Newest – Japan quantity eight Kazuki Himeno will play for the Otago Highlanders in subsequent yr’s Tremendous Rugby competitors, his Japanese membership Toyota Verblitz has introduced.
Kazuki Himeno in motion in opposition to South Africa within the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Photograph: Photosport Ltd 2019
Himeno, who was a key participant in Japan’s again row throughout their run to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup final yr, will hyperlink up with the Dunedin-based Highlanders forward of the 2021 season.
The 26-year-old, who has earlier Tremendous Rugby expertise with the now-defunct Tokyo-based Sunwolves, has performed 17 instances for Japan, scoring 5 tries, together with one in opposition to Samoa on the 2019 World Cup.
There’s a sturdy Japanese connection on the Highlanders, who’re at the moment on the lookout for a brand new head coach.
Former Highlanders flyhalf and present Japan assistant coach Tony Brown is among the frontrunners to fill the emptiness.
Jamie Joseph, Japan’s head coach, led the Highlanders to their sole Tremendous Rugby title in 2015.
– Reuters
Three new faces in Scotland squad
Scotland have named three uncapped gamers in a 40-man squad for the conclusion of the 2020 Six Nations and newly-launched Autumn Nations Cup this yr.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend
Photograph: AFP
Harlequins scrum-half Scott Steele strikes as much as the senior squad after representing Scotland at under-20 stage, whereas South African-born prop Oli Kebble and winger Duhan van der Merwe have certified by means of residency.
Coach Gregor Townsend additionally recalled London Irish flanker Blair Cowan, who gained his final Scotland cap in 2016, and Harlequins centre James Lang, who final featured in mid-2018.
Scotland start their check programme at Murrayfield in opposition to Georgia on Oct. 23 earlier than going through Wales in Llanelli on Oct. 31 within the rescheduled 2020 Six Nations fixture.
The brand new Autumn Nations Cup begins in November with Scotland in Group B up in opposition to France, Fiji and Italy.
– Reuters
Lakers honour Kobe Bryant
The Los Angeles Lakers devoted their NBA Finals victory to the late Kobe Bryant, whose dying in a helicopter crash in January united and motivated the workforce in a yr stuffed with challenges.
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna
Photograph: AFP
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and 7 others died within the crash close to Los Angeles, sending shockwaves by means of the NBA world and past.
Bryant gained 5 championships in 20 seasons with the Lakers and is taken into account one of many sport’s all-time greats.
“Ever for the reason that tragedy, we needed to do it for him, and we did not wish to let him down,” Anthony Davis, who was Bryant’s workforce mate on the 2012 Olympic workforce, mentioned after Sunday’s Sport Six victory over the Miami Warmth.
“I do know he is trying down on us and happy with us, I do know (Bryant’s spouse) Vanessa is happy with us, the group is happy with us. It means loads to us.
“He was a giant brother to all of us and we did this for him.”
– Reuters
Premier League restructure labelled an influence seize
The minister who oversees sport in Britain mentioned he feared a plan by Liverpool and Manchester United to restructure the English Premier League was an influence seize that might immediate a deeper take a look at the governance of the game.
Photograph: AFP
The 2 golf equipment are backing a plan to transform the Premier League’s construction, giving extra energy to the large golf equipment, lowering it to 18 groups from 20 for the 2022-23 season, and scrapping the League Cup and Group Defend.
The plan would see the Premier League decide to offering 25% of the league’s income to English Soccer League (EFL) golf equipment and a 250 million kilos rescue fund to assist with the speedy influence of the COVID-19 disaster.
Requested on Sky Information if the proposal was a superb plan or an influence seize, Oliver Dowden, the minister for tradition, media and sport, mentioned: “I concern it is the latter and I am fairly sceptical about this.”
He added: “If we maintain having these again room offers occurring, we’ll have to take a look at the underlying governance of soccer. We promised within the manifesto a fan led overview, and I need to say the occasions that I’ve seen in the previous couple of weeks have made this appear extra pressing once more.”
– Reuters
Co-owner turns into supervisor of League Two membership
Salford Metropolis co-owner Paul Scholes has been appointed caretaker supervisor following the sacking of Graham Alexander, the English League Two (fourth-tier) membership has introduced.
Paul Scholes enjoying for Manchester United.
Photograph: PHOTOSPORT
Salford is co-owned by Scholes and his former Manchester United workforce mates David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, together with businessman Peter Lim.
Scholes, 45, final managed Oldham Athletic in League Two however left in March 2019 after 31 days in cost, citing interference in first workforce actions from the membership’s proprietor.
Scholes, who spent his complete enjoying profession at United and performed 66 instances for England, gained 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League crowns earlier than retiring in 2013.
Salford are fifth within the standings after 5 video games and Scholes’ first match shall be a visit to Port Vale on Saturday.
– Reuters
Soccer followers to return in South Korea
Ok-League followers will once more be allowed again into stadiums, which may have a lowered capability of 25% from this week, the league mentioned on Monday after South Korea’s authorities eased its restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opening recreation of the 2020 Ok-League season between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Photograph: AFP
The nation is permitting nightspots to re-open and spectators to attend sports activities occasions after new coronavirus circumstances edged decrease in latest weeks, with day by day infections falling into the double-digit vary previously two weeks.
The Korean top-flight season started on Might 8 in empty stadiums earlier than a restricted variety of followers have been allowed to attend Ok-League video games from Aug. 1.
Nonetheless, a sudden spike in COVID-19 circumstances pressured the federal government to implement stricter guidelines and once more bar followers from attending matches.
Followers will now once more be allowed to attend video games, beginning with Gangwon’s match in opposition to Incheon on Friday.
– Reuters
