RUGBY UNION
Blunder leads to ‘own try’
Australia is claiming the world’s first “own try” after a refereeing blunder led to North Harbour Rays forward Mitch Lewis touching down for the Sydney Stars in a National Rugby Championship match. The Rays were defending their line at a ruck during the match at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Thursday when Lewis tore the ball free and placed it back on his own try line. Referee Ian Smith, who was unsighted, consulted the TV official and prop Lewis was left dumbfounded when a try was awarded to the Stars rather than a scrum. The howler did not prove decisive as the Stars ran out 49-40 winners.
SOCCER
Own-jersey puller in strife
A Brazilian player is facing a six-game suspension for pulling his own jersey inside the penalty area. Brazil’s sports tribunal said on Thursday that it charged former Brazil striker Leandro Damiao for attempting to lead the referee into awarding his team a penalty kick. Television images showed Damiao holding his jersey backward while he made a run inside the area in Santos’ 3-0 loss at Criciuma in the Brazilian league on Sunday. When asked about the play, Damiao denied he was looking for a penalty call, saying his jersey got stuck to his skin and he was trying to get it loose. Damiao was picked for Brazil’s squad in last year’s Confederations Cup, but did not play because of a muscle injury. He played for Brazil in the 2012 Olympic tournament.
FOOTBALL
Handler reports Hayne mania
NFL franchises and US-based agents are showing serious interest in Jarryd Hayne after the Australian rugby league star announced an unprecedented code swap to football, his manager said in Sydney yesterday. Hayne, who last month won the National Rugby League’s highest individual honour, the Dally M Medal, for the second time, announced his bombshell decision on Wednesday, despite not having a contract. His manager Wayne Beavis said he had since been inundated with interest in the 26-year-old fullback, who has played 176 games for the Parramatta Eels, scoring 103 tries. “There is literally hundreds of e-mails I am trying to answer,” Beavis told the Sydney Morning Herald. “There are agents, there are clubs, there are production companies, you name it they are all here. It is massive, it has exceeded our wildest expectations.
SOCCER
Brawl leads to 12 cards
A vicious brawl involving players, substitutes and riot police forced an Argentine lower-division match in Buenos Aries to be called off midway through the second half with the referee handing out 12 red cards, Argentine media reported. Deportivo Roca’s match at home to Cipolletti in Group One of the Torneo Federal A, the Argentine third tier, erupted after two players were sent off following a seemingly innocuous clash in the game on Wednesday. Cipolletti defender Marcos Lamolla was initially given a yellow card for a foul on Fernando Fernandez, who protested and was sent off. This led to more protests, a scuffle and Lamolla was given another yellow and dismissed. Video footage of the game posted online showed Lamolla running the entire length of the pitch to square up to Fernandez, who was already on his way to the dressing room. The pair lashed out at each other, which quickly led to a free-for-all in which players lunged at each other with flying kicks and punches. Referee Facundo Espinosa told Argentine media that he had sent off 10 further players in the chaos and they would be named in his official report.
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