14 Nov 2020

Today's sports news: What you need to know

5:11 pm on 14 November 2020

Latest - Dustin Johnson grabbed a share of the Masters clubhouse lead before second-round play was suspended due to darkness with defending champion Tiger Woods still on the course and early favourite Bryson DeChambeau at risk of missing the cut.

World golf number one Dustin Johnson.

World golf number one Dustin Johnson. Photo: Photosport

Johnson, who finished the darkness-interrupted first round in a three-way share of the lead early on day two, had a short break and then returned a two-under-par 70 to reach nine under for the week on another low-scoring day at Augusta National.

That left Johnson, who is looking to become the first world number one to triumph at Augusta since Woods in 2002, level with Justin Thomas (69), Australian Cameron Smith (68) and Masters debutant Abraham Ancer of Mexico (67).

Sitting one shot back of the leaders were Patrick Cantlay (66) and South Korea's Im Sung-jae (70). Spanish world number two Jon Rahm, through 12 holes, and Hideki Matsuyama, through 15, were also one off the pace.

Five-times Masters champion Woods, who was three back after the opening round, went out in the afternoon wave and was even par after mixing two bogeys with two birdies through 11 holes before the horn sounded.

- Reuters

Lowe scores on Ireland debut

New Zealand-born wing James Lowe scored a try on debut as an improved Ireland have added to Wales' miserable 2020 with a 32-9 win in the opening game of the new Autumn Nations Cup.

James Lowe.

James Lowe. Photo: Photosport

A Quinn Roux try helped the hosts to a worthy 16-6 halftime lead and last year's Six Nations grand slam winners and World Cup semi-finalists were well on the way to a sixth loss in a row when Lowe added a deserved debut try.

But Andy Farrell's improved Ireland may have to visit England for what could be a Pool A decider next week without captain Johnny Sexton after the influential flyhalf left the game with less than half an hour on the clock due to a hamstring strain.

England host lowly Georgia on Sunday (NZ time) with the four best Pool A sides set for a December 5-6 finale against the corresponding finishing positions of Pool B.

- Reuters

France vs Fiji cancelled

The Autumn Nations Cup game between France and Fiji on Monday (NZ time) has been called off following positive coronavirus cases within the Fiji team.

The French Federation (FFR) said in a statement that the outcome of the game, which it said cannot be rescheduled, would be decided by the Six Nations committee on Tuesday.

The Flying Fijians will play four tests in November/December.

The Flying Fijians. Photo: Fiji Rugby

Fiji, whose pre-tournament warm-up test against Portugal was also cancelled because three of their players tested positive for the novel coronavirus, are due to play Italy on 21 November, while France face Scotland at Murrayfield the next day.

Fiji Rugby said on Saturday that one of their players had tested positive but the Six Nations added that additional tests had "resulted in another four positive cases affecting close contacts as well".

Meanwhile, the South African Super Rugby match between the Lions and Pumas has been postponed in line with Covid-19 protocols.

The decision was triggered on Saturday following receipt of two further positive results from a second batch of tests after one player from the Phakisa Pumas returned a positive result in scheduled testing earlier in the week.

- Reuters, RNZ

Hamilton not happy in Turkey

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fastest in the opening two practice sessions of the Turkish Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton slammed the slippery surface ahead of a race that could crown him Formula One champion for a record-equalling seventh time.

The times at the Istanbul Park circuit, hosting a Formula One race for the first time since 2011, were largely meaningless.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton Photo: Photosport

The combination of cold November temperatures and a recent resurfacing left all drivers spinning and struggling for grip.

Hamilton, who could only manage the fourth fastest time, said the day had been a "bit of a disaster".

"This track is such a fantastic circuit and I really don't fully understand when they spend millions to re-do a surface... they could have just cleaned it maybe instead of waste all the money.

"The tyres aren't working and it's like an ice-rink out there. It's terrifying the whole way around. It's almost like there's wet patches all over."

Milestone looms for Ramos

Sergio Ramos is set to become the most capped European footballer of all time when Spain visit Switzerland in the Nations League.

The Spain captain, who last year became his country's all-time appearance maker, is in line for a 177th match on Sunday (NZ time), which will take him ahead of former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as the continent's most capped player.

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos Photo: Photosport

Real Madrid's Ramos, 34, will then set his sights on topping former Egypt player Ahmed Hassan's record of 184 appearances and becoming the most capped international player ever.

Ramos made his international debut in a friendly against China in 2005, when Luis Aragones was in charge, and is the only surviving member in the current squad to win the Euro 2008 title which snapped Spain's 44-year wait for an international trophy.

He was also part of the team that won Spain's first and only World Cup in 2010 and defended the European Championship title in 2012.

An ever-present for Madrid, Ramos shows no signs of slowing down and has stated that he wishes to play for Spain at the rescheduled Olympic Games next year in Tokyo as well as leading them into the European Championships in June.

- Reuters

Tridents seal penalty shoot-out win

The Northern Tridents recorded their second win from two women's premier league hockey matches, but were pushed into a penalty shoot-out by the Central Falcons today.

The Tridents looked well in control after goals to Rose Tynan and skipper Stephanie Dixon gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time.

But Jessica Kelly pulled one back for the Falcons in the third stanza, then Michaela Curtis equalised with less than five minutes remaining.

However, Tynan scored twice from the shoot-out to wrap up the Tridents' win.

In the second game, Olivia Merry and Isabella Ambrosius scored to give the Southern Alpiners a 2-0 half-time lead over the Hauraki Mavericks.

But quickfire goals to Julia King and Ali Hunt levelled to the scores in the third quarter, then Alia Jacques slammed home the winner with a reverse stick shot into the roof of the goal with just five minutes remaining.