and Kent Jr last spring. The six-year-old boasts Group 3 wins in both hemispheres with his biggest win on Australian shores coming in last year's Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield on heavy ground. Headley Grange adds the Listed Civic Stakes to his impressive record, and it's a Randwick treble to Jason Collett! 🙌 @PrideRacing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • It was an uneventful start to this preparation for the imported talent but his Civic Stakes performance was a reminder of his ability. 'He is a better horse than this grade,' Berry said. 'I suppose he has lost his way a little bit since he has come over but the stable were confident heading into last start that he is has been getting back to that better form. 'He gave me that feeling in his trial so it didn't take much convincing to tell me he was going well. 'I think he would have gained a lot of confidence out of that the other day.' While Welwal is undoubtedly a class galloper, Berry will link up with perhaps the most exciting young horse in the program to start his day on Raging Force. The Peter Snowden -trained Raging Force has announced himself as a genuine spring carnival contender this preparation after backing up a dominant first-up victory at Muswellbrook with an eye-catching success at Randwick Kensington. That's a big win at Randwick to Raging Force, who makes it two wins in a row! ðŸ'° @TommyBerry21 @SnowdenRacing1 @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 The son of Cosmic Force is an even money favourite to bring up a winning hat-trick in the Thank You ATC Members 2YO Open (1100m). 'Raging Force is a lovely horse,' Berry said. 'He has always showed us quite a bit but it has just taken a while for the penny to drop. 'Every year you see one or two horses over the winter that catch your eye. 'Autumn Boy is one that won really well in Brisbane and this guy, what he did last start with the winkers on was quite impressive.' Raging Force has drawn in the inside in the opening event on the program. He has led the field up in both of his starts this preparation but Berry insists he doesn't necessarily need to lead. 'I reckon he will be better with a trail anyway and looks like he might get that. ' Blake Ryan 's horse (Just Awesome) that I rode on debut, he has plenty of speed and probably more than me. 'He is a horse that will take you right into the race as well. It is probably going to afford us the opportunity to be ridden with cover on the weekend and I am excited what he can bring.' â– â– â– â– â– Gate open to another win Well-bred gelding Gatekeeper was bred to be a star and gun jockey Tommy Berry reckons the Chris Waller-trained galloper could be ready to start delivering on his potential. Berry will have a strong hand for Waller at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday and will attempt to help Gatekeeper remain unbeaten in the The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). Breeding powerhouse Coolmore are in the ownership of Gatekeeper and have been forced wait patiently to see the gelding produce on the track. The three-year-old is a son of US champion Justify out of Australian Group 1 winner Nakeeta Jane. Nakeeta Jane was a placegetter in the 2018 Group 1 Flight Stakes before returning in the autumn to claim her maiden major in the Surround Stakes. . @mcacajamez gets his first win in Australia for the year with Gatekeeper finding the gap and taking out the first at Canterbury! ðŸ'¥ @cwallerracing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 17, 2025 • Shayne O'Cass's tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday Berry piloted Gatekeeper in his first public appearance last May when he finished sixth in a trial at Rosehill Gardens but it wasn't for another eight months until the well-bred talent was produced at the races. Gatekeeper proved to be worth the wait when doing his best work late to score in a 1250m event at Canterbury on January 17 this year. Berry has ridden Gatekeeper in trackwork since and expects a bold showing from the three-year-old first-up. 'He gives you a lovely feel,' Berry said. 'He works good at home and is one of those horses that has always taken a bit of time and Chris has given him that. 'He has been accepted a few times in different races and drawn poorly. 'They've waited for a good alley (barrier five) for him and he's got that on the weekend. 'He's got quality on his side.' Bookies rate Gatekeeper as a $4.80 favourite to make it two from two to start his career with first emergency Lunaite well supported from $8 into $5. Berry also has the rides on Sounds Unusual ($8), Useapin ($10) and Cigar Flick ($8.50) for Sydney's leading conditioner.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Farrell seeks backing for son Owen after Lions call
Andy Farrell has urged British and Irish Lions fans to get behind his son Owen's shock call-up to Australia in the hope he escapes the type of negativity he faced at the 2023 World Cup. Farrell said he had "no hesitation" summoning the former England captain once it became clear that Elliot Daly must return home because of a fractured forearm sustained against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The Lions are reeling from the news that Daly's third tour is over just as he was playing his way into the Test team, robbing them of a player Andy Farrell described as a "legend" for the elite of British and Irish rugby. But rather than replacing him with a similar alternative such as Wales' Blair Murray or Scotland's Tom Jordan, Andy Farrell has turned to a 33-year-old whose last Test was at the World Cup almost two years ago. Owen Farrell was booed by England fans during the tournament and became a target on social media, which his father described as a "disgusting circus", and he stepped back from the international game to prioritise his mental wellbeing before joining French club Racing 92. A polarising figure, he is now en route to Australia where Andy Farrell wants his prior treatment to be consigned to the past. "I hope people can get past that. There has been a lot of that nonsense for some time," the Lions head coach said. "That was in the past. We all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about and what we have got coming ahead. "We feel that the timing is right now, that we can all move on and push on, not just with Owen's career but what we're trying to achieve here with the Lions." Owen Farrell will arrive in Sydney on Friday, bringing with him the experience accumulated during 112 caps for England, whom he captained from 2018 to 2023. He will be embarking on his fourth Lions tour having made six Test appearances across the 2013, 2017 and 2021 expeditions and will bring leadership, experience and organisation. However, his ill-fated season at French club Racing 92 was undermined by injuries and indifferent form and he missed the end of the season with a concussion sustained on May 4. He has since rejoined Saracens. "Owen's fit or else he wouldn't be picked. I know that the guys have been keeping close touch with him in regard to that and he's been training full bore for quite some time now," Andy Farrell said. "He's the right man at this moment in time for us. We know how much he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping in good nick anyway. "At this stage there are plenty of players who haven't played for quite some time and experience - knowing what you can do - helps in that regard." Saturday's clash with New South Wales Waratahs has come too soon and the third match in Australia will see Ireland's Tadhg Beirne take charge. Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan will make their Lions debuts on the left wing and at full-back respectively. Andy Farrell has urged British and Irish Lions fans to get behind his son Owen's shock call-up to Australia in the hope he escapes the type of negativity he faced at the 2023 World Cup. Farrell said he had "no hesitation" summoning the former England captain once it became clear that Elliot Daly must return home because of a fractured forearm sustained against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The Lions are reeling from the news that Daly's third tour is over just as he was playing his way into the Test team, robbing them of a player Andy Farrell described as a "legend" for the elite of British and Irish rugby. But rather than replacing him with a similar alternative such as Wales' Blair Murray or Scotland's Tom Jordan, Andy Farrell has turned to a 33-year-old whose last Test was at the World Cup almost two years ago. Owen Farrell was booed by England fans during the tournament and became a target on social media, which his father described as a "disgusting circus", and he stepped back from the international game to prioritise his mental wellbeing before joining French club Racing 92. A polarising figure, he is now en route to Australia where Andy Farrell wants his prior treatment to be consigned to the past. "I hope people can get past that. There has been a lot of that nonsense for some time," the Lions head coach said. "That was in the past. We all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about and what we have got coming ahead. "We feel that the timing is right now, that we can all move on and push on, not just with Owen's career but what we're trying to achieve here with the Lions." Owen Farrell will arrive in Sydney on Friday, bringing with him the experience accumulated during 112 caps for England, whom he captained from 2018 to 2023. He will be embarking on his fourth Lions tour having made six Test appearances across the 2013, 2017 and 2021 expeditions and will bring leadership, experience and organisation. However, his ill-fated season at French club Racing 92 was undermined by injuries and indifferent form and he missed the end of the season with a concussion sustained on May 4. He has since rejoined Saracens. "Owen's fit or else he wouldn't be picked. I know that the guys have been keeping close touch with him in regard to that and he's been training full bore for quite some time now," Andy Farrell said. "He's the right man at this moment in time for us. We know how much he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping in good nick anyway. "At this stage there are plenty of players who haven't played for quite some time and experience - knowing what you can do - helps in that regard." Saturday's clash with New South Wales Waratahs has come too soon and the third match in Australia will see Ireland's Tadhg Beirne take charge. Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan will make their Lions debuts on the left wing and at full-back respectively. Andy Farrell has urged British and Irish Lions fans to get behind his son Owen's shock call-up to Australia in the hope he escapes the type of negativity he faced at the 2023 World Cup. Farrell said he had "no hesitation" summoning the former England captain once it became clear that Elliot Daly must return home because of a fractured forearm sustained against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The Lions are reeling from the news that Daly's third tour is over just as he was playing his way into the Test team, robbing them of a player Andy Farrell described as a "legend" for the elite of British and Irish rugby. But rather than replacing him with a similar alternative such as Wales' Blair Murray or Scotland's Tom Jordan, Andy Farrell has turned to a 33-year-old whose last Test was at the World Cup almost two years ago. Owen Farrell was booed by England fans during the tournament and became a target on social media, which his father described as a "disgusting circus", and he stepped back from the international game to prioritise his mental wellbeing before joining French club Racing 92. A polarising figure, he is now en route to Australia where Andy Farrell wants his prior treatment to be consigned to the past. "I hope people can get past that. There has been a lot of that nonsense for some time," the Lions head coach said. "That was in the past. We all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about and what we have got coming ahead. "We feel that the timing is right now, that we can all move on and push on, not just with Owen's career but what we're trying to achieve here with the Lions." Owen Farrell will arrive in Sydney on Friday, bringing with him the experience accumulated during 112 caps for England, whom he captained from 2018 to 2023. He will be embarking on his fourth Lions tour having made six Test appearances across the 2013, 2017 and 2021 expeditions and will bring leadership, experience and organisation. However, his ill-fated season at French club Racing 92 was undermined by injuries and indifferent form and he missed the end of the season with a concussion sustained on May 4. He has since rejoined Saracens. "Owen's fit or else he wouldn't be picked. I know that the guys have been keeping close touch with him in regard to that and he's been training full bore for quite some time now," Andy Farrell said. "He's the right man at this moment in time for us. We know how much he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping in good nick anyway. "At this stage there are plenty of players who haven't played for quite some time and experience - knowing what you can do - helps in that regard." Saturday's clash with New South Wales Waratahs has come too soon and the third match in Australia will see Ireland's Tadhg Beirne take charge. Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan will make their Lions debuts on the left wing and at full-back respectively.
