Latest - Quinten Strange has re-signed with the Crusaders through until the end of the 2023 Super Rugby season.
Photo: Photosport
The Tasman lock played a limited role in the Crusaders' Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign last year because of injury, but was still named in the All Blacks squad.
However an ankle injury prevented him from making his test debut.
He instead helped Tasman win the Mitre 10 Cup for the second straight year.
Strange is the third lock to re-sign with the Crusaders through until the end of 2023, joining Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock.
England complete emphatic win in Chennai
Joe Root could hardly have scripted his 100th test any better after the England captain led his team to a 227-run victory over India before being named man of the match at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Joe Root Photo: Photosport
James Anderson displayed his reverse-swing mastery with a three-wicket burst in the morning session to effectively snuff out India's hopes of a draw while left-arm spinner Leach (4-76) then ran through the lower-irder.
The hosts, who had been set a daunting 420-run victory target, got a fighting 72 from captain Virat Kohli while opener Shubman Gill scored an elegant 50 but they were bowled out for 192 in the second session of the final day.
The win boosts England's chance of reaching the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in June on home soil.
Root's team need to win two more of the remaining three tests against Kohli's men to book a place against New Zealand, while India must prevail by a 2-1 margin to pip England.
- Reuters
ICC condemn Tokyo chief
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that comments about women made by Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games chief Yoshiro Mori were "absolutely inappropriate".
Photo: IOC
Mori has come under fire for saying last week that meetings with female participants take a long time, adding that they "get competitive" with each other.
He later apologised and retracted his comments while also attempting to justify them, inviting further criticism.
"The recent comments of Tokyo 2020 President Mori were absolutely inappropriate and in contradiction to the IOC's commitments and the reforms of its Olympic Agenda 2020," the Olympic body said in a statement.
The Tokyo Games organising committee (TOCOG) will convene a special board meeting as early as Friday as a result of the outcry.
- Reuters
'Double-bagel' win for top Aussie hope
World number one Ash Barty produced a near flawless display as she handed out the dreaded 'double bagel' to Danka Kovinic, while Rafa Nadal defied his gloomy injury prognosis to crush Laslo Djere in the Australian Open first round in Melbourne.
Photo: AFP
Barty, looking to become the first homegrown champion at the Grand Slam since 1978, won the first 16 points of the contest and lost only 10 of 60 to set up a second-round match against compatriot Daria Gavrilova.
Nadal, who had pulled out of his nation's ATP Cup campaign with a back problem, launched his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 6-1 win against world number 56 Djere.
The Spaniard, looking for his first title at Melbourne Park since 2009, next faces American qualifier Michael Mmoh, who outlasted Viktor Troicki in a marathon five-setter.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka struggled to find her best tennis and appeared to have breathing problems as she suffered a shock 7-5 6-4 defeat by main draw debutant Jessica Pegula.
- Reuters
Robinson being made to wait to start alpine skiing world champs
Bad weather has thwarted attempts to start the Alpine skiing world championships for the second day in a row with the women's Super G called off due to fog.
Photo: AFP
The skiers were kept waiting as fog shrouded the upper parts of the Olympia delle Tofane piste, with the race director lowering the start to the Duca d'Aosta jump.
Even that proved to be impossible and, an hour and half after the race had been due to start, the decision was taken to reschedule.
New Zealand ski racer Alice Robinson was due to compete in the event.
The weather in the Italian Dolomites resort has given organisers and teams a headache, with the opening women's Combined postponed until the following week, due to heavy overnight snow.
- Reuters
NZ golfers in contention in Australia
New Zealand golfers Michael Hendry and Daniel Hillier are tied for second place after the opening round of Australasian Tour's Moonah Links PGA Classic in Victoria.
Michael Hendry. Photo: Photosport
They have both opened with five-under par rounds to be a shot behind Australian John Lyras.
Hendry dropped seven birdies, but blotted his round with a couple of bogeys, while Hillier blew a chance to hold the outright lead.
He was seven-under par through 15 holes of his opening round behind bogeys on two of his final three holes.
Luke Brown and James Anstiss are the next best placed New Zealanders in a share of 40th place at even par.
Manchester United and Bournemouth advance to FA Cup quarterfinals
Manchester United are through to the quarterfinals of English football's FA cup for the seventh straight year after a 1-nil extra-time win over West Ham at Old Trafford.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Meanwhile Burnley have been knocked out of the tournament by Championship side Bournemouth after a 2-0 loss at Turf Moor, All Whites striker Chris Wood was rested for the game as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
It's only the second time Bournemouth have reached the last eight of the FA cup - the other being over 60 years ago.
