- At the peak of his powers, Jarryd Hayne shocked the rugby league world with his defection to the NFL. After his most consistent season, Hayne announced in October that he would walk out on the Eels to move to the US without a contract to pursue his NFL dreams. Hayne said he needed to "follow his heart".
- On a shoestring budget, the Western Sydney Wanderers overcame headbutts, spitting and constant travel to take out the Asian Championships League in November. The Wanderers beat Al-Hilal 1-0 on aggregate. They became the first A-League side to win the title.
- Sydney Kings star import Josh Childress announced himself to the NBL after being suspended for a shoulder-charge like foul on Perth's Jesse Wagstaff in a heated match. Childress escaped with just a one-game ban and $7500 fine after he was ejected for the foul. "He hit me, I hit him back," Childress said. "It wasn't any more than that."
- Sam Burgess' heroics helped lead South Sydney to win their first title in 43 years to beat Canterbury 30-6. Burgess played on with a fractured eye socket and cheekbone. He won the Clive Churchill Medal for his role in the win, which ignited Redfern.
- Surfer Stephanie Gilmore won her sixth world title in a dramatic finish, beating a host of fellow Australians. Three Australians finished in the top four, Gilmore overcoming Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons to walk away with the title. She is now within one championship of joining fellow Australian Layne Beachley as the greatest female surfers in the history of the sport.
- Rising tennis star Nick Kyrgios stunned the sporting world when he knocked world No.1 Rafael Nadal out in the fourth round in Wimbledon in four sets. Kyrgios beat Nadal 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 before losing in the quarter-finals to Milos Raonic. "For me is very easy to say he can be top 10," Nadal said.
- NSW Waratahs claimed their first Super Rugby title with a 33-32 win against the Crusaders in front of a 61,800 Super Rugby record crowd at ANZ Stadium. Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a double while a penalty goal by five-eighth Bernard Foley with a minute left sealed the win.
- The Kurtley Beale-Di Patston-Ewen McKenzie saga of texts and accusations eventually led to McKenzie falling on his sword as Wallabies coach and Patston's resignation. Beale was stood down and heavily fined but survived the chop before returning to the Wallabies squad.
- The Melbourne Cup took a tragic turn with the death of pre-race favourite Admire Rakti, followed by that of fellow runner Araldo several hours later. Admire Rakti, which had won the Caulfield Cup in October, died after collapsing in his stall just five minutes after shocking punters by finishing last in the Cup. Smart stayer Araldo was returning to the mounting yard and broke his leg after a young boy waved a white flag in the horse's face.
- Australia completed their five-nil Ashes whitewash with a comprehensive 281-run win at the SCG against England. Mitchell Johnson was named man of the series in a squad which remained unchanged throughout the series. England slumped to a new low in their final innings, out for 166 in 32 overs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More from Google Rundown
More from Google Rundown
