Payback as NZ beat South Africa in Cape Town Sevens final

Howley banned from rugby for 9 months for betting breaches KOC chief lauds organizing of FINA water polo championships

Photos from the World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships 2019 currently held in Kuwait. Chairman of Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah extolled on Sunday the successful organization of the FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships 2019 currently held in Kuwait. Speaking to reporters in a statement after attending part of a game, Sheikh Fahad said the tournament’s organizing is highly extolled by guests and the participating teams as well.

Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Olympic Swimming Pools Complex hosting the tournament is on equal footing of the international facilities, he said, adding that this contributed to the success of the competition. Sheikh Fahad stressed the KOC’s keenness on backing all Kuwait’s sports federations.

Regarding the matches, Kuwait’s team were defeated by the United States 8-16 in the first round’s games in the Group C. The Kuwaiti athletes made a brilliant performance in the first half, which ended with 3-3.

However, the Americans managed to proceed in the other three halves, outrivaling the hosts at the end of the game.

The Americans top their group with 6 points out of four games; they qualified for the quarterfinals after Italy and Montenegro equalized 12-12.

In the Group A, Serbia beat Croatia 11-6, while Japan thrashed South Africa 2611. In the Group B, Spain hammered Canada 15-7, while Hungary beat Russia 12-9.

In the Group D, titleholders Greece crushed Uzbekistan 27-4, topping the group, while Australia beat Brazil 9-6. (KUNA)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Dec 16, (AP): New Zealand repaid South Africa by winning the Cape Town Sevens rugby final 7-5 on Sunday, a week after it was blanked by the South Africans in the Dubai final.

South Africa took the Dubai final 15-0, and maintained the big defensive effort in the home final of the second leg of the world sevens series through a scoreless first half as New Zealand dominated possession.

Justin Geduld then put South Africa ahead with a try from a scrum and some luck.

But two minutes later, Tone Ng Shiu worked the ball to the South Africa tryline and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black crossed. Akuila Rokolisoa converted and New Zealand held out for the last minute.

“It doesn’t get much better,” New Zealand captain Scott Curry said. “Playing South Africa at their home ground, 50,000 fans roaring, it’s hard not to get inspired by that, even for a Kiwi.”

The Kiwis have been inspired for decades, having won the South African title for the 11th time in 21 tournaments.

They beat Scotland 35-19 in the quarterfinals and Fiji 24-7 in the semifinals.

South Africa beat eventual third-place team France 21-14 in the semis.

The series resumes on Jan. 25-26 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

New Zealand’s men completed the double, after the women won their final against Australia 17-7.

CARDIFF, Wales:

Also

Howley

Former Wales assistant coach was banned from rugby for nine months Monday for breaching betting rules, including putting money on a player in his team scoring a try during a Six Nations match.

Howley received an 18-month ban from the Welsh Rugby Union but nine months were suspended.

Howley, who played 59 times for Wales as a scrumhalf