Sports digest

Today's other stories in brief

Green retains cruiserweight title

BOXING: Australia's Danny Green retained his IBO cruiserweight world title with a brutal first-round stoppage of Roy Jones Jr yesterday. Green (36) floored Jones inside the first minute with a vicious punch to the side of the head, then continued to pummel the American challenger until the referee stopped the bout after two minutes and two seconds.

“I almost feel bad doing that,” said Green, who has won 28 of his 31 career fights, including 25 by knockout. “That almost most hurt me to do that to someone whom I aspire to and look up to as a professional fighter inside and outside the ring.”

It was the quickest defeat Jones had suffered in a long and distinguished career that saw him win eight world titles in four different weight divisions and lay claim to the mythical title of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

The loss may also have cost the 40-year-old the chance of a lucrative fight with his old adversary Bernard Hopkins.

Ultimatum for Stadio Flaminio

RUGBY:The City of Rome must agree to enlarge the 24,000-seater Stadio Flaminio or the Six Nations will go elsewhere, the head of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has said.

“The tournament committee have told us either to expand the Flaminio to 40,000 seats or choose another venue or they’ll do without us,” FIR president Giancarlo Dondi said yesterday.

“We have a plan ready to extend it to 42,000 and it would not take long to do but it depends on the Rome City Council.

“If they give us guarantees, the work will be completed for the 2012 edition, then maybe they’ll let us play at the Flaminio in 2011. Otherwise we will stage the 2011 Six Nations somewhere else.”

Rodney fails in re-election bid

SNOOKER: Rodney Walker has been ousted from the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, leaving the way clear for Barry Hearn to replace him as chairman and instigate his plans to transform the sport, reports Clive Everton.

Two of Walker’s colleagues, Jim McMahon, and Mike Dunn, the world number 38, were also removed from the board after a vote in Sheffield yesterday. Having offered himself for re-election a year earlier than he need have done, Walker could reasonably have anticipated no unified opposition, but Hearn was persuaded three weeks ago to offer himself as chairman in the event of the vote going against Walker.

The outcome of the meeting leaves the WPBSA board with only two members: Lee Doyle, chairman of 110sport, which manages or acts as agent for 13 players, and Hamish McInnes, formerly of Sport England and recruited by Walker. There was still uncertainty yesterday about the mechanics of installing Hearn in the chairmanship.

Roberts gets chance to avenge All Blacks defeat

RUGBY: Jamie Roberts has been given a chance to avenge Wales' defeat by New Zealand last month after being selected at inside centre by the Barbarians.

The Barbarians face the All Blacks, who prevailed 19-12 at the Millennium Stadium, at Twickenham on Saturday in their now traditional end of autumn fixture.

Lions star Roberts is picked alongside fellow Welsh internationals Andy Powell and Leigh Halfpenny, who feature among the replacements.

Springbok lock Victor Matfield will captain a side containing 925 caps, heading a seven-strong South African contingent that includes the uncapped WP Nel. Bryan Habana starts on the left wing while All Black Joe Rokocoko has been handed the number 14 jersey against his national team-mates.

Richie McCaw will captain a weakened New Zealand side. Dan Carter is rested so Stephen Donald starts at outhalf.

NEW ZEALAND: C Jane; B Smith, T Ellison, L McAlister, Z Guildford; S Donald, B Leonard; W Crockett, C Flynn, J Afoa, J Eaton, A Boric, L Messam, R McCaw (capt), R So’oialo. Replacements: A Hore, N Tialata, A Thomson, T Latimer, J Cowan, M Delany, S Sivivatu.

BARBARIANS: D Mitchell (Australia); J Rokocoko (New Zealand), J Fourie (South Africa), J Roberts (Wales), B Habana (South Africa); M Giteau (Australia), F du Preez (South Africa); S Perugini (Italy), B du Plessis (South Africa), W P Nel (uncapped), C del Fava (Italy), V Matfield (South Africa, captain), R Elsom (Australia), S Burger (South Africa), G Smith (Australia). Replacements: S Moore (Australia), T Mtawarira (South Africa), Q Geldenhuys (Italy), A Powell (Wales), W Genia (Australia), M Steyn (South Africa), L Halfpenny (Wales).

Fa'afili banned for three weeks

RUGBY: Samoa and Leeds Carnegie centre Henry Fa'afili has been suspended for three weeks after receiving a red card for a high tackle against Italy on Saturday. A disciplinary hearing decided that Fa'afili's dangerous tackle on Luke McLean during Samoa's 26-4 defeat in Ascoli was in the mid-range of sanctions although his previous exemplary record was taken into account. Fa'afili will not be able to play until Leeds travel to play Newcastle on December 27th.

Brennan earns St Kieran's late draw

GAELIC GAMES: An injury-time goal from Michael Brennan earned St Kieran's College a thrilling draw with city rivals Kilkenny CBS (3-13 to 3-13) in the Leinster colleges' senior hurling league final at Nowlan Park. Ten minutes into the second half CBS seemed to be cruising at 3-11 to 1-8, but a goal from Brennan in the 52nd minute proved a turning point. The replay will be at the same venue next Wednesday.

KILKENNY CBS: E Burke, J Lynch, A Forristal, P Moore, C Roche, R Doyle, G Gaule, O Walsh (0-2), E McGrath (0-3), B Kennedy (0-2), C Kenny (0-1), M Clifford (0-1), P Vickery (2-1), S Farrell (1-3), M Holohan. Sub: J Glennon for M Holohan.

ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE: M Donnelly, L Hickey, R Lennon, P Walsh, A O’Dowd, B O’Connor, W Phelan, S Phelan (0-1), C O’Shea, N Creane (0-2), J Gannon, C Buckley (1-0), R Reid, J Power (0-7), M Brennan (2-2). Subs: T O’Hanrahan (0-1) for R Reid, P O’Carroll for L Hickey, P Holden for N Creane, M Drennan for C O’Shea.

Referee: E Mansfield (Cloneen).