🗞 A history-making evening in Vegas

G’day Sports Fans,

🗣️ “I’m still confused a little bit about the rules… there’s like a rolling kick that was touched in the end-zone and then there was a catch that happened in the end-zone that didn’t count and I don’t know what happened with that.” - Not all Americans instantly GET Rugby League.

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🏉 Rugby league received a giant green tick from American spectators following a thrilling double-header at Allegiant Stadium.

On the field there were not one, but two upsets - Manly put on a show to down South Sydney 36-24, while the Roosters out-muscled the Broncos to win 20-10.

Over 40,000 spectators attended the history-making evening. The majority of which were Australians, but there were plenty of locals there too.

🇦🇺 St Kilda has held off a gallant North Melbourne in one of the most hotly contested pre-season games in recent memory - 11.18 (84) to 10.5 (65) - with the fallout to continue beyond the final siren.

The win was marred by a brutal bump on Jy Simpkin that will likely see Jimmy Webster banned for a sizeable chunk of the season, while Dougal Howard appeared to suffer a hamstring injury in the final minutes. (Match Report)

🏉 The Queensland Reds are rueing a major missed opportunity after a heartbreaking golden point loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday.

Reserve Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi crashed over for the match winning try deep into extra time in a thrilling 38-33 conclusion to an entertaining Super Round at Melbourne's AAMI Park.

🏏 Nathan Lyon took six for 65 as Australia wrapped up a 172-run win over New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.

The hosts were dismissed for 196 before lunch on day four as Australia went 1-0 up in the two-match series.

New Zealand had started the day on 111-3 chasing a victory target of 369.

Lyon, 36, dismissed Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips inside the first hour to set the tone as he claimed a 24th Test five-wicket haul.

⛳️ Australian Hannah Green made a 30ft birdie putt on the final hole to win the HSBC Women's World Championship, pocketing US$270,000.

The 27-year-old fired a five-under-par 67, including three birdies in her last three holes, to edge out France's Celine Boutier.

🎾 Alex De Minaur defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to become the first player to win back-to back titles in the Mexican Open since 2012.

"I thought that it was impossible to get feel better after what happened last year, but I came back a year later to defend the title and it has been true pleasure." - De Minaur said.

⚽️ Brisbane's supporter group The Den walked out of Suncorp Stadium during their team's A-League Men home clash with Melbourne Victory on Sunday in protest after fans had altercations with the police on the way in.

Brisbane Roar beat Melbourne Victory 3-2.

It followed a similar incident also in the ALM less than 24 hours earlier. Police ejected 14 people and the Western Sydney Wanderers fan group the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) staged a walkout on Saturday night at CommBank Stadium.

Sydney FC won the derby 4-1 but by half-time the RBB had exited the stadium.

⚽️ In the Manchester derby (MC 3-1 MU), Phil Foden's double propelled Manchester City to victory over United. Despite an early lead from Marcus Rashford's stunning strike, City dominated the game.

Foden's second goal incorrectly sparked controversy after a disputed foul claim from United's side.

Nevertheless, City sealed the win with Erling Haaland's stoppage-time goal.

The victory puts City just one point behind league leaders Liverpool, setting the stage for an intense showdown next week.

Meanwhile, United faces a tough battle for a top-four spot, trailing behind Aston Villa and Tottenham.

🏎️ Max Verstappen's achieved an imperious victory for Red Bull in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Verstappen's imperious win - which was widely expected, and did little to take the focus of the weekend off the allegations surrounding his team principal Christian Horner.

"It cannot continue this way," said former F1 driver, and Max’s Dad Jos Verstappen. "The situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart."

Fresh off the most dominant campaign in F1 history, Verstappen was on average about 0.8 seconds per lap quicker than anyone else in the race - including his team-mate Sergio Perez. His fastest lap was nearly 1.5secs faster than the next best, albeit set on softer tyres.

⛳️ Chile's Joaquin Niemann added to his growing reputation as he won LIV Golf's Jeddah Invitational by four shots.

The 25-year-old won the Australian Open in December and has been invited to play at the Masters following three top-five finishes on the DP World Tour.

LIVE GOLF: There’s currently a three-way tie at the top of the PGA event in Florida, with Australia’s Min Woo Lee lurking in the chasing pack (3 behind).

⛳️ Meanwhile on the PGA Tour Thomas Detry is one of us… 😱 I’d just pick it up after 3.

🏀 LeBron James became the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career regular-season points in Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

"Being the first player to do something, it's pretty cool in this league," said the 39-year-old, who scored 26 points on the night.

"You just know the history, you know the greats that have come through."

🚴🏻‍♂️ Slovenia's two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar pulled off a stunning solo ride to win the Strade Bianche in Tuscany, Italy. 

He finished a record two minutes 44 seconds ahead of second-placed Toms Skujins in Siena.

🏃🏽‍♂️💨 Xavier Worthy, the final player to run a 40-yard dash during on-field workouts for wide receivers and quarterbacks at the NFL scouting combine, ran an official time of 4.21 seconds to set a combine record, according to the NFL.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently projected Worthy to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 32 overall in his latest mock draft.

TODAY

05:00 - PGA TOUR - Cognizant Classic, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

06:48 - Men's Los Angeles Sevens, Day 3, Round 5 (Stan Sport)

07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Athletic Club v Barcelona (Optus Sport 2)

09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v Australia (Fox Cricket)

10:30 - Sheffield Shield - New South Wales Blues v South Australia Redbacks (Kayo Sports)

10:30 - Sheffield Shield - Tasmania Tigers v Victoria (Kayo Sports)

11:00 - NBA - Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks (ESPN)

12:00 - NHL - Anaheim Ducks v Vancouver Canucks (ESPN 2)

13:30 - NBA - Phoenix Suns v Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)

13:30 - Sheffield Shield - Western Australia v Queensland Bulls (Kayo Sports)

19:30 - NBL Play-In Game - Illawarra Hawks v New Zealand Breakers (ESPN)

TUESDAY

07:00 - Premier League - Sheffield United v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

12:00 - NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN)

13:00 - NHL - Colorado Avalanche v Chicago Blackhawks (ESPN 2)

14:30 - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)