Lolesio's Lions hopes not over after second neck scare in eight weeks
Lolesio was cleared of any serious injury and rejoined his Wallabies teammates in the team hotel in Newcastle on Sunday evening and will be monitored by medical staff during the next three days in Brisbane before a final decision is made on his fitness for the Lions Test series.
Lolesio made a break on the hour mark on Sunday and was tackled by Fiji breakaway Elia Canakaivata, with his head hitting the turf with force, leading to the five-eighth leaving the field in a neck brace.
It has been eight weeks since Lolesio left the field for the Brumbies on a medicab, after being caught awkwardly in a ruck against the Western Force in Perth. Lolesio was similarly discharged from the hospital after scans showed no fractures to his neck.
Force playmaker Ben Donaldson replaced Lolesio against Fiji and Reds five-eighth Tom Lynagh also remains in contention to face the Lions for the Wallabies.
The Brumbies have named their squad to take on the Lions on Wednesday in Canberra, with dry conditions forecast for the capital after Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the Waratahs of watering the Allianz Stadium surface on Saturday.
The Brumbies finished as the strongest Australian Super Rugby side this year, reaching the semi-finals, before losing to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Coach Stephen Larkham has been forced to name a weakened side with eight of his frontline players having played for the Wallabies against Fiji on Sunday.
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26 minutes ago
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Johnson wins first Australian 10km world swim title
Moesha Johnson has won Australia's first 10km open water world title as compatriot Kyle Lee opened the medal tally with bronze in the men's race. It is Australia's fifth open water world title over all distances with Johnson and Lee in the team that will defend their mixed team title at the Singapore world aquatics championships. The water temperature was 30-plus degrees and conditions were described on social media as "human soup". There were also two postponements for the 10km events because of water quality concerns. Johnson, who claimed silver in the same event at the Paris Olympics, won in two hours seven minutes 51.30 seconds. It is also her first individual open water world championship. She finished 4.40 seconds ahead of Italian Ginevra Taddeucci and Lisa Pou from Monaco won bronze. Fellow Australian and Paris Olympics teammate Chelsea Gubecka finished eighth. The men's race became the first final to be decided at the world championships in Singapore after the women's 10km event was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday because of water quality concerns. The two open-water events were also postponed from Wednesday morning to the afternoon at Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, south of Singapore, again because of the dirty sea water. Organisers then said water samples collected on Tuesday afternoon had shown a "significant improvement" and went ahead with Wednesday competition. German Florian Wellbrock won his sixth open-water world championship, clocking one hour 59 minutes 55.50 seconds. He beat Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri by 3.70 seconds, with Lee 14.80 seconds behind Wellbrock in third place. The Australian Paris Olympian beat another German, Oliver Klemet, by just 0.1 of a second to win his first individual world championships medal. "We prepared for these conditions in Darwin and to be honest … I am just in shock," Lee said. Nicholas Sloman, who also competed in Paris, finished eighth. Johnson, Lee, Gubecka and Sloman are the reigning world mixed team champions. Wellbrock also won the 10km event at the Tokyo Olympics. He was unhappy about the circumstances around the event postponements. "That was very, very annoying. We don't understand why World Aquatics informs coaches and committees about such circumstances in the middle of the night," Wellbrock said. Other open-water races in Singapore are also set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Water quality was a key issue at last year's Olympics, with the triathlon and marathon swimming events held in the River Seine. After a massive project to clean up the river for the Games, heavy rain meant the men's individual triathlon was postponed by one day. All other events went ahead as scheduled. Once she competes in her open-water events, Johnson will also contest the 800m and 1500m freestyle in the pool at the worlds. - with DPA Moesha Johnson has won Australia's first 10km open water world title as compatriot Kyle Lee opened the medal tally with bronze in the men's race. It is Australia's fifth open water world title over all distances with Johnson and Lee in the team that will defend their mixed team title at the Singapore world aquatics championships. The water temperature was 30-plus degrees and conditions were described on social media as "human soup". There were also two postponements for the 10km events because of water quality concerns. Johnson, who claimed silver in the same event at the Paris Olympics, won in two hours seven minutes 51.30 seconds. It is also her first individual open water world championship. She finished 4.40 seconds ahead of Italian Ginevra Taddeucci and Lisa Pou from Monaco won bronze. Fellow Australian and Paris Olympics teammate Chelsea Gubecka finished eighth. The men's race became the first final to be decided at the world championships in Singapore after the women's 10km event was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday because of water quality concerns. The two open-water events were also postponed from Wednesday morning to the afternoon at Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, south of Singapore, again because of the dirty sea water. Organisers then said water samples collected on Tuesday afternoon had shown a "significant improvement" and went ahead with Wednesday competition. German Florian Wellbrock won his sixth open-water world championship, clocking one hour 59 minutes 55.50 seconds. He beat Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri by 3.70 seconds, with Lee 14.80 seconds behind Wellbrock in third place. The Australian Paris Olympian beat another German, Oliver Klemet, by just 0.1 of a second to win his first individual world championships medal. "We prepared for these conditions in Darwin and to be honest … I am just in shock," Lee said. Nicholas Sloman, who also competed in Paris, finished eighth. Johnson, Lee, Gubecka and Sloman are the reigning world mixed team champions. Wellbrock also won the 10km event at the Tokyo Olympics. He was unhappy about the circumstances around the event postponements. "That was very, very annoying. We don't understand why World Aquatics informs coaches and committees about such circumstances in the middle of the night," Wellbrock said. Other open-water races in Singapore are also set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Water quality was a key issue at last year's Olympics, with the triathlon and marathon swimming events held in the River Seine. After a massive project to clean up the river for the Games, heavy rain meant the men's individual triathlon was postponed by one day. All other events went ahead as scheduled. Once she competes in her open-water events, Johnson will also contest the 800m and 1500m freestyle in the pool at the worlds. - with DPA Moesha Johnson has won Australia's first 10km open water world title as compatriot Kyle Lee opened the medal tally with bronze in the men's race. It is Australia's fifth open water world title over all distances with Johnson and Lee in the team that will defend their mixed team title at the Singapore world aquatics championships. The water temperature was 30-plus degrees and conditions were described on social media as "human soup". There were also two postponements for the 10km events because of water quality concerns. Johnson, who claimed silver in the same event at the Paris Olympics, won in two hours seven minutes 51.30 seconds. It is also her first individual open water world championship. She finished 4.40 seconds ahead of Italian Ginevra Taddeucci and Lisa Pou from Monaco won bronze. Fellow Australian and Paris Olympics teammate Chelsea Gubecka finished eighth. The men's race became the first final to be decided at the world championships in Singapore after the women's 10km event was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday because of water quality concerns. The two open-water events were also postponed from Wednesday morning to the afternoon at Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, south of Singapore, again because of the dirty sea water. Organisers then said water samples collected on Tuesday afternoon had shown a "significant improvement" and went ahead with Wednesday competition. German Florian Wellbrock won his sixth open-water world championship, clocking one hour 59 minutes 55.50 seconds. He beat Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri by 3.70 seconds, with Lee 14.80 seconds behind Wellbrock in third place. The Australian Paris Olympian beat another German, Oliver Klemet, by just 0.1 of a second to win his first individual world championships medal. "We prepared for these conditions in Darwin and to be honest … I am just in shock," Lee said. Nicholas Sloman, who also competed in Paris, finished eighth. Johnson, Lee, Gubecka and Sloman are the reigning world mixed team champions. Wellbrock also won the 10km event at the Tokyo Olympics. He was unhappy about the circumstances around the event postponements. "That was very, very annoying. We don't understand why World Aquatics informs coaches and committees about such circumstances in the middle of the night," Wellbrock said. Other open-water races in Singapore are also set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Water quality was a key issue at last year's Olympics, with the triathlon and marathon swimming events held in the River Seine. After a massive project to clean up the river for the Games, heavy rain meant the men's individual triathlon was postponed by one day. All other events went ahead as scheduled. Once she competes in her open-water events, Johnson will also contest the 800m and 1500m freestyle in the pool at the worlds. - with DPA Moesha Johnson has won Australia's first 10km open water world title as compatriot Kyle Lee opened the medal tally with bronze in the men's race. It is Australia's fifth open water world title over all distances with Johnson and Lee in the team that will defend their mixed team title at the Singapore world aquatics championships. The water temperature was 30-plus degrees and conditions were described on social media as "human soup". There were also two postponements for the 10km events because of water quality concerns. Johnson, who claimed silver in the same event at the Paris Olympics, won in two hours seven minutes 51.30 seconds. It is also her first individual open water world championship. She finished 4.40 seconds ahead of Italian Ginevra Taddeucci and Lisa Pou from Monaco won bronze. Fellow Australian and Paris Olympics teammate Chelsea Gubecka finished eighth. The men's race became the first final to be decided at the world championships in Singapore after the women's 10km event was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday because of water quality concerns. The two open-water events were also postponed from Wednesday morning to the afternoon at Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, south of Singapore, again because of the dirty sea water. Organisers then said water samples collected on Tuesday afternoon had shown a "significant improvement" and went ahead with Wednesday competition. German Florian Wellbrock won his sixth open-water world championship, clocking one hour 59 minutes 55.50 seconds. He beat Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri by 3.70 seconds, with Lee 14.80 seconds behind Wellbrock in third place. The Australian Paris Olympian beat another German, Oliver Klemet, by just 0.1 of a second to win his first individual world championships medal. "We prepared for these conditions in Darwin and to be honest … I am just in shock," Lee said. Nicholas Sloman, who also competed in Paris, finished eighth. Johnson, Lee, Gubecka and Sloman are the reigning world mixed team champions. Wellbrock also won the 10km event at the Tokyo Olympics. He was unhappy about the circumstances around the event postponements. "That was very, very annoying. We don't understand why World Aquatics informs coaches and committees about such circumstances in the middle of the night," Wellbrock said. Other open-water races in Singapore are also set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Water quality was a key issue at last year's Olympics, with the triathlon and marathon swimming events held in the River Seine. After a massive project to clean up the river for the Games, heavy rain meant the men's individual triathlon was postponed by one day. All other events went ahead as scheduled. Once she competes in her open-water events, Johnson will also contest the 800m and 1500m freestyle in the pool at the worlds. - with DPA
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an hour ago
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McSweeney the shining star as Sri Lanka A secure draw
Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer. Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer. Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Snubbed shooter Wallam thrown a lifeline by Diamonds
Donnell Wallam is back in the Diamonds frame - albeit on the fringes - while Alice Teague-Neeld's hot Super Netball form has been rewarded with a full-time call-up to the Australian national squad. The Diamonds unveiled their 18-player squad for 2025-26 - plus four invitees - on Wednesday ahead of October's South Africa Series and the Constellation Cup against New Zealand. The squad, headlined by skipper Liz Watson and vice-captain Paige Hadley, features 10 World Cup champions and nine Commonwealth Games gold medallists. It also features seven athletes under the age of 25, showcasing coach Stacey Marinkovich's nod to generation next. There are three potential debutants among the squad - West Coast Fever star Teague-Neeld, Sunshine Coast defender Ash Ervin, and Melbourne Vixens mid-courter Hannah Mundy. Teague-Neeld has previously filled the role as an invitee, but has been elevated into the main squad following a standout campaign for the ladder-leading Fever. The four invitees for the year ahead are star goal shooter Wallam, Lucy Austin, Amy Sligar and Teigan O'Shannassy. Wallam scored a goal in the dying seconds of her Diamonds debut in 2022 to lift Australia to a thrilling 55-54 win over England. She was in tears after the match as she recounted the tough lead-up to the clash after finding herself at the centre of the Gina Rinehart Hancock sponsorship controversy. Wallam, a proud Noongar woman, had reportedly felt uncomfortable wearing the Hancock Prospecting logo emblazoned across the team's uniform, due to ethical concerns of the negative impact it would have on First Nations people. Racist genocidal comments made by Rinehart's late father, Lang Hancock, had also been raised as a major concern. Wallam's stance was supported by her Diamonds teammates, and it ended up costing Netball Australia a $15 million sponsorship deal with Rinehart. It was later revealed an unnamed Netball Australia senior official had advised the team not to wear the logo in that match against England. Wallam was sensationally let go by the struggling Queensland Firebirds last year, and after failing to land a deal with a rival Super Netball club, she joined the Northern Mystics in the NZ league. She has scored 275 goals across six matches - either side of missing three games with a wrist injury - to help lead the Mystics to the grand final. The 31-year-old's inclusion as an invitee in Marinkovich's Diamonds squad opens the door for her to resume her international career. The squad will come together for a five-day high-performance camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in early September. A second preparation camp will follow from September 19, leading into the Diamonds' South Africa series and Constellation Cup in October. "It's only 372 days until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and every session, every match, every moment we get together is about setting ourselves up to be at our absolute best when it matters most," Marinkovich said. 2025-26 AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD: Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Ashleigh Ervin, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Paige Hadley, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Alice Teague-Neeld, Liz Watson, Joanna Weston INVITEES: Lucy Austin, Teigan O'Shannassy, Amy Sligar, Donnell Wallam Donnell Wallam is back in the Diamonds frame - albeit on the fringes - while Alice Teague-Neeld's hot Super Netball form has been rewarded with a full-time call-up to the Australian national squad. The Diamonds unveiled their 18-player squad for 2025-26 - plus four invitees - on Wednesday ahead of October's South Africa Series and the Constellation Cup against New Zealand. The squad, headlined by skipper Liz Watson and vice-captain Paige Hadley, features 10 World Cup champions and nine Commonwealth Games gold medallists. It also features seven athletes under the age of 25, showcasing coach Stacey Marinkovich's nod to generation next. There are three potential debutants among the squad - West Coast Fever star Teague-Neeld, Sunshine Coast defender Ash Ervin, and Melbourne Vixens mid-courter Hannah Mundy. Teague-Neeld has previously filled the role as an invitee, but has been elevated into the main squad following a standout campaign for the ladder-leading Fever. The four invitees for the year ahead are star goal shooter Wallam, Lucy Austin, Amy Sligar and Teigan O'Shannassy. Wallam scored a goal in the dying seconds of her Diamonds debut in 2022 to lift Australia to a thrilling 55-54 win over England. She was in tears after the match as she recounted the tough lead-up to the clash after finding herself at the centre of the Gina Rinehart Hancock sponsorship controversy. Wallam, a proud Noongar woman, had reportedly felt uncomfortable wearing the Hancock Prospecting logo emblazoned across the team's uniform, due to ethical concerns of the negative impact it would have on First Nations people. Racist genocidal comments made by Rinehart's late father, Lang Hancock, had also been raised as a major concern. Wallam's stance was supported by her Diamonds teammates, and it ended up costing Netball Australia a $15 million sponsorship deal with Rinehart. It was later revealed an unnamed Netball Australia senior official had advised the team not to wear the logo in that match against England. Wallam was sensationally let go by the struggling Queensland Firebirds last year, and after failing to land a deal with a rival Super Netball club, she joined the Northern Mystics in the NZ league. She has scored 275 goals across six matches - either side of missing three games with a wrist injury - to help lead the Mystics to the grand final. The 31-year-old's inclusion as an invitee in Marinkovich's Diamonds squad opens the door for her to resume her international career. The squad will come together for a five-day high-performance camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in early September. A second preparation camp will follow from September 19, leading into the Diamonds' South Africa series and Constellation Cup in October. "It's only 372 days until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and every session, every match, every moment we get together is about setting ourselves up to be at our absolute best when it matters most," Marinkovich said. 2025-26 AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD: Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Ashleigh Ervin, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Paige Hadley, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Alice Teague-Neeld, Liz Watson, Joanna Weston INVITEES: Lucy Austin, Teigan O'Shannassy, Amy Sligar, Donnell Wallam Donnell Wallam is back in the Diamonds frame - albeit on the fringes - while Alice Teague-Neeld's hot Super Netball form has been rewarded with a full-time call-up to the Australian national squad. The Diamonds unveiled their 18-player squad for 2025-26 - plus four invitees - on Wednesday ahead of October's South Africa Series and the Constellation Cup against New Zealand. The squad, headlined by skipper Liz Watson and vice-captain Paige Hadley, features 10 World Cup champions and nine Commonwealth Games gold medallists. It also features seven athletes under the age of 25, showcasing coach Stacey Marinkovich's nod to generation next. There are three potential debutants among the squad - West Coast Fever star Teague-Neeld, Sunshine Coast defender Ash Ervin, and Melbourne Vixens mid-courter Hannah Mundy. Teague-Neeld has previously filled the role as an invitee, but has been elevated into the main squad following a standout campaign for the ladder-leading Fever. The four invitees for the year ahead are star goal shooter Wallam, Lucy Austin, Amy Sligar and Teigan O'Shannassy. Wallam scored a goal in the dying seconds of her Diamonds debut in 2022 to lift Australia to a thrilling 55-54 win over England. She was in tears after the match as she recounted the tough lead-up to the clash after finding herself at the centre of the Gina Rinehart Hancock sponsorship controversy. Wallam, a proud Noongar woman, had reportedly felt uncomfortable wearing the Hancock Prospecting logo emblazoned across the team's uniform, due to ethical concerns of the negative impact it would have on First Nations people. Racist genocidal comments made by Rinehart's late father, Lang Hancock, had also been raised as a major concern. Wallam's stance was supported by her Diamonds teammates, and it ended up costing Netball Australia a $15 million sponsorship deal with Rinehart. It was later revealed an unnamed Netball Australia senior official had advised the team not to wear the logo in that match against England. Wallam was sensationally let go by the struggling Queensland Firebirds last year, and after failing to land a deal with a rival Super Netball club, she joined the Northern Mystics in the NZ league. She has scored 275 goals across six matches - either side of missing three games with a wrist injury - to help lead the Mystics to the grand final. The 31-year-old's inclusion as an invitee in Marinkovich's Diamonds squad opens the door for her to resume her international career. The squad will come together for a five-day high-performance camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in early September. A second preparation camp will follow from September 19, leading into the Diamonds' South Africa series and Constellation Cup in October. "It's only 372 days until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and every session, every match, every moment we get together is about setting ourselves up to be at our absolute best when it matters most," Marinkovich said. 2025-26 AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD: Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Ashleigh Ervin, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Paige Hadley, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Alice Teague-Neeld, Liz Watson, Joanna Weston INVITEES: Lucy Austin, Teigan O'Shannassy, Amy Sligar, Donnell Wallam
