History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

VAN MARWIJK NAMED AS NEW DUTCH COACH

Bert Van Marwijk has been officially named as Marco Van Basten's successor as the Dutch national team manager. Van Basten, the 1992 Fifa World Player of the Year, is due to step down as Netherlands coach after the summer's European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, when he will take over the reins at his former club Ajax Amsterdam.
Van Marwijk, currently manager of Feyenoord, has been handed a two-year contract, taking him up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The thrilled 55-year-old said: "It is an honour to represent your country, to work with the best players the Netherlands has to offer and to try to gain qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Until July 1, I am under contract of Feyenoord, and will therefore have nothing to do with the Dutch national team. I will not stand in the way of Marco Van Basten.

"The KNVB (the Dutch football association ) will have its reasons for appointing me. It remains to be seen whether I am such a good team manager."

On his style of management, he continued: "I like to win, but do not think in terms of 'prizes'. I have my own way of working and stay calm while I am doing it. The Dutch assignment is quite a responsibility. I do not have the illusion of getting away without scares in this job."

Director of the KNVB Henk Kesler was very proud to announce Van Marwijk as the next man in charge. He said: "The KNVB are very happy with Van Marwijk. He is a Dutch trainer with broad experience, whose teams always generate a positive feeling. Bert is always very clear.

"After pursuing Guus Hiddink, who is so special we had to ask him for the job, Van Marwijk was the very first manager we asked. He was just our first choice."

Former Dutch international Frank de Boer will become Van Marwijk's main assistant coach. Van Marwijk said of the ex-Barcelona defender: "The definite sheet of responsibilities is not yet 100 per cent clear, but one thing is certain: Frank will be at my right hand."

Phillip Cocu, another former international, and Van Marwijk's life-long assistant coach Dick Voorn, along with goalkeeping trainer Ruud Hesp and physiologist Luc Van Agt will complete the national set up.

Labels: Dutch football, football, Marco Van Basten

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:32 pm | Permalink | Comments

HEALY - I CAN SAVE FULHAM

Fulham striker David Healy believes he can save Fulham from relegation - given the chance.

is positive that, were he given the chance by club manager Roy Hodgson, his goal-scoring - witnessed regularly at international level - would drag Fulham from the jaws of Premier League relegation.

Going into Saturday's crucial Premier League showdown at Derby County, Hodgson's side, with seven games remaining, sit in 18th place having won 23 points from a possible 93. And the last time Healy started for Hodgson's team - back in January - was the last time he scored for the club.

The 29-year-old also netted at both ends in Wednesday's 4-1 international friendly win over Georgia, having been handed a special award by Uefa President Michel Platini for scoring a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

He said: "It was nice to score against Georgia - I hadn't scored in a while, so it was good. It's disappointing not playing for your club, but I understand.

"There are enough games left for me to play in, the decision is in the manager's hands. I have just got to be fit and patient and hope my chance comes. If I am given the opportunities for Fulham hopefully I can score the goals to keep us up."

Though rarely selected by the former Finland coach, Healy has turned down a number of loan moves in the last month so that he can concentrate on securing Fulham's Premier League survival.

"There was talk of a possible loan deal taking place a couple of week ago, but both Roy and I said no," continued Healy. "I wanted to stay at Fulham and fight for the club.

"I don't want to play anywhere else - I want to be part of this; I want to be here. It's a great club with great facilities. Hopefully I can stay here and help the team stay up."
Last season while at Championship Leeds United Healy captained a side who were relegated - and he doesn't want to feel that sinking feeling again.

"My lowest moment in football was probably last year when Leeds were relegated," said Healy. "It was a huge disappointment.

"The game against Derby is a huge, must-win match."

Labels: David Healy, Fulham, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:48 pm | Permalink | Comments

HODGSON ON 'WORST' PREPARATION AND LITMANEN

Fulham face bottom-of-the-table Derby on Saturday in search of their first away win for over 16 months, but manager Roy Hodgson admits they will have the worst possible preparation after 15 players were involved in midweek international friendlies.

Hodgson, who has managed three international sides - Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and, most recently, Finland - admits he will have only one morning training session with his full squad before they travel.

He said: "I’m upset and a little sad that 13 out of our 15 players who left on Sunday have played 90 minutes.

"I have been a national team manager myself. But when when you take into account they are friendly matches, with respect, a relegation battle between Fulham and Derby is more important than playing Liechtenstein away.

"I was hoping that in certain circumstances, when games were clearly won, one or two of our players would have been high on the list of players to take off because of our situation.

"Six or seven didn’t even get back in time for Thursday afternoon’s training session. So our preparation for this weekend’s game is the worst it’s been since I came to the club. We only have Friday morning to work with the team before we get on the coach to Derby."

If the former Inter Milan manager's side do win for the first time on the road since September 2006, they could condemn Derby to relegation. But Hodgson is being more pragmatic.

He continued: "I don’t subscribe to the theory that because Derby are bottom of the table, we will easily win the game. They are a few points behind us, but we are both in a very difficult situation. They don’t seem to be playing like a team who are down.

"We have only 23 points, and we need a lot more than that to stand a chance of staying up. To get the right result we have to train properly and prepare properly."

Finnish international Jari Litmanen, 37, who netted a penalty on Wednesday in his country's 2-1 defeat by Bulgaria, is unlikely to feature for Fulham.

Hodgson was clearly disgruntled that he had featured for his country, having trained only a handful of times for Fulham.

The manager added: "I wouldn't pitch Litmanen into battle, even though he scored, because at the moment I have 24 guys training hard every week, and Jari hasn't completed more than 10 per cent of the training sessions we have done since I have been at the club.

"He has not played one game in a Fulham shirt, yet he has completed two matches for Finland.

"So until such time I can be convinced that he can get out there training every day, I will just have to accept that I am unlucky enough that when the Finland team come round he manages to find the wherewithal to play. But he hasn't done it yet in the two-and-a-half months I have been at the club."

Labels: Derby County, Fulham, Jari Litmanan, Premier League, Roy Hodgson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:39 pm | Permalink | Comments

SAINTS GO MARCHING ON

Twenty miles and over 130 years away from the moment an impudent boy at Rugby School chose to run with a pig’s bladder rather than boot it, like one was supposed to, Northampton Saints marched to promotion from National League One with a 18-8 victory over second-placed Exeter Chiefs at a packed Franklins Gardens on Saturday, espousing William Webb Ellis’ flair for creativity.

Regardless of whether or not it was indeed Ellis who invented the game of rugby, he would have revelled in the fluidity between backs and forwards which has proved the hallmark of former Sale Sharks full back Jim Mallinder’s team this unbeaten season.

All 26 games hitherto have ended in a Saints win, and with the talent of former All Blacks Carlos Spencer at fly half and captain and full back Bruce Reihana, it is little surprise that they have bounced straight back up to the Guinness Premiership.

Against the Chiefs a National League One record 13,498 watched hooker and man-of-the-match Dylan Hartley twice and winger Paul Diggin once cross the whitewash to cap crisp attacking moves which seamlessly linked backs and forwards. The mercurial Spencer was the heartbeat of Saints’ creativity, and his team oozed with a confidence that had been absent last season when they slumped to relegation.

To their credit, Spencer, Reihana, and veteran prop Tom Smith valiantly chose to stick by the club this season – unlike England internationals Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson – and Northampton’s youngsters have reaped the rewards of playing alongside such fine technicians.

Delighted chairman Keith Barwell, with choruses of ‘When the Saints go marching in’ ringing in his ears, said: “Everyone at the club is desperate to win some silverware and get back in the Premiership. Last year was a humiliating experience when we were relegated. We want to lose the tag of underachievers and put some pride back into our supporters.”

Barwell’s next task will be to secure the services of the top players who penned only season-long contracts in case immediate promotion was not attained. Though Spencer and co are expected to sign on the dotted line, Barwell will have to spend heavily in the close season if the Saints are continue their attacking rugby adventure in the Guinness Premiership.

The £3m awarded to the top-placed side will indubitably help, but Mallinder knows that if they are to build on this season, which could end in a double if they defeat Exeter at Twickenham in the EDF Trophy final in less than a fortnight, they must invest.

The former PE teacher said: “It takes time to develop a team. We have the nucleus of a really good team here. I am really delighted that all the players have stuck with the club when we came down to the first division. Hopefully we can build on this team; we can recruit high quality and we can challenge. We are trying to cultivate a winning culture.

“Our task is now to continue our momentum. We have gone unbeaten up to now and we don’t want any slacking off, and we want a good win at Twickenham. We have bought some good players for next season. I know the players fairly well and I think they will fit into the culture and understand what we are trying to achieve here.
“Recruitment is an on-going process. We need to keep looking and adding some quality players because the Premiership is tough. We don’t want to be fighting for relegation in a year’s time. We want to be challenging.

“I think the fans have been outstanding this season. Hopefully we can repay them with a little bit of success with the Cup final and in the Premiership next season. But for the moment we are just enjoying our promotion.”

For now the Saints go marching on, and who would bet against them winning at Twickenham? But next year will be the true litmus test for Mallinder and his charges.

Labels: National League One, Northampton Saints, rugby union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:03 pm | Permalink | Comments

CATS HOLD ON FOR QUINS WIN

Les Catalan Dragons continued their fantastic start to the Super League season, coming from 18-6 behind at half time to beat Harlequins 24-22 at the Stoop.

After beating St Helens last week Dragons continued their march up the Super League while Quins racked up their second consecutive defeat.

Quins’ winger David Howell scored a hat-trick, but his team missed four goals and with French kicker Thomas Bosc knocking over all four of his efforts, that proved the difference.

First half tries from Henry Paul, Matt Gafa and two from Australian summer-signing Howell took the home side to 18-6 at the interval.

Aaron Gorrell went over for the visitors five minutes shy of the hooter to start the comeback.

Dimitri Pelo and Dane Carlow bullied their way over the Quins’ line early in the second half to take the score to 18-all.

Howell then powered over for his third but Gregory Mounis made the most of Quins’ indiscipline, crossing the whitewash with 13 minutes remaining.

After Quins had two tries disallowed the French team held on for another impressive win.

Labels: Harlequins Rugby League, Les Catalan Dragons, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:04 pm | Permalink | Comments

RUGBY TEAM NEWS

Guinness Premiership

Saturday March 22

Bath v London Irish, 2.15pm

Skipper STEVE BORTHWICK returns from Six Nations duty to the Bath second row as his team play host to London Irish in the Guinness Premiership. England team-mates Michael Lipman (flanker), Lee Mears (hooker) and Matt Stevens (prop) also feature for the third-placed team who lost to Harlequins last weekend.

Former Bath star MIKE CATT, 36, has fully recovered from his nose injury and will line up at inside centre for eighth-placed London Irish against his old club at the Recreational Ground. Paul Hodgson returns from the England fold to start at No9 and Samoan international Seilala Mapusua moves to outside centre while Topsy Ojo switches to full back and Tomas De Vedia comes in on the right wing.

Sunday March 23

Bristol v Harlequins, 3pm

Bristol, in search of their third consecutive victory, welcome back New Zealand centre NEIL BREW against Harlequins. Brew is back in action after two months out with a knee injury while David Lemi replaces Anthony Elliott who is on England Sevens duty. In the pack Alex Clarke returns at loose head prop, and lock Nathan Budgett and open side flanker Andrew Blowers are given the nod.

Welsh international HAL LUSCOMBE is one of two changes to the Quins side that defeated Bath at the last Sunday. Alongside Luscombe, who moves to outside centre, Ollie Kohn replaces James Percival and joins George Robson in a new-look second row.

EDF Energy Cup semi-finals

Saturday March 22

Leicester v Wasps, 2.30pm

Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda welcomes back England internationals BEN KAY (lock) Tom Croft (back row) and George Chuter (hooker), who all take their place in the Tigers’ starting XV in the EDF Energy semi final against London Wasps at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni also returns while No9 Harry Ellis starts his third successive match after a 10-month absence.

Wasps select England wunderkind DANNY CIPRIANI at No10 in place of Dave Walder and winger Paul Sackey and Irish scrum-half Eoin Reddan also return in the backs. Red Rose skipper Phil Vickery (prop) leads the pack with Simon Shaw (lock) and James Haskell (back row) also back from England duty.

Ospreys v Saracens, 5.15pm

Buoyed by his Six Nations grand slam success, Wales and Ospreys captain RYAN JONES (back row) leads a powerful side that includes ten international team-mates in the starting XV to face Saracens. Wales’ top try scorer, winger Shane Williams, Lee Byrne (fly back), Gavin Henson (centre), James Hook (fly half), and Mike Phillips (scrum half) make up a strong back line.

Alan Gaffney’s Saracens, who topped their EDF Energy Cup group, go in search of their first silverware in a decade with No9 NEIL DE KOCK skippering a side that includes Andy Farrell at inside centre and Brent Russell at full back. The game is a dress rehearsal for Saracens’ first-ever Heineken Cup Quarter Final on April 6 against the Ospreys.

Labels: EDF Energy Cup, Guinness Premiership, rugby union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:22 pm | Permalink | Comments

PREVIEW OF BEIJING OLYMPICS (AFRICAN FOCUS)

BEIJING 2008

The 39th modern Olympiad in Beijing, from August 8th to 24th, is expected to be "the best in Olympic history" according to former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch - and African athletes will be there aiming to emulate the Olympic motto - Citius, Altius, Fortius (swifter, higher, stronger).

Considering the amount of money and manpower China has poured into staging its first global sports event, it should indeed be a breathtaking spectacle and the numbers alone are staggering.

More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries will take part in the 302 events across 28 sports (one more event than in Athens 2004); 31 venues will be used, including the 80,000 capacity national stadium known as the 'Bird's Nest'; and over four billion people are expected to tune in to the Games on global TV, with over 20,000 journalists covering the event on the ground.

One of the biggest events is always the 100 metres and, with American reigning champion Justin Gatlin banned, this year there will be a new gold medallist. The race looks set to pit current world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica against America's Tyson Gay, who convincingly defeated his Caribbean rival at last year's World Championships in Osaka. Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba will be Africa's best chance of a medal in the sprint, and after winning the World Indoor 60 metres title in Valencia in March, he will be confident he can challenge.

Gay, who turns 26 the day after the opening ceremony, is the current IAAF male World Athlete of the Year and also expected to challenge for the 200 metres gold, having completed the sprint double in Osaka. Also in the mix will be fellow Americans Xavier Carter, 23, who has run the third quickest 200 metres in history (19.63 to Gay's 19.62), and reigning champion Shawn Crawford.

In the 4 x 100 metres, America and Jamaica will be strong challengers for reigning gold medallists Great Britain, led by Marlon Devonish. Nigeria are Africa's brightest hope, having gained bronze in 2004.

The 1,500 metres will also be one of the highlights of the Games. In Athens, Moroccan star Hicham El Guerrouj won gold in both the 1,500 and 5,000 metres, underlining his superiority over middle distances. With El Guerrouj having retired in 2006, silver medallist Bernard Lagat should be the man to beat at both distances. Kenyan-born Lagat, who took American citizenship in 2005, won gold at both 1,500 and 5,000 metres in Osaka and will have plenty of younger rivals to ward off.

AFRICAN HOPEFULS

In Greece, America topped the medal table, with 35 golds, 39 silvers and 29 bronzes. China were a distant second (32, 17, 14) but are expected to challenge the USA more closely on home turf. Russia (27, 27, 38), Australia (27, 16, 16) and Japan (16, 9, 12) followed, while the first African nation in the table was Ethiopia who were ranked 28th after collecting two gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Kenya were 11 places below (one, four and two) while Nigeria, with two bronze medals, ended in 69th in the table.

This year there are a number of African athletes who are looking to halt the American and Chinese duopoly. Make a note of the following three runners expected to be among those on the podium in Beijing.

1 Olusoji Fasuba - Nigeria (100 metres)

Nigerian sprinter Olusoji Fasuba will be 24 when Beijing opens its doors to the Olympic world and a medal in a tough field which includes Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay would cap an excellent year. Fasuba ran 10.07 seconds at the World Championship in Osaka last year, but he just missed out on a medal. In March, despite succumbing to cramp midway through, he won the 60 metres in a blistering 6.51 seconds, burning off Great Britain's Dwain Chambers.

The sprinter, who lives and trains in Athens, said of that indoor victory: "At about 40 metres I had the lead, but I got some cramps so I knew I had to fight more. I think I kind of missed a step at about half way and got a little cramp, but said, 'No, this medal is yours, you've got to push. And it's not going to leave you anymore'."

After winning the African 100 metres in 2004 and 2006, as well as holding the current African record (9.85 seconds), Fasuba, who won bronze in the 4 x 100 metres in Athens, hopes that his success in Spain will lead to greater achievements.

He added: "Being a world champion has always been my dream. I finally got it this year. I just need to find the rhythm for Beijing, but I believe that it's very close. I've got to change my gear and get ready for the 100m."

2 Meseret Defar - Ethiopia (5,000 metres)

Following a superb 2007, in which she broke four world records, Meseret Defar was named as IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year, pipping Croatian Blanka Vlasic and Swedish heptathlete Carolina Klüft to the title. The 24-year-old broke the 3,000 metres world record in Stuttgart last February, recording a time of 8.23.72 before breaking the two mile record two months later in a time of 9.10.47.

She also won the 5,000 metres at Osaka last year, as well as gold in the 3,000 in Valencia last month.

The Ethiopian is in the form of her life as she prepares to defend the 5,000 metres title she won four years ago. But Defar would like her success on the track to transcend athletics.

In an emotional speech, upon receipt of the IAAF award, she said: "I would like to dedicate this award to women in my country who wake up every morning without anything to eat and work hard each day through very difficult conditions in order to survive. I hope this award proves an inspiration to every child, sister, mother and dreamer."

On the Olympics, she said: "Naturally I want to run very fast in Beijing and will train hard for that - Beijing is the big one this year."

3 Abubaker Kaki Khamis - Sudan (800 metres)

Abubaker Kaki Khamis is still only 19 but is sure to soon become a household name, such has been his rise to fame. Kaki, as he is known, claimed 800 metres gold in Valencia, following victories last year in the All-African Games in Algiers and a remarkable 800m/1500m double at the Pan-Arab Games.

His coach Jama Aden suggested that he should just concentrate on the shorter distance, and since then has made a steady progression, running 1.48.43 in 2005, 1.45.78 in 2006, and 1.43.90 late last year.

"His running is very smooth and he has good speed and endurance at the same time," says Aden. "He is also a nice kid and easy to work with."

Despite his superb form, Aden believes that there is a lot of room for Kaki to improve. "Kaki's training is increasing with his age," he says. "That is why he is getting stronger each year. I am sure he will be a great runner."

OTHERS TO WATCH

Edwin Soi - Kenya (3,000 and 5,000 metres)

Kenyan middle distance runner Edwin Soi, 22, has had an impressive couple of years, winning both the 3,000 and 5,000 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart last year, and could well be in with a chance of medal success in Beijing.

Alfred Yego - Kenya (800 metres)

The 22-year-old middle distance specialist won gold at Osaka in September and has a personal best of 1.43.89 minutes.

Luke Kibet - Kenya (marathon)

Kibet, 25, won the gold in the marathon at Osaka. He escaped death at least twice after two politically-charged attacks in his homeland after the February elections.

Youssef Saad Kamel - Bahrain (800 metres)

Kenyan-born Kamel is following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Billy Konchellah, who won the world 800 metres title twice. The 24-year-old took bronze at Valencia.

Kenenisa Bekele - Ethiopia (5,000 and 10,000 metres)

The 26-year-old won gold in the 10,000 metres in Athens and came second to Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in the 5,000, and holds the world record for both distances.

FACTS AND FIGURES

205 countries are expected to compete at the Games in Beijing.

Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey holds the Olympic record for the 100 metres - 9.84 seconds, set in Atlanta in 1996.

Another Canadian 100 metre runner, Ben Johnson, was stripped of his gold medal in 1988 after testing positive for steroids. American Carl Lewis was promoted to first place.

Jamaican Asafa Powell broke the world 100 metres record when he clocked 9.74 seconds at the IAAF Grand Prix in Rieti in 2007.

Michael Johnson smashed the World and Olympic record in the final of the 200 metres in Atlanta in 1996. The American ran 19.32 seconds.

Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco holds world records at 1,500 metres (3.26.00), the mile (3.43.13) and the outdoor 2,000 metres (4.44.79).

Useful websites:
http://en.beijing2008.cn/ - official Beijing 2008 site
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/index_uk.asp - official Olympics site
http://www.iaaf.org/index.html - International Association of Athletics Federations
http://www.athleticsafrica.com/ - Official African Athletics site

Labels: Africa, Beijing Olympics, Kenya

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:31 pm | Permalink | Comments

QUINS ON THE UP - PURDHAM

Harlequins captain Rob Purdham burst through the pain barrier on Saturday
at The Stoop to inspire his team to their fourth successive Super League
victory, the 24-0 win over last season’s play-off team Huddersfield Giants.
Now he is ready to take his team to reigning world champions Leeds Rhinos
for Friday’s top-of-the-table encounter.

Since losing to Wigan in their opening game, Harlequins have not lost,
producing easily the best start to a Super League campaign by any London
club in history.

And Purdham, who had to have a painkilling injection at half time to soothe
a shoulder injury, insists there is more to come. The loose forward said:
“We was probably our best performance of the season so far against the
Giants. To beat a team as good as Huddersfield I think it is the best
result we have had in a long time.”

Quins are currently equal-top on eight points with defending champions
Leeds, and Purdham will relish the test.

He added: “I hope I’ll be fit for Friday for the Leeds game. It is a
top-of-the-table clash and we are there on merit. They are a world class
side and we are getting there, playing well. We are confident we can do a
job on Leeds.”

Labels: Harlequins Rugby League, Leeds Rhinos, Rob Purdham, Super League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:05 am | Permalink | Comments

QUINS MARCH TO TOP OF THE SUPER LEAGUE

Brian McDermott’s revolution continued to gather pace at The Stoop against Huddersfield Giants yesterday as Harlequins moved equal-top with Leeds Rhinos after winning 24-0 – their fourth successive victory, and easily the best run in their short history.

Captain Rob Purdham led by example in both attack and defence but while the home side were impressive, the Giants handed the game to their hosts by committing a number of key errors.

It took hooker Chad Randall just five minutes to stretch over for the opening try after the Giants conceded two early penalties to allow Quins good territory. Henry Paul, back on kicking duty after Purdham knocked his knee against Castleford last week, converted.

With 20 minutes gone Rod Jensen then knocked-on Danny Orr’s seemingly tame end-of-set kick inside his own five-metres. From the resulting scrum, Paul and Orr looped and Australian centre David Howell powered over. Though Paul missed the conversion, the Kiwi soon laced a penalty to take the score to 12-0 at half time.

Giants then stood firm until just after the hour mark when right-winger Shane Elford spilled full-back Mark McLinden’s high kick on his own tryline. From the set of six McLinden took the ball out to the right, flummoxed one would-be tackler with a dummy scissors before straightening and putting winger Rikki Sheriffe away in the corner.

With Paul sidelined, Purdham stepped up to convert from the touchline. Though he did not add to his two tries for the season, Purdham assisted the final try, and must be in England coach Tony Smith’s reckoning for a World Cup place.

Four minutes before the end his hearty challenge dislodged the ball, and the loose forward cleverly shipped to young Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who gleefully dived under the posts.

Giants’ Jon Sharp was fuming after his team recorded their third defeat of the short campaign. “I am extremely disappointed,” he offered. “They were more enthusiastic than us and worked extremely hard from minute one to the eightieth. We weren’t good enough – we were second best all over the park.”

Harlequins’ coach McDermott had predicted that the Giants’ would be their “toughest test” so far and he was delighted with his team’s work ethic – particularly in defence. “It was a very good result and I’m very pleased,” he beamed. “They were a good team but we were ready for them.” The next test will be Friday’s now top-of-the-table encounter against champions Leeds, and who would bet against the McDermott’s bandwagon trundling on?

Harlequins:
McLinden, Wells, Gafa, Howell, Sheriffe, Paul, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Mbu, Barker, Purdham

Interchange: Rinaldi, Clubb, Heckenburg, McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Giants:
Thorman, Elford, Whatuira, Lolesi, Jensen, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Hudson, Skandalis, Crabtree, Snitch, Wild

Interchange: Gatis, Raleigh, Jackson, Griffin

Referee: Mr I Smith

Labels: Brian McDermott, Harlequins Rugby League, Rob Purdham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:22 pm | Permalink | Comments

LITMANEN OUT AGAIN FOR FULHAM

Finnish legend Jari Litmanan’s woes at Fulham continue – he has had to return to his homeland again to recover from injury. Due to his latest setback, he will be unable to make his club debut against Blackburn at Ewood Park this weekend.

The 37-year-old, who starred for Ajax when the Dutch team won the European Cup in 1995, had been penciled in to make his bow for the Premier League strugglers this weekend, but a thigh strain has dashed Roy Hodgson’s plans.

Last month the Finn returned home after suffering heart palpitations on the training pitch, and has, much to his frustration, been force to watch Fulham’s woeful string of defeats from afar.

Hodgson, who managed Litmanan at international level, said: “Jari could possibly be in contention for next week. It depends on whether he can get this problem sorted out with the insoles of his shoes.

“He has had operations - Achilles and ankle operations - and as a result he needs these insoles to correct certain movement in his ankles which, if it doesn't get corrected, brings about muscle strains.

“That's exactly what has happened - he has got a stain on the inside of
his thigh that has come about because of the fact that the new insoles
that he thought were going to work didn't.

“He has to go back to Finland to have that fixed up. The guy who does it all over there knows all about the background to all his operations.”

Hodgson, who signed Litmanan on a free transfer in January, continued: “It would be nice to have him available because he is a very good footballer. It is frustrating for him as well me, but luckily we have other players and we have lots of options in the attacking positions.

“It would be good if we had him as well. It is frustrating for him because he wants to be a part of it and it is frustrating for me because it would give me another element in the competition for places up front.”

Labels: Fulham, Jari Litmanan, Premier League, Roy Hodgson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:50 pm | Permalink | Comments

ASHTON IS POOR DECISION-MAKER - PROBYN

Former England prop Jeff Probyn believes that if Brian Ashton’s team are to move forward then 20-year-old No10 Danny Cipriani should be given a starting berth ahead of World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.

The 51-year-old believes that Wasps’ talented youngster should be afforded a first team shirt against Scotland on Saturday, and not handed a throw-away 20 minutes at the end of a match.

And Probyn, who won 37 caps for his country and appeared in the 1991 World Cup Final, thinks that the fly-half dilemma is just one of the decisions that head coach Ashton has got wrong so far in this year’s Six Nations.

He said: “England did well to beat France but the reality is they have not moved on from the World Cup.

“If we have not advanced then what is the point of having Ashton and his so-called adventurous play?

“Ashton should start Danny now. Just compare the way (French coach) Marc Lièvremont has worked with (21-year-old fly-half) François Trinh-Duc.

“What Lièvremont has done has said: ‘he’s the new boy, he is the kid we want to find out whether he can do it or he can’t’. He knows that he has got David Skrela in the background so if Trinh-Duc can’t do it, he can replace him.

“Ashton, on the other hand, picks Wilkinson and leaves Cipriani on the bench meaning that he only gets 20 minutes when England are going through a small hiatus in terms of their performance.

“That is ludicrous because Danny has to prove that he is worth his England place in the space of 20 minutes just when the team is falling apart.

“If you do want to change the structure for a youngster you should start with the new player and have the experienced one on the bench. And Ashton just hasn’t done that.”

Probyn added: “A number of his tactical decisions have been appallingly bad. For example, when he substituted off captain Phil Vickery – the one person who seemed to have authority – just as Wales were coming back into the game.

“Also Ashton’s midfield is lacklustre to say the least. I would like to see Mathew Tait at full-back as he offers more attacking options.”

Labels: Brian Ashton, Daniel Cipriani, Jeff Probyn, Six Nations, Wasps

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:47 pm | Permalink | Comments