Wallabies win on the right side of violence
It's been a while since they've been there - right on the edge, sometimes over it and always in the Lions faces - but Saturday night was the statement performance of the Joe Schmidt era.
It also felt like a message to the Lions committee, to those of us in the media whose default position with Australian rugby can sometimes be doom and gloom, to the teams currently ranked above the Wallabies, and to those casual Wallabies supporters who might have fallen off the bandwagon.
The message was: never turn your back on Australian rugby. Yes, there will be bumps on the road ahead - two Tests in South Africa are next - but the Wallabies won four halves out of the six in this series.
Come on Ronan, free Willie
The particulars of Will Skelton's contract with La Rochelle in France have always seemed to be - how can we put this diplomatically? - quite favourable to the club over country. It appears that Rugby Australia will now have to negotiate with the French to have Skelton play in the Rugby Championship, even though it is a bona fide World Rugby release window.
Perhaps La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara will be sympathetic to Schmidt's cause. O'Gara has previously declared an interest in the Wallabies job, and no doubt the past two weeks have increased the appeal of that role. But it might be time for some back scratching first.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles
Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
7NEWS
4 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Ben Cousins set to play in blockbuster EJ Whitten Legends Game
Ben Cousins is lacing up the boots one more time. The Brownlow medallist and AFL premiership champion has announced he will be playing in the upcoming EJ Whitten Legends Game on August 28, which will air live and exclusively on Channel 7 and 7plus. It's the first time since 2019 that the iconic charity match, which raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer, will be played. Dropping the news of his inclusion on his Perth radio show on Monday, Cousins said he only made the decision to play in recent days. 'I think it might be time to dust them off. One game, hey? I can get myself up for one,' he told Mix94.5. 'It should be a bit of fun. I'm looking forward to it. 'Shane Crawford is the coach, Nick Riewoldt is the captain. I only decided (to play) over the weekend. But, for me, the chance to play alongside Cyril, you know? I'm excited about that.' The former West Coast and Richmond midfielder said playing with Hawthorn icon Cyril Rioli was the main drawcard. 'It's a big thing — he was just such a great player,' Cousins told Mix94.5. 'Everyone's situation is different but because he was 28 when he stopped playing, we all felt he had so much good footy left in him. 'To see him run around and have a kick is so exciting and I'm looking forward to handpassing to him or getting one off him' The likes of Rioli, Gary Ablett Jr, Luke Hodge and Riewoldt are all set to feature in the clash, with Crawford and Tim Watson filling coaching roles. Now 47, Cousins is still in pristine physical condition, and says he'll be fine getting up for one game, despite having only recently recovered from a hernia operation. 'I'm only just getting over my hernia. It's supposed to be like riding a bike, isn't it?' he joked. 'It's a young man's game but I can get myself up for one, surely. How hard can it be?' The six-time All-Australian will partner 2006 premiership teammate Andrew Embley, while fellow Eagles favourite Luke Shuey is locked in to pull on the big V for the Victorian outfit. - With The West Australian
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
From economy to equality: Wallaroos take off for World Cup
The Wallaroos will fly business class to the 2025 World Cup for the first time, marking a significant milestone two years after the players publicly criticised Rugby Australia for second-rate treatment. The squad collectively penned a social media post highlighting a lack of support, including flying economy and the absence of a full-time coach, in comparison to the Wallabies. Former England international Jo Yapp was appointed as the Wallaroos' first full-time coach in February 2024 and believes that improved travel conditions are essential to help her 32-player squad compete in a tough pool that includes England, the United States and Samoa. 'Going business class has huge performance implications, because it allows us to hit the ground running earlier when we arrive,' Yapp said. 'But also how it makes the players feel from a mental and a value perspective, I think that also has a massive impact, which is no more than they deserve. 'They're going to a World Cup, and they've been training exceptionally hard, so feeling valued is also a massive thing.' Emily Chancellor captained the Wallaroos in Friday's 36-5 win over Wales at North Sydney Oval and is proud of the journey the team has been on since she joined the squad a decade ago. 'It's a huge statement from Rugby Australia and World Rugby to invest in us and I think for the Kiwi girls to also fly business class because of the length of the trip, and I hope it's going to have a really great positive impact on the players' feeling of worth but also on performance,' Chancellor said.
