Sports shorts
Good Evans prince of Wales
Steff Evans scored two tries as Wales twice came from behind to beat Samoa 19- 17 in difficult conditions in the final game of their rugby tour. Alapati Leiua's try gave Samoa the lead but three Sam Davies penalties brought Wales within a point at halftime. Wing Evans' first international try put Wales ahead after 42 minutes, only for Manu Leiataua to restore Samoa's lead. Wales rallied and Evans' second try eight minutes from the end clinched the victory on a slippery pitch in Apia.
Leali’ifano may come back
Christian Leali’ifano could make a return to Super Rugby in time for the ACT Brumbies’ playoff campaign, less than a year after being diagnosed with leukemia. The 29- year- old inside back played the last 30 minutes of the Brumbies’ exhibition match against the Asia- Pacific Dragons on Thursday night in Singapore. Leali’ifano was told last August he had cancer, had a bone marrow transplant in November and was told he was in remission in February.
Thurston out for season
Johnathan Thurston’s hopes of a State of Origin farewell are officially over, with the North Queensland halfback ruled out for the rest of the NRL season with a shoulder injury. A shattered Thurston will undergo surgery on his right rotator cuff after scans revealed multiple injuries in his shoulder after Wednesday night’s 18- 16 Queensland State of Origin win. The injury will also all but end his Kangaroos career, with the champion playmaker admitting turning out in the end- of- year World Cup before his representative retirement was no longer a reality. “It’s pretty shattering,” Thurston said.
Roosters wary of Storm
The Sydney Roosters say the taxing Origin period is taking a toll on Melbourne’s ageing superstars, but they won’t be under- estimating the Storm when the two top- ranked NRL teams meet at Adelaide Oval tonight. While the Roosters will be without NSW captain Boyd Cordner, who has a calf injury after Wednesday’s battle, they still have Origin guns Mitchell Pearce, Blake Ferguson and Dylan Napa on deck. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he was disappointed the Storm would be missing four injured Maroons in Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, who have general soreness, as well as concussed centre Will Chambers.
Hayne plane takes off
Gold Coast NRL star Jarryd Hayne put a below- par State of Origin II display behind him to score two tries as the Titans ripped apart the Wests Tigers 26- 14 in their match at Campbelltown in Sydney’s west last night. Former Warrior Konrad Hurrell also scored a double as the Titans took control in the second stanza.
Blacks Ferns Sevens eye semis
The Blacks Ferns Sevens enter their final World Series tournament of 2016- 17 knowing Cup semifinal qualification will seal their first series title in two years. Led by Tyla NathanWong, New Zealand face Japan at 10.22pm ( New Zealand time), then Ireland at 1.06am and USA at 3.50pm in their day one pool matches. They have a 14- point lead from Australia and Canada.
Dixon surprises young fan
Kiwi IndyCar driver Scott Dixon has surprised a young fan who wrote to him after his dramatic Indianapolis 500 crash. Nine- year- old Lucy Heslin's letter of concern over the motor racing star's welfare went viral and moved Dixon. So, yesterday he paid a surprise visit to the young fan who was shocked when the 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner pulled into her driveway. “Oh my gosh! Hi,” Lucy said as Dixon got out of the car. “This is so awesome. I just think he's a really great driver and a really great person.”
Fenech hooks into ‘ clowny’ fights
Jeff Fenech believes Jeff Horn’s blockbuster against Manny Pacquiao can help restore legitimacy in Australian boxing after Anthony Mundine and Danny Green’s “clowny” sideshow earlier this year. Three- time world champion Fenech reckons the July 2 fight will be the biggest seen on Australian shores. “It’s the biggest fight in Australian history,” Fenech said yesterday. “Bigger than FenechNelson, bigger than Green- Mundine, all those clowny fights. The difference is this kid’s fought the best to get here.”
Dear Old Thing retiring
Famed English cricket commentator Henry Blofeld will retire in September. The 77- year- old, affectionately known as “Blowers”, has worked on the BBC, and sometimes in New Zealand, since 1972. His final match will be the test between England and the West Indies at Lord’s which starts on September 7.
Kohli stays mum on Kumble
Virat Kohli is continuing to fend off questions regarding his role in the sudden resignation of India cricket coach Anil Kumble. “. . . what happens in the changing room is something that’s very sacred and private to all of us, and something that I would not express in detail in a public scenario,” Kohli said yesterday. Kumble’s exit has been perceived at home as a victory for player power, which will also send out the wrong signal to whoever succeeds the former spin bowler in the high- profile job.