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Rugby union: much-changed Ireland beat Fiji
Nick Timoney claimed two tries as Ireland overcame a sloppy start to prolong their fine form courtesy of a disjointed 35-17 Dublin victory over indisciplined Fiji. Robert Baloucoune, Mack Hansen and Cian Healy were also on the scoresheet at the Aviva Stadium to help rugby’s top-ranked nation back up victory over world champions South Africa. Andy Farrell’s much-changed side were well below their free-flowing best and forced to come
from behind following Kalaveti Ravouvou’s fine opener, before conceding an outstanding consolation score to Simione Kuruvoli. Fiji played most of a stop-start second half a man down after Gloucester flanker Albert Tuisue was dismissed for ploughing into the head of Joey Carbery, while Manasa Saulo and Api Ratuniyarawa each spent spells in the sin bin. Despite a fragmented display featuring opportunities for a handful of fringe players, the stuttering Irish were never in serious danger of slipping to a first defeat to the Pacific islanders as they warmed up for next weekend’s showdown with Australia in victorious fashion.
Italy registered an historic first win over Australia after stunning the Wallabies 28-27 in Florence. Two tries from full-back Ange Capuozzo helped steer Italy to victory, with a much-changed Australia side unable to deny them right at the death as debutant Ben Donaldson’s conversion attempt whistled past the post. It is Italy’s maiden triumph in 19 meetings with Australia and leaves them with two wins from two so far in the autumn internationals following their success over Samoa. However, the loss is a concern for the touring Wallabies who have now suffered backto-back defeats after also being edged out by one point against France in Paris last weekend. Australia trailed 17-3 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi after Pierre Bruno and Capuozzo both touched down for the Azzurri, but Tom Wright pulled one back to reduce Italy’s advantage to 17-8 at the break. Fraser McReight scored four minutes after the break to help cut the gap further, but Capuozzo soon went over for his second try of the game after bursting through the Australian defence and touching down in the right corner. Tom Robertson soon added a third try for the Wallabies to give them a lifeline and Cadeyrn Neville crossed at the very end of the match, but Donaldson was unable to convert as Italy held on for a famous win.
England warmed up for their autumn blockbuster against New Zealand by over-running Japan 52-13 at Twickenham. Six days after collapsing to a shock defeat by Argentina, Eddie Jones’s men regrouped by running in seven tries to put a spring back in their step ahead of Saturday’s long-awaited clash with the All
Blacks. Marcus Smith and Guy Porter crossed twice each to lead the charge and there was greater conviction about all aspects of England’s play on a day that saw Freddie Steward reign as the most influential player on the field.
Forced to overcome the loss of Jack Nowell to an abdominal injury shortly before kick-off, they held the tourists in a vice with Steward at the centre of many of their best attacking moments. Japan were willing victims as they slumped to their third defeat in as many meetings between the nations, a side clearly struggling to rediscover the magic that lit up the 2019 World Cup.
Wales got their autumn internationals back on track by beating Argentina 20-13 in an arm-wrestle of a Test match at the Principality Stadium. Just seven days after shipping 55 points against New Zealand, Wales produced a strong response as tries from No 8 Taulupe Faletau and scrum-half Tomos Williams saw them home. Argentina, recent conquerors of the All Blacks, England and Australia, were kept at bay by a defensive red wall as Michael Cheika’s men endured an evening to forget. It was a welcome result for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, who oversaw only a third win this year.
Russell fights past Verstappen for pole
George Russell brilliantly fought his way past Max Verstappen to take the first win of his Formula One career in yesterday’s sprint race to claim pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Russell hounded Verstappen for a number of thrilling laps at Interlagos before making his move stick between turns 3 and 4 to triumph for Mercedes – he will start first for today’s race, with Lewis Hamilton alongside him after Carlos Sainz’s five-place grid penalty. Russell, 24, kept his composure to take the chequered flag 3.9 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Sainz, with Hamilton passing Verstappen on lap 20 to take third. Pole-sitter Kevin Magnussen took the chequered flag in eighth.
Premier League: Nunez scores twice to power Liverpool to victory
Liverpool signed off for the break with a comfortable win at Anfield. Roberto Firmino headed the Reds ahead before Saints equalised through Che Adams. But two goals by Darwin Nunez before half-time put Liverpool in control. As his brief but eventful Liverpool career shows, Nunez is rarely quiet. Arguably, his was not even the finest display in Southampton’s sixth successive defeat at Anfield – Andy Robertson, who ended with two assists, was brilliant – but their combined efforts mean Liverpool break for the World Cup still playing catch-up, but with a top-four finish looking more attainable.
Bournemouth stormed to a dominant 3-0 victory over a lacklustre Everton to pile even more pressure on manager Frank Lampard ahead of the World Cup break. The Cherries beat Everton 4-1 in the Carabao Cup in midweek at the Vitality Stadium to progress to the fourth round of the competition, and controlled yesterday’s Premier League game. Qatar-bound Jordan Pickford was partially at fault for the Bournemouth opener when the England goalkeeper spilled a Dominic Solanke shot into the path of Marcus Tavernier, who slotted home. Kieffer Moore added a second in the 25th minute, before all three points were wrapped up by substitute Jadon Anthony in the second half.
Nottingham Forest ensured they head into the World Cup break off the bottom of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White continued to show why Forest broke their transfer record to sign him in the summer as his second-half goal earned the win that sees them move to within a point of safety. It was the perfect end to the first phase of their return to the top flight after 23 years away and will give them real hope they can kick on after the World Cup and pull away from relegation danger after a third win of the campaign. They were grateful to Wilfried Zaha missing his fourth penalty of 2022 in the first half, but this was a poor performance from Palace which was deserving of defeat.
Tennis: GB lose deciding doubles tie-break
Great Britain fell agonisingly short of a fifth Billie Jean King Cup final appearance as victory in a deciding doubles tie-break in Glasgow sent Australia through to the trophy match. Heather Watson lost the opening rubber 6-4 7-6 (3) to Storm Sanders but Harriet Dart followed up her victory over 13th-ranked Paula Badosa by upsetting world Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (3) 6-2 to take it to the wire. Doubles duo Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls have been the revelation of the week for the hosts on their international debut but they were unable to conjure a third victory, losing out 7-6 (1) 6-7 (5) (10-6) to the impressive Sanders and Sam Stosur.
Dart will leave Glasgow believing she can elevate her ranking well above its current 98 having taken on three of the world’s biggest hitters and beaten two of them. Dart took full advantage of a slow start by Tomljanovic, who sent Serena Williams into retirement at the US Open, picking up where she left off against Badosa and powering into a 5-2 lead. She was unable to serve out the set and missed a set point at 5-4 but played much the better tie-break against her faltering opponent.
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