🗞 A Late Scare

NRL NEWS
All or Nothing for Blues 

Queensland's 38-10 victory in game one was heavily influenced by Joseph Sua'ali'i's early send-off, which turned the tide in their favour right from the start. NSW showed resilience by holding Queensland scoreless for the next 40 minutes, narrowing the gap to 20-10, but eventually struggled to maintain momentum.

Looking ahead to game two at the MCG, NSW boasts a strong historical record there, including recent wins in 2015 and 2018. Despite the absence of James Tedesco, Dylan Edwards makes his debut, while Latrell Mitchell and Mitch Moses add experience in key positions.

Queensland's lineup remains stable with Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi returning, ensuring minimal disruption despite injuries.

Recent series trends favour NSW's ability to bounce back after losing game one, especially at neutral venues. Moses's kicking game and Mitchell's attacking threat are crucial factors for NSW's strategy.

However, questions remain about NSW's overall balance and Queensland's depth across the park, particularly in the halves and at hooker, give them an advantage. Queensland will feel they are poised to secure the series early for the second consecutive year.

Update: Blues coach Michael Maguire has handed goal kicking duties for game two to Zac Lomax after Mitch Moses reported soreness in his foot.

There is no suggestion Moses won't be fit to line up as Blues No.7 tonight, only that he won't be goalkicker.

By the stats:

• New South Wales has won each of its last three Origin matches at the MCG.
  In 10 of the last 13 Origin series, the team that lost Game I has covered the line in Game II. (Blues -1.5)

• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored at least one try in each of his five previous Origin appearances.

• Latrell Mitchell has scored at least one try in each of his last three Origin appearances.

AUSSIE SPORTS
Aussies Out

Match Report: Afghanistan bt Bangladesh by 8 runs (DLS Method)

In a dramatic clash, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by eight runs, securing their spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals and ending Australia's campaign.

Rashid Khan's heroics, including 4-23 and crucial late sixes, were pivotal. Controversy arose when Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott urged his team to slow their over rate, coinciding with rain delays.

Despite Bangladesh's strong chase, they fell short at 105, with Litton Das remaining unbeaten on 54.

If there are any Doctors in the audience… can you pull a hammy from a light breeze?

🫡 David Warner's international cricket career is over after Australia were eliminated from the T20 World Cup.

It denied 37-year-old opening batter Warner the possibility of two more matches at the tournament, including the potential swansong of a World Cup final.

Warner made his T20 international debut in January 2009 and has scored 3,277 runs at an average of 33.43 in 110 innings.

He scored 6,932 runs at 45.30 in 159 ODI innings, including 22 centuries.

In Test matches he made 8,786 runs at 44.59 with 26 hundreds, including a top score of 335 not out against Pakistan in December 2019.

Australia bowler Josh Hazelwood acknowledged the team will "miss him around the group, out in the field and off field" after an "amazing all-format career".

🏀 Although new Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey was complimentary of his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he confirmed on Tuesday that he did tell Thunder GM Sam Presti that he did not want to come off the bench in conversations this offseason that eventually led to him being traded.

"I just said to him at this point in my career, I'm 21 years old, it wasn't something that I was overly eager to do," Giddey said Tuesday at his introductory news conference in Chicago. "And he completely understood, and throughout the whole process we were open and honest with each other.... He got it. We worked together through the whole process, and he got me to a great spot."

Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, was acquired by Chicago last week after spending his first three seasons with Oklahoma City. The Bulls traded Alex Caruso, one of the league's most coveted role players, to acquire Giddey in a move that begins reshaping a Bulls team that has missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

AFL NEWS
Ralph’s Pay Day

✍🏼 Victorian clubs have “indicated” they’re prepared to pay $18 million over 10 years to try and secure Eagles prodigy Harley Reid, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.

It’s believed West Coast would need to hand Reid a fourth-year deal worth as much as $2 million — but are currently only willing to offer $1.5 million — to convince the former No. 1 pick to re-sign on his current mandatory three-year contract until 2026.

The Eagles are working with Reid’s management to try and get the 19-year to extend on his current deal, but under new rules, the club can’t rework his contract.

🫡 Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield has beaten a rough conduct charge and is free to play in the Cats' crunch game against Essendon.

Dangerfield won his challenge to a one-game suspension at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night after being cited for a tackle on Carlton's Sam Walsh.

WORLD NEWS
Poms Bomb

Euro 2024 wrap:

Serbia failed to put up a fight as they were knocked out of Euro 2024 following a 0-0 draw with Denmark.

A masked Kylian Mbappe scored his first-ever Euros goal but France were held to a draw by an already-eliminated Poland to finish second in Group D draw which saw Denmark progress.

England moved into Euro 2024's last 16 at the top of Group C - but it was only achieved after another drab display with a draw against Slovenia in Cologne.

Police have advised the Mercedes Formula 1 team that no criminal offences were committed by the sender of an email that claimed Lewis Hamilton's car had been "sabotaged".

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff referred the anonymous email to the police after it was sent to him, a series of senior figures in F1 and members of the media.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire police said: "Northamptonshire Police received a report on 12 June regarding an email that had been circulated within the Mercedes AMG F1 Team.

"No criminal offences were found to have been committed. However, advice was given regarding any further emails the team may receive."

🏉 South Africa have recalled two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi for next month's Test series against Ireland.

The 33-year-old was not considered for selection for South Africa's win over Wales last weekend because he is based in Europe with France club Racing 92.

But the loose forward, who led the Springboks to the World Cup in 2019 and 2023, is one of 39 players named by coach Rassie Erasmus for the series against the Six Nations champions.

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