■ Rugby Union
Umaga humbled by honor
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga said he felt humble and a little embarrassed as he received a civil honor for his services to rugby from New Zealand's Governor General yesterday. Umaga, who retired from international rugby at the end of last season after playing 74 test matches, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. "Being brought up to be humble, when you hear people talking about what you've done in your life, it's a little bit embarrassing," he said. "But it's something to be proud of."
■ Rugby Union
Habana concussed in win
South Africa wing Bryan Habana has suffered a minor concussion, the team said in a statement on Monday. Habana, the Springbok's leading try-scorer last year, had a medical examination after complaining of dizziness following the 21-20 victory over champions New Zealand in Rustenburg at the weekend. Natal Sharks utility backs JP Pietersen and Brent Russell have joined the squad for their final Tri-nations match against Australia in Johannesburg on Saturday. The uncapped Pietersen and Russell, who has played 23 tests, were two of the lynchpins in the Sharks side that narrowly missed out on the Super 14 semi-finals.
■ Soccer
Beckham No. 4 on the way
David Beckham may not be part of the England set-up for the moment but he looks set to welcome a fourth child into the family, according to Spanish television on Monday. The TV channel got hold of Beckham at the wheel of his car and the 31-year-old former England captain appeared to confirm the news that his wife Victoria, formerly known as `Posh Spice' during her days with British kitsch rock band The Spice Girls, was pregnant. The glam couple already have three boys, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. While Beckham's international career appears to have hit the rocks he looks set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid that will see him stay at the club till 2009.
■ Soccer
Players flee jinxed arena
Romania's players have asked the soccer federation to move future matches away from the Constanta stadium, which they believe is now jinxed. Romania squandered a 2-0 lead against Bulgaria on Saturday in a European Championship qualifier. Martin Petrov scored in the 82nd and 84th minutes for the visitors. "The players want to go elsewhere," Romania coach Victor Piturca told Realitatea TV on Monday. He said he would reluctantly accept to play the next match against Belarus in Bucharest, despite the fact that fans in the capital are less enthusiastic "as they see enough quality soccer" at club level.
■ Soccer
Webster cleared to play
Wigan have finally got the go-ahead from world governing body FIFA to play Andy Webster in a ground-breaking yet painstaking deal. The 24-year-old invoked a little-known FIFA ruling that allows players in the third year of a four year contract to quit their club for one in another country, as long as they give 15 days notice before the end of the season. Webster gave Hearts notice of his intention to quit within 15 days of the end of last season, thus allowing him to move to a club outside Scotland. Wigan moved in, with the transfer registered a month ago, but only now have FIFA ratified the deal, with a compensation figure to be decided at a forthcoming hearing. The Scotland center half is now clear to make his Latics debut at Portsmouth on Saturday.
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