Iain Payten | The Sydney Morning Herald

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Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘Context is important’: Waugh dismisses fears Wallabies will be easy meat for Lions

‘Context is important’: Waugh dismisses fears Wallabies will be easy meat for Lions

The Wallabies’ record loss saw one ex-England star bemoan the “proper dark” state of Australian rugby, and suggest the Lions tour South Africa instead.

  • by Iain Payten

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After record Wallabies defeat, there are no pitchfork-wielding mobs. Is that a good or bad sign?
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Wallabies

After record Wallabies defeat, there are no pitchfork-wielding mobs. Is that a good or bad sign?

The reasons for the extraordinary second-half collapse in Santa Fe are still being analysed. But the response to Argentina’s 67-27 win has also been unusual.

  • by Iain Payten
‘Fell off a cliff’: Wallabies humiliated by Pumas in biggest ever defeat
Argentina 67 Wallabies 27
Wallabies

‘Fell off a cliff’: Wallabies humiliated by Pumas in biggest ever defeat

The ‘Elephants Graveyard’ became the Wallabies’ graveyard in Santa Fe, as the team gave up a 17-point lead and conceded their biggest ever score.

  • by Jonathan Drennan and Iain Payten
‘We threw him in the deep end’: The baptism of fire that turned James Slipper into the most-capped Wallaby

‘We threw him in the deep end’: The baptism of fire that turned James Slipper into the most-capped Wallaby

James Slipper will run on for the Wallabies in Argentina on Sunday morning and draw level with legendary halfback George Gregan, who played his 139th and final Test in 2007.

  • by Iain Payten
Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test set for green light
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Wallabies

Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test set for green light

Rugby Australia and the New Zealand Rugby Union are close to finalising a historic shift of a Bledisloe Cup game to Anzac Day in 2026.

  • by Iain Payten
From ‘Real Madrid’ to Tah-celona: Easts stars extend with the Waratahs

From ‘Real Madrid’ to Tah-celona: Easts stars extend with the Waratahs

Fresh from winning a Shute Shield with a stacked Easts team – and stirring their rivals during celebrations – four stars have re-signed with the Waratahs.

  • by Iain Payten
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On your Marky Marks: Who is the NRL’s new rookie, and how do you pronounce that surname?

On your Marky Marks: Who is the NRL’s new rookie, and how do you pronounce that surname?

Code switcher Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his NRL debut for the Roosters on Friday. Here’s what you need to know.

  • by Iain Payten
‘We want to scrum’: Wallabies reject South African injury rort ploy

‘We want to scrum’: Wallabies reject South African injury rort ploy

South Africa reportedly raised formal questions about the Wallabies injuries that led to uncontested scrums in Perth last month.

  • by Iain Payten
An Aussie great coached Alexei Popyrin at age five. He wasn’t shocked to see him beat Novak

An Aussie great coached Alexei Popyrin at age five. He wasn’t shocked to see him beat Novak

The Australian’s giant-killing run continued when he upset Novak Djokovic at the third round of the US Open on Saturday.

  • by Iain Payten
Easts smash 55-year Shute Shield hoodoo with one-point victory
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Club rugby

Easts smash 55-year Shute Shield hoodoo with one-point victory

Norths were left heartbroken for a second straight year despite a second-half fightback against the star-studded Easts in the Shute Shield grand final.

  • by Iain Payten
Gout breaks record in podium finish as Aussies collect four silvers

Gout breaks record in podium finish as Aussies collect four silvers

The future stars of Australian athletics stepped up at the world under-20 championships in Lima.

  • by Iain Payten