The Matildas pushed Sweden to their limits in the semi-final and expectation is rising after their extended run in TokyoTony Gustavsson bristles as he hunches over the post-match microphone. It was the same microphone behind which, 24 hours earlier, the Matildas head coach sat beaming while previewing Australia’s historic semi-final against Sweden. But now, after his side’s 1-0 defeat by the Rio silver medallists, it is a wonder the metal does not melt in the white-hot reactor of his voice.An Australian journalist asks the delicate question: did you tell the players they should be proud of what they have achieved here in Tokyo? Gustavsson stares, unblinking, as though offended by the journalist’s use of past tense. “I didn’t say they...
Australia and New Zealand pulling out of the World Cup under the smokescreen of Covid concerns betrays the self-interest of southern hemisphere powerbrokersIt has been the overused catch-cry of the Rugby League Twitterati of late that the game is dead or, at the very least, breathing its last. It is typically nothing more than a look-at-me moan that shows little understanding of the sport’s history in either Australia or the UK.There is one element of the game, though, that is very much at a crossroads following Australia and New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the Rugby League World Cup later this year, for this is the culmination of a long-held disinterest-bordering-on-contempt Australian rugby league has held for the international...
Decision to pull out reflects administrators’ shortsighted prioritisation of the NRL but hope could lie in a revolt by playersFor anyone with even a brief knowledge of rugby league’s recent history, the only surprise about the announcement that Australia and New Zealand have backed out of this autumn’s World Cup is that none of this is even a surprise any more.Rugby league is a sport that makes constitutional crisis its modus operandi, and the long-held belief at the Rugby Football League that their counterparts in the southern hemisphere hold the international game in utter contempt became a brazen reality when confirmation came that the Kangaroos and Kiwis would not be travelling to these shores. Related: Fears rise over Super League...
The new champion, the second Indigenous Australian to win Wimbledon, paid tribute to her mentor – and took the climb to her box that another compatriot did in 1987Moments after Ashleigh Barty secured her first Wimbledon women’s singles title, and with her body still supercharged with adrenaline and relief, she skipped across Centre Court, over a barrier and into the crowd.Seasoned Wimbledon watchers knew what was coming. Before long Barty had clambered over the NBC broadcast booth and into the players’ box where, to the great delight of the capacity crowd, she hugged her physio, coach and boyfriend who had all helped make her childhood dream a reality. Related: Ashleigh Barty battles past Karolina Pliskova to clinch first Wimbledon title...
After finishing last season rudderless Celtic’s decision-making has again been questioned after their latest appointmentIt is never a particularly good look when Scottish football observers turn up noses at coaches from overseas. The Scots may claim to have founded the beautiful game but a pioneering status within it expired long ago. An unwillingness to broaden horizons and routinely petty, parochial attitudes have done the national sport no favours for decades.Nonetheless, and even before the specific credentials of Ange Postecoglou to manage Celtic are considered, it is worth remembering that foreign managers do not have a particularly successful record north of Hadrian’s Wall. For every Dick Advocaat – who enjoyed vast resources at Rangers – there are umpteen Roberto Landis. Paul...