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Scott McTominay makes it 4-2 to Manchester United to send them through to fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
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Tag: rugby
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St Helens to face Penrith Panthers in World Club Challenge in Australia
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The fixture will be held at the home of the Penrith Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium, on Saturday February 18, with kick-off at 7am (GMT)
Last Updated: 09/11/22 5:52pm
Super League champions St Helens will travel to Australia to take on NRL champions Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge
Super League champions St Helens will travel to Australia to face NRL champions Penrith Panthers for the World Club Challenge.
The fixture will be held at the home of the Penrith Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium, on Saturday February 18, with kick-off at 7am (GMT).
Relive how St Helens became the first Super League side to win a record four Grand Finals in a row Relive how St Helens became the first Super League side to win a record four Grand Finals in a row
It is the first time the World Club Challenge has taken place since 2020 and the eighth time St Helens have been involved in the fixture, with two wins to their name from 2001 and 2007, both against the Brisbane Broncos.
Penrith Panthers have previously appeared twice in the World Club Challenge and have been defeated on both occasions, once to Wigan Warriors in 1991 and Bradford Bulls in 2004.
With St Helens travelling to Australia in early February, their round one fixture against Huddersfield Giants has been postponed until a later date in the season.
The match-up will mark St Helens’ new head coach Paul Wellens’ first competitive fixture and he is “relishing the opportunity” to show his side’s talent down under.
Paul Wellens is immensely proud to replace Kristian Woolf as the new head coach of St Helens, and says ‘the club is very close to my heart’ after his promotion from assistant coach Paul Wellens is immensely proud to replace Kristian Woolf as the new head coach of St Helens, and says ‘the club is very close to my heart’ after his promotion from assistant coach
“Both ourselves and Penrith have had unrivalled success in recent years and we are relishing the opportunity to go over to Australia and test ourselves against what is undoubtably a great team,” said Wellens.
“It had been disappointing for us that we’ve been unable to have this contest in last couple of years, but it’s great news not just for both clubs, but for the game as a whole that the best teams in both competitions can once again compete in the World Club Challenge.
“We are obviously motivated by achieving further success and this gives us as a club an early opportunity to do exactly that in 2023, we aim to represent ourselves, the town of St Helens and the Super League competition in the best possible manner.”
St Helens lift their fourth Grand Final trophy in a row after a 24-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos St Helens lift their fourth Grand Final trophy in a row after a 24-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos
St Helens R.F.C. chairman Eamonn McManus added: “The 2023 season is the 150th anniversary of our club. The only attainable achievement which has eluded us during our history is to be crowned World Club Champions in Australia.
“Many consider this Penrith Panthers side to be one of, if not the, best side in the history of the NRL. Similarly, St Helens are experiencing an unparalleled period of success in Super League.
“The game in Sydney will represent one of the greatest challenges that St Helens has ever faced. We are really looking forward to meeting it head on.”
Excitement for the game is also felt in the Panthers camp, with their chief executive officer Matt Cameron expressing his excitement at seeing the fixture return to the calendar.
“On behalf of all at Panthers, we look forward to welcoming St Helens to BlueBet Stadium in February,” said Cameron.
“St Helens have been the benchmark team in the Super League for several years now, which will give the Panthers a great challenge to start the new season.
“The World Club Challenge is an important piece of the rugby league calendar and it’s great to see the fixture return for the first time since 2020.”
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‘You plonker!’ | Frazer Clarke & Ricky Hatton share their love for Only Fools and Horses!
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Heavyweight prospect Frazer Clarke visits Ricky Hatton to discuss all things Only Fools and Horses, with the pair big fans of the comedy sitcom.
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Rangers: Michael Beale reflects on his time at Ibrox and the visit north for the Aberdeen match
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Former Rangers coach Michael Beale discusses his return to Ibrox for the win over Aberdeen, his memories of the club and the pressure Giovanni van Bronckhorst is under.
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Kirk Cousins celebrates Vikings win | ‘You like that?!’
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Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins enjoyed the win over his former side the Washington Commanders by delivering his now famous catchphrase.
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Hong Kong says it’s back open for business. Will the world buy it? | CNN
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Hong Kong
CNN
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At a glitzy finance summit in Hong Kong this week, the city’s leader triumphantly told a room packed with top Wall Street executives that the Asian hub was back in business. “The worst is behind us,” he declared.
Two days later, tens of thousands of rugby fans descended on the city’s largest stadium for the Hong Kong Sevens, its biggest (and usually booziest) annual sporting event, which had been suspended since 2019 due to political unrest, and, later, Covid-19.
The two high-profile international events sent a clear message: After almost three years of border closures, mandatory quarantines, and restrictions on businesses and social gatherings, Hong Kong was finally reopening.
For much of the pandemic, the semi-autonomous Chinese city maintained some of the region’s most stringent restrictions, including one of the world’s longest mandatory quarantines for international arrivals. With the economy tanking and concerns mounting that Hong Kong was being left behind as the world moved on, the government finally threw open the city’s doors in September and ended formal quarantine to the relief of millions of people.
“We were, we are and we will remain one of the world’s leading financial centers,” vowed Hong Kong leader John Lee at Wednesday’s summit, attended by more than 200 investors from 20 countries. “You can take that to the bank.”
Speaking on Friday ahead of the kickoff of the Sevens, Hong Kong Rugby Union CEO Robbie McRobbie hailed the return of the tournament as a “catalyst, watershed,” a symbol that “Hong Kong is still a vibrant, resilient city.”
But experts warn the push to revive Hong Kong, while welcome and long overdue, faces many challenges ahead.
The past few years of isolation, which coincided with an ongoing political crackdown, have taken their toll, they said. Despite what Lee and other leaders insist, the Hong Kong that’s reopening is not the same city the world knew before the pandemic – and the true impact of that change remains to be seen.
Last year, as many destinations reopened to travelers and relaxed restrictions, Hong Kong appeared to be stuck in a different reality.
Restaurants, bars and gyms were frequently forced to shutter or limit their hours. Residential buildings were placed under lockdown for days. At one point, public gatherings were capped at two people. And most residents didn’t leave the city for years, unable or unwilling to spend up to three weeks in hotel quarantine at their own cost upon return.
Businesses were hit hard. The Sevens tournament makes up 95% of the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s revenue, so “we’ve had three years of redundancies and cutbacks,” said McRobbie.
Many disillusioned residents chose to leave permanently; this past year, the city recorded its steepest drop in population since records began in 1961. Companies, too, began eyeing other locations – most notably Singapore, Hong Kong’s longtime regional rival.
But Hong Kong authorities, eager to reopen the border with mainland China – which still shows no sign of easing its strict zero-Covid policy that aims to stamp out infections – remained reluctant to loosen restrictions for fear cases would spike and close that door.
Then, a severe outbreak fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant at the start of the year put an end to Hong Kong’s hope of maintaining zero daily cases.
Under mounting public pressure, the government lifted flight bans with certain countries and shortened hotel quarantine in March – but these small concessions did little to lure people back.
According to media reports in August, some Wall Street banks warned their executives would only attend Wednesday’s finance summit if there was quarantine-free travel – a widely-speculated factor behind the government’s ultimate decision to scrap quarantine.
Finance leaders in the city breathed a sigh of relief at the news.
“We’ve been closed for too long,” said Sebastian Paredes, CEO of Singaporean bank DBS’ Hong Kong operations. “We are beginning to open up following the other parts of the world that have already opened up. And this is a tangible demonstration that Hong Kong is back.”
Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia Pacific Economist of French investment bank Natixis, agreed the week’s dual big events were “a big sign of Hong Kong moving away from Covid restrictions to a new world.”
However, the remaining restrictions pose a competitive disadvantage.
International visitors must take Covid tests for seven straight days after arrival in Hong Kong, and for the first three days are barred from restaurants, bars and gyms. But the testing doesn’t stop there – bars and clubs that don’t serve food require proof of a negative rapid antigen test from all patrons.
A mask mandate – indoors and outdoors – is also in effect, though photos of the finance summit show attendees sitting at tables without face coverings. They included the city’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan, who was declared a “recovered case” by health authorities after testing positive for Covid upon arrival from a trip abroad on Tuesday.
These rules are “still largely prohibiting the overseas travel market,” said McRobbie, the Hong Kong rugby chief. Before the pandemic, roughly half the fans at the Sevens came from abroad; this year, that number is “negligible,” he said.
The long stretch of isolation and financial hardship has also created challenges for companies hoping for a comeback. Many people have left the sports and events sectors in the past few years in favor of more stable jobs, leaving the industry short staffed, McRobbie added.
This partial reopening has left the city in an awkward Covid limbo, said Vera Yuen, an economics lecturer at the University of Hong Kong.
“If we want to open up our border with the Mainland China, our restriction is too lenient … so it’s not allowed,” she said. “But then if we want to open ourselves up to the world, we are still too stringent. We are now stuck in between, hoping to see better policies in the future.”
Others also warn of growing political challenges. “Clouds are certainly coming to Hong Kong from different angles,” said banker Garcia-Herrero, pointing to the West’s response to the sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020.
Under this law, pro-democracy activists have been jailed or exiled, independent newsrooms shut down, and former lawmakers targeted. Meanwhile, authorities have changed school curricula to emphasize Chinese history and culture, and pushed greater economic cooperation in the Greater Bay Area, a national scheme to link China’s southern Guangdong province closer with Hong Kong and Macao.
The law has been widely criticized by foreign governments and human rights organizations, with the United States sanctioning Lee and other top Hong Kong officials over their role in the crackdown. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly claimed the law has restored order and stability after the city’s 2019 anti-government, pro-democracy protests.
For the US and the European Union, the national security law and crackdown represent “a change in the rules of the game in what was agreed upon,” said Garcia-Herrero.
These rising tensions could spell trouble for Hong Kong’s trade and diplomatic relationships with other countries. Hong Kong is afforded more freedoms than other Chinese cities, thus has long been seen as a gateway between the mainland and the West – a position that looks increasingly precarious as its civil liberties erode.
“The West would now understand that Hong Kong is not only part of China, but it’s closer to China than before,” said Yuen, the economics lecturer. “The worst scenario is that the West would treat Hong Kong as the same as the mainland China, and then Hong Kong would suffer the kind of sanctions.”
And this drawing closer together is likely to continue. In an effort to stem the brain drain, the government is spending 30 billion Hong Kong dollars ($3.8 billion) to draw in global businesses and fresh talent – which Yuen said is expected to “attract a lot of mainland workers” who may be eager to escape an even more dire job market across the border.
Despite these geopolitical frictions, some argue Hong Kong’s innate advantages will allow a revival – even if the city is heading in a different direction than before.
Asia doesn’t have many other financial centers that can match Hong Kong’s open regulatory environment, low salaries tax and existing financial infrastructure – “therefore, even if the image may be tarnished a little bit, there are not many other places to go,” said Garcia-Herrero.
Yuen echoed this point, saying the city’s proximity to China remains appealing to businesses and investors hoping to tap into the vast and lucrative mainland market.
“We can plug into China and sort of maintain the status as having a little bit of autonomy, and (being) different from them, given different Covid policies and (systems of) governance,” she said.
But, both experts acknowledged, the path forward is now fraught with new risks. International businesses may come to Hong Kong, but be warier in how much they invest in the city, keeping in mind the threat of US sanctions and regional conflict.
Today’s Hong Kong is increasingly under Beijing’s control, with China growing more assertive on the world stage as leader Xi Jinping enters a third term in power surrounded by loyalists. Those rising tensions between China and its rivals have caused growing divides “as the world deglobalizes,” said Garcia-Herrero – effects that inevitably spill over into Hong Kong, caught in the middle.
“It will never be, in my opinion, what it used to be in terms of the openness of Hong Kong to both the West and the East,” she said.
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Kilmarnock 2-3 Livingston | Scottish Premiership highlights
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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership as Kilmarnock took on Livingston at Rugby Park.
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You’re no James Milner! | Jurgen Klopp x Joe Thomlinson FIFA rating
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Jurgen Klopp puts Joe Thomlinson through some physicality drills in order to give him a FIFA rating.
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Rugby League World Cup: England vs Papua New Guinea talking points and team news
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England face Group D runners-up Papua New Guinea in the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup at the DW Stadium in Wigan on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm); Shaun Wane’s team qualified for the knock-out stages as Group A winners with three wins from three
Last Updated: 03/11/22 9:08pm
England winger Dom Young is the leading try-scorer so far in this year’s World Cup
We take a look at what is being said and team news as England’s men take on Papua New Guinea in the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm)…
Young seizing his England opportunity
Dom Young is aiming to carry on where he left off in the group stages as England take on Papua New Guinea in Saturday’s quarter-final.
A further four tries in the first half of the 94-4 win over Greece in Sheffield last Saturday made the 21-year-old the leading try-scorer in the men’s competition with eight so far.
Friday, November 4 – Australia vs Lebanon (Huddersfield, 7.30pm).
Saturday, November 5 – England vs Papua New Guinea (Wigan, 2.30pm), New Zealand vs Fiji (Hull, 7.30pm).
Sunday, November 6 – Tonga vs Samoa (Warrington, 2.30pm).
Young had not played Test rugby prior to the World Cup getting underway, but the Newcastle Knights winger is delighted with the start he has made to life in an England shirt.
“I’m ready to go every week,” Young said. “I didn’t want to be rested so I’m happy I got out there [against Greece].
“I tried leaving it all out on the pitch in each game. I probably couldn’t have expected it to go the way it has but I’m loving every minute of it.”
Young has made such an impression that he has managed to displace England’s record try-scorer Ryan Hall, who took his personal tally to 39 tries in 40 appearances for the national team with a double against the Greeks but was left out of the 19-man squad for the clash with PNG.
Tommy Makinson is set to fill the other wing berth and Young is aiming to ensure England carry on the form which saw them go through the group stage unbeaten. However, he acknowledges they face a step up in competition.
“We’ve played well each game in the group and it’s taking that into the bigger games, the knock-out games,” Young said. “If we keep doing that and keep building on what we’ve been doing, we can get to that final.
“It’s going to be a big step up…they’re a great team and they’re going to come out firing. We need the fans to come out in Wigan.”
‘PNG have learnt from 2017 defeat’
Saturday’s encounter at the DW Stadium is a repeat of the quarter-final from the 2017 World Cup in Australia, where England were comfortable 36-6 winners over Papua New Guinea.
England were victorious against Papua New Guinea in the 2017 World Cup quarter-finals
However, head coach Stanley Tepend is adamant the Kumuls are a much different proposition to that day in Melbourne.
A 36-0 win over Wales on Monday secured PNG’s passage to the knock-out stages as Group D runners-up and Tepend expects the lessons from five years ago to serve the team well.
“We had targets that we wanted to achieve in the pool stages, and we’ve done that, and the performance really showed how tight we all are off the field,” Tepend said.
“I think we’ve learned from what happened in 2017. The players are now a lot smarter and a lot younger. I think we relied on a few individuals but now it’s more of a team effort and we’ve got better players, I guess, as well.”
Six of the players in England’s 24-man squad for the tournament were part of the Great Britain and Ireland team which suffered a surprise 28-10 defeat to the Papua New Guineas in Port Moresby in 2019.
John Bateman was one of those and the Wigan Warriors second row is determined to banish the memories of that loss in Saturday’s clash at the stadium where he plays his club rugby.
“It was a hostile situation, in their backyard, but they are a good side,” Bateman said. “You know what you’re getting with them, they come straight and direct and they’re pretty physical.
“They hit pretty hard but there are lads in our team that hit just as hard. It will be a good contest and we’re looking forward to it.”
Team news
Kallum Watkins is back in England’s squad after missing the win over Greece
England welcome captain Sam Tomkins back after he was rested for the win over Greece and Kallum Watkins returns too after missing that match due to concussion protocols. Herbie Farnworth, Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead are back too.
Watson Boas and Sylvester Namo return to Papua New Guinea’s squad from the win over Wales, while McKenzie Yei comes back into contention for the Kumuls too.
England (from): Sam Tomkins (captain), Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Welsby, Tom Burgess, Michael McIlorum, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Mike McMeeken, Marc Sneyd, Kai Pearce-Paul.
Papua New Guinea (from): Wellington Albert, Jacob Alick, Keven Appo, Watson Boas, Edwin Ipape, Zev John, Alex Johnston, Lachlan Lam, Kyle Laybutt, Nene MacDonald, Rhyse Martin (captain), Sylvester Namo, Jimmy Ngutlik, Justin Olam, Nixon Putt, Daniel Russell, Jeremiah Simbiken, Rodrick Tai, McKenzie Yei.
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Revelers return to Hong Kong 7s for 1st time since pandemic
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HONG KONG — Revelers returned to Hong Kong Stadium on Friday to enjoy a highly-anticipated international rugby sevens tournament for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
It wasn’t a celebration for everyone, though, with some international fans unaware of the city’s pandemic restrictions turned away at the gates.
The Hong Kong Sevens, a popular stop on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit, is part of the government’s drive to restore the city’s image as a vibrant financial hub after it scrapped mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers.
Hundreds of spectators, some in fancy dress and superhero costumes, had gathered by mid-afternoon and the crowd was expected to build up during the evening sessions.
The city’s pandemic rules require spectators to show a photo of their rapid virus test results and scan a risk notification app upon entry. Fans were required to wear masks except when eating or drinking in their seats. The stadium in Causeway Bay will be capped at 85% of its 40,000 capacity.
The world’s leading teams are competing in Hong Kong, where the tournament for the condensed rugby format started in the 1970s and really took hold in the 80s, accelerating rugby seven’s eventual inclusion in the Olympics in 2016.
The two-time Olympic champion and defending World Cup Sevens champion Fijians will be in action, along with 2022 world series champion Australia, which finishes the program on Day 1 against host Hong Kong.
Overseas patrons, who used to account for a significant percentage of ticket sales in what has always been a party-like atmosphere at the stadium, need to comply with extra rules set for arrivals, such as undergoing other COVID tests and monitoring their health. Restaurant and bar visits are not allowed during their first three days in the city.
While some local fans and international spectators weren’t bothered by the controls, the rules proved to be an upsetting experience for others.
Businessman Renier du Plessis from South Africa arrived in the city with three friends on Thursday to watch the tournament but he was barred from entering the stadium because he failed to meet the health code requirements.
They were unaware of the rules partly because they bought the tickets months ago, du Plessis said.
“It’s disappointing, you know, the fact that we cannot do anything. I’m not allowed anywhere. So where am I supposed to be for the next three days?” he said.
Some German exchange students were already used to the precautionary rules and did not find them troublesome.
“It’s probably one of the biggest events that we will attend in Hong Kong over our time, and we only have one month left. So we’re really looking forward to this,” 21-year-old university student Bella Müller said.
Hong Kongers, who mostly came in groups, were excited to attend a long-awaited large scale event. IT specialist Janssen Chow, 26, was happy that he could at least eat and drink in an enjoyable atmosphere.
“It’s already better than just sitting here,” he said.
At a separate forum Friday, Regina Ip, a leading member of Hong Kong’s cabinet, the Executive Council, described the Hong Kong Sevens as a “test.” If the infection figures have not surged rapidly after the three-day event, she said that the city would have the conditions to further open up.
The former British colony also kicked off a five-day “FinTech Week,” and a major financial conference that featured more than 200 global financial executives this week.
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More AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports
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Autumn Internationals: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton implores Ireland to keep on evolving
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Ireland take on world champions South Africa in their first fixture of the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday at 5.30pm; Andy Farrell’s team will also face Fiji and Australia at the Aviva Stadium on successive weekends
Last Updated: 02/11/22 11:17am
Ireland start their autumn campaign against South Africa on Saturday
Captain Johnny Sexton says Ireland must keep on evolving during the Autumn Internationals as the next Rugby World Cup comes into focus.
The in-form Irish are preparing to begin their autumn campaign against world champions South Africa, having shot to the top of the global rankings following a historic summer series win in New Zealand.
With the start of the 2023 tournament in France just over 10 months away, fly-half Sexton has credited the Irish coaching staff with increasing competition for places and not allowing established players to slide into their comfort zones.
Head coach Andy Farrell has been training with a squad of 49 in Dublin ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Springboks, which is preceded by Friday evening’s fixture between an Ireland A team and an All Blacks XV.
Ireland’s Autumn Internationals
Saturday, November 5 Ireland vs South Africa 5.30pm Saturday, November 12 Ireland vs Fiji 1pm Saturday, November 19 Ireland vs Australia 8pm “You’ve got to keep evolving, you’ve got to keep getting better,” Sexton said. “If you stay the same, other teams will pass you out.
“We need to build a real competition for places so that no one can get comfortable and that is exactly what the coaches are doing.
“They’re challenging us in how we play the game, they’re challenging us by putting all these extra fixtures in, with the Emerging Ireland tour, the Maori games, now the New Zealand A game, so all these guys are getting chances to impress the coaches and to play under the coaches, to listen and put what the coaches want out on the pitch.
“There were 50 players at training, and I was thinking to myself 20 of them are going to be left at home for the World Cup.
“And I couldn’t pick who is going to be left at home, there are going to be some good players left out.
“That’s exactly where we want to be and keep cultivating. Those are the lessons we learnt that we’re implementing.”
Ireland approach the autumn following a highly successful summer in New Zealand
Ireland and South Africa are poised to lock horns for the first time in five years before meeting again next September at the World Cup.
While the pool stage fixture in Paris adds an extra dimension to the weekend clash, Sexton insists his attention is almost exclusively on short-term matters.
“I’m just trying to focus on what is straight in front of me,” said the 37-year-old Leinster player.
“I haven’t thought too much about the bigger picture. It’s a driving factor, but it’s not something I think about this week, for example.
“We have spoken about the World Cup of course and have that as the goal so we are always building towards that.
“We don’t refer to it week on week. It is very much focused on South Africa this week.”
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Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Courtney Winfield-Hill ready to build something special with England | ‘We can grow momentum’
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“It was really special”: Courtney Winfield-Hill scored three tries as England secured a huge 72-4 victory over Brazil in their Rugby League World Cup opener; Next, they face Canada in a double-header with the men’s team at Wigan
By Megan Wellens
Last Updated: 01/11/22 5:44pm
Courtney Winfield-Hill was in fine form as England got their World Cup campaign under way
England half-back Courtney Winfield-Hill believes her side can build from a “really special” opening victory against Brazil, as they look to go all the way at the Rugby League World Cup.
In a player of the match performance, Winfield-Hill scored a hat-trick in England’s dominant win over Brazil and admitted it was a moment to remember as they walked out to the roaring crowd at Headingley as stands packed with local school children cheered for the home nation.
“It was really special and I think that is something that England rugby league fans do really well,” said Winfield-Hill.
“Especially here at Headingley, to hear that South Stand drum giving us a really big lift through moments in that game, that was incredibly special.
“It was a big occasion today with the number of people in the crowd and the volume going off.
“It all adds to it and now we have experienced, perhaps we can settle in a little more and just get minds on the game.”
Despite a resounding win, Winfield-Hill believes England have a lot of areas to improve if they are going to secure their goal of winning the World Cup on home soil.
“Patchy is the word I would use to describe it,” she added.
“We were really good in certain patches then we probably got a bit excited at times and just lost touch with a couple of basics.
“I am sure Craig (Richards) and the coaching staff will get us back on the straight and narrow over the next couple of days.
“Georgia (Roche) and I have only been together at Leeds for a year and it has been clunky at times, there is no denying that for us.
“But it was also really good today to have some time with Zoe Harris and just connecting a different partnership because we know that throughout this tournament, everybody is going to play a part and there is going to be different combinations at times.”
On Saturday, England will have another special moment as they play in front of a packed-out crowd in a double-header with the men’s team at Wigan, with the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton attending the occasion.
“We just need to learn to gain momentum through basics. I think we lost it at points there today and we know that comes through discipline,” Winfield-Hill said.
“So, solidifying a few basics will be on the agenda and I am really looking forward to the double-header with the men, who are building some terrific momentum themselves.
“That will be another really good moment to be a part of.”
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Kevin Proctor: Wakefield Trinity sign former New Zealand international for 2023 Super League season
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Back row Kevin Proctor was sacked by NRL club Gold Coast Titans in July for posting a video of himself on social media vaping in the CommBank Stadium toilets during a game in which he was not playing; the former New Zealand international has signed a 12-month contract with Wakefield
Last Updated: 31/10/22 10:52pm
Kevin Proctor is moving to Wakefield on a one-year contract
Former New Zealand Test forward Kevin Proctor has joined Wakefield Trinity for the 2023 Betfred Super League season.
The 33-year-old back row was considering retiring from the game after being sacked by NRL club Gold Coast Titans in July for posting a video of himself on social media vaping in the CommBank Stadium toilets during a game in which he was not playing.
But the ex-Melbourne Storm player, who won 22 caps for the Kiwis up to 2019, has signed a 12-month deal with Trinity and is looking forward to sampling Super League.
“I just can’t wait to get over and get going,” Proctor said. “The challenge is something I’m really looking forward to.
“I’m hoping my experience will complement the squad and the young fellas that are a part of it.
“I’m really hungry to succeed and can’t wait for the journey to start.”
Wakefield’s new head coach Mark Applegarth expects Proctor’s experience and ability to provie invaluable as Trinity aim to avoid another season of being involved in the relegation battle.
“I’m really happy to have Kevin on board for 2023,” Applegarth said.
“He’s a player that’s done it all in Australia and somebody I’m looking forward to working with. He will definitely drive the standards of the group up in training and games as he’s a real competitor.
“After chatting with Kevin on numerous occasions, it’s clear to see he’s coming over with plenty of ambition left to compete at the highest level. I can’t wait for him to get started.”
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England vs Argentina: Jonny May and Owen Farrell both included for opening Autumn Nations Series fixture
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Eddie Jones has named Owen Farrell and Jonny May in his 36-player squad for England’s opening Autumn Nations Series fixture against Argentina on Sunday
Last Updated: 31/10/22 2:45pm
Owen Farrell has been included in Eddie Jones’ 36-player squad for England’s opening Autumn Nations Series fixture against Argentina
Injury doubts Owen Farrell and Jonny May have both included in England’s squad for their opening Autumn Nations Series fixture against Argentina on Sunday.
Saracens fly-half Farrell (concussion) and Gloucester wing May (dislocated elbow) suffered injuries playing in the Premiership but head coach Eddie Jones has named both men in his 36-player squad for the visiting Pumas.
Farrell returned to the squad and will continue through the latter stages of his graduated return to play protocols in camp. There is also a return for May, despite dislocating his elbow two weeks ago.
Jamie George, Henry Arundell and Will Stuart will be continuing their rehab in camp, while Lewis Ludlam was unavailable for selection following an abdominal wall injury sustained before he joined with the squad in Jersey.
Newcastle Falcons’ Sean Robinson has also been called up to the squad.
Eddie Jones’ England squad are in Jersey for a training camp ahead of facing Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham over successive weekends.
More to follow…
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Scores & Schedule
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Catch up on all the scores from the Paris Masters with Brits Cameron Norrie and Andy Murray in action from Bercy.
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Rugby League World Cup: England’s Kai Pearce-Paul out to forge own path after Sonny Bill Williams comparisons
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Marc Bazeley
From his junior days with Croydon Hurricanes to starring on the world stage for England, Kai Pearce-Paul has made impressive progress in his rugby league career; the 21-year-old has drawn comparisons from some quarters with one of the sport’s greats as well
Last Updated: 30/10/22 5:51pm
Kai Pearce-Paul earned his first Test cap for England as they defeated Greece at the Rugby League World Cup
With his deft offloading ability, strong ball carrying and tough tackling, it is perhaps no surprise Kai Pearce-Paul has drawn comparisons to one of the greats from some quarters.
The 21-year-old Wigan Warriors player has been tagged as ‘The English Sonny Bill Williams’, with the New Zealand cross-code icon being one of the players Pearce-Paul admired as a youngster.
It is a comparison he takes in his stride, although Pearce-Paul is more concerned with being his own man rather than measuring himself against Williams or anyone else.
“I hear that a bit from my friends as well because I like to offload and it’s something he did,” Pearce-Paul said. “He was the master of that, really, and I’ve had a few comparisons in my time.
“He’s a great guy, an unreal player, and he’s done it all, really. He was someone I looked up to as a kid.
“I don’t like to compare myself, and if people want to say it then it’s okay and they can do that. But I’m my own player and he’s a great player as well, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
Pearce-Paul is now a fully-fledged international player too after making his England Test debut in the 94-4 win over Greece on Saturday which secured top spot in Group A of the Rugby League World Cup, capping a memorable day with a try and two assists.
It is the latest step on a journey which began for the Bromley-born second row or centre as a junior player with community club Croydon Hurricanes and continued with him joining the academy set-up at London Broncos.
Impressive displays in the U19s competition for the Broncos and for Lancashire in the Academy Origin series led to Wigan bringing him in on an initial four-year contract in 2019, and Pearce-Paul has become an established first-team regular since making his debut in September 2020.
His performances this year earned him a place in Shaun Wane’s 24-man England squad for the World Cup and after sitting out the opening win over Samoa and being 18th man for the match against France, he finally got the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition against the Greeks at Bramall Lane.
“It’s been a long journey, and this is something you can only dream of, playing as a young boy for Croydon Hurricanes and down in London,” Pearce-Paul said.
Kai Pearce-Paul’s stats vs Greece
Tries 1 Assists 2 Run metres 197 Post-contact metres 79 Tackle busts 7 Linebreaks 2 Linebreak assists 1 Offloads 2 Offloads to hand 2 “I was a young kid thinking one day I wanted to play for my country and now it’s something which has become a reality.
“It was something which took a while to hit me but running out on that pitch and having the crowd roaring, it all became so real and that was a great feeling.”
Pearce-Paul is not the only player from outside rugby league’s northern heartland in England’s squad, with Basingstoke-born former Broncos back row Mike McMeeken another one who has blazed a trail too.
But although he was in the minority among his friends in playing the 13-man code growing up, his progress has attracted plenty of attention from them.
Kai Pearce-Paul put the finishing touch on an outstanding Wigan Warriors play to score this try in the Betfred Super League. Kai Pearce-Paul put the finishing touch on an outstanding Wigan Warriors play to score this try in the Betfred Super League.
“As a kid, I was one of the only ones of my mates who played rugby league and they all really respected how good the game was,” Pearce-Paul said.
“Obviously it’s not as big down in London, but I’ve had a lot of messages from old friends and rugby union friends saying congratulations and watching.
“The support is there, which is nice, and it’s good having old friends, teachers and family watching me play.”
Pearce-Paul will now hope he has done enough to retain his place in Wane’s matchday 17 when England head to his second home of Wigan for the quarter-finals on Saturday, November 5, where Papua New Guinea are their most likely opponents.
Kai Pearce-Paul capped a memorable England debut against Greece with a try
He already knew Wane from the 58-year-old’s role as the Warriors’ leadership and management director and is enjoying his time being coached by the man who guided Wigan to three Super League Grand Final triumphs as part of the England squad.
“It’s been really good,” Pearce-Paul said. “He’s an honest man and very straightforward – he tells you how it is.
“The boys respect that about him and that brings the respect of wanting to play for him. That’s a way of paying him back, playing well and doing what he coaches us.
“It’s what you expect with Waney. Having him around Wigan, I always knew the kind of guy he was and he’s a great guy, and it’s the same at England.
“It translates onto the pitch in how we’re playing in these last few games, which is really good.”
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Mexico City Grand Prix | Race highlights
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Highlights of the Mexico City Grand Prix from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
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Rugby League World Cup: Emily Rudge leads strong England Women’s side for opener against Brazil
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England head coach Craig Richards has named his 19-player squad as side kick-off the Women’s World Cup against debutants Brazil as part of a double-header at Headingley on Tuesday (2.30pm)
Last Updated: 30/10/22 12:33pm
England head coach Craig Richards and captain Emily Rudge are ready for the first game of the Women’s World Cup
Emily Rudge will lead England into the fourth Rugby League World Cup of her career when they open the women’s tournament against Brazil.
Head coach Craig Richards’ squad for the opening match of the tournament at Headingley on Tuesday sees all four previous winners of the Woman of Steel award included as well.
Leeds Rhinos’ half-back pairing Georgia Roche and Courtney Winfield-Hill, St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham and this year’s winner Tara-Jane Stanley are all in line to feature.
Rudge is the most experienced player in the squad and is set to win her 37th England cap when she leads the team out to face the World Cup debutants in the Group A opener.
Other notable selections include Leeds back Caitlin Beevers, who at 21 has already won two Women’s Super League titles and a Challenge Cup, England’s all-time leading try-scorer Amy Hardcastle of St Helens and Wigan Warriors’ Vicky Molyneux.
The latter is the sole member of the present squad who was part of England Women’s very first international outing against France in 2007.
The match against Brazil at 2.30pm is part of a double-header at Headingley to kick off the women’s tournament and is followed by Papua New Guinea taking on Canada at 5pm.
England 19-player squad vs Brazil
Emily Rudge (captain), Tara Stanley, Caitlin Beevers, Fran Goldthorp, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Grace Field, Tara Jones, Hollie Dodd, Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Molyneux, Vicky Whitfield, Shona Hoyle, Olivia Wood, Keara Bennett, Zoe Harris, Zoe Hornby.
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New Zealand 55-3 Wales: Black Ferns knock Wales out of Rugby World Cup at quarter-final stage
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Portia Woodman’s two tries ended Wales’ Rugby World Cup hopes as hosts New Zealand triumphed 55-3 in their quarter-final in Whangarei; the Black Ferns now take on France, who overcame Italy 39-3, in Auckland on November 5
Last Updated: 29/10/22 10:38am
New Zealand’s Portia Woodman became the highest World Cup try-scorer of all time with her double against Wales
New Zealand eased past Wales 55-3 in Whangarei to reach the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
In a convincing victory for the reigning champions, Portia Woodman scored two tries to become the Rugby World Cup all-time top try-scorer on 20 – overtaking England’s Sue Day.
In Saturday’s earlier quarter-final, France produced a dominant second-half performance to blow Italy away 39-3, meaning they will face New Zealand in the semi-final in Auckland on November 5.
Woodman opened the scoring against Wales on 13 minutes before Ruby Tui, Sarah Hirini and Amy Rule powered the Black Ferns into a 26-3 half-time lead.
It got no better for Wales after the break, with Woodman’s second coming three minutes into the restart, and the defending champions pulled further clear as Luka Connor scored twice, Alana Bremner crossed and Ruahei Demant finished things off.
Wales, beaten 56-12 by New Zealand in the pool stages two weeks ago, were never able to get a grip on the game as the Black Ferns’ powerful pack overran them.
The opening try came from a line-out, with New Zealand quickly shifting the ball across the field and finding Woodman with the space to power over.
Sarah Hirini was one of four New Zealand try-scorers in the first half
Wales replied with a penalty from Keira Bevan but that was only a temporary reprieve, and moments later, Woodman hauled in a high cross-field kick from Demant and laid it off for Tui to do the rest.
Theresa Fitzpatrick raced through the middle of the field and, although she was stopped short of the line, Woodman laid it off for Hirini to go over in the corner.
Ayesha Leti-I’iga was stopped short of the line after a scrum but with Wales struggling to get out of their own 22, the next try was only a matter of time.
Keira Bevan, with a first-half penalty, was the only Wales player to get on the scoresheet in Whangarei
It arrived in the 39th minute when Woodman charged forward after a line-out and Rule finished it off.
After the break, New Zealand picked up where they left off, turning it over from a breakdown as Woodman crossed to break Day’s record.
Six minutes later the Black Ferns tore up a Wales scrum and replacement Connor, just on for Georgia Ponsonby, grabbed the try.
The contest was over but the hosts were out to make a statement – and they did just that as Bremner, Connor again and Demant pushed the score beyond the half-century.
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham told ITV Sport: “There’s still a fairly big gap between Wales and the top teams in the world – the scoreboard doesn’t lie.
“The intensity and speed they (New Zealand) can play at and sustain for 80 minutes is somewhere we’ve got to try and get to.
“But I’m so proud of the girls’ efforts tonight, especially in the first half. We asked them to front up physically and I thought we really did.
“So much effort, commitment and sacrifice is made by these players. We’ve only been professional since January so I’m excited as to where this team can go over the next few years.”
Ruahei Demant rounded off the Black Ferns’ resounding victory with their final try of the game
France power past Italy to reach last four
New Zealand now take on France, who brushed aside quarter-final debutants Italy with a dominant second-half performance to triumph 39-3 in Whangarei.
Winger Joanna Grisez scored three of her side’s five tries, including a score on the overlap in the 70th minute to cap an impressive team effort.
The French, who enjoyed 61 per cent of possession, led 10-3 at the break before stepping up a gear in the second period.
Their other scores came from Laure Touye and a penalty try. Caroline Drouin registered two conversions – with Lina Queyroi adding a third – and two penalties, while the boot of Michela Sillari provided Italy’s solitary score.
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