Latest news with #Toia
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
4 rookies to watch at Cowboys training camp
The Cowboys rely on their rookies to make an immediate impact. Last season, Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe were drafted to start on the offensive line and injuries set up Marshawn Kneeland, Marist Liufau, and Caelen Carson to be significant contributors early as well. In the 2025 draft, Dallas added prospects they expect to play a large number of snaps as rookies, and everyone will be watching them closely. Tyler Booker was drafted No. 12 overall to replace future Hall of Famer Zack Martin. Martin struggled last year, regressing due to age and injury. Dallas decided to solidify their interior by drafting Booker to pair with Beebe at center and All-Pro Tyler Smith at left guard. Booker looks to be a plug-and-play prospect who has been a team leader everywhere he has been. Since being drafted he's done everything right in front of a microphone. As for Shavon Revel Jr, he isn't a typical third-round corner. He was near the top of most scouts' position lists based on talent, slipping due to his ACL injury. Dallas has taken injured players so frequently people have given it the name 'Blue Star Special.' Typically, this occurs in the second round, but Revel Jr. is expected to be available during training camp, and with injuries to Trevon Diggs and Josh Butler, Revel Jr. could see starting snaps early on. If he lives up to his potential early, the season could end with Bland moving inside against three wide receiver sets and Revel Jr. being the first option outside opposite Diggs in those situations. Jaydon Blue was drafted to be the piece that has been missing from the running back room. Head Coach Brian Shottenheimer has repeatedly spoke of the need for an explosion and Blue is the only option who brings that to the team. He had fumbling issues early on last season at Texas, but when he returned from being benched, the fumbling issues never returned. Blue has fresh legs; his highest total touches in a season was 176, and he averaged over six yards per touch. Ideally, he would be their top guy in the backfield, but he has to show he can handle that job. Finally, defensive tackle Jay Toia could start next to Osa Odighizuwa at some point in the 2025 season. All he needs to do is be more reliable than former first-round pick Mazi Smith. Smith had stretches of good play, especially against division opponents, but he has never lived up to the expectations of his draft slot. Toia was picked in the seventh round, but scouts like Dane Brugler had him as early as a third-round option. Toia is just over 6-foot-2 and 340 pounds, and he had enough athleticism to play over 50 snaps standing up like a linebacker his last season at UCLA. Even if Smith is the starter all season, Toia will be needed to play rotational snaps at defensive tackle behind him. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Queensland stun NSW in State of Origin decider
Queensland have added another chapter to the Maroons' State of Origin folklore, shocking NSW with a 24-12 victory in the game-three decider at Accor Stadium to win back the shield. In a state of chaos a month ago after losing game one, the Maroons were dominant at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night after also stunning NSW in Perth last month. Halfback Tom Dearden was player of the match, brilliant in both attack and defence in the biggest game of his life, scoring twice and having a hand in another. Rookie centre Robert Toia was also among a cast of stars for the Maroons, led by inspirational captain Cameron Munster four days after his father's death. So disciplined were Queensland, the Maroons completed their first 30 sets and took a 20-0 halftime lead against a disappointing Blues. "When we talk about getting our game on, it's pretty similar to what that first half looked like," Queensland coach Billy Slater said. "The effort, the togetherness, that's where it all starts and the points come … it was an inspiring performance and I'm so proud of this group." Queensland's 1995 series whitewash with Paul Vautin's neville nobodies rightly holds top spot in famous backs-to-the-wall spirited Maroons effort. The 2020 victory with the so-called "worst Queensland team in history" is a close second. But the 2025 effort will also now rank alongside those. Slater's men looked shot after dropping the series opener, resulting in captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans being axed mid-series. But in the weeks since they have become the first Maroons side to win back-to-back on the road after going 1-0 down at home. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was dominant up front early, while his veteran front-row partner Josh Papalii also held his own after being called out of Origin retirement. Queensland's most unlikely bolter Gehamat Shibasaki laid on the Maroons' first try, after he brushed through a Zac Lomax tackle to put Xavier Coates over. Then it was Toia's turn to have an impact, splitting the Blues defence in two when he flung an offload out the back as he was being pushed into touch. That allowed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to burst into a gaping hole and put Dearden across in support play. Dearden was again influential in the Maroons' next, poking his nose through before Harry Grant spun through four defenders out of dummy-half on the next play. Toia and Dearden then produced the two biggest defensive moments of the second half, with try-savers on Angus Crichton and Brian To'o shortly after the break. NSW eventually got on the board in the 54th minute through Stephen Crichton and Dearden and To'o traded tries late, but NSW attack was otherwise off as poor last-tackle options killed the hosts. Nowhere was that more obvious than when Jarome Luai gave away a 20m tap with a kick that floated into the in-goal early, after a Blues attacking raid. Queensland went down field, got a penalty and kicked 2-0 ahead on the next set as they began their run towards a famous victory. "I'm disappointed, we got off to a bad start again and in Origin if you give away those type of starts, it's always hard to come back from," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "We played some good footy but they just won some moments … you just can't cop those points."
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Queensland stun NSW to reign in State of Origin arena
Queensland have added another chapter to the Maroons' State of Origin folklore, shocking NSW with a 24-12 victory in the game-three decider at Accor Stadium to win back the shield. In a state of chaos a month ago after losing game one, the Maroons were dominant at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night after also stunning NSW in Perth last month. Halfback Tom Dearden was player of the match, brilliant in both attack and defence in the biggest game of his life, scoring twice and having a hand in another. Rookie centre Robert Toia was also among a cast of stars for the Maroons, led by inspirational captain Cameron Munster four days after his father's death. So disciplined were Queensland, the Maroons completed their first 30 sets and took a 20-0 halftime lead against a disappointing Blues. "When we talk about getting our game on, it's pretty similar to what that first half looked like," Queensland coach Billy Slater said. "The effort, the togetherness, that's where it all starts and the points come … it was an inspiring performance and I'm so proud of this group." Queensland's 1995 series whitewash with Paul Vautin's neville nobodies rightly holds top spot in famous backs-to-the-wall spirited Maroons effort. The 2020 victory with the so-called "worst Queensland team in history" is a close second. But the 2025 effort will also now rank alongside those. Slater's men looked shot after dropping the series opener, resulting in captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans being axed mid-series. But in the weeks since they have become the first Maroons side to win back-to-back on the road after going 1-0 down at home. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was dominant up front early, while his veteran front-row partner Josh Papalii also held his own after being called out of Origin retirement. Queensland's most unlikely bolter Gehamat Shibasaki laid on the Maroons' first try, after he brushed through a Zac Lomax tackle to put Xavier Coates over. Then it was Toia's turn to have an impact, splitting the Blues defence in two when he flung an offload out the back as he was being pushed into touch. That allowed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to burst into a gaping hole and put Dearden across in support play. Dearden was again influential in the Maroons' next, poking his nose through before Harry Grant spun through four defenders out of dummy-half on the next play. Toia and Dearden then produced the two biggest defensive moments of the second half, with try-savers on Angus Crichton and Brian To'o shortly after the break. NSW eventually got on the board in the 54th minute through Stephen Crichton and Dearden and To'o traded tries late, but NSW attack was otherwise off as poor last-tackle options killed the hosts. Nowhere was that more obvious than when Jarome Luai gave away a 20m tap with a kick that floated into the in-goal early, after a Blues attacking raid. Queensland went down field, got a penalty and kicked 2-0 ahead on the next set as they began their run towards a famous victory. "I'm disappointed, we got off to a bad start again and in Origin if you give away those type of starts, it's always hard to come back from," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "We played some good footy but they just won some moments … you just can't cop those points." Queensland have added another chapter to the Maroons' State of Origin folklore, shocking NSW with a 24-12 victory in the game-three decider at Accor Stadium to win back the shield. In a state of chaos a month ago after losing game one, the Maroons were dominant at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night after also stunning NSW in Perth last month. Halfback Tom Dearden was player of the match, brilliant in both attack and defence in the biggest game of his life, scoring twice and having a hand in another. Rookie centre Robert Toia was also among a cast of stars for the Maroons, led by inspirational captain Cameron Munster four days after his father's death. So disciplined were Queensland, the Maroons completed their first 30 sets and took a 20-0 halftime lead against a disappointing Blues. "When we talk about getting our game on, it's pretty similar to what that first half looked like," Queensland coach Billy Slater said. "The effort, the togetherness, that's where it all starts and the points come … it was an inspiring performance and I'm so proud of this group." Queensland's 1995 series whitewash with Paul Vautin's neville nobodies rightly holds top spot in famous backs-to-the-wall spirited Maroons effort. The 2020 victory with the so-called "worst Queensland team in history" is a close second. But the 2025 effort will also now rank alongside those. Slater's men looked shot after dropping the series opener, resulting in captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans being axed mid-series. But in the weeks since they have become the first Maroons side to win back-to-back on the road after going 1-0 down at home. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was dominant up front early, while his veteran front-row partner Josh Papalii also held his own after being called out of Origin retirement. Queensland's most unlikely bolter Gehamat Shibasaki laid on the Maroons' first try, after he brushed through a Zac Lomax tackle to put Xavier Coates over. Then it was Toia's turn to have an impact, splitting the Blues defence in two when he flung an offload out the back as he was being pushed into touch. That allowed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to burst into a gaping hole and put Dearden across in support play. Dearden was again influential in the Maroons' next, poking his nose through before Harry Grant spun through four defenders out of dummy-half on the next play. Toia and Dearden then produced the two biggest defensive moments of the second half, with try-savers on Angus Crichton and Brian To'o shortly after the break. NSW eventually got on the board in the 54th minute through Stephen Crichton and Dearden and To'o traded tries late, but NSW attack was otherwise off as poor last-tackle options killed the hosts. Nowhere was that more obvious than when Jarome Luai gave away a 20m tap with a kick that floated into the in-goal early, after a Blues attacking raid. Queensland went down field, got a penalty and kicked 2-0 ahead on the next set as they began their run towards a famous victory. "I'm disappointed, we got off to a bad start again and in Origin if you give away those type of starts, it's always hard to come back from," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "We played some good footy but they just won some moments … you just can't cop those points." Queensland have added another chapter to the Maroons' State of Origin folklore, shocking NSW with a 24-12 victory in the game-three decider at Accor Stadium to win back the shield. In a state of chaos a month ago after losing game one, the Maroons were dominant at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night after also stunning NSW in Perth last month. Halfback Tom Dearden was player of the match, brilliant in both attack and defence in the biggest game of his life, scoring twice and having a hand in another. Rookie centre Robert Toia was also among a cast of stars for the Maroons, led by inspirational captain Cameron Munster four days after his father's death. So disciplined were Queensland, the Maroons completed their first 30 sets and took a 20-0 halftime lead against a disappointing Blues. "When we talk about getting our game on, it's pretty similar to what that first half looked like," Queensland coach Billy Slater said. "The effort, the togetherness, that's where it all starts and the points come … it was an inspiring performance and I'm so proud of this group." Queensland's 1995 series whitewash with Paul Vautin's neville nobodies rightly holds top spot in famous backs-to-the-wall spirited Maroons effort. The 2020 victory with the so-called "worst Queensland team in history" is a close second. But the 2025 effort will also now rank alongside those. Slater's men looked shot after dropping the series opener, resulting in captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans being axed mid-series. But in the weeks since they have become the first Maroons side to win back-to-back on the road after going 1-0 down at home. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was dominant up front early, while his veteran front-row partner Josh Papalii also held his own after being called out of Origin retirement. Queensland's most unlikely bolter Gehamat Shibasaki laid on the Maroons' first try, after he brushed through a Zac Lomax tackle to put Xavier Coates over. Then it was Toia's turn to have an impact, splitting the Blues defence in two when he flung an offload out the back as he was being pushed into touch. That allowed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to burst into a gaping hole and put Dearden across in support play. Dearden was again influential in the Maroons' next, poking his nose through before Harry Grant spun through four defenders out of dummy-half on the next play. Toia and Dearden then produced the two biggest defensive moments of the second half, with try-savers on Angus Crichton and Brian To'o shortly after the break. NSW eventually got on the board in the 54th minute through Stephen Crichton and Dearden and To'o traded tries late, but NSW attack was otherwise off as poor last-tackle options killed the hosts. Nowhere was that more obvious than when Jarome Luai gave away a 20m tap with a kick that floated into the in-goal early, after a Blues attacking raid. Queensland went down field, got a penalty and kicked 2-0 ahead on the next set as they began their run towards a famous victory. "I'm disappointed, we got off to a bad start again and in Origin if you give away those type of starts, it's always hard to come back from," Blues coach Laurie Daley said. "We played some good footy but they just won some moments … you just can't cop those points."
The Age
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Maroon declares Qld's second-half fade in Perth ‘all my fault'. This is how they can claim decider
But Toia vowed to make amends come Wednesday night, as he reflected on his meteoric rise through the ranks. 'I'm pretty confident going into game three, the tries they scored in game two were basically all my fault. My defensive movements were a bit poor, and some lateral movements,' Toia said. 'You always have to have that self-belief, so deep down I've always backed my abilities, but to be honest, I didn't think any of this would be happening this quickly. 'Obviously I backed myself, but it was an honour to go up against Latrell. I feel like it was a privilege to mark-up against him, and he's dominated the Origin arena for years, so I was just grateful and blessed to be in this position.' While Toia has begun to adjust to the Origin arena, his centre partner Gehamat Shibasaki will complete his remarkable surge from obscurity, having gone from train and trialist at the start of the season to the Maroons' man entrusted with containing Stephen Crichton. Shibasaki came up against Crichton for the Broncos this year, keeping the Bulldogs skipper to his second-fewest run metres (66) for the season. However, experience in this arena looms as a key New South Wales strength – with the Blues centre pairing boasting 21 games to Queensland's two. 'I've got a lot of clips there where I can be a lot better with him. Although some people don't know him, he's there for a reason and has been one of the in-form centres of the year.' Stephen Crichton on Gehamat Shibasaki His Broncos coach Michael Maguire – who led the Blues to last year's series triumph before arriving at Red Hill – believed the 26-year-old was ready to respond to the defensive challenge. But Shibasaki's former Townsville Blackhawks coach Terry Campese insisted his own strengths with the ball should not be discounted. Campese told this masthead it was the Townsville product's 'talk on the field that's got him to where he is today', while his ability to cover defend and use his 96-kilogram frame to bring down his opposite number down has already been used to thwart Crichton. But the one-time Blues and former Canberra Raiders' five-eighth saw how valuable he could be with the ball, making him a key X-factor in the Blackhawks' Queensland Cup campaign last year. Shibasaki's form there – in which he scored nine tries while averaging four tackle busts, 143 running metres and 55 post-contact metres a game – earned him an appearance for Townsville's NRL affiliate club, the Rabbitohs, before returning to Brisbane. Loading And while the Bronco will forge one of the game's most inexperienced centre-pairings – having played a third of his own NRL clashes this year, despite debuting in 2018 – Campese was adamant the long road he had taken would ensure he was not overawed. 'He was definitely an attacking weapon we tried to get the ball to as much as possible because he's a big, strong, athletic footy player, and he can be very dangerous on the edge,' Campese said. '[In defence], he's a big body who stops them in their tracks. It's a massive game and a big job, but I think the way he's been playing he should be confident of going out on the field and do what he's been doing all year, and having faith in what Billy and the selectors have done.'
Sydney Morning Herald
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maroon declares Qld's second-half fade in Perth ‘all my fault'. This is how they can claim decider
But Toia vowed to make amends come Wednesday night, as he reflected on his meteoric rise through the ranks. 'I'm pretty confident going into game three, the tries they scored in game two were basically all my fault. My defensive movements were a bit poor, and some lateral movements,' Toia said. 'You always have to have that self-belief, so deep down I've always backed my abilities, but to be honest, I didn't think any of this would be happening this quickly. 'Obviously I backed myself, but it was an honour to go up against Latrell. I feel like it was a privilege to mark-up against him, and he's dominated the Origin arena for years, so I was just grateful and blessed to be in this position.' While Toia has begun to adjust to the Origin arena, his centre partner Gehamat Shibasaki will complete his remarkable surge from obscurity, having gone from train and trialist at the start of the season to the Maroons' man entrusted with containing Stephen Crichton. Shibasaki came up against Crichton for the Broncos this year, keeping the Bulldogs skipper to his second-fewest run metres (66) for the season. However, experience in this arena looms as a key New South Wales strength – with the Blues centre pairing boasting 21 games to Queensland's two. 'I've got a lot of clips there where I can be a lot better with him. Although some people don't know him, he's there for a reason and has been one of the in-form centres of the year.' Stephen Crichton on Gehamat Shibasaki His Broncos coach Michael Maguire – who led the Blues to last year's series triumph before arriving at Red Hill – believed the 26-year-old was ready to respond to the defensive challenge. But Shibasaki's former Townsville Blackhawks coach Terry Campese insisted his own strengths with the ball should not be discounted. Campese told this masthead it was the Townsville product's 'talk on the field that's got him to where he is today', while his ability to cover defend and use his 96-kilogram frame to bring down his opposite number down has already been used to thwart Crichton. But the one-time Blues and former Canberra Raiders' five-eighth saw how valuable he could be with the ball, making him a key X-factor in the Blackhawks' Queensland Cup campaign last year. Shibasaki's form there – in which he scored nine tries while averaging four tackle busts, 143 running metres and 55 post-contact metres a game – earned him an appearance for Townsville's NRL affiliate club, the Rabbitohs, before returning to Brisbane. Loading And while the Bronco will forge one of the game's most inexperienced centre-pairings – having played a third of his own NRL clashes this year, despite debuting in 2018 – Campese was adamant the long road he had taken would ensure he was not overawed. 'He was definitely an attacking weapon we tried to get the ball to as much as possible because he's a big, strong, athletic footy player, and he can be very dangerous on the edge,' Campese said. '[In defence], he's a big body who stops them in their tracks. It's a massive game and a big job, but I think the way he's been playing he should be confident of going out on the field and do what he's been doing all year, and having faith in what Billy and the selectors have done.'
