Australia forward Bill Young, his country's second most capped prop, has announced his retirement at the age of 32, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said yesterday. Young, who made his debut for the Wallabies against France in Paris in 2000, played 46 tests for Australia but has been troubled by a chronic neck injury this season and doctors have warned he risked permanent disability if he continued. "If you had told me ten years ago that I would play 46 Tests for the Wallabies and 100 Super 14 games for the Brumbies, I would have been delirious," Young said in an ARU statement. "It has been a great ride with a lot of very good memories and I leave the game with lifelong friendships in Australia and around the world."

South Africa coach Jake White insists the five changes made to the Springbok side for tomorrow's Tri-Nations match against New Zealand are not a knee-jerk reaction to last week's rout by Australia. White responded to the 49-0 drubbing in Brisbane on Saturday by drafting in a new halfback combination to face the All Blacks, as well as three changes to the Springbok pack. "This is not a case of hitting the panic button," White told reporters. "Our objective was always to expose players at this level on this trip. You have to give these players an opportunity to see whether they sink or swim."

MotoGP

European private equity firm Bridgepoint is to replace CVC as principal shareholder in MotoGP promoters Dorna, both sides said. CVC had to sell their stake as a condition for European Commission approval of their takeover of Formula One in March. A statement said Bridgepoint had reached a binding agreement with CVC and Spanish-based Dorna to replace CVC as a shareholder in the company. No financial details were provided. "I am delighted to have Bridgepoint as a partner for the next phase in the development of Dorna and I am sure that they will make a significant contribution to the growth of the business," said Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta.