KAI PEARCE-PAUL hopes to return Down Under and find a message sinking in – England are to be taken seriously.

Defeat Samoa tomorrow and that would be 5-0 in Tests against them and fellow Pacific powerhouses Tonga.

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Yet still in Australia, some people write the national side off and doubt players are good enough to play there, even though many do.

And back-rower Pearce-Paul – who plays at NRL side Newcastle Knights – believes it would be time to give some credit where it is due.

He said: “I wouldn’t say people talk England down because there are English superstars about – the likes of Dom Young, John Bateman and Herbie Farnworth.

“People are aware there’s good talent in England but maybe as a whole it can be overlooked sometimes. I don’t think it’s given enough credit.

“The country and our game deserves to be heard a bit more and hopefully if we can get another win we can send a message out to everyone else.

“We never take a step back, what comes first is winning. Whether it’s by one point, 10 or 30, as a nation we just want to win.

“And I think it’ll send a message out to the rest of the world and the NRL that England are competitive and we’re up there with the top teams.

“We’ve one game to go and we want another win. That’ll send a message to the world – you can’t take England for a joke as the proof will be on the paper.”

Pearce-Paul spent time back in his native Bromley before linking up with England and reuniting with best mate Junior Nsemba.

The pair have been inseparable since camp started after becoming firm friends during their time at Wigan, which the 23-year-old calls his second home.

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And he revealed the huge Warriors back-rower was on many players’ radar a long time before his breakout season, which will end with his Test debut.

Pearce-Paul added: “I hear a lot that we’re always together – but he’s my best mate. He’s a good kid and a very special player as he’s shown. This year’s been amazing for him.

“He’s like a brother to me, I’m always proud of my kid.

“I haven’t really known him for too long considering how close we are. I guess we got on pretty well pretty fast and I see him as family.

“It was only in my last year at Wigan that I actually met him. It was the start of last season as Junior had just started training with us full-time.

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“I was chatting to some of the England boys and around World Cup time in 2022, we had an opposed session and Junior came in with the academy boys from Wigan.

“They came to train against us and a lot of the players were like, ‘Who’s this human? He’s massive. Where the hell have you found him?’

“Now a lot of those are alongside him. The growth in a few years has been absolutely crazy. He was an academy boy two years ago. Now he’s just a big, strong human. He’s massive.

“And it would be great to see him get some game time. He’s ready for that level.”

Freddie Freeman authored a World Series MVP performance for the ages, and not just because the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman dealt with a badly sprained ankle throughout the team’s playoff run.

Freeman also suffered broken cartilage in his rib just before the Dodgers began their postseason in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, ESPN and The Washington Post reported.

The 35-year-old Freeman was diagnosed with the injury on the night of Oct. 4, one day before the start of the NLDS, per ESPN. Yet Freeman remained on the Dodgers’ roster while also dealing with the aforementioned ankle injury, plus a broken finger suffered in August that had not fully healed. He was in the lineup for that game, and still contributed through the first two rounds of the playoffs. This despite noticeable pain that required him to sit three different times during the Dodgers’ NLDS win over the Padres and NLCS win over the New York Mets.

The four days of rest between the Dodgers’ clinching Game 6 of the NLCS and Game 1 of the 2024 World Series helped Freeman make a noticeable improvement, and not only physically. He also tweaked his swing to recover his power stroke. Still, the type of rib injury Freeman was dealing with usually sidelines players for months, ESPN reported.

[RELATED: Full coverage of the World Series] 

Instead, roughly three weeks after being diagnosed with that broken rib cartilage, Freeman hit the first and only walk-off grand slam in World Series history:

And Freeman added on from there, hitting home runs in each of the Dodgers’ next three games to solidify his World Series MVP case. Freeman also broke the record for most consecutive World Series games with a home run (six, dating back to the end of the 2021 World Series he won with the Atlanta Braves) and tied the record for most RBIs in a single World Series (12).

Check out Freeman’s full World Series MVP trophy ceremony and sit-down interview with the “MLB on FOX” postgame crew below:

Freddie Freeman named World Series MVP

Freddie Freeman on Dodgers’ grit, playing through injuries and more

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Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher is on track to recover from injury in time to face New Zealand in Dublin on 8 November.

Leinster said Kelleher, 26, would miss approximately four to six weeks after hurting his ankle in a game against Benetton on 5 October.

With Dan Sheehan ruled out and Rob Herring having not played this season, Kelleher’s injury added to Ireland’s injury issues in the front row, but Ireland coach Simon Easterby was upbeat when asked about Kelleher on Thursday.

“For sure, he’s doing well,” said Easterby.

Connacht wing Mack Hansen and Leinster fly-half Ciaran Frawley also sat out last weekend’s games but Easterby said Ireland expect to have a “full deck” for training on Friday.

“Everyone was good today, we’re really pleased,” he added.

“The medics have done a great job on top of the provincial stuff and then the transition into national camp has been seamless in terms of those players coming in with a couple of niggles.

“So far so good and hopefully we will have a full deck to train with tomorrow and leading into next week.

“[Mack] is progressing really well. Like Ronan and Rob Herring and a few others, they are working incredibly hard and come into camp in a good place and continue that progression.”

GABRIEL JESUS knows a young star when he sees one — and has vowed to help Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri reach the top.

The Brazilian watched two of the Prem’s best — Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — come through the ranks at Manchester City.

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And he hopes his Gunners team-mate, 17, is on the same route right to the top.

Nwaneri gave yet another glimpse of his special talent by scoring a beauty in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston on Wednesday.

Jesus says the playmaker may have to be patient, just like Foden was at the Etihad — but is excited to see how far he can go.

He said: “I have been with some very special youngsters, like Phil and Cole — and also James McAtee at City, he is also very good.

“So to see Ethan in training and in the game is good, because I am a fan of football.

“So when I see someone young with this quality, I am happy and then obviously I want him to grow, grow, grow.

“Then if he needs something from me personally, I am here to help him because I am 27.”

Gunners starlet Nwaneri rewrote history as the Premier League’s youngest ever player at the age of 15 and 181 days -smashing the previous record held by Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 30 days old.

And at 17 years and 223 days, he became the youngest Arsenal player to score on his first two starts for the club — eclipsing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s previous mark of 18 years and 44 days.

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Boss Mikel Arteta believes he is ready to play more regularly — but he also has a huge array of talent to choose from.

Jesus says the youngster should look no further than last season’s PFA Player of the Year Foden for inspiration if he gets frustrated at the wait.

He said: “I saw people like Phil waiting for his chance and then now, look at Phil. He is one of the best players in the world.

“So I hope Ethan keeps his toes on the grass, works, and then it’s a question of time for him to shine.”

The wonder strike from the young Londoner overshadowed a good night for Jesus, who ended a 274-day goal drought by opening the scoring in the 3-0 Deepdale victory.

The £45million forward admits that is not good enough — but insists there are reasons behind his long wait.

He added: “It looks a long time — nine months, I understand. But people need to understand I am starting less, I am playing less.

“Last season I had a few issues with injuries and stuff that people don’t understand.

“But I am not here to make excuses. I know I am the type of player, with my quality, that has to be there and score more. I want to and I am working really hard to get there.”

When he does get his opportunities, Jesus has vowed to try his luck more often.

He said: “Now I am more focused on goals. Now I am more focused to shoot.

“What has changed for me now is I try to look for the goal.

“It’s good to be back scoring and I want to keep scoring when I have my chance.

“I am here to work, try to be fit and, when I get my chance, enjoy playing football and try to help the team win.”

Arsenal ratings vs Preston

ARSENAL cruised through their Carabao Cup tie at Preston.

The Gunners won 3-0 to set up a home tie against Crystal Palace in the next round.

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Sun Sport’s Sam Dymond reveals who has done enough to feature in the quarter final – and who might be a bit worried.

Tommy Setford – 6

A clean sheet on debut for the teenager. After a quiet first half, he looked nervous when put under pressure by Preston’s forward.

Jurrien Timber – 7

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Really looking the part in the Arsenal defence after injury. His crosses caused chaos before being replaced at half-time

William Saliba – 7

Settled back into the side after suspension, and was rarely troubled on a night where he continually swept up possession.

Jakub Kiwior – 8

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Partnered Saliba admirably in defence, but showed his attacking worth by providing two assists.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7

A solid display before his removal on the hour, perhaps with one eye on the weekend.

Jorginho – 7

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Kept things moving in midfield, and even showed off some sublime skill when the opportunity arose.

Mikel Merino – 7

A much more confident performance from the Spaniard following his goal on Sunday. Combined well with Martinelli and Nwaneri during the opening 45 minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri – 9

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Serenaded by the Arsenal fans as ‘one of their own’, this talented teenager once again excited Gooners everywhere.

The scorer of one sublime strike, he came so close to bagging a second goal too.

Raheem Sterling – 7

The Carabao Cup king did everything but score. Perhaps let down by his decision making, he’s looking more at home at Arsenal than he ever did at Chelsea.

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Gabriel Jesus – 8

Constantly alive to the ball inside the box, he was rewarded with a first goal since January to get the scoring underway.

Gabriel Martinelli – 8

Often Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat with his direct running and ability to beat defenders. Replaced after taking a couple of heavy knocks.

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Subs

Thomas Partey – 6

Replaced Timber at the break and once again did the job asked of him with few complaints.

Kai Havertz – 8

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Scored a superb header shortly after his arrival as a half-time sub, and was an imposing figure in both penalty areas.

Bukayo Saka – 6

More minutes in the legs for the Arsenal star as he continues the recovery from his hamstring injury.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6

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Misplaced a couple of passes after his introduction, but fits in well among the first-team squad.

Ayden Heaven – 6

Offered a glimpse of genuine pace as he made his senior debut for the final ten minutes.

Former English Premier League referee Martin Atkinson is to take over as VAR manager at the Scottish FA.

The 53-year-old will take up the post in early December and is replacing Jon Moss, who left after 52 days to become head of referees at Football Australia.

Atkinson was an official in England’s top flight for 20 years and refereed the 2015 Europa League final.

He will leave his role as select group manager at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to begin work alongside SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum.

“I am delighted to appoint someone of Martin’s calibre,” said Collum. “I did not expect to be recruiting for that position again so quickly, but Jon received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and went with our best wishes.

“I am pleased Martin has agreed to continue the considerable work undertaken to date in optimising our VAR operation and I’m sure our VAR officials and match officials generally will look forward to working with someone of Martin’s experience.”