logo
NRL star Keaon Koloamatangi displays his toughness to line up for Rabbitohs - just DAYS after fracturing eye socket

NRL star Keaon Koloamatangi displays his toughness to line up for Rabbitohs - just DAYS after fracturing eye socket

Daily Mail​6 hours ago

Wayne Bennett has lauded Keaon Koloamatangi's toughness as he prepares to line up for South Sydney less than a week after fracturing his eye socket.
The rapid-fire return gives Koloamatangi two games to reassert his State of Origin credentials, after missing NSW 's trip to Perth for game two with the game-ending injury suffered against Canterbury on Sunday.
Koloamatangi had originally been a member of NSW's extended squad for Origin II and appears to be the next cab off the rank if Laurie Daley wants to tweak his 17 for the decider on July 9 in Sydney.
The forward comes in from the extended squad to face Melbourne on Saturday and will be joined in the team by star fullback Latrell Mitchell, who is backing up from NSW's two-point loss.
The Storm have ruled winger Xavier Coates out of the game at Accor Stadium but are likely to have his Queensland teammates Harry Grant and Trent Loiero on deck after they flew direct to Sydney from Perth after Origin.
Fellow Origin representatives Stefano Utoikamanu and Cam Munster flew back to Melbourne and are at longer odds to make the trip to Sydney to face Koloamatangi and the Rabbitohs.
'(Koloamatangi) didn't need any surgery and the doctor's quite confident (the injury) won't be a problem to him. He's confident and he's happy so we'll go ahead and let him play,' said South Sydney coach Bennett.
'He's a bit like Jye Gray the other night with a broken thumb, (he) played the whole second half (against the Bulldogs).
'You can't question the toughness and the want to play for the club as well.
'The club's in a good place if players want to play and they've got injuries or getting back a little bit earlier. They work really hard.'
The news is not so good for recruit Lewis Dodd, who had been named to come in from reserve grade for the injured Jayden Sullivan but will be replaced at five-eighth by Jack Wighton.
The axing raises further questions as to Dodd's future at the Rabbitohs, who have only started him in the halves once since he was lured from England on a salary of more than $600,000.
Saturday's game will be the 44th time Bennett has coached against Storm mentor Craig Bellamy, breaking the record for most match-ups for two coaches since the grand final era began in 1954.
To keep their top-eight tilt on track, the 14th-placed Rabbitohs must snap Bellamy's impressive 14-game winning streak against Bennett coached sides.
'(Bellamy's teams) all do their jobs, they're really good at that. Whatever role you've got in the team, they do it,' he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The home of the British and Irish Lions on the BBC Sport website
The home of the British and Irish Lions on the BBC Sport website

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

The home of the British and Irish Lions on the BBC Sport website

You have come to the right page is where you will find all the best of BBC Sport's coverage of the Lions' tour of Australia, with the latest news, opinion, analysis and gossip from inside the team of journalists are on the ground, following the team from Dublin to Perth and beyond as they forge on towards a momental three-Test series against the will be interviews, podcasts, team news, behind-the-scenes pictures and live text coverage of every you can keep across it all. Just hit the 'follow' button on website or app to add it to your 'MySport' feed or tap the bell on the BBC Sport app to be served up alerts with all the latest.

Steve Borthwick reveals why Jamie George was restored to the England captaincy
Steve Borthwick reveals why Jamie George was restored to the England captaincy

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Steve Borthwick reveals why Jamie George was restored to the England captaincy

Steve Borthwick has backed Jamie George 's leadership qualities after restoring him to England captaincy duties alongside George Ford. The England head coach replaced George as skipper in January of this year in favour of Maro Itoje, a decision the hooker admitted came out of the blue. However, with Itoje away on Lions duty where he will captain the touring side in Australia, Borthwick has gone back to the tried-and-tested with George set to lead the team for the game against a France XV on Saturday, working as a co-captain with Ford. Borthwick explained that the two dovetail nicely in their leadership styles and having both in the joint position was 'the right way to go'. 'He (George) is really clear from a tactical point of view. He's got a brilliant voice. He has a fantastic feel and manner with people,' said Borthwick. 'Both of them are phenomenal players and both are brilliant, experienced leaders, both at club and international level. 'Whether they've been captains or vice-captains or not, they are leaders and they are role models for the rest of the players. I decided that was the right way to go, to have two great figureheads for this team. 'This week training, they complement each other superbly well, as you'll know from their different styles and different positions they play. That then gives us a figurehead in the forwards, a figurehead in the backs, leading the team. 'I've been really pleased with how it's gone.' Ford and George come into the tour as two of the most experienced members of the squad, with a combined 200 England caps between them, having both missed out on selection for the Lions in May. George, whilst not making the 38-man squad, has clearly remained in Andy Farrell's thinking and was called up to train with the Lions out in Portugal last week due to the absence of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, both of whom were on Leinster duty in the URC Final. Now back with England, the hooker reflected with pride on his third different Lions camp, despite the initial disappointment of missing out. 'I loved it,' he said. 'Me and George [Ford] are in the same boat. I was very disappointed not to be on the tour in the first place, but to be given any opportunity to go in and show what you're about a little bit. 'It was a great opportunity for me to go out there. They're setting themselves up very nicely for a successful tour.' And with England set to fly out to Argentina, the opponents of the Lions on Friday evening in Dublin, George revealed he was keenly observing everything that was going on, partly to help when he was back with his national side. He added: 'There's a little bit more in it because they're playing Argentina tomorrow night and that's where our tour is going to be. As we were analysing in the Lions meetings, I was making sure I was making extra notes just to bring back about what I've seen. I think it's important.' There is scope for the England squad to change should the Lions come calling, with Jack van Poortvliet currently away as scrum-half cover for the side with Jamison Gibson-Park not fully fit. Borthwick remained tight-lipped about any potential return to the international fold for Owen Farrell, however, after he re-signed for Saracens this week following one season at Racing 92 in France, making him eligible for international duty once more. 'I think Owen has been very clear,' said Borthwick. 'He's happy to be home and he hasn't made any discussion around his future other than just wanting to get his family settled back in Hertfordshire. 'My focus is on these guys here.' On the timescale regarding Van Poortvliet's return, Borthwick said he is due to be back next week but admitted that date could be subject to change and that the Leicester scrum half would be fully supported if that were to be the case. 'Jack might well be at the game on Saturday afternoon, but if that changes from a Lions perspective, then we fully support Jack,' he added. 'We've also spoken very publicly that we want as many England players in that Lions squad as possible. 'There might be situations were other England players join the squad in which case we'll be delighted for our players to do that.'

Australia star dropped in test squad shake-up
Australia star dropped in test squad shake-up

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Australia star dropped in test squad shake-up

Australia has dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados. Steve Smith will also miss the match due to a dislocated finger sustained while fielding at Lord's. Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been brought into the batting line-up to replace Labuschagne and Smith. Labuschagne had recently opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22. Marnus Labuschagne axed by Australia after World Test Championship final defeat

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store