Today in sports history: May 30 - Crusaders dynasty is born with maiden Super Rugby title

Some of the stories of the past that led sporting headlines around the world on May 30.

1911

American Ray Harroun secures victory in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 with an average speed of 120.06km/h.

The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest race on the IndyCar calendar, which Kiwi Scott Dixon won in 2008. 

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Harroun, who came out of retirement to race in the first 500, would not race after 1911 and the car he used in the race is currently on display at the  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

1935

Baseball legend Babe Ruth plays his final Major League Baseball match, playing for the Boston Braves against the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Ruth is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever, ending his career with 714 home runs, which more than 80 years later remains the third-most of all-time. 

1962

New Zealand winger Rod Heeps set an international record, scoring eight tries for the All Blacks in a 103-0 victory over Northern New South Wales in Quirindi. 

Overall New Zealand scored 22 tries in the match, with fullback Don Clarke slotting 10 conversions and two penalties.

The match was one of 10 Heeps played for New Zealand, including five test matches. 

1998

The Crusaders defeat the Blues 20-13 to win their first Super Rugby title at Eden Park. 

The Blues were aiming for their third successive title, but a try by James Kerr three minutes from full-time handed the Crusaders a remarkable victory.

The win was the start of a dynasty for the Crusaders, who went on to  defend the title the following year against the Highlanders, also on May 30. 

Overall they've won 10 Super Rugby titles, including the last three. 

2009

The Bulls beat the Chiefs 61-17 to win the Super Rugby title for the second time. 

Fourie de Preeez and Bryan Habana scored two tries in what is the highest winning score, and highest winning margin ever in a Super Rugby final. 

The Bulls, who won the title in 2007, would go on to defend it in 2010 against the Stormes. 

2015

Britain's Anthony Joshua defeats American Kevin Johnson by technical knockout victory to retain the WBC heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London.

It was Joshua's 13th consecutive stoppage victory and he would go on to win nine more fights - inclduing vicotry over Kiwi Joseph Parker in 2018 - before suffering his first defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019.

Birthdays

1965 - Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donavan

1975 - Former dual-code international and current Ireland rugby coach Andy Farrell

1980 - Liverpool legend and current Rangers manager Steven Gerrard 

Deaths 

1964 - Eddie Sachs (37) and Dave MacDonald (27) die in fiery crash at the Indianapolis 500 involving seven cars.

Newshub 12 months ago…

Carmelo Anthony rumour leaked to expose Breakers mole

NZ Breakers owner Matt Walsh claims he deliberately put out a false 'Carmelo Anthony' rumour to expose a leak within the Auckland-based Australian NBL franchise.

On Wednesday, Walsh pulled off a recruiting coup, when he announced five-star US high school prospect RJ Hampton would forego major college offers to sign with the Breakers for two years, although he is expected to enter the NBA draft as early as 2020.

But in the build-up to the announcement, social-media gossip lured some mainstream media sources into reporting that 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony was on the verge of joining the four-time ANBL champions.

Walsh told the Barstool Sports 'Pardon My Take' podcast the Anthony rumour was a calculated attempt to find a mole within the organisation.

"I had to throw out a little misinformation to identify the leak," he said. "We're still working through that."

Reuters / Newshub.