Month: September 2019

The Dutchman feels his former club have what it takes to get all the way to Madrid, having just knocked Juventus out of the running

Former Ajax midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has predicted his old side to reach the final of the Champions League, where he believes they will face Barcelona.

Ajax have reached the semi-finals in spectacular style after beating Juventus 3-2 on aggregate – following a 2-1 win in the second leg in Turin – defying all expectations to make the last four of the tournament.

They have not had an easy run, either. The Eredivisie outfit met Bayern Munich in the group stages, reigning champions Real Madrid in the last 16 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in the quarter-finals.

However, just one loss across six games against those European giants has put Ajax within touching distance of the final, and old boy Van der Vaart is confident they will make it now, along with Barcelona, who defeated Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate to ease into the final four.

“Ajax were much better than Juventus in the second half [in Turin],” Van der Vaart told the BBC.

“We talk about going to the gym and being strong and quick, but they can all play with the ball and, in the end, clever football wins.

“I never thought they could get this far but it is so nice to see everyone scared to play against Ajax. Johan Cruyff is our pride and the best player we’ve ever had, and I’m so happy two of his teams are in the semi-finals. I’m 100% sure they are going to play each other in the final.”

Van der Vaart also reserved special praise for Barcelona-bound midfielder Frenkie de Jong, an integral part of the attractive, intricate, high-pressing football Ajax are playing.

“Frenkie de Jong was one of my favourites tonight even though he didn’t play his best game. They play like a team and when you play away in Italy and your goalkeeper doesn’t make a save, it is fantastic.”

Ajax’s next opponents will be either Manchester City or Tottenham, with the latter holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in London. Meanwhile, Liverpool are widely expected to be Barcelona’s next opponents after the Reds beat Porto 2-0 at Anfield in their first meeting.

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The Trotters squad will not play in their remaining Championship matches after not being paid March wages, and their union is on their side

Bolton Wanderers players have threatened to not participate in their remaining Championship games after not being paid since February.

The Trotters, who are already relegated to League One for next season, face fixtures against Brentford and Nottingham Forest to round out the season, but their players are refusing to play until they are paid, citing “mental, emotional and financial burdens”.

The players released a statement in which they reference the attempt by chairman, Ken Anderson, to sell the club, with former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini rumoured to be close to a deal, which has not got over the line in time to prevent them taking action.

“The long-running financial crisis at our club has been well-documented. As has the fact that we, the playing staff, have yet to receive our March salaries. Five of our coaching staff are also yet to be paid for March,” the players said  in a statement released by the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA).

“We have endeavoured to continue our training and playing commitments during this extremely difficult time, with seemingly no resolution in sight.

“We thought that the prospective takeover of the club would provide a solution, but difficulties in its completion have left us no further forward.

“This situation is creating mounting mental, emotional and financial burdens for people through no fault of their own. The mental pressure has affected some people to the extent that they feel they are unable to perform their jobs sufficiently.

“These are unprecedented circumstances and are affecting every aspect of our lives, placing great strain on ourselves and our families.

“During this time we have remained patient in hope of some explanation but information from the club has been extremely limited and very confusing. What we have been told changes constantly.

“With deep regret, we have decided not to fulfil our remaining fixtures unless we are paid. We understand that this will disappoint our fans and for this we sincerely apologise.

“We realise this may be seen as drastic action but we feel we have no other options left. This decision has not been taken lightly and is not a reaction to this one particular incident.

“We have suffered numerous issues this season, and recent seasons, brought on by the mismanagement of this club. We have been operating in a near untenable environment for some time and it is the accumulation of these issues that have resulted in our decision.”

The PFA has said they support the player’s actions, but also that they will seek to find a resolution for the good of the club and their members.

“The PFA supports the actions of the Bolton Wanderers players,” the organisation said.

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“The players have shown great patience and loyalty towards the club all season, but today they have reached a point where action is necessary.

“The PFA has been working with the club since the beginning of the season and we have done all we can to resolve this issue including giving Bolton Wanderers a substantial loan to cover players’ salaries in December.

“We will continue to support and represent the players and work towards a longer-term solution in the best interests of the players and Bolton Wanderers football club.”

Western Force general manager Mark Sinderberry has ruled out the possibility of WA being involved in any movement against the ARU board at this month’s EGM.

Speaking at the Force’s members forum on Wednesday night, Sinderberry dismissed the idea that the ARU board would be under threat in a June 20 EGM, going so far as to praise the board for its decision-making in the Super Rugby process.

The VRU and RUPA voted for the meeting, with the aim of gleaning more understanding around the process that is being used to reduce Australia’s Super Rugby teams from five to four, and neither of them have indicated any potential spill at the meeting.

Referring to the initial April 10 ARU announcement that one of the Force or Rebels would be axed within 48-72 hours, Sinderberry suggested that process was only undergone because of the board.

“We’re not convinced that rolling the ARU board actually achieves anything,” he said.

“I think when you look at it, in some ways the board has actually been through a quite difficult (time) but actually made some key decisions at some key times that actually insisted that there was some period of consultation.

“There was a critical time there where the board stepped up and actually ensured there was a process.”

“I’m not sure what it’s going to achieve.

“We’ve got three scenarios (the Force being axed, the Rebels selling their licence and five teams remaining) – getting rid of the board doesn’t change those three scenarios.

“As much as, yes, it’s easy to get emotional and flustered and say the board’s responsible I actually think in the critical moment the board acted very well and demonstrated why you have a board there.

The Western Force and the ARU are set to be in court next week, after a directions hearing was reportedly postponed this week over the Force’s claim that they are guaranteed a spot in Super Rugby until 2020.

RugbyWA is pushing for the matter to be progressed through the courts, while the ARU has requested the matter goes to arbitration.

“There was some movement with a proposed court case that the Australian Rugby Union were proposing, or their lawyers proposing, it gets moved to an arbitration rather than a straight court hearing,” Sinderberry said on Wednesday night.

“That will get heard in the next couple of days, early next week and…because of a range of issues around player contracting etc that needs to be heard as soon as possible.”

Sinderberry said RugbyWA was pushing for a court proceeding because it would likely be completed quicker than arbitration.

“If it goes to arbitration, we still have the same rights, the value of the contract is the same, all those sorts of things,” he said.

“We just think that the speed the court case would be (quicker).”

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Chance Peni of the Western Force has been cited for alleged foul play during his side’s win over the Melbourne Rebels at nib Stadium in Perth on Friday night.

Peni is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (a) which states: A player must not strike an opponent.

The referee for the match, Will Houston, issued a Yellow Card for the incident which occurred in the fifth minute.

Upon review of the match footage, the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play.

The case will be heard at 5pm (AEST) on Sunday.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is not looking to back down from a request for the Brumbies to rest stars Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and David Pocock this weekend.

The Brumbies play the Sunwolves on Sunday afternoon, just six days before the opening June Test, and Cheika requested that the trio be left out of the side, to give them as much time to prepare as possible.

It’s a game the Brumbies have earmarked for a ’15 for 15′ initiative, promising to donate money to charity should they hit a crowd target, and the ACT franchise is resistant to omit three of their Wallabies for the match.

Cheika said on Wednesday night the issue was yet to be resolved, but was adamant that Test rugby should be the top priority.

“I don’t know if they’re (the Brumbies) refusing at this point,” he said.

“I would say I’ve definitely requested that the players, in order to get preparation, I don’t know about rest.

“Common sense will tell you that a six-day turnaround into a Test match is not ideal for preparation.

“I think throughout the season we’ve done our best to get involved with Super Rugby teams and be as supportive as we can.

“We wanted an earlier start to the Super Rugby season to have a week off before the June Series but with all the Super Rugby teams, we didn’t do that because they wanted to play the Tens and then have a trial match.

“I definitely think it’s the right decision to prioritise those guys getting ready to play for their country.”

Cheika said the conversation was one that began last week, with the Brumbies not really in contention for the Super Rugby finals ahead of the June break.

“I started discussions with them last week, just had a look at how the season’s panning out etc, wanted to take that into consideration as well and try and make a common sense decision around that, a request around that.

“I’m hoping we can work it out together because I know the Brumbies have been very, very supportive of the national program and of us being involved with them all season.

“I (also) took into consideration the Sunwolves will be resting all their Japanese players for the match and I think the Brumbies, the form they’re in and the players they’ve got, think they’re going to beat the Sunwolves regardless.”

Asked whether he would consider potentially limited game time for a player like Pocock instead of a game off, Cheika was frank.

“That belies the reasoning of why I did it in the first place,” he said.

“I think at a certain point, I don’t want to harp on the point, I don’t think a six-day turnaround is the right thing in regards to giving these guys right to play a Test match against number two nation in the world. Grand Slam champions,” he said.

“I think that the Brumbies have been very supportive of the national program all year, I’ve certainly not had any complaints around that.”

Pocock said on FOX SPORTS’ Kick & Chase that he was leaving the choice up to the coaches.

“As far as I’m concerned and Allan and Scott that’s up to the coaches to decide,” he said.

“I’m sure Dan (McKellar) and Cheik will be chatting about that.

“As a  player, it’s a tough one but we’ll wait to see what’s decided.”

The Brumbies are set to name their team for the Sunwolves clash on Friday.

The Wallabies take on Ireland in the June Series, kicking off on Saturday June 9 at Suncorp Stadium, at 8pm AEST. Buy tickets here.

A seamless transition into life as a Rebel convinced Adam Coleman the time was right to take up the captaincy.

The star Wallabies lock is one of a dozen Force players that followed coach Dave Wessels east and it didn’t take long for Wessels to settle on the man he wanted to lead the side into an intriguing year.

“About a month ago Dave came to me and asked me and I said I would think about it because it is a lot of responsibility but I’m really excited about it,” Coleman told reporters on Tuesday.

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“It’s a credit to the boys, how they’ve come together and how seamlessly that transition period has actually happened.

“It’s a real credit to the boys and who they are as a person, not only as a player but how everyone has come together and how everyone is close knit.

“It’s been a lot easier than what we first imagined.”There have been whispers of some tension as the two groups have come together but Coleman wasn’t fazed by those claims.

“When two teams basically merge, as such, there is always going to be teething problems,” he said.

“I don’t think there was one in particular that we were worried about but I think it’s just how quickly we could do that.

“We have done a very good job but we still have some way to go.

“The guys that have been here for years, they welcomed everyone with open arms and for me, personally, they made it seamless.”

Melbourne were well beaten by a classy Brumbies outfit in Saturday’s trial at Queanbeyan but Coleman didn’t have any major concerns about the performance.“It was really exciting to get our new structures in place and it was the first time a lot of the guys have played with those new structures within our attacking system and our defensive system,” he said.

“There are some teething problems but we are looking to fix that and use it as a stepping stone forward.”

As for what leadership style Coleman will employ, the 20-Test lock said little was likely to change.

“I’ve been in various leadership roles within my old team and last year at the Wallabies I was in the leadership group there,” he said.

“I really enjoyed that responsibility but Dave chose me and I am willing to do it.

“I’m just gonna be the same person that I always am.

“I’m going to play my own game and really enjoy my footy – I think when I’m doing that and my team is doing that, we’re really going to perform well.”

Star Reds winger Izaia Perese will make a timely return to rugby on Saturday, named in Queensland’s side to face the Waratahs.

Queensland were dealt a huge blow prior to their season opener, against the Rebels, when Perese was ruled out for the first two months of the season due to a partial ACL tear.

But he is fit and firing and will add a healthy dose of X factor a Reds side that has struggled to score tries despite their encouraging start to the season.

Perese replaces in Eto Nabuli on the left wing but he is not the only change to a Reds team which was well beaten by a desperate Brumbies outfit at GIO Stadium.

There are six total changes to the starting XV, the most impactful of those the absence of Taniela Tupou, who has succumbed to a shoulder injury.Ruan Smith will make his first start of the season in his place.

There is a complete reshuffle of the backrow to accommodate the loss of Scott Higginbotham, too, with Caleb Timu shifting to No. 8, Liam Wright starting at openside flanker and Lukhan Tui named at blindside flanker.

Ben Lucas is yet to recover from a head knock suffered early on against ACT, James Tuttle named as his replacement.

Perese’s inclusion is the only other change to the backline but the bench has a fresh look about it too.

Tate McDermott, Angus Scott-Young and Sef Faagase all return to the 23 after missing out last week, with Adam Korczyk dropping back to the bench to allow for the inclusion of both Tui and Wright in the starting XV.

“It’s disappointing to lose those guys to injury, but we’ve been working hard to develop depth within the squad so that we can cope with these setbacks when they occur,” Thorn said.

“It’s a chance for other players to step up.

“It’s a good opportunity for Ruan to make his first start for us. We’ve had to shuffle the back row, but Lukhan (Tui) has the ability to play Number 6 and lock, so the injury to Scott (Higginbotham) gives him the chance to start at blindside flanker.

“He’s in great shape and is excited to have a crack in that position. We’re keen to see how he goes in that different role.

“Liam (Wright) is a very mobile guy who has been working hard on his game. Adam (Korczyk) has been doing a great job as well, but it’s an opportunity for Liam to start this weekend.

“While we’ve lost some guys through injury, we’re also welcoming one back with Izaia (Perese) starting for the first time this year.

“He’s been cracking in at training, waiting for his chance to get back on the field. He’s a guy who offers a bit of strike in attack, so it’s good to have him back.”

The Reds face the Waratahs at the SCG on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au radio. Buy tickets here.

TEAM

Reds team to face the Waratahs

IN: Izaia Perese, Tate McDermott, Angus Scott-Young, Sef Faagase

OUT:  Taniela Tupou, Scott Higginbotham, Ben Lucas, Eto Nabuli

1. James Slipper (C) – Bond University

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Sunnybank

3. Ruan Smith (run-on debut) –GPS

4. Izack Rodda – Easts

5. Kane Douglas – Norths

6. Lukhan Tui – Souths

7. Liam Wright – Easts

8. Caleb Timu – Souths

9. James Tuttle – GPS

10. Jono Lance – University of Queensland

11. Izaia Perese – Easts

12. Samu Kerevi – Souths

13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths

14. Filipo Daugunu – Wests

15. Aidan Toua – Easts

Reserves 

16. Alex Mafi – Bond University

17. JP Smith – GPS

18. Sef Fa’agase –University of Queensland

19. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland

20. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland

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21. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland

22. Hamish Stewart – Bond University

23. Jordan Petaia – Wests

An NFL-style break ahead of the Super Rugby final could be the solution to help negate the impact of travel in the competition showpiece, according to Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson.

Historically in Super Rugby teams have struggled when they have to travel to play the final, with short turnarounds and long haul flights often involved.

This year the Lions will be the ones who have to make the trip to vie for the trophy as they face the Crusaders in Christchurch.

It’s a direct flip of last year’s final, which the Crusaders won in a rare victory for the travelling team.

Since 1996, just two teams have won the title from outside the top two in the ladder, a position that means they’ve had to travel for at least one sudden-death match.

The challenge of travel is especially acute in Super Rugby compared to other codes in Australia with trips to Argentina and South Africa required through the year.

Though all of those are a reality of a four-union competition, Gibson said the idea of a rest week could help lessen that when the competition reaches its finale.

The Lions will be trying to combat the trip this weekend by travelling mid-week to Christchurch and sticking to South Africa time in New Zealand, a tactic that helped them beat the waratahs earlier this year in Sydney.

In the NFL, teams have a week off between their conference finals and the Super Bowl and Gibson said it could help limit the influence travel has on the competition’s champions.

“Probably been always the disadvantage (goes) to the travelling team…often you would criss cross the globe and try to present yourself in the best possible condition to play and win a match,” he said.

“I think the idea’s got merit – the fact that potentially in the semi-final and finals format that it is extended and it’s something to consider.”

SANZAAR and the four partner unions are currently discussing the shape of Super Rugby into the next broadcast deal.

Currently, the window allowed for Super Rugby is only 22 weeks, limiting the ability to introduce a bye week before the title game but that could potentially change beyond 2020 when a new broadcast deal and a global calendar is introduced.

Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley said any solution that could reduce the impact of travel on the competition would be a good one.

“The team that doesn’t have to travel that much normally goes pretty well,” he said.

“There’s a long record showing the home team normally winning those knock out games.

“However they adjust the format or make it conference style whatever the administration has to do to try and make it a lot less taxing on the players.”

The Crusaders host the Lions in the Super Rugby final on Saturday August 4, kicking off at 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

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Experienced Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick has signed a one-year extension to stay with the club through to 2020.

Fitzpatrick will go to France on a short-term deal in the coming months before he returns to play Super Rugby in 2020.

The 30-year-old has made the starting no. 2 spot his own since returning to Australia from France, after some injury-riddled seasons.

Since he has been back with NSW, Fitzpatrick has played almost every game for the club and beat out Test player Tolu Latu for that starting hooker spot.

His signature is an important one for the Waratahs, with reports in France that their other regular hooker Latu is set to sign with Stade Francais after the World Cup.

NSW general manager of rugby Tim Rapp said Fitzpatrick was a valuable member of their squad.

“Fitzy has been a really consistent performer for us and his leadership around the group is something I know our coaching staff value highly,” he said.

“Throughout his career he’s faced significant challenges and through his hard work, commitment and perseverance has overcome those to become a very accomplished player.

 

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“Early in his career Fitzy had the opportunity to learn from the likes of Adam Freier and Tatafu [Polota-Nau] and also gained great experience from his time overseas.

“We’ve reaped the benefits of that over the last three seasons and I’m glad to have him on board for 2020.”

Fitzpatrick said he was looking forward to helping usher in the next generation of Waratahs.

“Playing for the Waratahs is what I truly love doing, so any opportunity to continuing to do what you love and are passionate about is something I’m grateful for,” he said.

“2020 brings a new challenge, one I’m looking forward to contributing to with a new group of players. There is a lot of hard work to be done between now and then, but I’m privileged to be a part of the Waratahs for another Super Rugby season.

“The unknown is exciting. A new look squad under a new coach can bring endless possibilities and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for the Waratahs.

Star speedster Henry Speight will return to the Brumbies side to take on the Sharks in their quarter-final in a week where coach Dan McKellar had some brutal calls to make.

Speight has missed the past two matches with a foot injury but the 31-year-old has been cleared for the sudden-death match in a boost for the ACT side.

Wingers Speight and Toni Pulu return to the backline while Tom Cusack and Pete Samu start in the backrow ahead of Locky McCaffrey and Jahrome Brown.

Aside from Speight who was injured, that group were all given a lighter load or sat out last weekend’s win over the Reds entirely after playing a heap of minutes this season.

McKellar said they had earned their starting spots from their form throughout the season.

Pulu and Speight’s returns, along with a 6-2 bench, come at the cost of speedster Andy Muirhead, who McKellar said understood the decision.

“I gave those guys you mentioned a lighter week last week, they’ve performed really well and got us to this point in the season and the stage we’re at,” he said.

“Would be a pretty harsh call to then go and say, ‘Boys, you’re not in the 23 this week’. 

“I feel for guys like Andy Muirhead – he’s a quality bloke, quality footballer, who’s performed really well over the last couple of weeks and just  couldn’t be prouder of his reaction when I had the tough conversation with him.

“He’s just like, ‘I’ll do my job, Dan and I’ll get in and prepare well and make sure the team’s ready to go on Saturday night’. You’ve got to admire that.”

McKellar said Muirhead’s response was indicative of the whole squad’s attitude towards the season and a reason why they finished on top of the Australian conference.

As a coach at this stage of the season, it’s pleasing to be in a position to have to make those decisions but you always feel for the individual,” he said.

“As I said, Andy’s response was first class. It says a lot about him as a person and it says a lot about why we’re in the position we’re in now.

“We spoke about it being a 40-man squad effort and the boys are living that.”

On paper, the Sharks’ seven wins puts them well below the Brumbies but the Durban outfit have shown their strength this season, drawing with the Crusaders in Christchurch and beating a number of sides on the road this season.

Those results are ones that McKellar has noted keenly. 

“They’re the only team that has come away with points out of Christchurch for a long time,” he said.

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“So, one off game – they’re going to be dangerous.

“Typical South African side, big men, set piece, speed on the edges, so we’re well aware of their threats but we’ll continue to focus on getting our performance right.”

The Sharks will be without scrum weapon Tendai Mtawarira for the clash after the loosehead injured his knee but McKellar said that didn’t make them any easier to face.

“Like any Super Rugby team, they lose quality, they’ll replace it with quality,” he said.

The Brumbies take on the Sharks in their Super Rugby quarter-final at GIO Stadium on Saturday June 22, kicking off at 8:05pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

TEAM

Brumbies to face Sharks

1.Scott Sio

2. Folau Fainga’a

3. Allan Alaalatoa

4. Rory Arnold

5. Sam Carter

6. Rob Valetini

7. Tom Cusack

8. Pete Samu

9. Joe Powell

10. Christian Lealiifano

11. Toni Pulu

12. Irae Simone

13. Tevita Kuridrani

14. Henry Speight

15. Tom Banks

Reserves

16. Connal McInerney

17. James Slipper

18. Les Makin

19. Darcy Swain

20. McCaffrey

21. Jahrom Brown

22. Matt Lucas

23. Tom Wright