In a surprise move, the All Blacks selectors have opted for Damian McKenzie in the pivotal flyhalf role for Saturday's Rugby Championship...

Carl Froch has delivered a brutal assessment of Anthony Joshua’s performance against Robert Helenius, accusing the British heavyweight of fighting like a ‘beginner’. Joshua knocked out Helenius, a late-notice replacement for Dillian Whyte, in Round 7 on Saturday (12 August) after fighting tentatively in the first six rounds. Despite “AJ” securing the emphatic knockout that he needed en route to a potential clash with Deontay Wilder, the former two-time world heavyweight champion did not do enough to impress Froch. Froch, a former unified super-middleweight champion, said on YouTube on Friday (18 August): “For me, it was a 5/10 performance. Okay, he got the job done, he knocked out Helenius in Round 7 with a decent [shot]. Helenius was exhausted by that point, which is why I thought the knockout came. “AJ timed him nicely with a jab to the body then brought the right hand over the top [...] I don’t think [Helenius] was knocked out cold, but he was exhausted. Once he got hit with that shot and went over, he probably thought to himself: ‘You know what? I’ve earnt my money, I’m not gonna win the fight, I’m not getting paid for overtime. Let’s stay down and go home.’ Why wouldn’t he? He boxed a week earlier. “It was poor, it was a weak opponent for this stage of AJ’s career, when he’s now looking at fighting someone like Deontay Wilder. If he’s looking at fighting Deontay Wilder on the back of that performance... that performance was awful, it was terrible, it was such a bad performance in so many ways. It was tentative, it was gun shy.” Helenius replaced Whyte after the Briton failed a drug test in the lead-up to his planned rematch with Joshua, who is in talks to box Wilder in early 2024. “He looked like he didn’t want to be in there at times,” Froch said of Joshua, 33. “He was getting outboxed with a weak, poor jab; [Helenius] wasn’t setting it up, he was smashing it, ram-rodding it in AJ’s face [...] Anthony Joshua was sitting back, waiting, looking confused, looking like he was scared to throw. “He’s not ready for the Deontay Wilder fight, I really don’t think he is. That performance does not set him up for a big showdown with Wilder [...] Style-wise, AJ is like a beginner, like a novice pro. Helenius had absolutely busted up AJ behind the jab. “[There was] swelling under his eyes, his nose was p***ing with blood, his mouth was bleeding – as we saw when he jumped out of the ring, which was a bit strange, and had a slurp on that nasty Irish stout that Conor McGregor shoved in his face. He had all blood and sweat and snot inside that point.” Froch, 46, also branded his fellow Briton “unprofessional” and “disrespectful” for the interaction with UFC star McGregor, which took place at ringside while Helenius received medical attention. Joshua vs Wilder is in the works for an early 2024 date in Saudi Arabia. American Wilder, 37, has not fought since knocking out Helenius in Round 1 in October. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua has the blueprint to beat Deontay Wilder – is he brave enough to use it? Deontay Wilder’s manager offers rare comment on Anthony Joshua fight Anthony Joshua takes swig of Conor McGregor’s Irish stout after Helenius knockout

Francisco Lindor had four hits and stole home, Daniel Vogelbach hit a grand slam and the New York Mets won their fourth straight game, routing the St. Louis Cardinals 13-2 Saturday night

Andrew McCutchen hit the 21st leadoff homer of his career, the first of four home runs off Seattle starter George Kirby, and the Pittsburgh Pirates matched a franchise record with seven long balls on their way to an 11-6 win over the Mariners

Liam Hendriks has been activated by the Chicago White Sox, clearing another hurdle in his return from non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Brighton will give the newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City a guard of honour ahead of thie clash tonight in what their penultimate game of the season. The Seagulls are hoping to finish the season strongly after earning a place in European competition and are still in with an outside chance of nicking fifth place off Liverpool. Victory over Southampton last weekend means Brighton have won a spot in the Europa League and will finish no lower than sixth yet if they win their final two matches and Liverpool lose on Sunday they will leap above the Reds into fifth. The possibility of doing so may not be that far-fetched either. After securing yet another Premier League title, Pep Guardiola is expected to rest key personnel ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals meaning Roberto De Zerbi’s side could take advantage of a weakened City line-up. However, despite this encounter being a low-stakes affair, City have not lost in 24 matches across all competitions and will likely show why they are so difficult to beat. Follow all the action as Brighton host Man City in the Premier League: Read More Man City’s quest for legitimacy is a battle they may never win What next for treble-chasing Man City after sealing Premier League title? Roberto De Zerbi provides warning for next season as Brighton prepare for Europe

Wondering what MACtion in college football is all about? Read on to find out!

BERLIN A decision on which new sports will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is likely

World champions Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil was marred by crowd trouble at the Maracana Stadium. Kick-off was delayed by half an hour in Rio de Janeiro after rival fans and police clashed, with both sets of players trying to calm the situation down before eventually returning to the dressing room before the game could commence. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed trying to climb the hoarding to stop a police officer wielding a baton before being pulled away by team-mates. Once the order was restored, Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half header gave Argentina an historic World Cup qualifying victory, with Joelinton sent off for the hosts. Lionel Messi said on Argentina’s X feed: “This group continues to achieve historic things. Although today was not the most important, it is something very nice. “We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, similar to the one in the Copa America final. They pressed a lot, they went to look for us high up and it was difficult for us to have long possessions. These games are defined by details.” It was Brazil’s first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier and their third in a row after previous losses to Uruguay and Colombia, with their path to the 2026 World Cup looking decidedly shaky. The hosts were the better side in the first half and could have taken the lead just before the break but Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli saw his shot cleared off the line by north London nemesis Cristian Romero. Martinelli missed another key chance after the break, with Martinez denying him from close range. The defending champions took a 63rd-minute lead when former Manchester City defender Otamendi headed home Giovani Lo Celso’s corner with their only effort on target of the night. Newcastle’s Joelinton saw red in the last 10 minutes when he struck out at Rodrigo De Paul to compound a miserable night for the hosts, with the inquest to their poor form and the ugly scenes in the stadium set to rumble on. Read More Football rumours: Giovani Lo Celso may help solve Barcelona’s Gavi problem On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification Stephen Kenny admits dream job is probably over

Government officials say a new inspection has been ordered at the stadium that hosted the 2004 Athens Olympics after rust was found along the iconic arched roof

The The CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix was thrilled with Formula One’s first race on the famed Strip, but acknowledged Sunday there were missteps in the $500 million showcase event of the season

Manuel Akanji is confident his Manchester City team-mates will deliver in this weekend’s derby at Old Trafford. The Switzerland defender, who scored as City beat Young Boys 3-1 in his home country on Wednesday, will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester United through suspension. Akanji picked up a one-match domestic ban after being sent off in the closing stages of last weekend’s victory over Brighton but he is backing those who do feature to cut down their rivals. “It is going to be a big game, it is going to be tough, but I trust in our guys,” said the 28-year-old, who started in City’s 2-1 FA Cup final triumph over United in June. “I think we are ready for this game and we are going to get the three points on an away game again.” City go into the derby with confidence now restored after their blip prior to the recent international break. After hanging on to see off Brighton, the holders took another step towards the Champions League knockout stages as they beat Young Boys on their artificial pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium. Akanji put them ahead early in the second half when he reacted quickly to turn in after a Ruben Dias header had been touched onto the bar. Meschack Elia responded with a sublime lobbed equaliser moments later but Erling Haaland eased nerves from the penalty spot before making victory certain with a fine finish four minutes from time. “Yes it was special,” said Akanji of his goal on his Swiss return. “I think we had already had a lot of chances in the first half and if we’d used them we would have scored three or four goals. “We tried to go again in the second half. Obviously Young Boys had their chances too but we went up 1-0 and shortly afterwards we conceded. “I think (the equaliser) was a little bit too easy but then we reacted to that and scored two goals, so I am really happy we got the three points.” City now have nine points after victories over Red Star Belgrade, RB Leipzig and Young Boys in their opening three Group G matches. They could secure their place in the last 16 for an 11th successive season with a follow-up win over the Swiss side at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight. Akanji said: “That was really good from us, two away wins, two tough ones. I think if we can manage to win the next game then it looks really good. “I don’t say we are going to be through because you never know what happens, but I think with 12 points we’re looking really good for the next round.” Read More RFU ‘deeply disappointed’ as World Rugby closes case against Mbongeni Mbonambi World Rugby finds insufficient evidence to pursue Tom Curry racism allegation Dallas Mavericks spoil top draft pick Victor Wembanyama’s NBA debut Wimbledon expansion plans face key hurdle One of those nights – Eddie Howe bemoans fine margins after Newcastle defeat Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic proved they can match ‘top-level’ team