Sports in brief: Samoan PM welcomes International Rugby Board investigation

Published on 15/07/2012 01:17

SAMOA prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has welcomed an International Rugby Board investigation into his comments during a recent radio broadcast in which he said hitting a Test referee with a rock might be justified.

The IRB has written to the Samoa Rugby Union, of which Malielegaoi is chairman, requesting “urgent clarification” of the comments which, it said, “may be in breach of IRB regulations governing the global game”. During his regular weekly show on Samoa’s Radio 2AP, Malielegaoi described the officials who controlled the 23 June Test match between Samoa and Scotland, as “idiots” and suggested the Samoa team suffered racial discrimination. Malielegaoi said “if the siren sounds and the referee continues the match unnecessarily, then a rock hitting his head would be justified”.

Scotland beat Samoa 17-16 in the Test at Apia with a Rob Harley try in the first minute of injury time. Samoa were also denied a try when a touch judge determined one of its players, who would have scored, had put a foot in touch.

Malielegaoi told the Samoa Observer newspaper he welcomed the investigation: “I am happy that they have responded. The whole purpose of my comments was to draw the attention of the IRB and also those boys who are in charge of selecting referees. I wanted that the attention be drawn to the consistent breaches when it comes to Manu Samoa [the Samoa national team].”

If the Samoa Rugby Union is found at fault it could lose the right to host international matches.

MEN’S HOCKEY

Great Britain bounce back to beat India

Great Britain men beat India 3-1 in the first match of the tri-nations tournament in Santander yesterday. After going a goal down early in the match GB were level by the interval through a penalty corner strike by James Tindall. The victory was sealed in the second half with goals by Ashley Jackson from the spot and Harry Martin with eight minutes left.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

U21 coach wants gold

Scotland’s under 21 squad face the Czech Republic in their opening match of the European Nations Championships in Russia today. The Scots’ other opponents are Ukraine, Austria, Lithuania and Russia – the top two in the pool are promoted to Europe’s top flight.

Scotland coach Dave Stott will rely on Nicola Skrastin, Lucy Lanigan and Edinburgh University striker Sarah Robertson, along with Ali Howie and Nikki Mollison from set pieces to find the target.

BASKETBALL

Rampaging Bull on the charge for GB

Great Britain ended their seven game losing streak on the road to London with an 83-68 win over Portugal in Sheffield. Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng hit a game-high 21 points as Chris Finch’s side got a much-needed boost ahead of the Olympics.

“I liked our intensity,” said Finch, whose side meets the Portuguese again today. Scottish forward Kieron Achara added four points and four rebounds.

Britain’s women were thrashed 87-63 by 2008 Olympic silver medallists Australia.

SHINTY

Kyles on the scent on double glory

Kyles are still on the trail of a league and cup double after booking a place in the Camanachd Cup semi finals. Norman Macdonald’s men started the season inconsistently and suffered a succession of injuries to key performers but have quietly crept into contention and yesterday defeated 1990 winners Skye 5-2 in Portree.

Iain Nicholson and Jordan Murchison netted for Skye but Roddy MacDonald, John Whyte, Thomas Whyte, Dunkie Kerr and Fraser MacDonald all scored for Kyles. Inveraray are also in the last four after beating Kilmallie 2-3 in Lochaber.