Supershorts: Even a legend's gotta eat

Brazilian soccer legend Pele (left) and US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps tuck into Subway sandwiches in Brazil. Photo / AP

Israel Dagg gets tail-end tour tummy trouble; and Bubba Watson goes clubbing

What a dag

- Wondered why Israel Dagg looked so off-colour against Ireland in Dublin? Word has reached Super Shorts that the All Blacks fullback succumbed to the now traditional last-week-of-the-northern-tour sickness. It first made its mark, so to speak, last year when many of the starting XV were ill in the week of the England defeat at Twickenham. This time, lock Luke Romano was withdrawn on the day of the nailbiting test at Aviva Stadium thanks to a stomach-churning virus, with Dagg showing symptoms on the morning of the game but deciding to play. He was replaced by Ryan Crotty 12 minutes after halftime. An inspired substitution as it turned out.

US golfer Bubba Watson. Photo / AP

Join the club - American golfer Bubba Watson has always been a bit out there but even he excelled himself when he showed up at Pelican Hill Golf Club with a few friends, three golf balls in his pocket and just a 20 degree hybrid club. No 14 clubs for Bubba as he proceeded to shoot an 81, much to the amazement of club instructor Tim Mitchell. And if you're wondering if Bubba's other 13 clubs were hijacked on the way to the course, Bubba told a staff member he sometimes gets bored using 14 clubs and wants to challenge his shot-making skills by playing a round with only one club. Mitchell says the one-club challenge is exactly the type of game that will disabuse you of the idea that you need to hit every shot perfect. But his warning to weekend hackers - don't try this at home.

In the blue corner - Reigning world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko's ring craft is about to be really tested as he has revealed he has ambitions to be Ukraine's next president. The most popular Opposition figure, thanks to his sports-hero status and his reputation as a new pro-Western politician untainted by Ukraine's frequent corruption scandals, Klitschko, 42, has surpassed jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in opinion polls. As massive anti-Government protests continue to grip Ukraine, Klitschko is urging his countrymen to continue their fight to turn this ex-Soviet republic into a genuine Western democracy. Opponents suggest he has a real heavyweight fight on his hands.

Coach's steal - Pittsburgh Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin has been fined $100,000 for interfering with a play against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving late last month. The NFL also said it would consider docking Pittsburgh a draft pick "because the conduct affected a play on the field". In the third quarter of the Ravens' 22-20 win a week ago, Tomlin was standing on the restricted white border between the sideline and field during Jacoby Jones' kickoff return. Jones had to swerve to avoid colliding with the coach and was tackled after a 24-metre return that might have gone for a touchdown if not for the obstruction. Tomlin briefly stepped on to the field before he jumped back. He was not penalised during the game for the rule violation. Tomlin said he was "mesmerised" by watching the return on the video board and would accept any punishment.

100% Brazilian - It has a name, and it underwent two and half years of testing by 600 players and 30 teams throughout the world. Yes, you've got it - the official ball to be used at next summer's World Cup, "The Brazuca", has been unveiled in Rio de Janeiro to the sounds of samba drums and cymbals. First to show off their skills with the new ball in a ceremony at a park in the south of the city were former Brazilian skipper Cafu and Dutchman Clarence Seedorf, currently playing with Rio side Botafogo, and Brazilian Hernane of city rivals Flamengo. "The ball is 100 per cent Brazilian, it's fantastic. It is a beautiful ball and really has all the characteristics and colours of Brazil," Cafu told the Globosporte website. The word Brazuca has a double meaning, used as a term for Brazilians living abroad - including its many footballers - but also as slang used to describe national pride.

Riaz's pacey nuptials - Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz has been booked by Lahore police for breaching local laws against excessive wedding celebrations. The 28-year-old left-arm paceman, who got married on Sunday, was accused after Punjab authorities passed a rule late last month banning marriage ceremonies beyond 10pm and barring more than one dish in meals. Mohammad Amir, inspector in the city government, said Riaz's house was raided at 11pm on reports of violation. Authorities found that five dishes were served in meals. If found guilty, Riaz will be fined in the range of 100,000 to 150,000 Pakistani rupees ($1,123 to $1,685). Riaz has played seven tests, 39 one-dayers and six T20s for Pakistan. He was dropped from the team for this month's short tour of South Africa and has not been selected since.