Month: November 2022

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AMID ALL THE possible combinations and permutations in Ireland’s midfield, Bundee Aki has remained almost a constant in either 12 or 13 shirt since making his Test debut against South Africa in 2017.

While others have been left to rue untimely injuries to stall their progress and prevent them challenging for a sustained run in Joe Schmidt’s team, Aki has proven remarkably durable in winning 14 caps.

Aki in training today. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

While playing all five Grand Slam games last season, as well as two Tests in Australia and, of course, a pivotal role in the win over the All Blacks, the only centre in Ireland’s current squad who Aki has not partnered at Test level is Tom Farrell. Given their devastating combination with at provincial level, it seems only a matter of time.

“Tom is putting his head down, doing what he is told,” Aki said after training at Carton House today.

“He is working well, training hard. He is doing exactly what he is doing at Connacht. I’m sure when Tom gets the opportunity to pull on that green jersey, I’m sure he will perform as well as he does for Connacht.”

Against Scotland, Aki was in harness with Chris Farrell for the first time since the Munster powerhouse’s man-of-the-match display in the win over Wales last year. After a slight concern over a knee knock, the pair could be reunited this weekend, a prospect that Aki would advise Michele Campagnaro, or any opponents, to be braced for.

Farrell runs at Greig Laidlaw in the win over Scotland. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

“Chris is a big boy and well able to look after himself at the moment,” said the Connacht stalwart.

“Came back in against Scotland and played really well. He’s an unbelievable player, he has a good skill set. He’s a big lad, is hard to take down.

Aki casually brushes off the tag of ever-present in Schmidt’s back-line, leaning in to the notion that it is he who is slotting in as the contingency option rather than his many centre partners. However, building an array of combinations and options is certainly no harm ahead of the World Cup.

“The good thing about it is you are trying to create different combinations with different people which is really cool. You know how other guys how they play and what they like to do.

“I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, it’s about building properly together as a group during the week because you never know who is going to be playing. I think Joe nailed it throughout the week, making sure we got together in groups, in the partnerships. Making sure we get together, look at the analysis, talk to each other, how we’d defend, things like that. It’s about making sure everyone is on the same page. No one misses a beat. That’s what Joe has planted in us.”

Yet as for specific Schmidt requirements that have kept Aki in situ since 2017, the former Waikato Chief insists:

“He doesn’t demand anything of me. He just wants me to make sure I play the game, am comfortable, feel free to play and express myself, making sure I gel well with guys inside and outside of me. Not shying away from anything.”

“Joe has given a lot of confidence to most of the guys who came in at the last minute, as you saw with Will Addison last year, same as Chris Farrell. Joe has trust in a lot of the boys. Boys do perform really well when they are chucked in the deep end. I think that is something we have built on really well.”

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According to Dave Meltzer, Bruce Prichard has been traveling with WWE since January as a consultant.
Last Friday a deal was reached to bring him in on the creative team. Many have stated he will be Vince’s right hand man and a “very key guy” on the creative team.
Along with Prichard WWE has brought in many new producers over the past few weeks. Names such as Jeff Jarrett, Chris Parks(Abyss), Hurricane Helms, Davari, and Sonjay Dutt.Click Here: Internacional soccer tracksuit

Madison Rayne Explains Her Impact Wrestling Return

November 20, 2022 | News | No Comments

In an interview with Impact Wrestling, Madison Rayne spoke about her absence from the company and her plans now that she has officially returned. It was announced last week that Rayne signed a multi-year deal with Impact shortly after leaving Ring of Honor due to creative differences. Here are highlights:
On being back in Impact: “I’m back! I just took a break. I am officially home, I am back at Impact Wrestling. Things are going to be a little different this time around. I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of… I have done my homework. I know that Taya Valkyrie is the current Knockouts Champion. If I have anything to say about that, her reign will be [short lived].”
On when she starts: “I’m going to start tonight. I am back, effective immediately. There’s no easing me back in, there’s no grace period, my contract is in effect as of today and I am back. I am headed to Dayton and then I will be in Louisville tomorrow, and I’m hitting the ground running. I’m excited.”
On her plans: “If I ruffle some feathers in the locker room this time around, that’s okay, because the last time I came back, it wasn’t in my plans to come back. I thought I was coming back purely to hit [Josh Matthews’] mute button a bit more at the commentary table, but things happen. They unfolded the way they did and I got back in the ring, and you know, I told my story last time. Now everybody knows, okay? We all get it – Madison’s a mom, Madison was on the comeback trail. I’m a little bit more focused this time. It’s all about business. As much as I love coming home to Impact, as much as I love that locker room, at the end of the day, it’s about one thing and that’s the Knockouts Championship. And I’m bringing it home for the sixth time.”Click Here: nrl jerseys 2020

Jim Ross signs with All Elite Wrestling

November 20, 2022 | News | No Comments

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has signed a deal with All Elite Wrestling. The news came during the episode 10 of The Road to Double or Nothing on YouTube as Cody and the rest of the AEW staff tries to build the broadcast team for their pay-per-view.
In the video, Cody showed up at JR’s house for an interview. JR goes over the tragedy of his wife and how he needed to get back in the game because he still has things to offer.
“Every time I had these heartbreak situations. Every time I have been down, the wrestling fans would pick me up. For whatever reason, we, meaning myself and the fanbase, have connected. In the wrestling business, the fans become your family,” Ross said.
Ross said there’s nothing in his life that will make him happier than what he’s about to do. He said he wants to be a role model to the roster and the opportunity to do something new, representing something new with fresh ideas, was something he couldn’t pass up.
“I wasn’t ready to throw my hat away. I wanna play,” JR continued.
Cody finished up the video with the producer asking him why is he so set on Jim Ross. “Because he’s Jim f***ing Ross,” Cody bluntly answers.
In the press release that followed, It’s stated that Ross signed a three-year deal with AEW in the role of Senior Advisor. “Effective immediately, Ross will take on the role as Senior Advisor in what is the most lucrative deal in pro wrestling commentary history,” the PR said.
You can see it below.Click Here: Hurricanes rugby store

Dragons 15Ulster 28

Alex Bywater reports from Rodney Parade

ULSTER CONTINUED THEIR push for the Guinness Pro14 play-off spots with a vital 28-15 bonus-point victory over the Dragons.

Horrible conditions and a poor Rodney Parade surface meant the game won’t live long in the memory in terms of entertainment, but Dan McFarland’s side still scored four tries.

Ulster – remarkably – lost three men to yellow cards at various stages, but they were comfortable winners as the impressive Jordi Murphy, Marty Moore and John Cooney all scored tries before a crucial late effort from skipper Alan O’Connor.

A penalty score and a Taine Basham try for the Dragons gave Ulster something to worry about.

John Cooney skips home for Ulster’s third. Source: Alex Davidson/INPHO

Ulster ended the first half with 14 men but still 7-3 up.

Dragons lost captain Richard Hibbard in the warm-up and his stand-in as skipper Harrison Keddie to a foot injury, but they did open the scoring through Josh Lewis.

The visitors hit back as phase after phase ended with Murphy crashing over from close range and Cooney converted before Lewis missed a second penalty effort.

Flying wing Robert Baloucoune was tackled into touch by the covering Jordan Williams as Ulster pushed for a second, but Darren Cave was then yellow carded for an early tackle on Lewis.

Baloucoune is tackled into touch as he attempts to score. Source: Alex Davidson/INPHO

A man deficit failed to stop Ulster moving further clear on the game’s resumption with two quick scores. First Moore crashed over after taking a fine line from a Cooney pass.

Then the scrum-half turned from creator to scorer as he pounced for a third Ulster try following a poor kick inside his own 22 by Rhodri Williams of the Dragons.

Cooney added two conversions and that was the game.

The final quarter saw plenty of action.

Rob Lyttle and Louis Ludik were both sent to the sin bin for deliberate knock-ons and the Dragons were awarded a penalty try in the second of those instances.

Marty Moore bagged Ulster’s second. Source: Alex Davidson/INPHO

An automatic seven points gave the hosts some respectability, but Ulster were comfortable winners and even with 13 men on the field they were able to crash over for a bonus-point effort via O’Connor.

There was still time late on for the Dragons to grab a late consolation via Basham who was one of their few bright sparks.

Ulster

Louis Ludik
Robert Baloucoune
Darren Cave
Stuart McCloskey
Rob Lyttle
Billy Burns
John Cooney

Eric O’Sullivan
Rob Herring
Marty Moore
Alan O’Connor (Captain)
Kieran Treadwell
Sean Reidy
Jordi Murphy
Nick Timoney

Replacements
Andrew Warwick
John Andrew
Wiehahn Herbst
Ian Nagle
Matthew Rea
David Shanahan
James Hume
Peter Nelson

Dragons

Jordan Williams
Hallam Amos
Adam Warren
Jarryd Sage
Dafydd Howells
Josh Lewis
Rhodri Williams

Brok Harris
Richard Hibbard (Captain)
Lloyd Fairbrother
Joe Davies
Matthew Screech
Huw Taylor
Taine Basham
Harri Keddie

Replacements
Rhys Lawrence
Josh Reynolds
Leon Brown
Max Williams
Lennon Greggains
Tavis Knoyle
Jason Tovey
Tyler Morgan

Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)

Scorers for Dragons:
Try: Penalty, Basham.
Pen: Lewis

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Scorers for Ulster:
Tries: Murphy, Moore, Cooney, O’Connor
Cons: Cooney x3, Burns

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NOEL MCNAMARA’S IRELAND U20s were clearly well prepared to deal with the major threat of France number eight Jordan Joseph on Friday night in Cork.

Liam Turner and Craig Casey tackle Joseph.

The 115kg powerhouse is hard to miss but Ireland did a superb job in managing his ball-carrying ability as a 31-29 victory secured their Six Nations trophy and teed them up for a Grand Slam shot against Wales this Friday in Colwyn Bay.

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18-year-old Joseph – who already has nine senior appearances for Racing 92 – made 47 metres in his 12 carries, although around 15 metres of that total came from running a support line off a Louis Carbonel linebreak.

That’s not to diminish the wonderkid’s work-rate off the ball or his subsequent try-scoring offload, but Ireland managed Joseph impressively at Musgrave Park.

Ireland brought a consistently low tackle focus when defending against Joseph, as we see for his very first carry of the evening below.

Click here if you cannot view the clip above

A linebreak has France firmly on the front foot here as Joseph arrives to carry but Ireland inside centre Seán French lines the French number eight up early and drops low into the tackle, grounding Joseph and allowing John Hodnett to attempt to make a turnover.

French – who came into the team to replace injured captain David Hawkshaw – isn’t a small player himself, standing at 6ft 2ins, so the effort to get this low is evident but he’s sticking to Ireland’s pre-agreed tactics around Joseph.

Later in the first half, we see out-half Ben Healy – who was a late inclusion in the starting team due to Harry Byrne being ruled out – doing something similar in this tackle on Joseph.

Click here if you cannot view the clip above 

Again, Healy dips in low on Joseph, focusing on getting as firm a wrap of his arms as possible, taking out the big Frenchman’s leg drive immediately. 

And again, Joseph is rapidly put to ground, with outside centre Liam Turner competeing at the breakdown this time to slow down the French possession.

Ireland did tackle high on Joseph at times, particularly when they put more than one defender into the tackle on him, but it was a little surprising that the most momentum-shifting hit on the French talisman came from the smallest Irish player on the pitch.

76kg scrum-half Craig Casey, who was superb for McNamara’s side before being forced off injured in the 6th minute, found himself defending in front of Joseph as the number eight carried off Carbonel just before half-time.

With the French pushing for a score that would have stretched their lead at the break, Casey stepped up with force.

Click here if you cannot view the clip above

Joseph initially bumps Casey as the scrum-half enters the tackle up high first time around, with Turner lending a shoulder on the inside to slow the France back row.

But the tenacious Casey comes back strongly for a second bite as Turner slows Joseph, with the Shannon RFC halfback dipping to Joseph’s thighs, driving his right shoulder into the Frenchman’s midriff, and determinedly pumping his legs upfield to win the contest.

It’s a statement moment from Casey and Ireland, with the French producing a handling error three phases later in the face of the staunch defence.

Ireland’s attack also flourished in this game, with their three tries helping them towards victory, and Casey played an integral part in the third of those scores just before he departed injured.

A Healy linebreak from Charlie Ryan’s sharp link pass puts Ireland into a superb attacking position, with Casey picking and sniping to the left of the ruck for a second bust.

Click here if you cannot view the clip above

Casey goes close to scoring himself here, but Quentin Delord and Joseph do just enough to prevent him from dotting down.

The Ireland scrum-half is injured badly in the tackle but still turns to present the ball back on his own team’s side, rather than selfishly attempting to finish when there is no clear space to do so.

As Ireland recycle and carry to the left through Hodnett, Joseph realises Casey is in pain on the ground and proceeds to show notable selflessness.

Click here if you cannot view the clip above

Joseph gets back to his feet and grabs the trapped Casey by his arm, with France second row Adrien Warrion moving to take his weight off the Ireland scrum-half, before Joseph drags him away from the ruck.

Joseph’s concern for an injured opposition player is remarkable, particularly given that his own team are desperately trying to defend their tryline. 

Joseph deposits Casey in the in-goal area [white above] before rejoining the French defence, only for Ireland replacement loosehead Callum Reid to score with a pick and drive on the other side of the ruck.

Whether Joseph’s actions are medically advisable is up for debate, but his concern for Casey is symbolic of the purity of U20s rugby, which is always enjoyable to watch.

There is still an element of naivety on display, although that is so often an enjoyable element of the rugby as it leads to more open games and players being willing to take arisks.

Joseph’s actions, even after a frustrating evening of running at the determined Irish defence, were certainly appreciated by many of the Irish supporters.

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A WORST SIX Nations finish in 13 years.

A dismal campaign in which Ireland Women managed just one win and four defeats from their five outings, as they finished fifth. 

A first-ever Six Nations loss to Italy and now, a drop to 10th in the latest World Rugby rankings which sees Adam Griggs’ side below non-Six Nations playing Spain.

Dejection at the close of the Six Nations. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

This comes just six years after Ireland’s historic Grand Slam triumph in 2013, five years after that incredible World Cup run in which they recorded an historic victory over the Black Ferns, and four years after their second — and last — Six Nations title lift in 2015.

2017, of course, brought a hugely disappointing World Cup showing on home soil and since then, things have just spiraled downward and downward.

“The whole game is completely dismantled,” former boss Philip Doyle told Newstalk’s Off The Ball this evening.

While ex-captain Fiona Steed also joined Joe Molloy for an in-depth discussion on the crisis, Doyle delivered a passionate argument for change. ‘Goose’ feels that much of the problems stem from the 15s v 7s debate.

“It is an Olympic sport and they are going to go for qualification,” he said of the 7s, explaining why the IRFU put much of their focus on that discipline.

It’s very much the priority in Anthony Eddy and the IRFU’s view, and Doyle added that money is obviously another huge incentive.

Philip Doyle. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

“But unfortunately, it’s been totally at the detriment of the 15s,” he continued. “We’ve asked for a technical review after the World Cup two years ago and we got a three-point aim for the next World Cup.

“One of them was to finish top-three in the Six Nations. Well, that’s obviously gone flat on its head straight off.

Elaborating on the dismantlement and ‘complete neglect’ of 15s, the Grand-Slam winning coach said: “There won’t be a 15s team to play for basically.

“It’s not being looked after at all. I’m very annoyed about. Why shouldn’t I and why shouldn’t everybody else be?

“It hasn’t been brought forward. We gave them a fantastic base to go from but there’s no technical direction. There’s nothing going forward. The coaches are saying, ‘We made progress.’ No they didn’t. They made no progress this year. They’re going backwards.”

Doyle with Niamh Briggs and Joy Neville at the 2014 World Cup. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

While he does understand the lure of the 7s, Doyle believes that both must be treated equally.

“Don’t prioritise it. You can’t prioritise it at the detriment of the 15s. You just can’t. The 15s are the backbone. There wouldn’t be any 7s if there was no 15s, end of story.”

While Doyle has voiced his concerns to the IRFU’s higher-ups, he says that they won’t entertain him because of his criticism.

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But in short, what needs to happen?

While fundamental skills and improvements on the pitch definitely do need to be seen, there are much bigger issues that run deeper. From the ground up, the IRFU must start at grassroots level, he concluded.

“A complete overhaul of the whole season structure and proper infrastructure put in place for all teams in the AIL, inter-provincial,” he concluded, “coaching-wise.

“That’s it in a nutshell. It’s extremely doable and relitively cheap for the IRFU in my eyes.”

You can watch the full discussion here:

Source: Off The Ball/YouTube

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WWE has reportedly signed two new Australian stars to developmental contracts. Fox Sports Australia has confirmed that Jonah Rock (Jermaine Haley) and Elliot Sexton (Brendan Vink) have signed deals with the company and will report to the Performance Center in Florida this month.
Both men are described as powerhouse-style wrestlers. Rock is thirty years old and competed in PWG’s 2018 Battle of Los Angeles. The two worked as a team in Australia as SexRock, having last worked for Melbourne City Wrestling in mid-January for what was their farewell match.
According to the site, Sexton is also the partner of WWE developmental talent Dakota Kai.Click Here: nrl league merchandise

The Latest Updates On Bray Wyatt And Luke Harper

November 17, 2022 | News | No Comments

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Bray Wyatt is very close to returning to the ring.
The report says that Bray is hoping to be medically cleared by WWE very soon.
As for Luke Harper, Johnson says that he was backstage at this past week’s episode of Smackdown Live.
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THREE SEASONS AGO, Jack McGrath was Ireland and Leinster’s first-choice loosehead prop and deservedly went on to win three Test caps for the Lions in their series draw with the All Blacks in New Zealand. 

Last weekend, the 29-year-old was omitted from Leinster’s matchday squad for their Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster, with Ed Byrne preferred as back-up to starter Cian Healy.

McGrath is a strong addition for Ulster. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

One could suggest that the fact that McGrath will be moving to Ulster at the end of this season may have played into Leinster’s decision to leave him out, but Byrne’s excellent form had earned him his place on the bench.

It’s been a deeply frustrating campaign for McGrath, who has had injury and form issues, losing his place in Ireland’s matchday squad for the Six Nations and now for Leinster in their biggest games.

The St Mary’s man is a world-class prop at his best and he has decided that his greatest chance of rediscovering that kind of form is to move north to Ulster next season.

The42‘s understanding is that McGrath himself initiated the move, eager for an opportunity to re-establish himself as a first-choice prop at provincial level, therefore giving him the chance to do the same for Ireland.

He believed that Ulster would provide a better opportunity for him to do so than staying put at Leinster.

54-times capped McGrath is a centrally contracted IRFU player, so the union was always going to be involved in the loosehead prop’s decision-making. 

While McGrath got the ball rolling, it’s likely that IRFU performance director David Nucifora was only too happy to work on getting this one over the line.

McGrath at Leinster training this week. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

From the beginning of his time with the union, Nucifora has been keen for the talent in Ireland to be spread amongst the provinces, avoiding any stockpiling of players in one position at one province.

The frustration for Leinster is that their homegrown players are now increasingly willing to look elsewhere.

The Joey Carbery move to Munster was different to McGrath’s in that the IRFU went to the player with the suggestion of moving, but the result has been the same.

That move has worked out superbly for Munster and Carbery, who is so happy in Limerick that he’s already extended his contract. It looks like the amount of game time he will get at out-half in the coming years will also prove deeply beneficial for Ireland.

It’s hard not to think that McGrath going north is positive for Ireland too, given that he will likely have the scope to start more games and rediscover his best form.

23-year-old Eric O’Sullivan won’t be handing over Ulster’s number one shirt without a fight and has been excellent this season, but he may benefit from learning from the experience of McGrath next season and beyond. 

Privately, Leinster’s coaching staff will be frustrated again but publicly, McGrath’s current team-mates can understand his decision.

“It’s a tough one for us to lose a player of the calibre of Jack,” said Robbie Henshaw at the launch of the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Summer Camps. “He’s unbelievable and he’s a Lion, he’s been on that tour and has so many caps for Ireland, so much experience. To have him in the squad is great.

McGrath in action against Ulster last season. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“That’s the modern situation we’re in now with players moving around the country. Hopefully, it’s the best option for him to get more rugby and what not, for his reasons to go.

“We’ll definitely miss him in Leinster and he’s a quality player.

“I think ultimately you play for whatever team you play for but the goal is the green shirt, to get into the Ireland jersey and I’m sure that’s one of the reasons Jack has chosen to move.

“That’s the goal as a player, you want to be playing international rugby for your own country.”

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