Zali Hopkins: I knew if I didn't do the celebration then I might not get another chance!
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
NSW chiefs make call on Laurie Daley's coaching future after State of Origin disaster
Laurie Daley will remain the NSW Blues coach next year despite calls for him to be axed after Wednesday's 24-12 defeat saw the Origin shield head north. NSW has already had three coaches in three years – Brad Fittler, Michael Maguire and Daley – yet after losing the unlosable series, Blues fans were calling for the coach's head. But according to Code Sports, that won't be happening, with NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden confirming his job is safe. 'Laurie is contracted for next year and we don't break contracts,' Trodden said. 'He was devastated after the game and we're all disappointed. 'But you don't achieve sustained success by constantly chopping and changing your coach. You settle on a plan, put processes in place and stick to it. That's what we'll be doing.' Daley stepped back into the Origin arena following an eight-year absence for the 2025 campaign. But he was once again thoroughly outcoached. The 55-year-old has now won just one of six series in charge and on each occasion has shown he is not willing to forego loyalty to make the hard call. Keeping the same 17 for the third and deciding game blew up in his face and backed up the theory that he is simply too nice and too loyal to succeed as a coach at Origin level. Michael Maguire shook things up last year and it led to immediate success. While this year Maroons coach Billy Slater found himself under pressure for the first time, after his side were comprehensively beaten at their Suncorp fortress. So what did he do? He pulled the trigger on several tough selection calls. The decision to drop captain Daly Cherry-Evans and bring in Tom Dearden at halfback after Game 1, is a call if roles were reversed Daley simply wouldn't have made. While he also resisted the temptation to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga with Reece Walsh, instead opting for the more consistent and reliable Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, an inspired decision. Daley on the other hand overlooked two form props in May and Koloamatangi, for King and Utoikamanu. So with Daley back at the helm in 2026, fans will undoubtedly hope he has learned from it. He will also be joined again next year by Storm coach Craig Bellamy and Melbourne's general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Wallaroos fall to Black Ferns 37-12 in Wellington Test
The Wallaroos have thrown their best shot at the Black Ferns before succumbing 37-12 in a loss compounded by an injury to captain Siokapesi Palu. New Zealand winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored three tries on her 34th birthday, her first after just 50 seconds in an ominous start on Saturday in Wellington. But the visitors fired right back, with Charlotte Caslick scoring from her first touch as the Wallaroos went blow-for-blow in the first 30 minutes. Hard-running flanker Palu was forced off the field after her foot was trapped under a pile of bodies holding up a Black Ferns try, while Caslick was also limping at full-time, having fallen awkwardly in a tackle. The Black Ferns led 10-7 at half-time before hitting top gear. Former sevens star Jorja Miller's sensational solo effort was among the Black Ferns' highlights, as they improved their win-loss record against Australia to a remarkable 29-0 since their first meeting in 1994. It was the Black Ferns' final match on home soil before August's World Cup in England, while the Wallaroos play Wales in Brisbane and Sydney before departing. "It's just building pressure and … that self-belief is what we needed," said Palu, who was wearing a moon boot on her right foot after the match. "Definitely a lot of positives in that first half to show that we can stay in it. "It's just now trying to hold that out for 80 minutes." Seventeen-year-old debutant Waiaria Ellis and fellow winger Desiree Miller were both enterprising, while number 10 Tia Hinds kicked well in tricky conditions. Lydia Kavoa scored the Wallaroos' consolation try in the final moments, some rare joy after they had kept New Zealand's time in their attacking 22 to just five seconds in the first 30 minutes. "We were not clinical enough [in the first half] … credit to Australia, they really tested us," Black Ferns captain Alana Bremner said. AAP
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Joe Pride mare In Flight on Group 1 path after success in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield
Sydney raider In Flight completed a stylish Caulfield reconnaissance in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m). The Joe Pride -trained mare hunted New York Lustre on Saturday with Recommendation in third. Pride has future Group 1 targets in mind for the talented mare, including the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield next autumn. In Flight coursed wide around the home bend but let down powerfully under champion jockey Craig Williams, who sealed a Caulfield treble with the feature success. 'Getting around Caulfield the first time … thought we'd be in the run a lot closer,' Pride said. 'Probably not tracking out so wide, and that's probably what made it awkward for her but as soon as she straightened up and balanced up (let rip), she's pretty good mare this. 'I'm probably thinking in the autumn, she's a likely type for an Oakleigh Plate or a Galaxy, a couple nice 1100m races there for her. 'She hasn't got too much to prove to get to that level because she's going through the grades very quickly, it's very exciting.' IN FLIGHT ✈ï¸� Joe Pride's mare is a beauty! She takes the Group 3 Sir John Monash in style, and it's that man @CWilliamsJockey again! @PrideRacing @ProvenTbreds â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025 In Flight returned $2.50 for favourite backers. Pride has placed the talented mare, an eight-time winner from 18 starts, to perfection. In Flight placed twice in Sydney to start the breakout winter campaign before a Listed success in Brisbane against fillies and mares. She repeated the effort last start in Sydney, defeated the boys. 'She's won in three different states her last three starts, says something about her toughness,' Pride said. 'She's handling it all really well and I'd like to say that was her best run today … she's heading in the right direction, I don't like to think about (future plans) on race day. 'Happy to have a horse heading in that direction because they're very hard to find these horses, she's a very talented mare, not a gross mare so she can cop a little bit of time in the paddock.' Williams praised In Flight's performance and potential. 'She is favourite for a reason,' Williams said. 'Joe has really developed her and taught her well, she's very effective when tracks have a bit more give in the track. 'This is probably the firmest track she's been on this preparation and she won with a bit of authority today. 'She was a pleasing ride, I could do what I wanted with her … first start around Caulfield, one of the plans I had for her was help her around Caulfield but she towed me around.' Williams used fancied Kallos, ridden by champion jockey and current premiership leader Blake Shinn, as cover to give In Flight the best chance. 'She probably could've sat three-wide and closer and still won,' Williams said. 'But we want the perfect ride. I was either going to be following Blake or be in front of Blake and I didn't think Blake was going to be able to get cover. 'His horse had been trialling up really well, so I thought it was the one to beat drawn near where we were, so then I was in a position I decided to be negative, save some energy early and finish off late.'
