Uate re-signs with Knights

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Akuila Uate ... re-signs with Newcastle Knights until the end of 2017. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Akuila Uate has re-signed with Newcastle for four more years, the NRL club announced on Wednesday.

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The former representative winger, who was linked to a move to Japanese rugby, has committed to the club until the end of the 2017 season.

"I love playing for the Knights and am really happy to stay here for the next four years,'' Uate said in a statement.

"I can't imagine playing anywhere else and the decision to re-sign was an easy one.

"Now my future is secured I am even more excited about running on to Hunter Stadium on Monday night.''

Chief executive Matt Gidley said the Knights were pleased to have fought off interest from rival codes and rival clubs to retain the Dally M winger of the year.

"There was obviously some interest in Aku from other clubs, so it is pleasing we have been able to secure him at the Knights for the next four years,'' Gidley said.

"As a fan favourite, we know our members and supporters will be happy to hear this news today.

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"Aku is one of the most exciting players in the competition and we look forward to his further development at the Knights."

Uate, who has scored 70 tries in 90 games for Newcastle, will this season be keen to atone for an indifferent 2012 in which he lost his NSW jersey.

Newcastle begin their 2013 campaign on Monday night at Hunter Stadium against Wests Tigers.

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Coaches to have say on cap: Malthouse

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Meeting ... Mick Malthouse wants all coaches to have a say on rules. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

A meeting with the AFL's rule-makers has reassured Carlton coach Mick Malthouse that he and his colleagues will get their say on next year's interchange cap.

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And the authors of the AFL's own annual injury survey say they've found nothing to convince them a cap will reduce injuries.

After AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou declared on Tuesday a cap was a certainty for next year, Malthouse said on Wednesday the league should at least set a limit that suits clubs.

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He said that would be well above the maximum of 80 rotations being trialled this pre-season.

Last season clubs averaged 131.

"I'm sure each club would have an optimum number,'' Malthouse told reporters.

"If you took that over 18 clubs and knocked off the bottom one and the top one then you're going to get somewhere near the number that most clubs think is the right number.''

Malthouse's meeting with the AFL's laws of the game committee came after the three-time premiership coach questioned whether the committee was being dominated by one or two figures who were out of touch with the modern game.

In return, committee member Kevin Bartlett accused coaches of acting purely out of self-interest and riding roughshod over the game.

On Wednesday, Malthouse was more conciliatory.

He said the committee convinced him it had the game's interests at heart.

He, in turn, had stressed that coaches also valued the game and its players.

Malthouse pointed to former Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams advocating rule changes to protect players' heads, despite the adverse effect on the career of his own hard-hitting player Byron Pickett.

"He was virtually nailing the coffin of that player, at the detriment of his football club, for the betterment of the game,'' Malthouse said.

Malthouse maintains there is evidence that increased rotations decreases injuries, which the AFL's injury survey, released on Wednesday, did nothing to contradict.

It found that AFL players missed fewer games through injury last year than for any other season since 2008, when rotations averaged 81.

"I don't think we can draw interpretations about caps or no caps from this particular data,'' survey co-author Hugh Seward said.

But while many coaches and players fiercely oppose a cap, West Coast coach John Worsfold says it will bring greater player fatigue so there will be more one-on-one rivalries and special moments.

"You'll see the old Gary Pert on Tony Lockett, and you'll know it's going to happen a couple of times each year over 10 years,'' Worsfold said.

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Hartley eyes national honours

Honours ... Chris Hartley still dreams of a baggy green. Source: Mark Calleja / News Limited

Thursday's Sheffield Shield battle between defending champions Queensland and a desperate Tasmania on a wet Gabba pitch will also feature a host of sideshows.

The prime objective for both states however will be an outright victory to push their Shield claims with just two games remaining.

But Australia's ordinary form so far against India on the sub continent has upped the stakes for several fringe Test players still hoping to push their case for the coming Ashes series.

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One of those is Bulls wicketkeeper Chris Hartley whom many believe is not only the best gloveman in the land but also the kind of rear guard fighter with the bat Australia is lacking.

The hero of Queensland's thrilling Shield final victory over Tasmania last summer - where he made a first innings 111 and a crucial 19 not out in the second dig - Hartley is hoping to produce something similar as the third placed Bulls fight to defend their crown.

While Hartley's focus is locked on the Shield trophy, he admits he still has an eye on making the national team.

"You never give up and my goal is still to play for Australia,'' he said.

"I'm keeping as well as I have ever done, and I was amongst the top run-scorers in the Ryobi Cup just gone and I'm probably in the top 10 in the Shield runs, so I am pretty happy with how I am hitting them.

"Hopefully I'm still in the selectors' thoughts if a spot comes up.''

One of several individual highlights will feature the clash of Queensland's Ryan Harris - in many ways Australia's forgotten fast bowler - and Tasmania's Test experienced Ben Hilfenhaus, the pair not long back from lengthy injury lay-offs.

Brisbane's big wet will ensure a lively wicket giving both sides hope of a result.

Tasmania's line-up boasts eight players with international or Australia A experience, headed by former national skipper Ricky Ponting who's averaging 111 in the Shield this season.

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Stop lying Sam: Sturm

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Honesty ... Felix Sturm and Sam Soliman continue to spar. Source: Rolf Vennenbernd / AP

Sam Soliman's management will demand the B sample of his positive drug test be opened in Australia, while opponent Felix Sturm has questioned his honesty.

A test taken prior to Soliman's IBF middleweight boxing title eliminator win over Germany's Felix Sturm in Dusseldorf last month revealed the prohibited substance oxilofrine.

After the test result was revealed last Sunday, Soliman tweeted drug allegations against him were complete nonsense and an insult and the matter was in his lawyer's hands.

Sturm turned to Twitter himself to demand the IBF alter the fight result to a no contest and also questioned Soliman's honesty.

"In my opinion Soliman should do himself a favour, stop lying and confess his wrongdoing,'' Sturm tweeted.

"His A-sample was positive and that was confirmed by both the NADA (German national drug testing agency) and WADA (World Anti Doping Agency).

"Come on, Sam, stop lying.

"Or are you trying to tell me that someone slipped you a drug? One that's difficult to find?

"That makes no sense to me. No sense at all.''

Sturm said Soliman had taken a substance that was hard to trace and invited the Australian to return to Germany for the opening of his B sample.

Soliman's manager David Stanley said his legal team were working towards getting the B sample being opened in an independent Australian laboratory.

"We won't be travelling to Germany, we require the B sample to be sent to Australia to a WADA approved organisation,'' Stanley said.

"We just think it's absolutely appropriate and Sam Soliman's right that the sample come into a WADA-approved laboratory in Sydney.

"Sam Soliman is not a drug cheat, we here in Australia know his values in that regard.

"I've got no issue with Sturm coming to Australia or sending a representative to go through the B sample.''
Stanley reiterated complaints about what he perceived as the Sturm camp's failure to comply with all the drug testing requirements in the fight contract.

He said while the situation had become very messy, he had no regrets about insisting on pre-fight drug testing.

"We do not resile, WADA testing should be universal right through boxing,'' Stanley said.

The negotiating period for Soliman's mandatory challenge to IBF champion and compatriot Daniel Geale has ended, with the IBF asking for more time to consider the position before heading to purse bids for the fight.

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Clarke confirms he'll move up order

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Decision review ... Clarke looks set to part ways with the No.5 spot. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Australia captain Michael Clarke says he has no choice but to promote himself into the top four of his side's batting line-up following their crushing loss to India.

2nd Test - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

2 March 2013 - Day 4, Session 1

Australia 2nd Innings

J. Pattinson	0	27	0	0	0
X. Doherty	1	26	0	0	3.85
R. Ashwin	28	12	63	5	2.25

India took a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series on Tuesday with a massive victory by an innings and 135 runs in the second Test in Hyderabad.

The home side's win came at lunch on day four with spinners Ravi Ashwin (5-63) and Ravindra Jadeja (3-33) in dominant form.

Resuming on day four at 2-74, Australia were bowled out for 131.

Ed Cowan top-scored with 44 in a shocking collapse of 8-56 which followed Australia's eight-wicket loss in the first Test in Chennai.

Cowan, his fellow opener David Warner, No.3 Phil Hughes and No.4 Shane Watson are all averaging under 30 after two matches in the series, while Clarke has made 267 runs at 67.00 including a century in Chennai batting at No.5.

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Hughes has scored 25 runs at 6.25 in two matches and could be facing the axe for back-up batsman Usman Khawaja.

"I think I have no choice,'' an ashen-faced Clarke told his post-match media conference on Tuesday when asked about promoting himself up the order.

"Again, it hasn't been about me, it's about trying to do what's best for the team, and I think now, especially in these conditions, I have to bat higher."

Asked where in the top four he would bat, Clarke added: "I've got nine days to work it out.

"Wherever I can go and put some runs on the board to help the team."

Clarke's 1595 runs in 2012 was the fourth-highest tally in Test history for the calendar year.

The third Test starts in Mohali on March 14.

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NRL teams: SBW to start from bench

SBW ... will begin life as a Rooster from the bench against the Bunnies. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Sonny Bill Williams is in, as is Todd Carney, but Canberra duo Josh Dugan and Jarrod Croker were the big names missing when the teams for the opening round of the NRL season were unveiled on Tuesday.

As expected Williams was named on an impressive Sydney Roosters bench for Thursday night's season-opener against South Sydney - Martin Kennedy, Luke O'Donnell and Boyd Cordner alongside him as one of seven interchange options.

The dual international still has to prove his fitness with concerns over his surgically-repaired pectoral muscle, but Roosters official remain hopeful that he will be right.

The Rabbitohs have skipper Michael Crocker starting from the bench.

Carney, who like Williams failed to feature during any of his side's trials, was also named in the Cronulla No.6 jumper to face Gold Coast on Sunday - the NSW Origin pivot given the green light by coach Shane Flanagan.

Carney hasn't played since tearing his Achilles tendon during last year's finals series, and only returned to full training last week.

He is part of a powerful Sharks squad that includes ex-Penrith duo Michael Gordon and Luke Lewis in the starting side - while Chris Heighington, Anthony Tupou and Jayson Bukuya are all on a six-man interchange bench.

There was no such good news for Raiders fans however, with Dugan (virus) and Croker (knee) not named to play Penrith - though officials haven't given up all hope that either could be a late addition.

"We're in a position where we've basically got everyone fit so we don't see any need to be rushing those guys back for the first round, because it's a long season," assistant coach Andrew Dunemann said.

"There's still a possibility that they could play, but they'd have to prove they are 100 per cent fit.

"If they're not 100 per cent fit then we won't play them because we're more than happy with what we've got as far as replacements."

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Reece Robinson will fill in for Dugan at fullback, with Jack Wighton the new man in the centres.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will return from an elbow injury earlier than expected, with former Wigan playmaker Thomas Leuluai to partner him in the halves against Parramatta on Saturday night.

Steve Turner will fill the Canterbury-Bankstown No.1 jumper vacated by the suspended Ben Barba against North Queensland Cowboys, for whom Ray Thompson has got the jump on Robert Lui to be Johnathan Thurston's halves partner.

The Titans have surprisingly named key recruit Dave Taylor on the bench to face the Sharks, with Ben Ridge preferred in the run-on side, while Albert Kelly will be given another crack at the NRL against the team that gave him his first chance.

Wests Tigers have included prop Aaron Woods on a six-man bench as he looks to return from minor knee surgery, with rookie front-rower Jack Buchanan given a starting berth against a powerful Newcastle side that features Beau Scott, Chris Houston and Jeremy Smith in an ominous back-row.

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Demons edge Power in NAB Cup

Tussle ... There was very little between the Demons and Power in Renmark. Source: News Limited

Key forward James Sellar kicked five goals to inspire Melbourne Demons to a two-point triumph over Port Adelaide in Sunday's NAB Cup game in South Australia's Riverland region.

0.2.3 (15)	Q1	0.4.3 (27)
0.5.3 (33)	Q2	0.8.5 (53)
0.8.4 (52)	Q3	0.9.6 (60)
1.10.7 (76)	Q4	0.12.6 (78)

Daniel Stewart 3	James Sellar 5
Hamish Hartlett 2	Aaron Davey 3
Sam Colquhoun 1	Dean Kent 2
Jake Neade 1	Michael Evans 1
Ben Newton 1	Luke Tapscott 1
Chad Wingard 1
Aaron Young 1

The Demons held off a fast-finishing Port to win 0.12.6 (78) to 1.10.7 (76) before more than 3,000 spectators in Renmark.

Sellar's haul was supported by three goals from evergreen Aaron Davey while James Magner and Neville Jetta were prominent as Melbourne lodged their first win from three outings this pre-season.

Port forward Daniel Stewart booted three goals, with rookie Kane Mitchell and first-year players Oliver Wines and Sam Colquhoun among their best.

The Demons were without co-captains Jack Grimes (rested) and Jack Trengove (foot), while regulars Jack Watts, Chris Dawes, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe were rested.

But after Sellar kicked the initial goal of the game, Melbourne never relinquished their lead in a match played in 30 degree heat.

The Demons led by three goals at half-time, 0.8.5 to 0.5.5, against an inefficient Port, who couldn't capitalise on having more disposals and more entries into their attacking 50 metre arc in the opening half.

But the Power's Stewart sparked a revival in the third term as Port crept within two points - only for Sellar to then boot his fifth goal and restore Melbourne's advantage.

The Demons extended their lead to 19 points early in the final quarter when Davey snared his third major to seemingly seal victory.

But Port came steaming home, with a super goal from Hamish Hartlett helping reduce the margin to the final two points.

Melbourne host St Kilda on Saturday while Port travel to Alice Springs to meet West Coast on Saturday night as the NAB Cup continues.

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Rojas helps Victory shoot down Jets

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Melbourne Victory ... Mark Milligan scores his second penalty in their smashing of Newcastle. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Archie Thompson's comeback has helped Melbourne Victory soar out of an A-League form slump to hand 10-man Newcastle a five-goal hiding.

Marco Rojas and Mark Milligan both scored twice, Milligan's goals both from penalties, as the Victory won 5-0 at AAMI Park on Sunday to climb to third.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	23	15	2	6	14	47
2	Central Coast	23	13	6	4	24	45
3	Victory	23	12	3	8	3	39
4	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
5	Newcastle	24	8	6	10	-11	30
6	Brisbane	23	8	4	11	1	28
7	Heart	23	8	3	12	-2	27
8	Sydney	23	8	3	12	-10	27
9	Perth	23	7	4	12	-3	25
10	Wellington	24	6	6	12	-17	24

It broke a run of three losses which culminated in last round's shock 6-2 defeat to Central Coast.

Thompson, sidelined with a hamstring injury while his team lost those games, was in the thick of it on return as the Victory scored three times in the first 30 minutes.

He played the ball which put Rojas clear into the box for an easy goal in the eighth minute.

Rojas, who was given far too much space by the Jets' defence, was again involved in the next, seven minutes later.

The New Zealander's corner kick found Victory skipper Adrian Leijer, who firmly headed home from the near post.

There was almost a replay two minutes later when another Rojas corner found the Victory's other central defender, Daniel Mullen, who also headed truly.

The goal was disallowed as Milligan was penalised for making contact with the head of Newcastle defender Ruben Zadkovich.

That didn't stop the home side for long.

Thompson was brought down after weaving into the box, earning the Jets' Taylor Regan a yellow card and Milligan a 30th-minute penalty, which he converted.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors early in the second half when Regan gave away another penalty and picked up his second yellow - for dragging down Mullen off the ball - allowing Milligan his second goal from the spot and reducing the Jets to 10 men.

With the win safe, Thompson was subbed off.

But the Victory kept surging.

Rojas showed off his fast feet to dribble past a defender and keeper Mark Birighitti and walk the ball into the net to make it 5-0 in the 66th minute.

The Jets - who rested strikers Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges and were missing Zenon Caravella and Sam Gallaway to injury - stayed fifth.

But their goal difference sank to minus 11, which could prove costly given the tight fight for the bottom two spots in the top six.

The Victory are all but guaranteed of a home elimination final but remain six points shy of the second-placed Mariners.

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Saints' late surge downs Swans

Battle ... St Kilda's Sean Dempster takes on Jesse White of the Swans. Source: David Crosling / AAP

St Kilda took control in the last term for a 23-point win over Sydney in their AFL pre-season game at Etihad Stadium.

0.1.2 (8)	Q1	0.3.2 (20)
0.6.6 (42)	Q2	1.5.6 (45)
0.8.9 (57)	Q3	1.7.9 (60)
0.13.12 (90)	Q4	1.8.10 (67)

Trent Dennis-Lane 2	Andrejs Everitt 2
Sam Dunell 2	Jake Lloyd 2
Ahmed Saad 2	Jed Lamb 1
David Armitage 1	Dane Rampe 1
Clinton Jones 1	Sam Reid 1
Beau Maister 1	Dean Towers 1
Terry Milera 1	Jesse White 1
Leigh Montagna 1
Farren Ray 1
Arryn Siposs 1

The Saints trailed at every change, but kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to win 0.13.12 (90) to 1.8.10 (67).

The win could come at a heavy cost, with Saints key position player Rhys Stanley to have scans on Monday for a knee injury.

The Saints experimented with Stanley as a key defender and it paid off as he kept Swans star Sam Reid quiet. Stanley then hyper-extended his knee in the third term and was subbed out of the game.

Height in defence is a weakness for the Saints, who finished ninth last season.

Midfielders David Armitage, Leigh Montagna and Clint Jones were solid for St Kilda, while Swans onballer Dan Hannebery had a game-high 30 disposals.

Sydney kicked three goals to one in the opening term and then cleared out to an 18-point lead at the start of the second quarter.

Dane Rampe kicked a super goal for the Swans, but the Saints closed out the half better and only trailed by four points at the main break.

The Swans were again on top with the first two goals of the third quarter.

Saints small forward Ahmed Saad then snapped a goal and dished off another to Armitage, reducing the gap to three points at the last break.

When Terry Milera goaled at the start of the final quarter, it was the first time the Saints had led since the opening term.

Former Swan Trent Dennis-Lane sealed the win with a running goal 20 minutes into the quarter.

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Roar vanquish Reds for vital win

Brisbane Roar ... beat Adelaide United 1-0 to keep their finals hopes alive. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Substitute Ben Halloran clinched a vital away win for Brisbane Roar with the match-winner in a 1-0 A-League triumph against Adelaide United on Saturday.

The Roar, last year's champions, could find themselves inside the top six at the end of the round courtesy of Halloran's strike at Hindmarsh Stadium.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Newcastle	23	8	6	9	-6	30
6	Brisbane	23	8	4	11	1	28
7	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
8	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	23	5	6	12	-18	21

The midfielder slotted an 82nd minute goal to give the Roar deserved reward for dominating the struggling Reds.

Adelaide, clinging to their top four spot, have won just once in their past seven outings.

Halloran's clinical finish from 10 metres out was created by a shrewd pass from striker Besart Berisha, who earlier missed a penalty.

The goal came after Brisbane were repeatedly denied in a scoreless, and bizarre, opening half.

To a background soundtrack from a nearby rock music festival, four balls went flat and Roar midfielder Ivan Franjic was left gobsmacked when his header hit both side posts.

After Luke Brattan sent in a cross, Franjic's diving header from a metre out smacked into his near post, wafted high along the goal line, struck the far post, and went back into the field of play.

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Franjic later forced Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, in his 150th A-League game, to produce a top-shelf diving save from a long-range drive.

And Roar danger man Thomas Broich had the 'keeper beat but watched another strike drift just wide as Brisbane notched six shots to one in the first half.

The Roar continued their control in the second half when Berisha was awarded a contentious penalty after collapsing from slight contact with Reds defender Osama Malik in the 48th minute.

But the striker fluffed the penalty shot, his weak low strike hitting the left post as Galekovic dived in the opposite direction.

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