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Roosters roll as Sharks, Knights enjoy first NRLW wins

Yahoo

a day ago

Sport
Yahoo

Roosters roll as Sharks, Knights enjoy first NRLW wins

The Sydney Roosters had to subdue a determined St George Illawarra Dragons outfit to keep their NRLW season blemish-free, while Cronulla and Newcastle enjoyed healthy wins to open their 2025 campaigns. The Roosters prevailed 24-10 at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney for back-to-back wins to start their year, while the Sharks overwhelmed the Raiders 56-6 in Canberra. In Townsville, the Cowboys came crashing back to earth as the Knights scored a 26-6 win after leading 14-0 at the break. The lead changed three times in the top-four clash between the Dragons and Roosters until Hannah Southwell was sin-binned in the 55th minute for a late tackle on Sydney half Jocelyn Kelleher to open the floodgates. Olivia Kernick and Keeley Davis ran in quick tries to take the spoils. But coach John Strange wasn't pleased with 15 errors, compared with nine by the Dragons, and a poor completion rate of just 64 per cent. "I was disappointed in how we played, but the good thing is it's only round two and there's so much improvement in this team, and that gets me excited," he said. Much was made before the game of the clash in the centres between rookie Indie Bostock and Jillaroo Isabelle Kelly, with the pair giving as good they got, although Kelly scored the Roosters' opening try. "Obviously Izzy is a really good player, but Bossie did a great job on her, and who knows, with a few more years' experience she (might) be the next Isabelle Kelly," Dragons captain Raecene McGregor said. A four-try haul by Emma Verran was the backbone of the Sharks' 10-try victory at GIO Stadium. Verran went try-less in 2024, with her last four-pointer back in September 2023. But her acceleration through gaps and her support play brought rewards on Saturday and meant she is just the fourth player - and the first from Cronulla - to score four tries in an NRLW game. The milestones didn't stop there. Prop Stephanie Falkner, who came on to the bench for Filomina Hanisi after an ACL injury last round, is a Sharks junior and scored a double on her first-grade debut. Back-rower Rhiannon Byers also claimed a double, while five-eighth Georgia Hannaway landed eight conversions. "We came here wanting to show what Sharks footy looks like and I thought the girls did really well - they were relentless," coach Tony Herman said. The Raiders had not started an NRLW season with two losses until now. Their only points on Saturday were to ever-reliable winger Madison Bartlett - the 28th of her career. After a 20-6 win over the Titans last round, it took the Cowboys 68 minutes to post their first points through utility Alisha Foord. But there was no denying the Knights' resolve to bounce back after a 26-12 loss to new NRLW team, the Bulldogs. It was also a welcome return for the Knights' Jillaroos hooker Olivia Higgins, who missed round one through suspension, but scored her side's fourth and final try on Saturday.

Sarah Togatuki praised after playing State of Origin days after sister's death

ABC News

30-05-2025

Health
ABC News

Sarah Togatuki praised after playing State of Origin days after sister's death

NSW coach John Strange doubts any other player could have matched Sarah Togatuki's strength in playing State of Origin only days after her sister died. The famously energetic Blues prop took the field for Origin III on Thursday night after losing her sister Jean on Saturday following a short stay in hospital. Togatuki played only a 14-minute cameo that was cut short by a head clash as the Blues fell 18-14 to Queensland but the Tigers star, who has played 11 Origin games straight since her debut in 2020, was hailed as a key member of the camp. "She's just an infectious type of person," captain Isabelle Kelly said. "She wasn't in camp with us for a bit and we really missed her and missed her presence. She puts everyone before herself and she's just really inspiring. "A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she has done this week. She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game. I just know she would've done her family so proud. "She's done all of us so proud with the strength she's had and I feel really honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her." Togatuki dedicated the Blues' series-clinching win in Game II to her sister, saying she "would've been the loudest in the stands" at the Sydney Football Stadium if not for her admission to hospital. Days before Game III, Togatuki shared an emotional tribute to her "sister, best friend and biggest cheerleader" after her death. "It still doesn't feel real," she wrote on Instagram. "She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago, and now she's gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies." Togatuki said her older sister was "the quiet glue that held our family together" after the death of their brother Junior in 2015. "She vowed to protect us all, and she truly lived that promise," she wrote. "She always showed up. Always put others before herself. Always stood on loyalty and love." The 27-year-old said "the village" Jean created was rallying around her four children now. At full-time after Game III, Tokatuki was visibly emotional, spending time with the many members of her family who attended the match in Newcastle with a sign reading "#1 Supporter" under a picture of Sarah and Jean. Strange paid tribute to the strength of character shown by the Wests Tigers prop in taking the field for the Blues, who won the Origin series 2-1. "I don't know if anyone else could've done that. I don't know if I could've," the coach said. "It was really important to her that she spent time with her family but it was really important to her and to her family that she come out and represented them tonight. "To show that strength of character is a real testament to who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game. She's an outstanding player and an even better person." The Blues wore black armbands for the game and Togatuki wrote Jean RIL (Rest In Love) on her wrist. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2025. ABC/AAP

‘A huge inspiration': Brave NSW forward plays days after tragically losing her sister

News.com.au

30-05-2025

Health
News.com.au

‘A huge inspiration': Brave NSW forward plays days after tragically losing her sister

Sarah Togatuki wore the pride of her family on Thursday night, taking the State of Origin field in Newcastle less than a week after the tragic death of her older sister, Jean. The inspirational NSW forward has been privately dealing with the sudden death of her sister, who was admitted to hospital before NSW claimed the series in Origin II in Sydney a fortnight ago, before passing away suddenly on Saturday. In a show of her immense strength and love for her family, Togatuki came off the bench for the Blues in Thursday night's 18-14 loss to Queensland at McDonald Jones Stadium. One of the most popular players in the NRLW, the 27-year-old Tigers star was supported by her Blues teammates and coach John Strange. 'I don't know if I could have done that (after) losing a sister on Saturday,' he said after the game. 'I had a chat to her about spending time with her family, but it was also really important to her and her family that she came out and represented them. 'So to show the strength of character to do that, is a real testament to who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game that she plays. 'She's certainly not underestimated by any of us for what she does. Outstanding player and even better person.' Skipper Isabelle Kelly, who has played alongside Togatuki in the NRLW for years, said the team rallied around her over the past few weeks. 'When you know Sala, she's an infectious type of person. She wasn't in camp with us for a bit and we missed her, we missed her presence,' Kelly said. 'She puts everyone before herself and she's just really inspiring. 'A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she has done this week. 'She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game and I know she would have done her family so proud, even though she came off, she's done all of us proud with the strength that she has. 'I feel really honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her.' Togatuki's night ended early after taking a head knock after just 13 minutes on the field. There were emotional scenes at full-time as she embraced her family. Jean was known to be the loudest and proudest supporter in the stands. 'In the blink of an eye, our family's world changed,' she wrote on Instagram. 'My beautiful big sister gained her wings and has gone to be with our brother JNR. 'It still doesn't feel real. She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago, and now she's gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies.' Meanwhile, Queensland skipper Ali Brigginshaw has defiantly declared she wants to keep playing representative football after enduring a horror few weeks of online abuse including death threats and calls for her to retire. Fresh off an 18-14 victory over NSW in Thursday night's State of Origin dead rubber in Newcastle, the Maroons captain said she will not pander to social media bullies and wants to keep playing as long as she's earning a jersey. 'I do want to keep playing on, I think people just look at your age and think that's enough, there was still comments out there tonight about when I'm going to retire and I still love my footy and if I get picked I get picked, but I'm not saying people should pick me just because I've been here before,' the 35-year-old said after putting Chelsea Lenarduzzi over from behind the ruck to score the matchwinning try in the dying minutes of game three. 'I want to prove I can play in this jersey. Hopefully I did that tonight. 'I'll do whatever it takes for this jersey. I'm really proud to represent Queensland and that's what hurts, surely people see how proud I am to do that. 'I do anything I'm asked, I play any position, I don't carry on. And to see how upset my family are to see the things said about it, that's what hurt the most.' Maroons coach Tahnee Norris backed her call, saying Brigginshaw has earned enough credit throughout her 17-year rugby league career, which started back in 2009. 'It's her decision, it's not mine. Ali is a true Origin player and a leader of this team, and I feel for her, she's had a tough couple of weeks, it's just wrong,' Norris said. 'I've got so much respect for her and what she brings to this team, what she's done for women's rugby league and how she's led this group of Maroons players, people don't understand, they don't see that. 'She plays herself into teams and we pick her, it's as simple as that, so it's up to her when she makes that call. 'Utmost respect for how she's handled herself the past few weeks, it's been really hard on her.'

Women's State of Origin III quick hits: Brigginshaw not retiring, Kelly emotional over try blunder

ABC News

29-05-2025

Entertainment
ABC News

Women's State of Origin III quick hits: Brigginshaw not retiring, Kelly emotional over try blunder

Ali Brigginshaw has no plans to retire, Isabelle Kelly gets emotional about her first-half blunder, and NSW unearths an Origin heel. Here are five quick hits from the conclusion to the Women's State of Origin series. Ali Brigginshaw became the target of some justified criticism after struggling as Queensland lost the first two games of this year's State of Origin series. Unfortunately, along with that came horrible, inexcusable vitriol on social media, with her wife revealing this week they had been told to "kill themselves". It came as coach Tahnee Norris made a shrewd reshuffle in an attempt to spark the Maroons and save some state pride. Lauren Brown and Tarryn Aiken formed a more dynamic attacking halves pairing in Game III, while Brigginshaw came on after the 15-minute mark and stayed for the duration, orchestrating from the middle of the field as a dummy half and link option at lock. After the game ended a "really tough" week, 35-year-old Brigginshaw was adamant she had no plans to retire. "Tonight I remembered why I play footy. I love it and I got to do that again tonight," she said. "I do want to keep playing on. I think people just look at your age and think that's enough. I still love my footy. "I'm not saying people have to pick me just because I've been here before. I'm really proud to represent Queensland. I do anything, I play any position I'm asked." Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Win or lose, the Newcastle fans would get to see their team lift the shield on Thursday night, so the vibes were high in the lead-up to kick-off. But immediately the fans, many of whom were still yet to find their seats, were left rubbing their eyes as the Maroons offered up one of the worst kick-offs you'll ever see. Trying to be unorthodox to unsettle the rampant Blues, they tried to go short (and did) but barely kicked the ball 5 metres forward before it skidded over the sideline. Then, with NSW trying to recover after Chelsea Lenarduzzi's 65th-minute crashball try, Jesse Southwell tried a similar kick and actually nailed it. Right winger Jaime Chapman appeared to wait just long enough before grabbing the ball just after it crossed the red 40m line. But everyone, including the Blues, stopped in their tracks, forgetting the golden rule: Play to the whistle. Eventually, the whistle came from Belinda Sharpe and the penalty was blown, even if it didn't seem right. Isabelle Kelly's botched try in the 21st minute felt like a bit of a funny sideshow. She dove in untouched after a lovely left-side shift and the try was awarded, but before Southwell could take the conversion, referee Sharpe blew the whistle for a bunker review. It did look very easy? Was there an obstruction in the lead-up? Had a Queenslander hit her as she scored and we were looking at an eight-point try? No. As it turned out, she had been held up. By herself. The ball had never managed to make contact with the ground through her own right forearm. A pedantic, if technically correct, implementation of the rule we could all share a derisive chuckle about in a dead rubber, but not Kelly. With the margin ultimately only four points, the NSW captain couldn't get through her explanation of the event even after lifting the shield. "I'm obviously someone that gets quite disappointed when I let my team down, it makes me a bit emotional, like right now. Sorry," Kelly told reporters before choking back tears and taking a minute to compose herself as coach John Strange hailed his skipper as "an inspiration" to her teammates, the next generation and Strange himself. It was a reminder of how much this series and this game means to Kelly and her ilk. ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2025. Origin loves its villains, and the Blues might just have one in Jayme Fressard. The Roosters winger was given the nod on the left flank of this formidable Blues backline this season and didn't disappoint, with four tries in her first series. But the fiery 27-year-old also added a bit of mongrel in Game III, getting in the face of every Maroons player who dared to challenge her, including but not limited to Sienna Lofipo, Shenae Ciesiolka and Lauren Brown. As she left the field at half-time, like the best heels, she acted like she was an innocent victim in all this and it was the Queenslanders who started it all. "I feel like that's all they've got, just try to get us angry, so keep going," Fressard told Nine. As NSW searched desperately for a fissure in Queensland's 12-woman defensive line after the siren, it was fitting that it was the veteran Brigginshaw who perfectly read and pinched Yasmin Clydsdale's pass. She could go to ground and her teammates would swarm her in joy. Instead, she kept running for 20 metres. OK, sure, you can't pass up a shot at a runaway try. But she was mowed down and then … she offloaded. Peculiar. Emily Bass caught the ball on the right wing. Surely she would just hoof it over the sideline, right? Nope. She jinked in-field and, perhaps reading from her skipper's songbook, she passed too. Debutant Georgia Hannaway had the misfortune of being the support player in position and was suitably stunned to receive the pass under pressure and couldn't handle, giving the ball back to the Blues right on halfway. "They're in front, what are they doing?" Phil Gould cried from the Nine commentary box. Fortunately for the Maroons, Tarryn Aiken and Julia Robinson arrived on the scene to tackle NSW fullback Abbi Church and officially end the match. It was like the Maroons had somehow pulled off the Great Escape, but hung around to do some sick wheelies just in front of the guard tower, and it almost cost them dearly.