Sports News Roundup: All Blacks tweak team with one change for World Cup final; Man Utd show signs of life, but City offer real test and more

Mbonambi, the only specialist hooker in the Springbok squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in Paris, was investigated after Curry made the allegation during the first half of last weekend's semi-final, which South Africa won 16-15. Rugby-All Blacks tweak team with one change for World Cup final New Zealand tweaked their team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa with a single change but resisted any temptation to power up their bench to offset the forward-heavy list of replacements the Springboks named earlier on Thursday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Cricket-Sri Lanka heap more World Cup misery on England with big win

Sri Lanka breathed life into their World Cup campaign and left England in increasing danger of missing out on a semi-final spot after crushing the defending champions by eight wickets in a low-scoring match on Thursday. Chasing a modest 157 for only their second win, Sri Lanka overcame the loss of two early wickets before Pathum Nissanka (77 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65 not out) got them across the finish line in 25.4 overs.

Soccer-Last two Scudetto winners come face to face as Napoli host Milan

This weekend's Serie A fixtures pit the last two Scudetto winners against each other, as defending champions Napoli host AC Milan on Sunday. Juventus dominated the league for almost a decade, winning nine consecutive Serie A titles, but a once all-too-predictable championship has now had three different winners in the last three seasons.

Top cycling teams explore creating new league -sources

A number of major European cycling teams have been exploring plans to create a new competitive league in a move that could reshape the sport's landscape and allocate more funding for participants, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. External investors could help finance the project, two of the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. The venture could amalgamate new and existing races, one of the people said.

Soccer-Swiss prosecutors end proceedings against FIFA boss Infantino

Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said on Thursday, a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of "the new FIFA". Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals.

Soccer-Newcastle's Tonali banned for 10 months for betting offences

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from soccer for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. Tonali was sanctioned with an 18-month ban, eight of which will be commuted to alternative treatment, after an agreement was reached with the Federal Prosecutor's Office, the FIGC confirmed.

Alpine skiing-Shiffrin can reach her 100th win this season, says Miller

U.S. ski great Bode Miller expects compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin to have another dominant season and would not be surprised if she crowns it by becoming the first Alpine skier to win 100 World Cup races. The season starts in the Austrian resort of Soelden this weekend with men's and women's giant slaloms on the Rettenbach glacier.

Rugby-Springbok hooker Mbonambi cleared to play in World Cup final

South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared to play in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, World Rugby said on Thursday, after insufficient evidence was found that he used discriminatory language towards England flanker Tom Curry. Mbonambi, the only specialist hooker in the Springbok squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in Paris, was investigated after Curry made the allegation during the first half of last weekend's semi-final, which South Africa won 16-15.

Rugby-All Blacks tweak team with one change for World Cup final

New Zealand tweaked their team for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against South Africa with a single change but resisted any temptation to power up their bench to offset the forward-heavy list of replacements the Springboks named earlier on Thursday. All Blacks coach Ian Foster changed his lock combination again with Brodie Retallick restored to the lineup and Sam Whitelock returning to the list of replacements in the only change to the starting team.

Soccer-Man Utd show signs of life, but City offer real test

Manchester United's season has spluttered into second gear with a run of three successive victories but the sceptics are not convinced and Erik Ten Hag's side face the ultimate test of their credentials at home to Manchester City this weekend. Dutchman Ten Hag was staring into the abyss when his side trailed Brentford 1-0 with stoppage time looming earlier this month but two late goals spared his blushes.

Audi puts planned Formula One entry under review - Spiegel

Audi is reviewing its plans to enter Formula One in 2026, German news outlet Spiegel reported on Thursday. Citing sources at parent company Volkswagen, Spiegel said the plans were being "analysed in detail" in the wake of a management change and cost-cutting measures.