'A chip on my shoulder' from Melbourne days

3 days ago

Centre Sione Tuipulotu says he returns to Melbourne with a chip on his shoulder going into the second British and Irish Lions Test with Australia on Saturday.The 28-year-old, who scored the Lions' opening try in a 27-19 first Test win over the Wallabies in Brisbane, started his career at Melbourne Rebels but chose to play his rugby away from Australia after struggling to nail down a regular starting spot.Following a move from Japan to Glasgow Warriors in 2021, Tuipulotu opted to represent Scotland, who he is eligible to play for through his grandmother."If you had asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say yeah, it's personal," Tuipulotu said."There's still a chip on my shoulder. What has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder. But in terms of me being bitter about Australian rugby, not at all."I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne. It wasn't a selector problem, I wasn't good enough, that's plain and simple."I owe everything to Scottish rugby because they've made me the player that I am today."Now I get the chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series. The stars have aligned for me and I feel very grateful."

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THANK YOU, FERGIE! Rangers goal hero Findlay Curtis admits he will always treasure Sir Alex's kind words after Euro win

Daily Mail

24 minutes ago

Daily Mail

THANK YOU, FERGIE! Rangers goal hero Findlay Curtis admits he will always treasure Sir Alex's kind words after Euro win

Findlay Curtis says he will treasure Sir Alex Ferguson 's words of encouragement after his first senior goal helped Rangers see off Panathinaikos at Ibrox. On just his second start for the club, the 19-year-old changed the momentum of the game early in the second half with a brilliant solo effort. With the Greeks then reduced to 10-men after Giorgos Vagiannidis was sent off, Djeidi Gassama marked his debut from the bench with a goal which handed new boss Russell Martin a two-goal cushion to take to Athens for next week's second leg. Manchester United legend Ferguson, who had visited Rangers' training base last week, was present at the match together with new chairman Andrew Cavenagh. The 83-year-old made a point of praising Curtis in person afterwards, a gesture Martin insists was the ultimate accolade and capped off the perfect night. 'He just congratulated me on my goal,' said the club academy graduate. 'Coming from a legend like him, I'll take it. 'Obviously, it's another dream come true, playing in the Champions League. 'I'm on top of the world. I've been here since I was six and I'm just delighted. I'm still speechless, to be honest. 'My mum and dad were both at the game, so were my girlfriend, her parents, my brother and sister and all my pals were here. 'They waited after the game. I could see my mum crying in the stands. It was a good moment.' Curtis' moment of glory came after Rangers had weathered a storm in the first half of Martin's first competitive game in charge. Keeper Jack Butland produced two outstanding saves in the first period with two more coming early in the second period just before the teenager struck. 'The first 10 minutes I thought we started well,' he recalled. 'Then there was a rough 10-15 minute period where it was dead sloppy. We came in half-time and had a chat about it and came back out in the second half and I thought it changed. 'Jack was excellent. He made big saves. I'd say it was just about confidence. We got the ball down, started playing our way. Obviously, that goal spurred us on to try to score more goals.' Martin's men are in the box seat in the tie, yet still have work to do if they are to progress to the next qualifying round where Servette - 1-0 winners away to Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday - would likely await. With temperatures in Greece potentially rising to 35 degrees, Curtis is adamant that nothing will be taken for granted. 'I've heard it's very hot, so it's going to be hard,' he said. 'It's just halfway in the tie and hopefully the boys get us through.'

Tributes paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian and 'trailblazer' in Irish sport

BreakingNews.ie

24 minutes ago

BreakingNews.ie

Tributes paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian and 'trailblazer' in Irish sport

Tributes are being paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian, Maeve Kyle, who was 'a trailblazer' in Irish sport. Ms Kyle, who died at the age of 96, was born in Kilkenny in 1928. She made history at the 1956 Melbourne Games, competing in the 100m and 200m. Advertisement A former Kilkenny College student, she went on to represent Ireland at three Olympic Games, becoming the nation's first triple Olympian. Also a star in Irish hockey, she earned 58 caps and was twice named to the World All Star team. Athletics Ireland in a statement said it is "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed Life Vice President Maeve Kyle.' They said that Ms Kyle was a 'true pioneer of Irish sport and one of our most iconic and inspirational athletes and she broke new ground for women in Irish athletics.' Advertisement She represented the country with distinction at the Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. At the Tokyo Games, she reached the semifinals in both the 400m and 800m. Maeve went on to win a bronze medal in the 400m at the 1966 European Indoor Championships in Dortmund and continued to compete with distinction in the Masters category, winning world titles and setting world records. 'Her presence on the international stage opened doors for countless others, and it was her courage, determination, and dignity on and off the track that truly set her apart,' continued Athletics Ireland. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Ms Kyle also became a renowned coach, working alongside her beloved late husband, Sean, to help shape generations of Irish athletes including their daughter Shauna. Advertisement She completed her involvement in a fourth Olympic Games by serving as coach to the Irish track and field team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 'Her contribution to athletics spanned decades, from her ground-breaking career as a competitor to her roles as a coach, mentor, administrator, official, and advocate for women in sport and coaching structures,' the statement added. 'Maeve Kyle was more than a legend; she was a torchbearer who lit the path for those who followed. Her legacy lives on in the athletes she inspired and the standards she set. 'On behalf of the athletics community across Ireland, Athletics Ireland extend our heartfelt condolences to her daughter Shauna, her granddaughter Indy, to the extended Kyle and Shankey families, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched through her extraordinary career and enduring legacy. She was also appointed an OBE for her services to sport. A spokesperson for the Kilkenny College said: 'Maeve Kyle's legacy as a trailblazer in Irish sport will never be forgotten."

Lawler signs new three-year deal at Castleford

BBC News

2 hours ago

BBC News

Lawler signs new three-year deal at Castleford

Castleford Tigers forward George Lawler has signed a new three-year contract with the Super League side. The 29-year-old has been with the Tigers since 2022 after joining from his hometown club Hull Kingston Rovers. "We are delighted to get this deal over the line. George is a very influential player in the squad and consistently performs well," Cas director of rugby Chris Chester said."He's a player that leads with his actions on the field and is equally impressive off it."I'm looking forward to seeing George playing in Cas colours for the next three years."