Raiders coach Ricky Stuart slams reporters over Kyle Flanagan situation: 'It's a disgrace'
Canberra are eyeing a first minor premiership in 35 years after hat-trick hero Kaeo Weekes inspired a 28-24 defeat of gallant St George Illawarra at GIO Stadium.
With their seventh consecutive win, Canberra move two competition points clear atop the NRL ladder and enjoy a favourable run to finals.
However, Stuart was left fuming with the media after a reporter asked Dragons coach Shane Flanagan about his son being booed at GIO Stadium.
'Probably a poor question too when you ask Shane about his son,' Stuart said.
'I think it is a disgrace how you guys in the media are just absolutely bashing the kid publicly. And that question there about the booing, like honestly, I have got a son playing and that's my biggest fear, you people.
'Not him, but the media. The way he is being portrayed in the media at the moment that poor kid.
'I went up to him after the game and took him aside and spoke to him. I've known him since he has been a little boy.
'He was the leader tonight. He led the charge in terms of them getting back into that game.
'I think it is a disgrace that his so-called Dragons supporters, the social media and the bulls**t that he has to listen to and cop... You have got to actually look at some of these people involved.
'It would be torture for his mother. I know his old man will handle it, but it would be torture for his mother. Can you imagine if it was one of yours. That's when it becomes real.'
The Raiders still have two byes to come across the last nine rounds of the regular season and face only two sides that began this weekend in the top eight - fewer than minor premiership rivals Canterbury and Melbourne.
'I was that confident we were going to be a good team this year, no I didn't think we were going to be where we are today,' said Stuart.
'But their hard work, commitment, our leadership and their buy-in has got us in a healthy position at the moment.'
Since their inaugural season 44 years ago, the Raiders have claimed the minor premiership just once before: in 1990, with a team boasting Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and Stuart.
After an early dogfight against the Dragons, hat-trick hero Kaeo Weekes came up with a performance to rival any of those men.
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Wales Online
26 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Australia suffer devastating blow on eve of Lions Test series
Tonight's rugby news as Australia suffer devastating blow on eve of Lions Test series Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, July 8. Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio has been ruled out of the Lions series (Image: Getty Images ) Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, July 8. Wallabies suffer injury blow ahead of first Lions Test Australia have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in 11 days' time after influential outside-half Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the series. The 25-year-old was stretchered off the field during Australia's 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday with what appeared to be whiplash. But he has since undergone surgery on his neck after initially being discharged from hospital. Rugby Australia said Lolesio "will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation" which will include the entire series against the Lions. This is a hammer blow to Australia's chances of claiming what would be a significant series victory over the Lions because the Brumbies playmaker had been in red-hot form. In Lolesio's absence utility back Ben Donaldson is the leading contender to wear the number 10 shirt for the first Test in Brisbane with Tom Lynagh - son of Wallabies great Michael - also an option. Article continues below Veterans James O'Connor and Bernard Foley could also be called into the squad if Joe Schmidt feels he needs more experience. 'Farrell has a big role to play', says Lions skipper By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Canberra Maro Itoje believes a fit Owen Farrell could still have a role to play for England after welcoming his former captain's arrival on the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia. Farrell has been called up to his fourth expedition with the Lions as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daily and there is a possibility he will be involved in the series against the Wallabies as fly-half and inside centre cover. Any appearance would be his first Test since the 2023 World Cup, after which he stepped back from international rugby to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing before then joining Racing 92, making him ineligible for England selection. But by agreeing a return to Saracens for next season he is available once more – and Itoje would endorse his comeback for the national side. 'Yeah, why not? I want to see him be happy,' said Itoje, who has played under Farrell with both Saracens and England. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'If he wants to play for England, why not? That would be amazing if that's in his plans and in his dreams. 'Owen is one of the best England players that we've ever seen. A fit Owen Farrell makes any team better. If that's in his ambitions, why not?' Farrell's presence in Australia has ignited speculation that Itoje's authority as Lions captain may now be undermined, but the 30-year-old insists his former schoolmate at St George's in Harpenden will be only a positive voice. 'I've known him for donkey's years now. I have a very good relationship with him. And he just wants the squad to do well,' he said. 'Sport, for me particularly, is never about ego. I want people to speak, have their voices heard and contribute in a positive way. 'It's never about me, if I'm captain, having the final say or sticking my chest out or anything like that. It's not about that. 'It's about how can we as a collective get the best result? How can we as a collective win? How can the team be successful? Because when the team is successful, first of all, you can't do it by yourself. 'And two, when the team is successful, everyone wins. Everyone has a brighter light shone on them. 'And everyone can dine on that glory for years to come. So that's all I care about. And I know Owen's the exact same. That's not an issue at all.' Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland fly-half who is the Lions' kicking coach in Australia, insists Farrell is a valuable addition to the squad. 'Experience is experience. He's a world-class player. Look at what he's won,' Sexton said. 'He's not just a guy who has hung on to the coat-tails of other people, he's the one who has been driving those teams. 'He's been fantastic to have in camp and I'm sure he's going to add loads for the rest of the tour.' Star prop returns to boost Wales Women squad Sisilia Tuipulotu has been included in the Wales Women squad for a two-Test series in Australia this summer after returning from a hamstring injury. There are also three uncapped players in the squad in the shape of Seren Lockwood, Katherine Baverstock and lock Tilly Vucaj. The squad is 30 players strong which will face the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Saturday, July 26, and in Sydney on Friday, August 1. "Having Sisilia back and raring to go is a real boost for all the squad, coaches and staff," said head coach Sean Lynn. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "Seren, Katherine and Tilly really deserve their selection in the squad and have impressed us all with their rugby potential and attitude during pre-season. "These are the 30 players who have impressed throughout our summer training camp, and they fully deserve selection for what we know will be an exciting but tough challenge against Australia." Alex Callender and Kate Williams will captain the squad and former skipper Hannah Jones is also included. Lock Natalia John along with centres Kerin Lake and Hannah Bluck have been ruled out through injury. Wales will be hoping to improve on a dismal Six Nations campaign which resulted in a bottom-place finish ahead of the World Cup opener against Scotland in Salford on August 23. "All those selected have worked hard in pre-season and understand that we need to change and have an opportunity to show what they can do ahead of RWC 2025," said Lynn. "There are still World Cup places to play for and having coached against Jo Yapp, the Wallaroos coach, before at club level, we know her team will be well prepared and provide us with two tough and physical Test matches." Forwards: Katherine Baverstock, Maisie Davies, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Molly Reardon, Alex Callender (co-capt), Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Abbie Fleming, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis , Alaw Pyrs, Tilly Vucaj, Kate Williams (co-capt). 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'But we've still got a chance to do better than I did in my first two tournaments by winning the last three games and trying to finish fifth. We just have to look ahead to the next task. 'We are pretty disappointed because we didn't come here to be second best. Now we've got to draw a line in the sand and put the two games behind us and get ready for Spain. 'They came close against Argentina (33-30) and it is going to be their World Cup final. They will be passionate and we need to match that. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free 'They are in the same boat as us with two losses and they will be looking to come away with a win. They've got some talented players, some who play for Toulouse, and we aren't going to take them lightly.' The two teams met for the first time last year when a 31-10 triumph provided Wales U20 with their only win in South Africa. The challenge for Wales this time round is to pick up the full five points to ensure they play in the second tier of the knock-out phase. Never before have they been placed in the 9th-12th place play-off section, when the bottom four sides have had to battle to avoid relegation. The Spaniards are currently one point ahead of Wales after picking up two bonus points in their defeat to Los Pumitas. 'The heat has been a huge factor, although it is the same for both teams. It has made it pretty difficult and in the final 20 minutes you can see from the boys facial expressions they are struggling,' added Wilde. 'With the heat, you can make errors you wouldn't normally make at key moments. We just need to get used to it. "We are pretty tight as a group and we know we've got a job to do on Wednesday. We need to secure five points. 'When we were on it against France we were very good and we know it's about staying composed in the final 20. If we can do that then I think we can beat any team. Article continues below 'We've got a lightning back three and we've pretty good connections and chemistry in the backs. When it clicks, it clicks and hopefully we can have more of that against Spain.'
Telegraph
32 minutes ago
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TNT on verge of deal for Ashes series Down Under
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Wales coach Lynn on 'honest' captain conversation
Wales head coach Sean Lynn says he axed Hannah Jones as captain so she could concentrate on her performances heading into the World Jones had skippered Wales for more than two years and held onto the role when Lynn charge at the start of this year's Six after a winless campaign, it was revealed last month Lynn – Jones' former coach at English champions Gloucester-Hartpury - had opted for a Alex Callender and Kate Williams were confirmed on Monday as co-captains for the upcoming two-Test tour of Australia and the World Cup that kicks off in England in August."We had a chat after the Six Nations, some good honest conversations, and I just felt I didn't see a Hannah I saw in Gloucester-Hartpury," Lynn said."She's gone through some tough times as captain and I can't fault what she's done."She was very professional about it; she just said, 'Whatever's right for the team, I will do'." Jones has won 65 caps for Wales and initially replaced Siwan Lillicrap as captain in despite success on the club front at Gloucester, she has endured a difficult time with Wales following back-to-back wooden spoons and a contract dispute that led her to contemplate quitting."She was very disappointed – as you would expect when you're told the captaincy is going to be taken away," added Lynn, who said he was not worried he was risking his relationship with Jones over the move."She was upset but she knew it was my decision and her response has been brilliant in training, going above and beyond."I'm hoping we will see a different Hannah and I want her to lead the way she can lead on the pitch." Jones has been included in the 30-player squad for the two fixtures against the Wallaroos, starting with the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, 26 they will be led by co-captains for the first time, with Lynn praising Callender's "energy" and 25-year-old Williams' "strategic approach"."I think the two personalities just bounce off each other," he said of the back-row pairing, who were told together of the decision by Lynn."We're both really excited about the journey we're on," said Callender, the 24-year-old Harlequins flanker. "Hannah congratulated us; she's done a massive job for us during tough times, including the contracts, but she's been happy for us to lead the team."To do it together takes some of the pressure off just one person, but we're just excited to get going into the World Cup."Meanwhile Gloucester-Hartpury's Swansea-born Williams – who only joined the Wales set-up three years ago having been brought up in New Zealand – said: "I didn't think I'd be at the next World Cup when I first came over, but for the coach to put his trust in me and Alex is a massive opportunity I'm really proud and grateful for." 'Schedule is what it is - but we'll embrace it' Three young uncapped players have been included, with Lynn saying scrum-half Seren Lockwood, prop Katherine Baverstock and lock Tilly Vucaj all have a chance of making it to the World Cup that begins for Wales against Scotland in Salford on Saturday, 23 he hailed the return of prop Sisilia Tuipulotu who has not played since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in Natalia John (calf) and centres Kerin Lake (shoulder) and Hannah Bluck (calf) are missing through injury, though none are thought to be at risk of missing the World Cup, where Wales will also face Fiji and trio's recovery will continue at home where Lynn has so far overseen a gruelling fitness regime having identified fitness and discipline as issues following a review of the winless Six Nations has included sand dune running at Merthyr Mawr, training in dojos under the supervision of a new 'collision coach', former Wigan and Wales Rugby League international Ben Flower, as well as military training with the Royal Welsh regiment."I learnt a lot in that Six Nations campaign and the big thing was we needed to work harder," Lynn said, who said accuracy dropped off in games. "Everything about us now is building this identity and making sure that we are competitive and we're a hard team to beat and we work hard for each other."Players and staff have been held accountable and we're in a good place to go to Australia where it will be a challenge."We're not going to be the finished article, but everything will be building, going into Scotland."Wales has lost their last two against Australia following their maiden victory over the Wallaroos in Newport in September though, played down the debatable choice of travelling 10,000 miles for two test matches in the space of six days to prepare for a tournament in if it was ideal preparation, Lynn said: "It is what it is, and we're going to embrace it."He added: "It was booked before I took on the role, but I'm getting excited; we're playing Australia, in Australia and it'll be a great opportunity for us as a group to spend valuable time with each other."
