Latest news with #WallabiesTests
West Australian
07-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Western Force's Simon Cron, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy named in AUNZ invitational side
Having already impressed against the British and Irish Lions, a pair of Western Force starters — and their coach — will get a chance at an encore in Adelaide this week. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy will be the Force representatives named in the AUNZ squad to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final tune-up before the Wallabies Tests begin. Force coach Simon Cron will also serve as an assistant to departing Reds and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The AUNZ invitational squad, which features players from both Australia and New Zealand, was officially unveiled today following the drip-feeding of several members over the past month. Hooker Paenga-Amosa, who had an injury-affected first season out west, showed his class against the Lions in the Force's clash with them at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies front-rower helped the Force turn the tables on the Lions' scrum and after he missed out on selection for Australia's squad to face Fiji, Paenga-Amosa will have another chance to catch Joe Schmidt's eye. Grealy's selection comes after his impressive showing against the Lions, where he repeatedly threatened with the ball in hand. The outside back finished the match with a team-high 71 carry metres and nine broken tackles. Eight All Blacks have been named in the 30-man squad, and a host of Super Rugby Pacific-based Kiwi stars have also been included, such as Hoskins Sotutu. There are also nine former Wallabies in the side, including Darcy Lancaster, who impressed for the Waratahs against the Lions over the weekend and has been linked with a move to the Force. Two-time John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete has flown in from Japan for the game after the winger struggled to impress Schmidt for the Wallabies last year.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Red alert for Suaalii: Why Wallabies must work to prevent another Reece Walsh moment
A tad higher or to the right and Suaalii would have collected Lolesio in the head, and at that point, you're talking cards and possible suspensions. And we've been there before, of course. Suaalii's debut in State of Origin last year was one to forget for the youngster, when he mistimed an aggressive shot on Reece Walsh and with that right arm also tucked in low, hit him late and in the head. The Maroons star was knocked out and Suaalii was sent off just eight minutes into the game. The obvious worry for Schmidt is something similar happening early in one of the Wallabies Tests against the British and Irish Lions in July. The Lolesio shot wasn't a one-off, either. Suaalii's risky tendency to stay upright and hit chest-on-chest was seen several times on the November tour, and he was lucky to escape scrutiny for a no-wrap tackle that collected Wales flanker Jac Morgan in the head. Suaalii has been doing plenty of work with Waratahs defence coach Locky McCaffrey in lowering his body height, and no-one will want to dial down aggression. But Lions Tests are won and lost by the finest of margins, and the impact of losing a player for a tackle-gone-wrong was seen when another star code switcher was sent off in a recent Lions series. Sonny Bill Williams was red carded in the second Test of the All Blacks-Lions series in 2017, for collecting Anthony Watson in the head with an upright, shoulder-to-head tackle. After winning the first Test comfortably, the All Blacks went on to lose the second and then draw the third. It is worth remembering Suaalii is only nine games into his professional rugby career, and it takes time to change heat-of-battle instincts. Barring the odd crackdown, the NRL's tolerance level for high contract is far different. But you can also be sure Schmidt and defensive coaches will put plenty more work into lowering Suaalii's target zone, and use of arms, before the start of the Lions series. It will be a must, because Suaalii will be asked to do more tackling for Australia. Wright and Suaalii's battle of the no.15s was a cracker but based on the season to date the Brumby and incumbent Wallaby won't be unseated by his NSW rival. Wright - who ran 180 metres and beat nine defenders at GIO Stadium - and Suaalii both average about 115 metres per game. But Wright is a superb linkman and alternate playmaker, and is peerless in attacking through defenders in the middle of the field. Loading With ample wing depth, and no inside centres making irresistible cases, Len Ikitau is stay at no.12 for the Wallabies, with Suaalii at no.13, where he can run lines and ride contact. But the Lions will also be poring over tape and setting plans about how to catch him defensively. And you can be sure a trap for Suaalii to race in with a heart-in-mouth shot will be part of the plan.
The Age
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Red alert for Suaalii: Why Wallabies must work to prevent another Reece Walsh moment
A tad higher or to the right and Suaalii would have collected Lolesio in the head, and at that point, you're talking cards and possible suspensions. And we've been there before, of course. Suaalii's debut in State of Origin last year was one to forget for the youngster, when he mistimed an aggressive shot on Reece Walsh and with that right arm also tucked in low, hit him late and in the head. The Maroons star was knocked out and Suaalii was sent off just eight minutes into the game. The obvious worry for Schmidt is something similar happening early in one of the Wallabies Tests against the British and Irish Lions in July. The Lolesio shot wasn't a one-off, either. Suaalii's risky tendency to stay upright and hit chest-on-chest was seen several times on the November tour, and he was lucky to escape scrutiny for a no-wrap tackle that collected Wales flanker Jac Morgan in the head. Suaalii has been doing plenty of work with Waratahs defence coach Locky McCaffrey in lowering his body height, and no-one will want to dial down aggression. But Lions Tests are won and lost by the finest of margins, and the impact of losing a player for a tackle-gone-wrong was seen when another star code switcher was sent off in a recent Lions series. Sonny Bill Williams was red carded in the second Test of the All Blacks-Lions series in 2017, for collecting Anthony Watson in the head with an upright, shoulder-to-head tackle. After winning the first Test comfortably, the All Blacks went on to lose the second and then draw the third. It is worth remembering Suaalii is only nine games into his professional rugby career, and it takes time to change heat-of-battle instincts. Barring the odd crackdown, the NRL's tolerance level for high contract is far different. But you can also be sure Schmidt and defensive coaches will put plenty more work into lowering Suaalii's target zone, and use of arms, before the start of the Lions series. It will be a must, because Suaalii will be asked to do more tackling for Australia. Wright and Suaalii's battle of the no.15s was a cracker but based on the season to date the Brumby and incumbent Wallaby won't be unseated by his NSW rival. Wright - who ran 180 metres and beat nine defenders at GIO Stadium - and Suaalii both average about 115 metres per game. But Wright is a superb linkman and alternate playmaker, and is peerless in attacking through defenders in the middle of the field. Loading With ample wing depth, and no inside centres making irresistible cases, Len Ikitau is stay at no.12 for the Wallabies, with Suaalii at no.13, where he can run lines and ride contact. But the Lions will also be poring over tape and setting plans about how to catch him defensively. And you can be sure a trap for Suaalii to race in with a heart-in-mouth shot will be part of the plan.
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Bonuses for Wallabies wins in Rugby Australia's new $240m TV broadcast deal
Rugby Australia has signed a five-year extension to its broadcast rights agreement with Nine Entertainment in a deal worth up to $240m. It runs from 2026-2030 and includes performance incentives linked to Wallabies wins, Nine-owned newspapers reported. '[It] represents a significant uplift on Rugby Australia's current broadcast agreement and follows a successful organisational reset in 2024,' RA said in a statement. Nine has broadcast Wallabies Tests and Super Rugby across its free-to-air platform and subscription streaming service Stan since 2020 when they picked up the rights for a discount during Covid-19 in a three-year deal worth about $100m. The media group signed a two-year extension in 2023. The new deal covers Wallabies and Wallaroos matches through to 2030, including Tests in the men's Nations Championship which will kick off next year. 'The future of Australian rugby is bright and our growth trajectory is strong,' RA chief executive Phil Waugh said. 'This deal from 2026 through 2030 will ensure Australian Rugby is well supported from the grassroots through to the international level for men and women, boys and girls.' The deal includes a range of incentives related to the performance of teams, including a potential multi-million dollar cash bonus if the underperforming Wallabies win more matches, Nine-owned newspaper Australian Financial Review reported. The Wallabies, ranked eighth in the world, won six out of 13 Tests in coach Joe Schmidt's first year in charge in 2024, after winning two out of nine under Eddie Jones in 2023. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion All Super Rugby Pacific matches will be taken behind Stan's paywall in a change from the current arrangement which has one match shown on free-to-air TV per round. The deal also includes matches in state club competitions, the Shute Shield and Hospital Cup, for die-hard fans.
