Liam Martin: If Munster's in front of me there'll be no holding back
Round 15 of the NRL might be underway but there's plenty of focus on Origin and the news that Mitch Moses has had to pull out. One man who is probably limbering up to run out next Wednesday in Perth is Liam Martin. The Panthers back rower reckons that despite his old adversary Cam Munster being named as Queensland Captain it won't change their dynamic too much - it'll be business as usual! Michael Carayannis has all the latest NRL news - and speculation in MC's Hammertime. And there's some tipping guidance in Christopher's C.orner

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

News.com.au
13 minutes ago
- News.com.au
West Indies vs Australia first Test: Sam Konstas speaks ahead of his return as opener
Teenage opener Sam Konstas said Saturday he had 'come a long way' from his combative debut against India after winning his place back for Australia's opening Test against the West Indies. The 19-year-old made headlines in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test last year when he took on fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to make a blazing debut 60 with a slew of unorthodox shots. But he only lasted one more Test before being jettisoned with some pundits seeing his batting as 'reckless'. With a struggling Marnus Labuschagne dropped for the opening Test in Barbados on June 25 and Steve Smith out nursing an injured finger, Konstas has another chance, confirmed as a certain starter. 'The emotions probably got to me with the crowd,' Konstas, who has his Test cap No. 468 tattooed on his forearm, said of his explosive Boxing Day knock. 'I've been trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and I feel like I've come a long way, so hopefully I can display that in the next few Test matches.' Konstas is set to open alongside Usman Khawaja, 19 years his senior, with an opportunity to cement the position as his own. Since David Warner retired some 18 months ago, Australia have tried five openers, including Konstas, and with an Ashes series against England later this year they need stability. 'Very excited. Obviously it's a tough team to crack into as we've got legends of the game,' the teenager said. 'Hopefully I grab my opportunity with both hands. 'It's a dream come true to be honest, 19 years old, playing for your country, travelling the world. I'm very lucky to be where I am currently.' Australia play three Tests against the West Indies.

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Training partners Patrick and Michelle Payne claim a winning quartet at Flemington on Saturday
Jimmy The Bear delivered a landmark Flemington four-timer for sibling co-trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne with victory in The David Bourke (1620m). The consistent gelding made amends for a last start Flemington defeat with a strong performance under rising star apprentice jockey Tom Prebble, who sealed a running treble with the win. Michelle Payne hailed the Flemington milestone as 'a huge team effort'. 'Patrick has worked so hard at home with everybody, it's a huge team effort,' Payne said. ' Jimmy is the stable favourite, so beautiful to do it with him.' Earlier on the card, Payne saddled winners Buccleuch, Stop The Rock and Bold Soul. Patrick Payne trained four provincial winners previously at Mildura in 2022. The four-timer bettered Michelle Payne's best efforts in the saddle before she turned her hand to training. 'I nearly rode the quaddie legs at Bendigo one day,' Payne laughed. 'I got pipped on the post, so three sadly.' Payne praised the 'beautiful' rides of Billy Egan (Buccleuch and Stop The Rock) and nephew Tom Prebble (Bold Soul and Jimmy The Bear) at Flemington. Prebble rated Jimmy The Bear nicely three back the rail but needed galloping room in the straight. 'Beautiful ride by Tom, he didn't panic,' Payne said. 'Obviously he had to guide him through a tight run and the horse just did the rest.' Jimmy The Bear is set to advance to the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 5. 'All going well, I can't see why not,' Payne said. 'He's training on beautifully and today was a really effortless win.' Prebble enjoyed riding another winner for the family. 'He put his best foot forward today and he was super,' Prebble said. 'He's a big horse, I knew he would be able to push his way out if I needed to, but had to wait for the race to unfold, Flemington is a beautiful track and usually every horse does gets its chance.' Casino Seventeen, the 2024 Perth Cup winner, finished off well to run second in The David Bourke at his first start in Melbourne for Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood. Holymanz and Pounding rounded out the top four. Earlier, Payne enjoyed the win of progressive three-year-old Stop The Rock. 'He's a lovely horse, he's a real sleeper actually,' Payne said. 'All of his trials before he raced were pretty moderate and Patrick put the blinkers on his first start and he won at good odds at Warrnambool, he just seems to step up to the mark on race day.'

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Chaos in Darwin!' Wheel goes flying
Supercars: Australian Jack Le Brocq's left front wheel was torn off and bounced over the wall following a crash during a safety car restart in first Supercars race of the weekend in Darwin.