Sports
Sorensen-McGee hat-trick as World Cup holders New Zealand thump Ireland | The Express Tribune
LONDON:
Teenage rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee grabbed a hat-trick of tries as reigning champions New Zealand secured top spot in Pool C of the Women’s Rugby World Cup with an emphatic 40-0 rout of Ireland in Brighton on Sunday.
Victory saw the record six-time World Cup winners gain revenge for their shock 29-27 loss to Ireland at last year’s WXV tournament in Vancouver, with 18-year-old wing Sorensen-McGee leading the way on Sunday as the Black Ferns scored six tries.
New Zealand’s unbeaten group campaign means they will face South Africa in the last eight.
The Springboks, already through to their first Women’s World Cup quarter-final, were overpowered 57-10 by France later on Sunday with Les Bleues, the winners of Pool D, taking on Ireland for a place in the last four.
The other two quarter-finals had been confirmed on Saturday, with tournament favourites England — having equalled their own record of 30 straight wins — now playing Scotland, and world number twos Canada up against Australia.
New Zealand coach Allan Bunting, reflecting on the win over Ireland, said: “Job done, pretty proud of that one.”
“Scott (Bemand) and the Irish ladies really threw everything at us and put us under a lot of pressure but we were formidable on D (defence), we didn’t want to let them past and that’s what it’s going to take to go further in this competition.”
Ireland were unable to break down a dogged New Zealand defence having defiantly stared down the Black Ferns’ pre-match Haka challenge.
Ireland’s tough day was made worse by full-back Stacey Flood leaving the field in a protective boot and centre Eve Higgins leaving the pitch for a head injury assessment.
“New Zealand are a physical team so we’ve got to find a way to cross the whitewash when we get those opportunities,” bemoaned Ireland coach Bemand.
Both teams had already reached the quarter-finals before kick-off in their concluding pool game on England’s south coast, with the only outstanding issue the finishing order.
– France to ‘be at our best’ for Ireland –
France, so long England’s closest challengers in European women’s rugby, dominated the opening quarter in Northampton, with tries from full-back Emilie Boulard and centre Gabrielle Vernier.
But it was an upgraded red card for a head-on-head tackle by South Africa centre Chumisa Qawe which ultimately turned the match France’s way.
French forwards Charlotte Escudero and Agathe Gerin powered over for tries while the Springboks were a player down, before Boulard grabbed her second.
France wing Joanna Grisez scored twice, with Annaelle Deshaye and Alexandra Chambon also crossing South Africa’s line before Springbok scrum-half Nadine Roos scored a try with the last play of the game.
“Our objective was to finish first and we did it,” said impressive France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus.
She added: “We still have a bit of tweaking to do but we’ll be at our best for next week against Ireland.”
South Africa coach Swys de Bruin accepted his team had been outclassed.
“Man, that’s a big stage,” he said. “They (France) are a very strong side, their set-piece is immaculate — they taught us a lesson there today.
“But what I loved: we never stopped fighting, right to the end, and the crowd was behind us.”
Earlier in Pool C, Japan bid farewell to this World Cup by overturning a nine-point deficit at half-time to beat Spain 29-21 in York.
In another match between two previously winless sides at the tournament, Italy hammered Brazil, the first South American team to compete at a Women’s Rugby World Cup, 64-3.
Le Azzurre ran in 12 tries, six in each half, with Francesca Granzotto and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi both scoring hat-tricks.
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The University of North Carolina sidelines will look a little bit different next season.
Sure, they looked plenty different this year with Bill Belichick roaming the gridiron instead of Mack Brown, who was let go after last season.
But Belichick’s arrival was filled with controversy, largely surrounding his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. On the field, it was not much better.
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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
The school announced Friday it had “parted ways” with two of Belichick’s assistants after the school’s 4-8 season.
North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season.
“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Nell Redmond/AP)
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UNC’s offense was one of the worst in the country, ranking 119th in the Bowl Subdivision in scoring (19.3) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards).
The Tar Heels had special-teams issues coming down the stretch, too, notably with Duke running a fake field goal to set up a late game-winning touchdown and N.C. State successfully running a fake punt for a first down the following week.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
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Belichick signed a five-year deal and stated he would not head to the NFL. He and the New England Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season, and the 2024 campaign was his first away from the NFL sidelines since 1974.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland is inspired by the “incredible” career longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, 40, has scored over 950 goals and is expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, 38, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup for the first time on Dec. 6. He was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second season in a row while also receiving the league’s Golden Boot awarded to the top scorer.
Asked if Ronaldo is an inspiration for him, Haaland told TNT Brasil: “Of course. I think for every single football player on this planet, both Cristiano and Messi are an example of what you should do, how you should do to be able to perform at the highest level for 15 years in the greatest leagues.”
While Ronaldo will continue playing until at least 42 after he extended his contract with Saudi Pro-League club Al Nassr until June 2027, Argentina captain Messi penned a new deal with Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season.
“They are both inspirational,” Haaland said. “Cristiano maybe has let us in a bit more on the things he’s been doing. Look at how he takes care of his body! This is amazing. He’s 40, it’s incredible to still be able to play [at that age]. All respect to him for being able to do that. It’s not easy. “
Haaland, 25, scored his 55th goal in 54 Champions League games against Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid this week.
The goal from the penalty spot was Haaland’s first at the Bernabeu and gave City a 2-1 win.
“It’s special to come here and play,” Haaland said after Wednesday’s win.
“It’s a massive club which achieved so much, especially in this competition. It’s special to come here and win for the first time [for him] and score for the first time at the Bernabeu.”
Haaland, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing at the World Cup for the first time next year.
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He averaged two goals per game in qualifying to help Norway reach its first World Cup in 28 years.
Asked if he made an exception and had a beer or another drink during mid-season to celebrate Norway qualifying for the World Cup, Haaland said: “I don’t like beers but I did.
“It was really special to finally qualify for the World Cup, first time in 28 years. I never lived when there was a World Cup in Norway. Now I finally get to live through it. A special moment.
“It’s going to be amazing.”
Mohamed Salah is set to be included in Liverpool‘s squad for Saturday’s Premier League match with Brighton & Hove Albion, sources told ESPN.
Salah was omitted from the matchday squad for Liverpool’s midweek victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League following his explosive interview after the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
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The 33-year-old, who was dropped to the bench for a third consecutive game against Leeds, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and that his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot had broken down.
However, sources said Salah will be part of the squad this weekend following conversations with Slot on Friday, with the move felt to be in the best interests of all parties. Salah will then depart to the Africa Cup of Nations, with the forward’s future set to be discussed further in the coming weeks.
Salah suggested last weekend that the Brighton clash could be his last for Liverpool, with the forward leaving to represent Egypt on Dec. 15. He has been a long-term subject of interest from Saudi Arabia and could leave the club in January if a resolution cannot be reached with Slot and Liverpool’s hierarchy.
Speaking at his news conference earlier on Friday, Slot said he had “no reasons not wanting him to stay.”
“We have spoken a lot in the last week. After the Sunderland game there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, our representatives and him, between him and me, and today I will speak to him again,” Slot added.
The Liverpool boss said the decision of whether Salah rejoined the squad was solely his.
“I think we decided as a club — and I was part of that decision — not to take him to the Inter Milan, and I am always in contact with [sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group CEO of Football Michael Edwards], but when it comes to the decision-making of the lineup or the squad they always leave it open to me,” Slot said.
“That is not to say I don’t talk to them, mainly Richard not Michael, but I talk to him about so many things. The decision to play a player or have him in the squad — as I have experienced until now and I think this will never change — is entirely up to me.”
Liverpool are unbeaten in their past four games in all competitions. However, they have won just two of their past 10 matches in the Premier League.
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