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The future is here. According to local Chinese media, dozens of humanoid robots will compete in a half-marathon alongside thousands of people in April. 

The robots, built by universities, private companies, and robotics clubs around the world, must resemble humans and cannot have wheels. They are also limited to a height range between 50 centimetres and two metres. 

Maybe a world where we watch robots play sport is closer than we think. But could sport ever be as entertaining without human stories attached?

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Stat of the day

4
The number of Australian cricketers who have scored 10,000 Test runs. Australia’s captain, Steve Smith, became the fourth member of the exclusive group yesterday on the opening day of the side’s first Test against Sri Lanka. Smith needed one run to reach the milestone and did so on the first ball he faced before going on to score his 35th Test century. Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh are the three others to have scored at least 10,000 runs.

Quote of the day

"We play for him. We want to win for him and, to be honest, we have similar ideas. I am very positive as a guy and I always want to play that football he wants. I have to fight for him because I believe in that football too. Yes, I think he's the right man."
Tottenham Hotspurs star and Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski speaking to reporters about his coach Ange Postecoglou. With the Spurs sitting 15th in the premier league, Postecoglou, the former Socceroos coach has faced a steady stream of criticism in his first season as the club’s coach. The Spurs remain in contention in the Europa League and will play their final match of the opening stage against Swedish club Elfsborg tomorrow at 7:00am (AEDT).

Random fact of the day

Thea LaFond’s gold medal in the women’s triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics is the only medal ever won at the Games by a representative of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. Dominica is also the only country whose sole Olympic medal is a gold one. 

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In case you missed it…

⚽ This morning saw 18 Champions League games on the final matchday of the tournament’s league stage. Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Belgian club Brugge saw the 2023 title winners escape an early elimination, finishing 22nd. After seven straight wins in the Champions League, Liverpool lost 3-2 to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven but still topped the league. The bottom 12 teams of the 36 were eliminated, while the remaining 16 are in two groups: those through to the round of 16, and those left to fight for the other spots. 

⛳ Northern Irish golfer Tom McKibbin has confirmed a switch to LIV golf, the PGA Tour’s rival competition. The 22-year-old decided against the advice of his mentor and fellow countryman Rory McIlroy, an outspoken opponent of the Saudi-backed golf circuit. The move means McKibbin will give up the PGA Tour card he earned for this season and instead play in LIV Golf’s first tournament of the season in Riyadh on 6 February. 

🏎️ Incoming Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli has passed his Italian driver’s license test. The 18-year-old Italian, who will drive alongside George Russell at Mercedes, posted the announcement on social media. Elsewhere in F1 news, Lewis Hamilton is uninjured following a crash during testing in Barcelona with his new team Ferrari. 

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Australia’s men’s and women’s Test teams in action

In Galle, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have helped Australia to a strong start in the men’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the pair of veteran batsmen scoring centuries in the opening innings.

Meanwhile, the Aussie women began their campaign to whitewash England in the Ashes at the MCG this afternoon.

What happened on Day One

After Australia won the toss, stand-in captain Smith elected to bat first. Travis Head and Khawaja opened the batting for Australia. The decision to move Head up the order and sit young gun Sam Konstas out caused a stir in the lead-up to the match but proved wise, with Head smashing the fourth-fastest Test 50 ever by an Australian in 35 balls.

Head was eventually caught on 57 as Khawaja built a steady innings. Khawaja was joined by Smith after Marnus Labushagne was dismissed on 20 runs, and the pair batted through to the end of the day with Australia on 330 runs having lost just two wickets.

Women’s Ashes begin today

The final match of the women’s multi-format Ashes series began today at the MCG. Australia and England are facing off in a day-night Test to round out the series. While Australia has already claimed an outright series win and retained the Ashes, they have made it clear they are looking to “embarrass” England with a whitewash. England will be playing with something to prove.

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Host cities confirmed for 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia

Almost three years after Australia was confirmed to host the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, World Rugby has announced the tournament’s matches will be played across seven cities. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, and Townsville will all play a role in hosting the tournament, as well as Sydney, where the final will be played.

2027 Rugby World Cup

The six-week tournament will feature 24 teams. The tournament’s final will return to Sydney’s Accor Stadium, 24 years after it hosted the 2003 World Cup final. England beat the Wallabies at that decider, courtesy of a Jonny Wilkinson field goal in the late stages of the match.

While there is plenty of rugby to be played between now and 2027, it’s almost certain two-time defending champions South Africa will come to Australia as tournament favourites. The Springboks will be hoping to become the first team since the tournament’s inception in 1987 to win the Webb Ellis Cup three consecutive times.

Qualification

Australia and 11 other teams (Argentina, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales) have already earned automatic qualification for the tournament. The other 12 teams will be selected to join the tournament through qualifying matches in 2025. That will include four teams from Europe, one team from Asia, one team from Africa, one team from South America, three teams from the Pacific, and two additional teams decided through playoffs.

Broader impact

The event, part of Rugby Australia’s ‘golden decade’, is expected to attract more than 250,000 overseas visitors and generate $1.3 billion in visitor spending. The sporting body hopes that the 2027 World Cup will play a significant role in helping it reach its goal of 200,000 participants in Australia by 2029.

What they said:

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “We are delighted to reach another significant milestone on our journey to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The selection of these incredible host cities reflects our commitment to bring [the] Rugby World Cup to as many Australians as possible”.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson added: “It’s hard to put into words how significant a Rugby World Cup on home soil is, and to have the host cities confirmed brings another level of excitement and anticipation.”

A message from Deakin University

From day one to game day

Unlike traditional programs, Deakin’s Sport Science degree takes a comprehensive approach that integrates physical, psychological, and technological aspects of sport performance.

With strong partnerships to local and national sporting bodies, Deakin provides unique opportunities for real-world research and practical experience. So, if you want to immerse yourself in the dynamic world of elite athletic performance, Deakin is where your journey begins.

Whether you dream of working with elite AFL teams, Olympic athletes, or pioneering sports technology, Deakin equips you with the knowledge, skills, and industry connections to turn those aspirations into reality. This isn't just a degree - it's your launchpad to becoming a game-changing sport science professional.

Looking back…

Looking forward…(All times are AEDT)

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