Sports Briefs

Rod fires up Rebels

MELBOURNE Rebels coach Rod Macqueen has demanded more aggression from his forwards as the stuttering Super15 newcomers prepare for a bruising test against competition-leaders, the Sharks.

After a last-gasp one-point win over the Brumbies in round two, the Rebels were brought back to earth by the Chiefs on Saturday in a resounding 28-point defeat. - Reuters

Dundee climb to 5th

DUNDEE United climbed two spots to fifth in the Scottish Premier League with a 3-1 win over lowly Aberdeen on Monday.

Craig Conway set up Barry Douglas for the opening goal in the 29th minute, before scoring four minutes later to give United a commanding lead at half time.

Josh Magennis scored for Aberdeen in the 51st minute, but Danny Swanson clinched victory for the hosts on the hour mark. - Sapa-AP

Tunisia resumes play

LEAGUE football will resume in Tunisia next weekend after being suspended for almost two months because of the popular revolt that toppled the country's president in January.

A statement from the youth and sports ministry said all sports activities will resume on March 13. - Reuters

Jumper attacked

THE genteel world of New Zealand showjumping has been rocked after a leading horse was disfigured in an attack its owner believes was carried out by a competitor.

The 13-year-old gelding Squirt suffered burns to its face after creosote was smeared around one of its eyes on Saturday night, when the animal was stabled at Hawera Showground ahead of a competition. - Sapa-AFP

New neck of Woods

FORMER world No1 Tiger Woods is moving into a new home in Jupiter, Florida, that features a custom-built practice facility.

On Monday, in his first blog posting since just before the one-year anniversary of a sex scandal that led to divorce and the loss of millions of dollars in endorsements, Woods revealed his upcoming move from Orlando. - Sapa-AFP

Faith in Chabal

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont has made three changes to his team for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday but has kept faith with No8 Sebastien Chabal, who was dismal in the 17-9 defeat to England on February 26. Julien Bonnaire replaces Imanol Harinordoquy on the side of the scrum. - Reuters

Word not his Bond?

US HOME-RUN king Barry Bonds suffered a setback on Monday when a judge ruled that former Major League Baseball players may testify in the slugger's perjury trial.

Bonds pleaded not guilty last week to four counts of perjury for denying to a grand jury in 2003 that he knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs. His trial begins on March 21. - Sapa-AFP