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Did you know that the world's first streaker at a major sporting event was an Australian?

In 1974, Michael O'Brien ran naked across the pitch at Twickenham during an England v France rugby union match. His mates had promised to pay him £10 (around $AU200 today) if he could touch the stand on the far side. 

A police officer tackled him just short, but after hearing about the bet, let him touch the stand before arresting him.

A photo of O'Brien being arrested was later named Life Magazine's ‘Picture of the Year’.

He was fined £10 by the local magistrate, breaking even on the bet, and was back in his seat for the second half.

Definitely grandpa’s best story.

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Stat of the day

25
World number one Jannik Sinner's current match winning streak at Masters 1000 tournaments, the second tier of men's tennis behind the four Grand Slams. The Italian extended his run with a straight-sets win over Cameron Norrie at the Madrid Open yesterday, sitting in fourth on the all-time list behind Novak Djokovic (31 and 30) and Roger Federer (29). Sinner has won his last four Masters 1000 titles in a row, across Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo, and if he wins in Madrid, according to the ATP, will become the first player in Masters 1000 history to win five consecutive titles.

Jannik Sinner at the Madrid Open

Quote of the day

"It's been a challenging day. I'm really puzzled by the board's decision."
Former Melbourne Demons CEO Paul Guerra speaking to Channel 9 after he was sacked yesterday, seven months after officially starting in the role. Guerra indicated that he has since engaged lawyers and is flagging potential legal action against the AFL club. Melbourne president Steven Smith cited "lost confidence" in Guerra's leadership and a "breakdown of relationships” with the board. The Demons have had a strong start to the season, sitting fourth on the ladder with a 5-2 record under first-year coach Steven King (who Guerra helped appoint). Former West Coast, Geelong, and Carlton CEO Brian Cook has been named interim CEO.

Random fact of the day

Scottish-Australian ultra-swimmer Andy Donaldson set a world record on Tuesday by swimming 55 kilometres down the Upper Ord River in Western Australia's Kimberley region, finishing in 11 hours and 51 minutes. The dam-to-dam route took him past long stretches of red cliffs and thousands of freshwater crocodiles. 

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In case you missed it…

The Champions League semi-finals began on Wednesday morning (AEST) with one of the greatest matches in the competition's history. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain beat German powerhouse Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg in Paris, with nine goals setting a record for the most goals in a semi-final. PSG led 5-2 after 58 minutes before two quick Bayern goals made it a one-goal game heading into next week's second leg in Munich. The second semi-final begins tomorrow, with Atlético Madrid hosting Arsenal.

Dembele scored two goals for PSG (Getty)

LIV Golf has postponed its scheduled June event in New Orleans, with the Saudi Arabia-backed tour looking to reschedule for later in the year. Sources told the BBC the tour is in talks with Louisiana authorities about moving the event to September or October, with officials keen to avoid peak summer heat, ensure the course is in top condition, and sidestep a clash with the World Cup. The postponement comes weeks after reports that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has invested more than $US5 billion ($AU8 billion) in LIV since 2022, will pull its funding after this season. LIV CEO Scott O'Neil has insisted the rest of the 2026 season will continue as planned.

Spain’s Jon Rahm tees off at Mexico City’s LIV golf event this month (Getty)

🏄 Australian George Pittar and American Lakey Peterson won the Margaret River Pro, the second stop of the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour. Pittar, a 23-year-old from Sydney's Northern Beaches, claimed his first elite-level title by beating every current men's world champion in the draw, including three-time champion Gabriel Medina of Brazil in the final. Peterson, a veteran on the women’s tour, won her seventh Championship Tour event and second at Margaret River, holding off Brazil's Luana Silva. The tour moves to the Gold Coast next week.

George Pittar celebrates his first win in surfing’s top division (Getty)

FIFA has approved a new rule that will see players red-carded at this year's World Cup if they cover their mouths while speaking to opponents during confrontations. The change, announced at a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver yesterday, was prompted by an incident in February when Gianluca Prestianni, playing for Portuguese club Benfica, raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. Prestianni was later banned for six matches for homophobic abuse.

Gianluca Prestianni uses his shirt to cover his mouth (Getty)

Together with Paire

The winter kit that moves the way you do

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Come experience it in person at their A/W26 styling suite. Drop in between 6:00PM–8:30PM for personalised styling, curated looks, and freshly whisked matcha.

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Fran Kirby of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring a goal (Getty)

Brighton and Hove Albion to build Europe’s first purpose-built stadium for women’s football

English football club Brighton & Hove Albion has confirmed plans to construct the first purpose-built stadium for women’s football in the UK and Europe. 

The club has both an English Premier League side (men’s) and a Women’s Super League team. 

Here’s what to know.

Details

Brighton says the 10,000-seat stadium will be purpose-built for female athletes and the culture of the women’s game. This covers aspects including the quality of the pitch, and the design of the changing rooms and recovery areas. 

The matchday experience will also be “especially welcoming for families and first-time attendees,” with wider concourses, social spaces, and family-friendly access. It will also prioritise entertainment and an inclusive atmosphere to “reflect a different demographic”. 

Planning applications are expected later this year, with construction expected to begin in 2027 if approved. According to the club, significant design work has already been completed.

It will be located next to the club’s home stadium and close to its training ground. 

What they said

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “Since we announced our intention to build a stadium… We have seen unprecedented interest locally, nationally and internationally. It is a topic I am regularly asked about by many of our fans, clearly indicating the growing level of interest and potential for women’s football.”

Women’s managing director Zoe Johnson said this project “is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and one of only three in the world”. 

She added it will advance “ambitions to compete consistently both domestically in the Women’s Super League, and also in European club competition”.

Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.

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Jarome Luai is headed to the Chiefs in 2028 (Getty)

PNG Chiefs lure Tigers star Jarome Luai as marquee player for 2028 NRL debut

Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai has been announced as the marquee signing of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs. 

The team is set to enter the NRL in 2028.

It comes as the Tigers start the season with their best performance in years, sitting third on the ladder.

What happened

Luai will leave the Tigers midway through a contract meant to last through the 2029 season. He has signed with the Chiefs on a two-year deal with the option of a third year through 2030. He will reportedly be paid around $1.2 million a year, the same amount he earns at the Tigers, but completely tax-free.

At a press conference today, Luai said the financial incentive was not the deciding factor.

"Everyone wants me to say the tax-free and how appealing that is but that's not what got the deal signed. Being over there, you realise that it's bigger than a game. When the time comes, we'll be able to change a lot of lives with that."

Luai visited Port Moresby with his family over the weekend, meeting PNG Prime Minister James Marape and touring the club's facilities. He said the trip addressed any safety concerns about the move.

Who else is joining?

South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, the NRL's all-time leading try scorer with 219 career tries, has also agreed to join the Chiefs on a one-year tax-free deal reportedly worth $325,000. The 31-year-old, who is of Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean heritage, has represented the Kumuls 12 times.

Johnston confirmed the move on Tuesday by reposting a news report on Instagram, but the Chiefs pushed back, telling Nine no contract had been issued and that Luai was the priority. 

The incentives luring big-name players to PNG

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister Marape officially confirmed the team in December 2024. 

The Australian Government committed $600 million over ten years to fund the franchise, player pathways and a secure compound for players to live and train in.

The PNG Government has made all salaries and third-party earnings for Chiefs players, coaches and staff completely tax-free, meaning players take home significantly more than they would at any other NRL club on the same contract. On a $1.2 million contract in Australia, for example, a player would receive around $670,000 after tax. 

The expansion also has geopolitical significance. Alongside the NRL announcement, PNG signed an agreement ensuring Australia remains its major security partner, as the Australian Government seeks to limit China's influence over Pacific nations.

What's next?

Luai will remain with the third-placed Tigers (5-2) through the end of the 2027 season. The club has not made the finals in 15 years. Luai was in a similar position in 2024, signing with the Tigers a year before leaving the Panthers. He won a fourth premiership that season.

"We won a comp that year," he said. "Hopefully that's a good sign for the boys."

Looking back…

Champions League
(Semi-final, 1st Leg)

Who: PSG v Bayern Munich

Result: PSG won 5-4

NBA Playoffs (First Round)

Who: Trail Blazers v Spurs (Game 5) 
Result: Spurs won 114-95
(Spurs win series 4-1)

Who: 76ers v Celtics (Game 5)
Result: 76ers won 113-97
(Celtics lead 3-2)

Who: Hawks v Knicks (Game 5) 
Result: Knicks won 126-97
(Knicks lead 3-2)

Looking forward… (All times are AEDT)

UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final, First Leg)

Who: Atlético Madrid v Arsenal

Time: 5am Wednesday

Where to watch: Stan Sport

NBA Playoffs (First Round)

Who: Magic v Pistons
(Game 5, Magic lead 3-1)
Time: 9am Thursday

Who: Raptors v Cavaliers
(Game 5, Series tied 2-2)
Time: 9:30am Thursday

Who: Rockets v Lakers
(Game 5, Lakers lead 3-1)
Time: 12pm Thursday

Where to watch: ESPN (via Disney+, Kayo, Foxtel), NBA League Pass

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