SPORT | IN BRIEF
France fined for Haka response
RUGBY UNION: France have been fined £2,500 for advancing towards the All Blacks’ haka in the build-up to Sunday’s World Cup final. The International Rugby Board imposed the punishment after Les Bleus encroached within the required distance behind the 10-metre line in their own half.
Gresini Honda sit out Valencia GP
MOTOR SPORT: Gresini Honda have withdrawn from the Valencia MotoGP next month following the death of their rider Marco Simoncelli on Sunday. The 24-year-old Italian was killed when he was struck by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi after a crash in Malaysia. Team boss Fausto Gresini said: “The only certainty is my team won’t participate.”
Texas close to world series glory
BASEBALL: The Texas Rangers now lead 3-2 in the seven-game World Series against St Louis Cardianals after Mike Napoli hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to secure a 4-2 victory.