In summary
So, that wasn’t half bad was it? The Super Netball season came to a climax, satisfyingly so, despite something of a boilover in the grand final that robbed the more optimistic neutrals of possible extra-time (maybe even two) and the kind of excitement to rival last year’s epic.
There was the small matter of some tarten-clad foreign raiders ransacking the joint in Sydney with a gutsy performance tinged with revenge.
We saw an incredible AFL comeback to keep alive a team’s season and, oh yes, we had an NRL thriller won by a golden point kick from an unlikely source.
Not at all bad in my humble opinion. That’s all folks. Don’t forget we’ll be back tomorrow for what will be a lighter day of sport – Adam Collins is your man then – but from me, until next time, it’s been a pleasure.
Updated
AFL: Carlton 12.11 (83) beat Gold Coast 11.7 (73)
The siren sounds on the Goldie and it’s the Carlton song that plays over the Tannoy. The Suns weren’t far away to be fair, but the Blues ultimately manage to keep them, and Gary Ablett, at bay. And that just about wraps things up for this blog today. I’ll be back in a moment with a wrap of the day.
Football: And let’s not forget the Confederations Cup starts in Russia today (overnight AEST). Hosts Russia welcome the New Zealand to Saint Petersburg to kick the whole thing off, with the Socceroos set to take their bow on Monday night/Tuesday morning against world champions Germany. So nothing to worry about there then. At least Ange Postecoglou has faith in his team’s ability.
Just a quick heads up on the Confederations Cup – we’ll be liveblogging every Socceroos match (even though they kick off at 1am AEST), so make sure your stocks of coffee pods or whatever are full.
Cricket: Looking ahead to Sunday’s ICC Champions Trophy final between Pakistan and India, Dileep Premachandran takes a look at Sarfraz Ahmed’s Pakistan side, who have the look of destiny’s children before the clash against a Virat Kohli-inspired India.
Rugby union: “It required a lot of effort.” That’s the view of Scotland coach Gregor Townsend after his side beat Australia for the first time in more than four years earlier today. More here:
AFL: Gold Coast Suns 7.6 (48) Carlton 7.9 (51) – three-quarter-time
And in the day’s final match in the domestic footy leagues, the Suns are pushing the Blues, after a terrific third quarter from Gary Ablett who had team-high numbers in disposals (nine), metres gained (140), contested possessions (six) and kicking efficiency (75%).
NRL: Cronulla Sharks beat Wests Tigers 26-22
It’s all over at Shark Park and Cronulla, missing a host of big names, have avoided an upset. But it was tight, and ugly. Nevertheless a win is a win, and this particular win was thanks to Jayson Bukuya’s 78th-minute try. It doesn’t get much later that that.
The Tigers looked to have put the nail in the Sharks’ coffin when Malakai Watene-Zelezniak crossed in the 71st minute to give his side a 22-14 buffer. However, the Sharks scored twice in the final six minutes through Jayson Bukuya and Edrick Lee to snatch a valuable two points without their State of Origin stars including Andrew Fifita, James Maloney and Jack Bird. (With AAP)
Updated
Super Netball: Here’s Erin Delahunty’s match report on a breathless night in Brisbane:
Super Netball grand final: Lightning beat Giants 65-48
15 mins: There it is! The fourth quarter comes to an end and there can be no disputing who the inaugural champions of the new competition are! What a dominant performance from the Lightning, and in particular Geva Mentor in defence and Caitlin Bassett in attack. Tremendous.
Updated
13 mins: Oof, Jamie Lee-Price with a late hit on Scherian, bringing groans from the crowd and a warning from the referee. The Lightning lead 65-46 as time runs out.
12 mins: If a moment is to sum up today’s game it is this one: Bassett leaps athletically into the leap to grab a pass from the sky, she lands awkwardly but somehow manages to twist her body and restore her balance before, naturally, scoring. The crowd love that one.
10 mins: Five minutes remaining, and with a lead of 15 now (59-44), Bassett is 43 from 45 – an incredible performance given the high stakes.
7 mins: The lead stretches out to 13 at 54-41, make that 14 as Wood bags her 15th goal of the night, and the Lightning are heading towards the championship.
6 mins: Harten is forced to come off with an injury, and the Giants won’t be able to turn to their stand-in captain for the rest of the game.
5 mins: The Lightning are just all over the Giants at the moment! Wood finds Bassett in acres of space – obviously, she doesn’t miss – and it doesn’t look like the NSW women have got what it takes to turn this 52-39 deficit around.
3 mins: Mostert, in a moment of pique, refuses to give the ball up, but it’s that kind of single-minded determination that may well win the day. Mentor, meanwhile, has been immense for the Lightning, who lead 50-39.
Super Netball, 1 min: Back in Brisbane for the final quarter and we’re 15 minutes away from a new netball champion being crowned. Langman pulls a defensive play right out of the top drawer to kick things off, and the Lightning open up an 11-point lead.
Rugby union: The British & Irish Lions needed a good dress rehearsal going into next Saturday’s first Test and a convincing 32-10 win over the Maori All Blacks was perfectly timed, Rob Kitson reports from Rotorua.
Lightning 48-38 Giants – end of third quarter
15 mins: And that’s how it ends, with the Lightning buoyant and on top. It’s going to take something absolutely spectacular from the Giants now if they are to prevent Sunshine Coast begin crowned champions.
13 mins: Steph Wood again, then Caitlin Bassett, then Wood. It’s a procession in attack for the Lightning and at the moment, despite the occasional flicker of hope for the Giants, the writing could well be on the wall. Lightning by 10 now – 48-38.
11 mins: Oh dear, Pettitt misses from a position where she should really have scored, and as time winds down this third quarter, that may well be a crucial error. The Giants trail 45-37.
9 mins: Oh, Giants are in danger of letting the Lightning run away with it now. Their lead is 43-34 after Bassett’s latest basket and the NSW team have to dig a little deeper if they are to turn this one around.
7 mins: The Giants are really struggling to work out how to deal with the twin threat of Bassett and Wood – they eliminate one, the other pops up, and vice versa.
5 mins: I’ll tell you something for nothing: the roof on the Brisbane Entertainment will blow off if the Lightning can hang onto this lead. And at the moment, it looks entirely likely they will – their lead is now 39-30.
4 mins: Sunshine Coast are up by seven now, 37-30, and they’re looking to crush the spirit of the Giants here. Mentor comes up with another big defensive play and the Giants are forced to take a time-out. Ominous signs from the Lightning.
Super Netball, 1 min: Back to the netball and we’re back for the second half in Brisbane. The onus is on the Giants to take the game to the Lightning now and that’s just what Serena Guthrie does early on, albeit in a slightly over-the-top way when she takes out Wood in a hefty collision, prompting boos from the crowd.
AFL: Gold Coast 19 Carlton 31
And in the day’s final AFL game, with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter the Blues are ahead and dominant, even if the scoreline doesn’t exactly show that. Two Suns goals have managed to haul them back from 31-7 down and make the board look respectable.
Charlie to Ed, GOAL! Some nice work from the Curnow brothers. #AFLSunsBlues pic.twitter.com/JSQmhpLiTa
— AFL (@AFL) June 17, 2017
NRL: Cronulla 4-12 Wests
OK, while it’s half-time in Brisbane, let’s quickly go around the grounds, starting with the NRL clash between the Sharks and the Tigers. And just after the half-hour mark, somewhat surprisingly it’s Wests who are in the lead having scored two tries, the first coming from Elijah Taylor and the second from Esan Marsters. For the Sharks, Kurt Capewell went over.
Kurt Capewell gets his first #NRL Try!#NRLSharksTigers pic.twitter.com/joIyYz4bLW
— NRL (@NRL) June 17, 2017
Lightning 32-27 Giants – half-time
15 mins: And Wood ensures that five-goal is intact at the break with a last-gasp goal on the hooter. What a half. The Lightning lead, but don’t discount the Giants just yet.
Giants GK Sam Poolman: “We let them dictate what we were doing and we lost our confidence.”
14 mins: An offensive rebound from Bassett makes it a five-goal game once again as time runs out in the second period.
13 mins: Brice is on target again to pull the Giants to within two, at 26-24, before each side trade goals. An Giants error, from Pettitt, allows the Lightning to open up a four-goal lead soon after though. Lightning 30-26 Giants.
Kim Green, interviewed courtside: “It’s pretty intense at the moment. The girls are fighting back now. They’re starting to settle and starting to find their structure.”
10 mins: Bulley with some strong defence to thwart Bassett this time and the Giants stay within four. And the lead is cut to three soon enough before the Lightning call a time-out, no doubt to regroup in a bid to stave off this resurgent spell from the Giants.
Jamie Lee Price might be the first player to be sent off in this new competition. Needs to pull her head in.
— Erin Delahunty (@della79) June 17, 2017
Updated
7 mins: The Lightning are beginning to assert themselves now as they ease into control of the game. Mentor is working tirelessly at GK to foil Brice while Bassett and Wood are keeping things ticking over at the other end. They lead 24-19 now.
5 mins: Stephanie Wood puts the Lightning 18-17 ahead with a long-range effort before Geva Mentor comes up with a big play at the other end to deny Brice. The Lightning capitalise and go 19-17 ahead before a time-out is taken. Breathless stuff still.
2 mins: Sunshine Coast coach Noeline Taurura had real problems in making herself heard by her players at the break, such is the noise in the arena. Anyway, she must have got her message across as her side draw level before C-Bass puts the Lightning into the lead for the first time tonight. A searing start to the second quarter from the Queenslanders.
Updated
Super Netball: Lightning 13-15 Giants – end of first quarter
15 mins: Brice is fed well again and she again makes no mistake – she’s on nine from nine so far tonight and looking good. That stat is spoiled slightly moments later when she is forced to rush a shot as the hooter sounds but, still, she won’t mind as her side holds the lead after an entertaining opening period.
Updated
14 mins: C-Bass notches another to close the gap to three at 13-10. Make that 13-11 and the Lightning have managed to get themselves back into things as chants of “Lightning” ring out from an incredibly raucous crowd.
Updated
12 mins: The noise in the arena is equally relentless. Those present seem to want to do their utmost to influence play on the court. Giants by four with three minutes remaining in this opening quarter.
Updated
5 mins: It’s relentless action on the netball court. How these women keep this pace up is a mystery. Bassett is beginning to fire for the Lightning as she uses that extraordinary frame to good effect in the goal circle and the Sunshine Coast are back within two goals.
Updated
3 mins: Already this is an incredibly intense encounter. Brice is using her strength against Mentor where she can and so far she’s not missing when she’s found under the hoop. The Giants have scored the last five goals and they have a 7-2 lead early on.
Super Netball grand final, 1 min: And we’re off in Brisbane! Huge anticipation for this game. And within seconds, there is no surprise as first Kristina Brice for the Giants, then Caitlin Bassett for the Lightning, land goals.
NRL: Melbourne Storm beat North Queensland Cowboys 23-22
Brodie Croft is the hero of the piece! He kicks the winning goal for the Storm in golden point amid absolute scenes at AAMI Park! What a story that has unfolded in Melbourne! Inexperience wins the day in the end and the Storm will stay top of the shop for another week.
“He worked hard and he got rewarded for that tonight and we got rewarded for it,” Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said of Croft. “I’m sure there’s going to be whole heap more time when he’s going to come up with some really important plays in games.”
Updated
AFL: Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) beat Brisbane 12.9 (81)
The Power are done and dusted with the Lions. A comfortable win for Port, who move into fourth place with the victory. Chad Wingard starred with three goals while midfielder Ollie Wines (29 disposals, two goals) was instrumental.
Brisbane trailed by only three points late in the second term, but Port booted seven of the next nine goals to seize momentum. Wines formed a commanding midfield with Brad Ebert (24 disposals) and Sam Powell-Pepper, whose impressive debut season continued with two goals, five tackles and 16 disposals. Wingard’s triple treat was supported by two goals each from Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray and Aaron Young.
Brisbane (two wins, 10 losses) remain last on the ladder but showed some promise under first-year coach Chris Fagan. Onballer Dayne Zorko (32 possessions, 12 tackles, two goals) was superb, Ryan Bastinac slotted three goals in his 21 disposals and Ryan Lester and Dayne Beams were industrious. (AAP)
Updated
NRL: Mebourne 22-North Queensland – full time
So, down in Melbourne, we’re heading to golden point, which is excellent news for fans of excitement, but less so for someone who was kind of hoping it would have ended before the Super Netball grand final started so he could concentrate on that. What it means as well is that those Storm players will miss the start of the grand final which, of course, features their sister club, the Lightning.
Super Netball: As the heart wrenching story of Kim Green, who will play no part tonight due to a cruel injury, plays out on the screen, here’s Erin, who seems to agree with Laura Geitz. I could do a period of extra-time, to be honest.
The head says Lightning by x2, heart says Giants by x1 in extra-time.
— Erin Delahunty (@della79) June 17, 2017
The way they play for each other is simply irresistible. But .. CBass
Updated
Super Netball: Diamonds legend Laura Geitz, being interviewed on the TV, reckons it’s going to be the Lightning by two points come the end of the night. These two have met twice before this year, each side winning once, but tellingly there has been just one point between them both times. Another close one tonight?
Updated
Super Netball: The Brisbane Entertainment Centre looks resplendent as the teams warm up out on the court. The game has been billed as netball’s version of State of Origin, it being between a Queensland side and one from NSW, and the pundits on the telly reckon they’ll be plenty of niggle in it. Bring it on!
Back to C-Bass, for a brief moment, before the start of the match. Geva Mentor, the Lightning’s English GK and captain, says: “I’ve never seen her so happy away from the court, and it shows on the court”
Super Netball: Obviously, one of the women to watch tonight is Caitlin Bassett, who has enjoyed what can only be described as a sensational year for the Lightning. She’s shooting 94.1% accuracy heading into the tonight’s game, and if she’s off her game (unlikely), the Lightning’s hopes of lifting the inaugural trophy will be seriously impacted. Likewise, if she can continue her form, they’ve got a great chance of winning.
Super Netball: A few facts and figures ahead of the big game:
- Each club has one by a margin of one goal across the two times these sides met in 2017, with Giants winning 55-54 in round four, and Lightning winning 56-55 in Round 14.
- Lightning have 12 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses across the season. Lightning’s average winning margin this year is 7.9.
- The Giants have 12 wins and 4 losses across the season. Giants average winning margin this year is 5.75, with an average losing margin of 3.75.
- Lightning have scored 864 goals from 969 attempts at 89.2% accuracy, across 15 games.
- Giants have scored 890 goals from 1027 attempts at 86.7% accuracy, across 16 games.
- Lightning have made 37 on court positional changes, at an average of 2.5 per match, and 66 player moves, at an average of 4.4 per match.
- Giants have made 42 on court positional changes, at an average of 2.8 per match, and 66 player moves, at an average of 2.8 per match.
- Lightning has won 34 quarters, drawn 7 quarters and lost 19 quarters.
- Giants have won 34 quarters, drawn 7 quarters and lost 23 quarters.
By the way, tonight’s umpires are Michelle Phippard and Joshua Bowring, with Marc Henning the reserve.
Still aggrieved about Australia’s failed 2022 World Cup bid? The millions spent on it only to lose out to Qatar? Eric Cantona’s got your back:
Qatar 2022 is a 'diplomatic clusterf**k'
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) June 17, 2017
Eric Cantona isn't holding back 😮 pic.twitter.com/qVUEGlAU9v
Rugby union: the inquest into that earlier Wallabies performance has started in earnest. For starters, here’s what one Guardian rugby writer thinks:
Don't think I've seen Bernard Foley have a worse game for the Wallabies. Abysmal
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) June 17, 2017
AFL: Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) Brisbane 10.6 (66) – three-quarter-time
Port are flexing their muscles and pulling away at Adelaide Oval. Their lead is now 28 points with the Grays, Robbie and Sam, joined on two goals each by Ollie Wines. The Lions did have this to celebrate though:
Cracking goal by Eric Hipwood! #AFLPowerLions pic.twitter.com/ONdSWVU3q9
— AFL (@AFL) June 17, 2017
Super Netball: things are ramping up in Brisbane ahead of this evening’s grand final, which we’ll be focusing on once it gets started in about half an hour. While we’re waiting for the start, here’s the team news:
Here it is, your two Grand Finalist teams! Watch live on @Channel9 and Netball Live mobile app from 7.00pm AEST. #SuncorpSuperNetball pic.twitter.com/n56uFOV0Ne
— #SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) June 17, 2017
NRL: Melbourne Storm 6-10 North Queensland Cowboys – half-time
There’s a Storm brewing in Melbourne and the Cowboys are grateful to the video replay for their lead at the break after a call upstairs saved their bacon late in the half. It’s nicely set up for the second half, although the Cowboys know they’ve got a job on their hands to keep their lead.
Supercars: DJR Team Penske have fired back at Red Bull Racing’s challenge, with Supercars leader Fabian Coulthard and team-mate Scott McLaughlin scoring a one-two finish in Darwin. Saturday’s win extended Coulthard’s lead in the overall standings to 34 points, while McLaughlin closed the gap between on second-placed RBR driver Jamie Whincup to six. Whincup improved from ninth on the grid to finish fourth, but couldn’t find his way onto the podium, denied by fellow Holden driver Nick Percat. Sunday’s 70-lap race kicks off at 3:00pm AEST. (AAP)
Rugby union: In case you were wondering, yes, the Lions are behind over in New Zealand. They’re just a point off the Maori All Blacks, trailing 10-9, but is another disappointing outing in the making? Join Gerard Meagher for the latest here.
NRL: Melbourne 6-10 North Queensland – 33 mins gone in first half
The Storm are back in it as youngster Curtis Scott, in only his third NRL match and his first of the year, benefits from some nifty Melbourne passing and throwing a dummy himself to open up a space to race into and touch down. Cameron Munster adds the extras and it’s game one!
NRL: Melbourne 0-10 North Queensland – 30 mins gone in first half
The first half hour has been played at AAMI Park, and as things stand, it’s the Cowboys who are on their way to upsetting the ladder-leading Storm. And so far it’s been the Kyle Feldt show – he’s scored all of the Cowboy’s points. North Queensland have, however, just lost Scott Bolton with blood pouring from a facial injury after he took a stray arm right in the smacker. A cut and broken nose is the official verdict.
And don’t forget, later on tonight, we’ve got the big one in Super Netball – the Lightning against the Giants. It’s a match that has captured the imagination, not least of this pair:
Some dedicated @sc_lightning fans at Boondall ahead of #SuncorpSuperNetball GF @7NewsSC pic.twitter.com/DfoEEJ0WVe
— Luke McGarry (@LukeMcGarry7) June 17, 2017
AFL: Port Adelaide 8.9 (57) Brisbane 6.6 (42)
The half-time siren has sounded in Adelaide and the Power still have their noses in front. Here’s a snippet of the action at Adelaide Oval:
Aaron Young sneaks the ball home. #AFLPowerLions pic.twitter.com/PGVzy0xB7s
— AFL (@AFL) June 17, 2017
Rugby union: OK, the haka is done (brilliantly so) and they’re about ready to get under way in Rotorua. Join Gerard Meagher for updates on the Lions’ tour game against the Maori All Blacks:
Or stay here for updates on that AFL game in Adelaide and Melbourne’s NRL encounter with North Queensland, which has also just started.
Updated
Rugby union: The report from Allianz is in, courtesy of our friends at AAP:
Updated
AFL: In case you missed it yesterday, here’s stats guru Tony Corke on the relative importance of attacking and defensive ratings in AFL football:
Updated
Rugby union: Wallaroos 5-45 Canada
Some more disappointing news coming from New Zealand, where the Wallaroos have gone down to a heavy defeat to Canada in their final match of the International Women’s Rugby Series in Rotorua. The Canadians outscored Australia seven tries to one; Hilisha Samoa scored the Wallaroos’ only try.
Wallaroos head coach Paul Verrell said: “While we were disappointed with the result today, the tour has provided us a chance for the squad to get a realistic view of the work ahead of them before we head to the World Cup in Ireland. We’ve uncovered some talented new players across the three matches with 11 new players earning their first caps. The focus now is to ensure we continue to build in the six week block we have to prepare for the World Cup. The girls will be working hard in their respective states before we come together at our final pre-World Cup training camp at Narrabeen in Sydney in August.”
Updated
AFL: Port Adelaide 5.6 (36) Brisbane 3.3 (21) – quarter-time
Back to AFL matters, and after the thrills and spills of the that Swans game, we’ve had a high-scoring encounter on our hands at the Adelaide Oval. A quarter in, Port are ahead, with Robbie Gray having impressed for the Power with three marks inside forward and a goal late on to boot.
They’re fifth in the world and they’ve just beaten the Wallabies on their own turf – never mind a team of the future, I reckon Scotland are a team of the present.
@mike_hytner What a fantastic Scots win a team of the future
— Nearlyhome (@Norseaman) June 17, 2017
Rugby union: Scotland beat Australia 24-19
Full-time: A minute past the 80 and a penalty is called against Australia! It’s all over! Scotland win it, their first victory ever in Sydney, and their second on the trot on Australian soil. A superb defensive performance from the visitors, who fully capitalised on another iffy performance from the Wallabies.
Updated
80 mins: Scotland go for the near option on the lineout and with the ball in their hands, they’ll look to hold the ball and run the clock down now. But wait! They’re penalised for holding the ball. Foley finds touch and there will be one final chance from the lineout for the Wallabies.
79 mins: Scotland get the penalty! And that could be that!
78 mins: Hooper gets the crowd excited once more with a few neat steps but Kuridrani can’t get away on the left wing and the move loses its momentum.
77 mins: Still the Wallabies attack, still the Scots hold firm. Russell, who looks suitably heroic with a gash under his eye reddening his face, kicks away into touch as the clock ticks down towards what would be another famous victory on Australian shores.
75 mins: Five minutes left and volume inside the stadium rises to a game-high as the locals attempt to lift their side over the line one more time. For now though, it’s the dogged defence of the Scots that is winning out.
Over the ditch, the Lions are playing the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua. Gerard Meagher is watching that one, and liveblogging it for you so why not tune in before it gets under way, in about 40 minutes.
70 mins: With the Scots finding it difficult to make much progress with the ball, the action is all happening in their half the moment. Time’s ticking down, and the Wallabies are actually well-positioned to steal it. That’s a waste from Kuridrani though, as he tosses the ball straight out of play.
69 mins: Now it’s the Wallabies’ turn to set pulses racing in the stands as Quade Cooper lands a lovely reverse pass and increase volume levels inside Allianz Stadium. But the foray towards the Scottish tryline comes to nothing as the visitors’ defence holds firm, and again moments after when Folau is halted not far from the line.
#AUSvSCO quade cooper might blow a bit hot and cold but what a player to bring off the bench he is. He might win this for the Aussies.
— Stig of the dump (@StigMcnulty) June 17, 2017
Updated
67 mins: Finn Russell, what a player. He’s adjudged to have passed it forward here, but had he dialled it back a degree or two, that would have been the pass of the game - a wonderfully deceiving offload that sadly comes to naught.
65 mins: Well, this is shaping up to be another thriller, as per Twickenham 2015 and Murrayfield 2016. Can the Scots end with the same result as Newcastle 2012 though? It would take a brave punter to bet against it at the moment.
Wallabies 19-24 Scotland
62 mins: What a superb try by the Scots! They finish a phase of possession that saw the ball twice travel the width of the pitch with Watson applying the finishing touch! He touches down after some great support play from the visitors, to which the Wallabies have no answer. No mistake from Russell with the kick and their lead is restored.
Updated
58 mins: With just over 20 minutes remaining, we’re all set for another close finish between these two sides. There’s really not been a great deal to separate them in recent times (other than officiating calls, some Scots may argue) and that’s again been the case so far today.
Updated
Wallabies 19-17 Scotland
57 mins: But they can’t hold on for long and Australia take the lead for the first time today! Genia sneaks through amid a pile of bodies to touch down and when Foley adds the kick, things are looking a bit rosier for the home side all of a sudden.
56 mins: Back to Sydney and Scotland still lead by five points but the Wallabies are threatening to reduce that deficit. Only some staunch defending by the Scots are keeping them out at the tryline at the moment.
AFL: Sydney 12.8 (80) beat Richmond 10.11 (71)
Meanwhile, the Swans have completed a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Tigers at a raucous MCG. They struggled early on but a spirited fightback proved too much for the Tigers, Kieran Jack’s goal in the final quarter putting the Swans ahead for the first time since early in the game and Gary Rohan’s effort sealed the deal late on. They were 36 points behind. Incredible result.
“We know we haven’t got much wiggle room,” John Longmire said of his team’s rekindled finals hopes. “That’s pretty clear, we know that. The players know it, the coaches know it and we know we have to bring our maximum effort every week from now on. To our credit, after not bringing it in the first half, we were able to turn that around. It should give the players some real confidence to be able to do that during the course of a game.”
Updated
51 mins: the official attendance is in: just over 30,000, which is disappointing, if not entirely unexpected.
50 mins: Stephen Moore comes on as Polota-Nau comes off. This is Moore’s 119th Test appearance. Incredible servant to the game.
48 mins: the TV is just replaying a late-ish Hooper hit on Russell – at least the Wallabies have finally got that particular tactic right if they are to stop the Scots. As long as it’s legal, of course, which the ref rules that one was.
Updated
46 mins: Tempers flare again, briefly, as frustrations on either side begin to show. It’s that kind of game.
42 mins: Oof. Polota-Nau and Watson both dive on a loose ball, neither flinching, both utterly determined to get the ball. Inevitably, there’s a clash of heads, but needless to say both get up and continue. There’s a suggestion that Polota-Nau’s head saved him from damage. Not really, there’s just really hard men.
Wallabies 12-17 Scotland
40 mins: And we’re back underway in Sydney, where the atmosphere next door to the SCG is distinctly flatter than that at the MCG. Anyway, as with that game, this one could go either way.
AFL: Richmond 10.10 (70) Sydney 11.7 (73)
We’re got a real thriller at the MCG. Jack Reiwoldt thinks proves his worth to the Tigers with a crunch goal under massive pressure, but the Swans hit back straight away. This one’s in the balance and could go either way. And as I’m writing that, Sydney take the lead thanks to Kieran Jack!
Switching sports for a moment, the Women’s Cricket World Cup starts up in England this week. Vithushan Ehantharajah, like many other equally respected cricket writers, reckons Australia are the favourites, although he also thinks England are the Southern Stars’ biggest rivals for the title. Have a read:
AFL: Richmond 9.10 (64) Sydney 8.7 (55) - 12 mins remaining in Q4
Down to Melbourne, where the Swans are in the midst of something of a comeback. Remember, they were held goalless in the first quarter and for much of the second, but they’ve clawed themselves back into the game and with just 12 minutes left in the game, they can smell victory.
Half-time: Wallabies 12-17 Scotland
A strong half from the Scots, for who Finn Russell has been excellent. Less so for the Wallabies, but they’re still within touching distance with an intriguing second half on the cards. Stay tuned.
Updated
Wallabies 12-17 Scotland
40 mins: Folau must have mini trampolines in his boots today – he leaps like Michael Jordan to pluck a cross-field kick out of the air and touches down to ensure the Wallabies go in at the break on a high! What a display of athleticism. Foley can’t add the extras – he’s just wide right – but still, there’s all to play for after the break.Back in a bit.
Updated
39 mins: Here’s a former colleague’s view of the game today, a view that’s apparently quite popular in the Twitter world of the instant hot take. Wait though....
Shit the bed. Just turned on #AUSvSCO. If we lose this we probably should just resign from the Southern Hemisphere.
— Richard Parkin (@rrjparkin) June 17, 2017
35 mins: Another Wallabies handling error gifts the ball to Brown, who can’t believe his luck with a truckload of open space ahead of him, but sadly the hooker doesn’t have the pace to keep ahead of the chasing pack and he’s soon brought down. But yet another indication that the Wallabies are far from firing on all cylinders.
30 mins: Genia’s taking a hammering from irate Wallabies fans as their Scottish counterparts thank Warren Gatland for not picking Russell for the Lions’ tour of New Zealand. This, below, is one of the more repeatable takes on Genia:
Take Genia off now Cheika. #AUSvSCO #rugby @rugbycomau
— Tim Nicholas (@TimOnTwtr) June 17, 2017
Wallabies 7-17 Scotland
27 mins: Scotland add another try and again there’s a degree of calamity to it as Russell picks up the loose ball and gleefully touches down after charging down Genia’s kick. Russell adds the extras and Scotland have a 10-point lead once more.
I'm #Wallabies to my bootlaces but that was a bloody MacBrilliant #Scotland chargedown try #AUSvSCO
— Aaron Kearney (@aaronkearneyaus) June 17, 2017
Updated
23 mins: Always good to see a big man burst through the defence. This time it’s Polota-Nau whose thighs pump like crazy as he tries to get away from a bunch of blue shirts. He can’t, Scotland soon get the ball back, and moments later Foley picks up a yellow card for blocking Russell’s run after he chipped through.
Updated
Wallabies 7-10 Scotland
19 mins: And right on cue, given that last post, Genia redeems himself, switching play intelligently before Folau gets the ball in acres of space and he storms over the line. Foley’s good with the kick and the Australians are back in this.
Updated
18 mins: And the Wallabies’ sloppiness continues as Coleman lets slip of the ball at a line-out. This time he’s saved by the referee’s whistle, but the signs aren’t good for the hosts.
Wallabies 0-10 Scotland
15 mins: a poor Genia pass is picked off by Taylor who races under the posts unopposed. Russell adds the extras and Scotland find themselves further in control of this one.
Updated
13 mins: Scotland have enjoyed 70% of possession so far and have largely been in control. For the Wallabies’ part, they’ve been pretty disappointing.
11 mins: That’s a great take by Tonks, who leaps salmon-like to catch a Foley kick. And the Scots can come again as they search for a way through the Wallabies’ back line.
9 mins: not everyone was a fan of the Scots’ national anthem this afternoon, it seems:
Who was the tone deaf out of tune fella singing Flower Of Scotland? #AUSvSCO #AsOne @Scotlandteam @SkySportsRugby #Rugby @qantaswallabies pic.twitter.com/fJR1Yqxncp
— Herd Meister General (@HerdyGurdyMan) June 17, 2017
7 mins: It’s been a bit niggly so far – no love lost between these two sides, given their recent history. And we’ve heard quite a bit of the referee’s whistle.
4 mins: the Wallabies have a chance to pull level soon after, but Bernard Foley can’t replicate Tonks’ accuracy at the other end and his kick at goal goes wide of the mark.
Wallabies 0-3 Scotland
3 mins: The visitors get a penalty after some Wallaby holding on at the ruck. Tonks steps up and lands his kick to put the Scots ahead early on.
1 min: It doesn’t take long for things to spark - 30 seconds to be exact! Following a crunching hit from Adam Coleman a melee on the touchline erupts. Ryan Wilson’s in there, but the referee steps in and warns players they’re not going to be around for long if they continue like that, and we move on.
Updated
Wallabies 0-0 Scotland
Peeeep! And we’re under way in an overcast Sydney!
Updated
The minute’s silence is impeccably observed, as you’d expect it to be, and following a fantastic welcome to country from Dr Peter McKenzie – “You’re at the game they play in heaven,” he says, brilliantly – and rousing renditions of Flower of Scotland and Advance Australia Fair, we’re just about, finally, ready to get under way.
Dr Peter McKenzie a class act giving the indigenous welcome to the #AUSvSCO rugby test. Go Wallabies!
— Brad Jones (@BradJOz) June 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/1bbradfo/status/875942348437442561
Flower of Scotland. One of the best anthems going around. #AUSvSCO
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) June 17, 2017
This is a big game, plenty at stake and all that, but really, it doesn’t mean anything at all in the wider scheme of things.
The teams are observing a moment's silence for Waringah Rugby's Lachlan Ward.
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) June 17, 2017
This is an interesting piece on the current state of the Wallabies, who Bret Harris argues are becoming a kind of All Blacks-lite, having finally realised that the way to play modern-day rugby is the way New Zealand do it.
AFL: Richmond 7.6 (48) Sydney 3.5 (23) at half-time
The Tigers take a healthy lead into the sheds with them at the major break, with the Swans still struggling to fire, even if they showed they are capable of actually, you know, kicking goals, in that second quarter.
That. Was. Huge.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 17, 2017
Crucial goal to Sammy Reid right on the HT siren gives us something to take into the main break.#AFLTigersSwans pic.twitter.com/ksO3boK9bv
Here’s Michael Cheika: “The challenge for us is the same. This week we’ve been thinking about our work ethic. We’ve good skills, we’ve got the passion to play the game but we’ve just got to get our mindset right.”
Here are your line-ups today:
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt, Eto Nabuli, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Adam Coleman, Sam Carter, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Roberston.
Scotland: Greig Tonks, Lee Jones, Alex Dunbar, Duncan Taylor, Rory Hughes, Finn Russell, Ali Price, Hamish Watson, John Barclay, Jonny Gray, Ben Toolis, Zander Fagerson, Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid.
And full team news here:
So, to Sydney now, where Allianz Stadium is slowly filling up. That’s not to say a full house is expected – this is Sydney after all, and there’s the chance of rain this afternoon (ouch) – but surely the crowd will be better than the paltry 13,583 who turned up in Melbourne for last weekend’s first Test of the year against Fiji.
Ok, kick-off is fast approaching in Sydney, so just quickly, here’s what you might have missed yesterday:
In Friday night’s NRL match at ANZ Stadium, the Rabbitohs launched a comeback from 14-0 down to beat the Titans 36-20, sparked by a moment of madness from Konrad Hurrell. This from AAP:
The Titans were leading 14-6 midway through the first half on Friday when the game turned after Hurrell remonstrated with the referee following a contentious knock-on call. The Rabbitohs scored in the ensuing set before running away with the game after half-time.
In last night’s AFL clash, St Kilda snapped a three-game losing streak with a 12.17 (89) to 10.12 (72) win over North Melbourne. It wasn’t the most watchable game of all time, by all accounts, but still, the Saints did enough to get back to winning ways. “We definitely need to improve, no doubt about that, but it was step towards getting our footy back and that was pleasing,” said Saints coach Alan Richardson.
We’ve already covered the golf in the US (see below), so just the rugby union to catch up on – and it doesn’t make good reading for the Lions. The All Blacks, who the Lions play in the first Test next weekend, were at their “sublime best” in a 78-0 drubbing of Samoa on Friday night. The result left AB’s coach Steve Hansen warning Warren Gatland the Lions are “running out of time” to get their house in order before next weekend’s big one.
AFL: Richmond 6.3 (39) Sydney 1.4 (10) - 14 mins remaining in Q2
So, let’s head straight to the MCG and check in with the one game that is already underway today. And it doesn’t make good reading for Swans fans – they’ve only just got themselves on the board (with a quarter and eight minutes played), thanks to Buddy Franklin (after a totally fluffed effort came back to him for a second attempt), but it’s been all Tigers so far. Dustin Martin has kicked two goals so far; Shai Bolton and Trent Cotchin have also been on target.
This from AAP yesterday:
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Guardian Australia’s sportwatch. Mike here manning the controls in Sydney for what promises to be a rather hectic day of sport, so without further ado, let’s jump straight in and take a quick look at what lies ahead.
Rugby union: the Wallabies take on Scotland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney in the latest June Test match. Kick-off is at 3pm AEST (that’s 6am for any stalwart Scots back in the UK) and it promises to be a tasty affair. The last time Scotland were over here, in 2012, they beat the Wallabies on a foul day in Newcastle – the first time they had beaten Australia since 1982. The two nations met again at the World Cup in 2015 – when Bernard Foley’s controversial 79th minute penalty goal at Twickenham caused uproar in Scotland – and then at Murrayfield last year – when Foley’s boot again did the damage – but since then Scots have risen to fifth in the world and, given the recent, um, troubles in Australian rugby, another smash and grab really doesn’t take too much imagination to conceive. It’s going to be interesting to see how things pan out in Sydney this arvo.
There’s also the small matter of the ongoing Lions tour over the ditch – the tourists play the Maori All Blacks at 5:35pm AEST (8:35am UK) hoping to get a win under their belt before next weekend’s first Test against the All Blacks. Here’s Rob Kitson on today’s game in Rotorua:
Professional rugby is stuffed with people who purport to respect their jersey but the Lions should beware: the Maori take it to a different level. Their respective tribes – the aforementioned iwi – are even listed on the team sheet. Think ancient Scottish clans whose ancestral links count for rather more than what coloured kilt pattern they can wear.
AFL: Richmond are already underway against the Swans (I’ll bring you an update as soon as I’m done with this preamble), while Port Adelaide play Brisbane at 4:35pm AEST and then Gold Coast take on Carlton in this evening’s match.
NRL: of course it’s Origin Game II on Wednesday, so with focus on that potentially epoch-changing clash (hyperbole? Never) it’s a limited league schedule this weekend, with just ladder leaders Melbourne Storm taking on the Cowboys of North Queensland at 5:30pm and the third-placed Cronulla Sharks meeting Wests Tigers this evening.
Super Netball: But this is the big one today – the 2017 Super Netball grand final between the Sunshine Coast Lightning and Giants Netball in Brisbane, starting at 7pm AEST. It’s been a cracking inaugural season of the new comp so far, and hopes are high that tonight’s finale will live up to what has come before and provide a cherry on the cake. Our netball correspondent, Erin Delahunty, is on deck to report how the baking goes tonight, but in the meantime, here’s a snippet from her excellent season review/grand final preview:
Collingwood wobbled. Wallets opened, stadiums heaved and TV ratings swelled. Industrial action got ugly and complaints about the fixture reverberated. But fierceness and finesse on-court ultimately produced the world’s best netball competition in the inaugural Super Netball season – which, before Saturday’s grand final, the game’s boss says has irrevocably “changed the conversation” about the sport.
Golf: sticking with the Erin theme for a moment, there’s a four-way tie for the lead at Erin Hills after the first round of the US Open. Brits Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood, Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman are out front, but there was disappointment for Jason Day and Adam Scott as they both missed out on weekend action at a major for the first time in their careers. The same fate befell Nick Flanagan and Wade Ormsby, leaving just one Aussie, Marc Leishman, in the second round. My colleague Scott Murray will be around later on to take you through day two in Wisconsin in a separate liveblog - details to follow this evening.
So, with a bit of Supercars in Darwin thrown in for good measure, that’s pretty much where we’re at today. Please do stick around, and get in touch if you feel the need, either below the line or via email (mike.hytner@theguardian.com) or on Twitter (@mike_hytner). It’d be great to hear your thoughts/grievances/rants/raves throughout the day.
Updated
