■ SOUTH AFRICA
Steyn cleared of biting
South Africa center Francois Steyn has been cleared of biting Tonga winger Joseph Vaka on the hand and is free to play in the Springboks' final Rugby World Cup group game against the US on Sunday. The Tongan team made the allegation after South Africa's 30-25 victory in Lens on Saturday. The players tangled after a tackle ahead of Bobby Skinstad's second half try for the Springboks in the 62nd minute. The case came before Judicial Officer Terry Willis in Paris on Tuesday and he dismissed the citing complaint. The Rugby World Cup organizers issued a statement after the hearing in which Willis heard evidence from Vaka and the Tongan team doctor and also watched video clips of the match.
■ GEORGIA
Team confident of success
Georgia almost pulled off the World Cup's biggest upset when losing narrowly to Ireland and the East Europeans were confident of earning their first win of the tournament against Namibia in Lens yesterday. Georgia, ranked 15th in the world, gave the Irish a fright in a tense Pool D encounter on Sept. 15 before going down 14-10, picking up their first World Cup point for losing by less than seven points. "We've put together a very experienced team. We're heading directly to victory and we'll certainly play a good game," coach Malkhaz Cheishvili said of the Namibia clash.
■ ITALY
Marco Bortolami in doubt
Italy captain Marco Bortolami is in doubt for Saturday's decisive Pool C match against Scotland because of injury. Medical staff have recommended rest for the 27-year-old Gloucester lock because of a slight strain in his left thigh and damage to his neck, but coaching staff are still hoping he might be available for the crunch match in St. Etienne. Fellow second row Santiago Dellape, flanker Josh Sole and wing Marko Stanojevic are back in training after recovering from injuries sustained earlier in the tournament, while scans have ruled out any serious injury for loose forward Sergio Parisse.
■ FRANCE
Tricolors at full strength
France have a full-strength squad to select from for their last World Cup Pool D game against Georgia on Sunday in Marseille, a team spokesman said. "David Skrela, Christophe Dominici and Fabien Pelous were the last question marks ... they got the green light from the team doctor," team press manager Lionel Rossigneux told reporters on Tuesday as the squad reassembled after two days of rest. Skrela tore his Achilles tendon in France's opening 17-12 defeat by Argentina on Sept. 7. Lock and vice-captain Pelous missed Friday's win over Ireland because of a sprained knee while wing Dominici was dropped from the 22-player squad after the Pumas game after suffering a hamstring injury.
■ AUSTRALIA
Larkham's knee flares up
Australia flyhalf Stephen Larkham is in doubt for the rest of the World Cup after undergoing a second knee operation. Larkham was hoping to play against Canada this weekend after making a swift recovery from surgery last week but suffered a setback at training on Monday. Australia coach John Connolly said Larkham was taken to a Montpellier hospital for arthoscopic surgery after his right knee became infected. "Stephen Larkham spent the night in hospital. His knee's flared up and he's got a small infection," Connolly said.
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
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Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was