Sport: 2011

2011年7月2日星期六

Tahs sign Cheetahs half Pretorius

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Posted July 1, 2011 14:35:00

The New South Wales Waratahs have signed highly-regarded Cheetahs scrum half Sarel Pretorius for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

Pretorius has just completed his best season of professional rugby as the top tryscorer in this year's Super Rugby competition, equalling Bjorn Basson (Bulls) on nine tries.

The Waratahs said Pretorius will become the franchise's senior foreign player import and will join their squad following his 2011 Currie Cup commitments for Griquas in South Africa.

Pretorius, 27, will replace former Wallabies scrum half Luke Burgess, who is heading to France to play with the Toulouse club after this year's World Cup in New Zealand.

"This is an exciting opportunity which was just too good to refuse," Pretorius said.

"The Waratahs clearly have a culture of high performance and I'm looking forward to being a part of that.

"I had my best Super Rugby season so far this year, but I'd like to think that I am still improving as a rugby player and I'm looking forward to developing my game further in Sydney."

Pretorius will spark a Waratahs' backline containing Wallabies stars Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner and Ryan Cross next season.

Pretorius was selected for the Emerging Springboks in 2008 and has played in every match for the Cheetahs over the past two seasons with an impressive strike rate of one try every 2.4 matches.

-AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, nsw, sydney-2000, south-africa

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Boomers set to lose Bogut

Superstar centre Andrew Bogut looks certain to miss Australia's upcoming Olympic Games basketball qualifiers because of a NBA lockout-related insurance wrangle.

Basketball Australia is resigned to Bogut missing the September series against New Zealand because of the American NBA wages dispute and an inability to insure the Boomers star for the tournament.

NBA team owners and the players' union have been unable to reach consensus on a new wages agreement, which keeps all players off the court until a resolution is reached.

And that means Milwaukee Bucks star Bogut has no insurance to play anywhere, including the three-game series from September 7 to 11 which will decide whether Australia makes next year's London Olympics.

Basketball Australia boss Larry Sengstock said Bogut would be disappointed to miss the series because he is committed to the national program.

"Bogut has always held his national commitments and the Boomers' program as a high priority throughout his career," Sengstock said.

"It's disappointing for us that we may not have him for the New Zealand series but it also highlights the level of player that he is."

Last season Bogut battled an elbow injury which required late-season surgery, as well as back and wrist problems.

Basketball Australia privately remains hopeful the NBA lockout can be resolved before the series.

That would then free Bogut to take part.

But Boomers head coach Brett Brown is confident other players can fill the gap left by their star centre, should he miss the matches in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

"The NBA lockout has made his insurance issues impossible for Basketball Australia and Andrew to feel comfortable that his contract would be fully insured in the event of injury and, as a group, we understand and support Andrew," Brown said.

"I am however excited to compete against New Zealand with the current group of players that are more than capable of representing Australia from a talent perspective and a spirit perspective that we all expect."

NBA team owners ordered a lockout of players to start on Friday as last-ditch talks failed, setting up a shutdown which threatens the 2011-12 season.

The first NBA work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games will also halt trades, free agent signings and contract talks.

It also prohibits players and clubs from having contact until the issue is resolved.

-AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, australia, united-states

First posted July 1, 2011 15:27:00

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Magnussen triumphs at short course titles

Rising swim star James Magnussen confirmed his status as Australia's fastest freestyler with victory at the national short course championships on Friday night.

Magnussen, dubbed 'The Missile', destroyed his opponents to claim the 100 metres freestyle short course crown in Adelaide.

But the competitive comeback of triple Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett failed to produce instant results at the South Australian Aquatic Centre.

Trickett, in her first meet since her retirement in August 2009, twice finished sixth - in the 50m butterfly and the 100m freestyle finals.

Magnussen, who has clocked the third-fastest 100m long course freestyle time in the world this year, bettered the 47-second barrier in his heat and again the final, which he won in 46.98s.

"It just tells me that I'm on track for worlds," the 20-year-old said.

"Training has been going along really well and I haven't tapered for this.

"So add a little bit of bit freshness to that, and maybe drop out a few of those turns which aren't my biggest strength, I think I'm in good stead."

Renowned sprinter Eamon Sullivan was unperturbed about failing to make the 100m freestyle final - he put his 17th-fastest time in the heats down to being in a block of heavy training.

And heavy training is what Trickett said she needed after her finals.

Trickett clocked 26.72s in the 50m butterfly final, more than one second outside the winning time of 15-year-old Yolane Kukla.

And in the 100m final, Trickett's time of 54.18s was almost a second behind winner Marieke Guehrer.

"What is really exciting is that I have proved to myself again and again, my racing abilities are still there and are very fresh," Trickett said.

"For me I just really need to get fitter, stronger and leaner. It's exciting to recognise that.

"To know that technically, skill wise, racing wise, I have that ability, I just need to get faster.

"I know 100 per cent I will be able to do that in the next 12 months."

Eight-time Olympic medallist Leisel Jones captured the women's 100m breaststroke crown, while four Queenslanders also won titles: Christopher Wright (men's 200m butterfly); Christian Sprenger (men's 50m breaststroke); Mikkayla Sheridan (women's 200m backstroke) and Ellen Fullerton (women's 400m individual medley).

Sydney-sider Robert Hurley won the men's 400m freestyle and Victorian Hayden Stoeckel claimed the 50m backstroke.

- AAP

Tags: sport, swimming, australia, sa, adelaide-5000

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It won't happen overnight: Hird

Essendon coach James Hird is unrattled by the Bombers' sudden run of outs after an impressive start to the year.

The side has lost its past five AFL games and is headed for another defeat on Saturday when it tackles unbeaten Geelong at Docklands stadium.

Hird says he is less concerned about the string of losses and more interested in how the overall improvement of the players is progressing.

He says it will take around three years before the Bombers are likely to be in contention for finals wins.

Essendon rose as high as third on the league ladder with five wins in eight games, before tumbling down the table in recent weeks.

Hird says it was not unexpected that the team buckled when circumstances turned against them, whether through injuries or through players' lack of hunger.

"We're very realistic about where we're at and very realistic when we started about the process and how long it's going to take and where we're trying to get to," Hird said.

"It doesn't happen overnight. We're realistic about it. Some people aren't.

"We were also mindful that there was going to be a point in the year that the players went away or didn't play exactly how we wanted them to play.

"That's human nature - you get on a roll, things are going well, things get tough, you maybe don't do it as well as you wanted.

"We were mindful of that."

While the Cats have a number of high-profile players including Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Stokes and James Kelly returning for the game, Essendon has been hit by injuries.

Captain Jobe Watson and David Myers have hamstring problems and Sam Lonergan is out for the season with a knee injury.

However, Hird said the game is "winnable" and he is excited at the new group of younger players who will have to step up for the match.

"I look forward to a game where our players develop even further," Hird said.

"We obviously want to win the game and we think we're a chance to win the game but we want to improve and get better and this is part of the process."

Hird has persisted with out-of-form ruckman Paddy Ryder and has again dropped Tom Bellchambers.

However, he admits this time Ryder was fortunate to be named.

"Paddy's probably lucky to stay in the team but we want to develop him as a player as well and we think that this is the best way to do it," Hird said.

"Paddy knows that he's got to improve and he's the first to admit that.

"If you looked in the rooms after the game (last week against Hawthorn), the most disappointed player was Paddy Ryder.

"If his training is any indication, then he's in for a big game."

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, vic, essendon-3040

First posted July 1, 2011 13:54:00

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Hodges looking good for Origin III

Queensland continues to play down concerns over the fitness of strike centre Justin Hodges for State of Origin III after he was put on ice following a hamstring scare.

Hodges, who has a bad history with hamstrings, left training on Thursday to have treatment on his left hamstring which felt "tight" early in the team's training session on the Sunshine Coast.

The team's medical and coaching staff have modified Hodges' training program over the weekend to reduce his load but purely as a precautionary measure.

"We took Justin out of the (training) session yesterday because he has some hamstring soreness but he's good this morning," Maroons team doctor Roy Saunders said.

"He's got no pain. He's had a run this morning and basically he's done all we asked him to do today.

"He'll continue to train but obviously there'll be some modifications to his training because we're concerned he has a history of past hamstring problems.

"At this stage, though, everything looks extremely good."

Queensland will go into lockdown from Friday afternoon, with the media denied any access to players or training, as coach Mal Meninga wants them totally focused on Wednesday night's decider with four training sessions planned.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, nsw, sydney-2000

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Pearson makes winning start

Sally Pearson started her European build up to the world championships in style with a 100 metres hurdles victory at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Australian won from Americans Kellie Wells and Danielle Carruthers, who are ranked first and second in the world this year, while Jamaica's Asafa Powell recorded the fastest 100m this year.

Olympic silver medallist Pearson clocked a wind-assisted 12.47 seconds in winning the first of five races in Europe before she heads to Daegu, South Korea for the world championships starting on August 27.

Pearson, 24, said the world-class field had boosted her performance.

"The wind was pretty strong which in the hurdles can be a hindrance as you get too close to the hurdles and it puts your rhythm off, but a win's a win and I'll take it," she said.

"I felt Danielle (Carruthers) all the way ... It was really good having her there, having that competition.

"I didn't get my signature start but that's to be expected having just gotten off the plane from Australia, but I still came out with a really good time."

Meanwhile, Powell sent out a warning to Usain Bolt and his other world title rivals by blasting to the fourth-fastest 100m ever run.

Powell, who had already timed 9.72 seconds on the same track in 2008, clocked a world lead time of 9.78 sec.

Only Powell, Usain Bolt and American Tyson Gay have ever run faster, while Jamaican Nesta Carter has also run 9.78 sec.

Victory for Powell, the former world record holder, was never in doubt in blowy conditions.

The 29-year-old was smoothly out of the blocks and powered ahead of the field, keeping his lead comfortably through to the line.

"The weather wasn't perfect. It was a good race, a bit cold," Powell said.

"I managed to push my way through.

"I had a good time today: anything below 9.8 sec is really good. And it's only the second race of the season, so the future can only get better as the season progresses.

"My goal is to keep training hard and run faster."

Compatriot Michael Frater, who missed out on selection for an individual 100m spot for Jamaica at the world championships, was second with a personal best of 9.88 sec.

French sprinting hope Christophe Lemaitre, the European champion, clawed his way back to third in a national record-equalling 9.95 sec, while Carter and Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure both timed 9.99 sec.

-AAP/AFP

Tags: sport, athletics, australia, jamaica, switzerland

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Mariners to rest Amini for Celtic

Central Coast young gun Mustafa Amini will miss his side's clash with Scottish giants Celtic in an effort to be fit for Australia's upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.

The in-demand Amini, who is reportedly being courted by many European clubs - including Celtic, is feeling the effects of a hectic schedule and will take no part in Saturday's friendly at the Olympic stadium.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold said the 18-year-old is coping with a groin injury he sustained during a busy A-League off-season.

"We're quite upset he can't play because the kid was desperate to play," he said.

"But he's just had such a heavy program over the last year with A-League games, he's been involved in three national team set-ups in the last two months ... the developing Socceroos squad in Germany, under-23s and under-20s.

"Hopefully it's going to be fine (for the U-20 World Cup) but he's got quite a bit of discomfort at the moment and with something in that area, the groin, you don't mess around with it.

"It could end up real bad if you push it too far."

Australia opens its U20 World Cup campaign on July 31 and Arnold, a former coach of the Socceroos and the national Under-23 side, has an idea of the bigger picture.

"For the good of the Australian under-20 team, who have the World Cup soon, it would be stupid for me to play him," he said.

"He hasn't had a break and he just turned 18 ... the whole national team program stuff has been too heavy for him."

On top of national team commitments, Amini trained with German club Borussia Dortmund, whose initial offer of 100,000 euros ($137,000) was too low for the Mariners.

Arnold refused to apportion blame when it came to Amini's ailment.

"He never had a problem with us. It's nobody's fault but the kid just needs a break before he breaks," he said.

"I think it's all down to fatigue and overload, too much football."

The Mariners lost last season's A-League final on penalties to the Roar and the classic is likely to be a major talking point ahead of the season-opening rematch on October 8.

However it is the furthest thing from Arnold's mind.

"Not at all. That's history," he said.

"The team had a fantastic season, they were champions but didn't get the championship - that's how I look at it.

"We've already moved forward, we don't talk about it anymore, we don't even look at it any more."

Celtic will use its three-game tour of Australia to help build cohesiveness ahead of the Scottish Premier League season, which has an earlier start date this year, July 23.

Manager Neil Lennon is also keen to develop a series of youngsters and new recruits.

"James Forrest, he's very exciting. Adam Matthews is a new signing from Cardiff who came here on a free transfer. Young Richie Towell is an Irish kid who has just come through the academy," he said.

"It's important for them to gel with the first-team boys, and interact with them, because they're going to be, hopefully, breaking through and being a part of it."

The visitors will field an understrength side on Saturday, with Greek striker Georgios Samaras, South Korean Ky Sung-Yueng and Swede Daniel Majstorovic set to join the team in Perth on July 5.

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, australia, nsw, gosford-2250

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Baby Broncos survive Eels test

A pair of tries from veteran full-back Luke Burt kept the Eels in the match, but one of Brisbane's best young products provided the telling blow as the 'Baby Broncos' continued Parramatta's slide 16-12 on Friday night.

Burt's double levelled the scores at 12-12 with a quarter of an hour remaining and cancelled out a brace from Broncos winger Dane Gagai before an uncharacteristic mistake from Casey McGuire gifted the young Brisbane side victory.

Boom lock forward Matt Gillett - the Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2010 - charged over the top of former Bronco Maguire and stepped through the hole provided by the missed tackled, galloping 20 metres to score the winner.

That gave the 'Baby Broncos' - missing a stack of key players as they prepare for Origin III in the Queensland camp - a second victory from three attempts in a challenging representative period.

"When you're doing it without six Origin players it makes them (victories) a little bit special," said Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

"They (young players) all like rising to the occasion. Some of them don't get many chances but this is their chance - games like this.

"They've got a spring in their step, they worked hard over the off-season and they were able to tough it out when required."

Griffin will be delighted with not only the finishing prowess of Gagai, barging into veteran winger Chris Walker for his first and racing 95 metres to score his second, but the defensive muscle demonstrated by his young charges.

The hard-bodied Broncos thwarted Parramatta's expansive passing attack in the first half and did not let up until the 57th minute when Burt poked his nose through to score.

Reni Maitua was influential on his Eels debut, returning from a two-year drug ban, and looked to rally the home side with McGuire struggling to provide a spark and Burt chiming in on and off from the back.

Parramatta wrested back the momentum when Burt piled on 12 points in eight minutes but that counted for nothing when a basic tackling error gave Gillett an opportunity to steal the points for his club.

Griffin's side remains in fifth spot on the ladder despite being without six players due to State of Origin commitments.

"We worked really hard in defence - they had us under the pump for a while and the boys just kept turning up," Gillett told ABC Grandstand.

"They definitely did have that momentum - the defence just kept us in the game but that's what we worked on during week.... it really paid off for us tonight."

A closely-fought opening period saw Brisbane take a 6-0 lead at the interval with Gagai breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute.

The young winger capitalised on the back of good work from hooker McCullough, who made a successful return after spending a week on the sidelines due to disciplinary reasons.

The Eels, as so often this season, showed promise in attack, but poor handling and decision-making let them down. The young Brisbane side showed great discipline in defence to deny the hosts twice on on the stroke of half-time.

The Eels' miserable year was handed a further blow early in the second half when exciting young centre Jacob Loko was carried off with a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that will sideline him for the rest of the season.

Despite the loss of Loko the Eels looked threatening, creating a sustained spell of pressure, but Gagai added his second when he raced 95 metres to score after Justin Horo fumbled the ball centimetres from the Brisbane line.

Wallace's conversion increased the lead to 12-0, but the home side, languishing in 13th spot on the ladder, got themselves back into the game with two tries from the club's record Luke Burt.

But once again the Eels were left to rue some poor discipline with the Broncos moving the ball into good field position after a penalty was awarded against Mitchell Allgood.

Gillett received the ball 30 metres from the Eels' line, skipped past a feeble attempt at tackle from McGuire and scampered through to score.

The defeat all but ends Parramatta's finals aspirations, and the boos that rang around the stadium at the sound of the final siren from the frustrated home crowd said it all.

Brisbane: 16 (D Gagai 2, M Gillett tries; P Wallace 2/3 conversions)

Parramatta: 12 (L Burt 2 tries; L Burt 2/2 conversions)

- ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, parramatta-2150, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted July 1, 2011 21:42:00

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Gibbs to play for Scorchers

Perth Scorchers' South African coach Mickey Arthur has signed countryman Herschelle Gibbs as one of the team's two internationals for this summer's revamped Twenty20 competition.

The Perth team's announcement on Friday came a day after the Scorchers lost a bidding war for West Indies master blaster Chris Gayle, who opted against returning to Perth.

Gibbs, 37, is the seventh-leading scorer in T20 history with 2673 runs at an average of 26.20 and a strike-rate of 125.

The opener's tally of 113 matches at domestic and international level makes him the sixth-most experienced player in the game.

The South African demonstrated his hitting power with six sixes in one over in the 2007 one-day World Cup and one of his best innings was an 111-ball 175 against Australia in 2006 in Johannesburg in a one-dayer.

"I have known Herschelle for many years and have seen him destroy some of the best attacks in world cricket," former South African national coach Arthur said.

"I am looking forward to seeing him take to the Big Bash League in a similar manner and I'm sure the Perth Scorchers' fans will really warm to him."

The Scorchers' four other signings on Friday were Western Australian and Australian veteran Mike Hussey, young all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Tom Beaton.

Hussey, 36, was a member of the Chennai Super Kings who won this year's Indian Premier League T20 title.

Perth announced on Thursday it had poached New South Wales Shield captain Simon Katich, a native West Australian, for the new competition.

The eight new city-based sides have salary caps of $1 million per team. Gayle knocked back a $250,000 offer from Perth.

Hurricanes' coach Ali de Winter said on Friday national back-up wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Test spinner Xavier Doherty had signed with the new Hobart team, alongside crowd favourite and Pakistan import Rana Naveed.

The SCG-based Sydney Sixers signed New South Wales state players Steve Smith and Moises Henriques, while Cameron Borgas and Daniel Harris will play for Adelaide Strikers.

Rounding out 14 signings announced on Friday, Chris Lynn and Nick Buchanan will play for Brisbane Heat.

The main contracting window closes on July 22, with teams needing to sign a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 18, including up to two from overseas, in that time.

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, wa

First posted July 1, 2011 18:00:00

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Bulldogs savage lacklustre Demons

Western Bulldogs kept their AFL season alive with a crushing 10-goal win over a pedestrian Melbourne outfit that simply gave up at Docklands on Friday night.

Both sides were looking to put a third consecutive victory on the board in their round 15 contest but Rodney Eade's men were the better side in the 19.13 (127) to 8.15 (63) result.

Melbourne kept it close early on and there was only 10 points in it midway through the second term but from there the Bulldogs kicked 13 of the 17 goals that followed to put the game well out of the Dees' reach.

They all but waved the white flag as the margin blew out and the mercy of the full-time siren approached.

Most encouraging for the Bulldogs was the return to form of Adam Cooney, who has struggled to find his touch this season as he dealt with a persistent knee injury but shone against the Demons.

The 2008 Brownlow medallist showed impressive acceleration in the open field and was relentless in getting hard footy with a raft of contested possessions.

Cooney also kicked a brilliant soccering goal in the first half before finishing with 26 touches, and laid four tackles.

The Bulldogs made the most of forward targets Daniel Giansiracusa and Barry Hall, the pair kicking four and three goals respectively as the home side steamed away.

One of very few bright spots for Melbourne was Ricky Petterd's mark of the year candidate, a soaring screamer that put even West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui's effort last round at the same ground in the shade.

Petterd, Jeremy Howe and Jack Watts each kicked a pair for the Demons, who suffered shaky nights in front from Nathan Jones (0.2) and Liam Jurrah (0.3)

The loss weakens the Demons' already tenuous grip on eighth spot even more shaky and North Melbourne, Essendon and Richmond are all a chance of moving into the top half of the competition this round.

History was against Melbourne coming into the clash - the club had won just one of its previous 15 encounters at Docklands - but Dean Bailey's troops hoped to lift to pay tribute to late Demons star Sean Wight, who died of cancer on Thursday.

Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins, Matthew Boyd and Giansiracusa all saw plenty of ball for the Bulldogs while Ben Hudson was big in the stoppages with 30 hit-outs and Daniel Cross had 10 marks to go with his 24 possessions.

Compounding the agony of the massive defeat for Melbourne, the match review panel may scrutinise a sling tackle that Jack Trengove laid on Bulldogs star Callan Ward which escaped penalty; the Demons midfielder actually earned a free kick for Ward holding the ball.

Bulldogs: 19.13 (127) - D Giansiracusa 4, B Hall 3, C Ward 2, L Dahlhaus 2, R Griffen 2, S Higgins 2, A Cooney, J Grant, L Gilbee, L Picken.

Demons: 8.15 (63) - J Howe 2, J Watts 2, R Petterd 2, C Sylvia, J Trengove.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, footscray-3011, melbourne-3000

First posted July 1, 2011 22:37:00

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Port boss quits troubled club

The chief executive of debt-ridden Port Adelaide has quit a day after detailing a multi-million dollar bailout which ensures the AFL club's survival.

Mark Haysman resigned as chief executive within 24 hours of the AFL-endorsed $9 million rescue plan for the cash-strapped Power.

Port will receive $3m a year until its move of home games to Adelaide Oval in 2014, a switch the club says will guarantee its financial future.

Haysman, who joined the club in October 2008, denies his resignation was a condition of the AFL rescue deal.

But the SANFL, the holder of Port's AFL licence, was known to have moved to replace Haysman in the past month.

"I reckon there is more politics in footy than there is politics," Haysman said.

"That plays out as it does.

"You have just got to keep your head down and focus on what it is you are trying to achieve and that is certainly what I have done.

"What has been out there over the last six to eight weeks hasn't been helpful. Potentially, you could argue it has been destabilising for our football club.

"All of that worked its way into my mind as I made some decisions about what to do with my life and what was next.

"One, the club doesn't need to be in a destabilising environment.

"Two, I don't need that in my life. I have got other things I can do.

"As much as I have loved my time here, it's time to do something different now."

The chartered accountant said he realised when joining the club that drastic change was needed to "put Port Adelaide back together".

"When I got here, I realised there was a big change agenda that was required," he said.

"There was no holding back. That needed to be done.

"I didn't shirk any issues on behalf of this football club ... to make change can be uncomfortable."

Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson said the club will utilise AFL networks in a nationwide search for a new chief executive, to be appointed before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, emerging Port midfielder Hamish Hartlett will play against Brisbane on Sunday knowing his season could end at any moment.

Hartlett dislocated his left shoulder during Port's loss to North Melbourne last week, but has surprisingly been cleared for the Brisbane trip.

Power coach Matthew Primus said Hartlett would be sent for season-ending surgery if the shoulder dislocated again.

"If he has another episode, we'll put him out for the season and get it operated on, so whether that is this game or in another four or five games, time will tell," he said.

- AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sa, adelaide-5000, port-adelaide-5015

First posted July 1, 2011 15:09:00

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Eagles lock away Mackenzie, Schofield

West Coast defenders Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield have extended their contracts by a further two years, tying them to the AFL club until at least the end of 2013.

Schofield has played 12 of 13 possible games this season after taking the field in the last 20 matches in 2010.

The 22-year-old has shown he can play a number of roles in defence and his versatility has proved invaluable to the side.

Mackenzie returned to senior action in last week's shock win over Carlton after missing six games with a foot injury.

The 23-year-old has notched 46 games since making his debut in 2007, developing into the club's second best key defender behind Darren Glass.

The pair join vice-captain Beau Waters, ruckman Dean Cox and Shannon Hurn as others to have re-signed this year.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, wa, perth-6000

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2011年7月1日星期五

Galloway set to debut as Merrin cut

Keith Galloway is set to make his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in Wednesday's series decider after fellow prop Trent Merrin was cut from the Blues squad.

Wests Tigers front rower Galloway is expected to earn a spot on the interchange bench in place of Merrin who played in the first two games of the series.

Merrin was part of an extended 20-man squad selected earlier in the week for the deciding third game against Queensland at Brisbane's Lang Park.

But he was released by Blues coach Ricky Stuart and will now play for his club St George Illawarra in Sunday's NRL match against Newcastle.

Stuart gave no indication as to when he would finalise his final 17-man squad, with some lingering fitness concerns remaining over centre Michael Jennings, five-eighth James Soward and utility Kurt Gidley.

-AAP

Tags: rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, balmain-2041, campbelltown-2560, sydney-2000

First posted July 1, 2011 10:25:00

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Lions stung for cap breach

Brisbane has been fined more than $21,000 for breaching the AFL Player Rules this season.

The AFL found the Lions had breached the Total Player Payment rules through an administrative error.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson says the club had voluntarily disclosed the breach as soon as it was discovered.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

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AFL warns against covering logo

The AFL has warned clubs could face massive fines if players cover up the league logo on their guernseys during their ongoing pay dispute.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said regulations provide for penalties of $5,000 for each player who masked a logo.

However, Demetriou said he believes the action - understood to be one option considered by the players if they felt the need to protest over the pay dispute - is unlikely to go ahead.

"I don't think that's going to happen. I think that's unfortunate coverage," he said.

"The fact is, there are rules in place and if any logos were covered, for every player who covered it, there's a $5,000 per player fine for the clubs.

"I don't think it will come to that. I think that makes good copy but I don't think players genuinely want to see clubs fined.

"As they said the other night, they're playing for their clubs and their supporters, and we respect that."

As the pay dispute rumbles on, Demetriou on Friday announced what he called "the largest sponsorship of any sport in this country" - an extension until 2014 of the deal with major naming rights partner Toyota.

However, he was quick to deny any link between the guaranteed flow of millions of dollars to the players' demand for a bigger slice of the game's revenue.

Demetriou, in fact, labelled as "disingenuous" the players' suggestions that - with the arrival of new clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney - the AFL's offer of a three per cent pay rise represents a pay cut.

Demetriou said the league had offered around $1.1 billion, but the players said the deal would barely keep pace with inflation.

"Our view is pretty clear - we want the players to get their fair share," he said.

"We don't believe philosophically in percentages of revenue, and we haven't changed our view on that."

The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) said more than 80 per cent of the amount offered by the league would be absorbed by maintaining the current benefits for players without any increases in player payments.

"This means there would be insufficient funds for initiatives such as annuities and improved injury compensation for players," the AFLPA said in a statement.

"The AFL Players' Association rejected that offer at the end of May - a decision affirmed by all AFL players in Wednesday's meeting - coming as it did during a time of unprecedented growth in AFL revenue."

Demetriou insists the players would be better off under the AFL's offer rather than be on the end of a pay cut.

"It's disingenuous to say that's a pay cut. It's just not true. I can't understand how that is a pay cut," he said.

"Our offer, regardless of the two expansion teams, is at least eight per cent if the players choose to take that as a total player payment.

"As we've said, the players have got a $1.1 billion package there, which is $300 million more than last time and, in effect, is nearly a 30 per cent increase in gross terms."

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted July 1, 2011 10:19:00

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Scott seizes share of Pennsylvania lead

Australian Adam Scott, playing only his second event with Tiger Woods' caddie Steve Williams on his bag, fired a 4-under par 66 to share the lead at the PGA National in Pennsylvania.

The 30-year-old Aussie, who shared second at the Masters but missed the cut at the US Open two weeks ago in his first event with Williams as his caddie, was level with American Hunter Haas after 18 holes on the Aronimink layout.

Scott began a run of three birdies in four holes at the third with a 20-foot putt and added a 25-footer for birdie at the fourth, then landed his approach six feet from the cup at the six to set up another birdie.

After starting the back nine with a bogey, Scott birdied the par-three 14th and also finished the 18th with a birdie after dropping a sand wedge shot to 15 feet.

"I'm happy with this start," Scott said.

"Anything in the 60s at Aronimink is good.

"They have got very generous fairways, but severe rough, which is a nice balance.

"There are good scores out there, but you have to play well."

Only 28 players in the field of 120 cracked par on the day in a course that played tougher than the US Open at Congressional, where rain softened the course that will return to hosting the National in 2012.

"I think they've got the greens probably where the US Open would have liked them on a Thursday," Scott said.

Williams, a New Zealander who has caddied for Woods in 13 of his 14 major victories, is working with Scott while Woods remains sidelined by left knee and Achilles injuries.

"I have learned some things off Steve, and he obviously knows how to manage his way around the golf course," Scott said.

"He has got a wealth of knowledge. I'm trying to tap as much of that as I can while he's on the bag certainly."

Scott, who played the course in the 1997 US Junior Amateur, seeks his eighth US PGA title, his first since last year's Texas Open.

Haas, who started on the back nine, birdied the 13th through 16th holes to match Scott at the top.

He added a birdie at the third but a bogey at the seventh kept him from finish alone atop the leaderboard.

Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas and Americans Dean Wilson, Joe Ogilvie and Kyle Stanley shared third on 67 with Fiji's Vijay Singh on 68 with nine Americans - Pat Perez, Justin Leonard, Robert Garrigus, Bill Haas, Rickie Fowler, John Merrick, D.A. Points, Troy Matteson and Charlie Howell.

-AFP

Tags: sport, golf, australia, united-states

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Contador cops jeers at Tour opening

Controversial champion Alberto Contador has been given a hostile reception by some of the crowd at the official Tour de France presentation.

Contador is bidding for a fourth yellow jersey but is competing under a cloud of controversy following a positive test for clenbuterol at last year's race.

He has been cleared by the Spanish authorities, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to make a final ruling in August on whether he was to blame for a positive test he blamed on contaminated meat.

Around 7,000 people turned up at the Puy-du-Fou to watch the 22-team presentation two days before the race start.

Contador's Saxo Bank team had been last to stand atop the podium in the centre of the arena, and while around half of the crowd applauded, many others showed their displeasure by whistling and jeering.

Minutes earlier his main rival, Luxemburger Andy Schleck - who has finished runner-up for the past two years - had been applauded.

Schleck's older brother Frank said: "It's not up to the people to decide."

Saxo Bank team owner and manager Bjarne Riis said earlier on Thursday that until CAS deliberates on the case next month, Contador should be treated as innocent until proven guilty.

"Everybody would love to have had a solution a while ago, but it hasn't happened," said Riis, who won the Tour in 1996 only to admit several years ago that he was doping.

"Those are the rules and we have to accept the rules. That's the way the system works and we have to respect it as it is.

"Alberto has been cleared by the system, and he has every right to race. We will continue to support him and that's why he is riding this Tour de France."

-AFP

Tags: sport, cycling, france

First posted July 1, 2011 08:41:00

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NBA locks out players amid pay dispute

The NBA has locked out its players as last-ditch negotiations for a new labour deal collapsed, sending the league into its first work stoppage in 13 years.

Following a three-hour bargaining session between the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, both sides walked away from the table far apart on several financial issues and the players opposed to a new salary cap system.

"It's with some sadness that we're going to recommend this to the (labour relations) committee because a lockout has a very large impact on a lot people, most of whom are not associated with either side," NBA commissioner David Stern said after meeting with the union at a Manhattan hotel.

The lockout, which took effect at 2:01pm AEST, threatens the start of the 2011-12 season in late October and marks the NBA's first work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced by 32 games to 50.

It also marks the second major North American sports league to shut down its operations following the National Football League, which installed a lockout in March that is ongoing.

NBA officials have said 22 of the league's 30 clubs are losing money and that they are seeking contract changes to offset net losses they claim run to some $US300 million.

The current agreement calls for 57 per cent of basketball related income be distributed to the players under a $58 million per team cap system.

The owners have asked for the revenue split of the $4 billion pie to be 50-50, while the players reduced their counter proposal to 54.3 per cent, or $100 million a year of additional revenue to the owners over a five-year term.

The players offered an amended proposal at the meeting but the gulf between the sides was so wide that even union chief Billy Hunter termed it "a baby step."

The NBA did not offer a new proposal of its own.

"We took a baby step, they didn't take any at all," said Hunter, who would not discuss his proposal.

"They started from what we considered an extreme number (initially) and trying to get to where we are, or us get to get to them, is mammoth."

On the rise

The labour dispute comes after a rousing season that saw increases in the league's TV ratings, franchise valuations, website traffic and merchandise sales, and a stirring NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.

"We had a great year in terms of an appreciation of fans for our game, just not a profitable one for our teams," Stern said.

"The goal here is to make our league profitable."

Stern said the average salary for an NBA player would be $5 million a year under the owner's proposal, while the players' plan would increase that number to $7 million by the sixth year for the more than 400 NBA players.

Hunter, accompanied by NBA players Derek Fisher, the union president, Maurice Evans of the Washington Wizards and Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs, said he felt the lockout was inevitable and that he hoped it might spur on serious talks.

"We just haven't been able to find that happy medium," he said.

"They are going to lock us out and now maybe we can really begin to negotiate."

The two sides have met twice a week for most of the past month and Hunter said the talks were much more professional than in 1998 when there was a lot of acrimony.

Stern said discussions were more civil but he remained concerned.

"We're not closer," he said when asked how these negotiations compared to the 1998 ones at this point.

"In fact, it worries me that we're not closer."

The costs of a lockout could be enormous, particularly if an entire season was lost.

The NBA's most valuable franchises, such as the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, could lose more than $200 million according to estimates by Forbes.

Duke University law professor Paul Haagen, a sport law expert, said not to expect a quick NBA labour resolution.

"The sides are many, many millions (of dollars) apart, and it is hard to see where the give is going to come," he said.

"This will likely go through at least the (northern) summer. There is not enough amount of pain right away, but some point will come when people will be losing lots of money."

Hunter held out hope for a compromise.

"Obviously, the clock is now running with regard to whether or not there will be a loss of games," he said.

"So I'm hoping that over the next month or so that there will be sort of a softening on their side and maybe we have to soften our position as well."

- Reuters

Tags: sport, basketball, united-states

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D'Arcy withdraws from short course titles

Nick D'Arcy has withdrawn from the Australian short course swimming championships in Adelaide because of an ongoing court case in New South Wales.

D'Arcy was listed to compete in the 200 metres butterfly today.

But fellow swimmer Simon Cowley is suing him for damages.

D'Arcy pleaded guilty to assaulting Cowley in a Sydney bar in 2008.

Swimming Australia says D'Arcy was also supposed to compete in the 100 metre and 50 metre butterfly events.

Tags: sport, swimming, sa, adelaide-5000

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Blues swoop for Canes discard Nonu

All Black centre Ma'a Nonu has signed a two-year deal with Super Rugby semi-finalists the Blues after being sensationally dumped by the Hurricanes last month.

The 29-year-old has also signed a two-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) which locks him into the All Blacks set-up until the end of 2013 while giving him a "sabbatical" to play in Japan.

"I'm happy that I'm continuing my career in New Zealand and would like to thank the Blues for giving me the opportunity to join them," the 56-Test All Black said.

"I was flattered and grateful to receive offers to play for other teams as well but the Blues was the best option for me and my family and I'm really looking forward to joining them next year."

Nonu, along with Hurricanes skipper Andrew Hore, was given his marching orders by coach Mark Hammett despite playing more than 100 games for the Wellington-based side and being considered a certainty for All Blacks coach Graham Henry's World Cup squad.

Having flagged pursuing a lucrative deal overseas after being stung by the dismissal, Nonu will join the Black Rams in Japan's Top League before returning to New Zealand for next year's Super season.

The deal elevates the explosive inside centre into a select group of New Zealand players, including All Black fly half Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw, who have been given the flexibility to play overseas while honouring their national contracts.

"Ma'a is an outstanding, world-class player who has been committed to New Zealand Rugby for the best part of a decade, and for him to commit further is fantastic news," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said.

"We have said that we will look to be flexible when it comes to re-contracting our leading players and we think giving him the chance to play in Japan is another example of that flexibility."

The Hurricanes notched only five wins in a dismal season to miss the play-offs and finish ninth in the 15-team standings.

The Blues clash with the Reds on Saturday for a place in the title decider.

-Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, new-zealand

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Blues assume underdogs status

Updated July 1, 2011 18:38:00

Blues coach Pat Lam says he is happy for his squad to be the underdogs for Saturday night's Super Rugby semi-final against Queensland at Lang Park.

The Blues meet a Reds outfit heavily favoured to progress to next weekend's season decider, the home side having won the minor premiership and enjoyed the week off in the first stage of the finals.

They will also be playing in front of a predicted sell-out crowd at Lang Park of around 52,000, which will be a Super Rugby record.

While the Reds are favourites with the bookmakers, the All Blacks-laden Blues are not without their chances.

They led the competition during a nine-match unbeaten run and had their opportunities to beat the Reds when they met at Lang Park back in round 13 before going down 37-31 to the hosts.

Nevertheless, Lam is quite content to push the line that the Reds are in the box seat, although he is mindful they faltered when they last won a Super Rugby minor premiership.

The Reds led the overall standings following the regular season in 1999 and hosted the fourth-placed Crusaders in their semi-final at Ballymore, only to fall 28-22 to the eventual champions.

"It's been 12 long years between four beating one and everything is pointing to a Reds' victory," Lam told Grandstand.

"They've had the week off, they're on momentum, sold-out crowd, but that is what is so good about rugby.

"It's on the day, it's the contest. For us we're just so happy to be here and we're going to give it everything we can and we're really looking forward to the challenge."

The fact the two sides have already met this season has given the Blues more than some idea of what to expect from the Reds and they took several lessons away from the defeat.

Improving their start have been given priority, as they let the Reds run out to a 24-0 lead during the first half before playing themselves back into the contest to trail 27-14 at the break.

Lam says his troops will be keeping this firmly in mind on Saturday night.

"You learn more from your losses and obviously the biggest one for us is getting off to a better start than we did," he said.

Big match experience

Saturday night will be the Reds' first play-offs appearance since 2001 and only three of their matchday squad - Radike Samo (Brumbies, 2004), Beau Robinson (Waratahs, 2008) and Guy Shepherdson (Brumbies, 2004) - have previously played in the finals with other provinces.

Lam feels the Blues will not be able to exploit their opponents' lack of finals experience, highlighting that they have played in a series of blockbuster matches during the season such as their thrilling 17-16 win over the Crusaders in May.

"It doesn't matter because at the end of the day finals rugby is about big games and they've played a lot of big games," he said.

"Super Rugby, even when you go the Africa ... there's some massive games there, so they're the experiences you draw from and ultimately when you get to the finals rugby it's about the best teams.

"The four teams left have shown quality right through the season, as far as teamwork goes ,and that's what it is going to come down to."

Meanwhile, Lam has opted to start Lachie Munro ahead of Rene Ranger on the wing.

Ranger, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, had been bracketed with Munro but will not be a fresh reserve, while James King and Sherwin Stowers have also been confirmed to take their place on the bench.

The Blues will be without All Blacks lock Anthony Boric because of a foot injury and his place in the second row has been taken by Chris Lowrey.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

First posted July 1, 2011 18:21:00

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Stuart may gamble on one prop

New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart is contemplating rolling the dice and going into the State of Origin decider with just one specialist prop following the axing of young gun Trent Merrin.

Merrin, who made minimal impact coming off the bench in the opening two games, was culled on Friday from the 20-man Blues squad and will return to play with St George Illawarra on Sunday.

It was assumed his omission would open the door for giant Wests Tigers front rower Keith Galloway to make his New South Wales debut on Wednesday night at Lang Park.

But it is understood Stuart is toying with the idea of going with all-out speed and mobility off the interchange bench, which would see Manly back rower Glenn Stewart get the nod over Galloway.

The ploy worked to great effect in game two, when New South Wales' five-man rotation of back rowers ran the Queensland defence ragged.

Galloway's omission would leave Tim Mannah as the only specialist prop in the Blues' 17 - up against Queensland's high-calibre trio of Matt Scott, Petero Civoniceva and Ben Hannant.

The Blues do of course have game two hero Paul Gallen, who moved from lock to prop in Sydney and proceeded to produce one of the more memorable displays in Origin history.

Back rower Greg Bird said the lack of a specialist props is not an issue as long as players are willing to do whatever is required - admitting even he had a spell in the front row in game two.

"You're out there in the middle of the field running, taking hit-ups - you play it for one game. It's not like you're a front rower," he said.

"Gal's pretty much showed that he can mix it with the specialist props so that doesn't really bother me.

"We're 17 players and if I have to play on the wing or if I have to play at hooker, I'd be quite confident of getting out there and doing a job for my mates, and I think everyone takes that same attitude.

"We haven't really focused on the fact that we might be light on props because we're strong in back rowers so I think that counteracts it."

Supporting the argument that Stuart could go with a bench of Stewart, Luke Lewis and Anthony Watmough, alongside utility Kurt Gidley, is the fact that Merrin played only 12 minutes for three hit-ups in game two.

But pushing the case for Galloway's inclusion is that everything went right for the Blues in Sydney - what would happen if either Gallen or Mannah went down in the first five minutes?

While adamant Galloway has the game to stand up to the rigours of Origin football, Bird said the players have no idea which 17 will take to the field on Wednesday night.

"I think there's a few people still in doubt with injury but it's still working out what sort of game plan we're going to take," he said.

"Sticky (Stuart) likes to keep his cards pretty close to his chest and I'm pretty sure he still doesn't even know who he wants to take in.

"Big Chubsy (Galloway) has been great for the Tigers for a few years now.

"I'm not sure whether him or Glenn Stewart's going to be named in the team. We still haven't been told."

All of New South Wales' injured brigade took some part in Friday's training session, with Jamie Soward (hamstring), Michael Jennings (ankle) and Beau Scott (knee) training freely with the full squad.

Gidley was limited to light running drills away from the main group, with officials confident the back-up hooker will be fit to take his place on the bench.

- AAP

Tags: rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, balmain-2041, campbelltown-2560, sydney-2000

First posted July 1, 2011 16:09:00

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Shooters want bar open for longer

Posted July 1, 2011 11:53:00

The Alice Springs Shooting Complex has applied for an amendment to its liquor licence that would allow alcohol to be sold from 10:00am.

The proposal also includes increasing the number of days alcohol can be served at the complex from three to five days a week.

Club president Wendy Kittle says the change is aimed at addressing increasing shooter numbers and liquor will not be sold at that hour of the morning.

"It is just the hours that we are able to trade within," she said.

"It just opens it up a bit more for us to use the club house as well as the shooting range."

She says the changes aim to cater for an increased demand from organisations that use the complex for functions.

"Whether the bar is open for alcohol sales or not, they don't always use it, but it is just an option," she said.

Tags: beverages, shooting, nt, alice-springs-0870

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Gold Coast United signs classy Dutchman

Cynics might not be surprised that extrovert Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg is speaking double Dutch ahead of the A-League season.

However, United fans can breathe easy - Bleiberg is merely unveiling yet another injection from the Netherlands to his dramatically drained 2011-12 Gold Coast squad.

Days after welcoming Dutch defensive utility Paul Beekmans to the tourist strip, Bleiberg has confirmed the signing of countryman and midfield dynamo Peter Jungschlager for the depleted Gold Coast outfit.

It is a major shot in the arm for perennial A-League finalist United.

The club is still reeling from the off-season departures of ex-skipper Jason Culina, Kiwi marksman Shane Smeltz, Zenon Caravella, Steve Pantelidis, Dino Djulbic, Bas van den Brink and Bruce Djite.

Indeed, speculation was rife about United's future after the mass exodus came amid rumours players were only being offered one-year contracts.

Sanity prevailed after billionaire owner Clive Palmer met A-League boss Lyall Gorman recently - still, Bleiberg was left to pick up the pieces with few senior stars and plenty of untried youth.

However, Bleiberg is quietly confident of launching yet another A-League finals campaign after snaffling up his latest Dutch treat.

The Gold Coast coach claims United signed Jungschlager despite competition from clubs in England, Holland, Germany and Austria.

The 184cm, 27-year-old midfielder - who takes up United's fifth and final visa spot on its roster - is expected to arrive mid-July.

"Peter's pedigree speaks for itself and we are very confident he will prove to be a first-class signing for the club," said Bleiberg.

"Players of his age who are playing first team football in a top European league don't become available very often to A-League clubs, especially when there are other European clubs trying to sign them as well.

"Taking all that into account makes us even more delighted and excited to have finalised this deal."

Jungschlager was lured away from leading Netherlands' outfit De Graafschap, where he made 79 appearances - 31 of those last season in the Eredivisie (top division).

A product of the famous ADO Den Haag youth academy, Jungschlager was voted the most underrated Eredivisie player by leading Dutch football magazine Voetbal International and reportedly attracted interest in April from English Championship side Coventry City.

"Peter was not a fringe player at De Graafschap. He only missed three matches for them last season and that alone says a lot about his quality," Bleiberg said.

"He can play in a number of midfield roles so he brings plenty of flexibility to the squad."

United has signed 20 out of the permitted 23 for the senior roster for 2011-12.

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, australia, qld, robina-4226

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