WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Italy lock Niccolo Cannone has been suspended for four weeks after being sent off for head-butting in the Nations Championship rugby test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Cannone was shown a yellow card in 52nd minute for head-butting New Zealand scrumhalf Cam Roigard at a ruck. That was upgraded later to a red card, leaving Italy with 14 players for 20 minutes of a 47-17 loss.
A tournament foul play review committee on Tuesday found Cannone guilty of physical abuse under law 9.12.
“The FPRC determined that the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of six weeks/matches,” the committee said in a statement. “In light of Cannone’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play worthy of ordering off, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC applied a 2-week reduction to the sanction.”
The suspension means Cannone will miss Italy's Nations Championship match against Australia at Perth on Saturday.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugb
Italy's Niccolo Cannone runs at New Zealand's Sam Darry during the Nations Championship rugby international between the All Blacks and Italy in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Masanori Udagawa/Photosport via AP)
Italy's Niccolo Cannone runs at the defence during the Nations Championship rugby international between the All Blacks and Italy in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Masanori Udagawa/Photosport via AP)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jordan Walker played spoiler in Philadelphia and homered on his last six swings to knock off Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and silence the Philly boo birds in the final round, becoming the first Cardinal to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night.
Schwarber hit 11 homers during his 15-swing turn in the final round. Philly fans, who booed everyone but Schwarber and Bryce Harper throughout the night, quietly headed toward the exits when Walker’s winning shot soared over the left field wall.
Schwarber advanced out of the first round and then beat Boston’s Willson Contreras in a head-to-head matchup in the second round to face off against Walker, who beat Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero.
Schwarber, the major league baseball home run leader, had fans roaring on every swing.
Wearing a backward cap just like Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr, the 24-year-old Walker chewed gum and seemed nonplussed by the jeers and the massive stage during All-Star Game festivities.
He hit his seventh homer with two swings remaining and his eighth on the next swing to earn bonus swings. Needing to hit four straight homers to win, the right-handed Jordan knocked one off the top of the center field fence 401 feet away. He reached 10 homers and Philly fans booed with all their might, only for Jordan to cap the upset victory.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker embraces Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber after Walker won the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker tosses his bat as he competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Boston Red Sox's Willson Contreras competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper is introduced ahead of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker follows through on a swing as he competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper is introduced ahead of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber gestures during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
