Lealiifano receives treatment for leukaemia

SYDNEY • Wallabies back Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment in hospital, his rugby club ACT Brumbies said yesterday.

The 28-year-old, who has played 19 Tests for Australia and 117 Super Rugby games for the Brumbies, was diagnosed with the cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow following a brief illness.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Barrett leads Hurricanes to first Super Rugby title

WELLINGTON • The Wellington Hurricanes ended a 20-year nightmare yesterday when Beauden Barrett engineered a 20-3 victory over the Golden Lions for their maiden Super Rugby title.

Barrett, the Man of the Match, was everywhere for the Hurricanes and settled the outcome of the final with a try 12 minutes from time.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Newcastle taste defeat in Championship opener

LONDON • Rafael Benitez got his first bitter taste of life in the Championship (second tier) as his relegated Newcastle United side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Fulham in the first match of the English football league season on Friday.

Fulham scored a deserved winner on the stroke of half-time when Matt Smith rose above a flat-footed defence to power home a header from a corner.

REUTERS

Man City sign Moreno on a five-year contract

LONDON • English Premier League football club Manchester City have announced the signing of the Colombia forward Marlos Moreno from Atletico Nacional on a five-year deal.

Moreno's arrival is believed to be for a fee of £4.75 million (S$8.36 million), although the 19-year-old was immediately loaned to Spanish Primera Liga side Deportivo La Coruna until the end of the season.

THE GUARDIAN