logo
Adam Hills not hiding passionate love for rugby league

Adam Hills not hiding passionate love for rugby league

The Australian comic, known for hosting late-night talk and sketch show The Last Leg, makes no attempt to hide his passion for the 13-player code either.
After all, the 55-year-old was adorned in Australia's rugby league kit from the 2017 Rugby League World Cup on a traditional London bus kitted out to mark 100 days to go until the return of the ABK Beer Ashes.
It will mark a revival of one of rugby league's most iconic series which last happened in 2003 when Australia toured the UK to play Great Britain.
'I'm so excited,' the Sydney native said.
'It's been 22 years since the last Ashes, and I've been shocked by that; this is something that should be happening all the time.
'I'm so excited to show rugby league off to my London friends and go, 'OK, guys you have to watch this. I know you don't know what it's about, or you might think you know, but this is five levels up, especially when it's an Ashes Test'.'
The launch began in Clapham – London's unofficial Australian capital – and also featured England captain George Williams, international teammate Jack Welsby and rugby league legend Martin Offiah.
But Hills' presence at the event goes beyond his celebrity status, he is also the Rugby Football League president, a role he has held since the start of the year, and one that fills him with enormous pride.
'I honestly got goosebumps when the email came through offering it to me,' he beamed.
'Initially I was a little bit hesitant because I thought, 'How's it going to look having an Australian as the president of the RFL?'
'But I think it's good to have an Australian shouting about stuff, because sometimes rugby league gets a little bit forgotten over here.
'I come from a city where you go, 'this is the best sport in the world' and I'm not ashamed to say that.
'So, I thought, okay, I'll take the role so I can shout about rugby league in a positive way.'
And Hill's has been doing just that, trying to raise the profile of the sport in every way possible, from the national to the community game, to everything in between, including speaking to Artur Martirosyan, the president of Ukrainian Rugby League.
'Off the back of [a Last Leg episode where the plight of rugby league in Ukraine was highlighted] that, I was put in touch with the president,' he explained.
'I had a FaceTime with him, and I said, 'when's the best time to chat?'
'He replied, 'Sunday is, because I'm in the army.' And I was like, 'because you get Sunday's off?' He said, 'no, no, Sundays are when my commanding officer is off so I can make a phone call.
'I was amazed at this point. I asked him what he did, and he just sent me a picture of himself behind an anti-aircraft gun. I was like 'holy s**t!'
'When then ended up talking about rugby league for an hour. We asked them what they needed, which was kit, balls etc, so we put out a plea on the Last Leg and the guys from Keighley Cougars said they'd make the Ukrainian national kit for them.
'So, as we speak, they've flown out to Poland to then take a 15-hour bus to present them with the kit. I'm loving stuff like that.'
Hills was a member of the Australian side at the inaugural Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup in 2022 and hopes, through his role as RFL president, to try a promote disability rugby league as much as he can too.
'Regardless of the sport, there has to be an England v Australia Ashes,' he continued.
'I've played disability rugby league, and since becoming president, and even before then, I'm doing what I can to make sure there's disability rugby league at the next World Cup.
'We did it once and it can't be a one off. And I also think there should be a disability rugby league Ashes too.
'I really want that to be a thing.'
The series kicks off at Wembley Stadium on October 25, before heading to Liverpool a week later, where a sold-out Bramley-Moore Dock will take centre stage.
Leeds Rhinos' Headingley Stadium is the venue for the third and final Test on November 8, which is also a sellout.
More than 60,000 tickets were sold on the first day of the priority sales window, which was a record-breaking figure for any rugby league series launch.
Hills predicted a close series and expressed his desire for a winner-takes-all decider come the third Test.
'It's going to finish 2-1 to someone,' he said.
'Rugby League will be the winner, and I think that final game at Headingley will be unbelievable.
'As an Australian, where do you not want to be playing? I'm absolutely pumped for that match.'
Marking the milestone with a '100 days to go' London Trophy Tour were Rugby League legend Martin Offiah MBE, current England captain George Williams, star player Jack Welsby, and Aussie comedian and Rugby Football League President, Adam Hills MBE.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scotland's trio deserve chance for sporting immortality with Lions - and one man deserves place in sun
Scotland's trio deserve chance for sporting immortality with Lions - and one man deserves place in sun

Scotsman

time3 hours ago

  • Scotsman

Scotland's trio deserve chance for sporting immortality with Lions - and one man deserves place in sun

Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After one of the greatest British and Irish Lions Test matches, it is safe to assume that a few drinks were consumed by the tourists in Melbourne over the weekend. The 29-26 victory in front of 90,000 spectators at the MCG clinched the series against Australia with a game to spare in the most dramatic of circumstances, with Hugo Keenan scoring a try right at the death. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Lions at one point in the first half trailed a rejuvenated Wallabies outfit 23-5. They produced their greatest fightback of all time, which had previously stood at toppling South Africa when 10 points behind in 1938. Keenan's score is now etched into folklore. Scotland's Finn Russell signs a flag after the Lions overcame Australia. | Getty Images The squad and the tens of thousands of Lions fans who flocked to Melbourne surely celebrated long into the night. Winning tours are the exception, not the rule, and regardless of Wallabies' well-documented issues, they put up a serious fight in the second Test. Some will argue that the hosts were hard done by when Italian referee Andrea Piardi stuck to his guns and refused to rescind Keenan's try amid Australian complaints that Jac Morgan had taken out Carlo Tizzano illegally in the build-up. It was a big call for Piardi and his team of officials, but Morgan did not do enough to concede a penalty. No doubt the ref enjoyed his post-match pint after such a stressful moment, even if the Australians were unhappy. The foundations of this Lions team have been been built in Ireland - nine starters on Saturday night came from that nation. But amidst the Guinness, there is whisky. Scotland can rightfully claim a tangible part in this victory, even if only two Scots were in the first XV in Melbourne. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jones has his moment in the sun Finn Russell pulled the strings at stand-off and while his goal-kicking was wayward - he only landed two from five - his general play was strong, especially in the second half. He spotted gaps in behind the Australian defence and held his nerve at the death to make sure the ball eventually found its way to Keenan. Huw Jones would not have kept his place at centre had Garry Ringrose not self-certified his concussion 48 hours before kick-off. Ringrose is undoubtedly a world-class 13, but so is Jones. This match was further evidence of his capabilities. He scored a try yet again, displayed his pace and power while defending diligently. From a Scottish perspective, it was a shame that his usual partner, Sione Tuipulotu, was unavailable due to injury after the first Test. He has been the poster boy of Scottish rugby over the past 12 months, but Jones rightly has his moment in the sun. Blair Kinghorn made his Lions Test debut on 60 minutes when replacing James Lowe and he played an important part in a vital period of the match. His searing running nearly brought a try and it was telling that the Lions wrestled control away from the Wallabies when they called for reinforcements off the bench. Kinghorn - the third Scot in this momentous win - continued his remarkable rise to the very top of world rugby. Since moving to Toulouse in December 2023, he's won the French Top 14 twice, the European Cup once and is now a Lions tour winner. Not bad at all. Blair Kinghorn came off the bench and helped the Lions land victory. | Getty Images There could be more for these Lions. Immortality awaits in Sydney next Saturday. A series whitewash beckons at the Accor Stadium and with Australia clearly shattered by events in Melbourne, history is there for the taking. Even the classes of 1971 and 1974 were unable to produce 100 per cent records, achievements that also eluded the 1997 and 2013 vintages from the professional era. Becoming the greatest Lions team of all time was the aspiration when arriving Down Under and, while the strength of the Wallabies may mitigate against that being a realistic claim, 2025 will at least be in the conversation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell, Jones and Kinghorn will want to be part of that. Russell is the Lions' undisputed stand-off and it would be madness to take him out of the firing line next weekend, but Jones' and Kinghorn's positions are less nailed-on. Head coach Andy Farrell may want to turn to Ringrose if he has recovered from his concussion in time, or his son Owen Farrell, who came on in Melbourne. Tuipulotu could also be in contention. Pre-tour, many saw Kinghorn as the first-choice full-back. Has he done enough to push back in front of Lowe? Farrell and Co know the significance of one final win. Ahead of travelling down under, many rugby experts believed the Lions may never have a better chance of going undefeated on tour and while some of the pre-Test matches were tough watches, the team was never in any real danger. You can only defeat what is put in front of you and the Lions, so far, have pounced upon their prey. Do other Scots have a chance? Could any other Scots enter calculations? Prop Pierre Schoeman is down the pecking order and winger Duhan van der Merwe, despite scoring a hat-trick of tries against an Invitational XV, hasn't yet troubled at Test squad. Lock Scott Cummings and scrum-half Ben White have been more impressive when called upon and would be in with a shout should Farrell wish to switch things up. Then again, the coach may stick with the guys that have so far proved their worth. They deserve to finish the job. That includes Jones, one of the stars of this tour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What do Australia have left? Returning forward Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, both back from calf injuries, were magnificent and lifted everyone around them in Melbourne, but their team was clearly undercooked for the first Test. While pride is at stake, the Wallabies have a Rugby Championship starting next month to focus on.

India pair Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja dent England's hopes of victory
India pair Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja dent England's hopes of victory

South Wales Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

India pair Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja dent England's hopes of victory

Ben Stokes defied a problem with his right shoulder to dismiss KL Rahul for 90 and end a 188-run stand with Shubman Gill, who was out for 103 on the stroke of lunch in the fourth Rothesay Test. Jadeja was dropped by Joe Root off his first ball and he and fellow all-rounder Sundar settled India's nerves, taking them to tea on 322 for four – wiping out a 311-run first-innings deficit to lead by 11. The situation at tea ☕️ India lead by 1️⃣1️⃣ still require 6️⃣ wickets. Big final session needed 💪 🇮🇳 3️⃣2️⃣2️⃣-4️⃣ — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 27, 2025 Sundar, promoted to number five with Rishabh Pant injured, ended the session on 57 not out with Jadeja unbeaten on 53, leaving England facing the prospect of just a second draw in the Bazball era – both at Emirates Old Trafford following the 2023 Ashes washout. Aside from the prize scalp of Gill, England could not cash in on the second new ball, taken 40 minutes before lunch, with Liam Dawson offering containment but unable to exploit the foot holes on a fifth-day pitch. Indeed, Stokes offered the most threat, especially at the start of the day. There were doubts about whether he would even bowl after struggling with cramp and soreness in his left leg in Manchester. More fitness concerns became apparent after Liam Dawson started the day, with Stokes rubbing his shoulder following his first over then straightening his arm frequently from then on. Stokes might have had Gill on 81 but a drive burst through a leaping Ollie Pope's hands at cover to give Gill his second reprieve, having been put down on 46 by Dawson on Saturday. But variable bounce was increasingly in play and Rahul was struck on the knee roll by a delivery that jagged back and kept low, with an already-celebrating Stokes not even turning back to see umpire Rod Tucker's finger being raised. Gill wore a painful blow to his bruised right hand and helmet after another delivery from Stokes leapt off a length, but the India captain soldiered on to a ninth ton in 36 Tests. Alongside Sundar, Gill took India into safer waters and the deficit into double digits after England had taken the new ball without much reward. However, Gill then fiddled outside off to Archer a few minutes before lunch and feathered through a simple catch to Jamie Smith. Jadeja also edged his first ball, but Root could not cling on to a head-high chance at first slip. Jofra Archer gets the BIG wicket of Shubman Gill 👊 India four down! 🇮🇳 2️⃣2️⃣3️⃣-4️⃣ — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 27, 2025 Archer, usually excellent to left-handers, was too straight in the afternoon session, perhaps targeting the pads of Sundar and Jadeja, both of whom were all too happy to clip off their legs. Dawson was tidy but ineffective to the left-handers, prompting Root to be brought on after just 20 overs with the new ball, with the Yorkshireman getting one to rip past Sundar's outside edge. Stokes delivered a short burst before tea but leaked 15 runs from his third over and hooked himself as a short-ball ploy backfired, thumped twice to the boundary by Sundar and once by Jadeja as the pair brought up their fifties and took India into the lead. There was a possibility of a run out after Jadeja had pushed into the covers and set off, but the incoming Archer fell over while scooping up the ball and the chance was gone.

Two ‘incredible' new professional dancers join Strictly Come Dancing cast
Two ‘incredible' new professional dancers join Strictly Come Dancing cast

Leader Live

time4 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Two ‘incredible' new professional dancers join Strictly Come Dancing cast

American-born Alexis Warr and Australian-born Julian Caillon will join the hit dance competition series as it returns to BBC One and iPlayer this autumn. Warr, who is best known for winning the US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned America's favourite dancer, became the first female ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Warr said: 'I've admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. 'I can't wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.' Caillon, who specialises in ballroom and Latin American, has appeared as a professional dancer for three seasons of Australia's version of Strictly Come Dancing, titled Australia's Dancing With The Stars. He said: 'Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. 'I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. 'I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!' The newcomers will join the current cast of professional dancers, which includes Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer and Katya Jones. Neil Jones will also return in the autumn along with Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal. The new series, hosted by recent MBE recipients, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, will also welcome back Johannes Radebe, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola. Warr and Caillon will join the professionals each week for group routines, music acts, theme weeks and Strictly's annual trip to Blackpool. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will also return to the judging panel. Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: 'We've been big fans of Alexis and Julian for some time, so it's with great excitement that we now welcome them both to the Strictly family. 'They're two incredible dancers with bright futures ahead of them, and we know viewers are going to love getting to know them both.' Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, added: 'Alexis and Julian are the perfect additions to Strictly, and we can't wait for you to see them light up the ballroom this autumn. 'With our fantastic professional dancers, plus everything else we love about Strictly, the new series promises to be bigger, better and even more glitter-packed than ever before.' The news comes after the series faced a string of incidents this year, including Welsh tenor and former BBC Radio Wales presenter, Wynne Evans, being dropped by the broadcaster after he made an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Months later, EastEnders star James Borthwick was also suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and iPlayer this autumn.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store