Latest news with #Alaalatoa
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wounded Wallabies vow to rebound for third Lions Test
Beaten but not broken, the Wallabies are vowing to use their bitter disappointment to fuel a third Test fightback against the British and Irish Lons. At one stage up by 18 points at the MCG, the fired-up Australians were controversially denied victory with the Lions scoring in the final minute of play to take the lead for the first time in the match. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was left fuming that a clean-out on Carlo Tizzano in the lead-up wasn't deemed illegal despite Lions flanker Jac Morgan hitting him high, off his feet, and without wrapping; the Welshman with one hand on the ground. A penalty would have seen the try by fullback Hugo Keenan disallowed, with the Wallabies then heading to Sydney for the third Test next Saturday on level terms with the Lions. Instead they will have to watch the tourists lift the Tom Richards Cup regardless of the outcome at Accor Stadium. Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa insisted his team still had plenty to play for. "Massively; the boys were gutted that we didn't come away with that win, but overall like we can look back at it and still know that as a team we're growing and the performance that we put in was a massive step forward in comparison to last week," he said. "That disappointment that we have now, we definitely want to be using that to feed us throughout the whole week - the Australian way is that you never back down. "We're still going out there wearing the Wallabies jersey, representing our country and our family and we want a performance everyone is proud of." Alaalatoa said the growth in the team over the past year under Schmidt was evident, and they wanted to continue to put respect back into the gold jersey after the side hit an all-time low at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. "That was probably the most pleasing part for me, seeing the way that we were playing," he said. "Especially with how we started - there's probably been moments in the past where we've struggled just to put that on the field from the get-go. "We hope, if anything, that the fans are proud of that performance and, understand that we're a threat to be reckoned with and continue to support us moving forward throughout the year." The home side will be without winger Harry Potter, who suffered a first-half hamstring injury while there could be other forced changes. Alaalatoa suffered a shoulder/pectoral injury which forced him off the field at halftime while Tizzano was complaining of neck soreness after the late hit. Damaging flanker Rob Valetini is also under an injury cloud. Sitting out the first Test with a calf injury, ball carrier Valetini starred with his punch through the middle but he also left the field at halftime, which was less time than Schmidt hoped to get from him. Giant lock Will Skelton also made a huge impact in his first Test of the year, skittling the Lions before his departure after 47 minutes and the Wallabies missed the pair as the Lions roared back. "He just was tightening up," Schmidt said of Valetini's early exit. "You saw Rob make an impression - he's been a bit of a talisman for us so losing him, losing a couple of front-rowers, just probably destabilised us a little bit. "There's inevitably a few walking wounded after a Test match of that intensity. "We've got a fair few bumps and bruises including obviously some fallout from the last action of the game. "We'll get players checked out and we'll see how they come through."
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'This is mad': Mint launches a new coin on eve of historic series
If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date. If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date. If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes. And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction. ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning. The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins. Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup. "The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said. Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp. Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool." "I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said. She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool." The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code. Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night. Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked. Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said. "Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one." The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community. The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date.
West Australian
08-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Set pieces key to Brumbies snapping Super finals hoodoo
Three minutes to go before halftime, with scores level, in a do-or-die elimination final, Allan Alaalatoa took a gamble that a few years ago would've stunned rugby union devotees. The ACT Brumbies had just won a penalty directly in front of the posts against the Hurricanes in their quarter-final clash at GIO Stadium on Saturday night. But, presented with the opportunity to take a certain three points, the Brumbies captain decided to instead give his forward pack a crack at icing a riskier seven-pointer from a lineout. "The last time we played, we got minimal opportunities down in our end-zone," Alaalatoa explained after the match. "And I thought in finals footy, you might only get a handful, so I wanted to make every opportunity count. So that's where my head was at." And it paid dividends. After the Brumbies won a penalty from their initial lineout and rolled the dice once again, hooker Billy Pollard peeled off the blindside of a rolling maul and dived over the tryline. But it's not so much a gamble as a calculated risk. The Brumbies have scored more than 70 per cent of their tries this season from mauls or pick-and-drive sequences off the back of lineouts, converting about 40 per cent of their entries into the opposition 22 into tries. That compares with about an 85 per cent chance of flyhalf Noah Lolesio nailing a three-pointer with his boot. Rule changes have made it harder for defending teams to prevent the tactic, with Super Rugby Pacific teams increasingly eschewing penalty shots at goal in favour of kicking for lineouts in the attacking 22 in recent years. Captains also enjoy the added bonus of maintaining possession and field position, ramping up pressure on the opposition. "There's lots of confidence in our maul, and then our pick-and-drive as well," Alaalatoa said. "So it was more the fact that, yeah, we just wanted to take that opportunity and then keep them down their end as well." Out of the five tries the Brumbies scored against the fourth-placed Hurricanes in their 35-28 win, four came from front-rowers off the back of mauls or pick-and-drives. "I thought our forwards were outstanding in the first half there, both with some of the pick-and-go stuff and the maul," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham. "A couple of maul tries tonight, which saps a lot of energy out of the forwards. They backed it up with some pick-and-go and then in the second half we opened the Hurricanes up in different ways. "We're not experts in winning finals or anything like that, but we certainly feel that having a good set piece is going to go a long way to win those finals games." The Brumbies' execution will need to be on point if they are to book a grand final ticket by beating the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. No Australian side has ever won a knock-out game in New Zealand the almost 30-year history of Super Rugby and the Brumbies' last three seasons have ended in semi-final defeats across the ditch. The Chiefs still see the value in taking penalty goals and every Brumbies indiscretion will be punished by the marksman boot of competition leading point-scorer Damian McKenzie. McKenzie buried four three-pointers in his side's 20-19 loss the Blues on Saturday, with the Chiefs having scored 25 penalty goals this season to the Brumbies' 10.
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Set pieces key to Brumbies snapping Super finals hoodoo
Three minutes to go before halftime, with scores level, in a do-or-die elimination final, Allan Alaalatoa took a gamble that a few years ago would've stunned rugby union devotees. The ACT Brumbies had just won a penalty directly in front of the posts against the Hurricanes in their quarter-final clash at GIO Stadium on Saturday night. But, presented with the opportunity to take a certain three points, the Brumbies captain decided to instead give his forward pack a crack at icing a riskier seven-pointer from a lineout. "The last time we played, we got minimal opportunities down in our end-zone," Alaalatoa explained after the match. "And I thought in finals footy, you might only get a handful, so I wanted to make every opportunity count. So that's where my head was at." And it paid dividends. After the Brumbies won a penalty from their initial lineout and rolled the dice once again, hooker Billy Pollard peeled off the blindside of a rolling maul and dived over the tryline. But it's not so much a gamble as a calculated risk. The Brumbies have scored more than 70 per cent of their tries this season from mauls or pick-and-drive sequences off the back of lineouts, converting about 40 per cent of their entries into the opposition 22 into tries. That compares with about an 85 per cent chance of flyhalf Noah Lolesio nailing a three-pointer with his boot. Rule changes have made it harder for defending teams to prevent the tactic, with Super Rugby Pacific teams increasingly eschewing penalty shots at goal in favour of kicking for lineouts in the attacking 22 in recent years. Captains also enjoy the added bonus of maintaining possession and field position, ramping up pressure on the opposition. "There's lots of confidence in our maul, and then our pick-and-drive as well," Alaalatoa said. "So it was more the fact that, yeah, we just wanted to take that opportunity and then keep them down their end as well." Out of the five tries the Brumbies scored against the fourth-placed Hurricanes in their 35-28 win, four came from front-rowers off the back of mauls or pick-and-drives. "I thought our forwards were outstanding in the first half there, both with some of the pick-and-go stuff and the maul," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham. "A couple of maul tries tonight, which saps a lot of energy out of the forwards. They backed it up with some pick-and-go and then in the second half we opened the Hurricanes up in different ways. "We're not experts in winning finals or anything like that, but we certainly feel that having a good set piece is going to go a long way to win those finals games." The Brumbies' execution will need to be on point if they are to book a grand final ticket by beating the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. No Australian side has ever won a knock-out game in New Zealand the almost 30-year history of Super Rugby and the Brumbies' last three seasons have ended in semi-final defeats across the ditch. The Chiefs still see the value in taking penalty goals and every Brumbies indiscretion will be punished by the marksman boot of competition leading point-scorer Damian McKenzie. McKenzie buried four three-pointers in his side's 20-19 loss the Blues on Saturday, with the Chiefs having scored 25 penalty goals this season to the Brumbies' 10.
The Advertiser
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Boost for Brumbies with star cleared of serious injury
Skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared of serious injury in a major boost to the ladder-leading ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby Pacific title aspirations. The news is also a relief to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the experienced tighthead prop a certainty to face the touring British and Irish Lions, with the first Test in July. Alaalatoa was helped from the field soon after halftime in Canberra on Saturday night as the Brumbies trumped Queensland 24-14 to move to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was uncertain of the lower-leg issue but was hopeful that Alaalatoa, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup after rupturing his achilles, would be available for the Super finals. "He had a tight calf coming into halftime and it got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second-half," Larkham said post-match. The coach will likely have his wish, with scans on Monday clearing 31-year-old Alaalatoa of serious damage. "The Brumbies can confirm that captain Allan Alaalatoa underwent a scan on a lower leg injury after leaving the field during Saturday's fixture against the Reds at GIO Stadium," the Brumbies said in a statement."The results of the scan are favourable and show a low grade calf strain, which should have him return in the next couple of weeks." The Brumbies have a bye next week, then finish their regular season against the Crusaders, who are two points behind and level with the Chiefs in second. The Australian front-runners also have Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio sidelined after the five-eighth sustained a spinal injury earlier this month. Lolesio was also cleared of serious injury but no timeline has been provided for his return to play. Skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared of serious injury in a major boost to the ladder-leading ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby Pacific title aspirations. The news is also a relief to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the experienced tighthead prop a certainty to face the touring British and Irish Lions, with the first Test in July. Alaalatoa was helped from the field soon after halftime in Canberra on Saturday night as the Brumbies trumped Queensland 24-14 to move to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was uncertain of the lower-leg issue but was hopeful that Alaalatoa, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup after rupturing his achilles, would be available for the Super finals. "He had a tight calf coming into halftime and it got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second-half," Larkham said post-match. The coach will likely have his wish, with scans on Monday clearing 31-year-old Alaalatoa of serious damage. "The Brumbies can confirm that captain Allan Alaalatoa underwent a scan on a lower leg injury after leaving the field during Saturday's fixture against the Reds at GIO Stadium," the Brumbies said in a statement."The results of the scan are favourable and show a low grade calf strain, which should have him return in the next couple of weeks." The Brumbies have a bye next week, then finish their regular season against the Crusaders, who are two points behind and level with the Chiefs in second. The Australian front-runners also have Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio sidelined after the five-eighth sustained a spinal injury earlier this month. Lolesio was also cleared of serious injury but no timeline has been provided for his return to play. Skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared of serious injury in a major boost to the ladder-leading ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby Pacific title aspirations. The news is also a relief to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the experienced tighthead prop a certainty to face the touring British and Irish Lions, with the first Test in July. Alaalatoa was helped from the field soon after halftime in Canberra on Saturday night as the Brumbies trumped Queensland 24-14 to move to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was uncertain of the lower-leg issue but was hopeful that Alaalatoa, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup after rupturing his achilles, would be available for the Super finals. "He had a tight calf coming into halftime and it got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second-half," Larkham said post-match. The coach will likely have his wish, with scans on Monday clearing 31-year-old Alaalatoa of serious damage. "The Brumbies can confirm that captain Allan Alaalatoa underwent a scan on a lower leg injury after leaving the field during Saturday's fixture against the Reds at GIO Stadium," the Brumbies said in a statement."The results of the scan are favourable and show a low grade calf strain, which should have him return in the next couple of weeks." The Brumbies have a bye next week, then finish their regular season against the Crusaders, who are two points behind and level with the Chiefs in second. The Australian front-runners also have Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio sidelined after the five-eighth sustained a spinal injury earlier this month. Lolesio was also cleared of serious injury but no timeline has been provided for his return to play.
