InZane Rugby League - is Peter Wallace set to be Mal Meninga's protege?
On InZane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Melbourne Storm General Manager of Football and NSW Head of High Performance Frank Ponissi to preview Origin 2 and discuss the likelihood of the club retaining their stars from the threat of the Perth Bears.
Ponissi says he has a soft spot for the Bears as a former football boss at the club but does not want them to pillage the Storm like the Dolphins did in 2023.
He said Melbourne is willing to discuss roster management with Mal Meninga to ensure the Bear's success but not at the expense of the Storm's playing list.
Zane and Sam also discussed the coach Mal Meninga is chasing to be his protege, the changes Billy Slater made to Queensland for Game 2 and the weekend's magic moment in Canberra when Josh Papalii scored two tries and kicked a conversion in his record-breaking 319th match for the Raiders.
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News.com.au
32 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Formula 1 2025: Daniel Ricciardo reunited with F1 drivers Oscar Piastri and George Russell in padel picture
Daniel Ricciardo has been reunited with two Formula 1 drivers, including fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, for a spot of padel ball in a rare post-racing sighting. The eight-time grand prix bobbed up in an image posted on George Russell's Instagram account posing alongside the Mercedes star, McLaren's championship leader Piastri and Australian snowboard ace Scotty James. Russell posted the image with a simple caption of three Australian flags and one Union Jack. Ricciardo and James are holding padels in the photo, which appears to have been taken in Monte Carlo. Piastri also shared the image to his Instagram stories. Ricciardo cut a relaxed figure in the photo, sporting a thick post-racing beard. The image sent Ricciardo fans into a frenzy on social media with many thanking Russell for delivering 'Danny content'. The Australian fan favourite has largely kept a low profile since he made his exit from the Formula 1 grid after last year's Singapore Grand Prix. It was a difficult final campaign for Ricciardo for Red Bull's sister team RB with swirling speculation about his future before he was replaced by Liam Lawson. There has been no suggestion from Ricciardo he has any intention of pushing for an F1 return, or in any other racing category. Ricciardo last week poked fun at his Formula 1 retirement in a social media campaign in partnership with sports betting company Dabble to launch his own fan 'tailgate service' as part of a global competition. 'You know what, it's been a while, but I'm ready to say it – retirement ain't what it's cracked up to be,' Ricciardo said. 'I could smack golf balls around all day, but man, what a snooze fest. 'I need more than just a hobby, I need a passion project … then it came to me – tailgate.' While Ricciardo enjoys his new life away from the track, Piastri is in the thick of the fight for the world championship, holding a 22-point lead over teammate Lando Norris in the driver standings.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Healy's path to World Cup set, will play into summer
Alyssa Healy has ruled out making this year's ODI World Cup a farewell party, revealing recent injuries could persuade her to push back any retirement plans. Healy's path back to cricket will be confirmed on Tuesday, with the wicketkeeper to be named as part of an Australia A squad to face India A in Queensland in August. The matches will mark the Australian captain's first since the Ashes success at the start of the year, when she missed games with a stress fracture in her foot and did not keep wicket in others. Healy has endured a difficult year fitness-wise, also missing the finals of last year's T20 World Cup with the foot injury and having a knee issue end her WBBL season early. The 35-year-old then sat out ODIs in New Zealand and the WPL in India as a result of her injuries, but said she has been fit and able to play since March. Healy often jokes she has decided to retire from cricket five or six times before opting against it, and revealed earlier this year she had an ideal exit scenario. But that will not be after the October-November World Cup, with a hunger for cricket while injured meaning her yet-to-be-revealed plans could be pushed back. "It's probably shifted a little bit," Healy told AAP. "It's made me realise that I still want to do a little bit more than maybe what I thought. "At the same time, sometimes there's stuff in life that are a little bit more important than pulling on the green and gold. So it's just a constant reassess. "But at the moment I definitely want to play a home summer. I want to bring the World Cup home, but also to play against India (in February-March)." Tuesday marks 100 days until Australia's opening World Cup clash against New Zealand, with the India tournament presenting a real challenge for the defending champions. Australia are gunning to be the first side to win back-to-back in the tournament in almost 40 years, with the team having faced a large large transition since 2022. Forming a pathway to the ODI World Cup was part of Healy's pitch when she took over the captaincy when Meg Lanning retired in 2023. "That was one of my goals, putting a timeline on it and saying this is where I could take this group, even not knowing what I was going to do personally," Healy said. "It definitely was a big focus of mine, to get the group to a place to compete at this World Cup, and win the trophy. "It's not so much about the captaincy (driving me), or ticking one more box. "It's just that I want to win a World Cup for Australia, and no one has gone back-to-back, which is a real motivator." Healy has not kept wicket in a match since January, but is confident the three Australia A series and subsequent ODIs in India will have her fit for up to nine World Cup matches in 32 days. "According to science, the ODI World Cups is one of the heaviest loads that we go through as cricketers," Healy said "My aim is to play every game of that World Cup. So to make sure I can do that's important." Alyssa Healy has ruled out making this year's ODI World Cup a farewell party, revealing recent injuries could persuade her to push back any retirement plans. Healy's path back to cricket will be confirmed on Tuesday, with the wicketkeeper to be named as part of an Australia A squad to face India A in Queensland in August. The matches will mark the Australian captain's first since the Ashes success at the start of the year, when she missed games with a stress fracture in her foot and did not keep wicket in others. Healy has endured a difficult year fitness-wise, also missing the finals of last year's T20 World Cup with the foot injury and having a knee issue end her WBBL season early. The 35-year-old then sat out ODIs in New Zealand and the WPL in India as a result of her injuries, but said she has been fit and able to play since March. Healy often jokes she has decided to retire from cricket five or six times before opting against it, and revealed earlier this year she had an ideal exit scenario. But that will not be after the October-November World Cup, with a hunger for cricket while injured meaning her yet-to-be-revealed plans could be pushed back. "It's probably shifted a little bit," Healy told AAP. "It's made me realise that I still want to do a little bit more than maybe what I thought. "At the same time, sometimes there's stuff in life that are a little bit more important than pulling on the green and gold. So it's just a constant reassess. "But at the moment I definitely want to play a home summer. I want to bring the World Cup home, but also to play against India (in February-March)." Tuesday marks 100 days until Australia's opening World Cup clash against New Zealand, with the India tournament presenting a real challenge for the defending champions. Australia are gunning to be the first side to win back-to-back in the tournament in almost 40 years, with the team having faced a large large transition since 2022. Forming a pathway to the ODI World Cup was part of Healy's pitch when she took over the captaincy when Meg Lanning retired in 2023. "That was one of my goals, putting a timeline on it and saying this is where I could take this group, even not knowing what I was going to do personally," Healy said. "It definitely was a big focus of mine, to get the group to a place to compete at this World Cup, and win the trophy. "It's not so much about the captaincy (driving me), or ticking one more box. "It's just that I want to win a World Cup for Australia, and no one has gone back-to-back, which is a real motivator." Healy has not kept wicket in a match since January, but is confident the three Australia A series and subsequent ODIs in India will have her fit for up to nine World Cup matches in 32 days. "According to science, the ODI World Cups is one of the heaviest loads that we go through as cricketers," Healy said "My aim is to play every game of that World Cup. So to make sure I can do that's important." Alyssa Healy has ruled out making this year's ODI World Cup a farewell party, revealing recent injuries could persuade her to push back any retirement plans. Healy's path back to cricket will be confirmed on Tuesday, with the wicketkeeper to be named as part of an Australia A squad to face India A in Queensland in August. The matches will mark the Australian captain's first since the Ashes success at the start of the year, when she missed games with a stress fracture in her foot and did not keep wicket in others. Healy has endured a difficult year fitness-wise, also missing the finals of last year's T20 World Cup with the foot injury and having a knee issue end her WBBL season early. The 35-year-old then sat out ODIs in New Zealand and the WPL in India as a result of her injuries, but said she has been fit and able to play since March. Healy often jokes she has decided to retire from cricket five or six times before opting against it, and revealed earlier this year she had an ideal exit scenario. But that will not be after the October-November World Cup, with a hunger for cricket while injured meaning her yet-to-be-revealed plans could be pushed back. "It's probably shifted a little bit," Healy told AAP. "It's made me realise that I still want to do a little bit more than maybe what I thought. "At the same time, sometimes there's stuff in life that are a little bit more important than pulling on the green and gold. So it's just a constant reassess. "But at the moment I definitely want to play a home summer. I want to bring the World Cup home, but also to play against India (in February-March)." Tuesday marks 100 days until Australia's opening World Cup clash against New Zealand, with the India tournament presenting a real challenge for the defending champions. Australia are gunning to be the first side to win back-to-back in the tournament in almost 40 years, with the team having faced a large large transition since 2022. Forming a pathway to the ODI World Cup was part of Healy's pitch when she took over the captaincy when Meg Lanning retired in 2023. "That was one of my goals, putting a timeline on it and saying this is where I could take this group, even not knowing what I was going to do personally," Healy said. "It definitely was a big focus of mine, to get the group to a place to compete at this World Cup, and win the trophy. "It's not so much about the captaincy (driving me), or ticking one more box. "It's just that I want to win a World Cup for Australia, and no one has gone back-to-back, which is a real motivator." Healy has not kept wicket in a match since January, but is confident the three Australia A series and subsequent ODIs in India will have her fit for up to nine World Cup matches in 32 days. "According to science, the ODI World Cups is one of the heaviest loads that we go through as cricketers," Healy said "My aim is to play every game of that World Cup. So to make sure I can do that's important."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Wasn't ideal': Lomax opens up on Origin goalkicking
Zac Lomax concedes his goal-kicking "wasn't ideal" in the second State of Origin game but has vowed not to board any emotional rollercoaster triggered by NSW's tight loss. NSW scored five tries to Queensland's four in Wednesday night's game but went down 26-24 as Lomax landed only two of five attempts at goal in wet and wild conditions. Nathan Cleary's groin injury left goal-kicking duties to Lomax at the 11th hour and the right winger could have pushed the Blues to an unassailable 2-0 series lead off his boot. Instead, the result moves the series to a game three decider in Sydney on July 9, and denies NSW the chance for a first series clean sweep since 2000. Lomax said it was important not to become weighed down after the defeat. "Week in week out, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess like the first game, everyone was singing NSW's praises and game two, we lost. That's the way it goes," he said. "That's why you can't buy into it too much." Parramatta winger Lomax said it could be easy to fall into thinking it was he alone who cost NSW the game. In reality, the Blues conceded eight unanswered penalties and completed at only 58 per cent as they fell 26-6 down at halftime. While critics may have pinned the loss on his kicking, Lomax said: "It's easy to look at it that way because it (the margin) is two points and a goal is two points. For me, I pride myself on being a good goalkicker as well. "It was not ideal. But as I said, it gives you guys (the media) something to talk about and the lead-in into game three. "The thing is, I probably couldn't have struck them any better. They just sat out there. "We were on the receiving end of it (defeat) but that's the way that footy goes. The best thing is we get another game, game three, and we'll be up for it." Before then, Lomax is predicting a harsh reception playing before St George Illawarra's home crowd for the first time since his highly-publicised exit from the club. Lomax surprised the NRL world last year by requesting a release from his Dragons deal amid career-best form that eventually yielded Australian and NSW debuts. After weeks of build-up the Dragons relented to Lomax's request and paved the way for him to sign at Parramatta, where he has continued to excel on the wing. A Dragon for 114 games, Lomax expects some rough treatment when he runs out at Wollongong in the Eels' blue-and-gold strip on Saturday evening. "I'm sure I won't get a real nice reception there but that's the way that it goes," he said after Parramatta's 36-20 defeat of Gold Coast. "You completely try and take the emotion out of it because emotion can affect your game positively and negatively "For us it's learning what we did well tonight (against Gold Coast), learning things we can improve on." Zac Lomax concedes his goal-kicking "wasn't ideal" in the second State of Origin game but has vowed not to board any emotional rollercoaster triggered by NSW's tight loss. NSW scored five tries to Queensland's four in Wednesday night's game but went down 26-24 as Lomax landed only two of five attempts at goal in wet and wild conditions. Nathan Cleary's groin injury left goal-kicking duties to Lomax at the 11th hour and the right winger could have pushed the Blues to an unassailable 2-0 series lead off his boot. Instead, the result moves the series to a game three decider in Sydney on July 9, and denies NSW the chance for a first series clean sweep since 2000. Lomax said it was important not to become weighed down after the defeat. "Week in week out, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess like the first game, everyone was singing NSW's praises and game two, we lost. That's the way it goes," he said. "That's why you can't buy into it too much." Parramatta winger Lomax said it could be easy to fall into thinking it was he alone who cost NSW the game. In reality, the Blues conceded eight unanswered penalties and completed at only 58 per cent as they fell 26-6 down at halftime. While critics may have pinned the loss on his kicking, Lomax said: "It's easy to look at it that way because it (the margin) is two points and a goal is two points. For me, I pride myself on being a good goalkicker as well. "It was not ideal. But as I said, it gives you guys (the media) something to talk about and the lead-in into game three. "The thing is, I probably couldn't have struck them any better. They just sat out there. "We were on the receiving end of it (defeat) but that's the way that footy goes. The best thing is we get another game, game three, and we'll be up for it." Before then, Lomax is predicting a harsh reception playing before St George Illawarra's home crowd for the first time since his highly-publicised exit from the club. Lomax surprised the NRL world last year by requesting a release from his Dragons deal amid career-best form that eventually yielded Australian and NSW debuts. After weeks of build-up the Dragons relented to Lomax's request and paved the way for him to sign at Parramatta, where he has continued to excel on the wing. A Dragon for 114 games, Lomax expects some rough treatment when he runs out at Wollongong in the Eels' blue-and-gold strip on Saturday evening. "I'm sure I won't get a real nice reception there but that's the way that it goes," he said after Parramatta's 36-20 defeat of Gold Coast. "You completely try and take the emotion out of it because emotion can affect your game positively and negatively "For us it's learning what we did well tonight (against Gold Coast), learning things we can improve on." Zac Lomax concedes his goal-kicking "wasn't ideal" in the second State of Origin game but has vowed not to board any emotional rollercoaster triggered by NSW's tight loss. NSW scored five tries to Queensland's four in Wednesday night's game but went down 26-24 as Lomax landed only two of five attempts at goal in wet and wild conditions. Nathan Cleary's groin injury left goal-kicking duties to Lomax at the 11th hour and the right winger could have pushed the Blues to an unassailable 2-0 series lead off his boot. Instead, the result moves the series to a game three decider in Sydney on July 9, and denies NSW the chance for a first series clean sweep since 2000. Lomax said it was important not to become weighed down after the defeat. "Week in week out, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess like the first game, everyone was singing NSW's praises and game two, we lost. That's the way it goes," he said. "That's why you can't buy into it too much." Parramatta winger Lomax said it could be easy to fall into thinking it was he alone who cost NSW the game. In reality, the Blues conceded eight unanswered penalties and completed at only 58 per cent as they fell 26-6 down at halftime. While critics may have pinned the loss on his kicking, Lomax said: "It's easy to look at it that way because it (the margin) is two points and a goal is two points. For me, I pride myself on being a good goalkicker as well. "It was not ideal. But as I said, it gives you guys (the media) something to talk about and the lead-in into game three. "The thing is, I probably couldn't have struck them any better. They just sat out there. "We were on the receiving end of it (defeat) but that's the way that footy goes. The best thing is we get another game, game three, and we'll be up for it." Before then, Lomax is predicting a harsh reception playing before St George Illawarra's home crowd for the first time since his highly-publicised exit from the club. Lomax surprised the NRL world last year by requesting a release from his Dragons deal amid career-best form that eventually yielded Australian and NSW debuts. After weeks of build-up the Dragons relented to Lomax's request and paved the way for him to sign at Parramatta, where he has continued to excel on the wing. A Dragon for 114 games, Lomax expects some rough treatment when he runs out at Wollongong in the Eels' blue-and-gold strip on Saturday evening. "I'm sure I won't get a real nice reception there but that's the way that it goes," he said after Parramatta's 36-20 defeat of Gold Coast. "You completely try and take the emotion out of it because emotion can affect your game positively and negatively "For us it's learning what we did well tonight (against Gold Coast), learning things we can improve on."
