Latest news with #KalynPonga
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-try Hammer's hand up to join Maroons fullback club
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has backed up his actions by declaring himself ready to be the next Queensland fullback as coach Billy Slater mulls his options for the State of Origin decider. Kalyn Ponga's foot injury suffered on Friday night has ruled the Newcastle No.1 out of next Wednesday's third game in Sydney. The contenders queued on Saturday, with 2024 custodian Reece Walsh in fine form for Brisbane before Dolphins whiz Tabuai-Fidow scored four times in his 100th NRL game to oust South Sydney. Walsh has battled soreness in his heavily strapped knee to stake his claims in what would be a straight swap with Ponga. STOP... Hammer time 🔨 — The Dolphins (@dolphinsnrl) June 28, 2025 But the other option would be to shift Tabuai-Fidow and call in North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi. Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in nine games for Queensland but played either centre or wing in all of those. Slater will name his squad on Monday, when they will again gather at their Sunshine Coast training base. "To have that No.1 on my back, would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after his sizzling milestone performance. "You think about the players that have worn that No.1 jersey (before me) and given it all. "It's a bit of chop and change (after playing centre and wing already this series) but I'm comfortable with it; it's my preferred and a good opportunity for me after playing fullback at club-land week in, week out." Walsh has played five Origins, all at fullback, and won the backing of his Broncos teammates after their third-straight win on Saturday. "His knee looked good, he's done the work, ready to go and there's an opportunity," Brisbane and Maroons forward Pat Carrigan said. "He's growing; he's still only 22 or whatever but he's playing tough for us and we're really appreciating what he's doing. "He does what he does and they try to nail him every week so I know he'll be up for it." Walsh copped some heavy attention in last year's Origin series and Blues prop Haas, fresh off playing alongside him on Saturday, said nothing would change if he was recalled. "It's State of Origin, you go after each other," he said. "One hundred per cent, he can do a job for them and he should be there." The Blues muted Queensland in an 18-6 win in Brisbane before the Maroons held off a NSW comeback to win 26-24 in Perth to level the series. "It'll be free flowing, the lungs will be burning and it'll be on," Carrigan said. "Decider footy, well and truly a cracking game."
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hammer time as Dolphins soar back into NRL top eight
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. The Hammer has 4️⃣ 🤩 #NRLDolphinsSouths — NRL (@NRL) June 28, 2025 Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. The Rabbitohs, with Cody Walker and Campbell Graham back in the fold, started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for tries, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. Walker failed to finish the game for the Rabbitohs after picking up an apparent hamstring injury.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Reece Walsh stars in Origin audition amid Warriors' double injury blow
The Broncos beat the Warriors 26-12 on the back of a starring display from Reece Walsh in his Origin audition amid two big injury blows for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium. Walsh finished with 103 metres, five tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak assist and a try assist to put his hand up to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga in game three. The Warriors lost their second straight game with the defeat compounded by injuries to fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and halfback Luke Metcalf. Adam Reynolds produced a pinpoint grubber for Kotoni Staggs to dive over and give the Broncos an early lead. Later, Ezra Mam came up with a pinpoint cut-out pass to put Josiah Karapani over for his fifth try in three games to extend the Broncos' lead. The Warriors gifted the Broncos a penalty goal from a ruck infringement allowing Reynolds to make it 12-0 to the home side. Metcalf looked to have set up a try for halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, but replays showed he didn't get the ball down. Walsh, in his State of Origin audition, then produced a perfectly timed short ball to put Gehamat Shibasaki over on the stroke of half-time as the Broncos took a commanding lead. Making matters worse for the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad later suffered a knee injury trying to make a tackle on Shibasaki and did not return after half-time. But the Warriors, as they have done all season, fought through the adversity as Adam Pompey produced the last pass for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score in the corner after a brilliant long ball from Metcalf in the lead up as the Warriors got on the board. Walsh was then taken out chasing a Reynolds kick gifting the Broncos a penalty goal to make it 20-6, even though the Brisbane fullback appeared off-side. While Brisbane looked to be cruising at that point, Leka Halasmia then soared high to latch onto a kick from Harris-Tavita to give the Warriors a sniff at a late comeback. But then in a further blow for the Warriors, Metcalf came from the field with a knee injury as Brendan Piakura was placed on report for a late hit on the halfback. Mam and Reynolds combined to put Shibasaki over for a double as the Broncos sealed their third straight win to move back to fifth on the ladder. WALSH STAMPS ORIGIN CLAIMS With Ponga sensationally ruled out of the Origin decider because of a lisfranc injury suffered on Friday night, Walsh is right in the frame to earn a recall to the rep arena. Walsh is only a few weeks back from a PCL injury, which was still giving him a little bit of grief last week, but since he's returned, his form has been very good. Against the Warriors, Walsh was very lively. 'That was probably Walsh's best game of the season,' Michael Ennis said. 'Things were happening around Reece Walsh today.' For Maroons coach Billy Slater, his two fullback options to replace Ponga are Walsh or shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the wing. After the Broncos star's performance against the Warriors, you'd have to think Slater will be leaning heavily towards Walsh.
SBS Australia
16 hours ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Evening News Bulletin 28 June 2025
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . Donald Trump says he believes Gaza ceasefire possible within a week... Victorian Opposition slams government for new delays to over-budget metro line... Queensland superstar Kalyn Ponga ruled out of the State of Origin series decider with a foot injury. United States President Donald Trump says he believes it is possible that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict will be reached within a week. At an Oval Office event celebrating a Congo-Rwanda peace deal, Mr Trump has told reporters he believes a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is close, but has failed to provide additional detail. "I think it's close. I just spoke with some of the people involved and we think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire and we're supplying, as you know, a lot of money and a lot of food to that area because we have to. It's too bad other countries aren't helping out. Nobody's helping out, we're doing that because I think we have to on a humanitarian basis." The United Nations says at least 410 Palestinians have been shot and killed while waiting for food aid to be delivered by a U-S and Israeli-approved organisation over the last month and Israel continues to block other efforts from the international community to deliver aid to the region. The Victorian government is attempting to downplay reports of delays in construction and testing of the $15 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel, with the train line now not set to open for regular commuter services until early 2026. The Age reports the government is planning, what they call, a "soft opening" of the Metro in November of this year for limited off-peak much-delayed and over-budget project was initially slated to be finished by September 2024, and the Allan government has reportedly offered the construction companies over a billion dollars if they could finish the project by this Opposition leader Brad Battin says the delay and increasing cost of the project is unacceptable. "No one knows when it's going to open. No one knows which stations will open and no one knows how many trains will be able to go through during peak and off-peak times. How can a government spend billions of dollars and not have the plan ready and know exactly what time those stations will open and how often trains can operate. And the government won't come out and be honest on exactly how they've wasted that money. It's too important here in Victoria to understand, for every Victorian, where is our money going?" The New South Wales government has defended a controversial bill aimed at reforming the state's workers compensation scheme, including changes making it more difficult to receive ongoing support for psychological injury. Unions, academics and healthcare professionals have raised alarm about a proposal in the bill which will more than double the threshold for workers seeking ongoing support for a psychological injury beyond two-and-a-half years. Unions New South Wales has told an inquiry into the bill that this increase would disqualify 95 per cent of workers with permanent psychological injuries. The Coalition has agreed and have so far helped block the bill, with state Opposition leader Mark Speakman saying the change would punish the most severely injured workers. Sophie Cotsis, New South Wales Minister for Work Health and Safety, says the government is investing close to $128 million in prevention efforts to avoid lasting injury. "We will have an additional 51 safe work inspectors. This is historic. There will be 20 inspectors dedicated to psycho-social matters at work. This is a huge investment supporting early intervention, prevention, supporting workers and businesses." The Greens have condemned what they've described as brutal and excessive police force shown towards former candidate for Grayndler, Hannah Thomas, who has now undergone surgery after an arrest at a pro-Palestine protest. The 35-year-old lawyer and activist who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his Inner-West seat last month was photographed with a bruised and bloodied face after picketing a business reportedly supplying parts for jets used by the Israeli military. She has now reportedly undergone surgery for serious facial injuries. Greens MP Sue Higginson and Senator David Shoebridge have issued a statement calling for Police Minister Yasmin Catley to investigate the arrest as a critical incident. Police say four others were arrested at the protest, including a 24-year-old man who they claim temporarily stole a police body worn camera. Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a foot injury. Newcastle has confirmed Ponga is set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up the injury in the loss to Canberra. The injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney battle. It will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland number-one jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The State of Origin decider kicks off on Wednesday, July 9 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Ponga out of Origin III as Knights' fears confirmed
Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019. Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019. Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019.
