A Super 14 expansion side of Australians, Argentinians and Pacific Islanders playing out of Melbourne could be key to getting the Pumas into the southern hemisphere's elite competitions, the Australian Rugby Union deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said on Friday.

South Africa's World Cup winning fullback Percy Montgomery endured a painful European Cup introduction on Saturday when he limped out of Perpignan's 23-6 win over London Irish. Montgomery suffered a dead-leg and was substituted on the hour mark but the Bok star insisted the injury was not connected to his knee problem.

Lock Victor Matfield has withdrawn from South Africa's squad for the one-off Test with Wales on November 24, becoming the 12th member of the World Cup-winning squad to miss the tour. The South African Rugby Union (Saru) announced he had been released due to personal commitments.

Brazil's march to the final of the Women's Soccer World Cup final in China is doing far more than just helping the growth of the sport in the South American country where it was once banned by law. A stellar performance by Marta saw Brazil demolish tournament favourites the United States 4-0 in the semifinal on Thursday.