Latest news with #StateofOrigin1
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thurston's dagger for DCE after poor moment that could end State of Origin career
Johnathan Thurston has criticised the game-management of Manly - led by Daly Cherry-Evans - that saw them cough up a 16-0 lead to lose to Newcastle on Thursday night. And it could spell the end of the Queensland captain's State of Origin career. The Knights produced a woeful first-half and were booed off by their own fans, but came back for a staggering 26-22 victory in the second. Speaking on Channel 9 after the game, Thurston said the game-management of Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles "wasn't up to scratch". Fellow Queensland legend Cameron Smith agreed that Cherry-Evans needed to ice the game for Manly considering he's one of the premier halves in the NRL. But the comments from Thurston were most telling considering he's an assistant coach to Billy Slater for the Maroons. Many have called for Tom Dearden to start at halfback in State of Origin 1, after Cherry-Evans failed to fire in Game 1. The Manly halfback produced a strong performance against the Broncos last weekend, but crashed back to earth on Thursday night. There was a particularly poor moment with 23 minutes remaining that might spell the end of Cherry-Evans' Origin career. After the Knights had reduced the deficit to 16-12, the Manly halfback took the ball on the short-side near the halfway line and looked to kick it into touch to give his team a breather. But he belted it out on the full and gave the Knights prime field position for another attacking raid. James Schiller crossed a short time later to make it 16-16, and despite Manly regaining the lead the Knights managed to win in golden-point. Thurston's comments paint a grim picture for Cherry-Evans as Slater weighs up whether to axe his halfback and captain for Origin 2. "I don't know. I will find out Monday or Sunday," DCE said in his post-match presser. "You always find out on the Sunday or Monday." DCE kicking the kick off out on the full probably summed up their issues; scrambled thinking rather than game management — Stuart Akister (@StuartAkister) June 5, 2025 Didn't have to do anything in attack once you lead 22-16 with 10 to go. Kick long and defend for less than 10 minutes. 5 sets of defence. DCE just had absolutely no game management in the final 20. Embarrassing for someone who wants 1 mill next year — Sam (@desmoneyfr) June 5, 2025 Is DCE trying to kick his way into the Original team? That's 3 shockers so far #gomanly — Lyn Shields 🦅 (@lynshields) June 5, 2025 Andrew Johns is among the many who have called for Dearden to replace Cherry-Evans, and the Cowboys half will get another chance to impress against the Storm on Friday night. "I genuinely don't know what has been said," Cherry-Evans said on Thursday night about the speculation he'll be axed. "I understand it's a pretty busy period when it comes to my name. But I am just doing my best to keep my head down. Train and play with the Manly boys and be a good dad." RELATED: Cameron Smith's truth bomb for Billy Slater after 'weak' accusation Kevin Walters calls out Broncos amid sad Adam Reynolds situation Speaking before the Knights game, Cherry-Evans' Queensland predecessor Cooper Cronk urged his old teammate Slater to meet with the half before making a call. "I think Billy should have a heart-to-heart coffee catch up with Daly and ask him how much the jersey means," Cronk said on Fox League. "Because the series is on the line, and Daly the captain and halfback needs to deliver. (How he plays against Newcastle), I don't think it matters. Billy would have made that gut instinct call up already." Tellingly, a poll of over 28,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has Dearden and Cameron Munster as the overwhelming favourites to be the Queensland halves for Game 2. Over half of the readers who voted would axe DCE for the game in Perth. with AAP
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nathan Cleary act comes to light after Test player brutally axed by Panthers
Casey McLean has revealed the conversation he had with Nathan Cleary after being axed by the Penrith Panthers that spurred him to return with a bang for the defending premiers. McLean was so highly-rated that he made his Test debut for New Zealand last year, but hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations in 2025. The 19-year-old has made a number of costly blunders, most notably failing to pass to winger Tom Jenkins for what would have been the match-winning try against the Cowboys in Round 5. That came after he was dropped to reserve grade in Round 4, and he then spent another three weeks out of the first-grade team between Round 9-11. He was recalled to NRL level in Round 12 against the Knights, and scored in the Panthers' 18-10 victory over Parramatta last weekend. Tellingly, he backed himself and threw a dummy that Test winger Zac Lomax fell for as he scored a crucial try in the first half. Rather than second-guess himself after copping criticism for failing to pass on a number of occasions this year, McLean knew the dummy was on this time and fooled the Eels defenders. Speaking on Tuesday, the teenager opened up on some words of wisdom he received from Cleary after his most recent axing. "He just says it's a journey. Not everything's going to be highs, so you've got to ride the lows as well," McLean said. "It's just all learning, you can't take things as negatives. You've got to take everything as a positive, find ways to improve, move forward and this (win over the Eels) showcases what happens, I suppose." McLean said the playing group had an honesty session when Cleary and others were absent for State of Origin 1. The Panthers were missing Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Brian To'o when they were thrashed by the lowly Knights in Round 12. But hooker Mitch Kenny and the remaining senior players convened the squad for some tough love before the Eels game. "All of us got together... and put the line in the sand, what needs to be better, especially standards-wise," McLean revealed. "It was a player-driven thing. All the boys kind of knew what needed to happen." RELATED: Lachie Galvin rejects Jarome Luai claim after switch to Bulldogs NRL fans all say same thing about Ben Ikin amid Broncos woes The four-time reigning premiers had slumped to last place on the ladder before the Parramatta game. Had they lost to the Eels it would have marked the latest point in a season since 1953 that a defending premier was last. But the win saw them leap-frog the Knights, Eels and Titans, and they're only three points behind Manly in seventh. "Just flip that switch at training, just training habits and things like that led into what happened (against the Eels)," McLean said. Star halfback Cleary noticed the lift in intensity on his return from Origin duties. "A few of the boys were talking about how hard the week at training had been," he said. "Maybe that's where we'd been lacking, just dropping our standards a little bit. I thought young guys like Casey were really good." with AAP
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trainer at centre of State of Origin incident unmasked as former NSW player's brother
The NSW trainer who copped a stern warning from referee Ashley Klein in State of Origin 1 on Wednesday night has been revealed as Robbie Farah's brother. Eddie Farah was running the water for the Blues at Suncorp Stadium, and found himself at the centre of controversy late in the second half. Klein could be heard telling the trainer: "Do that again and you won't come back on." Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans was also none-too pleased with Farah's actions. The trainer's actions weren't picked up clearly on TV cameras, but it's believed he picked up the ball and handed it to Mitchell Moses before a Queensland scrum 10 metres out. Moses then threw the ball away, before Farah is believed to have booted it over the dead-ball line. Cherry-Evans was seen pointing towards the trainer before Klein beckoned him over and issued him with a warning. "Trainer, if you do that again you will not come back on the field," the referee stated. Cameron Smith said on Channel 9: "A little bit of gamesmanship happening there." There was also a suggestion Farah might have sprayed water on the ball, but that was merely speculation. Farah was seen being spoken to by an NRL official on the sideline after running off the field. RELATED: Daly Cherry-Evans responds amid call to axe Queensland captain 'Absolute joke': Fans fume over post-match moment after Origin 1 The delay in proceedings might have worked a treat for the Blues, with Valentine Holmes being bundled over the sideline on the first play after the scrum. However Jeremiah Nanai forced an error from Latrell Mitchell on the very next play, and Xavier Coates scored in the corner. Farah was the head physiotherapist at South Sydney from 2006 to 2023, before taking on the same role for the Blues in 2024. His brother Robbie played 303 NRL games (277 for the Wests Tigers) and 16 State of Origin games for the Blues. The incident on Wednesday night came amid increased scrutiny around the actions of trainers, with Shane Elford of the Panthers and Mitchell Dunn of the Cowboys hit with one-game bans recently for spraying water on the ball. The two NRL clubs were also fined $10,000 each after the actions of the trainers was captured on camera during a game in Round 10. The NRL sent a stern reminder to all clubs about the expected behaviour of trainers after Elford and Dunn were caught trying to give their teams an unfair advantage and make the ball slippery for their opponents. 'The NRL has issued North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers with breach notices relating to the actions of club trainers in round 10,' a statement from the NRL read. 'The breach notices propose a fine for each club of $10,000 and a two-match suspension for each trainer involved (one match suspended). The NRL has also reminded all clubs about the limitations of the roles of trainers on match days. Any action, other than those permitted under the NRL rules, may be considered a breach liable to sanctions.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'It's painful': NRL fans say same thing as Ray Warren detail laid bare during Origin
The quality of the Channel 9 commentary team has once again come under fire during State of Origin 1 on Wednesday night, and fans couldn't help but feel it's never been the same since Ray Warren retired. For many NRL fans, State of Origin and the grand final are the only times throughout the season that they watch Channel 9 as opposed to Fox League. Many would prefer to pay up and hear the Fox League commentary crew during games, but State of Origin and the grand final are exclusively on Channel 9. For those who only watch Nine four times a year, it can be a rather grating experience. Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith usually come in for plenty of criticism, and don't typically try to hide their bias towards NSW and Queensland respectively. On Wednesday night it was no different, with many expressing some brutal opinions about the NRL legends on social media. There was an awkward moment during the game when lead caller Mat Thompson used the word "superfluous", and Johns didn't appear to know what it meant. 'Err, excuse me? A what?" he replied. As for Thompson, the play-by-play caller has done a commendable job since the retirement of legendary predecessor Warren. But the general consensus is Channel 9 have never been able to fill the void left by the great man. Journalist Peter Lang wrote on social media on Wednesday night: "I don't want to be overly critical of Channel 9's State of Origin commentator Mat Thompson last night…but geeze I miss 'Rabs'. Ray Warren was Origin." However a fan responded: "Be over critical. It's diabolical. Fox Sports need to have the rights. 9 is beyond bad in all aspects." Another wrote: "I thought Matt Thompson was alright. He needs someone in there with him with a bit of energy. Andrew Johns ain't that person." Another commented: "I watched the game mostly on mute, it's painful…" While a fourth wrote: "It was awful. I have my whinges about Foxtel, but sweet jesus, they are miles ahead of 9." I watched the game mostly on mute it's painful… — Dennis Feher (@DrDennisFeher) May 29, 2025 They need to let Fox get rights to showing it live. I watched their coverage for a bit after the game and oh my the quality difference is crazy. — Oliver (@OliverMulqueen3) May 28, 2025 @NRL You really need to allow @FOXNRL to broadcast the SOO, WSOO & GF at the same time channel 9 does.@NRLonNine are killing the NRL. Tonight's SOO was like watching it in a Library!! The commentary lacklustre and no passion whatsoever!Bring on @FOXNRL please!!!!Please — MARBROLAY (@marbrolay) May 28, 2025 The commentary is as bad as the game. I miss Ray Warren. #StateofOrigin — BMC (@BrianMichaelC) May 28, 2025 I get he's passionate, but Joey's bias is insufferable. — Stephen 😁 (@SJOBrien8906) May 28, 2025 Cameron Smith is certainly not impartial — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) May 28, 2025 On Wednesday night, many accused Smith of being too biased towards Queensland, particularly in regard to the controversial sin-binning of Brian To'o for a mid-air challenge on Xavier Coates that officials ruled was a professional foul. And Johns also copped backlash for a bizarre theory he floated about the balls being used. After Nathan Cleary missed three conversion attempts in a row, Zac Lomax replaced him but also shanked one from close range. Johns said he thought the ball sounded different when being kicked, and suggested it might have had something to do with the sponsorship logos on it. 'Even the sound of the ball when they were kicking it just sounded different," the NRL Immortal said. 'Mitchell Moses kicked one in the in-goal, he never gets that wrong. Sometimes they are a little bit fatter, maybe the graphics on the ball whether that changes it. Zac Lomax, he missed it by a mile.' RELATED: Craig Bellamy's Origin move that could come back to haunt Storm coach Trainer at centre of Origin incident unmasked as NRL great's brother Johns even put his theory to Nathan Cleary after the game. But Cleary said: 'The last one I kicked it was definitely just an F-up. But I don't know, I think I'll reflect on that and I think there was just a bit going on in my brain. 'I had so many things I wanted to do. But I've thought about being back in this arena so often and so many things I wanted to do. Sometimes you just need to calm down a bit and just go through the processes.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Not good enough': Billy Slater under fire over horrible mistake in Origin 1
NRL fans are questioning how Billy Slater left Corey Horsburgh out of his Queensland team for State of Origin 1, after the Maroons' forward pack were badly beaten again on Wednesday night. Slater's side have now lost three Origin games in a row, and two on the trot at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 27 years. As we saw last year, the Maroons' forward pack were dominated by their NSW counterparts, and the likes of Mo Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui failed to have much impact. A number of Queensland veterans in Daly Cherry-Evans and Valentine Holmes will come under scrutiny, and Slater will be forced to make changes for Game 2. And a name that was on a lot of fans' lips on Wednesday night was Horsburgh. The Canberra forward has been sensational for the Raiders this year, helping them climb to second on the NRL ladder after 12 rounds. Considering the Maroons lacked some mongrel and firepower in last year's series, fans were left gobsmacked that Slater ignored Horsburgh for Game 1. Starting up front on Wednesday night, Fotuaika had just four runs for 38 metres. Fa'asuamaleaui tried his guts out and ran for 121 metres, but missed four tackles and gave away a number of penalties. Second-rowers Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai ran for just 51 and 48 metres respectively, although Nanai looked threatening all night and almost latched onto a number of high kicks. Bench forwards Lindsay Collins and Trent Loiero had little-to-no impact, while Beau Fermor was only given 17 minutes on debut. Fermor has been one of the form second-rowers of the NRL comp in 2025, but was largely unused by Slater. In contrast, NSW forwards Payne Haas (156), Mitch Barnett (110), Angus Crichton (155) and Isaah Yeo (146) all ran for over 100 metres, and completed dominated the middle. RELATED: Awkward claim about Bulldogs players amid Lachie Galvin signing Laurie Daley responds amid ugly allegation against NSW player The Maroons coach copped plenty of criticism on social media on Wednesday night, with Horsbugh's snub a particular point of contention. Andrew Johns said on Channel 9: "I don't know if they can go up another level, Queensland. I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something. (South Sydney forward) Jai Arrow is an Origin player." Speaking on SEN radio on Thursday morning, former NSW advisor Greg Alexander went as far as to say Slater's job is under pressure. "I'm gonna say it, NSW coach Laurie Daley out-coached Billy Slater," he said. "Slater is certainly under pressure for the rest of the series." Corey needs to be picked, and Cotter should not be playing 65 mins on an edge when we are struggling to crack the solid NSW defense. Need some attacking firepower and guys who can break the game open with a tackle bust or offload — Footy Yapper (@JL4803256) May 28, 2025 Horsburgh and Taulagi are both musts for the next game if fit, possibly even a Plath or Mann — Jossy (@JossyP415) May 28, 2025 The great man Mo Fotoaika finished with a barnstorming 4 runs for 37 metres in 46 mins. Easy to see how Horse couldn't get a start in this star studded maroons pack #StateOfOrigin — Danny Ando (@AndoDanny) May 28, 2025 How did Horse miss out this time ? Thought his form all season has been great and better than big Mo — DOC LOMBARDI (@doc8972) May 28, 2025 Thanks for everything Mo and Loiero, Horsburgh and Hess will take it from here. — Chris (@TeddyCJD) May 28, 2025 However Slater denied the 18-6 loss was due to the players he picked, stating it was more about their ill-discipline. The Maroons were clunky in attack and failed to own the middle of the field, and also racked up a whopping 48 missed tackles. "That's probably something for the review, and looking through the tape and, obviously sitting down with the group. At the end of the day it's got to come from the players," Slater said in his post-match press conference. "I definitely don't think it's a personnel thing. I know what this team's capable of and and that's why you can probably see I'm disappointed because they haven't played their best footy. I feel responsible to try and help them get there. So it's definitely not a personnel thing. They've had a great attitude as well. But to the discipline side of the game, the attitude wasn't good enough."
