■ RUGBY UNION
Italy labor to win over Japan
Wing Marko Stanojevic ran in two first half tries as Italy labored to a 36-12 win over Japan on Saturday in a World Cup warm-up match in the Alpine town of St. Vincent, Italy. The Azzurri started well and were 22 points up after as many minutes thanks to Stanojevic's scores, a try by fellow wing Kaine Robertson and the boot of fullback David Bortolussi. There was an injury scare for Italy in the 27th minute when Ramiro Pez came off clutching his shoulder. The flyhalf will undergo tests but the Azzurri staff said the knock did not seem serious. Tries in either half by prop Tatsukichi Nishiura and flanker Hare Makiri revived the Brave Blossoms' confidence and knocked the home side off their stride. They never really regained it, although prop Andrea Lo Cicero and flanker Mauro Bergamasco scored tries, converted by Bortolussi, in the last quarter.
■ CRICKET
PM `amazed' by Warne
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says he will be "amazed" if Shane Warne opts to become a German citizen in order to play cricket in England. The Australian bowling legend said on Friday he was investigating whether he qualified for a German passport so he could play county cricket in England as a non-overseas player. Howard looked incredulous when asked for his reaction to the report that Warne might renounce his Australian citizenship. "I would be amazed if Shane ended up doing that -- amazed. So would a lot of Australians," he told reporters. "What people do with their citizenship in the end is their own business, but I think along with most Australians I'd be amazed." The 37-year-old leg-spinning great first played for Hampshire seven years ago and has been with the English county since 2004 in his current spell. English county sides are currently allowed to have two overseas players at present, but that will be reduced to one next summer. Players holding EU passports do not, however, count towards the quota.
■ SOCCER
Former Hammer dies
Former West Ham United striker Jeroen Boere died in his house in Spain on Thursday, Dutch radio station RTV Rijnmond said on Saturday. The 39-year-old, who retired from football in 1999 when he lost an eye after being stabbed in Japan, worked in Spain as a real estate agent. Cause of death could not be confirmed. Boere started his professional career at Excelsior Rotterdam before joining West Ham in 1993. He also played for Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Southend United.
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