sports
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Cronk gets Bellamy blessing for NRL jobs
Master coach Craig Bellamy has given unequivocal support for his former NRL premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk to continue a dual role with Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters.Amid claims of a conflict of interest, Cronk is on the books at the Storm and the Roosters - two heavyweights of the NRL.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
SA to look for quick runs in Shield v NSW
NSW made a sporting declaration, Mitchell Starc got some of his mojo back and Sean Abbott again demonstrated his all-round capabilities on the third day of an intriguing Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.The Blues declared at 7-366 at tea, still trailing SA's first innings total by 116.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Roosters cool with Cronk's Storm NRL role
The Sydney Roosters are totally cool with assistant coach Cooper Cronk also mentoring Melbourne's halves, rejecting suggestions the NRL legend is working as an enemy within their own ranks.Cronk caused a stir last week when images were posted on social media of the four-times premiership-winning halfback running a Storm training session despite reportedly receiving a six-figure salary from the Roosters.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
DeChambeau makes big putts to win Bay Hill
The long ball has helped Bryson DeChambeau outlast Lee Westwood to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, only the key shots were as much with the American's putter as his driver.DeChambeau holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the front nine and a 50-foot par putt early on the back nine.
- NewsAustralian Associated Press
Defence continues despite minister's leave
Senior government ministers have rejected claims vital decisions in the defence sector are on hold due to Defence Minister Linda Reynolds extending her leave.Senator Reynolds on Sunday extended her medical leave until April 2, meaning she will miss the next sitting of parliament and a week of gruelling Senate estimates hearings.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Liverpool are mentality midgets: Carragher
Jamie Carragher has branded Liverpool "mentality midgets" after Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a record-extending sixth straight Premier League loss at Anfield.Mario Lemina picked Mohamed Salah's pocket before firing home as relegation battlers Fulham beat the defending champions 1-0 on their home turf on Sunday.
- NewsAustralian Associated Press
Israel reopens, Italy ramps up vaccines
Israel has reopened hospitality venues and most other parts of its economy as it continues to ease coronavirus restrictions, helped by a leading vaccine program.Bars, restaurants, wedding halls, sporting events, hotels and all primary and secondary education were reopened on Sunday, with some restrictions on entry and capacity.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Kiwi skier Robinson second in World Cup GS
New Zealand skier Alice Robinson has nearly pulled off another fine World Cup win at the Slovakian resort of Jasna, getting pipped for victory in the giant slalom only by home favourite Petra Vlhova.The Sydney-born teenager, rated one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, had a storming second run on Sunday, climbing from seventh position to second.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Federer feels that 'the story's not over'
Roger Federer reckons that retirement is not on the cards as he prepares for his long-awaited tennis comeback - and he's adamant that one of sport's great stories is not completed yet."I just feel like the story is not over," Federer said on Sunday as he looked forward to his comeback tournament at the Qatar Open.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Surgery for Port's Rozee, misses AFL start
Port Adelaide dynamo Connor Rozee will have surgery on a mysterious foot injury that is puzzling medicos.Rozee will miss the start of the AFL premiership season and have an operation this week, despite his eye-catching display in a pre-season game on Sunday.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Bowers, Houghton star as Freo thump Eagles
Star Fremantle midfielder Kiara Bowers has continued her western derby dominance as Gemma Houghton booted five goals to help lift their side to a 67-point AFLW win over West Coast.Bowers tallied 24 disposals, nine clearances, and six tackles to win the medal as best afield in the 11.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Aussie Anderson no match for Nunes in UFC
Amanda Nunes has retained her UFC featherweight title with a first-round submission over Australia's Megan Anderson.Rated the greatest women's combat sports athlete of all time, Nunes (21-4) submitted Anderson (11-6) via an arm bar just over two minutes into the bout.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Tedesco and Munster lead NRL's new era
Brad Fittler believes James Tedesco and Cameron Munster will be duelling to be the new face of the NRL in 2021, with the game on the verge of its greatest changing of the guard in years.Thursday night's kick off between Melbourne and South Sydney will mark the first time Cameron Smith hasn't started a season since 2002.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Abdo asks for patience over NRLW expansion
The NRL won't put a deadline on expansion plans for the NRLW this season as they investigate ways to increase the number of games from seven in 2021.Chief executive Andrew Abdo has confirmed expanding of the competition through more games or teams is firmly on the agenda but says there is no timeline to confirm plans.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Titans doco sets scene for NRL revival
Gold Coast's efforts to regain NRL credibility will be exposed in a documentary set to be aired from Monday.The candid four-part Building Titans series is filmed during the 2021 pre-season and leans on historical footage and interviews to detail the Titans' on-field mediocrity and off-field scandals since entering the league in 2007.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Trainer's year-ban over dead horse photo
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has been banned from racing for 12 months, six of them suspended, after a photograph circulated of him sitting astride a dead horse.The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) said in a judgement that the photograph published on social media last weekend had showed "the most appalling bad taste on the part of Mr Elliott.
- NewsAustralian Associated Press
WADA looking into Haas F1 livery
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is looking into the livery of the new Formula One car revealed by Haas this week that featured the red, white and blue colours of the Russian flag."WADA is aware of this matter and is looking into it with the relevant authorities," a spokesperson from WADA told Autosport magazine on Friday.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
French rugby team faces stricter rules
The French rugby team's anti-COVID-19 protocol will be strengthened, with players and staff not being allowed to leave their hotel ahead of Six Nations games, federation president Bernard Laporte has announced.France's game against Scotland last weekend was postponed after 12 French players and five staff members, including coach Fabien Galthie, tested positive for the coronavirus.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
America's Cup opener set for March 10
The 36th America's Cup will begin with the first two races next Wednesday after the New Zealand government announced Auckland's strict coronavirus lockdown would be lifted on Sunday morning.The first four races in the contest for the oldest trophy in international sport were originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Auckland but postponed after the New Zealand government last weekend announced a snap lockdown on the city.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Hamilton let off the leash for Paris-Nice
Lucas Hamilton will be given the chance to shine while compatriot Michael Matthews is chasing stage wins at the Paris-Nice in his return to Australia's only WorldTour cycling team.But the Team BikeExchange pair may be foiled by one of their own as Richie Porte, Rohan Dennis (Ineos Grenadiers) and Jai Hindley (Team DSM) shape as legitimate threats in the hilly eight-day slog that serves as the traditional lead-in to Europe's stage-race season.
- NewsAustralian Associated Press
Vic police advised against ring of steel
Victoria's top cop has confirmed he advised against another Melbourne ring of steel during last month's lockdown because it would have been impractical.The five-day coronavirus lockdown affected all the state, rather than just Melbourne.
- NewsAustralian Associated Press
NSW school rules ease, 47 days virus-free
A host of COVID-19 restrictions have been eased at NSW schools, allowing parents back onto campus and the resumption of singing and dancing.NSW recorded its 47th straight day without a locally-acquired COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, as well as 12 cases in hotel quarantine.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
S American World Cup qualifiers in doubt
This month's World Cup qualifiers in South America are in serious doubt, with European clubs unlikely to release their players to travel amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine restrictions.World soccer's governing body FIFA has relaxed its normal rules about player-release for internationals because of the pandemic and worries about the impact of long-distance travel to areas with high case-rates.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
Stokes plays down Kohli verbal exchange
England star Ben Stokes has played down what appeared to be feisty exchange of words between himself and the India captain Virat Kohli on the opening day of the fourth Test.The pair had what looked like a combative exchange on the pitch in Ahmedabad on Thursday when Stokes was batting.
- SportAustralian Associated Press
PSL pulls stumps after COVID-19 outbreak
Pakistan has suspended its flagship cricket tournament that started last month after seven team personnel tested positive for COVID-19.Teams competing in the country's highest-profile sporting event, which attracts a host of international players, were all present in the southern city of Karachi, where matches were being played in a hub format.
