Latest news with #DrinkWise
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘It's set up for his legacy to grow': Footy legend backs Nathan Cleary to end ‘final frontier' narrative on Wednesday night
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary admits there was a natural sense of 'envy' as he watched the Blues win a famous decider at Suncorp Stadium last year, but he now gets the chance to silence his critics and tick off the one thing remaining on his rugby league bingo card. The Penrith playmaker is only 27 but he's on track to go down as the greatest player we've ever seen, with Cleary already boasting four grand final wins in a row to go with two Clive Churchill Medals and World Cup glory. But the one question mark is getting the job done in the Origin arena where his record stands at eight wins and eight losses, with the champion No.7 winless in his previous two deciders that has led to claims that this is his final frontier. The 2020 and 2022 deciders still sting, especially given he never had the chance to avenge those losses due to injuries that limited him to just one appearance in 2023 and none the following year. But he gets the chance to make amends in front of a sold-out crowd in Sydney where more than 80,000 fans are being encouraged to enjoy the night and drink in moderation to ensure respectful fan behaviour in the stands. 'Being a part of Origin as a player is the pinnacle and it's the most watched three games of the year by fans with the passion and the excitement,' rugby league legend and DrinkWise ambassador Brett Kimmorley said. 'As a former player, I love to see all that passion in the crowd, but I also want to make sure everyone has a great experience. 'I'm a father of four daughters, so I want to go out and be able to enjoy experiences and make smart choices so I can remember the night. 'It's important to get the message out that the game of football is the best part of the night, rather than having a bad experience (by not drinking in moderation).' Kimmorley played in plenty of big games, including 10 matches for the Blues, and he's backing Cleary to nail the key moments on Wednesday night. 'I don't think he has anything to prove. He's a four-time premiership winner and the best halfback in our competition,' Kimmorley said, noticing how calm and confident the halfback appears now that the Panthers are winning again. 'He's had eight wins and eight losses as a NSW halfback, so he's at a moment where it's set up for him to be on the grand stage and put a performance in that we've seen from some of the greats. 'I class an Origin player who can handle it and put big moments in as one of our best players in the competition. 'I don't think I played great a lot in my Origin campaign, but I felt like my club football and Test career is where I had some big moments. 'If you look at some of the greats who are coaching the teams – Laurie Daley and Billy Slater – they came up with some huge plays and owned Origin on certain occasions. 'Nathan doesn't need to do it because he's won grand finals on his own and helped Penrith win four comps, but his ability to put a masterclass in Origin is one thing that he hasn't done yet. 'If there's ever a moment set up for him to win a decider in Sydney, I think it's set up for his legacy to grow as it has already in his career.' Cleary has enjoyed some magical moments at Accor Stadium and has the chance to do something he's never done before having watched his teammates win the decider 12 months ago. 'It would mean the world being able to play a decider at home with everything on the line,' he said. 'We're sort of just framing it like it's a grand final because it is. It's sort of got that mentality and I'm looking forward to that challenge. Obviously, on the other side of this challenge is going to be either really disappointed or really happy. 'Watching last year's one was incredible, but there was that sort of envy there that I wasn't able to be a part of it and play. It's come full circle now and I get the opportunity to be in one. These are the games that you want to play in.'
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Meninga's Ashes message to Ponga
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says Kalyn Ponga's decision to make himself unavailable for the national side in 2024 won't rule him out of contention for the Ashes squad later this year. Meninga has one eye on the massive series that returns after a lengthy hiatus, but his main focus for now is on State of Origin, which kicks off in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey where he's hoping to fire after a quiet couple of months for the Knights, with the former Dally M Medal winner in the mix to earn a Kangaroos call-up if he can dominate the series. The 27-year-old caused a stir last year when he turned down a potential Kangaroos debut so he could focus on the Knights, only to change his mind following public backlash. Meninga didn't pick Ponga in the squad for the Pacific Championships, with Dylan Edwards doing a wonderful job as Australia beat Tonga in the final. And while last year's situation was far from ideal, Meninga won't let it cloud his judgment if Ponga excels in Origin and puts his hand up to represent Australia amid speculation he could one day play for New Zealand. 'One of the reasons he didn't want to play last year for the Kangaroos was because of fatigue,' the Immortal said. 'We had those conversations last year, so that's not going to impinge on him playing for Australia. 'If he comes out and kills it for Queensland … I'm going to pick the best players (at the end of the year) to represent their country. 'Because of conversations we had in the past, that's not going to reflect in the future.' Mal Meninga has teamed up with DrinkWise to deliver an important message. DrinkWise Credit: Supplied Meninga is big on respect for the jersey, and he's also promoting respect for everyone and encouraging footy fans to drink in moderation during the Origin period. The rugby league legend has teamed up with DrinkWise to encourage fans to celebrate the action responsibly at the ground, the pub or at home with friends and family. 'It's a great initiative to use Origin and rugby league as a vehicle to talk about social change around moderation or drinking responsibly,' he said. 'Respect for each other when you go to a game or you're at home is really important. For me, respect is part of our behaviours and standards for the Kangaroos, so that marries up really well for me. 'Players in the modern age do drink responsibly, or some don't drink at all because they understand the responsibility to their community, club and mates. 'Drinking in moderation is a smart move for their careers, and as I said before, respect is pretty prevalent in our game.' Meninga has seen players like Cameron Munster give up alcohol and the positive impact that's had on and off the field, with the former Maroons coach backing the Queensland star's halves partner to fire on Wednesday night. Daly Cherry-Evans hasn't been at his brilliant best as the world waits for him to sign with the Roosters, but Meninga is tipping him to put that behind him when he pulls on the maroon jersey. Daly Cherry-Evans has been in all the headlines this year after telling Manly he's leaving at the end of the season. Lachie Millard Credit: News Corp Australia 'He's our leader, and that's what leaders do – they've got to lead from the front,' he said. ''Chez' won't be worried by what's going on because he's got so much experience. All this chatter off the field isn't going to worry him or the team. 'They might have had a quick chat about it at the start of camp, but I reckon they've moved on past all that. 'Whatever Daly does for next year isn't going to have an impact on his or Queensland's performance.' Meninga didn't pick Cherry-Evans in the Australian side last year, with Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden combining brilliantly. The way Cherry-Evans handled his demotion impressed Meninga, who has been pleased to see the veteran playmaker work so enthusiastically with Dearden even though he took his place in the team. 'He cares about the players around him,' Meninga said. 'Even if there's another half who he's in competition with, he's always there to help out. He's got that team mindset, which you need.'
