By Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport in Brisbane

Australia have named three debutants for Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.

Israel Folau, a former rugby league international who also played Australian football before switching to union, starts at right wing.

Christian Leali’ifano gets the nod over Pat McCabe at inside centre, while Ben Mowen starts at blind-side flanker.

James O’Connor starts at fly-half for only the second time in a Test match, with Kurtley Beale on the bench.

Lions down under 2013

• Sat 1 June:
  

  Won 59-8 v Barbarians,

  Hong Kong

• Wed 5 June:
  

  Won 69-15 v Western Force,

  Perth

• Sat 8 June:
  

  Won 22-12 v Queensland Reds,

  Brisbane

• Tue 11 June:
  

  Won 64-0 v Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country,

  Newcastle

• Sat 15 June:
  

  Won 47-17 v New South Wales Waratahs,

  Sydney

• Tue 18 June:
  

  Lost 14-12 v ACT Brumbies,

  Canberra

• Sat 22 June:
  
  Australia, First Test, Brisbane
• Tue 25 June:
  
  Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
• Sat 29 June:
  
  Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
• Sat 6 July:
  
  Australia, Third Test, Sydney

Beale has only played one game of club rugby since he received treatment for alcohol-related problems after punching two Melbourne Rebels team-mates.

The versatile Berrick Barnes, who can also play at number 10 and centre, starts at full-back.

Folau, who as an 18-year-old was the youngest Australian to appear in a rugby league international, only started his first game of Super Rugby with the New South Wales Waratahs five months ago.

But his game-breaking ability sees him drafted onto the right flank, with Digby Ioane declared fit to start on the left wing after recovering from knee cartilage surgery last month.

The inclusion of Leali’ifano – ahead of the more direct McCabe – alongside the experienced Adam Ashley-Cooper suggests Australia could adopt a more expansive approach.

The 25-year-old Brumbies player will also offer a second kicking option alongside O’Connor, who has mostly played wing and full-back for the Wallabies but only one Test at number 10.

Australia came into the series without injured flankers David Pocock, George Smith and Scott Higginbotham, lock Sitaleki Timani and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.

In the absence of Pocock and Smith, Michael Hooper – man of the match in Australia’s win over England at Twickenham last year – gets the nod at open-side over fellow 21-year-old Liam Gill, who is on the bench.

Lock James Horwill returns as captain for his first Test in 18 months, having missed the entire 2012 season with a hamstring injury.

Australia team:

Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs); Israel Folau (NSW), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW), Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Reds); Benn Robinson (NSW), Stephen Moore (ACT), Ben Alexander (ACT), James Horwill (Reds – capt), Kane Douglas (NSW), Ben Mowen (ACT), Michael Hooper (NSW), Wycliff Palu (NSW).

Replacements:

Saia Fainga’a (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), S Kepu (NSW), Rob Simmons (Reds), Liam Gill (Reds) Nick Phipps (Rebels), Pat McCabe (ACT), Kurtley Beale (Rebels).

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22978702

18 June 2013
Last updated at 23:34 ET

Jill Meagher was originally from Drogheda, County Louth

Australian Adrian Bayley has been jailed for the rape and murder of Irish woman Jill Meagher.

Bayley, who had pleaded guilty, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum jail term of 35 years.

Ms Meagher, originally from County Louth, was attacked in Melbourne last September as she walked home.

The judge described Bayley as a “recidivist sex offender”. Bayley was on parole for previous rape convictions when he attacked Ms Meagher.

The case has led to criticism of the parole system in Australia’s Victoria state.

In an earlier hearing, the court was told that Bayley had a history of violent sex attacks.

Judge Geoffrey Nettle said Bayley’s rape of Ms Meagher was “savage and degrading”.

“This is a recidivist, violent sex offender who intended to kill and this killing is amongst the worst of its kind,” he said.

However, he said that Bayley’s guilty plea had to be taken into consideration in the sentence.

“As bad as your crimes are, you will have the opportunity in jail to strive for rehabilitation and I propose to set a non-parole period as an incentive for you to try.”

‘Huge smile’

In a statement, Ms Meagher’s family said: “This despicable crime against Gillian has happened and it has taken nine months to get resolved and to get justice.”

“The police and prosecutors have ensured that justice has been done and we as a family want to thank them for this.”

Ms Meagher’s husband, Tom, said in a statement last week that his life would “never be normal again”.

“I miss her insight, fun and wit, her huge smile and infectious personality,” he said.

Ms Meagher, who was originally from Drogheda, moved to Australia from Ireland in 2009 with her husband.

She worked for ABC Radio but went missing during a night out with colleagues.

Her body was discovered six days later buried on the outskirts of the city.

News of her death prompted thousands to take part in a rally against violence against women.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22935071#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Sri Lanka progressed into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with victory over Australia, who failed in their ‘mission improbable’ at The Oval.

The holders had to win and reach the 254-run target set by their opponents inside only 29.1 overs in order to qualify, but it proved to be too great an ask.

After a good start, the run-rate dropped as they missed the first target before losing the match by 20 runs.

Sri Lanka join England in the semis.

Champions Trophy Group A

P

W

L

Tied

N/R

Pts

R/R

Eng

3

2

1

0

0

4

+0.31

SL

3

2

1

0

0

4

-0.2

NZ

3

1

1

0

1

3

-0.78

Aus

3

0

2

0

1

1

-0.68

South Africa await Group A winners England in the last-four clash at The Oval on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka, who could have finished top of Group A had they bowled Australia out for 164 or less, will face India in Cardiff on Thursday.

“We are playing hard and passionate cricket. That has been the mantra of our success in the past and I hope it continues in the future also,” said man-of-the-match Mahela Jayawardene.

“We look forward to another tough match in the semi-final.”

Having lost their opening match to England and suffered a washout against New Zealand, Australia faced a big task even before a ball was bowled.

They won the toss and elected to field with the mindset of bowling out their opponents cheaply and achieving their target in quick time.

But Sri Lanka, who knew a victory without considering permutations would see them qualify, frustrated Australia with patient batting.

Sri Lanka’s run-rate never rose above 5.00 after the fourth over, knowing they needed to play safe in order to set a competitive target for the Baggy Greens.

Only Dinesh Chandimal showed some urgency in the last few overs, smashing Clint McKay for six in the 44th over – the first and only six of the innings.

Jayawardene hung around from the 23rd over to the very end for his unbeaten 84.

It was a good if unremarkable innings, however the 36-year-old surpassed 11,000 runs in one-day cricket – only the eighth batsman to do so.

Watson lost his wicket leaving Australia on just 9-1

Lahiru Thirimanne was the only other batsman to make a half-century in the match, falling for 57 when Shane Watson caught his pull-shot at mid-wicket off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson. The Queensland paceman was the pick of the Australia bowlers, taking 3-48.

Australia lost an early wicket when opener Watson (five) was bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara, but that did not detract them from the task in hand as the run-rate leapt to more than 8.00, near what was required of them.

However, their plans were decimated as four wickets fell in quick succession to leave them on 80-5. The dismissal of stand-in captain George Bailey summed up the calamitous period when he was run-out in mid-jog unaware that Kulasekara’s throw was about to hit his stumps.

Adam Voges (49) caused some frustration, but after he fell Sri Lanka must have thought victory was theirs.

But it appeared there might be one more twist, as the final-wicket pairing of McKay and Xavier Doherty stubbornly batted on knowing Australia could still win the match, although tournament progression was out of the question.

However, needing 20 runs to secure an unlikely victory, McKay looped Tillakaratne Dilshan’s delivery back at him to the delight of bowler and the passionate Sri Lanka fans.

“It would have been nice to get over the line in the end,” said Australia skipper Bailey.

“Our goal was to do it in 29 overs, but we never got going. But it was good to see the last two fight it out.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/22944881

13 June 2013
Last updated at 07:53 ET

Australia’s military has faced a series of sex scandals

Australia’s army has launched an investigation after explicit and derogatory emails circulated over the last three years were uncovered.

Although details of the emails have not been disclosed, they have been described as “highly inappropriate” and demeaning about female staff members.

Three people have been suspended and 14 are under investigation, officials say.

This comes after a government report last year detailed several incidents of abuse in the military.

Army chief Lieutenant-General David Morrison said this inquiry revolves around the production and distribution of “highly inappropriate” material over the last three years.

He described the emails – comprising text and images – as “explicit, derogatory, demeaning and repugnant”.

“I view the allegations that are being made in the gravest light,” he said, adding that it was worse than the military sex scandal which rocked the country in 2011.

He added that the highest-ranking official involved was a lieutenant-colonel and others included majors, warrant officers, sergeants and corporals. At least 90 other people, mostly from the army, are also implicated in the emails, officials say.

Lt-Gen Morrison said he has apologised on behalf of the army to at least four of the female victims, who he said were angry and concerned about the situation.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith described the conduct of those involved as “despicable”.

Australia began a series of inquiries into its military after an incident in April 2011 in which two cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy were accused of secretly filming a female cadet having sex and broadcasting it on the internet.

The investigation received more than 1,000 claims of sexual, physical and mental abuse dating from the 1950s. The government apologised to victims last year.

A separate review by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick warned that women were failing to thrive in the Australian military and were under-represented in it.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22885465#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

12 June 2013
Last updated at 04:14 ET

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the menu followed a pattern of opposition behaviour

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described a menu distributed at an opposition party fundraiser that made crude and derogatory comments about her body as “grossly sexist”.

The menu was presented at a dinner for former minister and Liberal National Party election candidate Mal Brough.

It offered up “Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail – Small Breasts, Huge Thighs and a Big Red Box”.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott condemned the incident, calling the menu “tacky”.

“I condemn it, as Mal Brough has. We should all be bigger and better than that,” he said. “We should be appealing to every Australian’s best self as we go into this election.”

But he rejected the suggestion he should withdraw support for Mr Brough, a Liberal lawmaker who served as a minister under John Howard and is seeking a return to office in a Queensland safe seat.

Ms Gillard called for Mr Brough to be disendorsed, saying the menu followed a “pattern of behaviour” from the opposition.

“Mr Abbott’s solution to this pattern of behaviour is not to show any leadership. I mean, he’s effectively stood by Mr Brough,” she said.

The fundraising dinner, in late March, was attended by about 20 people, with shadow treasurer Joe Hockey as the guest of honour.

The menu card in question also mocked former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and two other Labor party lawmakers, as well as the Greens.

Both Mr Hockey and Mr Brough have told local media they do not recall having seen the menu.

Mr Brough – who has apologised – said the text was drawn up by a non-party member who was “deeply apologetic”, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

‘Banished’

Ms Gillard is Australia’s first female prime minister, a role she has held since ousting Kevin Rudd in 2010.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

October 2012: Julia Gillard accuses Tony Abbott of a long history of misogyny and sexism

The country is to hold a general election on 14 September, with an opposition win widely expected.

Ms Gillard says she will lead the Labor Party into the polls, despite ongoing speculation that some party lawmakers wish to replace her with Mr Rudd.

On Tuesday she warned of the possible erosion of women’s rights under an Abbott-led government, prompting a fierce rebuttal from the opposition.

The prime minister had suggested in a speech at a fundraising function that an Abbott win would see women’s voices “banished” from political life and abortion become “the political plaything of men who think they know better”.

The deputy opposition leader later called her comments a “crude political ploy”, accusing her of trying to divide votes through a “false gender war”.

Mr Abbott – a Catholic – has in recent years distanced himself from comments he made in 2004 calling Australia’s abortion rate a “national tragedy”.

Last year, Ms Gillard sparked headlines around the world with a fiery speech in parliament accusing Mr Abbott of misogyny – a move that prompted Australia’s leading dictionary to redefine the word.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22852742#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

11 June 2013
Last updated at 00:05 ET

Two men have died and two more are in a critical condition after drinking home-brewed alcohol in the Australian state of Queensland.

Local reports said the group had been drinking grappa, a spirit made from grapes, at a house near Stanthorpe in south-east Queensland on Saturday.

A 22 year-old man died at the property and a 30-year-old man died in hospital.

Two other men, aged 21 and 26, remain in a critical condition in a Brisbane hospital.

Police said they would investigate whether the spirit was solely to blame for the deaths.

State Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said health officials were also investigating.

“There will also need to be some consideration as to what risk factors were involved here and what might be able to or need to be done to protect people in the future,” the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted him as saying.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22837659#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Australia have confirmed Queensland Reds lock James Horwill as captain for the three-Test series against the British Irish Lions.

Horwill, 28, has won 35 caps for the Wallabies since his debut in 2007.

Meanwhile, forward Hugh McMeniman, who can play at lock or flanker, has joined up with the Aussie squad at their training base in Queensland.

The hosts have also named their final squad for the Test series, which begins on 22 June, later on Monday.

Full squad:

Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels), Nick Cummins (Western Force), Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs), Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds), Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs), Will Genia (Queensland Reds), Liam Gill (Queensland Reds), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Peter Kimlin (Brumbies), Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Hugh McMeniman(Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Ben Mowen (Brumbies), James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Joe Tomane (Brumbies).

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22837581

10 June 2013
Last updated at 00:06 ET

Many asylum seekers make the dangerous journey by sea to Australia

Australian authorities have called off rescue efforts for a boat carrying asylum seekers that sank north of Christmas Island.

The search for survivors was abandoned late on Sunday, two days after the submerged vessel was first spotted in the sea.

At least 55 people were thought to have been on the boat, Australian authorities said.

Ships and aircraft had spotted a total of 13 bodies, as well as debris.

The boat was seen northwest of Christmas Island – the closest piece of Australian territory to Indonesia – on Wednesday, when it did not appear to be in distress.

A navy vessel subsequently went to intercept it, but could not find it. An aircraft spotted its submerged hull on Friday.

Officials said about 55 people had appeared to be on the boat. Their nationality was not known, but most of the asylum-seekers who make their way by boat to Australia via Indonesia come from Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both ships and aircraft searched for survivors over the weekend, but the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) called off the search late on Sunday, citing medical advice that no-one could have survived any longer in the water.

Discussions were underway on whether an operation to recover the bodies should be launched, AMSA said.

“This is another terrible tragedy, another terrible reminder how dangerous these journeys are,” Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said on Sunday.

In recent months the number of people attempting to make their way to Australia by boat has risen significantly.

Last year, the government re-established offshore processing camps for asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea and Nauru in a bid to deter people from making the dangerous journey across the sea in overcrowded and poorly-maintained vessels.

But the offshore processing policy – and the conditions in the camps – have been heavily criticised by rights groups and UN agencies, and boat numbers have also continued to rise.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22837348#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

James Anderson led an exceptional bowling display as England opened their Champions Trophy campaign with a 48-run victory over Australia at Edgbaston.

Ian Bell’s measured 91 was the cornerstone of England’s 269-6, while Jonathan Trott made 47 and Ravi Bopara supplied late impetus with 46 not out off 37 balls.

Despite 55 from stand-in skipper George Bailey and James Faulkner’s lusty unbeaten 54, Australia laboured to 221-9 on a largely blameless surface.

England ODI wicket-takers

237:

J Anderson (170 matches)

234:

D Gough (158 matches)

168:

A Flintoff (138 matches)

155:

S Broad (98 matches)

145:

I Botham (116 matches)

115:

P DeFreitas (103 matches)

111:

P Collingwood (197 matches)

103:

G Swann (78 matches)

92:

T Bresnan (73 matches)

80:

B Willis (64 matches)

Anderson claimed 3-30 to become

England’s leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals,

Tim Bresnan took 2-45 and James Tredwell, playing in place of the injured Graeme Swann, had tidy figures dented by some late hitting.

Victory not only gave England the early advantage in Group A after the first of their three round-robin games, but served as an early psychological blow against Australia before the Ashes start next month.

However, one suspects Sri Lanka, at The Oval on Thursday, and New Zealand will pose a stiffer test than an Australia team that were bowled out for 65 in their final warm-up game and were missing injured captain and best batsman Michael Clarke here.

There remains room for improvement for England – a middle-order collapse threatened to undermine a promising start with the bat and two catches and a stumping, albeit tough, went begging – but coach Ashley Giles can be pleased with their performance in front of an exuberant crowd basking in the Birmingham sunshine.

England’s remaining fixtures

13 June: Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

16 June: New Zealand, Cardiff

The skills exhibited by Anderson and company, who found reverse swing that eluded the Australia seamers on a dry yet flat surface, rendered the debate over England’s total redundant after they wasted a start that saw them reach 168-1 after they won the toss.

Stuart Broad located David Warner’s edge early on and Bresnan had Shane Watson taken at gully via inside edge and pad for 24 in one of four maidens bowled in the first 15 overs of Australia’s reply.

Phil Hughes had twice been reprieved by the time he was lbw for 30 attempting to pull Joe Root’s part-time off-spin, and Bailey’s resourceful contribution became increasingly futile as four wickets tumbled for 24 runs in 27 balls.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

The exceptional Anderson was central to that collapse, accounting for Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade in an over that saw him surpass Darren Gough, on 234 wickets, as England’s most prolific bowler in one-day cricket.

Adam Voges was bowled by Bresnan and Bailey hoisted Tredwell to long-on either side either side of that; Mitchell Johnson – jeered all day – skied a Bopara full toss to point; and

Anderson capped another record-breaking day

by cleaning up the third Mitchell in the Australia side. Faulkner’s 38-ball half-century was all but irrelevant.

Man-of-the-match Bell and Cook batted with as much fluency as anyone in the game in adding 57 for the first wicket before the skipper was caught chasing Watson.

Steady accumulation was the principle feature of Bell and Trott’s 111-run alliance for the second wicket, although the fact they managed a combined five fours in 22 overs suggested scoring was not as easy as many observers initially expected on a pale, dry surface.

England v Australia ODI history

Both teams now have 25 wins, with two ties and one no-result

The most notable feature of Trott’s innings was a verbal exchange with Wade after he inadvertently impeded the Australia wicketkeeper, but any sense that England’s momentum would improve with his departure proved premature as five wickets fell for the addition of 45 runs.

After Trott wafted at a Starc delivery which would have been called wide had he missed it, left-armer Faulkner arced one back to bowl Bell, then Root clipped the impressive Clint McKay tamely to midwicket in the next over.

Eoin Morgan was bowled round his legs as he stepped across his stumps to McKay, and a leaden-footed Jos Buttler played on driving at Faulkner two balls later.

With England’s ambitions of reaching 300 long since revised, it was left to Bopara – mixing the occasional drive over the top with sprightly running – and the muscular Bresnan to carry them to a total that proved more than adequate.

Australia were fined for a slow over-rate after it was ruled they were one over short of their target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration. Skipper Bailey was fined 20% of his match fee while his players received 10% fines.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/22829318

By Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport with the Lions in Australia

Ireland wing Simon Zebo has become the third player to be called up to the British and Irish Lions squad on tour in Australia.

Zebo, 23, has been summoned as cover, with uncertainty over whether compatriot Tommy Bowe

will be able to play any further part in the tour.

Bowe has undergone an operation to repair a broken bone in his hand, sustained in Saturday’s

win over Queensland Reds

in Brisbane.

British and Irish Lions fixtures

• Sat 1 June:
  
  Won

  59-8

  v Barbarians, Hong Kong

• Wed 5 June:
  
  Won

  69-17

  v Western Force, Perth

• Sat 8 June:
  
  Won

  22-12

  v Queensland Reds, Brisbane

• Tue 11 June:
  
  Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
• Sat 15 June:
  
  New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
• Tue 18 June:
  
  ACT Brumbies, Canberra
• Sat 22 June:
  
  Australia, First Test, Brisbane
• Tue 25 June:
  
  Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
• Sat 29 June:
  
  Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
• Sat 6 July:
  
  Australia, Third Test, Sydney

Zebo will join the squad on Tuesday.

The Munster man, capped five times, will travel from the United States, where

Ireland beat the hosts 15-12

in the first Test of their summer tour on Saturday.

The Lions said Bowe’s condition will be assessed over the next days.

Another winger, Rob Kearney, is yet to play any part in the tour after suffering a torn hamstring but is expected to return to training this week.

Zebo, who can also play at full-back, was a strong contender for a place in the original Lions squad after a sparkling start to the Six Nations in Ireland’s win over Wales.

But he broke a metatarsal in his right foot early in the second game of the Championship against England, and only returned to action in the final few games of the season.

Zebo joins England prop Alex Corbisiero and Scotland loose-head Ryan Grant in receiving a summons to join the original squad after injuries to Cian Healy and Gethin Jenkins.

Corbisiero and Grant will both be pitched straight into action as part of the match-day squad for Tuesday’s game

against a Combined Queensland-New South Wales Country XV in Newcastle.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22831486