Articles

[getsmarty]

MATCH REPORT


Junior Roos defeat Junior Kiwis despite incredible try
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 13 Oct 2018, 03:04 PM

North Queensland playmaker Jake Clifford led the Junior Kangaroos to a 40-24 defeat of the Junior Kangaroos in an entertaining start to the trans-Tasman triple header at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Clifford, who played six NRL matches for the Cowboys at the end of this season, showed why is considered the long term replacement for Johnathan Thurston with a man-of-the-match performance as the Junior Kangaroos ran in seven tries.

The signs had looked ominous for a comfortable Australian win when Melbourne forward Louis Geraghty scored in just the second minute but the Junior Kiwis hit back through tries to North Queensland hooker Sean Mullany and Warriors second-rower Issiah Papali'i to take a 12-6 lead.

Papali'i's 16th-minute try is certain to feature on highlights reels as the lead up by halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita was as spectacular as it was unique.

Running to the line on the last tackle, the 19-year-old Warriors halfback flicked the ball behind him and kicked back over his right shoulder with a backheel action that Ronaldinho would have been proud of before catching and passing to Papali'i.

Amazing try: Harris-Tavita's ridiculous kick

Brisbane forward David Flegler then gave a glimpse of why he is so highly regarded by NRL recruitment managers when he beat the Junior Kiwis defence with footwork to level the scores in the 21st minute.

Storm second-rower Tino Faasuamaleaui put the Junior Kangaroos ahead when he crossed in the 29th minute and Neil Henry's team were in again three minutes later after Dragons centre Zac Lomax batted back a kick by Cowboys halfback Jack Lomax for South Sydney-bound fullback Corey Allen to score.

However, Cronulla centre Jackson Ferris narrowed the deficit for the Junior Kiwis to 24-16 at half-time when he swivelled out of a tackle by Lomax to score as the siren sounded after good lead up work by Chanel-Pavita.


Venue: Mt Smart Stadium

Cowboys winger Enari Tuala ensured the flow of spectacular tries continued in the second half when he dived from outside the field of play to planted the ball over the tryline for the Junior Kangaroos in the 45th minute.

Warriors second-rower Joseph Vuna scored his last try before going on a Mormon mission to keep the Junior Kiwis in the game and St George Illawarra winger Steven Marsters scored their fifth try in the 65th minute.

Faasuamaleaui and Tuala completed their try scoring doubles to secure the 40-24 win for the Junior Kangaroos.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/13/junior-roos-defeat-junior-kiwis-despite-incredible-try/

 

[getsmarty]

Jillaroos pip Kiwi Ferns in a thriller
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 13 Oct 2018, 05:03 PM

Veteran prop Heather Ballinger bowed out of Test football in triumph after inspiring the Jillaroos to their first win in New Zealand for 19 years with a 26-24 defeat of the Kiwi Ferns in another epic clash between the two nations at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Ballinger, who was a member of the Brisbane team which won the inaugural Holden NRL Women's Premiership, was named player of the match in her farewell Test for Australia as the Jillaroos overcome the loss of star St George Illawarra forward Kezie Apps just before halftime with a knee injury.

Jillaroos coach Brad Donald revealed that Ballinger had told teammates, who included five debutants after Dragons centre Jess Sergis was injured at training on Friday, how Australia had only beaten the Kiwi Ferns in New Zealand once in the third Test of the 1999 series.

"She got up and spoke about how we have only ever beaten the Kiwis once here in all the times we have been playing them and those memories from players like Heather Ballinger inspired the team," Jillaroos coach Brad Donald said.

"Shes been a mainstay of the team for a long time. She was wondering whether she should give it away [earlier] but to end with a Broncos premiership and to be player of the match in a trans-Tasman Test is just outstanding."

Ballinger wins player of the match

With the teams scoring five tries apiece, the goal kicking of fullback Chelsea Baker proved the difference but she missed her last two attempts and appeared to be affected by a groin injury.

Brisbane teammate Brittany Breayley, the 2018 Dally M Medal winner, was also forced to ignore the pain of a neck problem to continue in the dummy half role.

"We were leaning on a number of players," Donald said. "With Kezie getting injured we needed players like Steph Hancock to play nearly the whole second half. We were fortunate to spend some tome with the ADF earlier in the week and we spoke about mateship ... and showing up for each other."

The Kiwi Ferns were also hit hard by injuries and lost halfback Kimiora Nati, the inaugural Karyn Murphy Medal winner as player of the NRLW grand final, with a knee injury in the first half and co-captain Laura Mariu to a shoulder problem after the interval.

They also had to overcome a controversial refereeing decision but managed to fight back from a poor start to lead until five minutes from full-time when Sydney Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly scored her second try to snatch victory.

"The girls have come out of a premiership where they have only played 60 minutes so it was going to be tough. These girls are conditioned to only play 60 minutes and we spoke about it all week that it was going to come down to the last five or 10 minutes," Donald said.

"It was one hell of a game and one hell of a performance from both sides and hopefully showcased how good women's rugby league is good at the moment."

Hireme proud of youngsters

Newly appointed Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw, who took over the role after first choice Sam Bremner succumbed to a toe injury, led the way for her team in the early stages by laying on a try for Brisbane teammate Julie Robinson in just the sixth minute of her Test debut.

Brigginshaw then scored herself eight minutes later after stepping her way over the try line to put the Jillaroos ahead 12-0.

The first sign of the fightback from the Kiwi Ferns came in the 22nd minute when St George Illawarra star Honey Hireme raced down the sideline and hurled a pass inside but the touch judge incorrectly ruled she had put a foot into touch.

Robinson scores on debut

With Hireme having raised the crowd to their feet with her run, there were howls of protest when the incident was replayed on the big screen but the decision could not be overturned and a chance went begging for the Kiwi Ferns.

However, the home team got on the scoreboard soon after when Dragons playmaker Raecene McGregor put winger Langi Veainu over for the first of her two tries with a cut-out pass in the 30th minute.

Despite the loss of Nati just before half-time, the Kiwi Ferns continued to build momentum after half-time and they scored their second try in the 44th minute when Annetta Nuuausala crashed over.

"Kimi obviously plays a massive role in our team and obviously through her performances in the NRLW everyone would have seen that," Kiwi Ferns coach Kelvin Wright said. "But I thought Raecene McGregor really stepped up and got her hands on the footy a lot.

"We were really happy at half-time considering the amount of ball that they had that they had only scored two tries so we were confident if we got our fair share of ball that we would worry them and that happened a lot."

Fullback Api Nichols again missed the shot at goal but put her side ahead for the first time in the match when she regathered a kick from McGregor to put Veanu over for her second try and converted in the 47th minute.

The Jillaroos hit back almost immediately when Sydney Roosters second-rower Tazmin Gray, the sister of Kiwis and Canberra winger Jordan Rapana, managed to force the ball over the try line in the 51st minute.


The Kiwi Ferns lost Mariu in the 55th minute but managed to level the scores in the following set of tackles when Brisbane forward Teuila Fotu-Moala sent centre Maitua Feterika racing for the tryline.

The teams continued to trade tries, with Kelly running 70 metres to score for the Jillaroos in the 56th minute after skipping out of dummy half and fending off an attempted tackle by Nita Maynard.

With Baker missing the conversion, Warriors prop Amber Kani appeared to have snatched victory when she used late footwork near the tryline to score in the 70th minuite but Kelly ensured the Jillaroos maintained their recent domination over the Kiwi Ferns when she finished off a backline movement five minutes before full-time.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/13/jillaroos-pip-kiwi-ferns-in-a-thriller/

 

[getsmarty]

REPRESENTATIVE


Kiwis stun new-look Kangaroos to begin a new era
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 13 Oct 2018, 07:39 PM

New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak declared that the Kiwis would only continue to improve as they begun a new era for international football by inflicting the first defeat in Mal Meninga's tenure as Australian coach.

Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson led his team to their first win over the Kangaroos since the 2015 Anzac Test, while debutants Joseph Manu and Brandon Smith were among the stars in the 26-24 win at Mt Smart Stadium.

It was the first Test for Australia since Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk stood down from representative football and the retirement of Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston, with just eight members of the Kangaroos team which won last year's World Cup playing in Auckland.

However the Kiwis also had a new-look team, with Watene-Zelezniak making his debut as captain and Manu and Smith joining the new players blooded in June's Denver Test against England.

The win is a boost for the game in New Zealand after the disappointment of a World Cup campaign in which they suffered back-to-back losses to Tonga and Fiji and were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

However, Watene-Zelezniak said the Kiwis still had a lot of work to do and would benefit from the upcoming Test series against England.

"It feels so surreal," Watene-Zelezniak said. "We are still building, We have only set the foundations now but we have to keep building.

DWZ: 'This is only the start'

"Everyone was just on. We were a bit shaky at times but we this is just the beginning.

"That's what we came here for to give the fans.

"I think we take a lot of confidence. We have got some work to do but we are on the right track."

The Kiwis dominated the first half for all but the opening three minutes and the last 60 seconds but Australia led 12-8 at the interval following an early try to Valentine Holmes and another by Dane Gagai just before the siren.

Holmes's 12th try in his last four Test appearances struck fear into the hearts of New Zealand fans that the new look Kangaroos would be just as dominant as previous versions, after rookie centre Latrell Mitchell drew Jordan Rapana to create an overlap for the Cronulla star over in the third minute.

The loss of Keary in the 17th minute was a blow for Australia but Meninga was able to call St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt off the bench.

Possession and field position favoured New Zealand and the home side almost scored in the 18th minute when winger Ken Maumalo planted the ball on the touchline as he tried to dive over in the corner.

Maumalo made amends 10 minutes later when he crossed out wide after prop Martin Taupau delivered his second offload in as many minutes having come off the interchange bench and captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak passed the ball through his legs.

Kiwis centre Joseph Manu scored his first Test try in the 35th minute after forcing his way through the defence of Mitchell and Holmes but halfback Johnson again missed the conversion.

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

1 / 40

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

2 / 40

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

3 / 40
The Junior Kiwis perform their pre-match Haka.

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

Watene-Zelezniak appeared to have put his team ahead just before half-time when he pounced on a kick from Manu to score but review officials ruled that the Sydney Roosters centre had knocked on before he kicked.

The frustration of the Kiwis was compounded when Gagai scored a long range try after halfback Daly Cherry-Evans sent centre Tom Trbojevic racing down the touchline with just seconds remaining on the clock.

It was a remarkable effort for the Kangaroos to lead 12-8 at half-time given New Zealand had 69% of possession but the Kiwis dominated the second half.

Hooker Brandon Smith put New Zealand ahead for the first time when he crashed his way over in the 54th minute and Johnson converted from close range.



A try to centre Esarn Marsters in the 57th minute extended the Kiwis' lead to 20-12 after a stepping run by Johnson who linked with Smith and second-rower Isaac Liu.

The star halfback then repeated the effort to set up a try for Rapana after Manu managed an offload the ball despite the attention of Mitchell and Holmes.

However, Australia hit back with back-to-back tries by second-rower Felise Kaufusi and fullback James Tedesco to set up a grandstand finish as the Kiwis tried to hold on for the last four minutes to record their first win since 2015.

The result capped a triple-header of New Zealand v Australia contests at Mt Smart Stadium, with Australia winning the earlier under 20s and women's contests.



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/13/kiwis-stun-new-look-kangaroos-to-begin-a-new-era/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons' top five tries of 2018
NRL.com takes a look back at the St George Illawarra Dragons' best tries of the 2018 NRL season


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/14/dragons-top-five-tries-of-2018/

 

[aquiin]

http://treizemondial.fr/bilan-nrl-2018-7-st-george-illawarra-dragons-rien-ne-sert-de-courir/

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

http://treizemondial.fr/bilan-nrl-2018-7-st-george-illawarra-dragons-rien-ne-sert-de-courir/

The flop: Paul McGregor

 

[aquiin]

le flop

 

[Warabrook saint]

le flop

He's about as much use as on le flop

 

[Drag Queen]

REPRESENTATIVE


Kiwis stun new-look Kangaroos to begin a new era
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 13 Oct 2018, 07:39 PM

New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak declared that the Kiwis would only continue to improve as they begun a new era for international football by inflicting the first defeat in Mal Meninga's tenure as Australian coach.

Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson led his team to their first win over the Kangaroos since the 2015 Anzac Test, while debutants Joseph Manu and Brandon Smith were among the stars in the 26-24 win at Mt Smart Stadium.

It was the first Test for Australia since Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk stood down from representative football and the retirement of Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston, with just eight members of the Kangaroos team which won last year's World Cup playing in Auckland.

However the Kiwis also had a new-look team, with Watene-Zelezniak making his debut as captain and Manu and Smith joining the new players blooded in June's Denver Test against England.

The win is a boost for the game in New Zealand after the disappointment of a World Cup campaign in which they suffered back-to-back losses to Tonga and Fiji and were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

However, Watene-Zelezniak said the Kiwis still had a lot of work to do and would benefit from the upcoming Test series against England.

"It feels so surreal," Watene-Zelezniak said. "We are still building, We have only set the foundations now but we have to keep building.

DWZ: 'This is only the start'

"Everyone was just on. We were a bit shaky at times but we this is just the beginning.

"That's what we came here for to give the fans.

"I think we take a lot of confidence. We have got some work to do but we are on the right track."

The Kiwis dominated the first half for all but the opening three minutes and the last 60 seconds but Australia led 12-8 at the interval following an early try to Valentine Holmes and another by Dane Gagai just before the siren.

Holmes's 12th try in his last four Test appearances struck fear into the hearts of New Zealand fans that the new look Kangaroos would be just as dominant as previous versions, after rookie centre Latrell Mitchell drew Jordan Rapana to create an overlap for the Cronulla star over in the third minute.

The loss of Keary in the 17th minute was a blow for Australia but Meninga was able to call St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt off the bench.

Possession and field position favoured New Zealand and the home side almost scored in the 18th minute when winger Ken Maumalo planted the ball on the touchline as he tried to dive over in the corner.

Maumalo made amends 10 minutes later when he crossed out wide after prop Martin Taupau delivered his second offload in as many minutes having come off the interchange bench and captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak passed the ball through his legs.

Kiwis centre Joseph Manu scored his first Test try in the 35th minute after forcing his way through the defence of Mitchell and Holmes but halfback Johnson again missed the conversion.

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

1 / 40

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

2 / 40

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

3 / 40
The Junior Kiwis perform their pre-match Haka.

Gallery: Australia v New Zealand triple-header

Watene-Zelezniak appeared to have put his team ahead just before half-time when he pounced on a kick from Manu to score but review officials ruled that the Sydney Roosters centre had knocked on before he kicked.

The frustration of the Kiwis was compounded when Gagai scored a long range try after halfback Daly Cherry-Evans sent centre Tom Trbojevic racing down the touchline with just seconds remaining on the clock.

It was a remarkable effort for the Kangaroos to lead 12-8 at half-time given New Zealand had 69% of possession but the Kiwis dominated the second half.

Hooker Brandon Smith put New Zealand ahead for the first time when he crashed his way over in the 54th minute and Johnson converted from close range.



A try to centre Esarn Marsters in the 57th minute extended the Kiwis' lead to 20-12 after a stepping run by Johnson who linked with Smith and second-rower Isaac Liu.

The star halfback then repeated the effort to set up a try for Rapana after Manu managed an offload the ball despite the attention of Mitchell and Holmes.

However, Australia hit back with back-to-back tries by second-rower Felise Kaufusi and fullback James Tedesco to set up a grandstand finish as the Kiwis tried to hold on for the last four minutes to record their first win since 2015.

The result capped a triple-header of New Zealand v Australia contests at Mt Smart Stadium, with Australia winning the earlier under 20s and women's contests.



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/13/kiwis-stun-new-look-kangaroos-to-begin-a-new-era/

 

[Drag Queen]

Heart pounding game. I've never taken that much notice of Watene-Zelesniak until now GS. I thought I was watching RTS. Wrong. There is something with all these blokes with hyphenated names

 

[getsmarty]

Heart pounding game. I've never taken that much notice of Watene-Zelesniak until now GS. I thought I was watching RTS. Wrong. There is something with all these blokes with hyphenated names

Thought N.Z deserved to win by more....Clearly the better team. D.W.Z is an absolute gun.

 

[Drag Queen]

Though N.Z deserved to win by more....Clearly the better team. D.W.Z is an absolute gun.

Yeah. You're right. I didn't expect a win and was let down by the small crowd. Apparently the Roo's Tonga game is sold out. I thought it was a cracking game tbh. Both teams missing their best players, dubious calls etc, but all and all a bloody good game.

 

[rednwhites]

Didn't even watch the game. I have an uneasy relationship with rep games given how they decimate what really matters to me.

 

[Drag Queen]

Didn't even watch the game. I have an uneasy relationship with rep games given how they decimate what really matters to me.

What?? Watch the effing game on replay. Great game to watch. Broaden your horizons dude. It's only rep footy. Spoiler alert: Kiwis won Xx

 

[getsmarty]

Tragic admission shows reality of NRL star’s heartbreaking year
AS the footy world was crashing down on his head this season, Ben Hunt was dealing with much more severe pain behind the scenes.

SOMEWHERE in between all the talk of football tragedies like losing games and injuries, Kangaroos star Ben Hunt silently suffered the kind of raw, real heartbreak that only happens away from the football field.

Hunt’s wife Bridget revealed recently the couple suffered a miscarriage earlier this year around the Dragons’ season-opening win over the Broncos on March 8.

In a year where Hunt’s form and reported $1.2 million per-season contract made him one of the most criticised players in the game, his young family’s heartbreaking revelation adds another tragic element to his season from hell.

Hunt revealed last month he had been receiving advice from a psychologist to confront anxiety and isolation issues.

He was — unfairly — the face of Queensland’s State of Origin series defeat.

It was all crashing down on him.

Ben Hunt, son Brady and partner Bridget.Source:News Corp Australia

When NSW clenched the series in Game 2, Hunt was ruthlessly criticised and attacked on social media for his mistake in kicking the ball dead when Queensland attacked late in the game — and for his mistake in giving away a penalty try for a professional foul on Boyd Cordner.

Former Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston called it “dumb football”. Former Broncos teammate Justin Hodges was one of many calling for Hunt to be dropped after Game 2. Fox League NRL 360 host Paul Kent labelled him the “Mitchell Pearce” of Queensland.

He was eventually dropped to the bench for Game 3.

The social media response was much more vicious.

Bridget’s announcement recently that she suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks seems to make all that football talk of form, points and representative jerseys immaterial.

Suddenly, the Dragons halfback’s form fluctuations are understandable. Vindicated. Unquestionable.

Bravery only tells part of the story of Hunt’s commitment to play through his personal tragedy and help steer the Dragons to the second week of the playoffs, while earning Queensland and Australian representative honours.

Ben Hunt after the Maroons’ State of Origin Game 2 loss.Source:Getty Images

Bridget’s post on Instagram shows Hunt had more important things than shields and Maroon dynasties on his mind going into this year’s State of Origin period.

“2018 has been filled with a multitude of challenges for our family,” Bridget posted.

“In feb we were excited to be announcing that our family was growing by 2 feet, however unfortunately miscarried at 12 weeks.

“Its always hard in those situations to think, what could I have done differently? What did I do wrong, what it was that I did to impact the result? Sometimes, things are just meant to be — and it was hard to focus on the positives when you are experiencing emotions of grief, sadness, loneliness and so many questions that no one had the answers too.”

The post also shows the difficulties the couple faced during the NRL season when they were having problems conceiving.

After the Dragons’ form dipped after the State of Origin period and the early season leaders dropped to seventh on the ladder, Bridget hit out at her husband’s critics in an emotional social media post where she fired back at the “despicable bullying” he was receiving.

“Words have meaning! You may not think they affect the person, but they have meaning!” she posted on Instagram.

“It’s funny, that Ben is apparently being blamed for the Dragons’ performances of late, but it’s funny, last time I checked it’s his first year at the Dragons, and this has happened three years in a row. And it’s funny that there’s 17 people in a whole side, yet it’s all his fault!

“Players make errors when they are loosing [sic], and players make errors when they are winning too! Rugby league should not be condoning this culture!”

Ben Hunt after the Dragons’ season-ending loss to the Rabbitohs.Source:AAP

Her recent Instagram post was much more heartwarming.

The young couple first received word in September that they are expecting their second child — and son Brady, 2, will soon have a sibling to play with.

The first stages of Bridget’s pregnancy played out in the middle of the Dragons’ finals series where Hunt starred in their upset win over the Broncos before their defeat at the hands of South Sydney the following week.

“We then began trying but month after month, being disappointed over and over I began to question my integrity as a nutritionist altogether,” Bridget posted.

“This is my job to help people through such struggles, yet here I was living it myself. all of this amongst football challenges and personal attacks being launched at Ben weekly, our backs have been against the wall and needed some separation from negativity and from the people who write hurtful things that have no consequences because the person isn’t in front of you.

“To say it’s been challenging would be saying the least, but resilience and character are built under pressure... and positive things always come with patience.”

Bridget says they are due on April 13 next year. That’s really all that matters.


https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/t...r/news-story/9fdbd8859a6f646df0e831e00b2a62ba

 

[Red V for life]

Tragic admission shows reality of NRL star’s heartbreaking year

A hard read. Everyone could see he wasn’t in the right head space, but FMD. Hope next year is full of good stuff on and off the field.

On a positive note: I just love Jammer. That photo of him consoling Hunt in the article...the guy genuinely cares. Love it.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Tragic admission shows reality of NRL star’s heartbreaking year
AS the footy world was crashing down on his head this season, Ben Hunt was dealing with much more severe pain behind the scenes.

SOMEWHERE in between all the talk of football tragedies like losing games and injuries, Kangaroos star Ben Hunt silently suffered the kind of raw, real heartbreak that only happens away from the football field.

Hunt’s wife Bridget revealed recently the couple suffered a miscarriage earlier this year around the Dragons’ season-opening win over the Broncos on March 8.

In a year where Hunt’s form and reported $1.2 million per-season contract made him one of the most criticised players in the game, his young family’s heartbreaking revelation adds another tragic element to his season from hell.

Hunt revealed last month he had been receiving advice from a psychologist to confront anxiety and isolation issues.

He was — unfairly — the face of Queensland’s State of Origin series defeat.

It was all crashing down on him.

Ben Hunt, son Brady and partner Bridget.Source:News Corp Australia

When NSW clenched the series in Game 2, Hunt was ruthlessly criticised and attacked on social media for his mistake in kicking the ball dead when Queensland attacked late in the game — and for his mistake in giving away a penalty try for a professional foul on Boyd Cordner.

Former Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston called it “dumb football”. Former Broncos teammate Justin Hodges was one of many calling for Hunt to be dropped after Game 2. Fox League NRL 360 host Paul Kent labelled him the “Mitchell Pearce” of Queensland.

He was eventually dropped to the bench for Game 3.

The social media response was much more vicious.

Bridget’s announcement recently that she suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks seems to make all that football talk of form, points and representative jerseys immaterial.

Suddenly, the Dragons halfback’s form fluctuations are understandable. Vindicated. Unquestionable.

Bravery only tells part of the story of Hunt’s commitment to play through his personal tragedy and help steer the Dragons to the second week of the playoffs, while earning Queensland and Australian representative honours.

Ben Hunt after the Maroons’ State of Origin Game 2 loss.Source:Getty Images

Bridget’s post on Instagram shows Hunt had more important things than shields and Maroon dynasties on his mind going into this year’s State of Origin period.

“2018 has been filled with a multitude of challenges for our family,” Bridget posted.

“In feb we were excited to be announcing that our family was growing by 2 feet, however unfortunately miscarried at 12 weeks.

“Its always hard in those situations to think, what could I have done differently? What did I do wrong, what it was that I did to impact the result? Sometimes, things are just meant to be — and it was hard to focus on the positives when you are experiencing emotions of grief, sadness, loneliness and so many questions that no one had the answers too.”

The post also shows the difficulties the couple faced during the NRL season when they were having problems conceiving.

After the Dragons’ form dipped after the State of Origin period and the early season leaders dropped to seventh on the ladder, Bridget hit out at her husband’s critics in an emotional social media post where she fired back at the “despicable bullying” he was receiving.

“Words have meaning! You may not think they affect the person, but they have meaning!” she posted on Instagram.

“It’s funny, that Ben is apparently being blamed for the Dragons’ performances of late, but it’s funny, last time I checked it’s his first year at the Dragons, and this has happened three years in a row. And it’s funny that there’s 17 people in a whole side, yet it’s all his fault!

“Players make errors when they are loosing [sic], and players make errors when they are winning too! Rugby league should not be condoning this culture!”

Ben Hunt after the Dragons’ season-ending loss to the Rabbitohs.Source:AAP

Her recent Instagram post was much more heartwarming.

The young couple first received word in September that they are expecting their second child — and son Brady, 2, will soon have a sibling to play with.

The first stages of Bridget’s pregnancy played out in the middle of the Dragons’ finals series where Hunt starred in their upset win over the Broncos before their defeat at the hands of South Sydney the following week.

“We then began trying but month after month, being disappointed over and over I began to question my integrity as a nutritionist altogether,” Bridget posted.

“This is my job to help people through such struggles, yet here I was living it myself. all of this amongst football challenges and personal attacks being launched at Ben weekly, our backs have been against the wall and needed some separation from negativity and from the people who write hurtful things that have no consequences because the person isn’t in front of you.

“To say it’s been challenging would be saying the least, but resilience and character are built under pressure... and positive things always come with patience.”

Bridget says they are due on April 13 next year. That’s really all that matters.


https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/t...r/news-story/9fdbd8859a6f646df0e831e00b2a62ba

Hate reading stories like this. Just really really sad. Not something you ever really get over. I admire his character for talking about it.

 

[getsmarty]

2018 review: Gareth Widdop
Skipper Gareth Widdop reflects on the 2018 season and tells us what he's most looking forward to in 2019.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/15/2018-review-gareth-widdop/

 

[Dragsters]

Tragic admission shows reality of NRL star’s heartbreaking year
AS the footy world was crashing down on his head this season, Ben Hunt was dealing with much more severe pain behind the scenes.

SOMEWHERE in between all the talk of football tragedies like losing games and injuries, Kangaroos star Ben Hunt silently suffered the kind of raw, real heartbreak that only happens away from the football field.

Hunt’s wife Bridget revealed recently the couple suffered a miscarriage earlier this year around the Dragons’ season-opening win over the Broncos on March 8.

In a year where Hunt’s form and reported $1.2 million per-season contract made him one of the most criticised players in the game, his young family’s heartbreaking revelation adds another tragic element to his season from hell.

Hunt revealed last month he had been receiving advice from a psychologist to confront anxiety and isolation issues.

He was — unfairly — the face of Queensland’s State of Origin series defeat.

It was all crashing down on him.

Ben Hunt, son Brady and partner Bridget.Source:News Corp Australia

When NSW clenched the series in Game 2, Hunt was ruthlessly criticised and attacked on social media for his mistake in kicking the ball dead when Queensland attacked late in the game — and for his mistake in giving away a penalty try for a professional foul on Boyd Cordner.

Former Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston called it “dumb football”. Former Broncos teammate Justin Hodges was one of many calling for Hunt to be dropped after Game 2. Fox League NRL 360 host Paul Kent labelled him the “Mitchell Pearce” of Queensland.

He was eventually dropped to the bench for Game 3.

The social media response was much more vicious.

Bridget’s announcement recently that she suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks seems to make all that football talk of form, points and representative jerseys immaterial.

Suddenly, the Dragons halfback’s form fluctuations are understandable. Vindicated. Unquestionable.

Bravery only tells part of the story of Hunt’s commitment to play through his personal tragedy and help steer the Dragons to the second week of the playoffs, while earning Queensland and Australian representative honours.

Ben Hunt after the Maroons’ State of Origin Game 2 loss.Source:Getty Images

Bridget’s post on Instagram shows Hunt had more important things than shields and Maroon dynasties on his mind going into this year’s State of Origin period.

“2018 has been filled with a multitude of challenges for our family,” Bridget posted.

“In feb we were excited to be announcing that our family was growing by 2 feet, however unfortunately miscarried at 12 weeks.

“Its always hard in those situations to think, what could I have done differently? What did I do wrong, what it was that I did to impact the result? Sometimes, things are just meant to be — and it was hard to focus on the positives when you are experiencing emotions of grief, sadness, loneliness and so many questions that no one had the answers too.”

The post also shows the difficulties the couple faced during the NRL season when they were having problems conceiving.

After the Dragons’ form dipped after the State of Origin period and the early season leaders dropped to seventh on the ladder, Bridget hit out at her husband’s critics in an emotional social media post where she fired back at the “despicable bullying” he was receiving.

“Words have meaning! You may not think they affect the person, but they have meaning!” she posted on Instagram.

“It’s funny, that Ben is apparently being blamed for the Dragons’ performances of late, but it’s funny, last time I checked it’s his first year at the Dragons, and this has happened three years in a row. And it’s funny that there’s 17 people in a whole side, yet it’s all his fault!

“Players make errors when they are loosing [sic], and players make errors when they are winning too! Rugby league should not be condoning this culture!”

Ben Hunt after the Dragons’ season-ending loss to the Rabbitohs.Source:AAP

Her recent Instagram post was much more heartwarming.

The young couple first received word in September that they are expecting their second child — and son Brady, 2, will soon have a sibling to play with.

The first stages of Bridget’s pregnancy played out in the middle of the Dragons’ finals series where Hunt starred in their upset win over the Broncos before their defeat at the hands of South Sydney the following week.

“We then began trying but month after month, being disappointed over and over I began to question my integrity as a nutritionist altogether,” Bridget posted.

“This is my job to help people through such struggles, yet here I was living it myself. all of this amongst football challenges and personal attacks being launched at Ben weekly, our backs have been against the wall and needed some separation from negativity and from the people who write hurtful things that have no consequences because the person isn’t in front of you.

“To say it’s been challenging would be saying the least, but resilience and character are built under pressure... and positive things always come with patience.”

Bridget says they are due on April 13 next year. That’s really all that matters.


https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/t...r/news-story/9fdbd8859a6f646df0e831e00b2a62ba

These are the sorts of reasons why serial trolls need to think twice about relentlessly bagging players...

 

[Drag Queen]

These are the sorts of reasons why serial trolls need to think twice about relentlessly bagging players...

I was guilty about questioning his playing at times. I think a few of us were. I definitely backed off when the media and fans started to box him in a corner. His demeanour changed from quiet and calm to full on deflated. We could all see it. Miscarriages, hormones and IVF is something close to my heart. I can understand why Ben and his wife did not speak publicly about this because it's a private emotional journey.