Latest news with #KangarooTour
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Smith gets key backing as Australia's next coach
Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game."
The Age
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
If Mal wants success in the west he must follow Sheedy's blueprint
He has not coached an NRL team since the Raiders in 2001 and was not successful. His coaching success came with the Maroons' golden run in State of Origin, and, to a lesser extent, the Kangaroos. As coach of Australia, he suffered some significant losses to Tonga and New Zealand over the years, but he did a wonderful job restoring the Kangaroos' 'brand', and driving the return of the Kangaroo Tour to England, which will take place later this year, now with a different task master. His age should matter little, as Sheedy proved. Throw in Wayne Bennett (75) and Craig Bellamy (65) and we have enough evidence the job can be done by those of pension age. The question remains though about his lack of NRL head coach time. Representative coaching and club coaching are two vastly different beasts, as Michael Maguire can attest to. The GWS podcast explores how Sheedy went about his role. Yes, he was head coach, but he was surrounded by assistants who did most of the heavy lifting. Key was Mark Williams, the Port Adelaide premiership-winning coach, who acted as much more than assistant. Sheedy spent most of his time whipping up a frenzy about the new team in a hostile environment. Meninga can handle himself in the media. But Sheedy is a master. He got stuck into the Swans, rugby league, rugby union, even AFL head office which appointed him. He was in search of buzz and noise. One-liners made front and back page news. Any publicity was good publicity. He took no prisoners but he was also humorous, and the way he went about it was likeable. With unending energy, he spent significant time nurturing sponsors and wooing business heavyweights. Before taking the role, Sheedy and his wife Stephanie were considering a six or 12-month sabbatical in the south of France or Italy as they headed toward retirement, free from the day-to-day rigours of a high-profile role at a massive club in the AFL. A decompress. When he decided to take the job, he and Stephanie threw away their romantic idea of a European sojourn and were in, boots and all. They moved to Sydney immediately, a full two years ahead of the team's entry into the competition. 'Sheedy had no interest in taking the job to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor.' Rather than strolling through the vineyards of France or Tuscany, the pair woke each morning and drove to different parts of Western Sydney, and did this for months. From Richmond in the north, west to the foot of the Blue Mountains and down to Campbelltown in the south west. He was able to rattle off the suburbs like the alphabet. They set about finding out what made the area tick, what sort of people lived there, what businesses were there. What were their dreams and aspirations? What would make them want to support a new team in a code foreign to most of them? Sheedy had no interest in taking the job merely to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor and set the club up for the future. Meninga, who has a young family with three kids aged nine to eleven with second wife Amanda, has to do the same. Boots and all. There has been some talk he will stay in Canberra initially as the club begins recruiting in earnest, but that won't cut it. The Bears have a shorter lead time than GWS did, and AFL was better established as a brand in Sydney thanks to the Swans, than the NRL is in Perth where the Bears will be the ultimate outsiders. Loading Sheedy was also known better in Sydney than Meninga is in Perth. He commanded an immediate presence. Yes, finding players is a major part of the job. Finding fans and corporate support is bigger. When the Bears run on, there have to be big crowds in attendance week-in, week-out, otherwise the NRL's 18th team will sink like a stone. Luckily he has a blueprint to work from. The AFL and Sheedy wrote it for him.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
If Mal wants success in the west he must follow Sheedy's blueprint
He has not coached an NRL team since the Raiders in 2001 and was not successful. His coaching success came with the Maroons' golden run in State of Origin, and, to a lesser extent, the Kangaroos. As coach of Australia, he suffered some significant losses to Tonga and New Zealand over the years, but he did a wonderful job restoring the Kangaroos' 'brand', and driving the return of the Kangaroo Tour to England, which will take place later this year, now with a different task master. His age should matter little, as Sheedy proved. Throw in Wayne Bennett (75) and Craig Bellamy (65) and we have enough evidence the job can be done by those of pension age. The question remains though about his lack of NRL head coach time. Representative coaching and club coaching are two vastly different beasts, as Michael Maguire can attest to. The GWS podcast explores how Sheedy went about his role. Yes, he was head coach, but he was surrounded by assistants who did most of the heavy lifting. Key was Mark Williams, the Port Adelaide premiership-winning coach, who acted as much more than assistant. Sheedy spent most of his time whipping up a frenzy about the new team in a hostile environment. Meninga can handle himself in the media. But Sheedy is a master. He got stuck into the Swans, rugby league, rugby union, even AFL head office which appointed him. He was in search of buzz and noise. One-liners made front and back page news. Any publicity was good publicity. He took no prisoners but he was also humorous, and the way he went about it was likeable. With unending energy, he spent significant time nurturing sponsors and wooing business heavyweights. Before taking the role, Sheedy and his wife Stephanie were considering a six or 12-month sabbatical in the south of France or Italy as they headed toward retirement, free from the day-to-day rigours of a high-profile role at a massive club in the AFL. A decompress. When he decided to take the job, he and Stephanie threw away their romantic idea of a European sojourn and were in, boots and all. They moved to Sydney immediately, a full two years ahead of the team's entry into the competition. 'Sheedy had no interest in taking the job to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor.' Rather than strolling through the vineyards of France or Tuscany, the pair woke each morning and drove to different parts of Western Sydney, and did this for months. From Richmond in the north, west to the foot of the Blue Mountains and down to Campbelltown in the south west. He was able to rattle off the suburbs like the alphabet. They set about finding out what made the area tick, what sort of people lived there, what businesses were there. What were their dreams and aspirations? What would make them want to support a new team in a code foreign to most of them? Sheedy had no interest in taking the job merely to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor and set the club up for the future. Meninga, who has a young family with three kids aged nine to eleven with second wife Amanda, has to do the same. Boots and all. There has been some talk he will stay in Canberra initially as the club begins recruiting in earnest, but that won't cut it. The Bears have a shorter lead time than GWS did, and AFL was better established as a brand in Sydney thanks to the Swans, than the NRL is in Perth where the Bears will be the ultimate outsiders. Loading Sheedy was also known better in Sydney than Meninga is in Perth. He commanded an immediate presence. Yes, finding players is a major part of the job. Finding fans and corporate support is bigger. When the Bears run on, there have to be big crowds in attendance week-in, week-out, otherwise the NRL's 18th team will sink like a stone. Luckily he has a blueprint to work from. The AFL and Sheedy wrote it for him.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Ashes are coming! Dates, venues and how to get tickets
FOR the first time in more than 20 years, a rugby league Ashes series will be held in England later this year. Australia's Kangaroos will tour the UK at the end of the season for a three-Test series, with one of them to be played in the north west. Everton FC's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool will host the second Test on Saturday, November 1, in between Tests at Wembley Stadium (October 25) and Headingley (November 8). All of the games will kick off at 2.30pm and will be shown live on the BBC. With huge demand expected, fans are urged to pre-register before 23:59 pm on Tuesday, April 1, for early access to the best-priced tickets through a priority window opening on Wednesday, April 2 (12 pm) before they go on general sale on April 14. 'This is the news we've all been waiting for - everyone in the England set-up, and tens of thousands of England Rugby League fans,' Rugby League Commercial manager director Rhodri Jones said. 'We welcome back Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos to England for an Ashes series, and we have three fantastic venues which will showcase the very best of International Rugby League. 'After 22 years this is rivalry reignited that will have a truly national resonance as England look to regain the Rugby League Ashes.' ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said Kangaroo Tours have produced some of greatest moments in the history of the game. 'We are proud to revive one of the great Rugby League traditions with the first Ashes series and Kangaroo Tour of England in 22 years,' he said. 'The ARLC believes in the international game and the Commission was behind this historic tour to support the growth of the game in the North. 'Kangaroo Tours are an iconic part of Rugby League folklore and have always delivered thrilling contests. 'The current generation of Kangaroos players have never experienced the magic of a Kangaroo Tour, and I'm delighted that they will have a chance to cement their own legacy alongside the greats of the past.' NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the first Kangaroo tour of England since 2022 will excite fans on both sides of the globe. 'The Kangaroos have not toured the UK since 2003 and this series will take international Rugby League to the next level. 'The Ashes has such a storied history, with so many legendary moments that make up the fabric of Rugby League across multiple generations. 'A Kangaroo Tour unites the Rugby League southern and northern hemispheres and is an incredible opportunity to grow the international game.' From 6.30am today – Wednesday, March 26 – fans will be able to pre-register for access to the Ashes Priority Window, which will go live at 12pm Wednesday, April 2, by visiting From 9am on Monday, March 31, a select group of previous ticket-buying England fans will receive emails to allow them 48 hours to buy tickets for the Ashes. This is a closed group sales window and fans will be contacted with further details. General sale will open 10am on April 14. The general public will be able to purchase the remaining tickets. (All 2.30pm kick offs and live on BBC One) First Test – Wembley Stadium, London – Saturday, October 25 Second Test – Everton Stadium, Liverpool – Saturday, November 1 Third Test – AMT Headingley, Leeds – Saturday, November 8
