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SBW orchestrates win over Manly

Written By Unknown on Senin, 01 Juli 2013 | 22.07

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Sonny Bill ... produces another masterful performance ... playing at five-eighth! Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters are making a habit of winning with their backs against the wall after taking care of Manly 18-12 to rise into second spot on the NRL ladder.

4

Tries

2

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6' Jamie Lyon 48'
Jake Friend 26' George Rose 77'
Michael Jennings 53'
Michael Jennings 70'

0

Conversions

2

Jamie Lyon 49'
Jamie Lyon 77'

1

Penalties

0

Boyd Cordner 60'

Having taken care of Canterbury last week without their NSW State of Origin stars, the Roosters on Monday night produced another stellar defensive effort to down the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium - despite playing almost the entire second half with just two fit reserves.

W L D B PD Pts
1 Rabbitohs 13 2 0 1 177 28
2 Roosters 11 4 0 1 145 24
3 Storm 10 4 1 1 95 23
4 Sea Eagles 7 6 1 2 67 19
5 Titans 8 7 0 1 17 18
6 Sharks 7 7 0 2 -16 18
7 Bulldogs 8 7 0 1 -23 18
8 Knights 7 8 0 1 71 16
9 Panthers 6 8 0 2 36 16
10 Warriors 7 8 0 1 -64 16
11 Raiders 7 8 0 1 -66 16
12 Broncos 6 9 0 1 -5 14
13 Cowboys 6 9 0 1 -17 14
14 Tigers 6 9 0 1 -157 14
15 Dragons 5 10 0 1 -79 12
16 Eels 3 11 0 2 -181 10

Daniel Mortimer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left the field with concussion either side of the halftime break after ugly head knocks - Tuivasa-Sheck's collision also resulting in Manly forward James Hasson being taken to hospital with bleeding on the eye.

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While the Roosters were short-handed, they did still have Sonny Bill Williams on their side, the game's biggest five-eighth once again showcasing his playmaking skills to engineer three of his side's four tries.


Re-live all the action with Match Centre, featuring stats and match tracker.


NSW centre Michael Jennings scored a second-half double - including the clincher 10 minutes from time when he ran onto a delightful Williams pass to kill off Manly's slender hopes.

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Williams came up with the key play for Tuivasa-Sheck's opening try after just seven minutes, but it was the defensive effort in the ensuing 15 minutes which showed just why the Roosters are a genuine premiership force.

Manly enjoyed eight straight sets on the Roosters line but never really threatened the scoreboard, the defensive effort in contrast to that which the Sea Eagles showed when Jake Friend waltzed over from 20 metres.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted his side's defensive stand in the opening half set up the win.

"It's hard, you don't want those sets but you get a gauge on where you're at after those eight sets defensively whether you're on or not.

"You can often feel in the first 20 minutes whether you are defending well for the night and that certainly gave us a good gauge.''

Sea Eagles utility Jamie Buhrer dropped the ball over the line after the halftime siren under great defensive pressure from Aidan Guerra but, when Jamie Lyon scored eight minutes after the restart, the visitors found life.

Jennings took some air out of their sails when he scored five minutes later as the Roosters ran it on the last, the home side going out by more than a converted try when fill-in goalkicker Boyd Cordner landed his only goal of the night on the back of a controversial penalty.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, playing for the first time since being sent off in the last meeting between the two sides, claimed he had been taken high by Justin Horo, the Roosters delaying a scrum long enough to allow the video referee to intervene and award the penalty.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey was dumbfounded by the decision - particularly given Brett Stewart appeared to be taken out in mid air a minute later with no penalty going his side's way.

"If they are going to do it once, then bring it in,'' Toovey said of the video referee intervening.

"It's either in or it's out.''

Asked whether the video referee was having too much sway on the game, Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon said: "I think so, on occasions like that when you (the referee) are a metre or two away.

"I think he's been refereeing enough now to make a decision like that on the spot.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Siddle left out of final tour game

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Left out ... Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja won't play in Australia's final tour game. Source: Michael Steele / Getty Images

Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja won't get another chance to find form ahead of the first Ashes Test after being left out of Australia's final tour match in Worcester starting on Tuesday.

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Fast bowler Siddle's omission could be to manage his workload but things look much graver for Khawaja, with Phil Hughes, Ed Cowan and potentially David Warner seeming to have the jump on him.

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Left-arm Tasmanian quick James Faulkner gets another chance to impress against Worcestershire, strengthening the possibility Australia could play him as a bowling allrounder in addition to three quicks for the opening Test.

Fellow fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird have also been picked for their first appearance of the tour against Worcester, as they too push their cases for selection for the first Test at Trent Bridge starting on July 10.

Siddle struggled on the Australia A tour and, against Somerset last week, he was unable to find his rhythm.

His omission from Worcester means he'll remain under a shadow of doubt heading into the first Test.


Former England captain Michael Vaughan will join Fox Sports for our coverage of the Ashes. Watch the whole series, starting with the first Test on July 10, LIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION on Fox Sports.


If Harris or Bird can snatch their opportunity, new coach Darren Lehmann might elect to go with form rather than proven experience.

Lehmann has said Siddle's reputation as a leader and workhorse for the side wouldn't necessarily be enough to guarantee selection, with six quicks vying for selection.

Harris is injury prone and would have to get through the Worcester game unscathed, but he's a potential weapon on the fast and seaming wicket in Nottingham.

Siddle isn't out of contention, though, and selectors will certainly know what he can offer.

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Run machine Chris Rogers is into the team and is likely to bat at No.3 with Cowan to open alongside Shane Watson.

Allrounder Watson will also bowl in the match.

Hughes has been retained in the line-up after making back-to-back half centuries against Somerset in the opening tour match.

Khawaja made 73 last week against Somerset but the fact he hasn't been picked for another hit doesn't bode well.

It seems Cowan is preferred over Khawaja with Rogers, usually an opener, likely to play No.3 in the Tests.


Pick your Fantasy Ashes squad for your chance to win $5,000 - and earn bragging rights over your mates!


If Khawaja was indeed left out in Nottingham, it would continue a frustrating run on the periphery for the left-hander, after he failed to play a Test during the Australian summer or the tour of India.peLehmann has stated the suspended Warner remains firmly in contention should Australia pick six specialist batsmen at Trent Bridge.

Steve Smith has also been picked to play in the middle order in Worcester and could rocket into contention with a hundred, while spinner Ashton Agar will play with first-choice Nathan Lyon rested as 12th man.

Skipper Michael Clarke will get his second hit of the tour in a strong sign his troublesome back is in good nick heading into the Ashes.

Clarke looked sharp in his first innings in three months in Taunton.

Australians (batting order unconfirmed): Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke (capt), Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon (12th).


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wallabies made to sweat Horwill verdict

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Nerves ... James Horwill and the Wallabies made to wait until Tuesday morning for a verdict. Source: Mike Keating / AAP

Wallabies skipper James Horwill will not know until Tuesday whether he will play in Saturday night's series-deciding third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) appeal into Horwill's dismissed rucking charge from the first Test has been adjourned after close to three hours of evidence and legal argument on Monday night.

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Canadian arbitrator Graeme Mew stopped to consider his findings around 10.10pm (AEST) and rugby officials indicated he won't hand down his judgement at least for a couple of hours.

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Horwill and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans left the hearing, held over a video link with Mew in Toronto, and turned in for the night at their Sydney team hotel.

The pair are due to front the media early on Tuesday morning.

Horwill was originally exonerated by New Zealand judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC last Sunday night after being cited for stamping on rival lock Alun Wyn Jones in the 23-21 first Test loss.

The Australian Rugby Union is incensed at the appeal - the first the IRB has launched against a player being cleared by one of their judicial officers - and has fought for their captain's availability with a crack legal team.

The Lions have already lost their captain for the ANZ Stadium decider after flanker Sam Warburton was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Monday afternoon.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Resignation unrelated to Arthur: Pup

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Michael Clarke's ... selector resignation unrelated to Arthur's axing. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

It has certainly been a big couple of weeks.

To have Mickey Arthur sacked as our coach by Cricket Australia came as a shock to everyone in the touring squad.

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But to have Darren Lehmann named as coach was exciting for all of us and things have started well for him with a strong win over Somerset last Saturday.

I've got a fantastic relationship with Mickey. I was very close to him and think he's a great man. He's a very loyal, very caring person.

I found his axing quite tough and Mickey was obviously hurting at the time.

To hear about the passing of his mum made a difficult situation far worse. I really feel for Mickey at the moment.

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I've been in close contact with him in South Africa to make sure he's going okay.

I played a lot with Darren and really admire the way he goes about his cricket.

We have very similar mindsets about training hard, always striving to improve when we're working on our game and playing attacking, attractive cricket.

We play to win. That will always come first. We will be aggressive and try to take the game forward at every opportunity.

Darren wants us to enjoy the game and emphasises quality over quantity at training.

When we played together almost a decade ago he was one of the leaders around the group.

He never had the official title of captain or vice-captain but he always had a big input and everyone respected his views.

Darren welcomed me with open arms into the team and certainly played a big part in the start of my career.

I'm really excited to be working with him. The last week's been great getting back to talking about cricket together like we did when I played with him.

My decision to resign as a selector had nothing to do with Mickey being sacked.

I have been thinking about it since our tour of India, sending an email to James Sutherland and Pat Howard shortly after our return suggesting I stand down.

They did not think the timing was right at that stage but with the appointment of Darren as coach me stepping down as a selector became part of the team's fresh beginning.

Being a selector is a full time job with a lot of meetings, phone hook ups and constant conversations with players inside and outside the team.

I felt my energies would be better spent working within the team.

I have always worked hard on strengthening my back since it began to give me problems as a teenager and I was glad to be able to get through the four-day match against Somerset, spending a total of two and a half hours at the crease without any trouble.

I'm looking forward to taking on Worcester from Tuesday in our last first class match before the first Test begins at Trent Bridge on July 10.

With almost all our batsmen and bowlers showing good form against Somerset selection for the first Test is going to be tough.

We are determined to give as many players as possible an opportunity so almost everyone who missed out against Somerset will play against Worcester, giving us a very different team to last week.

But I think that's great.

With many in our Ashes squad playing in Australia A's victory over Gloucester a fortnight ago and our recent triumph over Somerset, we can feel the momentum building.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bombers players used as guinea pigs

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 30 Juni 2013 | 22.07

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Human guinea pigs ... fresh allegations hit Windy Hill. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Essendon admit they won't know the full extent of what happened at the AFL club during their controversial supplements program until ASADA's anti-doping investigation is completed.

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The Bombers say it would be deeply distressing and disturbing if shocking allegations that their players were used as guinea pigs for the banned substance AOD-9604 were found to be correct.

Fairfax Media reported on Sunday that ASADA is investigating whether Bombers players were involved in a virtual clinical trial of the substance, which is not approved for human use.

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It says ASADA is probing if some players were put on the anti-obesity drug and their performance measured against players who weren't using it, with results then passed on to external parties.

While the Bombers said they had no knowledge of any clinical trial at the club, they also admitted they wouldn't know the full picture of what had happened at Essendon until after the investigation.

"The club has no knowledge of any clinical trial and, if this is found to be true, it is deeply distressing and disturbing, and goes to the heart of what may have been perpetrated at our club,'' Essendon said in a statement.

"We have been limited in what we can comment on and, more than anything else, we want the ASADA investigation to be completed.

"There is information we still do not have as a club and we are looking to the ASADA investigation to uncover the full extent of what happened at the club.''

The club's internal investigation into governance has already described what was going at the Bombers in 2012 as a "pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged''.

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson admits he believes he was administered AOD-9604 last year, saying it was cleared for his use by club medical staff.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed the substance has been banned for athletes since 2011 under a catch-all in which substances not approved for human use are prohibited.

Fairfax said players including Watson were given the substance at a volume and frequency far exceeding that of clinical trials.

It quoted a source familiar with the ASADA inquiry who said: "WADA were shocked by some of the substances going around Essendon and some of the NRL clubs.

"Some of those drugs had not been thought of in a sporting context before.

"We've got a playing generation of guinea pigs.''

The AFL broke its silence on the issue on Sunday to say little except it believed the investigation would be concluded by August.

"Out of respect for the ongoing ASADA-AFL investigation, the AFL will not comment on claims and speculation related to the case,'' AFL deputy chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan said.

"We understand the intense interest in the matter, but the integrity of the process must be respected.

"Although frustrating, I urge everyone to remain patient and to allow the investigators to do their work and to reach their conclusions based on all the evidence available.

"We share everyone's desire to have the ASADA inquiries completed as soon as possible to provide clarity around a range of issues for the Essendon Football Club, its players and the wider competition.

"We remain committed to this happening in August.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cowboys ride home over Sharks

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Brent Tate ... of the Cowboys is wrapped up by the Sharks defence. Source: Ian Hitchcock / News Limited

North Queensland moved within two points of the NRL top eight on Sunday night with a 24-4 win over Cronulla.

4

Tries

1

Kane Linnett 5' Luke Lewis 26'
Gavin Cooper 46'
Antonio Winterstein 73'
Kane Linnett 76'

3

Conversions

0

Johnathan Thurston 47'
Johnathan Thurston 74'
Johnathan Thurston 77'

1

Penalties

0

Johnathan Thurston 71'

Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston set up two tries in the final 10 minutes to bring what had been a low-scoring affair to life and secure North Queensland's first home win in more than two months.

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Sharks captain Paul Gallen was ruled out during the week with a foot injury from Wednesday's State of Origin II but fullback Michael Gordon (calf) and Beau Ryan (knee) withdrew from the side on game day.

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The Cowboys started strongest on their home ground and centre Kane Linnett put them up with just their third set of the game in the fifth minute. 

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Linnett received an offload from back-rower Tariq Sims and had to beat three defenders to put the ball on the line.

Luke Lewis evened the score for the visitors after taking a Todd Carney pass with a well-timed run to cross for a try as the teams went into halftime at 4-4.

Gavin Cooper restored the Cowboys' lead five minutes after the re-start and the teams were unable to breach each other's defence for the next 25 minutes.

Thurston was the difference in the final 10 minutes, laying on tries for Linnett and Antonio Winterstein while kicking a penalty goal to put his side up to 13th on the NRL ladder.

North Queensland prop Ashton Sims might have a date with the judiciary this week after being put on report for a 23rd-minute knee to the head of Sharks fullback Nathan Stapleton.

North Queensland's under-pressure coach Neil Henry said his side come out of the half-time break looking for a lift in intensity and the players responded.

"Obviously the second half was good, we had a fair bit of possession there and got some nice tries," Henry said.

"(It was a) tough game really, I thought the first 60 minutes had a bit of end-to-end stuff there at times but I'm very pleased with our defensive effort as well to only concede four points."

Henry added that the win, the Cowboys' 100th in Townsville and following their last-start victory over St George-Illawarra, had come at a perfect time for a side hit hard by a busy State of Origin period.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said his team had simply given up too much of the ball in the second half and that defensive workload hurt them in the final quarter.

"We had 13 errors with the ball and you just can't do it and the Cowboys capitalised," Flanagan said.

"We had probably six or seven drop-outs in that time and it took too much petrol out of them and some poor execution and it wasn't our night.

"We weren't very good at all."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Idris suffers sickening injury

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Snap ... Jamal Idris suffers a season ending ankle injury against the Knights. Source: Tony Feder / Getty Images

Gold Coast centre Jamal Idris is likely to miss the remainder of the NRL season after suffering a broken fibula in his side's loss to Newcastle on Sunday.

On the same day reports emerged the manager of Wests Tigers icon Benji Marshall met John Kirwan - the coach of the Auckland-based Super Rugby club the Blues - about a potential move, Idris's dreams of a State of Origin recall for the series decider were demolished.

Idris came off in the fifth minute of his side's 46-16 thrashing in Newcastle after falling awkwardly in a tackle and was immediately sent to hospital for scans.

"They were worried about a break. I don't think it's minor, put it that way,'' Gold Coast coach John Cartwright said.

Cartwright's hunch was right. Idris tweeted the results of his scans: "Broken fibula, dislocated ankle and snapped a ligament."

"I spoke to him at halftime. He was very despondent - he doesn't like missing football. I think he knows it could be something that might keep him on the sideline for a little while," Cartwright added.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Webber second in British GP

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Always the bridesmaid ... Mark Webber (L) applauds British Grand Prix champion Nico Rosberg (C). Source:AFP

Mark Webber finished just short of a remarkable and dramatic victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, German driver Nico Rosberg just holding out the retiring Australian.

Rosberg came home just seven-tenths of a second clear of Red Bull's Webber in a tumultuous event.

It was the Mercedes team's first victory in Britain since Stirling Moss won at Aintree in 1955 and Rosberg's second in three races and third of his career.

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But the race was overshadowed by a dangerous spate of Pirelli tyre failures, including one that blew home hero Briton Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a home win in the other Mercedes car as he led from pole position.

In all, four drivers were hit by tyre blowouts while championship leading defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire his Red Bull for the first time this year after inheriting the lead.

Hamilton's tyre explosion was followed by others for Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso and Mexican Sergio Perez of McLaren in a contest that saw two Safety Car interventions.

Webber, who fell to 15th on the opening lap, fought back to finish second in his first race since announcing he was quitting Formula One at the end of the season ahead of two-time champion German Fernando Alonso in the second Ferrari and Hamilton, who stormed from the back to finish fourth despite his tyre failure.

Alonso closed the gap in the overall standings on Vettel, who has 132 points while the Spaniard is on 111 after eight races with the next race the German Grand Prix next Sunday.

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, finished fifth for Lotus ahead of Massa, German Adrian Sutil of Force India and rising hope Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso.

Briton Paul Di Resta of Force India finished ninth and German Nico Hulkenberg 10th for Sauber on an amazing day in rare British sunshine.

British Grand Prix results

1. Nico Rosberg (GER/MER) 1hr 32min 59.456sec

2. Mark Webber (AUS/RBR) +0.765

3. Fernando Alonso (ESP/FER) 7.124

4. Lewis Hamilton (ENG/MER) 7.756

5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/LOT) 11.257

6. Felipe Massa (BRA/FER) 14.573

7. Adrian Sutil (GER/FOR) 16.335

8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/TOR) 16.543

9. Paul Di Resta (SCO/FOR) 17.943

10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/SAU) 19.709

11. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/WIL) 21.135

12. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/WIL) 25.094

13. Jenson Button (ENG/MLA) 25.969

14. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/SAU) 26.285

15. Charles Pic (FRA/CAT) 31.613

16. Jules Bianchi (FRA/MAR) 36.097

17. Max Chilton (ENG/MAR) 1min 7.660

18. Giedo van der Garde (NED/CAT) 1min 7.759

19. Romain Grosjean (FRA/LOT) DNF 1 lap

20. Sergio Perez (MEX/MLA) DNF 6 laps

Not classified: Sebastian Vettel (GER/RBR) 11 laps

Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/TOR) 16 laps


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gatland bemoans Lions' turnovers

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 29 Juni 2013 | 22.07

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Mistakes aplenty ... Gatland wasn't happy with his side's turnover rate. Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Warren Gatland criticised the Lions' game management after the nail-biting 16-15 second Test defeat to Australia in Melbourne.

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The tourists appeared to be edging towards a series victory having built a 15-9 heading into the latter stages - but Adam Ashley-Cooper's 75th-minute try allowed Christian Leali'ifano to kick the winning points with a conversion.

Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny had a chance to snatch an unlikely victory with the last kick of the game - a penalty from the halfway line - but his effort fell well short, leaving the Wallabies to celebrate.

Gatland said afterwards: "It was tight for both teams. We gave away too many turnovers in that second half and didn't control territory well enough. We put ourselves under pressure when we had a chance to keep momentum going and get a bit of ball. The turnovers really hurt us.

"It shows you how close these two teams are. It's 1-1 now and we've got to get up for it.

"It's just about game management. It's what Test match rugby is about. There were a couple of crucial lineouts and turnovers. When the referee said 'advantage over,' we didn't look after the ball well enough.

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"We felt pretty comfortable at half time but it just shows that they never give up and they took the opportunities that came their way.

"We're disappointed to concede the try at the end at the end. We've got to keep working hard. We missed a few collisions and we didn't control the territory very well in either half."

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Prop Mako Vunipola, deputising for injured England team-mate Alex Corbisiero, endured a torrid first half in the scrum with referee Craig Joubert continually awarding Australia penalties, and Gatland admitted he was left frustrated by several decisions.

The New Zealander said: "We were disappointed with a few things but until we get some clarity from them, you've got to take the good with the bad. It's just the way the scrum is refereed in the modern game.

"I haven't spoken to them (the players) yet. It's a big game next week. There'll be a couple of days off to recuperate and then it'll be heads on for next week."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hamilton on pole for British GP

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Mercedes' driver ... Lewis Hamilton during the third practice session at the Silverstone circuit. Source: ALEXANDER KLEIN / News Limited

Lewis Hamilton resisted pressure from his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and the speed of both Red Bulls to claim pole position for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Englishman gave his home fans good reason to cheer with a fastest lap of one minute and 29.607 seconds, four-tenths of a second quicker than his German partner who wound up second on the grid.

It was Hamilton's second pole this year, after three successive second place starts, and the 28th of his career.

It was also the first pole by a British driver at Silverstone since Hamilton last succeeded in 2007.

Defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel was third quickest for Red Bull ahead of his retirement-bound team-mate Australian Mark Webber.

Scotland's Paul Di Resta was fifth fastest in his Force India car, to give the British fans two drivers in the top five, ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso, pressing home his credentials for consideration as Webber's successor at Red Bull.

German Adrian Sutil was seventh in the second Force India ahead of Frenchman Romain Grosjean and his Lotus team-mate Finn Kimi Raikkonen and two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

"It's an incredible feeling," said Hamilton.

"It feels like 2007. The crowd have been great - such a great turnout - that was a lap for them.

"I hope we can do something special in the race. It's phenomenal because I haven't been feeling 100 per cent comfortable in the car."

Vettel could not resist referring to Mercedes' recent 'secret' tyre test, suggesting it has given them some advantages.

But, he added: "We will see what happens tomorrow. It is a long race. I'm honestly very happy today. I don't know if Lewis (Hamilton) found a short cut or he just found something special here - it was a phenomenal lap."

On a warm, dry and overcast afternoon, the Mercedes men set the pace from the start with Hamilton fastest, in Q1, and Massa delivering the drama with a late saving lap in his Ferrari to avoid early elimination.

The drivers removed from the fray were the usual suspects Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams, Mexican Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber, Frenchman Charles Pic and his Caterham team-mate Dutchman Giedo Van Der Garde, who sandwiched Frenchman Jules Bianchi of Marussia. Briton Max Chilton in the second Marussia was down in 22nd.

By mid-session, with Q2 underway, the air temperature was 19 degrees and the track temperature had climbed to 30, a big change from Friday morning's cold and rainswept conditions.

This may have spelt difficulties ahead for some teams given the unknown factor of tyre wear, but nothing seemed to have changed as Rosberg and Hamilton soared to the top of the time-screens before Vettel, on new tyres, topped the lot with a best lap for Red Bull.

Within seconds of the flag falling, Webber threw his Red Bull up to second with others following suit to push Hamilton down to sixth, separated from Rosberg by Sutil and Ricciardo.

Out after Q2 went the 2009 champion Briton Jenson Button of McLaren in 11th ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso, Mexican Sergio Perez in the second McLaren, German Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber and Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in the leading Williams on the weekend of their celebrations for starting 600 Grands Prix, a landmark they reach in Germany next Sunday.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More
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