is lucky calico legit
Couple accused of stealing $1 million of Lululemon products after $50k of clothes found in hotel suitcase
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. David Rittich made 19 saves for the Kings, who improved to 6-2-1 at home. Kempe and Byfield scored 1:44 apart in the second period. Byfield buried a sharp-angle slap shot on a power play while dropping to a knee. It was his 98th career point in 200 games. Brandon Montour got the Kraken on the board with 1:26 left in the game. He converted a long shot with Joey Daccord off for another skater, but Los Angeles held on. Daccord finished with 19 stops for Seattle. Takeaways Kraken: Jordan Eberle will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery on his pelvis. He had six goals and five assists in 17 games before he got hurt against Chicago on Nov. 14. Kings: The power play had been in a 1-for-16 rut (6.25%) over the previous six games before Byfield found the net. It was the Kings’ lone opportunity with the man-advantage. Key moment After following its 1-0 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday with a fourth straight period of extreme low-event hockey, Los Angeles created a lot more activity and offense to start the second and generate its two goals. Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Kings know how to close out games, improving to 9-0-1 when leading after two periods. Up next The Kraken visit Anaheim on Monday, and the Kings play at San Jose on Monday. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl Advertisement Advertisement
BOONE, N.C. (AP) — Myles Tate led Appalachian State with 20 points and Dior Conners hit the game-winning 3-pointer with one second left as the Mountaineers defeated William & Mary 79-76 on Sunday. Tate had five rebounds and 10 assists for the Mountaineers (3-2). Conners went 5 of 9 from the field (5 for 8 from 3-point range) to add 15 points. CJ Huntley shot 6 of 9 from the field and 1 for 4 from the line to finish with 14 points. Noah Collier led the Tribe (3-5) in scoring, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds. William & Mary also got 13 points from Malachi Ndur. Kyle Pulliam also had 12 points. Appalachian State went into the half leading William & Mary 42-30. Jamil Muttilib put up 12 points in the half. Tate led Appalachian State with 15 points in the second half. NEXT UP Appalachian State plays Wednesday against Sam Houston, and William & Mary visits Old Dominion on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Iran said on Sunday that it would hold nuclear talks in the coming days with the three European countries that initiated a censure resolution against it adopted by the UN's atomic watchdog. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would take place on Friday, without specifying a venue. "A range of regional and international issues and topics, including the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the nuclear issue, will be discussed," the spokesman said in a foreign ministry statement. Baghaei described the upcoming meeting as a continuation of talks held with the countries in September on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On Thursday, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution denouncing Iran for what it called a lack of cooperation. The move came as tensions ran high over Iran's atomic programme, which critics fear is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon -- something Tehran has repeatedly denied. In response to the resolution, Iran announced it was launching a "series of new and advanced centrifuges". Centrifuges enrich uranium transformed into gas by rotating it at very high speed, increasing the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235). "We will substantially increase the enrichment capacity with the utilisation of different types of advanced machines," Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman, told state TV. The country, however, also said it planned to continue its "technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA". During a recent visit to Tehran by IAEA head Rafael Grossi, Iran agreed to the agency's demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. - 'Doubts and ambiguities' - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, has said he wants to remove "doubts and ambiguities" about his country's nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran and world powers reached an agreement that saw the easing of international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed biting economic sanctions, which prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On Sunday afternoon, the United Kingdom confirmed the upcoming meeting between Iran and the three European countries. "We remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback if necessary," London's Foreign Office said. The 2015 deal contains a "snapback" mechanism that can be triggered in case of "significant non-performance" of commitments by Iran, allowing many sanctions to be reimposed. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group think tank, told AFP that Friday's meeting was set to happen earlier, but "those plans were derailed as a result of Iran-Israel tensions" over the Gaza war. Though the parties will be meeting "without knowing what the incoming Trump administration wants to do", Vaez said that "after a lose-lose cycle of mutual escalation, now both sides are back to realising that engagement might be the least costly option." Tehran has since 2021 decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices monitoring the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, it has increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium and the level of enrichment to 60 percent. That level is close, according to the IAEA, to the 90 percent-plus threshold required for a nuclear warhead, and substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. pdm/smw/ami Originally published as Iran says will hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK on Friday Breaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Breaking News Left-wing candidate Orsi wins Uruguay presidential election Left-wing candidate Orsi wins Uruguay presidential election Read more Breaking News Petrol industry embraces plastics while navigating energy shift Petrol industry embraces plastics while navigating energy shift Read more
Coronation Street fans are ALL saying the same about THIS storyline
Jamie on 'Yellowstone,' Season 5. (Paramount Network) Paramount Network Ben Axelson | baxelson@syracuse.com “ Yellowstone ,” Season 5, part 2 returns today with episode 11, “Three Fifty-Three,” airing Sunday, November 24 (11/24/2024) at 8 p.m. ET. STREAM: “Yellowstone,” Season 5, Part 2 on Philo (FREE TRIAL) . In “Yellowstone,” Season 5 , Part 2, episode 11, the Dutton family drama ramps up following Beth’s vow of vengeance against Jamie for the death of John Dutton, played by written-off Kevin Costner. In Episode 11 , “Beth discusses the fate of the ranch with an unlikely ally; Kayce takes the investigation into his own hands; Jamie looks to advance his political agenda,” according to the official synopsis. Here’s what you need to know to watch the “Yellowstone” TV show Season 5, part 2, episode 11: Where can I watch ‘Yellowstone’ Episode 11 for free? Cord cutters can sign up for Philo (free trial) , fuboTV (free trial) or DirecTV Stream (free trial) to stream “Yellowstone” Season 5, Episode 11 , “Three Fifty-Three,” for free. Paramount Network is not available to stream online, even with a cable subscription. The only way to watch on non-cable devices is with a free trial to one of the services above. RELATED: Can I watch ‘Yellowstone’ on Paramount+? How to watch season 5 for free What channel is ‘Yellowstone’ on? Paramount Network. Channel finder: DirecTV , Verizon Fios , Cox , Xfinity , Spectrum , Optimum Who is on ‘Yellowstone’ season 5, part 2? Kevin Costner, who led the series as John Dutton III, is not returning to wrap the story with the rest of the cast. His character was killed off, off screen, in the first episode of Season 5, part 2. The rest of the core cast, however, is returning, including: Kelly Reilly as Beth Luke Grimes as Kayce Wes Bentley as Jamie Cole Hauser as Rip Kelsey Asbille as Monica Brecken Merrill as Tate Finn Little as Carter Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater Some new additions expected include Orli Gottesman as Halie, Kathryn Kelly, who plays Jimmy’s fiancée, Emily, and Josh Lucas, returning as young John Dutton for the first time since Season 3. What happened last week on “Yellowstone”? Fans can watch seasons Yellowstone Seasons 1-4 and Season 5, part 1 on demand, as well as the newest Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 episodes, on fuboTV . READ MORE: Where to watch ‘Yellowstone’ season 5 on demand if you missed the season premiere In episode 10, “The Apocalypse of Change,” the episode starts six weeks earlier. Rip and the crew encounter rattlesnakes in Teeter’s tent at the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. Beth arrives unexpectedly, hinting at future plans (and setting up potential spin-offs?). Back in Montana, Rip and Lloyd discuss the uncertain future of the ranch following John’s death. Beth confronts Jamie, vowing revenge, and promising that her face will be the last thing Jamie sees. Kayce, Monica, and Tate work on their new home. Beth calls Kayce, confirming her suspicions about Jamie’s betrayal. Beth and Kayce plot their next moves, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. What is ‘Yellowstone’ about? According to the official series synopsis, “Oscar and Emmy winner Kevin Costner is the marquee attraction of the ensemble cast in this drama series, starring as the patriarch of a powerful, complicated family of ranchers. A sixth-generation homesteader and devoted father, John Dutton controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. He operates in a corrupt world where politicians are compromised by influential oil and lumber corporations and land grabs make developers billions. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect, Dutton’s property is in constant conflict with those it borders -- an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.” What are the differences between the streaming services? Philo is the best place to watch the Yellowstone Season 5B, episode 11 , and the full season. It includes a 1-week free trial, so you can watch the premiere completely free, and is the most affordable live TV streaming service at just $28 per month after your trial for 70+ popular channels including Paramount Network, AMC, A&E, BET and more. fuboTV also offers a 7-day free trial, and includes Paramount Network, but the monthly charge is $59.99 for the first month and $79.99 after that. However, fubo offers sports and local channels that are not available on Philo. Sling is another decent budget option, at just $20 for your first month. But viewers will need to add the $6 Entertainment Extra pack in order to get Paramount Network. Still, it‘s technically your cheapest option here. It just doesn’t include a free trial. DirecTV Stream is pricey at $86.98 per month for its cheapest package, which includes a five-day free trial and Paramount Network. Hulu + Live TV offers no free trial, but is currently $59.99 for three months. Looking for more Yellowstone, Season 5 info? Check out our Yellowstone Season 5 hub for additional cast and show info, as well as the latest updates on new seasons and spinoffs.Lebanon's Hezbollah movement has fired heavy rocket barrages at Israel destroying houses near Tel Aviv, after a powerful Israeli airstrike killed at least 29 people in Beirut the previous day. or signup to continue reading Israel also struck Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, where intensified bombardment over the last two weeks has coincided with signs of progress in US-led ceasefire talks. Hezbollah, which has previously vowed to respond to attacks on Beirut by targeting Tel Aviv, said it had launched precision missiles on Sunday at two military sites in Tel Aviv and nearby. Police said there were multiple impact sites in the area of Petah Tikvah, on the eastern side of Tel Aviv, and that several people had minor injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a direct hit on a neighbourhood had left "houses in flames and ruins". Television footage showed an apartment damaged by rocket fire. Israel's military said Hezbollah had fired 250 rockets at Israel, of which many were intercepted, with sirens sounding across most of the country. At least four people had been injured by shrapnel. Israel's military warned on social media that it planned to target Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut before strikes that demolished two apartment blocks, according to security sources in Lebanon. Afterwards, the IDF said it had hit command centres "deliberately embedded between civilian buildings". On Sunday, the Israeli military said it carried out strikes against 12 Hezbollah command centres in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. On Saturday, it had carried out one of its deadliest and most powerful strikes on the centre of Beirut. Lebanon's health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from 20 to 29. It said a total of 84 people had been killed on Saturday, taking the death toll to 3754 since October 2023. The IDF did not comment on Saturday's strike in the Lebanese capital or say what it had attacked. Israel went on the offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in September, pounding the south, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes after nearly a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza war. The Israeli offensive has uprooted more than one million people in Lebanon. Israel says its aim is to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people evacuated from its north due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. US mediator Amos Hochstein highlighted progress in negotiations during a visit to Beirut last week, before travelling to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, before returning to Washington. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Sunday said a US ceasefire proposal was awaiting final approval from Israel. "We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the US proposal for a ceasefire," he said in Beirut after meeting Lebanese officials. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had convened a meeting of his security cabinet for Monday. Axios reporter Barak Ravid in a post on social media cited an unnamed Israeli official saying that Israel is moving towards a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. But a separate report from Israel's public broadcaster Kan said there was no green light given on an agreement in Lebanon, with issues still yet to be resolved. Diplomacy has focused on restoring a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war. It requires Hezbollah to pull its fighters back around 30km from the Israeli border, and the Lebanese army to deploy in the buffer zone. The Lebanese army said on Sunday at least one soldier had been killed and 18 more injured in an Israeli strike that caused severe damage at an army centre in Al-Amiriya near the southern city of Tyre. The Israeli military said it regretted the incident and was investigating, and that it was fighting against Hezbollah, not the Lebanese Army. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said the attack "represents a direct bloody message rejecting all efforts to reach a ceasefire, strengthen the army's presence in the south, and implement ... 1701". Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
Bet_Noire When the Federal Reserve issues its FOMC statement on Dec. 19, 2024, stock markets are widely expecting a 25-basis point cut. The CME Group’s FedWatch tool assigned a near-probable Fed Funds rate of 425 – 500 bps. Yet, stock market performances are diverging ahead of this Please [+] Follow me for coverage on deeply discounted stocks. To get more more from these articles, get do-it-yourself tips and tricks through three subscription tiers. Chris Lau is an individual investor and economist with 30 years of experience covering life science, technology, and dividend-growth income stocks. He has degrees in Microbiology and Economics. Chris runs the investing group DIY Value Investing where he shares his top stock picks of undervalued stocks with catalysts for upside, dividend-income recommendations with quant and payment calendar tracking, high upside plays, and research requests to help you become a better do-it-yourself investor. Learn more. Top Pick this year : this stock has become the best ever top pick . Highlighted is the one-day change, the editor's pick, and daily gain. The returns from the public articles are: 2023 Average Return: 8.4% 2022 Average Return: 6.9% 2021 Average Return 29.90% 2020 Average Return: 49.9% Flagship Products: 1. Top DIY Picks: Undervalued stocks have upcoming catalysts that markets do not expect. 2. Dividend-income Champs that have a long history of dividend growth. Includes printable calendar and quantitative scores. 3. DIY Risky Picks for a speculative allocation positive momentum for up to a moonshot, triple return. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Rockcliffe Park fight over 'big, modern' home not over yetMuscat : The Shura Council today held its 3rd regular session of the 10th Term’s 2nd annual convening, during which it discussed the topic of "temporary employment initiatives" with Dr. Mahad Said Ba'owain, Minister of Labour. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, said in a speech that “visions and proposals presented about temporary employment initiatives are in line with the national goals” and that these visions seek to unify the efforts made to achieve the public interest. For his part, the Minister of Labour said in a statement that the session saw in-depth discussions about vital aspects that pertain to the national development and to the Omani citizens’ aspirations. The minister pointed out that the session focused on three main topics: The “Employment Contracts Initiative”, the “One Million Hours Initiative” and the “Sahim Programme”. Dr. Mahad pointed out that the initiatives “constitute strategic programmes to enhance the efficiency of the national workforce, contribute to the empowerment of Omani youth and enhance their chances to enter the labour market with greater competitiveness”. He added that the meeting offered an opportunity to underline shared visions and deep understanding about the requirements of the labour sector. The minister explained that the session highlighted the participants’ awareness about the national priorities and their keenness to formulate approaches that contribute to sustainable growth, economic development and social stability. The session was held in accordance with Article 68 of the Council of Oman Law, and Article 56 of the Shura Council Law, which stipulates that the Shura Council may exercise its jurisdiction to follow up public issues and use its mandates to host officials for elaboration on matters of public interest. As part of discussions on the “Temporary Employment Initiatives”, the session dealt with the outcome of implementation of all types of temporary employment contracts (in the government sector) and the Ministry’s plans to develop them. The session also discussed the outcome of implementation of employment contracts in the private sector, the challenges posed to the Ministry, the future of existing and temporary employment contracts and the Labour Ministry’s plan to deal with them within the stipulations of the current Labour Law. The session studied the ministry’s vision about the legal and administrative frameworks of temporary employment contracts in view of the fluctuating labour market economics. The session also discussed the requirements of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) and the Ministry’s follow-up of the positive and negative impact of implementation of temporary employment initiatives, notably the impacts on the work environment and on the national workforce (in the public and private sectors).
Scotland would be full of people if the cold wet sand and lashing winds on the grey sea were a bit less wild and more conducive to supply chains. In 1700 there were about a million Scots. In 1800, a million and half. By 1900, four and a half, but rugby has been written from then till now, and during the era of Tests, Scotland only gained a million more to reach its current five-and-a-half million. In the same 120-year period, Australia went from less than four million to over 27 million. There are as many Sydneysiders as Scots in Scotland, even if star loose forward Jack Dempsey and current Scottish captain Sione Tuipulotu have tried to counter the ruck direction, along with several Saffas. AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WEEK 4 TEAMS AND TV TIMES A different Hopetoun Cup reunion has convened this weekend: the two teams who fought one of the most contentious Rugby World Cup matches in history in 2015, a quarterfinal which effectively and unfairly ended referee Craig Joubert’s on-field career, as the 35-34 score was pronounced as an error, even if all refs make at least a handful of material errors in a Test, and many who are seen as competent risers have made more than a dozen and been protected by World Rugby. For the most part, the competition between the sides has been friendly. This match should be as well, but both teams desperately need the win: for the now, for this series, for their coaches even at opposite stages of their tenure, and for the scant time left before the Lions set sail. If either were to lose badly, their sunny narrative of this month would turn frigid. A big win, or any win, would crown the Wallabies the biggest gainers of the season. The Wallabies have played Scotland 21 times in Scotland, losing nine. In 2022, Dave Rennie’s squad took it by a point: a try by James Slipper on the hour and 11 points from Bernard Foley did the trick. Before that: a squeaker in 2021 in Romain Poite’s final Test match, with Finn Russell winning a kicking duel with James O’Connor; the 2017 rout (24-53); and a Wallaby triumph (again by a point) in 2016, sealed by a late Tevita Kuridrani try converted by Foley. Sione Tuipulotu. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby) Scotland poses a unique threat to Australian Grand Slam dreams. They score. A lot. In their three matches this November, Scotland has scored 131 points, and their low tally (15) was against South Africa, the stingiest team in world rugby. The last time Scotland was kept tryless was also against the Springboks in Marseille in the opening pool match of the World Cup. Given the weather at Murrayfield (raining all day and temperatures as low as five) the Bok template might be worth emulating. The Wallabies have let in too many points this season; in particular, too many tries. An average of over 20 a match conceded to Wales in three Tests, 29 let in from Georgia, over 30 a game by both the Boks and the All Blacks, a 67-point debacle in Argentina, and 37 by England. Shave this by five or ten points and the Wallabies could get a lead against Scotland and take it to the house. Even if Joe Schmidt’s ball possession doctrines and Laurie Fisher’s defensive structures do not operate at the level of the Boks (allowing Russell no tries or try assists in 2023 and 2024, and an average of nine points a game) but merely almost as well, the upset is on the cards. In bad weather, in the third weekend of a long tour far from home, putting hopes in a 40-point explosion again is unwise and rare. The average output for the Wallabies in Edinburgh since 2009 is 17.5 points a Test. How do you construct a game plan to slow down Russell, Tuipolotu, Huw Jones, wings who will be Lions, and big Toulousain Blair Kinghorn at the back? The Boks have done it by giving Russell too much: too much time on the ball, too many defenders between him and his centres, too many choices, too much contact, too many (legal) rib ticklers, too much of the play, and too many false doglegs. Scotland’s Finn Russell in action during the Autumn Nations Series match between Scotland and Australia at BT Murrayfield in 2021. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images) Basically, South Africa turned the Bath wizard into a carrier and squeezed kicker; not a passer. Russell is not a poor runner, but he cannot beat a single Wallaby in a footrace. He makes the ball work for him and has relied on Kinghorn and Tuipulotu to trigger breaks. The battle within the battle will be to spoil the quality of the second pass in each Scottish attack set and prevent the third altogether. Highlight flicks will be less important than cramping the potent Scots, putting bodies in the way of passing lanes, and keeping the wider channels quiet. South Africa uses shooters (both from the outside backs and quick forwards like Kwagga Smith or Pieter-Steph du Toit) to cut salient through the attack shape Scotland prefers (a rather flat line compared to many of the cascading teams) and do not worry so much if those scouts blitz to a tackle: the key is to crash the space. The goal is to cut Jones off from Tuipulotu and 12 from ten. In the URC this year, Jones has only played three matches but has beaten eight defenders and made seven line-breaks (from just 24 carries). Tuipulotu is the ‘culprit.’ His 11 bruising carries a game for Glasgow has committed so many tacklers and jacklers, Jones runs free. The former Melbourne Rebel commits two or more tacklers 46.9% of the time, according to OptaAnalyst; the same rate of his gainline success. This has given Jones a staggering 80% figure for what OptaAnalyst classifies as ‘dominant carries’ (and 88.2% gainline success). Darcy Graham or Duhan der Merwe or any of the slippery Scot wings feed off this mayhem. Kinghorn is an upgrade on his disgraced predecessor Stuart Hogg, and not just on the court blotter: he makes gainline for Toulouse 72.7% of the time. The overall task is clear: if Australia defends at Murrayfield as well as they have so far in 2024, they will ship 40 points. How do you beat Scotland? Start by counter-rucking, contacting the Scottish scrumhalf, touching Russell, smash-tackling Tuipulotu, sawing off Jones, starving their wings, and not giving Kinghorn lazy kicks. This team is hard to tackle: Scotland led the World Cup in tackle evasion (43.6%, just ahead of New Zealand), even in the “pool of death.” They trailed only Ireland in finishing breaks with tries. They led the Cup in offload success. Their attack seldom goes blindside (their shortside attack in the Cup was only 4.2%, the lowest in the tournament), is not tight (they went wide 16% of the time in France, compared to the Wallabies’ 7.5%), and went wider than 10 metres from source the most, just ahead of Italy and Ireland. More Rugby The point is this: nobody except New Zealand this year will have tested Australia’s wider channel defence more than Scotland by the end of Saturday. Oppose that? Not by suddenly sprouting a steel trap in the trams; but by cutting it off from the promised land. South Africa has funneled Scottish runners into the teeth of its brutal forward and midfield defence. If Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is manning the inside channel next to the Wallaby flyhalf, he will need to hit higher upfield and lower on the body, giving his in-form mate Len Ikitau cover to blanket Jones. A metric for success is for Rob Valetini to have more carries than the Scottish wings put together, and for Ikitau to neutralise Jones. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images) The match which will tell most about this tale of return and revival. Back when Schmidt was hired, I wrote here: “The Wallabies have been stymied by seven cardinal rugby sins for a decade or more. A high penalty and card count, poor referee relations, a shapeless attack, poor ball retention, overreliance on a few stars, a tendency to play to the level of the opposition (tight losses to top teams, narrow wins versus weaker team), and a disconnect from fans and their proxies in the media.” They are connecting, because winning does that. Accuracy has risen. Harry Wilson knows how to talk to a ref. The attack has a shape which can reform because ball is better protected. But two of those seven points are still to be overcome.