Happy Groundhog Day (for yesterday – which means it’s still Groundhog Day today, right?)

A day that celebrates repetition, routine, and pretending that this time will be different.

Or maybe that’s just a day in the life for some sports fans?

Two
The number of mothers ranked among the top ten women’s tennis players in the world. After the Australian Open, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina are ranked ninth and tenth, respectively. It marks the first time that two mothers have been in the top ten. WTA chief executive Portia Archer said: “It reaffirms the WTA's commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed.”

"Finding this out last Friday, so close to the biggest competition of my life, was incredibly disappointing. Nevertheless, I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation.”
Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté in a statement on Instagram announcing that he will not be able perform his usual ‘Minions’ routine at the upcoming Winter Olympics due to copyright issues. The copyright for the Minions is held by Universal. He will still compete but has had to make last-minute changes to his routine, including its music.

In the AFL, Hawthorn holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the finals. The club made finals for 13 straight years between 1982 and 1995. They won five premierships during that period. The Hawks also hold the record for the most seasons without making finals, missing the pointy end of the season 32 years in a row from 1925 to 1956.

🏔️ Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler has been barred from competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics after failing a doping test just days before the Games begin. The 24-year-old tested positive for a banned substance linked to letrozole, which inhibits the body’s production of oestrogen. Passler was provisionally suspended by Italy’s anti-doping agency, prompting her immediate removal from the Olympic team. She was set to make her Olympic debut at a home Games and now faces a potential lengthy ban from the sport. The Biathlon is a Winter Olympic sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

🏉 The Wallabies will open their home Rugby World Cup in 2027 with a match against tournament debutants Hong Kong. The fixture will act as the tournament opener and be held on 1 October in Perth. Australia will then face arch-rivals New Zealand in Sydney on the second weekend. The expanded 24-team tournament will kick off ticket sales from 18 February.

🏈 The NFL will make its French debut in 2026, with a regular-season game set for Paris as part of a record nine international fixtures next season. The New Orleans Saints have been confirmed for the game at Stade de France. As the league continues its push to expand globally, it will also return to Mexico and Spain, while London hosts three games and Australia stages its first NFL match at the MCG in Melbourne.

Super Bowl Monday: the biggest show of the year

Expect huge plays, clutch moments, and a halftime show (hello, Bad Bunny) that everyone will be talking about. 

This year, there’s another first: the Super Bowl is streaming on ESPN on Disney+. Tune in Monday, 9 Feb from 10:30am AEDT. 

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Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey has missed out on selection in the NBA All-Star team, while LeBron James has extended one of the league’s most remarkable streaks with a record-breaking nod.

Here is what to know.

Despite a strong season with the Chicago Bulls, Josh Giddey was overlooked when the All-Star reserves were named on Monday. The 23-year-old had put himself firmly in contention, averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists so far this season. A hamstring issue, which has sidelined him in recent games, appears to have hurt his chances. 

Giddey could still earn a late call-up if an injury replacement is required, which would make him only the second Australian All-Star after Ben Simmons. 

The All-Star reserves are selected based on voting from coaches. 

While Giddey missed out, LeBron James was selected for a record 22nd consecutive All-Star appearance, this time as a reserve. Coaches ensured the Lakers star remained part of the showcase despite not being voted in as a starter for the first time since 2005. 

The revamped NBA All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles on 15 February, with a new ‘America vs the World’ tournament-style format set to debut this year.

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With the T20 World Cup starting this weekend, Australia is arriving with a few question marks around both form and fitness.

Here’s what to know.

Australia heads to Sri Lanka after a rough lead-in, having lost all three matches in a warm-up series against Pakistan. The losses have put a spotlight on a bowling group that is already stretched.

Josh Hazlewood will miss the start of the tournament as he recovers from an Achilles injury in Sydney. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa are also managing fitness issues, while Test captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out altogether, and Mitchell Starc has retired from T20 internationals.

As a result, Australia may need to rely on all-rounders such as Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis to cover the gaps. Several less-experienced bowlers who have been included in the 15-player squad will also get chances to prove themselves.

The batting group is under pressure too, after Australia lost a record number of wickets (22) to spin bowling during the Pakistan series.

Australia’s T20 captain Mitch Marsh tried to ease concerns on Sunday night, saying: "In isolation, purely in this series, we struggled. But over the last 18 months, I think as a team we've been one of the best teams in the world, and we've played spin really well."

The tournament begins with a group stage in Sri Lanka, where Australia will play Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman. 

These matches decide who moves on, but Australia is expected to cruise through this stage of the tournament.

From there, the competition shifts to India for the Super Eights, where the top eight teams will be separated into two pools of four teams.

Australia is likely to face stronger opponents such as India, South Africa, and the West Indies. The top two teams then advance to the semi-finals before a final decides the ultimate winner.

At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Australia failed to reach the semi-finals after losses to India and a shock defeat against Afghanistan in the Super Eight stage.

India went on to beat South Africa by seven runs in the final.

The first match of the tournament will see Pakistan take on the Netherlands on Saturday afternoon (AEDT). Australia’s first match will be against Ireland on Wednesday, 11 February.