World Cup

World Cup veteran wants to be on court when it matters most

Now she's finding her voice thanks to her younger team mates.

Karaka will attend her third Netball World Cup next month with a determination to be on court when it matters the most.

The defender has a gold medal from the 2019 World Cup and a silver from the 2015 showpiece event but she has never played in a World Cup final.

For years Karaka bided her time behind some of the legends of New Zealand netball. She watched team mates Casey Kopua and Katrina Rore and wondered "am I good enough".

In South Africa she wants to show she is.

Indonesia stripped of World Cup after refusing to host Israel

The decision to remove Indonesia as host of the May 20-June 11 tournament was taken after its football federation said it had cancelled the draw after the governor of the largely Hindu island of Bali refused to host Israel's team.

"FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023," a FIFA statement said.

"A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage."

19.4m UK viewers watch England crash out

A peak five-minute audience of 21.31 million people tuned in to ITV (and +1) to watch the end of the World Cup 2022 quarter-final match on Saturday.

England crashed out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to France.

Some people may have watched on other services such as ITVX, which are not reflected in the Barb rating figures.

The five-minute peak of 21.31 million was the most-watched single channel TV moment of 2022 so far.

Fifa boss describes start of World Cup as best ever

Former champions Argentina, Spain, Germany and Brazil all suffered shock group-stage losses and Africa, Asia and North America were represented in the last 16 along with traditional powerhouses South America and Europe.

Infantino said the matches -- "played in beautiful stadiums" -- had already attracted a TV audience in excess of two billion viewers.

"Fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement, surprises, small teams beating big teams," he said in comments released by FIFA on Wednesday.

Croatia win shootout over Japan

Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida were all denied by Livakovic before Mario Pasalic coolly sent Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda the wrong way to set up a last-eight date for the Croatians with Brazil or South Korea on Saturday morning (NZ time).

Reuters reports three times in the knockout rounds in Russia four years ago Croatia came from behind to advance after extra time before losing to France in the final.

Quade Cooper's World Cup in doubt after 'devastating' injury update

Cooper went down in the first seven minutes of the second half after attempting one of his trademark goose steps. The 34-year-old immediately fell to the ground clutching his heel and was clearly in agony.

It has been confirmed that he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, a notoriously difficult injury to mend in the context of elite sports.

The injury could mean he doesn’t set foot back onto a rugby pitch until the mid-2023 and leaves the mercurial playmaker in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Solomon Islands through to final after thrilling win over PNG

Solomon Islands head coach Felipe Vega-Arango sent out the same starting eleven that overcame Tahiti in their previous fixture. Meanwhile, Marcos Gusmao made just one change from Papua New Guinea’s clutch victory over Fiji, Raymond Gunemba replacing Stahl Gubag in attack.

Sexton to play fourth World Cup

The former world player of the year, who will be 38 by the time the competition comes around, is aiming to play in his fourth World Cup and his first as captain having been handed the role after the 2019 tournament in Japan.

"Yeah, finished, 2023 World Cup. I'm delighted to be able to say it," Sexton said.

Ireland have become increasingly reliant on the three-time Six Nations winner in recent years with the Leinster flyhalf's form showing little sign of dipping and few younger players emerging to really challenge him for the number 10 jersey.

White Ferns World Cup squad named

In her fourth Cricket World Cup Sophie Devine will captain a 15-strong White Ferns squad for the tournament hosted by New Zealand.

Devine's deputy Amy Satterthwaite as well as Suzie Bates will be making their fourth appearance at the tournament.

Wicketkeeper Katey Martin and experienced quick bowler Lea Tahuhu are set to feature in their third World Cup and have over 150 ODI appearances between them.

Fiji netball hopes for Pacific comp in lieu of cancelled World Cup

The Under 21 Championship was originally scheduled for June in Suva, with Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands set to represent the Pacific, but was postponed by six months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

President, RubyAnn Sorovaki, said she understood why the International Netball Federation decided to cancel the event, but now their focus needs to be on keeping players engaged.