Latest news with #RugbyLeagueWorldCup
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Adam Hills not hiding passionate love for rugby league
The Australian comic, known for hosting late-night talk and sketch show The Last Leg, makes no attempt to hide his passion for the 13-player code either. After all, the 55-year-old was adorned in Australia's rugby league kit from the 2017 Rugby League World Cup on a traditional London bus kitted out to mark 100 days to go until the return of the ABK Beer Ashes. It will mark a revival of one of rugby league's most iconic series which last happened in 2003 when Australia toured the UK to play Great Britain. 'I'm so excited,' the Sydney native said. 'It's been 22 years since the last Ashes, and I've been shocked by that; this is something that should be happening all the time. 'I'm so excited to show rugby league off to my London friends and go, 'OK, guys you have to watch this. I know you don't know what it's about, or you might think you know, but this is five levels up, especially when it's an Ashes Test'.' The launch began in Clapham – London's unofficial Australian capital – and also featured England captain George Williams, international teammate Jack Welsby and rugby league legend Martin Offiah. But Hills' presence at the event goes beyond his celebrity status, he is also the Rugby Football League president, a role he has held since the start of the year, and one that fills him with enormous pride. 'I honestly got goosebumps when the email came through offering it to me,' he beamed. 'Initially I was a little bit hesitant because I thought, 'How's it going to look having an Australian as the president of the RFL?' 'But I think it's good to have an Australian shouting about stuff, because sometimes rugby league gets a little bit forgotten over here. 'I come from a city where you go, 'this is the best sport in the world' and I'm not ashamed to say that. 'So, I thought, okay, I'll take the role so I can shout about rugby league in a positive way.' And Hill's has been doing just that, trying to raise the profile of the sport in every way possible, from the national to the community game, to everything in between, including speaking to Artur Martirosyan, the president of Ukrainian Rugby League. 'Off the back of [a Last Leg episode where the plight of rugby league in Ukraine was highlighted] that, I was put in touch with the president,' he explained. 'I had a FaceTime with him, and I said, 'when's the best time to chat?' 'He replied, 'Sunday is, because I'm in the army.' And I was like, 'because you get Sunday's off?' He said, 'no, no, Sundays are when my commanding officer is off so I can make a phone call. 'I was amazed at this point. I asked him what he did, and he just sent me a picture of himself behind an anti-aircraft gun. I was like 'holy s**t!' 'When then ended up talking about rugby league for an hour. We asked them what they needed, which was kit, balls etc, so we put out a plea on the Last Leg and the guys from Keighley Cougars said they'd make the Ukrainian national kit for them. 'So, as we speak, they've flown out to Poland to then take a 15-hour bus to present them with the kit. I'm loving stuff like that.' Hills was a member of the Australian side at the inaugural Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup in 2022 and hopes, through his role as RFL president, to try a promote disability rugby league as much as he can too. 'Regardless of the sport, there has to be an England v Australia Ashes,' he continued. 'I've played disability rugby league, and since becoming president, and even before then, I'm doing what I can to make sure there's disability rugby league at the next World Cup. 'We did it once and it can't be a one off. And I also think there should be a disability rugby league Ashes too. 'I really want that to be a thing.' The series kicks off at Wembley Stadium on October 25, before heading to Liverpool a week later, where a sold-out Bramley-Moore Dock will take centre stage. Leeds Rhinos' Headingley Stadium is the venue for the third and final Test on November 8, which is also a sellout. More than 60,000 tickets were sold on the first day of the priority sales window, which was a record-breaking figure for any rugby league series launch. Hills predicted a close series and expressed his desire for a winner-takes-all decider come the third Test. 'It's going to finish 2-1 to someone,' he said. 'Rugby League will be the winner, and I think that final game at Headingley will be unbelievable. 'As an Australian, where do you not want to be playing? I'm absolutely pumped for that match.' Marking the milestone with a '100 days to go' London Trophy Tour were Rugby League legend Martin Offiah MBE, current England captain George Williams, star player Jack Welsby, and Aussie comedian and Rugby Football League President, Adam Hills MBE.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Adam Hills not hiding passionate love for rugby league
There aren't many people more enthusiastic about something than Adam Hills is about rugby league: he absolutely loves it. The Australian comic, known for hosting late-night talk and sketch show The Last Leg, makes no attempt to hide his passion for the 13-player code either. After all, the 55-year-old was adorned in Australia's rugby league kit from the 2017 Rugby League World Cup on a traditional London bus kitted out to mark 100 days to go until the return of the ABK Beer Ashes. It will mark a revival of one of rugby league's most iconic series which last happened in 2003 when Australia toured the UK to play Great Britain. 😆 A new cover photo! 🏴 #EnglandRL — England Rugby League (@England_RL) July 17, 2025 'I'm so excited,' the Sydney native said. 'It's been 22 years since the last Ashes, and I've been shocked by that; this is something that should be happening all the time. 'I'm so excited to show rugby league off to my London friends and go, 'OK, guys you have to watch this. I know you don't know what it's about, or you might think you know, but this is five levels up, especially when it's an Ashes Test'.' The launch began in Clapham – London's unofficial Australian capital – and also featured England captain George Williams, international teammate Jack Welsby and rugby league legend Martin Offiah. But Hills' presence at the event goes beyond his celebrity status, he is also the Rugby Football League president, a role he has held since the start of the year, and one that fills him with enormous pride. 'I honestly got goosebumps when the email came through offering it to me,' he beamed. 'Initially I was a little bit hesitant because I thought, 'How's it going to look having an Australian as the president of the RFL?' 'But I think it's good to have an Australian shouting about stuff, because sometimes rugby league gets a little bit forgotten over here. 'I come from a city where you go, 'this is the best sport in the world' and I'm not ashamed to say that. 'So, I thought, okay, I'll take the role so I can shout about rugby league in a positive way.' And Hill's has been doing just that, trying to raise the profile of the sport in every way possible, from the national to the community game, to everything in between, including speaking to Artur Martirosyan, the president of Ukrainian Rugby League. 'Off the back of [a Last Leg episode where the plight of rugby league in Ukraine was highlighted] that, I was put in touch with the president,' he explained. 'I had a FaceTime with him, and I said, 'when's the best time to chat?' 'He replied, 'Sunday is, because I'm in the army.' And I was like, 'because you get Sunday's off?' He said, 'no, no, Sundays are when my commanding officer is off so I can make a phone call. 'I was amazed at this point. I asked him what he did, and he just sent me a picture of himself behind an anti-aircraft gun. I was like 'holy s**t!' 'When then ended up talking about rugby league for an hour. We asked them what they needed, which was kit, balls etc, so we put out a plea on the Last Leg and the guys from Keighley Cougars said they'd make the Ukrainian national kit for them. 'So, as we speak, they've flown out to Poland to then take a 15-hour bus to present them with the kit. I'm loving stuff like that.' Hills was a member of the Australian side at the inaugural Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup in 2022 and hopes, through his role as RFL president, to try a promote disability rugby league as much as he can too. 'Regardless of the sport, there has to be an England v Australia Ashes,' he continued. 'I've played disability rugby league, and since becoming president, and even before then, I'm doing what I can to make sure there's disability rugby league at the next World Cup. 'We did it once and it can't be a one off. And I also think there should be a disability rugby league Ashes too. 'I really want that to be a thing.' The series kicks off at Wembley Stadium on October 25, before heading to Liverpool a week later, where a sold-out Bramley-Moore Dock will take centre stage. Leeds Rhinos' Headingley Stadium is the venue for the third and final Test on November 8, which is also a sellout. More than 60,000 tickets were sold on the first day of the priority sales window, which was a record-breaking figure for any rugby league series launch. Hills predicted a close series and expressed his desire for a winner-takes-all decider come the third Test. 'It's going to finish 2-1 to someone,' he said. 'Rugby League will be the winner, and I think that final game at Headingley will be unbelievable. 'As an Australian, where do you not want to be playing? I'm absolutely pumped for that match.'
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'A huge lure': key reason Smith wants Australia job
Cameron Smith never played on an Ashes tour, which is another reason why the prospect of coaching Australia has such a strong appeal to him. Smith is one of the leading contenders to take over from new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga as Kangaroos mentor ahead of the first three-Test Ashes tour since 2003. South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who has been in charge of Australia previously, is also a contender, but for that to happen the ARLC must make a change to the protocol that club coaches are ineligible to guide the Kangaroos. Smith, who played an extraordinary 56 Tests for Australia, spoke about the appeal of being at the helm of the 2025 series in England. "It's huge, isn't it? I grew up watching Ashes tours where Australia would play Great Britain or England," he said. "I never got to play in one, but that's a huge lure to be a part of such a prestigious and historic tour. It hasn't been done for a long, long time - over 20 years - so it would be great to be a part of." While touted as the favourite for the job, Smith said it was too early to count his chickens. "Until I hear anything official from anyone at the NRL or from the commission, I haven't really given it too much thought" he said. "I haven't spoken to anyone about the role as yet. I'm aware that my name has been tossed up as a potential coach. "I do understand though, it's a wonderful opportunity. It's a great privilege to be able to be the coach of our national side, the Kangaroos. I was lucky enough to play for that team many, many times, so it would be a great privilege." If Bennett was to get the job for the Ashes tour, there has been a suggestion that Smith would be an ideal assistant in a "dream team" before taking over ahead of next year's Rugby League World Cup. "I haven't put too much thought into it. As it stands right now, the rules are that club coaches can't be involved," Smith said. "But I'm hearing that they might be discussing that and maybe altering their thoughts on that, which is entirely up to the game and the executives in charge. If that happens, that's great. "Wayne Bennett's a wonderful coach. He's probably one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in our game, so if he ends up being the Kangaroos coach, they'll be in good hands." Cameron Smith never played on an Ashes tour, which is another reason why the prospect of coaching Australia has such a strong appeal to him. Smith is one of the leading contenders to take over from new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga as Kangaroos mentor ahead of the first three-Test Ashes tour since 2003. South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who has been in charge of Australia previously, is also a contender, but for that to happen the ARLC must make a change to the protocol that club coaches are ineligible to guide the Kangaroos. Smith, who played an extraordinary 56 Tests for Australia, spoke about the appeal of being at the helm of the 2025 series in England. "It's huge, isn't it? I grew up watching Ashes tours where Australia would play Great Britain or England," he said. "I never got to play in one, but that's a huge lure to be a part of such a prestigious and historic tour. It hasn't been done for a long, long time - over 20 years - so it would be great to be a part of." While touted as the favourite for the job, Smith said it was too early to count his chickens. "Until I hear anything official from anyone at the NRL or from the commission, I haven't really given it too much thought" he said. "I haven't spoken to anyone about the role as yet. I'm aware that my name has been tossed up as a potential coach. "I do understand though, it's a wonderful opportunity. It's a great privilege to be able to be the coach of our national side, the Kangaroos. I was lucky enough to play for that team many, many times, so it would be a great privilege." If Bennett was to get the job for the Ashes tour, there has been a suggestion that Smith would be an ideal assistant in a "dream team" before taking over ahead of next year's Rugby League World Cup. "I haven't put too much thought into it. As it stands right now, the rules are that club coaches can't be involved," Smith said. "But I'm hearing that they might be discussing that and maybe altering their thoughts on that, which is entirely up to the game and the executives in charge. If that happens, that's great. "Wayne Bennett's a wonderful coach. He's probably one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in our game, so if he ends up being the Kangaroos coach, they'll be in good hands." Cameron Smith never played on an Ashes tour, which is another reason why the prospect of coaching Australia has such a strong appeal to him. Smith is one of the leading contenders to take over from new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga as Kangaroos mentor ahead of the first three-Test Ashes tour since 2003. South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who has been in charge of Australia previously, is also a contender, but for that to happen the ARLC must make a change to the protocol that club coaches are ineligible to guide the Kangaroos. Smith, who played an extraordinary 56 Tests for Australia, spoke about the appeal of being at the helm of the 2025 series in England. "It's huge, isn't it? I grew up watching Ashes tours where Australia would play Great Britain or England," he said. "I never got to play in one, but that's a huge lure to be a part of such a prestigious and historic tour. It hasn't been done for a long, long time - over 20 years - so it would be great to be a part of." While touted as the favourite for the job, Smith said it was too early to count his chickens. "Until I hear anything official from anyone at the NRL or from the commission, I haven't really given it too much thought" he said. "I haven't spoken to anyone about the role as yet. I'm aware that my name has been tossed up as a potential coach. "I do understand though, it's a wonderful opportunity. It's a great privilege to be able to be the coach of our national side, the Kangaroos. I was lucky enough to play for that team many, many times, so it would be a great privilege." If Bennett was to get the job for the Ashes tour, there has been a suggestion that Smith would be an ideal assistant in a "dream team" before taking over ahead of next year's Rugby League World Cup. "I haven't put too much thought into it. As it stands right now, the rules are that club coaches can't be involved," Smith said. "But I'm hearing that they might be discussing that and maybe altering their thoughts on that, which is entirely up to the game and the executives in charge. If that happens, that's great. "Wayne Bennett's a wonderful coach. He's probably one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in our game, so if he ends up being the Kangaroos coach, they'll be in good hands."
The Age
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Lions for leaguies: My guide to the greatest rugby show on turf
The whole thing was such a success they came back in 1899 and – bar world wars and various global cataclysms – have toured every four years since, across South Africa, New Zealand and Oz. So, in the modern incarnation, they come here every 12 years. They narrowly beat us in 1989, we belted them in 2001, and the mongrels just beat us in 2013. Where are the players drawn from? Pretty much what it says on the can. They come from Great Britain – as in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – plus Ireland itself. It's a little like your Rugby League World Cup, but with a difference. Instead of players being drawn from pretend national comps that don't actually exist, and everyone going along with the sham, they really are the best players from fierce competitions that funnel into actual national teams, and these are the genuine superstar players from those Test sides. Just how many people care about the result, and will be watching? More even than watch an Origin series. Yes, that big! Actually, it's sort of like those matches you play in Las Vegas in March, except that, instead of it drawing an Australian audience of a couple of million, plus 55,000 Americans, this will draw a genuinely global audience from across the planet in the 133 countries where rugby is played. The last one to these shores pulled in about 100 million. (No, no, an actual 100 million. Not the 100 million some professional proselytisers were claiming would watch the Las Vegas stuff.) What can we expect to see? Seriously wonderful football. Think of it like a Test series between Great Britain and the Kangaroos. Except that, instead of it being fairly forgettable, with the result usually pre-ordained, in this series no-one knows who is going to win and, to judge by the most recent tours, the result will likely be in the balance right up until the last minutes of the final Test and will be talked about for decades to come. Who are the best players? On our side, you will at least know Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, yes? He served his senior football apprenticeship with the Roosters before graduating to the Wallabies when he decided he wanted to go global and play on an actual world stage. Loading On their side, look to Finn Russell, the 32-year-old five-eighth from Scotland. He's a maestro of the art – real art – a one-stop shop complete package of no-look passes, scintillating sidesteps, precise crossfield kicks that could knock the cigarette out of a seagull's mouth at 42 metres, and devastating runarounds that leave defences scrambling. He's sort of like your Nathan Cleary, 'cept that ... no, as you were. He's sort of like your Nathan Cleary. And that is why rugby is looking at Nathan, come to think of it. (If Nathan wants to play in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Jo'burg, Dublin, Rome and Cardiff – instead of Parramatta, Wigan and Las Vegas, tell him to call us.)
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lions for leaguies: My guide to the greatest rugby show on turf
The whole thing was such a success they came back in 1899 and – bar world wars and various global cataclysms – have toured every four years since, across South Africa, New Zealand and Oz. So, in the modern incarnation, they come here every 12 years. They narrowly beat us in 1989, we belted them in 2001, and the mongrels just beat us in 2013. Where are the players drawn from? Pretty much what it says on the can. They come from Great Britain – as in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – plus Ireland itself. It's a little like your Rugby League World Cup, but with a difference. Instead of players being drawn from pretend national comps that don't actually exist, and everyone going along with the sham, they really are the best players from fierce competitions that funnel into actual national teams, and these are the genuine superstar players from those Test sides. Just how many people care about the result, and will be watching? More even than watch an Origin series. Yes, that big! Actually, it's sort of like those matches you play in Las Vegas in March, except that, instead of it drawing an Australian audience of a couple of million, plus 55,000 Americans, this will draw a genuinely global audience from across the planet in the 133 countries where rugby is played. The last one to these shores pulled in about 100 million. (No, no, an actual 100 million. Not the 100 million some professional proselytisers were claiming would watch the Las Vegas stuff.) What can we expect to see? Seriously wonderful football. Think of it like a Test series between Great Britain and the Kangaroos. Except that, instead of it being fairly forgettable, with the result usually pre-ordained, in this series no-one knows who is going to win and, to judge by the most recent tours, the result will likely be in the balance right up until the last minutes of the final Test and will be talked about for decades to come. Who are the best players? On our side, you will at least know Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, yes? He served his senior football apprenticeship with the Roosters before graduating to the Wallabies when he decided he wanted to go global and play on an actual world stage. Loading On their side, look to Finn Russell, the 32-year-old five-eighth from Scotland. He's a maestro of the art – real art – a one-stop shop complete package of no-look passes, scintillating sidesteps, precise crossfield kicks that could knock the cigarette out of a seagull's mouth at 42 metres, and devastating runarounds that leave defences scrambling. He's sort of like your Nathan Cleary, 'cept that ... no, as you were. He's sort of like your Nathan Cleary. And that is why rugby is looking at Nathan, come to think of it. (If Nathan wants to play in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Jo'burg, Dublin, Rome and Cardiff – instead of Parramatta, Wigan and Las Vegas, tell him to call us.)
