The Breakdown | Beware the rectangle of doom: rugby union must heed lessons of Harry Potter drama

When a toenail in touch by a defending team means a try chalked off for the attackers, the rulebook is idioticSometimes big changes can be triggered by the smallest incidents, barely visible to the naked eye. In rugby union’s case the 59th minute of Australia’s game against Fiji in Newcastle, New South Wales on Sunday could be one of those moments. One fleeting officiating misjudgment in a relatively low-profile Test might be the catalyst that alters the sport’s entire way of thinking.There are occasions when rugby makes itself look idiotic and this was one of them. Fiji had just taken the lead and the Wallabies were looking slightly rattled as their wing Harry Potter ran back to field a long kick near his right touchline. Deciding to keep the ball alive he threw a long pass infield to an isolated teammate who was turned over. Fiji gleefully seized their opportunity and scored a potentially vital “try” through Sireli Maqala. Continue reading...

Comments

Sport news

Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3: Fight time, undercard, latest odds, prediction, ring walks

Evening Standard

Comments

Sport news

Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3: Fight time, undercard, latest odds, prediction, ring walks

Liverpool players return for pre-season training following death of team-mate Diogo Jota

Lions vs Brumbies: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, venue, odds

AC Milan have Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace stars on list of targets

Jamie Murray reveals how Wimbledon players really feel about 148-year change

Wales left ‘shaken’ after team bus involved in crash on eve of Women’s Euro 2025 fixture

Yankees finally moving Jazz Chisholm back to second base

Trinity Rodman calls out Wimbledon announcers over Dennis Rodman mention at boyfriend Ben Shelton’s match

New Jersey woman speaks out after being disqualified from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier to reveal teams they drafted for WNBA All-Star Game

Diogo Jota was driving above the speed limit when he crashed, Spanish police believe

Lauren Filer feeling the need for speed as England target victory against India

When is Canelo vs Crawford? Date, fight time, undercard and how to watch

British figure skating duo set for Milan hoping to prove there is more to pairs

Hamzah Sheeraz eyes Canelo showdown as he plans to ‘shoot for the stars’

Willie le Roux to win 100th cap as Springboks ring changes for second Italy clash

Diogo Jota thought to have been driving at high speed before fatal crash, Spanish police say

When is Taylor vs Serrano 3? Date, start time, undercard and how to watch fight

David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde headlines stacked card as Devin Haney boxes knockout artist Brian Norman Jr

Wimbledon crowd boos after electronic line calling ‘malfunctions’ again in Taylor Fritz match

Tottenham striker out of Thomas Frank's plans leaves club for third time

Arsenal's gamble on £70m Viktor Gyokeres as Mikel Arteta ends search for 'killer' striker

Viktor Gyokeres: Former Arsenal star advises in-demand striker on next destination

Bayern Munich enter race to sign £35m Chelsea star ahead of Man Utd

BBC commentator slammed by Trinity Rodman over Wimbledon coverage

Why England can win crunch Women’s Euro 2025 match against the Netherlands

This is the week the injury-plagued Mets have been waiting for

‘Timeless’ Toni Storm out to protect her championship from ‘horrible p—k’ Mercedes Moné at AEW All In

Caitlin Clark book author dishes to The Post on what sets the Fever star apart as scrutiny grows

How the Nets plan to use Danny Wolf’s ‘super-unique’ skills to help unlock a free-flowing offense

Tyler Glasnow rejoining Dodgers rotation in massive boost

Pacers president ‘shocked’ by Myles Turner’s Bucks deal that he learned about on social media

Francisco Alvarez showing flashes as he tries to fix ‘new version’ of swing after Mets demotion

Powell joins Heat, Collins goes to Clippers, Love and Anderson headed to Utah in 3-team trade

Keider Montero keeps Tigers pitching dominance going in 4-1 win over Rays

Dream use a 15-2 run in the 4th quarter to beat the Valkyries 90-81

Loperfido homers as the Blue Jays beat the White Sox 8-4 for their 9th consecutive win

Red Sox hit 3 home runs, power past Rockies 9-3 to post 4th straight victory

Witt Jr. and Perez homer to back Cameron's strong start as Royals beat Pirates 9-3

Peralta pitches 6 shutout innings and Brewers chase Yamamoto early in 9-1 rout of Dodgers

Guardians snap 10-game losing streak with 7-5 win over Astros

Junk and Ramírez lead surging Marlins to 5-1 win over Reds

Nakatani, a rising star in the golden age of Japanese boxing, is determined to knock out Inoue

Giants score 2 in 8th inning to beat Phillies 3-1

Byron Buxton is an All-Star again. His most important superpower for the Twins is availability.

Sami Whitcomb scores 36 and Alyssa Thomas has 16th triple-double in Mercury's win over Wings

Lions captain Maro Itoje backs Owen Farrell for England return

Olympic fencer cleared of doping after contamination from kissing partner led to failed test

Women’s Euro 2025 live: Wounded Lionesses vow ‘proper England’ performance against Netherlands

Best Football Betting Sites UK 2025: Top 10 Ranked and Reviewed

Archer return, Gill on a roll – talking points ahead of England-India third Test

Grigor Dimitrov coach plays down roof theory around injury in Jannik Sinner match

Owen Farrell set for British and Irish Lions tour debut after training return

Manchester United 'offered trio of free agent strikers' as Rasmus Hojlund pushed towards summer move

How to watch Lionesses vs Netherlands FOR FREE: TV channel and live stream for Women's Euro 2025 today

Jofra Archer: Brendon McCullum confirms 'buzzing' bowler in England selection frame for third India Test

Chelsea: Estevao Willian turns down Cole Palmer invite after Club World Cup clash

Kota Takai: New Tottenham defender reveals best quality ahead of potential weekend debut

Arsenal push to meet new Viktor Gyokeres deadline as Sporting set asking price

Why Chelsea need to sell players to register new signings for Champions League