10 h. ago Keanu Baccus believes St Mirren will help him get to the World Cup with Australia

The Socceroos star is ready to shine at the ‘greatest show on earth' and feels the Saints are the best place to help him get there.

Politics

57 h. ago Tony Popovic nears World Cup deadline with negatives piling up for the Socceroos

A callow Australia side confirmed in defeat by Venezuela that the head coach needs his big hitters back before facing Colombia in New York A day before Australian football looked to its past, Tony Popovic sent out a side to face Venezuela focused on its future. Nineteen years and 364 days ago, the Golden Generation defender had been part of the side that defeated Uruguay in a shootout to end 32 years of heartbreak and send the Socceroos back to the promised land. Two decades on, here he was in the dugout of Shell Energy Stadium, tinkering and experimenting before a sixth-straight World Cup for Australia.Popovic had named an XI with three debutants – the most in 12 years – and a player in Nestory Irankunda that hadn’t been born when John Alosi scored that famous penalty. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago John Souttar eyes up Scotland World Cup berth to match brother Harry's Australia feat

The younger Souttar sibling appeared at the finals for the Socceroos in Qatar back in 2022

Politics

5 d. ago How World Cup expansion is driving Asia’s naturalisation arms race

As Asia’s allocation has now doubled, many nations look to foreign-born talent to push them towards qualificationWhen the United Arab Emirates line up against Iraq on Thursday for the fifth and final round of Asian qualification for next year’s World Cup, it is likely that over half of the home starting XI in Abu Dhabi will be foreign-born. The UAE are, however, merely another participant in a naturalisation arms race in the continent that has been boosted by the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48.Asia’s allocation has doubled from four automatic spots in Qatar to eight in North America, opening up the tournament to a new array of contenders desperate to play on the greatest stage of all. Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia have historically dominated World Cup qualifying, with North Korea the most recent outlier in 2010. Those six are the only teams from the Asian Football Confederation to make more than one appearance at the tournament. Continue readin...

Politics

5 d. ago Stephen Robinson shocked as St Mirren players overlooked for international duty

The Buddies boss reckons Alex Gogic, Killian Phillips and Keanu Baccus deserved call-ups.

Sport

7 d. ago Who is James Overy? Manchester United starlet could get shock World Cup call

Red Devils starlet yet to make senior Old Trafford debut but has been fast-tracked at international level

Events

1 week ago Thousands of revellers stumble out of the gates at Flemington after a wild day of action at the Melbourne Cup leaves some a little worse for wear

Australia's favourite race, the Melbourne Cup, has come to an end with thousands staggering home after a long day at Flemington Racecourse.

Politics

1 week ago The best and worst celebrity fashion at the 2025 Melbourne Cup: Playful cut

Melbourne Cup 2025 saw Australia's biggest names descend on Flemington in a flurry of feathers, fascinators, high-fashion hits (and a few spectacular misses).

Politics

2 w. ago Bianca Censori turns heads as she touches down at Melbourne Airport wearing only underwear and gold tights just in time for the Cup

Bianca Censori has returned home to Australia just in time for the Melbourne Cup. 

Politics

2 w. ago Henry Pollock can be the spark England need to become World Cup contenders | Robert Kitson

Exuberant back-row’s confidence in win over Australia gave a glimpse of how compelling England could becomeThe sporting gods can sometimes be mischievous. Steve Borthwick’s vision of rugby heaven is a cohesive team that consistently delivers without huge amounts of fuss and squeezes the life out of opponents like a white-shirted python. Control, physicality, tactical acumen and work rate will forever be more central to his vision of Test match success than individual front-page razzle-dazzle.And what happens? With almost comic timing the door to the England dressing room has been flung off its hinges by a 20-year-old rock star forward with the ability to transform games on his own. Henry Pollock has now scored three tries in 61 minutes of international rugby, is all over social media and already has half the rugby world itching to punch his lights out. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Henry Pollock can be spark England need but maybe someone should have a word | Robert Kitson

Back-row scored stunning try against Australia but perhaps he can be advised to rein in fractionally some of his anticsThe sporting gods can sometimes be mischievous. Steve Borthwick’s vision of rugby heaven is a cohesive team that consistently delivers without huge amounts of fuss and squeezes the life out of opponents like a white-shirted python. Control, physicality, tactical acumen and work rate will forever be more central to his vision of Test match success than individual front-page razzle-dazzle.And what happens? With almost comic timing the door to the England dressing room has been flung off its hinges by a 20-year-old rock star forward with the ability to transform games on his own. Henry Pollock has now scored three tries in 61 minutes of international rugby, is all over social media and already has half the rugby world itching to punch his lights out. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Henry Pollock can be spark England need but should rein in on

Back-row made a big impact with stunning try against Australia but might do well to let his rugby do the talkingThe sporting gods can sometimes be mischievous. Steve Borthwick’s vision of rugby heaven is a cohesive team that consistently delivers without huge amounts of fuss and squeezes the life out of opponents like a white-shirted python. Control, physicality, tactical acumen and work rate will forever be more central to his vision of Test match success than individual front-page razzle-dazzle.And what happens? With almost comic timing the door to the England dressing room has been flung off its hinges by a 20-year-old rock star forward with the ability to transform games on his own. Henry Pollock has now scored three tries in 61 minutes of international rugby, is all over social media and already has half the rugby world itching to punch his lights out. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago England rugby duo were banned for breaking strict rule against Australia

As England's Autumn Nations Series gets underway against Australia, we look back on the controversial 2015 Rugby World Cup clash between the pair, which ended in two coaches being banned

Events

2 w. ago Successful autumn can ignite England’s World Cup charge – but they must beware Australia trap

With two years until the tournament, Steve Borthwick’s side are entering a new phase and carry real optimism into November

Events

2 w. ago Australia’s Women’s World Cup defeat exposes need for a reset – not an overhaul | Mrinal Asija

Australia’s women have lost their grip on both the T20 and ODI crowns within 12 months but were the most well-rounded unit at this year’s tournamentWhat a difference a night makes? The Australian women’s cricket team, undefeated at the tournament and hot favourites to again lift the Women’s Cricket World Cup, fumbled the semi-final in Navi Mumbai and coughed up the chance to defend their title.Known as the mentality monsters for their unmatched ability to fight back from the most dire of situations, Australia failed to defend their total of 338. In a contrasting display, their opponents – co-hosts India – shed their own tendency to buckle under pressure in knockout games and held their nerve to overhaul the record for the highest successful run chase in women’s ODIs. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia v India: second men’s Twenty20 international – live

Updates from the T20I at the MCG in MelbourneAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailJosh Hazlewood is at the top of his mark with Shubman Gill on strike as a huge roar goes up around the packed MCG.The India and Australia women’s teams played a classic World Cup game just under 24 hours ago with the former stunning the defending champions to chase down the 339-run target. Raf Nicholson covers the semi-final upset, including Jemimah Rodrigues’s incredible century that steered India into a final against South AfricaRodrigues was dropped three times by Australia, on 52, 83 and 106, eventually finishing unbeaten on 127 as the seven-time world champions uncharacteristically cracked under the pressure of defending 338. Running back from mid-off, Tahlia McGrath spilled the third of those chances from Rodrigues in the 44th over, while Annabel Sutherland sent down two wides in a wayward 48th over which cost 15 runs. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago India stun holders Australia to book place in Women’s World Cup final

Jemimah Rodrigues smashed an unbeaten 127 to secure India a sensational five-wicket victory in the second semi-final

Politics

2 w. ago India beat Australia in historic chase to reach Women’s Cricket World Cup final – live

Reaction from the second semi-final in Navi Mumbai Post-Ashes review was meant to change England. Did it? Sign up for The Spin | And you can mail Tanya“Morning from a cold Warsaw,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “I came to know today (TIL in the modern lingo) that Ian Healy is an uncle of Alyssa. The batting depth in the Indian line up is amazing but we have to wait and see if the bowlers can give them an easy target to chase.”Whatever the target, and whether India chase it or not, I can’t see it being easy. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Agyemang injury to defensive frailty: key takeaways as England start World Cup buildup

Lionesses had mixed fortunes in friendly double-header that highlighted some areas where they need to improveEngland’s first camp of the year was one of new beginnings as Sarina Wiegman’s side returned for the first time since winning a second successive European Championship. Defeat to Brazil and victory over Australia provided plenty of learnings about how the Lionesses are looking at the start of a new international cycle as preparation for the 2027 World Cup gets under way: Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago England vs Australia live: Agyemang injury taints dominant friendly win for Lionesses

England 3-0 Australia: The Lionesses repeated their heroics of the 2023 World Cup semi-final to beat the Matildas at Pride Park

Events