Latest news with #NickMulvenney
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rugby-Wallabies strike late to edge Fiji in Lions warm-up test
By Nick Mulvenney Rugby-Wallabies strike late to edge Fiji in Lions warm-up test NEWCASTLE, Australia -Australia lost starting flyhalf Noah Lolesio to injury as they came from behind with a late try to beat Fiji 21-18 in their only warm-up for the test series against the British & Irish Lions on Sunday. Captain Harry Wilson crossed a minute from time for the try that gave Australia a measure of revenge for their loss to Fiji at the 2023 World Cup but fell short of the convincing win they would have wanted before facing the Lions in three tests. "We didn't play well enough today for people to have the expectation that we're going to come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over," said coach Joe Schmidt. "But then I'm not sure that expectation was there before today. We're just going to have to build that quiet resolve, that inch-by-inch so we can work our way toward that." Schmidt had a more positive news on Lolesio than would have been expected after he slammed his head into the turf in a tackle on the hour mark and had to be stretchered off the field in a neck brace. "He appeared to be in good shape," he said. "I think it was whiplash and his head hit the ground. So I'm hopeful that's going to be something that will resolve itself reasonably quickly. we won't take any risks with him." The team said they did not think Lolesio would have to go through concussion protocols before being able to play again. Fiji scored tries through debutant Salesi Rayasi and Lekima Tagitagivalu either side of halftime and had eight points from the boot of flyhalf Caleb Muntz but came up just short of a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 1954. "Very proud of my brothers, we came together in one week, prepared to put it out there today," said Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere. "I know it's a disappointing loss, losing in the last minute, but thankful to them for giving their all today." The Wallabies dominated territory in the first half and looked to get the ball wide as often as they could with Max Jorgensen impressing on the left wing. The opening try came from a more prosaic move in the ninth minute with hooker Dave Porecki going over the line on the back of a rolling maul. Right winger Harry Potter crossed in the corner in the 16th minute from a slick backline move, but the score was called back for a forward pass. The Fijians did not get inside the Australia 22-metre line until the 27th minute but steely defence kept the home side out until two minutes before the break. Quick hands along the backline sent flanker Fraser McReight over for a try that, with Lolesio's second conversion, gave the Wallabies a 14-0 lead they would have been happy to take into halftime. HIGH BALL MISFIRES An attempt to get centre Joseph Suaalii involved with a high ball in the midfield just before misfired, however, and the Fijians charged down the other end for fullback Rayasi to score in the corner. The Wallabies kept up with the attempts to get width in their attack after the break, and Jorgensen had a try chalked off in the 49th minute for another forward pass from fullback Tom Wright. Muntz kicked a penalty to cut the deficit to 14-8 in the 51st minute, and the visitors took the lead four minutes later when winger Jiuta Wainiqolo burst through the midfield before finding flanker Tagitagivalu in support. The Fijians, now rampant, went over again through Sireli Maqala on the hour mark, only for the referee to call that score back too for an earlier foot in touch. Fiji continued to trouble the Wallabies with their big ball carriers, but Australia worked their way back up the pitch as the last few minutes ticked away. Four points adrift, they elected to kick for the corner with a late penalty and Wilson was soon barrelling over the line under the posts to clinch the winning score. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-List of Super Rugby champions
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Super Rugby champions since the competition began in 1996 (home team in CAPS): Year Champions Runners-up Score 2025 CANTERBURY CRUSADERS Waikato Chiefs 16-12 2024 AUCKLAND BLUES Chiefs 41-10 2023 Crusaders CHIEFS 25-20 2022 Crusaders BLUES 21-7 2021 Local competitions due to COVID pandemic 2020 Local competitions due to COVID pandemic 2019 CRUSADERS Jaguares 19-3 2018 CRUSADERS Lions 37-18 2017 Crusaders LIONS 25-17 2016 WELLINGTON HURRICANES Lions 20-3 2015 Otago Highlanders HURRICANES 21-14 2014 NSW WARATAHS Crusaders 33-32 2013 CHIEFS ACT Brumbies 27-22 2012 CHIEFS Sharks 37-6 2011 QUEENSLAND REDS Crusaders 18-13 2010 BULLS Stormers 25-17 2009 BULLS Chiefs 61-172008 CRUSADERS Waratahs 20-12 2007 Bulls SHARKS 20-19 2006 CRUSADERS Hurricanes 19-12 2005 CRUSADERS Waratahs 35-25 2004 BRUMBIES Crusaders 47-382003 BLUES Crusaders 21-17 2002 CRUSADERS Brumbies 31-13 2001 BRUMBIES Sharks 36-6 2000 Crusaders BRUMBIES 20-19 1999 Crusaders HIGHLANDERS 24-19 1998 Crusaders BLUES 20-13 1997 BLUES Brumbies 23-7 1996 BLUES Sharks 45-21 Super 12 from 1996 Super 14 from 2006 Super Rugby (15 teams) from 2011 Super Rugby (18 teams) from 2016 Super Rugby (15 teams) from 2018 Super Rugby Pacific (12/11 teams) from 2022 (Compiled by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Clare Fallon)
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Rugby-New Zealand Rugby posts $11.6 million loss despite record income
(Reuters) -New Zealand Rugby posted a NZ$19.5 million ($11.60 million) net deficit for the 2024 financial year despite record income of NZ$285 million as the result of a 10% rise in expenditure. It is a third successive loss for the governing body of the nation's most popular sport following a NZ$8.9 million deficit in 2023 and a NZ$47 million loss in 2022. NZR blamed the loss on foreign currency hedging on sponsorship revenue and increased commercial investments but said its NZ$174.5 million reserves reflected a strong cash position. "Achieving a new high watermark of $285m income, healthy commercial revenue streams in what is a difficult international operating environment, and reinvesting into the game at all levels, are grounds for optimism," NZR chairman David Kirk said in a statement. "NZR retains an incredibly strong balance sheet which is vital for rugby in New Zealand and its ability to weather any major shocks." The settlement the body reached with INEOS last month after the British-owned multinational conglomerate pulled out halfway through its six-year sponsorship deal had no impact on 2024 revenues, NZR said. ($1 = 1.6810 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Olympics-Olympians make climate plea to IOC presidential candidates
By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY (Reuters) - More than 400 Olympians from nearly 90 countries around the world have joined in a call for the winner of next week's International Olympic Committee presidential election to make climate their top priority. The signatories to an open letter calling for IOC action on climate change range from Australia's most decorated Olympian, swimmer Emma McKeon, to Cyrille Tchatchet II, a weightlifter who represented the refugee team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "To the incoming President, we ask that over the coming years and the course of your presidency one issue be above all others: the care of our planet," the letter read. "Rising temperatures and extreme weather are already disrupting competition schedules, putting iconic venues at risk and affecting the health of athletes and fans. "Extreme heat is raising real concerns about whether Summer Games can be held safely in future years, and Winter Games are becoming harder to organise with reliable snow and ice conditions diminishing annually." Seven candidates are vying to replace Thomas Bach as president in a ballot of IOC members at Costa Navarino, Greece, on March 20. The Olympians called for an early meeting with the successful candidate after the election to discuss environmental concerns, and said the IOC must strengthen existing commitments on the cutting of carbon emissions. They also want the IOC to advocate for "broader environmental action", champion sustainable practices with cities hosting Olympics, and "set a standard" on sponsorship deals with companies which have a poor pollution records. Sailor Hannah Mills was one of the British Olympians who initiated the letter and she said the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, the venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics, had illustrated that climate change was an immediate threat. "I'm not sure we've ever seen so many athletes from around the world speak with one voice," said the twice Olympic champion, who is an IOC sustainability ambassador. "The terrible LA wildfires couldn't have been clearer: the time is now to set a course for a safe, bright future. "The Olympics has held and fulfilled the dreams of so many over its history but I can't have any bigger dream than a future in which my children can thrive." The IOC's existing "reduce, compensate, influence" climate commitment includes a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, compensating more than 100% of the residual emissions and encourages stakeholders and fans to act against climate change. World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, multiple Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, who is Zimbabwe's sports minister, and IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch are among the favourites to succeed Bach. International cycling chief David Lappartient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe and Johan Eliasch, who heads the International Ski Federation, complete the list of candidates. Prince Feisal said he welcomed the "powerful message from Olympians around the world", while Coe, who has been vocal on the impact of climate change on athletics, said he would be delighted to meet the athlete advocates to "share ideas and initiatives".
