Crabtree ready to face Australia

Giant forward Eorl Crabtree is hoping to get the chance to "rip in" against Australia this weekend after being surprisingly dropped for England's Four Nations opener.

The 6ft 7in Huddersfield prop played in England's warm-up match against New Zealand Maori 10 days ago but made way for the return of Wigan's Stuart Fielden in last Saturday's 24-10 defeat by the Kiwis in Wellington, where he acted as a water carrier.

"I won't lie, I was devastated," he said. "I was frustrated and unhappy at the whole situation of not playing but at the same time I respected Macca's decision. I'm a team player, I get my head down, crack on and work hard and hopefully push for a place next week."

After attending a media session at the team's Melbourne city centre hotel, the 28-year-old Crabtree went rock climbing with the rest of the England squad today while coach Steve McNamara kept his selection plans under wraps for Sunday's must-win clash with the Kangaroos at AAMI Stadium.

"I haven't got a clue if I'm playing," he said. "I thought I had a good opportunity last week, especially with Moz (Adrian Morley) dropping out.

"I thought I might have had a place on the bench but it wasn't to be. I'm keeping myself fit and doing the right things and looking after the boys as well, getting water to them and things like that. I'll be prepared for the game and, if selected, I'll rip in."

England face a tough test against the holders, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday after opening their Four Nations campaign with a 42-0 win over Papua New Guinea on Sunday.

McNamara's men are being given little chance by the bookmakers but Crabtree believes there were enough positives from their opening defeat to give them confidence going into Sunday's do-or-die battle.

"It's more about attitudes," he said. "There is confidence in the camp, especially after last week.

"I know we started pretty poorly but we did get better and we took confidence out of the fact that we can score points. It was just a few little lapses that cost us."

Source http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hGac6u0t01EOqkg3yyLNdWHTC-mw?docId=N0094631288073358831A

Double injury blow for Australia

Australia have suffered a double injury blow ahead of Saturday's first International Rules Test against Ireland.

David Wojcinski and Travis Varcoe both picked up injuries during Wednesday's warm-up game against a Cork colleges selection.

Wojcinkski injured his right ankle, while Varcoe damaged a shoulder in the 105-12 win over the students at Pairc Ui Rinn.

Both are expected to miss the game as they undergo treatment in an effort to be ready for the final Test at Croke Park on October 30.

Source http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h_IGasWaZj1YG1D982s591lDWuhg?docId=N0036001287739469642A

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will find it difficult to resist entering a bidding war for Wayne Rooney - despite his foot soldiers trying to play down a move for the Manchester United star.

Rooney heading for the Old Trafford exit after falling out with boss Sir Alex Ferguson and indicating he will not sign a new contract unless his salary is doubled.

Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of the England international but sidestepped the issue by saying Ferguson would talk his wayward talisman around, while director general Jorge Valdano has ruled out a January move.

On the move: Wayne Rooney has rocked Manchester United by stating his desire to leave the club

The Spanish giants would prefer to wait till next summer, when the 24-year-old would have just 12 months left on his contract and could threaten to buy out his contract for as little as £5million.

But Perez, recently described as being obsessed with Rooney, will not willingly pass up the chance to sign him should Manchester City make an approach this winter.

The 63-year-old businessman created the Galactico era at the Bernabeu and Rooney fits the bill as player who is both supremely talented and commercial gold dust.

Galactico: Real Madrid are known admirers of the England striker

In the summer, when Rooney seemed beyond everyone’s reach, Perez insisted his club had very good players in the same position.

But it is no secret that Mourinho feels short of attacking options - regardless of what the Portuguese says in public - with only the unconvincing Karim Benzema as a direct alternative to Gonzalo Higuain.

Madrid are also considering Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente, who starred in place of Fernando Torres for Spain earlier this month, but the 25-year-old does not have the wow factor of Rooney.

Perez also remembers well the expanding commercial base he achieved by signing David Beckham, Michael Owen, Steve McManaman and even Jonathan Woodgate from England.

Nonetheless, such has been Rooney’s fall from grace that Madrid fans would prefer the club to plump for Llorente, who has scored eight goals in 12 games for club and country since the World Cup. A poll of more than 15,000 visitors to the Marca website shows more than twice as many (69 per cent) in favour of signing Llorente.

Cristiano Ronaldo would welcome his former Old Trafford team-mate to La Liga, but admitted last year that he didn’t see Rooney leaving home.

Hardly head over heels: Karim Benzema has failed to live up to the £35m paid by Real Madrid last summer

‘We still talk on the phone from time to time, but we don’t talk about him coming to Real,’ said Ronaldo in November. ‘I think it’s better that he stays at United. Rooney is an Englishman and he likes Manchester. The city and the club suit him.’

Moving to Spain may give Rooney false hope of escaping the media focus on his private life, but it is understood that he would prefer to stay in England.

United fans will wince, but Manchester City are the club in prime position to prise him from Ferguson.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1321782/Real-Madrid-president-Florentino-Perez-obsessed-Wayne-Rooney.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

I'm still the man for the job

Australian captain Ricky Ponting remains defiant in the face of the team's worst Test match losing streak in 22 years, saying he's still the man for the job.

Speaking in Sydney after his arrival home from India, where the Australians lost the Test series 2-0, Ponting brushed aside calls for him to step down as captain.

When asked if he still feels he's the person to lead the side Ponting was unwavering.

"Absolutely," he said "I've got no doubt about that all. "It was disappointing over there (India) ... but that's the game of cricket.

"I'm still learning about my own game and my captaincy and if the other players can learn a bit from that trip then it should hold us in good stead for the summer.

"I'm trying to do my best as captain to help some of these guys through some difficult times.

"That's all I can continue to do.

"I give my absolute best as always, ever since I've been the Australian captain, to be the best leader I can be and be the best player I can be and if I get criticised for that along the way then I can't do anything about that." One of his critics has been former Test spinner Shane Warne who used social networking site Twitter to question Ponting's captaincy during the second Test. "I told him (Warne) I was a bit disappointed and that what he had to say was very unfair," Ponting said. "Warnie has a lot of followers (on Twitter) following what he has to say and probably some of those followers now might start believing what he's had to say, so that's disappointing.

"It's one person's opinion on one little aspect of one little part of the two Test matches that we've played.

"It's done and dusted now, we've got to move on and start preparing for the Ashes."

With less than a month before the first Test at the Gabba Ponting feels selections may be more open than usual with domestic players possibly getting a chance to shine in light of the Test team's form slump.

"It's very rare that we lose three games in a row so I'm sure the selectors will have a few things that they're thinking about over the next few weeks.

"With the Shield season already underway there have been some great standout performances already.

Source http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/im-still-the-man-for-the-job-20101014-16lqr.html

Aussies to meet NZ for sevens gold

Australia will meet New Zealand in the sevens gold medal match at the Delhi Commonwealth Games after beating South Africa 17-7 in their semi-final.

Wallabies winger Lachie Turner, Liam Gill and James Stannard scored the tries for the Australians, while Stannard added one conversion.

It will be Australia's first appearance in a gold medal play-off, while its trans-Tasman rival will be playing for its fourth title after easily dispensing of England 33-12 in the first semi-final.

South Africa was looking to avenge its 19-14 defeat to Australia in the final of the London leg of the IRB World Series last May.

It started brightly when it forced a scrum feed in its favour after Australia could not release the ball from a maul and from the following passages of play, Ryno Benjamin was able to score the first try, which was converted by Cecil Afrika.

However Australia was able to secure vital field position after the kick-off and once camped inside South Africa's half, it was able to reply via Turner close to the right corner.

The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but a late try to Gill when South Africa lacked numbers down the left pushed Australia ahead and it led 10-7 at half-time.

Australia's defensive pressure began to tell in the second term and having forced an early turnover, it moved its way deep inside the South African half.

Stannard was able to take advantage of this and he scored Australia's third try, which he duly converted to set up the 10-point winning margin.

Kiwis through

Earlier, England failed to extract revenge for its defeat to New Zealand in the 2006 gold medal match in Melbourne.

New Zealand enjoyed the better of possession and territory in the first half, opening the scoring in the fourth minute when DJ Forbes was sent through following some neat lead-up work from Lote Raikabula.

The conversion was successful before Forbes got over the stripe again just prior to half-time, having collected the ball at the base of a mini ruck only metres out from England's line.

The 12-0 half-time lead was built upon early in the second stanza, New Zealand being gifted valuable field position following an England forward pass and from the ensuring scrum, Tomasi Cama was able to score his side's third try, which was converted.

England finally found a reply through an attacking movement close to the right flank with Isoa Damudamu touching down, however it failed to stem New Zealand's momentum and the sevens powerhouse subsequently posted tries through Raikabula and Cama.

Dan Caprice score a consolation try for the English after the full-time siren, his effort simply serving to cut back New Zealand's winning margin.

Source http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/12/3036608.htm?site=sport&section=rugbyunion

Disgraced Australian weightlifter raises question of sportsmanship

The disqualification of a wrestler after losing his gold medal bout has overshadowed Australia's relentless quest to dominate the medal tally at the Commonwealth Games today.

At a meeting with Australian team officials, Hassene Fkiri has narrowly escaped being sent home in disgrace and has been sanctioned instead.

It's raised the issue of what makes a sporting champion - a medal or good sportsmanship?

John Taylor reports from Delhi.

JOHN TAYLOR: It's been Australia's most controversial event at these Commonwealth Games, 36-year-old wrestler Hassene Fkiri was in the gold medal match, only to be fouled out in a bitter contest.

But then he refused to shake hands with his Indian competitor and gave a rude gesture to officials, and the silver turned to nothing. He was disqualified from competition.

Australia's Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti says Fkiri came close to being expelled from Delhi.

STEVE MONEGHETTI: It was well within our rights to instantly dismiss him from the team and send him home.

JOHN TAYLOR: Australian team officials met into the early hours of the morning discussing what action they should take against Hassene Fkiri. His past good record saved him.

STEVE MONEGHETTI: Lets be totally clear here - he's a very experienced sportsman, he's been to the Olympic Games and he's 36 years of age, and this was completely out of character - he has shown absolutely no indication of this type of behaviour before and he said that, his coach, our section manager and a couple of other people have agreed that this was totally out of character for Hassene.

JOHN TAYLOR: Mahabir Parsad is the coach of the Indian gold medal winner Anil Kumar. He says Fkiri was caught up in the emotion of the match.

ANIL KUMAR: And he, lose his temper. And temper lose very much so he did that, it happen in sports because you are hoping for a gold and when gold going from you out, then he can be misbehave.

JOHN TAYLOR: But Steve Moneghetti says Hassene Fkiri will be sanctioned.

Today the wrestler will apologise to Games wrestling officials. He will stay at the village where he will help out other athletes. And then when he returns to Australia, once a week for a year he will help tutor young wrestlers in an inner-city Sydney gym.

STEVE MONEGHETTI: Let's be clear on this it would have been easy to send him home. Now in my mind, that wouldn't have given him the opportunity to be a player fulfilling role in this team. In the way we've acted gives him the opportunity to prove that this was completely out of character and he can take steps to regain the confidence of the other Australian Commonwealth Game team members.

JOHN TAYLOR: Australia's Chef de Mission is a well credentialled athlete, having competed at four Olympics and four Commonwealth Games. For Steve Mongetti, the rude gesture is not the worst part of Fkiri's behaviour.

STEVE MONEGHETTI: The most disappointing facet of this whole event was the fact that he wouldn't shake hands with the opposition, because that's, you know, you play hard, Australians are, we play hard, but we play once, once the match is decided we accept the results and we play fair.

JOHN TAYLOR: He believes if there's an upside to last night's events, it's that it's reinforced what makes sport, important.

STEVE MONEGHETTI: Participating in sport is far more than winning and losing in competition, it is being, participating in a fair and equitable way.

MARK COLVIN: Australia's team boss Steve Monaghetti ending that report by John Taylor in New Delhi.

Source http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s3031299.htm

Ishant Sharma puts spell on Australian bats

Michael Clarke was not out this time but Ishant Sharma had the Australian vice-captain caught behind soon after. .

AUSTRALIA may have squandered its advantage in a drama-packed morning at Mohali.

The visitors have slipped to 3-100, a lead of 123 at lunch on the fourth day.

Ricky Ponting's side lost 3-12 in three overs thanks to a wonderful and extraordinary spell of bowling by Ishant Sharma.

The tall Indian has struggled with injury and battled to find his rhythm in the match, but got it all together in his second spell of the morning.

Shane Watson had raced to 56 from 59 balls but became Sharma's first victim when he bottom edged a pull shot onto his stumps with the score on 87.

Four balls later Ricky Ponting was gone. The captain has been working on the pull shot in the lead up to the match but was brought undone again by a former strength that is fast becoming his weakness.

He appeared to decide on the stroke late and scooped it straight to Suresh Raina at backward square. Ponting scored just four runs from his four balls.

Sharma then had Michael Clarke caught from the next ball, caught close to the wicket.

The Australian vice captain headed off, the Indians celebrated and then everybody stopped.

Billy Bowden had called for a review (there is no player review in the series because India objects). The umpire wanted to check if it was a no ball. It was.

It was the 14th time the bowler had overstepped the mark in the match.

Clarke did not, however, make the most of his reprieve and was caught behind two overs later attempting to get out of the way of a short ball from Sharma.

It was an extraordinary effort by the bowler to summon life from the flat deck and he headed to lunch with the figures of 3-25 and the knowledge he may have turned the game back in India's favour.

A bewildered Simon Katich is undefeated on 24 and Michael Hussey is yet to get off the mark.

Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/ishant-sharma-puts-spell-on-australian-bats/story-e6frg7rx-1225933975223