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Brandon Smith, hip-drop tackle, video, reported, Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has pleaded for Brandon Smith’s hip-drop tackle to not be judged with the “hysteria” of the week in mind, after the Storm forward was reported in his side’s win over the Titans on Friday night.

Smith was reported for performing a hip-drop tackle on Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in the 29th minute of the Storm’s 32-14 win in Melbourne.

The Storm’s second win in succession was not only soured by Smith being reported but gun halfback Jahrome Hughes suffering a suspected shoulder subluxation. The New Zealand international didn’t feature in the second half and will undergo scans.

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Smith was reported in his first game back from a three-match suspension for calling a referee a “cheating bastard”.

NRL media has been dominated by hip-drop controversy this week, after Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan was hit with a four-match ban for an ugly move on Wests Tigers playmaker Jackson Hastings.

Bellamy begged for officials to not be influenced by the fallout of the Carrigan tackle in assessing the Smith incident.

“I just hope it gets judged on the tackle and not some of the hysteria that has been going on this week. That’s all we’d ask,” Bellamy said in his post-game press conference.

“How many have there been? If there’s one in how many games since the last hip-drop…

“Pat Carrigan doesn’t go out on the field to try to break Jackson Hastings’ leg.

“At the end of the day they’re usually accidents. I understand if they are in the game they need to be out. I don’t think they’re a big issue in the game.

“Obviously with Jackson getting injured — I don’t think Pat went out there on purpose to do that.

“Like I say, I don’t see it as a real big issue in the game. I understand it can injure people, so we want to get it out of the game, without a doubt.

“We just hope (the Smith tackle), and I’m sure it will, gets judged on that… like I say, it’s been in the news a lot this week.”

Fa’asuamaleaui defended Smith in the Titans’ post-match press conference.

“Just an accident,” he said.

“I think he went low and then obviously slipped onto my ankle and gave me a bit of a stinger.

“It was all an accident.”

NRL Highlights: Storm v Titans – Round 21

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Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook believes the NRL is handling the hip-drop issue correctly.

“I don’t think they’re done deliberately, but they are dangerous,” Holbrook said.

“I think we’re doing the right thing. We’ve got to identify them and get them out of the game because we don’t want to see the injuries that are happening.

“No one’s running recklessly to do that, I don’t think.”

Melbourne’s win was inspired by Cameron Munster, who made a return to fullback for the injured Nick Meaney.

The Queensland State of Origin five-eighth piled up 20 points, including a hat-trick and four conversions.

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Commonwealth Games in pictures: Canada player shown straight red card for ‘choking’ opponent

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Commonwealth Games 2022: hockey, diving, athletics and more – live! | Commonwealth Games 2022

Key events

Hockey: Less jolly hockey sticks and more squeaky bum time over at the University where the women’s hockey semi final between England and New Zealand is still deadlocked at 0-0. The final quarter has just begun.

Are we heading for penalties? Or a Super-Over maybe?

Diving: Canada’s Mia Vallee takes Gold in the 1m springboard finalAustralia’s Brittany Mae O’Brien gets the Silver and – with a fantastic, nerveless final dive – England’s Amy Rollinson grabs the Bronze!

“Gutsy, gritty, and determined” says the commentator of the 18-year-old from Luton.

Sean Ingle is soaking it all up in Birmingham. Here’s his preview of what could be a ‘super Saturday’ MK II.

Diving: Great fourth dive from England’s Amy Rollinson who notches up to 61.50 from the judges to see her work her way into fourth place as it stands. She’ll need a barnstormin’ final dive to be in with a chance of getting on the podium.

I saw this earlier and it blew my mind. Well worth a watch:

Hockey: Half time in the women’s semi final – New Zealand 0 England 0. A bit of a disjointed, nervous affair so far.

Diving: In the women’s 1m springboard final England’s Amy Elisabeth Rollinson has slipped down to sixth place after three rounds. Grace Elizabeth Reid of Scotland sits above her de ella and then it is the Aussie trio of Esther Qin, Georgia Sheehan and Brittany Mae O’Brien in fourth, third, second respectively. Canada’s Mia Jolie Doucet Vallee is in the gold medal position and 19 points clear of the crowd. Two rounds to go!

cyclingnews:

Sam Watson joins Team England Road race line-up 🚴

Team England has announced that Sam Watson will be joining the line-up for Sunday’s Men’s Road Race. The 20-year-old will step in to replace Matt Walls.#BringItHome | #Birmingham2022

— Team England (@TeamEngland) August 5, 2022

Hockey: It’s still all square in the women’s hockey semi-final between England and New Zealand, it’s been a frenetic start but is still goalless half-way through the second quarter. Feels like there is a big moment coming…

the women’s hockey semi-final between England and New Zealand is goalless after the first quarter while at the aquatics centre, England’s Amy Rollinson leads the 1m women’s springboard final after the first round.

Gymnastics gold for England’s Marfa Ekimov! The 17-year-old has held on after the floor exercises in the all-round final, beating Cypriot Anna Sokolova by 0.200 points. She becomes the first English athlete to win Commonwealth gold in rhythmic gymnastics.

Marfa Ekimova (centre) with silver medalist Anna Sokolova and Australia's Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, who won bronze.
Marfa Ekimova (centre) with silver medalist Anna Sokolova and Australia’s Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, who won bronze. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

England are into the men’s beach volleyball semi-finals! The Gambian pair won the second set 22-20, but England prevailed in the tie-break set after a dramatic match point where the Bello twins twice dug the ball out before finding a gap.

England advance to the semi-finals, where they will play Canada or Cyprus. The other semi-final will see Australia against Rwandathe African nation shocking New Zealand in their earlier quarter-finals.

Over at the Coventry Arena, George Ramm has won bronze for England in the men’s freestyle wrestling after beating Nauru’s Lowe Bigham. The 65kg category final saw India’s Bajrang Punia defeat Canada’s Lachlan McNeil to win gold.

George Ramm celebrates winning bronze.
George Ramm: great name for a wrestler. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA

“Runner’s dreams crushed by own penis…” as far as sporting headlines go this is certainly up there. The ‘problem’ for 400m runner Albert Nonino was firmly ‘down there’ as a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ hindered his performance in the 400 meters at the U20 World Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia. I can’t put anything else in inverted commas.

This is like one of those horrible dreams you have before a job interview or a date. Sending solidarity Albert. Shush at the back!

Beach volleyball: The sun is beating down in Costa del Smithfield as English twins Javier and Joaquin Bello storm into a one set lead in their quarter-final against Gambian duo Sainey Jawo and Mbye Babou Jarra. Some excellent volleyball on display in that first set which the England pair took 21 points to 16 in front of a rapturous crowd. Set two is about to start…

Javier and Joaquin Bello.
Javier and Joaquin Bello. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

Furrowed pitch leads to furrowed brows…

Some news from over in the footy blog – apparently – the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena is in a right old state after the venue hosted the rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games.

As a result, Coventry’s meeting with Rotherham, currently scheduled for 3pm on Sunday, has been thrown into doubt, and the home club have confirmed that a pitch inspection will take place tomorrow:

A feast for the eyes right here.

These daily picture galleries from the Games are a thing of real beauty:

Table Tennis: England duo Liam Pitchford and Tin-Tin Ho have gone down in a razor wire quarter final match against Indian pair Achanta Sharath Kamal and Akula Sreeja. Gutting for England, who are eliminated after being pipped 11-9 in the deciding game.

Lovely piece thisby Sachin Nakrani of this parish.

Netball: Wales go down to Malawi over in the NEC arena, unable to cling on to an early lead they lost a tight match 56 points to 62. That result means Malawi take seventh position and Wales finish eighth.

Who else is left to play you ask?

gymnastics: 17-year-old Marfa Ekimova is heading (geddit?) for a medal in the individual all-around final, but what color will it be?

Here’s the crowd well and truly getting behind England’s Harry Kendall in the pole vault event of the decathlon earlier today. Kendall surfed their hollers to clear 5m40 and notch a lifetime best.

The 3m men’s in Britain is so tough, it’s so hard to get on the big stage. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve had to be patient, I’ve had to wait for it, really. It’s thanks to Jack for seeing me in training and seeing how good I can be and trusting in me, believing in me.”

Here’s a nice piece from Tumaini who is our man in the shallow end at the aquatic center:

This is a nice moment from this morning:

A touching moment for Cindy Sember who had just qualified for the women’s 100m hurdles final.

Beach volleyball: The Aussie duo of Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho are too strong for the spirited Scottish pairing of Lynne Beattie and Melissa Coutts. The Scots put up a fine display in front of an appreciative crowd but it is the Australians who progress to the semi-final.

Australia go up against Scotland in the beach volleyball, under the shadow of the Bull Ring.
Australia go up against Scotland in the beach volleyball, under the shadow of the Bull Ring. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Badminton: England’s Jessica Pugh and Callum Hemming have beaten Katherine Wynter and Joel Angus of Jamaica 21-11 and 21-7 to take their place in the mixed doubles quarter-finals.

Gold! Always believe in!

I also like the Team Scotland hashtag ‘Time for Heroes’. Wonder if these lads are any good with orb in hand?

Scotland’s George Miller becomes the Games’ oldest gold medalist!

Scotland take the lawn bowls title in the for mixed pairs B2/B3 gold medal match. Robert Barr and Melanie Inness overcoming Wales’ Gordon Llewellyn and Julie Thomas 16-9.

Inness’ director George Miller overtakes fellow Scot Rosemary Lenton, who won the women’s Para mixed pairs on Wednesday (aged 72), to become the oldest competitor to get the gold around the neck.

Speaking to the BBC shortly after the victory Miller said:

“I think Rosemary’s quite pleased… It’s great, fantastic. A year ago I never dreamed of being here. I got a phone call, and nearly fell off my chair to be honest. Here we are – where are we going to go from here?!

“It’s all there to be tried. Everyone can try any sport at all. Bowls is easier for older people – but any sport. Walking football, rugby, you name it. Get out there and exercise, play games, compete. It’s brilliant whatever age you are.”

Amen to that George, inspiring stuff.

Take a bow, George Miller.
Take a bow, George Miller. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Beach Volleyball: Sunshine beats down on the sands of… Smithfield as Scotland’s pairing of Lynne Beattie and Melissa Coutts take on the Australian duo of Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho in the quarter finals. The Aussies have just taken the first set 21-11.

Decathlon: The Australian’s dominated the pole vault in the end – Cedric Dubler clearing 5metres but failing to go over 5m10. Still it gives him a narrow lead of 39 points over defending champ – the appropriately named Lindon Victor of Grenada.

Daniel Golubovic is in bronze place 100 points behind fellow countryman Dubler and 150 points behind them is… another Aussie – Alec Diamond.

England’s Harry Kendall is in sixth position, a medal might well be out of his reach but it’ll be a thrilling finale this evening in the stadium. The gold medal could go anywhere with just the javelin and 1500m to go.

Australia's Cedric Dubler.
Australia’s Cedric Dubler. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Bowls: Just nipping back to say that Scotland are looking like they are going to take the spoils in the para mixed pairs B2/B3 gold medal match, they’ve gone into an 11-6 lead with four ends to go. Wales need to go some now to get back into the match.

UPDATE: Make that 14-9 to Scotland with two ends to go!

I’ve got my eyes on fridge… and the Decathlon pole vault, Harry Kendall bows out after failing to clear 4m50. Aussie Cedric Dubler joins in the action and clears 4m70 by a huge distance!

Here’s Hazel! Lady Irvine welcomes us to afternoon coverage on the Beeb. There’s a slight lull in the action so I’m going to grab a spot of lunch, will be back v shortly but behave yourselves, especially you.

Decathlon: Pole Vault – Harry Kendall clears 4m40 at the final attempt! That’s a lifetime best for the Englishman, he’ll now have three stabs at 4m50! All the while current leader Cedric Dubler sits on the sidelines waiting for the bar to get to somewhere near his level from him.

Decathlon: England’s Harry Kendall made a vault of 4m.30 and is on a second attempt at a lifetime best of 4m40 (his current best is 4m34) the crowd will him on and… so close he nearly sneaks over but just nudges the pole off with his chest. The crowd grown and Kendall gives the pole a wry smile from the chunky matt. He’ll have one final shot at it shortly.

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Storm star Brandon Smith grilled over hip drop tackle

Storm star Brandon Smith grilled over hip drop tackle

Cameron Munster has produced a breathtaking display as Melbourne Storm marked a history-making night with a 32-14 win over gutsy cellar-dweller Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park on Friday night.

But the returning Brandon Smith will be facing a nervous wait after he was put on report for a hip drop tackle late in the first half.

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With the Storm leading 16-4, Smith, who had been out for the last three matches after he was banned for referee Adam Gee a “cheating bastard”, landed himself in hot water when making a legs tackle on the Titans’ Tino Fa’ asuamaleaui.

But in a week where the hip drop has been a hot topic after the Broncos’ Patrick Carrigan was banned for four weeks after his tackle saw the Tigers’ Jackson Hastings break his leg.

Unlike a usual hip drop where two players hold a player before the third man attacks the legs, Smith was in motion, slipping off the tackle and onto Fa’asuamaleaui leg.

But referee Peter Gough said: ““I understand it’s wet and he’s sliding, but what it is, is he throws his legs out which drops the weight on the backfoot.”

Premiership winning coach turned Fox Sports commentator Shane Flanagan wasn’t thrilled with the tackle.

“You can’t do it. You know you can’t put your weight on the back of the legs when a player is going away from you, and he gets himself in a bad position,” Flanagan said.

Post match, Storm coach Craig Bellamy called for the judiciary to look at the incident on its own merits.

“I just hope it gets judged on the tackle, not some of the hysteria that has gone on this week,” Bellamy said.

“That is all we ask.

“If you go on one last week, but how many have there been? If there is one in however many games since the last one.

“Pat Carrigan doesn’t go out on the field to break Hastings’ legs, they are an accident.

“I don’t see it as a real big issue in the game, but I understand that it can injure people, but there hasn’t been a whole heap this year I don’t think.

“I just hope it gets judged on that and not on it being in the news a lot this week.”

It was otherwise a good night for the Storm as they celebrated Bromwich brothers, captain Jesse (290 games) and fellow forward Kenny (211), became the first pair of brothers in NRL history to combine for 500 games (501) with the one club .

Kenny produced a first half try to make it the perfect start to the night.

But it was a hat-trick hero Munster who kickstarted the Storm surges with two first-half tries before adding a third in the second half on a night of brilliance.

Returning to the full back position where he started his career, Munster was safe at the back, dazzled with the extra room to move to rack up 252 run meters and offered tremendous leadership with his voice.

Winger David Nofoaluma, loaned from the Wests Tigers, showed off his speed and elusiveness in an impressive first start with the Storm, while center Young Tonumaipea scored a try in his first game for the Storm since 2018.

Hooker Harry Grant and five-eighth Cooper Johns were also influential for the Storm.

The Storm made a barnstorming start with three tries in the opening 22 minutes.

Xavier Coates, returning from a long-term injury, scored one of the easier tries of his career after Grant flicked out a quick pass to find him unattended in the corner.

Munster rose into the night sky to catch, spin and make his way across the line, before Kenny Bromwich got his try burrowing under Titans defenders Phillip Sami and David Fifita.

It would be a horror night for the Titans after hooker Aaron Booth succumbed to a knee injury.

The 26-year-old had to be helped off the ground by the trainers against his former club after his leg collapsed while attempting to tackle Johns.

Read related topics:melbourne

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Ricciardo to make way for Piastri at McLaren

Ricciardo to make way for Piastri at McLaren

Asked recently whether he had spoken to Alonso, Szafnauer replied: “I haven’t talked to him, since he’s on a boat, I think, in the Greek Isles somewhere.”

Alonso then posted on Instagram a video of himself walking in his home town of Oviedo in northern Spain. He also tweeted a picture of a go-kart at his museum track with the caption “favorite activity on holidays”.

The dispute echoes another ongoing contract clash between McLaren and Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar over reigning champion Alex Palou.

Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo.

Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo.Credit:The Age

Spaniard Palou announced last month that he will be joining McLaren’s roster of drivers for 2023, hours after Ganassi said he was staying with them.

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Given that Perth-product Ricciardo – who has struggled to get the best out of an inconsistent McLaren this season – has a firm contract in place for 2023 with the team, the two parties will have to agree to a settlement. Motorsport.com has reported that it will involve a “substantial pay-off in order for him to walk away at the end of this season”.

He has also been linked with a potential move back to Alpine, where he has spent two seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Melbourne-born Piastri, one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, had been linked with iconic teams Williams and McLaren, but his mother Nicole Piastri last month told The Age said she had no inside knowledge about when her 21-year-old son’s Formula 1 debut might happen.

Ricciardo is now 33 but has eight F1 grand prix victories to his name – the latest of which was at Monza last season ahead of Norris in a famous one-two finish.

Last month he posted a defiant message on social media about how committed he is to Formula 1 racing and how he’s determined to stay with McLaren through to the end of his contract next year.

“I’m working my ass off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs,” said Ricciardo in a passionate Twitter post. “I still want this more than ever.”

Ricciardo is currently 12th on the 2022 driver standings with 19 points. Norris is seventh with 76.

Piastri is managed by another Australian, nine-time F1 race winner Mark Webber and last year won his third world title in as many seasons, joining current Ferrari and Mercedes F1 racers Charles Leclerc and George Russell as the only other drivers to claim the F3 and F2 crowns in consecutive campaigns. Piastri also won the Formula Renault Eurocup title in 2019.

With Reuters, AAP

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John Manzelmann, given three months to live 15 years ago, aiming to win Townsville Cup with Royal Ascot winner

Horse trainer John Manzelmann with Jade Doolan and horse Cochrane. Picture: Supplied

Amazing story of trainer given three months to live 15 years ago

Horse trainer John Manzelmann with Jade Doolan and horse Cochrane. Picture: Supplied Horse trainer John Manzelmann with Jade Doolan and horse Cochrane. Picture: Supplied

It’s the sort of extraordinary story that perhaps only racing could throw up.

There’s the horse trainer who was given three months to live and was so sick with terminal leukemia they paid out his life insurance policy.

There’s the horse which was a €1m yearling, trained by Aidan O’Brien and won in front of the Queen at Royal Ascot.

Together, Mackay trainer John Manzelmann and his seven-year-old stayer South Pacific are striving for the most unlikely of wins in Saturday’s $150,000 Townsville Cup (2000m).

RACING’S TOP 30 RICH LIST: CHRIS WALLER’S EYE-WATERING $5M SALARY REVEALED

South Pacific has an incredible tale, an expensive yearling who Irish wizard O’Brien had high hopes for when he kicked off his racing career in Europe in 2018.

It turns out not everything O’Brien touches turns to gold.

FORM GURU DEANE LESTER’S INSPIRING STORY: BEDRIDDEN FOR 14 MONTHS

South Pacific did win at Royal Ascot, defeating Constantinople who David Hayes purchased in 2019 to try to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Royal Ascot 2021 - Day Two

Townsville Cup contender South Pacific won at Royal Ascot for master trainer Aidan O’Brien (pictured). Picture: Getty Images

Constantinople finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup and 13th in the Melbourne Cup and has never really fired since, currently trained by Aaron Purcell and going around over the sticks in Victoria.

South Pacific was purchased by Darren Dance’s Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock as a Cups contender but has only won once in Australia.

Queensland country trainer Manzelmann picked him up online for $40,000 through the Inglis April Sale earlier this year.

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“This horse obviously hasn’t lived up to all the hype and interest in him early in his career,” Manzelmann said.

“But he is a lovely quiet and easy horse to get along with.

“I think he is just starting to hit his straps.

“The two runs that I have given him have obviously been too short for him.

“I was very happy with his run last weekend in Townsville, especially after the post when he was very strong.

“I think he is a chance in the Townsville Cup, he is going to be very strong at the end whereas some of those horses will be found out over the 2000m.”

Mackay trainer John Manzelmann was so ill his life insurance policy was paid out.

TAB fixed odds have South Pacific as a $41 chance in the Townsville Cup.

But Manzelmann has beaten the odds before.

In 2007, he was quite literally on death’s door.

Manzelmann went to hospital with a sore back and was then told he had leukemia and had three months to live.

His plight was so dire he says: “The insurance company even paid my life insurance out because I was terminally ill.”

But after making an incredible recovery after an extended stay in hospital and many bouts of chemotherapy, Manzelmann returned to health.

In typical country fashion, when asked about his health these days, Manzelmann says: “It’s all good mate, as good as gold!”

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Fifteen Australians targeted by UAE Twenty20 league

Fifteen Australians targeted by UAE Twenty20 league

As many as 15 Australian players have been offered contracts worth up to $700,000 a year to abandon the Big Bash League and play in the UAE Twenty20 tournament in January.

The scale of the attempted raid on Australian players, revealed to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald by senior cricket sources, goes far beyond the threat of losing one player – David Warner – to the UAE because he does not have a BBL deal.

UAE contract sizes so far above and beyond what has been on offer in the BBL have placed Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association under pressure to reassure players that they are not being left behind the rest of the world by remaining loyal to the game in this country.

As many as 15 Australian players have been offered big money contracts to abandon the BBL for the UAE.

As many as 15 Australian players have been offered big money contracts to abandon the BBL for the UAE.Credit:AP

Chris Lynn, who lost his lucrative deal with the Brisbane Heat, is eager to sign on with the UAE league, but is also weighing up reaching terms with the Adelaide Strikers. Signing a BBL deal would make it contractually difficult for Lynn to also play in the UAE.

While CA is in talks with Warner about finding a way to get him back into the BBL this summer, the governing body’s chief executive Nick Hockley and his player union counterpart Todd Greenberg have been fielding countless calls from players about the offers.

Greenberg said he had been talking to players about the need for the group to take part in the BBL this summer, in some cases on inferior money to the market rates being offered elsewhere, in order to secure the best possible pay deal with CA when the current memorandum of understanding expires next year, and a richer cut of the next broadcast agreement to be signed in 2024.

“I’ve been really heartened by the maturity of the players in response, because after a discussion and communication and a bit more context, they’re not just thinking about the short-term,” Greenberg said.

“They do have this genuine sense of care about the game – if they didn’t, they would be mercenaries and take what’s in front of them. But they’re not, they’re actually taking a mature, considered approach to this and trying to be part of the solution. This comes down to establishing trust with your own players and the relationships you develop with them.

“Sometimes when you work closely with players, you’ve got to tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. We’re not in the business of being sycophants – occasionally you need to square them up, talk to them as adults, and give them proper information and let them make some informed decisions with a long-term focus.”

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McLaren reportedly sack West Australian Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 Formula One, replaced by Oscar Piastri

McLaren reportedly sack West Australian Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 Formula One, replaced by Oscar Piastri

WA Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo has reportedly been told he won’t be driving for McLaren next season, with countryman Oscar Piastri set to replace him.

Ricciardo’s initial three-year deal with McLaren does not end until the end of next season, but it is being reported he’s been told he will not be in the seat next year.

He would have to receive a significant payout, with Piastri set to take his place after initially signing on as a reserve driver for next season.

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St George Illawarra young star Jayden Sullivan to request release to Canterbury Bulldogs if Ben Hunt re-signs

St George Illawarra young star Jayden Sullivan to request release to Canterbury Bulldogs if Ben Hunt re-signs

The development won’t come as a surprise to the club hierarchy. Sullivan’s agent also acts for Amone and the parties have just completed a two-year extension for the latter. During the course of negotiations, it was made clear that he didn’t want his promising clients jostling for the one spot.

Sullivan is prepared to bid his time for now, but that will change the moment there are moves to extend Hunt’s tenure at the joint-venture outfit.

Several clubs in need of a halfback have inquired whether Hunt could be released early to join them next year, but the Maroons ace has no appetite to leave the Dragons before his deal expires. The former Bronco’s preference is to finish his career in the Red V.

As revealed by the herald Back in May, the Bulldogs have identified Sullivan as the playmaker they want. Given Amone has extended his contract and there’s likelihood of Hunt following suit, Sullivan could well be Matt Burton’s Bulldogs halves partner next year.

At one stage a player swap of Kyle Flanagan for Sullivan was floated – ironically premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan, Kyle’s father, is a recruiter for the Dragons – but the move never got traction.

Flanagan junior has done a serviceable job during Canterbury’s mini-revival under interim coach Mick Potter, but Sullivan is considered the man to take the “Family Club” to the next level.

The Bulldogs are also looking for a fullback and the Dragons appear to have one too many of those as well. Tyrell Sloan will get a rare taste of first grade against Cronulla after being named on the bench, but he has fallen behind Cody Ramsey and even utility Moses Mbye in fullback calculations. Sloan’s future may not be at the Bulldogs, but it mightn’t be at the Dragons either.

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It could result in more upheaval at a club that has already had its share. Coach Anthony Griffin still has a year to run on a contract that some pundits feel shouldn’t have been extended. His side of him goes into Friday’s derby against the Sharks just one win out of the top eight, although their inferior for-and-against effectively means they are four points out of the finals.

The club also trying to find the right balance between blooding young stars Ramsey, Sloan, Sullivan, Amone and Max and Matthew Feagai, while ensuring they have experienced heads around them. Some believe the scales have tipped too much in favor of the grizzled, older heads.

How it all transpires from here will ultimately decide the future of the club and the coach.

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World Athletics Championships U20: Alberto Nonino wardrobe malfunction in decathlon 400m

World Athletics Championships U20: Alberto Nonino wardrobe malfunction in decathlon 400m

Italy’s Alberto Nonino suffered a nightmare wardrobe malfunction at the U20s World Championships where his genitalia fell out of his shorts.

The decathlon athlete was competing in the 400m event at the end of the first day of competition in Cali, Colombia, when disaster struck.

The 18-year-old started well out of the blocks, but he was soon seen repeatedly reaching towards his crotch instead of swinging his arms as he ran down the home straight.

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the unfortunate reason Nonino’s run was compromised as he tried to contain his thunder as it repeatedly fell out during the race.

Replays showed he started well, but began to drift further and further behind as he reacted to his situation.

I have finished last with a time of 51.57 seconds.

Journalist David Sanchez de Castro’s summation of the incident — and Nonimo’s manhood — has since gone viral.

“Perhaps I’ve explained myself poorly. His penis escaped out of the side of his shorts and he had to hold it because it was n’t allowing him to run properly which is normal when your dongle is swinging from side to side, ”the reporter said.

Nonino has since taken to Instagram to show his fury about how the incident has been reported around the world.

“I just want to talk to you a little bit about the rumpus there’s been on blogs and social media in general,” he said in a Story.

“I’m aware it was obviously an accident and I’d like to tell you I’m aware of the reaction and you don’t need to send me the links to the blogs out there.

“I’m trying to laugh about it now but immediately afterwards I felt terrible and I’m thankful to my friends and family for helping me get over what happened a few hours later.

“The journalistic world worries about cases of bullying throughout Italy and around the world and then publishes these articles that for a more sensitive person could have done a lot of harm.”

Spanish press agencies have speculated Nonino’s episode could have been the result of an absence of underwear.

.

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All Blacks v South Africa (Mbombela) » allblacks.com

All Blacks v South Africa (Mbombela) » allblacks.com

All eyes turn to Mbombela Stadium in the early hours of Sunday morning (NZT) as the All Blacks open their Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship campaign with their first Test on South African soil since 2018.

Match details: All Blacks v South Africa, Sunday 7 August, 3.05am NZT (local time: Saturday 6 August, 5.05pm), Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela

Played: 101

Won: All Blacks 60, South Africa 37, Drawn 4

Last time: All Blacks 29, South Africa 31 (2 October 2021)

Referee: Angus Gardner

INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST DETAILS

FRONT ROW SHUFFLE

There’s ample change up front for the All Blacks with Samisoni Taukei’aho named at hooker alongside George Bower and Angus Ta’avao in a new look front row. On the bench, Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot are named for the first time in the 2022 season while Dane Cole gets the nod on the pine ahead of Codie Taylor. The Springboks have named a powerful starting trio of Trevor Nyakane, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe. The inspirational Marx will also be playing his 50th Test match.

WELCOME BACK CALEB

An eye-catching selection for the All Blacks is Caleb Clarke in the number 11 jersey for the first time since 2020. With Olympics aspirations and injury keeping him off the All Blacks team sheet since his then, Clarke will provide genuine firepower out wide and completes a dangerous back three of Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett. Clarke will provide an unknown quantity for the Springboks having never faced the South Africans in a Test match previously.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY

First played for under the guise of the Tri Nations back in 1996, the Rugby Championship is one of the most prestigious and hotly contested titles in world rugby. The All Blacks are the reigning Rugby Championship holders having taken out the title on Australian soil in 2021. South Africa have claimed the title on four occasions (1998, 2004, 2009 and 2019) and will be buoyed by hosting the All Blacks in the opening two Tests of the 2022 tournament. Whoever emerges on top in Mbombela will also claim early favorites status for the 2022 crown.

FOZZY’S WORD

All Blacks coach Ian Foster said a stark reality of the 101-year All Blacks-Springboks rivalry would be borne out again in the opening Test Mbombela. “If you are not at your best, you lose.” Foster said.“It sets things very simple and clear in your mind at the start, but to have two [Tests] in a row here is something special for this team. We’re determined to prove this team’s got the character to grow from our last series and the frustrations from that,” Foster said.

OLD RIVALRIES IGNITE

While the All Blacks have not played on South African soil since their nail-biting 32-30 win at Loftus Versfeld in 2018, the Test will also see several classic player rivalries summarized. This is nowhere more apparent than at halfback where Aaron Smith faces Faf de Klerk. The two world class halfbacks have had many great battles at Super Rugby and Test level over the years, and de Klerk said their was a mutual respect between the pair. “We’ve become friends off the field, but once we’re on the field, it’s back to business,” de Klerk said. “He’s one of their key players with over 100 Tests which makes him unbelievably successful. There’s a lot to learn from him – it’s always good to learn from one of the best players in the world.”

STACHAT

The All Blacks have won their last four matches on South African soil, with the last two wins coming by a margin of two points or less.

TEAMS (caps in brackets)

All Blacks

1. George Bower (14) 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (11) 3. Angus Ta’avao (22) 4. Sam Whitelock (134) 5. Scott Barrett (50) 6. Akira Ioane (14) 7. Sam Cane © (80) 8. Ardie Savea (62) 9. Aaron Smith (105) 10. Beauden Barrett (104) 11. Caleb Clarke (5) 12. David Havili (16) 13. Rieko Ioane (50) 14. Will Jordan (15) 15. Jordie Barrett (39)

Reserves: 16. Dane Coles (81) 17. Ethan de Groot (4) 18. Tyrel Lomax (14) 19. Tupou Vaa’i (12) 20. Shannon Frizell (17) 21. Finlay Christie (6) 22. Richie Mo’unga (35) 23. Quinn Tupaea (9)

south africa

1. Trevor Nyakane (56) 2. Malcolm Marx (49) 3. Frans Malherbe (48) 4. Eben Etzebeth (100) 5. Lood de Jager (58) 6. Siya Kolisi (65) – captain 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (60) 8. Jasper Wiese (13) 9. Faf de Klerk (38) 10. Handre Pollard (62) 11. Makazole Mapimpi (27) 12. Damian de Allende (60) 13. Lukhanyo Am (28) 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (1) 15. Damian Willemse (18)

Reservations:16. Bongi Mbonambi (50) 17. Steven Kitshoff (61) 18. Vincent Koch (34) 19. Salmaan Moerat (1) 20. Franco Mostert (53) 21. Kwagga Smith (21) 22. Jaden Hendrikse (4) 23. Willie Le Roux (74)