Tomic breaks win drought

Victory ... Bernard Tomic breaks his win drought at Eastborne. Source: Michel Euler / AP

Bernard Tomic won his first match in almost two months as he beat British wild card James Ward in straight sets in the opening round of the grass-court event at Eastbourne.

With his father and coach John court-side for the second straight event, Tomic gave his Wimbledon preparation a badly-needed boost with a professional 6-3 6-4 win on Tuesday.

Despite pulling out of the doubles at Queen's Club last week, Tomic showed no signs of the hamstring injury suffered during a first-round French Open loss last month.

He'll face either South African fifth seed Kevin Anderson or Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the next round.

It was Tomic's first win since his father was charged with allegedly assaulting Bernard's former training partner, Frenchman Thomas Drouet, during the Madrid Masters in May.

Tomic, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2011, said he was relieved to have secured a win.

"I played very well,'' Tomic said. "I practised ok the last three or four days and my leg's probably not 100 per cent but I'm feeling OK out there, which is a good thing.

"... This was a very important match for me. A lot has happened the last month or two but I'm happy with the injury, I'm not feeling it.

"Every match here I play is going to be more confidence for me and every match here I'm going to have to use for Wimbledon, so hopefully my leg holds up every match.

"It's good to win here and now I've got a chance of doing well here again I've got to play well tomorrow.''

Tomic said the issues surrounding his father and coach were not playing on his mind.

"I'm not thinking about that. That happened that week when it happened and now the last four or five weeks, it's fine,'' he said. "It's not a big issue for me.''

John Tomic was present for his son's first-round singles loss at Queen's Club last week, despite his ATP coaching credentials remaining suspended, and he was again on site to see his son play in the seaside town on England's south coast.

His ATP ban does not prevent him from attending tournaments as a paying spectator, and officials at Queen's and Eastbourne have opted not to prevent him from doing so.

He was barred from attending the French Open last month and will also be refused entry at Wimbledon next week.

John Tomic sat with Bernard's agent Fraser Wright among spectators and didn't show too much emotion, though he clapped as his son fought back from 15-40 down to serve out the first set in 28 minutes.

Tomic continued to serve well in the second set and broke his 216th-ranked to go ahead 5-4 and served out the match with minimal fuss.

World No.64 Tomic had not won a match since a first-round win on clay in Barcelona in late April, losing his past four matches.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

As it happened: 'Roos Brazil-bound

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Brazil-bound ... the Socceroos celebrate Josh Kennedy's 83rd-minute goal. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Australia have qualified for their third consecutive World Cup after shrugging off a dogged Iraq 1-0 in Sydney.

An 83rd-minute winner to substitute Josh Kennedy got the job done after nerves wrangled for much of the ANZ Stadium clash.

Re-live all the drama, video highlights and social media reaction on another golden night for the World Cup-bound Socceroos below.

[View the story "Socceroos v Iraq, ANZ Stadium, Sydney" on Storify]

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Socceroos player ratings v Iraq

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Rating ... Archie Thompson and Tim Cahill continue to provide spark. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

The Socceroos are headed for Brazil after beating a stubborn Iraq 1-0 in Sydney.

Who shone for the 'Roos and whose performance left a little to be desired?

Check out our Player Ratings and let us know if you agree by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page.

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MARK SCHWARZER: Wasn't the busiest man on the pitch. Teen striker Saif Salman forced a save from the veteran gloveman in each half. Apart from two other saves, was barely troubled. Rating 6

LUCAS NEILL: Solid in defence without being flashy. His leadership and vocal presence is always key. Rating 6.

TIM CAHILL: Put Iraq under pressure almost immediately forcing a great save with a powerful left-foot drive after just two minutes and was always dangerous. Was very tightly marked and fouled often. Had a few opportunities go begging but was always dangerous. Rating 7.

MARK MILLIGAN: Defensive work was outstanding, won the ball at key moments and had several strong tackles. Displayed a higher work rate than midfield partner Bresciano and got forward when needed. Rating 7.

SASA OGNENOVSKI: Solid in defence and had a rare shot on goal in the first half. Again partnered up well with Neill. Rating 6.

LUKE WILKSHIRE: Defensively strong. Made several runs forward and combined well with Kruse. Rating 7.

ROBBIE KRUSE: Supplied a constant flow of balls forward and had several dangerous runs. Sent the 80,000-crowd into raptures seemingly breaking the deadlock with a long-range screamer in the 65th minute only to have it disallowed. Rating 8.

TOMMY OAR: Had an outstanding game. Was a constant thorn in Iraq's side with superb attacking play down the left. Played a beautiful ball forward to Cahill to set him up perfectly for an early attempt at goal. Was a real work horse this game. Rating 8.

BRETT HOLMAN: Looked flat and sluggish and didn't give the side that crucial spark in the front third he usually does. Was set up by Kruse to break the deadlock in the second half but didn't do much with it. Rating 4.

MATT MCKAY: caught out of position a few times in the left-back spot, giving the Iraqis an area to exploit early on. Improved in the second stanza and showed some great build-up work. Rating 7.

MARK BRESCIANO: Was heavily marked and rarely found himself in space. Found a way to lose his markers twice in the second half and had a crack at goal both times. Provided a perfectly placed ball into the box resulting in Kennedy's ensuing goal. Rating 8.
Substitutes:

TOM ROGIC: Came on for a lacklustre Holman in the 61st minute. Looked dynamic from his first touch and had an instant impact providing a much-needed spark up front. Rating 7.

JOSH KENNEDY: Came on for Tim Cahill in the 78th minute. The move proved a master-stroke by Osier with the lanky striker climbing high to finally break the deadlock with a superb header in the 83rd minute to ensure the 1-0 win and send the Socceroos to Brazil. Rating 9.

ARCHIE THOMPSON: Came on for Kruse in the 79th minute. Added much-needed fire power up front. Rating 6.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

'No one does drama like Socceroos'

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What a moment ... Defenders Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski celebrate. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

It just had to be like this.

A glance around the stadium at 80 minutes made grim viewing. We were warned it wasn't going to be easy, and a gallant Iraq were out to re-ignite ghosts of past campaigns.

But no one knows drama like our Socceroos.

Tim Cahill looked infuriated when his number came up. Then Holger Osieck proceeded to take off his star from the Jordan game, Robbie Kruse.

The much-maligned German rolled the dice and came up trumps like never before.

Tom Rogic, on for Brett Holman, threatened every time he glided in his inimitable way during his 30-minute cameo.

Then came Kennedy. The giant striker who hasn't been seen in green and gold since late 2011 rose to meet the most inch-perfect chip from Mark Bresciano.

"Amazing couple of hours. As frustrating as it was to be on the bench, waiting to get on, it seemed like destiny - my time to shine," the jubilant striker told foxsports.com.au after the match.

Bresciano's worth – and the way the playmaker has re-ignited this campaign – has been much discussed. But there was no better example of his game breaking abilities than with our World Cup dreams on a precipice.

Kennedy – Jesus, fittingly, let the puns begins – might have nabbed the John Aloisi moment, but once again Bresciano was there for the vital contribution in big games, just like he was as a goal scorer way back in 2005.

Others often get the headlines but has anyone been involved in as many of Australia's game-changing moments over the last decade?

It was a strange night under the bucketing skies at ANZ Stadium. This was no Oman-esque performance; but the Socceroos could never quite click into full flight.

Iraq looked good on the ball; Australia were overrun in the middle at times; those pockets of space exploited against Jordan were not there against the gallant Lions of

Mesopotamia. And as the scoreline remained level, every phase without a goal clipped another finger nail in the stands.

Osieck insisted post-game he wasn't interested in analysis, and frankly, it is a time for celebration.

De-construction will take place in the light of day, and a look at the cold hard facts of the state of the squad will rumble on for the next 12 months.

Now? Relief. Jubilation. Euphoria. History.

For some, like Oar, Rogic and Kruse - three prodigious talents all thrown into the deep end at the vital moment in this campaign - it will be their first World Cups.

Rogic, who was thrown on as a game-breaker by Osiek, told foxsports.com.au after the match: "going to a World Cup? Would've never thought it was possible.

"I got a good half-hour on there. Obviously I was a bit nervous ... he gave me a few words before I went on, told me to just do my job and relax and have a bit of fun.

"It's a priceless moment. Unreal.

"I didn't know what to do (when we scored)."

What a cauldron for the players. It was nerve racking in the stands. How did they cope – not just with the pressure to score, but with the burden of knowing the prize on offer?

Oar told foxsports.com.au: "we didn't think we'd leave it as late as we did, but it's overwhelming joy now.

"The longer it went without scoring, I could sense the crowd getting more nervous. I think the boys stuck with it, we were persistent, and we got our reward in the end.

"I'm over the moon, exhausted, to be honest, but we're really looking forward to celebrating together."

For Kruse, his football life really can't get any better at the moment,

"I've had a great two years but this is the pinnacle," Kruse said.

"Nothing can top this feeling. When the ball hit the back of the net I was lost for words. It's the first time for a lot of us... We're just going to treasure the moment now.:

Whether all the veterans make it to Brazil will be a well worn debate by the time we reach the middle of 2014.

But for now, no one can doubt the influence Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski and Mark Bresciano wielded on the side. They deserve their historic moment in the sun. 

"As a footballer, to play for your country at a World Cup is a dream come true," Bresciano said.

"Now I'm going to my third. You can imagine how special that is."

It was a bumpy ride, turbulent at times, but we got there.

"Tonight, it's the best," coach Holger Osieck, who was part of Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning effort, declared in the post-match press-conference.

Anyone who says that tonight was no Uruguay is missing the point.

The Socceroos tackled the pressure head on and prevailed.

Three consecutive World Cups, after an absence of 32 years – that's worth doing the samba to.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vote: Lion Tamers - backrowers

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Selections ... Cast your vote for the Wallabies line-up below. Source:FOX SPORTS

You've voted for the Wallabies tight five, now it's time to decide some of the most contentious positions in the run-on XV – the backrow.

Who should play at No.6 for the Wallabies against the Lions?

Likely Wallabies captain James Horwill was a clear winner for the first lock spot and rightly so, with the Queensland Reds skipper surely to be one of Robbie Deans's first picked.

The race to partner him, however, looks to be a tight affair which was reflected in our Lion Tamers voting.

In the end Horwill's Reds teammate Rob Simmons finished second with 17.5 per cent of the vote, which was just under five per cent more than NSW Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani.

Who should play at No.7 for the Wallabies against the Lions?

This week it's over to the loose forwards and that hardworking trio that make up the backrow.

There's already been a lot of discussion about the backrow, particularly since the hurdles for George Smith's return were cleared.

Who should play No.8 for the Wallabies against the Lions?

In fact, Australia's backrowers have been in superb form of late which is sure to make for an interesting week of voting.

Let us know your thoughts by casting a vote now!

1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. James Slipper
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill
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8.  
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11.  
12.  
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Tigers suffer blow with Cotchin out

Out ... Trent Cotchin won't play against Port Adelaide. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

Richmond have lost captain Trent Cotchin in a massive blow for their must-win away AFL match against Port Adelaide.

All times are listed in EST

Coach Damien Hardwick was concerned about the Tigers' injuries immediately after the loss to Geelong last week and his worries proved well-founded.

Apart from Cotchin (knee), they also had to leave out Tyrone Vickery (concussion), Ricky Petterd (calf) and Dylan Grimes (foot) for Saturday's match.

After winning their first three games, the Tigers have dropped their past three and are at an early crossroads in a season they aim to return to the finals.

In a big week for selections, the Tigers had some good news with the return of Nathan Foley from injury.

Collingwood regained captain Nick Maxwell, Essendon made six changes and Geelong lost Joel Corey.

Daniel Kerr and Chris Masten are out for West Coast, while Brisbane regain star veteran Simon Black for his first AFL game this season.

Experienced Western Bulldogs trio Daniel Giansiracusa, Robert Murphy and Ryan Griffen return, while North Melbourne defender Nathan Grima (soreness) is out as Brent Harvey returns from his six-game suspension.

Campbell Brown is back from the same suspension for Gold Coast on Sunday against Melbourne, but Michael Rischitelli was dropped and Karmichael Hunt has a hamstring injury.

Demons co-captains Jack Trengove (calf) and Jack Grimes (collarbone) are injured, but former Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes will make his debut for the club.

Along with their four injuries, Richmond dropped Matt White. Shane Tuck, Robin Nahas and Jake Batchelor are the other recalls and former Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson will make his Tigers debut.

Port's Sam Colquhoun will make his AFL debut, while the Power recalled Andrew Moore and Jarrad Redden. Brent Renouf, Matthew Lobbe and Paul Stewart are the outs.

Essendon regained Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell, Jake Carlisle, Dustin Fletcher, Jason Winderlich and Nathan Lovett-Murray. Brent Stanton (groin) and Courtenay Dempsey (ankle) are injured, David Hille has overseas leave and Leroy Jetta, Tayte Pears and Jackson Merrett were omitted.

The Cats lost Corey with a knee injury and dropped Jordan Murdoch. Jackson Thurlow will make his senior debut and Jordan Schroder returns.

While the Magpies regain Maxwell after four weeks out with a fractured wrist for the away match against Fremantle, Tyson Goldsack is out with a hip injury. Caolan Mooney is also back and Jarrod Witts is dropped.

Fremantle recalled Stephen Hill for Cameron Sutcliffe.

Kerr (knee) and Masten (foot) did not fly to Brisbane, while the Eagles dropped Callum Sinclair. Matt Rosa returns for his first senior game this season, Mark Hutchings will make his AFL debut and Brad Sheppard is also back.

Black, finally over his knee injury, leads three Brisbane changes. Andrew Raines and Jordan Lisle also return, with Aaron Cornelius, Billy Longer and Marco Paparone making way for them.pe?&#nbsp; Lukas Markovic is the fourth inclusion for the Bulldogs, who lost Jake Stringer and Jack Macrae to injury and dropped Koby Stevens and Christian Howard.

There are no changes for the game of the round - the grand-final rematch between Hawthorn and Sydney.

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AFL Teams: all the ins and outs

Ins and outs ... Michael Hurley returns for Essendon. Source: Herald Sun

Check out all the ins and outs for round seven of the AFL premiership season.

Updated line-ups for Sunday's games will be announced on Friday afternoon, so check back in to get the latest teams before finalising your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach side.

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All times are listed in EST

Geelong v Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Friday 7.50pm (EST)
 
Geelong
B: Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Cameron Guthrie, Harry Taylor, Taylor Hunt
C: Mitch Duncan, Jimmy Bartel, Steven Motlop
HF: Allen Christensen, Steve Johnson, Billie Smedts
F: Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, James Podsiadly
Foll: Trent West, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
Int: George Horlin-Smith, Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Schroder, Mark Blicavs
Emerg: Josh Hunt, Josh Caddy, Joshua Walker

In: Schroder, Thurlow
Out: Corey (knee), Murdoch (omitted)

Essendon
B: Kyle Hardingham, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB: Dyson Heppell, Jake Carlisle, Mark Baguley
C: David Zaharakis, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
HF: Alwyn Davey, Scott Gumbleton, Brendon Goddard
F: Michael Hurley, Stewart Crameri, Nick Kommer
R: Tom Bellchambers, Jake Melksham, Ben Howlett
Int: David Myers, Heath Hocking, Cale Hooker, Nathan Lovett-Murray
Emerg: Paddy Ryder, Jackson Merritt, Tayte Pears

In: Lovett-Murray, Winderlich, Hurley, Heppell, Carlisle, Fletcher
Out: Hille (omitted), Stanton (groin), Dempsey (ankle), Jetta (omitted), Pears (omitted), Merrett (omitted)

Port Adelaide v Richmond, AAMI Stadium, Saturday 1.15pm (CST)

Port Adelaide
B: Cameron O'Shea, Alipate Carille, Campbell Heath
HB: Lewis Stevenson, Tom Jonas, Dom Cassisi
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent
HF: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Angus Monfries
F: Jake Neade, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray
Foll: Jarrad Redden, Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert
Int: Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun, Kane Mitchell
Emerg: Paul Stewart, Tom Logan, Daniel Stewart

In: Moore, Redden, Colquhoun
Out: Renouf (omitted), Lobbe (omitted), P. Stewart (omitted)

Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Chris Newman, Brandon Ellis, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Shane Tuck, Daniel Jackson
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Luke McGuane, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Nathan Foley, Nick Vlastuin
Int: Chris Knights, Jake Batchelor, Orren Stephenson, Robin Nahas
Emerg: Aaron Edwards, Matt Dea, Matt White

In: Tuck, Foley, Nahas, Stephenson, Batchelor
Out: White (omitted), Petterd (calf), Cotchin (knee), Vickery (concussion), Grimes (foot)

Milestone: McGuane – 100 games

Brisbane Lions v West Coast, The Gabba, Saturday 2.10pm

Brisbane Lions
B: Mitch Golby, Daniel Merrett, Ashley McGrath
HB: Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke, Elliot Yeo
C: Jed Adcock, Brent Moloney, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Rohan Bewick, Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden
Int: Simon Black, Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Sam Mayes
Emerg: Sam Docherty, Billy Longer, Jack Crisp

In: Raines, Lisle, Black
Out: Cornelius (omitted), Longer (omitted), Paparone (omitted)

West Coast
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard
C: Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff
HF: Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Sharrod Wellingham
F: Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int: Jacob Brennan, Bradd Dalziell, Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith
Emg: Jamie Cripps, Ashton Hams, Callum Sinclair

In: Rosa, Hutchings, Sheppard
Out: Kerr (knee), Masten (foot), Sinclair (omitted)

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 4.40pm (EST)

Western Bulldogs
B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Lukas Markovic
HB: Liam Picken, Tom Young, Jason Johannisen
C: Tom Liberatore, Matthew Boyd, Nick Lower
HF: Clay Smith, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Robert Murphy, Dylan Addison
Foll: Will Minson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
Int: Jason Tutt, Mitch Wallis, Mark Austin, Daniel Cross
Emerg: Koby Stevens, Christian Howard, Tom Campbell

In: Giansiracusa, Murphy, Griffen, Markovic
Out: Stevens (omitted), Howard (omitted), Stringer (soreness), Macrae (soreness)

North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan
HB: Aaron Mullett, Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Sam Wright
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson, Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Lachlan Hansen, Kieran Harper

In: Harvey
Out: Grima (soreness)

Hawthorn v Sydney Swans, MCG, Saturday 7.40pm (EST)

Hawthorn
B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge
HB: Brent Guerra, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Liam Shiels, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Shaun Burgoyne
F: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: David Hale, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
Int: Michael Osborne, Isaac Smith, Taylor Duryea, Jonathan Simpkin
Emerg: Kyle Cheney, Max Bailey, Matt Spangher

No change

Sydney Swans
B: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
HB: Marty Mattner, Ted Richards, Jarrad McVeigh
C: Lewis Jetta, Ryan O'Keefe, Ben McGlynn
HF: Dan Hannebery, Sam Reid, Kieren Jack
F: Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Luke Parker
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Jude Bolton
Int: Tony Armstrong, Craig Bird, Jed Lamb, Dane Rampe
Emerg: Mitch Morton, Tommy Walsh, Jesse White

No change

Fremantle v Collingwood, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 5.40pm (WST)

Fremantle
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Alex Silvagni
C: Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill
HF: Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
F: Matt de Boer, Jack Hannath, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Clancee Pearce, David Mundy
Int: Hayden Crozier, Nick Suban, Paul Duffield, Danyle Pearce
Emerg: Tom Sheridan, Tanner Smith, Cameron Sutcliffe

In: Hill
Out: Sutcliffe (omitted)

Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Ben Reid, Nick Maxwell
HB: Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
HF: Jamie Elliott, Quinten Lynch, Brent Macaffer
F: Ben Kennedy, Travis Cloke, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Andrew Krakouer, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman, Caolan Mooney
Emerg: Jordan Russell, Jarrod Witts, Marley Williams

In: Maxwell, Mooney
Out: Goldsack (hip), Witts (omitted)

GWS Giants v Adelaide, Skoda Stadium, Sunday 1.10pm (EST)

GWS Giants
B: Tim Mohr, Stephen Gilham, Adam Kennedy
HB: Toby Greene, Joshua Bruce, Sam Reid
C: Adam Treloar, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Jeremy Cameron, Jonathan Giles, Rhys Palmer
F: Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Taylor Adams
Foll: Dean Brogan, Tom Scully, Jacob Townsend
Int from: Zachary Williams, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel, Sam Darley, Aidan Corr, Shaun Edwards, Samuel Frost

In: Brogan, Darley, Kennedy, Edwards, Whitfield
Out: Hampton (omitted), Bugg (omitted)

Adelaide
B: Andy Otten, Ben Rutten, Luke Brown
HB: David Mackay, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: Brodie Smith, Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince
HF: Patrick Dangerfield, Shaun McKernan, Jason Porplyzia
F: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Matthew Wright
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Richard Douglas, Rory Sloane
Int from: Nathan van Berlo, Ian Callinan, Jarryd Lyons, Rory Laird, Ricky Henderson, Matthew Jaensch, Sam Kerridge

In: van Berlo, Callinan, Henderson, Laird
Out: Tambling (omitted)

Melbourne v Gold Coast, MCG, Sunday 4.40pm (EST)

Melbourne
B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Daniel Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Rohan Bail, Jack Viney, Matt Jones
HF: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Colin Sylvia
F: Luke Tapscott, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Jake Spencer, Michael Evans, Nathan Jones
Int from: Jordie McKenzie, David Rodan, James Strauss, James Sellar, Dean Kent, Aaron Davey, Troy Davis

In: Davey, Rodan, Sellar, Dawes, Davis
Out: Grimes (collarbone), Trengove (calf)

Gold Coast
B: Trent McKenzie, Thomas Murphy, Sam Day
HB: David Swallow, Rory Thompson, Greg Broughton
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, Jesse Lonergan
F: Charlie Dixon, Stephen May, Aaron Hall
Foll: Zac Smith, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia
Int from: Jack Hutchins, Brandon Matera, Jared Brennan, Luke Russell, Danny Stanley, Tim Sumner, Campbell Brown

In: Brown, Russell, May, Hutchins, Sumner
Out: Rischitelli (omitted), Hunt (hamstring)

St Kilda v Carlton, Etihad Stadium, Monday 7.40pm (EST)

St Kilda
B: Nathan Wright, Sam Fisher, James Gwilt
HB: Sean Dempster, Dylan Roberton, Jack Newnes
C: Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Arryn Siposs
HF: Ahmed Saad, Rhys Stanley, Jarryn Geary
F: David Armitage, Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Sebastian Ross, Jack Steven
Int from: Brodie Murdoch, Jimmy Webster, Tom Hickey, Terry Milera, Farren Ray, Clint Jones, Josh Saunders

In: Ray, Gwilt, Milera, Webster, Hickey
Out: Koschitzke (suspension), Gilbert (knee)

Carlton
B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Simon White
C: Kane Lucas, Mitch Robinson, David Ellard
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Ed Curnow, Shaun Hampson, Matthew Kreuzer
Foll: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
Int from: Kade Simpson, Brock McLean, Eddie Betts, Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Carrazzo, Levi Casboult, Aaron Joseph

In: Carrazzo, Kreuzer, Joseph, Casboult
Out: Waite (suspension)

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Izzy: I underestimated rugby

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Athlete ... Folau took a little time to adjust but is now making the rugby field his own. Source:AAP

Code hopper Israel Folau says he underestimated the speed of rugby and that the travel factor is an "extra" the game can offer him in the future.

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The hot topic in rugby circles following his superb performance in NSW Waratahs' 72-10 victory over Southern Kings, Folau is yet to make a decision on his playing future beyond this season.

And while he gave little away as to where he might end up in 2014, Folau admitted the switch to rugby had come with a couple of surprises.

"Before I played a game I sort of underestimated the pace of the game and that's one thing that definitely surprised me – how quick the game is," he told Fox Sports' Rugby HQ.

"Physical wise and that, it's what I expected and it's very tough week in week out."

Folau became just the 11th man in 11 years to run for over 200m in a Super Rugby match in Port Elizabeth last weekend, a performance that also yielded a try, 16 tackle busts and two linebreaks.

That performance came wedged between comments from Brumbies coach Jake White, who said Folau shouldn't be considered for the British and Irish Lions series if he announces a return to rugby league.

Not wanting to be drawn into verbal warfare, Folau said he wouldn't be rushed into a decision about his playing future – no matter what was on the line.

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Watch the Waratahs' match with the Stormers Live and in HD from 7.30pm (EST) on Fox Sports 2HD!

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"There's no timeline as to when I'll make a decision about my future," he said.

"But like I said after the game and during the week, I've been really enjoying my time while I'm playing rugby and now it's my agent's job to get all my options all set out for me and in the end it's my decision as to where I want to go."

The former AFL and NRL star hinted the travel factor – he returned from his first South African tour on Monday – may help swing his decision.

"The main one is what makes me happy," he said when asked what he would take into consideration before making a decision.

"Looking at all the different opportunities across the codes that I've played already, I think rugby presents a little bit extra with the travel and all that sort of stuff.

"That time will come when I'm going to have to sit down and have a look at them all."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Redbacks fined $15k for poaching

James Muirhead ... is at the centre of a poaching controversy.

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has been fined $15,000 for attempting to poach Victorian bowler James Muirhead.

A Cricket Australia grievance tribunal determined last month that SACA had breached interstate competition rules by making approaches to the 19 year-old.

Victoria's displeasure with SA reportedly started in late 2011 when Bushrangers officials believed the Redbacks promised Muirhead first-class games if he moved to Adelaide.

Victoria subsequently signed him as a rookie player.

The Bushrangers believed SA then made another offer to Muirhead during the past season, an allegation upheld by CA's grievance tribunal last month.

Muirhead has played just one first-class game for Victoria, the promising spinner falling behind Pakistani-born leggie Fawad Ahmed in the Victorian pecking order.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roosters yet to offer SBW new deal

Sydney Roosters star ... Sonny Bill Williams yet to begin negotiating a new deal. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has revealed the club is yet to offer superstar international Sonny Bill Williams a new deal.

Signed to the Bondi-based club for one season, the 27-year-old has been a revelation in a red hot side but Robinson told NRL360 on Wednesday night that the club is yet to begin talks with Williams for next season. 

"No we haven't," Robinson said when asked about negotiations for 2014. 

"He's only on the one-year contract. I think we're all hoping, the Roosters especially, but I think the game should be hoping he comes to an agreement with the Roosters in the next four to six months."

Robinson said while he has no time frame on when he would like to begin negotiations, he did acknowledge that the longer it takes Williams to re-sign, the more potential it has of being a distraction for the club.

"I don't know the answer to that," he said. 

"That is often based on a feeling between the player and the club. Definitely it will be between the player and hopefully myself, (recruitment officer) Peter O'Sullivan and (Chairman) Nick Politis. It's based on a feeling, you can't set that out in advance, it has to appear over the course of the next couple of weeks and hopefully that's sooner rather than later." 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More