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Wallabies player ratings from record loss to Argentina, highlights, analysis, team news

Wallabies player ratings from record loss to Argentina, highlights, analysis, team news

The Wallabies conceded seven tries and four of them came from kicks.

If you’re looking for a reason why the Wallabies lost, that paints a pretty clear picture.

The Wallabies’ raw fullback Tom Wright was exposed. The Brumbies back has been excellent in his previous three Tests of the year, but his lack of time spent in the role was brutally exposed by Argentina, who tested his positional understanding and his aerial skills too.

He wasn’t the only one either. Marika Koroibete was found out in the air, while Reece Hodge was penalized after he made contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to compete for the ball.

The Wallabies’ scrum was edged, too, with the Argentine pack up for the challenge following their heavy defeat a week earlier.

As for James O’Connor, the recalled playmaker faces a fight to keep his place after a frustrating performance.

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Wallabies try BRUTALLY disallowed! | 01:22

Had his try midway through the first half not been disallowed it likely would have been a different story for the 32-year-old. It didn’t, and anyone wearing the No.10 jersey generally shoulders the blame regardless of whether they deserve it.

Here are our player ratings from the record loss to Argentina.

Tom Wright- 3.5

Given the fullback’s struggles under the high ball, Dave Rennie will likely recall Andrew Kellaway should the Rebels back be fit to take on the Springboks later this month.

Wright doesn’t deserve to be dropped. One poor game doesn’t define a player, but the Brumby is a developing 15 and could benefit from more time on the wing. He’ll be a strong contender for the No.23 jersey should Kellaway be fit.

The tough day started in the very first minute, as he fumbled a tough ball from Jordan Petaia and Argentina scored.

Moments later and Argentina won a 50-22 as the home side exposed Wright’s positional understanding.

“Pretty inexcusable from the Wallabies from set phase not to be able to defend a 50-22 in that situation,” former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens said for Stan.

On three occasions Wright lost possession in the air. He was out leapt in the eighth minute by Emiliano Boffelli.

He didn’t get a hand on a kick in the 27th minute. He was also beaten in the air again in the 36th minute but fortunately was saved by some Marika Koroibete brilliance in defense as he forced Boffelli to spill the ball over the tryline.

Later, in the 52nd minute, Wright chose to run the ball but should have played the percentages as he was tackled and gave away a penalty for not releasing.

Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina. Photo: Getty Images
Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Jordan Petaia – 6

It was a case of being so close yet so far for Petaia.

Petaia sent O’Connor in to score but the try was denied for an illegal cleanout from James Slipper.

Later he lost the ball over the tryline as the ball was ripped away.

But there was also one of those passes into touch in the 51st minute, while he also intercepted a pass in the 56th minute before quickly throwing one of his own as he sought to keep the ball in the field of play.

More promisingly Petaia got his hands on the ball. Yet the fact Australia has not put an attacking kick in for Petaia tells you a lot about the Wallabies’ attack in recent weeks.

Len Ikitau – 7.5

One of the Wallabies’ best. Ikitau scored a try, made a massive linebreak and was strong on either side of the ball.

His linebreak in the 29th minute should have led to some points. Instead, it led to a penalty to the Pumas one phase later as Nic White was pinged for a side entry at the ruck.

The Wallabies were smashed by Argentina at San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on August 13, 2022 in San Juan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Lalakai Foketi – 6

A couple of good touches, including in the 10th minute to slip a great ball to Ikitau.

Foketi did, however, overtrack in defense along with James O’Connor and Lachie Lonergan ahead of the Pumas’ third try.

Marika Koroibete – 6

Defensively Koroibete was excellent.

He had a fantastic trysaver on Boffelli and laid on some big shots, including one ahead of Fraser McReight’s turnover in the 10th minute.

His clearing kick beyond halfway in the 19th minute was a cracker, too.

Unfortunately Koroibete too was beaten in the air and the uncertainty in the air meant Argentina continued to pepper the Wallabies’ back three.

The little knock-on in the 41st minute at the base of the ruck straight after half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating performance.

James O’Connor – 5

The Wallabies playmaker will likely shoulder some of the blame for the defeat, but that would be an unfair marker.

Had O’Connor’s try stood the Wallabies would have been in front and he would have had a great highlights moment. It didn’t and the Wallabies conceded two quick tries.

Defensively O’Connor had a couple of moments that won’t reflect well.

He was run over the top by Tomas Gallo in the sixth minute as Taniela Tupou fell off a tackle, he overtracked ahead of the Pumas’ third try and he spilled a ball in contact for the Pumas’ try after the Wallabies’ back three didn’ Don’t get hands on another kick.

There was however some nice manipulation of the defense in the 72nd minute as she ran to the line and put Ikitau through a little hole. But, as Rennie later lamented, the Wallabies pushed the pass and found the touchline.

James O’Connor (L) had a frustrating return at fly-half. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

Nick White – 5

The Wallabies’ struggles to hold onto the ball meant White had a frustrating Test.

The experienced halfback had little space to test out the Argentine defence.

Frustratingly, too, when the Wallabies had the ball in the opposition half they looked dangerous. They just didn’t keep the ball long enough to mount any real pressure.

He appeared lost with what to do in the 30th minute and had his pass intercepted.

Rob Valetini – 9

The Wallabies’ best player on the field.

Valetini’s ball carrying was a real feature.

I have powered over the gain line ahead of Slipper’s try for the Wallabies.

He was strong in defense too, producing a great counter-ruck in the 18th minute to allow McReight to get on the ball to win a penalty.

Lachie Lonergan’s nice ball sent Valetini through a huge hole in the 45th minute. It should have ended in a try as he unleashed Petaia, who was stripped over the line.

Valetini’s one blemish came in the 61st minute, as he slightly changed his direction after a chip and chase and was penalized.

Rob Valetini was the Wallabies’ best against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Fraser McReight – 5.5

Good pressure on the ball, including a great breakdown win in the 10th minute.

Unfortunately for McReight he was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half despite referee Karl Dickson playing advantages ahead of their fifth try.

Jed Holloway – 6

Holloway was effective in the lineout and had a steal, too. He had some good runs to the line as well. But he needs to demand more of the ball.

The Waratahs forward looks set for a long stint in the side and his physical prowess will help with the pack.

Darcy Swain – 5.5

After last weekend’s outstanding Test, Swain wasn’t nearly as effective. why? Quite simply the Wallabies had little set piece ball.

Swain was penalized in the 28th minute after playing on despite a ruck being formed.

Rory Arnold – 6.5

A respectable return for the Japanese-bound lock.

Arnold carried well and even took an intercept in the 29th minute.

But his real strength around the maul wasn’t able to be used because of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball.

Taniela Tupou struggled for the Wallabies in his return to the starting side. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Taniela Tupou – 5

Punished at the scrum, the Wallabies struggled at the set-piece. They were penalized there on a number of occasions, with Tupou pinged for not driving straight.

Tupou was also penalized for collapsing a maul in the 24th minute.

It wasn’t until the 46th minute that Tupou managed to get well over the gain line.

The massive Wallabies tight-head prop has yet to master a Test that he has started.

Lachlan Lonergan – 6

A reasonable effort, having been asked to start against the Pumas.

The young Brumby’s lineout was largely effective.

But the Wallabies’ scrum was beaten, he over tracked ahead of the Pumas’ second try and missed a tackle from the kick restart in the 55th minute.

James Slipper (c) – 6.5

One of the Wallabies’ better forwards.

Slipper’s opening 20 minutes was outstanding. Unfortunately he was penalized for an illegal cleanout, which was questionable at best.

Slipper carried strongly and showed some good hands, too. He also scored the Wallabies’ first try.

The Wallabies suffered their greatest defeat to Argentina. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

BOOK

Billy Pollard – 5.5

Came on midway through the second half and hit the mark with his throws on debut. tick.

Matt Gibbon – N/A

Came on late for Slipper, but helped the Wallabies win a penalty when he went through the middle of a maul in the 71st minute.

Puts Fa’amausili – 6

Some great shots and strong carries after coming on midway through the second half. A promising debut off the bench.

Nick Frost – 5

Wasn’t able to impose himself like he did a week ago.

Pete Samu – 6

Effective on both sides of the ball after replacing Holloway in the second half.

Tate McDermott – 6

McDermott’s 50/22 in the 69th minute was a cracker. Unfortunately Valetini got clipped first phase from the attacking lineout and was brought down before Irae Simone was pinged for side entry at the ruck.

Irae Simone – N/A

Came on late but gave away a penalty for side entry at the ruck.

Reece Hodge – N/A

Another who came on late, Hodge was penalized for making contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to catch a ball at fullback.

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Former boxing world champion David Lemieux retires days after dad murdered at bus stop shooting spree

Former boxing world champion David Lemieux retires days after dad murdered at bus stop shooting spree

Boxer David Lemieux is retiring following the tragic murder of his father during a shooting spree in Canada.

A man suspected of killing three people in Montreal on August 2 was later shot and killed by police, The Sun reported.

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Former IBF middleweight champion Lemieux is only 33 but has clearly been left heartbroken by his father’s senseless and brutal killing.

“I’ve accomplished a lot in the course of my career,” Lemieux told Boxing News 24.

“I achieved my dream of becoming world champion, I’ve given the fans rousing fights by accepting every challenge that came my way.

“I devoted my life to training, to boxing, and now I want to cherish every minute with my family.

“I accomplished a lot, but I didn’t do it alone. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who supported and encouraged me throughout my career.”

Lemiueux’s father was shot dead during a 24-hour shooting spree in Canada last week where three people were killed.

One of the men killed was identified as Andre Fernand Lemieux, 64, which David confirmed by uploading a post on his Instagram with a picture of his father accompanied by the caption “RIP dad.”

“To learn that your father died by being shot while waiting for the bus is quite a shock. Everyone in the family is shaken,” he told Le Journal de Montreal.

Lemieux lost his IBF title in a thrilling fight with legend Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden in 2015.

He was also defeated by Brit Billy Joe Saunders in Quebec in 2017.

Lemieux said just after his father’s death: “To learn that your father died by being shot while waiting for the bus is quite a shock. Everyone in the family is shaken.”

Lemieux lost his last fight to David Benavidez in May this year.

His pro career began in 2007 and his overall record is 43 wins and five losses. But many boxers change their minds about retirement, with Tyson Fury performing another U-turn this week.

This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

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Nate Landwehr vs David Onama, fight of the year, reaction, latest, updates

Nate Landwehr vs David Onama, fight of the year, reaction, latest, updates

The UFC might want to start preparing a space in the Hall of Fame for a featherweight bout between Nate Landwehr and David Onama as the two slugged it out in a contest that several fans heralded as the fight of the year at UFC San Diego.

Landwehr beat Onama via majority decision (29-27 x 2, 28-28), but it was far from a straightforward victory.

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Onama had the better of the exchanges in the first round and dropped the Tennessee native with a thundering right hand that caught Landwehr flush on the side of his head.

However, Onama returned to his corner at the end of the first round and looked completely gassed whilst sitting on his stool.

The fatigue showed early in the second round as Landwehr came flying out of the gates and unloaded on strikers.

It was like a big brother toying with his little brother as Landwehr took Onama down whenever he pleased.

Tough as nails Aussie makes Dana applaud | 01:28

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The 34-year-old also seemed to have multiple submissions locked in, but Onama continued to squirm out thanks to a sweaty body allowing him to elude whatever Landwehr threw his way.

Such was the dominance and lack of response from Onama that his trainer asked him if he wanted to continue fighting in between the second and third rounds, but he was keen to continue.

The third round was a grandstand finish, as Landwehr gestured to the crowd and waved his arms up and down to generate even more noise.

It lived up to the billing, as Landwehr continued to pile on the shots.

However, despite Onama’s fatigue clearly setting in, he dug deep and answered back with strikes of his own that had Landwehr scrambling.

Ultimately it was Landwehr that secured the victory and in his post-fight speech, he emphatically declared that “my mama didn’t raise no b***h baby.”

Fight fans were in awe at the slugfest they had just witnessed in San Diego.

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UFC San Diego: Josh Quinlan first-round KO victory vs. Jason Witt, video

UFC San Diego: Josh Quinlan first-round KO victory vs. Jason Witt, video

Welcome to the UFC, Josh Quinlan.

The Hawaii native has claimed a stunning one-punch knockout victory on his UFC debut, defeating American opponent Jason Witt in the first round of Sunday morning’s catchweight contest in San Diego.

Quinlan needed just over two minutes to send his rival to the canvas, throwing a well-directed hard counter left as Witt attacked his body with a kick.

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The 29-year-old initially dived in for a follow-up after Witt flopped to the floor, but he thankfully restrained from attacking his dazed opponent.

“Sometimes you have to do follow-up punches … you don’t know if he’s going to recover,” Quinlan told reporters after the victory.

“Even though he hit the ground, I didn’t know if he was out or not — I didn’t know if he was going to pop up or if he was going to regain his bearings.

“I pounced on him, I was going to throw a couple more blows, but I saw he kind of went limp a little bit and the ref kind of called it out as well.

“I’m glad I was able to have that restraint, but that might not be the case all the time.

“We’re going in there to finish our opponent, and he’s going in to finish me, so I want to make sure the job’s done.

“We have to go until we’re told to stop, but I’m glad I was able to keep my composure … I’m not looking to hurt people in there, but we’re trying to bring out the best martial arts in each other.”

Quinlan, who appeared on Dana White’s Contender Seriesimproves his professional record to 6-0 (1 NC), with all of his wins coming via knockout or submission.

Witt, meanwhile, suffered a second-consecutive loss, falling to 2-4 in the UFC.

Later on the UFC San Diego card, featherweight fighter Nate Landwehr defeated David Onama via majority decision (29-27 x 2, 28-28) in an enthralling slugfest.

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JK Rowling sent death threat after posting support for Salman Rushdie

JK Rowling sent death threat after posting support for Salman Rushdie

JK Rowling has been sent a chilling death warning “you’re next” after she posted support for Sir Salman Rushdie.

Rushdie, 75, suffered horror injuries as he was knifed up to 15 times in front of a horrified crowd at New York’s Chautauqua Institution.

Now Ms Rowling is working with the police after receiving a potential threat from a Twitter user, The Sun reports.

the Harry Potter author, 57, shared screenshots to Twitter of a message from a user who had written “don’t worry you are next” in response to her tweeting that she felt “very sick” after hearing the news and hoped the novelist would “be OK ”.

Rowling tagged Twitter’s support account in the post and said, “Any chance of some support?”

She later updated her followers on the situation saying, “To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved in other threats).”

Rowling is among the authors and notable faces who have voiced their disbelief after Sir Salman was stabbed on stage in New York state.

The Indian-born British author, 75, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution when the incident occurred, leaving him with an apparent stab wound to the neck.

He is on a ventilator and may lose an eye and has sustained nerve damage to his arm and liver, according to his agent.

On Friday, New York state police named the suspected attacker as Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey, who was taken into custody following the incident.

Since the suspect was identified, people on social media have speculated if the attack was in relation to Iran’s former leader Ayatollah Khomeini previously issuing a fatwa calling for his death.

The call was issued following the publication of his book The Satanic Verseswhich has been banned in Iran since 1988 as many Muslims view it as blasphemous.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

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Princess Diana’s bodyguard Lee Sansum claims she would still be alive if he had been on duty

Princess Diana's bodyguard Lee Sansum claims she would still be alive if he had been on duty

He is the bodyguard who Princess Diana nicknamed “Rambo” and with whom she had several heart-to-hearts revealing her biggest fears and future plans.

And 25 years on from her death, Lee Sansum says he is adamant she would be alive today if he had been with her on the night she died alongside Dodi Fayed in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997.

In an exclusive interview with The SunSansum has told how security guards drew straws to accompany bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones in the car, and he lost.

He also reveals the fun bets he had with a young Prince and how he treasures a letter from Diana thanking him for making her final sunshine holiday in St Tropez “magical” — and her fears she may be assassinated.

“It could have been me in that car,” said Sansum, now 60.

“We drew straws to see who would be accompanying Trevor that weekend. I pulled a match and it was a long one.

“When I learned they were not wearing seatbelts in the crash I understood why they didn’t survive. That shouldn’t have happened.

“It was standard practice for the family to wear seatbelts. It was an order sent down from the boss, Dodi’s dad Mohamed Fayed. Dodi, in particular, hated wearing seatbelts and I always insisted on it.”

Through his work with Mohamed Al-Fayed — the owner of Hôtel Ritz Paris and formerly Harrods department store and Fulham FC — Sansum also protected Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sylvester Stallone and footballer Pele.

Burnley-born Sansum, who has covered his incredible career in personal protection in a new book, The Bodyguard: Real Stories of Close Protection from Tom Cruise to Princess Dianawas assigned to look after Dodi and Diana, then 36, when they stayed at his boss’s 30-bedroom villa in St Tropez, in the South of France, during July 1997.

Every day Diana would wake up at 7am and chat to the bodyguard.

“She had been happy on that holiday,” he said.

“But I had seen her in tears too, when she learned of the murder of her friend, the fashion designer Gianni Versace. She confided in me her own fears that she might one day be assassinated.

“She asked if I thought his murder outside his home was a professional killing.

“I thought it was. Then she said something that always stayed with me — ‘Do you think they’ll do that to me?’ She was shaking and it was clear from her tone that she really thought that they might, whoever ‘they’ might be.

“I spent some time reassuring her that no one was going to try to kill her and she was safe with us, but she definitely thought there was a risk that one day she might be assassinated.”

Diana also told Sansum she wanted to live with Dodi in the States.

“I actually signed up to join Diana and Dodi in America,” he added.

“She was definitely going, and that was that. She told me she was going there.

“She didn’t want to, but that was the only place she felt people weren’t having a go at her. It was probably her way of keeping sane, to get some respite.”

Sansum took an instant shine to young princes William and Harry, who he says were down to earth and friendly, like their mother. William was 15 when Diana died and Harry 12.

Sansum believes Diana’s plan to move to the US influenced Harry’s move there with Meghan.

“This trauma happened when the building blocks for life were being formulated,” he said.

“His mother saw America as a place of sanctuary. He will be drawing on his experiences of her from then. ”

Sansum, a martial arts expert, tried to teach William and Harry how to kickbox, but they were too apprehensive.

“I rigged up a punch bag in the garage,” he said.

“One day I told the princes, ‘Come on, I’ll teach you a bit of kickboxing.’

“When I showed William and Harry how to do it though, they seemed a little bit in awe from watching me kick that bag so hard and weren’t too keen to try it themselves in front of me.”

But Harry did challenge him to jump off the top deck of Al-Fayed’s yacht for money.

When Sansum said he would do it for £200, Diana joined in the encouragement and told Sansum they had his money.

“It was a bloody big yacht and a fair drop from its highest point into the water,” he said.

“A bet’s a bet, after all, and this one was by royal command, from an actual princess.

“So I jumped off the boat, hit the water with a big splash and they were all delighted, especially Harry.”

Sansum — who has also served in the Military Police, worked undercover for the Forces in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles and in Somalia and Libya — does not believe Diana was murdered.

But he reveals the presence of intelligence services following her just weeks before the crash might have been a factor.

On a counter-surveillance drive near the Al-Fayed home in Surrey just before they all went to St Tropez, one of Sansum’s colleagues saw someone from the Special Reconnaissance Unit, working on a building site. He knew him as they had both been in the SAS.

“We were generally followed by MI5 but this was the first time we had seen a Special Forces guy,” he said.

“We thought, ‘They’ve upped their game.’

“A witness driving a car traveling in front of the Mercedes in Paris on the night of the crash told the inquest that he saw a high-powered motorbike overtake the car just seconds before the crash.

“Another witness traveling in the opposite direction saw a second motorbike swerve to avoid smoke and wreckage then carry on out of the tunnel without stopping. The riders of those bikes were never found — and that is no coincidence.

“I believe that security officers following Diana, possibly British or a combined British – French team, may have either inadvertently caused the crash or were in proximity to the car when it happened.

“If it was known that MI6 operatives were right by the Mercedes at the critical moment, a lot of people would have blamed them for it, and that would have been a huge scandal.”

Sansum will never know the truth. But he will always treasure the letter he received from the princess 25 years ago.

“I received a lovely letter from Diana that was signed by her and both of the young princes,” he said.

“She told me she wanted to thank me for taking such good care of them all in St Tropez. I was blown away by that. She assured me that she and her boys de ella had a ‘magical’ time there and that this would not have been possible without my help.

“I couldn’t believe that a woman as famous and in-demand as Diana had taken the time to write to me in that way.

“It showed the empathy she was rightly famous for.

“Diana was almost always able to put herself in someone else’s shoes, it is one of the reasons why she was so highly regarded.

“She signed off with her warmest possible thanks. I still have that letter and will always treasure it.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

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David Popovici breaks 100m freestyle world record, age, who is he, European Championships, latest, updates

Romania's David Popovici reacts after winning and setting a new world record. Picture: Albert Pilozzi

As David Popovici has accelerated past his older rivals in the pool this summer, it seemed inevitable that the skinny 17-year-old would threaten world records, the only surprise when he broke the 100m freestyle mark in Rome on Saturday was that he got so quick so fast

On Friday, the Romanian had become only the fourth man in history to swim under 47sec as he set a European record to win his semi-final at the European Championships in Rome.

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That was more than half a second faster than his gold-medal time at the World Championships in June.

On Saturday, he was even quicker, swimming 46.86sec to slice 0.05sec off the record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in the 2009 World Championships, also in Rome, in the era of buoyant body suits.

“Yesterday I said that the European record was just one step in the right direction – and I was right. There was no rush and I had to be extremely patient about the world record, ”he said after his victory about him.

In the World Championships in Budapest, Popovici outpaced Caeleb Dressel, who had swum the fastest 100m in a textile suit, in the heats.

The Olympic champion withdrew from the competition before the semis.

Romania’s David Popovici set a new world record in the men’s 100m freestyle. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP

“It’s nice being able to say that I am the fastest to ever do it and it’s a good thing to know I clashed with all of the titans of this race.”

His coach, Adrian Radulescu said that he was too surprised by the speed of Popovici’s progress.

“It’s amazing that it is happening so early,” said Radulescu, just 32.

Asked on Thursday what makes him successful, Popovici acknowledged that success comes at a price.

“When Erling Haaland, a football player, was asked the same question, he replied ‘hard work’ So, it’s just really a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice and it all comes down to the question of how badly do you want Item; and I really do want it, badly!”

“What are you willing to do that others aren’t? This includes living a completely different lifestyle.”

This summer, Popovici has dominated the World Championships and the European Junior Championships in his home town, Bucharest.

After Rome he plans to head to the world junior championships in Lima

“Really, all I want to get out of this meet and out of world juniors in Peru is simply having fun. The medals, the records, everything, the good times are simply a bonus. If we manage to have fun, that’s very satisfying,” he said.

Not everyone might share his idea of ​​fun.

“Everything in sports is fun. Getting extremely tired and then wanting to vomit,” he said.

“Having all sorts of lactate problems… that’s fine. It’s not fun at the time but after half an hour you don’t want to kill yourself anymore and you feel as if its all worth it.”

Popovici was nine when he joined the swimming club where Radulescu coaches.

Popovici is just 17 years of age. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP

“He wasn’t the easiest to train, he was mostly looking for fun, to skip his turn… But there was something special about him, he was very competitive.”

“He must have been ten years old, we were organizing a competition for swimmers of the same age,” recalled the coach.

“A 25-meter swim and the last one was eliminated… Each time, David finished second last. Ahead of him, they wanted to prove that they were good, they got tired. In the final race, the other survivor was so tired, David won.”

Popovici is unusually thin for a top swimmer.

“David has a keen sense of water,” said Radulescu.

“It’s not about how much force you can generate, but how you can put it into the speed you develop. So, yes, he is very thin, but he has enough strength to swim at higher speeds.”

But, added, the coach, Popovici’s physique will change.

“He’ll be 18 in September, his body will grow, evolve to a man’s size. It’s a challenge… to get the right balance between strength and efficiency.”

Popovici already has a nickname: ‘The Magician’.

“I was passionate about magic when I was younger, the card tricks and illusions and stuff but not anymore. It was a little hobby before swimming,” I explained.

“But yes, some people have called me The Magician because of what I do in the pool but again, I don’t think it represents me. I like to think of myself as a simple guy who just swims fast.”

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Julia Fox steps out in extremely raunchy leather outfit

Julia Fox steps out in extremely raunchy leather outfit

the Uncut Gems star stepped out to run errands in Los Angeles Thursday wearing a barely-there latex outfit that revealed more skin than it concealed.

Fox showed off her abs, legs, hips, butt and cleavage in the glossy two-piece set, held together with metal rings and comprised mostly of cutouts rather than actual material, the New York Post reports.

She carried a Balenciaga purse and accessorized with matching latex heels, sporting her now-signature dramatic black eyeliner.

It’s been a few weeks out of the spotlight for Fox, who most recently set social media ablaze with a pair of dangerously low-rise pants she later revealed she had to “shave around.”

“There’s more to life than chasing an impossible beauty standard projected onto me by insecure celebrities for the ultimate goal of pleasing men,” Fox said in defense of the controversial outfit, adding that people who don’t understand it are “mentally lazy.”

Fans seemed to approve of her latest look, with one tweeting, “julia fox woke up and said ‘y’all bitches could never’” while another wrote, “she’s back! and wrapped in garbage bags and wire hangers!”

Other recent statement-making looks of Fox’s include a leather jacket that was actually set aflame, a butt-baring pair of pants that laced up the back, a DIY top and skirt set made from a slashed Hanes tank and more.

She even stepped out in nothing but Alexander Wang underwear to go grocery shopping in May, proving that not only is the sidewalk her runway, but the store is her bedroom.

This article originally appeared on NY Post and was reproduced with permission

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Sports

St Jude Championship scores, Cameron Smith, LIV Golf, Aussies in action, latest, updates

St Jude Championship scores, Cameron Smith, LIV Golf, Aussies in action, latest, updates

JJ Spaun birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a two-under par 68 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the US PGA Tour’s St. Jude Championship.

Spaun tapped in to birdie the par-5 16th and holed a 17-foot birdie putt at the 17th then stood alone at the top after Austrian Sepp Straka missed a nine-foot par putt at the 18th at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

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The 31-year-old American stood on 13-under 197 through 54 holes with Straka on 198 after shooting 68.

British Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia fired 67 to share third on 199 with Americans Will Zalatoris and Trey Mullinax. Americans Tyler Duncan and Troy Merritt were another stroke adrift.

However, Smith had to cop some stick from fans as he walked the course.

The tournament opens the FedEx Cup playoffs, three season-ending events with a winner’s prize of $18 million.

Only 125 players qualified on season points and only the top 70 advance to next week’s BMW Championship, where the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

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Spaun won his first PGA title after 147 tour starts in April at the Texas Open while Straka, who missed six consecutive cuts coming into this week, won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic.

Spaun began with nine pars before a bogey at 10, but sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th and overtook Straka with his closing surge.

After a birdie-bogey start, Straka sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the fifth hole and another from just inside 12 feet at the sixth to seize the outright lead, but he fell back with a bogey at seven.

Straka took the lead alone with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 13th and grabbed a two-stroke lead by sinking a six-foot birdie putt at 15, setting the stage for Spaun’s run.

Zalatoris, still chasing his first PGA Tour victory, was a runner-up this year at the PGA Championship and US Open and last year in his Masters debut.

“I played on the biggest stages in three majors and I felt comfortable in those positions,” he said.

“I haven’t gotten a win out of it yet. Eventually we will and hopefully tomorrow is it.”

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World number 14 Zalatoris, who turns 26 on Tuesday, has a PGA-high eight top-10 finishes without a victory this season.

“Today was awesome,” Zalatoris said of his 65.

“Tee to green was great and I rolled in a couple nice putts, so I just need to keep that going.”

Zalatoris split with caddy Ryan Goble last week and new caddy Joel Stock has read his putts the past 36 holes.

“It has been great,” Zalatoris said.

“He has been awesome. Obviously it has paid off. He’s doing a good job.”

Mullinax, who shot 66, won his first PGA title at last month’s Barbasol Championship.

He began the week 70th in points, the last spot to advance, but is in position to leap into the top 30.

“Been playing really well,” he said. “Just going out and sticking to the game plan.”

Duncan birdied four of the first six holes to shoot 67.

It has been 77 starts without a top-10 finish for Duncan since his lone PGA victory at the 2019 RSM Classic.

Rickie Fowler found water twice on the way to a quintuple-bogey nine on the 18th hole. He shot 72 to stand on 208, likely dooming his bid to advance in the playoffs.

LEADERBOARD (AFTER 3 ROUNDS)

1st: JJ Spaun -13

2nd: Sepp Staka -12

S3: Will Zalatoris -11

S3: Trey Mullinax – 11

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S6: Tyler Duncan -10

S6: Troy Merritt -10

AUSSIES IN ACTION

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S25: Adam Scott -7

T36: Cam Davis -5

69th: Marc Leishman +3

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