logo
Under-strength Brumbies eye 'big opportunity' against Lions

Under-strength Brumbies eye 'big opportunity' against Lions

CANBERRA: Coach Stephen Larkham said Monday the ACT Brumbies have a "big opportunity" against the British and Irish Lions, but admitted they face a tough task with a team stripped of key Wallabies.
The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia's four Super Rugby sides and will take heart from the Lions' struggles to grind past an under-strength NSW Waratahs 21-10 at the weekend.
They were also the only provincial team to beat the tourists when last in Australia in 2013, stunning Warren Gatland's men 14-12.
But they will take on the might of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in Canberra on Wednesday without their top players.
Eight Brumbies were in the Australia matchday squad that needed a late-gasp try to beat Fiji 21-18 on Sunday, and seven of them will not feature.
They include veteran forwards James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, along with first-choice Wallabies backs Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright.
Only lock Tom Hooper, who came off the bench, will play.
"The boys have been back in training for a couple of weeks and they are aware of how big an opportunity this is for them to take on the Lions," said Larkham.
"We're under no illusions of the challenge that lies ahead, they are an incredibly strong and powerful side."
Hooper's brother Lachie was also included in the Brumbies squad, with the pair set to play together for the first time in a professional capacity.
Prop Lington Ieli, flanker Rory Scott, scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, centre David Feliuai and wing Corey Toole all start after recently being involved in the Wallabies training camp.
Lock Cadeyrn Neville will face the Lions for the second time, having played for the Melbourne Rebels during the 2013 tour.
ACT Brumbies (15-1):
Andy Muirhead; Ben O'Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, David Feliuai, Corey Toole; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan (capt); Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper; Cadeyrn Neville, Lachie Shaw; Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semi-final
Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semi-final

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semi-final

LONDON: Novak Djokovic won a testing battle against Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday to reach a record 14th men's Wimbledon semi-final, which will be a blockbuster clash against world number one Jannik Sinner. The Serb, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, was given the royal seal of approval by Britain's Queen Camilla before his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win on Centre Court. The seven-time champion was pushed hard by the Italian 22nd seed but ultimately had too much for the 23-year-old, who had never previously been beyond the third round of a major. Djokovic said Wimbledon was the "most special tournament" in the sport as he was cheered by the crowd. "And of course, it means the world to me that I'm still still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon," he said. "Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It's beautiful. Makes me feel very young. "And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters, you know, like Cobolli today – he's who knows how many years younger than me." The sixth seed prepared for the contest by meeting Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, who said she was keeping her "fingers crossed" for his match. She watched Djokovic from the Royal Box, along with British actor Hugh Grant. Cobolli showed early intent, mixing up his play with drop shots and heavy groundstrokes from his flashing orange racquet and unsettling his illustrious opponent. Djokovic, who has reached every Wimbledon final since 2018, served for the first set at 5-3 but the Italian broke back and won the ensuing tie-break. Cobolli, who has claimed titles in Bucharest and Hamburg this year, next had to answer the question of whether he could sustain his level against the 24-time Grand Slam champion. But it was a different story in the second set as Djokovic broke twice to level the match in the evening sunshine. The pair swapped service breaks early in the third set but Djokovic pounced again in the 11th game and thundered an ace as he took control of the match. The fourth set was tight but Cobolli failed to put away a simple winner at the net in the ninth game. Djokovic slipped and fell awkwardly when serving for the match, grimacing in pain, but got up to finish the job. He played down the incident in his on-court interview. "I had a nasty slip, but that's what happens when you play on the grass," he said. "It did come at an awkward moment, but somehow I managed to find a good serve and close it out. Obviously, I'm going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I'll be well in two days." The Serb now owns the all-time record for most Wimbledon men's singles semi-final appearances, moving one clear of eight-time champion Roger Federer, who reached the last four 13 times. He has also reached a 52nd Grand Slam semi-final, extending his all-time record in the men's game. Djokovic is now within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles for any player, man or woman. If he reaches and wins Sunday's final he will also equal Federer's record of eight men's titles at the All England Club. Sinner, who beat 10th seed Ben Shelton earlier Wednesday, will offer a different level of challenge. The top seed has won his past four matches against Djokovic, beating him in straight sets in the semi-finals of the recent French Open. Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten Djokovic in the past two finals at Wimbledon, takes on US fifth seed Taylor Fritz in the other semi-final on Friday.

Soccer-Everton sign French forward Barry from Villarreal
Soccer-Everton sign French forward Barry from Villarreal

The Star

time12 hours ago

  • The Star

Soccer-Everton sign French forward Barry from Villarreal

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - Villarreal v FC Barcelona - Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain - September 22, 2024 Villarreal's Thierno Barry (15) in action with FC Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi (2) REUTERS/Pablo Morano/File Photo (Reuters) -Everton have signed French forward Thierno Barry from LaLiga side Villarreal on a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Financial details of the signing were not disclosed but British media reported the deal is worth about 27 million pounds ($36.68 million). The 22-year-old Barry played for France's under-21 team at this year's European Championship, where they reached the semi-finals. He joined Villarreal last year from Swiss club Basel, scoring 11 goals in 35 LaLiga appearances. "I had good conversations with the manager (David Moyes). He told me I have the quality to play in the Premier League ... For me, it is a dream to play in the Premier League," Barry said in a statement. "When the manager (Moyes) came last season, I think he changed a little bit the team and I feel this and the new stadium, I think the club comes with a new ambition, so I want to play my part in that." Everton, who will move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium for the start of next season, begin their league campaign at promoted Leeds United on August 18. ($1 = 0.7361 pounds) (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Rugby-Kinghorn injury in Lions' win over Brumbies isn't serious, says Farrell
Rugby-Kinghorn injury in Lions' win over Brumbies isn't serious, says Farrell

The Star

time13 hours ago

  • The Star

Rugby-Kinghorn injury in Lions' win over Brumbies isn't serious, says Farrell

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Italy - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 1, 2025 Scotland's Blair Kinghorn acknowledges the fans after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne CANBERRA (Reuters) -British & Irish Lions fullback Blair Kinghorn's knee injury that marred a patchy win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday did not seem serious, coach Andy Farrell has said. The Lions had to work for their 36-24 win over a depleted Brumbies team, some of whose best players were absent at Australia's training camp. Kinghorn came off early in the first half and spent the rest of the match icing his left knee. Losing Kinghorn would pose problems for Farrell ahead of the first Wallabies test on July 19, given he is already without utility back Elliot Daly for the three-match series. Asked after the match if he feared the worst for Kinghorn, Farrell said, "No". The fullback had been singing on the bed where staff were assessing him, he said. "He got a bang on the knee. He carried on for quite a bit but there was no need to keep him going ... he's in good spirits." Marcus Smith, who came on for Kinghorn, performed well, scoring one of the Lions' five tries. "He had some really nice touches," Farrell said. "He's dangerous with the ball in hand. It's good learnings for him." Farrell fielded a lineup close to the one expected for the first Wallabies match, with lock Maro Itoje recalled as captain and flyhalf Finn Russell directing play. The Lions had a poor start, conceding a try in the opening minutes, but imposed themselves for a fourth successive win on their Australian tour, following victories over Western Force, Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. "Our game control was pretty good tonight, which allowed us to keep the pressure on in the right end of the field. So that's a nice step forward," Farrell added. "We're in a good place ... we're doing well in certain aspects of the game, in fits and starts and etc, but we need to improve in all areas." "It's a good feeling," said Itoje, sitting next to Farrell at the post-match press conference. "We know we're not the finished article, we know that we have to get better, we know that we have to improve. But I think that's a pretty good position for us to be in." (Reporting by Peter Hobson; Editing by Ken Ferris)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store