sports
SportAustralian Associated PressRangnick takes the reins at Man United
Ralf Rangnick has been granted the work permit which will enable him to begin his reign as Manchester United interim manager.The 63-year-old German will be introduced in a news conference on Friday and will take charge for the first time in the home match against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
SportAustralian Associated PressBoomers star Mills wins The Don Award
Patty Mills has become the first basketballer to win The Don Award, after his inspiring performance led the Boomers to a maiden medal at a major global tournament.After he became the first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag into an Olympic Games opening ceremony, Mills starred as the men's national team secure an historic bronze in Tokyo.
NewsAustralian Associated PressWA's border threat amid reconnect plans
Western Australia's premier has flagged harsher border controls, less than 24 hours after outlining a grand plan to reconnect with the world.Mark McGowan expects WA to soon tighten its border to South Australia, where 18 new coronavirus cases were detected on Thursday.
SportAustralian Associated PressCricket faces "uncomfortable" truths: Guha
Isa Guha believes English cricket's racism saga is one of the most significant chapters in the sport's history, saying it can be a catalyst for meaningful change and a more inclusive game.Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, who was born in Pakistan and moved to England at age 10, has detailed how "institutional racism" at the club left him on the brink of suicide.
SportAustralian Associated PressPlayers locked out as MLB deal fails
Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport's collective bargaining agreement expired on Wednesday and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.The decision halts all player activity as it relates to their clubs including free-agent signings, trades and use of team facilities.
SportAustralian Associated PressGraham insists moguls ski ace is beatable
Mikael Kingsbury is the raging favourite to win Olympic gold in Beijing next January but Australian mogul skier Matt Graham says the Canadian ace can be beaten.Graham won silver at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang behind Kingsbury, a six-time world champion who has also won nine World Cup events.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFLW backs in 10-round 2022 fixture
AFLW officials have confirmed a 10-round fixture for the 2022 season but are braced for further COVID-19 curve balls amid the ongoing uncertainty concerning interstate travel restrictions.The schedule has been laid out for rounds one to nine - St Kilda and Richmond meet in the season opener on January 7 - while the round 10 match-ups will be revealed in coming days.
SportAustralian Associated PressAFL legend Barassi positive for COVID-19
Australian rules football legend Ron Barassi has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of taking part in Melbourne's long-awaited AFL premiership celebrations at the MCG.The 85-year-old is understood to have contracted coronavirus at a 70th birthday party for former VFL player and media identity Peter "Crackers" Keenan last month.
NewsAustralian Associated PressNo source for latest Qld COVID-19 case
A day after a man tested COVID-19 positive on the Gold Coast, authorities remain baffled about how he contracted the virus.Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the man is the only case to emerge after 10,349 tests in the 24 hours to 6.
NewsAustralian Associated PressChange forecast for Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games could undergo "dramatic change" by the middle of the next decade, according to its new chief executive.Future hosts will be given greater flexibility on the sports they include with only athletics and swimming compulsory under a new strategic road map for hosting in 2026 and 2030.
SportAustralian Associated PressSupport for WTA's China sanction over Peng
The suspension of all WTA tournaments in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai could result in cancellations of those events beyond 2022, the head of the women's professional tennis tour."We're hopeful we get to the right place, but we are prepared, if it continues as it is - which hasn't been productive to date - that we will not be operating in the region," WTA President and CEO Steve Simon told The Associated Press in a video call from California.
NewsAustralian Associated PressSlovakia eyes offering over-60s jab bonus
Slovakia's government has proposed a plan to give people 60 and older a 500-euro ($A792) bonus if they get vaccinated against COVID-19, the finance minister says.The measure, announced by Finance Minister Igor Matovic, should boost inoculations in the European Union country with one of the bloc's lowest vaccination rates.
SportAustralian Associated PressStosur: It could be my last Aussie Open
Sam Stosur reckons the knees are sore but the heart is still willing as she gears up for what she concedes may be her final tilt at the Australian Open next year.The 37-year-old Australian great reports that she started training again on Wednesday, preparing for what she hopes will be a "big summer" that may centre on perhaps one last crack at both the singles and doubles at Melbourne Park.
SportAustralian Associated PressSA captain Bavuma confident of protocols
South Africa's limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma says he has full confidence in the biosecurity protocols laid out by the country's cricket board ahead of India's tour later this month.Sport in South Africa began to shut down on Friday following the emergence of a new coronavirus variant called Omicron, with travel bans and restrictions on flights leaving rugby teams and golfers scrambling to leave the country.
SportAustralian Associated PressLeach seeks to recreate Lyon consistency
Jack Leach has studied how Nathan Lyon and the world's best left-arm spinners attack Australian conditions as he seeks to produce an Ashes triumph even more memorable than that at Headingley in 2019.Leach finished one not out and faced 17 deliveries in a final-wicket stand of 76 runs with Ben Stokes in Leeds, as England snatched a stunning victory over Australia.
SportAustralian Associated PressOpen vaccine stance no blackmail: Pakula
Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula maintains world No.1 Novak Djokovic isn't being "blackmailed" by the Australian Open's vaccine mandate.
SportAustralian Associated PressNew NBL season marks new era for Wildcats
New Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison has vowed to do everything within his powers to keep the club's world record finals streak going, but he knows it will be no cake walk in an NBL competition bristling with title contenders.The Wildcats have qualified for the playoffs for 35 straight seasons - an incredible achievement that hasn't been matched by any other professional sporting team in the world.
NewsAustralian Associated PressNew local virus case emerges on Gold Coast
A person has tested positive for COVID-19 on the Gold Coast with authorities concerned they visited a major shopping centre during Black Friday sales.The case - the first recorded in the state in 19 days - has been infectious in the community, Queensland Health says.
SportAustralian Associated PressPerth men's Ashes Test set to be shifted
Confirmation of the fifth men's Ashes Test being shifted away from Perth is expected to come soon, with Cricket Australia (CA) set to expedite its search for a new host city.Negotiations between CA and Western Australia's government have seemingly hit a brick wall.
SportAustralian Associated PressLucky to be alive and with two legs: Woods
Tiger Woods admits he is lucky to be alive following his horrific car crash but he intends to resume playing golf and would love to feature in the Open in 2022.The 45-year-old 15-time major winner was in pain throughout as he addressed his first press conference since February's crash.
NewsAustralian Associated PressEU wants 'verifiable proof' Peng safe
The European Union has said it wants China to release "verifiable proof" that tennis player Peng Shuai is safe and to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into her sexual assault allegations.Peng, a three-time Olympian and former top-ranked doubles player, dropped out of public view after accusing a former Communist Party official of sexual assault.
SportAustralian Associated PressRangnick visa delay so Carrick still boss
Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick will remain in charge for Thursday's Premier League against Arsenal.United announced Ralf Rangnick as the new interim manager on Monday, but his work visa is yet to be finalised.
SportAustralian Associated PressBrisbane Roar ordered to pay ex-Socceroo
Brisbane Roar has been ordered to pay former Socceroo Brett Holman an insurance payout of nearly $370,000 after a knee injury left him unable to play professional football again.The club received the payment after a professional sports group insurance claim made when Holman was injured in 2018.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL see All Stars feeding Sydney hunger
Andrew Abdo is adamant eight months without rugby league in Sydney can help next season's Indigenous and Maori All Stars buck the trend of poor representative crowds in the city.The NRL confirmed on Tuesday that the All Stars game would be played in Sydney for the first time next year, on February 12 at CommBank Stadium.
SportAustralian Associated PressNRL to push for transfer changes
The NRL will push for a change to the game's transfer system after CEO Andrew Abdo admitted there were pain points in the current model.The game's unusual system has been placed back under the spotlight in the past month, with at least seven players already deciding their future elsewhere for 2023.
