South African rugby will benefit from two of its teams playing in the northern hemisphere PRO14 competition but this will not come at the cost of existing relationships in the south, SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux says. The Cheetahs and Southern Kings will join an expanded PRO14 for the new season after being culled from Super Rugby. They will take on clubs from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Roux said the move into European competition would not change SA Rugby’s relationships within SANZAAR, the grouping of Argentine, Australian, New Zealand and South African unions, who run the annual Rugby Championship and Super Rugby competitions. South Africa’s Bulls, Lions, Sharks…

The Brumbies have missed 54 tackles in a lacklustre performance which failed to break the Australian duck against Kiwi teams, falling 18-12 to the Blues. The loss takes the Australian record against Kiwi teams to 0-15 this year and in truth, they were never really a chance. It was a valiant effort from the Brumbies but they weren’t able to open enough space in the Blues’ defensive line to consistently threaten. That meant they had to rely on penalties from Wharenui Hawera to keep them in touch and he had his radar working off the tee but penalties alone were never going to be enough.The Blues are the weakest team…

From Jindabyne to Tumut, Brumbies Super W coach Tony Doherty is casting his net far and wide in search of the next women’s rugby star. Doherty has already put 45 women through their paces as they prepare for the inaugural five week season, which begins in March, but invited players from different codes and regions to try their hand at the official trial on January 13. “It’s still an open canvas,” Doherty said. “Our trials will be on 13th of January next year so it’s open to everybody to come in and try it out. “See where you fit into the actual scheme of things.”Doherty is of the belief the…

A restricted free agent no more, Patrik Laine agreed to a two-year extension with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. The deal is worth $6.75 million AAV, keeping Laine with the squad through the 2020-21 season. The Jets have a few tasks yet to resolve before the season begins Oct. 3, including what to do with current RFA Kyle Connor and learning whether or not Dustin Byfuglien plans to return to hockey this season. Regardless, signing a key piece to the offense bodes well for the team in the final week of the preseason. Laine, 21, had career-lows in every major scoring category last season — only his third in the NHL — with 30 goals…

Click:High-end furniture suppliers Tom Brady has been called “old reliable” around the office a couple times in the past week. Fantasy football owners have been plugging him into their lineups for almost two decades. When it comes to 2019 Week 4, though, we’re worried old reliable might bust, in part due to a tough matchup and in part due to potential absences. Joining him on our Week 4 fantasy busts list is rookie David Montgomery, to add some youth to the equation. In fact, rookie running backs don’t please us at all this week. Josh Jacobs has us worried that his workload in a stinky offense might not be enough…

Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews faces a disorderly conduct charge stemming from an incident on May 26, in his hometown of Scottsdale, Ariz. It was not made public until The Toronto Star obtained a copy of the police report, filed May 28 by a security guard who works at Matthews’ apartment complex. The report alleges that Matthews and a group of friends attempted to open car door as she sat inside completing paperwork at 2 a.m. local time. This led to a confrontation between Matthews’ group and the guard during which Matthews allegedly pulled down his pants. Matthews did not speak top the Leafs regarding the incident until after it became public knowledge on Sept. 24; general…

The Rays and Athletics clinched the final two American League playoff spots Friday, while the Indians will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The Indians lost to the Nationals on Friday, 8-2, which earned a wild-card spot for the Athletics. The Rays later punched their own wild-card ticket with a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays. It will be their first postseason appearance since 2013. The Rays exceeded expectations this year, thanks in part to Tyler Glasnow. Although he missed almost four months with a strained forearm, when healthy the 6-8 right hander has been a beast. He pitched 4 1/3 innings of no-hit ball against the Blue…

It’s a day of the week during the 2019 season so of course the Yankees could be dealing with yet another injury. Ace James Paxton left his final regular season start after one inning Friday with a tight left glute, the Yankees announced.  Paxton was due to have a shorter outing as the Yankees have already locked up a playoff spot, but to see him pitch only one inning (21 pitches) was unexpected. Manager Aaron Boone’s plan was to keep the lefty’s pitches down anyway in this game. “We might go a little bit shorter with him,” Boone said before the game. “Still expect him to get a lot of work…

A man who tasted two continental triumphs during his time in Spain is expecting another challenge from a side with plenty of talent on its books Sevilla are capable of cementing a standing as Europa League specialists, Frederic Kanoute has told Goal, but the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea will also be in the mix. The Liga outfit have enjoyed a stunning run of success in continental competition, with five triumphs savoured in the last 10 years. A hat-trick was secured between 2014 and 2016, with no rival able to get close to matching a side then managed by Unai Emery. He is now at the helm of Premier League…

The Reds will be without one of their key men as they prepare for the visit of the Bundesliga giants on Tuesday evening Liverpool host Bayern at Anfield on Tuesday to contest the round of 16 first leg, though they will be without one of their crucial players for the visit of the German champions. Defender Virgil van Dijk will be absent for the home leg of the last 16 tie due to a booking he picked up during Liverpool’s last European outing against Napoli. The Netherlands captain was booked for a challenge involving Dries Mertens in the final group stage game at Anfield which clinched Liverpool’s spot in the knockout…