It’s Tuesday!

Today is as good a day as any to tell you about a new sport I’ve discovered: competitive cheese rolling.

Yesterday, competitors from all around the world raced in an annual cheese rolling event in England. Participants charged/tumbled/rolled down a Gloucestershire hill in pursuit of a wheel of the town’s famous cheese.

There was an Australian flavour - Perth man Dylan Twiss was among the men’s winners, and he was bestowed the honour of taking home a 3kg wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. No serious injuries were reported - let the gouda times roll.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Quote of the day

“My goal today was just to go out and race freely and fearlessly, and I think I did that.”
25-year-old Australian Olympic rower Tara Rigney on Sunday, after she won a silver medal at World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne, Switzerland. Rigney has now established herself as a serious contender for a medal and one to watch at the upcoming Paris Games. The women’s pair and double (yep, they are different events!) also won silver medals.

Stat of the day

85
The number former Australian test cricketer Joe Burns will wear on the back of his new Italian cricket jersey. Burns, who has Italian heritage, will join the Italian cricket team as they attempt to qualify for the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup. The number 85 is significant because it is the same number Burns’ late brother wore on his cricket jersey.

Random fact of the day

Sarah Durack and Mina Wylie were the first Australian women to compete at an Olympic Games. The pair competed in the 100m freestyle at the 1912 Stockholm Games and finished in first and second place, becoming the first women to win Olympic medals for swimming. The famous Wylie’s Baths in Coogee, Sydney were built by Mina’s father Henry, also a champion swimmer. 

I’ve got 1 minute

Over the past two days, the NSW Blues and QLD Maroons have announced their team lists for the men’s rugby league State of Origin Game 1, which will take place next Wednesday. Here’s what’s making news in the lead-up.

NSW

The notable omission from the NSW squad was Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco. He has captained NSW since the second game of the 2022 series and played in 22 consecutive games. Coach Michael Maguire instead opted for Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards, who has won three premierships with Penrith in the past four years.

The NSW side features six debutants and will be captained by Manly Sea Eagles Jake Trbojevic.

It will be Michael Maguire’s first series as coach for NSW.

QLD

On the Queensland side, Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita was left off the team list named by coach Billy Slater. This is surprising as Fifita played an integral role in Queensland’s series win last year and has been in impressive form for the Titans this year.

Queensland will go into this year’s series with lots of Origin experience. Slater named one debutant in J’maine Hopgood while all other players in the 20-man squad have previously represented their state.

Queensland are seeking a third straight series win in 2024 and will be captained by Manly Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans.

I’ve got 2 minutes

Rafael Nadal lost his first-round French Open match against fourth-seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets overnight, losing 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3. 

A large crowd rallied behind the champion in what was likely to be his last match at the storied Roland Garros. The crowd included fellow tennis champions Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek.

Świątek, the current number one women’s seed, cruised through her first round match yesterday in straight sets.

What the players said:

Nadal: "If it's the last time that I played here, I am at peace with myself,"

Zverev: "I've watched Rafa play all my childhood and I was lucky enough to play Rafa when I became a professional. I was lucky enough to play him two times on this beautiful court. I don't know what to say. Today is not my moment, it's Rafa's moment, so thank you."

Aussies in Action

Meanwhile, the Australian contingent at the French Open is yet to secure a win after Daria Saville and Max Purcell lost their first round matches last night. 

So far, six Australians have been knocked out or withdrawn and five remain. It is the first time since 1996 that Australia does not have a women’s tennis player in the second round. The five Aussie men who are still in contention are all playing tonight.

Australians playing on Tuesday night

Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 

Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Luciano Darderi (ITA)

Adam Walton (AUS) v Arther Rinderknech (FRA)

Alex De Minaur (AUS) v Alex Michelsen (USA)

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