Latest news with #CraigBellamy
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The Welsh football explosion set to erupt as seismic moment now upon us
The Welsh football explosion set to erupt as seismic moment now upon us Euro 2016 took interest levels to new heights in Wales and bosses hope something similar is about to happen Wales Women are about to embark on a special summer (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Step into the FA of Wales' swish offices on the outskirts of Cardiff and two striking photographs greet you at the entrance foyer. One is of Craig Bellamy's World Cup chasing aces, the darlings of a nation, joyously celebrating a goal. The other is of Rhian Wilkinson's women's team doing likewise on their journey towards Euro 2025. Side by side. Parity. Exactly the way FAW boss Noel Mooney wants it as he oversees a football revolution and explosion in the women's game in Wales, from Caernarfon to Cardiff, Bangor to Barry, Newtown to Newport and pretty much everywhere else you look. Mooney also talks of his pride upon attending the recent England versus West Indies one day cricket international at Sophia Gardens, the traditional home of Welsh sport. Article continues below The memory for most of us from that match is Joe Root's astonishing 166 not out to guide England to an unlikely win after their openers were each dismissed for nought. Not for Mooney. 'As I walked towards the ground there it was, a giant poster of our women's team playing.' he beams. 'They could have used any image, but they were celebrating our success. It was just so beautiful, and a little unexpected, to see, gave me a really warm feeling inside.' If Euro 2016 changed the culture and mindset of a nation, with Gareth Bale and his team-mates driving football success and interest like never before, Mooney feels the women's Euros which kick off in Switzerland next week create a similar opportunity for the entire female population in Wales. It isn't just about the taking part for Wilkinson's side, who tangle with powerhouses England, France and the Netherlands in the original nightmare group. More significantly, it's about the future they can create. Jonathan Ford, Mooney's predecessor as FAW chief, once told me of how Northern Ireland made the same amount of money from Euro 2016 as Wales managed to, even though Bale and Co knocked them out in a Paris last 16 showdown two rounds earlier. 'But what they didn't have was our semi-final legacy. It wasn't just about the money,' smiled Ford, knowing Wales' success and feelgood factor led to a surge in playing numbers and fans wearing red attending matches. Almost a decade on, Mooney is of a similar mindset as the women head to their tournament. 'There is an analogy with Euro 2016, which was the first time the men qualified in almost 60 years,' he says. 'So many eyes will be on what happens, so many youngsters will want to take up football, or come to watch, as a result of what they see from Rhian's team. I anticipate it exploding, going through the roof. 'We have players like Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle as wonderful role models, stars young girls look up to and would love to mirror. It's an opportunity to showcase what we have. 'I believe we're mature as an organisation to be able to capitalise upon it. In 2016 there was a staff of around 40 here. Today it's 180 - commercial, media, player development, club development, other departments. It means our legacy planning can be even bigger. We have to make sure we maximise this wonderful opportunity.' Already numbers are growing at a rapid rate. There are 20,000 registered female players in Wales, compared to 7,000 six years ago. For youngsters aged between six and 16, who didn't have this opportunity previously and were expected to take up netball and hockey, playing football is suddenly starting to be normal. 'And that's not including the many who have kickabouts in the parks and fields,' says Mooney of the fastest growing sport in the world. 'By a country mile,' he emphasises. There was a record 17,000 crowd for the Cardiff City Stadium Euro play-off versus the Republic of Ireland. 'We had 40,000 across the two legs. We're just starting to see revenue off the back of ticket sales. Yes we're talking about reduced ticket prices, but we feel we can grow the audience and revenue further,' says Mooney. Perhaps most impressive of the lot is that, at the time of writing, Wales have sold more tickets than any other nation at the Euros, bar hosts Switzerland. 'So more than the Germans, French, English and Dutch,' Mooney says of the near 10,000 Red Wall following. When I put it to him that it's a different audience and you're unlikely to get Canton End stalwarts going to Wales Women matches, Mooney responds: 'Perhaps. But we've wondered how to create that link. Given the numbers heading out to Switzerland to watch us at a major tournament, I'd say there is a percentage of that from the Canton End coming to support the women.' Either way, Mooney wishes to create a legacy which within the next 25 years heads towards complete parity in Welsh football. 'Our vision by 2050 is for the same amount of registered women as men, the same numbers coming to our men's and women's games, the same TV viewing figures for those matches, the same male to female FAW staff, a 50-50 split on our decision-making bodies,' he says. 'It may seem hugely ambitious, but the plan is for a completely balanced FAW that perfectly represents and reflects Wales as a whole. 'Obviously myself and Rhian won't be here in years to come, but we're each aware it's about what we leave behind for the next generation. We think it can be even better for the people who come after us. 'The women's game will simply grow and grow and so will our crowds. When girls start playing football, they are more likely to also attend matches. Everything works off that, interest, ticket revenue, sponsorship, advertising opportunities.' He goes on to cite a quote from Carlo Ancelotti, the great recently departed Real Madrid manager turned Brazil boss. 'Ancelotti said success just hangs off the wall of the building at the Bernabeu,' says Mooney. 'Success breeds success - and we're beginning to feel that here too. 'These days we fancy ourselves to beat anybody with the men's team. Like them in 2016, Rhian ended the trauma of us being very unlucky when it comes to qualifying. Suddenly there is the smell of success with the women too.' As we speak in Mooney's office, which has a superb view overlooking Wales' training pitches, he notices Wilkinson walking past the door and beckons her in for an introduction. She is in the building to pore over some analytics from a recent game to prepare for the Euros and cuts an impressive figure as she outlines her determination to succeed with Wales and help rid any stereotypes when it comes to young girls playing football. 'There are lots of similarities in how Craig and Rhian go about the job,' reckons Mooney. 'They are each incredibly detailed in their planning. We may not be the best teams, but we are definitely the best prepared. We aren't going to be beaten because of a lack of detail, or because of something the players didn't know. 'We don't have a pool of world class players because of our population size. That means we need to be clever, agile, bold, ambitious, driven, passionate. We're trying to be world class at what we do and people buy into that. 'Craig and Rhian come to see me looking for support at certain times. They know we're not a £500m a year organisation, we need to manage our budget, but we try to give ourselves every opportunity to succeed by doing things our way.' Women's football is having to make the enormous strides Mooney talks of because it is coming from so far back. At the start of the 1970s, a time when John Toshack, Terry Yorath and Leighton James were beginning their journeys as Dragons legends, women were banned from playing the sport in Wales. The suspension was eventually lifted, but it took close on another two and a half decades for the Wales Women's team to be properly established. Their first qualifying match wasn't until 1995, playing in discarded men's kit against Switzerland in front of just 345 people at Cwmbran Stadium. One huge step forward, two back, because in 2003 the FAW pulled the team out of qualifiers for the next Euros, citing the cost of travelling to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Estonia and Israel as too exorbitant. Unprecedented sums of money were being thrown at Mark Hughes' booming Euro 2004 chasers at the time and cutbacks needed to be made. The women were culled. An easy target. They weren't exactly dancing jigs of joy about it. Nor were UEFA, who fined Wales £20,000 for the sudden withdrawal. Thanks to the efforts of first Ford, then Mooney, things have altered in pace dramatically in the subsequent years, albeit until recent times the FAW's ruling 28-person council was still entirely made up of older men, often in their sixties, seventies, eighties and sometimes even nineties. By 2027 that will change to 40 percent gender parity, Mooney explaining: 'We've got loads of young females brimming with new ideas about how to take our game forward in Wales.' The ongoing drive for women's football will be a fundamental part of that sea change. On the back of qualifying for the Euros, an Environments For Her Fund has been set up inviting grassroots clubs to apply for a portion of £1m grant monies to upgrade facilities. 'Any club wishing to retrofit can apply for £50,000. Remember, lots of these clubhouses were built in the 1970s, '80s, '90s for male football. No toilet facilities or changing rooms for women,' says Mooney. FAW chief Noel Mooney To that end, and despite Wilkinson's aces starring on the world stage in the coming days, Mooney is treating the women's game as something of a start-up enterprise when it comes to funding. It is hardly without expense. The FAW try to give their female teams, Wilkinson's senior side and at age-grade levels, exactly the same as their male counterparts when it comes to charter flights, luxury hotels, training facilities, number of coaches, analysts, medics and sports science back-up. The interest levels are nowhere near the same yet, the women don't bring in anything remotely resembling the revenue streams superstars like Bale, Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes and Bellamy himself managed to do down the decades, mirrored more recently by Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams and Co. But Mooney cites a business saying he is fond of. 'Risk tolerance. How much risk are you prepared to take in order to get the rewards,' he states. 'The men's team is obviously the cash cow, they bring in the large majority of our revenue through TV rights, gate receipts and so on. 'With the women we are investing in a product, something we need to do for a number of years before we see the returns in terms of profits. 'But we believe it is going to generate a LOT of money for Welsh football in the future. It opens up new revenue opportunities for us. Our commercial partners want to talk about the women's game. Modern, progressive companies are keen to be investing in this. 'The Welsh Government are more connected to us and have helped with funding to put into the legacy we wish to create. We're looking to drive things, bring female leadership, reach out to communities where they wouldn't necessarily see football as their sport. 'We also find our women are interested in social matters, equality, diversity, inclusion. How we treat the world, environmental issues, fairness. They come to us wanting to do a day's coaching to help push the growing interest. Recently 200 girls aged six to 14 jumped at the chance to play football with them at a training session. We maxed out the numbers in an instant, could have done it ten times over. The buzz is becoming phenomenal. 'If truth be known we might struggle to keep up with the demand of growing numbers who want to play. But clubs helping as start-ups for the women's game will be rewarded with more support and funding. 'It's not just a male game any more. We will not stop until it's 50-50 - same facilities, same playing conditions, same numbers is the aim with our clubs. 'Yes it's costly, but it's a worthwhile investment and reaching the Euros, with everything it can bring for us, is part of that. 'We get £1.8m from UEFA for qualifying. The players receive 35 percent, most of the rest goes on logistics to ensure they get the same backing as Craig's side would expect. They need to feel wanted. As such we anticipate actually losing £300,000 from the tournament, but the FAW Board are aware it's about far more than that. 'The legacy we can create, the interest we can generate, is the big thing here. We would spend five times that figure, knowing what the future spin-offs can be. 'For me personally, this perhaps means even more than us getting to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. We're bringing a modern Cymru to the world and it's incredibly satisfying, knowing everything we've had to deal with and put into this to get to this stage. 'We've taken the hits together, including the sudden departure of our previous manager Gemma Grainger at the start of last year. That was a challenge, but I'm really happy we reacted the way we did. Rhian brings fresh ideas. She's brilliant, just like Craig is. 'Our players have had struggles to get there for lots of reasons. Some went to schools where they weren't permitted to play football. Others come from villages and towns where it wasn't the done thing. 'Yet through everything the FAW staff have invested in them, we've shared a belief, we've done it together as Team Wales… and the reward comes from qualifying and beyond. Suddenly the girls not permitted to play have developed into stars. 'If the women can get to their World Cup in Brazil in 2027 that will complete the set for us. The men have done the Euros and the World Cup, the women can do it too. 'Having that profile helps us keep supporting the grassroots game to grow, making sure we've got the things in place to ensure this growth that we see doesn't plateau. It will continue to surge. The legacy of these Euros can be enormous.' Wales kick off against the Netherlands in Lucerne next Saturday, before meeting France on July 9th and reigning Euro champions England four days after. It's a daunting sequence of matches, but given the glamour opposition, tournaments being bigger these days and games being beamed on BBC or ITV, Wilkinson and Mooney see this as a huge opportunity to reach a vast number of eyes. Wilkinson named her Euros squad on the summit of Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, pointing out: 'The mountain was used as a theme because qualifying was always going to be an uphill battle, with setbacks. 'But this is a special team. They're strong and don't quit on each other. I've never been prouder. My arrival maybe came just at the right time to ask these players to do things that in the past they weren't ready for. We will surprise people, these names should be known.' Mooney beams excitedly: 'We have the potential to come together to celebrate, to challenge negative gender stereotypes and to boost participation in football at every level. Article continues below 'We want everyone across Wales to be able to feel a part of this extraordinary moment, no matter where they are. We want to bring Wales to the world through football. This is a really special time for the women's game here.' Historically rugby has been viewed as the number one sport in Wales and clearly interest levels for Six Nations and autumn Tests tend to be through the roof, notwithstanding the current mess the Welsh game finds itself in. But, in terms of participation numbers anyway, that No.1 argument has already been won by football - and it is about to be completely blown out of the water. Where Welsh rugby struggles, Mooney feels Welsh football is about to explode further.
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Storm's Bellamy names arch-rivals as NRL benchmark
Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field." Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field." Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool name former Wales boss as new U21s manager
Liverpool name former Wales boss as new U21s manager Former Wales manager Rob Page has taken the reins of Liverpool's Under-21 side. Page's most recent role was at the helm of the Welsh senior team, where he spent three and a half years from 2020. He initially joined as Ryan Giggs' assistant, stepped in as interim boss, and was eventually handed the job full-time. Advertisement During his time in charge, the 50-year-old guided Wales to their first World Cup appearance since 1958 and also reached the knockout stages of Euro 2020. However, his spell came to an end in June 2024 after Wales failed to qualify for the Euros that summer. His departure from the senior role followed a string of poor results, including a goalless draw against Gibraltar and a heavy 4-0 defeat to Slovakia. Craig Bellamy has since taken over the national team duties. A former international captain with 41 caps to his name, Page had previously managed the Wales Under-21s and earned praise for his work with the youth side before stepping up. At Liverpool, Page takes over from Barry Lewtas, who left the U21 post earlier this month.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fan backlash as Storm lose gun player to rivals and Eels sign former Origin rep
The Melbourne Storm have lost emerging outside back Grant Anderson to the Broncos from next season, while Parramatta have agreed a deal to bring former State of Origin forward Jack de Belin to the club in 2026 - moves that have both divided NRL fans. Anderson's signing had been expected for some time, but confirmation of his two-year deal with the Broncos leaves Selwyn Cobbo's future in Brisbane in further doubt. Brisbane have recently handed extensions to Cobbo's replacement on the wing, Josiah Karapani, as well as captain Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer. And it means the club is only able to offer the off-contract Cobbo a deal worth around $300,000 per season, fuelling rumblings of an exit for the former Origin star, who is currently on around $650,000 per year. The Broncos' acquisition of Anderson will leave Michael Maguire's side with the Storm star, Karapani, Jesse Arthars, Staggs, Deine Mariner and Gehamat Shibasaki as impressive backline options for 2026, leaving Cobbo looking increasingly surplus to requirements. Anderson has been in superb form for Melbourne this season and has benefited from an extended run in Craig Bellamy's starting side due to winger Will Warbrick's lenghty absence. Warbrick hasn't featured for the Storm since round four as he continues to recover from concussion symptoms. And Anderson has stepped up in the Kiwi international's absence, scoring 10 tries in 12 games and averaging 142 running metres. The Storm do have a plethora of talented outside backs at their disposal with the likes of Origin winger Xavier Coates, Jack Howarth and Sua Fa'alogo but fans are still upset that Anderson is leaving. That's a huge blow 😔👎We should of signed him up — luke condick (@luke_pies) June 25, 2025 This is really sad. Been solid all season. Hopefully Grant will get to play finals before heading off 💜 — Niche Equine (@nicheequine) June 25, 2025 this was the worst news of my life — barcus montempelli (@westerndogbulls) June 25, 2025 Big loss. Been great anytime he's been required. — Cameron Hunt (@Cameron70043953) June 25, 2025 That's unfortunate, he's proved to be more than a squad player and with the club saying nothing about what's happening with Warbrick he will have many opportunities to establish himself. — Reddownunder (@jeffynwaryan) June 25, 2025 Parramatta's deal to sign de Belin next season has also not gone well with many Eels fans, who've questioned why the club have moved for a 34-year-old forward who's best form is behind him. De Belin played three Origin games for the Blues in 2018 but hasn't featured since, and his influence on games has waned in recent years. And Dragons coach Shane Flanagan's decision not to offer the veteran an extension means de Belin will be denied the chance to become the joint venture club's most-capped player. De Belin has played 242 games for the Red V since debuting in 2011 and is 31 shy of the club record set by 2010 premiership captain Ben Hornby. The veteran's management held talks with the Dragons about an extension last month but it's understood the move to Parramatta has since been agreed upon. Barring a change of heart as part of the NRL's mandatory 10-day cooling off period, the Dragons forward will link up with the Eels next season as part of first-year coach Jason Ryles' rebuild. RELATED: Blow for Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of Origin 3 Corey Parker calls for premiership-winning coach to stand down now De Belin has a chequered past but his signing will certainly add plenty of defensive steel and experience to a Parramatta side that has lost Bryce Cartwright and Joe Ofahengaue since Ryles took charge this year. Shaun Lane's NRL future is also uncertain after taking an indefinite break from the game. Even still, the signing of the 34-year-old has left many NRL fans divided. Corey Parker on Jack De Belin: "I think he'll be a great signing for the Eels. He's very good defensively and will be an asset to Jason Ryles as he tries to put some steel into that Parramatta line up" — SENQ Breakfast (@CozHealsSEN) June 25, 2025 WTF why would we sign De Belin, he is bloody 34 years old — Paul Corlson (@pauljc26) June 25, 2025 Jack de Belin is a handy pickup for the @TheParraEels. He will add experience to our pack. But as soon as I heard, I knew this signing would go down like a lead balloon amongst our fans. Pretty sure the club knew that too. — Dasher A (@DavidA_2110) June 25, 2025 #NRL Jack De Belin certainly is late in his career for the particularly hate it but don't love it either. — Crowdiegal (@crowdiegal) June 25, 2025 I don't understand why so many Eels fans are annoyed with the signing of De BelinYes, his 34But we need experience, especially in our forward packJack is a very consistent player, isn't as quick as he used to be but still gives 100% each weekBig purchase in my opinion — Sam Curro (@samcurr95262813) June 25, 2025
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Debate erupts as Rabbitohs gun explains ‘hissy fit' storm off footage
What's sport without emotion? A bit of tears, laughs, and everything in between came out of Craig Bellamy and Jai Arrow in Saturday's nailbiting golden point finish against the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Emotions certainly got the better of both player and coach, but in surprising ways. In a game dominated by Melbourne against a South's side decimated by injuries, the purple outfit found themselves against a tougher than expected opponent in the Bunnies who kept in the fight. Up by an unconverted try and with four minutes remaining coach Bellamy was captured absolutely fuming as he vehemently barked orders through a walkie talkie after an uncharacteristic Melbourne error, before the Bunnies evened up the score in the following set to 24-24 South Sydney star Arrow was then instrumental in keeping his side in the game with a try saving tackle in the corner on Grant Anderson that kept the scores levelled with a minute to play. The move gave Latrell Mitchell the chance to almost recreate his field goal heroics from his team's win over the Broncos this year, but this time he narrowly missed the 45m shot right at the death in regular time. Melbourne instead were the side to take the two points as Ryan Papenhuyzen iced a field goal from 17m out in extra time as the game finished 25-24. But it was the post match reactions of Arrow and Bellamy that got fans talking. While his teammates shook hands with the their opponents, a dejected Arrow, clearly frustrated with the unfortunate loss, instead marched straight off the field, kicking over a bench seat before heading up the Accor Stadium tunnel. Appearing the next night on Sunday night with Matty Johns, the star Souths prop admitted emotions got the better of him. 'I had a bit of a hissy fit, obviously fairly disappointed with the result and I stormed off the field unfortunately. I walked straight into the sheds, grabbed a beer and went home ... it's all you can do after a loss,' he said on the panel. Brian Fletcher responded to Arrow's explanation by saying: 'I respect that'. According to Code Sports, however, Arrow also kicked over a bench seat before heading up the tunnel to the dressing room. As shocking as it was to see a player not shake hands with the opponent, Bellamy was caught in an even rarer act after the whistle. The storm coach could be seen with his arms in the air and a wide grin on his face after a fan sitting directly in front of his coaching box looked towards him and gave two thumbs up. Only weeks ago Melbourne hooker Harry Grant tried to persuade Bellamy to crack a smile in a cheeky gesture as his side were up 64-0 against the Tigers, but on this occasion the fan was finally successful in giving rugby league fans a sight they never thought they'd see. 'You can win by 40 and get sprayed by Craig so you can imagine how happy he was with us,' forward Josh King said after the golden point win. Oh Bellyache. Arrow's antics were also the second time this season the player had an emotional response, after a fiery sideline altercation with a Bulldogs fan in the tradition Good Friday clash.
