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All Black Sevens push for final
The All Black Sevens enter the final phase of their 2016- 17 World Series campaign tonight in Paris. They face Wales ( 8.44pm NZT), Argentina ( 12.10am) and USA ( 3.58am) in pool play and will be keen to push hard to qualify for their first Cup final of the season in the penultimate event. New Zealand are still fourth on the standings, while South Africa need only reach the Cup final to clinch their second World Series crown.
Smith to stay on sideline
The Highlanders will have to make do without their main man at the back for another week. Highlanders coach Tony Brown said Ben Smith's ankle had not recovered well enough to have him available for the match against the Force next week. The co- captain has missed the South African leg of the tour due to an ankle sprain and there was hope he would be right for the match in Perth next Saturday. But he would now hopefully be available for the match against the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 27.
Saints put the foot down
The Wellington Saints have moved to 12- 0 in the National Basketball League after defeating the Taranaki Mountainairs 94- 76 last night. Corey Webster, with 25 points, led the way for the Saints who are on track to become the first team go unbeaten throughout an NBL season. Elsewhere, the Supercity Rangers jumped into third after holding off the Nelson Giants 76- 71. The Rangers are now 6- 5, and can all- but- secure a spot in the playoffs with a win over the 3- 7 Bay Hawks tonight.
Mealamu opens up on spear tackle
Former All Black Keven Mealamu has opened up on his infamous speartackle on Brian O'Driscoll which ruled the Irishman out of the Lions 2005 tour. O'Driscoll's tour was over after just 41 seconds after being injured in the opening test by Mealamu and Umaga. Mealamu told The Newsroom he still feels “a little bit stink” about the way things played out. Mealamu was adamant he and Umaga never set out to injure O'Driscoll and said he wasn't even aware Umaga was on the other side of O'Driscoll when he went to drive him out of the ruck. Mealamu said he didn't realise O'Driscoll was injured until play was stopped so he could be carried off.
Croatian sends Murray packing
World tennis No 1 Andy Murray yesterday crashed out of the Madrid Masters in the third round. The Scot was beaten 6- 3 6- 3 by 20- year- old Croatian Borna Coric. Defending champion Novak Djokovic beat Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in straight sets to reach the quarter- finals. Women's defending champ Simona Halep crushed American Coco Vandeweghe 6- 1 6- 1 to reach the semis.
United struggle into final
Manchester United stumbled into football’s Europa League final after conceding a late goal in a tensionfilled 1- 1 draw against Celta Vigo that ended with both teams having a man sent off yesterday. United advanced 2- 1 on aggregate, with Marcus Rashford's winner in the first leg last week ultimately proving the difference. Marouane Fellaini handed United a 17th- minute lead at Old Trafford before Facundo Roncaglia headed home in the 85th minute to set up a nervy finish.
Kiwi propels team to Italian title
Tall Ferns forward Jillian Harmon has led her professional team to win the Italian Basketball Championship. Harmon had an outstanding season for her Le Mura Lucca club, averaging 17.2 points ( third in the league), 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. It was her seventh season in the Italian league.
Last milestone for test veteran
Veteran Misbah- ul- Haq scored his 39th 50 in his final cricket test appearance, as Pakistan reached 376 on the second day of the deciding third test against the West Indies in Dominica. The 42- year- old has announced this will be his final test and he received a guard of honour on his way to the crease. The West Indies were 14/ 0 at stumps.
Ball can’t stop talking up son
He's the most notorious sports dad in America. And LaVar Ball is not going away despite managing to insult three of basketball’s icons in Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal. LaVar has managed to get many people offside over his promotion of his son Lonzo, who is about to enter the NBA draft. Ball senior says his son is already better than Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and more advanced at this stage in his career than Michael Jordan — a claim scoffed at by James. LaVar is not stepping away from the claims and has already launched a basketball shoe in his son's name.
Aussies stay for IPL finals
Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell remain in the mix to lead their Indian Premier League cricket sides to glory on Sunday week. However, if the skippers contest the IPL final on May 21 it will cut down the time they spend preparing for the Champions Trophy. Australia’s squad will soon assemble in England for the ODI tournament, with their first assignment being a warmup game on May 26 against Sri Lanka.
Those players currently in the subcontinent will depart when their respective IPL campaigns end.