Month: September 2019

There’s a new breed of backrowers at the Waratahs and they’re ready to answer Daryl Gibson’s call.

Michael Hooper will be the lone experienced head in the backrow come Saturday’s match against the Force, with Jack Dempsey and Michael Wells either side of him and rookie Brad Wilkin on the bench.

Dempsey said he felt ready to answer Gibson’s challenge for the younger generation to step up, equipped with renewed experience as one of four development players on last year’s Wallabies Spring Tour.

“We’ve been waiting for a couple of years behind, personally, I’ve been behind guys like Dave Dennis, Wycliff Palu, watching them, learning off them and Hoops as well and Daryl’s made it clear that this year’s going to be a year for a lot of us to really have a crack,” he said.

“The things I learned (on Spring Tour) around the set piece for me, personally, were really eye opening.

“We can take that into the Waratahs’ culture and prepare a lot better and train at that next level.”

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Dempsey had a taste of captaincy in the preseason,in the side’s Mudgee trial against the Brumbies, but won’t be trying to leap into any official leadership spots anytime soon.

‘I was definitely caught off guard by that one,” he said.

“Obviously we’ve got one of the best skippers here in the country and Dave Dennis who’s just left, one of the best ones we’ve had at the club.

“I’ve had a lot of guys to learn off, so it wasn’t too hard to go out there and do that.”

The Waratahs are battling injuries in the backrow department with last year’s starting eight, Jed Holloway (hamstring), ruled out until at least round four, opening the door for Ned Hanigan to make a switch from the second row.

“It’s already an area where there’s a high attrition rate around injury and we’re already a little thin,” Gibson said.

“I think you may see someone like Ned Hanigan, who can play at six or eight potentially get into that spot if we have any injuries.”

Hooper has led the way when it comes to attacking flankers and Gibson said fans could expect that from all of their backrowers, who are potent when it comes to scoring.

“Certainly I see very much that backrow as the new breed, the new energy that’s going to fuel our team,” Gibson said.

“I see those three players in particular (Brad Wilkin, Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway) as backrowers who are like backs and we’re going to play a game that really tries to harness those strengths.

“So, you’ll see a lot of Jack and those loose forwards out on those wide channels really creating havoc.”

Leroy Houston is ready to fight for a position in arguably the strongest back-row unit in Australian rugby.

Houston, 30, came from the clouds to win his debut Wallabies cap last year and is desperate for a platform to further impress coach Michael Cheika by carving out a place in Queensland’s starting 15 this season.

A former fan favourite at English Premiership club Bath, Houston will need to beat former Wallaby Scott Higginbotham and highly rated youngster Caleb Timu – regarded by some at Ballymore as a future Wallaby – to get hands on the No.8 jersey.

That would mean the luxury of playing alongside veteran great George Smith and Japanese international Hendrik Tui, who are likely to be the first-choice flankers.
The Reds are tipped to be big improvers in 2017 and Houston wants to be a major part of it.

“It’s a huge challenge but I strive for that,” he said.

“Me personally, I don’t feel any expectation. I just feel like, I’m trying to make the starting 15.

“It might be a selfish goal but for now it’s just focusing on playing good footy and trying to make that starting 15 week in, week out.
Houston has trained the entire summer at Ballymore after signing with the Reds in May last year, ending a five-year stint in European rugby.

He also played off the bench at Twickenham against Argentina in October to make his first Wallabies appearance, which came more than a decade after he was first included in a Test squad.

“I haven’t had a full-on pre-season like this for a while,” Houston said.

“I had ones overseas but because the seasons are so long over there, they don’t push you as hard.

“How tough the pre-season is, the (heat) just puts it on another tenfold. But you can’t knock the weather, the sun’s real beautiful.”

Houston is likely to make his first appearance for the Reds at the inaugural Brisbane Global Tens on February 11-12.

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The Queensland Reds kick off their 2017 Super Rugby season at Suncorp Stadium against the Durban Sharks. Memberships can be purchased at www.redsrugby.com.au

The Rebels scraped past the Brumbies at the death on the back of Reece Hodge’s boot.

This is what we learned from the 27-24 result.

1. Hodge heroics

Reece Hodge took the reins at flyhalf in place of Jack Debreczeni with just under 30 to play and Melbourne’s attack was unrecognisable from the kick first unit that stumbled their way to 10 first half points.Hodge led the charge as Melbourne ran the ball from their own half and they were immediately rewarded through two tries – one to Jack Maddocks, the other to Semisi Tupou – which put them back in the match. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has long thought of Hodge as an option at flyhalf and one has to wonder whether Rebels coach Dave Wessels may push his match-winner there more often.

2. Maddocks makes mark

Maddocks sparked Melbourne’s resurgent second half with a try in the 61st minute and it was just rewards for his best game since the Rebels’ hot start to the season. The star fullback is a barometer of sorts for Melbourne as when he plays well, it’s usually off the back of a dominant Rebels pack. A pair of tackle busts, line break and 72 metres with ball in hand capped a superb night.

3. Valetini aims up

It was just a flash but in one fell swoop in the 30th minute, Brumbies young gun Rob Valetini showed the Super Rugby world what he is capable of. ACT had peppered the Rebels line for little reward with Amanaki Mafi in the sin bin but that quickly changed when Valetini ran a perfect line between two Melbourne defenders at full tilt, Joe Powell hitting him on the chest as he crashed over the line. It was the perfect example of the devastating combination Valetini boasts – a 193cm, 113kg frame and a dash of rugby smarts.The latter element has long been missing from many an Australian player’s game.

4. Rebels in touch

The comeback win snapped Melbourne’s five game losing streak and kept them in touch with the Waratahs, now just one point behind the conference leaders. The Waratahs have a game in hand but the pair have cleared out from the Reds, who blew their chance to stay in touch with a woeful performance against the Sunwolves.

5. Brumbies blow finals hopes

The Brumbies are still 10 points adrift of the Waratahs and with just six rounds remaining, their finals prospects appear slim. It was the Brumbies’ first loss to the Rebels after leading at the break, another blown opportunity summing up their season.

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The statistics are damning, but the Brumbies insist Australia’s diabolical trans-Tasman Super Rugby record is irrelevant ahead of their quarter-final against the Hurricanes.

Kiwi sides won all 25 regular season matches against Australian opponents, with the Chiefs completing the rout by beating a second-string Brumbies in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Brumbies weren’t disgraced in the 28-10 defeat and have a host of stars set to return for the sudden-death final after resting players for the dead rubber.

The Hurricanes became the only team to defeat New Zealand conference champions the Crusaders with a 31-22 win in Wellington.

That booked their place in Friday night’s playoff in Canberra, where the Brumbies will aim to be the first Australian team to defeat a Kiwi team since May last year.

“Regardless of what’s happened in the past, that’s not going to affect us,” Brumbies hooker Robbie Abel told AAP.

“I think for us, that couldn’t further in the back of our minds.

“We’ve really been focusing on us and focused on winning.”

Veteran flanker Scott Fardy claimed to be unaware of the Kiwi domination when asked about the statistic.

Incidentally, the Hurricanes were the last New Zealand team the Brumbies beat, but 511 days will have passed since round one, 2016 when the two sides run on to GIO Stadium.

Co-captain Sam Carter and fellow Wallabies forwards Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa and Rory Arnold are expected to start, while Jordan Smiler and Chris Alcock are also set to return to the XV.

Scrumhalf Joe Powell is likely to relegate Argentina No. 9 Tomas Cubelli to the bench, after a breakout year in the Argentinian’s injury-enforced absence.

Exciting young fullback Tom Banks is set to return to the starting backline along with Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani, but Kyle Godwin and Aidan Toua’s seasons are over after suffering injuries in the loss to the Queensland Reds.

Star flyhalf Christian Lealiifano could be a wildcard selection, less than a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

After starting against the Chiefs, Abel is likely to return to the bench in favour of veteran Josh Mann-Rea who has been the first-choice hooker this season.

“It’s more about the bigger picture and whatever’s best for the team. Whatever that is, it’s the coach’s call and we’ll take it as it comes,” Abel said.

FIXTURE

Super Rugby quarter-finals

QF1 – Saturday July 22 – Lions vs Sharks

QF 2 – Saturday July 22- Crusaders vs Highlanders

QF3 – Saturday July 22 -Stormers vs Chiefs

QF4 – Friday July 21 – Brumbies vs Hurricanes

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The Brumbies have re-signed promising lock Blake Enever until 2020.

Queenslander Enever joined the Brumbies in 2015 and has shown his potential in that time, standing out for the Vikings in the NRC.

The 25-year-old has played 10 games this season for the ACT franchise, as part of the team’s rotation policy.

“I am very happy with re-signing for the Brumbies and am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as a senior player in the squad,” Enever said.

“Since I signed for the Brumbies, I feel that I am becoming a better player day by day and am delighted that my future will be with this franchise.

“There’s a lot of exciting times ahead for the Brumbies and I am looking forward to being part of it.”

Brumbies CEO MIchael Thomson said Enever was a long-term prospect for the Canberra side.  

“We are extremely happy that Blake has decided to commit himself to the Brumbies,” he said.

“He has exactly the kind of qualities that we are looking for in a Brumby. He is young, enthusiastic and has a tremendous skill-set both at the set-piece and in the loose. His attitude is first rate and we anticipate a very exciting future for him.

“We have a well-earned reputation for giving young talent the opportunity to shine and I am sure that Blake, along with all of our other recent re-signings, will help to drive the club forward into the future.”

The Brumbies are taking on the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore on Thursday, kicking off at 9pm AEST, streamed LIVE at brumbiesrugby.com.au.

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Quade Cooper will use his “healthy rivalry” with Bernard Foley as added motivation in what already shapes as a season defining clash with the Waratahs on Saturday.

The pair have chopped and changed as first choice flyhalf through Michael Cheika’s tenure and have even played alongside each other for a considerable stretch of Tests last year.

While Cooper’s mind was clearly on his duties in leading the Reds to a second consecutive win at Suncorp Stadium, he did highlight the desire to earn the starting job when the June Test series rolls around.

“We’ve played alongside each other for a long time now so there is always going to be a healthy rivalry,” Cooper said.

“Everyone wants to start – everyone wants that starting job.

“But at the same time my job is here in the Reds jumper and that’s all I’m focused on.”While they aren’t in direct contrast, Cooper and Foley are very different players that offer very different skill sets for the Wallabies.

When Cooper is on song and getting clean, front foot ball there is little the opposition can do to contain him.

He gets his forward rolling over the gain line and organises his backs with the eye of a true field general, always making the right pass and right decision when required.

His passing is superb on both sides and he is a touch more agile, though Foley is perhaps better in searching for his own line breaks.

Cooper’s performance against the Kings – while not against strong opposition – was evidence of what he can do behind a dominant forward pack.

Foley is more understated in his approach to controlling his team’s attack but does not lack creativity.

He has, however, had the unpredictability of Kurtley Beale inside him in the last three seasons.He has taken on more of an attacking burden in 2017 and does not look out of place in doing so – all the while remaining a more astute field kicker and more reliable in the defensive line.

“He’s been the cornerstone of their attack for a long period now,” Cooper said.

“Obviously with Kurtley Beale being there over the past few years – those two have had a good combination.

“It’s been a little bit different not having Kurtley there so more is falling on Nard’s (Foley’s) shoulders.

“He’s a great threat in terms of his running game, he’s a good communicator in what I’ve had to do with him.

“He’s where it all evolves around.

“If we stop the ball at him and Izzy (Folau) doesn’t get the ball – he’s probably their best attacking weapon – if we can slow down the ball and momentum when it gets to him, that’s going to put us in a good position.”

On a team front, Cooper said the desire to pick up bragging rights over NSW burned strong.

“You only have to go have a yarn to the boys – Karmichael obviously played State of Origin, Thorny did as well – you can feel the energy just coming off them in the lead up to a game like this.

“In saying that, it’s a totally different sport.

“Any Queensland-New South Wales clash is always a tough, competitive environment and we are just focused on our season and trying to improve our season.”

The Reds host the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on radio at RUGBY.com.au.

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The Frenchman is enjoying an incredible run of form at Old Trafford and a club legend feels the midfielder can become the best in the business

Manchester United star Paul Pogba can become the best player in the world, according to Nemanja Vidic.

Pogba, 25, has starred for United since caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho at the helm in December, contributing directly to 15 goals (nine goals and six assists) in 12 games in all competitions.

The France midfielder had appeared set for an exit from Old Trafford before Solskjaer’s arrival, but the Norwegian has got the best out of Pogba and his form has helped United move up to fourth in the Premier League.

In an interview with Omnisport, Vidic, who was speaking on behalf of TAG Heuer, the official timekeeping partner of the Premier League, said Pogba was capable of becoming the world’s leading player.

“I think even when I was playing at a club, what you want from your leaders is you want them to be an example,” Vidic began.

“You don’t want them to talk – sometimes yes, to be encouraging towards the players – but you want them to be an example. I think Paul is a great player, has a great talent and he’s showed how good he is.

“But if he starts running and doing things he does I think he can even maybe aim for other things – individual awards and maybe get even to be the best player in the world.”

Vidic became a fan favourite and developed into one of Europe’s finest defenders during in his trophy-laden stint at the club between 2006 and 2014.

The former Serbia international and Pogba were briefly at United together before the latter left for Juventus in 2012.

Vidic believes Pogba has recently shown just how important he is to the Premier League club in his second spell.

“He was in the reserves when I was at the club. He trained at the time with us a few times. He was always technically good, very physical, he has a presence on the pitch,” Vidic added.

“He has as well some difficulties in the beginning and maybe recent times, but in the last few weeks, he’s playing some great football. I think he’s one of the leaders in the team.

“If he keeps performing like he’s performing, running up and down like he’s doing, I think he’s showing examples to other players. I think that’s very important from the quality players, players who have some reputation like Pogba has, with winning the World Cup, playing for Juventus, winning trophies.

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“Some players are looking towards him and so if he does these things, I think other players will do even more than him.

“In terms of that, I think sometimes even if he doesn’t perform well I think his character is very important for the team.”

:: Nemanja Vidic was speaking on behalf of TAG Heuer, official timekeeping partner of the Premier League, to promote the TAG Heuer Premier League Pressure Test (http://tagheuerpressuretest.com/).

The reigning MLS Cup champions went to Costa Rica and endured a painful lesson in just how tricky the Concacaf Champions League can be

As Arthur Blank sat in the tiny Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero, he probably wondered how a team that calls an 8,700-seat stadium home could cause problems for his Atlanta United. The billionaire learned quickly that when it comes to the Concacaf Champions League knockout rounds, things are rarely easy for MLS teams.

It’s a lesson that four of five MLS teams in CCL action this week were reminded of, with Sporting Kansas City being the only MLS team so win comfortably. Ironically, Sporting KC was the only one of the five to be facing a Mexican opponent, albeit a struggling one in Toluca.

Toronto FC was the only MLS team to be effectively eliminated after the first leg, falling 4-0 to Panamanian side Independiente. The Houston Dynamo rode a DaMarcus Beasley winner to a 1-0 road win against Guatemalan side Guastatoya, while the New York Red Bulls shook off some poor finishing to eventually post a comfortable 2-0 win against Dominican minnows Atletico Pantoja.

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Atlanta was expected to be the fourth MLS team to secure a first-leg victory in this week’s Round of 16 action, but Herediano had other plans, posting a 3-1 victory over the MLS champions. Atlanta United faced the reigning Costa Rica champions and looked nothing like the team that dominated the competition on the way to an MLS Cup title last December. Instead of the stingy defense we saw then, Atlanta’s back-line was shaky, with Leandro Gonzalez Pirez turning in a woeful performance. Instead of the normally automatic finishing of reigning MLS scoring king Josef Martinez, Atlanta United fans watched their star striker squander the two best chances he saw on a frustrating night.

Herediano deserves credit for punishing Atlanta United’s mistakes, including Julian Gressel’s lax defending on Herediano’s third goal, a second-half tally that could prove costly when the team’s return to Atlanta next week for the second leg.

Atlanta United head coach Frank De Boer couldn’t have been happy with his team played. He has been emphasizing defensive structure and sharp passing in his attempt to put his stamp on the team Tata Martino lead to a title just two months ago, but neither were on display on Thursday. The 3-4-3 setup De Boer deployed did succeed in enjoying healthy stretches of possession, but Atlanta’s transition defending was abysmal, and passing in the final third was disappointing.

If there was a bright spot for Atlanta, it was the official debut of Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez, who showed the quality that made him a Copa Libertadores winner and South American player of the year with River Plate. What was also shown was the lack of familiarity between Martinez and his teammates, who struggled to click in the final third, which cost Atlanta United the chance to punish a Herediano defense that was capable of being breached.

There were far more forgettable performances for Atlanta than memorable ones. Ezequiel Barco was largely invisible, a worrisome 2019 debut for a player who enters the year trying to prove that his disappointing 2018 was just a blip. Gressel was responsible for Atlanta’s lone goal, sending a goal-bound shot that was deflected past Herediano’s goalkeeper, but he had a poor night otherwise.

Then there was 17-year-old George Bello, the Atlanta United academy product and the apple of the eye of so many Atlanta fans who are hoping he can slide into the starting lineup and blossom into a standout and U.S. national team option. He struggled badly,  not just defending, but in the attack and with his positioning. It was the kind of night that he’ll want to forget, but it was also the kind of night that is important for the development of a clearly talented but still raw defender. He is a player who is carrying some unrealistic expectations heading into the season, but a player who should get his opportunities to grow on the job.

As disappointing as the night was for Atlanta, all is not lost. The MLS Cup winners aren’t staring at an impossible scoreline like Toronto FC, which suffered a brutal 4-0 loss to Panamanian side Independiente on Tuesday. No, Atlanta returns home knowing it can advance with a 2-0 victory, or win by three or more goals. That sort of result is well within Atlanta’s reach, but it will require sharper passing, better finishing, and above all, sharper defending than Atlanta showed on Thursday.

The Hoops persuaded Neil Lennon to return to the club after Brendan Rodgers joined Leicester City and he is now keen to put his own stamp on the squad

Celtic’s new manager Neil Lennon wants to distance himself from comparisons with former boss Brendan Rodgers, as he prepares for his second spell in charge at the club.

The Scottish champions, who are in pursuit of a third consecutive domestic treble, have turned to their former boss Lennon on an interim basis until the end of this season following Rodgers’ departure to Leicester City.

The 47-year-old led Celtic between 2010 and 2014, winning three league titles, but expected to be taking in some sunshine rather than facing the media on Wednesday, cancelling holiday plans to accept the job.

“My Speedos were packed, the factor 50 all done and now I am stuck here with you guys! I am sure you are all delighted about that,” Lennon said.

“It was a no-brainer, I’m very grateful to be here. The board have put their faith in me to see out the season.”

Lennon appreciates his initial job is to make sure a team that excelled under Rodgers continues to run smoothly – unlike in his first Celtic tenure, there are few major issues to address on the field.

However, he also insists that he will bring his own unique style to the table, as he added: “The most important thing is the club. They’ve lost a manager who will go down as one of the greats. I’ve got big shoes to fill.

“The team’s been unbelievable under Brendan. When I took over the last time the club was in a very different position.

“Tactically, you learn as you go along. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t want to be compared to Brendan.

“I know some people will do that as we go along. Brendan has his way and it has been fantastic, I have my way.

“Brendan has certainly raised the bar in terms of trophies. Everyone is talking about 10 [titles in a row], I would just like to get to eight first and then take it from there.

“That is the most important thing to me and I am not looking too far ahead.

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“I like to play attacking football, as did Brendan. It is the DNA of the club.”

No stranger to confrontation or controversy, Lennon’s first game back at Celtic comes away to Hearts – where he was hit by a coin thrown from the crowd during a game when in charge of Hibernian earlier this season.

His former club Hibs are up next at the weekend in the quarter-finals of the Scottish FA Cup, but Lennon insists he has mellowed since his initial stint at Celtic Park.

“I’m not as volatile. I wanted to take on the world when I first took over,” he explained.

“You learn from that, you mellow. But I still have that energy and I still have the will to win, which I want to always bring with me.

“I’ve been on good behaviour this year. I’ve had no issues with referees or linesmen.

“I like to have that edge. But in terms of my behaviour, I will monitor that as best as I can. It’s maturity, it’s experience. Obviously, you don’t want to sit in the stand and not be able to do your job properly – so I’m very aware of that.”

The Blues are making pre-season plans in Asia as they aim to improve their schedule for the manager next season

Chelsea are in talks to play two friendlies in Japan this summer, with Barcelona and Kawasaki Frontale options for the Blues to play against, Goal understands.

Manager Maurizio Sarri complained about the amount of travel this pre-season, with Chelsea heading to Australia and then back to Europe to play friendlies in France and Ireland.

The Blues are now looking to make life easier for their coach, whose recent defeat to Man City on penalties and win against Tottenham have eased fears that he was soon to lose his job.

The Omiya Stadium in Saitama is one venue being discussed, which houses 15,500, as the Blues look to also include some commercial activities with one of their main sponsors, Yokohama Tyres.

The Blues are also looking at having a training camp in Europe, with camps in Austria in several recent seasons proving popular among players.

Their plans come outside of the International Champions Cup, which they have taken part in over recent seasons, giving the club more power to dictate their own schedule.

An unorthodox end-of-season friendly has also been arranged with New England Revolution, which has been described as a ‘Game For Change’, as the Roman Abramovich led ‘Say No To Antisemitism’ campaign produces a marquee event with the MLS club.

The campaign won Community Project of the Year prize at the London Football Awards on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are also likely to face J-League outfit Vissel Kobe – the current team of their former star players Andres Iniesta and David Villa – while they visit the Far East over the summer.

 

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