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Category: Sports

  • Rebels excited to have Tupou in Super Rugby ranks

    Melbourne’s biggest signing Taniela Tupou will be at Super Rugby training early next month, with coach Kevin Foote looking to make the Rebels’ scrum a weapon.

    Melbourne expect superstar Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou to hit the ground running, with their new recruit to start training with the Super Rugby Pacific club early next month.

    Signed from Queensland, Tupou will lead a beefed-up pack alongside Test forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who spent last season playing for UK club Northampton.

    One-Test All Black midfielder Matt Proctor, England-capped halfback Jack Maunder and Reds utilty back Filipo Daugunu are also moving to Melbourne, with all Super sides unveiling their squads on Thursday.

    The Wallabies’ World Cup campaign was dealt a massive blow when Tupou suffered a hamstring injury, which saw him miss crucial pool games.

    But the 27-year-old was able to turn out for the Barbarians invitational team against Wales last weekend, and Melbourne coach Kevin Foote said he would be available to train on December 4, when the representative players were due back.

    The Rebels now have Test forwards Rob Leota, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Kemeny and Jordan Uelese all up for selection.

    “Taniela’s been really good – our medical team have been in touch with all the Wallabies player to support them,” Foote told AAP.

    “He comes in on December 4, so we get the World Cup guys pretty early.

    “The scrum is pretty exciting for us and it’s smart recruitment.”

    Former Reds backrower/lock Salakaia-Loto, who started training with the Rebels after missing selection for the France tournament, has already made an impression.

    “Lukhan is a massive guy – he’s 130 kilograms and he’s a no-nonsense guy,” Foote said.

    “He’s come back to Australia and he really wants to win something, so I think the timing of us getting him is pretty awesome.”

    Among other squad changes, incoming Queensland coach Les Kiss has added All Blacks pairing Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen in one of his few big plays to offset the loss of Tupou.

    Teenager Frankie Goldsbrough – one of Queensland’s most sought-after talents – has also been elevated to the squad.

    Experts say Goldsbrough is a realistic chance of joining the likes of Jordan Petaia, Ben Tune and Daniel Herbert as an 18-year-old Super Rugby debutant.

    The NSW Waratahs have lost World Cup playmaker Ben Donaldson to the Western Force, and retired former captain Michael Hooper.

    Miles Amatosero is set to make his mark, with the 21-year-old second-rower, who stands more than 200cm and weighs 125kg, returning to Sydney after a stint in France.

    The ACT Brumbies, who were Australia’s best-performing team in 2023, have remained settled apart from the departure of halfback Nic White to the Western Force and Pete Samu to France.

    Skipper Allan Alaalatoa is expected to miss the opening rounds as he recovers from an achilles injury.

    As well as luring Wallabies halves Donaldson and White to the west, the Force have also recruited former All Black Atu Moli and Reds prop Harry Hoopert to bolster their front row, while backrower Will Harris has joined from the Waratahs.

  • Federer-slayer Millman to quit after Australian summer

    John Millman, the only Australian this century to conquer the great Roger Federer at a grand slam, has announced he will retire from tennis after this summer.

    Former grand-slam quarter-finalist, fan favourite and Roger Federer slayer John Millman has ruefully called an imminent end to his professional tennis career.

    The 34-year-old revealed on Thursday night he was walking away after a 10th and final Australian Open campaign in January, saying “unfortunately age has caught up to me”.

    “Just the three (shoulder) surgeries. Chronic back injury was the thing that did me in, though,” Millman told AAP, after posting on social media: “All good things come to an end.

    “After the upcoming Australian Summer, I’ll be retiring from professional tennis.

    “I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my career. It’s been a thrilling ride living out a dream I had as a kid.”

    Millman overcame all manner of injuries to forge a special place in the Australian tennis history books with a career-defining fourth-round victory over Roger Federer at the 2018 US Open in New York.

    He was the first Australian to topple the Swiss great at a grand slam since Pat Rafter at the 1999 French Open, when Federer was still a teenager.

    Millman went tantalisingly close to repeating the feat at the 2020 Australian Open, losing in five sets after leading Federer 8-4 in the deciding super-tiebreaker.

    He reached a career-high No.33 in the world in October 2018, won his lone ATP singles title in Kazakhstan in 2020 and played five Davis Cup ties for Australia while also wearing the green and gold at two Olympic Games.

    In Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Millman became the first player in Olympic history to win a singles match 6-0 6-0, against Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis.

    In addition to his stirring run at Flushing Meadows five years ago, where it took Novak Djokovic to stop him, Millman twice made the third round at Melbourne Park and Wimbledon.

    But he says his battered body has “really broken down”.

    “It’s been a fantastic career, but I’m ready to try something else,” Brisbane-born Millman told Nine News Queensland.

    “The way I play, I have to be up there playing 11 months a year; and I’m just no longer able to do so.

    “I can still play at a high level, I feel, but not day-in, day-out. The body is not letting me.

    “All those years of being physical on the court have caught up with me.”

    Millman will feature in Australia’s United Cup side for the mixed teams’ event kick-starting the summer of tennis in Perth and Sydney from December 29.

    While the world No.436 won’t make direct entry to the Australian Open, it’s almost certain the popular grinder will receive a wildcard into his home slam for one last time.

  • Maxi is stretching cricket’s limits, says Aussie coach

    Australia coach Andrew McDonald believes Glenn Maxwell will inspire the next generation of cricketers with his pyrotechnics – just like Ricky Ponting did.

    Glenn Maxwell has been hailed by Australia’s coach as a game-changing talent who can inspire an entire generation with his brilliance.

    Andrew McDonald, left amazed like the rest of cricket by the match-winning double hundred that a hobbling ‘Maxi’ smashed against Afghanistan on Tuesday, described the allrounder as stretching the possibilities in the batting art just as Ricky Ponting and AB De Villiers did before him.

    Suggesting it might take a long time for the true magnitude of Maxwell’s unbeaten 128-ball 201 in Mumbai to be properly appreciated, McDonald also couldn’t help smiling as he related how, back home in Australia, he’d heard that players were now all imitating the 35-year-old’s outrageous inventions.

    “I had some text messages from some friends that went to cricket training that night (of Maxwell’s innings) and the night after, back home and what were they playing? Reverse sweep, scoops…

    “It’s probably a little bit of a nightmare with developing players for the coaches, but you’ve got to encourage it.

    “I think the players take the game forward every day and the game is better today than it was yesterday and Glenn Maxwell will no doubt inspire a new generation with some outrageous shots – and they’ll take it even further than he has.

    “And that’s the beauty about this game, the limits are endless. He’s stretched the boundaries as did AB de Villiers, as did Ricky Ponting in their time as well. So it’s exciting to see where the game may head.

    “He sees the game differently. Some of the options that he takes, the work that he’s put in, even some of the things he does in the field, he does differently and it never ceases to amaze.”

    Captain Pat Cummins hailed Maxwell’s effort, as he battled body cramps and a back issue, as the “greatest ODI innings” as he almost single-handedly dragged Australia to victory when they had looked beaten at 7-91 chasing 292.

    “It looks like it will take a long time for an innings like that to sink in,” said McDonald.

    “It’s one which you look the highlight back the next day and it still amazes you what happened.

    “I think Patty summed up very well…probably the greatest one-day innings ever.”

  • Moloney sets title defence, aims for April unification

    Jason Moloney had initially been tipped to lock in a unification bout for late 2023, but will instead defend his WBO world bantamweight title in January.

    Jason Moloney will defend his world bantamweight title for the first time on January 13 and is eyeing a maiden unification bout on Australian soil in April.

    Melbourne-born Moloney announced on Thursday he would meet American Saul Sanchez in Quebec City for his first fight since beating Vincent Astrolabio to claim the WBO belt.

    On his third attempt at a world title, ‘Mayhem’ Moloney (26-2, 19 KOs) overcame a hand injury to beat the Filipino by majority decision in May.

    After taking a break to allow his hand to recover, Moloney was down to fight Alexandro Santiago for a shot at the WBC title which would have moved him a step closer to undisputed champion status.

    But a mandatory fight with Astrolabio has taken priority for Santiago.

    IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez’s decision to retire and then backflip only days later cast doubt over a unification bout between he and Moloney.

    Itching to return to the ring, Moloney has opted to prioritise a maiden title defence over a chance for another belt.

    “Time was ticking away and I don’t want to sit on the sidelines any longer,” Moloney told AAP.

    “We tried quite hard to make the fight happen in Australia but a few pieces of the puzzle just weren’t falling into place.

    “Certainly after I’m successful in January, I’m hoping to get out and I’m hoping that a unification fight is next and hopefully in Australia.”

    Moloney is aiming for that fight to take place in April and wants his brother, super flyweight Andrew, to feature on the same card.

    “I’d like that,” he said.

    “He’s fighting December 9 in Melbourne and looking to get a win and get himself back in the title mix.

    “Hopefully we’ll share a show together early next year.

    “I would like to fight probably April, fingers crossed we can have a unification then.”

    But first, Moloney has been listed on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s fight with Callum Smith on January 13, the former defending his WBO, WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles.

    Australian super middleweight Rohan Murdock will fight Christian Mbilli on the same card in Quebec.

    Sanchez (20-2, 12 KOs) last fought in October when he handed Filipino southpaw RV Deniega the first loss of his professional career by unanimous decision in Japan.

    The 26-year-old is listed at No.10 on the WBO rankings and is contesting his first world title.

    “He’s someone who’s been on my radar for a while,” Moloney said.

    “He’s going to come into the fight very hungry, it’s his first chance at winning a title himself so I’m expecting a really good, hard fight.

    “But I believe in myself and believe in my abilities. I think I’m the best bantamweight in the world at the moment and it’s time to prove that.”

  • NRL’s Manly retain Croker, McLean re-signs with Cowboys

    Manly have moved to re-sign Lachlan Croker only one day before rival NRL clubs can begin swooping on players coming into a contract season.

    Hooker Lachlan Croker will remain at Manly until the end of 2026 after the club announced his re-signing only one day before the player market opens.

    From November 1, clubs can begin formal negotiations with players who are out of contract at the end of 2024.

    But by securing Croker, their best-and-fairest player in 2022, Manly have retained their biggest name who had been set to hit the open market.

    Croker, who has played 104 of his 105 first-grade games for the Sea Eagles, has signed a two-year deal.

    Originally a half in Canberra’s junior system, Croker arrived at Manly in 2018 and has been a regular first-grader since 2020.

    He became starting hooker after Danny Levi left the club before the 2021 season and has become noted for his work rate in defence.

    “Lachlan has been one of our most consistent players over the last two seasons. It’s great for us to be able to extend him out for a further two years,’ coach Anthony Seibold said.

    “He has played over 100 games for our club now and is a great team man. You know what you are going to get with ‘Crokes’.”

    North Queensland have re-signed veteran prop Jordan McLean on a one-year contract that could see him through to retirement.

    The former Melbourne middle man will be 33 shortly after next season ends, but has proven he is still up to the rigours of first grade, starting 22 games this year.

    He averaged 111 run metres in 2023 and bolsters a middle rotation that also includes Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and Griffin Neame.

    Elsewhere, Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Penrith winger Tom Jenkins on a two-year contract from 2024.

    Stuck behind Brian To’o, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May, the Panthers had already confirmed Jenkins would not be at the club next year.

    He looms as a replacement option for Dominic Young, who has joined the Sydney Roosters.

  • Roosters’ tough contract calls with November arriving

    The Sydney Roosters face a big battle to retain their superstars as rival clubs begin pitching to off-contract players.

    Penrith’s triple premiership-winning five-eighth Jarome Luai headlines a list of more than 150 players who are contracted through 2024, but able to field rival offers for 2025 from November 1.

    Other big names include Newcastle’s recent State of Origin debutant Bradman Best, Brisbane’s grand-final standout Ezra Mam and crafty North Queensland five-eighth Tom Dearden.

    But Trent Robinson’s Roosters undoubtedly have the biggest pool of top-level talent hitting the open market as they look to string together a more consistent season in 2024.

    Five-eighth Luke Keary sits top of that list, with the club facing a difficult call over whether he and Sam Walker are the right halves pairing to inspire more premiership success.

    The perennial heavyweights have endured two up-and-down seasons and Keary, who has struggled with concussion in recent times, turns 32 in February.

    Roosters utility Joey Manu is an enticing prospect for rival clubs, able to play fullback at an elite level but stuck behind captain James Tedesco for that spot at Bondi.

    Manu – who has previously insisted he has no preference as to which position he plays – is tied to a Roosters deal worth an estimated $800,000 per season, big money for a centre.

    Roosters edge forward Angus Crichton has repeatedly been linked with a switch back to his boyhood code of rugby union, but talks of an immediate move have broken down.

    He remains contracted through 2024 on a reported $600,000 per year – another potential financial spanner in the works for the Tricolours if he opts against moving to the 15-man code.

    Stalwarts Nat Butcher and Daniel Tupou are also without deals beyond 2024, as is prop Terrell May, whose impact off the bench was vital as the Roosters made a late charge to the 2023 finals.

    Veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves turns 35 in January and is off contract at the end of 2024, but appears likely to retire at season’s end.

    The Wests Tigers, Canterbury and St George Illawarra are all set to spring into action from November 1, eager to bolster their stocks following disappointing 2023 campaigns.

    Wednesday will be the first official day on the job for new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and his Gold Coast counterpart Des Hasler.

    St George Illawarra are poised to make a serious play for Luai to start in the halves.

    The playing future of first-choice five-eighth Junior Amone is clouded following a guilty verdict in his recent assault trial, while halfback Ben Hunt has made no secret of his desire to leave the joint venture.

  • Good signs for Simmons as Nets nab first win of season

    Ben Simmons is impressing coach Jacque Vaughn and his Brooklyn teammates early in the NBA season, falling just shy of a triple-double in the win over Charlotte.

    Ben Simmons is showing shades of his best to begin the NBA season, starring in Brooklyn’s first win of the campaign over Charlotte.

    A run of injuries hampered Simmons after he moved to the Nets last season as part of a highly-publicised trade that sent James Harden to Philadelphia.

    But Simmons has appeared undaunted by the prospect of repaying Brooklyn for their faith this season and came within two assists of a triple-double in Tuesday’s 133-121 road win.

    Running the point, the Australian (11 points, team-high 10 rebounds, team-high eight assists) masterminded a 15-2 run that helped the Nets begin the game on the front foot.

    Brooklyn never surrendered their lead, though the Hornets did cut it to single digits either side of halftime and then again in the final period.

    Simmons’ passing game out of trouble was especially effective at setting the Nets up in transition and it was encouraging to see him use his size to take the paint on.

    “I said this to him specifically at shoot-around, ‘I saw progression from game one to game two and I’m looking forward to seeing the progression from game two to game three’,” said Nets coach Jacque Vaughn.

    “He definitely set the tone for us to start the basketball game. I think his physicality, his ability to push the basketball was high-level for us, getting guys open for shots.

    “It’s a joy to play that way. I think this team is built versatility-wise to play that way. We’ll continue to embrace it.”

    Simmons would likely have finished the game with his second triple-double as a Net had he not been shifted to the post late in the fourth quarter.

    Brooklyn, without Nic Claxton due to a left ankle sprain, were down a big man in their rotation.

    Nets forward Cam Thomas (33 points) lauded Simmons on his start to the season.

    “Him playing like this, I wouldn’t say it’s at his full potential yet but him getting back in stride, he’s looking real good. He’s been solid,” Thomas said.

    “We’re getting comfortable with him. Just figuring out how he plays is good, he’s playing fast, up-tempo. He’s going to find us.

    “The harder you run, the more easy baskets you can get from him. Obviously he’s playing well. I’m happy for him.”

  • Thirteen Aussies to challenge for 2024 world surf title

    The World Surf League has confirmed the competitors who will challenge for 2024’s elite Championship Tour, with 13 Australians making the cut.

    Thirteen Australians have been confirmed for 2024’s World Surf League Championship Tour and can look forward to staking their claim to be crowned the world’s best.

    Jacob Willcox, India Robinson, Sally Fitzgibbons and Isabella Nichols have added their names to the roster of nine Aussies who qualified through last season’s final Championship Tour (CT) rankings.

    In the men’s competition, Queenslander Ethan Ewing will bid to go one better than his second-place finish in 2023 as he again suits up to challenge reigning world champ Filipe Toledo of Brazil.

    Fellow Australians Jack Robinson and Ryan Callinan finished in the top-10 last time out, while Connor O’Leary was 11th.

    Western Australia’s Willcox qualified for the CT by virtue of finishing third in the WSL’s 2023 Challenger Series, while surfing legend Kelly Slater has been handed a wildcard to take his place among the 36 men contesting the title.

    Tyler Wright was the highest-ranked Australian woman in 2023, finishing third in the rankings behind champion Caroline Marks and No.2 Carissa Moore.

    She will challenge on the CT again next season, where she will be joined by five of her countrywomen, including eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore.

    Victoria’s Robinson topped the rankings in the WSL’s qualifying Challenger Series to return to the CT, with three-time world runner-up Fitzgibbons and Queensland’s Nichols also making the step up.

    The 2024 CT campaign will kick off at Hawaii’s legendary Banzai Pipeline, with the mid-season cut at the season’s halfway point following the Margaret River event in WA.

    The season will conclude at the one-day WSL finals, where the top five men and women will battle for the world title.

    “We’re excited to welcome and officially confirm the new class of Championship Tour competitors,” Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL’s chief of sport said.

    “We’re excited to see the potential of this year’s rookie class and how they will rise to the occasion of competing against the best in the world.”

    AUSTRALIANS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 WSL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR

    MEN

    Ethan EwingJack RobinsonRyan CallinanConnor O’LearyLiam O’BrienCallum RobsonJacob Willcox*

    WOMEN

    Tyler WrightMolly PicklumStephanie GilmoreIndia Robinson*Sally Fitzgibbons*Isabella Nichols*

    (* denotes: qualified through the 2023 Challenger Series)

  • Australia close in on WC semi after classic win over NZ

    Australia have beaten New Zealand by just five runs in Dharamshala to move closer to a semi-final place at the cricket World Cup in India.

    Australia are closing in on a World Cup semi-final berth after a pulsating five-run win over New Zealand, who came perilously close to pulling off the biggest successful run chase in the tournament’s history.

    Australia appeared in the box seat after a 175-run opening stand from newly-fit Travis Head and in-form David Warner propelled them to a formidable total of 388 in Dharamshala on Saturday.

    But a second World Cup century to Rachin Ravindra (116) kept the Black Caps on track, before their last recognised batter Jimmy Neesham (58 off 39 balls) stepped up for a furious cameo.

    Only called in to replace the injured Mark Chapman, Neesham was tasked with scoring 19 from the last over to seal a famous win and once again put Australia’s knockout hopes in doubt.

    Mitchell Starc bowled a wide from his second delivery, which slipped past wicketkeeper Josh Inglis for four byes and reduced the target from 18 runs off five balls to only 13 from as many.

    But the Australians put their bodies on the line with fine fielding in the final over and the Kiwis were unable to find the boundary.

    After hitting Starc’s penultimate delivery to deep mid-wicket, Neesham was made to pay as he attempted to scramble back for a second run, run out by Inglis at the striker’s end.

    Paceman Lockie Ferguson could not hit the six required off the final ball and the Australians were home.

    “It was very close in the end, a hell of a game,” said Head, named player of the match.

    After beginning the India-based tournament with consecutive defeats, Pat Cummins’ side have now won four games in a row and will likely make the knockout stage even if they lose one more.

    They will start favourites in their three remaining group-stage games against out-of-sorts England as well as Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

    In his first hit-out since breaking his hand six weeks ago, World Cup debutant Head (109) partnered with Warner (81) to punish the Kiwis for sending Australia in to bat.

    Their 175-run partnership, posted at a run-rate of 9.13, was the fastest for an opening pair scoring over 150 runs in an ODI.

    “We complement each other really well,” Head said.

    “It’s just about making sure we react well, making sure we stay connected with each other, stay in the moment and play what’s coming towards us.”

    Kiwi quick Matt Henry (1-67) unwittingly kickstarted Head’s superb innings with two back-to-back no balls in the third over.

    Head smacked both free hits for six on his way to posting the fastest half-century of the tournament (50 off 25 balls) so far.

    Warner, for his part, was 19 runs short of becoming the first Australian in history to notch a century in three consecutive ODIs.

    Part-time off-spinner Glenn Phillips (3-37) sent both openers packing, first catching Warner from his own delivery and then bowling Head.

    He ended up as pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, who took 5-99 after the opening onslaught to prevent what could have been an astronomical score.

    Just as Australia did against the Kiwi quicks, Ravindra took advantage of a wicket that offered little for the world-class Australian pace attack.

    He brought his century up by belting Glenn Maxwell over deep mid-wicket for six and was given an extra life shortly thereafter, dropped by a gutted Maxwell from his own bowling.

    Red-hot spinner Adam Zampa (3-74) helped ensure Ravindra was never able to form a steady partnership, though.

    Zampa removed the dangerous Daryl Mitchell (54) and later soared atop the ladder for most wickets this tournament (16).

    Late cameos from Cummins (37 off 14 balls) and Maxwell (41 off 24) reinvigorated the Australians with late runs that were ultimately crucial to holding the spirited Kiwis at bay.

  • Eddie Jones quits as Wallabies coach

    Eddie Jones has quit as Wallabies coach after a disastrous return that included Australia failing to make the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

    The Eddie Jones era is over.

    Only 10 months after Rugby Australia trumpeted his arrival – and the revival of the Wallabies – Jones has resigned following his side’s shambolic World Cup campaign.

    The veteran coach met with RA bosses on the weekend and amicably agreed to his departure.

    Jones’ exit cuts short a five-year deal that initially had the 63-year-old in charge of the Wallabies through to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.

    Jones told AAP on Sunday that his resignation “was not far away”, with the paperwork between the parties to be signed off on this week, while RA said they weren’t in a position to comment.

    In January, Jones was heralded as the saviour of the national side, with RA chairman Hamish McLennan axing Kiwi coach Dave Rennie, citing poor results.

    But under Jones, who coached the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2003 and England to the decider in 2019, Australia went from bad to worse, managing just two wins from nine Tests.

    His World Cup campaign got off to an embarrassing start at a pre-departure press conference when he told journalists to “give yourselves an uppercut”.

    In France, the Wallabies failed to make the quarter-finals for the first time, suffered their first World Cup loss to Fiji, and endured further humiliation with a record-breaking 40-6 defeat to Wales.

    Australia were also rocked on the eve of the global showpiece when Jones was linked to the Japan coaching vacancy, although he denied being interviewed for the post just days out from his side’s World Cup opener.

    He was heavily criticised for his youth selection policy, leaving a number of veterans out of the squad including long-time skipper Michael Hooper and playmaker Quade Cooper.

    Just two weeks ago, back in Australia, Jones spoke of his ongoing commitment to rebuilding the team ahead of the in-bound 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the next World Cup.

    He said he was awaiting the result of an RA review of the tournament due in November.

    But he has ultimately decided to walk.

    Jones told told The Australian he had amicably agreed to the terms of his departure and that there would be no payout.

    He claimed he had no international job lined up, in Japan or elsewhere.

    Jones also insisted he had no regrets and hoped his departure would be a catalyst for change.

    He said Australia needed to improve its capture of youth talent and its high performance environment, notably Super Rugby.

    “I feel disappointment about the fact that what we wanted to do in terms of changing the system hasn’t been able to happen in the short term,” Jones told The Australian.

    “In the short and medium term, it really affects me personally. I have a major feeling of disappointment. But I don’t feel any grievance towards anyone.

    “I’ve really enjoyed coaching the players. The players have been fantastic. They just need a better environment to be training and playing in.”

    Jones is currently in the UK co-coaching the Barbarians with incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson ahead of their match against Wales on November 5 (AEDT).