The Guardian

Launch event marred by former NRL CEO calling world No 1 ‘Jacob’ Sinner Grand slam to add 700 seats amid focus on comfort as well as growth New Tennis Australia chief executive Andrew Abdo pledged more shade and more seats for outer courts at the Australian Open in 2027, as the former rugby league administrator believes his background as a tennis outsider will fuel the tournament’s “relentless pu…

The Test series shapes as one of unforced errors and modest scores with both sides unconvincing with the bat and relying on their bowling attack Lost among the looking back to Australia’s Test tour of South Africa in 2018, there lies a similarity to the team about to take on that challenge in 2026. The previous side relied on a primo bowling quartet of Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and…

Australia coach Les Kiss calls up Isaac Henry to start at Eden Park New Zealand hit hard by injury before home rugby international Australia coach Les Kiss called up rookie Isaac Henry and retained star back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing in a settled team named Thursday to face New Zealand. Four-Test Queensland Reds midfielder Henry will start at outside centre in the first Bledisloe Cup Test…

There has been no new manager bounce, Ben Gannon-Doak is playing in an odd position and the wider plan looks flawed Scotland are staring at a third-place finish in Group B1 of the Nations League , which will have repercussions for their seeding in Euro 2028 qualifying. More striking, though, was the general standard of performance over Sébastien Pocognoli’s first four games as manager. Continue r…

Opener said it is unfair for ex-players to criticise modern batting lineup Australia’s vice-captain eager to open in Tests against South Africa Travis Head has accused Australia’s golden generation of being unfair in “putting a bullet through” current players, saying the game has changed significantly since they played. Just a day after Matthew Hayden slammed selectors and accused them of promoti…

Former captain admits guilty verdict ‘doesn’t look great’ But he insists memories of ‘many trophies’ will remain Manchester City’s glory years cannot be taken away from the players, despite the club being found guilty of all charges of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period , insists former captain Kyle Walker. City have appealed against last week’s seismic judgment of a…

Verdict has been a long time coming and the Southampton head coach has recaptured hearts and minds at St Mary’s “Hi Tonda, are you a cheat?” That simple, succinct, question cut to the heart of a matter that has vexed the Football Association all summer. It was posed by the Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw after Southampton overcame Middlesbrough in the second leg of May’s Championship playoff semi‑fi…

While it’s full steam ahead for Alex Scott, Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly, others look likely to be left behind Thomas Tuchel’s original idea had been for continuity. The England manager wanted to build on the positives from the World Cup and he was minded to stand by the vast majority of the players who had been a part of the journey to the semi-finals in North America over the summer. His s…

Two-time major winner is reportedly owed over £100m Tour filed for bankruptcy after Saudi funding withdrawn Jon Rahm is to quit LIV Golf due to the “unacceptable” terms offered for the proposed relaunch of the breakaway series. LIV is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew support at the end of the season having spent $5bn (£…

Technical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’ Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and with a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirationa…

Jorge Messi wanted his country to fall in love with his son. That ambition was fulfilled during a brilliant international career that ended this week “What Argentina is doing in this World Cup is of a sacred order,” Brazilian writer Milly Lacombe posted at the height of the tide of anti-Argentinian sentiment during this year’s tournament. She was exploring the contradiction she felt around her su…

Review is under way, but there will be no quick fix for misconceived regulations that resulted in cars being unable to run in the rain Formula One has gone to no little pains this season in insisting the new format is more popular than ever, despite overwhelming disapproval from the drivers regarding engine regulations. In short, there is nothing to see here. But the farcical scenes that accompan…

The most memorable teams aren’t always the the most famous – and the key ingredients have remained the same for many years It is an entirely subjective question but still worth pondering as the autumn mists descend. What is the most inspiring rugby team you ever saw? Not the absolute best, necessarily, because that is too restrictive a filter. This is about sides who, in addition to stringing a f…

Improvements to the car are paying off as the team look to lay the groundwork for renewed success next season The importance for Max Verstappen of emerging triumphant from the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was writ large in the Dutchman’s pleasure at finally being able to drive a competitive car. In a ride with which he was comfortable and able to take to a dominant victory for Red Bull, Verstap…