- Women ride Pakistan's economic crisis into the workplace
- Wallabies 'fell of cliff' in loss to Pumas, says coach Schmidt
- Child abuse scandals hang over pope's East Timor visit
- Biden team, end in sight, keeps hope on Gaza truce despite setbacks
- Sabalenka dedicates US Open to family 'who never gave up' on dream
- Venezuela takes diplomatic jab at Brazil in spat over election
- Multiple people shot along highway in US state of Kentucky
- In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
- Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
- Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
- Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
- USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
- Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
- England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
- AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
- No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
- Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
- Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
- Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
- Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
- England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
- Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
- Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
- 21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
- Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
- Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
- Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
- Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
- Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
- 'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
- Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
- Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
- Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
- Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
- Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
- Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
- Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
- Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
- Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
- Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
- Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
- French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
- Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
- The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
- Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
- MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
- Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
- Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
- Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
- Sri Lanka hit back as Pope falls during England collapse in second Test
From Super-team to Super Bowl: Rams eye dynasty
The Los Angeles Rams basked in their Super Bowl victory on Monday after their expensively-assembled roster powered to victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sunday's victory represented a spectacular jackpot for the Rams management, who recruited heavily over the past year with the goal of being able to bring an NFL title back to Los Angeles at their own SoFi Stadium.
The question now is whether Sunday's Hollywood ending turns out to be the beginning of a dynasty.
In an increasingly competitive era, no team has won back-to-back championships since the New England Patriots achieved the feat in 2004 and 2005.
The good news for the Rams is that several pillars of their championship-winning roster should be back next season.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who helped transform the Rams offense this season following his blockbuster trade from Detroit, has another year on his contract and is reportedly due to sign an extension.
Star receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are also under contract, along with defensive stalwarts Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
The dilemma will be determining whether free agents such as Odell Beckham Jr, who scored the opening touchdown on Sunday, and veteran linebacker Von Miller, will be brought back.
There are also questions about whether Donald may walk away from the sport.
One report on Sunday said Donald was contemplating retirement despite having a contract which runs through 2024.
Donald sidestepped questions about his future after Sunday's win, saying only that he was "just going to be in the moment and enjoy this today, or for a couple of days."
- 'Addictive feeling' -
Team-mate Miller was sceptical Donald would call it quits.
"I don't know man. He's done everything you can possibly do," Miller said "But this feeling here, there's nothing like it. It's addictive.
"Once you feel this — coming to the Super Bowl is one thing. But winning it is different."
There have also been murmurings that Rams coach Sean McVay could consider his future.
McVay became the youngest winning Super Bowl head coach in history on Sunday after taking the title at 36 years and 20 days.
McVay, who became the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL when he was appointed by the Rams in 2017, has already taken the team to two Super Bowl appearances during his reign.
A weary McVay paid tribute to his team's "selflessness" and mental resilience on Monday at the traditional post Super Bowl press conference.
"People wanted to win a championship, do something special, for the other people they cared about," McVay said.
"This was the most selfless group I've ever been a part of. They played for one another, they trusted one another and they picked each other up through good and bad. I felt that's what made us so special.
"When you get great players and great coaches that are all committed and pulling that rope in the same direction, great things can happen.
"The mental toughness, the resilience, the belief in each other. It was such a powerful thing."
McVay reserved special praise for wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was named the Super Bowl's MVP after a performance which included the winning touchdown.
Working in tandem with quarterback Stafford, Kupp put the Rams on his shoulders in the final game-winning drive, making catch after catch despite being relentlessly double-teamed.
"Cooper epitomises what's right about this team," McVay said. "The selflessness, the humility, the clutch production when we had to have it.
"I'm better as a coach and as a person for being around Cooper Kupp. He's made such an impact on me."
Kupp meanwhile, who was planning a trip to Disneyland on Monday alongside Stafford and Donald, said victory owed everything to the total commitment of the Rams locker room.
Kupp calculated he had spent around 500 hours of voluntary practice in addition to obligatory time throughout the season.
"So many guys that have just respected the game, have put in the work and the time," Kupp said.
"And that was a huge thing going into this. We said 'We've got guys who deserve a Super Bowl'.
"That's kind of what makes this team so special."
Easing of Covid-19 restrictions meanwhile means that the Rams will be the first Los Angeles franchise to enjoy a traditional victory parade since the pandemic.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers both won championships in 2020 but were unable to celebrate with a parade due to Covid-19. The Rams parade will be held on Wednesday.
F.Cardoso--PC