Latest news with #sporting
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside the Lions celebrations after securing series victory against Australia
The sanctity of the sporting dressing room is one now fiercely, and understandably, protected in an age of full professionalism, the inner circle tight and private. There are times, however, where a spot of favourable architecture and organisation can grant a glimpse inside the four thick walls – and at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, it was hard to avoid the celebrations of the British and Irish Lions. Partly, this was because they began in the great open expanse of pasture ringed by the 100,000 seats. As the victorious Lions made their way around the oval, several leapt up over the hoardings into the embrace of friends, family and the wider fraternity to lap up the waves of red. 'I jumped in a few times!' Hugo Keenan admitted. 'It was unbelievable walking around the stadium. My parents were there, my brother, my uncle and aunt, my girlfriend. I've about 10 friends over from Ireland who have spent a bomb to be here but they are all saying it is absolutely worth it.' Once dragged back to the dressing room, the more raucous celebrations could really start. The cubby hole of a press conference room at the MCG sits directly between the two changing rooms, and the emergence of Andy Farrell and Maro Itoje from stage left came with full-throated accompaniment; the roar of the Lions contrasting with the stony silence from the Wallabies next door. One would like to say that decorum was maintained while Farrell and Itoje took their questions but that would be an untruth. 'See what you guys are making me miss out on!' the captain remarked as his teammates worked through an array of celebratory standards, Robbie Williams, Neil Diamond and The Pogues given the karaoke treatment. The Lions Male Voice Choir, here in Australia to support the tourists, probably need to look elsewhere for new members. The successful 1997 tour to South Africa saw 'Wonderwall' emerge as a Lions standard, Matt Dawson, Mike Catt and Austin Healey leading the side in a rendition in the same second Test circumstances as the current crop could enjoy. This time around, the squad's anthem appears to be an adapted version of 'Rockin' All Over the World', made famous by Status Quo. The exact words, supposedly, are changing through the tour, though the hailing of Farrell and Itoje has been constant. Fly half Fin Smith, it is said, has been chief lyricist, altering a tune first penned by John Fogerty – the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman, that is, rather than Lions scrum coach John Fogarty, a near namesake. Once Itoje and Farrell had been freed from their duties, the entire squad grabbed chairs from the dressing room and hauled them out through the bowels and up the ramp back on to the playing surface. With the fans away into the Melbourne night – and the Lions soon to follow – there was a serene scene as the players gathered in a celebratory circle, soaking it all up with a moment of reflection - once Keenan had been forced to re-enact his try. Since coming together, the squad has been unified in their next-game focus, never letting themselves get too high or too low; now, with a series win secure, thoughts of a possible whitewash in Sydney were temporarily far away. 'I think everyone wants to play in that game,' Finn Russell did admit. 'We're going back up to Sydney tomorrow, but it's not really on our minds just now. I think we need to enjoy this and celebrate tonight. 'When we come back Monday, we'll be ready to go again. I think if we can make it a 3-0 series, that's amazing. Everyone's going to be gunning for that.' The Scottish fly half was one of several players sporting confectionary leis, a ring of chocolate draped around his neck to the delight of his eldest daughter. 'Sione [Tuipulotu] gave me it,' Russell said by way of explanation. 'I think it's from Tonga. My daughter's been eating them. 'There are a few boys inside that have got the chocolate around their necks. I don't fully understand it, to be honest. They gave me it in Perth, I got it as well. I'm obviously not from the islands, so I don't fully understand it, but I'm enjoying it.' There will be a desire within the group not to let an opportunity to complete a first Lions clean sweep in 98 years pass them by, particularly after making it clear from the outset their desire to finish this tour unbeaten on Australian soil. Changes are likely for the third Test with the side looking in need of freshening up in places at the end of a long tour. The squad are set to have a more relaxed scheduled over the next two days at least to recover, recuperate and absorb the Sydney sunshine – before going again in search of a 3-0 whitewash.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Inside the Lions celebrations after securing series victory against Australia
The sanctity of the sporting dressing room is one now fiercely, and understandably, protected in an age of full professionalism, the inner circle tight and private. There are times, however, where a spot of favourable architecture and organisation can grant a glimpse inside the four thick walls – and at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, it was hard to avoid the celebrations of the British and Irish Lions. Partly, this was because they began in the great open expanse of pasture ringed by the 100,000 seats. As the victorious Lions made their way around the oval, several leapt up over the hoardings into the embrace of friends, family and the wider fraternity to lap up the waves of red. 'I jumped in a few times!' Hugo Keenan admitted. 'It was unbelievable walking around the stadium. My parents were there, my brother, my uncle and aunt, my girlfriend. I've about 10 friends over from Ireland who have spent a bomb to be here but they are all saying it is absolutely worth it.' Once dragged back to the dressing room, the more raucous celebrations could really start. The cubby hole of a press conference room at the MCG sits directly between the two changing rooms, and the emergence of Andy Farrell and Maro Itoje from stage left came with full-throated accompaniment; the roar of the Lions contrasting with the stony silence from the Wallabies next door. One would like to say that decorum was maintained while Farrell and Itoje took their questions but that would be an untruth. 'See what you guys are making me miss out on!' the captain remarked as his teammates worked through an array of celebratory standards, Robbie Williams, Neil Diamond and The Pogues given the karaoke treatment. The Lions Male Voice Choir, here in Australia to support the tourists, probably need to look elsewhere for new members. The successful 1997 tour to South Africa saw 'Wonderwall' emerge as a Lions standard, Matt Dawson, Mike Catt and Austin Healey leading the side in a rendition in the same second Test circumstances as the current crop could enjoy. This time around, the squad's anthem appears to be an adapted version of 'Rockin' All Over the World', made famous by Status Quo. The exact words, supposedly, are changing through the tour, though the hailing of Farrell and Itoje has been constant. Fly half Fin Smith, it is said, has been chief lyricist, altering a tune first penned by John Fogerty – the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman, that is, rather than Lions scrum coach John Fogarty, a near namesake. Once Itoje and Farrell had been freed from their duties, the entire squad grabbed chairs from the dressing room and hauled them out through the bowels and up the ramp back on to the playing surface. With the fans away into the Melbourne night – and the Lions soon to follow – there was a serene scene as the players gathered in a celebratory circle, soaking it all up with a moment of reflection - once Keenan had been forced to re-enact his try. Since coming together, the squad has been unified in their next-game focus, never letting themselves get too high or too low; now, with a series win secure, thoughts of a possible whitewash in Sydney were temporarily far away. 'I think everyone wants to play in that game,' Finn Russell did admit. 'We're going back up to Sydney tomorrow, but it's not really on our minds just now. I think we need to enjoy this and celebrate tonight. 'When we come back Monday, we'll be ready to go again. I think if we can make it a 3-0 series, that's amazing. Everyone's going to be gunning for that.' The Scottish fly half was one of several players sporting confectionary leis, a ring of chocolate draped around his neck to the delight of his eldest daughter. 'Sione [Tuipulotu] gave me it,' Russell said by way of explanation. 'I think it's from Tonga. My daughter's been eating them. 'There are a few boys inside that have got the chocolate around their necks. I don't fully understand it, to be honest. They gave me it in Perth, I got it as well. I'm obviously not from the islands, so I don't fully understand it, but I'm enjoying it.' There will be a desire within the group not to let an opportunity to complete a first Lions clean sweep in 98 years pass them by, particularly after making it clear from the outset their desire to finish this tour unbeaten on Australian soil. Changes are likely for the third Test with the side looking in need of freshening up in places at the end of a long tour. The squad are set to have a more relaxed scheduled over the next two days at least to recover, recuperate and absorb the Sydney sunshine – before going again in search of a 3-0 whitewash.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wimbledon in pictures: Behind the scenes at the All England Club
A fortnight at Wimbledon is about much more than just tennis, as fans flock to SW19 to sample a unique atmosphere in the sporting world. From eating strawberries and drinking Pimm's to celebrity spotting and avoiding the rain, there is plenty to keep punters busy inside the grounds. Here, PA news agency photographer Jordan Pettit brings you candid moments from the fringes of Wimbledon. These pictures were taken on a Fuji film camera, using a built in colour preset with a glimmer glass filter.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler appear to put break-up speculation to rest with one heartwarming photograph
Aussie sporting power couple Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler appear to have put speculation about their relationship to rest after a heartwarming picture of the pair appeared online last week. Rumours have been circulating that their relationship might be on the rocks after Fowler jetted back Down Under to catch up with her family and friends. Cleary, 27, who usually meets her at the airport, was nowhere to be seen as she touched down in Australia. In recent months, the injured Manchester City star has stopped sharing pictures of her beau on social media, and so too has Cleary. It comes as a surprise as the pair, who first went public with their relationship in 2023, have regularly shared snaps of each other online. Cleary has also not liked any of Fowler's posts since June 6, with the Manchester City star publishing a telling suite of images on Tuesday, showing her being dropped off at the airport by Matildas team-mate Lydia Williams. The couple have, though, met up over the past week. Fowler, who is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, called in at Cleary's house on Friday. However, upon leaving the home, she had appeared to cut a tense figure. But in a new update, the pair appear to have put some of the speculation around their relationship to rest after they were pictured enjoying an evening out at a bowling alley last week. During the evening, the couple stopped to take pictures with a Penrith fan. The image was posted on the Ability Hub Services Instagram account, with the couple smiling as they posed for a picture with the fan, who was wearing a Panthers jersey. It comes after she added fuel to the rumours that their relationship might be on the rocks. Fowler took to instagram to publish multiple telling images, alongside the caption 'Free art'. Several videos were included in the post of her looking out of a plane window. She added a shot of a rainbow curving across the sky as well as an image of Williams' dog. Williams commented on the Instagram post, saying: 'Building the band marathon,' an apparent reference to the new Netflix reality series in which contestants compete to form the next big global music group. Cleary, meanwhile, has kept somewhat of a low profile since New South Wales suffered defeat in this year's State of Origin series. The footy star underwhelmed during the final State of Origin clash at the Accor Stadium, with NSW going on to be thumped by Queensland. Fowler added some fuel to the rumours earlier this week posting a telling set of pictures on Instagram He took to social media to write: 'Failure is filled with embarrassment, self-loathing and hurt. It is also a test of character and in amongst that test is a chance to stand up, face it, learn from it and get better... We move onwards and upwards. Thank you to all those who support me unconditionally.' Fowler, who was last pictured on his account on May 13, did not like the post and wasn't present during this year's State of Origin series. During her time Down Under, Fowler appears to have headed back to Queensland to spend some time with her family. She published a heartwarming reel of herself and her mum showcasing their makeup routine. Th 22-year-old was unable to return home to Australia following the conclusion of the Women's Super League season after the Man City star was forced to undergo surgery on her ACL injury, which she sustained during her side's Women's FA Cup semi-final defeat by rivals Manchester United. She has since been keeping her followers updated on her recovery, posting snaps of herself in the gym, while also posting an image of her knee on Instagram, showing how well the scars have healed. Fowler is unlikely to return to action until next year, with concerns mounting over whether she will be able to play in the Asian Cup next March. And it appears her recovery is going very well. 'I have recently made a conscious effort to think that I don't have like a bad knee that needs to be fixed, but I'm getting an upgrade and I'm getting an even better knee,' she said last month. de and I'm getting an even better knee,' she said last month.
ABC News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Football has evolved, but Barrie Robran would have been a 'champion in any era'
It was typical of Barrie Robran that when he was asked to reflect on what he described as his "claim to fame" on the sporting field, he chose to dwell on the abilities of someone other than himself. What made his answer surprising was not so much its humility as the fact that it did not involve the sport with which Robran's name will be forever associated. Since his death last week at the age of 77, Robran has been widely remembered as the greatest Australian rules footballer South Australia has produced. But in an interview with the ABC a quarter of a century ago, Robran highlighted the time that he and Barry Richards — the swashbuckling South African who helped South Australia secure the 1970/71 Sheffield Shield — played cricket together for Adelaide side Prospect. "I say my claim to fame is that I opened the batting one year with Barry Richards, and he's the best cricketer or the best batsman that I've ever seen," Robran said. "I wasn't fortunate enough to ever have seen Don Bradman play but I wished in some way that I could because if Sir Donald was a better batsman than Barry Richards, I think my sporting life's the poorer for not having seen Sir Donald bat." The reflection was tender and poignant, and was uttered with the soft-spoken sincerity for which Robran was renowned. But in the eyes of at least one observer, there was perhaps no need for Robran to have felt the twinge of regret. While Robran may not have seen Bradman at the crease, commentator Bruce McAvaney is very much of the view that the former was, in some sense, an heir to the latter, and that their names will always belong in the same breath. "We're talking of the Bradman of footy," McAvaney said of Robran on Wednesday. Robran would naturally have rejected the comparison, but McAvaney was adamant. That genius will today be commemorated when Robran's North Adelaide takes on Port Adelaide in the SANFL at Prospect Oval. A minute's silence has been held before the bounce of every SANFL competition match this weekend, and players and umpires will again wear black armbands when the Roosters — for whom Robran played 201 matches — and Port Adelaide take to the field this afternoon. "He'd come to every game and sit on the eastern side with his deck chair and his two mates," Roosters CEO Craig Burton said. "The words 'good bloke' get thrown around a lot but he's right at the top of the list." In a statement released late on Friday, members of Robran's family said they had been "overwhelmed" by the "many kind and thoughtful words and memories" that had been shared about their "loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and uncle". While they "respectfully declined" a government offer of a state service, they said they had taken "solace in the knowledge that Barrie's impact and influence on so many was so great, in such a positive way". "His loss will have a profound impact on us all and we will miss him dearly," the family said. "Those who knew him appreciated his humility, reflected in a preference to let his achievements speak for themselves. "We will be following Barrie's wishes for a small private family funeral." For some, Robran's death has been a moment to reflect on the passing not just of a great of the game, but of a golden age. Robran's biographer Bruce Pointon said those who had grown up watching South Australian football in the 1970s had been privileged to see some of the state's best-ever players, including Robran and Russell Ebert. "They were really stars and made the game quite attractive," he said. Part of the attraction, Pointon explained, was the fact that Australian rules was then a more open game. While Pointon said football had become faster and more intense, the way it was played in the 1970s showcased the game's basic skills. "In those days you had a position to play and the zone of your involvement in the game was fairly strongly insisted upon, 'You're a half-forward flanker, you're a back pocket, so what are you doing down at centre wing?' "There was a much bigger emphasis on the position that the person played and therefore the role that that implied." Another major difference between football then and now is the remuneration to which players are entitled — a point made by Robran himself in his interview with ABC Radio in 2000. "The first year I played football in Adelaide for North Adelaide, I played 19 matches and I received $5 a game, which was a total of $95," Robran said of the year he debuted, in 1967. "Now some of them are getting — I dread to think what some of them are getting, but in the tens of thousands of dollars a game. I guess it's all relative but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment." Despite football's evolution, both Bruces — Pointon and McAvaney — remain certain of one thing: Robran would have excelled regardless of the age in which he played. "His skills of manoeuvring and dodging and weaving ... made him a very, very difficult person to tackle," Pointon said. "I don't think anyone read the game any better than Barrie. He could get to the contest as well as anybody," McAvaney added. ABC
