How exercise makes you feel is one of the strongest predictors of whether people will stick with it long term, according to behaviour change expert, Dr Heather McKee.
“A 2022 study reinforces something we often forget at this time of year,” says McKee. “Enjoyment predicts habit formation and positive feelings after exercise matter more than how hard it was. Enjoyment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a behavioural signal.”
The study of 273 exercisers across nine health clubs found that enjoyment predicted three key outcomes that matter for long-term engagement – habit formation; the intention to continue and frequency.
A lot of the enjoyment factor comes down to how well the intensity of the exercise matches the person’s preferences.
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As we hit the new year, McKee has some suggestions about how operators can implement this theory in order to ensure that the resolutions stick:
Provide options and listen to preferences to align workouts with what members enjoy, not just what’s optimal.
Ask them what kind of movement they enjoy, have enjoyed in the past, or are curious about and offer a range of class formats.
Ask them how the workout feels and adjust it based on their feedback.
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Encourage members to notice what feels good in terms of their energy or mood – there is a wealth of evidence that how someone feels during and right after exercise predicts whether they’ll return.
Frame workouts as feel-good experiences, not punishments.
Coach people to appreciate small wins, such as progress or mastery. This brings the energy back to intrinsic motivation, rather than extrinsic rewards or outcomes.
Habit formation is easier when behaviours happen in consistent contexts, so encourage consistent patterns – such as gym after work on set days – rather than sporadic effort.
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Reinforce early repetition while enjoyment is high.
Self-Determination Theory shows that when people feel autonomous in their choices, their enjoyment and intrinsic motivation go up. With this in mind, let members choose elements of their workout, such as music, format or pace.
Offer progressions rather than prescriptions.
Recognise progress publicly and compassionately and avoid overly prescriptive, one-size-fits-all statements.
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Positive social connections make workouts more enjoyable and help turn exercise into something people want to do, so encourage peer encouragement and accountability and facilitate small group or partner workouts.
“The job of fitness professionals is to design for pleasure, not punishment. This is particularly pertinent to new movers,” says McKee. “Punishing yourself at the gym is not how you build a loving, sustainable relationship with movement. What actually helps is doing activities you enjoy; leaving sessions feeling capable and wanting to do it again. It’s about resetting, refocusing, and recalibrating toward what will actually last.”
McKee has more than a decade of experience applying behavioural science to health, fitness, and wellbeing. She works with gym operators, fitness brands, and digital health companies to help people build enjoyable, sustainable exercise habits that improve long-term engagement and retention, including – most recently – Myzone.
She has worked globally with more than 100 organisations, including lululemon, Decathlon, Unilever, and HSBC, and advises on behaviour change across apps, wearables, and longevity products. Her research has been published in leading academic journals and featured in international media, including Time, Vogue, and The Times.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday and the first weekend of March Madness is typically all about matchups. If you love to see teams that let it fly, No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida could be one of the best matchups of March Madness 2026. Both teams were top 25 in the country in 3-point attempts per game and the expectation is certainly for a high-scoring battle between two teams that love playing with pace.
Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. missed the ACC Tournament with a back injury and his status for the first round is up in the air, so might South Florida be a double-digit seed worth backing in your 2026 NCAA Tournament picks? Before making any 2026 March Madness bracket predictions, be sure to check out the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Their proven projection model has simulated every game in the tournament 10,000 times. It has absolutely crushed its March Madness picks recently, beating over 91 percent of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the past seven tournaments. It was all over UConn’s championship run two years ago and nailed 12 teams in the Sweet 16 last year. It also correctly predicted all four Final Four teams in 2025.
It knows how to spot an upset as well. The same model has produced brackets that have nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016.
One of the 2026 March Madness matchups to keep an eye on: No. 8 seed Villanova vs. No. 9 seed Utah State in the West Region. Kevin Willard has brought Villanova back to March Madness in his first year as the program’s head coach, following three straight years of it missing the NCAA Tournament. Before these last three seasons, Villanova had been an NCAA Tournament staple, making 16 of 17 Big Dances and winning two national titles. The Wildcats enter 24-8 ahead of a matchup against Utah State, which is 28-6 and coming off a Mountain West Tournament title. The Aggies are playing in their fourth straight March Madness, but they have won only one game in the prior three trips.
Also in the West Region, Miami vs. Missouri figures to be a pivotal 7 vs. 10 matchup. Jai Lucas and Dennis Gates both played in the NCAA Tournament as players, with Lucas making the Big Dance at both Florida and Texas while Gates earned a bid in 2002 with Cal. Now Lucas will make his March Madness debut as a head coach with Miami and Gates is making his third appearance as a head coach with Missouri after making it once with Cleveland State. Miami went 25-8 this season and went 13-5 in the ACC while Missouri went 20-12 and was 10-8 in the SEC. Tipoff for this matchup is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday.
The third matchup to watch in the West Region features No. 4 seed Arkansas vs. No. 13 seed Hawaii. Both programs are coming off conference tournament championships, with Arkansas defeating Vanderbilt on Sunday to win the SEC and Hawaii besting UC Irvine on Saturday to win the Big West. The Razorbacks are led by superstar freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas while Hawaii’s top four scorers this season were all seniors. They’ll tip off at 4:25 p.m. ET in Portland at the Moda Center on Thursday. You can see how far all these teams go over at SportsLine.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the NFL International Series matchup on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, monitoring player performance and roster depth as Minnesota competes abroad while balancing executive evaluation duties in a rare overseas regular-season setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings moved on from the previous regime by firing head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman. Two first-timers, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, were hired to take their spots. A few months in, the duo faced its first significant task on the job when the draft rolled around. The results were a disaster.
Let’s fast forward nearly four years. On Tuesday, running back Ty Chandler, a 2022 fifth-rounder, agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints, confirming a reality many had been expecting for a couple of years. Not a single Vikings draft pick from 2022 received a second contract with the franchise.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine jogs across the turf during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for action as Minnesota hosted San Francisco on Aug. 20, 2022. Cine went through positional drills and light sprints as teammates filtered onto the field ahead of kickoff, part of the Vikings’ preseason routine in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Vikings entered that draft with the 12th overall pick; surely, that would help find a new franchise player. Well, Adofo-Mensah shipped that pick to Detroit for pick 32 and used that to acquire safety Lewis Cine. In theory, adding more picks makes sense, but it only works if their own picks work out. Cine did not.
He played in ten games and was cut after his third preseason. A nasty injury in his rookie year, combined with a coordinator and scheme change, didn’t help, but it can’t be ruled out that he just didn’t have what it takes.
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What makes matters worse is that picks 12 through 14 have all had a pretty good career and Adofo-Mensah had the option to draft one of them: Jameson Williams, Jordan Davis, or Kyle Hamilton. He also passed on first-rounders Trent McDuffie, Tyler Smith, and Tyler Linderbaum.
Unfortunately, the draft didn’t even trend up after Cine’s selection. Entering the second round with pick 34, Adofo-Menash traded that to Green Bay. That trade was a massive win on the trade charts, as he received a couple of second-rounders. He ultimately traded up once for Andrew Booth and also picked Ed Ingram in the process.
Cornerback Booth struggled with injuries in his Vikings tenure and was traded in the summer of 2024 to Dallas in exchange for Nahshon Wright. He also encountered the problem of being drafted into one scheme and suddenly having to work in another. However, he also hasn’t particularly thrived elsewhere and is in the UFL now.
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Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher and guard Ed Ingram move toward the line of scrimmage as the offense prepares to run a play at NRG Stadium, Aug 16, 2025, during preseason action against the Carolina Panthers, with the interior linemen setting protection and communicating assignments before the snap. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ingram started 41 games through three seasons, but was one of the worst guards in the NFL. Last offseason, the Vikings traded him to Houston for a late-rounder, where he had his best season and received a sweet contract extension. It’s fair to wonder whether the coaching could have been the issue in his case.
The Vikings had a third pick on Day 2, selecting linebacker Brian Asamoah early in the third round. The linebacker showed flashes as a rotational player in his rookie season, but new coordinator Brian Flores didn’t use him on defense. Asamoah was waived last summer and has bounced around since.
The Vikings added another six players on draft Saturday.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans was a rotational player in 2022 and a full-time starter in 2023. He was surprisingly waived during his third season with the club and has been with the Panthers since. Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo was another player Flores didn’t like, as he was cut entering his second season. He’s still in the league, mostly as a rotational defensive lineman.
Chandler has been a depth running back and is one of only two players who fulfilled their entire four-year contract. He has never truly established himself on offense, but has been a useful backup and special-teams player.
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Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe was traded after one season for a sixth-rounder, which was his original draft slot. The pick was a wash, but he was a solid backup tackle for the New England Patriots and just signed a lucrative deal with the 49ers.
Jalen Nailor secured a contested touchdown as Minnesota extended its momentum in the second half against Dallas, finishing the play through contact at AT&T Stadium. The Vikings capitalized on coverage breakdowns and timing routes during a critical stretch on Dec. 14, 2025, with Nailor’s score providing separation in a game that demanded precision and poise. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Wideout Jalen Nailor is undoubtedly the best pick on the list, carving out a nice role as the team’s WR3. He just received a paycheck from the Las Vegas Raiders. And finally, reserve tight end Nick Muse, who appeared in 16 games with the Vikings and departed after the 2024 season when he joined the Eagles on the Super Bowl run.
It’s been a disastrous group. Adofo-Mensah worked with the scouting department from the previous regime, then traded down just to trade, picked the wrong players, and didn’t get much help from the coaching staff in developing players. The change from Ed Donatell to Brian Flores certainly helped the defensive success and the operation, but the players selected for Donatell’s scheme were in trouble.
At the end of the day, the draft will go down as one of the worst in recent memory, with some role players and many more players that didn’t work out at all. What was supposed to kickstart the new era of Vikings football turned out to be a huge stinker.
Next month, the decision-makers want to do a better job at finding the next generation of Minnesota Vikings.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi was left frustrated after the cancellation of the Finalissima, seeing the match as a key opportunity to prepare for the upcoming World Cup, according to ESPN.
The Inter Miami star had approached the game with ambition, viewing it as a serious final, but he was not involved in the decision-making that led to its cancellation.
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Clash Between Continental Champions
The match was set to feature Argentina, winners of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America, against Spain, the 2024 UEFA EURO champions. Originally scheduled for March 27 in Qatar, the fixture was called off due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, preventing the organizers from safely staging the event.
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UEFA released a statement explaining the decision: “After much discussion between UEFA and the organizing authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar. UEFA explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
Alternative Dates Explored
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CONMEBOL confirmed that other venues and dates were considered, but UEFA rejected those options. The Argentine Football Association reportedly suggested March 31 as an alternative, stating it had no objection to the venue, but UEFA deemed even this date impossible.
The Finalissima was ultimately cancelled, leaving Argentina without a high-profile warm-up before the World Cup.
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Messi eyes 49th team title
A source close to the squad revealed that Messi regarded the game as a chance to secure the 49th team title of his illustrious career. Despite missing the Finalissima, Messi remains football’s most decorated player, having recently lifted the MLS Cup with Inter Miami in December.
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The Argentine captain’s focus now shifts entirely to the World Cup, where his availability and form will be crucial for Argentina’s chances.
Preparing for the World Cup
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While the cancellation was disappointing, Messi and Argentina’s coaching staff must now find alternative ways to test the squad ahead of the global tournament.
The loss of a competitive match against a European champion means the team will need to adapt their preparation strategy to ensure peak performance when the World Cup kicks off.
VANCOUVER — Elias Pettersson scored his first goals in 21 games, Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser had three-point nights, and 10 Canucks made it onto the scoresheet as Vancouver beat the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 5-2 on St. Patrick’s Day.
For the Canucks, this season, Tuesday’s win is about as fun as it has been at Rogers Arena, where the home team has won just eight times but led wire-to-wire (almost) against the depleted Panthers.
“It was nice to get off to a good start and play with the lead,” winger Drew O’Connor said. “We haven’t had that for a while, so it’s fun. You see Marco’s line going and Petey had a couple of goals, so it was a big night for a lot of guys.”
“It’s different when you’re not chasing and you can kind of control the play,” centre Aatu Raty said after ending his own goal drought at 24 games. “And obviously, winning is fun. I really liked the way the building was going today. I think our bench has been great for, like, the last five games. We’re having some fun.”
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Since the stifling tension and uncertainty surrounding the team and its players was eased by the March 6 passing of the National Hockey League trade deadline, the last-overall Canucks are 3-2-1 and been noticeably more competitive. They’ve allowed 24 or fewer shots in four of the six games and are getting goalie Kevin Lankinen’s best form this season.
How they finish this disaster of a campaign can help them start building a more stable foundation for next year.
“I think it’s really important,” Boeser said. “We’ve talked about holding each other accountable and setting kind of new culture with the new guys and the young guys, and making sure everyone’s putting in the work. And that starts now, and kind of setting the example so they know. . . what you have to do over the summer and how we need to be when we come back.”
Pettersson opened the scoring with his first of two power-play goals just 3:49 into the first period, and Vancouver led for all but two of the final 56 minutes as Lankinen stopped 21 of 23 Florida shots and outplayed Panther goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
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Seeing the way Pettersson one-timed the puck Tuesday like it was 2023, it’s almost inconceivable that the Canucks’ $92.8-million enigma could go 20 games without scoring. His previous goal was Jan. 13, more than two months ago.
His vintage blast from the right-wing circle on the Canucks’ first power play ended the longest goal slump of Pettersson’s career, and the centre made it two goals in 10 minutes when his double-doink off Panther defenders made it 2-1 at 13:40 of the opening period.
Here’s a thought: maybe he should shoot more often.
During his 20-game sabbatical from scoring, Pettersson put only 24 shots on target and in seven of those games did not test the opposition goalie. During his 39-goal, 102-point season three years ago, Pettersson led the Canucks with 257 shots – 3.2 per game.
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“I’ve been trying to simplify and shoot more,” Pettersson told reporters. “I’m glad two went in tonight.”
Boeser said he saw “a confident Petey.”
So far, the Canucks have kept their bets on Pettersson, doubling down a couple of times when they could have tried trading him, in the belief that the 27-year-old can become elite again. He demonstrated Tuesday that his shot, at least, is still world class. When he uses it.
Of course, O’Connor had to score on St. Paddy’s Day. O’Connor scored the only goal of the third period on a nice pass from Linus Karlsson, who found his linemate alone in front of Bobrovsky. It was the winger’s 16th goal of the season, tying him with Boeser for the lead among Canucks — but still one goal behind Kiefer Sherwood, who was traded by Vancouver in January.
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“I’m like 75 per cent Irish,” O’Connor, who is from Chatham, N.J., told Sportsnet. “My mom’s half Italian, but my dad’s full Irish. I mean, my dad’s got five brothers and a sister so they’re a true Irish family.
“It’s a special day. I got some texts today like, you know, hopefully luck’s on my side tonight. I had a green sweater on today. I had to represent.”
After collecting just two goals and five points in his first 15 games for the Canucks after his December trade from Minnesota, centre Marco Rossi suddenly has three goals and seven points in three games while playing with wingers Boeser and Liam Ohgren, who was also part of the blockbuster that sent Quinn Hughes to the Wild.
“I think he’s just getting more comfortable with our systems,” Boeser said. “I think kind of sticking with the same linemates, I think that’s helping. I thought our first few games together — me, him and Liam — weren’t great. And then the last few, I thought we’ve been a lot better and creating chances and reading off each other. So I think the chemistry is coming.”
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So has Rossi’s health. He injured his foot blocking a shot for Minnesota on Nov. 11, and was still hurt when he was traded a month later and, initially, tried to play for the Canucks. After taking a month off, plus the Olympic break, Rossi said he was finally fit when the NHL resumed on Feb. 25. He has nine points in 10 games since.
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
When a veteran-heavy team that has been as dominant as the Panthers has a season like this one, there is a breezy tendency to declare that their championship days may be over. That would be a mistake with these Florida men.
After three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and two epic series wins against the Edmonton Oilers, injuries to the Panthers reached a critical mass earlier this season. With seven players currently hurt, they’ve lost 11 of their last 16 games to fall so far down the Eastern Conference standings that they’re even behind the Toronto Maple Leafs.
But while the Panthers’ fuel talk may be empty now, their motor and chassis are still formidable.
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Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe are still just 30 years old, and Sam Bennett, Gustav Forsling and Niko Mikkola are 29. Matthew Tkachuk is only 28, Anton Lundell 24, and Paul Maurice is still their coach. Sure, they’ve accumulated some hard mileage, but there’s still lots there for the Panthers.
Re-signing 37-year-old Brad Marchand may have been a sentimental mistake, and Florida will have to find a goalie to replace Bobrovsky. But we’re predicting the Panthers will be back challenging for the Stanley Cup next season.
In the meantime — and because this is the NHL — they’ll probably win the draft lottery.
Mar 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the first step in their title defense and saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extend his historic streak on Tuesday.
After becoming the first team to secure a playoff berth this season, the Thunder will attempt to earn their 10th straight victory and widen their lead atop the Western Conference when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in New York.
The Thunder clinched their third straight playoff spot by earning a 113-108 victory over the host Orlando Magic after taking an 18-point lead midway through the second quarter. It was Oklahoma City’s seventh win by single digits during its second-longest winning streak of the season.
“We’re proud of that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s not easy. We won the championship last year, and I think that can warp the way that you look at other things like clinching a playoff spot or division titles — things that obviously are not as significant as a championship but that are very difficult to do nonetheless. So we’re proud of the accomplishment, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the sixth time this season and had 19 points in the third quarter. The star guard extended his NBA-record streak to 129 games with at least 20 points and did so in a game when the Thunder thrived in other areas.
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Oklahoma City held an opponent under 50% for the ninth straight game, limiting Orlando to 39.8% accuracy. It was the second-lowest opposing field-goal percentage during the winning streak, and the Thunder withstood allowing 17 3-pointers by holding a 54-32 scoring advantage in the paint and a 53-41 rebounding edge.
“It’s a point of emphasis for us,” Gilgeous-Alexander, speaking about the rebounding, said in his on-court postgame interview with FanDuel Sports. “Every night the game is going to have a different task, a different challenge, and it’s our job. We get paid to execute the game plan and play at a high level and with utmost energy. We did that enough tonight to get a W. That’s what stacking W’s is about.”
The Nets are on a four-game losing streak and 2-14 in the past 16 games. The most recent two games saw Brooklyn fall behind big in the first half and attempt a comeback in the fourth quarter.
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After nearly escaping a 28-point hole in a seven-point loss at Philadelphia on Saturday, Brooklyn gave up the first 10 points of its 114-95 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. The Nets trailed by as many as 31 in the third quarter but briefly cut the gap to 15 before falling short.
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn’s leading scorer, missed his third straight game due to a sprained right ankle and is listed as questionable for Wednesday. If he does play, he may wind up sitting in the fourth quarter, which is something the Nets did with Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney in recent games.
On Monday, rookie Danny Wolf was the only starter to appear in the fourth quarter as the Nets gave extensive playing time to rookies Ben Saraf, Chaney Johnson and Malachi Smith along with E.J. Liddell, Tyson Etienne and Ochai Agbaji.
Johnson led the Nets with a career-best 17 points in his fifth NBA game, while Saraf scored 10 of his career-high 15 points in the fourth quarter.
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“He plays bigger than what he is,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said of Johnson, who is 6-foot-7. “His length, you know, he may get overlooked, but he can guard almost everybody. He is super active, super athletic. He can shoot the three, like, he does everything well, and he doesn’t try to do too much, and I think that always helps.”
Eugenio Suarez, the man who hit the game-winning RBI double to lift Venezuela over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final, tapped into his faith during his post-game interview.
“I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time,” Suarez told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal after being asked his emotions following the 3-2 win over the U.S.
“We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela].”
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Suárez shared his faith on Monday night after Venezuela came from behind to defeat Italy, when he hit a solo home run. But he knew the job wasn’t finished with one more game left on the schedule before he and his teammates — whom he called a family — returned to their MLB clubs.
It was a dominant performance by Venezuela at loanDepot park on Tuesday night, a surprising showing in which Team USA was held to just two hits and four total baserunners when Bryce Harper came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
However, the game turned on its head, as Harper hammered an Andres Machado fastball over the center-field wall to tie the game at two runs apiece. The momentum shift was palpable, but Suarez found himself in a great position to bring it back to the Venezuelan dugout.
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Italy in the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
As Javier Sanoja stole second base, Suárez didn’t miss a 3-2 changeup in the heart of the plate from Garrett Whitlock, driving it to left-center field for the game-winning hit.
He stood on second base and immediately looked to the sky, which Rosenthal asked about – what exactly did he say?
“I just prayed at the time,” Suarez said. “I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good.”
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Venezuela’s upset over Team USA, one of the most stacked lineups the Stars and Stripes have fielded in this tournament, marked the country’s first-ever WBC victory. It’s why everyone, from players to coaches, was emotional in celebration on the field after the game.
Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Al Bello/Getty Images)
“The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family,” Suarez added. “This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey. We feel our country on the front of us. That’s why this is a lot for us as players, as people, as human beings and as a Venezuelan. Now, we are the champions.”
Polytec Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 3 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.
South Sydney look to continue building momentum after showing promising attacking signs through the first two rounds. The Rabbitohs’ spine remains one of the most dangerous in the competition when given time and space. The Tigers have been competitive early in the season but continue to struggle with defensive consistency, particularly against structured attacking sides. South Sydney’s ability to generate repeat sets through their kicking game could put the Tigers under sustained pressure. If the Rabbitohs control territory they should create enough opportunities to score. From a betting perspective South Sydney appear the stronger side on paper, but the Tigers’ unpredictability means handicaps may need careful consideration.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Euan Aitken 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Liam Le Blanc
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jeral Skelton 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Tony Sukkar
NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill delivered a powerful message after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025, underlining the weight of expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top sides.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after receiving the honour at the BCCI’s Naman Awards, Gill highlighted the collective effort behind India’s rise as a dominant force, while stressing that their reputation as favourites has been hard-earned.“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” Gill said.
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Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
The 26-year-old also reflected on the significance of joining an elite list of past winners, calling the recognition deeply special.“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country… and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” he added.Shubman Gill credits Gambhir and support staffGill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and the wider support staff, including the Centre of Excellence, for shaping the team’s fearless approach.Reflecting on the past year, Gill termed it an “amazing journey,” pointing to India’s resilience during the England series. “Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match… it’s been a truly great year,” he said, also referencing strong outings in the West Indies and the Asia Cup.Looking ahead, Gill acknowledged the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with crucial series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia set to define India’s World Test Championship hopes.“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.Despite the accolades, Gill downplayed discussions around legacy, focusing instead on team identity. “We want to be looked upon… as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character,” he noted.
In an unusual turn of events at the 2026 Miami Open, Czech tennis player Katerina Siniakova was seen executing unsportsmanlike behaviour following her loss to Colombian player Camila Osorio. They both locked heads during the first round on March 18, 2026.
Siniakova made her appearance at the 2026 Miami Open after having last competed at the Indian Wells Masters, where she retired halfway. While facing Elina Svitolina in the round of 16, Siniakova was trailing 6-1, 1-1. However, following the first game point in the second set, the Czech tennis player retired, citing a right hip injury.
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Osorio’s last appearance was also at the Indian Wells, where she concluded her run following the loss against the Japanese star Naomi Osaka in the third round. Both competed against each other in the first round at the Miami Open, where the Colombian bested the Czech player 6-1, 6-4. However, the most striking moment came when Katerina Siniakova brushed off Osorio and ignored her after the match concluded.
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While Siniakova was seen lying on the court, expressing her discontent, Osorio walked on the opponent’s side of the court and initiated a handshake. However, Siniakova ignored the winner even though the latter followed her till the end of the court, leaving her standing awkwardly and in confusion.
Watch the bizarre handshake drama between Siniakova and Osorio:
Before the 2026 Miami Open, Osorio and Siniakova competed against each other at the 2026 WTA Doha, Qatar – Round of 32 on February 10, in which the Colombian won. She will next compete against Karolina Muchova at the Miami Open.
Mirra Andreeva expresses frustration after her defeat against Katerina Siniakova at the Indian Wells Masters
Katerina Siniakova and Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Source: Getty Images
Fans witnessed a similar spectacle as Katerina Siniakova vs Camila Osorio faceoff during the Czech’s match against defending champion Mirra Andreeva at the 2026 Indian Wells Masters tournament. Siniakova and Andreeva vied against each other in the round of 32, which the Czech dominated with 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
While Andreva entered the tournament as the eighth seed and the defending champion, Siniakova competed as an unseeded player. Andreeva’s discontent throughout the faceoff was unmissable, with the defending champion smashing her racket several times. She threw her racket after after losing the second set tiebreaker, which resulted in a code violation. Andreva repeated the same gesture after the match point. She was seen leaving the court by gesturing and shouting at the spectators.
The Senegal Football Federation has confirmed it will challenge CAF’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
In a statement, the federation described the ruling as unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable, insisting it undermines the credibility of African football.
CAF had earlier ruled that Senegal breached competition regulations in the final and awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory following an appeal by the Moroccan football federation.
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However, Senegal have strongly rejected the decision and are now seeking legal redress at CAS, as they aim to defend their rights and overturn the ruling.
The federation said it remains committed to justice and will keep the public informed as the case progresses.
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