Paul Green’s high school sweetheart has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the former rugby league coach after his tragic death rocked the NRL community this week.
The 49-year-old was found dead at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday. It has been confirmed he took his own life from him.
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The Courier Mail reports Green called his friend and longtime manager George Mimis at 4.30pm on Wednesday to speak about his son’s birthday celebrations.
The News Corp publication also reports the footy legend’s wife Amanda found him unresponsive at their home after returning from doing pilates at the gym.
Green’s death comes 11 months after he was sacked as head coach of the Maroons following Queensland’s loss in last year’s State of Origin series, which included a 50-6 win for the Blues.
Speaking on Gold Coast’s 92.5 Triple M Breakfast show, radio announcer Ali Plath fought back tears while grieving the loss of her first love.
“My heart is breaking today for his wife Amanda and his beautiful kids and obviously his parents, and his four siblings,” she said.
“Paul and I went to high school together, he was my first love. You only get one first love.
“We were together when I was in Year 12 for a year and then we split up. I had kids with (former partner) Mark and when that didn’t work out, Paul and I got back together.
“We then did nine years of on-off, long-distance, de facto… I guess we were that couple that I think our family and friends were so much happier than we were when we finally split up.
“Paul was a wonderful stepdad to my two older kids Jesse and Jake when we all lived in Sydney together when I finally had the courage to move them.
Gold Coast radio announcer Ali Plath has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her former high school sweetheart Paul Green on air.Source: Supplied
“For him to swallow his pride and I guess take my kids under his wing, I really didn’t appreciate how big that was at the time. It’s a big responsibility taking on someone else’s family.
“Paul was extremely loyal, he was highly intelligent — even though I used to tell him I was smarter than him. When I was in Year 12, he was two years older than me, and he was getting up for not doing my schoolwork.
“He just had such a great sense of fun as well as being so capable. If Paul said to you, ‘I’m going to be a pilot’, (you knew) he was going to be a pilot. And he did – he was a commercial pilot.
“My mum let him take me to Hervey Bay in this mosquito airplane when he was doing his training. That’s how capable Paul was. You trusted him, you knew he could do it, I never doubted him.
“He was just one of those people who you knew you could rely on. (As an NRL player), he was one of those players you could count on and he would give his all of him.
“I can’t believe that he’s done this, I can’t believe this has happened.
“That’s not Paul. I’m actually in complete and utter shock. I only spoke to him a couple of months ago.
“It’s horrible.”
Paul Green is remembered and honored at Suncorp Stadium. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Green’s family is still coming to terms with the footy legend’s passing and revealed plans for a celebration of his life.
Green’s brother Rick told The Sunday Mail the family had come together to plan a public funeral, expected to be held August 23 or 30 at Kougari Oval, the home of the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, a team Green both played with and coached to premiership glory.
But Rick also revealed the family was struggling to come to terms with the enormous loss.
“Everyone is feeling overwhelmed,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“There’s certainly a lot of stories that we’re sharing about our times with Paul but as we reflect on those good times, there’s a great sadness at his passing.
“It’s still very raw and difficult to process.”
The family had earlier released a statement after the news broke of Green’s death.
“Today we are devastated,” the statement began.
“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feeling, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.
“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy.
“Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thank you.”
Former Cowboys coach Paul Green. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty ImagesSource: Supplied
The FIA has finally broken its silence on the Oscar Piastri contract saga, confirming the ongoing dispute between McLaren and Alpine will be resolved without having to go to court.
Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo became embroiled in F1’s mid-year silly season following reports he will be replaced by young compatriot Piastri at McLaren next year.
The news erupted last week after two-time world champion Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world and jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin.
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Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the 21-year-old Melburnian to reject the seat — a bold move for someone who is yet to drive in F1.
Alpine believes that Piastri should respect the contract, but the Victorian believes the commitment is not valid.
The French team threatened to file a civil lawsuit to recover the millions of dollars in training it has spent on Piastri this season.
“Going to the High Court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we’ll do,” Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Reuters.
“If the CRB (Contract Recognition Board) says, ‘Your license is only valid at Alpine’, and then he (Piastri) says, ‘That’s great, but I’m never driving for them, I’ll just sit out a year ‘, then you’ve got to go to the High Court for compensation.”
On Friday, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claimed the issue would be solved through their own means instead of in the courtroom.
“The FIA’s Driver Contract Recognition Board (CRB) was set up to deal with contract priority issues between drivers and F1 teams,” he tweeted.
“That’s why we rely on their decision to resolve any conflict.”
According to French publication Auto Hebdothe CRB has found that both Piastri’s Alpine and McLaren contracts are valid.
The CRB, a group made up of independent lawyers, was set up to determine the legality of driver contracts and settle disputes between teams.
The body was founded in 1991 after seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher signed for Benetton despite having agreed to discuss a contract with Jordan.
Szafnauer also hinted at a potential collusion between Piastri’s manager Mark Webber, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore.
Webber and Alonso are close friends after their time in F1, while Briatore, who was a former team boss at Bennetton and Renault, has been Alonso’s long-term manager.
“Look, I have no record of it, but this is Formula 1 and maybe in a couple of years someone says that they have evidence of shared information, I would not be surprised,” Szafnauer said.
“I always tell everyone that in Formula 1 you have to act as if everyone knows everything. That there are no secrets in these things. When you ask someone not to say anything, they act like everyone knows.
“That’s how I’ve run my business in Formula 1 for 25 years. And if this (information sharing) has happened, you should not be surprised.”
Meanwhile, former F1 driver turned pundit Christian Danner said Piastri’s tactics “clearly has the handwriting” of Briatore.
Essendon has been demolished by Port Adelaide – 23.8 (146) to 9.8 (62) – in a dismal showing sure to ramp up the pressure on the Bombers heading into the off-season.
Barring a third-quarter fightback, Port Adelaide was barely troubled by the Bombers, kicking its highest score of the year.
It marks a welcome pressure release for Port Adelaide and sets the stage for a Showdown with Adelaide to close out its season.
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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP
There were no late changes for either side. Ben Hobbs (Essendon) and Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide) were the medical substitutes.
Port Adelaide got off to the perfect start, with Travis Boak finishing off a crisp bit of play in the first 15 seconds of the match.
Essendon responded via Nic Martin, who streamed into the forward 50 and finished cleanly.
Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades combined for the next two majors, then a brilliant mark from Charlie Dixon was followed by an assured set shot, giving the Power some breathing room on the scoreboard.’
Mid-season draftee Massimo D’Ambrosio helped bring his side back into the mix, kicking his first AFL goal and then his second just minutes later.
Essendon gave away a costly free kick during a scuffle with Jeremy Finlayson, which resulted in Sam Powell-Pepper kicking a goal just before the quarter-time siren.
Port Adelaide led by eight points at the first change.
Powell-Pepper’s late goal was only the beginning of the Power’s surge, with Ken Hinkley’s side running rampant over Essendon as the second term began to unfold.
Essendon barely fired a shot as Port Adelaide kicked four goals in seven minutes, with some passaged dubbed “a training drill” by Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell.
The Power continued to pile on the goals, with Karl Amon making it a 52-point margin and eight unanswered goals.
“It seems like they’ve given up in a sense Essendon,” Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy, pointing to the Bombers’ lack of communication and effort.
By half-time, the Bombers trailed by 51 points.
Todd Marshall kicked the first goal of the second half, but Essendon was then let off by a couple of misses from Port Adelaide in front of goal.
An Archie Perkins set shot finally broke Essendon’s goal drought, but Zak Butters restored a 60-point lead for his side with a goal shortly after.
Peter Wright and Nick Hind got back-to-back goals for the Bombers as they began to show a bit more fight through the middle of the ground, but Port Adelaide still managed to get looks at goal.
By three-quarter time, Essendon had won the quarter, reducing a 51-point margin to 49.
Unfortunately for Essendon fans, the final quarter was far from impressive, with Port Adelaide rapidly extending its lead.
Several goals for the visitors came with alarming ease as the margin continued to grow as much of the Bombers crowd began to head home.
THE 3-2-1
3) PRESSURE SOARS FOR BOMBERS AFTER BRTUAL LOSS
Ben Rutten must be wondering why the message didn’t get through to his players.
The Bombers were well beaten by Greater Western Sydney last week and, heading into Sunday, the focus was clear.
“We need to respond really quickly, in particularly in and around the contest,” Rutten told Fox Footy pre-game.
“Our ability to tackle and win our share of contested ball and pressure the opposition… we’re really looking forward to seeing how we shape up against them tonight.”
With such a focus on the contest, it must’ve been quite alarming for Rutten at the main break, with his side conceding 43 points from stoppage while scoring just seven on its own end.
“Around the contest it’s terrible … they’d been the number one stoppage team in the last month of football but were smashed last week and were absolutely smashed around the football today, especially in the second quarter,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy at half-time.
“It started from the centre-bounce in the first quarter but then around the ground in the second quarter.
“They’ve given up seven goals from stoppage, which is an unbelievable number for a game of football let alone a half.”
The midfield responded with a better showing in the third quarter, but limped to the finish line, doing nothing to mask questions the Bombers must address ahead of a searching off-season.
“Parish is there, Shiel is back, Merrett is there, they’ve got dominance in the ruck because Draper has height over Finlayson … they need to change something,” Brown said.
“I’d be saying if I was Ben Rutten, ‘if you boys want to play in the midfield you need to earn it, so out’.”
Such was the scale of the loss, Brown in the immediate aftermath noted: “I don’t know what to say.”
2) ALIIR’S GREAT STRIDES
Aliir Aliir has been a tremendous intercept defender, but perhaps that description is selling him short.
Few players this season have been able to stop Peter Wright from having an impact on the scoreboard or up the ground, but Aliir provided an exception to the norm.
“He’s been outstanding, Aliir Aliir,” Jonathan Brown said.
“I’ve been really impressed. He’s not just a zone-off defender. Peter Wright is one of the best key-position forwards in the competition this season.
“He has not only shut him down, he’s had an impact offensively as well and been able to get across and spoil not just Peter Wright but other opposition players as well and help out his teammates.
“I think he’s had an outstanding game and I think it highlights his development as a key defender.”
1) RIVETING RUCK CONUNDRUM
Ken Hinkley has a lot of headaches after a disappointing season, but perhaps a good one is in the ruck.
Scott Lycett’s injury early in the season certainly hurt the side in the short-term, but as the season has progressed there have been promising signs in that department.
Sam Hayes came in for a lengthy period and showed promise with the number one ruck mantle, then Brynn Teakle burst onto the scene as a mid-season draftee, showing plenty before going off injured on his AFL debut.
Jeremy Finlayson, however, could be the pick of the bunch and a shrewd bit of recruiting.
Many questioned the need for Finlayson when he came across via trade at the end of last year, but he has shown some incredibly impressive potential when handed the reigns in the ruck.
On Sunday, he demolished opponent Sam Draper and made the ruck case even more curious for Port Adelaide in 2023.
“We’ve pumped up Draper a lot this season, we think he’s going to be a really good ruckman in the competition going forward,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy.
“He’s had four disposals, his opponent Jeremy Finlayson has had 21, four clearances and two goals.
“It shows the difference in the day, it also shows the impact a player like Finlayson can have.”
Rugby league has a funny way of balancing itself out.
The Dragons and Raiders have now been handed wins against each other this season in “almost identical” controversial fashion.
Canberra led 24-22 on Sunday afternoon when St George Illawarra winger Matt Feagai made a 70-metre break with just 10 seconds left in the game.
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Feagai was tackled 15 meters out from the Raiders’ line when Corey Harawira-Naera laid on top of him as time expired.
“They’re told to get up, penalty brewing, but referee (Adam Gee) says that will do us, oh it’s almost identical,” Brenton Speed said on Fox League.
“Round 16 all over again in reverse. The Dragons are thinking ‘where’s our penalty’ that the Raiders did not get in Wollongong but Adam Gee says that is full-time and Canberra’s season is still alive and the Dragons are done.”
Back in July, the Raiders were robbed of an opportunity to kick a penalty goal to send their clash with the Dragons to golden point.
Canberra had the ball in front of the goalposts on the fifth tackle, when Ben Hunt and Jack Bird intentionally slowed the play-the-ball.
The Raiders were awarded a six again before Hunt charged from market to tackle dummy-half Tom Starling — a play which NRL head of football Graham Annesley later admitted should have been awarded a penalty.
Annesley also conceded a penalty could have been awarded for the flop and an off-side call in the lead-up to the fifth tackle.
Broncos make light work of Knights | 02:15
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The scenes reversed on Sunday afternoon as a stunned Dragons coach Anthony Griffin looked on in disbelief.
“He should have been penalized at the very least for a professional foul,” Braith Anasta said on Fox League.
“There was just one last shove from (Harawira-Naera), because as Feagai was getting tackled the clock was ticking down… but there was a little shove,” Greg Alexander said.
“It’s incredible that we’ve had both teams win games in very similar circumstances.”
But speaking in the post-game press conference, Griffin wasn’t too upset about what he had played out — he even conceded it was “a little bit ironic” given what had happened in Round 16.
Asked if I found the ending frustrating Griffin said: “Nah, it’s probably a little bit ironic compared to the first game.
“We just ran out of time, it was a fantastic linebreak at that time of the game and the captain did everything he could with his kicking game to get us into field position and put Matty away,” he added.
“We just needed one more play the ball but that’s the way the world works.”
The Hollywood star was spotted in the crowd at the SCG on Sunday afternoon for the Round 22 contest between Sydney and Collingwood.
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Rock was wearing a red Swans cap and was enjoying the action on his visit to Sydney.
The Swans posted a photo of the actor and comedian holding a jersey signed by the whole Sydney team.
Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor couldn’t help himself, making a not-so-subtle reference to when Rock was famously slapped by Will Smith at the Academy Awards earlier this year.
“Famous face here Chris Rock, of course of Grow Ups fame and he just accepts a slap really well these days doesn’t he, Chris Rock,” Taylor said tongue-in-cheek.
Alister Nicholson valiantly tried to get the commentary back on track, adding: “I reckon in terms of A-listers he’s just behind Buddy Franklin in terms of No. 1 at the SCG today BT.”
AFL fans couldn’t believe Taylor had made ice cold remark on live TV.
The Swans controlled the first half and took a 37-22 lead into the main break.
The Magpies are still in touching distance and the match appears set to go down to the wire in typical Collingwood fashion.
The Gold Coast Titans are on the cusp of one of the upsets of the season as they lead the Sea Eagles 38-24 with 10 minutes remaining.
Justin Holbrook’s men are playing with a freedom barely seen this season, while Manly need a miracle in the final stages to keep their season alive.
MATCH CENTER: Titans vs Sea Eagles live updates, video stats
Titans forward Jaimin Jolliffe went from zero to hero in the opening minutes of the game.
Jolliffe was a late replacement for Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who was a late omission due to the birth of his child.
Jolliffe dropped the first hit-up of the game but quickly made amends by scoring the opening try of the match in the seventh minute.
Manly struck back when Reuben Garrick scored in the 12th minute and converted his own try.
Sea Eagles utility Dylan Walker came into the game at the 20-minute mark and lasted just 20 seconds before he was binned for a high shot.
“The very first tackle he’s made and he’s gone 10 in the bin,” Corey Parker said on Fox League.
The Titans celebrate scoring. Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
The Gold Coast quickly made them pay with teenager Tanah Boyd throwing a beautiful cut-out pass for Jojo Fifita to score in the corner.
Despite being a man down, Manly found a way to strike back with Jake Trbojevic barging over from close range to score his first try of the season.
Daly Cherry-Evans was looking for the Sea Eagles’ third when he threw a cut-out pass that was picked off by Titans center Brian Kelly who dashed 60 meters to score.
Boyd slotted a penalty on the stroke of halftime push the lead past a converted try.
The Titans burst out of the blocks in the second half to score three tries between the 46th and 57th minutes.
Beau Fermor, AJ Brimson and David Fifita all crossed, with the latter scoring a brilliant try to the delight of Holbrook.
Brad Parker and Tolutau Koula pulled back consolation tries in the 61st minute but it looks too little, too late for Manly.
Follow the action live in our blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.
The Hollywood star was spotted in the crowd at the SCG on Sunday afternoon for the Round 22 contest between Sydney and Collingwood.
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Rock was wearing a red Swans cap and was enjoying the action on his visit to Sydney.
The Swans posted a photo of the actor and comedian holding a jersey signed by the whole Sydney team.
Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor couldn’t help himself, making a not-so-subtle reference to when Rock was famously slapped by Will Smith at the Academy Awards earlier this year.
“Famous face here Chris Rock, of course of Grow Ups fame and he just accepts a slap really well these days doesn’t he, Chris Rock,” Taylor said tongue-in-cheek.
Alister Nicholson valiantly tried to get the commentary back on track, adding: “I reckon in terms of A-listers he’s just behind Buddy Franklin in terms of No. 1 at the SCG today BT.”
AFL fans couldn’t believe Taylor had made ice cold remark on live TV.
The Swans controlled the first half and led 5.7 (37) to 3.5 (22) at the main break.
The Magpies are still in touching distance and the match appears set to go down to the wire in typical Collingwood fashion.
Australian leg-spinner Alana King has become the first cricketer to take a hat-trick in the Hundred women’s competition, achieving the rare feat on debut for the Trent Rockets on Saturday evening AEST.
The 26-year-old helped roll the Manchester Originals for 76 at Old Trafford, finishing her 20-delivery spell with stunning figures of 4/15 including 13 dot balls, the best bowling performance by a female Rockets player in the competition’s short history.
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After removing West Indies veteran Deandra Dottin for a second-ball duck early in Manchester’s run chase, Player of the Match King returned to tear through the Originals middle-order.
The Victorian clean-bowled Cordelia Griffith before trapping rival spinner Sophie Ecclestone on the front pad the very next delivery.
And King completed the hat-trick by bowling Originals captain Kate Cross with a beauty that spun through the gate and crashed into the middle stump, leaving Manchester in dire straits at 7/45.
The Aussie tweaker, donning her trademark sunglasses, celebrated by raising an index finger and sprinting towards cover, reminiscent of the late Shane Warne’s unforgettable 700th Test wicket at the MCG in 2006.
King’s hat-trick took place on the same pitch that childhood hero Warne delivered his iconic “Ball of the Century” in 1993.
“Will I get my name up here at Old Trafford? That would be brilliant. Hopefully right next to Warnie,” King told Sky Sports post-match.
“He took poles here for fun, and I’m sure he was looking down pretty happy.
“He was a massive inspiration, but it wasn’t just me. It was kids all around the world who inspired him to pick up leg spin. He was definitely the reason I picked up leg spin. Hopefully he’s been proud watching down on me spin a few.
“When I was a bit younger, I did a couple of sessions with him. All I remember from that was him saying, ‘Spin it hard and have some fun’. I live by that every single day.
“That’s my first hat-trick. Not even in juniors did I take one. My first hat-trick at Old Trafford, I couldn’t have written it.
“As soon as I got that first wicket, I knew I had to keep aiming for the stumps. I’m just stoked that I can play my part for this team.”
King would have taken four wickets in four balls if the Rockets had reviewed her following delivery, which struck wicketkeeper Eleanor Threlkeld on the pads.
King will be particularly relieved to tick off the career milestone after missing out on a hat-trick during the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
During Australia’s group stage match against Barbados at Edgbaston, captain Meg Lanning dropped a regulation catch at first slip on the hat-trick delivery.
King also starred with the bat on Saturday, smacking an 19 not out off nine deliveries at the death, including two sixes, to steer the Rockets, who were without Lanning and England all-rounder Nat Sciver for personal reasons, towards a defendable total of 5/119.
English wicketkeeper Abigail Freeborn top-scored for the Rockets with an unbeaten 45 off 38 balls, and the Originals came nowhere near chasing the modest total, ultimately suffering a 43-run defeat.
“In the first half, I thought we bowled and fielded really well, and we were happy chasing 120. But then the second bit, we didn’t play like we wanted to play,” Originals coach Paul Shaw said.
“Alana King’s a quality performer who will be around for a long time. She bowled really, really well. But we didn’t play her that well.”
King also held onto a tough outfield catch to remove England’s Ami Campbell for 13 and cap off a superb all-round performance.
“Pretty special but as I said, I’m here to do my job for the team and I’m glad it came off today,” King said.
“It was a fresh wicket today, it was a bit dry and hoping there was some spin and there was. Stoked to get the win and happy I can contribute.
“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. To get our first win was pretty special. We knew we were under par with the bat, and we needed to stick to our game plan with the ball. We wanted to take some early wickets in the powerplay, which we did. As soon as we got their two openers out, we knew the pressure was back on them.”
The last 10 months of King’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary — after winning a Women’s Big Bash League title with the Perth Scorchers in October last year, she made her international debut in all three formats during the recent home summer.
She was a crucial member of Australia’s undefeated Ashes campaign and World Cup triumph in New Zealand before winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Australian superstar Ellyse Perry also impressed on Hundred debut for the Birmingham Phoenix with a blistering 58 (31) against the Welsh Fire in Cardiff.
Player of the Match Perry combined with compatriot Sophie Molineux for a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 82 in 54 balls on the way to a 19-run victory.
The Rockets will next face Birmingham at Edgbaston on Monday, with the first ball scheduled for midnight AEST.
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.
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.”
