Slater hails debutant Toia as ‘world class centre'
Billy Slater has been full of praise for Robert Toia, selected to make his Origin debut after just ten NRL games.
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ABC News
33 minutes ago
- ABC News
Adam Scott leads Australian charge at the US Open golf, Patrick Reed hits albatross
Australian veteran Adam Scott has suffered another dispiriting late lapse in his opening round at the US Open after a rousing early first-day effort at the fearsome Oakmont course. Scott, leading the Aussie charge at the testing Pennsylvanian course, was right in the thick of the early hunt for the clubhouse lead overnight as, starting from the 10th hole, he reached the turn in two-under. But dropped shots at the third and eighth holes — his 12th and 17th — dragged the 44-year-old back to level par, four shots adrift of the early pacesetter, American JJ Spaun, who recorded a superb bogey-free 66. Among the early wave, Scott, competing in a remarkable 96th consecutive major championship dating back to the 2001 British Open, was still in a top-10 position as Oakmont began to bare its teeth. Scott's round was a topsy-turvy affair from the start, as he recorded three bogeys and five birdies in his first nine holes, but as often has been the case in recent years, he was unable to prevent an accident-prone finale. Yet the 2013 Masters champion still enjoyed a much better start than the current green jacket holder Rory McIlroy, who ended up eight shots back after a four-over 74. Australia's "two Cams" both suffered disappointing starts, with Cameron Davis also shooting a 74, while Cameron Smith couldn't muster a single birdie in a 75 that featured five bogeys. Marc Leishman was the final Australian to play on Thursday, local time, starting from the 10th tee. Leishman struggled off the tee, hitting just three fairways in his round. Two bogeys in his first five holes were then followed by birdies at the 15th (sixth hole played), second (11th hole played) and fourth (13th hole played) holes to be one-under. But two bogeys and three pars to finish the round left Leishman with a one-over, 71. The pre-tournament talk had been all about how challenging the Oakmont Country Club course would be but Spaun produced a remarkable effort, only the eighth bogey-free round ever in a US Open there. The 34-year-old Spaun, who lost to McIlroy in a play-off at The Players Championship in March, recorded his lowest-ever round in a major in stifling early conditions. South Korean Kim Si-woo, whose birdie attempt at his final hole just missed, finished two shots off the pace while American Ben Griffin was a further shot adrift after mixing three birdies with two bogeys. Spaun, who started on the back nine, had a spectacular start reaching the turn with four birdies to become the first player ever to cover the first nine in the opening round of an Oakmont US Open in 31 strokes or fewer. The most dramatic shot of the day was Patrick Reed's amazing second on the 621-yard fourth hole, which the former Masters champ holed from 286 yards for only the fourth albatross in US Open history, since records were kept from 1983. Others to have recorded an albatross at the US Open were T.C. Chen (1985 at Oakland Hills), Shaun Micheel (2010 at Pebble Beach) and Nick Watney (2012 at Olympic). Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, looking to become the first repeat US Open winner since Brooks Koepka in 2018, struggled in the penal rough to go around in 73. But McIlroy's bright start, as he made two early birdies, ended up giving way to a wayward second nine as he made four bogeys over a seven-hole stretch. Tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler was going out with the late starters alongside two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and European star Viktor Hovland. AAP
News.com.au
40 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm: What to wear, expert tips
Perfect winter weather is forecast for Queensland racing's showpiece event, The Star Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm. More than 10,000 people are expected at the track on Saturday for world class racing, hospitality and the carnival's fashion finale. Fashion Queensland director Laura Churchill, who manages Brisbane Racing Club's fashions competition, said she was expecting about 70 entrants to compete on stage. The Place Ascot Fashions on the Field has offered up more than $26,000 in prizing through the carnival. The theme for Stradbroke Day each year is black and white with a touch of red, and Mrs Churchill said judges would be looking for participants who make that extra effort. 'It really comes down to the detail and the way an outfit has been put together,' she said. 'It's an elegant dress code that lends itself to a tailored, sophisticated look. 'Black and white with a touch of red is quite classic, so we'll look for outfits that play with layers and structures.' Brisbane Racing Club ambassador Shayna Jack modelled her dress with the Stradbroke Handicap trophy for a photo shoot at Eagle Farm. But the Olympic swimming gold medallist won't be trackside on Saturday due to her own sporting commitments. 'Unfortunately, my swimming commitments have kept me from being trackside for The Star Stradbroke Season,' Ms Jack said. 'Through the coverage that the carnival has received so far, it's clear to see each race day has been as exciting as the last. 'If there's ever a day to be trackside, The Star Stradbroke Day will have the best weather, the most electric crowd and the best trackside entertainment.' More than $6.5 million in prize money will be awarded across the nine-race card, including $3 million for the prestigious Stradbroke Handicap. Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo said it promised to be a highlight on the national racing calendar. 'There's no better time to experience racing in Brisbane than The Star Stradbroke Day,' he said. 'After five weeks of thrilling action across Eagle Farm and Doomben, anticipation has been building for Queensland's most prestigious race – The Star Stradbroke Handicap. 'With fine weather forecast, we're expecting more than 10,000 racegoers to enjoy a spectacular day at Eagle Farm, with genuinely world-class racing, Brisbane's best hospitality, striking fashion, and live entertainment.' Mr deKroo said the 2025 carnival had been a stunning success, despite some weather challenges. 'While heavy rain led to four races being postponed on Ladbrokes Derby Day, it also gave us the chance to create a truly memorable Super Saturday on Seven Oaks Day – featuring three Group 1 races and our biggest crowd of the carnival so far,' he said. 'Sky Racing Guineas Day, Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 Day and XXXX Doomben Cup Day all went ahead as scheduled and were incredibly well received. 'We had a bit of fun on Doomben Cup Day, offering every racegoer a free XXXX Gold if Antino – the Pride of Queensland – or Pride Of Jenni could win the race. When Antino stormed home in course-record time, the roar from the crowd was unforgettable.' TIPS FROM RACENET EXPERTS Ben Dorries 1. Spicy Martini. In-form three-year-old filly with a feather weight and decent barrier in what is hardly a vintage Stradbroke. Yes, please,this filly is crazy odds. Toby Edmonds can win his second Stradbroke. 2. Bosustow. It is chips in for me on the three-year-olds and this colt looked slightly underdone in the Fred Best Classic, but can bounce back to Stradbroke glory by reproducing the form that saw him smash his rivals by six lengths the start before. 3. Rothfire. Produced close to the run of his life when going down narrowly in the Doomben 10,000. The query is fitness after a minor injury setback but this old warrior has the heart of Phar Lap. Daniel Pace 1. Golden Mile. The Godolphin gelding showed his class with a fighting third in last week's Kingsford Smith Cup. Rock-hard fit and ready to peak. Slight query on the seven-day backup but trainer James Cummings is confident he can handle it. 2. War Machine. Fair to say he's under the odds but still smashed his rivals in the BRC Sprint. He was powering to the line and looked to have plenty left in the tank. 3. Private Eye. Doubtful he can win first-up going into the Stradbroke but he's a warrior who's had enough trials under his belt to put in a competitive performance.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Aussies crumble while South Africa batter admits to ‘dodgy' act
After another dramatic collapse, Australia's pace machine will need to bowl them to a famous victory as South Africa struck back in a pulsating World Test Championship final at Lord's. Having secured a first-innings lead of 74 thanks to a landmark 6-28 from captain Pat Cummins, Australia limped to 8-144 at stumps on Thursday in a decider that should be over well within three days. A frantic 45-minute collapse of 5-29 after tea on day two left the door ajar for the Proteas to pull off a monumental upset as they attempt to lift their first ICC trophy since 1998. The lead of 218 could already still be enough after South Africa were rolled for just 138 in their first innings. Only four teams have successfully chased a target of more than 200 in a Test at Lord's. 'Happy we got 200,' Cummins said. Travis Head was out for 9 in Australia's second innings. Credit: Getty 'Hopefully, we get another 20 or 30 in the morning, that'd be good. 'That would give us a few more options to bowl, a few more aggressive fields. 'Ideally we'd have a few more wickets in the shed. 'We're going to have to still bowl well in the fourth innings.' Fourteen wickets tumbled on Thursday, after 14 had already fallen on a dramatic opening day. But wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and star quick Mitchell Starc (16no) were able to steady Australia late in the day. The pair put on a crucial 61-run stand, after the reigning WTC title holders had slumped to 7-73. Kagsio Rabada (3-44), however, had one last spell in him and was able to dismiss Carey for his eighth wicket of the Test. Starc was then dropped by towering Proteas quick Marco Jansen in the slips two balls before stumps. In seven overs of chaos after tea, unheralded Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi (3-33) steamrolled Australia's middle-order in stunning fashion to boost the chances of a boilover. Left-armer Jansen, who appeared to hurt his finger in the field, removed Marcus Labuschagne in the second failure of his first Test as an opener. Having not played a Test since September, Ngidi then took the prized wicket of Steve Smith, before taking care of Beau Webster and Cummins. Earlier, Cummins had demolished South Africa to become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets. Cummins was in cracking form at Lord's. Credit: Getty While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins was relentless in finishing the job with the 14th five-wicket haul of his brilliant 68-Test career. The first paceman to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins' 22.08. The 32-year-old also finished with the best figures by a captain at Lord's, bettering England's Bob Willis' 6-101 in 1982. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was pedalling backwards while appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. Bedingham insisted South Africa were not burdened by the weight of history and the Proteas' dismal record in big ICC games. 'There's a massive belief in this team,' he said. 'It's just an amazing chance. 'We're all very excited about the opportunity to win.' Admitting he panicked, South Africa's David Bedingham was simply relieved not to have been given out obstructing the field. Two years after his infamous stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's, Alex Carey could have been at the centre of another controversial moment at the home of cricket. In the final over of the first session of day two on Thursday, Bedingham edged the ball into his pads. Standing up to the stumps, Carey waited in preparation to claim the catch if the ball spilled out. Aussie keeper Alex Carey waits to pounce. Credit: Getty Images But before the Australian wicketkeeper could pounce, Bedingham grabbed the ball out and threw it away. 'I panicked big time,' Bedingham said. 'The umpire said, regardless, I think it was dead ball. 'But I think the way I dropped the ball, (then) picked up the ball came across a bit dodgy. 'I'm glad they just withdrew the appeal ... I'm glad nothing happened out of it. 'The slip cordon told me don't panic -- but I panicked big-time in the moment.' Australia captain Pat Cummins was unfazed about the incident. 'The umpires said it was dead ball first of all, but I think we probably would have withdrawn,' Cummins said when asked about the prospect of appealing for a dismissal. Carey, and his Australian teammates, were booed and heckled by the usually mild-mannered MCC members back in 2023 when Bairstow was stumped wandering out of his crease on the final of the Ashes Test at Lord's.
