Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

New Zealand's Chiefs overcame the sending-off of their captain, Dylan Mika, to demolish the Sharks from South Africa 32-19 in yesterday's Super- 12 match. For the third-placed Sharks the defeat means their chances of a top four semi-final berth are slim. The Chiefs have now won their last four matches after losing their first five of the season, and achieved the latest success despite playing for 42 minutes with only 14 men.

The Namibian Rugby Union and sports authorities have reached a settlement that has provisionally rescinded the government's ban on the national team and will allow it to play this weekend. According to the agreement, five black players will be included in the Namibian national side's Vodacom Cup game today against South African provincial side the Northern Bulls. On Wednesday the Namibian National Sporting Commission refused to sanction any further national and international fixtures until at least 40 per cent of the 22-man squad were black.