FOOTBALL
Coaching great dies
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll, the only coach in NFL history to win four Super Bowl titles, has died at the age of 82, US media reported on Friday. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Noll died at his home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He had been in ill health for several years, battling Alzheimer’s disease, a heart condition and back problems. Noll, leader of Pittsburgh’s vaunted “Steel Curtain,” began his coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Chargers, and also worked for the Baltimore Colts before taking charge in Pittsburgh in 1969. He coached the Steelers for 23 years. The Steelers won Super Bowl titles in 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 under Noll’s guidance.
FIELD HOCKEY
Australia make final
Defending champion Australia have beaten Argentina 5-1 at the field hockey World Cup and are to face host nation the Netherlands in the men’s final. The result was never in doubt as Australia scored early and often in Friday’s semi-final, with Kieran Govers drag-flicking in the first at 4 minutes, Jeremy Hayward scoring twice and Jacob Whetton once. With the score at 5-0, Argentina’s Gonzalo Peillat pulled one back for Argentina. The Netherlands beat England 1-0 on a first-half penalty corner and are to play their first World Cup final since winning their third title at home 16 years ago.
RUGBY UNION
Fiji thrash Tonga
Fiji center Nemani Nadolo scored a try among his 20 points as the hosts beat Tonga 45-17 yesterday in their opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup. Wingers Watisoni Votu and Sireli Bobo scored two tries each, and captain Akapusi Qera scored another as Fiji piled on six tries to two in a comprehensive performance. Fiji led 24-3 at halftime, but Tonga rallied midway through the second half with two tries in two minutes to replacement Viliami Fihaki. Fiji closed out the match with tries to Bobo and Qera.
RUGBY UNION
Carter plays club game
Flyhalf Dan Carter made his return to rugby after a six-month layoff at a tiny club ground yesterday, to which hundreds of All Blacks fans made pilgrimage. Carter, who played the most recent of his 100 Tests at the end of last season, has been on a “sabbatical” designed to prolong his international career at least through to next year’s World Cup. Carter ran out for Southbridge in a minor leagues match against Glenmark. He played only 40 minutes, but in that time set up two tries to give his team a 20-5 halftime lead.
ATHLETICS
Fiji runner shot in US
A runner from Fiji was killed in a gang shooting in Northern California just weeks before he was set to attend the University of Louisiana, friends and authorities said. Roy Ravana Jr and another man, Kevin Ohta, were shot on Monday in Sacramento County by two juveniles who opened fire with two handguns and a rifle on behalf of the Norteno street gang, prosecutors said. Ohta, 21, is expected to survive, the Sacramento Bee said. Suspects 17-year-old Elias Guevara and 16-year-old Rozco Gutierrez have been charged as adults with murder and attempted murder. They were arraigned on Wednesday, but did not enter pleas, Shelly Orio, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said. The exact circumstances of the shooting were unclear.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely