Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u2018HARD TO WATCH\u2019: ENGLAND\u2019S PEDESTRIAN ATTACK CALLED OUT<\/p>\n
The stats make for grim reading.<\/p>\n
Two games. Ten points. One try.<\/p>\n
England have just not been able to threaten or get anything going in attack across the first two games of the Ashes series. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s been the glaring weakness and the reason why they\u2019ve already lost the Ashes with one Test remaining. <\/p>\n
Coach Shaun Wane said post-match that he wanted his side to \u201cthrow more\u201d at the Australians. <\/p>\n
While the effort was there, the home side couldn\u2019t once penetrate the try line, with their four points coming from two first half penalty goals. <\/p>\n
Hodgson said changes have to be made for the third Test.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re putting your x-factor players in the side. We\u2019ve struggled for points so let\u2019s put someone in the side that has points in them and who will open the game up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland will be really disappointed in their attack It was only one dive over late in the first Test and now in this second Test, we didn\u2019t score a try. They\u2019re not clinical enough with the ball<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to watch. You can see their trying but they just look like a team that is very disjointed which is hard to see.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re trying to chase a game and you\u2019re not used to playing alongside each other, it makes it difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moreover, it wasn\u2019t as if England didn\u2019t have their chance. <\/p>\n
They won the possession battle (53% – 47%) and the territory battle (59% – 41 %).<\/p>\n
They also had more run metres and penalties. <\/p>\n
Greg Alexander noted what he thought England\u2019s main issue was in attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir inside players just haven\u2019t squared up the defence to create space,\u201d Alexander said<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve had enough ball and field position to be much better or to cause more problems for the Australian defence than what they have done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jarvo causes a ruckus at the Ashes! | 01:33<\/p>\n
WILL CHANGES BE MADE FOR GAME 3?<\/p>\n
The series might be clinched but don\u2019t be totally surprised if Kevin Walters picks the same 17 for the dead rubber at Leeds next week. <\/p>\n
Remember, Walters is coaching for a World Cup gig after all. He\u2019d love nothing more than a dominant 3-0 series whitewash to bolster his chances of winning the Kangaroos job beyond this series. <\/p>\n
With that said, Walters did admit he\u2019ll consider blooding some of the other members of the Kangaroos squad who have yet to see the field.<\/p>\n
Blayke Brailey, Mitch Moses, Ethan Strange, Bradman Best, Dylan Edwards and Jacob Preston have yet to play a minute, with the only change Walters making for the second Test a forced one due to Isaah Yeo\u2019s category one HIA. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure on that just yet,\u201d Walters said when asked at the press conference whether he\u2019ll consider changes. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get through tonight first and then tomorrow we\u2019ll start thinking about next week\u2019s game at Headingley.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be nice to reward some guys. It\u2019s been a great connection amongst the whole group \u2013 particularly with our training and preparation. <\/p>\n
\u201cPart of that is the (squad) guys we\u2019ve been training against have been very, very good.\u201d<\/p>\n
One change that Walters might have to make is at fullback. Reece Walsh could face a ban after being yellow carded for a tackle on Dom Young.<\/p>\n
That would mean Edwards earns a call up. <\/p>\n
If Walsh is suspended, Edwards won\u2019t be the only new face according to Fox League\u2019s Braith Anasta.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon they may just give Mitch Moses and maybe even Brailey and those guys a go which will give the other guys a bit of a rest for game three,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why they wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walsh binned for mid-air Shoulder Charge | 00:45<\/p>\n
BROWN\u2019S HOT FORM HAS KNIGHTS DREAMING OF BETTER DAYS<\/p>\n
Dylan Brown has never let New Zealand down, but his sparkling international form is giving Newcastle hope they may get a return on their record $13 million 10 year investment.<\/p>\n
Brown may never be a chief playmaker, but Sandon Smith\u2019s four year deal means he can be the No.7 and allow Brown to do what he does best at five-eighth. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t forget Newcastle still have Kalyn Ponga for another two years at least and they can convince him to stay with a big season in 2026. <\/p>\n
Brown was at his brilliant best against Tonga, playing instinctive football that has been his hallmark during the best stretches of his NRL career with the Eels. <\/p>\n
Michael Ennis marvelled at Brown\u2019s ability to seize the moments and inject himself after he scored a try and set one up with a pinpoint kick for Casey McLean. <\/p>\n
\u201cDylan Brown has been brilliant,\u201d Ennis said on Fox League. <\/p>\n
\u201cBrown had some significant moments. He scored one himself and set up one for McLean down the left with a kick.\u201d <\/p>\n
Ennis noted Brown is relishing playing alongside Kieran Foran at halfback and encouraged the Knights to follow a similar blueprint. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was best on ground in game one, but Brown has got great feel for the game,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cHe is not there at the moment in that halfback position where he is having to think and try and steer the side around. <\/p>\n
Dylan Brown was superb for the Kiwis.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThe minute he got a whiff of fatigue form the Tonga middle forwards, his running game is so dangerous and he started to straighten off his left foot. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then moments like his kick assist, the instinct parts of the game just naturally come beautifully to him and boy he had some great moments.\u201d <\/p>\n
Andrew Voss noted the Knights will be hoping Brown sticks to his running game next season after his brilliant solo try. <\/p>\n
\u201cBrown goes himself and he is over, everyone wants to see more of that, in particular Newcastle next season,\u201d Voss said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDylan Brown pinned the ears back, backed himself and scored.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cooper Cronk marvelled at Brown\u2019s form spike for New Zealand after a tough couple of seasons for the Eels. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis form has been sparkling representing New Zealand so far in his two games,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor Brown running the ball is his greatest strength and when you are passive on the defensive line and giving space to the big body and speed of someone like Brown, when you give him time and space he will accelerate and go straight through the heart of the Tongan defence.\u201d <\/p>\n
Kini Shines upon return for Kiwis | 00:59<\/p>\n
\u2019UNDERDONE\u2019 TONGA\u2019S HUGE 12 MONTHS AHEAD<\/p>\n
On the back of an appearance in last year\u2019s Pacific Cup final and due to the strength of their squad this year, expectations around Tonga were high.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Kristian Woolf\u2019s men failed to deliver, handing in two disappointing performances against Samoa and New Zealand. <\/p>\n
Tonga were beaten by a combined score of 74-20 across their two Pacific Championships fixtures. <\/p>\n
As time winded down in the game against the Kiwis, Fox League commentator Andrew Voss revealed a worrying stat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose it\u2019s hard to avoid but it becomes a disappointing campaign for Tonga given the strength of their squad. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince the last World Cup, they\u2019ve won only one of their last nine tests so it\u2019s gone a bit south.\u201d<\/p>\n
That one win came against New Zealand in last year\u2019s Pacific Championship.<\/p>\n
The 2024 form would be good enough to make some noise in a World Cup in 2026, but it\u2019s clear that for whatever reason, they regressed this year. <\/p>\n
If they\u2019re to be any chance in next year\u2019s major, something needs to change.<\/p>\n
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 02: Sione Katoa of Tonga reacts during the Men’s Pacific Championships match between the New Zealand Kiwis and Tonga at Eden Park on November 02, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Their defence was a major concern this campaign.<\/p>\n
Against Samoa, Tonga missed 54 tackles.<\/p>\n
That figure increased to an eye-watering 64 against the Kiwis this past weekend.<\/p>\n
Fox League\u2019s Michael Ennis believed <\/p>\n
\u201cFatigue really was an issue for the Tongan side,\u201d Ennis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey put themselves under huge pressure with eight errors in the first half alone. That is nowhere near good enough and you saw that in how many tackles they fell off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201dThey started well… then they just started to make errors inside their own half and as they continued to turn over cheap possession and the amount of footy that New Zealand had, the fatigue really started to set in. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey look underdone Tonga, they really do. They were disappointing last week and they looked extremely fatigued again. I\u2019m really concerned for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katoa stretchered off late in Tonga loss | 00:43<\/p>\n
NZ\u2019S NO BRAINER FOR FINAL<\/p>\n
Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has no choice but to pick young gun Keano Kini at fullback for next weekend\u2019s final against Samoa following the 21-year-old\u2019s outstanding performance against Tonga.<\/p>\n
Kini wasn\u2019t even named in the 17 during the week, but was a late inclusion.<\/p>\n
Jones decided to shift Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the centres to accomodate Kini.<\/p>\n
It proved to be a masterstroke. Kini ran for 180 metres, scored a try and had four offloads. <\/p>\n
It was so pleasing to see the exciting Kini in full flight again as it\u2019s been a tough 2025 for him.<\/p>\n
The Titans star suffered a neck injury which kept him out for most of the season. Doctors considered him lucky it wasn\u2019t more serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cKini has been absolutely brilliant,\u201d Michael Ennis said on Fox League. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great comeback story, he had a significant neck injury and came back late in the year for the Titans, and he steps up in front of a full house at Eden Park. He\u2019s been absolutely superb the little fullback.\u201d <\/p>\n
Injured Sharks and Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo also sung Kini\u2019s praises. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an X-factor player and that\u2019s what you want in your fullback,\u201d Mulitalo said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou want guys that can create opportunities around them and finish them off as well. \u201cSeeing him in the back-field he has got that toughness about him as well. He can carry out of the back-field, hold himself and catch the high balls. He just did everything right today and it is a good opportunity for him and he took it with both hands.\u201d <\/p>\n
Barring any setbacks, Kini will be short odds to start 2026 in the Titans\u2019 No. 1 jersey. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s despite being on the same roster as AJ Brimson.<\/p>\n
Brimson\u2019s preference is fullback, but he can play centres or in the halves. As good as he is though, the Titans\u2019 best chance of climbing up the ladder is with Kini at the back according to Cooper Cronk.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou ask about whether it is AJ Brimson or Keano Kini if you are the new coach of the Titans Josh Hannay,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cKeano Kini I think the way he has played whether it is for the Titans or New Zealand he is the prototype fullback at the moment and AJ Brimson needs to find another position in my opinion.\u201d <\/p>\n
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 02: Keano Kini of the Kiwis makes a break to score a try during the Men’s Pacific Championships match between the New Zealand Kiwis and Tonga at Eden Park on November 02, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PNG THRASH FIJI TO WIN BOWL IN OMEN FOR CHIEFS NRL BOW<\/p>\n
Papua New Guinea thrashed Fiji Bati 50-18 to win the Pacific Championships Bowl competition in a sign the PNG Chiefs\u2019 entry to the NRL could be a masterstroke. <\/p>\n
There are plenty of doubts and critics around the Chiefs\u2019 introduction to the NRL in 2028, but PNG showed in front of a raucous home crowd in Port Moresby that they not only deserve to be the NRL\u2019s 19th team, but they can be a successful team as well. <\/p>\n
After beating the Cook Islands in their first game, PNG dominate Fiji eight tries to four and showed just how much potential they have not only as an NRL side, but as an international outfit heading into the 2026 World Cup. <\/p>\n
Granted, all the players that turned out in their national side won\u2019t be in their NRL squad, but a large number could be and the Chiefs will want as many home grown heroes as they can in their inaugural squad. <\/p>\n
Dudley Dotoi scores for PNG.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
The likes of current and former NRL stars Alex Johnston, Nene MacDonald, Jack de Belin and Lachlan Lam could all find themselves playing for the Chiefs in a couple of years. <\/p>\n
And try-scorers against Fiji, Morea Morea, Dudley Dotoi, Edwin Ipape, Rhyse Martin and Nixon Putt are all potential NRL stars and could join the Chiefs in 2028 for their inaugural campaign. <\/p>\n
More importantly, PNG\u2019s win showed they have the immense support of a whole nation to help make the Chiefs a success and they have a breeding ground for future stars in the junior ranks of the rugby league mad country. <\/p>\n
If the Chiefs can recruit a couple of marquee NRL stars and continue to develop their homegrown talent, the NRL\u2019s 19th team could not only thrive in the coming seasons, but be a premiership contender and potential NRL powerhouse in the years to come.<\/p>\n
And with an NRL team producing the next wave of international stars, PNG could join the likes of Samoa and Tonga in being genuine contenders at the World Cup in the future. <\/p>\n
Martin leads PNG to 50 points | 00:38<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Australia have retained the Ashes yet again with a gritty 14-4 win over an England side who once…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":258360,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[64,63,11096,18197,4746,132830,130405,130928,85,51349,7663],"class_list":["post-258359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-daniel-nuttall","tag-feeding-frenzy","tag-mark-st-john","tag-pac-champs","tag-pacific-championships","tag-rugby-league-ashes-live","tag-sports","tag-state-of-play","tag-talking-points"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=258359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258359\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/258360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=258359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=258359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}