Jordan to meet Ronnie in final

NORTHERN IRELAND’S Jordan Brown admitted he was “over the moon” after booking a place in the first ranking final of his 12-year professional career.

The World No.81 blew away former UK champion Stephen Maguire 6-1 at the Celtic Manor to secure his place in today’s Welsh Open final.

The Antrim potter (above, at table) was just too hot to handle for Glaswegian Maguire, the world No.8, as he romped to victory and the biggest pay-day of his career so far.

“I’m absolutely buzzing, it’s what dreams are made of,” beamed Brown. “My success is just down to hard work, but I’ve always believed in myself.

“I just treated it like any other match even though there was a lot riding on it.

“I just told myself to be cool because my [quarter-final] win over Mark Selby was a real rollercoaster.

“I knew what I needed to do and that’s spurned me on. I was on a free roll.”

Brown came within a whisker of dropping off the main tour last season after a series of poor results, but the 33-year-old is now just one win away from the £70,000 first prize.

He has already guaranteed himself £30,000 for his progress thus far, but could walk away with £40,000 more if he beats Ronnie O’Sullivan in today’s showcase final.

Breaks of 135, 113, 59, 56 and 52 did the damage as Brown outplayed Maguire, who had a top break of just 33, in a one-sided semi-final clash.

“I had a 135 in the opening frame and I think that showed that I wasn’t here to be all walked over,” stressed Brown. “It showed Stevie I was here to play.”

A dejected Maguire moaned: “He was far too good, he put me under pressure from the first frame.

“He deserved it and all the plaudits should be to Jordan. I hope he does well in the first ranking final. It’s just a pity I never showed up today.”

THE GUINNESS PRO14 could soon have a South American element after the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) made initial overtures for the Jaguares to be added to the cross-border competition.

Rugby in the southern hemisphere was turned on its head by the global pandemic and the defection of the South African franchises from Super Rugby to Europe.

Both Australia and New Zealand have since formed their own internal Super Rugby competitions leaving the Jaguares, who made the 2019 final, homeless.

It has forced the UAR to lay out initial yet hugely ambitious plans for the Jaguares to be based in Bilbao, Spain while competing in the PRO14 – a competition soon to become the PRO16.

The PRO14 already includes teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It will expand to 16 teams next season with the addition of South African franchises Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.

Should the PRO14’s board vote to allow the Jaguares into their competition, it would take up to two years for them to be given official entry. From the UAR’s perspective, it is needed quickly.

Following the Jaguares’ exclusion from Super Rugby, a host of top Argentinian internationals have joined European clubs. They include Gonzalo Bertranou, Julian Montoya and Santiago Carreras who have signed for the Dragons, Leicester Tigers and Gloucester respectively.

It is understood private equity firm CVC, who recently acquired a 28 per cent share in the PRO14, are keen on further expansion. They believe the potential inclusion of the Jaguares would likely bring more TV revenue.

NEW ZEALAND rugby union legend Dan Carter has announced his retirement.

The fly-half, 38, won two World Cups in a 12-year spell with the All Blacks and bowed out of the international scene with a man-of-the-match display against Australia in the 2015 World Cup final.

Carter, who remains the highest Test scorer with 1,598 points, signed for Auckland Blues in June but failed to make an appearance for the Super Rugby club.

He posted on Instagram: “I’ve thought about this on so many occasions but today is the day.”