Latest news with #NRL
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NRL star Keaon Koloamatangi displays his toughness to line up for Rabbitohs - just DAYS after fracturing eye socket
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.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mary Fowler is cruelly trolled for supporting brain cancer charity - before they are firmly put back in their place
Matildas star Mary Fowler has been attacked online for supporting a highly popular brain cancer charity. The Manchester City forward shared an image online supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation, wearing one of the charity's distinctive blue beanies and urging her followers to purchase one as well. 'Got myself a new cute beanie in preparation for the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round coming up at the end of June,' she posted. 'The team at the Mark Hughes Foundation are doing incredibly impactful work to help those in need. 'If you'd like to show your support, you can purchase a beanie following the link in my BIO.' Mark Hughes is a former NRL star who played 161 games for the Newcastle Knights, scoring 66 tries, winning two premierships and representing New South Wales in State of Origin during his career. In 2013, aged 36, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, a life-altering event that inspired him and his wife Kirralee to start the Mark Hughes Foundation in 2014. The Mark Hughes Foundation focuses on raising funds for brain cancer research, supporting patient care, and increasing awareness of the disease. One of its flagship events is the annual "Beanie for Brain Cancer" campaign, with over one million beanies sold and tens of millions of dollars donated to research and support programs. Building on this, the NRL holds the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round in June, during which fans, players, and clubs wear beanies to raise funds - most recently generating $3.1million in 2024. Fowler's efforts to promote the 2025 event was met with cynicism by one follower, though, who accused her of doing it for the money. 'How much are rugby league (Mark Hughes foundation) paying you?' they asked with a laughing emoji to mock the Matildas star further. One of Fowler's more polite followers pointed out that she had a connection to the game through her partner, Panthers star Nathan Cleary. 'Her partner plays league you muppet,' they replied. One troll tried to belittle her efforts, prompting the Mark Hughes Foundation to clarify that she was not being paid to endorse the charity And the Mark Hughes Foundation itself also replied, clarifying that Fowler was not being paid to promote the good cause. 'To be really clear we offered to send Mary a Beanie in the aim of her posting and improving our sales,' the foundation's official Instagram account replied. 'Mary then graciously went online, brought 3 beanies and had them shipped to the UK. 'Posted, not only a story, which we get from most influencers but a post and even collaborated with us and added our link to her bio. Way above and beyond. 'Also we do not pay anyone to promote our beanies and the NRL support us by hosting the Beanie Round they do not, nor need to pay anyone to wear them.' Beanies are available online through the Foundation's official website, where this year's options include the bold Violet Chunky Knit and the timeless Classic Grey, both priced at $29. Fans attending Round 17 matches from June 26 to 29 can also buy beanies at the stadiums. In addition, participating retailers such as Lowes, selected IGA supermarkets, and some Woolworths stores are stocking the beanies nationwide. All proceeds go directly toward brain cancer research and patient support programs run by the Foundation.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘When he comes back, he'll be firing': Broncos signing spree leaves ex-Maroon under a cloud
A multimillion-dollar retention drive has engulfed Selwyn Cobbo's future at Red Hill in uncertainty, but Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has backed the axed star to force his way back into the NRL. Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has long maintained his desire to keep the six-time Maroons flyer, but his demotion to the Queensland Cup has posed questions regarding his standing. Cobbo, who remains unsigned beyond 2025, will line up for Wynnum Manly for a third straight week, having been unseated by rookie Josiah Karapani – who scored twice against the Gold Coast Titans and will keep his place for Sunday's clash against Cronulla. But Arthars was adamant his off-contract teammate would rediscover his best. Loading 'Footy is full of surprises, you don't really want to see anyone getting dropped, but that's how it works. It's a business, but Selly is full of energy and always happy to be around,' Arthars said. 'He's always performing at training, and you guys wouldn't see it, but he's always doing things away from the field as well. 'He's doing all he can to get back in the team. Everyone's seen how good Selwyn is, he's played at the Origin level and done some awesome things for this club in the past. 'I'm sure when he comes back he'll be firing, and I can't wait to play with him again.'
The Age
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘When he comes back, he'll be firing': Broncos signing spree leaves ex-Maroon under a cloud
A multimillion-dollar retention drive has engulfed Selwyn Cobbo's future at Red Hill in uncertainty, but Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has backed the axed star to force his way back into the NRL. Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has long maintained his desire to keep the six-time Maroons flyer, but his demotion to the Queensland Cup has posed questions regarding his standing. Cobbo, who remains unsigned beyond 2025, will line up for Wynnum Manly for a third straight week, having been unseated by rookie Josiah Karapani – who scored twice against the Gold Coast Titans and will keep his place for Sunday's clash against Cronulla. But Arthars was adamant his off-contract teammate would rediscover his best. Loading 'Footy is full of surprises, you don't really want to see anyone getting dropped, but that's how it works. It's a business, but Selly is full of energy and always happy to be around,' Arthars said. 'He's always performing at training, and you guys wouldn't see it, but he's always doing things away from the field as well. 'He's doing all he can to get back in the team. Everyone's seen how good Selwyn is, he's played at the Origin level and done some awesome things for this club in the past. 'I'm sure when he comes back he'll be firing, and I can't wait to play with him again.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was brought to tears when announcing his NRL team to play the Wests Tigers this weekend
When his beloved Canberra Raiders run out on Friday night against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, Ricky Stuart will be more nervous than usual. Famed for his emotion on game day, the head coach will be bursting with pride as his son Jed makes his NRL debut. And the winger, 23, has certainly earnt his opportunity. Stuart has been 18th man in four NRL fixtures this season - including's the club's season opener against the New Zealand Warriors in Las Vegas. An injury to fellow young gun Savelio Tamale saw Stuart as the logical replacement in the run on side - but his father still needed some convincing. 'I spoke to all the senior boys. Joe [Tapine] was very positive and strong about it,' Ricky Stuart told the Sydney Morning Herald. Famed for his emotion on game day, the head coach will be bursting with pride as his son Jed (pictured, right) makes his NRL debut 'Hudson Young was good. His remark was, 'We've got a winger injured, it's like for like, and we don't lose it's not great disruption for the team. 'It shows our second-grade team that if you're playing well, if there's an injury, we can show faith in the boys in the NSW Cup team. 'Jed has been very committed for the past three seasons and it hasn't been easy for him. There's no handout, it hasn't been an easy ride. He's earned every opportunity he gets.' The coach was also far too emotional to inform Jed of the good news - so the task was given to Tapine. Stuart - who has played 57 NSW Cup games and scored 22 tries - stated he doesn't feel any pressure when it comes to living up to his famous surname. His father is a Raiders legend, winning three premierships in his playing days before turning his attention to coaching. 'It's such a weird one. Everyone always asks me (about that) and I don't think there is (pressure) because I don't know any difference,' he said. 'More than anything, I just want to make my teammates proud. 'It's a big privilege and I'm grateful to be able to play with Papa (Josh Papalii) and Taps (Joe Tapine) who have been so good throughout their careers.
