Today's sport news: What you need to know

Latest - Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was "shocked" to learn of claims the Australian rugby union team had been investigated for match fixing after losing a Test match they'd been favoured to win.

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday suggested the Wallabies were probed for match fixing several years ago and that a sporting official had recommended the investigation be re-opened.

While the report didn't specify the particular match, nor suggest the Wallabies fixed any game on Hooper's watch, the incumbent skipper said he personally - plus his teammates - had never given anything less than their best efforts while wearing the gold jumper.

"You can't give more than a 100 (per cent)," Hooper said on Friday.

"That's the way I'm built and the guys I've played with have all been cut from the same cloth and I can speak on behalf of the guys I've played with for sure."

Rugby Australia released a statement on Friday, denying any such investigation was ever conducted.

"Rugby Australia wishes to confirm it has seen no evidence in regards to inappropriate betting activity or match fixing and has no record of any such investigation occurring in the past."

New Zealand misses out on Netball World Cup

New Zealand's bid to host the 2023 World Cup has been unsuccessful with the International body instead awarding the tournament to Cape Town.

It will be the first time the global event has been staged on the African continent.

The South African coastal city beat the bid from Auckland.

Liverpool will host this year's tournament in July, with Australia defending the title they won in Sydney four years ago.

Crusaders make changes

All Blacks forwards Owen Franks and Matt Todd are being rested by the Crusaders for Saturday's Super Rugby game against the Chiefs in Christchurch.

Michael Alaalatoa and Billy Harmon replace them in the forwards, while George Bower could earn his first Super Rugby cap if called on to replace Alaalatoa at tighthead prop.

In the second row, Mitch Dunshea has earned his first start of the season and will partner Scott Barrett at lock.

The other change in the loose forwards will see Jordan Taufua start on the blindside.

In the backs, Ereatara Enari has earned his first Super Rugby start at halfback. Braydon Ennor moves to the left wing and Sevu Reece will also make his debut on the right wing.

Ryan Crotty returns this week to start at second five-eighth and will also Captain the side in the absence of Todd.

RFU considering scrapping England Sevens team

The Rugby Football Union is considering scrapping the England Sevens team in favour of a Great Britain side because of its financial problems.

The RFU is in the midst of cost-cutting because of lower than expected revenues, resulting in more than 60 staff being made redundant in 2018.

One solution is to combine with Wales and Scotland to form a GB side on a permanent basis, as per the Olympics.

Josh Geary leads PGA Championship

Local golfer Josh Geary's strong run of form has continued at the New Zealand PGA Championship in Christchurch where he leads after the first round.

Geary opened with a course record 9-under par 63 and has a 2 shot lead.

In second place is Australian Jack Weston who is playing his first tournament as a professional.

SBW to captain the Blues

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams will lead the Blues when they face the Sunwolves in their Super Rugby clash in Albany on Saturday.

Williams replaces Ma'a Nonu as one of six changes to the run-on side which lost to the Jaguars in Buenos Aires last weekend.

The Blues also welcome back two long-term injured players to add spark to the team.

Loose forward Blake Gibson will make his first appearance, starting on the openside flank after being sidelined with an injury. His return allows All Black Dalton Papalii to come off the bench after playing high minutes in the opening three games.

The two metre tall lock Scott Scrafton will come off the bench after nearly one year out of the sport after damaging both his ACL and LCL in the knee and ripping the tendon off the bone.

Tauranga to host world squash tournament

Tauranga will host the the Men's World Team Squash Championship in 2021.

The last time the event was held in New Zealand was in 1983.

Tauranga hosted the Women's World Junior Team Championship in 2017.

More records for LeBron

LeBron James has overtaken Michael Jordan to move fourth on the NBA's all-time points scorer list.

James, who netted 31 points against the Denver Nuggets yesterday, has scored 32,311 points, surpassing Jordan's tally of 32,292.

He achieved the feat in 1,190 games, compared to Jordan's 1,072.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant have scored more points than James, who began his NBA career with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

Last month James became the first player to move on to the NBA's top 10 all-time scoring and assists lists.

He has won three NBA titles - twice with Heat in 2012 and 2013, along with another with the Cavs in 2016, appeared in the past eight NBA Finals and has been named the league's most valuable player on four occasions.

The players want OGS to stay on

Manchester United's players are convinced caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man to be appointed permanent manager after he led the club to the Champions League quarter-finals with a memorable victory at Paris St Germain.

The Norwegian helped United pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history as his side sealed a dramatic 3-1 win in Paris to go through on away goals despite losing the first leg 2-0.

Striker Remelu Lukaku says I think it has been decided, I think he's going to get it, he should be the next manager.

Former club captain Gary Neville had earlier said United's form under Solskjaer meant the Norwegian should get the permanent job this month.

United next travel to Arsenal, who are one point behind Solskjaer's side, in the battle for a Premier League top four spot.