Error-prone Lions stutter past plucky Waratahs in Sydney
SYDNEY - The British & Irish Lions stuttered to an unconvincing 21-10 victory over a dogged New South Wales Waratahs side on Saturday, taking a step backwards with an error-prone performance on the third leg of their tour of Australia.
Centre Huw Jones crossed twice in the first half and Alex Mitchell added another try early in the second but the Lions were held scoreless for the final 26 minutes of the match.
The Waratahs, roared on by the majority of a crowd of 40,568, scored tries through Darby Lancaster and Ethan Dobbins and trailed by only four points early in the second half.
The Super Rugby side showed the Wallabies the way for the three-test series in late July and August with an uncompromising physicality all over the park that knocked the Lions off their stride. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Deep shines as India close on historic Edgbaston win
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cricket - Second Test - England v India - Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Britain - July 6, 2025 General view inside the stadium as ground staff members pull covers due to rain Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs BIRMINGHAM, England - A devastating spell from Akash Deep left England teetering on 153-6 chasing an unlikely 608 for victory on the final day of the second test on Sunday, with India needing four more wickets to secure their first test win at Edgbaston. England's pursuit of what would be by far the largest successful run chase in test history took a dramatic turn for the worse when they lost both overnight batters before captain Ben Stokes fell on the stroke of lunch. The session was delayed due to rain as the covers came off and on again before play restarted under bright sunshine. Ten overs were lost as a result of the delay before England resumed on their overnight score of 72-3. Deep, who dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root late on day four, continued his demolition job on a seaming pitch that suddenly came alive after four days as a good batting track. Ollie Pope was the first to go for 24, playing on a rising delivery that crashed into the stumps. The fast bowler trapped Harry Brook lbw with an off-cutter that took the batter by surprise, hitting him on the inside of his knee. Brook hobbled away in pain as the umpire's finger went up and even a review could not save him, leaving England reeling at 83-5. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Singapore Woman on SMRT bus 190 injured after bottle thrown at vehicle leaves hole in window Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Two women fatally stabbed at bar in Japan by man Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Stokes and Jamie Smith steadied the ship with a 70-run partnership off 115 balls, abandoning their usual Bazball approach as the spinners also found purchase on the rough parts of the pitch. With lunch beckoning, however, Washington Sundar struck to remove Stokes lbw for 33, the hosts trailing by 455 runs and staring at a massive defeat. England lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test at Headingley. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Arsenal have signed defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Sunday as the club reinforced a key position weakened by departures last month. Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said the 26-year-old had a 60 million euros ($70.67 million) release clause at Sociedad where he had a contract until 2027. Zubimendi is Arsenal's second recruit in the close-season after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen a squad that can get over the line in the title race after finishing runners-up in the last three Premier League seasons. "This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are," Zubimendi said in a statement. "I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come." Zubimendi's arrival is a welcome reinforcement for Arsenal in midfield after Jorginho and Thomas Partey left at the end of their contracts last month. Renowned for his mobility, his deep-lying playmaking skills as well as his defensive nous, Zubimendi will give Arsenal's midfield a measure of steel while also controlling the tempo in the role of a number six. His arrival would potentially allow Declan Rice, Arsenal's player of the season, to play in an advanced role alongside skipper Martin Odegaard. With Spain, Zubimendi won the European Championship in 2024, coming on for the injured Rodri in the final to help secure the trophy, while he also scored in the Nations League final earlier this month when they lost to Portugal on penalties. Getting Zubimendi on board early would also give Arteta time to work with him in pre-season ahead of a tough opening spell in the Premier League next season. Arsenal play Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their first six games of the campaign. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Porto appoint Farioli as head coach
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former Ajax Amsterdam and Nice manager Francesco Farioli has been appointed head coach of Porto on a two-year contract, the Portuguese side said on Sunday. Farioli left Ajax in May after the Dutch side missed out on a record 37th Eredivisie crown following a late season collapse, which allowed PSV Eindhoven to snatch the title on the final day. The Italian led Nice to a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2023-24 season and has also coached Turkish sides Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor. He replaces Martin Anselmi, who departed Porto earlier this month after their group-stage exit from the Club World Cup. Porto finished third in the Primeira Liga last season, nine points behind champions Sporting. REUTERS
