Australia, England and Peru are the winners in our World Cup Power Rankings after the latest round of warm-up matches, with the big showdown in Russia rapidly approaching.

Michael Morgan will start at full-back, and Anthony Milford will come off the bench, but the fitness questions are still swirling for the Maroons ahead of Origin I.

Michael Morgan will start at full-back, and Anthony Milford will come off the bench, but the fitness questions are still swirling for the Maroons ahead of Origin I.

The Adelaide Football Club has made a move to broaden its exposure beyond Australia — purchasing the Adelaide Bite baseball team, with the sport hugely popular in Japan, Korea and China.

State of Origin features a Queensland captain born in NSW, while other star players will miss out on league's showpiece because of strict rules that dictate who is allowed to play.

Statistical evidence informing NBA tactics has piqued the interest of AFL coaches, with teams now prioritising their own versions of 'layups and three pointers'. Confused? It's a case of simple mathematics.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan may be cross-examined in court about the league's handling of the Essendon supplements saga after losing a bid to stop the issue becoming the subject of a full Supreme Court trial.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan may be cross-examined in court about the league's handling of the Essendon supplements saga after losing a bid to stop the issue becoming the subject of a full Supreme Court trial.

The Cricket Australia chief executive steps down in the wake of the ball-tampering affair, giving 12 months' notice so the organisation can plan for a successor.

The Cricket Australia chief executive steps down in the wake of the ball-tampering affair, giving 12 months' notice so the organisation can plan for a successor.

Marco Cecchinato is now the most successful Italian at a grand slam in 40 years after stunning Novak Djokovic to reach the last four at Roland Garros.

Marco Cecchinato is now the most successful Italian at a grand slam in 40 years after stunning Novak Djokovic to reach the last four at Roland Garros.

Every birthday in June, a young football-mad Damien Cook would get a new State of Origin Blues jersey and wear it out for the next 12 months. This year was different - he got a real one.

Every birthday in June, a young football-mad Damien Cook would get a new State of Origin Blues jersey and wear it out for the next 12 months. This year was different - he got a real one.

Some big names haven't made the cut for their country's World Cup squads. Put together, they offer a first XI that would be pretty competitive in Russia.