Today's other stories in brief
Misconduct hearing set for Dublin
RUGBY:The International Rugby Board (IRB) has confirmed that the misconduct hearing against the South African Rugby Union will take place in Dublin on August 10th. An independent disciplinary committee chaired by retired justice John Hansen (New Zealand) and comprising Judge Guillermo Tragant (Argentina) and former Australia captain John Eales will adjudicate.
The action arises from the South Africa national team wearing armbands during the third Test against the British and Irish Lions on July 4th as a symbol of solidarity and protest for Bakkies Botha.
This protest came on foot of the upholding of his two-week suspension by an independent appeal committee for dangerously charging into a ruck without binding on a player.
Welsh prop Adam Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder as a result of the incident.
Mageean breaks junior 1,500m record
ATHLETICS: Ciara Mageean has produced yet another exceptional performance to win the gold medal over 1,500 metres at the 10th European Youth Olympics in Finland – her time a superb 4:15.46, writes Ian O'Riordan.
Mageean’s run betters the long-standing Irish junior record which had stood to Natalie Davey since 1991. She led every step of the way to come home a clear winner by 30 metres, with Ioana Doaga of Romania coming second in 4:18.44.
The 17-year-old from the Ards Peninsula has once again underlined her potential as Ireland’s most exciting prospect since Sonia O’Sullivan, who witnessed the record as she is part of the management team in Finland.
Mageean bettered the championship record previously held by Romania’s Gabriela Szabo, one of O’Sullivan’s old rivals. It follows her silver medal run over 800 metres in the IAAF World Youth Championships earlier this month.
Hopes high for wheelchair team
BASEKTBALL: The Irish Senior International Wheelchair Basketball team leave today for Latvia as favourites to win Division C of the European Championships. The team, which has been training for the tournament since last September, represent Ireland's best ever chance of coming top of the league and progressing to Division B.
Wheelchair Basketball is the largest and most organised of wheelchair sports in Ireland.
The team face a gruelling tournament, with their opening match tomorrow taking place against host nation Latvia.
However, more difficult challenges lie ahead as the Irish team will play four further matches in as many days. They anticipate the toughest competition from rivals Lithuania and Croatia who are also seeking promotion to Division B.
They will also play Greece and Belarus in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
The team will travel with four staff, and are led by experienced head coach Alain Trembley.
Seven Russian athletes banned
ATHLETICS:Seven Russian athletes, including former 1,500 metres world champion Tatyana Tomashova, have been banned for two years and nine months each, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday.
Middle-distance runners Yelena Soboleva, Olga Yegorova, Yelena Fomenko and Svetlana Cherkasova, discus thrower Darya Pishchalnikova and former hammer world record holder Gulfia Khanafeyeva were also banned following an appeal by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF).
CAS said that the bans would now run from July 31st, 2008 to April 30th, 2011. It also annulled results obtained by the athletes since April or May 2007. The bans relate to an investigation begun by the IAAF in March 2007 into the possible manipulation of urine samples collected in an out-of-competition testing in Russia.
Leinster hopeful over Canterbury
RUGBY: Leinster are hopeful of a positive resolution to the ongoing problems that have seen the European arm of Canterbury clothing go into administration, writes John O'Sullivan .
The New Zealand clothing company supplies the Irish province – they used to clothe the Ireland team but the IRFU signed a deal with Puma – and are responsible for the new-look Leinster jersey that went on sale for the first time recently. The uncertainty surrounding the future of Canterbury has meant a guarded take-up among supporters but there could be good news for Leinster, as the province said there could be a positive announcement soon.
Meanwhile, Leinster will officially launch a DVD commemorating last season’s Heineken Cup triumph tomorrow. As well as extended highlights from the final and the semi-final victory over Munster at Croke Park, it has highlights from every game along the way.
Rokocoko and Leonard return for All Blacks
RUGBY: New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made two changes to his team for the Tri-Nations match against South Africa on Saturday (4pm, Sky Sports Xtra), both coming in the backline where Joe Rokocoko and Brendon Leonard have been drafted in.
Winger Rokocoko was on the bench for last week’s 22-16 win over Australia and comes in for Cory Jane, who drops to the bench, while scrumhalf Leonard walks straight into the starting XV after failing to make the match 22 last week.
Jimmy Cowan filled the position last week, but he has been excluded altogether, with Piri Weepu the replacement number nine on the bench. The forward line for the match remains unchanged.
The All Blacks have never lost a Test in Bloemfontein having won 15-9 in 1976 and drawn 11-11 in 1960.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; J Rokocoko, C Smith , M Nonu, S Sivivatu; S Donald, B Leonard; T Woodcock, A Hore, N Tialata, B Thorn, I Ross, J Kaino, R McCaw, R So'oialo. Replacements: K Mealamu, O Franks, J Eaton, K Read, P Weepu, L McAlister, C Jane.
