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James O’Connor to replace Quade Cooper as Wallabies No.10 against Argentina, Put Fa’amausili Test debut

James O'Connor to replace Quade Cooper as Wallabies No.10 against Argentina, Put Fa'amausili Test debut

“’La’ (Foketi) has his best season ever from a Super point of view,” Rennie said.

“He is a good athlete, good feet and has an ability to beat people through that, or transfer and fend. He is as sharp and as quick as I have seen him, and he is committed and making good shifts.”

Dave Rennie was full of praise for Lalakai Foketi's exploits in Super Rugby.

Dave Rennie was full of praise for Lalakai Foketi’s exploits in Super Rugby.Credit:Getty

Elsewhere, Rory Arnold has overcome a niggling calf injury and will start alongside Darcy Swain in the second row. Taniela Tupou will start at tighthead prop, with Allan Ala’alatoa having flown home for personal reasons.

For the second week in a row, a Rebels prop will make his debut off the bench, with Pone Fa’amausili to play his first match for the Wallabies.

The 130kg prop, who also stands 196cm tall, has been a powerhouse for Melbourne since making his debut in 2018 but has battled a series on injuries that have restricted his game time.

The former rugby league junior made his first Wallabies squad at the end of 2020 but will finally get a taste of action.

Wallabies team to play Argentina, San Juan, Sunday 5am (AEST)

  1. James Slipper (c)
  2. Folau Fainga’a
  3. Taniela Tupo
  4. Rory Arnold
  5. darcy swine
  6. Jed Holloway
  7. Fraser McReight
  8. Rob Valetini
  9. Nick White
  10. James O’Connor
  11. Marika Koroibete
  12. Lalakai Foketi
  13. Len Ikitau
  14. Jordy Petaia
  15. Tom Wright

Reserves 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Pone Fa’amausili, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Pete Samu., 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Irae Simone, 23. Reece Hodge.

Matt Philip has dropped out of the 23-man squad entirely, with Rennie preferring Nick Frost on the bench.

Going with a more traditional 5-3 bench, Rennie has also given Irae Simone a recall after last selecting the 27-year-old in 2020 for two Tests against the All Blacks.

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Simone was due to join Clermont this month but with Samu Kerevi unavailable, and Izaia Perese injured, the ex-Brumbies center was drafted in as cover for the Wallabies midfield. With Paisami the latest to fall victim to the Wallabies’ injury curse, Simone can potentially add a third cap to his name from him.

Reece Hodge maintains his place on the bench to cover multiple positions, and for the fifth time this year, Rennie has swapped the back-up halfback job again. Tate McDermott has come in for Jake Gordon in the No.21 jersey.

Watch every match of The Rugby Championship on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Continue this weekend with South Africa v All Blacks (Sunday 12.30am AEST) and Argentina v Wallabies (Sunday 4.45am AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

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Josh Hannay pays tribute to Paul Green as he describes NRL coaching as a ‘brutal industry’

Josh Hannay

Rugby league coach Josh Hannay has described the industry as “brutal” while reflecting on the sudden death of his “friend and mentor” Paul Green.

Police said Green, 49, died by suicide on Thursday morning.

“I’ve spent the last 12 hours or so trying to comprehend what’s happened, why it’s happened,” Hannay told ABC Radio Brisbane on Friday morning.

“This industry we’re in, right, it’s a brutal industry.

“I know that on a professional level, the last few years have been really challenging for Greenie, given what happened at the Cowboys and with Queensland.”

Green left the Cowboys midway through the 2020 season after recording three wins from the first 10 games, with Hannay stepping in as interim coach.

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Jason Day leads Australian charge at $21m St Jude Classic

Jason Day leads Australian charge at $21m St Jude Classic

Former world no.1 Jason Day decided to ditch the “anxiety” that comes with worrying about outcomes and pushed himself into contention at the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs where winning isn’t the only goal.

World No.2 Cameron Smith kept his cool amid a growing storm about his potential defection to Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Golf and declared he was ready to “cop some heat” for pre-tournament denials after his own solid opening round a the St JudeClassic.

In a sign interpreted by some as strengthening Smith’s reported $140 million LIV defection, the Australian was point-blank after his opening round of 67 about the continued questioning.

“I’m ready to cop some heat. I understand that’s what I’ve said,” Smith told Sky Sports having declared any news on a move would come from him.

“I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs, that’s my number one goal. Whatever happens after that will come from me.”

But while Smith remains in focus Day, who withdrew from last week’s PGA Tour event with illness, carded a bogey-free round of 65 to sit just off the pace in a share of fifth late in the opening round at the $21m St Jude Classic , three shots behind the leaders.

Only the top 70 finishers will progress to the next event and remain in the hunt for the biggest payday in golf, outside of signing a LIV deal.

Day, who hasn’t won since 2018 and has slipped to 147th on the world rankings, said he wasn’t getting lost in thinking too far ahead.

“You’re always just trying like to just blend everything together and hopefully it will click,” Day said.

“I’m not getting too excited about anything right now, just got to stay patient as much as I can because the more and more I start thinking about outcomes and being able to get into next week, it just does nothing for me, or at least anything positive for me.

“It actually gives you more anxiety and a lot of other stuff that comes along with it.

“I feel pretty good about the opening round and looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Adam Scott was the next best Aussie at four-under, a score that could have been better if not for a double-bogey five on the par three 14th hole when his tee shot found the water.

Smith, who could assume the world No.1 ranking with a victory in Memphis, depending on where current world No.1 Scottie Scheffler finishes, carded an up-and-down opening round 67, which included an eagle and two bogeys, to be five off the lead.

Scheffler opening with a one-over par 71.

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Bill Russell’s No. 6 being retired in historic move for NBA

Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey is being retired across the NBA, a first for the league.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that the number worn by the 11-time champion, civil rights activist and person good enough to have been enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach was being permanently retired by all 30 teams.

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“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 from him across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognised.”

Players who currently wear No. 6 — including the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James — may continue doing so. But the number cannot be issued again, the league said.

All NBA players will wear a patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys this season, the league said, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table.

The Boston Celtics have “separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms” planned, the NBA said.

Russell died on July 31 at the age of 88. He was the most prolific winner in NBA history, an 11-time champion during a 13-year career — winning the last two of those titles as a player-coach — and the first Black coach in any of the major US pro sports to win a championship.

He marched with Martin Luther King Jr., stood with Muhammad Ali and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

And having his number retired leaguewide puts him in a very exclusive club.

Major League Baseball permanently retired No. 42 — in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke the big league’s color barrier — with the understanding that those who were wearing that number could continue to do so. Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees was the last in the majors to wear No. 42, doing so through his final season in 2013.

The NHL, upon Wayne Gretzky’s retirement in 1999, said his No. 99 would be retired leaguewide in honor of that sport’s all-time scoring leader.

And now, Russell gets the same treatment. It also seems fitting that he and Robinson — both barrier-breakers — are linked again. Russell called Robinson a hero, once saying that “he showed me the way to be a man in professional sports.”

Robinson clearly held Russell in high esteem as well. Rachel Robinson, his widow, asked Russell to be a pallbearer at her husband’s funeral in 1972.

“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio said. “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy of him alongside the league. ”

There have been more than 250 players in NBA history to wear a No. 6 jersey, including 24 who did so in at least one game last season — most notably, James, who has alternated between 6 and 23 throughout his NBA career.

Nobody has worn No. 6 for the Celtics since Russell’s final season, 1968-69.

Russell is one of 12 players currently enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame who wore No. 6 at least some point in their careers. The others: Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Ben Wallace, Don Barksdale, Chuck Cooper, Larry Costello, Tom Gola, Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Buddy Jeanette and Neil Johnston.

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Paul Green’s life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach

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Paul Green’s sudden death leaves Johnathan Thurston ‘absolutely devastated’

North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green clasps hands with Johnathan Thurston after the 2015 NRL grand final.

North Queensland Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston flew back home to be with his family after he was left “absolutely devastated” by the news that his former coach, Paul Green, had died aged 49.

On Channel Nine’s coverage of the Panthers-Storm game in Penrith on Thursday night, Thurston, the co-captain and Clive Churchill medalist of Green’s premiership-winning Cowboys side, was absent.

After hearing the news of Green’s death, Cameron Smith said he spent a few hours with Thurston in Sydney on Thursday afternoon before his friend, colleague and former Maroons teammate returned home to be with his family and his beloved North Queensland community.

“[Thurston] was absolutely devastated, as were many of the players and his teammates in that Cowboys outfit led by Paul Green,” Smith said.

“We just want to send our best wishes to all those players and particularly our mate JT. We feel for you, as the entire rugby league community do.

“For everyone that was involved with Paul Green and his family, we wish you all the very best.”

Many other Cowboys premiership players posted messages of sadness on social media, including Michael Morgan, John Asiata and Ben Hannant.

A minute’s silence was observed before Thursday’s game at Penrith Stadium and others will be held before every NRL game this round.

Paul Green's image is displayed on the big screen during a minute's silence before an NRL game at Penrith Stadium.
A minute’s silence was held before the Panthers vs. Storm game on Thursday night, just hours after news of Green’s death emerged.(Getty: Cameron Spencer)

Cowboys coach reflects on opportunities Green gave him

North Queensland plays the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said the club had to “put our arms around each other” after a difficult 24 hours.

“It’s a good reminder of how fortunate we are to do what we are able to do,” he said.

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Alyssa Healy belts second ball of women’s Hundred for six, but her team falls short in season opener

Suzie Bates plays a shot as wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy looks on during a cricket game.

Alyssa Healy has hit the first six of the women’s Hundred, England’s latest short-format domestic competition, but also became the first wicket as her franchise team lost heavily at The Oval.

Healy made 15 off seven balls as Northern Superchargers reached 5-143 from their 100 balls, with India’s Jemimah Rodrigues hitting 51 off 32 balls and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt 49 off 39.

Oval Invincibles, the defending champions, made short work of the target, with Lauren Winfield-Hill, who played for Superchargers last year, cracking an unbeaten 74 off 42 balls and putting on 104 for the first wicket with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (46 off 3. 4).

English tyro Alice Capsey, on her 18th birthday, then came in to smash 25 off eight balls to clinch a nine-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare.

Healy is one of the biggest overseas players in the tournament’s second season — the debut year featured few Australians because of COVID-19.

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Former Springboks center brutally attacked after win over All Blacks

This article was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

Former Springboks center Grant Esterhuizen was hospitalized following a brutal attack after watching South Africa beat the All Blacks.

The 46-year-old was treated for facial injuries and will consult an eye specialist after being knocked unconscious.

He has used his Facebook page to try to find the two culprits he alleges attacked him outside a nightclub in Mbombela where the Boks beat New Zealand 26-10.

Watch every match of the Rugby Championship on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. Continue this weekend with Springboks vs All Blacks (Sunday 12.30am AEST) and Pumas vs Wallabies (Sunday 4.45am AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand

Esterhuizen played seven Tests for the Springboks in 2000, including two against the All Blacks, and appeared for the Bulls, Cats and Stormers in Super Rugby.

“Looking for two not so gentle men who took the time on Saturday night to hit me from the side and the back. These individuals belong to a motorcycle club in Nelspruit,” Esterhuizen wrote on his Facebook page.

“Short guy with thin facial hair short dark hair. Tall thin fella with dark bushy hair mustache and goatee. The taller guy was wearing blue and black check shirt. Both were wearing motorcycle club cuts. Please help me find these criminals and prevent this from happening to anyone else in the future.”

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His post received plenty of attention and he revealed more details in a subsequent interview with Pretoria’s Jacaranda FM radio station.

“We were standing outside (the club) and this one guy comes to me and says he feels like he wants to hit me,” Esterhuizen said.

“I turned my back towards him and carried on with my conversation and the next thing I got hit really hard from the side. That’s pretty much the last of what I can remember.”

NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens couldn’t be happier that the Rugby Championship is underway with a win for the Wallabies in Argentina and a brutal battle in South Africa for the All Blacks

Esterhuizen said he was knocked out after getting hit by a helmet.

He said he had not provoked the incident.

“I’m pretty straightforward. When I have a couple of drinks, I always say I’m a lover and not a fighter,” he said.

“This was just one of those random acts of violence. The guys looked like they belonged to a motorcycle club. They were out to hurt someone.”

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‘I got the yips that night’: Rugby legends trade hilarious yarns on Stan Sport’s Glory Days series

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Nick Kyrgios demolishes Alex De Minaur in Montreal all but securing US Open seeding

Nick Kyrgios’ evolution was again on full display in Montreal, demolishing fellow Aussie Alex De Minaur in straight sets in another ominous sign for his rivals ahead of the US Open.

The 6-2 6-3 victory was his 15th in his last 16 matches, and sent Kyrgios into the tournament’s quarter-finals, while also pushing his live ranking to 27, all but securing a seeding for the year’s last grand slam at Flushing Meadows .

Kyrgios’ serve was again far too dominant to handle and virtually unplayable for de Minaur, with the star continuing his rich vein of form, which saw him go into the match winning 94 of his 95 service games.

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He broke his countryman after being gifted two break point opportunities in the opening game and then consolidated the break to get off to a perfect start.

Kyrgios continued to dismantle de Minaur’s serve, breaking him again before pummeling him with a range of big serves to race to a 4-0 lead.

Commentators were in disbelief. “Ridiculous” and “almost as flawless as you can get” were some of the superlatives being thrown around as they watched in awe at the Aussie’s clinical display, with his groundstrokes matching the impact of his serve to leave de Minaur with no answers in 17 of the first 21 points.

De Minaur finally managed to hold serve late in the set but Kyrgios put his foot down again, bamboozling his opponent with sheer speed off the racquet to take the first set in 23 minutes.

The second set started much like the first with Kyrgios breaking again only for de Minaur to put up some resistance in the following game.

Up until that point, Kyrgios had been quiet and going about his business, but as soon as de Minaur broke his serve and leveled it at 1-1, the chatter towards his box began, with the unpredictable star accusing them of not supporting him enough .

He nearly went off again the next game when a ball fell from de Minaur’s pocket onto the court during a rally he was dominating, forcing the umpire to intervene and stop the point, ruling that it should be replayed. But Kyrgios stayed composed and got things back on track soon after, breaking back and then holding serve from love-30 down to lead 3-1.

De Minaur showed grit to stay competitive in the second set but a failed drop shot in the sixth game gifted Kyrgios a double break and a chance to serve out the match. However, he faltered again, leaving him upset at his box.

That moment seemed to spur him on in the next game, converting one of three match points against de Minaur’s serve to seal it in just over an hour, racking up 22 winners in the 6-2 6-3 win.

“After yesterday’s big high of playing Daniil, the crowd was amazing. Today was mentally hard for me to play Alex we’re such good friends and he’s been having such a good career so far and carrying the Australian flag for so long, it was tough it’s not easy to play a friend like that,” Kyrgios said.

Even though he berated them throughout the match, the Aussie paid tribute to his team for giving him the belief throughout his recent purple patch.

“My girlfriend, my physio, my agent we’ve gone through ups and downs but these days are starting to blend into one another,” Kyrgios said.

“I’m just playing the game, eat, sleep and play, it’s tiring but that’s the sport. I am missing home a little bit.

“I’ve got my mum and my dad who I haven’t seen in three months. I’m missing home but at the same time I want a couple of more tournaments before I go home.”

Kyrgios will now play eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round. Hurkacz won their only previous meeting at Halle in June earlier this year.

If he can beat Hurkacz, he’ll soar up the rankings to No.21.

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Serena Williams at the Australian Open: Legend’s transformation after 1998 debut

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Nick Kyrgios beats Alex de Minaur, US Open seeding in his grasp

Nick Kyrgios beats Alex de Minaur, US Open seeding in his grasp

Nick Kyrgios has delivered another masterclass to put Alex de Minaur to the sword and scorch into the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open.

De Minaur entered the first-time showdown with his Davis Cup teammate as Australian No.1, but copped a nasty reality check in a 6-2, 6-3 mauling at the hands of the hottest player on tour.

Kyrgios needed barely an hour to wrap up a 15th win from his past 16 matches and guarantee himself another important rankings boost ahead of the US Open starting on August 29.

At times it looked like Kyrgios was toying with de Minaur, who barely won a point in the opening four games.

He finally got on the board but Kyrgios, mixing stylish serve-volley plays with ferocious power from the back, effortlessly took the opening set in 23 minutes before immediately grabbing an early break in the second.

He briefly lost composure after failing to serve out the match at 5-2 but regained his cool to clinch victory with a ruthless fourth break of de Minaur’s serve.

Nick Kyrgios will head to the season's final grand slam as one of the world's top 30.

Nick Kyrgios will head to the season’s final grand slam as one of the world’s top 30.Credit:The Canadian Press

“After yesterday’s big high, today was really hard mentally for me to go out and play Alex,” Kyrgios said. “We’re such good friends, he’s been having such a good career and carrying the Australian flag for so long. It was just tough mentally, it’s never easy to play a friend like that especially if they’re an Australian so I just got out here and got the job done.

“I played the way I had to play – he’s a hell of a player. If you play to his strengths he’s one of the best players from the back [of the court] in the game and he’s so fast, he’s going to have a hell of a career.”

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Tennis news 2022: Nick Kyrgios defeats compatriot Alex de Minaur in straight sets

Tennis news 2022: Nick Kyrgios defeats compatriot Alex de Minaur in straight sets

Nick Kyrgios’ stunning purple patch has continued, with the Wimbledon runner-up comprehensively defeating compatriot Alex de Minaur in the Montreal Masters on Friday morning (AEST).

The Australian, currently sitting at No. 37 on the ATP rankings, topped his Davis Cup teammate in straight sets 6-2 6-3, securing victory in just 62 minutes.

Kyrgios was at his absolute best during the entertaining round of 16 contest, registering 22 winners and only nine unforced errors in front of a packed-out stadium.

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However, he carried on with constant backchat towards his players box, giving almost a running commentary of his state of mind on the court in a display that seems second nature to him.

Minaur’s World No. 21 hardly won a point in the opening four games, fighting back in the second set by breaking Kyrgios twice, but struggling to hold serve himself.

It was the first time Kyrgios and de Minaur had met in an ATP event.

“After yesterday’s big high, today was really hard mentally for me to go out and play Alex,” Kyrgios said.

“We’re such good friends, he’s been having such a good career and carrying the Australian flag for so long. It was just tough mentally, it’s never easy to play a friend like that especially if they’re an Australian so I just got out here and got the job done.

“I played the way I had to play — he’s a hell of a player. If you play to his strengths he’s one of the best players from the back (of the court) in the game and he’s so fast, he’s going to have a hell of a career.

Kyrgios will next face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals. The pair faced off two months ago on grass, with Hurkacz the victor on that occasion.

This Montreal Masters campaign will give Kyrgios an important rankings boost ahead of the US Open, which gets underway on Monday August 29.

He is expected to climb 10 spots in the ATP rankings, and could crack the top 15 if he wins the Canadian tournament.

Fresh from winning the Citi Open title in Washington, Kyrgios came back from a set down to top world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-7 6-4 6-2 on Thursday.

It’s the second time in his career he’s beaten a world No. 1 and he now boasts a 3-1 head-to-head record against Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion.

Since landing in the United States for the American hard court swing a couple of weeks ago, Kyrgios is 16-0 across singles and doubles.

He has now won 15 of his past 16 singles matches, stretching back to his run into the Wimbledon final, which he lost to 21-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic.

“It’s rewarding to beat the world No. 1,” Kyrgios told The Tennis Channel after the victory over Medvedev.

“It’s a reflection of all the hard work I’ve done in Sydney.

“After Washington I could easily come here and be content with what I did last week, but I wanted to empty the tank these two weeks.

“Obviously my ranking’s not where I want it to be, not getting those points at Wimbledon, but I’ve got to capitalize on this little window.”

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