Smith scandal fails to put All Blacks off their stride

RUGBY: New Zealand overcame the absence of suspended half-back Aaron Smith to seal a clean sweep in the Rugby Championship with a nine-try, 57-15 victory over South Africa in Durban. The All Blacks’ preparations for this clash were undermined by an embarrassing revelation on Wednesday when Smith was suspended for one Test and sent home from South Africa after admitting he joined a woman in a public toilet last month, the day after the world champions beat the Springboks on September 17 to claim the Championship with two rounds to spare. Despite the distraction, the world champions produced a prolific attacking display and denied their opponents a try in achieving their 17th successive win. The match was close at half-time when New Zealand’s lead was a slender three points at 12-9, but they then blew their opponents away. After Israel Dagg and TJ Perenara’s firsthalf tries, both crossed again as seven more followed, with Beauden Barrett also bagging two before late scores for Codie Taylor, Ben Smith and Liam Squire. Barrett landed three conversions before Lima Sopoaga scored three of his own. Later, Australia beat the Pumas 33-21 in Twickenham.

ROWING: Olympic silver medal heroes Paul and Gary O’Donovan finished first and second respectively in the A final of the single sculls at the Irish Open in Cork yesterday. Paul finished three seconds ahead of his older brother after pulling ahead towards the end of the race.

SNOOKER: RONNIE O’SULLIVAN stands between Judd Trump and the European Masters title after ‘the Rocket’ destroyed Australian Neil Robertson 6-0 in their semi-final. Trump, made today’s final at the expense of world champion Mark Selby. He saw off Selby 6-2 at the Circus Globus in Romania yesterday as the world No 1 struggled, registering a highest break of just 37. Bristol-born Trump said playing opponents of the calibre of O’Sullivan and Selby ‘brings out the best in me’. ‘I think I’m lucky to be in the tournament with those players,’ he said.