Best Hooker in town
Thursday, August 21, 2008
WARATAHS coach Chris Hickey picked Tailevu hooker Saula Qalomai as the best player in last Saturday's Digicel Cup- Farebrother Sullivan Trophy double header.
Hickey said the exciting up-and-coming star made a great difference in the Tailevu front-row, helping the hosts take the upper hand in the set pieces.
"I think he's a great contest player, with a high work rate and who proved very good in the scrums and during line-outs," Hickey said after the holders had repulsed challengers Nadroga 17-14.
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Milligan set on European move
Thursday, August 21, 2008
AUSTRALIA skipper Mark Milligan is not returning to the A-League. Instead, the uncontracted defender is determined to win his dream European contract.
Fresh from the Olyroos' disastrous Beijing campaign, the former Sydney FC defender impressed in central defence after replacing captain Lucas Neill at halft-ime in their 2-2 draw with South Africa in London.
Socceroos Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella have also been linked with UK clubs.
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Middlesex Sevens Champions 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Harlequins kick started the new season with a tremendous day's work at the Twickenham Stadium, picking up the Middlesex Sevens trophy in true Quins style.
Quins boasted a strong side, with a number of Internationals, including England 7s stars, David Strettle (captain of the Quins side), Tom Guest and Mike Brown.
Quins opened their campaign with a 27-0 win over Leeds Carnegie. The Northern side couldn't compete with the London side, and Strettle and Guest were both able to pick up two tries apiece, with one try and a coversion going to Brown.
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Mitchell impressed by first Force outing
Monday, August 18, 2008
Western Force head coach John Mitchell was impressed by his team's performance in winning the first match of their English tour against Newcastle Falcons
Mitchell has brought a largely developmental squad to the UK for a six-match tour against teams from the Guinness Premiership and they had to come from an early 8-0 deficit at Kingston Park.
Junior Pelesasa's two second-half tries were the heart of the Force's turnaround as they ran out 25-15 victors. Mitchell was pleased with the way his players responded to the early pressure.
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Force continue winning ways in UK
Thursday, August 14, 2008
WESTERN Force have continued their winning ways in the UK, notching a resounding 36-17 victory over Saracens Academy at Old Albanians.
After accounting for English Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons 25-15 in their tour opener, the Force unleashed a youthful outfit against Saracens Academy and ran in five tries to two.
Utility back Haig Sare crossed for a double while former Reds winger Caleb Brown marked his Force debut with a try.
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Olyroos dream is over
Thursday, August 14, 2008
They had one world and one dream but they could not get one goal as a sucker punch late in the game made sure Australia's Olympic soccer tournament was over last night againt the Ivory Coast.
The Olyroos dominated most of their match against the dangerous Africans but could not finish any of the gilt-edged chances they created in the first half. Now it is they who are finished as the men in orange progress to the next round.
The death blow came in the 80th minute as Australia still pushed for a goal to win it. Chelsea star Salomon Kalou, a force all night, got the ball on a fast break from his captain Gervinho. It was what the Olyroos had been worried about and they were right. Alone in the box he slotted it.
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Sailor returns against Broncos
Thursday, August 14, 2008
BRISBANE'S bean counters got the news they were hoping for on Wednesday - Wendell Sailor will play for St George Illawarra in Friday night's round 23 match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
The former Broncos star and dual international received a late call-up when full-back Brett Morris failed a fitness test.
Coach Nathan Brown moved Kiwi international Jason Nightingale from the wing to the custodian spot.
Five-eighth Jamie Soward also was ruled out through injury, his place going to South Sydney signing Ben Rogers.
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Olyroos Crash To Late Argentina Strike
Monday, August 11, 2008
AUSTRALIA stubbornly repelled Argentina for 77 minutes in Shanghai before eventually crashing to Ezequiel Lavezzi's terrific strike.
With Barcelona star Lionel Messi pulling the strings in midfield, Argentina were made to fight all the way before claiming the win.
For much of the Group A contest the Argentinians postured about and tried to razzle-dazzle the Australians who scrapped as if their lives depended on it.
In the end, the Olyroos were brought undone by a masterpiece of a goal in the 77th minute.
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Olyroos draw 1-1 with Serbia
Friday, August 08, 2008
AUSTRALIA'S Olympic odyssey started in positive fashion last night, with the Olyroos grabbing a point against Serbia in Shanghahi to keep alive their dreams of qualifying for the knockout stages.
A goal just past the hour from Ruben Zadkovich set off wild celebrations in the Australian camp from a team widely expected to leave China without even a point, only for Serbia to equalise 10 minutes later.
Just before Serbia's goal Australia had almost scored a second, but the result - and the display - was better than many dared hope for.
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Luveniyali joins English club
Monday, August 04, 2008
FIJI flyhalf Waisea Luveniyali has been signed on by Harlequins in England, in a move which has been described as a sizeable coup.
The former Queen Victoria School playmaker, who celebrated his 23rd birthday just six days ago, joins fellow new signings Nick Evans and Gonzalo Tiesi at the Guinness Premiership club.
Luveniyali can play at fly-half, fullback and outside centre, with the latter expected to be his position during the forthcoming season.
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Henjak happy with French move
Friday, August 01, 2008
SONNY Bill Williams is yet to make a splash on the French riviera, but his Toulonnais team-mate-in-waiting Matt Henjak has dived straight into his new life there.
Henjak has been soaking up the summer sunshine on the Cote d'Azur and working hard at pre-season training sessions with the renowned Top 14 rugby club after leaving Australia last month following his sacking from Super 14 franchise Western Force.
The disgraced former Australian scrum-half is trying to make a fresh start and leave behind the controversy over breaking former team-mate Haig Sare's jaw during a brawl in February.
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