Rafael Benitez may be a hate figure with the Chelsea faithful but that could change if he returns the club to winning ways, according to former Blues midfielder Nigel Spackman. …

Tries to All Blacks wingers Julian Savea and Hosea Gear are among a shortlist of four nominations for the International Rugby Players’ Association (IRPA) try of the year award. All …

Chelsea say Rafael Benitez has been appointed their interim first team-manager until the end of the English Premier League season after the European champions sacked Roberto di Matteo. Di Matteo …

The Wallabies have lodged an appeal against lock Rob Simmons’ eight-week ban for a lifting tackle in Australia’s loss to France 12 days ago. The news comes as the International …

Sam Whitelock says the title of senior All Blacks lock is resting more comfortably on his more mature frame following the post-World Cup departure of Brad Thorn. Whitelock, capped 37 …

With seemingly limitless amounts of money and an insatiable desire for winning titles, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has the makings of being one of the best bosses in football. A …

Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit is among those who have expressed their sadness at the European champions’ decision to sack Roberto di Matteo as their boss. Despite overseeing Chelsea’s inaugural …

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is to appeal the length of the one-week ban handed to All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson, believing a longer punishment is warranted for his stamping …

Bangladesh’s Abul Hasan has become only the second man in 135 years of Test cricket after Australian Reggie Duff to hit a debut hundred while batting at number 10, on …

Glasgow scrumhalf Henry Pyrgos is set to make his first Scotland start after being named in the XV to play Tonga in Aberdeen this weekend. Pyrgos was one of five …

Tottenham ambassador Gary Mabbutt believes fans’ chants of ‘Yiddos’ provides a “difficult” set of questions that will take the relevant bodies a long time to answer. Spurs have a historic …

Under-pressure opener David Warner battled mental demons after his first Test failure in Brisbane, but has now come out the other side, according to Australian captain Michael Clarke. The explosive …

EDS: AM release. Early as you want. By Russell Jackson FLORENCE, Italy, Nov 21 AAP – Wallabies prop Benn Robinson praised giant second-rower Sitaleki Timani for his part in turning …

North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston has met with Canterbury officials amid speculation about his future when he comes off contract at the end of next season. News Ltd reports Thurston …

No.10 batsman Abul Hasan notched a debut century to help Bangladesh recover to 8-365 on the opening day of the second and final Test against the West Indies in Khulna …

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer named an unchanged starting line-up for the Springboks’ Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday. He retained the team that defeated Scotland, 21-10, last weekend …

Poland’s dreams of making their international rugby league debut are on ice after a funding gap meant they had to call off plans for a match with Hungary. “We’ve had …

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked after the European champions were left facing elimination at the group stage of the Champions League, the club said on Wednesday. “Chelsea …