Press conference news — SportsCatch

Barnes hints standout All Blacks performers could still miss Italy Test in Wellington

All Blacks senior assistant Neil Barnes has revealed the coaching staff are weighing squad development against competitive respect for Italy, suggesting some players who performed well against France may not retain their places for Saturday's Nations Championship clash in Wellington.

Rugby Jul 7

Jordie Barrett backs All Blacks rotation ahead of Italy test in Wellington

Jordie Barrett has endorsed the All Blacks' plan to ring the changes for their Nations Championship clash with Italy in Wellington, saying squad-wide rotation is the best strategy for long-term cohesion under Dave Rennie.

Rugby Jul 7

Martinez steps down as Portugal coach after Merino's late goal ends World Cup 2026 campaign

Roberto Martinez has confirmed he is leaving his role as Portugal head coach after a 1-0 round-of-16 defeat to Spain at World Cup 2026, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the only goal in added time in Dallas.

Football Jul 6

Barnes hails Jacobson as 'outstanding' after doubted All Blacks selection delivers against France

All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes has backed Luke Jacobson's surprise selection against France, praising the Chiefs captain's 18-tackle performance and try assist as proof the 29-year-old fully deserved his place in the squad.

Rugby Jul 6

Hart tells Tuchel he 'got it wrong' to attack referees after England's 3-2 win over Mexico

Thomas Tuchel publicly condemned the officiating after England's hard-fought 3-2 victory at the Azteca, but former England goalkeeper Joe Hart says the manager misread the moment by targeting referees after such an impressive performance.

Football Jul 6

Balogun's red-card reprieve gives Belgium extra motivation, warns Carli Lloyd

FIFA's last-minute decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension ahead of the USA's Copa América clash with Belgium has put a target on the American forward, according to Fox Sports analyst Carli Lloyd.

Football Jul 6

England weigh Quansah red card appeal after Trump's Balogun intervention sets World Cup precedent

England say they are 'considering all options' over Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, after FIFA used Article 27 of its disciplinary code to lift Folarin Balogun's ban following a call from Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino.

Football Jul 6

Stones warns England know Haaland's game ahead of World Cup quarter-final with Norway

John Stones says England have 'huge respect' for Norway and Erling Haaland as Thomas Tuchel's side prepare for their World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Saturday. The defender, who spent a decade alongside Haaland at Manchester City, believes England's gritty ten-man win over Mexico will give the squad confidence.

Football Jul 6

McGregor declares himself 'in my prime' ahead of UFC 329 return against Holloway

Conor McGregor has promised a 'masterpiece' performance when he rematches Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena on July 11, five years after suffering a leg break against Dustin Poirier.

MMA Jul 6

Tuchel warns erratic refereeing could end England's World Cup campaign after Mexico scare

Thomas Tuchel launched a sharp attack on World Cup officiating standards after England beat Mexico despite having Harry Kane penalised and Jarell Quansah sent off, warning that a bad decision could eliminate any team at any moment.

Football Jul 6

Du Plessis accuses Usman of stalling on UFC Oklahoma City contract: 'He didn't want to sign'

Dricus du Plessis claims Kamaru Usman had to be convinced by the UFC to sign their July 18 middleweight main event, with the South African saying he wants the fight to silence doubts about his wrestling and grappling after losing his belt to Khamzat Chimaev.

MMA Jul 6

McGregor's coach declares Irishman in best shape ever ahead of UFC 329 return

After a five-year absence from the Octagon, Conor McGregor is preparing to face Max Holloway at welterweight in UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas. His coach Julian Dalby says McGregor has never looked better.

MMA Jul 6

Eblen questions van Steenis injury after PFL Austin withdrawal forces interim title bout

Johnny Eblen has publicly doubted the severity of Costello van Steenis's injury after the PFL middleweight champion withdrew from their July 18 rematch in Austin. Eblen will now face Impa Kasanganay for the interim title at Moody Center.

MMA Jul 6

Adams urges Wales to move on from 125-point autumn horror ahead of Argentina and Springboks tests

Josh Adams has called on Wales to build on three successive victories rather than dwell on last autumn's heavy defeats to Argentina and South Africa, as the squad prepares to face both sides in the Nations Championship.

Rugby Jul 6

Russell admits Silverstone podium was undeserved as Antonelli's pace exposes Mercedes gap

George Russell finished second at his home British Grand Prix but was candid about his performance, saying he did not deserve the result. David Coulthard echoed that view, pointing to team-mate Kimi Antonelli's superior pace before a mechanical failure ended the Italian's charge.

Formula 1 Jul 6

Holloway braced for best McGregor as pair renew rivalry at UFC 329 after 13 years

Max Holloway says he is preparing for the best possible version of Conor McGregor ahead of their UFC 329 rematch on 11 July, 13 years after McGregor claimed a unanimous decision win in their first meeting back in 2013.

MMA Jul 6

Coulthard urges FIA to prioritise entertainment after Silverstone safety car finish denies sprint finale

David Coulthard has called on the FIA to make entertainment a priority after the British Grand Prix ended under the safety car, robbing fans of a green-flag finish despite Charles Leclerc's historic victory for Ferrari.

Formula 1 Jul 6

Olmo dismisses Real Madrid's criticism as envy after two trophy-less years

Dani Olmo has told RAC1 that Real Madrid's public attacks on Barcelona are a predictable response to two barren seasons for Los Blancos, during which the Blaugrana collected La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel hails England's 3-2 win over Mexico as feeling 'like we won the final'

Thomas Tuchel described England's dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the 2026 World Cup as 'a moment of joy' and 'almost like we won a final', after his side survived 40 minutes with 10 men at altitude to reach the quarter-finals.

Football Jul 6

Wolff wishes Abu Dhabi 2021 had been handled like Silverstone's safety car finish

Toto Wolff praised the FIA for correctly following safety car procedures at the British Grand Prix, joking he wished the same rules had applied in Abu Dhabi 2021. A software error briefly suggested a restart was coming, prompting boos from the Silverstone crowd.

Formula 1 Jul 6