Fifa to mull replays and five-referee proposals December 2, 2009 GOVERNING body Fifa has rejected proposals to use five referees in each game at the 2010 World Cup but dropped the strongest hint yet that major rule changes could be on the horizon. The handball by France striker Thierry Henry that helped eliminate the Republic of Ireland in last month’s play-off prompted fresh calls for [...]
Hanks raps Wasps after Leeds sham November 1, 2009 WASPS director of rugby Tony Hanks blasted his below-par side after they crashed to a shock defeat against bottom-of-the-table Leeds at Adams Park. Andy Key’s Tykes stunned their hosts with a first league win of the season, while also denying the London side the chance to move up to second in the Premiership table. In [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF November 10, 2009 All Black Carter hit with banRUGBY UNION: New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will miss Saturday’s Test against Italy after being handed a one-match ban. The All Black, who was punished for a high tackle on Martin Roberts in last week’s win against Wales, will return to face England at Twickenham on 21 November. Carter, who [...]
No complacency for Warriors November 26, 2009 HAVING captain Steve Borthwick back for tonight’s trip to Worcester is a huge boost to us, but we are under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits. Night games, especially in November, can throw anything up and we know with the wet and the cold, we are in for 80 tough minutes at Sixways. [...]
Crusaders break League duck May 17, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: Celtic Crusaders recorded their first Super League victory at the 12th attempt with a shock 30-24 victory at Bradford Bulls. Luke Dyer’s two late tries ensured the Welsh outfit broke their duck in their inaugural Super League season. Meanwhile, Harlequins climbed to fourth in the table after a 24-17 victory over Wakefield, while [...]
Coach Gatland blasted for ‘weak Premiership’ rant October 27, 2009 PREMIERSHIP chiefs have hit back at Wales coach Warren Gatland after he criticised the standard of the English top flight. Gatland said he had not picked Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts for next month’s Test against New Zealand because the Premiership was “weak”. But Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty yesterday responded by accusing Gatland of [...]
McGeechan awaiting Quins’ next move October 12, 2009 FORMER British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists he has not received any contact from Harlequins about taking over at The Stoop. The Scot is a free agent after parting company with Wasps in May and is seen as the ideal replacement for Dean Richards, who quit as director of rugby in the wake [...]
McGeechan awaiting Quins’ next move October 12, 2009 FORMER British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists he has not received any contact from Harlequins about taking over at The Stoop. The Scot is a free agent after parting company with Wasps in May and is seen as the ideal replacement for Dean Richards, who quit as director of rugby in the wake [...]
Venter’s in a rage despite Sarries win October 25, 2009 SARACENS went back to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a sixth successive league victory – then walked straight into a roasting by coach Brendan Venter. The South African led a heated post-match dust-down after Sarries made heavy weather of beating rock bottom Leeds at Vicarage Road. Fiji centre Kameli Ratuvou saw them through [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 14, 2009 Saudis on verge of Reds dealFOOTBALL: The Saudi prince in talks to buy a stake in Liverpool has revealed he is on the verge of concluding a deal with Reds co-owner George Gillett. American Gillett, who owns 50 per cent of the club, jetted out to Riyadh this week for further negotiations with Prince Faisal. [...]