All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg marked his return from injury with a try as Canterbury Crusaders came from behind for a bonus point 57-14 Super Rugby victory over South Africa’s Cheetahs yesterday.
Dagg, who had been sidelined for a month with a thigh injury, finished off a sweeping move for one of four tries in eight second-half minutes that turned a 14-10 deficit into a 38-14 advantage.
The floodgates opened when Cheetahs fullback Willie Le Roux was sin-binned in the 50th minute for a high tackle and the Crusaders were awarded a penalty try from the ensuing scrum.
Photo: AFP
Center Dan Carter pounced on a loose ball to cross after Dagg and hulking winger Nemani Nadolo scored an individual effort to round out the blitz, collecting his own grubber-kick on the left wing in the 58th minute.
Flanker Jordan Taufua and Carter later scored their second tries of the evening and replacement back David Havili scored his first in Super Rugby when the Cheetahs were again down to 14 men after Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen was yellow-carded.
The Crusaders, looking to hang on to the coat tails of the unbeaten Wellington Hurricanes in the New Zealand conference, dominated the first half and opened the scoring when Taufua forced his way over the line after 18 minutes.
However, two tries in three minutes from Cheetahs centres Francois Venter and Johann Sadie around the half hour mark stunned the Christchurch crowd, and the Bloemfontein-based outfit went into the break with a 14-10 lead.
Carter also converted seven of the eight tries and kicked a penalty for a total contribution of 27 points as the Crusaders recorded their third win in five matches.
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