Sports · Other Sports · 20 hrs ago
Jahrome Hughes says 2022 semi-final loss fuels New Zealand’s World Cup hopes
New Zealand halfback Jahrome Hughes says a painful loss to Australia in the 2022 World Cup semi-final still motivates him.
The Kiwis lost that match 16-14 in Leeds, despite Hughes scoring a try.
He particularly remembers a late chance to set up a winning score that ended without a try.
Hughes says he takes some blame for the defeat and has used it to shape his preparation and mindset.
He will face Australia in Sydney on Thursday, when the teams open this year’s World Cup.
The match will also be Hughes’s first international appearance since 2023 after he missed two years because of injuries.
Hughes hopes New Zealand can go on to win the tournament, which he says would matter to fans and children back home.
Jahrome Hughes says New Zealand’s 2022 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia still motivates him.
The Kiwis lost 16-14 to the Kangaroos in Leeds, England.
Hughes scored a try and made a try-saving tackle in that match, but says he takes a lot of blame for the loss.
New Zealand will face Australia in the 2026 World Cup opener in Sydney.
Hughes hopes the Kiwis can win the tournament and inspire supporters and children in New Zealand.
- Who
- Jahrome Hughes, the New Zealand halfback.
- What
- He says the Kiwis’ 2022 semi-final loss to Australia fuels his hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
- When
- He spoke before the 2026 World Cup opener, scheduled for Thursday night.
- Where
- The opener is in Sydney; the 2022 semi-final was in Leeds, England.
- Why
- Hughes says the loss still gives him motivation and that he wants to help ensure it does not happen again.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Obviously, getting so close in 2022 in the World Cup and losing to Aussie in the semi-final, I still hold a bit of fire in my belly from that. I take a lot of blame for losing that game.
[It’s] fuelling that fire and making sure that doesn’t happen again.
If we were able to lift that trophy at the end of this World Cup, the things it would do for the kids back home in New Zealand and all the supporters back home in New Zealand, it would be truly special.
I cherish every time I get to put this jersey on.
Hughes says he was inspired by New Zealand’s world championship-winning side.
New Zealand lost 16-14 to Australia in the World Cup semi-final in Leeds.
Hughes’s last international appearance before the 2026 tournament, according to the article.
New Zealand are scheduled to face Australia in the 2026 World Cup opener in Sydney.
- 2022 semi-final score
- New Zealand 14, Australia 16
- Semi-final venue
- Leeds, England
- World Cup opener venue
- Sydney
- Hughes’s age
- 32
- Hughes’s last international before 2026
- 2023
Sources
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