Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland was cited for a hip-drop tackle that broke Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary's leg during the preliminary final and must now face the NRL judiciary to avoid missing the grand final.
AI-generated summary
Phoenix Crossland was sent off during Newcastle Knights' preliminary final win over Penrith Panthers for a hip-drop tackle that resulted in Nathan Cleary suffering a broken leg.
Phoenix Crossland will have to argue his case at the NRL judiciary if he is any chance of playing in the grand final after he was cited for the hip drop that broke Nathan Cleary's leg.
The Newcastle hooker was sent off during the Knights' thrilling preliminary final win over the Penrith Panthers on Sunday and the match review committee referred him straight to the judiciary.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Phoenix Crossland will face a suspension that may prevent him from playing in the NRL grand final.
Likely · Within days
Republic of Ireland secured a 3-0 victory over Israel in a UEFA Nations League match held in Debrecen, Hungary, with players wearing black armbands and refusing to shake hands amid widespread opposition in Ireland to Israel's actions in Gaza. Goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, and Jack Moylan sealed the win, while Caoimhín Kelleher made key saves in goal. The return fixture is scheduled for October 4 in Serbia.
After Minnesota's 27-24 road win over Washington, head coach PJ Fleck wiped blood from linebacker Maverick Baranowski's mouth and smeared it on his own cheeks, calling it a 'blood brother' moment reminiscent of frontiersmen out West, with players describing his behavior as crazy and energetic.
Australia lost the second ODI against South Africa by 32 runs in Johannesburg, sealing a 2-0 series defeat after collapsing in the chase of 365, with middle-order failures and spin struggles echoing their first-match loss in Durban.
Twelve-year-old Arrernte boxer Leela Lord from Alice Springs trained at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra as part of a national Indigenous boxing development camp, receiving an age exemption to train with older athletes. She expressed increased passion for the sport and aims for more fights and Olympic participation, while her father, a former boxer and coach, was named best trainer at the camp.
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will require surgery on both feet after sustaining a compound fracture and dislocation of his left ankle during the preliminary final loss to Newcastle, having played through a pre-existing broken right foot. Multiple teammates also suffered severe injuries, including Dylan Edwards (ruptured PCL), Isaah Yeo (ruptured pec), and Blaize Talagi (Achilles rupture), impacting Australia's World Cup prospects.
Newcastle defeated Penrith 22-14 in the NRL preliminary final at Stadium Australia, advancing to their first grand final in 25 years despite a red card and mounting injuries.