Australia and ACT Brumbies back Christian Lealiifano is to make his Super Rugby return in the playoff against the Wellington Hurricanes on Friday, less than a year after being diagnosed with leukemia.
Lealiifano, who has played 19 Tests for the Wallabies at flyhalf and inside center, was yesterday named on the bench for the Brumbies’ quarter-final against the reigning Super Rugby champions at Canberra Stadium.
The popular 29-year-old was told in February that his leukemia was in remission after he had undergone chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant from his sister late last year.
Photo: AFP
“It would be a gamble if I thought he wasn’t right to play, but the way that he’s trained with the team over the last three months gives me a fair indication that he’s ready to play,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
Lealiifano’s inclusion was one of a string of changes made to the squad by Larkham, who rested a raft of players for last weekend’s 28-10 loss to the Waikato Chiefs. That left the Brumbies with a 6-9 record for the regular season.
Inside center Kyle Godwin and winger Aidan Toua were unavailable for selection because of injury, with Andrew Smith and James Dargaville getting the starts in their stead.
The Brumbies must become the first Australian team to beat a New Zealand side in 26 attempts this season if they are to secure a semi-final in South Africa against the Lions or the Sharks.
The Hurricanes have been better than the Brumbies in almost every department this season and hammered them 56-21 in round nine, but that does not bother Larkham.
“It’s a new season and everything before is irrelevant,” he said. “We’re pretty happy with the way we’ve prepared for this [match]. It’s do or die irrespective of how you’ve gone through the season, it all comes down to this game.”
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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