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Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Injured Caslick writes off Australia's World Cup opener but hopes to face US
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SYDNEY - Injured former Olympic sevens champion Charlotte Caslick is confident she will play some women's Rugby World Cup in England even if she has already ruled out from taking the field in Australia's tournament opener against Samoa. Caslick, who was named sevens World Player of the Year in 2016, damaged her ankle against New Zealand last month and was still in a moonboot when she spoke to reporters in Sydney on Wednesday. Coach Jo Yapp included the 30-year-old in her World Cup squad on Monday, however, and Caslick said she was hoping to be ready to go against the United States in Australia's second Pool A game in York on August 30. "When it happened, I knew it would be touch and go, and the time frame's probably a little bit tighter than I would have hoped," the backline threat said. "It's a bit of a bummer but I guess it's all part of it. It's disappointing knowing that I probably won't be in the best shape of my career at this point, but I'm going to try and do everything I can to be as good as I can be." Yapp also selected Siokapesi Palu in her squad despite the Wallaroos captain struggling with a foot problem. Caslick said the two injured players had been supporting each other. "We're definitely in very similar positions at the moment," she said. "I feel for her too, she's had an amazing season and being captain of the team but we're kind of bouncing off each other every day in training and just praying for each other." The eighth-ranked Wallaroos concluded their preparations for the World Cup with a record 36-5 win over Wales last week and Caslick thought there was enough quality in the squad to fulfil Yapp's ambition of a spot in the quarter-finals. "I think obviously the game against Wales last Friday just proved how much improvement we've had in the last 12 months," Caslick said. "There's so many world class players in that side." Australia, whose best finish at the World Cup was a run to the semi-finals in 2010, complete their pool stage campaign against hot title favourites England in Brighton on September 6. REUTERS
CNA
18 hours ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Israel-Hamas war: Is Netanyahu's plan to take full control of Gaza a gamble?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly leaning towards expanding the war on Gaza for a full takeover. But Israeli media reports say, there are objections from within the Israel Defense Forces. Meanwhile, a group of some 600 retired Israeli officials have written to US President Donald Trump to press Israel to end the war in Gaza. Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng get the latest from Prof Zach Levey, Visiting Professor, International Affairs Program, University of Colorado at Boulder.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Curling champion Constantini set to throw rocks at 'special' hometown Winter Games
In exactly six months' time the spotlight will shine on the tiny Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which along with the city of Milan will be staging the Winter Olympics. The Games also took place in the resort in 1956 but for Cortina native and Olympic champion curler Stefania Constantini, the 2026 edition promises to be extra special. "I think it will be a really big event in a really little mountain village," Constantini told Reuters by video call. "Cortina is a little village, yes, but it's huge for me. I think Cortina is special, it is a really beautiful place, which also survives thanks to the tourists. "When Cortina will host the Olympics, a lot of people will come and see us compete. People will have the chance to see a really good level of sport, but also to enjoy a great place. It will be a really special moment." Constantini will be a defending champion at next year's Games after teaming up with Amos Mosaner to secure Italy's first curling medal in the mixed doubles three and half years ago in Beijing. The 26-year-old, among the athletes who are part of the Italian police force, said her success at the 2022 Games had transformed both the sport's profile in the country, and her own life. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 25-minute delay on East-West Line between Boon Lay and Buona Vista due to track point fault Singapore Finding hidden vapes: Inside ICA's mission to uncover contraband at land checkpoints Singapore Sorting recyclables by material could boost low domestic recycling rate: Observers Singapore SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties Asia Trump's sharp India criticism on tariffs, Russia oil corner Modi as rift deepens Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan "In Italy, curling is not a very big sport," she added. "What me and Amos did in Beijing really made a difference. It's really good to see how Italians right now are cheering for us and follow us during our tournaments, our preparation. "Curling is not very big, but we are growing ... My life really changed a lot in one week, before leaving for China I was just a normal girl working part time and playing. "I came back a week later with a gold medal. We were nobody and then we came back and it was 'Okay, now we know you. Now you are someone important in Italy'." As hosts, Italy are guaranteed spots in all three curling events at the 2026 Games, with Constantini saying the nation's curlers would relish the prospect of having a home crowd cheering them on. HOMETOWN SUPPORT "I have lived two different experiences. I played in China, really far from home, where it was easy to focus just on curling," she added. "I was just me, my sport, my team. In less than one year, it will be really different, because we will play in Italy. I will play in my hometown with my family, my friends. "It will be a little weird. Usually we don't have someone that is cheering for us during the competition, because we play a lot in Canada. It will be really fun to compete with fans that are cheering for us, making some noise for us." After parting ways following their Beijing triumph, Constantini once again linked up with Mosaner this year and the pair are favourites to bring home another gold medal after taking the title at the world championships in May. "It's funny because we played together in the Olympics and then we didn't play together for three years," Constantini said. "I think we did great, we didn't practice very much before the world championships. We did just some practice together, throwing rocks and trying to find our dynamics again. "But it was not a problem at all. I think we really communicate well. We work together. We listen to each other. I think we can really find that perfect dynamic on the ice." The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held on February 6, though curling will kick off the action two days earlier at the Cortina Olympic Stadium. REUTERS
