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NATHAN CLEARY HIGHLIGHTS ENGLAND’S STRENGTH, AUSTRALIA MUST TAKE NOTICE IMMEDIATELY

Ahead of the Ashes series opener at Wembley, Australian halfback Nathan Cleary has downplayed the Kangaroos' favourite tag against England, insisting the best team on the day will win.

Nathan Cleary Highlights England’s Strength, Australia Must Take Notice Immediately
Nathan Cleary Signals Australia About England Player Posing Serious Challenge - COURTESY/PHOTO

Ahead of Saturday's Ashes series start against England at Wembley, Australian halfback Nathan Cleary has downplayed the Kangaroos' reputation as favourites.

The best players in the NRL are on the tourists' roster, and the bookmakers have Kevin Walters' team as a 1/4 favourite.

Cleary, who helped the Penrith Panthers win four straight NRL Premiership titles from 2021 to 2024, is considered one of the best players in the world. However, he exercised caution before Saturday's game.

"To be honest, we all need to give it our all if we want to defeat England," he stated.

It is simple to recognise skill on the teamsheet, but the team that fits together the best and puts in the most effort for one another will win on Saturday.

"It is crucial to avoid concentrating too much on the person."

Cleary was unable to dispute that certain people will have a greater influence than others, though.

One name sticks out among the twenty-four-man England team that head coach Shaun Wane chose for this series, even though six of them are based in Australia.

Cleary declared, "Herbie Farnworth is the best of the group."

"In the NRL and when he plays for England, he is an exceptional player."

After moving to Australia as a child from Burnley, the 25-year-old centre has emerged as one of the NRL's top players, first with the Brisbane Broncos and now with their local rivals, the Dolphins.

However, Cleary sees another, more important link between Australia and the UK in this series.

Mary Fowler, an Australian international football player and his girlfriend travelled to Europe in 2020 with the French team Montpellier and now plays as a striker for Manchester City.

"On Saturday, she will be cheering for Australia," Cleary said, grinning.

"I have visited her a few times already, both to play rugby and to see her. Being over here is usually enjoyable for me.

The native of New South Wales was a member of the Australian team that won the 2022 World Cup in England. He returned with Penrith for the 2024 World Club Challenge, where they lost to Wigan Warriors 16–12.

Before the longstanding rivals square off in front of sold-out crowds at Leeds's AMT Headingley and Liverpool's newly opened Hill Dickinson Stadium, Cleary is enjoying playing at Wembley.

"I am most looking forward to playing at Wembley," stated Cleary.

"We went to view the pitch, and it is incredible to consider that we will be performing here.

"I am really appreciative of the chance and the fact that it is in such a renowned stadium where so many outstanding teams and athletes have played."

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES TRADE JAREN JACKSON JR. TO UTAH JAZZ IN 8-PLAYER BLOCKBUSTER

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, creating a record $28.8 million trade exception for 2026.

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Grizzlies finalise Jaren Jackson Jr. deal

The Memphis Grizzlies turned heads on Tuesday, pulling off a blockbuster trade that sent two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz. Along with Jackson, the Grizzlies shipped out Vince Williams Jr, John Konchar, and Jock Landale. Coming back their way: Walter Clayton Jr, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and, maybe the most important part, three future first-round picks.

And honestly, it feels like Memphis isn’t done stirring the pot. Inside the organisation, they see Zach Edey and Cedric Coward as the future. Both went late in the lottery in the past two drafts, and the Grizzlies landed some value in the second round this year, too, grabbing Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.

All this movement means Ja Morant’s future in Memphis suddenly looks shaky. He’s been the face of the franchise since they took him No. 2 overall back in 2019. When he’s healthy, he’s electric—no question. But injuries and off-court drama have slowed him down, and now, with the trade deadline closing in, the Grizzlies are openly shopping him. Teams around the league are watching.

There’s another wrinkle here: by dealing Jackson, Memphis created a massive trade exception—$28.8 million, the biggest in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania. It’s a huge chess piece. With that exception, the Grizzlies can absorb big, ugly contracts from other teams in exchange for more draft picks. Think of what the Thunder did a few years back—stockpiling picks by taking on bad deals until they rebuilt into a contender.

Now, you’ve probably heard Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name floating around in trade rumours. He hasn’t officially asked out of Milwaukee, but everyone in the league expects something to happen soon. Teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks are circling. The Grizzlies? They’re not likely to chase Giannis directly. But with that trade exception, they could play a big role as a third team—taking on salary dumps or unwanted contracts, collecting more picks, and helping another franchise pull off the Giannis blockbuster. Memphis just put itself squarely in the middle of the NBA’s hottest rumour.

KLINT KUBIAK SNUBS NFL RIVALS TO LEAD RAIDERS’ NEW ERA UNDER TOM BRADY

The Las Vegas Raiders are zeroing in on Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, with Tom Brady leading the search.

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Klint Kubiak is set for the Raiders as Seahawks coach faces the New England Patriots

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of a huge shakeup right now. Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is set to become their new head coach—and honestly, he’s nothing like Pete Carroll.

Kubiak’s still in his 30s, calling plays on offence, while Carroll just wrapped up last season as the NFL’s oldest head coach. The Raiders had their eyes on Ben Johnson previous year, but when he decided to take the Bears job, they turned to Carroll instead.

This time, Las Vegas seemed to have that same level of interest in Kubiak, but they had to wait things out because Seattle was still in the playoffs. Tom Brady, who’s a minority owner with the Raiders, clearly played a big part in picking the new coach.

Since nothing’s official until after the Super Bowl, Brady can’t come right out and talk about Kubiak joining the team. Still, he didn’t hold back when it came to sharing what he liked about the guy.

“Klint’s played to his team’s strengths. Last week, he did a ton of good things against a really strong Rams defence,” Brady said on the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “That’s what it took for them to win. The Rams are a tough team. That game in Seattle could’ve gone either way... Seattle really had to play a complete game in all three phases to pull it out, and they’ll need to do the same this weekend in Santa Clara.”

Brady also talked about Fernando Mendoza.

Another big reason the Raiders’ coaching job is so appealing? They’ve got the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Everyone expects them to grab Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Brady doesn’t have to be secretive about it—nobody’s jumping ahead of them in the draft. He was pretty open about how much he likes Mendoza.

“What do I value most? When I see him, he’s always talking up his teammates. He wins the Heisman, and he’s giving credit to everyone else,” Brady said. “That’s the kind of attitude you want in a leader.”

Kubiak focused on the Super Bowl, not the job switch.

Kubiak’s career is about to take off, but right now, he’s locked in on trying to win his first Super Bowl. So, he isn’t ready to talk about the Raiders just yet.

“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that’s all I’m thinking about,” Kubiak told reporters on Monday. “I’m just excited for this week and this game.”

Not everyone in Seattle is thrilled to see Kubiak go. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had nothing but praise after working with him this year.

“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday. “The stuff I picked up from Klint—just with schemes, and then learning from him as a coach and a person—the grit. He’s up before the sun, gets to the facility at 4 or 4:30, and leaves later than anyone. The guy just grinds. He loves football, and he’s always straight with his players. I know I really appreciated that, and so did the rest of the guys.”

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