Queensland coach Mal Meninga maintains he was not intoxicated and was acting responsibly when he was asked to leave a Brisbane bar on Wednesday morning.

Crows operations manager Phil Harper says the SANFL will not be compromised by allowing Adelaide and Port Adelaide to have reserves teams.

Brazil moved into the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Fortaleza on Thursday morning (AEST).

The return of Dan Carter and the injection of new blood headline a raft of changes to the All Blacks for the final Test against France on Saturday.

Two-time champion Alberto Contador will be joined by Australia's Michael Rogers in the Saxo-Tinkoff team at the Tour de France.

Australia confirmed its place in the 2014 men's hockey World Cup following a 5-1 thrashing of India at the Hockey World League in Rotterdam.

Former rugby league international Israel Folau is one of three debutants named in Australia's starting XV to face the British and Irish Lions at Lang Park on Saturday night.

Hosts England cruised into the ICC Champions Trophy final with a seven-wicket win at The Oval after South Africa once again underlined their reputation as cricket's 'chokers'.

Australia enjoyed a mixed day at the ATP-WTA Eastbourne International, with Bernard Tomic posting another win while Samantha Stosur has exited the tournament.

Rafael Nadal has been named fifth seed for Wimbledon, leaving his major title rivals to ponder meeting the 2008 and 2010 title-winning Spaniard as early as the quarter-finals.

Manchester United will begin its English Premier League title defence with a trip to League Cup winner Swansea, after the 2013/14 fixtures were unveiled on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland has poured cold water on suggestions that Channel Nine will have influence over team selections under its new broadcast deal.

Canberra's Blake Ferguson will be ineligible for NRL duties for at least four weeks while he undertakes "an extensive alcohol management program".

St Kilda has stood Stephen Milne down from playing duties for an indefinite period while he faces four rape charges stemming from an alleged incident in 2004.

LeBron James made the go-ahead jump shot and Ray Allen drained two clutch overtime free throws, as the Heat rallied to beat San Antonio Spurs 103-100 to force a Game Seven in the NBA Finals in Miami.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill says appearing at a third consecutive World Cup in Brazil would be a perfect way to end a long international career.

Olympic double sprint silver medallist Yohan Blake will only run the 100 metres at the world championships in Moscow after he withdrew from this weekend's Jamaican national titles.

Jamaica's two-time Olympic 200 metres champion Veronica Campbell-Brown has been suspended by her national federation following a positive test for a banned diuretic at a meeting last month.

Spaniard David Ferrer failed to get back on the winning track on his return after losing in the French Open final as he lost his Hertogenbosch ATP title going down 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to veteran Belgian Xavier Malisse in the first round.

Injury-plagued Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins will continue his recuperation playing for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy in Belfast tonight.

Five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has pulled out of this year's tournament because of an ongoing lower back injury.

Norwood chief executive Geoff Baynes said the SANFL might have left it too late for AFL reserves sides to join the competition next season.

Iran and South Korea have joined Australia and Japan as Asian direct qualifiers into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says veteran player Stephen Milne should be allowed to play in this weekend's match against Melbourne despite facing four rape charges over an alleged incident in 2004.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has described qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has described qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has described qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has described qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods.

Australian sprinter Shamexpress has finished midfield in the King's Stand Stakes (1,000m) at Royal Ascot.