Australia mourn Thurston's uncle

Australia will wear black armbands when they line up against New Zealand in Sydney to start their World Cup today. The uncle of the half-back Jonathan Thurston was killed after being attacked in Brisbane. Kangaroos officials have announced the team will wear the armbands as a mark of respect for Richard Saunders, the younger brother of Thurston's mother.

It has been reported he was attacked by a group of men in the Brisbane suburb of Logan. Thurston has been training with the Kangaroos and at present is still part of the squad for the match. Thurston's agent, Sam Ayoub, said: "Obviously everyone is devastated. They're a close-knit family who have all taken the news very hard. "The family would like to request a little bit of privacy in what is obviously a very tough time."

* PA Sport