First Tour Defeat As Lions Lose to Safrica a Nkosi, Am Star
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ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 SPORTS 14 First tour defeat as Lions lose to SAfrica A Nkosi, Am star CAPE TOWN, South Afri- ca, July 15, (AP): A South Africa A team that started with 11 World Cup-win- ning Springboks beat the British and Irish Lions 17- 13 to hand the touring team their fi rst defeat. South Africa A led 17-3 at Cape Town Stadium after fi rst-half tries by wing Sbu Nkosi and center and captain Lukhanyo Am, and held off a second- half surge by the Lions to strike a psychological blow ahead of the three-match test series that starts on July 24. The Lions closed to within four points after a Nkosi try by prop Wyn Jones and eight points from the boot of Owen Farrell. That revival came early in the second half with South Africa A down to 13 men after yellow cards for scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and fl anker Marco van Staden. Those two went to the sin-bin within minutes of each other just before the break. But the Lions couldn’t get closer than those four points, although they were within inches of a late try by Welsh wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who grounded the ball agonizingly close in the corner. Defeat was a setback for coach War- ren Gatland and his Lions, who have beaten domestic teams by 40 points or more in their fi rst three tour games and have barely been stretched. But this was a different level of op- position as South Africa A started with Cheslin Kolbe of the South Africa ‘A’ is caught by Louis Rees-Zammit of the British & Irish Lions during a rugby match between South Africa A and British and Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium those 11 World Cup winners and also in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 14. (AP) brought a bunch of test regulars off the bench. Aussies secure 4-run win over West Indies Savea returns RUGBY Mo’unga to start at “You know the physicality that Marsh, Starc help Australia end losing streak fl yhalf for Fiji clash we’ve had over the last few weeks, WELLINGTON, New Zealand, that was a different level tonight and GROS ISLET, St Lucia, July 15, (AP): July 15, (AP): Richie Mo’unga I think we needed that,” said Lions Mitchell Marsh struck 75 and then will start at fl yhalf while Anton captain Conor Murray. “We learned a took three wickets to get Australia Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea lot of things.” Murray said the defeat into a winning position, but in the end will make welcome returns from didn’t mean “an awful lot.” it came down to paceman Mitchell injury in the All Blacks team to Although the Lions weren’t at full Starc’s fearless last-over bowling to face Fiji on Saturday in the second strength, and South Africa A wasn’t end the West Indies’ winning streak. rugby test at Hamilton. quite a full Springboks team, the game The West Indies had won the fi rst Mo’unga and Beauden Bar- gave some clues as to what might three games to clinch the fi ve-match rett, rivals for the No. 10 jersey, come when the tests begin in Cape Twenty20 International series with have each started in one of New Town. After the home team named two games to spare, and went within Zealand’s two tests this season, such a strong side, it was billed as an one scoring shot of making it four against Tonga and Fiji. Mo’unga unoffi cial fourth test. straight wins. now seems favored in the starting For the Lions, there were standout The hosts needed 11 runs off the last role ahead of the Rugby Champi- performances from lock Maro Itoje, over but Starc bowled fi ve consecutive onship. fl anker Tom Curry and prop Jones, dot balls, cramping Andre Russell’s Lienert-Brown returns at in- who went off holding his shoulder scoring options, before conceding a side center after missing the tests straight after scoring his try. The scrum six on the fi nal ball to secure a four- against Tonga and Fiji as he recov- often got the better of a South Africa run win for Australia. ered from elbow surgery. He may A pack that had fi ve men expected to Australia captain Aaron Finch said bring stability in the All Blacks start for the Boks. the last over was But Farrell had a tougher time at more about trust RUGBY fl yhalf than in earlier games. South Af- than jitters. rica A also got its maul working in the “We knew that last 20 minutes - a major weapon for if Mitchell Starc the Boks - and that seemed to trouble executes he’s as midfi eld which has been in fl ux this season after the additional, the Lions. good as anyone in The game was far more important the world,” Finch season-ending injury to Jack Goodhue. for South Africa’s preparations than said. “He’s done Ardie Savea was named at the Lions’. The Boks have played just it for the best part openside fl anker and will also one test in nearly two years since win- of 10 years, so we bring solidity in a constantly- ning the 2019 World Cup and, starved had a lot of faith changing backrow. of match practice, decided to throw a Marsh in him. He’s got a England’s Heather Knight lifts the series trophy with team-mates after winning the third IT20 cricket match against host of fi rst-choice players into the en- India at The Cloudfm County Ground, in Chelmsford, England, on July 14. (AP) Fiji also will be reinforced lot of faith in him- by returning players. Scrumhalf counter for much-needed game time. self. Just great to get across the line.” Frank Lomani, who is based in “We know where we’re at and we’ll The Australians batted fi rst and Australia and missed the fi rst test be able to judge and analyze where we posted 189-6 in an innings twice inter- because of border restrictions, re- need to improve for the tests,” said rupted by rain breaks, with Marsh belt- Mexico down Guatemala in Gold Cup turns to the starting lineup. Peceli Am. ing his 75 from 44 balls for his third Yato forces a backrow change, Five of the Boks in the backline half-century of the series and sharing DALLAS, July 15, (AP): Rogelio Salvador 2-0. Mexico closes the Funes Mori doubled the lead in the displacing Albert Tuisui at No. 8. were playing their fi rst and only war- a 114-run second-wicket stand with Funes Mori scored twice and group stage against El Salvador on 55th with a right-footed shot from 8 Lock Leone Nakarawa will cap- mup for the tests. Finch, who contributed 53. Orbelín Pineda added a goal to lead Sunday in Dallas. yards off a cross from Pineda, and tain the tourists in place of Levani They included center Damian de Al- Marsh raised his 50 from 24 balls defending champion Mexico over In a match delayed by a storm, Pineda added a goal on a 6-yard leap- Botia, who has been ruled out with lende, who gathered a charge down of a with a straight six against Fabian Al- Guatemala 3-0 in the CONCACAF Funes Mori put El Tri ahead in the ing header in the 79th from a Luis a knee injury. Farrell kick to release Nkosi, who sprint- len as light rain started falling in the Gold Cup. Rodríguez cross. Sam Whitelock again will cap- ed more than half the length of the fi eld 9th over. Funes Mori, a 30-year-old born in At Frisco, Texas, El Salvador (2-0) tain the All Blacks from lock after for South Africa A’s fi rst try. Right wing The West Indies were better after Argentina, scored his second and SOCCER assured itself a quarterfinals bertg starting on the bench in the fi rst Cheslin Kolbe breezed past two defend- the interruption. Hayden Walsh Jr. third goals for Mexico. He made his with a 2-0 win over Trinidad on goals Fiji test and handing the leader- ers to set up Am for the second. (3-27), the leading wicket taker in the debut in a June 3 exhibition against by Jairo Henriquez in the 30th minute ship to scrumhalf Aaron Smith. Jones had a try disallowed late in the series, bowled Finch and took a return Nigeria and was playing his third 29th minute, chesting a lofted pass and Walmer Martínez in the first min- The starting lineup for second test fi rst half as the Lions camped on South catch to remove Alex Carey (0) on the international match. from Héctor Herrera just inside the ute of second-half stoppage time. The against Fiji appears to be close to Africa A’s line, prompting de Klerk to next delivery to slow down the Aus- Mexico had opened Group A with penalty area, cutting the ball back to Soca Warriors have a draw and a loss the All Blacks’ strongest with the go to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle tralians at 126-3. a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and his right foot and beating goalkeeper going into Saturday’s game against start of the Rugby Championship and van Staden for infringing at the Tobago, and Guatemala lost to El Nicholas Hagen from 12 yards.