Horror movie: Why Wallabies are focused on Fiji and not British and Irish Lions
'Yeah, that was a tough game, obviously, and they were up for it, and they played a cracker,' he said. 'And obviously, it was the first time they beat us in 60 or 70 years.
'So yeah, this isn't a warm-up game for sure. This is a game that we need to get ready for. It's a Test match against Fiji, who are a bloody good side.'
McReight had no doubt that Tupou could still come into calculations for the Lions series, despite not being required for the Fiji clash, which Schmidt is treating as a dress rehearsal for the three-Test Lions campaign that will follow.
The $1.1 million tight-head prop, who is tipped to join French club Racing 92 next season, could yet stake a belated claim if he stars for the Waratahs against the Lions at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
'He's a great player,' McReight said. 'He's just coming together and he's honing what he needs to do, but I have no doubt that he will come back and he'll be firing and ready to go.
'But obviously his first job is to put that light blue jersey on and go against the Lions for the Tahs.'
He said Tupou was 'one of the best tight-heads in the world' and would not be easily replaced.
'Hopefully he goes over there [to France] and gains some new experiences, new perspective,' he said.
'Whether or not he comes back – I don't know what's going to happen there – but it leaves a door open for some new talent to come through, and hopefully 'Nella' [Tupou] can come back as a better person, better player.'
Meanwhile, Western Force forward Nick Champion de Crespigny is hoping to make his Test debut after flying in from Perth, after his team was outgunned 54-7 by the Lions on the weekend.
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'The Wallabies, it's the pinnacle,' Champion de Crespigny said. 'You grow up watching them, so, yeah, it means everything to me.'
The back-rower welcomed the inclusion of new franchise Perth Bears into the NRL competition, saying they could co-exist with the Force and two AFL teams based in the city.
'I think it's great,' he said. 'More guys passing the ball, not hand-balling it, it's always good.
'So, yeah, I just think it'll bring more eyes onto the game and we can definitely co-exist and hopefully have a few training sessions together.'
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Popyrin humbled at Wimbledon as ailing Tommo saves day
Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie coach's Swift response to Lions eligibility jibe
Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy."
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
‘Not here (just) to participate': Reds keen to tame touring Lions
To this day, Matt Faessler is still confused by it all. On a quiet day in early June, as he went through rehab training at Ballymore, the unassuming Queensland hooker was shown a graphic that had him ranked as one of the most marketable athletes in Australia. In a Gemba study measuring athletes' profile and social media clout, Faessler was ranked fourth and second for 'interest' and 'influence' respectively, ahead of names like Pat Cummins, Sam Kerr, Gout Gout and Oscar Piastri. Faessler is happy to admit his sleepy social media footprint, with a couple of thousand followers, isn't a buzzing hive of activity. 'It was as big a surprise to me as it was everyone else,' Faessler said. 'I thought it was one of the boys in the team had edited it, to take the piss. I am not sure how they worked that out, but it gave us all a good laugh.' Faessler's best guess is the snapshot was taken around the time the 14-cap Wallaby scored a hat-trick for Australia in their win over Wales on their spring tour last year - the first ever by a Wallabies hooker - and duly made a few digital waves. Heaven knows what fame and online virality might be unlocked, then, if Faessler and his Queensland teammates make some much bigger waves on Wednesday night, by toppling the mighty British and Irish Lions in a midweek tour game in Brisbane. In their second stop on a nine-game tour of Australia, the Lions will meet the Reds at a near sold-out Suncorp Stadium and the hosts are aiming to make an historic night, by causing an upset and downing the famous Home Nations team. It's not done very often. Away from Test matches, only the Brumbies (2013) and Australia A (2001) have managed to claim wins over the Lions in the past two tours.
