Hale T Pole represents all Pacific Island rugby players these days
Will Hopoate talks us through some of the exciting finishes in the NRL this week, Sam Wykes casts his eye over Samoa's game vs Scotland and the latest news for the Pasifika First Nations game and Shellie Long sums up the underdog victories in the NRLW.
NB: Hear the Hale T Pole interview at 29:30
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The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Walters will speak to Samoa trio about rep futures
The rise of Samoa as international rugby league powerhouses poses a dilemma for Australia, but new coach Kevin Walters is up for the challenge. Walters will helm the Kangaroos on a three-Test Ashes tour at the end of this season, but it is doubtful star players Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be on the plane with him. The trio are leaning towards representing Samoa in the post-season Pacific Championships, which will also have implications for next year's World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The reality of the modern game is that many players have heritages from multiple nations, and the desire to honour their families and represent countries and cultures that are dear to their hearts is strong. That fact has made the international game stronger, as 2022 World Cup finalists Samoa, along with Tonga, have demonstrated. Walters wants to have the best players available for Australia, which is understandable, but also is supportive of the Samoan trio. Australia forward Pat Carrigan, a big supporter of players following their heart on international eligibility, said on Tuesday he expected Walters to "get in the ear" of Brisbane teammate Haas to play for the Kangaroos. Walters was asked on Wednesday if he would. "In time I will, but that's probably not a conversation for today," he said. "I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating, I totally understand their situation, but let's get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they're at with that. We move forward from there." Tabuai-Fidow, who represented Samoa in one World Cup match in 2022 before getting injured, won the 2024 Pacific Cup with Australia. Fa'asuamaleaui took out the 2022 World Cup with the Kangaroos. Gold Coast captain Fa'asuamaleaui did play a Test for Samoa in 2019, but has represented Australia in his past seven internationals. Broncos prop Haas has played all his four Tests for Australia. "One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there's great talent. We know that," Walters said. "So if some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we've got plenty of depth here in Australia. Obviously we want the best players available. "It's been a terrific State of Origin series with great talent on show from both states, so I'm sure we'll get a very strong 22 to take on the English in October and November." Walters was quizzed on whether he was up for the challenge of dealing with the selection issues ahead. "Yes, certainly ... myself and who else selects the team," he replied. "That's our job, to get the best 22 players available after the grand final and pick those guys and head over to England and get the job done for Australia." The rise of Samoa as international rugby league powerhouses poses a dilemma for Australia, but new coach Kevin Walters is up for the challenge. Walters will helm the Kangaroos on a three-Test Ashes tour at the end of this season, but it is doubtful star players Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be on the plane with him. The trio are leaning towards representing Samoa in the post-season Pacific Championships, which will also have implications for next year's World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The reality of the modern game is that many players have heritages from multiple nations, and the desire to honour their families and represent countries and cultures that are dear to their hearts is strong. That fact has made the international game stronger, as 2022 World Cup finalists Samoa, along with Tonga, have demonstrated. Walters wants to have the best players available for Australia, which is understandable, but also is supportive of the Samoan trio. Australia forward Pat Carrigan, a big supporter of players following their heart on international eligibility, said on Tuesday he expected Walters to "get in the ear" of Brisbane teammate Haas to play for the Kangaroos. Walters was asked on Wednesday if he would. "In time I will, but that's probably not a conversation for today," he said. "I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating, I totally understand their situation, but let's get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they're at with that. We move forward from there." Tabuai-Fidow, who represented Samoa in one World Cup match in 2022 before getting injured, won the 2024 Pacific Cup with Australia. Fa'asuamaleaui took out the 2022 World Cup with the Kangaroos. Gold Coast captain Fa'asuamaleaui did play a Test for Samoa in 2019, but has represented Australia in his past seven internationals. Broncos prop Haas has played all his four Tests for Australia. "One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there's great talent. We know that," Walters said. "So if some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we've got plenty of depth here in Australia. Obviously we want the best players available. "It's been a terrific State of Origin series with great talent on show from both states, so I'm sure we'll get a very strong 22 to take on the English in October and November." Walters was quizzed on whether he was up for the challenge of dealing with the selection issues ahead. "Yes, certainly ... myself and who else selects the team," he replied. "That's our job, to get the best 22 players available after the grand final and pick those guys and head over to England and get the job done for Australia." The rise of Samoa as international rugby league powerhouses poses a dilemma for Australia, but new coach Kevin Walters is up for the challenge. Walters will helm the Kangaroos on a three-Test Ashes tour at the end of this season, but it is doubtful star players Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be on the plane with him. The trio are leaning towards representing Samoa in the post-season Pacific Championships, which will also have implications for next year's World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The reality of the modern game is that many players have heritages from multiple nations, and the desire to honour their families and represent countries and cultures that are dear to their hearts is strong. That fact has made the international game stronger, as 2022 World Cup finalists Samoa, along with Tonga, have demonstrated. Walters wants to have the best players available for Australia, which is understandable, but also is supportive of the Samoan trio. Australia forward Pat Carrigan, a big supporter of players following their heart on international eligibility, said on Tuesday he expected Walters to "get in the ear" of Brisbane teammate Haas to play for the Kangaroos. Walters was asked on Wednesday if he would. "In time I will, but that's probably not a conversation for today," he said. "I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating, I totally understand their situation, but let's get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they're at with that. We move forward from there." Tabuai-Fidow, who represented Samoa in one World Cup match in 2022 before getting injured, won the 2024 Pacific Cup with Australia. Fa'asuamaleaui took out the 2022 World Cup with the Kangaroos. Gold Coast captain Fa'asuamaleaui did play a Test for Samoa in 2019, but has represented Australia in his past seven internationals. Broncos prop Haas has played all his four Tests for Australia. "One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there's great talent. We know that," Walters said. "So if some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we've got plenty of depth here in Australia. Obviously we want the best players available. "It's been a terrific State of Origin series with great talent on show from both states, so I'm sure we'll get a very strong 22 to take on the English in October and November." Walters was quizzed on whether he was up for the challenge of dealing with the selection issues ahead. "Yes, certainly ... myself and who else selects the team," he replied. "That's our job, to get the best 22 players available after the grand final and pick those guys and head over to England and get the job done for Australia."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Final countdown as Spain set up England Euros encounter
Aitana Bonmati has scored in extra time to send Spain to their first Women's European Championship final with a 1-0 win over Germany. Spain's victory on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) set up a repeat of the 2023 World Cup title match against England. A stubborn performance by Germany had seen them take the world champions to extra time, and Spain needed a superb strike from the two-time Ballon d'Or winner to secure a first ever win over Germany. "I feel so proud. We deserved this," Bonmati said. "We have played a great tournament throughout. We had a hard fight tonight, of course, because we were playing Germany. First to beat Germany and then to advance to the final of the Euros. Who could ask for more?" In the 113th minute, Athenea del Castillo threaded the ball through to Bonmati, who got past Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy and turn before squeezing home an audacious attempt from the tightest of angles. "We had analysed her (Knaak) with our analysts and our goalkeeping coach and knew that she would leave the near post unprotected, and that is what happened. I just slotted it home," Bonmati said. Spain moved closer to adding the European Championship trophy to their collection after winning the World Cup and Nations League in the past two years. Montse Tome's team will face defending champions England on Sunday (local time) in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that Spain won 1-0. England also needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday. Germany were bidding for a record-extending ninth European title, but they were up against the world champions and pre-tournament favourites.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Spain defeats Germany 1-0 in extra time to reach Euro 2025 final against England
Spain's Aitana Bonmatí has struck a superb extra-time winner to fire her side to a 1-0 victory over Germany, sending the World Cup winners through to the Women's European Championship final for the first time. The victory set up a decider against reigning champions England in Basel on Monday morning AEST. It will be a re-match of the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney, which Spain won 1-0. Bonmatí finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute. She picked up a ball in the left channel and spotted a gap left by Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger at the near post, before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net. Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of a post with a first-half header as her side dominated possession, with the Germans building a solid block and inviting the Spaniards to attack while they attempted to strike on the counter. Germany winger Klara Buehl was impressive throughout the match, getting in behind the Spanish defence in the 63rd minute but shooting straight at goalkeeper Cata Coll. With the Germans defending superbly, Spain struggled to break them down. The World Cup champions were almost caught out in stoppage time when Buehl had a deflected effort that Coll had to claw away, but the match ended scoreless, forcing extra time. Germany, who came into the match with a record of nine wins in 10 previous Euro semifinals, looked set to drag the match to penalties, but Bonmatí had other ideas. England also needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy in their semifinal on Wednesday AEST. Reuters
