Opals beat Puerto Rico 70-54 in basketball World Cup opener

Australia's Opals won their opening World Cup match 70-54 against Puerto Rico, with Steph Talbot scoring 19 points and earning player of the game.

Why it mattersA strong start puts Australia on track for medal contention in a World Cup where they are ranked third behind only the USA and France.

AustraliaAustralia's top-ranked women's basketball team is competing in the World Cup, their first major tournament since winning the Asia Cup in 2025.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 d ago

Next in today's edition

Woman and man with chestnut horse at equestrian facility, holding lead rope

✓ The Sydney Morning HeraldSport & Play

Darren Weir ends 7-year racing ban, daughter eager to show him her work

Darren Weir completed his seven-and-a-half-year disqualification for using jiggers on racehorses before the 2018 Melbourne Cup.

Why it mattersFor Taige Weir, it means her father can finally see the training operation she has built and support her directly. For racing, it marks an end to a saga that reshaped the sport's integrity rules.