Retallick fends off Sale talk

Star All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has fended off speculation that he is in advanced talks with English club Sale Sharks. Sale are understood to be circling the 27-year-old, who is off contract at the end of the year, with the Rugby Paper reporting that Retallick has been offered a £1 million (NZ$1.9m) deal following the Rugby World Cup. However, Retallick shut down the speculation in a post on social media. ‘‘No one thought to ask but no I’m not going to be playing for Sale ... not that I know off [sic] anyway,’’ he said. Nelson’s biggest international mountainbike race has been cancelled due to the ongoing bush fire. The inaugural Aorere Enduro, a fourday race involving close to 300 competitors, was due to begin today. It was included as a round of the Asia Pacific Continental Enduro Series, and drew participants from around the world. However, organisers confirmed yesterday that the event would not be going ahead because of the fire.