First Nations-Pasifika combo out to honour their heritage and put a dent in the Lions unbeaten record
They'll warm up for that encounter with a match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium.
It's the first time that such a side has been brought together - representing as it does six different cultures - with all 23 players in the match-day squad out to honour their heritage.
Overseeing operations will be Toutai Kefu, capped 60 times by Australia, before going on to coach his country of heritage,Tonga.
He says such a side may never be seen again, but he loves the First Nations-Pasifika concept and has floated the idea of future matches against the New Zealand Maoris, and maybe even a European tour.
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
AFL players will adapt to May's appeal verdict: Goodwin
Simon Goodwin remains hopeful Melbourne star Steven May will beat his rough conduct charge but insists players will adapt to a changing landscape if the club's appeal fails. May was handed a three-match ban by the AFL Tribunal on Wednesday night over the high-speed collision that left Carlton's Francis Evans with concussion, a broken nose and a missing tooth. But the All Australian defender has maintained the ball was always his focus and will take his case to the league's Appeals Board next week. "We think he had a play on the ball and it was a football incident," Demons coach Goodwin said on Friday. "From my perspective, that's ultimately the argument that we'll go with. "Clearly there's some legal stuff that they'll go through in terms of the case as part of the appeal. "But you can see it's divided a lot of the public and I think it's one of those cases where everyone wants it to go through the appeals (process) and see what the outcome is going to be." Goodwin said May was "devastated and shattered". "Right from the outset when he first came to the bench, he was a little bit confused and thought he'd done the right thing and gone at the footy," Goodwin said. "He was shattered, he was disappointed with the outcome and clearly frustrated. "This is part of the process, go through the appeals, get the clarity required and we'll all move forward post that." Goodwin said players will adapt with the more information they get from the AFL about how they are required to act in certain scenarios. The 2021 premiership coach referenced the aerial contest between Fremantle captain Alex Pearce and Port Adelaide's Darcy Byrne-Jones, which caused similar controversy to the May-Evans collision. Pearce was handed a three-match ban before overturning it on appeal. "This is part of the game," Goodwin said. "We're learning more and more about the game and what's required in the game, and what the players need to do in the game, especially around concussion. "But if you look at the Alex Pearce case, these cases go all the way through to the appeals and you get more information." May is recovering from his own concussion, ruled out of Sunday's clash with St Kilda after an accidental knee to the head from Carlton's Tom De Koning. "He seems in good spirits and he's obviously stepping through his protocols in the right manner," Goodwin said.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
MITCHELL JOHNSON: Ben Stokes' warning to India about sledging should not scare Australia ahead of Ashes
There's noise coming out of England again. Apparently, they've decided that sledging is back in fashion. Harry Brook reckons it's fun not being 'nice guys' anymore. Ben Stokes is warning opponents — especially India — that if they dish it out, England will return fire. Good on them. But here's a bit of advice: be careful what you wish for. Ashes series are about mental edge, sure. There's always been chatter, always will be. But sledging without substance is like bowling bouncers with no pace — the batter just laughs at it. Right now, England sound like they're trying to sound intimidating rather than being intimidating. Let's not pretend Australia are choirboys. I had plenty to say when I played — and copped plenty back. But that came with purpose. Sledging only works when you're dominating. And to be honest, right now England aren't. They haven't won an Ashes series since in Australia since 2010-11. They still don't know what their best top six is. Their Bazball model has some punch, but it's flimsy when conditions swing or spin. So maybe talking tough is a cover. A bit of theatre while they figure out the actual cricket. Here's what England need to remember: the Ashes aren't won at press conferences. They're won in the heat. When the new ball is jagging around at the Gabba. When a Mitchell Starc inswinger nips past your front pad before you've even had a look. When a bloke like Josh Hazlewood bowls 25 overs on the same spot and you can't breathe. That's when the real battle starts, not in the media, not on social clips, but in those moments when the scoreboard pressure builds and the crowd is roaring. I actually love this from an Aussie point of view. Let England yap. Let them tell the world how hard they're going to be. All it does is give the Australians more fire. Trust me — if you try to poke the bear on our home turf, you'd better have the game to back it up. Because when the words dry up — and they will — it's all about execution. That's where Australia are so strong. Bowlers who do the job no matter the surface. Batters who absorb pressure and make you suffer. Fielders who don't give you an inch. That's real toughness. If England think sledging will rattle this Aussie side, they're living in dreamland. This is a team full of veterans who've seen it all — and young players who grew up in these conditions. You don't need to get personal. You just need to perform. In fact, the most painful thing you can do to a team that's chirping is shut them up with cricket. Silence is the loudest response there is. While Australia might be at their most vulnerable in years with this current batting line-up — a few question marks at the top, the middle still rebuilding — they're still incredibly hard to beat at home. Always have been. Conditions, crowds, our bowlers — they all make life hell for touring teams. Especially ones coming in swinging wildly with the bat and the tongue. Let's not forget what happened last time England came down under. All the chat, all the optimism, then bowled out for 147 in the first innings of the first Test and for just 68 in the Boxing Day Test a couple of weeks later. That was the sound of reality setting in. And no amount of sledging helped them then. I'm not saying Australia are immune to pressure. They're not. This Ashes series could be tight — maybe even a real scrap. But if England think mouthing off is the key to getting on top of us, they've already lost focus. So to England, I say: bring your best. Talk your talk. But when that first ball is bowled in Perth in November, you'll find out quickly what's real and what's just noise. Because in the Ashes, only one thing matters — and it's not the volume.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hughes hospitalised as Storm title hopes take a hit
The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over. The NRL premiership race has been blown wide open, after Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder in their 34-30 win over the Sydney Roosters. Premiership favourites headed into the round, Melbourne are now facing the prospect of losing the reigning Dally M Medallist for their title charge. With Hughes off the field and Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen both missing, Harry Grant stood up for the Storm as they won one of the games of the season on Thursday night. The hooker scored once and then set up two second-half tries, taking charge of Melbourne's attack at Allianz Stadium. But it also appears likely to be extremely costly, with Hughes leaving the field early in the second half after attempting a tackle on James Tedesco with an outstretched arm and hitting the ground hard after. Melbourne medical staff then struggled to put the joint back in, prompting the 30-year-old to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. "He'll probably have to go under to get it back in," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said. "I don't think it's overly good news. "I think the longer they're out, it's a bigger problem ... it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint." Melbourne have Tyran Wishart as one option at No.7 after he filled in for Munster at five-eighth on Thursday night, with Jonah Pezet the alternative. The Storm entered Thursday in third place with two wins over fifth-placed Brisbane, but have a brutal run home in their bid to finish in the top four. After Parramatta next week, the Storm have Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury and then the Roosters and Broncos again in the run to the finals. "Obviously no one wants to lose their halfback. He is a massive part of our footy team without a doubt," Bellamy said. "It'll take a bit. We probably won't recover completely, he was the Dally M player last year. However long he is out for, we're going to miss him." Thursday night was also costly for the Roosters' finals chances, after playing the majority of the game without halfback Sandon Smith following a first-half head clash. Trent Robinson's men will finish the round in 10th, but could be as many as four points outside the top eight with a crucial clash against Manly next week. In a frantic match of attacking highs, the lead changed hands five times. Sam Walker kicked for four of the Roosters' tries and helped lay on another when Tedesco batted on a pass from the halfback. Daniel Tupou scored for two of those four-pointers, including one from a pinpoint perfect Walker cross-field kick where he outleapt opposite winger Kane Bradley. But ultimately it was an error from Tupou that cruelled the Tricolours, with the winger bombing a try over the line with them up 30-28. Walker also had a costly grubberkick go dead when the Roosters lead 24-22. After both Walker and Tupou's errors, the Storm went downfield and scored shortly after. "We had our opportunities, it came down to moments," Robinson said. "It's tough when you lose a half and your system relies on two halves, which is natural. "We adapted well in yardage and midfield, and we didn't adapt that well in good ball." Grant, meanwhile, nailed the key moments. He scored once himself when he went over in the first half, splitting Smith and Salesi Foketi as the two clashed heads. Then with Hughes off the field at 24-16 down, the No.9 provided the two biggest plays of the second half, first putting King through a hole to score his second. And with the game on the line and Melbourne down 30-28, Grant made use of a quick play-the-ball, scurried centrefield and sent Stefano Utoikamanu over.
