Penrith Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary is one of 11 new faces expected to join the New South Wales Blues squad for the State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah sends a tweet saying he is up against the odds, but is "confident" of making the plane to play for Egypt at the North African country's first World Cup in 28 years.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah sends a tweet saying he is up against the odds, but is "confident" of making the plane to play for Egypt at the North African country's first World Cup in 28 years.

Producing a cool, calculated drive on a sizzling hot day, Will Power fills the one hole in his resume and becomes the first Australian to win the the famed 500-mile race in Indianapolis.

Producing a cool, calculated drive on a sizzling hot day, Will Power fills the one hole in his resume and becomes the first Australian to win the the famed 500-mile race in Indianapolis.

There will be no all-Australian showdown at the French Open, with Nick Kyrgios pulling out to protect his injured elbow for Wimbledon, leaving Bernard Tomic to face a "lucky loser" in round one.

There will be no all-Australian showdown at the French Open, with Nick Kyrgios pulling out to protect his injured elbow for Wimbledon, leaving Bernard Tomic to face a "lucky loser" in round one.

The Australian prevailed despite an engine problem which left him with 25 per cent less power for the final 50 laps of the 78-lap race.

Jamie Maclaren has been belatedly called into the Socceroos' pre-World Cup camp after controversially missing out on initial selection.

Former AFL player Jake King is placed on a 12-month good-behaviour bond and ordered to donate $5,000 to charity after threatening to break the legs of a friend's business partner.