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Raiders denied amid controversy The Cronulla Sharks beat the Canberra Raiders 28-24 in Sydney last night but most of the post-match talk focused on the controversy surrounding the host club’s final try. The Sharks led 22-6 at the break but the Raiders had the momentum after closing to 22-18. The match swung back in Cronulla’s favour with a 57thminute Sione Katoa try. The bunker ruled Jesse Ramien did not touch a cut-out pass in the lead-up to the try, despite the nearest touch judge raising his flag to suggest play be stopped. Some of the Raiders stopped — Katoa didn’t, and his converted try opened a gap the Raiders couldn’t bridge.

Broncos bounce back

Two weeks ago, the Panthers hammered the Warriors by 32. A week ago, the Warriors saw off the Broncos by 20. And the NRL’s topsy-turvy form continued last night, as the Broncos raced to a 32-0 halftime lead against the Panthers on the way to a 50-18 victory. Tevita Pangai jnr led the way for Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium with two of his side’s five first-half tries.

Sevens team eyeing Cup

The goal for New Zealand heading into this weekend’s Rugby Sevens World Cup is clear: defend the titles won in Moscow four years ago. Both the All Blacks and Black Ferns sevens sides arrived in San Francisco as defending World Cup champions and Commonwealth Games gold medallists, with an eye on creating history — no team has successfully defended the World Cup. The Ferns face Mexico in their first match at 6.50am today.

Five-year ban for referee attack

An Oamaru man facing criminal charges after he allegedly punched a rugby referee at the end of a Citizens Shield semifinal on Saturday was given a five-year ban at a North Otago Rugby Union judicial hearing. North Otago chief executive Colin Jackson said an allegation of misconduct against the 20-year-old had been upheld. The man is scheduled to appear in the Oamaru District Court on August 29.

Drysdale makes the cut

Mahe Drysdale has been included in an extended Rowing New Zealand squad but will not be racing the single sculls. The double Olympic champion has put his hand up to row in a crew boat after failing to reclaim the men’s single sculls seat from Robbie Manson. Drysdale will now vie for a place in either the men’s quad or eight, with the final crew list to be confirmed on August 10.

Fifteen banned for basketbrawl

Thirteen players and two coaches from the Philippines and Australia have been suspended from international play for their involvement in the brutal World Cup qualifying brawl this month. Ten Filipino players have been suspended, while for Australia, Daniel Kickert (five games), Thon Maker (three) and Chris Goulding (one) copped suspensions from Fiba matches for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

IOC warns sports bodies

The International Olympic Committee has asked sports organisations to “carefully consider” allocating events for Serbia or Kosovo to host. The Olympic body’s executive board took the position yesterday after a Kosovo national karate team was blocked from entering Serbia for the European Championships in May. Serbia does not recognise the independence of Kosovo. IOC spokesman Mark Adams says international sports governing bodies “need to be aware” that a championship in either country “could run into problems”.

Hunt headline act in Moscow

Mark Hunt will headline the UFC’s first event in Russia, the organisation confirmed yesterday. The Kiwi heavyweight will fight Aleksei Oleinik in the main event of the UFC Fight Night in Moscow on September 15. Oleinik was originally expected to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum but the bout was put on hold after Werdum was flagged for a potential anti-doping violation. The UFC then turned to the No 8-ranked Hunt to headline the muchanticipated event in Moscow.

Steven Adams the cartoon

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has been turned into a comic book hero. In a video posted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, comic artist Corey Lewis Reyyy showcases his creation called

Kiwi Legend which is being sold at the famed Comic-Con event this week. “I love sports. I love stuff where humans are in some kind of game with rules but they strive to push the boundaries and be the best. So with Steven, I like that kind of perspective,” Reyyy says. He said comic version Adams is “a salt of the Earth fella who’s struggling”.

Walsh struggles in Monaco

World champion shot putter Tom Walsh has struggled into fifth at the Diamond League athletics meet in Monaco. Walsh finished with a best of 21.49m, 1.18m outside his personal best. American Ryan Crouser won with 22.05m. Valerie Adams finished fourth with 19.31m on her penultimate attempt.

Hamilton’s $77 million deal

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton thanked Mercedes for indulging him as he finally signed a new contract, ending months of stalling and growing speculation over his future. With his previous contract set to expire at the end of this year, the four-time world champion penned a new agreement until 2020, when the current set of F1 regulations end. No figures were given, but the bumper deal is reportedly estimated at £40 million ($77 million) per year.