Manly rugby's Yool Yool creates history and the other sports news of the week

Following a training ground mishap while in camp with the Australian Olympic team's rugby 7s program in late March, the medicos told the Manly Marlins speedster to forget about returning in 2021 as he nursed a broken fibula, ligament damage, spiral fractures and syndesmosis.

And, when he eventually did make it back, they warned the 22-year-old there was no guarantee he'd be the same player.

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"It was very tough not doing anything and even tougher missing Olympic selection. At that stage I felt like I was not in control of my rugby or my return," Yool told Inside Back. "The doctors warned me it would take a long time to recover and my biggest worry was not being able to hit my top speed again or change direction as fast as I did. I felt as though if I didn't get back to this, I wouldn't be the same player."

Legendary rugby league coach Jack Gibson once said of Andrew Ettingshausen: "He's so quick he can turn the light off and be in bed before it's dark." You could swap ET for Yool. Speed off the mark and over distance is his greatest asset.

So it was with great excitement - and a few nerves - that he made his return to rugby ahead of schedule, representing Australia at the World Series 7s in Dubai over the past two weekends.

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"I'm happy to say I've been able to hit my top speed and am moving fine," he told us from his Dubai hotel.

"There's almost a sense of relief that all the hard work has paid off, especially since I was told I wouldn't be playing this year. I'm committed to being the best sevens player I can be and relish the opportunity to show my skills on such a big stage."

Yool also created history in Dubai, becoming the first Sudanese-born player to represent Australia in rugby. He said: "That's a huge honour. I love my culture and am blessed to be in the position I am today thanks to my beautiful mother. It feels good to have my culture etched into rugby history."

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Yool's commitments to the Australian 7s program ahead of next year's likely selection in our Commonwealth Games squad means the Marlins will see little of the flying fullback in 2022.

A dinner of rice, chicken and salad followed by a couple of episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race back at his Manly apartment was how Sydney Sixers spinner Steve O'Keefe celebrated his astonishing return to cricket on Sunday night.

Despite playing just one game in the lead-up - for Manly back in early November - SOK picked up two wickets in his first over, a further two later in the innings and a smart catch at third man as the Sixers thrashed Melbourne Stars in a one-sided BBL encounter at the SCG.

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And, just like a worker finishing a 9-5 shift, the 36-year-old tucked into a quick feed before driving back to the peninsula to watch late night TV at the pad his shares with partner Lexie and dog Dobby.

"Back in the days when you played eight games (in a season), you'd have a week in between so you probably have a few beers in the sheds and celebrate," O'Keefe told Inside Back.

"The schedule doesn't really allow it these days, so I was at home by 11.30pm watching a bit of RuPaul and Family Guy with the missus.

"It was reassuring to know I still have it after a bit of time out, but there's still a long way to go in this tournament."

Kieran Foran emerged as the champion rower after a host of Sea Eagles players and ex-star Glenn Stewart went stroke for stroke to raise funds for a worthy cause last week.

Stewart recruited Foran, Jake Trbojevic and Tom Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and Brad Parker to join him for a stage of the 24-hour Trojan Row at Terrigal Rugby Club - and naturally a competition broke out.

Foran thrashed the rowing machine to cover the most distance during his time in the seat as the Manly boys helped the Trojans pass $15,000 in donations for Lifeline and Beyond Blue.

Great work, boys.

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