9 Apr 2019

Today's sports news: What you need to know

9:38 am on 9 April 2019

Former All Black Julian Savea has shut down talk of a move from French club Toulon to South African side the Southern Kings.

Former All Black winder Julian Savea playing for Toulon

Former All Black winger Julian Savea has denied reports he's considering a move to the Southern Kings. Photo: Photosport

South African media reports claimed the Kings were willing to cut as many as 20 players from their squad in an effort to sign the former All Black winger, who has fallen out of favour at Toulon.

The Kings were dumped from Super Rugby in 2017 and now play in the European Pro14 competition.

However Savea has taken to social media to deny the reports.

Warriors hooker stocks could be further depleted

The Warriors are facing a potential crisis at hooker with Jazz Tevaga to front the NRL juduciary tonight as he fights a grade one dangerous tackle charge stemming from last Friday's win over the Titans at Mount Smart Stadium.

Warriors lock Jazz Tevaga

Warriors hooker Jazz Tevaga. Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2019

If unsuccessful, he faces a likely one match ban and that would leave the Warriors without three of their four hookers for Saturday's clash with the Rabbitohs, with Issac Luke and Nathaniel Roache already out injured.

Meanwhile Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell could face disciplinary action by his NRL club after being fined for failing to leave a pub near his hometown last weekend.

NSW Police on Monday night confirmed a 21-year-old man was issued with a criminal infringement notice for failing to quit a licensed premises on Saturday.

It's alleged Mitchell argued with security after being a part of a fight between two groups at Old Bar Tavern near Taree.

The incident came a day after Mitchell played in the Roosters' 36-4 victory over Brisbane. The Sydney club are yet to make comment.

-AAP

Adelaide young gun cops ban for dangerous tackle on Phoenix player

The A-League football match review panel has slapped a two-match ban on Adelaide United's rising star Apostolos Stamatelopoulos for "serious foul play".

The 19-year-old was sent off after he sensationally lunged at the Phoenix midfielder Mandi with a two-footed challenge from a kick off.

The dangerous tackle happened after one of his two goals in the Reds' 3-1 home win over Wellington on Sunday.

The suspension means Stamatelopoulos will miss the upcoming visits of Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

Ex-France rugby coach gets pay out

Sacked French coach Guy Noves.

Former French rugby coach Guy Noves. Photo: Photosport

Former France coach Guy Noves is entitled to $1.7 million in compensation for wrongful dismissal by the national rugby federation, a French court said on Monday.

The FFR alleged Noves was guilty of serious misconduct, but a Toulouse labour tribunal decided otherwise.

Noves was asking for $4.8 million.

Both parties have the right to appeal, although initial reactions suggested that they were happy with the outcome.

Noves was sacked by the FFR in December 2017 after winning only seven of his 21 matches in charge, while his contract was due to run until the end of this year's World Cup in Japan.

Former England winger signed by NFL team

Christian Wade scores a try during England and Barbarians match at Twickenham.

Former England winger Christian Wade. Photo: Photosport

Former England rugby union international Christian Wade has been signed by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.

The winger, 27, was released by Wasps in October to allow him to pursue a career in American football.

Seen as a potential running back, Wade was one of four players allocated to an AFC East club as part of the league's International Player Pathway programme.

Wade, who won one cap for England in 2013 and was called up to the British and Irish Lions squad that summer, is third in the all-time Premiership try-scorers list with 82.

The International Player Pathway allows him to train with the Bills during pre-season and attempt to earn a place on their roster for next season.

If he does not make the 53-man regular season roster then he is guaranteed a place on the practice squad as an exemption, in which case he could not play.

-BBC