Sport Comment: 2020 vision: only genetic freaks need apply September 15, 2013 IT WAS either the most invigorating or the most dispiriting rugby international for many a year. New Zealand’s victory over South Africa on Saturday produced some of the most brutal 80 minutes of aggression and assault you’re likely to have witnessed without criminal proceedings resulting. The Springbok pack averaged more than 18 stone a man. [...]
England squad depleted again as Barritt ruled out for the year September 15, 2013 ENGLAND centre Brad Barritt is set to miss the autumn internationals after being ruled out for the rest of the year with a foot injury. Barritt has undergone surgery on the problem, which first surfaced late last season and flared up again following last week’s Aviva Premiership opener against London Irish. The 27-year-old British and [...]
Back injury puts Australia captain Clarke in doubt for series decider September 15, 2013 AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke could miss his side’s final match of the 2013 tour of England, with a long-term back injury threatening to rule him out of today’s one-day international at Southampton. The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1 going into the decider at the Ageas Bowl, yet Aussie coach Darren Lehmann insists that star [...]
Viviani wins first Tour leg September 15, 2013 BRITONS Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins both failed to make an impression during yesterday’s first stage of the Tour of Britain, which was won in a sprint finish by Italian rider Elia Viviani of Cannondale. Cavendish was crowded out during the 130-mile Scottish leg, eventually ending 12th, while Wiggins was further back in 37th. [...]
Farah denied in thrilling finale to Great North Run September 15, 2013 BRITAIN’S Mo Farah suffered a rare defeat in yesterday’s Great North Run, finishing a close second to Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele. Double world and Olympic champion Farah produced his trademark late surge but could not overtake Bekele in a gripping finale. Distance-running great Haile Gebrselassie was third in a world record time for over-40s. “When Kenenisa [...]
Bale scores on Real debut while Ronaldo signs bumper new deal September 15, 2013 THE WORLD’S most expensive player Gareth Bale marked his Real Madrid debut with a goal, but his new club were held to a 2-2 draw by Villarreal on Saturday. The Wales winger, who moved from Tottenham for £85.3m last month, opened his account for Real with a close range finish on the stroke of half-time. [...]
Giroud in race to face Marseille as Arsenal’s injury list grows September 15, 2013 ARSENAL are hoping that Olivier Giroud will recover from a knee problem in time for Wednesday night’s Champions League trip to Marseille, after the French centre forward was injured in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Sunderland. The victory put Arsene Wenger’s side top of the Premier League – at least until Liverpool play Swansea tonight – [...]
Quality of new boy Eriksen stuns Soldado September 15, 2013 TOTTENHAM striker Roberto Soldado has revealed his surprise at the quality team-mate Christian Eriksen produced in his Premier League debut on Saturday. Spurs’s £11.5m summer signing from Ajax laid on the first of midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson’s two goals in the 2-0 home win over Norwich to cap a virtuoso display. And Soldado, who also moved [...]
Liverpool look to reclaim top spot September 15, 2013 FOOTBALL: Liverpool will return to the top of the Premier League if they can avoid defeat at Swansea tonight, with new signings Mamadou Sakho and Victor Moses in the running to make debuts.
Horner is oldest Grand Tour winner September 15, 2013 CYCLING: American Chris Horner became the oldest ever Grand Tour winner yesterday when the 41-year-old claimed the Vuelta a Espana by a margin of 37 seconds over Vincenzo Nibali. The final stage of the race was won by Australian Michael Matthews, yet Horner – who races for the RadioShack team and turns 42 next month [...]