Latest news with #OriginIII
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NSW coach Laurie Daley makes ominous admission after State of Origin defeat to Queensland
NSW coach Laurie Daley has taken the blame for the Blues' first-half flop in Origin II, indicating he'll stick fat with his players for the series decider in Sydney. Queensland levelled the series 1-1 in Perth on Wednesday night after holding off a fast-finishing Blues outfit to post a thrilling 26-24 win. Although NSW scored the first try of the match, they were blown off the park for the rest of the first half, with Queensland entering the break with a dominant 26-6 lead. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 percent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But, ultimately, Zac Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them with a decider now looming on July 9 at Accor Stadium. 'I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great,' Daley said. 'So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right.' Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. 'Well, I was confident at half-time,' Daley said. 'I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. 'You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. 'So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. 'It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. 'I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now.' The other issue for NSW is Nathan Cleary's fitness. The halfback did not take shots at goals, and only took up general-play kicking in the second half as the Blues attempted to fight their way back into the match. With Mitch Moses out for six weeks with a calf tear, the Blues desperately need Cleary back fit for Origin III and firing on all cylinders. Daley confirmed after Wednesday's loss that his No.7 had experienced groin tightness, but insisted he was never in any doubt for the match. 'He just felt a bit tight in his groin, so we wanted to limit the amount of force he put in there,' Daley said. 'He is a tough kid, Nathan. We know what a quality player he is, but he is tough. His groin was tight but he got through OK.'
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Luai answers Blues' SOS call for State of Origin II
History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth. Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp. The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi. Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap. "I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night. "We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well." It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener. Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year. But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III. "I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said. "I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday. Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player. The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system. "They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates. Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes." History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth. Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp. The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi. Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap. "I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night. "We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well." It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener. Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year. But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III. "I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said. "I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday. Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player. The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system. "They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates. Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes." History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth. Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp. The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi. Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap. "I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night. "We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well." It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener. Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year. But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III. "I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said. "I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday. Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player. The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system. "They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates. Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes."
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Setback for Sydney Roosters gun as comeback delayed
Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series. Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series. Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Tigers and NSW teammates rally around Sarah Togatuki after tragic loss of sister ahead of NRLW start
Wests Tigers players and staff rallied around Sarah Togatuki at her sister's funeral on Monday after the beloved NSW Origin forward returned to the care of her NRLW club over the weekend. The 27-year-old is being heralded for her bravery to play Origin III in Newcastle on Thursday night while dealing with the unspeakable tragedy of suddenly losing her older sister Jean days earlier. Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley said Togatuki will be given as much time off from club duties as she needs. 'She's loved and supported, what she's had to go through and fronted up last week to play Origin, she's an amazing person,' he said. 'We've got a great wellbeing person at our club, and we're a caring club who care about her. She's brought that respect on herself with her actions and who she is. We'll support and assist her in any way we can. 'Today was option for any of the players to go, and a number of them turned up to show her love and support.' Togatuki's courage has captured the hearts of the rugby league community, while NSW teammates and close friends have spoken about her inspirational character and the bond they share beyond representative teams heading into the NRLW season, which starts on July 3. 'Grief is a strange thing and they say time heals, but it doesn't. It's always hard to avoid but what Sala has been able to do is rally her community around her and her team around her,' said Canberra captain and close friend Simaima Taufa. 'What we've been able to do is have our arms wide open for her. 'Sala knows that far beyond this game we're bonded, and she can lean on us. She's got a community. 'Moving forward it's just about moving onto our NRLW clubs and making sure we're around her. The great thing about this game is wherever we go, wherever we are, we're all connected. 'That's something that can't be taken away from us. I can't praise Sala enough for her strength. She's the bravest person I know.' Meanwhile, the Blues celebrated the series win despite losing game three in Newcastle last week, with most players returning to their NRLW clubs to officially begin their pre-season over the weekend. NRLW trials will kick off over the coming weeks, including the Tigers playing Dragons at Leichhardt Oval on June 22. 'The great thing about NSW is the pathways, the girls are always pushing us for spots, so we have to take what we've learned here and take it back to our NRLW clubs and bring that next person up,' Taufa said. 'This game is far bigger than us.'
7NEWS
29-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NSW State of Origin prop Sarah Togatuki surrounded by loved ones after pre-game family tragedy
NSW coach John Strange doubts any other player could have matched Sarah Togatuki's strength in playing State of Origin only days after her sister died. The famously energetic Blues prop took the field for Origin III on Thursday night after losing her sister Jean on Saturday following a short stay in hospital. Togatuki ran 42 metres in a 14-minute cameo cut short by a head knock as the Blues fell 18-14 to Queensland. At full-time, Tokatuki was visibly emotional, spending time with loved ones who had attended the match in Newcastle. Strange paid tribute to the strength of character shown by the Wests Tigers prop in taking the field for the Blues, who won the Origin series 2-1. 'I don't know if anyone else could've done that. I don't know if I could've,' the coach said. 'She's had a really tough couple of weeks, 'Sala', for personal reasons. It was just great to get her out there and represent her sister and her family. We're all really proud of her for doing what she did today.' Togatuki has become a popular member of the NSW set-up across 11 games since her debut in 2020. 'She's just an infectious type of person,' said captain Isabelle Kelly. 'A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she's done this week. She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game. I just know she would've done her family so proud. 'I feel honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her.' Togatuki left the field for a head injury assessment in the final 10 minutes following a head clash with Queensland's Tavarna Papalii. The prop was visibly dazed on field but Strange said she appeared to be recovering well. 'She seemed okay. She's all right now,' Strange said.
