Latest news with #Symonds
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada runs in eight tries in 50-20 rugby win over Springbok women in Pretoria
PRETORIA - Florence Symonds and Alysha Corrigan scored two tries apiece to help Canada to a 50-20 win over South Africa in women's rugby play Saturday. Despite the comfortable victory margin, it did not all go the second-ranked Canadians' way. The second half saw the 12th-ranked Springboks score 17 points and Canada lose several players to injury. 'I think we put in a big shift there,' said Symonds, named player of the match. 'I think we were down to 14 (players) at one point so we were thrown that challenge ... I'm just really proud of the team.' The two teams meet again next Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Canadian women will then have just two more outings before the Rugby World Cup kicks off Aug. 22 in England. DaLeaka Menin, Fancy Bermudez, Laetitia Royer and Caroline Crossley also scored tries for Canada, which led 26-3 at halftime. Julia Schell kicked five conversions. The win will likely come at a cost, however. There was a lengthy injury delay early in the second half when Bermudez was taken off the field on a cart after an apparent leg injury. Olivia Apps shifted to the wing in place of Bermudez, with Justine Pelletier taking over at scrum half, before she herself hobbled off in the 60th minute. Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf and Sizophila Solontsi scored tries for South Africa. Cilliers also booted a penalty and conversion. The game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the 51,762-capacity stadium that is home to the Vodacom Bulls, was a curtain-raiser for the men's test match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy. Injured South African men's captain Siya Kolisi delivered the pre-game team talk to the Springbok women. It was 17 C in the early-afternoon sunshine at kickoff and Canada started brightly, with Menin powering her way over from close range in the sixth minute to cap a 12-phase attack for a converted try. The physicality of the Springboks was demonstrated in the 12th minute when Solontsi, a flanker, sent captain Alex Tessier flying backwards as the Canadian captain attempted an open-field tackle. Soon after South Africa showed another side of its game, winning a scrum penalty that led to a penalty kick cutting the lead to 7-3 in the 14th minute. An overlap in the Canadian backline after a scrum led to a Bermudez try in the 17th minute to up the lead to 12-3. Schell's conversion attempt hit the goalpost. Unforced errors ended several subsequent Canadian attacks while South Africa conceded a string of penalties. Canada upped its lead to 19-3 in the 29th minute when Bermudez cut through the Springbok defence before feeding Symonds, who outpaced a Springbok chaser for a converted try. Royer scored Canada's fourth try in the 34th minute after South Africa fell asleep at the breakdown. Another Symonds try in the 38th minute was called off upon video review for a knock-on in the buildup. South Africa conceded eight penalties in the first half. Cilliers scored the Springboks' first try in the 44th minute, after Solontsi broke several tackles to spark the attack. But Canada answered immediately, with Symonds ripping the ball free from a Springbok on the ensuing kickoff and Corrigan getting to the loose ball first for a try and a 31-10 lead. Canada added another Corrigan try in the 57th minute with South Africa answering with tries by Dolfi (62nd minute) and Sizophila Solontsi (69th) to cut the lead to 38-20 Symonds scored her second try in the 79th minute and Crossley, a member of the Canadian seven squad who started in the second row, added an intercept try in the 80th minute. Canadian hooker Holly Phillips made her debut off the bench in the 53rd minute. Forwards Gillian Boag and McKinley Hunt earned their 30th cap. Star forward Sophie de Goede, Canada's captain when healthy, was not in Saturday's matchday squad. Returning from a knee injury, de Goede is expected to see action in the Springboks rematch. The game was the fifth meeting between the two sides and the first on South Africa soil. Canada thumped South Africa 66-7 the last time they met, in March 2023 in Madrid. The Canadians also won in three meetings at the Nations Cup: 53-15 in 2013 in Colorado and 52-17 and 35-17 in 2011 and 2009 in Oakville, Ont. After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. South Africa will play out of Group D with No. 4 France, No. 8 Italy and No. 28 Brazil. Canada improved to 13-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada runs in eight tries in 50-20 rugby win over Springbok women in Pretoria
PRETORIA – Florence Symonds and Alysha Corrigan scored two tries apiece to help Canada to a 50-20 win over South Africa in women's rugby play Saturday. Despite the comfortable victory margin, it did not all go the second-ranked Canadians' way. The second half saw the 12th-ranked Springboks score 17 points and Canada lose several players to injury. 'I think we put in a big shift there,' said Symonds, named player of the match. 'I think we were down to 14 (players) at one point so we were thrown that challenge … I'm just really proud of the team.' The two teams meet again next Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Canadian women will then have just two more outings before the Rugby World Cup kicks off Aug. 22 in England. DaLeaka Menin, Fancy Bermudez, Laetitia Royer and Caroline Crossley also scored tries for Canada, which led 26-3 at halftime. Julia Schell kicked five conversions. The win will likely come at a cost, however. There was a lengthy injury delay early in the second half when Bermudez was taken off the field on a cart after an apparent leg injury. Olivia Apps shifted to the wing in place of Bermudez, with Justine Pelletier taking over at scrum half, before she herself hobbled off in the 60th minute. Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf and Sizophila Solontsi scored tries for South Africa. Cilliers also booted a penalty and conversion. The game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the 51,762-capacity stadium that is home to the Vodacom Bulls, was a curtain-raiser for the men's test match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy. Injured South African men's captain Siya Kolisi delivered the pre-game team talk to the Springbok women. It was 17 C in the early-afternoon sunshine at kickoff and Canada started brightly, with Menin powering her way over from close range in the sixth minute to cap a 12-phase attack for a converted try. The physicality of the Springboks was demonstrated in the 12th minute when Solontsi, a flanker, sent captain Alex Tessier flying backwards as the Canadian captain attempted an open-field tackle. Soon after South Africa showed another side of its game, winning a scrum penalty that led to a penalty kick cutting the lead to 7-3 in the 14th minute. An overlap in the Canadian backline after a scrum led to a Bermudez try in the 17th minute to up the lead to 12-3. Schell's conversion attempt hit the goalpost. Unforced errors ended several subsequent Canadian attacks while South Africa conceded a string of penalties. Canada upped its lead to 19-3 in the 29th minute when Bermudez cut through the Springbok defence before feeding Symonds, who outpaced a Springbok chaser for a converted try. Royer scored Canada's fourth try in the 34th minute after South Africa fell asleep at the breakdown. Another Symonds try in the 38th minute was called off upon video review for a knock-on in the buildup. South Africa conceded eight penalties in the first half. Cilliers scored the Springboks' first try in the 44th minute, after Solontsi broke several tackles to spark the attack. But Canada answered immediately, with Symonds ripping the ball free from a Springbok on the ensuing kickoff and Corrigan getting to the loose ball first for a try and a 31-10 lead. Canada added another Corrigan try in the 57th minute with South Africa answering with tries by Dolfi (62nd minute) and Sizophila Solontsi (69th) to cut the lead to 38-20 Symonds scored her second try in the 79th minute and Crossley, a member of the Canadian seven squad who started in the second row, added an intercept try in the 80th minute. Canadian hooker Holly Phillips made her debut off the bench in the 53rd minute. Forwards Gillian Boag and McKinley Hunt earned their 30th cap. Star forward Sophie de Goede, Canada's captain when healthy, was not in Saturday's matchday squad. Returning from a knee injury, de Goede is expected to see action in the Springboks rematch. The game was the fifth meeting between the two sides and the first on South Africa soil. Canada thumped South Africa 66-7 the last time they met, in March 2023 in Madrid. The Canadians also won in three meetings at the Nations Cup: 53-15 in 2013 in Colorado and 52-17 and 35-17 in 2011 and 2009 in Oakville, Ont. After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. South Africa will play out of Group D with No. 4 France, No. 8 Italy and No. 28 Brazil. Canada improved to 13-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025
Courier-Mail
02-07-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
New apartment tower bound for $64m Brisbane site as housing crisis worsens
A major developer has paid $64.5m for a Brisbane riverfront site with plans to build more than 200 apartments at a time when the nation's fastest-growing city is crying out for more housing. It comes as new figures show construction timeframes have ballooned by 58 per cent in Queensland, and the state is still about 100,000 homes short of meeting its share of the 1.2 million national target by 2029. Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) has bought the 9,368 sqm site, featuring 47m of direct river frontage, at 47 Skyring Terrace, Newstead, in an off-market deal from Mirvac Group. MORE: Theme park legend's crypto hideaway hits the market Zac Efron's Aussie long lunch haunt is on the market Zoned for mixed use, the site has potential for up to 42,000 sqm of floor space and a maximum building height of 25 storeys under the Brisbane City Plan. While many private developers are struggling to find a builder to take on their projects, CPG has managed to sign Hutchinson Builders to deliver the apartments. CPG CEO and Chairman Don O'Rorke said the Newstead site offered a rare opportunity to deliver a 'super-premium' luxury residential apartment building in a prime inner-city location. 'Sites like this are as rare as it gets,' Mr O'Rorke said. 'We thought Monarch might be a one-off, but at Newstead we've been fortunate to have the opportunity to create another iconic residential address right in the heart of the city on the Brisbane River. This will be something elevated in every sense — something truly special.' RELATED: National Housing Accord 60,000 new homes short in first year It comes as the federal government's National Housing Accord prepares to mark its first-year anniversary, with the latest ABS figures showing Queensland has only approved 34,301 homes in the past 11 months. Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) analysis of recent ABS data shows, on average, between 2014 and 2024, the time to build a home in Queensland increased from six months in 2014 to more than 10 months in 2024 — a 58 per cent jump, with housing construction material costs also rising by 58 per cent. Brisbane architect Nick Symonds, Director of MAS Architecture Studio, said the demand for high-density housing was high, but the delivery pipeline was struggling to keep pace. 'These aren't townhouses or boutique builds,' Mr Symonds said. 'We're talking about substantial residential projects with hundreds of apartments, and developers can't find a builder willing or able to take them on under current conditions. 'Tier-one contractors have stepped away from major residential developments — not because they lack interest, but because these projects take too long, carry too much risk, and no longer stack up commercially compared to government work.' Mr Symonds said Olympic-related infrastructure and major public works were absorbing much of the available construction workforce. 'The Olympics is creating thousands of jobs, which is great, but it's pulling trades away from residential construction at the worst possible time,' he said. CPG plans to lodge a development application later this year with award-winning architects, Woods Bagot, who are already working on concept plans. CPG head of residential James MacGinley said the development would include a mix of boutique riverfront villas and 2-and 3-bedroom apartments, with north-east views up the river towards Hamilton Hill. 'It is peerless and there is no better development site in Brisbane,' Mr MacGinley said. 'We plan to do it justice and deliver a signature building for the city.' Colliers Queensland residential director Brendan Hogan, who negotiated the offmarket purchase with Troy Linnane, said demand for prestige development opportunities in Brisbane was outpacing supply. 'Opportunities like this simply don't come up anymore. This is the last of its kind on the Newstead waterfront and arguably the best-located residential site in the city,' Mr Hogan said. 'We're seeing exceptional demand in the premium apartment market, with 'off-the-plan' riverfront apartments achieving prices over $35,000 per square metre of net saleable area. 'The surge in apartment prices is largely driven by the demand from owner-occupiers who are seeking premium and larger apartment stock, which has accounted for the majority of sales in the market over the past two years.' The site acquisition reflects broader supply-side pressure in Brisbane's residential pipeline. Population forecasts show Brisbane will grow by more than 500,000 people during the next decade — faster than both Sydney and Melbourne — and inner-Brisbane is expected to face a shortfall of over 14,000 new apartments in the next four years alone, according to SQM Research. 'We know Brisbane is the nation's fastest-growing city with unlimited potential and we're building for that future,' Mr O'Rorke said.
Calgary Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Chorney-Booth: Acme Pizza and Pasta Co. finds a new (familiar) home
When restaurateur Dean Symonds moved to Calgary over 15 years ago, the first restaurant he had a hand in opening was Vendome Café, owned and operated by the Teatro Group. Symonds has since become a regular fixture in Calgary's restaurant landscape, working at and eventually owning several beloved restaurants, including The Beltliner and Gorilla Whale. Now, a decade and a half after walking into the Vendome Block for the first time, Symonds and his business partner Jason Wankel are back in that historic Sunnyside venue with a new restaurant of their own, Acme Pizza and Pasta Co. Article content Article content Article content Vendome had a great run under the stewardship of the Teatro Group, but that company decided to close it down last year to focus on other projects. Meanwhile, Symonds and Wankel, frustrated after losing their other restaurants in the wake of the pandemic, had pivoted to pizza, the one foodstuff that seems to thrive no matter what the state of the world may be. Their Acme Pizza Co., with a location in Tailgunner Brewing Co. in Sunalta and another standalone takeout spot in Renfrew, was a bona fide hit. The pair were ready to expand into a larger facility with capacity for a commissary kitchen and a full-service, sit-down restaurant to showcase their well-honed hospitality skills. Article content Article content Article content Timing, as they say, is everything. Right as the Acme crew were ready to expand, that familiar Vendome space suddenly became vacant. Article content 'It is interesting to come full circle,' Symonds says. Article content Symonds and Wankel originally toyed with the idea of opening Acme Pizza and Pasta as a scrappy red sauce joint. But their heritage building location, which Teatro renovated extensively over the years, with its gentle archways and sleek bartop, felt a little too elegant for red checkered table cloths and New Jersey-style spaghetti and meatballs. They knew they had to develop a friendly neighbourhood spot that could do double duty as a romantic date night destination and a go-to for family pizza night. Article content Article content 'We can be playful here, but the room dictates we put a little bit of parsley on top of things,' Symonds says with a chuckle. Article content 'We wanted to match the room,' Wankel says in agreement. 'But the other guiding force is that everything on the menu is going to be on a table with a pizza. We had to remember that, too.' Article content To help strike that balance, the Acme kitchen team – head chef Alexander Row, chef de cuisine and pasta wizard Elyse Trimble, and sous chef Colby Tio – created a menu to entice locals looking for both a quick pizza and beer or a plate of seafood-studded, house-made pasta. The king of the menu, to Symonds and Wankel's admitted surprise, are the gooey panko and parmigiana-crusted mozzarella sticks ($15), which feel both remarkably modern and like a (much-welcome) throwback to the '80s. There are other snacks and small plates worthy of investigation, such as a gorgonzola beet salad with apple and pistachio ($21), marinated olives with rosemary and lemon ($8), and mussels in a lemon-butter garlic sauce ($25), but ultimately, this is a pizza 'n' pasta restaurant.
Courier-Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
70 new homes bound for Gabba precinct in lead-up to 2032 Games
A collection of 72 premium apartments is coming to East Brisbane, with a design that takes cues from an iconic Queensland plant. The 10-storey tower at 169 Wellington Rd is named the Banksii: named after the Grevillea Banksii, which can be found right across the road in Raymond Park. Designed by Mas Architects, managing director Nick Symonds said the building's look was created with its views of nature and the Brisbane River in mind. 'The screen elements on the front facade … they reference the flower in terms of its symmetry and its softer elements,' he said. RELATED: Affordable housing units fast-tracked in development for inner-city residents 'We really just designed the building to reflect that viewpoint and connect back to the park.' The building sits on a 1619 sqm block, and features one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom offerings for residents. Developed by Vector Property Group, rooms will have a subtropical design and a focus on natural light, along with outdoor living spaces for time under the sun. '[There's] a real focus on new lines and opening up interiors to the outside,' Mr Symonds said. 'I think the indoor-outdoor feeling is obviously a reflection of our Queensland lifestyle, where we like to dine and BBQ outside.' MORE: Big bank's huge rates call amid property confidence spike Handbag heir sells lavish Byron Bay hinterland estate for $30m In addition, residents will be able to share gym and rooftop facilities proposed by the developer, which include a swimming pool, pool deck, bar and alfresco dining spaces. 'Even with apartments that don't look back onto the city, they also get the opportunity to see the roofline and experience that in those communal spaces,' Mr Symonds said. A retail offering will also be present on the ground floor, expected to be a coffee shop. 'Banksii is a statement project that reflects our ambition to help shape Brisbane's evolving residential landscape,' Vector Property Australia joint managing director Rhett Williams said. 'As our third project in Brisbane, it reflects the growing appetite for affordable luxury apartment living in the city's expanding market. We see strong demand from buyers who want location, lifestyle, and considered design, and Banksii delivers on all three.' Mr Symonds said it was one of many developments helping to reshape the spaces around the iconic Gabba Stadium, in advance of its swan song during the 2032 Olympic Games. 'It's going to diversify and become a home for many new people, and it's going to bring a lot of new opportunities,' he said. Nine one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units and 27 three-bedroom units will be available to purchase when the project goes to market. Construction is estimated to start later in 2025, with an expected completion at the end of 2026.
