Category: Sports News

Worldwide Sports News

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Wallabies break South Africa’s aura of invincibility in win that asks: is Australian rugby back?

Joe Schmidt’s side turned a 22-point deficit into a first win at Ellis Park since 1963. If this is a redrafting of the story, then the sport will be better off

For 18 minutes, everything was going according to script. The double world champions were running riot at Ellis Park, stomping over the gain line with every carry, shrugging off tacklers and hammering anyone unlucky enough to be wearing a gold jersey.

Australia had touched the ball twice before Kurt-Lee Arendse scored the opening try; once when James O’Connor kicked off, then again when Tom Wright spilled a contestable kick. Twelve minutes later André Esterhuizen sliced through the right before Siya Kolisi bulldozed over under the posts. Manie Libbok kicked seven extra points to nudge the score to 22-0 in South Africa’s favour. We’d not yet reached the quarter mark of this one-sided contest.

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Nolan McLean's 'sick' behind-the-back double play impresses Mets as much as his pitching did

There was a lot to be impressed by Nolan McLean's MLB debut on Saturday with the Mets, but one moment stood out for many.

With the game still scoreless in the third inning, McLean pitched into some trouble. He walked the first two batters he faced and Cal Raleigh hit a one-out single to load the bases with Julio Rodriguez up to the plate. The rookie threw a sweeper that got in on Rodriguez's hands and he chopped the ball up the middle.

McLean, who was a two-way player and a multi-sport athlete in college, swung his glove behind his back and snagged the ball before throwing it to second to start the 1-4-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.

"The ball just kinda found me on that one," McLean said of the play after the game. "Got a little lucky, hit my glove. Wasn’t really something you draw up but it worked out."

While the ball may have found McLean, the nerves certainly didn't. Mets fans packed Citi Field on Saturday afternoon to see their top pitching prospect make his debut and he didn't disappoint.

McLean tossed 5.1 scoreless innings against a playoff team in the Mariners, and earned his first win after a 3-1 victory. The moment never seemed too big for him and that's what impressed manager Carlos Mendoza and his new teammates the most about the outing.

"He made an incredible play there, but at the same time, I was confident he was going to attack the zone and do the job that he was able to do in that moment," Francisco Alvarez, who caught McLean in Syracuse, said. "Maybe he would have given up one run or no runs in that situation, but I knew he was in a good spot and I had all the confidence in the world in him."

"Pretty impressive. Unbelievable. Everything we’ve heard from him. Stays on the attack," Mendoza said of McLean's performance. "The way he uses all of his pitches. For me, his ability to throw the secondary pitches when he’s behind in counts, to get back in counts, to get swing and misses, to get chases, the sinker, the velo. 

"The way he fields his position. And sure enough, he gets a comebacker, we don’t teach that way, but not only to make the play, but to play catch in that moment. Bases loaded, one out, got Rodriguez at the plate, pretty much how he handled everything. Unbelievable."

Francisco Lindor was asked if he was more impressed by McLean's fielding or pitching. The Gold Glove shortstop paused for a second before saying with a smile, "That was kinda sick."

But like his teammates, McLean's demeanor was what stood out the most. "His conviction. He went out there, he was poised. Since yesterday, he was at ease and he executed from pitch one."

After his first successful MLB start, McLean has likely earned himself another start. We'll see if there are more web gems for the rookie to make.

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Mets' Carlos Mendoza all but confirms Nolan McLean will make another start

After Nolan McLean grabbed the win in his major league debut, manager Carlos Mendoza all but confirmed the right-hander will get another start in the Mets' rotation.

Mendoza was a bit noncommittal about the 24-year-old's chances to stay in the rotation after his debut. The skipper didn't seem to have any cold feet when asked about it after Saturday's 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. 

"I think so," Mendoza said with a laugh when asked if it was safe to say McLean earned another start. "Don't you think?"

"We needed that. We needed that as a team, the organization, given where we are at and how hard it's been for us," the manager continued. "You start thinking about what it's gonna look like here pretty soon, and I feel good about our chances."

McLean delivered 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just two hits and four walks while striking out eight on 91 pitches (55 strikes). 

Mendoza called the start "pretty impressive" and "unbelievable," adding that all of the best of McLean from mound presence to demeanor to staying on the attack and using all of his pitches was on display in Saturday's start.

"Just the way he handled pretty much everything... unbelievable," he said.

As expected, McLean leaned heavily on his off-speed pitches, throwing his sweeper 36 percent of the time and his curveball 21 percent. Overall, he tallied 11 whiffs on 38 swings and added 17 called strikes. The sweeper led the way with a 36 percent called strike-whiff rate. The sinker, which averaged 94.9 mph for the afternoon, was his second most-used pitch at 26 percent.

"For me, his ability to throw his secondary pitches when he's behind in counts to get back in counts to get swing and misses, to get chases, Mendoza said. 

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NHL Fans Have Mixed Expectations For Canadiens In 2025-26

The Montreal Canadiens had a successful 2024-25 season, as they surprised many by taking that next step and getting back into the playoffs. Now, after a busy off-season that saw them bring in defenseman Noah Dobson and forward Zack Bolduc, they will be looking to continue to trend in the right direction for 2025-26.

Recently, the NHL Network asked hockey fans what the Canadiens' expectations for the 2025-26 season should be. There were certainly some mixed answers:

"105-point finish in 2025-26," one fan wrote.

"83 points," one NHL fan said. 

"I’m a Leafs fan, they’ll be fighting but will ultimately have a good regular season. Definitely not cup contenders, but for sure a lot more threatening in the Atlantic. It’s gonna be a crazy one this year," a Maple Leafs fan said about the Habs.

"Keep improving, but they might finish with 94 points and still miss the playoffs. I’d be disappointed, but not upset," another fan said. 

"Make the playoffs in a more convincing fashion. No expectations to win just yet, but let’s make the playoffs & get a bit more experience & have some fun," another fan wrote. 

"Miss the playoffs because they only have 2 centers on the team," one fan argued. 

"1. A fine season. 2. A deep run in the playoffs. 3. An impromptu parade down Ste. Catherines in late spring," an optimistic fan said. 

Clearly, the Canadiens are creating some debate amongst fans. Whether they make the playoffs next season or not, it is hard not to feel optimistic about their future moving forward. They have a nice mix of promising young players and solid veterans, so they certainly will be a fascinating team to watch in 2025-26.

Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see how the Habs perform next season from here. Based on the fans' comments, they are undoubtedly creating plenty of debate. 

Canadiens Legend Not On NHL Network's Quarter Century TeamCanadiens Legend Not On NHL Network's Quarter Century TeamThe NHL Network released their quarter century team, which has both active and retired players from clubs around the league who made their NHL debuts on or after Jan. 1, 2000.
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Francisco Lindor stays hot, Mets support Nolan McLean's scoreless debut in 3-1 win over Mariners

The Mets defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-1 at Citi Field on Saturday, riding an impressive major league debut by Nolan McLean, to win a game they needed badly after losing 14 of their previous 16.

The Mets scored two runs in the seventh inning and then Carlos Mendoza went to Edwin Diaz for a close it out with a six-out save.

Here are the takeaways...

-After an especially rough week for the Mets, McLean gave fans some hope with an outstanding major league debut, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The righthander gave up two hits, both singles, and four walks while striking out eight Mariners’ hitters. He threw 91 pitches.

McLean showed an impressive six-pitch arsenal, living up to his reputation for great breaking stuff as he kept the hitters off-balance with a mix of spin and speed. His four-seam fastball was clocked as high as 97 mph while he threw his slow curve, which got some key swings-and-misses, between 78-81 mph.

Along the way, Mclean made a dazzling play to escape a bases-loaded situation in the third inning. With one out, he jammed Julio Rodriguez, inducing a fairly hard comebacker, and from his follow-throw, McLean reached behind his back to stab the ball, then quickly turned and fired to Brett Baty at second to start a 1-4-3 double play as the Citi Field crowd roared.

McLean was pulled in the sixth after giving up a leadoff walk to the M’s slugging catcher Cal Raleigh, and then striking out Rodriguez. Mendoza wanted lefty Gregory Soto for the lefty-hitting Josh Naylor, and though the manager was booed by the crowd for taking out McLean, Soto got out of the inning.

The switch-hitting Raleigh was the only Mariner that McLean didn’t get out, walking him twice and giving up a rocket of a single in the third inning.

-Hot-hitting Francisco Lindor got the Mets on the board, delivering a line double into the right-field corner in the third inning, scoring Brett Baty from first base to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Baty had singled to lead off the inning.

Lindor went 2-for-4 on the day and is now 11-for-20 (.550)  in his last five games, with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and seven runs scored.

-The Mets pulled away with a two-run rally in the seventh. Baty and Lindor each singled and stole a base, and Juan Soto, who has struggled badly with runners in scoring position, delivered a run with a sacrifice fly to fairly deep left-center.

After Lindor was thrown out at the plate on Brandon Nimmo’s single to left (a bad decision to send Lindor, after he had hesitated to make sure the ball fell for a hit), Pete Alonso doubled down the third-base line to score Nimmo and make it 3-0.

-With all of the problems the Mets’ bullpen has had this week, Mendoza wasn’t messing around with a 3-0 lead, going to a well-rested Diaz to start the eighth.

Diaz pitched a scoreless eighth, getting two strikeouts, while allowing a single to Raleigh. In the ninth, he gave up a one-out home run to Eugenio Suarez but closed out the win without any drama.

-Baty and Lindor each stole second base during the seventh inning, as the Mets extended their streak without being caught to 39 straight steals.

It ties the longest such single-season streak in MLB history since caught stealings were first tracked in 1951. The Red Sox had 39 straight in 2013. They have the all-time record of 40 straight, including one in the 2014 season.

Game MVP: Nolan McLean

The Mets desperately needed a boost and McLean delivered, living up to his status as a high-ceiling prospect in Triple-A.

McLean has dominated in the minors since being drafted out of Oklahoma State in 2023, rising to No. 37 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Mariners wrap up their three-game set on Sunday night. First pitch for the Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA, is set for 7:10 p.m.

Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.71 ERA) will take the mound for New York, while George Kirby (8-5, 3.71 ERA) will be on the bump for Seattle.

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Kings Left Off NHL Network 2025 Top-20 Defenders List

Recently, the NHL Network released their list of who they thought the top-20 defenders were in the NHL at this time heading into the 2025-26 season.

While there weren’t any expectations for any Kings defenders to be on that list, some expected Drew Doughty to be there, and he wasn’t. 

Heading into next season, the Kings will be without arguably their best defender in Vladislav Gavrikov, who signed a long-term deal with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), and will have to rely on the rest of their depth and newcomers to stabilize their blue line. 

As the season inches closer, the Kings' defenders, along with the rest of the roster, will be hoping they can prove everyone wrong and show they’re still an elite team with a chance to go deep into the postseason. 

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Former Red Wing Gerard Gallant Admits He’s “Pissed” Over NHL Coaching Snubs

It shouldn’t be difficult for a decorated former NHL coach and Jack Adams Award winner to find another job behind an NHL bench, but that’s the unfortunate reality that former Detroit Red Wings forward Gerard Gallant faced. 

Unable to land a new coaching gig in the NHL, Gallant recently accepted the head coaching responsibilities with the KHL's Shanghai Dragons, formerly known as the Kunlun Red Star.

They are members of the Tarasov Division of the KHL’s Western Conference and are currently based in St. Petersburg, as the club hasn't played in China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While Gallant expressed excitement over the new opportunity, he admitted that there was some frustration on his part over having been unable find another job in the NHL. 

"I've been out for two seasons and nothing has happened yet. Am I a little pissed off? Yes, but that's the way it goes, you wait for your turn and your opportunities," said Gallant. "I took this job with the mindset that I'm going to Russia and St. Petersburgh and I'm going to coach there. After the first year there's an out-clause and I'll look at something if something comes up." 

"Otherwise, I'm going over there with the focus on the St. Petersburgh team and get the Shanghai Dragons in the playoffs."

Gallant also indicated that he was interested in the vacated head coaching position of the Dallas Stars, who are managed by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill; the position ultimately went to Glen Gulutzan. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Gallant, whom the Red Wings drafted 107th overall in 1981, routinely played on a line with Steve Yzerman. He ultimately skated in 615 career NHL games, the majority of them with Detroit. 

During his time with the Red Wings, he was known by the nickname “Spuddy,” a nod to his hometown of Summerside, P.E.I., famous for potato production. 

Gallant transitioned into coaching after his playing career, working his way up through the minors before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant in 2001.

He became head coach in 2004 following Doug MacLean’s resignation but was dismissed in November 2006. He later served as an assistant with both the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens before taking over the head coaching duties for the Florida Panthers in 2014, eventually. guiding them to the 2016 postseason and earning a Jack Adams Award finalist nod. However, he was let go after a slow start the following season.

Gallant then made history as the first head coach of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and earning the Jack Adams Trophy. He had also been recognized by being tabbed as head coach of the Pacific Division All-Stars in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. 

Fired by the Golden Knights in surprising fashion early on in the 2019-20 NHL season, Gallant once again found work as the head coach of the New York Rangers. He led them to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Final in 2022, and would become the first head coach to lead the franchise to consecutive 100-point campaigns.

Following their loss to the rival New Jersey Devils in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Gallant and the Rangers mutually parted ways.

He was most recently the head coach of Team Canada during the 2024 Spengler Cup. 

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2 Penguins Make NHL Network's Quarter Century Team

The NHL Network has revealed their quarter century team, and without any surprise whatsoever, two Pittsburgh Penguins have made the cut. 

Penguins longtime star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are among the 12 forwards who made the NHL Network's quarter century team. When noting that they both have had Hall of Fame-worthy careers, it would have been shocking if they were not featured on it. 

Even to this day, Crosby is still among the NHL's best players. He just completed his 20th season in the NHL in 2024-25, where he posted 33 goals, 58 assists, and 91 points. With this, he once produced at an over a point-per-game pace, just like he has done in every single NHL season he has played thus far. 

In 1,352 career NHL games, Crosby has recorded 625 goals, 1,062 assists, 1,687 points, and a plus-197 rating. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has also recorded 71 goals and 201 points in 180 playoff games. This helped him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in both 2016 and 2017. 

Crosby has also won an array of awards over his career, as he has won the Art Ross Trophy (twice), Hart Memorial Trophy (twice), Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (two times), Mark Messier Leadership Award (twice), and Ted Lindsay Award (three times).

Malkin has also had a truly spectacular career, too. In 1,213 career NHL games, all with Pittsburgh, he has recorded 514 goals, 832 assists, and 1,346 points. Like Crosby, he has had plenty of success during the playoffs, as he has recorded 67 goals and 180 points in 177 post-season games. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009. 

In addition to his Conn Smythe Trophy win, Malkin has won the Calder Memorial Trophy (2007), Hart Memorial Trophy (2012), Ted Lindsay Award (2012), and Art Ross Trophy (twice). With this, Malkin undoubtedly was one of the most dominant players in the NHL during his prime, so his spot on the NHL Network's quarter century team was certainly earned. 

Should Penguins Reunite With Top Free Agent Left?Should Penguins Reunite With Top Free Agent Left?Last off-season, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. In the end, it is fair to say that the Penguins got good value in this move, as Grzelcyk fit in nicely with the Metropolitan Division club. 
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Moses Itauma stuns Dillian Whyte with devastating first-round knockout

  • Winner extends perfect record and closer to world title shot

  • Veteran sent crashing to canvas within two minutes

Moses Itauma blew away Dillian Whyte with a devastating first-round knockout in their all-British heavyweight clash in Riyadh. The 20-year-old extended his perfect record through 13 professional fights as he sent veteran Whyte sprawling to the canvas inside two minutes.

The 37-year-old Whyte, a former WBC interim heavyweight champion, was not given any time to settle as Itauma – who had been made to wait in the ring by a delayed walk-in from his British rival – immediately went on the front foot.

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Owen Tippett

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

Owen Tippett has been mentioned off and on in trade speculation over the last few years. That chatter seemed to calm down after the 26-year-old winger signed an eight-year max deal, but it may begin to percolate after his production dropped from 28 to 20 goals in the first year of the extension. Tippett was originally a Florida Panthers first-round pick, who was acquired by the Flyers in the Claude Giroux deal in 2022. 

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At 6’1”, 209 lb. Tippett would be a more than adequate replacement for JJ Peterka in the Sabres top-six, and a realistic get since his 10-team modified no-trade clause does not kick until after this season. 

 

What Would It Cost?

The Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild, but for a young player under team control for another seven seasons such as Tippett, GM Danny Briere is going to expect a comparably aged forward in return, or a young top prospect that is close to being NHL-ready. Philadelphia has reportedly long been interested in Sabres forward Peyton Krebs, but Briere would probably want a Sabres first round pick along with Krebs in a Tippett deal. The Flyers are going to expect a much bigger return for a three-time 20+ goal scorer, which most likely would include Zach Benson or Konsta Helenius.  

 

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Astros’ All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña out of lineup for 2nd straight game due to illness

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña is out of the lineup for the second straight game against the Baltimore Orioles due to illness.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Peña was feeling better and at the ballpark.

“He’s here. He’s going to do some baseball activities and sweat some of that stuff off,” Espada said.

Peña was sent to the doctor on Friday after reporting to Daikin Park feeling ill. He was not seen in the Astros dugout during their 7-0 loss to the Orioles.

In 93 games, Peña is batting a team-leading .318 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. Mauricio Dubón has started at shortstop for the Astros in his absence.

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Astros' Hader hopes to pitch in 2025, likely in postseason, after going on IL with shoulder issue

HOUSTON (AP) Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader said he hopes to pitch again in 2025, even if it means in the postseason, after being shut down because of a left shoulder issue.

Hader will not throw for three weeks after being diagnosed with a left capsule shoulder strain on Friday. He will fill that time with rest and strengthening exercises and be re-evaluated to see if he can resume a throwing program.

“We’ll see how my body recovers and how it’s taking on rehab,” Hader said. “Right now for me, I’m trying to get as strong as I can for these next three weeks and see where I go from there.”

Hader said he would need a ramp-up period of about three weeks in order to pitch in games, which would likely rule him out the remainder of the regular. But, the six-time All-Star hopes to return in the postseason for the Astros, who entered Saturday leading the American League West by a half-game over Seattle.

“Obviously, I would love to be part of a playoff push, but realistically, I’m thinking about longevity,” Hader said. "If I can get these three weeks, get healthy and start moving into a direction where I can start throwing, yeah I would be definitely optimistic.”

Hader was placed on the injured list for the first time in his nine-year career on Monday after he felt something in his shoulder he hadn’t felt before while throwing in training.

“That’s when I kind of threw up the caution signs and wanted to kind of look in deeper and kind of see what was really going on,” Hader said.

In his second year with the Astros, Hader is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA and is fifth with 28 saves in 48 appearances this season.

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Seiya Suzuki hits a tiebreaking single as the Cubs edge the Pirates 3-1

CHICAGO (AP) Seiya Suzuki hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Saturday for a sorely needed victory.

Kyle Tucker hit a leadoff single against Evan Sisk (0-1) and stole second before coming home on Suzuki's grounder into center field. Nico Hoerner tacked on a two-out RBI double following an intentional walk to Ian Happ.

Chicago (69-53) had dropped four of five, including a 3-2 loss in the series opener on Friday.

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched seven innings of three-hit ball. Andrew Kittredge (3-3) got three outs before Brad Keller handled the ninth for his first save.

Tommy Pham homered for Pittsburgh (52-72), which lost for the sixth time in seven games. Rookie Mike Burrows permitted one run and five hits in five innings.

Imanaga retired his first 10 batters before Pham connected for his sixth homer in the fourth, a 428-foot drive to left. The Cubs got the run back in the bottom half when Tucker scored on Carson Kelly's two-out single.

Imanaga struck out six and walked two. About the only thing that seemed to ruffle the lefty were the sonic booms from military jets flying nearby during the Chicago Air and Water Show. He had to pause several times to let the planes pass, including the fifth, where he waited momentarily before freezing Liover Peguero for an inning-ending strikeout.

Nick Gonzales hit a leadoff single for Pittsburgh in the ninth. But Keller responded with three straight strikeouts against Andrew McCutchen, Joey Bart and pinch-hitter Spencer Horwitz.

The Cubs have scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their 14 games this month.

Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (0-1, 9.00 ERA) makes his second start of the season in Sunday’s series finale. The Pirates will use right-handed reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (2-7, 4.20 ERA) as an opener.

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Jannik Sinner sets up Carlos Alcaraz showdown in Cincinnati Open final

  • World No 1 wins 7-6 (4), 6-2 against Térence Atmane

  • Alcaraz sees off Alexander Zverev to make final

Jannik Sinner, the top seed and defending champion, ended the French qualifier Térence Atmane’s dream run at the Cincinnati Open with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win to reach the final of the US Open warm-up event.

Sinner, playing on his 24th birthday, won a remarkable 91% of his first-serve points, did not face a single break point during the 86-minute match and converted two of five break points in his first career meeting with Atmane, the world No 136.

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