RUGBY UNION
Thorn unhappy with Rodda
Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn yesterday described as “disappointing” reports that Wallabies forward Izack Rodda is on his way back to Australia less than a year after walking out on the club. Rodda left the Reds and signed a lucrative contract with French club Lyon after refusing to take a short-term pay cut amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 24-year-old lock has been linked with a move back to Australia after his Lyon contract runs out in June, which would make him eligible to resume a Test career that has earned him 25 caps. “That was disappointing when it happened and disappointing to hear that as well,” Thorn told reporters in Brisbane. “You don’t dislike that person, but the whole game suffered here, the players were on 40 percent of their wages and it was hard yakka [work]. A lot of people persevered, a lot of people made sacrifices and, with our values here. [Rodda coming back] doesn’t align with that.”
TENNIS
Mari Osaka retires
Mari Osaka, the elder sister of four-time major winner Naomi Osaka, has retired from tennis at the age of 24, saying that “it was a journey which I didn’t enjoy.” The elder Osaka was ranked 340th in the world, having reached a career-high of 280 in 2018, and last played a singles tournament in January. She partnered in doubles with her sister — who is 18 months younger, ranked second in the world, and the reigning US and Australian Open champion — at the 2017 Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. “I am retired from playing tennis,” Mari Osaka wrote on Instagram. “It was a journey which I didn’t enjoy ultimately but I’m grateful for all the memories and support I’ve gained and received over the years from the sport. I’m moving on now so you can look forward to new fun projects upcoming in the future.” Mari Osaka also plays a role in her younger sister’s career, and last year helped produce a manga character representing Naomi Osaka in a magazine aimed at teenage girls. “Up until I was 15, she was 6-0ing me, like ridiculous,” Naomi Osaka was quoted as saying by the WTA Tour Web site. “I don’t know what happened — something clicked in my head — but for sure she was beating me. In the win-loss category, she’s still up by a million.” However, Mari Osaka gave a different take on their matches. “Sometimes I think she was throwing the matches on purpose just so that we could finish practice quicker,” she said. “So the moment she started trying, I was getting pissed off.”
HORSE RACING
Irish jockey banned
Irish amateur jockey Rob James has been banned for 12 months, eight of them suspended, after a video emerged of him climbing on the back of a dead horse. A statement from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said that James had acted in a manner “prejudicial to the integrity and good reputation of horse racing.” It is the second time this month that the sport has been dragged through the mud after Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott was banned for 12 months, six suspended, after a photograph showed him straddling a dead horse. James apologized for his actions last week. “I would just like to apologize for my actions, which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful,” he said.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
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