Latest news with #StateofOriginII
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NSW forward Stefano Utoikamanu speaks out after clinging to State of Origin spot for decider
Stefano Utoikamanu has defended his performance in State of Origin II after the Melbourne Storm prop retained his place in the NSW squad. Utoikamanu divided opinion as he held his position in the Blues squad, with calls for in-form South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi to be included with the shield on the line in Sydney on July 9. The 25-year-old felt he didn't deserve to lose his spot, entering the fray at Optus Stadium in Perth earlier this month with NSW on the back foot. Utoikamanu came off the bench in the second clash, clocking 27 minutes for the match as the Blues went down in a thriller 26-24. NSW trailed 26-6 at half-time, with Utoikamanu telling AAP it was difficult to make an impact. Utoikamanu impeded Queensland's goal-line defence in the second half, which led to an obstruction penalty that denied Nathan Cleary a try for the Blues. He also ran for only 41 metres, but was not alone in struggling to roll up the field as wet conditions made it tough for either set of middle forwards to build momentum. 'I felt like I didn't really do too much wrong, I felt like it was pretty hard to kind of go on in the game when everything was kind of going against us,' Utoikamanu said. 'It was pretty hard when I came on, but that's not an excuse.' Utoikamanu has been a consistent performer since joining the Storm this season and came off the bench in Sunday's 30-6 win over Cronulla. Playing 31 minutes, he finished with seven runs, 20 tackles and one tackle bust, with his coach Craig Bellamy backing his inclusion in Game III of Origin. Utoikamanu said he would stick to his strengths to help the Blues retain the interstate crown. 'I feel like coming off the bench is a good role for me going into Origin, and I've learnt from that (first) game and I'm pretty excited,'' he said. 'I'm going to stick to my strengths — I know I'm a strong ball carrier, and in defence just make my tackles — making sure I win my tackles is probably the main thing, and that's what I'm looking to do.' Utoikamanu said belief within the NSW outfit was strong given the way they overcame an 8-0 first-half penalty blitz and finished the Perth match by scoring four second-half tries. 'First half we kind of got blown back a bit, but I feel like we had a pretty good second half and came back and anything could have happened,' he said. 'We're pretty happy with the second half. We know that our discipline needs to be better, and if our discipline's good we have a good chance of winning that game.'
West Australian
5 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Ben Cousins undergoes hernia operation during night in hospital: ‘I was ready to pass out'
AFL great Ben Cousins has spent a night in hospital to have a hernia operation after almost passing out in pain at home. The 2005 Brownlow medallist and West Coast champion attended State of Origin II in Perth last Wednesday without any sign of an issue, but was in agonising discomfort hours later when he got home. Speaking to Triple M on Tuesday night, Cousins said it's the most pain he's ever been in. 'I'm a little tender actually. I went in for a hernia op on Friday — not much fun,' he he said. 'I had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn't a couple of months ago, and I've been in denial, if you like. 'I hadn't gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I'd put it off until the end of the footy season, I'd hang on for 12 more games — you'd swear I was still playing. 'But I went to the State of Origin on Wednesday night, it was a great game, got home, and then I went in to put my daughter to sleep, and I sat on her bed, and then out of nowhere, this pain came. 'I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn't talk. 'I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.' Despite the pain, Cousins stayed home and went to sleep — but had to take himself to hospital when he woke up. 'So, the next day I did my best to try and get seen as quickly as possible, so I went in (to hospital) the next day,' he said. It's been a rocky couple of months for Cousins, who last month mourned two separate friends. Former Eagles teammate Adam Selwood tragically passed away just two days after Cousins's personal friend Chass Guthrie also died. 'A time to tip the hat to my friend, Chass Guthrie,' Cousins wrote at the time. 'I admired your approach to life, loved your sense of humour and gentle nature, and have been amazed by your strength. 'I'll miss you. Rest in peace.' Cousins was among a host of AFL stars who attended Selwood's memorial service. The 2006 grand final winner was remembered at his funeral as a brilliant role-player and a loving father-of-two and husband to Fiona since his death. 'We will miss Adam deeply,' Fiona said in a family statement. 'His spirit, kindness and the joy he brought to every room, his determination, the lessons he shared and his infectious personality will stay us with always.' Premiership teammates Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda, Beau Waters and Sam Butler were among the players to attend Adam's memorial on Wednesday. West Coast's 2018 premiership players Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras, along with Eagles greats Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff and Nic Naitanui, were also there. Geelong great Tom Hawkins, a close mate of Adam's brother Joel, was in attendance while former Cats players Jordan Clark and Quinton Narkle, who now play for Fremantle, were there with Dockers coach Justin Longmuir.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Ben Cousins undergoes surgery during night in hospital
AFL great Ben Cousins has spent a night in hospital to have a hernia operation after almost passing out in pain at home. The 2005 Brownlow medallist and West Coast champion attended State of Origin II in Perth last Wednesday without any sign of an issue, but was in agonising discomfort hours later when he got home. Speaking to Triple M on Tuesday night, Cousins said it's the most pain he's ever been in. 'I'm a little tender actually. I went in for a hernia op on Friday — not much fun,' he he said. 'I had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn't a couple of months ago, and I've been in denial, if you like. 'I hadn't gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I'd put it off until the end of the footy season, I'd hang on for 12 more games — you'd swear I was still playing. 'But I went to the State of Origin on Wednesday night, it was a great game, got home, and then I went in to put my daughter to sleep, and I sat on her bed, and then out of nowhere, this pain came. 'I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn't talk. 'I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.' Despite the pain, Cousins stayed home and went to sleep — but had to take himself to hospital when he woke up. 'So, the next day I did my best to try and get seen as quickly as possible, so I went in (to hospital) the next day,' he said. It's been a rocky couple of months for Cousins, who last month mourned two separate friends. Former Eagles teammate Adam Selwood tragically passed away just two days after Cousins's personal friend Chass Guthrie also died. 'A time to tip the hat to my friend, Chass Guthrie,' Cousins wrote at the time. 'I admired your approach to life, loved your sense of humour and gentle nature, and have been amazed by your strength. 'I'll miss you. Rest in peace.' Cousins was among a host of AFL stars who attended Selwood's memorial service. Ben Cousins at Adam Selwood's memorial service. Credit: Paul Kane/AFL Photos / via Getty Images The 2006 grand final winner was remembered at his funeral as a brilliant role-player and a loving father-of-two and husband to Fiona since his death. 'We will miss Adam deeply,' Fiona said in a family statement. 'His spirit, kindness and the joy he brought to every room, his determination, the lessons he shared and his infectious personality will stay us with always.' Premiership teammates Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda, Beau Waters and Sam Butler were among the players to attend Adam's memorial on Wednesday. West Coast's 2018 premiership players Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras, along with Eagles greats Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff and Nic Naitanui, were also there. Geelong great Tom Hawkins, a close mate of Adam's brother Joel, was in attendance while former Cats players Jordan Clark and Quinton Narkle, who now play for Fremantle, were there with Dockers coach Justin Longmuir.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Ben Cousins undergoes hernia operation during night in hospital: ‘I was ready to pass out'
AFL great Ben Cousins has spent a night in hospital to have a hernia operation after almost passing out in pain at home. The 2005 Brownlow medallist and West Coast champion attended State of Origin II in Perth last Wednesday without any sign of an issue, but was in agonising discomfort hours later when he got home. Speaking to Triple M on Tuesday night, Cousins said it's the most pain he's ever been in. 'I'm a little tender actually. I went in for a hernia op on Friday — not much fun,' he he said. 'I had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn't a couple of months ago, and I've been in denial, if you like. 'I hadn't gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I'd put it off until the end of the footy season, I'd hang on for 12 more games — you'd swear I was still playing. 'But I went to the State of Origin on Wednesday night, it was a great game, got home, and then I went in to put my daughter to sleep, and I sat on her bed, and then out of nowhere, this pain came. 'I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn't talk. 'I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.' Despite the pain, Cousins stayed home and went to sleep — but had to take himself to hospital when he woke up. 'So, the next day I did my best to try and get seen as quickly as possible, so I went in (to hospital) the next day,' he said. It's been a rocky couple of months for Cousins, who last month mourned two separate friends. Former Eagles teammate Adam Selwood tragically passed away just two days after Cousins's personal friend Chass Guthrie also died. 'A time to tip the hat to my friend, Chass Guthrie,' Cousins wrote at the time. 'I admired your approach to life, loved your sense of humour and gentle nature, and have been amazed by your strength. 'I'll miss you. Rest in peace.' Cousins was among a host of AFL stars who attended Selwood's memorial service. The 2006 grand final winner was remembered at his funeral as a brilliant role-player and a loving father-of-two and husband to Fiona since his death. 'We will miss Adam deeply,' Fiona said in a family statement. 'His spirit, kindness and the joy he brought to every room, his determination, the lessons he shared and his infectious personality will stay us with always.' Premiership teammates Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda, Beau Waters and Sam Butler were among the players to attend Adam's memorial on Wednesday. West Coast's 2018 premiership players Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras, along with Eagles greats Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff and Nic Naitanui, were also there. Geelong great Tom Hawkins, a close mate of Adam's brother Joel, was in attendance while former Cats players Jordan Clark and Quinton Narkle, who now play for Fremantle, were there with Dockers coach Justin Longmuir.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Canterbury footy boss Phil Gould sporting ‘new eye' after gruesome surgery
Rugby league legend Phil Gould is recovering after undergoing surgery on his eye. The Canterbury footy boss, who is very active on social media, told his X followers on Monday that he would be taking some time off to have the procedure done. As well as his role with the Bulldogs, Gould also features as a prominent commentator and panellist, and hosts an NRL podcast. 'Undergoing eye surgery tomorrow…,' he wrote on Monday. 'Taking the rest of the week off. There will be a special replacement for the Six Tackles with Gus podcast on Wednesday. 'Hopefully I'm back on deck for 100% Footy next Monday night. Enjoy the weekend round of football ahead everyone.' On Tuesday, the 67-year-old shared the results of the operation in a gruesome image, sporting what he called 'a new eye'. 'And there it is … A new eye,' he wrote, alongside three laughing emojis. The photo was seen by over 50,000 people in less than 24 hours, and was flooded with messages of support. 'Mate — that's no good. I've had a couple of eye ops and they hurt like hell. Take some good pain killer and take it easy,' Wayne Goldsmith said. Gould has been at the centre of lots of drama this NRL season, having overseen the recruitment of Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers. The Bulldogs announced Galvin's signing late last month after the Tigers officially released the want-away five-eighth earlier in the day to end a saga that spanned six weeks of headlines. Gould was also highly critical of Queensland coach Billy Slater for his decision to drop Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans for State of Origin II.
