THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 SPORTS Western Force win right to appeal Super axing SYDNEY: Western Force yesterday won trans-continental competition slims tition. The ARU did not give details mitments to SANZAAR.” Forrest said in a ment added. ARU chief executive Bill the right to appeal their axing from down from 18 sides to 15 next year. The about the offer, but did not accept it. statement via his Minderoo Foundation Pulver announced his resignation in the Super Rugby, as the Australian Rugby Sydney court was set to hear the appeal “We were genuinely appreciative of that he was “very surprised that there immediate fall-out from the contentious Union rejected a major cash injection on Wednesday after the hearing request Andrew’s generous offer to back the appeared to be no flexibility whatsoever decision to cull the Force, while the from a mining magnate to keep the club was granted, although it was not clear if Western Force and Australian Rugby, to find a solution for the future of the body’s director Geoff Stooke, from in the competition. a ruling would be made this week. however, given the position we are in sport”. But he added that the ARU had Western Australia, stepped down in The Perth club’s parent body, Rugby The decision came after board repre- we are unable to work towards retaining committed to working with the Western protest. Western Force joined Super WA, lodged the appeal request with the sentatives from the ARU met with bil- five teams in Super Rugby,” ARU chair- Force and the foundation to “develop a Rugby in 2006, but have never made the New South Wales Supreme Court in last lionaire miner Andrew Forrest, a heavy- man Cameron Clyne said in a statement new international competition” that was competition’s finals series. week after the ARU announced Force’s weight backer of Rugby WA, on Tuesday. late Tuesday. “We are at the final stages based in Western Australia state and Their best finish was in 2014, when removal from the southern hemisphere It is understood Forrest offered up to of this process and Australian Rugby’s focused on the Indo-Pacific region. they only narrowly missed the finals. competition in early August. Aus$50 million (US$39 million) to sup- constituents have voted to reduce “This commitment was made regard- This season, the Force finished second in Australia had to cut one of its five port Australian rugby if Western Force Australia’s Super Rugby representation less of the outcome of the appeal hear- the Australian conference behind the Super Rugby teams as the sprawling was retained in the Super Rugby compe- to four teams and we have made com- ings in the Supreme Court,” the state- ACT Brumbies. —AFP Nigeria recall for Chelsea ace Moses ABUJA: Nigeria have recalled Chelsea ace World Cup in Russia with six points from Victor Moses as well as China-based striker two matches, while Cameroon are second Odion Ighalo for next month’s 2018 World on two points. Zambia and Algeria are on a Cup qualifiers against Cameroon. Skipper point each. Mikel John Obi is also back in the squad after being sidelined by an abdominal The full squad injury for four months. Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa Meanwhile, there is an appearance for United/RSA), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC uncapped Israel-based striker Anthony Ifeanyiubah), Dele Alampasu Nwakaeme and Ola Aina, who is on loan at (Cesarense/POR)Defenders: William Ekong Hull City from Premier League champions (Bursaspor/TUR), Abdullahi Shehu Chelsea. Mikel and Moses have missed the (Anorthosis Famagusta/CYP), Leon Balogun Super Eagles’ recent games due to injury, (Mainz/GER), Tyronne Ebuehi (Den while Ighalo was overlooked for several Haag/NED), Elderson Echiejile matches after he quit Premier League club (Sivasspor/TUR), Chidozie Awaziem Watford to move to China. (Nantes/FRA), Ola Aina (Hull City/ENG) Nwakaeme, 28, has been prolific for Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Teda/CHN), Ogenyi Onazi Aina’s inclusion would mean he has com- (Trabzonspor/TUR), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester pleted his change of international alle- City/ENG), Oghenekaro Etebo giance to play for Nigeria at full interna- (Feirense/POR), John Ogu (Hapoel Beer- tional level after he featured for several Sheva/ISR), Mikel Agu (Bursaspor/TUR) England age-group teams. Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho While 23 players will attend the training (both Leicester City/ENG), Moses Simon camp, six players have been placed on (Gent/BEL), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal/ENG), standby-Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea), Uche Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai/CHN), Agbo (Standard Liege), Henry Onyekuru Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Anthony (Anderlecht), Alhassan Ibrahim, Ifeanyi Nwakaeme (Hapoel Beer-Sheva/ISR) Ifeanyi (Akwa United) and Aaron Samuel Standby list: Uche Agbo (Standard (CSKA Moscow). Liege/BEL), Henry Onyekuru Nigeria face Cameroon on September 1 (Anderlecht/BEL), Kenneth Omeruo in Uyo and three days later they clash again (Chelsea/ENG), Aaron Samuel (CSKA in Yaounde in a World Cup qualifying dou- Moscow/RUS), Alhassan Ibrahim, Ifeanyi DHAKA: This file photo taken on August 21, 2017 shows Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell (L) sharing a light moment with teammates during a ble-header. The Super Eagles are top of Ifeanyi (Akwa United), Stephen Eze (FC training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh’s muggy conditions have taken a toll on Australia with African qualifying Group B for next year’s IfeanyiUbah). — AFP batsman Maxwell revealing yesterday fell sick just days ahead of the two-Test series, the first between the sides in more than a decade. — AFP CRICKET SEA GAMES Brunei’s ‘hot royal’ Pads off for Aussies as they sparks selfie stampede prepare for Bangladesh spin KUALA LUMPUR: A polo-playing prince ber of spectators at the “celebrity match”. from Brunei set off frenzied scenes when “It adds a bit of shine to the Games. We DHAKA: Australian batsmen have been bat- he was mobbed by fans at the Southeast have never played in front of such a big ting in the nets without their front pad on to Asian Games in Malaysia, where a group of crowd for polo,” he said. Prince Mateen and combat a Dhaka pitch that will offer assis- England to face Kiwis in athletic royals has been in the limelight. Princess Azemah aren’t the only Brunei roy- tance to Bangladesh’s spin attack. “I think the Dozens of spectators, mainly female, als at the SEA Games-Faiq Bolkiah, a main thing is to basically use your bat,” all- screamed and clamoured for selfies when nephew of the sultan, is representing his women’s World Cup final rounder Glenn Maxwell said. “If you don’t Prince Abdul Mateen, sixth in line to the oil- country in football. have the safety of your front pad, it makes rich sultanate’s throne, strode out to meet Malaysia’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin BELFAST: England will defend the Women’s best, a sensational solo effort from scrum ball you get your leg out of the way and actually them in his jodphurs. was crowned equestrian endurance cham- Rugby World Cup in the final against four-time 40 meters out. She broke four tackles in a The 26-year-old, who has more than pion after winning the 80km (50 miles) use your bat.”“I think it is more about refining winner New Zealand after beating France 20-3 weaving run to the posts. half-a-million followers on Instagram, event in Terengganu, where he happens to your defense and making sure you trust the on Tuesday. New Zealand’s Black Ferns After a competitive first half, in which the looked slightly bemused as he met his be the state ruler. fact that you can hit the ball and not hoping crushed the United States 45-12 in the other Eagles forced turnovers at the breakdowns, excited fans, separated from them by a bar- “A very proud moment for all that your pads are there just to save you,” he semifinal. The final is on Saturday in Belfast. New Zealand applied all of the pressure in the rier and closely guarded by minders. Malaysians!” tweeted Prime Minister Najib said. It’s a tactic the Australians experiment- The Black Ferns, who have never lost a final, second half. The Eagles, their lineout in disar- It was an unexpected development at Razak. And in dressage, Thailand’s Princess ed with during Justin Langer’s tenure as bat- beat England in three of them. ray, finally succumbed in the last quarter, con- the 11-nation, biennial Games in Malaysia, Sirivannavari Nariratana placed her team ting coach in 2012. England won a match of attrition in the ceding four tries, two while they had an extra where the region’s pride compete in a silver medal on a portrait of her late grand- The first of two Tests in the series begins on rain. The English made nearly 50 tackles in the player when New Zealand replacement Linda diverse array of sports from swimming to father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Sunday in Dhaka. Maxwell said his team will first quarter alone to withstand a French siege. Itunu was yellow-carded for a head-high tack- petanque and wushu. last year. be wary of the threat of Bangladesh fast The first half finished 3-3, and England went le. While a player down, the Black Ferns Prince Mateen, a favourite of gossip “I am close to tears,” she said, according bowler Mustafizur Rahman and left-arm spin- through 20 phases to earn a second successful increased the score from 28-12 to 38-12.