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• Jamaica Exodus go down 22-28 to Tampa Mayhem in Florida

  Jamaica Exodus went down 22-28 to the Tampa Mayhem in their debut 13s representative match on Saturday, May 11, at the Hillsborough High School in Tampa. The contest was a contrast of two halves. Tampa raced to a 16-4 lead at half time and seemed destined to rack up a big score against the visitors. Things looked even worse when the home team scored first just after the break.
  
  However, the Jamaicans had a huge rally in the second half and almost snatched victory at the end, denied by desperate Tampa defense on the very last play of the game. Overall, Adrian Hall led Exodus with 10 points from three goals and a try, Ricardo Richards bagged two tries at center, and winger Oshane Christy got on the score sheet with a try. Tries for Tampa came from Gunnar Johnson, Justin Davenport, Lee Soprenuk, Justion Branca and Donte Salter. Jayeden Jeanes completed Tampa’s scoring with eight points from four goals.
  
  Exodus Manager Mike Williams said, “This was an excellent test for our boys, tours such as this replicate the short turnaround time players will face when playing with the full Jamaica National side. I am pleased with the overall effort from the team, Tampa is a solid outfit and gave as good as they got. Our fight back in the second half was very pleasing and we look forward to touring again next year, hopefully in Tampa again.
  
  The Jamaican team was proudly sponsored by Rapid Production, Maximize the Moment and JM Documents and Services. The team will now set its sight on possible participation in the Las Vegas 9s in 2025, and a return to Florida to take on one of the State based teams. The Exodus program was created in 2022 to further expose aspiring and national players residing in the USA, Canada, and Jamaica to high-level competition in North America.
  
  Jamaica Exodus: Kareem Harris, Odane Lalor, Mike Williams, Sheldon Kelly (Atlanta Rhinos) Adrian Thomas, Andre McFarlane, Kevin Thomas (Duhaney Park Red Sharks), Adrian Hall, (Liguanea Dragons), Daniel Dean (Tampa Mayhem), Odane Christy, Oshane Christy (St Catherine Old Boys Thundercats) Chevaun Smith, David Williams, Jevaughn Henry, Hakeem Richards, Linval Green, Sean Reid (Washington Blvd. Bulls), Ricardo Richards, (West Kingston Hyenas), Sandino Hastings, (Unattached).

• All Blacks captain Cane to retire from international rugby

  New Zealand captain Sam Cane has announced he will retire from international rugby at the end of 2024, having agreed a three-year contract with Japan Rugby League One team Tokyo Sungoliath.

  Cane made his All Blacks debut in 2012 and has represented his country 95 times, including through the team's triumphant run at the 2015 World Cup.

  The flanker succeeded Kieran Read as captain in 2020, though his most recent international outing ended with him suffering the ignominy of becoming the first man to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final, as New Zealand were beaten by South Africa last year.

  Cane will be eligible to represent the All Blacks through the second half of 2024 after returning from an initial spell in Japan but will then head there permanently after New Zealand Rugby agreed to release him from his contract. 

  "A good opportunity came my way with Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract," Cane said. "I had to weigh up everything and, in the end, with a young family it seemed like the best decision to help set us up for our future.

  "I had my time as captain and it was a huge honour and privilege. If I'm fortunate enough to be selected for the All Blacks this year then I'll still be myself. 

  "I love that team, and if part of my role is contributing leadership-wise, I'll be happy to support the new captain as best I can to help with a speedy transition."

• Rees-Zammit relishing Mahomes advice as former rugby star eyes spot on Chiefs roster

  Louis Rees-Zammit has likened Patrick Mahomes to an extra coach as he looks to make an impact in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.

  Rees-Zammit shocked rugby union fans in January when he announced he was turning his back on the sport to enter the NFL's International Player Pathway programme. 

  He was signed by two-time defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City in March and is now looking to earn a place on their roster for 2024, learning the role of running back at the Chiefs' rookie minicamp after attending another training camp alongside Mahomes. 

  Rees-Zammit has made sure to pick the brains of Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC Championship games and won three Super Bowl rings since being drafted in 2017.

  "It was amazing, all the quarterbacks and receivers were there, we were running routes, we were working in the gym", Rees-Zammit said of his experience at that camp in Texas.

  "It was a great two weeks, I definitely learned a lot with Pat and the other boys."

  Asked if Mahomes was acting like an extra coach, he said: "100 per cent. 

  "I'm new to the game so I'm trying to pick everyone's brains and try and pick up the sport as quick as possible because I want to be out there playing.

  "The way I can do that is picking the brains of everyone that's currently here and trying to learn the game as quickly as possible."

  Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been impressed by Rees-Zammit's attitude, saying: "He's so diligent with everything and wants to be so good at everything. I appreciate that. 

  "I like the fact he's got shorter steps initially, that's a good thing as a running back. If you're a long strider in there you've got to really work on making it through those tight adjustments you have to make. He seems to have a nice feel."