Saturday, November 29, 2008

ALL BLACKS SEAL WHITEWASH WITH WIN OVER ENGLAND

The All Blacks became the first team to win a grand slam of the home nations without conceding a try, and the Hillary Shield, after their 32-6 win over England at a full-house Twickenham. Martin Johnson’s team, who were humbled 42-6 – a record at home – by South Africa last week, had wanted, in the words of James Haskell, to “regain some respect”. And they did, holding the tourists to 12-6 with only 20 minutes remaining, despite having lost three men to the sin-bin in that time.

Then, alas for Johnson, the proverbial floodgates opened, with full-back Mils Muliaina crossing twice and centre Ma’a Nonu, named man-of-the-match, capping the win with a 60 yard dash and score. And this on a day when New Zealand’s star fly-half, Dan Carter, scored only 17 points, having misfired five kicks at goal. It was the visitors, however, who were handed the new Sir Edmund Hillary Shield, with Johnson left to lick his wounds – after four games as manager of England, his record stands at won one, lost three.

As they did in the 28-14 defeat to Australia a fortnight ago, England conceded a raft of penalties to the All Blacks in the first half. Carter, the world’s best No10, needed no second invitation to punish Johnson’s team for their ‘indiscretions’, as referee Alain Rolland called them. Coupled with the 11 penalties handed to the tourists before the break, hooker Lee Mears and blind-side flanker Haskell were sin-binned by the Irish official for peccadilloes at the breakdown.

In the week England captain Steve Borthwick had urged his team to shake off their naivety and “get more streetwise” against the All Blacks, who are masters of rugby’s dark arts. They put theory in to practice, but were over-keen for Rolland’s liking in the tackle area, and aside from the penalties conceded England lost many attacking positions.

Scrum-half Danny Care could have been ejected after Mears’s yellow card on 23 minutes. And when Haskell was shown the same card 10 minutes later, Rolland warned Borthwick, the Saracens’ lock, “if I have to put another four players in the bin, I will. This has to be the end of your indiscretions”. It was for the half, but Carter had been kind and missed two of the six shots he took at the posts to take the score to 12-3 at the break.

Toby Flood, the Leicester Tigers’ fly-half preferred to Wasps’ misfiring No10 Danny Cipriani, kicked a penalty in reply, and was feeling his way into the game when, just a minute into the second half, was dismissed for a high tackle on New Zealand No9 Jimmy Cowans. This, again, undid impressive England work. No8 Nick Easter had rampaged forward and the hosts were camped in front of the All Black try line, but another rush of blood to the head and England were down to 13 men once again.

It was to Johnson’s team’s credit, and a show of their bristling character, that they did not concede another point until 23-year-old Flood had returned to the action. In fact Delon Armitage had pulled the score back to 12-6 with a penalty kick just inside the New Zealand half while Carter had inexplicably missed another attempt at the sticks.

The All Blacks, who in September won their sixth Tri-Nations title in the last seven years, looked like a team who had played 15 Tests this year. They were sluggish but effective when they needed to be, soaking up England’s pressure. Rarely did they sparkle, or rather have chance to. It took until the hour mark when they had their first sniff at the England whitewash. They managed to turn an England scrum and Cowan’s out-of-the-back pass was shipped through the hands of Nonu and winger Joe Rokocoko before finding Muliaina on the loop. The Waikato man crossed for his 23rd try for his country and put an end to England’s valiant hopes for registering an unlikely win.

Muliaina went over again as a tired England struggled to now cope with New Zealand’s backline, which was starting to fire. Nonu’s line break and converted score, with nine minutes left were the last points of the game. It could have been closer, but with four players yellow carded – substitute flanker Tom Rees was ejected in the second half – England were always going to struggle against the unofficial world champions, who won their third grand slam in as many years. Johnson has much to ponder before the Six Nations begin next spring.

England
Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: Flood 1 (2), Armitage 1 (1)

New Zealand
Tries: Muliaina (2), Nonu
Conversion: Carter 1 (3)
Penalties: Carter 5 (8)

England: D Armitage; P Sackey, J Noon, R Flutey; U Monye; T Flood, D Care; T Payne, L Mears, P Vickery, S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy, J Haskell, M Lipman, N Easter.
Replacements: D Hartley, M Stevens, T Croft, T Rees, H Ellis, D Cipriani, D Hipkiss.

New Zealand: M Muliaina; J Rokocoko, C Smith, M Nonu, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, N Tialata, B Thorn, A Williams, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), R So'oialo.
Replacements: H Elliott, J Afoa, A Boric, K Read, P Weepu, S Donald, I Toeava.

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ECB CANNOT FORCE ENGLAND PLAYERS TO RETURN TO INDIA

Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has admitted that if England’s cricketers do not want to return to India then there is no way they can be forced.

Following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, where 150 people have been killed this week, captain Kevin Pietersen and his team-mates touched down at Heathrow Airport in London on Saturday night – and as it stands they are due to return to the Subcontinent to play a two-match Test series which starts on December 11 in Ahmadabad.

Morris said that a team of experts, headed by Reg Dickason, will be compiling information over the next two days before a decision is made by the ECB as to whether England will fly back to India. But even if the ECB conclude that it is safe to return, England may have to do without a raft of senior players.

“There were a number of different options we looked at but we felt it was most appropriate to come here [to England],” said the 44-year-old. “We have returned to assess the safety and security situation for the remainder of the England cricket tour of India.

“We have a team of people we rely on for that information and we work very closely with the foreign and commonwealth office. They are pulling that information together over the next 24 to 48 hours and we will assess that when we have it.

“Assuming that safety and security is OK we would potentially be returning in quite a short timescale. There is a lot of work to be done in the next few days.”

A number of senior players are believed to be unhappy at the prospect of returning to India, and Morris revealed that a weakened team would be dispatched if necessary. He indicated that players from the performance squad would be used, if it is deemed safe to return.

“Everyone has been badly affected by what has happen in Mumbai,” continued Morris. “We actually stayed at the Taj Palace Hotel [where some attacks happened] two weeks ago.

“If somebody felt strongly that they did not want to go back, I would not force them. They would have the necessary information to make an informed decision but that would be a personal choice if someone felt very strongly about it.

“It has affected the players as much as anybody. There is a good degree of nervousness – there is no doubt about that; it’s natural. One of the reasons to come back here is to return to an environment that the players are very comfortable in.”

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

McCAW WARY OF JOHNSON'S "HURT" ENGLAND

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows that if New Zealand are to capture their third Northern Hemisphere grand slam in as many years, they will have to defeat a wounded and intense England.

Having witnessed Martin Johnson’s determination first hand, McCaw believes that England’s forwards, in particular, will have a point to prove after last Saturday’s 42-6 defeat to South Africa.

“England will be hurting and will want to come out and get it right and show they're a good team,” said the openside flanker, the International Rugby Board’s player of the year in 2006.

“We've been in a similar situation ourselves this year. We were done by the Aussies and it was a horrible week. When you get a chance to put it right, and luckily they have a chance seven days later, that's what you have to do.

“We're expecting them to throw everything into it at Twickenham and will de desperate. We have to match that intensity or else it will be a long day.

“Their forwards are always tough and if they get some ball then the guys at the back have the pace and ability to use it. They are better than they've shown, but their opponents have been pretty good at stopping them playing.”

The 27-year-old views Tom Rees’s demotion as a shock, after the Wasps No7’s impressive display against the Boks. McCaw continued: “I'm a little bit surprised England dropped Tom Rees. He's a damn-good player.

“I'm sure England have their reasons why they dropped him but the guy who has replaced him is raring to go. I don't know too much about [Michael] Lipman but I'm sure he'll fit in pretty well.”

England manager Johnson was captain when, in 2002, the national team last defeated the All Blacks. In Wellington 13-man England slugged out a 15-13 win – and the former lock showed young McCaw what leadership was all about.

“I remember they had two players in the sin bin and Johnson was the one running the camp,” McCaw, whose side have not yet conceded a try on their tour of the Home Nations, said. “You could see watching him play in the World Cup in the final [which England won 20-17] he was in charge, doing the business himself and setting the example.

"The way he played, going out and produced the goods on the pitch, was inspirational. And he didn't seem afraid to drag other guys to come along with him. If they weren't pulling their weight he would make that known. His influence will start to come through for England now, too.

“I feel like a better captain than 12 months ago after the World Cup [where New Zealand were knocked out in the quarter-final]. Experiences make you stronger. A year down the track you learn to listen to your guts instincts. Confidence builds from there. The other key thing is to keep performing myself. That's the first thing you have to do.

“We can be proud of what we've achieved this year.”

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

RAFINHA WARY OF CITY'S BRAZILIAN THREAT

Schalke 04's right-back Rafinha has warned his team-mates that Manchester City's Brazilian trio could rip them apart in the UEFA Cup.

The 23-year-old is wary of his countrymen Robinho, Elano and Jo Alves - players he knew from his days in Brazil.

And having watched Mark Hughes's side stun Arsenal by 3-0 in the Premier League at the weekend, Rafinha knows Schalke face a tough test in Gelsenkirchen.

"Manchester City have a great team and our players do not understand how they are not fighting for the top positions in the table," said Rafinha.

"We've seen the video of the Premier League game against Arsenal and they won by being very practical and accurate in attack.

"This is a warning for Schalke - we must not give them options and space in front in our area."

Rafinha believes that Schalke must play special attention to Robinho - the ex-Real Madrid forward who has scored eight goals in 11 games since his British record £32.5m move in September.

"Robinho is brilliant," continued Rafinha. "For me he is the most devastating forward in world football at the moment. He has sublime skill, pace and finishing.

"I also know how Elano and Jo Alves play. And if I were the coach of City I would give them more minutes and prominence on the field. But if they don't play against Schalke we will be very grateful!

"The game is going to be very open and I think there will be many goals. This match is very important to us.

"We want to win because our challenge is to be the champions of the group. If we win, we will have virtually qualified for the next round of the UEFA Cup and we will have fulfilled one of our first goals of the season."

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LIPMAN LEADING FIGHT AGAINST McCAW’S ALL BLACKS

Michael Lipman has waited patiently for a proper chance in Martin Johnson’s back-row – the openside flanker was given the nod over Wasps’ Tom Rees for the final game of the autumn series against New Zealand. But then again, he has had to bide his time for most of his England career. Indeed his run out against the All Blacks will be only his tenth cap since his international bow four years ago, and is his first start for the national side since mid-March.

The Bath captain, who played in four Six Nations matches earlier this year following injuries to Lewis Moody and Rees in the Wales game, is rated by many as the best out-and-out No7 in the Guinness Premiership. He is relishing the prospect of facing All Black skipper Richie McCaw – an opponent Lipman first pitted his wits against almost a decade ago and currently ranked the best exponent of back-row’s darks arts on the planet.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Richie,” he says. “It is definitely a challenge I need to rise to. I have only played against him once before – for the Australia Under-19s team when he was playing for the New Zealand Under-19s. I don’t think I have played against anyone quite like him before.

“He definitely gets away with everything – all the stuff on the ground! But that is who he is - it is a reputation he has built up over the years and he deserves that respect from referees, so we will have to deal with him. But he is not alone – he has 14 other mates behind him causing chaos.”

Following the 28-14 loss to Australia - the country that London-born Lipman moved to aged five and left when he was 21 for Bristol - and the 42-6 drubbing last week to South Africa, the 28-year-old believes that his leadership skills are precisely what Johnson’s young team require.

“It is a very good feeling to get the No7 shirt back - I have been given an opportunity and I’m happy about that; I will take it with both hands,” says Lipman, who also played for Australia Under-21s but found good friend George Smith an immovable object when it came to the full Wallabies team. Brought up in Sydney, Lipman began his career at Manly and joined Bob Dwyer’s Waratahs in New South Wales – though he never played in the Super 12 – before flourishing at The Memorial Stadium and then, after moving in 2003, on the turf of Bath’s Recreational Ground.

“I was very disappointed to not get a run out when we were on tour in New Zealand in the summer,” he continues. “Especially after a fairly successful Six Nations when I played four out of the five games. It has been frustrating not to start in the past three autumn games too, but I am very, very happy to be starting against the All Blacks at Twickenham.”

Many viewed Rees as England’s solitary performer against the Boks, but Lipman insists that he has other pluses to his game that make him better equipped to face the All Blacks. And, whatever happens against New Zealand, he is looking to a brighter future for England’s rugby team – namely success in the All Black’s back yard at the World Cup in 2011.

“Tom and I have a mutual respect and I think he has been playing very well,” Lipman says. “But I think I have different facets to my game compared to Tom. I am good with the ball in my hands, and a good carrier. I am big on my defensive game too.

“I think I bring a bit of leadership to the team. I will be able to help Steve [Borthwick, a former Bath team-mate] out a lot. I have the ability to read situations and work out what is going wrong and how we can make it better; what we need to change. That is something I am very capable of doing. I am going to help Steve as much as I can.

“It is very important for England to get a result in this final match of the autumn series. We have to put English rugby back on the map. We lost a lot of respect after the defeat to the Springboks, because it was a big loss – there’s no getting away from that. It is hard for any team to come back from that.

“But in three years time the World Cup comes around and if this is a massive learning curve that gets us to that World Cup Final and wins us that trophy, then it will be happy days and this will be forgotten.”

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FLOOD: WOUNDED ENGLAND WILL FIGHT ALL BLACKS

Toby Flood has been handed Danny Cipriani's No10 shirt against New Zealand and is ready to make some headlines of his own. Martin Johnson has given the Leicester Tigers fly-half a chance after Cipriani mis-fired against Australia and South Africa.

The 23-year-old will win his 22nd cap on Saturday at Twickenham and he believes that "wounded" England will raise their game after last week's 42-6 defeat to the Boks. Flood says that England will do everything in their power to stop the All Blacks gaining their second Grand Slam of the Northern Hemisphere in three years.

"It is wonderful to be back in the team," he said. "I've been waiting with bated breath to get a chance. Being on the bench is always such a difficult position because it is a halfway house - you are kind of in the team but you know you might only get 20 minutes.

"Having Danny in the team hasn't affected me - I have just been concentrating on my game. We are all in the same squad and when he was given the No10 shirt I congratulated him and he has congratulated me this week."

Flood is confident Johnson's team - which also sees lock Nick Kennedy recalled for Tom Palmer and Michael Lipman in for flanker Tom Rees - will use the pain from last weekend's loss to hurt the Tri-Nations winners.

He added: "The lads are disappointed after England's worst result at home in a long time. But we gave ourselves 24 hours to get over it and, having seen the guys train this week, the response has been fantastic. We have been trying to raise our game to a higher standard every day.

"All the teams in the Tri-Nations are excellent but the All Blacks are the team you really want to beat. They are going for their Grand Slam but I think we are looking forward to that. We happen to be a wounded team who are looking to turn things around."

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NONU: ENGLAND WILL FACE WAR IF THEY DON'T RESPECT HAKA

Ma'a Nonu the All Black centre, has warned England they must respect the Haka on Saturday at Twickenham – or face war!

Last Saturday Wales faced the traditional war dance at Cardiff and New Zealand were forced, by the referee, to retreat and ready themselves for the start of the match.

The Maori 26-year-old old said: “What the Welsh did wound us up. They were probably told by [Wales coach and New Zealander Warren] Gatland to stand there and wait until we leave.

“But it was really hard - the Haka is a war dance. If you're going to stand there like that then people before now would charge, but it's a rugby match and you can't do that.

“People back home will have been hurt by what they decided to do. Standing in the way they did is like asking for a fight. My blood pressure was pretty high but then I regained my composure. I was a bit upset about it.

“If I was facing the Haka I'd respect it. The Haka is the Haka, after that it's game time. If England want to do that they can - but they'll probably get the same response.”

All Black coach Graham Henry added: “The Welsh thought that was the best way to respond, I just wanted to know when the game was going to start. It took someone with common sense, the All Blacks captain, to get things going.

“We don't need that every week. I hope a copy cat situation doesn't occur. We've been there, it was interesting at the time but it's time to move on and be more sensible.”

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Monday, November 24, 2008

PARKINSON UP FOR RELEGATION FIGHT

Charlton Athletic's caretaker manager, Phil Parkinson, has vowed to give his all to the “relegation dogfight” and challenged his players to show their passion for the club in the London derby at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

Parkinson had been Alan Pardew’s assistant for just under two years at The Valley, but following the former West Ham manager’s departure on Saturday after the 5-2 home defeat to Sheffield United, the 40-year-old was handed the reins on a temporary basis by the Charlton board.

Pardew admitted that he had failed to halt the Addicks’ decline since taking over on Boxing Day 2006, when the club were in the Premier League. After relegation and then finishing six points below the play-off zone last season, the club have sunk to deeper depths – they are now 22nd in the Championship.

“It has been difficult here,” said Pardew, 47. “It was a club on the slide when I arrived and I haven’t managed to stop that. The players’ confidence is so low – it’s difficult at the bottom of the league.”

Ex-Colchester manager Parkinson, who club sources suggest wants the top job on a permanent basis, believes that Pardew will return to football, “stronger and hungrier than ever”.

But for cash-strapped Charlton he wants a heavy dose of realism. “It's been a disappointing time for everybody at the club,” Parkinson said of Pardew’s exit by mutual consent.

“We've all got to accept we're in a relegation dogfight. Now is the time to roll our sleeves up and come out fighting.”

On playing Queens Park Rangers, who lost 3-0 against Watford on Saturday in Paulo Sousa’s first game in charge, Parkinson added: “There are a lot of people looking for a reaction now on Tuesday at Loftus Road.

“I'm confident we've enough characters and the bottom line is we want to see some pride and passion.”

CANDIDATES FOR ADDICKS HOT-SEAT:

Alan Curbishley, 51, currently unemployed

The former West Ham manager spent 15 fruitful years at The Valley before his stint at Upton Park. He did not rule out a return to Charlton on Sunday but added he would prefer to manage above the Championship. “If I did look to come back I think it would be in the Premier League,” he said.

Aidy Boothroyd, 37, currently unemployed

Having exited Vicarage Road earlier in the month, Boothroyd, who has been linked with a switch to Charlton in recent weeks, would like to jump back in to the managerial hot-seat. He took Watford up to the Premier League in first foray into management three years ago, but left the club by mutual consent.

Mark Kinsella, 36, Charlton’s reserve team coach

Former Addick Kinsella has been in charge of the reserves for two years, is popular at the club and has his backers. Having only hung up his boots earlier this year the Republic of Ireland international would be inexperienced, though he has had stints as first team coach at Walsall.

Iain Dowie, 43, currently unemployed

The former Northern Ireland striker, who took over at The Valley when Alan Curbishley left in 2006 and was sacked 15 games later, parted company with QPR earlier in November. He is known to want to return to management.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

PARDEW FEARED TIME WAS UP

Alan Pardew feared that his time as Charlton Athletic manager was up after a “bloody awful” 5-2 defeat to Sheffield United – and he was right.

Before he was shown the door following an emergency board meeting the former West Ham boss admitted that he had failed to stop the rot at the club he joined on Boxing Day two years ago.

Charlton were relegated from the Premier League in Pardew’s first season. And after finishing six points out of the play-off zone last season the club have sunk to deeper depths.

Pardew’s side – now 22nd in the Championship – had shipped 19 goals and gained only three points in their last eight matches.

Kevin Blackwell’s Blades cut Charlton to shreds on Saturday and were up 3-1 by the break with goals from James Beattie, Gary Speed and Matthew Kilgallon at the Valley.

Though Linvoy Primus nodded one back for Charlton his team were 5-1 down seven minutes into the second half. Kelly Youga netted an own goal before Stephen Quinn scored a left-foot screamer.

Hameur Bouazza’s goal was no consolation to Pardew, who won only 28 of his 90 games in charge of the Addicks.

And the directors listened to the hundreds of supporters who staged a “Pardew out” protest after the game.

“On reflection of results so far this season, and looking at the future challenges for the remainder of the campaign, it was agreed by both parties that Alan would leave the club with immediate effect,” said club chairman Richard Murray in a statement.

“It has been difficult here,” Pardew said. “It was a club on the slide when I arrived and I haven’t managed to stop that. The players’ confidence is so low – it’s difficult at the bottom of the league.”

Pardew, whose assistant Phil Parkinson will take charge as caretaker boss in Tuesday's game against QPR, blamed the club’s transfer dealings as the main reason why the results failed to come.

“The loss of [creative midfielder] Andy Reid in the middle of last year affected the group,” he continued.

“We missed out on the play-offs and this year we have not been able to strengthen the side as much as we would have liked.

“And we expected better form from the players that we bought in.”

Blackwell, whose team moved to fourth in the Championship, was delighted that United scored five away goals for the first time in six years. But the former Luton boss backed his opposite man to bounce back.

"When things go against you, they go against you,” said Blackwell, referring to the own goal. “Does that make Alan Pardew a bad manager? No it doesn't.

“Alan has been a good manager over his career. He has proved himself but when you are at the bottom if things can go wrong, they will.”

Man-of-the-match: Greg Halford. The 23-year-old on-loan from Sunderland proved a constant thorn in Charlton’s side. Set up the first goal and was unlucky not to score when his audacious 40-yard shot crashed off the crossbar.

Charlton: (4-5-1) Weaver 3; Moutaouakil 5, Primus 6, Hudson © 5, Youga 4; Sam 5, Semedo 5 (booked 28), Bailey 6, Holland 6, Bouazza 6; Gray 5

Subs: Elliot, Todorov 5 (on 62 for Gray), Varney, Racon, Waghorn 5 (on 51 for Youga)

Sheff Utd: (4-4-2) Kenny 6, Naughton 6, Morgan © 7, Kilgallon 7, Jihai 6; Halford 8, Speed 7, Howard 6, Quinn 7; Beattie 7, Sharp 7

Subs: Naysmith 5 (on 79 for Jihai), Henderson 6 (on 54 for Beattie), Webber 5 (on 62 for Sharp), Dyer, Spring

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 2–5 SHEFFIELD UNITED (20,328)

Alan Pardew admitted he feared for his job as Charlton Athletic manager on Saturday night following his team’s woeful display against Sheffield United at The Valley. The boo-boys vented their frustrations outside the ground long into the wintery night following the 5-2 defeat that sunk Pardew’s team deep into the Championship relegation zone.

Charlton have now won only three points from their last eight games and conceded 13 times in the past four – a point not lost on their 47-year-old manager. “That was bloody awful,” said Pardew. “We gifted them five awful goals – we have to do a lot, lot better. The results have been disappointing and we have put in another abject performance. We looked short of confidence – that was evident, and that resulted in the goals.”

Former England striker James Beattie took only seven minutes to net his eighth goal of the season for United, lashing home Greg Halford’s drag-back from close range after Charlton’s shaky defence failed to deal with Stephen Quinn’s low cross.

Against the run of play Linvoy Primus hit back for the home side on 17 minutes, nodding in Nicky Bailey’s free-kick from the right. But the 35-year-old centre-back’s first goal for the club brought false hope for Pardew as his team conceded twice again before the break thanks to veteran midfielder Gary Speed’s glancing header and Matthew Kilgallon’s chip after a Nicky Weaver mistake.

Pardew had blamed last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Birmingham on the former Manchester City No1, and again pointed the figure at him. He continued: “He did look nervy – I will have a good chat with him and reassess where he is at.”

The final nail in the coffin arrived three minutes after the break when Halford’s long-throw led to Kelly Youga deflecting in to his own goal. Quinn then scored a cracker five minutes later to take the score to 5-1. Though Hameur Bouazza did pull a consolation goal back with 34 minutes left, Pardew was left to reflect on what could be his last game at The Valley.

“I have been through tough times before but of course I fear for my position when the results have been so poor,” said Pardew, who joined the club on Boxing day two years ago when Charlton were in the Premier League.

“We are in sticky situation and I have to accept whatever decision is made. It has been difficult here – it was a club on the slide when I arrived and I haven’t managed to stop that.”

Charlton: (4-5-1) Weaver 3; Moutaouakil 5, Primus 6, Hudson © 5, Youga 4; Sam 5, Semedo 5 (booked 28), Bailey 6, Holland 6, Bouazza 6; Gray 5

Subs: Elliot, Todorov 5 (on 62 for Gray), Varney, Racon, Waghorn 5 (on 51 for Youga)

Sheff Utd: (4-4-2) Kenny 6, Naughton 6, Morgan © 7, Kilgallon 7, Jihai 6; Halford 8, Speed 7, Howard 6, Quinn 7; Beattie 7, Sharp 7

Subs: Naysmith 5 (on 79 for Jihai), Henderson 6 (on 54 for Beattie), Webber 5 (on 62 for Sharp), Dyer, Spring

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

MONYE’S RESURRECTION

Ugo Monye's rugby career has undertaken a miraculous resurrection following a full recovery from an injury that rendered him immobile while watching England’s efforts in the World Cup 14 months ago. The Harlequins winger, who earned representative honours for England Under-19s and U-21s, and also starred for England Sevens and the Saxons, vowed while supine, suffering from a bulging disc, to work harder than ever before to break into the full England team. In a remarkable turnaround, Monye will line up for his third international against South Africa alongside good friends Paul Sackey and Delon Armitage at Twickenham.

“I felt like a baby,” admits the 25-year-old paceman, who was only promoted by manager Martin Johnson to the elite squad after the injury to Gloucester’s James Simpson-Daniel, of his week in bed last year. “But I really pushed myself as I wanted to prove that I was good enough to win a full cap.

“It was great to meet up with the squad three weeks ago, and training has been going very well. The Pacific Islanders [a 39-13 win on his debut] was a great game for us and spirits are high, even though we lost against Australia [28-14]. I've thoroughly enjoyed my start with England.”

Islington-born Monye’s sporting life could have taken a very different course almost a decade ago, after he ran the 100 metres in 10.6 seconds aged 16. He whittled that time down to 10.46 seconds and appeared in the English Athletics Association Championship, making it to the national trials where he ran alongside now-Olympians Mark Lewis-Francis and Tyrone Edgar.

But it was UK Athletics sprint coach Tim Richards who helped shape young Monye’s career, when he contacted Harlequins U-19s coach, Colin Osbourne, who offered him an academy contract.

The 6’ 2” flyer had played rugby since the age of 13 and represented Hampshire U-17s and U-20s, after starring for Lord Wandsworth College. In the Hampshire countryside young Monye’s decision was further influenced by two of the school’s alumni a few years above – a certain Jonny Wilkinson and Pete Richards.

After making his Harlequins bow in 2002 and underlining his potential with a brace against Wasps at the end of the season Monye suffered double disappointment with relegation and a string of niggling injuries causing him to be overlooked for the national team.

The strict Christian, a group leader at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton, West London, used the emotional hurt of his disappointments to channel his energies – and his faith and determination has paid off. He is now thriving in Johnson’s new-look England team.

“It's been good fun,” continues Monye, “and Martin has given me his faith. I've played the last two games and I'm selected to play this one [against the Boks]. All I know is that if I keep playing well then I want to make it difficult to lose my spot, though it would be great to score my first international try soon.

“We're a new squad, we've only been together for three weeks and each week we are making improvements. Although we lost to Australia we feel as if we have made another step in our work in progress.

“Our discipline probably was our biggest problem against Australia but there were other reasons why we didn't win that game. Our execution at times was a bit poor – we missed a lot of opportunities, so there are certainly a few things to work on.

“But we're very positive within the camp this week, we're working hard and we know the size of the task we have ahead of us against South Africa and then the All Blacks. More than anything there's huge excitement and a willingness to get back on the pitch to put things right.”

Monye makes up one third of Johnson’s preferred back three. London Irish’s full-back Delon Armitage made his debut alongside Monye against the Pacific Islanders and was named man-of-the-match. On the opposite wing to the Quins player is Wasps Paul Sackey – a relative veteran of international rugby in comparison who will win his 18th cap against South Africa. The three know each other well, and affectionately call themselves the ‘black three’.

“It is fairly apparent and fairly obvious the reasons why we call ourselves the ‘black three’,” adds Monye, “it's all tongue-in-cheek. We're getting on very well.

“Socially we've known each other for five or six years and it helps when you're standing on the pitch. Delon lives down the road from me and I've known Paul for years. We're a new unit as a back three and we play a similar brand of rugby - it's an absolute pleasure to play alongside them.”

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RUGBY EXPO: A LANDMARK SUCCESS

Under the gaze of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, a landmark moment happened on Monday and Tuesday this last week. At the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre the first Rugby Expo, “the global convention for the business world of rugby”, took place, 13 years after rugby union went professional. Coinciding with the Carnegie Review of Rugby, the convention gave both codes of rugby much reason to be positive about the future, as the rough edges of the pre-professional era continue to be smoothed and polished.

“It is the meeting place for the rugby industry,” stated the brochure blurb, “bringing together the top decision makers in both union and league with key contacts, sponsors and suppliers to network, do business and learn from industry leaders in a comprehensive conference programme.”

Though the timing was unfortunate, with the ripples of the credit crunch continuing to be felt, former Test greats – ambassadors like Martin Bayfield, Raphael Ibanez, Kenny Logan and Alessandro Moscardi – coaches, CEOs and administrators (mostly from union, it has to be noted) turned out in force, to beef up Rugby Expo’s aims of developing grass roots rugby and disseminating the games to the emerging nations while boosting commercial power.

The International Rugby Board were also in attendance, and Chairman Bernard Lapasset had given his blessing, saying: “The appeal of rugby stretches far and wide – it is more than simply a sport … I wish this inaugural event every success.”

Over 1,200 delegates attended, wandered about the 45 exhibition stalls – which ranged from charities providing equipment to African children, to the Professional Rugby Players' Association, to rugby clubs and, of course, to breweries – and networked in between 13 seminars spread over the two days.

The 45-minute conferences, each packed with a four-strong panel of experts and moderated by familiar faces such as Sky Sports’ Alex Payne and Andy Steggall, and the BBC’s Ian Robinson and Mary Rhodes, included topics such as: ‘Rugby as a growing global business’; ‘Migration of players – good or bad?’; ‘Player welfare – life during and after rugby’; ‘Developing the emerging nations’; and ‘What does rugby need to do to become an Olympic sport?’

Former Bath and America No8 Dan Lyle, who now is tournament director of the 7s in his home country, hailed the convention as a success, saying: “It is very important that world rugby collects together now and finds a way to communicate, particularly commercially, while being true to the values of the game at the same time. It is about time something like this happened.”

Dan Jones, head of the sports business group at Deloitte, agreed, but conceded that football is some way ahead in terms of market share. There are over 32,000 football clubs in the UK and only 2,500 rugby union and league clubs, and only 0.7 per cent of Britons play either code.

“Rugby is a relatively young professional sport, so football is the big gorilla, the sport that everyone is trying to chase,” says Jones. “If you look at union from when it went professional [in 1995] to where it is today, global incomes in the sport have about quadrupled – for any sector to go through a period of growth in that period is phenomenal.

“We can learn from how football and other sports have expanded. The Rugby World Cup was fantastic – it was the third biggest sporting event in the world – but I think for rugby to go truly global it needs to be played at the Olympics.”

Managing director of Rugby Expo, Alec Shepherd, was delighted with how the event had been received and welcomed feedback on improvements for the future. “Our ethos is to do business and learn about what is going on in the game and where rugby can go,” said the former City commercial litigation lawyer.

“We are trying to create an environment where people can sit down and discuss how to take both forms of rugby forward. The global climate has not helped, but you just have to look at the turn out here to see how successful it is.

“We have another date booked here in London – it’ll be in November again next year, to coincide with the autumn internationals, so there will be Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders over. We are also taking the Rugby Expo to San Diego for the 7s tournament [to be held in mid-February] and South Africa next year too.

“We are only just starting but the long-term plan is to go to Singapore, Dubai and other places. Inevitably this year has been UK focused, but the idea is to make this a global event so that each year we can build on what has gone before.”

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Monday, November 17, 2008

VICKERY: JOHNNO MUST STICK WITH YOUNGSTERS

England manager Martin Johnson should persevere with his new-look team in spite of Saturday’s “unacceptable” 28-14 defeat to Australia, says Phil Vickery. But the recalled former captain has warned his young team-mates they must “smarten up” ahead of Saturday’s Test against world champions South Africa, who defeated Scotland 14-10 at Murrayfield.

Fly-half Matt Giteau’s six penalties – five of which were conceded within kicking-range before the interval thanks to England’s over-eagerness at the breakdown – and Adam Ashley-Cooper's converted try allowed the Wallabies to exact some revenge for their World Cup quarter-final loss in Marseille 13 months ago.

Though No8 Nick Easter barged over for a try and Danny Cipriani slotted three penalties, Johnson’s troops proved to be hot-headed in attack and defence at crucial moments. “We have been beaten by Australia at Twickenham by 14 points and that is unacceptable,” said Wasps prop Vickery.

“We were taught a good lesson by a team who knew how to win a game and we have to regroup and prepare properly because we know that there is not a more physical challenge in world rugby than playing the Springboks.”

Five of Johnson’s seven backs have only 15 caps between them, but Vickery believes that discarding them would be counter-productive for the development of the team. The 32-year-old continued: “I hope that Johnno sticks with those guys because we have got an exciting group and they deserve that faith. Everyone is trying their hardest but we just need to be a bit smarter and make sure we learn from this.

“If we have ambitions to become one of the best teams in world rugby then our guys can’t afford to go into their shells. You have to put yourself out there and in difficult and awkward positions. Unfortunately along the way they are going to get some bumps but they have got to back themselves.”

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

AUSTRALIA HAND JOHNSON'S ENGLAND A LESSON IN DISCIPLINE

Martin Johnson tasted defeat for the first time as England manager while old adversaries Australia dished out a lesson on how to play disciplined rugby to his new-look team under the gaze of a 82,000 capacity Twickenham. Australian fly-half Matt Giteau knocked over six penalties and full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a second-half converted try to seal the 28-14 win.

Johnson, the 38-year-old former lock, had lifted the World Cup five years ago in Sydney against the Australians, when England - and Jonny Wilkinson - provided a composed and clinical display. He will have not have been impressed by the young England team's error-strewn display on Saturday.

England’s indiscipline at the breakdown handed the Australians five penalties before the interval, and 26-year-old Giteau took advantage, missing only one. Home captain Steve Borthwick was the culprit twice and other misdemeanours by Tom Rees, Phil Vickery and Paul Sackey cost the home team.

The green and gold No10 took his team to 6-0 up after only five minutes before his opposite number, Daniel Cipriani, had his first attempt on 13 minutes after flanker George Smith had been deemed to bring the ruck down. From half-way the Wasps youngster fluffed his kick on an afternoon he will want to forget. The Australians had targeted the 21-year-old who was making only his third start in an England shirt. Never before had he been tested by a team of this calibre, and the jury will still be out on whether the starlet has what it takes to be the very best in the world.

There were glimpses of his magic, and twice he dashed through the 10 / 12 gap with galloping glee. Cipriani’s first such gallop, after 21 minutes, almost gleaned his side a try. But in the second faze, 10 metres out from the Australian line, No8 Nick Easter would have wished to have had someone quicker than hooker Lee Mears outside him, and could only grimace as the Bath No2 was bundled into touch.

It was full-back Delon Armitage, last weekend’s man-of-the-match in the flattering 39-13 win over the Pacific Islanders, who opened the scoring a minute later with an ugly but effective drop-goal. Giteau then served up two more penalties before England made the most of their vastly superior possession and scored five minutes before the break.

Easter, the Harlequins back-rower, barged over from close range on the right, but Cipriani again missed with the conversion. On the stroke of half-time the England No10 did make amends, slotting a penalty to take the score to a knife-edge 11-12.

Cipriani nudged the home side in front 11 minutes after the break with another penalty but that was to be Johnson’s team’s last points of the afternoon. Giteau stroked over another one four minutes later and the Australians did not look back. The Western Force fly-half, the highest paid player in the Southern Hemisphere, proved his worth again kicking two more penalties, conceded for English indiscipline once more.

With 10 minutes remaining, and the score at 21-14, Australian quick hands outdid a fatigued England defensive line. Ashley-Cooper dived over in the right-hand corner to score his seventh international try. Giteau, of course, added the extra two points with chalk on his boots to take his game tally to 20.

Johnson will have much to chew over, and his side will need to improve their discipline in the coming weeks as they take on the supposedly better Southern Hemisphere teams of South Africa, the world champions, and finally New Zealand.

England
Tries: Easter
Conversions: Cipriani 0 (1)
Penalties: Cipriani 3 (4)

Australia
Tries: Ashley-Cooper
Conversions: Giteau 1 (1)
Penalties: Giteau 6 (7)

England: D Armitage (London Irish); P Sackey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), R Flutey (Wasps), U Monye (Harlequins); D Cipriani (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), L Mears (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), T Palmer (Wasps), T Croft (Leicester), T Rees (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), M Stevens (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), J Haskell (Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester).

Australia: A Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies); P Hynes (Queensland Reds), R Cross (Western Force), S Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, capt), D Mitchell (Western Force); M Giteau (Western Force), L Burgess (NSW Waratahs); B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), S Moore (Queensland Reds), A Baxter (NSW Waratahs), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), N Sharpe (Western Force), H McMeniman (Queensland Reds), G Smith (ACT Brumbies), R Brown (Western Force).
Replacements: T Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), M Dunning (NSW Waratahs), D Mumm (NSW Waratahs), W Palu (NSW Waratahs), S Cordingley (Queensland Reds), Q Cooper (Queensland Reds), D Ioane (Queensland Reds).

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Friday, November 14, 2008

HELGUSON DEAL OVER?

Gareth Ainsworth, the Queens Park Rangers caretaker manager, will not be able to call upon the services of Heidar Helguson for Saturday's Championship match at Loftus Road against Burnley.

The London club, seventh in the table, had been trying to speed up the loan deal for the Bolton forward having learned that Akos Buzsaky is likely to be out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

QPR had targeted the out-of-favour Icelandic international, 31, but Ainsworth, who cannot suggest possible targets himself, has revealed that the deal could be scuppered.

"It's something that I'm not really dealing with - people above me are trying to sort things out out with Heidar," said the 35-year-old of Helguson, who had a medical at the club on Thursday afternoon. "But I think they have hit a couple of stumbling blocks. The squad I have at the moment is the squad I have to select from against fifth-placed Burnley, who defeated Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday.

"Being caretaker manager it is very difficult to suggest players for the club. I have a lot to deal with at the moment. But at the moment I am very happy with the squad - it's very strong.

"We have a strong enough squad to defeat anyone in the league. So hopefully we can get a result against giant-killers Burnley at home."

On Buzsaky's absence Ainsworth added: "Akos has been one of our best players of late. He came back and has been opening defences up. He does magical things so he is going to be a huge loss."

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

BORTHWICK: FORGET WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Steve Borthwick won his first game as England captain last weekend against the Pacific Islanders, but he knows that Saturday's Test against Australia will be a tougher challenge for Martin Johnson’s new-look team.

Five new caps were handed out in the 39-13 win but the Saracens lock warned supporters not to compare Robbie Deans’s Australia team to the one defeated 12-10 by England in the World Cup quarter-final in southern France.

“What happened in Marseille is irrelevant and history,” said the 28-year-old, who was part of the pack who scrummaged the gold and greens off the park last October. “Australia have improved immeasurably. In winning away against South Africa and beating New Zealand they have shown that they will be a very tough pack for us to play against.

“They have had a good amount of time to develop which is something at this point that we haven’t had. It will be a big challenge and it is one that everyone is looking forward to. Australia are one of the best teams in the world and we are going have to play at our best if we are going to win.

“Last week was a very good start for us but we want to progress. We are going to go out there and give it absolutely everything we have got.”

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FORD: CIP WILL HAVE TO FRONT UP IN BIGGEST CHALLENGE V AUSSIES

Danny Cipriani will face his toughest international challenge so far when England host Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, and defence coach Mike Ford has challenged the young fly-half to prove he is one of the best players on the planet by putting in a big tackling performance.

Earlier in the week Berrick Barnes, the green and golds’ No10 who will miss out playing Martin Johnson’s team because of a knee injury, warned Cipriani that he will be targeted by his team.

“One of his hardest things is that he has a lot of pressure on him,” said Barnes, 22. “Everyone is looking to him as the next big thing. He carries himself pretty confidently. It will be interesting to see him go up against Gits [Matt Giteau] this weekend.

“He will come up against some really good 10s in the next couple of weeks - Gits and [New Zealand's] Dan Carter. They will give him an indication, and everyone else, where he is.

“He is obviously a talent. He is a young guy with a lot of weight on his shoulders but he has an opportunity now to set himself up for the next 10 years.”

Ford believes that the Wasps starlet will shine against Australia, having impressed in defence in last weekend’s 39-13 win over the Pacific Islanders – he was only two tackles shy of prop Andrew Sheridan’s count of 15.

“Danny wants to be one of the best players in the world and he realises that one of the responsibilities of a No10 who wants to be No1 is defending,” said Ford of the 21-year-old. “The Australians are smart – they try and test you. But we expect every team we play against to come and attack that 10 / 12 channel and we are ready for that.

“We have not thought about (moving him out to the centres). If we move him to No13 teams will get him there; same as if we move him to the wing.

“He might as well front it up early in his career and get that right both physically and mentally. And he is doing his best to do that – 13 tackles from a fly-half is pretty good.

“Danny has trained very well this week so we are expecting a good game from him against Australia.”

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QPR CLOSE IN ON HELGUSON

Queens Park Rangers will step up their approach to sign out-of-favour Bolton striker Heidar Helguson following the news that Akos Buzsaky has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Hungarian attacker Buzsaky hopped off in the London club’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carling Cup after 33 minutes. Scans have revealed that the 26-year-old suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage and he will undergo surgery later this week.

“Unfortunately, Akos will be sidelined for between six to nine months,” said the Championship club’s physio, Paul Hunter. “His studs got caught in the turf and his right knee twisted and regrettably he now faces a long period out.

“We've see the surgeon and he'll be going in for surgery in the coming days.”

QPR had been looking to loan a number of players to boost their attacking options, but manager Gareth Ainsworth has now contacted Gary Megson at Bolton about Icelandic striker Helgurson, 31. Sources suggest that the 31-year-old, who had a medical at the club on Thursday, will move on loan initially, with a view to a permanent move worth £1m.

“There was contact from QPR,” revealed the Bolton manager, “but I can't say at the moment what will or won't happen.”

QPR host giant-killers Burnley on Saturday as Ainsworth looks to continue his impressive start as caretaker manager – the Hoops have won seven points from four games since he took over from Iain Dowie.

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WELLS: FORGET SCRUM AGAINST AUSTRALIA

John Wells has urged his team and supporters to forget how easily England out-scrummaged Australia in the World Cup quarter-final last year as their opponents on Saturday are a much more physical side – and he expects an “all-out battle”.

The England forwards coach had pin-pointed a weakness that Phil Vickery’s team could exploit in the 12-10 victory in Marseille, but know that the green and golds will be much smarter in the set-piece area this time.

“We had a good 10 or 15 minutes in the World Cup against Australia,” said the 45-year-old former Leicester Tigers back-rower, “but that, by and large, was the superiority at the time. They have re-addressed a lot of those issues and I think they are a much more physical team now.

“We have got to stop talking about what happened in that World Cup quarter-final because we had been together for 10-12 weeks by then and played half-a-dozen games. We knew a lot more about each other at that point. The danger is to look back at that day in Marseille. That was a very special moment in rugby where a lot of good things came together for 80 minutes.

“You have only got to look at the way Australia scrummaged during the Tri-Nations this year – they have put an awful lot of time and effort into developing their scrum. They have played 11 Test matches together this year and worked hard on that area.”

Wells continued: “With the size of their pack and their backs they have increased the physicality of their team as a whole. They are under a new gaffer (Robbie Deans), they have already played a full Tri-Nations and some summer tour games. They have played a lot of games together under a new regime. I suspect that when that new regime came in they looked at some of the issues which perhaps cost Australia a place in that World Cup and I suspect they have addressed them.”

Martin Johnson began his regime last Saturday win a 39-13 win over Pacific Islanders at Twickeham, but his assistant Wells knows that the coming games against Deans’s Australia, World Champions South Africa and New Zealand will prove a sterner test.

“Now we are only two weeks into an international series and we have played one game and we are still finding our feet at the moment,” he added. “We hope to improve as a team as the series progresses.

“It’s going to be an all out battle at the weekend. We know that we will be in a really tough game in that scrummage area. We will have to work really hard individually and collectively in that area to get that superiority.

“We have to front up this autumn – it is a new start. We want to make it big.”

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

NEW-LOOK VICKERY WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH

Phil Vickery, the prop recalled to former England team-mate Martin Johnson’s team to face Australia on Saturday, has an oriental tattoo on his person which translates as ‘I Will Fight You To The Death’. After the disappointment of benching in the 39-13 victory over the Pacific Islanders, the 32-year-old is delighted to have been given the nod over Matt Stevens, and – as his marking suggests – he has no desire to stop battling until the bitter end for his place, and for his country. In order to compete with the younger Bath front-rower, however, a leaner, meaner Vickery has emerged this season.

The tight-head, the only member of the 2003 World Cup winning team still featuring for England, has been advised to stop playing rugby on many occasions after suffering a number of career-threatening injuries but will win his 66th cap against Robbie Deans’s side. “I may not be the brightest or the most skilful player,” concedes Vickery, “but I would like to think that my tattoo sums up what I stand for: I will go to the very end. I certainly will not give up and I am passionate about my rugby. My drive and ambition and hunger for the game is as strong if not stronger than it has ever been.

“Matty Stevens is a great player who I hope is around this England team for many years to come. But I’m not just here to make up the numbers. I still think I have a huge amount to offer – I’m not going to be happy to melt away into the horizon and sit back and say I have got so many caps for England. I want to learn new things and try and improve certain aspects of my game.”

While much has been made of former captain Vickery’s scrummaging which has helped dominate Australian packs in the recent past – most recently 12 months ago in the quarter-final en route to the World Cup Final, and most memorably against the green and golds on that evening in Sydney five years ago – it is his willingness to evolve and keep up to speed with the modern demands of the front-row which underlines his commitment to the sport.

After suffering yet another injury in April – a dislocation of his right knee – he rushed himself back for the Guinness Premiership Final. Though Wasps defeated Leicester 26-16 it put Vickery’s rehabilitation back and he consequently missed out on England’s ill-fated summer tour to New Zealand. But the summer off international duty only strengthened his resolve.

He continues: “I worked so hard with the medical staff to get back for that final against the Tigers, though I think, in hindsight, I shouldn’t have played. I just wanted to do my bit for the Wasps boys. Missing out on the tour gave me the summer to re-focus.

“As a result I’ve lost some weight – just over a stone. It was a conscious decision. As the summer went on I lost some weight and my strength levels did not drop. I felt better much better having found the right balance with my diet and my training.

“Nowadays you have to tick as many boxes as possible as a modern player, and if you are too one dimensional then it is not good enough anymore – teams can’t afford to carry you. Things go full circle with the scrum though; I have been around the game long enough to know that. It changes from people wanting big, strong players to fitter, smaller, faster players.

“But strip it down and take away all the bullshit and ultimately you need guys on the field who are going to give their all. And whatever anyone says about my game, I can put my hand on my heart and guarantee you that I will always give 110 per cent.”

On Johnson’s revolution, Vickery warns that the World Cup winning captain’s reputation alone will not bear fruit. “We can’t think that just because Martin has walked through the door everything will be brilliant,” he adds. “We as a group need to work hard, do it on the field.

“When, in the first conversation I had with him after the appointment, he told me that he did not want me to be captain it became obvious that he would be straight talking. He is honest and fair and his experience can develop and bring on this England team so we can move forward.

“It is going to be an exciting place to be in the coming years. And I will be fighting away until those big eyebrows look at me and say: ‘Don’t bother coming anymore!’”

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Monday, November 10, 2008

AFRICAN HEROES: FANIE VAN DER MERWE

Fanie van der Merwe is aiming to defend the two gold medals he won at the Paralympics in September - "the highlight of my life" - four years from now in London. The South African sprinter and cerebral palsy sufferer, who turns 25 in February, was one of the stars of the Beijing Paralympics in September, as his country finished a superb sixth in the medals table, 21 places above the next best African performers, Kenya.

Forget Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps for a moment: the Stellenbosch University sports scientist stormed to victory in the T37 100 and 200 metres, smashing records along the way. His team won 21 gold, three silver and six bronze for a total of 30 - twice as many as they gleaned in Athens in the 2004 Games.

Together with the achievements of amputees Oscar Pistorius, who won the T44 100, 200 and 400 metres, and S9 competitor Natalie du Toit, who garnered five golds in the pool, van der Merwe's double glory has been well received back in his homeland.

In his first Paralympic Games, against the backdrop of a packed Beijing National Stadium, or the 'bird's nest', he won the 100 metres in a Games record of 11.83 seconds. Days later he sparkled in the 200 metres, finishing in 23.84 seconds - four-tenths of a second quicker than Mohammed Allek's world record that had not been broken since 2003.

"I keep one medal under my pillow," said a beaming van der Merne who was also awarded R130,000 (£8,325) from sponsors for winning his two golds. "No, it's next to my bed really. The other one is at my parents' house.

"I'm very humble and grateful for the experience - it was an amazing opportunity and easily the highlight of my life so far. I've never experienced anything quite like it. I had watched the Beijing Olympics and saw Usain Bolt achieve what he did and I wondered what it would be like.

"When I arrived in China it was unbelievable. It's a surreal feeling when you are there in the Olympic Village. Just walking to the stadium on the way and seeing all the people was very overwhelming."

Van der Merne just missed out on representing his country four years earlier in Greece, but having only taken up the sport seriously in 2003 he now concedes that he was too inexperienced. Though it hurt at the time, his patience and hard work has more than paid off.

"I was disappointed not to make it into the final team back then but I didn't expect to do all that well as it was my first year and I was young - only 20," he continues. "But it made me keener to succeed at the Beijing Games.

"For the finals I tried not to worry about the crowd and focus on the race. I prayed a lot - I knew that the Lord would be with me. The night before each race I would think about how I wanted it to go the next day. It was very difficult to fall asleep!"

The third year student added: "The whole team did brilliantly well. We were very together and would encourage each other. Every night we would spend time together - it was a very special feeling. I will never forget how it felt - those moments will stay with me forever. And if everything goes well I would like to run in London in three years.

"The Games were well broadcast in South Africa and people were going crazy because of how successful we were. Not a lot of people knew about the Paralympics before Beijing so for the sport in South Africa it was great - hopefully it will encourage other disabled youngsters to get involved."

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AINSWORTH HOPING FOR "UNBELIEVABLE" OLD TRAFFORD RESULT

Gareth Ainsworth hopes that an "unbelievable" result against reigning European and English champions Manchester United on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup Fourth Round will help convince Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore that he is the right man for the manager's job on a permanent basis.

The 35-year-old caretaker boss, who took over from Iain Dowie at the end of last month, is currently QPR's longest serving player and has impressed in his first few games in charge.

And he will put another superb entry on his short managerial CV if he can mastermind a famous Rangers victory at Old Trafford.

Ainsworth, who saw his team defeat Cardiff on Saturday, said: "I'm enjoying it a lot and at the moment I am taking it day by day. Flavio Briatore and the fans have given me their backing so far. As long as that is going on I am a happy man - I'm proud to be at the helm of QPR.

"I've been here a long time and I just want the club to do well. If Flavio does decide to put me in charge then fantastic. If he doesn't then I will stay in some capacity. I'm really enjoying pitting my wits against managers.

"I'm in at the deep end but when troubled times do come I can look back at this and say: 'We got through that OK. We can keep together and get through anything now.'

"It's been a real baptism of fire. We have moved into the top six in the Championship, defeated the top-of-the-table team Birmingham and now we have a trip to Old Trafford to play the European Champions in the Carling Cup."

Ainsworth added: "I've faced United twice as a player, in the 1999/2000 season when Wimbledon were relegated. But we drew twice, so perhaps that bodes well.

"Playing in the Premier League against sides like United was the highlight of my playing career. Some of the boys can have a taste of what that is like tonight. It will be a fantastic experience and opportunity for them.

"I don't need to get them up for it - what more motivation do they need when they are playing the European and Premier League champions at Old Trafford? If they can't get up for it then they shouldn't be in my squad.

"I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan through and through. I was a season-ticket holder and I did my apprenticeship there. I'm sure everyone in Blackburn will be very happy if we manage the unbelievable and get a result against Manchester United."

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ARMITAGE VOWS TO MAKE No15 SHIRT HIS OWN

Delon Armitage has vowed to make the England full-back shirt his own following his man-of-the-match display on his debut against the Pacific Islanders. Before Saturday's 39-13 win, Martin Johnson's first game in charge, the London Irish speedster had had his nerves eased thanks to an "out-of-the-blue" text message from Jason Robinson, the retired World Cup winning No15 and former team-mate of Johnson’s who backed Armitage to cement his place in the team.

The 24-year-old, the country's ninth full-back in 18 months, was assured under the high ball, in defence and showed his electric pace in attack at Twickenham as England ran in five tries thanks to two from winger Paul Sackey and one each for Danny Cipriani, Lee Mears and lock Nick Kennedy, Armitage's club colleague, also making his international bow.

"I don"t think my debut could have gone any better," said the Trinidad-born No15, who previously played for France Under-16s. "When I woke up in the morning I was just panicking - I had so many butterflies that I couldn't have breakfast.

"I got a text from Jason Robinson before the game - it was a big booster for me. He told me to go out there and enjoy it because I deserve it. He said: 'You have worked really hard for it and this is where you should be.' When such great player tells you that, it really lifts you and give you the confidence to think that you can play at this level.

"I want to keep this shirt - I want to make the No15 shirt mine. Hopefully I can keep working hard and Johnno will pick me again. There is quite a lot of work still to be done. Australia are a very tough team and we are going to have to step it up another level and work really hard this week."

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Saturday, November 08, 2008

JOHNSON'S ENGLAND REIGN OFF TO A GOOD START OVER PACIFIC ISLANDERS

Martin Johnson’s reign as England team manager started with a 39-13 victory over the Pacific Islanders at a 40 per cent empty Twickenham on Saturday, though the former lock will be the first to admit that there is still plenty to work on ahead of the bigger challenges of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in the coming weeks.

Johnson, who lifted the World Cup for England in 2003, handed debuts to five players in a new-look team. Man-of-the-match Delon Armitage, the London Irish’s full-back, had an untroubled defensive game, while his team-mate Nick Kennedy marked his international bow with a try. The second-row scored England’s penultimate try only four minutes into the second half – he has only cross the whitewash once for his club.

Ugo Monye, the Harlequins winger, did not score on his debut but his mazy run assisted Danny Cipriani’s try late in the first half, while Riki Flutey, the Wasps centre who qualified for British citizenship in the summer, was solid in defence and showed glimpses of why he was voted players’ player of last season. The Maori-born 28-year-old’s pass was key to England’s first try, scored on 15 minutes following fly-half Cipriani’s penalty six minutes earlier. Flutey’s fizzed miss-pass found Armitage who lobbed inside to winger Paul Sackey, who ran in his ninth try for his country. He would later score his tenth.

The Pacific Islanders, made up of the cream of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, had never before played against England but hit back almost immediately. Cipriani’s clearance kick in his own 22 was charged down by outside centre Seru Rabeni, who followed up to score.

Despite that conceded try blotting his copy book, Cipriani linked well scrum-half Danny Care and the 21-year olds, who only had five caps between them before kick-off, will be crucial for England’s evolution.

Cipriani make amends for his sloppy mistake by supporting Monye’s run and, after taking the pass, scored three minutes before the interval. Monye, 25, had dashed impressively from his own 22 and shipped to the Wasps No10 when he was eventually caught. Cipriani converted his own try, two of 19 points in a near-perfect kicking game – he missed one conversion from the touchline. Pierre Hola’s penalty on the stroke of half-time took the score to 20-10.

Four minutes after the break Kennedy caught a line out, dropped it to Care, who raced through the gap, and collected the return to gleefully belly-flop over the try line. The Pacific Islanders scored a penalty through substitute Seremaia Martens with 25 minutes remaining, but that was to be their last score of the afternoon.

With 13 minutes left Lee Mears, the Bath hooker, made the most of the visitors’ fatigue and bundled over for a converted score in between the posts. He was later replaced for another debutant, Dylan Hartley, 22, of Northampton Saints. Sackey added another try with five minutes to go to take the score to a flattering 39-13.

ENGLAND

Tries: Sackey (2), Cipriani, Kennedy an Mears
Conversions: Cipriani 4 (5)
Penalties: Cipriani 2 (2)

PACIFIC ISLANDERS

Tries: Rabeni
Conversions: Hola 1 (1)
Penalties: Hola 1 (2), Bai 1 (1)

England: Armitage, Sackey, Noon, Flutey, Monye, Cipriani, Care, Sheridan, Mears, Stevens, Borthwick, Kennedy, Croft, Rees, Easter.
Replacements: Hartley, Vickery, Palmer, Haskell, Lipman, Ellis, Flood.

Pacific Islanders: Ratuvou, Tagicakibau, Rabeni, Mapusua, Delasau, Hola, Rauluni, Va'a, Lutui, Johnston, Levi, Leawere, Naevo, Latu, Maka.
Replacements: Koto Vuli, Pulu, T-Pole, Stowers, Martens, Bai, Taione.

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Thursday, November 06, 2008

BLUES TITO READY FOR BIARRITZ CHALLENGE

Paul Tito, the colossal ginger-haired Kiwi captain of the Cardiff Blues, is pleased with the progress his team have made so far this season – they have booked their place in March’s semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup and are top Pool 6 in the Heineken Cup. But the lock knows that December’s double-header against French giants Biarritz will be a good litmus test to see whether they can go all the way in Europe’s most coveted prize.

In Pool 6 the Blues chalked up bonus point wins against Calvisano in northern Italy and at home against Gloucester in October. The victories lifted Cardiff to 10 points – five ahead of Biarritz, who they host on December 5 at Cardiff Arms Park – and stand a good chance of going further than they did last season when Dai Young's team reached the quarter-finals after impressive group stage victories over all three of their opponents.

It was another French team, Stade Toulousain, who former prop Young's team eventually fell to – in April they lost 41-17 in the south of France to the eventual runners-up and the 2008 Super 14 winners, who also pipped the Blues to the Heineken Cup in the 1995/06 final.

“We have moved on from last year,” says 30-year-old Tito, who moved to the Blues from his native Taranaki in June 2007. “We made steps in the right direction last year and there were many signs of improvement. We finished in the top eight of the Heineken Cup, gained good away wins in the EDF Energy Cup, though we didn’t make it through, and in the Magners League we came second.

“Now we have picked up from where we left off and we are trying to move the bus forward. We have done really well to get through to the semis of the EDF, as we played the top three sides in England. It was a daunting pool and we were lucky that Sale Sharks did not put out a full-strength team. Leicester Tigers and Bath both put good teams out though and we came away with wins. I think those victories gave the team the confidence to say, ‘we can go away to these tough places and get a result’.”

Tito had never been to Italy before the Blues’ Heineken Cup opener in October, but he stepped into the unknown and inspired his team to a 56-20 win and followed it up with a 37-24 win at home to Gloucester. “Calvisano, and going over to Italy, was an unknown for me – I didn’t know what to expect,” he says. “Some of the guys had been before but we started a bit slow and we got a couple of yellow cards which kept us at bay in the first half. But once we started going after the ball we got going, and managed to score a lot of tries. It was pleasing to come away with the five points.

“The Gloucester game was massive for us, one that we had been looking forward to for a long time. Playing at the Millennium Stadium for the first time in front a record 27,000 was awesome. It was a great spectacle, and they played their part by chucking the ball about. Both teams scored some fantastic tries. Stopping Gloucester getting any points was a huge achievement.

“If you had said at the start of the season that Cardiff Blues would have 10 points after two Heineken Cup games, I think half the world would have said ‘rubbish’. So we are happy where we are but we know we have to keep working at our game.”

The former New Zealand Under-21s skipper believes that back-rower Andy Powell and 19-year-old winger Leigh Halfpenny’s call-ups to the Wales team prove how good the team are developing. Tito continues: “It’s great that those guys have been promoted to the Wales team, but when you are playing well as a club team you can do that. It’s awesome that Leigh and Andy have been selected – it just shows that the Blues are heading in the right direction.

“I tell the guys that we don’t need individuals here, we need a good all round team performance. I think that is what we are getting now. And with a good quality squad everyone knows that if they are not performing, or playing well there will be someone ready to take their place now. It doesn’t matter who you are or how long you have been at the club.”

On December’s opponents, who they face away on December 13, he adds: “I do not know an awful lot about Biarritz to tell you the truth, but no doubt I will talk to the other boys who know more about them. But we know that when playing the French, at home, you have to be on top of your game. If you think you can tough them up you have got to have your best game of the season.

“Playing the first game in Cardiff is an advantage for us as it gives us a chance to get right into it. And we have got straight to it this year and we need to keep our performances right up there.

“We know that they will be coming over to Wales to try and knock us over. But we will have to be on our mettle to beat them. I am excited about the Biarritz challenge. Last year when we played Stade Francais over in France we came very close to beating them (they lost 12-6), and no one has managed that. We have proved that we are a team that can travel.”

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WILSON HOPING EASTBOURNE CAN SCALE GREATER HEIGHTS IN FA CUP

Garry Wilson has been Eastbourne Borough FC manager for nearly a decade and has a habit of lifting the club to unprecedented heights. On Saturday, when his team hosts fellow Blue Square Premier club Barrow in the FA Cup First Round Proper, he hopes that another record is broken.

“Every year we seem to push on to new levels that we have never seen before,” says the Scotsman, who, away from his footballing commitments, is an electronics operations manager. “We have never advanced past the First Round.

“If we were to get through to the Second Round for the first time it would be great for the club, both financially and for the fans. The first time we reached the First Round Proper, in 2005, it was an amazing achievement (they lost to Oxford United in a replay). Now it is our third time we are looking to break a new barrier again and get to the Second Round.”

Wilson took charge of the club in 1999 and under his watch Eastbourne have been elevated four levels, from the Sussex County League to the Blue Square Premier – the league they were promoted to in May.

“This is my tenth season,” continues Wilson, “and that was the aim when I first went to the club – to reach the conference. Me and my assistant manager, Nick Greenwood, have been at the club for nine, nearly ten, years. It was a dream back then but we have now made it happen and we are quite proud of that.

“The club has evolved and moved on so much. When I first started we were getting crowds of less than 100 people. Now we are averaging over 1,000 every week at Priory Lane. We now have full-time staff at the club now too. It has changed from a little, local club to a professional business.”

Now that Wilson’s side are in the Blue Square Premier, where most clubs train five days a week as opposed to the two night-time sessions his part-timers have, the step up has been tricky. But in 18th position they are nine points better off than bottom-placed Lewes and only four points below Barrow, who sit in 11th.

The manager continues: “We are taking one step at a time and we never thought it would click overnight. It is a difficult league and miles above where we have come from. The quality is better in the Blue Square Premier and we find ourselves coming up against teams who are very organised and fit. As a team we are holding well against some good clubs. And we have given the existing squad the chance to have a go at it; we felt they deserved it.”

Indeed defender Darren Baker has been at the Sussex club for 14 seasons, and is close to amassing 800 appearances, and a handful of others have been in the team for many years. Lee Hook, the goalkeeper, has been at the club for six years, full-back Ben Austin and left-winger Matt Crabb, eight, while central midfielder Matt Smart has been serving for seven years.

“There are quite a number of players who have been at the club for a long time and that stability in the side is one of our strengths,” Wilson says. “We just tweak small things every now and again. It is satisfying to see some players who played at county league level come up and play in the conference and do well.”

On Barrow, Saturday’s opposition who, at home, defeated Eastbourne 3-1 in the league last month, Wilson adds: “They are a bit like us. They came up last year and had a great year – they were on fire at the start. This season they had a good start and had a hiccup but since they won against Crawley Town a few weeks ago they are back on a good run.

“Barrow are a side who work well together and work hard. They will be difficult to break down as was shown the other week when we had most of the possession but couldn’t turn it into goals. It will be a very tight and there won’t be a lot in it – the table shows that. It will all depend who adapts best on the day.

“I hope cup fever grips the town and we have a good crowd so we make the most of the home advantage. This game is more winnable than last year’s First Round Proper tie against Weymouth was (they lost 4-0 at Priory Lane and attracted a record gate of 2,711). If we are in the hat after Saturday it gives us better odds of drawing a bigger club in the next round.”

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BORTHWICK EXCITEMENT AT NEW ENGLAND ERA BEGINS

Steve Borthwick is “excited” at leading England for the first time at Twickenham, though the 29-year-old believes that there are plenty of team-mates ready to shoulder the burden of responsibility against the Pacific Islanders on Saturday. The Saracens lock suggested that half-backs Danny Care and Danny Cipriani, who have five caps between them, are born leaders.

And Borthwick, who was named permanent captain by new team manager, Martin Johnson, believes that their opponents – the cream of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji – will prove tougher opponents than many critics believe. This will be the first time that England have faced them, though Borthwick is looking for a winning start to a new epoch in the national team’s history.

On marching his side out at the home of rugby, Borthwick said: “It’s hard to put into words. It is a great privilege to play for England, and then the opportunity to lead out England at Twickenham, our home ground, is almost beyond belief. It is absolutely fantastic and I am excited about the opportunity.

“I will lead the team out but what is important is that we have great players and leaders. We have that in this team; we have those guys who have the leadership skills required. Some players might be young but they are leading their teams. Danny Care, Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter – that axis of eight, nine and ten is hugely important.

“It’s not a concern at all that the half-backs have limited experience at international level. They are the best players in their position now. The way they have trained, the way they have helped organised the England game, and the way they have played when they have had the opportunity to play, they have done exceptionally well. We have to have people willing to step up for the team and they can – we have outstanding leaders.”

The second row, who moved from Bath to his London employers in the summer, continued: “This is a huge challenge for us and it will be an exciting game – they are a formidable side. We are back here at Twickenham, where we have not played for the last few months.

“The main aspect for me is that this is a new England team. There are new faces and we have a new team manager in place and a new attack coach (Brian Smith, the former London Irish coach). It is a very exciting time for us in English rugby.”

Borthwick was named temporary captain for the two-Test series against the All Blacks in the summer, but he insists that England, who were whitewashed in New Zealand, are a new proposition now.

He added: “I believe we have improved as a side and new players have come in. What happened in New Zealand feels like a long time ago. That was the past and what I am concentrating on is the now. We feel as though we have moved on.

“But the onus is always on the players to perform. We all absolutely love playing for our country. I want to make sure that the guys who are playing in their very first game a great day and we start this season in a really positive manner.”

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