■ FOOTBALL
Dolphins hunt for diamond
Several Miami Dolphins crawled across the field after practice on Tuesday — not because of exhaustion, but because they were looking for a diamond earring. Defensive end Kendall Langford said he forgot to take his earrings off before practice and lost one during drills. He said the diamond was nearly 2.5 carats, which is why he was still on the field an hour after practice scanning the grass. At least nine teammates helped. Some were on their hands and knees, and a couple used rakes to comb through the turf. They had a lot of ground to cover, because the NFL team practices on two fields. “I’ve got a great group of guys out here helping me — family-type guys,” Langford said. He declined to say how much the earring cost. One jewelry distributor said it could be more than US$50,000. Several fellow defensive linemen were among those assisting Langford in his search. “He’s a teammate. That’s what you do,” defensive end Ryan Baker said. “It’s a fat diamond. It’s a shame.” Langford finally abandoned the search because he was due at a team meeting.
■ RUBGY UNION
Colin Slade called up
New Zealand yesterday included uncapped flyhalf Colin Slade as cover for Dan Carter in the 26-man squad to face Australia as the All Blacks seek a clean sweep in the Tri-Nations tournament. Slade was the sole change to coach Graham Henry’s all conquering squad, who have won all five of their Tri-Nations Tests this year and have already claimed the southern hemisphere title. The 22-year-old is likely start on the bench against the Wallabies in Sydney on Sept. 11, with Aaron Cruden promoted from the reserves to take over the playmaker role from Carter, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Henry said Cruden would definitely be starting against Australia, but Slade’s domestic form for Canterbury had earned him a place in the squad. “Colin Slade I thought was probably the best player on the field against Auckland on Saturday and he’s been playing very well,” he told reporters. Slade said winning a cap off the bench for the All Blacks would fulfill a childhood dream. “Every boy growing up wants to play for the All Blacks and I was no different,” he said.
■ RUGBY UNION
Doctor can go back to work
The doctor at the center of the Harlequins “Bloodgate” controversy was told on Tuesday that she is free to work in medicine again. Wendy Chapman deliberately cut the lip of Harlequins winger Tom Williams, who wanted to conceal that he had bitten into a fake-blood capsule during a European Cup quarter-final tie in April last year against Irish side Leinster, who held on to win 6-5. His so-called injury meant a specialist goal-kicker could come on to the pitch in the final stages of the match. Chapman later concealed her role in the event, but a General Medical Council disciplinary panel ruled Chapman’s fitness to practice was not impaired despite her actions, which it said were not in the best interests of her patient.
■ ICE HOCKEY
Khabibulin handed jail term
Russian goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin has been sentenced to 30 days in jail in connection with an Arizona drink-driving conviction. The four-time All-Star, who now plays for the Edmonton Oilers, received the sentence on Tuesday in an Arizona court. He was also fined US$5,100 and must take part in an alcohol-treatment program. The 37-year-old was pulled over in his Ferrari six months ago for speeding. Khabibulin is appealing the sentence.
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