Rising staying talent Thebudgiesmugla has justified the decision to bypass the Brisbane Cup in preference for a Listed assignment at Rosehill, maintaining its perfect 2400-metre record.

Trainer Bjorn Baker, currently in England to oversee the Royal Ascot bid of gun sprinter Overpass, opted for Saturday’s The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) in Sydney, feeling it would provide a better progression towards the Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4.

Last year’s Caloundra feature was won by Half Yours before he went on to Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup success in the spring, and the Baker stable feels Thebudgiesmugla is showing enough promise to entertain similarly lofty goals next season.

“We needed to see him win it, and we needed to see him do it on top of the ground if he’s going to be competitive in better races,” Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton said.

“We’d like to go to the Caloundra Cup with him. It’s in three weeks, 2400, good prizemoney race. It’s also a good form race for a few other races later in the year. Half Yours won that race, so we’ll head the same way.”

Starting his career in New Zealand, Thebudgiesmugla has posted four wins in Australia, all of them over 2400m.

Settling on the heels of the leaders for Dylan Gibbons on Saturday, the even-money favourite relaxed beautifully in the run and finished resolutely down the outside to defeat Black Run ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length, with another half-head to So You Are ($8.50).

Hilton admitted to getting antsy on the point of the corner when the field quickened, but said Gibbons knew what he had up his sleeve.

“I was getting itchy feet coming to the corner and willing Dylan to get going on him, because we know he takes time to wind up,” Hilton said. “But he really fights when he gets there. He doesn’t really dash but he keeps grinding. He’s still really raw, and I think there is plenty to come.”

Gibbons has ridden Thebudgiesmugla to three of its four Australian wins and like Hilton, believes the five-year-old can continue to raise the bar.

“He is built so athletic, he’s got the best attitude. He saves every penny, and he can be tough and outstay them all day,” Gibbons said.

With Baker showcasing Australian racing in London, Sky Racing’s Greg Radley suggested to Hilton that his laconic boss might seize the moment for a photo opportunity sporting a pair of budgie smugglers in front of Buckingham Palace.

“Don’t joke about it. You know he’ll do it,” Hilton quipped.

The Caloundra Cup is the next logical target, and Australian betting sites are already buzzing with anticipation for this exciting race.

Japan showed why many fans see them as one of the dark horses of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after battling back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas.

The Samurai Blue refused to give up and left the match with a valuable point. Here are three things we learnt from the game.

1. Japan Have the Character to Go Far

Japan fell behind twice but never lost belief.

After Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Netherlands, Keito Nakamura quickly levelled the match. When Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead, Japan continued to attack and were rewarded with a late equaliser from Daichi Kamada.

Their determination, energy and fighting spirit suggest they could be a difficult team for any opponent in this tournament.

2. The Netherlands Have Defensive Questions to Answer

The Dutch created chances and scored two good goals, but they struggled to keep Japan under control.

Coach Ronald Koeman will be concerned that his side failed to protect a lead on two occasions. Even after going 2-1 ahead, the Netherlands looked uncomfortable as Japan continued to push forward.

If they want to challenge for the World Cup, they will need to become more solid at the back.

3. Kamada Can Be Japan’s Big-Game Player

Kamada delivered when his country needed him most.

The Crystal Palace midfielder stayed alert in the closing stages to guide Koki Ogawa’s effort into the net and rescue a point. Beyond the goal, he was one of Japan’s most influential players in attack.

If Kamada continues to produce moments like this, he could become one of the key players for Japan during the tournament.

A Point That Could Prove Crucial

While the Netherlands will feel they dropped two points, Japan will leave Dallas with confidence. Coming back twice against one of Europe’s strongest teams has sent a clear message to the rest of Group F: Japan are not in the World Cup just to compete — they are here to challenge.

Japan twice came back from a goal down to secure a 2-2 World Cup draw with the Netherlands on Sunday as Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute deflection earned Hajime Moriyasu’s side a point in the Group F clash at Dallas Stadium. The game came to life after a tense opening 45 ⁠minutes, with Virgil van Dijk giving the Dutch the lead with a pinpoint header in the 51st minute before Keito Nakamura levelled six minutes later.

But while Crysencio Summerville looked to have won all three points for Ronald Koeman’s side with a curling strike in the 64th minute, Japan levelled when Kamada deflected Koki Ogawa’s powerful header into the net.

A ​relatively ⁠uneventful first half started promisingly for the Dutch when Donyell Malen forced Zion Suzuki into action, the Japan goalkeeper palming the ball over the bar in ⁠the third minute.

That early warning jolted the Japanese into taking control of possession, a move that limited openings for both sides. Hiroki Ito’s ‌defensive work denied Malen in the 34th minute and, from the resulting Tijjani Reijnders corner, Suzuki kept out the forward’s header before Shogo Taniguchi hacked clear.

With two minutes left in the half, Nakamura almost put Japan in front, pulling his shot wide of Bart Verbruggen’s right post having been found by Ritsu Doan’s searching cross. Moments later Ayase Ueda hit the side netting while Suzuki gathered another Malen header in stoppage time.

The Netherlands made a bright start to the second half and that were rewarded six minutes after the resumption when Van Dijk struck. Reijnders’ free kick was headed clear by Doan to Frenkie de Jong and he shuttled possession to Ryan Gravenberch for the Liverpool man to send an inviting cross towards his clubmate, who nodded beyond Suzuki via the inside of the post.

Within seven minutes the Japanese were level. Takefusa Kubo’s cutback from the byline found Nakamura lurking in the area and, after a ‌couple of touches to control, the winger drove his deflected shot into the ​bottom corner.

Parity was to last seven minutes as the Dutch reclaimed the lead through Summerville, the West Ham United winger bending a perfectly placed left-foot strike around Suzuki from just inside the area.

Kubo ⁠shot over the bar with an effort on the run as Japan sought to respond again and, with two ‌minutes remaining, their efforts ​paid off.

Substitute Ogawa powered his header towards goal ‌and, with the ball taking a deflection ​off the head of the unwitting Kamada, Verbruggen was unable to deny the Japanese a second equaliser.

There are few records left for Manuel Neuer to break in his career, but his surprise return to the Germany team for the 2026 World Cup has seen him reach new milestones.

By playing in goal during Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao, Neuer has now played at five World Cups, equaling Lothar Matthäus’s German record. His appearance also made him the oldest ever German international, aged 40 years and 79 days, breaking a record previously held Matthäus (39 years and 91 days). The game was also his 20th World Cup appearance, drawing him level with former French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as the goalkeeper with the most tournament appearances.

“Either you love football or you don’t and that’s why it’s really special for me to start this tournament together with the team,” Neuer said afterwards. “I really wanted to be the man between the posts. It felt good to be on the pitch with the team.”

Neuer was rarely called into action against Curacao, but the goal he conceded did leave him frustrated.

“If it hadn’t been deflected, I would have saved it. I would have liked to have kept it out,” the keeper said afterwards.

Back from retirement

The 2014 World Cup winner is two years older than head coach Julian Nagelsmann, but Germany’s coach had no doubts about asking the legendary keeper if he wanted to come out of retirement.

“He doesn’t need time to settle in at his age. He knows how to handle high-pressure situations,” Nagelsmann said of the decision. The 38-year-old also received support from German Football Association (DFB) Sporting Director Rudi Völler. “He knows most of the players from Bayern Munich, too. He’s been around for so long; nothing rattles him,” the 66-year-old noted.

All eyes on Neuer

Discussions surrounding the “world’s best goalkeeper” and the health of his calf dominated the headlines in the days leading up to Germany’s World Cup opener. For a long time, it was unclear whether the keeper would be fit in time, given the injury Neuer suffered late in the recently finished Bundesliga season. He arrived at the tournament having not played in Germany’s final two warm-up matches against Finland and the USA.

Oliver Baumann served as the number one during the World Cup qualifiers and delivered strong performances. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper was set to be Germany’s number one, but things turned out differently when Neuer returned.

“It was tough at first, of course. It didn’t feel great, to be honest,” Baumann admitted after the final World Cup warm-up match against the USA. “But I knew right away that I would be there for the team and make the trip.”

A keeper with an aura

Neuer’s return does carry a risk though. Due to his injury, the keeper only rejoined team training earlier in the week building up to Germany’s opener. Potential re-injury had to be avoided at all costs, given the history of Neuer’s injury issues — calf problems had already forced him into three injury-related layoffs during the season just finished.

Beyond his undisputed ability on the pitch, there is another psychological factor that could prove advantageous for Germany: the 40 year old’s aura.

“He has this special presence and this special aura,” explained defensive leader Jonathan Tah. For captain Joshua Kimmich, it was a given that Neuer is “the best goalkeeper of all time.”

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The two have played together at Bayern Munich— the record-holding German champions — for eleven years and know each other well. That is one reason why the current Germany captain never doubted that Neuer would return to the squad, provided he was fit.

“We have a World Cup coming up, and the best players need to play,” said Kimmich.

A ‘GOAT’ goalkeeper

The excitement for so many Germany fans to see Neuer back in action started long before the game in Houston. A week before, amidst summer-like temperatures, around 3,000 fans flocked to the Wake Forest University grounds to watch Germany’s public training session.

Everyone wanted to see head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, and one player, in particular, was the center of attention: Neuer.

“Neuer has won our hearts. I believe in the team and hope they’ll go all the way,” said Chris.

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And who knows what Manuel Neuer will decide after the World Cup and which records he’ll set his sights on next. For teammate Kai Havertz, at least, one thing is certain: “If he’s 70 and still wants to play for the national team, he’ll still make the squad.”

Edited by: 

The opening round of the 2026 College World Series is complete. No. 3 Georgia won the most highly anticipated showdown thus far in Omaha, Neb. to close out the first two days of action, taking down No. 6 Texas in a star-studded clash that was never in doubt. The Bulldogs took a commanding 4-0 lead in the first inning, and with an instantly legendary effort on the mound from Joey Volchko, they put it in cruise control on their way to a 7-1 win over their SEC foe.

Volchko struck out the side in the top of the first to set the tone, and the offense held up its end of the bargain in the bottom half of the frame. Rylan Lujo drilled a two-run home run to spark a four-run inning in which the Bulldogs tasked Texas ace Dylan Volantis to the tune of 41 pitches. The Longhorns were never able to challenge Volchko — who fanned 15 batters in a 114-pitch complete game — and things only got more lopsided in the game’s latter stages.

With the victory, Georgia and the most powerful offense in college baseball secured a spot in the winner’s bracket to set the stage for another all-SEC contest against Oklahoma.

The Sooners completed a dominant 9-0 thumping of No. 7 Alabama in the first game of Day 2 to post the most lopsided shutout win in a CWS opener since 2002. Freshman left-hander Cord Ranger’s breakout continued in Omaha as he tossed seven scoreless innings.

One of Texas and Alabama, meanwhile, will see its national championship aspirations come crashing down in an elimination game on Monday.

2026 College World Series: Daniel Jackson, Dylan Volantis headline NCAA baseball’s biggest stars in Omaha

Carter Bahns

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As for Sunday’s slate, Bracket 1 will present its first elimination game when Troy and Ole Miss fight to keep their championship hunts alive. Then, in the nightcap, No. 5 North Carolina and No. 16 West Virginia square off in what could be a pitcher’s duel with a spot in the Bracket 1 final on the line.

Check back here throughout the CWS for scores and schedule updates as the brightest stars and most talented squads compete for the 2026 national championship.

2026 College World Series Schedule

All times Eastern

Friday, June 12

Game 1: No. 16 West Virginia 7, Troy 5
Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina 6, Ole Miss 2

Saturday, June 13

Game 3: Oklahoma 9, No. 7 Alabama 0
Game 4: No. 3 Georgia 7, No. 6 Texas 1

Sunday, June 14

Game 5: Troy 12, Ole Miss 8
Game 6: No. 16 West Virginia vs. No. 5 North Carolina, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Monday, June 15

Game 7: No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 6 Texas, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 8: Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Tuesday, June 16

Game 9: Troy vs. Game 6 Loser, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser, 8 p.m. on ESPN

Wednesday, June 17

Game 11: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner, 2 p.m. on ESPN
Game 12: Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN

Thursday, June 18

Game 13 (if necessary): Game 11 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser, TBD on ESPN
Game 14 (if necessary): Game 12 Winner vs. Game 12 Loser, TBD on ESPN

Saturday, June 20

CWS Finals, Game 1: Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, TBD on ESPN

Sunday, June 21

CWS Finals, Game 2: Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, 2:30 p.m. on ABC

Monday, June 22

CWS Finals, Game 3 (if necessary): Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN

As things stand, the Vikings haven’t re-signed RB Cam Akers. How long can the team holdout?

The veteran runner is a free agent. As a result, he’s a mere phone call away. New GM Nolan Teasley has already done some work: welcome receivers, show front office talent the door, and hire some new top lieutenants. How about making a move for the runner who has been added in 2023, 2024, and 2025? After all, Akers and Teasley were in Seattle last year for the Lombardi Trophy.

The Vikings and Cam Akers Seem Inevitable

Last year, Cam Akers tossed a touchdown pass as a Minnesota Viking. Check it out:

The play’s primary ingredient is deception. Akers is lined up in Wildcat, a formation where the runner takes a direct snap before quickly showing run. Even the fella who ends up catching the ball — Josh Oliver — is part of the deception since he gets tasked with blocking more than catching.

Watch how the defenders to the top of the screen all get sucked up in the early moments of the play. Akers sells run before finding a wide open Oliver. Perfection. Not bad for a practice squad runner, eh?

Maybe re-adding a player with that sort of versatility makes sense.

Originally, Akers became a Viking in 2023. Doing so meant offering a late-round pick swap to the Rams to snag the solid veteran. He then was allowed to get away after the season before becoming a trade target yet again, being reacquired in 2024 via trade. Twice trading for the same player — and in consecutive years — is an odd bit of trivia.

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In 2025, the recipe was a touch different, seeing Akers snagged and stashed on the practice squad for a rainy day. After the three freebie elevations took place, the Vikings moved on. Akers then went to Seattle. Winning the Super Bowl alongside Nolan Teasley can only helps Akers’ chances of returning to the Twin Cities.

Minnesota’s RB room looks as follows:

• RB1 Aaron Jones
• RB2 Jordan Mason
• RB3 Demond Claiborne (Read More)
• RB4 Zavier Scott
• RB5 Kejon Owens

Expanding the parameters of who qualifies as a running back would mean looping Max Bredeson into the mix, the rookie fullback who appears ready to play an important role for Minnesota. Not too much room for another runner in that cluster of talent, folks.

But while Minnesota isn’t planning on needing another runner, Akers commonly finds himself functioning as an injury replacement. At what point does proactively adding him become the move rather than waiting for something to go wrong?

Signing Akers as a free agent means getting him on a deal that requires only a (modest) financial commitment and no draft pick in a trade.

The 5’10” and 215-pound runner is going to turn 27 in June. Akers went in the 2nd of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since won a pair of Super Bowls. He has done so after proving to be quite resilient, overcoming really difficult injuries to still find his way toward helping teams to win.

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His career has involved 507 carries for 2,044 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a receiver, Akers has tossed up 52 catches for 388 yards and 4 touchdowns. Other than the Rams and Vikings, Akers has played for the Seahawks, Saints, and Texans.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his fiancée, Taylor Swift, went for a Broadway date night in New York City. They attended a Saturday evening performance of the smash-hit, dark comedy Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum Theatre.

After the New York Post, shared pictures of the engaged couple’s date night on X on Sunday, NFL fans shared their takes.

“Her fake poses get annoying,” one fan wrote.

“FFS (for f*ck’s sake) people don’t care,” another fan wrote.

A third fan commented, “Fake Bromance.”

More NFL fans shared their takes.

After the final bows, Swift and Kelce posed with Maya Rudolph, director Sam Pinkleton, and the rest of the ensemble, posing for group photos with the cast in their elaborate period costumes.

Afterward, they headed to a dinner date at The Eighty Six steakhouse.

Swift’s outing with Kelce came after she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City on Thursday. Kelce flew straight to Manhattan that morning immediately after wrapping up his mandatory three-day minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs so he could join Swift for her historic night.

One day before her induction, Swift was spotted sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. She wore a matching blue and orange shirt alongside friends Este and Alana Haim and actress Mariska Hargitay, cheering on the New York Knicks.

Previously, Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted together on May 23, in Cleveland, Ohio. The couple sat courtside at Rocket Arena to watch Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.

Travis Kelce makes feelings known on marrying Taylor Swift in a “real cold world”

Travis Kelce opened up about his relationship with Taylor Swift while appearing on NFL legend Randy Moss’s YouTube show, “Chasing 10” on June 1.

While fishing and chatting about life, family, and the pressures of fame with Moss and his brother Jason Kelce, the Chiefs tight end reflected on how crazy the world can get and expressed how lucky he feels to have Swift by his side.

“It’s a real cold world, but I got a real one though,” he said.

Reportedly, the couple, who announced their engagement on Aug. 26, is set to tie the knot on July 3 in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.