Australia sport: Labuschagne dropped, rugby league World Cup final set

Three recent sporting stories involving Australia appear in the sources, but none explains why Kenyans are searching for the term.

What happened

The sources contain three separate sports stories, and none of them mentions Kenya.

Australia have dropped batter Marnus Labuschagne for the four-Test series at home to New Zealand, which begins in Perth on December 9. The squad has not yet been announced [1]. Chair of selectors George Bailey said: "We won't be considering Marn for selection." He added that he wanted to "clear that up" because of speculation about Labuschagne's place in the team [1].

In rugby league, Australia beat Samoa 44-12 in what [3] describes as a fractious clash. The win sets up a World Cup final against New Zealand in Brisbane on November 15 [3]. A headline in [3] says Samoa "fume at decisions", but the article does not detail those decisions.

In rugby union, England scored seven tries to beat Australia at Allianz Stadium. [2] presents the result as on-pitch backing for head coach Steve Borthwick. The source gives no date or score.

Why Kenyans are searching for it

The sources do not say why this term is trending in Kenya, so this desk cannot give a reason.

Key facts

• Labuschagne, 32, has averaged 23.66 in 10 Tests since returning for last winter's Ashes [1].
• He scored 131 runs in three Tests in South Africa, at an average of 21.83, during Australia's 2-1 series defeat there [1].
• He has gone 49 innings without a Test century, stretching back to the 2023 Ashes in England [1].
• The Kangaroos are chasing a fourth consecutive Rugby League World Cup title and a 10th win in their last 11 attempts, which dates back to 1975 [3].
• New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the other semi-final [3].

What to watch

• Whether Labuschagne is recalled for the tour to India early next year or for next summer's Ashes in England. Bailey has not ruled this out [1].
• The announcement of the squad for the Perth Test [1].
• The rugby league World Cup final against New Zealand in Brisbane on November 15 [3].

Sources

1. [1] Australia drop Labuschagne for New Zealand Test series - Nairobi Tea
2. [2] England ease pressure on Borthwick after big win over Australia - Nairobi Tea
3. [3] Australia reach World Cup final as Samoa fume at decisions - Nairobi Tea

Compiled by the NairobiCity trend desk from the sources above.