Wallabies to ring changes for England

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In the frame ... Barnes could replace Harris at fullback for the clash with England. Source:News Limited

Berrick Barnes is expected to be among a raft of changes Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will make to his starting line-up to face England this weekend as the Australians look to get their European tour back on track.

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Deans has plenty of quality players returning from injury for the clash at Twickenham with flanker David Pocock, winger Digby Ioane, lock Sitaleki Timani and prop Ben Alexander available for Saturday's (Sunday's AEDT) Test.

Hooker Stephen Moore is also expected to come under consideration after making his return from a hamstring injury off the bench in last weekend's 33-6 loss to France in Paris where he became Australia's most capped hooker, while winger Drew Mitchell could also find his way into the team.

Blindside flanker Dave Dennis, who started against France, could be in the firing line with an option for Deans to start both openside specialists Pocock and Michael Hooper.

"We've got a number of blokes we should be able to consider this week," Deans said.

"We were always going to consider that group when they returned and obviously we consider the previous performance in determining our starting line-up at every instance."

Barnes produced a solid cameo at fullback in his return from injury against France with his effort pleasing Deans.

The NSW Waratahs star came on early in the second half for fullback Mike Harris who was struggling at the back for the Wallabies.

"Berrick did well. He did what he does well. He's a good communicator," Deans said.

Deans was asked if Barnes was ready start against England.

"Yes. He's obviously returning from injury and we sort of managed him through that but he reported as being fine after the game."

Until his French cameo Barnes hadn't played since suffering a punctured lung against Argentina in September.

"It was my first time back for a while and I really felt it out there," he said.

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"It'd be good to start (against England). I've got a bit of work to do fitness wise but some coaches like to start returning players then bring them off later but that's Robbie's call to make."

England are coming off a seven-try 54-12 annihilation of Fiji last Saturday and are looking to chalk up a third straight Cook Cup win over the Wallabies.

"They'll be puffing their chests out. They had a very good win against the Fijians," Barnes said.

"They'll be confident but we have to lick our wounds and get on with it. There's no better motivation than playing the Poms in their own backyard."

Australia's recent nemesis, winger Chris Ashton, is available to make his return for England after missing the Fiji game due to suspension after picking up three yellow cards in the Heineken Cup.

Ashton has scored three tries in three Tests against Australia and coach Stuart Lancaster said the speedster will be raring to go.

"Chris was desperately disappointed to miss this game (against Fiji)," Lancaster said.

"He likes scoring tries and, if anything, this will fuel his hunger and desire to get back into the side. It was a tough lesson to learn.

"(Australia) are a top-three side and we recognise the quality of players we will need to beat them."

Lancaster is also expecting to have prop Alex Corbisiero and centre Jonathan Joseph available to face the Wallabies.

Watch the Wallabies battle England Live and in HD on Fox Sports 3 from 1.30am (EDT) Sunday!

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows, Tippett charged by AFL

AFL ... Adelaide Crows and Kurt Tippett face draft tampering and salary cap charges. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Adelaide Crows and Kurt Tippett face serious sanctions after being charged over alleged draft tampering and salary cap breaches.

The club, its CEO Steven Trigg, former football operations manager John Reid and the out-of-contract Tippett were all ordered by the AFL to front a hearing in Melbourne on Monday.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson last week admitting the Crows expected to be hit hard with sanctions for the next two national drafts.

AFL general manager football operations Adrian Anderson said he acted in in accordance with AFL Player Rule 17 which relates to the enforcement of the AFL Draft and Total Player Payments.

"I have charged the Adelaide Crows Football Club, Adelaide Crows chief executive officer Steven Trigg, former Adelaide Crows general manager of football operations John Reid and Adelaide Crows listed-player Kurt Tippett each with two charges," he said.

"The Adelaide Crows FC, Mr Trigg, Mr Reid and Tippett were advised in writing of the charges ... and will be heard before the full AFL Commission at 1pm."

The Commission has the power to impose penalties as it sees fit, including:

Clubs - financial sanctions and/ or eligibility to participate in up to four draft selection meetings and/ or loss of the right to register any player to whom a rule breach relates.

Players - financial sanctions and/ or exclusion from the right to participate in the draft process.

Club Staff - financial sanctions and / or the right to perform any role for or on behalf of the club.

Adelaide released a statement shortly after the AFL announced the charges.

"The AFL has advised the Adelaide Football Club of charges arising from its investigation into contract arrangements with Kurt Tippett," the statement said.

"The Adelaide Football Club is determined to explain its position to members, sponsors and all stakeholders as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the Club notes that this matter is being investigated by the AFL as a direct result of our decision to report it and offer full assistance to the investigation."

Former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto said based on past cases, the club and Tippett faced heavy penalties.

"The AFL don't do things by half and you look at anyone who's done wrong they've been given a fair whack, so I wouldn't be surprised if they go pretty hard at the Crows," he said.

"At the end of the day if they've done wrong - and it looks like they might have - their going to be hit hard with the salary cap, a fine and draft picks.

"That's not going to affect them so much next year but in four or five years when you're looking for those kids to come through ... then it will hurt a bit."

The news comes on the same day Melbourne Demons escaped immediate punishment for its alleged tanking in 2009.

The Demons still face unprecedented penalties but investigations are continuing, which means its key picks in the upcoming national draft - No.4 and No.27 (reserved for father-son star Jack Viney) will remain in their hands.

Given clubs need a week to respond to any potential charges, there is not enough time for the Demons to reply to any charges.

Should they be charged the penalties would not apply until the 2013 draft, which means Melbourne will be able to take their prized selections.

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Cowan reveals Test inspiration

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Relief ... Cowan locked up his spot for the series against the Proteas with a fine century. Source:AFP

Gazing toward the heavens after reaching his maiden Test ton at the Gabba on Monday, besieged Australia opener Ed Cowan at first looked like a man simply relieved to have silenced his critics.

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But when the dust settled on a remarkable fourth day of Australia's first Test against South Africa, Cowan, 30, revealed a much more poignant reason behind his emotional salute.

Twelve months ago to the day, his mentor and close friend Peter Roebuck was found dead at a Cape Town hotel while covering Australia's Test tour of South Africa.

"I am well aware of the date. That was why I looked skywards upon making a hundred," Cowan said after his 136 helped Australia reach 4-487, 37 ahead of South Africa.

"I had a conversation (about him) with my wife this morning on an earlier than normal walk because I couldn't really sleep.

"(And) it was this day last year that started my season, the day I found out that he had died.

"I was battling away a little bit (for Tasmania) so that kick-started me."

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By the 2011 Boxing Day Test, the memory of the respected commentator, player and writer had helped a rejuvenated Cowan earn his first baggy green.

But by the time Cowan had arrived for the Gabba Test against the world No.1 Proteas, he again seemed in need of inspiration.

On borrowed time after failing to reach triple figures in his 12 previous Test knocks, Cowan had also been passed over when Cricket Australia handed out their 17 contracts this season and had averaged only 21 in Shield cricket this season.

However, Cowan finally got the monkey - and selectors - off his back as he chimed into a record 259-run fourth wicket stand with captain Michael Clarke (218 not out) on Monday.

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The usually patient Cowan appeared to follow a new attacking gameplan in his six-and-a-half hour knock - featuring 18 fours - that was abruptly ended after lunch by a freak run out.

But Cowan revealed the plan had been set at his last Test knock - 55 on a difficult Roseau deck against West Indies in April.

"A lot of you weren't watching but in the last innings in the West Indies ... I thought that was a pretty good blueprint," Cowan said.

"Before that I had a heart to heart with JL (batting coach Justin Langer); he was all about going out there and playing my shots.

"I felt like I backed that up."

Cowan survived a caught behind shout at 47 on Sunday before a run out scare on 106 and being dropped on 123 on Monday.

One of Cowan's few complaints was the fact the Gabba crowd's warm applause for notching his ton woke up his 12-week-old daughter Romy while she was being nursed by wife Virginia in the stands.

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Redbacks pay for dropped catches

Punishment ... Marcus Harris dropped twice on his way to a century for Western Australia Source: Alf Sorbello / News Limited

Western Australia opener Marcus Harris made the most of South Australia's butter fingers to put the Warriors in a strong position after day one of the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.

Harris made 114 to lift the Warriors from a precarious 3-60 to a competitive 7-327, but the 20-year-old rode his luck along the way.

SHEF - WACA Ground

12 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Western Australia 1st Innings

M. Marsh	51	99	9	0	51.52
M. Johnson	4	5	0	0	80

Michael Klinger was left to rue the one that got away after dropping Harris at first slip when the left-hander was on just six.

Then when Harris was on 51, wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman grassed a tough chance diving to his left.

The double reprieve came back to haunt the Redbacks, with Harris spending 276 minutes at the crease and cracking 19 boundaries to post the second century of his fledgling first-class career.

In March last year, Harris became the youngest player in Australian first-class cricket history to reach 150 when he made 157 against Queensland.

Harris was just 18 years and 227 days old at the time, and admitted he had struggled to string consistent performances together since then.

"It was a difficult year for me last year. I couldn't consolidate my spot,'' said Harris, who averaged 28.75 from 13 first-class hit-outs before this match.

"And I've had a frustrating start to this season.

"I've been hitting the ball quite well and I haven't been able to get past that 35-run sort of mark.

"So it's good to get a big score under my belt today and hopefully set up a good result for WA.''

After winning the toss, WA were in all sorts of trouble at 3-60 following the cheap dismissals of Liam Davis (four), Sam Whiteman (14) and Marcus North (7).

Harris should have been added to that mix, but Klinger spilled a chest-high catch at first slip off the bowling of paceman Chadd Sayers.

It was a day to forget for Klinger, who also dropped North when the former Warriors skipper was on seven.
North failed to add to his tally before hitting out.

Harris wasn't as generous, but his day was finally brought to an end when he tickled a Jake Haberfield leg-side delivery through to the keeper.

All-rounder Mitch Marsh picked up where Harris left off in making an unbeaten 51, while Nathan Coulter-Nile (52 off 52 balls) and new Warriors skipper Adam Voges (47) also made handy scores.

The Warriors, who will announce Justin Langer as their new coach later this week, sit last on the Shield table following three outright losses, while South Australia have one win from four games.

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Did Sydney back Crook?: Bozza

Support? ... Former Sydney FC coach Ian Crook (R), ahead of his resignation, with CEO Tony Pignata. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Following Ian Crook's shock resignation as Sydney FC coach, Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich wants the club to start answering the hard questions.

Crook stepped down on Sunday morning following the his side's 3-2 loss to rivals Melbourne Victory after leading by two goals.

Fans booed the tactical decisions Crook made against Victory, and after last week's humiliating 7-2 defeat at the hands of Central Coast the Englishman came under fire as well, from Bosnich in particular, for defending his team's apparent 'lack of heart'.

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Bosnish says he sympathises for Crook and wants to know what is going on inside Sydney FC that led them into this quagmire.

"I'm not surprised after what happened last week at Central Coast Mariners, and then the capitulation in the last 12 minutes (against Victory)," said Bosnich.

"(But) they can take a lot of credit out of the way they came back from last week's debacle. I do have a great sympathy for him.

"The only thing I want to take a little bit of issue with is when he turns around says 'the club never came for me and said we were poor'.

"If they didn't come for him after that Central Coast Mariners game then something is very deeply wrong within the club."

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However, Bosnich thinks that isn't the only thing wrong at Sydney, and he wonders how much support and control Crook ever actually had.

"Once he was appointed did he get the backroom staff that he wanted? Did he want Stephen Corica as assistant? We need to know this," says Bosnish.

"Did he get the players? The recruitment of the players, was that down to the manager as it should be, or was that down to (football director) Gary Cole? Did Gary Cole say 'these are the players that you're getting and that's it'?

"Because if that's the case, that's the wrong way to go about running a club.

"You get a manager in, you pay him good money, and you back him. Give him what he wants and the weapons he needs to make your team a winning team.

"If he doen't do it THEN you sack him."

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Bozza's Save of the Week, R6

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Reflex ... Mark Birighitti denies Shinji Ono a near-certain goal. Source:FOX SPORTS

Newcastle Jets held on to beat Western Sydney 2-1 in Round 6, and they owe that largely to shot stopper Mark Birighitti making a string of impressive saves.

Wanderers produced arguably their best performance so far this season but were repeatedly thwarted by Birighitti in the Jets goal.

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Click on the video at the top to see the block Bozza nominated as Save of the Week and tune in to Sunday Shootout on Fox Sports 1HD every Sunday for analysis of every round of A-League.

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In particular was a quick reaction save from Wanderers marquee man Shinji Ono, who looked certain to score when put through on goal, only for Birighitti to rush off his line and block the shot.

"It was a very important save at a crucial period," said Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich.

"The ball was basically behind him. Great reflexes. He also manages to keep his body as upright as possible, which is very, very difficult when you come out like that.

"Just a magnificent athletic save at a crucial time of the game."

At the end of each round of A-League action, Fox Sports Football expert Mark Bosnich will nominate his Save of the Week on Sunday Shootout.

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Did you think Birighitti's save was the best from all the games in A-League round five? Leave a comment below to have your say on Bozza's pick!

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'It's not pretty at the moment'

Dejected ... Roar's defence looks on as Patrick Gerhardt celebrates his first-half goal. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich is joined by Brisbane Roar defensive midfielder Erik Paartalu to review the weekend's A-League action, with Paartalu accepting something's going wrong at the Roar.

Melbourne Heart 4 defeated Brisbane Roar 1 at AAMI Park

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Paartalu says: It's not pretty at the moment. Obviously we're not hiding from the fact that we were pretty poor against Melbourne. Before that game I could probably say we were unlucky in a few games which could have gone either way. But the result against Melbourne - we just didn't turn up and we've only got ourselves to blame. The players at the club know it wasn't good enough. We've had a long look at ourselves over the weekend and all we can do is pull together now. We're still the same players that have been at the club for two years and I believe we've got the character to turn it round.

Bozza says: As Erik says they are the same players, except perhaps for Ben Halloran who I believe has added to the side. Is that maybe the problem? What they've done in the last two years has been unbelievable. They've transcended the game in this country to a different level, but is it a case that they do need to tweak something a little bit just to give it a little bit of a shake up?

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Newcastle Jets 2 defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 1 at Parramatta Stadium

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Bozza says: Wanderers at minimum deserved a point, if not to win. You have to give a lot of credit to Mark Birighitti - he made two outstanding saves at crucial moments. But for the vast majority of the game, with the exception of the period maybe when Newcastle equalised, it was all Western Sydney. Deep down I think (Wanderers manager Tony Popovic) will still be very pleased. They created more chances in this game than for the whole season I would say. It was just the finishing and some fantastic goalkeeping, and sometimes you come up against a goalkeeper like that and it can be very difficult to cop. I can understand his disappointment totally.

Paartalu says: When the Jets brought in Emile Heskey everyone was thinking they're going to be a bit more direct now and it might change their whole game plan. But Heskey's been a quality addition. He's been the best player inside the 18-yard box in the league. Going away from home and getting points is a must in this league and they're certainly a strong side.

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Melbourne Victory 3 defeated Sydney FC 2 at Allianz Stadium

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Bozza says: Sydney FC can take a lot of credit out of the way they came back from last week's debacle (against Central Coast). What they need to do is very, very quickly find somebody (to replace Ian Crook) who is going to come in and give the whole place, not just the team, a bit of a shake. I think there's too many people there that haven't got clearly defined roles. The bottom line is, in football, the manager has got to be the boss. There's a reason why we call him the boss. What he says go. Ange Postecoglou wouldn't have it any other way, Erik will tell you that.

Paartalu says: You could see after the game that Crooky was obviously pretty upset from some of the fans' abuse. But you can take nothing away from Melbourne Victory, it was a great comeback from them. Sydney probably should have held on with 15 minutes to go, 2-0 up. But when you start talking about health problems, and if you're not really up for it, then the best thing is to move on, everyone clear out and let's get on with moving forward. I had Crooky as a coach when I was younger and I know the type of character he is and he wouldn't have made this decision lightly.

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Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated Wellington Phoenix 0 at Westpac Stadium

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Bozza says: It wasn't a game that reached any great heights, but I thought overall on the balance Mariners did deserve their victory. A fantastic defensive performance once again - they're a very solid unit. I think (Mariners coach) Graham Arnold will be very happy because after that win last week the easiest thing in the world is for a team to take their foot off the pedal, so to speak. Wellington's not a nice place, or an easy place, to go. Wellington have some problems. Three losses on the trot now. They've really, year in-year out, continued to prove all the critics wrong with their performances. Is this maybe the year where they start to slip a little bit? I don't think it will be but definitely three losses on the trot at any club is a bit of a crisis.

Paartalu says: The Mariners are a real team, and you can tell when you go across to Wellington and you're grinding out results that's a sign of a good team. I think they're definitely well positioned at the moment compared to us, so I think they've got to be favourites (for the title).

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Adelaide United 1 drew with Perth Glory 1 at Hindmarsh Stadium

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Paartalu says: (Adelaide striker) Dario Vidosic's finishing has been very clinical. He hasn't had to have too many opportunities in a game to find the back of the net. He's a very good player technically - we all know this - but he's banging in the goals and having a super season.

Bozza says: There's great competition for places at Perth. They've got a very good squad and that's going to become more and more important as the season progresses. To have someone like Shane Smeltz waiting in the wings surely makes you focus.

Paartalu says: Perth Glory are similar to us in terms of the core group being together for a couple of seasons now. Liam Miller's definitely a player that can unlock defences and change the game for them. You've got Billy Mehmet scoring goals, winning headers. What I like about them is that they put in for each other - they're a real team. Particularly when you're across the west coast of Australia, a lot of time is spent traveling and staying in hotels, they've got that togetherness. You can see it.

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SBW ready to sign for Roosters

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Unveiling ... Sonny Bill Williams could be unveiled by the Sydney Roosters on Tuesday. Source: John Grainger / News Limited

Controversial code-hopper and boxer Sonny Bill Williams will reportedly sign for Sydney Roosters and be unveiled on Tuesday.

According to Fairfax Media, Williams will formally return to the rugby league fold four years after walking out on Canterbury-Bankstown in 2008.

Speculation has been rife that Williams' move to the Roosters could be scuppered by his agent, Khoder Nasser's, lack of NRL accreditation.

However, the powerful forward was in no doubt were he would be playing in 2013.

"It's a done deal. I made it a long time ago," Williams said in October.

"I know where I'm playing next year and I'm ready to meet the challenge head-on. There's no more negotiations that need to be done."

Williams is currently contracted to a Japanese rugby union club and is now in Sydney recovering from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that forced him to postpone a fight against South Africa's Francois Botha until February.

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Victory comeback stuns Sydney

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Hero ... Andrew Nabbout (C) celebrates with Melbourne Victory fans after their comeback win. Source:AAP

Melbourne Victory heaped more pain on Sydney FC, coming from two goals down to score a thrilling 3-2 A-League win on Saturday night.

Eager to put last week's horror 7-2 thrashing by Central Coast behind them, the Sky Blues looked set to post a much-needed win after taking a 2-0 lead in front of 21,531 fans at Allianz Stadium.

But two goals by impressive teenage substitute Andrew Nabbout and another by Archie Thompson inside the last 12 minutes gave Ange Postecoglou's side a memorable win.

The Victory had dominated possession for most of the match but the Sky Blues looked set to profit from making the most of their chances.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	5	4	0	1	5	12
2	Newcastle	6	4	0	2	1	12
3	Central Coast	5	3	1	1	6	10
4	Perth	5	3	0	2	2	9
5	Victory	6	3	0	3	-4	9
6	Heart	6	2	1	3	0	7
7	Western Sydney	6	2	1	3	-1	7
8	Sydney	6	2	0	4	-7	6
9	Wellington	5	1	2	2	-1	5
10	Brisbane	6	1	1	4	-1	4

An early goal to impressive Panamanian striker Yairo Yau and Dutch defender Pascal Bosschaart's first ever professional goal in the second half looked to have them on course for three competition points.

Sydney welcomed back star signing Alessandro Del Piero after he sat out the loss to the Mariners with a hamstring complaint, and Italian delivered a classy performance before being substituted in the 66th minute - a decision Sky Blues coach Ian Crook may regret in hindsight.

With Bosschaart and Fabio back from injury too, Crook also promoted Blake Powell to the starting line-up and the home side looked determined from the outset.

It didn't take them long to capitalise, with Yau opening the scoring for the second straight week.

Del Piero played Powell into space and the 21-year-old youngster did brilliantly in cutting the ball back to set up Yau for a simple tap-in.

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Victory captain Adrian Leijer and Sydney's Seb Ryall were forced off the field midway through the first half after a sickening head clash but were both able to continue after some treatment and heavy bandaging.

The visitors grew into the game throughout the first half, with only a brilliant 44th-minute save by Ivan Necevski preserving Sydney's 1-0 lead at halftime.

Melbourne appeared to start the second half with purpose but Sydney doubled their advantage against the run of play in the 48th minute.

Some more Del Piero trickery led to a Sky Blues corner and, after the Victory failed to clear, Bosschaart struck a sweet first-time volley that Necevski failed stop.

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It was the 32-year-old's first goal in almost 400 games played in the Netherlands and Australia.

Victory almost pulled one back in the 56th minute with Necevski's fingertip save denying Marco Rojas from close range.

Teenager Nabbout gave the visitors hope with a brilliant curling finish to set up a nail-biting finish and the home crowd were stunned as the Victory came home like a train.

Thompson struck with a header in the 86th minute to level the scores before Nabbout capped a spectacular performance off the bench with the winner, a pin-point header from Gui Finkler's corner in stoppage time.

Crook was involved in a heated argument with a group of fans after the match, who criticised him for the substitutions of Del Piero and Yau while Sydney were up 2-0.

But the coach defended the decisions, saying the pair were underdone and had to come off, believing Sydney simply ran out of legs.

Del Piero trained only once this week and Crook said the plan was originally to bring him off at halftime.

Asked about the post-match incident, Crook played it down, saying the fans were "just having a go at me for bringing them (the players) off.''

"It's nothing, that's the way it is,'' Crook said.

"For me, I'd defend the boys all day long. They (fans) obviously see Yairo come off and Alessandro come off ... but people don't know the situations that come before that and the reasons they are coming off.

"How they even played the game was a credit to them.''

Crook said Sydney would keep believing in what they were doing but accepted he was under pressure personally after the losses.

"You lose at this club and straight away people start to question it and that's part of it,'' Crook said.

Postecolgou hailed the impact of Nabbout, plucked from the youth team earlier this season, and believed the Victory deserved the result.

"I was pleased with the whole 90 minutes and think that's the best 90 minutes we've put together,'' the coach said.

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Relive the match with all the highlights and stats that matter in our A-League Match Centre.

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New ball key to Aussie hopes

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Hope ... James Pattinson and his fellow quicks have to take advantage of the second new ball. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Disappointed coach Mickey Arthur has demanded Australia's pacemen learn from their day one mistakes and make the most of the second new-ball when the Brisbane rain clears on Sunday.

Not one ball was bowled on day two of the first Test at the Gabba but Arthur was still ruing a poor start by his attack which he rated too tentative and short against a top-notch South African top-order.

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The Proteas will resume their first innings at 2-255 on Sunday with Hashim Amla (90 not out) and Jacques Kallis (84 not out) both eying centuries and the tourists looking for a 500-plus total.

James Pattinson was the only quick to taste success on a green Gabba track, curling back an inswinger to trap Graeme Smith leg before in the opening hour on Friday.

1st Test - Gabba

9 November 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

South Africa 1st Innings

H. Amla	90	207	6	1	43.48
J. Kallis	84	135	8	1	62.22
M. Hussey	4	0	21	0	5.25

Arthur felt Australia's attack could still make in-roads into a middle-order missing injured No.7 JP Duminy but his quicks couldn't afford to repeat their day one execution.

"It probably wasn't good enough,'' he said. "I thought we got our lengths wrong. I think we needed to be a little bit fuller.

"We weren't as clinical as we have been or as we would hope to be.

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"We weren't able to put South Africa under pressure for long enough.

"Maybe we were a little bit tentative and maybe we just wanted to get through that first session and see how it unfolded after that.

"We've still got the second new ball up our sleeve, that's the one trump we have. We have to make that second new ball work for us.''

Saturday's wash-out was the first time in 14 years rain had prevented any play in a Test on Australian soil and the first time in 29 years at the Gabba.

Day two was abandoned 90 minutes before scheduled stumps and the only action for Australian players was serving at merchandise stands and signing autographs.

The tourists' opening-day dominance was badly tarnished by the loss of Duminy for the three-Test series after he ruptured his achilles tendon in a freak post-stumps training mishap.

The left-hander underwent surgery on Saturday morning and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten confirmed they would call for a replacement to join the tour party in the coming days.

South Africa A opener Dean Elgar, who has played five one-day internationals, is expected to be preferred ahead of former vice-captain Ashwell Prince.

Former Proteas coach Arthur described Duminy's injury - which will sideline him for six months - as a "tragedy''.

"He's an unbelievably talented cricketer,'' he said.

"I feel really sorry for him and my thoughts go out to JP.''

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