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Articles by Simon Smale
Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, day three from St George's Park in Gqeberha
What's the pitch looking like? Rabada could run through us if bowling conditions remain favourable... - Simon On last night's evidence, I'm not actually sure there will be too many demons in this wicket. It spent most of yesterday baking under the sunlight and seemed to me to be playing pretty true for the most part. Only Scott Boland found any real sideways movement. Of course Kagiso Rabada is going to be a problem, as he is on any pitch.
Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, day two from St George's Park in Gqeberha
(Getty Images) Well, last night we're told there were heavy showers, and those have continued into the morning. It's been solidly raining all morning, we are told, with the prospect of a start on time (we were supposed to have an earlier start at 6.45pm, in fact) looking very unlikely. But! Depending on who you listen to, it does sound like the rain should start to clear at around midday local time, giving us hopefully a solid block of play in the afternoon and evening sessions.
Leigh Hoffman wins second silver at UCI Track World Championships, Harrie Lavreysen wins 23rd world title
Australian cyclist Leigh Hoffman has claimed silver in the individual sprint at the UCI World Championships in Shanghai. Hoffman, who won the bronze medal at the world championships 12 months ago, was beaten by Dutch legend Harrie Lavreysen in the gold medal race. "To come away with a silver is still pretty amazing," Hoffman told AusCycling.
Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, first day from St George's in Gqeberha
(Getty Images) After a pretty comprehensive 214-run defeat last time out, South Africa made a couple of tweaks to their squad, calling up Matthew Breetzke and dropping Tristan Stubbs. That has meant a batting order reshuffle for today's second Test. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said on Wednesday that there was no need for knee-jerk reactions to the defeat and that his team just "need to get bloody better" this week.
Australia tour of South Africa: How to watch, when are the Test matches, who is playing
Australia is back in South Africa for one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent history. It has been eight long years since Australia last toured South Africa in red-ball cricket, in a series that will forever be remembered for its ignominy. Sandpapergate is what that contest will be remembered for, but even before that, it was crossing a red line in despicable behaviour unbecoming of the sport. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the three-Test series.
How Sandpapergate rocked Australian cricket during spiteful 2018 South Africa tour
As Australia heads back to South Africa for the first time in eight years, there is no doubt ghosts will stir. The 2018 series was a catastrophe for Australian cricket. A sporting nation that prides itself on playing hard but fair was dragged to a set of gallows fashioned from its own hubris, humiliated by a single, square inch of yellow sandpaper. But as seismic as the fallout was, it is worth remembering just how unpleasant the 2018 series was before the sandpaper even entered the chat.
NRL grand final: Daly Cherry-Evans field goal wins Roosters premiership over Knights
Jon Healy and Simon Smale The Sydney Roosters have held off a fast-finishing Newcastle to win 19-18 in a pulsating NRL grand final at Stadium Australia. The Roosters seemed to have the premiership wrapped up late in the match, until Greg Marzhew scored a 76th-minute try down the Knights' left edge. Sandon Smith landed a conversion from wide out, sending Knights' fans into a frenzy.
NRL grand final live: Daly Cherry-Evans field goal wins Roosters premiership over Knights
Jon Healy and Simon Smale A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal proves the difference as the Sydney Roosters beat the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the NRL grand final.
Knights meet Roosters in decider after Jai Arrow tribute
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NRL grand final live: Knights meet Roosters in decider after Jai Arrow tribute
Jon Healy and Simon Smale The Newcastle Knights have a home crowd in Sydney despite taking on the Roosters in the NRL grand final after a musical tribute to former South Sydney star Jai Arrow. Earlier, the Roosters won their third NRLW premiership, scoring seven tries to thrash the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 in a blowout and exact revenge in a rematch of the 2025 decider The win sealed an undefeated season for the Roosters, whose halfback Tarryn Aiken won the Karyn Murphy medal for best on field.
NRL grand final live: Roosters thrash Broncos in NRLW decider before Knights-Roosters men's grand final
Jon Healy and Simon Smale The Sydney Roosters have won their third NRLW premiership, scoring seven tries to thrash the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 in a blowout of a grand final. The win sealed an undefeated season for the Roosters, whose halfback Tarryn Aiken won the Karyn Murphy medal for best on field. Later, a tribute to Jai Arrow will be held before the NRL decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.
NRL grand final live: Roosters and Broncos in NRLW decider before Knights-Roosters men's grand final
Jon Healy and Simon Smale For the fourth time in nine NRLW seasons, the Roosters and Broncos meet on grand final day as greats of the game Ali Brigginshaw, Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter hang up their boots. Later, a tribute to Jai Arrow will be held before the NRL decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. Follow all the action in our live blog below, check out all the stats in the full NRLW and NRL grand final ScoreCentres , and tune in to our live radio coverage [blog]
Lani Pallister backs up Friday's national short course titles with Bluff to Bar ocean swim win
Is there anything Lani Pallister can't do? On Friday night, Pallister wrapped up a hugely successful Australian short course championships with a fourth gold medal in the 800-metre freestyle to seal her spot in the 24-strong squad for the world championships. Then, the 24-year-old rushed up to Queensland's Sunshine Coast to claim honours in the 1.2-kilometre Bluff to Bar ocean swim at Alexandra Headlands on Saturday morning, after a 4am wake-up call.
Tigst Assefa ruptures Achilles tendon at Berlin Marathon but runs third fastest time in history
Right up until the 40km mark of the Berlin Marathon at the weekend, Tigst Assefa was well on track to regain her world record. After 10km, the Ethiopian star was already over a minute in the lead of a race that quickly became a challenge between her and the clock. By the 30km mark, the noted fast-finisher was running inside world record pace and flying. "She was on [target] to run 2:09:30, 2:09:40," Assefa's representative Gianni Demadonna told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Jenna Forrester beats 17yo national record, Flynn Southam embraces the pressure at Australian Short Course Championships
Jenna Forrester's outstanding 2026 has continued at the Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney, lowering the Australian women's 400m individual medley record on her way to gold. The 23-year-old beat Ellen Fullerton's 17-year-old mark with a time of 4:28.39, taking 0.33 seconds off the record. The time was comfortably under the qualifying standard for the upcoming world championships in Beijing.
Socceroos fall to 4-2 Brazil defeat in front of record Brisbane crowd in international friendly
Simon Smale at Lang Park The Socceroos have fallen to a 4-2 defeat against Brazil in front of 52,423 fans at Lang Park in Brisbane. Fresh from a superb performance in Townsville on Friday night, the Socceroos will once again take plenty from a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout 90 thoroughly engaging minutes. With Tony Popovic naming an unchanged team for just the second time in his tenure, it seems likely that this XI is the one that will start the Asian Cup in January.
Socceroos fall to 4-2 Brazil defeat in front of record Brisbane crowd in international friendly
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Australia vs Brazil, international friendly in Brisbane
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Socceroos live updates: Australia vs Brazil, international friendly in Brisbane
Brazil has named seven new players in the starting lineup, with the side also shifting to a 4-3-3 line up. (@CBF_Futebol) Raphinha shifts to the centre of a three-pronged attack, with Vinícius Júnior on the left and Friday's goal scorer Rayan on the right. Just a reminder that Raphinha has scored 14 goals in his last eight games for Barcelona playing in a false nine role, so you sense he might be pretty happy playing up top.
Nathan Cleary thanks supporters, vows to return after surgery
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary has vowed to return after his 2026 season was brutally cut short on Sunday, thanking fans for their support from his hospital bed. The 28-year-old suffered a horrific compound fracture of his left ankle in the Panthers' NRL preliminary final defeat against Newcastle, ruling him out of the Kangaroos' World Cup campaign. The Panthers, who led 14-6 at half-time, ultimately fell apart to lose to the 12-man Knights, 22-14.
Michael Matthews claims second place at UCI World Road Race Championships in Canada
Michael Matthews felt that his career was probably over at the start of the season. Having missed a large portion of the 2025 season after a pulmonary embolism was discovered in his lung, a horrific collision with a fire truck while training in March could have cost him an awful lot more than just his career.
Matt Hauser edges World Triathlon sprint finish, Lauren Parker breaks record
Australian triathlete Matt Hauser showed he was up for the fight at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain overnight, beating Vasco Vilaça to the line in a thrilling sprint finish. Defending series champion Hauser came into the series finale knowing he would be up against it to retain his title. A number of crashes throughout the year meant Hauser needed to win and beat Vilaça by five places.
F1 live updates: Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku City Circuit
(Getty Images) Mercedes' George Russell took an absolutely dominant pole position in yesterday's session. The British driver beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.837 seconds into second around the testing Baku City Circuit. "That's probably the biggest margin I've had in my whole career," Russell said.
Nestory Irankunda's magical free kick against Brazil a sign of a special Socceroos star
With some players, there's always a moment in their career that, years into the future, you can look back on as a beacon of when they truly announced themselves. Perhaps we will be able to point to a stunning free kick for the ages as that moment in the young career of Nestory Irankunda. Those 25,440 people lucky enough to be in Townsville to see Socceroos 1-1 Brazil will certainly never forget it. Neither, you suspect, will Chelsea wonder kid Estêvão.
Nestory Irankunda's magical free kick against Brazil a sign of a special Socceroos star
Adult Animation 3 hours ago ‘South Park’ Season 29 Premiere Hits 4.2 Million Viewers in Three Days and Jumps 33% in Rating After Renaming to ‘South America’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety - Selome Hailu • 3h Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s latest stunt has paid off.
Sarah Gigante leads Australian team in 'super open' UCI World Championships road race Original
The path that any elite athlete travels to the top of their sport is rarely straightforward. The most evangelical of adherents to their chosen regimens are still liable to succumb to the seemingly endless torment of injury hell. As Australian cyclist Sarah Gigante prepares for the elite women's road race at the UCI World Championships on Saturday night, she can be certain that she knows this as much as anyone.
Socceroos live updates: Australia vs Brazil, international friendly in Townsville
Here's a look at our young defenders. Centre back, Alemannia Aachen (German 3. Liga), 19yo (Getty Images) A 19yo footballing refugee from Western United, the Melbourne-born teen moved to Germany from the western suburbs in 2025 to sign for Schalke. He has since been sent out on loan to 3.Liga side Alemannia Aachen.
Socceroos live updates: Australia vs Brazil, international friendly in Townsville
Did you know the Proteas are playing Australia on Heritage Day? With the Springboks and Bafana Bafana hogging the sporting headlines, it would be easy to forget that the Proteas are about to embark on a major home …
Socceroos vs Brazil, how to watch international friendlies in Townsville, Brisbane
The Socceroos will play their first internationals since the 2026 FIFA World Cup against five-time world champions Brazil in Queensland this week. It is the team's first meeting since they played at the MCG in June 2017. The Socceroos have only ever beaten Brazil once, a 1-0 victory in the 2001 Confederations Cup third-place play-off thanks to Shaun Murphy's 84th-minute strike. Here's everything you need to know about the Queensland Series. The Socceroos are back in action on home soil.
A-League referees are on strike, with the season start just one month away
Tell us about your experience. It is seemingly a rare occurrence indeed that Australian football does not find itself in some degree of turmoil. So it is perhaps of little surprise that as the A-League Men's and Women's seasons fast approach, the code is once again lurching towards another crisis. The nations top referees have been on strike since September 4, citing "significant changes to the elite refereeing structure" proposed by Football Australia (FA).
Enric Mas claims long awaited Vuelta a España title after three second-place finishes
Enric Mas has finally delivered an expectant Spanish public an overall victory at the Vuelta a España, his win confirmed at the end of the final stage into Grenada on Sunday. Mas finished safely in the peloton during the 21st and final stage of the race, won by Norway's Tobias Johannessen. The 31-year-old from Mallorca held off four-time Vuelta champion Primož Roglič to become the first Spaniard to win the Vuelta since Alberto Contador in 2014.
NFL Melbourne: San Francisco 49ers defeat LA Rams 27-7 at MCG
Michael Doyle, Chris De Silva and Simon Smale LA Rams coach Sean McVay says his team's decision to arrive in Melbourne the day before the NFL's historic first match in Australia was not the reason his side was comprehensively beaten 27-7 by the San Francisco 49ers in front of 100,021 fans at the MCG. The 49ers arrived a week ago, while the Rams raised eyebrows by touching down in Melbourne 28 hours before kick-off.
NRL finals live updates: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights, eliminiation final at the Sydney Football Stadium
Hello folks and welcome to finals! My name is Simon Smale and it is my pleasure to be in the hot seat this evening to kick off the 2026 finals series. It's been a long process to reduce the field from 17 hopefuls who started out in March to just eight now in with a chance to win the premiership. That field of eight will be reduced by another one this evening as the Rabbitohs and the Knights meet in an elimination final at the Sydney Football Stadium.
NFL Melbourne live: LA Rams vs San Francisco 49ers at the MCG
Michael Doyle, Chris De Silva and Simon Smale The National Football League is being played in Australia for the first time, as the Melbourne Cricket Ground turns into an American football coliseum. The LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers, rivals in the NFC West division, meet for their opening regular-season game in front of a mammoth crowd. Follow all the live action of the first NFL match played in Australia on the live blog below [blog]
LA Rams vs San Francisco 49ers at the MCG
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As NFL hits Australian shores, LA Rams may miss a trick not engaging with fans like 49ers
The NFL has long been a pioneer in blending the barrier between entertainment and legitimate sporting competition. Today's clash at the MCG between the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams is a historic moment for the league — after all, playing a regular-season game on the other side of the world is pretty outlandish.
Taliqua Clancy, Stefie Fejes secure beach volleyball Olympic quota spot, plan crochet gift for Snoop Dogg
Australian beach volleyball player Taliqua Clancy sits up excitedly, a flicker of a plan flitting across her face and dancing behind her eyes. The three-time Olympian is sitting beside the courts at the Sandstorm Beach Volleyball Club at Nathan, in Brisbane's south, the shadow of the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre's skeletal eastern grandstand looming up on the hill to her left. Her newest playing partner, 21-year-old Stefie Fejes, is sitting on her right.
The (Inter)National Football League: How the NFL is conquering world sport
As Melbourne hosts an NFL regular-season match for the first time, the real scale of the league's global ambitions has been laid bare. The NFL will host nine international matches in 2026 across four continents in markets as far apart as Brazil, Germany, France, the UK and, of course, Australia. There are few things more synonymous with the United States than American football.
Ned Buckell put life-threatening infection and hip replacement aged 20 behind him to return to running
The doubts that occasionally flit across Ned Buckell's mind are likely to be familiar to runners whatever standard they're at. Buckell's story is different to most, though. A life-threatening infection as a teenager. A year-and-a-half on crutches. Another serious infection just when it felt like things were on track, resulting in a hip replacement before he was 21.
NFL in Melbourne, San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams at MCG, when is it, how to watch
American Football will roll into the MCG for a regular-season NFL match for the first time on Friday. The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams, who are the nominal home team for the game. This will be the first regular-season NFL game ever hosted in Australia, although American Football matches have taken place in the country before. Here's everything you need to know about the game. Davante Adams (left) will look to continue his excellent form into the new year.
NRL live updates: Reuben Cotter banned for week one of finals, St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers
(Getty Images) First things first, and some housekeeping from yesterday, where it is bad news for North Queensland, who are set to lose co-captain Reuben Cotter to suspension going into the NRL finals . The Maroons forward was slapped with a grade two careless high tackle charge for his hit on Josh Papali'i with the first hit up of the contest against the Raiders in Townsville. The Cowboys will play Cronulla away in an elimination final next weekend.
NRL live updates: New Zealand Warriors vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, NRL minor premiership on the line
Hello everyone and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of the final Saturday of the NRL regular season. My name is Simon Smale and I will be with you for the duration of today's trilogy of matches that, on the face of things, probably don't mean an awful lot, given the teams playing finals are all set and secure in the top eight. There are still positions within the eight and the NRL minor premiership to be determined though, so that's something to look forward to.
NRL live: Jai Arrow's 100th Rabbitohs game against Roosters
(Getty Images) Rabbitohs players say Jai Arrow has proven to be an inspiration for South Sydney as the club prepares to play finals for the first time in four seasons. The 42-22 win over Gold Coast in Robina on Saturday took the Rabbitohs to sixth and into the finals for the first time since 2022. Arrow, 31, led the side out as captain in an emotional start to the match where he notched his 99th NRL game for the Rabbitohs after the NRL gave permission for him to be subbed off straight away.
VfL Osnabrück's spectacular roller-coaster tifo against Bayern Munich in German DFB-Pokal Cup
Tifo displays have long been a ubiquitous sight in football stadiums around the world. Typically displayed before kick-off at major matches, fan-led displays have become increasingly elaborate as rival supporters look to outdo one another with the scale of their devotion. But German second-tier side VfL Osnabrück have taken things to an entirely new level.
Jess Fox returns to scene of Paris Olympic success and wins World Cup K1 gold
Jess Fox has made a triumphant return to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on the outskirts of Paris, claiming yet another gold medal in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series. Returning to the venue where she won two Olympic gold medals in 2024, Fox was once again unstoppable in the K1 event. The now five-time world champion even overcame a two-second penalty to top the standings for her second World Cup win of the season. "I have great memories here in Paris.
Matt Hauser building for success at LA Olympic Games in ever-changing sport of triathlon
Australia's world champion triathlete Matt Hauser says it feels 'quite surreal' to be the best triathlete in the world. Hauser says he has been honing his craft with an eye to win an elusive men's Olympic medal for Australia in LA. Hauser is set to compete in the World Triathlon Championship Series in Weihai, China on August 29. Matt Hauser has delivered Australia back to the top of world triathlon. His sensational victory on home soil at Wollongong ended a 15-year title drought for Australia.
Rosie Fordham wins Kangaroo Hoppet, sets sights on World Championships, Olympic success
Even at the other end of a phone, Rosie Fordham gives the impression of someone containing an enormous amount of energy. The 24-year-old, from New South Wales, has just finished waxing her skis when she speaks to ABC Sport, preparing the tools of her trade as Australia's leading cross-country skier. Even that relatively mundane activity is described with an effusiveness that positively fizzes down the line. We probably shouldn't be surprised.
Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney fight out thrilling split decision draw in world title eliminator on the Gold Coast
Simon Smale at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney have fought themselves to a standstill in thrilling contest that was scored a split decision draw on the Gold Coast on Wednesday night. Incredibly, Tszyu said after the fight that he felt Mahoney edged it and should have been given the win. "I gave the fight to Ben, honestly," Tszyu said in the ring. "Maybe one or two rounds more, but I can't be a judge.
Live updates: Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney, world title eliminator on the Gold Coast
Simon Smale at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney have fought themselves to a standstill in thrilling contest that was scored a split decision draw on the Gold Coast on Wednesday night. However, Tszyu said after the fight that he felt Mahoney edged it and should have been given the win. "It was a close fight," Tszyu said, having not celebrated in the ring after the final bell.
Live updates: Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney, world title eliminator on the Gold Coast
(No Limit Boxing) Rahim Mundine, with dad Anthony watching on from his corner, took on Jae Larsen in a really entertaining super welterweight clash. Both men had their moments, but by the end of the fight it was Larsen who was showboating and smiling at Mundine, feeling it was he who had the upper hand in the fight. It was a close one, The judges had it as 50-45, 59-46 and 48-47, all in favour of Mundine.
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