
Soccer-Portugal win second Nations League title after shootout success over Spain
Soccer Football - Nations League - Final - Portugal v Spain - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - June 8, 2025 Portugal's Ruben Neves scores a penalty to win the Nations League REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Former All Blacks captain Wilson dies aged 70
(Reuters) -Former All Blacks captain Stu Wilson died on Sunday at the age of 70, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said. Wilson made his debut in 1976 and played in 34 tests, scoring 19 test tries and becoming the first wing to captain the All Blacks when he led the side in their tour of Scotland and England in 1983. He was also part of their 4-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 1983, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the fourth test. Former All Blacks loose forward Murray Mexted said his former teammate "lived life with a smile on his face". "We called him Super Stu because he was a super rugby player," he told Radio New Zealand on Monday. "He just seemed to slide through gaps effortlessly and he was so good at it that they moved him into centre at one stage." Wilson also made 89 appearances for Wellington between 1975 and 1984, scoring 216 points. "Beyond his playing career, Wilson remained an influential voice in the game, contributing as a commentator and advocate for rugby, always bringing insight and passion to his analysis," the Wellington Rugby Football Union said in a statement. "Stu Wilson's contribution to rugby in Wellington and New Zealand is immeasurable. He was more than just a world-class player; he was a proud ambassador for the sport, his province, and his country." (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Robinson to step down as New Zealand Rugby chief
(Reuters) -New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson will step down from the role at the end of the year, the governing body said on Monday. The former All Blacks centre took charge of NZR in January 2020 and helped guide the organisation through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first year of his tenure. Robinson, who said he would join his family in Australia after stepping down, was confident he was leaving NZR in a strong position. "My focus now is on supporting the board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England," he said in a statement. "We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar." Robinson, who replaced Steve Tew, played nine tests for the All Blacks and finished his playing career in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers. He then returned to New Zealand as chief executive of the Taranaki Rugby Union in 2007 and was appointed to NZR's board in 2013. "Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this," NZR chair David Kirk said. "Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis. We also understand Mark's desire to relocate to Australia where his family are now all living." (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Cricket-Australia favourites to retain WTC crown against South Africa
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Ashes - Fifth Test - England v Australia - The Oval, London, Britain - July 31, 2023 Australia's Pat Cummins walks after losing his wicket, caught by England's Ben Stokes off the bowling of Moeen Ali Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. The five-day clash comes on the heels of a plethora of limited overs cricket over the last five months and both teams have been scrambling to prepare for a high-profile return to the red-ball game. Australia have not played a test since beating Sri Lanka in Galle in February when they made sure of a top-two finish in the standings from results for the 2023-25 WTC cycle. South Africa were assured of top place when they won their last test against Pakistan at home in January to book a first-ever finals appearance. It came on the back of a run of seven successive wins, but the fact they did not play against the Aussies or England has seen their achievement dismissed as too easy. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said they reached the final "on the back of beating pretty much nobody," which was a result of the lopsided test schedule where Australia, England, and India dominate and South Africa elect to play more financially lucrative limited-overs internationals. But an upset win for South Africa could change that. "It's the biggest thing in this team's existence. It's the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment,' said their coach Shukri Conrad. SELECTION CHOICES Australia have been warming up with training sessions at Beckenham in Kent as they grapple with selection choices. They must pick between Scott Boland or Josh Hazlewood to join skipper Pat Cummins, left-armer Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon in the attack' The top batting order is likely to be changed with Cameron Green set to return for his first test in more than a year. He will likely bat third with Marnus Labuschagne opening alongside Usman Khawaja, while Steve Smith will come in at No. 4. South Africa's planned four-day warm-up scrimmage with Zimbabwe at Arundel last week was largely washed out but did hint at Wiaan Mulder moving up the order to No.3 in a batting lineup that has been inconsistent over the last two years. Their hopes rest instead on a fiery bowling attack where Kagiso Rabada features after serving a one-month ban for recreational drug use. Australia won the last WTC final by beating India at The Oval two years ago. New Zealand were the inaugural winners in 2021. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)