Hesitant Picklum misses chance of World Surf League win
In the closest of showdowns, Bryan took a narrow lead in their duel at Jeffreys Bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape on Friday with just 90 seconds left, scoring 6.93 when needing a 6.68.
It left Australia's WSL leader Picklum little time for a response as she looked to earn a modest score of 5.93 to seal back-to-back victories in the 'J-Bay' event following her triumph in Saquarema, Brazil, last month.
Congratulations to @gabriela_bryan_ winner of the 2025 @corona #OpenJBay 🏆@kougamunicipality pic.twitter.com/NFnLGqXqhB— World Surf League (@wsl) July 18, 2025
But Picklum. the 22-year-old from Gosford, hesitated when looking for the ideal wave to carry her to victory, failing to grab a couple of possible chances to ride in the final minute in a bid for glory.
When her time ran out to respond with what would have been her seventh effort of the final, the Australian ended up the picture of frustration as she splashed the waters in disgust at having lost the final by a mere 0.26 points, 13.60 to 13.34.
All time power surfing match up for the @corona #OpenJBay Final 💥World #1 and #2 should put on quite a show.Tune in LIVE on https://t.co/ie0ZfMVLPY | @kougamunicipality pic.twitter.com/lltnr84ovD— World Surf League (@wsl) July 18, 2025
Picklum's consistency means she still leads the WSL standings on 61,145 points, ahead of Hawaiian Bryan, who was lifting her third title of the season to put her on 58,595 points.
The tour moves on to Tahiti next month, with the finals to be staged in Fiji between August 27 and September 4.
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Courier-Mail
15 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
Rugby union: ‘Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks ‘bang average' Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies youngster Tom Lynagh was crunched mid-air in a tackle labelled 'cynical' by many during the British and Irish Lions' 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium. In the first match between these teams in 12 years, the Lions burst out of the blocks and controlled the majority of the 80 minutes in an ominous start to the three-Test series. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports The Aussies kept competing and narrowed the gap with tries in the 67th and 78th minutes, but it was too little too late and the outcome was never in doubt. A moment late in the first half proved a huge talking point when 22-year-old flyhalf Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, was taken out by Tom Curry after leaping for a high ball right on Australia's 22. Watch the Lynagh tackle in the video player above Tom Curry gives away a penalty for this mid-air tackle on Tom Lynagh. (Photo by) Considering how rarely the Lions are in this part of the world, it was a banner evening in front of a packed house in Brisbane for a sport that has struggled in Australia for years. The tourists then duly burst out of the blocks, slotting a penalty goal inside two minutes when NRL convert Joseph Suaalii was pinged for not releasing. Eight minutes later it looked like a mauling might be on the cards when Finn Russell's superb pass found Sione Tuipulotu, who crossed to give the Lions a sensational start. They had another try disallowed in the 19th minute before the Aussies struck back out of nowhere in the 28th minute. Jake Gordon's box kick led to an aerial contest in Lions territory and Max Jorgensen won the battle for the ball before powering over the line for an Australian try. Sione Tuipulotu celebrates an early try for the Lions. (Photo by) 'Jorgensen on the hunt, that's a good competition. Jorgensen! Jorgensen freakish and the try for Australia,' Sean Maloney said on Stan Sport. Wallabies great Tim Horan added: 'Unbelievable from Max Jorgensen. That's got the Wallabies fans up at Suncorp Stadium. 'They've tried that box kick a few times now and it's been a bit too deep. 'On this occasion, Gordon gets enough height on it and Max Jorgensen's only got eyes for the ball. 'He goes up, rips it away, what a try for the Wallabies.' Fellow commentator Morgan Turinui noted it was Australia's first meaningful attack of the game. Max Jorgensen hit back for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'That's why he's there Max Jorgensen, he is an elite athlete,' he said. 'He gets up and rips it away, the Wallabies, it's their first time in possession in the Lions' 22 and they take a try out of it.' Ten minutes later, the moment arrived that had people on both sides of the globe talking. A box kick from the Lions was secured in the air by Lynagh, who was playing his fourth Test and his first run-on start, only for Curry to crunch him before his feet had landed back on the turf. 'Lynagh, great take – oh caught high. Caught in the air,' Maloney said. 'That's so brave from Tom Lynagh,' Horan continued. 'Had to put his body on the line, he gets collected in the air from Tom Curry. 'Looks like it's penalty only.' A fired up Turinui jumped in with: 'Yeah only because he's lucky enough not to land on his head. 'That's cynical. It's a chance to have a crack at a young No. 10 and the Lions have taken it. 'If you want to know, Wallabies forward pack, what the Lions want to do to your No. 10, there it is.' It immediately had the sports world talking. Sports broadcaster Motshidisi E. Mohono tweeted: 'That's so silly from Curry.' Rugby Bits was clearly relishing the moment, replying: 'Can't waste opportunities like that to smash a 10. 'They 100% have a plan to target Lynagh anyway so playing 39 minutes of a Test match and then that opportunity is there, only one outcome haha.' Hilarious. A small group of Aussie fans find themselves surrounded by Lions fans. (Photo by) X account @OzDeniser offered: 'Refereeing has been atrocious. Lynagh taken out in the air: naughty boy. Knock on by Lions at crucial point: nothing to see here.' Chalyn Rugby tweeted: 'That tackle by Tom Curry on Tom Lynagh is late, cynical and should be Yellow Carded right away.' John Duffield added: 'Tom Curry left his shoulder in the boy Lynagh there. Should have been a yellow. Dangerous.' At halftime, Aussie flanker Fraser McReight was fired up. 'It was pretty chaotic out there and pretty physical. Obviously it's just a battle out there,' he told Stan Sport. Curry scores for the Lions as his teammates erupt. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) 'You know great kicking, we've just got to stay in it discipline-wise. 'The boys are doing great, look at (Lynagh), look at Jergo out there. So f**k 'em.' Nothing like live sport to get the curses flowing. It would be fair to say the expectations of the Wallabies were low coming into this game against a powerful side made up of the best England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales can muster. Calum McClurkin, a sub-editor at the Scottish Daily Mail, made his feelings clear early in the game. Carlo Tizzano scores for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'I said after the Argentina defeat that could be the toughest game the Lions will have all summer. Not seen much from the Aussies to suggest otherwise. Bang average and as long as the Lions don't force things too much … too many powerful ball carriers for Australia to contain. 'The Wallabies just look so limited. A shadow of what they were even 10 years ago.' Australia has been stuck in a low ebb in the 15-man game for years. If nothing else, the Aussies know the level they need to reach if they're any chance of replicating the famous Wallabies side that beat the Lions 2-1 a long 24 years ago. Originally published as 'Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks 'bang average' Wallabies against the Lions
The Advertiser
15 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Demons' May in strife as Blues release pressure valve
Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record. Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record. Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions Highlights: The British & Irish Lions Tour
The Australian Wallbies take on the British & Irish Lions in the first of three games in the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
