■ Soccer
Becks may end career in US
England captain David Beckham would like to end his career playing Major League Soccer in the US, a BBC report said yesterday. The Real Madrid midfielder, who still has one year to run on his contract in Spain, said he was attracted by the country's passion for sport. "At some stage, playing in America is possible," the 30-year-old was yesterday quoted as saying by the BBC's sport Web site. "For me, America's so passionate and I'd like to be a part of that. I've one year left at Real, and maybe two more after that, but things can change in football and the American league does interest me," Beckham said. "I want to be part of a country that is passionate about sport. I've got my academy in LA which is important to me because that is my life after the game. America for me is one of the most passionate places. There is an incredible feeling around the country," he said.
■ Rugby
Umaga ready to return
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is expected to return from a five-week injury layoff when the Wellington Hurricanes play the Otago Highlanders in a Super 14 rugby match on Sunday. Umaga, who retired from international rugby at the end of last season, has not played since he suffered a knee ligament injury against South Africa's Cheetahs at Bloemfontein on March 5. He made a quiet return to rugby as a replacement in a Wellington club match on Saturday and is likely to be at least on the bench in the Super 14 10th-round match at Dunedin. Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper yesterday indicated that Umaga would be part of the match and said the Wellington-based team would benefit from "just having him back, with his knowledge, what he does and the belief that he'll give the group."
■ Rugby
Fans snap up Cup tickets
More than 100,000 tickets were snapped up in 10 hours on Monday, the opening day of the second release of tickets for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, organizers said. Sales were widened to the public worldwide after the first ticket release on Nov. 5 went to what the International Rugby Board terms its rugby family, including players, volunteers, administrators, officials and club fans. Close on 800,000 tickets of the 1.6 million available have now been sold. Like the first-phase tickets are being sold in packs of three to six matches, with a maximum of six packs per person. Phase three later this year will allow fans to purchase single tickets. The cheapest tickets are 10 euros (US$12.11). Prices for the quarter-finals and the opening ceremony start at 49 euros. Nearly 15,000 seats for the final will be sold for less than 100 euros.
■ Hockey
Robitaille to retire
Luc Robitaille, the highest scoring left wing in National Hockey League history, will retire at the end of the season, the Los Angeles Kings said on Monday. The 40-year-old Robitaille, the Kings' career leader in goals, was to hold a news conference yesterday to discuss his decision. "Tomorrow is the opportunity for the Kings and Luc Robitaille to acknowledge his Hall of Fame-caliber career and give him an opportunity to address his decision to retire from the game of hockey," said Michael Altieri, the Kings' vice president of communications. Altieri declined further comment. Robitaille has 15 goals and nine assists in 62 games this season, his 19th in the NHL.
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