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Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Bombshell for Queensland after fullback Kalyn Ponga is ruled out of Origin decider with a foot injury
Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar suffered a Lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning that Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot complaint in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, 'with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season.' Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he sustained Lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. 'Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much,' coach Adam O'Brien said. 'You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign.' Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week in Perth against the Dolphins. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Māori All Blacks: 'They represent a bloodline'
Eight debutants have been included in the line-up to face Japan on Saturday. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Ltd 2025 Māori All Blacks v Japan XV Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 9.05pm Saturday, 28 June Live blog updates on RNZ When several new caps pull on the Māori All Blacks jersey for the first time this Saturday, they will carry their whakapapa onto the pitch with them. A jersey that can only be earned through blood, the Māori All Blacks represent something no other side in world rugby can. Coach Ross Filipo said the meaning of the jersey is often mistaken and the team is instead thought of as an All Blacks development side. "We quite often get asked the question, 'Are you hopeful to become an All Black by way of the Māori All Blacks?'," he said. "This team's extremely unique in the sense that you have to have Māori blood in order to represent this team." He said the side holds a special place on the world stage. "It is the only team in the world where you have to possess the DNA in order to wear the jersey, which makes it separate it from every other team in the world." Filipo said his players drew power from their tipuna (ancestry). "When these players get to put on the jersey, they don't just put on a jersey and represent a country," he said. "They represent their whole bloodline, their whakapapa, their family. "You can only put that jersey on if you have that blood, so it becomes a very personal piece to be able to wear a Māori All Blacks jersey. "You can go and live in any country for a certain amount of time, and the IRB will allow you to play for that country. You cannot do that with that with this jersey." The Māori All Blacks will kick off their season against Japan on Saturday night in Tokyo. Hooker Kurt Eklund will lead the side, alongside eight debutants in Jared Proffit, Kerswhal Sykes-Martin, Jahrome Brown, Gideon Wrampling, Jacob Devery, Zach Gallagher, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Xavi Taele. "We've got a great mix of players," Filipo said. "Some have played All Blacks before, others have been playing at the top end of Super Rugby and others get to debut for the first time, so we're extremely excited around this team, and the balance of youth and experience." He said they were bracing for a serious challenge from the 'Brave Blossoms'. "Two very different styles of rugby. I think it's really important that we have to respect the Japanese and the style of rugby that they've been playing for the last few years. "There's been a huge growth within their national game." Māori All Blacks 1. Jared Proffit*, Ngāti Porou 2. Kurt Eklund, Ngāti Kahu (C) 3. Kerswhal Sykes-Martin*, Ngāti Porou 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, Ngāti Porou 5. Laghlan McWhannell, Ngāti Kahungunu 6. Te Kamaka Howden, Tūhoe 7. Jahrome Brown*, Ngāti Porou 8. Cullen Grace, Ngāti Whakaue 9. Sam Nock, Ngāpuhi 10. Rivez Reihana, Ngāphui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine 11. Jonah Lowe, Ngāti Pikiao 12. Gideon Wrampling*, Ngāpuhi 13. Bailyn Sullivan, Ngāti Kahungunu 14. Cole Forbes, Ngāti Awa 15. Zarn Sullivan, Ngāti Kahungunu Bench 16. Jacob Devery*, Te Aitanga a Mahaki 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ngāpuhi 18. Benet Kumeroa, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi 19. Zach Gallagher*, Te Ātiawa 20. Caleb Delany, Ngāti Tūwharetoa 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara*, Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou 22. Kaleb Trask, Ngāpuhi 23. Xavi Taele*, Ngāi Tahu Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
ABC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Nic White reflects on playing the British and Irish Lions as Western Force captain
It has been 12 long years in the making, and Nic White has said it will be a dream come true when he gets his chance to play against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night. Earlier this year, White opened up on the heartbreaking shoulder injury that robbed him of the chance to face the Lions in 2013, saying it felt like his world ended. ABC Sport will have live blog coverage of the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia this July and August. Now 35 years of age and still in the Wallabies squad, White will captain the Western Force against the Lions in the tour opener in front of more than 40,000 fans at Perth Stadium. In the lead-up to the match, there's been a common theme running through his mind. "Don't get injured," White said with a laugh. "Twelve years ago I got injured and missed that opportunity, and it's been in the back of my mind for a long time now, a bit over a decade. "To get the opportunity to play against the Lions is unreal. It's a real dream come true, words don't really do it justice." Having missed out on the chance to face the Lions as a 23-year-old, White said he appreciates how special the once-in-a-12-year opportunity is. "Once I missed that series, young and naive, I was like, 'I'm going to play in Australia and for the Wallabies for the next 10 years,'" he said. "That's just not a reality, is it? "I went overseas early, and that was always in the back of my mind that if I had an opportunity to come back to Australia around that time, I'd love to give it another nudge. "Just playing the Lions as part of a Super Rugby side is a huge deal. "It really is a pinch-me moment. A lot of people have these dreams, but for the dream to come true, it's pretty rare and pretty special." AAP
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
'It felt like a gut punch': Scotland star Rory Darge opens up on British and Irish Lions heartache after narrowly missing out on tour Down Under
Rory Darge admits it felt like a 'gut punch' to miss out on selection for the British and Irish Lions. But the Scotland star insists he will be ready to answer the call if it comes from Andy Farrell over these next few weeks. Darge narrowly missed out on making Farrell's 38-man squad for the tour of Australia when it was announced last month. The head coach has an embarrassment of riches in the back row, arguably the most competitive area in the whole squad. Darge will instead captain Scotland on their summer tour of the South Pacific, featuring games against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa. With injuries part and parcel of any Lions tour, however, the 25-year-old would only be a phone call away if anyone was to be ruled out. While that is not necessarily his main focus, the fact he is in the same part of the world as the Lions would do his chances no harm. 'Before the squad announcement, I wasn't particularly expecting to be there,' admitted Darge. 'Part of that might be you're protecting yourself a little bit for when you don't get announced. But I also just think my position is so competitive. 'Even still, when the names are getting read out and you're watching it on TV, they are going in alphabetical order and it gets past your name, it does feel like a gut punch. 'I was obviously delighted for the other boys who did get picked. But it's a weird mix of emotions. I've got a lot on my plate with Scotland at the moment and we're focusing on trying to get three wins from three. 'The Lions obviously aren't my main focus. But, yeah, if the call was to come, I would certainly be ready for it.' Scotland's tour begins next weekend against the Maori All Blacks, with Gregor Townsend selecting a strong squad for the three-game series. Darge's first ever visit to rugby-mad New Zealand will be enough to focus his mind. 'I have never been before. It's cool to experience these places and it's something I know that, if it wasn't for rugby, I wouldn't be able to do,' he added.
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Expect Farrell's frustrations to vanish: the Lions will prioritise hunger and energy
The British & Irish Lions' defeat by Argentina will have been shaken out of their system even before the jet lag. It is not difficult to draw a line under it. The tour starts when boots are on the ground in Australia and listening to the noises coming out of the camp, I'd be amazed if Andy Farrell is voicing the same frustrations after Saturday's match against Western Force. The handling errors against the Pumas stood out. I don't mind so much those that were committed in aerial contests – though there were a lot in open play as well – but I think what really frustrated Farrell is that Argentina appeared to be playing with more urgency at the breakdown and when it came to feeding off the loose scraps. The first match is always difficult. There is so much goodwill, so much energy behind the first Lions game of a tour that it can be hard not to force things, not to get carried away with a determination to impress. Bear in mind that Argentina are ranked fifth in the world and the Lions will not face another challenge like the Pumas until we get into the Test series. Clearly there was a desire to move the ball and keep it alive – and I always say that what we see on the pitch is a reflection of what has been worked on in training – but some of the decision-making let the Lions down. Whether it be a two-on-one on the edge that Marcus Smith ought to have spotted, or Duhan van der Merwe's failure to pass inside to Alex Mitchell. The expectation on Saturday is that the Lions demonstrate better decision-making and better accuracy, all underpinned by improvements according to Farrell's frustrations – namely hunger, desire and energy. I'm encouraged by the team that Farrell has selected and while I don't think it will be the Test team, I would have no problem with this XV lining up against the Wallabies. I like the blend of the backline, with pace, creativity and power and the fact that there is plenty of familiarity given the number of Leinster and Ireland players selected can only be a good thing. Last week there were certain similarities in what the Lions were trying to achieve in attack with how Farrell's Ireland go about things and that makes obvious sense. I would say that Ireland have the best attacking framework and structure of the four home nations so it stands to reason. When I talk about structure it can sound like a negative thing, like it can be constraining, but that doesn't have to be the case. Excuse the analogy but when I was doing Strictly Come Dancing, I thought that ballroom dancing would be really quite boring because it was all about 'the frame'. What I soon realised is once you've got the frame built and set, it effectively just becomes a pillar in the foundation. What you do within that frame – shoulders back, traps down, elbows high, fingers pointing, neck long, chin to 45 degrees – once you've got those principles in place, you can do whatever you want. So when it comes to the Lions' attacking structure, it looked similar to that of Ireland but that doesn't mean there is no room for players to act on instinct. A good example was Mitchell's pass out the back when recovering near his own line and I'd have liked to see a bit more of it. I was a bit surprised there was no attempt to tap and go, to up the tempo that little bit more. At this stage it is too early to read too much into combinations and what implications they might have for the Test team. It will only become apparent by the third match of the tour in Australia. Maro Itoje isn't playing Saturday but that's likely because Farrell wants to see him lining up alongside another second row and the time is not yet right for that. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion That said, this is certainly an opportunity for Henry Pollock, who had a mixed introduction off the bench against Argentina, while it will be interesting to see how Tadhg Beirne fares in the back row after the lineout troubles against the Pumas last week. I don't think it's unfair to say that the Lions should beat Western Force emphatically. They are the worst-ranked Australian team in Super Rugby whereas the Lions are now fully stacked, barring the odd injury niggle and Farrell will want them to go out and deliver a statement. The noise has already started coming from one or two former Australia players, claiming even that the Wallabies will whitewash the Lions. I love it when the noise starts but that is quite simply an incredible claim. I don't mean to get all Chris Whitty, but we have to follow the evidence and it simply doesn't exist to suggest the Lions will be whitewashed. Bold statements like that do, however, signal that the tour is up and running.
