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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Blues happy to give Luai time to beat infection
NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blues draft winger Justin Carbonneau in first round while search for second-line center continues
ST. LOUIS — In a 24-hour span, Jordan Kyrou's name was in trade rumors, and the St. Louis Blues were in talks with the New York Islanders about defenseman Noah Dobson before he was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday. Following the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday night, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, per usual, shed light on nothing. Advertisement 'Yeah, I'm not going to get into that,' Armstrong said. Armstrong didn't want to get into details, but on a night when the only Blues news was the player they drafted No. 19 — Blainville-Boisbriand Armada right winger Justin Carbonneau — Armstrong was very open about what he's trying to do in the coming week. 'We're one of 27 teams that would love to find a second-line center — that's just the reality of it,' Armstrong said. 'I don't know if we can. You've seen since we talked last: These guys are signing with their own teams. Everyone is finding a way (to re-sign them). You have to just be prepared to react to what's available on July 1. 'But it's easier to say than do when you look at the number of teams trying to accomplish that. You saw the number of teams trying to accomplish that last year, and those centers made a lot of money and you guys can judge how it worked out for everybody. There's a shortage of players. There's a shortage of players in certain areas. It's just reality.' Not that the Blues would've been in on the Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett or the Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares, but both centers re-upped with their respective clubs Friday. In addition, the Colorado Avalanche traded center Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The options are dwindling. The Vancouver Canucks' Pius Suter is still a pending unrestricted free agent, and the Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi is a pending restricted free agent. There could be a few unknown trade candidates, but it still appears to be a limited list. Will the Blues overpay in free agency? If not, will they make a trade? Armstrong seemed to hint at the latter on Friday. 'We're very strong on the wing right now,' he said.'If we make a trade, it will be an apple for an apple. We're going to trade someone that we may have a surplus for someone in an area that we need in the same age group. I don't see us moving a younger player for an older player for a short-term fix. That isn't where we're at in our maturation.' Advertisement Those wingers include Pavel Buchnevich, Jake Neighbours, Dylan Holloway, Zack Bolduc, Jimmy Snuggerud and, of course, Kyrou. Kyrou's full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1, and his name has been in a lot of trade speculation, including with the Buffalo Sabres before they traded right winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, and the Islanders before they dealt Dobson. Interestingly, neither one of those situations involved the Blues getting a center, but it could all be part of the puzzle. They could have upgraded their defense with Dobson and then taken another route to acquire a center. However, when Armstrong was asked Friday if the Blues had to find one from outside the organization this offseason, he wouldn't go that far. 'We had a great final push there with our center ice the way it was,' he said. 'That (Brayden) Schenn-Holloway-Kyrou line was very good. Schenner is not getting younger, but he could do the job. If we could support him, that would be great, but he can do the job.' And now, the Blues have added another strong wing to their pipeline in Carbonneau. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was No. 16 on the NHL's Central Scouting's list of North American skaters. He led Armada 49 goals and 92 points in 67 games this season (regular season and playoffs). His 89 regular-season points were the second-most in the QMJHL, and he was named to the league's first All-Star team. 'I compare myself to (L.A.'s) Adrian Kempe and (Philadelphia's) Travis Konecny,' Carbonneau said. 'Kempe, his size, speed and shot. I bring that. Konecny, his mindset. I'm not scared of anyone. I score goals in the paint and dirty areas. 'I play with a lot of fire. I'm not really scared of anyone. I know that the 6-8 guys are stronger probably than me and bigger, but I'm going to still try. Goals are scored in those areas. You have to find ways to get there, and I use my body and my speed to get there. It's important if you want to score goals like a goal-scorer like me.' Advertisement That's the scouting report the Blues had on Carbonneau. 'He's a goal scorer,' Armstrong said. 'He's someone that enjoys the fruits of his labors of scoring goals — someone who adds another element to the guys we have right now.' The Blues had Carbonneau in a grouping of players they thought might be available at No. 19. 'The mock drafts had him somewhere (Nos.) 14-18, so we thought that he would be a little bit of a stretch, but he might get to us,' Armstrong said. They took him despite Kitchener Rangers defensemen Cameron Reid and University of Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler still being on the board. 'We took three D last year,' Armstrong said. 'We'd like to smooth out our depth chart.' There was not much opportunity for the Blues to move up in the first round, and though they only have three picks in this draft, they decided against dropping back and acquiring an extra pick. 'It was a difficult year to move up because we didn't have a second, third or fourth,' Armstrong said. 'We did talk to a couple of teams (about trading down). We might've been able to go to 22 or 23 and acquire a late second or third. But you're crossing your fingers that you don't lose three guys. We didn't have to do that because at 19, there was a player that we were excited about in our block.' Carbonneau will either play NCAA hockey next season at Boston College or return to junior. 'That's one of the topics to talk with the Blues,' he said. 'Boston College is a great option for me to develop with older guys, or in Blainville. Two good options, but some talks that I'm going to do with St. Louis and decide in the next few days.' On Friday, Carbonneau was wearing an NHL jersey for the first time, becoming the first Blue to be officially presented with the new rebranded uniform. 'I always play for the logo on the front,' he said. 'To see this beautiful logo that changed a few days ago, it's a great logo. To wear it one day, it's going to be my next goal.'
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Benfica vs Chelsea prediction, odds and betting offer
The Blues will be looking to book their place in the quarter-finals when they face Benfica in North Carolina this weekend Chelsea face off against the formidable Benfica in North Carolina, marking the last-16 stage of the Club World Cup. Chelsea kicked off their tournament journey with a solid 2-0 win over LAFC. However, they stumbled in their second match, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brazilian team Flamengo, despite holding a lead at halftime. This setback left them needing a crucial victory against Esperance Tunis in the early hours of Wednesday. Rising to the occasion, Chelsea delivered with goals from Tosin and Liam Delap during first-half stoppage time, followed by a late strike from Tyrique George, securing a commanding 3-0 win. Benfica's campaign began on shaky ground, as they found themselves trailing 2-0 against Boca Juniors within the first 27 minutes of their opening game. Yet, under Bruno Lage's guidance, they showed resilience by clawing back to earn a 2-2 draw with the Argentine side. They then showcased their firepower by thrashing Auckland City with six unanswered goals in their subsequent match. Needing just a point against Bayern Munich to advance, Benfica exceeded expectations by defeating the Bundesliga champions 1-0, thus clinching the top spot in Group C. Benfica vs Chelsea Odds Benfica - 27/10 Draw - 5/2 Chelsea - 23/20 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Chelsea Betting Tips Chelsea to win and both teams to score - 10/3 Liam Delap to score anytime - 21/10 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Chelsea Betting Offers If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
7NEWS
4 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Aussie TV star Dave Hughes makes sad admission about his beloved Carlton
Carlton superfan and TV funnyman Dave Hughes has again addressed the raging crisis engulfing his embattled club. The Blues' season has imploded, fans are fuming, and past coaches and players are crawling out of the woodwork to have their say about the club they once represented. Carlton was belted by Port Adelaide on Thursday night and are now facing brutal clashes against flag contenders Collingwood and Brisbane. The day before the loss to Port, Hughes went viral with an epic rant about following Carlton on Channel 7's hit show The Front Bar. 'We were premiership favourites playing against an under-12 team, we were 40 points up and lost, and our team left at halftime!' he said about the loss to Richmond in Round 1. 'I walked home the MCG to St Kilda in the dark on my own, true story. I was looking for guys with machetes and could not find them, where are they when you need them?' 'This was our year? 30 years! This was it. 'Guys, it's sad. I cannot do it anymore, it's not good for my health. Every weekend from now on I will go to the Wonthaggi area and forage for mushrooms. Cook them up and have a good time. What could go wrong?' That outburst was in the aftermath to Carlton's shock loss to North Melbourne in Round 15. Fans were hoping the Blues would respond against Port, but that ended in a 50-point smashing. On Friday the Hughes tone was more sombre as he admitted it was hard work being a supporter, and his son doesn't go to games anymore. 'I still go to Carlton games because unlike my teenage son I still remember the feeling of winning. Hopefully it happens in my lifetime. I'm trying to keep fit so that I can live another 50 years and see that it does happen. Because the reward if they do get it done will be immense,' he wrote in a News Corp column. 'I'm not blaming individuals. I can't blame individuals. The club has just … it's just … it is just the club. It's the whole club. And it's been going on for 25 years. 'We have torched so many reputations. Talk to Denis Pagan, talk to Mick Malthouse. Two legends of coaching turned up to Carlton and left shattered men. 'I feel sorry for everyone who turns up at the club these days. It's just … it's just so hard. Carlton being bad is actually good for comedy to be honest but I'd still rather not have it happen ... being a Blues fan right now is just hard. It's hard.' Carlton have spent years building the list to a point that was meant to contend in 2025. But there is little hope they will play finals this year and on Friday football boss Brad Lloyd could not confirm if coach Michael Voss would be at the club next year. 'I'm unsure of that,' he said Club great Brendan Fevola says 'something is wrong'. 'Something is going on. The board needs to go, I've been saying that for ages. The board is just there for themselves,' he said on his radio program, The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick. 'Get new people in. Get old Carlton people in. Blokes like (former star player) Fraser Brown who would be amazing on the board. 'Everyone is saying, 'Sack Vossy, Vossy needs to go', and I'm like, 'No, I don't think that's the go'. 'It gets to a point where you go, 'I don't think the players are playing for you, mate'. If you're playing for a coach, you don't put up what you put up in that first half. 'They're putting up nothing, they didn't kick a goal for the whole first half. 'They don't look like they've got a system but they do have a system; they train and they train hard. They're just not performing.' Mick Malthouse told 7NEWS it was too easy to 'pot' the coach 'He is a gutsy person who I have the greatest admiration for and I hope he hangs in there,' Malthouse told 7NEWS.
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Enzo Fernandez ‘will be even better' next season insists Enzo Maresca
But he excelled in the second half of the 2024-25 season, finishing the campaign with eight goals, and has continued to shine at the Club World Cup. The 24-year-old scored in the opening win over Los Angeles FC and created two goals in as many minutes as the Blues beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in their final group game on Tuesday. Their reward is a last-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference: 'I'm very pleased with Enzo, especially because, first of all, he's a nice boy. He's polite, he's a good boy. 'Then he's worked very well in all aspects inside the pitch, outside the pitch. Our struggle at the beginning was (for him) to understand the way we want to play. 'But he is doing fantastic in terms of numbers, goal assists. This is what we want from our attacking players. 'I've said many times that I prefer to have the attacking players score 10-12 goal each, rather than just a striker with 40 goals. 'So his contribution this season has been top and I am sure next season will be even better.' Enzo Maresca has stressed the need to be patient with Andrey Santos (Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA) Despite that, Fernandez could face competition for his place after Maresca suggested he sees Brazilian Andrey Santos more as an attacking player than a defensive one. The highly-rated 21-year-old has rejoined the club this summer after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg and made his debut as a second-half substitute against Esperance. Maresca said: 'His season has been very good but I think you need time to adapt. 'In terms of position, I see Andrey in this moment in more like Enzo's position than Romeo's (Lavia) position. 'The Premier League demands (players) to be physically strong. In this moment, I see Andrey more of an attacking player than defensive in the field.' Maresca added that he hopes 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong will stay with the club despite being linked with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund. He said: 'My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. I feel the best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Trevoh Chalobah's future has been the subject of speculation (John Walton/PA) Maresca would also like England international Trevoh Chalobah to stay, but offered no guarantees. He said: 'All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them but when the transfer window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen – not only for Trevoh, for (all) the 25 players of the squad.' Maresca expects a tight contest against Benfica. He said: 'It's going to be a balanced game, a tough game. In this kind of game the small details are very important.'
