The livery which Greg Murphy and Richie Stanaway will compete with as a wildcard at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 has been revealed.
GALLERY: Detailed images of Murphy/Stanaway wildcard livery
Boost Mobile Racing powered by Erebus today lifted the covers off the #51 ZB Commodore at the team’s open day in Dandenong.
Both drivers were present for the unveiling of their New Zealand-inspired Great Race livery.
The color scheme is similar to the wildcard’s test livery, though according to the team the design “has switched its black PPG base for Metamark wrap featuring silver ferns.”
Murphy and Stanaway will take part in their third and final test day this Tuesday at Winton Motor Raceway.
“It looks awesome. It’s very different to what we had last year but I knew that it would change, and the print underneath looks awesome,” said Murphy.
“The inclusion of the silver fern is a nice touch and I’m sure it’s not only appreciated by us but will also be appreciated by the Kiwi fans.
“Today’s open day is a great opportunity for us to not only see the fans and showcase our new livery, but to reward everyone who has been behind this concept from the start.
“Today is part of the journey really, it’s all been fan-driven from the very start, and we are very humbled by the support.”
Stanway added: “I think the livery looks great and it’s awesome that we’ve been able to show it off for the first time to our supporters in real life.
“I’m feeling really good heading into the next test day after what was a successful first test in June.
“Hopefully we can build on that and get straight into more advanced work after our first test was used to try and familiarize ourselves with the car. I’m looking forward to it.”
Boost Mobile founder, Peter Adderton, is pleased the program has taken another step closer to being on track at Bathurst.
Last year’s well-documented efforts to field the wildcard at Bathurst were spoiled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s great to have Richie and Murph back in Australia for the launch of the Boost Mobile Bathurst 1000 wildcard livery followed up by another planned test day at Winton,” said Adderton.
“This has always been about the fans, and today is for them. Boost Mobile would like to thank Erebus, the sponsors and the fans for believing in this with us.”
This year’s Bathurst 1000 takes place from October 6-9.
Carlton has been left to lick their wounds following their heartbreaking five-point loss to Melbourne on Thursday night.
With the loss meaning the Blues are still yet to sew up a finals finish, Carlton fans have been left to question how they could possibly lose a game with the side seven points up inside two minutes.
Dissecting the final 120 seconds of the game, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes analyzed what went wrong for Carlton when the game was on the line.
“Carlton have been beaten up by Adelaide in Round 20, beaten up by Brisbane in Round 21 and then lost almost the unlosable last night,” Cornes said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“Let’s look at some of the mistakes Carlton made since Charlie Curnow put them eight points up with three minutes to go.”
Carlton’s first error comes at an inside 50 stoppage with just over two minutes remaining.
Cornes is critical of the Blues allowing Max Gawn to stand unopposed one kick behind the stoppage as ben brown takes the ruck duties.
carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet wins a clearance kick but the free Gawn intercepts, leading to an inside 50 kick which Jake Melkham marks in a four-on-two contest, leading to a goal and reducing the margin to just one point.
“Look at Max Gawn drop out, Ben Brown did the ruck work, but you’ve got to squeeze up on Max Gawn, you can’t leave a dangerous player (by themselves) just on the edge of 50,” Cornes explained.
“That (clearance) kick from (Marc) Pittonet has to go boundary, then there’s a four-on-two in the goal square, where you’ve got to kill that ball.
“(Lewis) Young doesn’t do anything, (Mitch) McGovern doesn’t put a fist through it and there’s (Jake) Melksham taking that contested mark in the goal square.
“There’s one mistake that they made, that cost them.”
With just one kick it in, Cornes is impressed with Carlton’s work following a quick Melbourne inside 50 from a center clearance.
With 1:22 remaining, charlie currow marks the rebound 50 kick near the edge of the center square, then passes to a leading Harry McKay on the wing with 1:15 remaining.
“Now it (the margin) is one point,” Cornes explained.
“Then (Charlie) Curnow marks the ball on the wing, beautiful, you’ve got control and an uncontested mark, he does the right thing and finds Harry McKay on the wing.
“You don’t lose this game from here, you don’t lose it.”
Following his mark, McKay makes the smart decision to go backwards where he finds matt owies with a short kick on the wing, helping take precious seconds off the clock.
Owies then makes the crucial mistake of failing to wind down the clock and missing his next kick to adam saadwho instead of marking and taking more time off, is forced to pick up the ball and kick to a contest down the line.
“You want to go back and you want to kick it to (Matt) Owies – perfect, fine, you’ve got control of the footy,” Cornes said.
“Owies kicks the ball on the ground, which means (Adam) Saad has to play on.
“All he had to do was hit that kick, Saad has to find one more and it’s game over.”
Saad’s down-the-line kick is then returned but to a three-on-one marking contest in Carlton’s favour.
Cornes is critical of Carlton trio Jacob Weitering, Caleb Marchbank and Lewis Young who send the ball across the line instead of intercepting with their numerical advantage.
“The ball comes out and comes back in,” Cornes said.
“Carlton is three on one here, you’ve just got to block Ben Brown out and mark that footy.
“Mark that ball with 48 seconds to go and the game is gone.”
A throw-in stoppage then allows Melbourne to set up, but Cornes praises Carlton for sending three spares behind the ball.
demons defend Jake Lever then wins a ball on the wing and kicks inboard to a contest which is won by Jayden Hunt who looks inside 50.
“Now Melbourne have got an opportunity to set up,” Cornes said.
“You’ve got Saad behind the ball, two spares behind the ball and even numbers at the stoppage.
“What are those spares behind the ball doing? There’s three of them remember.
“Ball comes out, goes back in and this is smart from Lever, he doesn’t want to kick it to the three spares, so he goes inboard and takes a bit of a risk.
“Three on one, they’re going to win the ball through (Jayden) Hunt who drives through and then he kicks the ball inside 50.”
While Carlton was set up at the time of the stoppage, Cornes notes that their structure has shifted since Lever’s kick.
The Demons are allowed to meet Hunt’s inside 50 with just one opponent each to deal with.
Kysaiah Pickett then wins the football and kicks the winning goal.
“Where have Carlton’s spares gone? Remember there was three of them, where are they gone?,” Cornes asked.
“There’s no three there, there’s all even numbers inside forward 50, Carlton had to have a spare inside 50 to kill the ball.
“Kozzie Pickett brilliance, he worked some magic and was too good really on the day.
“Game over, but Carlton will look back and go, ‘We lost an unlosable game’.”
Following the loss, Carlton will now have to either beat Collingwood in Round 23 or hope Hawthorn beat the Bulldogs in Launceston to play finals this season.
Check out Cornes breakdown the footage on video below.
“Carlton will look back and go, ‘we lost an unlosable game.'”
The Wallabies conceded seven tries and four of them came from kicks.
If you’re looking for a reason why the Wallabies lost, that paints a pretty clear picture.
The Wallabies’ raw fullback Tom Wright was exposed. The Brumbies back has been excellent in his previous three Tests of the year, but his lack of time spent in the role was brutally exposed by Argentina, who tested his positional understanding and his aerial skills too.
He wasn’t the only one either. Marika Koroibete was found out in the air, while Reece Hodge was penalized after he made contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to compete for the ball.
The Wallabies’ scrum was edged, too, with the Argentine pack up for the challenge following their heavy defeat a week earlier.
As for James O’Connor, the recalled playmaker faces a fight to keep his place after a frustrating performance.
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Wallabies try BRUTALLY disallowed! | 01:22
Had his try midway through the first half not been disallowed it likely would have been a different story for the 32-year-old. It didn’t, and anyone wearing the No.10 jersey generally shoulders the blame regardless of whether they deserve it.
Here are our player ratings from the record loss to Argentina.
Tom Wright- 3.5
Given the fullback’s struggles under the high ball, Dave Rennie will likely recall Andrew Kellaway should the Rebels back be fit to take on the Springboks later this month.
Wright doesn’t deserve to be dropped. One poor game doesn’t define a player, but the Brumby is a developing 15 and could benefit from more time on the wing. He’ll be a strong contender for the No.23 jersey should Kellaway be fit.
The tough day started in the very first minute, as he fumbled a tough ball from Jordan Petaia and Argentina scored.
Moments later and Argentina won a 50-22 as the home side exposed Wright’s positional understanding.
“Pretty inexcusable from the Wallabies from set phase not to be able to defend a 50-22 in that situation,” former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens said for Stan.
On three occasions Wright lost possession in the air. He was out leapt in the eighth minute by Emiliano Boffelli.
He didn’t get a hand on a kick in the 27th minute. He was also beaten in the air again in the 36th minute but fortunately was saved by some Marika Koroibete brilliance in defense as he forced Boffelli to spill the ball over the tryline.
Later, in the 52nd minute, Wright chose to run the ball but should have played the percentages as he was tackled and gave away a penalty for not releasing.
Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Jordan Petaia – 6
It was a case of being so close yet so far for Petaia.
Petaia sent O’Connor in to score but the try was denied for an illegal cleanout from James Slipper.
Later he lost the ball over the tryline as the ball was ripped away.
But there was also one of those passes into touch in the 51st minute, while he also intercepted a pass in the 56th minute before quickly throwing one of his own as he sought to keep the ball in the field of play.
More promisingly Petaia got his hands on the ball. Yet the fact Australia has not put an attacking kick in for Petaia tells you a lot about the Wallabies’ attack in recent weeks.
Len Ikitau – 7.5
One of the Wallabies’ best. Ikitau scored a try, made a massive linebreak and was strong on either side of the ball.
His linebreak in the 29th minute should have led to some points. Instead, it led to a penalty to the Pumas one phase later as Nic White was pinged for a side entry at the ruck.
The Wallabies were smashed by Argentina at San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on August 13, 2022 in San Juan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Lalakai Foketi – 6
A couple of good touches, including in the 10th minute to slip a great ball to Ikitau.
Foketi did, however, overtrack in defense along with James O’Connor and Lachie Lonergan ahead of the Pumas’ third try.
Marika Koroibete – 6
Defensively Koroibete was excellent.
He had a fantastic trysaver on Boffelli and laid on some big shots, including one ahead of Fraser McReight’s turnover in the 10th minute.
His clearing kick beyond halfway in the 19th minute was a cracker, too.
Unfortunately Koroibete too was beaten in the air and the uncertainty in the air meant Argentina continued to pepper the Wallabies’ back three.
The little knock-on in the 41st minute at the base of the ruck straight after half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating performance.
James O’Connor – 5
The Wallabies playmaker will likely shoulder some of the blame for the defeat, but that would be an unfair marker.
Had O’Connor’s try stood the Wallabies would have been in front and he would have had a great highlights moment. It didn’t and the Wallabies conceded two quick tries.
Defensively O’Connor had a couple of moments that won’t reflect well.
He was run over the top by Tomas Gallo in the sixth minute as Taniela Tupou fell off a tackle, he overtracked ahead of the Pumas’ third try and he spilled a ball in contact for the Pumas’ try after the Wallabies’ back three didn’ Don’t get hands on another kick.
There was however some nice manipulation of the defense in the 72nd minute as she ran to the line and put Ikitau through a little hole. But, as Rennie later lamented, the Wallabies pushed the pass and found the touchline.
James O’Connor (L) had a frustrating return at fly-half. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
Nick White – 5
The Wallabies’ struggles to hold onto the ball meant White had a frustrating Test.
The experienced halfback had little space to test out the Argentine defence.
Frustratingly, too, when the Wallabies had the ball in the opposition half they looked dangerous. They just didn’t keep the ball long enough to mount any real pressure.
He appeared lost with what to do in the 30th minute and had his pass intercepted.
Rob Valetini – 9
The Wallabies’ best player on the field.
Valetini’s ball carrying was a real feature.
I have powered over the gain line ahead of Slipper’s try for the Wallabies.
He was strong in defense too, producing a great counter-ruck in the 18th minute to allow McReight to get on the ball to win a penalty.
Lachie Lonergan’s nice ball sent Valetini through a huge hole in the 45th minute. It should have ended in a try as he unleashed Petaia, who was stripped over the line.
Valetini’s one blemish came in the 61st minute, as he slightly changed his direction after a chip and chase and was penalized.
Rob Valetini was the Wallabies’ best against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Fraser McReight – 5.5
Good pressure on the ball, including a great breakdown win in the 10th minute.
Unfortunately for McReight he was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half despite referee Karl Dickson playing advantages ahead of their fifth try.
Jed Holloway – 6
Holloway was effective in the lineout and had a steal, too. He had some good runs to the line as well. But he needs to demand more of the ball.
The Waratahs forward looks set for a long stint in the side and his physical prowess will help with the pack.
Darcy Swain – 5.5
After last weekend’s outstanding Test, Swain wasn’t nearly as effective. why? Quite simply the Wallabies had little set piece ball.
Swain was penalized in the 28th minute after playing on despite a ruck being formed.
Rory Arnold – 6.5
A respectable return for the Japanese-bound lock.
Arnold carried well and even took an intercept in the 29th minute.
But his real strength around the maul wasn’t able to be used because of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball.
Taniela Tupou struggled for the Wallabies in his return to the starting side. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Taniela Tupou – 5
Punished at the scrum, the Wallabies struggled at the set-piece. They were penalized there on a number of occasions, with Tupou pinged for not driving straight.
Tupou was also penalized for collapsing a maul in the 24th minute.
It wasn’t until the 46th minute that Tupou managed to get well over the gain line.
The massive Wallabies tight-head prop has yet to master a Test that he has started.
Lachlan Lonergan – 6
A reasonable effort, having been asked to start against the Pumas.
The young Brumby’s lineout was largely effective.
But the Wallabies’ scrum was beaten, he over tracked ahead of the Pumas’ second try and missed a tackle from the kick restart in the 55th minute.
James Slipper (c) – 6.5
One of the Wallabies’ better forwards.
Slipper’s opening 20 minutes was outstanding. Unfortunately he was penalized for an illegal cleanout, which was questionable at best.
Slipper carried strongly and showed some good hands, too. He also scored the Wallabies’ first try.
The Wallabies suffered their greatest defeat to Argentina. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
BOOK
Billy Pollard – 5.5
Came on midway through the second half and hit the mark with his throws on debut. tick.
Matt Gibbon – N/A
Came on late for Slipper, but helped the Wallabies win a penalty when he went through the middle of a maul in the 71st minute.
Puts Fa’amausili – 6
Some great shots and strong carries after coming on midway through the second half. A promising debut off the bench.
Nick Frost – 5
Wasn’t able to impose himself like he did a week ago.
Pete Samu – 6
Effective on both sides of the ball after replacing Holloway in the second half.
Tate McDermott – 6
McDermott’s 50/22 in the 69th minute was a cracker. Unfortunately Valetini got clipped first phase from the attacking lineout and was brought down before Irae Simone was pinged for side entry at the ruck.
Irae Simone – N/A
Came on late but gave away a penalty for side entry at the ruck.
Reece Hodge – N/A
Another who came on late, Hodge was penalized for making contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to catch a ball at fullback.
NRL fans have erupted after Warriors fan Calley Gibbons was booted out of Mt Smart Stadium after doing a shoey following a New Zealand try on Friday night. Picture: Fox Sports
The NRL world has criticized security at Mt Smart Stadium in New Zealand after a Warriors fan was booted out and informed he’d been banned for life for doing a shoey.
After two years of waiting to see the Warriors return home for the NRL season after the pandemic-interrupted seasons the past two years have required the team to relocate to Australia.
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The 2022 season finally marked a homecoming for the side as border restrictions and travel requirements eased to the point where summarizing the NRL’s regular state of affairs was possible.
It marked the end of a long wait for 31-year-old Warriors fan Calley Gibbons.
Gibbons, who has held season tickets in front of the coaches box since 2006, caught the attention of fans during the Warriors’ homecoming game against Wests Tigers in round 16, when he downed a shoey to the delight of an already excited crowd.
The bricklayer repeated the act in round 20, but it would seem security had enough of his antics during Friday’s demolition of Canterbury.
According to reports, the specific reason why Gibbons was handed a life ban was because an unauthorized camera crew had followed him to capture the moment – but he says he wasn’t given much of a reason.
“I was evicted from the stadium and the security guard escorted me out and told me I had a lifetime ban,” Gibbons told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Your guess is as good as mine as to why I was kicked out. It’s just wrong.
“I told them I had purchased the beer from the venue, I was not intoxicated and it was my choice as to how I consumed the beer.
“I’m not sure if one particular security guard had it in for me. He told me, ‘You won’t be coming back here in this lifetime’.
“I’d only done the one shoey. At least I got one good shoey in. I went to a bar and did a few shoeys every time the Warriors scored.”
Gibbons earned plenty of support from the wider NRL world for his shenanigans.
By the end of Friday night a petition had already been released to overturn his ban, already attracting thousands of signatures.
Triple M host Tony Squires was stunned by the harshness of the response.
“This is a poor bloke who’s waited a couple of years (for a Warriors home game). He gets there, he’s excited and now he’s got a lifetime ban,” he said on Saturday.
NRL star Jai Arrow was also of the opinion a life ban was heavy handed, saying it was ‘like you can’t have fun anymore’.
Warriors earn season-best victory with Bulldogs demolition job
Gibbons had plenty to celebrate despite being kicked out of Mt Smart Stadium, as the Warriors broke to a 42-18 win over the Bulldogs.
While on paper the side had a reasonable chance, the prospect of reversing a heavy defeat to the Rabbitohs a week before should have made the task harder.
However, the Warriors produced arguably the finest game of the entire season in front of a big Friday night home crowd.
“Off the top of my head I’d say it’d be pretty close,” said Warriors captain Tohu Harris.
“In terms of our attitude and effort, it was the closest to a full 80 minutes we’ve had. There was that period where they scored after half-time and then got that intercept, but the really pleasing thing was that we bounced back .”
“That’s something we haven’t done a good job of in past games, when things have gone against us. But we worked hard and swung the momentum our way.”
The Warriors earned their best win of the NRL season with a swashbuckling performance against the Bulldogs on Friday night. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
After shooting out to a 12-0 and then 18-6 lead, the Warriors found themselves fighting off a staunch Bulldogs fightback that saw the scores level at 18-all just after the interval.
“There’s obviously things we need to improve on,” added Harris. “But really for most of the game we had a good attitude [and] worked hard for each other.
“The most pleasing thing was being up by 12 points and they scored two tries, but we got ourselves back in the game and got ourselves some momentum.”
Interim coach Stacey Jones praised his side’s fortitude, especially after conceding a length of the field intercept try to Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr.
“Things didn’t go our way and we’ve often gone into a hole, but tonight we went the other way. They scored two tries after half-time but the boys stuck to a gameplan that works when you get into an arm- wrestle.”
“It certainly was a relief, especially after last weekend. It was a tough week (leading in). Today’s performance was off the back of playing in front of our families and a big crowd. I didn’t see this coming off the back of last week’s big loss.”
With APA
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Carlton will quickly regroup in preparation for a mouth-watering “final elimination” against arch rival Collingwood next week, coach Michael Voss says.
Voss was trying to take positives out of Saturday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Demons, who stole a five-point victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to a classy Kysaiah Pickett goal with 11 seconds left in the game.
Shattered Blues players slumped to the ground on the final siren as Melbourne denied Carlton the opportunity to cement a finals berth for the first time since the 2013 season.
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Asked where it went wrong, Voss told reporters: “A bit of detail in the last couple of minutes didn’t quite get right, so I guess it’s easy to focus on that two minutes.”
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd, who was at the MCG on Saturday night, witnessed a frustrated Voss walk towards the Blues’ rooms after the final siren, before he u-turned, consoled his players and walked from the field with them.
“This is as bad as a home and away loss gets … I’ve lost a prelim by a point but this is as close to what you get with a home and away loss,” Lloyd told Channel 9’s The Sunday Footy Show.
Patrick Cripps of the Blues and Michael Voss leave after the loss. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Corp Australia
“Vossy, he stands on the bench with the players and coaches from down there – he just started charging off on his own, disconsolate, hands in his pockets. He was going to head straight down to the rooms.
“Just as he got close, I reckon it triggered and he thought: ‘I can’t just go off and leave my players there.’ He turned back around, walked 60m back, he tapped every player on the bum, he and ‘Crippa’ (Patrick Cripps) walked down arm-in-arm.
“So I reckon he thought to himself: ‘I’ve got to be here with my players and we’ve got one week to try and salvage and turn this around.’”
With the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs, who are a win behind Carlton, set to start as favorites in their own do-or-die clash against Hawthorn next Sunday, the Blues simply must beat old foe Collingwood to cement a finals berth.
Carlton, vying to feature in September for the first time since 2013, will take on the miracle-working Magpies in a sequel to the thrilling Round 11 affair in which the Pies won by four points.
“It’s really exciting for us,” Voss said.
Patrick Cripps of the Blues and Michael Voss. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Corp Australia
“I’ve spoken about the opportunity that’s there and it’s about exposure for us playing in these sorts of games. It can only be a good thing for us and how we grow and develop out of this as a footy team.”
Voss said his troops would relish the opportunity to take on the in-form Collingwood in front of an MCG crowd likely to exceed 80,000.
“It’s effectively an elimination final,” Voss said. “We know what the week holds.
“We’ll get back to work and turn up here next Sunday, in what will be a really big game. I’m sure it’ll be really built up.
“The energy that we brought today was just real excitement to be able to play these sorts of games. I hope we bring that same energy.”
Demons rob Blues on the Buzzer! | 03:03
The Blues are likely to regain Adam Cerra, who was a late withdrawal because of groin tightness but Voss conceded his side wouldn’t have the luxury of bringing fellow midfielders George Hewett and Matthew Kennedy back into the line-up despite the high-stakes nature of the clash.
“(Close) just couldn’t quite get going this morning,” Voss said.
“George (Hewett) is starting to get going a bit, but I think the prognosis for him is that if he does actually start to train it might be more towards the finals.”
Cameron Smith has a huge chance to win the opening PGA Tour FedEx Cup play-offs tournament and claim the world number one ranking, set to enter the final round two shots from the lead.
As speculation continues to swirl about whether he’ll jump to the rebel LIV Golf circuit, Australian world number two Smith birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a 3-under 67 at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis on Saturday.
Already the winner of the Tournament of Champions, Players Championship and British Open this year, 28-year-old Smith trails the only American leader, JJ Spaun (68), and second-placed Austrian Sepp Straka (68).
Smith is in a three-way tie for third with Americans Will Zalatoris (65) and Trey Mullinax (66).
He is keenly aware that a victory would take him to the world number one ranking for the first time after the incumbent, Scottie Scheffler, missed the cut on Friday.
“That’s been one of my goals probably since the start of the year is to try to get to that top spot,” Smith said. “try [to] chase it down.”
Fellow Australian Adam Scott fell to tied 25th, six shots from the lead, after a round of 70, while countryman Cam Davis (67) is tied 36th at 5-under.
Spaun had a two-putt birdie on the par-5 16th and holed an 18-foot birdie putt on the next hole to claim the 54-hole lead at 13-under 197.
Straka was right there with him until he failed to save par from the bunker on the 18th.
Both are first-time winners on the PGA Tour this year, and a victory in a FedEx Cup play-offs even carries even more weight: $3.78 million to the winner and a guaranteed spot at East Lake for the FedEx Cup finale.
However, there are a host of players in contention, with 16 within four shots of the lead, including stars Sam Burns and Tony Finau.
But no one stands out like Smith, for so many reasons.
Not only is it his first start since being introduced at St Andrews as the “champion golfer of the year”, the UK’s Daily Telegraph also reported on Tuesday that he had signed with LIV and would join the defectors outside Boston after the PGA Tour play- offs were over.
Smith has steadfastly refused to talk about the move, only to say he’s only thinking of the FedEx Cup.
“I’m a man of my word and, whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me,” Smith said on Tuesday.
That was shortly before a California federal judge denied a request by three LIV golfers to play in the FedEx Cup play-offs.
Distractions don’t seem to be an issue, and there is no shortage of them.
“There’s definitely been a few more but, for me, I’m just trying to hit the best shot I can,” Smith said. “That’s what I’m here to do, is to hit good golf shots and make birdies.”
Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo has reportedly inked a five-year deal to become the head coach of the Canterbury Bulldogs, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ciraldo had been heavily linked with the vacant job at Belmore after Trent Barrett left the role earlier this season.
He has also turned down a five year deal from the Wests Tigers to remain on Penrith’s coaching staff having spent several years as Ivan Cleary’s understudy at the Panthers.
The 37-year-old reportedly informed his current club of his decision at training on Sunday.
“We just wish him the best,” Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher told the publication.
“He’s done a great job for us coming through as an understudy and getting us to a Jersey Flegg grand final win. He’s been involved with Ivan and it’s only natural he’s been well sought after. It’s great to think he’s come through our system. We just wish him all the best.
“It’ll now be business as usual for us with Cameron for the rest of the year and he can worry about the Dogs from the 1st of November.”
A former Sharks, Knights and Panthers player, the Sydney-born coach was promoted to the role of assistant coach at Penrith in 2017.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould thinks highly of Ciraldo and handed him the caretaker role when the Panthers sacked Anthony Griffin back in 2018.
“Cameron Ciraldo has come through 10 or 11 years with the Panthers in the system,” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy in June.
“He came there as a second-tier player in the back end of his career. He coached an under-20s team to two grand finals, winning a premiership.
“He was promoted then to assistant first-grade coach. He was the interim there for a while and he’s served Ivan Cleary really well over the last three years. They’ve been to two grand finals, they’ve won a premiership and they ‘ll probably win it again this year.”
Boxer David Lemieux is retiring following the tragic murder of his father during a shooting spree in Canada.
A man suspected of killing three people in Montreal on August 2 was later shot and killed by police, The Sun reported.
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Former IBF middleweight champion Lemieux is only 33 but has clearly been left heartbroken by his father’s senseless and brutal killing.
“I’ve accomplished a lot in the course of my career,” Lemieux told Boxing News 24.
“I achieved my dream of becoming world champion, I’ve given the fans rousing fights by accepting every challenge that came my way.
“I devoted my life to training, to boxing, and now I want to cherish every minute with my family.
“I accomplished a lot, but I didn’t do it alone. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who supported and encouraged me throughout my career.”
Lemiueux’s father was shot dead during a 24-hour shooting spree in Canada last week where three people were killed.
One of the men killed was identified as Andre Fernand Lemieux, 64, which David confirmed by uploading a post on his Instagram with a picture of his father accompanied by the caption “RIP dad.”
“To learn that your father died by being shot while waiting for the bus is quite a shock. Everyone in the family is shaken,” he told Le Journal de Montreal.
Lemieux lost his IBF title in a thrilling fight with legend Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden in 2015.
He was also defeated by Brit Billy Joe Saunders in Quebec in 2017.
Lemieux said just after his father’s death: “To learn that your father died by being shot while waiting for the bus is quite a shock. Everyone in the family is shaken.”
Lemieux lost his last fight to David Benavidez in May this year.
His pro career began in 2007 and his overall record is 43 wins and five losses. But many boxers change their minds about retirement, with Tyson Fury performing another U-turn this week.
This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
Dragons young gun Talatau Amone has bagged an early double to get his side out to a 12-6 lead over the Raiders in a must-win clash at GIO Stadium.
MATCH CENTER: Raiders vs Dragons live updates, video, stats
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19TH MINUTE
Talatau Amone backed up his try with another one. Jack Bird got around a Raider and then offloaded to Amone who dived over the line.
6TH MINUTE
The Dragons hit back through young gun Talatau Amone who had to push through several Raiders players to ground the ball.
1ST MINUTE
It didn’t take long for the Raiders to get on the board with Hudson Young pouncing on a Zac Woolford grubber to score.
MATCH PREVIEW
Ricky Stuart will be forced to watch from home when his Raiders take on the Dragons in a must-win clash at GIO Stadium to keep their final hopes alive.
Stuart was suspended by the NRL after his “weak-gutted dog” spray directed at Panthers player Jaeman Salmon last weel.
The Dragons are also still in the finals hunt but after losing to the Sharks last week they now sit two wins outside of the eight.
If they are to get sneak into the finals they’ll need to win all four of their last games — but they’ll do it without veteran Tariq Sims who has been banned for a careless high tackle. Josh McGuire moves into the starting side for Sims and Tyrell Fuemaono joins the bench.
In a boost for the side, Cody Ramsey returns from a knee injury at fullback, forcing Moses Mbye into the centers and Jack Bird to lock.
The Raiders welcome back electric fullback Xavier Savage from an ankle injury but will be without star prop Joe Tapine and winger Nick Cotric.
Tapine has succumbed to a rib injury that was suffered last week, while Cotric is out through suspension.
Emre Guler replaces Tapine in the starting pack with Corey Horsburgh joining the bench after a successful return from pneumonia via reserve grade last week.
Meanwhile, Savage’s return allows Albert Hopoate shift to the wing to replace Cotric.
TEAMS
raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Replacement player: 18. James Schiller
Dragon’s: 21. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 1. Moses Mbye 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su ‘A 3. Jack Bird 13. Michael Molo 15. Aaron Woods 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Billy Burns. Replacement player: 20. Jayden Hunt
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On Nine’s 100% Footy in June, Gould spoke highly of Ciraldo as speculation about his future ran riot.
“Cameron Ciraldo has come through 10 or 11 years with the Panthers in the system,” Gould said at the time.
“He came there as a second-tier player in the back end of his career. I have coached an under-20s team to two grand finals, winning a premiership.
Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo in 2015.Credit:NRL Photos
“He was then promoted to assistant first-grade coach. He was the interim there for a while and he’s served Ivan Cleary really well over the last three years. They’ve been to two grand finals, they’ve won a premiership and they’ll probably win it again this year.”
“He’s in a very, very good environment with a great club and he’s cradled all those boys from birth. He’s known them all since they were teenagers. It’s the perfect environment out there for him at the moment, but there will come a time where he is either going to be the head coach of the Panthers in the future or he’s going to have to branch out and learn (about) other clubs and what being a head coach is all about.”
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That time has now come with Ciraldo set to take over from interim Bulldogs coach Mick Potter, who has overseen something of a revival at Belmore since taking the reins from Barrett.
The Panthers have now lost their two assistant coaches for next year with Andrew Webster set to join the New Zealand Warriors as head coach next year.
“I’m sure Matty Cameron and Ivan have something in the pipeline,” Fletcher said.
“Peter Wallace and Ben Harden will step up as well.”
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