55 m. ago ‘We’re not here to pay homage’: Lion turned Australia coach Geoff Parling on how hosts can stun tourists

There’s no room for sentiment as Wallabies assistant bids to leave country on a high before his move to Leicester TigersGeoff Parling is a perfect example of just how far sport can propel you in life. Growing up in Stockton-on-Tees he was a goalkeeper who did not start throwing a rugby ball around until the age of 12. Back then the chances of him coaching Australia in a British & Irish Lions series were about the same as seeing a snoozing koala up a gum tree in Hartlepool.Yet here he is now in a Wallaby tracksuit, preparing to complete the unique double of playing a Test for the Lions and then also coaching against them at the same exalted level. It is a parallel universe to 2013 when Parling was part of the triumphant Lions side in the final Test in Sydney. That night it was his crucial tackle on Jesse Mogg – “My long arms came in useful for once” – which snuffed out any chance of a home fightback. This weekend the aim is to do the precise opposite and restore a golden glow to ...

Politics

56 m. ago Dan Sheehan says Lions can fire up travelling support if they ‘give them a win’

The Lions are favourites to come out on top in the three-Test series against Australia going into Saturday’s Brisbane opener.

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2 h. ago Hundreds of children to be tested for sexually transmitted infections in Australia amid childcare abuse case

Police expand probe to four new centres as families demand answers over failures in screening process

Events

3 h. ago Dolphins learn to wear sponges ‘like a clown nose’ to hunt fish

Some dolphins in Australia learn to wear a sponge on their beak – which allows them to safely forage through rocky seabeds

Politics

3 h. ago Owen Farrell overlooked by dad for Lions showdown as Andy Farrell makes tough call

Owen Farrell has been tipped to feature in the first British and Irish Lions Test but looks to have missed out with Marcus Smith reportedly beating him to a spot on the bench

Politics

4 h. ago Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland to start for Scotland before Lions duty

The front-row forwards have been named in Gregor Townsend’s team for their final summer tour match at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.

Politics

4 h. ago Teenage vaping in Australia has ‘turned a corner’ after ban, study says

Australia health minister credits vape ban for reduced rates of consumption among children

Politics

4 h. ago Australia’s Indigenous elders lose landmark environment case of Torres Strait Islands

Indigenous elders lose climate case as judge says protecting islands is a political, not legal, responsibility

Politics

5 h. ago Australia’s Indigenous elders lose landmark environment case over Torres Strait Islands

Indigenous elders lose climate case as judge says protecting islands is a political, not legal, responsibility

Politics

5 h. ago Owen Farrell expected to be left out of Lions squad for first Wallabies Test

Coach Andy Farrell likely to opt for Marcus SmithEngland’s Tom Curry to feature in back-rowOwen Farrell is expected to be omitted from the British & Irish Lions squad to face the Wallabies on Saturday in Brisbane.Farrell impressed in his first appearance of the tour last week but it is believed Andy Farrell is ready to overlook his son with Marcus Smith the likely beneficiary. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago ‘Inquisitive, relaxed’ humpback whale swimming in Sydney Harbour delays ferries and boats

Whale is having a ‘full harbour experience’, says an expert aboard a maritime boat shadowing the supersized mammalFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn “inquisitive” humpback whale that wandered from its usual migratory route and into the centre of Sydney Harbour is causing “navigational challenges” for ferries and vessels as its tour of the world-famous harbour continues.The sub-adult whale was first spotted by commuters on a harbour ferry service near Fort Denison at about 8am. It swam to Circular Quay – Sydney’s central ferry terminal - before moving east towards the defence base of Garden Island then to Watsons Bay and north to Balmoral Bay.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

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10 h. ago Strong winds blamed for 427 drones falling into Yarra River during Women’s World Cup light show

Investigation finds wind conditions at 14 July 2023 event exceeded the drones’ capacity shortly after launch, triggering collisions and errorsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastStrong winds have been blamed for more than 400 drones falling from the sky into Melbourne’s Yarra River during a light show celebrating the Matildas before the Women’s World Cup.The light show, using 500 Damoda drones, was scheduled for the evening of 14 July 2023 over the river in Docklands, in Melbourne’s CBD.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

12 h. ago 'Outback Killer' Bradley John Murdoch dies at 67, leaving mystery of Peter Falconio's body unsolved

Bradley John Murdoch, known as the “Outback Killer” and convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio who vanished in arid central Australia 24 years ago, has died

Events

14 h. ago Bradley Murdoch, man who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio, dies aged 67

Body of Falconio, who Murdoch killed in the Australian outback in 2001, has never been foundBradley John Murdoch, the man who killed British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001, has died from throat cancer at the age of 67.Murdoch succumbed to throat cancer on Tuesday night at a hospital in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, a corrections spokesperson confirmed. He had been moved to the hospital from jail in June. Continue reading...

Events

14 h. ago Man who killed British backpacker Peter Falconio in Australia dies

Bradley John Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering Mr Falconio and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees.

Events

16 h. ago Future British & Irish Lions tour of France on the agenda at Melbourne summit

French federation puts forward hosting 2027 warm-upMeeting before second Test over new Lions modelA British & Irish Lions tour of France could move a step closer next week when executives hold talks over “a new business model” in Melbourne before the second Test of the series against Australia.Abdel Benazzi, the vice-president of the French federation (FFR), held informal discussions with Lions executives in Dublin before the warm-up match against Argentina, and he will travel to Australia next week to further press his nation’s claims of facing the touring side again, having previously done so in 1989. France have emerged as leading contenders to face the Lions in a warm-up match before the tour of New Zealand in 2029 and, according to Benazzi, could also fulfil the same role before the inaugural women’s tour in 2027, also to New Zealand. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Jack Conan says nerves mounting as Lions prepare to name first Test team

The players will be told who has made the matchday 23 for Saturday’s series opener at a meeting on Wednesday.

Politics

20 h. ago Teenage vaping has ‘turned a corner’ in Australia, says Mark Butler, as data shows falling rates

Report finds vaping rate among children aged 14-17 years has declined, with some describing embarrassment about being a ‘vaper’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government believes dangerous vaping rates among younger Australians may have turned a corner after years of rapid growth, with new research showing take-up could have peaked among teenagers and high school-age children.Data released by the health minister, Mark Butler, on Wednesday showed that vaping rates fell from 17.5% at the start of 2023 to 14.6% in April this year among children aged 14-17 years.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Brit, 25, backpacking in Australia accused of killing dad in e

Alicia Kemp is accused of killing Thanh Phan in Perth

Events

27 h. ago British and Irish Lions injury woes mount with Mack Hansen a major doubt for first Australia Test

Blair Kinghorn may not be ready in time for Brisbane clash, with Garry Ringrose already ruled out

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