Roosters hold off valiant Raiders

Frank-Paul Nuuausala of the Roosters is tackled. Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

THE Sydney Roosters have held off a valiant Canberra Raiders side 28-22 and firm their lead a top of the NRL ladder.

5 Tries 4
James Maloney 12'	Joel Edwards 20'
Michael Jennings 23'	Blake Ferguson 39'
Michael Jennings 36'	Sandor Earl 54'
Shaun Kenny-Dowall 42'	Blake Ferguson 74'
Daniel Tupou 48'
4 Conversions 3
James Maloney 13'	Jarrod Croker 21'
James Maloney 25'	Jarrod Croker 55'
James Maloney 44'	Jarrod Croker 75'
James Maloney 50'

Missing the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Minichiello, the Roosters showed just why they are favourites to take out this year's title.

The home side lost Boyd Cordner to an ankle injury in his first match skippering the tri colours.

More to come...

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Cats hold on as Power surges

Geelong forward Steven Motlop brings down Port Adelaide young gun Chad Wingard in a strong tackle. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / HeraldSun

COMPARISONS were made earlier in the season between Steven Motlop and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli.

They were wrong.

With due respect to Rioli, Motlop has consigned him to the rearview mirror.

And as the catalyst for Geelong's 25-point romp over Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium, even the scope of that comparison needs to be changed.

For no longer are comparisons based on his aboriginality or influential cameos relevant; it's time to look far higher up the AFL totem pole.

SuperCoach scores, stats

Motlop is 22, runs like the wind, never shirks a hard contest, loves a goal, is mercurial, well versed in Chris Scott's game plan and demands plenty of his teammates.

While it's a long bow to draw right now, if that doesn't sound like Gary Ablett circa 2007, my intended meaning has been missed.

And the rousing reception he received when running off after a spectacular third-quarter snapped goal shows he's already come a long way in winning over the Cats faithful.

The final margin flattered Port, which had been 63 points down four minutes into the final term.

On the shoulders of Angus Monfries, who booted three of his career-best seven goals in a late burst, the Power kicked the final six goals to at least continue the club's run of plucky finishes.

But as they have for the third consecutive time after a shock loss in the past two months, the Cats used their home-ground edge to bury any doubts that might have crept in.

However, unlike previous routs that were based on the usual suspects, this was built on the new breed.

That's not to downplay the ball-winning abilities -- nor influence -- of Steve Johnson, Harry Taylor or skipper Joel Selwood, who were all crucial in hosing down the previously red-hot Power.

But Motlop, Allen Christensen and the unexpected revelation of the Cats' season, Josh Caddy, were given -- and relished in -- more expansive roles as Port was left with just too many midfield holes to plug.

The Cats have been high on Christensen for a long time and while Caddy doesn't shape as a weekly 30-touch machine just yet, he has shown increasingly that he's worth the wraps Gold Coast had on him before he was traded south.

Caddy is balanced, poised over the ball and seems to have an ability that somehow makes opponents miss tackling him effectively in packs.

Selwood was the chief beneficiary of the emerging young Cats, moving forward on several occasions to boot a career-high four goals.

At the other end, Monfries made the absolute most of his opportunities, capping the exemplary work of Matthew Lobbe in the ruck.

Lobbe was dominant with 59 hitouts and .

That the young ruckman so clearly had the better of Nathan Vardy in centre bounces, then added 17 touches and a goal will trouble Scott as he chases his best ruck combination for the finals.

With Trent West, Mark Blicavs, Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson on the sidelines for various reasons, it remains the biggest single question mark over Geelong's September plans.

Another unfortunate speedbump came early when Mitch Duncan, whose ferocious attack on the footy has become a staple for Geelong fans, was hit in a huge tackle by Jackson Trengove and then clipped accidentally high by Oliver Wines within 30 seconds before hobbling off under trainers' help and being subbed out in the first term.

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Live: fourth Ashes Test, day two

Ryan Harris has been the rock in Australia's attack this series. Source: Getty Images

AFTER a brilliant day in the field, can Australia's batsmen keep the momentum going as the fourth Ashes Test heads into day two?

Find out, and get all the best reaction, analysis and social media chat in our live and interactive blog.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the blog below, or let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, @FoxCricketLive.

If using the comment box in the blog, you can just enter a name where it says 'Display Name', or you can log in using one of your social media accounts. Get involved now!

GET THE ULTIMATE MATCH COMPANION, FEATURING VIDEO OF EVERY WICKET AND BOUNDARY, BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY AND HAWKEYE, IN OUR ASHES MATCH CENTRE!

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'Poaching Ted one of my best calls'

Sydney Swans defender Ted Richards will this week play his 200th AFL match against Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Philip Hillyard / DailyTelegraph

TED Richards' journey at Sydney began at a simple recruiting meeting towards the end of the 2005 season.

While projecting where the Swans were heading, it was suggested to break up the list into inside mids, outside mids, small forwards and backs, and key-position players.

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Once the discussion about where each player would fit was finalised and the magnets properly adjusted, almost to a man we agreed there was a glaring hole in our depth in the key defensive posts.

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The next stage was to see who might be available and our attention quickly turned to an Essendon player who was constantly in and out of the Bombers' line-up.

He appeared to be athletic and had shown glimpses of being able to hold down a key position at AFL level.

As we look back on it now, it was one of the best moves the club and Ted made as we swapped pick 19 for the inconsistent Bomber defender - who tonight plays his 200th game against Collingwood.

In the early days it was evident Teddy lacked confidence. Even when I told him that he was in our best 22, and the spot was his to lose, I could tell he didn't really believe me.

By his own admission in the papers this week, he always felt he was a game or two away from being dropped at the Swans.

This was certainly not unusual for the players the Swans recruited from other clubs. Many had spent time in the seconds and were down on confidence when they arrived.

Coaches had countless discussions with Ted about believing in himself.

Even when he started to become a good player during his early time at Sydney, this didn't lead to a confidence that he had become a regular AFL player.

The 2010 season seemed to be the turning point. After being dropped during the year he came back and played well towards the end of the season and earned a new contract.

There is no doubt that the 2012 Grand Final showed the player that Ted has become.

After a very tough battle with "Buddy" Franklin in the first three quarters, he could have easily dropped his bundle and in fact this would more likely have happened in the early part of his career with the Swans.

But the now-confident Richards went on to be one of the Swans' most important players in the last quarter, reading the ball and winning critical contests. As Ted runs out tonight he has established himself as one of the most popular members of the team.

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His teammates, coach and everyone at the Swans would be so pleased and proud of him that he has become the player we all thought he could be.

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Collingwood is coming off its best win of the season and will put fear in the top-four teams. After an outstanding four-quarter performance against Essendon, we are aware Collingwood's best can win the premiership.

Nathan Buckley will know that as good as last week was, there is no greater challenge than playing the Swans.

As a football fan you would love to see Collingwood maintain its form of last week. This would guarantee a cracking game tonight.

Teddy Richards will be right in the mix as Ben Reid looks to have joined Travis Cloke as a very dangerous one-two punch in attack.

The strength of the Swans' two key defenders in Richards and Heath Grundy is their ability to help each other by zoning off their direct opponent and getting to the key tall. This becomes so much harder with Reid now forward alongside Cloke.

Reid has a great ability to lead to dangerous areas and will either mark or take his opponent away from Cloke and open up a one on one for the big man deep in the goalsquare.

We saw this constantly last week and Cloke enjoyed more one-on-one contests against the Bombers than perhaps any other game this season.

I get the feeling that won't happen tonight because his opponent will have help from one of the best defenders in the competition.

In his 200th game, I hope Ted Richards finally believes that too.

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The two sides of Daniel Geale

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Aussie boxing champion Daniel Geale. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source:The Sunday Mail (Qld)

THIS is one boxing tale that comes without the standard-issue balaclava of so many modern day promotions, even when the Mr Nice Guy of Australian sport, IBF world middleweight champion Daniel Geale, starts to talk a little tough.

Geale has always been more Don Bradman than Don Corleone, which is why when his tone turns momentarily-threatening as he discusses his fifth world title defence of one of the most prized belts in boxing history, the immediate reaction is to go looking for the latest fix.

Relax, there's no con job when it comes to Geale.

With a record that includes beating world champions Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester in their own backyards in Germany, the Tasmanian who's now based in western Sydney has proven he'll fight anyone, anywhere.

Or as Hall of Fame world champion Jeff Fenech put it: "The thing I love about Gealey is he lets his fists do the talking. There's no smoke and mirrors."

A father of three, devout family man and husband to childhood sweetheart Sheena, the dangerous mistake people can sometimes make is confusing Geale's mild-mannered approach to life outside of the ring to equate to a lack of killer instinct inside it.

When it's time to flick the switch, Geale is all business.

Geale and his Grange Old School boxing team of Bill Treacy, Garrie Fransisco and trainer Graham Shaw flew out of Sydney bound for Atlantic City in the US yesterday, their first foray into the lucrative US market scheduled forAugust 18.

Their latest mission is to silence wiry Englishman Darren Barker, a dangerous boxer whose resume includes pushing the best middleweight in the world right now, Argentina's Sergio Martinez, right to the limit.

Barker broke Martinez's nose and had him cut on the forehead until the South American knocked him out in the 11th round. Irrespective, Barker earned immediate acclaim for almost engineering one of modern boxing's biggest upsets.

With top-billing as the main event in prime time in the US, Geale understands how much first impressions count.

Which is why, when we mention Barker, his tone gets enough of a hint of menace to understand why nice guys don't always finish last.

"Darren's still very hungry and a hungry fighter is a dangerous fight but the only little factor he may not realise is that I'm still as hungry as I was before I went to Germany for the first time," Geale said.

"He's had the taste of the US before. This will be my first taste of it and I'm determined to make a good impression.

"Working hard is what got me here and I'm not about to start taking short cuts now I'm at the top."

World champion trainer Charlie Gergen, who trained Tony Mundine and Troy Waters to world title fights, reasons Sugar Ray Robinson and Carlos Monzon will always go down as the greatest middleweights in any bar room banter.

When it comes to boxing, Gergen's word is treated as gospel, especially when you consider he's 71 and still training inside the ring with fighters every day, encouraging them to hit him.

The list of legends to have worn the IBF middleweight world crown add a legitimacy to the reputation Geale is currently building. From 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler to Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jnr, it's a division that has always had serious credibility, dating back to when legends like Robinson and Monzon were punching fearful reputations from the 1940s to the 1970s.

"Sugar Ray Robinson is the best. Not too many will want to argue about that. But Carlos Monzon, he was unbeaten for 11 years in a row back when they fought 15 rounds. Oh, what a fighter. He was right up there too," Gergen said.

"You can't forget Hagler, he fought them all and punished them all. Geale still has a long way to go and he's a completely different fighter, but you have to take him seriously."

Granted, Geale has a long road until he convinces Australia he's one of our truly great fighters, ala Lionel Rose and Fenech.

But beat Barker in the US, then take on Martinez or Gennady Golovkin, fights his Grange Old School team are angling for, and all of a sudden he's presenting one hell of a compelling argument.

Or as his trainer Shaw put it: "Any of the champions out there he's willing to fight and he wants to fight them. But if we don't win this next fight, then it's back to square one so we're not looking too far ahead.

"We accept because boxing is not a major sport in Australia and Daniel's a quietly spoken family man who doesn't push himself, which makes it a little bit more of a hard sell.

"In the end we believe the legacy he leaves will speak for itself and command respect. We don't want Daniel Geale to be a loud mouth, brash, aggorant person with no manners.

"We like who he is and in the end, he's done it his way. As people get to know him, I think they really like who he is.

"We've had a great preparation and we're confident without being arrogant."

Fenech recalls the first time he ever saw Geale as a teenager.

"I remember seeing him when he was boxing at 14 years of age and even then you knew he was going to be something special," he said.

"As much as Vic Darchinyan doesn't get the big write-ups in the paper, he's pound for pound one of the best boxers to ever fight under the Australian flag.

"If you told Vic he had to fight Mike Tyson, he'd say when and where.

"Daniel Geale's the same and he deserves to be mentioned with the same sort of respect and on the same level in terms of his ability as a boxer."

Boxing icon Johnny Lewis is another unabashed Geale fan. The only blemish he points out on Geale's resume was his last fight against Anthony Mundine, when, according to Lewis, he failed to really finish the demolition job on The Man.

This time, against Barker, Lewis urged Geale to really go on with it.

"Daniel is a tremendous talent and I love watching him box. Truthfully, he's a great Australian.

"You wouldn't find a more humble fighter for kids to look up to. He's a wonderful asset."

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Live: fourth Ashes Test, day one

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Jackson Bird is making his Ashes debut at Durham. Source:Getty Images

CAN Australia, buoyed by their performance in Manchester, finally pull off a victory when the Ashes series travels to Durham for the fourth Test?

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The Aussies have shown their hand, by selecting Tasmania paceman Jackson Bird to play his first match of the series in place of the unlucky Mitchell Starc.

Stick with us throughout the night as we bring you live and interactive coverage in our Ashes blog.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the blog below, or let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, @FoxCricketLive.

If using the comment box in the blog, you can just enter a name where it says 'Display Name', or you can log in using one of your social media accounts. Get involved now!

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Carlton dealt a blow, Cats axed

Matthew Kreuzer is a huge out for Carlton. Source: Michael Dodge / HeraldSun

CARLTON'S flickering finals hopes have been dealt another blow with star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer breaking down with a calf injury.

Kreuzer and star midfielder Andrew Carrazzo will both miss Saturday's must-win clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while Mick Malthouse again dropped hard nut Mitch Robinson.

Kreuzer has hit career-best form the past month and was poised for a mouth-watering match-up against All-Australian fancy Will Minson.

But the Blues have been bolstered by the return of spearhead Jarrad Waite, while prized draft picks Troy Menzel and Josh Bootsma add a youthful tinge.

The Hawks replaced Buddy Franklin with journeyman Matt Spangher for Friday night's clash with an injury-ravaged St Kilda. Jon Simpkin and Sam Grimley also won reprieves, replacing Luke Hodge (thumb) and Jon Ceglar.

Cats coach Chris Scott reacted savagely to his side's shock loss to North Melbourne, axing five players.

Taylor Hunt, Josh Hunt, Mark Blicavs, Trent West and Bille Smedts have all been axed ahead of the showdown with former Cats assistant Ken Hinkley's Port Adelaide.

The big-man shake-up will give Nathan Vardy his chance to sew up the No.1 ruck position. James Podsiadly, Allen Christensen, Jared Rivers, Jesse Stringer and Josh Walker are the inclusions.

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss anointed Stef Martin as Jonathan Brown's replacement, choosing the former Dee ahead of Jordan Lisle.

Richmond made just one change, replacing Orren Stephenson with Ty Vickery. The Tigers host the Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

Injury-prone Western Bulldogs defender Easton Wood will return against the Blues, alongside former Carlton defender Mark Austin and Liam Jones.

West Australians Mark LeCras, Matt Priddis, Garrick Ibbotson, Matthew Pavlich and Chris Masten headline the inclusions for the Sunday matches, with West Coast and Fremantle set to boast significantly stronger sides for their duels with Essendon and GWS respectively.

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'Punish players with yellow cards'

Michael Vaughan knows what it's like to lift the little urn - or at least a replica copy of it. Source: AAP

PENALISING teams by taking runs away from them, or even a football-style yellow card system have been suggested by former England captain Michael Vaughan as ways to cut down the scourge of slow-over rates in Test cricket.

England were criticised at home and abroad for the glacial pace at which they bowled their overs on day four of the third Ashes Test, with captain Alastair Cook clearly delaying the game in the hope that his side would be saved by the local weather.

The current ICC code of conduct does allow for captains to be suspended for one Test or two one-day internationals if they're found guilty twice of a 'serious over-rate offence'.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews was banned for two ODIs just a few weeks ago after earning the ire of the ICC for a slow over rate one too many times.

But Vaughan, who admitted most captains have deliberately maintained a slow over rate during a match at some stage, believed umpires and administrators needed to clamp down harder to really make an impact.

"I think run penalties is the way to go," Vaughan said in an exclusive live chat.

"They talk of yellow cards - you can give them a warning, and if he (the captain) gets two yellows then he misses a match.

"If you get a warning at the end of a match, then (next time) you'll just get on with it.

"It needs to affect the game that you're in."

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Best left-footers of past 50 years

Date/Time: 2013:08:05 14:08:39 Source: HeraldSun

FARMER to Skilton to Buddy.

If Franklin is being double-teamed, there's always Matthew Lloyd on the lead, or Royce Hart in the goalsquare. With Barry Cable to pick up the crumbs.

The star-studded line-up is the product of a tough selection process to pick a team of the best left-footers of the past 50 years to mark Lefty Round this week.

Chat live with lefty Ben Dixon from noon Friday below

The team features champions from the past five decades, from Polly Farmer in the ruck to Maurice Rioli on the wing, Mark "Bomber" Thompson in the back pocket and Simon Black on the ball.

It boasts seven Brownlows (including three each to Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart), six North Smith Medallists and winners of eight of the past 11 Coleman Medals.

Evidence of the team's star power is that selectors couldn't find room for Brownlow winners Paul Couch or Tony Liberatore, Norm Smith winners Michael Long or Ryan O'Keefe or modern era stars Nick Dal Santo and Nathan Brown.

An intiative of Fox Footy, Lefty Round coincides with International Left-Handers day on August 13 - read more about Lefty Round here.

The selectors were: Tony Shaw, Jon Anderson, Mike Sheahan and David Parkin.

LEFTY TEAM OF CHAMPIONS

Backs: Mark Thompson (Ess), Ash McGrath (WC), Ken Hunter (Carl)

Half-backs: Mark Browning (Syd), Mark Bayes (Syd), Luke Hodge (Carl)

Centres: Maurice Rioli (Rich), Ian Stewart (Stk/Rich), Wayne Schwass (NM/Syd)

Half-forwards: Wayne Johnston (Carl), Royce Hart (Rich), Lance Franklin (Haw)

Forwards: Simon Madden (Ess), Matthew Lloyd (Ess), Barry Cable (NM)

Rucks: Polly Farmer (Geel), Simon Black (BL), Bob Skilton (South Melb)

Inter: Tony Shaw (Coll), Fraser Gehrig (WC/StK), Scott West (WB), Scott Pendlebury (Coll)

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Join the action of Lefty Round by using the #LeftyRound hashtag on Twitter all weekend.

Sportsbet is is running markets on the left-footers who will kick the most goals and pick up the most disposals this weekend.

"Four of the top six hopes for the Coleman Medal are left footed, so punters are tipping there will be no shortage of goals this round," sportsbet.com.au's Shaun Anderson said.

MOST GOALS BY A LEFT-FOOTER
$3.25 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)
$4.50 Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
$5.50 Travis Cloke (Coll)
$7 Michael Walters (Frem)
$9 Lindsay Thomas (NM)

MOST DISPOSALS BY A LEFT-FOOTER (HANDICAPPED)
$9 Scott Pendlebury - scratch
$11 Tom Liberatore +1.5
$11 Dyson Heppell +3.5
$11 Bachar Houli +5
$11 Nick Malceski +5.5

Full odds at sportsbet.com.au

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Panesar has a slash outside... Off!

England bowler Monty Panesar has been fined for urinating on bouncers at a nightclub. Source: AP

ENGLAND cricketer Monty Panesar has apologised after urinating on bouncers who had ejected from a nightclub.

The 31-year-old spinner was partying at the Shooshh club in Brighton, England.

He was asked to leave when a group of women complained to security that he was harassing them

Panesar then walked up to the promenade above the nightclub and urinated on the bouncers, UK paper The Sun reported.

The men then chased Panesar and brought him back to the club, where police fined him $153.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A 31-year-old man received a fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly after being seen urinating in public near the Shooshh Club in King's Road Arches, Brighton, around 4.13am on Monday."

Panesar has apologised, through a spokesperson, for the incident.

The cricketer's spokesman said: "Monty would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused."

Panesar was chosen in the England squad for the third Test in Manchester but did not play.

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Ashes rocked by Hot Spot scandal

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Pietersen's second-innings dismissal is reportedly one of the wickets being investigated. Source:AFP

The Ashes series has descended into controversy with claims players have applied a silicon-based adhesive tape to the edges of their bats in a bid to cheat Hot Spot.

The Decision Review System has been under fire for the majority of the series – and part of the criticisms have centred on the apparent inconsistencies in Hot Spot's findings.

Channel Nine reported Wednesday night that the International Cricket Council's general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, is travelling to Durham ahead of the fourth Test to discuss the issue with both teams.

Concerns were apparently raised after Kevin Pietersen's contentious dismissal in the second innings at Old Trafford. Hot Spot detected no signs of an edge from Pietersen, however Snicko later revealed clear evidence of a nick.

There were suggestions last night that players from both sides could be investigated over the matter.

Australian captain Michael Clarke says he was unaware tape could be used to lessen the chance of Hot Spot registering. The tape makes the batting blade smoother and Hot Spot operates on friction caused when ball meets bat.

Clarke said he was confident no one in the Australian rooms was engaged in cheating of any kind.

"I find the accusation quite funny," Clarke said before training on Wednesday.

 "I can't talk for everybody but if it is the case we are talking about cheating, I tell you there is not one person in the Australian changerooms who is a cheat.  That's not the way we play cricket.

 "I know no one is going to the extreme of saying 'put this on your bat because it will help you beat Hot Spot'."

The London Telegraph meanwhile reported that Warren Brennan, the Australian inventor of Hot Spot, was thought to be preparing a statement in which he would blame the fibreglass coating on some bats for failure of some faint edges to show up on his system.

Allardice is due to arrive in England on Wednesday morning to meet representatives of both teams over DRS blunders in the series.

The ICC has backed the use of Hot Spot in the DRS but it could be removed from the process if its accuracy is found wanting.

The Telegraph says Brennan and Allardice met in Melbourne last week before the third Test at Old Trafford where Hot Spot failed on occasions to detect edges.

"Both captains and coaches of the England and Australia teams have voiced support for the continued use of DRS but trust in Hot Spot has faded," the paper reported.

"Allardice will listen to their concerns and report back to the ICC. He will also update the players on the latest trials of the improved snickometer, which the ICC hopes to add to the DRS system this winter."

DRS has come under attack from Cricket Australia and England's coach Andy Flower this series. Flower was quoted as saying:  "I thought that DRS had worked pretty well in international cricket prior to this series but in this series it hasn't worked well at all.

"I wouldn't necessarily blame technology – what we have at the moment is the best we've got – I might question whether we're using it as wisely as we can. I think we, the cricket community, can use it better.

"There is technology there to use and there are protocols that go with it. I think the people in charge of using the technology have to make very calm, clear decisions. I think we also know and understand that going back to using just the two umpires in the middle is not the answer because that isn't going to get us a greater percentage of correct decisions.

"Just being smart about how we use the technology – where the third umpire sits, who he sits with, is he sitting with experts in technology so that he sees the best pictures and can run forwards and backwards the various screens and the pertinent screens – those are the things that the ICC need to get right."

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Mundine can have title shot: Bika

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Two Australian boxing world champions, Daniel Geale and Sakio Bika. Source: Adam Taylor / News Limited

BIKA WANTS TO BELT MUNDINE

AUSTRALIA'S newest world champ Sakio Bika has a magnificent green and gold WBC super-middleweight belt and he's offering it to Anthony Mundine.

"It's here for him,'' Bika told me at the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame awards on Friday night. 

"I called him out for years and he wanted no part of me.

"But now I am the world champ – and I have this belt.

"It is here for Anthony. He just has to come and take it."

Bika said "the gate is open" if Mundine and his manager Khoder Nasser want a world title shot.

"Anthony is a good fighter," Bika said. 

"He is fast and skilful. I know I will beat him but he would give me a good fight.

"He says he wants to fight big names but he is talking about fighting Shane Mosley who is nearly 42 and has no world title. I have this beautiful belt and I am a young, strong champion.

"If Anthony wants to prove he is still a top fighter he can fight me for this belt."

One of Bika's admirers at the Crown casino function on Friday night included the former belt-holder Nigel Benn, England's fearsome Dark Destroyer, who now lives in Sydney.

The ex-world champ, who turns 50 next year, sold his WBC belt at auction a few years ago to raise money for the many charities he supports.

XXXXXXX 

CARR REVVED UP

FORMER world super-featherweight champ Barry Michael said he welcomed Bika's offer to spar with rising Melbourne star Jake Carr.

The 22-year-old son of former Commonwealth champ Rod Carr was in brilliant form outpointing Serge Yannick for the Australian super-middleweight title on July 25.

"Sakio has offered to help Jake and we can only benefit from the experience," Michael said.

"Sakio is one of the toughest, hardest blokes in the world. He's been in there with the best -  Calzaghe, Andre Ward, Markus Beyer, Lucian Bute. And he's given them all hell.

 XXXXXXX

HITMAN HARDING FIGHTS BACK

ONE of the highlights of the Hall of Fame night was seeing Jeff "Hitman" Harding happy and healthy after years of doing it tough.

His problems outside the ring have been well documented and at times he has lived rough on the streets of Sydney.

But he is slugging back at life's woes with all the fire he showed to beat Dennis Andries for the world light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City in 1989.

"If it comes down to sheer guts, Jeff will win this fight," said his old trainer Johnny Lewis.

"To see the courage he showed in becoming world champion is still one of the highlights of my career as a trainer."

 XXXXXXX

WATERS HONOURED

GUY Waters, who also fought Andries – for a close decision defeat in Adelaide - was a big hit on Friday night.

He was honoured for his three world title challenges – against Andries, Virgil Hill and Juan Carlos Gomez and for his victory over former world champ Leslie Stewart.

Now with white hair and glasses and bearing a  resemblance to Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop, Waters paid tribute to Sharon, his wife of 22 years who supported him through thick and thin even though ``she hates boxing.''

The night was capped off by Jeff Fenech's elevation to "Legend" status alongside Lionel Rose, Johnny Famechon and Les Dacry.

 XXXXXXX

TOMLINSON TARGETS DIB

WILD Will Tomlinson told me at the Hall of Fame awards that he's filthy on Billy Dib for comments the former IBF featherweight champ made about him on Fox Sports.

He says if Dib said the same thing to his face he'd slap him.

"I'd love to fight him," Tomlinson said. 

"If a promoter can get it on I'm ready to go."

For now Tomlinson is heading to the USA to base himself with a leading American trainer.

One of the candidates to train him is Robert Garcia.

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HONOUR FOR AUSSIE GREATS

POSTHUMOUSLY inducted into the Hall of Fame were Mick Dooley, who beat Peter Felix for the Australian heavyweight title in 1896, Jack Haines, who won the Australian middleweight title in 1929, and Melbourne Olympian Max Carlos, who won the Australian lightweight title against George Bracken in 1958. Will Lawless, the famed boxing journalist who wrote under the pen name Solar Plexus until his death in 1938, was also honoured.

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OLYMPIC TRAGEDY

THE DEATH OF Gladstone's 2012 Olympian Billy Ward on Sunday at just 20 years of age sent shock waves through Australia's amateur boxing community.

The popular  redhead fought in the 49kg division in London after switching to boxing from gymnastics.

After making the team for the Games he was greeted at his home airport by a cheer squad with red wigs.

Ward had to overcome a bout of Ross River fever in 2008 on his way to establishing himself as one of Australia's best young boxers.

London Olympian boxing team captain Luke Jackson was given the task of telling team members of Ward's sudden death.

Beijing Olympian Paul Fleming posted a message on Facebook that said: "Today Queensland boxing lost a true champion.  My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.  

"Such a young talent - so much life left to live - just wish he would (have) reached out to someone."

Ward's London team-mate Jeff Horn  will go into the biggest fight of his career against Rivan Cesaire on Fox Sports on Thursday night (August 8) with a heavy heart.

"Billy was a great kid," Horn told me. 

"It is such a waste and a terrible shock."

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HORN'S TOUGH EXAM

HORN, 25, a Brisbane primary school teacher, has been doing his homework for weeks for a searching exam against the rugged and experienced Cesaire, 29.

Horn has had just three pro fights and Cesaire 14 since he represented Cameroon at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where he lives.

The fight is at the Southport RSL.

Horn did his final round of sparring with club mate and the current 75kg Australian amateur champion Sam Banney.

At this year's national titles in Adelaide, Banney won the Arthur Tunstall award, which is presented to the best elite male boxer at the tournament.

He flies to Melbourne to contest the selection trials on Sunday  for the upcoming World Boxing Championships. His opponent is Ross Weaver, who Banney beat in this year's national finals in Adelaide.

Banney holds a win over London Olympian and fellow Queenslander Jesse Ross.

Stretton Boxing Club trainer Glenn Rushton, who coaches both Horn and Banney said: "Sam seriously considered giving amateur boxing away after missing out on the Olympics.

"He had to watch on the sidelines as Jeff went on to become Australia's most successful Olympic boxer for the last 20 years.

"I believe that Sam has the speed and skill to be a serious medal chance at the World Championships."

Also competing on the August 8 Fox show is Horn's Olympic team-mate  Damien Hooper.

Hooper sparred Adam Copland, Zach Bacigaluppo and Simon Cooper from the Stretton club as he finished his preparation last week.

A third Olympian, Ethan Warren, a silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games who represented Australia in diving at London, was also training.

He has struck up a friendship with Horn at the Olympics and has been doing boxing training under Rushton's watchful eye.

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LEAPAI HITS CHINA

ON Friday night in Hengyang, China, Logan forklift driver Alex Leapai, 33, does battle with Mexican mauler Felipe Romero, 29.

Leapai hopes it will be a warm-up to a pay-per-view fight on the Main Event channel late this year against Perth's undefeated bruiser Lucas Browne.

Romero has two wins over Mexico's former world light-heavyweight champ Julio Cesar Gonzalez who broke two of Danny Green's ribs in a torrid Los Angeles sparring session with the Australian six years ago.

Leapai then hopes to get a start on the David Tua-Alexander Ustinov heavyweight fight in Hamilton, New Zealand on August 29.

The 178cm  Tua, who has lost just four times in 58 fights and holds knockouts over four former world heavyweight champs, intends to cut the 202cm Russian down to size.

Tua will have Sam Soliman's trainer Dave Hedgcock in his corner.

Ustinov has 28 wins in 30 fights.

The fight is still on despite Tua suffering a Grade One tear of his calf muscle this week.

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BARKER'S GEALE DEAL

DARREN Barker says the sickening knockout he suffered against WBC middleweight champ Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City, New Jersey two years ago can only help him in his fight with Australia's IBF champ Daniel Geale on August 17 (Sunday week Australian time)

Barker was stopped in round 11 at Boardwalk Hall and fights Geale down the road at the Revel Resort.

"I really have taken that negative – losing in a world title fight – and built on it to go one better," Barker said.

"I feel I've matured from it and I'm in my prime now."

It was Barker's only defeat in 26 starts.

Geale says his superior work-rate will be his key to victory.

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VALENTINE'S CARD

FORMER Aussie amateur star Paul Nasari has high hopes for rising lightweight Valentine Borg.

Nasari who beat the likes of rugged Tony Miller, Craig Pevy and Simon Maidment as a pro and  went close to beating Scott Brouwer for the Australian lightweight title, is putting on some exciting shows before big houses at the Croatian Club in Sydney's appropriately named Punchbowl.

Borg faces Dubbo's rugged Robert Toomey for the Australian lightweight title on Friday (August 9).

"Val is all class," Nasari told me at the Hall of Fame on Friday night.

"I would love to see him win the title because it eluded me three times even though I went pretty close."

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MURDOCK BACKS SHERRINGTON

FRESH from his stoppage of renowned hard-head Les Piper, rising Queensland super-middleweight Rohan Murdock has been pencilled in to fight on the undercard of the Les Sherrington-Manny Siaca card at Southport Sharks AFL Club on September 20.

Siaca famously beat Anthony Mundine for the WBA title in 2004 but was bombed out by Danny Green six years later.

Murdock has been sparring with WBA No.3 middleweight and Beijing Olympian Jarrod Fletcher.

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FRENCH FLAIR

KEEP your eye on Brisbane-based Frenchman Faris Chevalier, who fights the Gold Coasts' Shane Parry at Brisbane's Irish Club on September 20.

He is a classy mover working out with Fletcher's coach Steve Deller.

The Irish Club card will feature Deller's other prospects Dennis Hogan, Josh Robertson and Beijing Olympian Todd Kidd.

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BROTHERS IN ARMS

JAPAN'S boxing brothers Koki, Daiki  and Tomoki Kameda were this week included in the Guinness Book of Records as the first three brothers to win world boxing titles.

Tomoki, 21,  won the  WBO bantamweight title from Namibia's Paulus Ambunda in the Philippines last week.

Koki, 26, holds the WBA title and Daiki, 24, is a former WBA flyweight champion.

Twitter: @GrantleeKieza

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Aussie 10s battling for Bledisloe shot

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Matt Toomua is coming off his best ever Super Rugby season. Source:Getty Images

THREE very different five-eighths have three more days to persuade new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie they have what it takes to face the All Blacks.

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McKenzie has already made it clear he won't be going with incumbent James O'Connor for Australia's first Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship game in Sydney on Saturday week.

While he's widely expected to reinstate his Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper to the Wallabies No.10 role, McKenzie is yet to show his hand and uncapped five-eighths Matt Toomua and Bernard Foley may be fighting for a bench spot in camp in Sydney this week.

McKenzie will cull the squad to 30 on Friday, with no guarantee all three will make the cut.

Cooper has a big edge in experience over the other two having played 38 Tests, though he's been out of international rugby for 11 months since falling out of favour with previous coach Robbie Deans.

The quick-stepping Queenslander has the longest passing game of the three pivots, NSW Waratahs pivot Foley likes to take the ball to the line and young Brumbies star Toomua is a playmaking all-rounder noted for his punishing defence.

Asked if he intended giving Cooper a run for his money at training this week, a sheepish Toomua chuckled and said: "I don't know how to answer that, we'll see.

"It would mean a lot to make the shorter squad.

"There's obviously three of us there at the moment, fighting for however many positions Ewen chooses, so it's very exciting having the opportunity to be here now."

Toomua was confident big match experience accumulated in the Brumbies' run to the Super Rugby final would stand him in good stead if thrust into the cauldron of a Bledisloe Cup contest.

"I've taken a lot from the finals series and it's good to have these runs under your belt in a sense for confidence going into big games," he said.

Having been tutored by rugby luminaries Jake White and Stephen Larkham at the Brumbies, Toomua was looking forward to absorbing more knowledge from McKenzie and his team.

"It's exciting learning new ideas about how the game can and should be played," Toomua said.

"It's exciting as a playmaker, because you're heavily involved in that.

"I'm really looking forward to these next few days in terms of picking the brains of some really smart rugby heads."

Queensland backrower Jake Schatz expected McKenzie wouldn't necessarily get Australia playing the same way as the Reds did under his stewardship.

"I'd imagine it would be some form of hybrid form," Schatz said.

"Test level is probably a little bit different, but certainly a free-flowing game, I think you'll definitely see it."

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Ferguson back for Raiders

Blake Ferguson will make his return to the Canberra Raiders line-up for the clash against the Roosters. Source: DailyTelegraph

BLAKE Ferguson will make his first top grade appearance since being stood down by the NRL following a controversial drinking session with former teammate Josh Dugan.

Ferguson will line up in the centres in the only personnel change for the Raiders, who suffered the biggest defeat in the club's existence last weekend in a 68-4 mauling by Melbourne.

His return results in Jack Wighton moving out to the wing, with Reece Robinson named as 18th man.

Ferguson has not played in the NRL since June 15 against Penrith, a breakout season ruined by a late-night drinking session with Dugan as the pair celebrated their selection in the NSW team for State of Origin II.

The Raiders star was charged with assault as a result of an incident involving a female patron at the Cronulla nightspot, with the matter still before the courts.

The NRL cleared Ferguson to resume playing two weeks ago, but Canberra coach David Furner resisted the temptation to tinker with a winning side with Ferguson sent to play with feeder club Mounties in the NSW Cup.

But the record-breaking loss left Furner with little choice but to recall his strike weapon for Saturday night's meeting with the Sydney Roosters, with the Raiders' clinging to seventh spot on the ladder.

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NRL teams: Keary in the deep end

Luke Keary has been thrown in the deep end by Souths. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

HE'S never played a game in the NRL without him, but South Sydney's Adam Reynolds says he won't be affected by the absence of halves partner John Sutton against Melbourne on Friday.

The 23-year-old is widely tipped to become the NSW halfback in 2014 and will get the opportunity to show he can shine on the big stage when Souths take on the premiers at AAMI Park.

Sutton will be replaced at five-eighth by former Australian schoolboys rugby international Luke Keary and Reynolds believes the 21-year-old, who has played five games off the bench this year, is tailor-made for the NRL.

"I don't think there is any extra on me at all with 'Sutto' being out," Reynolds said.

"It comes down to doing my job and sticking to the game plan for 80 minutes.

"Luke's a very confident young player and he's shown he has the quality to be a NRL half," Reynolds said.

"He just needs to turn up and back himself and he'll go alright."

Wests Tigers have named Benji Marshall in their side to face fellow strugglers Parramatta on Friday but their torturous run with injuries has continued with representative pair Chris Lawrence and Aaron Woods ruled out for the season.

Former Test centre Lawrence will undergo surgery on an ankle injury and NSW prop Woods will remain on the sidelines until the start of next year due to a knee problem.

The pair join an already lengthy injury list that includes skipper Robbie Farah (hand), hooker Masada Iosefa (arm) in addition to long-term absentees Joel Reddy (groin) and Tim Moltzen (knee).

That poor run has also handed Joel Luani a debut at hooker in place of Farah.

"Joel has done enough to be the number one contender for the hooking role seeing as Robbie is out," said Tigers coach Mick Potter.

"He's been playing a lot of minutes in NSW Cup and doing a good job for the team. Joel deserves a chance with Masada Iosefa out."

Parramatta co-captain Jarryd Hayne will play for the first time since round 13, when he tore his hamstring playing for the Eels less than 48 hours after NSW's Origin I win.

Blake Ferguson will return to the NRL for the first time since June 15 when he lines up in the centres in the Raiders' match against ladder-leaders Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

He was stood down by the league after a late night drinking session with former teammate Josh Dugan as the pair celebrated their inclusion in the NSW team for Origin II.

Ferguson was charged with assault following an incident with a female patron at a Cronulla nightspot on the night in question, with the matter still before the courts.

He is the only change to a Canberra side still smarting from the record-breaking 68-4 loss to Melbourne last Sunday, with winger Reece Robinson relegated to 18th man duties.

Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello has been ruled out for the clash with Canberra after hyper-extending his knee against Penrith last Friday.

Roger Tuivasa-Shek will shift to the fullback with Shaun Kenny-Dowall moving to the wing and Mitch Aubusson into the centres.

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