Crusaders edge Hurricanes 30-27 in extra time in Super Rugby
April 11, 2021 GMT
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Center David Havili kicked a dropped goal in the second minute of golden point extra time Sunday to give four-time defending champions the Crusaders a 30-27 win over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The Crusaders came close to rare back-to-back defeats. After last weekend’s shock loss to the unfancied Highlanders, they were fully stretched by the last-placed Hurricanes who led 27-20 before a late try to winger Sevu Reece left the teams locked 27-27 at fulltime.
Hurricanes stand-in captain James Blackwell won the toss and chose to receive the kick-off but to play into the wind in extra time in which the first team to score would win. A charged-down kick saw the Hurricanes almost immediately give up possession and Havili stepped up to land the dropped goal from close range.
TOKYO (AP) Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics who come down with minor symptoms of COVID-19 could be isolated in a hotel lined up by local organizers of the games. The Japanese news agency.
Patty Tavatanakit opens 5-shot lead in hot, windy ANA
By JOHN NICHOLSONApril 4, 2021 GMT
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) Patty Tavatanakit opened a five-stroke lead on another hot and windy afternoon at the ANA Inspiration, all but crushing her challengers’ hopes with a striking combination of power and touch.
A stroke ahead after each of the first two rounds, the 21-year-old Thai player shot a 5-under 67 in 100-degree heat Saturday to reach 14-under 202 at Mission Hills in the first major championship of the year.
“I’m fine in the heat,” Tavatanakit said. “I grew up in this in Thailand.”
She matched the tournament 54-hole record set by Pernilla Lindberg in her 2018 victory. Dottie Pepper set the overall mark of 19 under in 1999.
MIAMI (AP) Former junior skiing champion Jannik Sinner has joined some fast company at the Miami Open. On Friday, the 19-year-old Italian became the fourth teenager to reach the Miami.
Queensland Reds reclaim top spot in Super Rugby Australia
April 3, 2021 GMT
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Prop Taniela Tupou scored a pair of tries Saturday to lead Queensland to a 44-19 win over the Melbourne Rebels, moving the Reds into first place in Super Rugby Australia.
It was the Reds’ sixth consecutive win.
Tupou’s first try came off a maul in the third minute and he scored again in the 17th minute after Queensland captain James O’Connor split the defense and found Tupou in the clear.
“Everyone notices Taniela for his big scrummaging and big runs, but the amount of work he does is second to none,” O’Connor said. “He works tirelessly from sideline to sideline and does our big carries for us.”