Print

Mail

wiki links

Sports Briefs

■ 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.


This story has been viewed 773 times.