Australia’s men and women booked Pacific Cup final places by beating New Zealand in a double-header in Christchurch.

Zac Lomax scored two tries for the Kangaroos in a 22-10 win over an understrength New Zealand at Apollo Projects Stadium, their first meeting since the Kiwis’ 30-0 triumph in last year’s final.

In the women’s match, the Jillaroos became the first team to prevent the Kiwi Ferns from scoring, a fine try by full-back Tamika Upton the highlight of a 14-0 victory.

Australia’s men and women are guaranteed to finish top of their three-team groups and will contest the finals on 10 November against the runners-up.

For the men, that will be New Zealand or Tonga, who meet on Saturday.

The women will take on New Zealand or Papua New Guinea, who play on 3 November.

Ilia Topuria likely has a familiar foe awaiting him for his second title defense.

After becoming the first person to knock out Max Holloway in a stunning performance to cap off UFC 308 on Saturday, the reigning UFC featherweight champion came face-to-face with the man he beat to win the belt. Alexander Volkanovski made his way into the cage following Topuria’s win and the former opponents shared a few kind words for each other in anticipation of an expected rematch.

While UFC CEO Dana White typically doesn’t like to play matchmaker on the same night of an event, he says it’s almost certain that Volkanovski gets the chance to run it back with Topuria next.

“Listen, Volkanovski’s one of those guys, we’re not going to say no to Volkanovski,” White said at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “He’s been that guy for us. Any time we needed him. He was on this run like [Israel] Adesanya, like Alex [Pereira] is on right now, when things don’t go our way, and you’ve got to call a guy, Volkanovski’s always been that guy. He really was.

“I don’t think anybody’s in this room going ‘oh this is ridiculous or crazy’ and who wouldn’t want to see it again?”

Volkanovski hasn’t fought since he suffered a knockout loss to Topuria back in February in the fight that cost him the featherweight title. That actually served as his second consecutive knockout loss after Volkanovski fell to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in similar fashion after he accepted a short-notice fight with hopes of winning a second title.

Instead, Volkanovski ate a brutal head kick in the first round that ended his night. Four months later, Topuria dished out the same result. Afterwards, Volkanovski was told he could get a rematch when he was ready to compete again and it appears the UFC is following through on that promise.

There’s no timeline when the fight might happen, although Volkanovski was pushing to return at the upcoming UFC 312 card scheduled for Australia in February. Prior to his win on Saturday, Topuria shot down any hope that he would defend his title in enemy territory so it remains to be seen when or where the rematch against Volkanovski happens.

With a perfect 16-0 record that now includes wins over two of the greatest featherweights of all time in Volkanovski and Holloway, Topuria is already entering rarified area when it comes to his career. A second win over Volkanovski would separate Topuria even further from his peers at 145 pounds.

“We were just talking in the back. As you start to clip off legend after legend after legend, you eventually become a legend,” White said about Topuria. “Both guys looked great tonight. Max came in with the right game plan. I think the early calf kicks added up and took their toll later in the fight. Those things are so devastating when people throw them the right way. He couldn’t have fought a better fight.

“[Topuria] took some big shots himself. Has the chin, kept coming forward, incredible performance by both guys. But Topuria did something that nobody’s ever done before.”

“We definitely believe the goal can give us some momentum – 2-1 compared to 2-0 is a big difference and it could be a very important goal.

“I am glad to have been the one to put it away and hopefully we can put a few more away in Cardiff on Tuesday.”

Morgan said Wales’ players were frustrated with a performance that Wilkinson described as the “worst” in her time as Wales boss.

“It’s obviously disappointing for us as a team, we felt prepared coming in and we didn’t get the result that we wanted,” she said.

“Slovakia were aggressive and we knew they were. Maybe we didn’t react to what they were doing and challenge them enough and compete at their level.

“We will review the game, watch it individually and show where we need to be better and hopefully we can put it right on Tuesday, which I know that we can.”

George Russell has suggested he would be in favour of Mercedes compromising the rest of this Formula 1 season to gain an advantage into 2025 as the team deals with the fallout of several high-profile crashes.

Mercedes’ repair costs have been mounting up of late after Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Monza practice crash, the Austin shunt sustained by Russell in qualifying, and his latest prang in Mexico’s FP2 session.

This led Toto Wolff to tell Sky Germany of his fear that Mercedes would struggle against the budget cap with further crashes.

Given the situation, Russell said he would be happy to stick with his current car specification – now running Miami-spec parts after his crash – to save cash for next season.

“There’s no concerns with budget cap because we’ve always got a bit of margin and you’re always weighing up what you put into this season versus what you put into next season,” Russell said after securing fifth on the grid for the Mexican GP.

“We may have to compromise over the rest of this season, which to be honest I’d probably be in favour of because we’re not fighting for a championship.

“I’d be more than happy staying on the old floor if that gives us a better chance into next year.

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

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“But I think we’ll be able to repair the floor from Austin. I think that’s the plan. It wasn’t as bad as we initially expected and that should be out in Brazil.”

Russell was surprised that he was able to qualify fifth with older components and that the team was taken aback by its pace from FP1 before the Briton’s incident during the second Friday session.

Recounting the FP2 incident, he explained: “The last two years, I’ve been using that kerb every lap. In FP1, I did four laps using the kerb, and there was no problem and then suddenly I hit it and it was like I was a kangaroo.

“That was really disappointing. For the last two weeks, I’ve put so much pressure on the team now with the lack of spares and it’s been pretty unnecessary.

“But we don’t really know why it’s happening. It’s not through sort of overdriving. It’s just the car bites.”

ALPHONSO DAVIES has broken his silence over a transfer to Manchester United.

The Bayern Munich star, 23, has been widely reported to be considering his future in Germany.

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The Canada international’s contract expires next summer, and after joining the Bavarians in January 2019 from Vancouver Whitecaps it seems he may want to pursue a new challenge.

Reports suggest that Man Utd transfer chiefs have started gathering information on Davies ahead of a potential offer.

However, Real Madrid are known to be long-term admirers and are one of the main teams to be linked with his signature.

Despite this, he has continued to play regularly under Vincent Kompany this season with six Bundesliga appearances under his belt ahead of the club’s trip to VfL Bochum on Sunday afternoon.

Regardless, in early October Davies made his feelings clear about his future.

He told ESPN: “As of now, my full focus is to stay healthy and to play the game with the club I’m with right now.

“I’m not focused on what’s going on in the future.

“I’m just focusing on staying healthy and helping my team win. My team make me feel valued.

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“The whole Bayern community make me feel valued. I see that each and every day.”

Davies has an estimated transfer value of £42million ($50m) as per Transfermarkt, but will able to speak to clubs from January over a FREE transfer due to his contract expiring in the summer.

Davies is seen as one of the world’s best left-backs.

It is a position Man Utd has struggled with over the last two seasons with the long-term injury of Tyrell Malacia and the ongoing fitness troubles of Luke Shaw.

Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Toby Collyer have all lined up there at various points this season.

Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was sold to West Ham in the summer, lined up there at times last season.

Davies was also one name on a three-star transfer list of players from Bayern Munich, including Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane.

Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker

MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.

Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.

But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.

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SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…

Andre Onana – 7

Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.

His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.

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Diogo Dalot – 5

Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6

Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.

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Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.

Victor Lindelof – 4

Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.

Hauled off in the 54th minute.

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Lisandro Martinez – 5

Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.

Christian Eriksen – 7

Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

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Manuel Ugarte – 6

Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.

Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6

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Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.

Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.

Marcus Rashford – 5

Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.

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Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.

Alejandro Garnacho – 6

Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.

Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.

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Joshua Zirkzee – 5

A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.

Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.

ABU DHABI – Magomed Ankalaev may have finally been granted his title shot after UFC 308.

Unbeaten in his past 13 fights, Ankalaev outpointed Aleksandar Rakic (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) to earn a unanimous decision win on Saturday’s main card at Etihad Arena.

Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) has been chomping at the bit for his shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, telling him to “stop running” in his post-octagon interview. Dana White was asked about Ankalaev’s performance, and the UFC CEO was impressed.

“He looked good,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie at the UFC 308 post-fight news conference. “He absolutely looked great.”

Ankalaev was passed up for a title fight when Pereira drew No. 8 ranked Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month. Pereira retained his belt with another knockout finish, and poked at Ankalaev prior to UFC 308 by telling him that he’s rooting for him to beat Rakic so he can make him wait longer. He also dubbed his style as boring.

But Ankalaev no longer has to worry since he now has White’s word that he’s next in line.

“I would have to say yes,” White said when asked if Ankalaev is No. 1 contender.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.