Briefs4-Rugby-Mallett delays naming Italy side

Nov 19 (Reuters) - Sports news in brief from around the world on Wednesday:

Rugby - Italy coach Nick Mallett has delayed naming his team for Saturday's test with the Pacific Islanders until Thursday, the Italian Rugby Federation said in a statement.

Injured centre Gonzalo Canale is already out of the match in Reggio Emilia while Pablo Canavosio, Luciano Orquera, Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Garcia and Carlo Antonio Del Fava are slight doubts for the Azzurri's last game of the year.

A disjointed Italy lost 22-14 to Argentina in Turin last Saturday having done well to limit Australia to a 30-20 win in Padova in ther first November test.

Soccer - Israel captain Yossi Benayoun said time is running out for him to realise his dream of leading his country to the finals of a major tournament.

"My biggest dream is to lead Israel to a major competition, whether it be the next World Cup or the European Championships but I dont think I'll have too many more opportunities because age is creeping up on me," the 29-year-old Liverpool player said in an interview with Israel's Channel 5 television.

Israel, who face Ivory Coast in an international friendly on Wednesday, played in the World Cup finals for the only time in 1970. Israel sit second in Group Two in the 2010 World Cup qualifying competition with eight points from four matches.