Hollywood depicts shining moment for South Africans in Eastwood’s ‘Invictus’
Hollywood depicts shining South African moment Held down by apartheid, Soweto takes on a new life as soccer’s World Cup approachesJOHANNESBURG — Having seen one impossible dream come true — the death of apartheid — Soweto is getting ready for another: the arrival of soccer’s World Cup, the most-watched sporting event on the planet. 8 countries from 4 continents preparing for first Junior World ChampionshipCANTON, Ohio — Jan Jenmert was admiring the history inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Friday when he stumbled upon Bill Walsh’s bust. Jenmert, the head coach of Sweden’s national football team, has admired the coach since reading Walsh’s book, “Finding the Winning Edge.” Otago center Daniel Bowden suspended for 1 match on dangerous tackle chargeWELLINGTON, New Zealand — Otago Highlanders center Daniel Bowden was suspended for one week when he pleaded guilty to a dangerous tackle charge at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing. Canadian rugby convert Pyke makes credible start to Australian Rules football careerSYDNEY — Former Canadian rugby union international Mike Pyke made a credible impression Sunday in his regular-season Australian Rules football debut for the Sydney Swans. Round 12: Hurricanes, Chiefs lead New Zealand charge for Super 14 titleWELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s challenge for the Super 14 rugby title strengthened in the 12th round as the Wellington Hurricanes and Waikato Chiefs assumed the top two places and defending champions Canterbury moved within sight of the playoffs. ACT beats Queensland Reds 52-13 to stay in hunt for Super 14 semifinalBRISBANE, Australia — Captain Stephen Hoiles scored a pair of tries and the ACT Brumbies maintained their dominance over the Queensland Reds to stay on track for a semifinal playoff spot with a seven-try, 52-13 Super 14 rugby win Saturday. Hurricanes guaranteed of staying top of Super 14 after 45-27 win over BluesWELLINGTON, New Zealand — Tamati Ellison and Ma’a Nonu each scored two tries as the Wellington Hurricanes consolidated first place in Super 14 rugby with a 45-27 win over the Auckland Blues on Friday. Australia, NZ to make Super contingency plan if South Africa opts outSYDNEY — Australia and New Zealand rugby officials still hope to have South Africa in the Super tournament alliance beyond 2011, but said Friday they are planning for an Asia-Pacific competition in case an agreement cannot be reached. 11th round: 1st-place Hurricanes seek better form against Blues in all-New Zealand matchupWELLINGTON, New Zealand — Wellington captain Rodney So’oialo believes the Hurricanes haven’t found top form even though they lead the Super 14 rugby table entering Friday’s 12th of 14 regular-season rounds. New Zealand coach Graham Henry seeks All Blacks reappointmentWELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry wants to extend his contract beyond the end of the current year and possibly lead New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup. Lauaki dodges dangerous tackle ban on a technicalityWELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks and Waikato Chiefs No. 8 Sione Lauaki avoided suspension on a dangerous tackle charge at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing in South Africa on Monday, because the charge was filed too late. Super 14s: Hurricanes move to first spot in Round 11, lights go out on BluesWELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Wellington Hurricanes vaulted from fourth place to first in the Super 14 rugby standings with an emphatic 56-7 win over the ACT Brumbies on Saturday, as the Bulls deposed former leaders the Waikato Chiefs. Super 14: Hurricanes beat Brumbies 56-7WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Replacement winger Zac Guilford scored two of eight tries as the Wellington Hurricanes beat the ACT Brumbies 56-7 in Super 14 rugby on Saturday. Super 14: Reds upset Blues 31-24 as floodlights failAUCKLAND, New Zealand — Berrick Barnes scored a try among 16 points as the Queensland Reds beat the Auckland Blues 31-24 Saturday in a Super 14 rugby match interrupted for 50 minutes by a floodlight failure. Mitchell scores early in easy Force win over LionsPERTH, Australia — Departing winger Drew Mitchell scored a try five phases after the opening kickoff Friday and the Western Force piled on seven more tries to beat South Africa’s Lions 55-14 in Super 14 rugby. Stormers beat Highlanders 18-11DUNEDIN, New Zealand — Center Peter Grant scored a try 11 minutes from fulltime to give the Stormers an 18-11 win over the Otago Highlanders in Super 14 rugby on Friday, ending the Highlanders’ faint semifinal playoff hopes. Gerrard signs with Japanese rugby clubCANBERRA, Australia — Former Wallabies fullback Mark Gerrard has been granted a release by the ACT Brumbies and has signed with a second division Japanese rugby club, the Super 14 team said Friday. NZRU chairman Hobbs says time running out for agreement on Super 14WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Super 14 and Tri-Nations rugby competitions will fold unless differences involving South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are quickly resolved, New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs said Thursday. New Zealand rugby bends rules to pave way for Luke McAlister’s return to All BlacksWELLINGTON, New Zealand — The long-term injury suffered by All Blacks flyhalf Daniel Carter has prompted the New Zealand Rugby Union to bend its own rules and fast-track England-based Luke McAlister back into international rugby. Crash and bash Wallabies to add squash to the mix for fitness conditionSYDNEY — Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wants to recruit world squash champion David Palmer to help with conditioning of the Australian rugby union team ahead of the annual Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations series this season. NZ Rugby Union announces small profit; rates its performance highlyWELLINGTON, New Zealand — The New Zealand Rugby Union announced a 366,000 New Zealand dollar ($204,000) profit for the 2008 financial year and said it was satisfied with its performance. Sharks rest as Bulls look to stem slide in 11th round of Super 14WELLINGTON, New Zealand — South Africa’s presence among the top four teams in rugby’s Super 14 will come under threat in round 11 when the Sharks have a bye after two straight losses and the fading Bulls host the first-place Waikato Chiefs. Veteran flanker Waugh extends Australia contract through 2011 Rugby World CupSYDNEY — Flanker Phil Waugh has extended his contract with the Australian Rugby Union and the New South Wales Waratahs until after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. Fiji Rugby Union posts $700,000 deficit, blames lack of sponsorshipWELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Fiji Rugby Union posted a 700,000 Fiji dollars ($313,000) loss in the last financial year, despite a cash injection of more than F$2 million (US$900,000) from the International Rugby Board, the Fiji Times reported Wednesday. Wallabies negotiating to play All Blacks in Tokyo and make 1st Grand Slam tour 25 yearsSYDNEY — The Australian Rugby Union is close to securing a fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Tokyo and its first Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 25 years. Super 14: Richard Kahui, James McGougan cleared a judicial hearingWELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks center Richard Kahui was found not guilty on a dangerous tackle charge when he appeared at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing in Kimberley, South Africa on Sunday. Super 14: Chiefs on top as Sharks falter in 10th roundWELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Waikato Chiefs found themselves in an unaccustomed position on top of the Super 14 rugby table after the 10th round, with a little help from their compatriots the Canterbury Crusaders. Force win 15-14 over Waratahs in Super 14 to complete all-Australian sweepSYDNEY — Scott Staniforth and Cameron Shepherd scored second-half tries against their former team to lead the Western Force to a 15-14 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super 14 rugby Saturday. Lions beat Queensland Reds 31-20 in Super 14 match involving also-ransBRISBANE, Australia — Winger Henno Mentz scored two tries Saturday as South Africa’s Lions beat the Queensland Reds 31-20 in a match between the also-rans in Super 14 rugby. |