Latest news with #PayneHaas
News.com.au
11 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Gone, not a starting player': NSW Blues urged to make changes for Origin decider
NSW coach Laurie Daley is being urged to make changes to his forward pack after Queensland forced a series decider with victory in Game 2. The Maroons defeated NSW 26-24, withstanding a ferocious second half onslaught in Perth as the Blues threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history after trailing 26-6 at halftime. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The series will head to a decider in Sydney, as NSW chase back to back series wins and Billy Slater aims to secure a third Origin shield in four years. After being thoroughly outclassed in Game 1, Queensland gave an improved performance in Game 2 as Slater's decision to recall veteran forward Kurt Capewell (107m from 11 runs) proved a masterstroke. Payne Haas (142 metres from 16 runs) was immense again for NSW, but the injury to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett that ruled him out of Game 2 may well have created a selection headache for coach Daley at the prop position. Max King was elevated to the starting line-up but only played 25 minutes in Game 2 (47m from six runs), while Storm forward Stefano Utoikamanu was picked on the bench (41m from 5 runs). But they looked a touch off the place, with Daley urged to shake-up his forward pack for the series decider on July 9. Fox League commentator Andrew Voss told his SEN radio show: 'Across two games, there's not too many of them (NSW players) that can say, 'I played up to my ability'. 'Stefano Utoikamanu is gone. I'm rubbing him out for Game 3. 'Max King is not a starting Origin front rower. So there's a starting front rower spot up for grabs for NSW. 'I don't think you can go with the same starting 13 again. You can't go with Max King if you're only giving him that many minutes.' Connor Watson's service out of dummy half late in the game left a bit to be desired, with the No. 14 throwing an errant pass down the short side when NSW's playmakers were screaming for the ball on the left. Speaking about potential NSW changes, Greg Alexander said: 'A front rower, maybe? And maybe a different No. 14? I'm not convinced about that but it's worth thinking about. 'That's about it. I still think it's an outstanding side, surely we can't lose this series with this side? 'If they go on to lose the series, that will be a bitter pill to swallor after beating Queensland in Queensland in Game 1.' So who should come in to partner Payne Haas at prop for the series decider? Keaon Koloamatangi was brought into NSW's squad for Game 2 but was replaced by Jacob Preston after suffering a fractured eye socket in camp. If he recovers in time, the Rabbitohs forward is a contender to be added to the starting side after playing various roles for Wayne Bennett at Souths. Tigers prop Terrell May has been solid as ever at club level, but it would appear he is not on Daley's selection radar for this series with the NSW coach looking elsewhere. Angus Crichton (93m), Liam Martin (41m) and Isaah Yeo (105m) are gun players that aren't going anywhere, but they were slightly below their best in Game 2. Raiders forward Hudson Young played a large chunk of the game and gave plenty of go-forward when he came on (109m), but he is an edge forward, not a prop. Rooster firebrand Spencer Leniu is preferred as an impact player off the bench, and is unlikely to be elevated to the starting side. The forward pack isn't the only area of concern for Daley, who will be hoping Nathan Cleary can recover to be 100 per cent for Game 3 in Sydney. Cleary looked hampered by a groin niggle in Perth as Zac Lomax was given the conversion kicking and Latrell Mitchell the long kicking duties at the end of sets. Voss said on SEN: 'Nathan's not having a great year. He's having a good year, but he's not at his grand final, two years ago best.' Cleary should be fit for the decider, but Mitchell Moses is not expected to be available as he continues his recovery from a calf injury sustained in camp ahead of Game 2. The Panthers and Eels are said to be frustrated by the injuries to Moses and Cleary in Origin camp. According to Code Sports, Penrith officials were 'dumbfounded by Cleary's apparent injury' that saw the NSW halfback wearing who wore a compression bandage wrapped around his upper right leg.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bemused Origin fans blast NRL for choosing 'has been' band Wolfmother to hype up the crowd in Perth: 'They sound like a bunch of dads'
Footy fans have slammed the NRL for choosing Aussie rockers Wolfmother as the pre-game entertainment ahead of Origin II in Perth on Wednesday. Best known for smash hit songs Mind's Eye as well as Joker & The Thief, it was an odd choice in the eyes of many given the band formed in 2004 - and arguably were at their peak the next couple of years. With coverage on Channel Nine starting at 7:30pm AEST, ahead of kick-off 35 minutes later, the free-to-air network happily played Andrew Stockdale and his band members on stage at Optus Stadium. And it didn't take long for supporters to pan the performance on X. 'Nothing screams Perth more than hiring a band that peaked literally two decades ago and have done nothing since,' tweeted one disgruntled fan. 'They sound like a bunch of dads who are in a Wolfmother cover band,' posted another. Nothing screams Perth more than hiring a band that peaked literally two decades ago and have done nothing since #Origin — Jase (@JRumb0l42) June 18, 2025 Wolfmother sound like a bunch of dads who are in a wolfmother cover band #Origin — Scottie J - Man of Teal (@The_Man_Of_Teal) June 18, 2025 'This is actually giving Meatloaf a run for the worst thing I've ever heard,' added a third. Another talking point leading into the clash was a bold statement from Phil Gould. 'Gus' stated Blues prop Payne Haas is the 'greatest front rower of all time' - statistically speaking. 'His body of work is unsurpassed,' the Bulldogs boss told Channel Nine viewers. Fans of footy legends such as Arthur Beetson, Glenn Lazarus, Steve Roach and Petero Civoniceva may disagree. On the field, NSW took a 6-0 lead following an early try to winger Brian To'o, with Zac Lomax booting the conversion. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow responded in the 12th minute for Queensland with a much needed four-pointer - before the flyer crossed the stripe again moments later to give Billy Slater's men a shock 12-6 advantage midway through the first half.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
State of Origin 2025 Game 2: Qld Maroons v NSW Blues
Update: Date: 2025-06-18T09:00:46.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of State of Origin Game 2. Kick-off between Queensland and New South Wales at Optus Stadium is scheduled for 8:05pm AEST (6.05pm AWST). After selling the peerless quality of Origin footy in the preamble to game one I had the rug pulled from under me during a tepid 80 minutes of representative rugby league. The showpiece was undermined by a desperately poor performance from Queensland who were flattered by the 6-18 scoreline. NSW deserve enormous credit for their control in all facets of the game at Suncorp Stadium, and they look set for a long period of ascendancy with Payne Haas dominating up front, Nathan Cleary dictating terms in the halves, and Zac Lomax demonstrating that precious ability to elevate his performance to the size of the occasion. It is going to require an incredible turnaround for Queensland as the Origin caravan decamps in the west, and coach Billy Slater is already in the crosshairs following last year's limp title defence. Slater has made a statement by putting Daly Cherry-Evans out to pasture, but he has more to worry about than simply who plays first receiver. After four defeats in their past five outings perhaps the famed Queensland underdog spirit will come to the fore and keep the 2025 series alive? Or maybe it will simply be further confirmation that we are in a golden age of NSW rugby league.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Payne Haas unconcerned by 'weak' Maroons tactic ahead of State of Origin Game Two in Perth
Payne Haas doesn't care if Queensland avoid kicking off to him, but claims he would want to send the ball Spencer Leniu's way if the shoe was on the other foot. The kick-off debate remains an unlikely talking point one day out from State of Origin II, after the Maroons refused to kick in Leniu's direction in game one. Haas was inadvertently brought into the debate last week, when Angus Crichton claimed he knew of predetermined Maroons plans to stop Haas and Leniu taking the first hit ups. ABC Sport will have live blog coverage of the State of Origin series. Of the four long kick-offs from Queensland in the series opener, the first two went left towards Mitch Barnett before the next two went right for Max King to return the ball. The situation left Leniu fuming, with the Sydney Roosters firebrand appearing to swear in frustration as the Maroons changed the direction of their kick to avoid him. Haas remains unfazed by the matter, while admitting having the chance to take the first carry remained one of the highlights of Origin. "It's cool. It's an adrenaline rush," Haas said at Blues training in Perth. "It's what you live for. You watch those first carries in Origin, your Mark O'Meleys and all those guys. "It's something you dream about as a kid, especially playing prop. It's always cool. "But I'm not really worried about what their tactics are. I'm just worried about our performance and what we are going to do." Former NSW front-rower Willie Mason accused the Maroons of being "s**t scared" of Leniu after not kicking to him in Origin I, while Braith Anasta labelled Queensland "weak". The kick-off situation has become something of a running joke when mentioned to NSW players, given the way it has blown up and how much it infuriated Leniu. But Haas said if there was a similar player to Leniu on the Maroons' team, he would want the ball kicked off to him in order to have the chance to take the rival firebrand down in their first hit-up. "Personally I would," Haas said. "But I'm not sure what Queensland's tactics are. I'm not really fussed about it, I don't think it's such a big deal." AAP
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Payne Haas reveals why he travels almost 1000km to get a haircut
Payne Haas has been on fire in the NRL over the past 12 months. The Brisbane Broncos star's performances have seen him establish himself as one of the best players so far this season and that was evident during State of Origin I. Haas was simply outstanding during that match, fearlessly amassing 61 post-contact metres from 18 carries, while the 25-year-old also racked up 30 tackles during the match. But interestingly for the Brisbane star, some of the his recent form may just boil down to how he gets his hair cut. Or more specifically, where. According to The Daily Telegraph, the 6ft 4in forward is loyal to his long standing barber and good friend Mohamad Srour that he will commute nearly 732km between Brisbane and Sydney to make sure he gets the best trim in the business. 'I gotta try to do something with the way I look, bro,' Haas told the outlet. The NSW prop has been in flying form this season and has spoken on how having a good haircut from his regular barbers helps him look good, feel good and therefore play good He revealed that having a sharp haircut helps him boost his confidence on the footy field. The NSW star adds that he also wants to support his good friend, Srour, who runs the Barber Brothers chain in Sydney. 'I don't look the best when I don't have a cut, so whenever I get a haircut, I feel good. 'I always come back to Sydney, and Moey always cuts me up. We've known each other for a long time, and I always want to help out his business and support him.' Prior to flying out to Perth on Saturday with Laurie Daley's NSW squad, Haas in fact took a 30-minute Uber to get his hair cut at the Barber Brotherss shop in Eastlakes. Haas has also previously asked Srour and his team to join his team in camp if they needed a trim. The outlet adds that the barber travelled all the way to Melbourne last year to cut the hair for the Blues players ahead of Origin II. 'I take the Barber Brothers team, and we fade up the boys. We've been doing it since 2019,' Srour added. Haas, meanwhile, has opened up on his future plans in the NRL and Brisbane fans will be delighted to hear that the star prop forward is loving life at the Queensland club. The 25-year-old joined the club back in 2016, having risen through the youth ranks at the footy club. Two years later, he'd go on to make his NRL debut for the first-grade side and has gone on to make 131 appearances for the side. 'I love it here, and built something very good for myself and my family in Brisbane,' he added.
