Evening Football News: Trbojevic Steadies the Roos, Isaako Breaks a Record and the Nix Go Top

A huge Sunday of rugby league, rugby union and A-League football. Here’s what you need to know tonight.

Trbojevic hat-trick settles the Kangaroos
Fiji gave Australia a real fright at Suncorp Stadium before Tom Trbojevic’s hat-trick finally settled the Kangaroos’ nerves. Kotoni Staggs scored the opening try from a short ball by James Tedesco, who captained the side in his first Test since 2023. Semi Valemei hit back for Fiji from a Kurt Donoghoe cut-out pass. Bradman Best made his Kangaroos debut, and Tom Dearden and Sam Walker shared the halves with Mitchell Moses out injured.

Isaako rewrites the Kiwis record books
New Zealand crushed the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch. Jamayne Isaako scored 38 points, with a hat-trick and a boot full of goals, to break Tasesa Lavea’s long-standing Kiwis record of 32. Debutant Tanner Stowers-Smith scored twice and Casey McLean was named player of the match. The Kiwis face Fiji on the Gold Coast next, and the Cook Islands take on Australia in Townsville.

Australia A run riot in Nashville
Stephen Larkham’s Australia A beat the USA XV 61-12 in the first of two matches. Dylan Pietsch scored twice, and Nick Frost, Nathan Hastie, Kadin Pritchard, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tim Ryan also crossed. They did it despite Brumbies centre David Feliuai being sent off when his yellow card for a high shot was upgraded to red. The second match is in New Jersey next weekend.

Rugby pay talks go down to the wire
Rugby Australia and the players’ union are still at odds over a new five-year pay deal, and the current agreement ends on Saturday 31 October. Both sides have given ground, but sticking points remain, including the players’ push for a share of World Cup revenue.

Phoenix fly to the top
Wellington Phoenix beat the Central Coast Mariners 2-0 at home with two goals in two minutes after the break. Rafael Duran headed in a Matthew Sheridan cross on 55 minutes, and Corban Piper tapped in soon after. It’s the club’s first-ever two-from-two start to an A-League Men season, and they sit top of the ladder.

Sydney FC come from behind
Sydney FC fell behind early against Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium, then turned it around to win 2-1. Rhys Youlley equalised on 64 minutes, and Oriola Sunday scored the winner after substitute Akol Akon and Al Hassan Toure combined. It was Sydney’s first win of the season and Patrick Kisnorbo’s first home win as coach.

Maddison update for Spurs fans
After the 2-0 win at Chelsea, Roberto De Zerbi says James Maddison’s injury, a suspected groin problem, is “not a very important problem”, though the midfielder will still have scans. The win lifted Tottenham to 12th. Supporters can wear their colours with the official Tottenham Hotspur FC Black IP Leather Bracelet, on sale for AU$64.60 (was AU$68.00).

Late-night viewing
Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield overnight. Reds fans can grab the official Liverpool FC 750ml Aluminium Drinks Bottle (AU$28.00) or the Liverpool FC Canvas Wallet (AU$20.00).

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