Sonny sorry over Tohu situation

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SONNY Bill Williams has apologised over his World Cup backflip that forced promising Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris out of the squad to make way for the Roosters star.

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Harris became the unfortunate victim after Williams declared his intention to play in the World Cup after the 24-man squad had been named.

On Wednesday night, Williams apologised for the "Tohu situation" saying it was "never my intention".

In a statement released by the New Zealand Rugby League on Wednesday afternoon it said Williams' inclusion in the squad had been approved by World Cup organisers.

Coach Steve Kearney, who on Tuesday fronted a press conference and announced Williams would not be playing in the World Cup said it had been a difficult 24 hours.

"It's been a tough situation, but Sonny brings things to the group that we couldn't ignore," Kearney said.

"He has had time since his NRL grand final win to clear his head and he wants to represent the Kiwis on the world stage.

"He missed our 2008 World Cup win and his inclusion will be a great asset in trying to repeat that success this year.

"It's not only his footballing ability, but also what he brings off the field which will benefit the team."

Earlier on Tuesday New Zealand selector Richie Barnett accused Williams of "disrespecting" the Kiwi team by nominating late for the squad.

In a statement issued by the Melbourne Storm Harris said he was bitterly disappointed to miss out on being part of the eight week tournament.

"As you would expect, I'm very disappointed not to be heading to the World Cup to represent my country, New Zealand,' Harris said.

"I was very much looking forward to going, however I understand the decision that has been made and hope I get another opportunity to play for the Kiwis in the future."

"My focus will now be on returning to training with Storm in November for pre-season and looking forward to an exciting 2014," Harris said.

New Zealand tried to soften the blow to Harris by taking him on the tour in a development role and play him in pre-tournament matches.

But Harris and the Storm have decided it would be better for him to remain in Melbourne for minor surgery.

Young gun Harris produced a brilliant debut season at the Storm this year, nominated for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award alongside George Burgess, Anthony Milford and David Nofouluma, with Burgess eventually taking the title. 

In April, Harris was promoted to the New Zealand side after just six NRL games, debuting in the Anzac Test against Australia following injuries to Simon Mannering and Jeremy Smith.

Harris played all but one NRL game in his rookie year, crossing for two tries.

"Tohu handled the situation as well as anyone could," Kearney said.

"It was a conversation no coach would like to have, but he's a terrific young man and I'm sure he'll have many more opportunities to pull on the black jersey.

"It's been a unique set of circumstances for all involved, but for now our focus is getting set to defend the World Cup with the team we have."

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden told a media conference said the senior leadership group gave unanimous support to Williams' inclusion.

"We want to win the World Cup, we want to take the best team," he said.

"He (Williams) is clearly an undeniable talent, but we recognise it's a polarising decision."

Only time will tell if Williams can be the difference in retaining the trophy - "But I think our chances have increase significantly - you can't deny that," Holden said.

He believed the NZRL had acted with integrity and respect in the way they conveyed the news to Harris.

He also said whatever decision was made would have its supporters and detractors.

Holden said Williams was "hugely excited" about his inclusion in the squad.

"I think he felt that, in 2008, when he missed the last World Cup, that he missed an opportunity,'' he said.

"He didn't want to miss this one and he had had time to reflect on that."

Holden added that Williams was aware of the difficulty he had created for the NZRL and for Kearney, and the personal impact on Harris.

Below are Williams' reasons for changing his mind which he sent to his followers on Twitter on Wednesday.

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Thompson set to coach Dons

Mark Thompson will coach Essendon. Source: HeraldSun

MARK Thompson could be named interim Essendon coach as early as Thursday - with Neil Craig his potential sidekick.

Craig, who was high performance manager at Melbourne this year, has emerged as the surprise senior assistant to Thompson.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

Thompson's appointment would end a curious month-long search for a replacement for James Hird, who was suspended for 12 months for his role in the club's supplements program through 2011-2012.

Thompson has swayed from wanting, then not wanting and then wanting the job, and in the recent past has shown a real hunger for the position.

The Geelong premiership coach has had several in-depth discussions with senior club people, and was the logical choice to fill in Hird's absence.

Support from all facets of the club became clear at the club's best and fairest count last Wednesday night.

Thompson got a standing ovation and a chant of "'Bomber, Bomber'' as he walked on stage, so clearly the members and influential coterie members wanted him.

Skipper Jobe Watson and best and fairest winner Brendon Goddard had told club officials they also wanted Thompson, while from day one Hird implored the club to appoint Thompson.

The sealer was Thompson telling the club he wanted role.

The appointment of Craig would be left-field.

The former Adelaide coach was interim coach at Melbourne this year when Mark Neeld was sacked, and when Paul Roos was named coach, Craig's days were numbered.

He would be seen by the Bombers as a mature-head in a re-organised football department.

Craig would be likely to be appointed to the role of technical coach, or senior assistant.

Thompson could not be contacted last night, but he told Fox Footy's AFL360 program recently that he was prepared to coach.

"I said that I'd help in any way," Thompson said. "If they want to go down a different track that's fine. If they want me to coach, I'd seriously consider it.

''I'm just worried about the club. Have I got my hunger back? I don't know, we'll find out."

People close to Thompson say he remains frustrated and angry about his $30,000 fine for his role in the supplements saga, and part of him wants to show the AFL, and the football world, that he and the club will restore respect for the red and black.

Meanwhile, the purging of Essendon people continued yesterday when premiership hero Dean Wallis was sacked in a football department reshuffling.

It follows a decision by board member and premiership player Chris Heffernan and chief executive Ray Gunston, the two most powerful football people at the club, to overlook another club premiership player, Mark Harvey, for the senior positions at the club.

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Roos given Dal Santo deadline

The Saints have given North Melbourne a deadline. Source: News Limited

ST KILDA has set North Melbourne a deadline to clinch a deal for veteran midfielder Nick Dal Santo.

The Saints have been happy to explore options for Dal Santo, 29, but have grown tired of the stalemate in negotiations.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES
STARS WILL GET TRADED: ROOS

They believe continuing speculation over one of St Kilda's favourite sons is unfair to Dal Santo with 15 days remaining in footy's player trading frenzy.

"Nick is a respected member of the Saints player group and as such negotiations around any possible trade will not allowed to drag on," St Kilda football boss Chris Pelchen told the Herald Sun.

"So in fairness to Nick, clarity around North Melbourne's position will need be determined sooner rather than later.

"We don't intend to conduct our list management through the media but for the sake of our members and fans I can confirm our position has not changed — any trade involving Nick Dal Santo would have to be acceptable to both Nick and us."

North Melbourne is determined to secure Dal Santo as a free agent, a move that is expected to hand the Saints pick 22 as compensation.

St Kilda are also keen to deal for Kangaroos defender Luke Delaney, who is out of contract.

The Kangaroos have pick 26 but are yet to package Delaney and that selection in an offer for Dal Santo.

North's preferred option is to take Dal Santo as a free agent and send Delaney to Seaford in exchange for a late pick.

Saints coach Scott Watters this week made it clear Dal Santo had two or three more seasons of quality football remaining.

"At this stage there has been nothing that has been put on the table that would make Nick leave this football club," Watters told the Herald Sun.

Greater Western Sydney is asking St Kilda for pick 21 in exchange for key defender Josh Bruce, who has been offered a three-year deal at Seaford.

The Saints have rejected the demand, believing it is too much for a unproven player.

 

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SBW in shock World Cup backflip

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SONNY Bill Williams is understood to be contemplating a shock return to the New Zealand national rugby league team for this year's World Cup.

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Williams was not selected in the Kiwis' 24-man squad on Tuesday, prompting speculation he was on the verge of signing with Super Rugby club the Waikato Chiefs.

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But sources close to Williams tonight have said that the multi-sport superstar wants to play for the Kiwis at the Rugby League World Cup before pursuing a lucrative heavyweight fight in New Zealand.

That move would come as a major surprise to many within league, including New Zealand's coach Stephen Kearney.

Kearney told media on Tuesday that Williams was unavailable for selection "due to other commitments" but was unable to specify what those commitments were.

"I'm sure we'll all hear about that after the next two to three weeks," Kearney said. "We had planned that Sonny wasn't going to come away.

"That was, I guess, just the general feeling that I had throughout the year."

Williams tweeted earlier Tuesday that he wished the Kiwis well for their title defence.

Williams was selected in New Zealand's initial squad for the 2008 rugby league World Cup after he had already defected from the Bulldogs to join French rugby club Toulon.

Williams played no part in the tournament, which the Kiwis would go on to win in dramatic fashion.

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Fire sale as Blues chase Chappy

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse talks to defender Josh Bootsma. Source: Michael Dodge / HeraldSun

CARLTON looms as a possible new home for Paul Chapman after they met for preliminary discussions on Monday.

The Blues are looking at a variety of recruitment options in an effort to revitalise a list that could only win three of 13 games against teams that finished above it on the home-and-away ladder (including Essendon).

Chapman, 31, wasn't offered a new contract by the Cats after 251 games between 2000-13, but firmly believes he has good football left in him.

WHITE HEADING TO THE PIES

AFL APPROVES BUDDY DEAL

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

His manager Liam Pickering said today Carlton was one of four clubs that had contacted him.

"Any club that thinks they can contend next year would obviously be mad not to speak with 'Chappy'. He feels as if his body will allow him at least two good years," Pickering said.

When Chapman did play in eight matches for 2013 his statistics were outstanding, better in all areas than his career averages and that included two games where he was substitute.

The sticking point for a possible Chapman deal could come down to money with the Blues heavily committed after signing Dale Thomas from Collingwood.

But they have made it known they are willing to part with first-round draftees Josh Bootsma and Kane Lucas, plus ruckman-forward Levi Casboult, as part of the club's dramatic list overhaul.

Blues forward Levi Casboult celebrates a goal with gusto. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

The Blues have told rivals they are prepared to trade either of the pair if it helps secure coach Michael Malthouse some top-line midfield talent.

The move has surprised other clubs, given Carlton used their first selections in the 2009 and 2011 national drafts to select Lucas and Bootsma.

Carlton has also been linked to Shane Savage from Hawthorn.

Lucas, 22, had his best year this season, averaging 18 touches from 17 games, but he lost his place late in the campaign and missed out on finals.

Bootsma, 20, was played in a key defensive post at times this year but in his nine games in the backline did not take an intercept mark, according to Champion Data. The Blues this year re-signed Bootsma for two more years, until the end of 2015.

Joel Corey in action for the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

At Geelong, Chapman's long-time teammate Joel Corey will not be offered a new contract and is expected to retire.

But don't wait for any fanfare as Corey will leave the game as he played it — quietly.

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White headed to the Pies

Sydney's Jesse White thanks the fans after a win over the Bulldogs earlier this year. Source: George Salpigtidis / HeraldSun

COLLINGWOOD and Sydney have committed to doing a deal on key forward Jesse White as the Pies grow confident of luring GWS midfielder Taylor Adams.

Swans forward White will get to the Pies early in trade week with Sydney still assessing how many picks it takes in November's national draft.

Hawks let Buddy fly to the Swans

The Pies will need to deliver a third-round or late second-round pick, but both parties worked seamlessly on the Rhyce Shaw deal and will get this year's version over the line.

Greater Western Sydney confirmed their interest in Heath Shaw, but disputed that it was $800,000 a season.

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Regardless it is a monster deal that could furnish the Pies with a third first-round pick after the No.11 compensation selection they could get for Carlton-bound Dale Thomas.

The Pies could swap that pick for Adams if Shaw decided to head to Geelong instead of taking up a five-year deal at the Giants.

Collingwood has also considered Adelaide's Ricky Henderson, Sydney's Tony Armstrong and Brisbane's Patrick Karnezis.

Essendon midfielder Travis Colyer signed a new two-year deal at the Bombers, another sign they will keep most of their players.

But the Dogs will not relent on offering a better pick than no. 22 for Stewart Crameri, and believe they could acquire him in the pre-season draft for nothing.

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Scott Gumbleton is still expected to leave for more opportunities, while defender Tayte Pears is closing in on a new deal.

Gumbleton, ex-Geelong forward James Podsiadly, Adelaide's Shaun McKernan and Hawthorn midfielder Xavier Ellis are all being assessed by Fremantle.

But the Dockers could still ignore the quartet and give young key talls more opportunity, with Gumbleton injury-prone and Podsiadly 32.

Richmond will keep former Geelong rookie Orren Stephensen on their rookie list despite securing Carlton's Shaun Hampson on Monday.

Adelaide's Bernie Vince was a quality midfielder shopped around by the Crows in Monday's talks, a rare talented onballer available to rival clubs.

The AFL denied that Jeff Gieschen would be moved on, after appointing him in a role earlier this year which sees him overseeing umpiring development across the country.

Melbourne parted company with recruiter Gary Burleigh, curious timing ahead of next month's national draft.

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Gould's rookies win 20s thriller

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PENRITH'S regeneration under Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary accelerated further on Sunday, with the Panthers holding on for a brave 42-30 win over the Warriors to claim their first Holden Cup grand final victory.

The Panthers win showcased brilliant talent, but more importantly resilience under pressure.

In scorching heat at ANZ Stadium, for nearly three quarters of the match, the Warriors couldn't compete with the speed and power of the Panthers, who raced away to a 34-6 lead.

But in the Holden Cup, it's never over until it's over.

And with 24 minutes left on the clock and on the back of eight consecutive penalties, the Warriors piled on four tries to get within four and set up a thrilling finish with 12 minutes left.

Penrith fullback Kieran Moss was sin-binned for a professional foul the set before, and the Warriors appeared destined for their third Holden Cup premiership as they took all the momentum into the final 10 minutes.

Despite still being in front on the scoreboard, it was the Panthers who now needed to fight back.

The final courageous effort came from Jack Gibson medal winner James Roberts, who dashed 40 metres downfield to lay the platform for opposite centre Waqa Blake to crash over and seal the result.

Speedster Roberts proved almost untouchable in his six NRL games this season, and it was much the same in the National Youth League decider.

Roberts scored two scintillating first half tries, while winger George Jennings set the grand final tone for Roosters' brother Michael, nabbing a try and setting up another.

The Panthers fought bravely in first grade this season, finishing just one win out of the top eight with an inexperienced roster.

And the performance of Garth Brennan's Holden Cup team to convert a second-placed finish to a premiership, was confirmation of the club's promise.

The Panthers faced a heap of adversity throughout the 80 minutes, losing halfback and captain Daniel Foster after just 15 minutes with the scores locked at 6-6.

The Warriors, the most successful team in the history of NYC, were shooting for their third premiership and the ideal send-off for veteran coach John Ackland.

However, despite the inspired attacking play of halves Tuimoala Lolohea and Mason Lino, the Warriors couldn't quite complete a comeback which would have been extraordinary even by Holden Cup standards.

PENRITH PANTHERS 42 (J Roberts 2 K Moss G Jennings B Attwood M Clark W Blake tries B Cartwright 7 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 30 (R Faitala-Mariner A Vete E Malu M Lisati V Lolohea tries M Lino 5 goals) at ANZ Stadium.

Penrith's Kieran Moseley at full time. Picture: Brett Costello Source: DailyTelegraph

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Wallabies unleash attacking style

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau slices through Argentina's defence at Gigante de Arroyito Stadium in Rosario. Source: Juan Mabromata / AFP

EWEN McKenzie says the seven-try Rosario rout against Argentina was "only just scratching around the edges'' of the full attacking potential of the new Wallabies.

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It went from the sublime to the redemptive in a memorable morning of rugby on Sunday morning, when the Wallabies followed up the All Blacks' classic victory over the Springboks by posting a record win over Los Pumas.

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Israel Folau scored a hat-trick in the Wallabies' victory, which saw an assortment of monkeys shaken off backs of the men in gold jerseys.

In tallying up their highest ever score against Argentina, the Wallabies finally took the covers off the attacking style McKenzie has been struggling to implement since taking over three months ago.

With a superb forward performance laying the platform, hard and straight running from Folau and Joe Tomane tore open the Pumas defence, and better handling could have even seen more than seven tries scored.

After averaging one try per game for the last 24 Tests, however, seven was a drastic increase and was Australia's most since a 10-try romp against Russia in 2011. It was even the first time in two years the Wallabies scored four or more tries.

McKenzie said the performance was ``closer'' to the style he'd like to have his side playing, but Rosario was a long way off the Wallabies laying down their best hand.

"We still missed opportunities and made errors but we're getting better. You saw a lot of the spirit of how we'd like to play, there was some adventure there, we mixed the game up and we showed toughness,'' McKenzie said.

"It was more characteristic of how we'd like to play.

"In terms of pattern of play we're only just scratching around the edges yet. There's a bunch of things we haven't got to yet because we're still trying to bed a few things down.

"I felt it was a better effort. In the end you've got to be able run, got to be able to bend the line, break tackles, and we started do all that.''

After over-wrought attempts to run against the All Blacks and Springboks failed, and a kicking strategy in Cape Town did too, McKenzie said the team re-visited their strategies in training last week and pared the gameplan back.

"Fundamentally we want to run and carry the ball to the opposition and I thought we did that with great purpose,'' McKenzie said.

"We didn't come into the game as the favourites so to come here and get a record score line was a very good effort.''

The victory, which was described as a massive ``confidence booster'' for the Wallabies by skipper James Horwill, has the potential to unlock further growth in a team previously lacking majorly in self-belief.

McKenzie said he could feel the tension in the dressing room pre-match.

"I said to them on the field afterward you can be confronted with the pressure and the nerves and you can shrink  or put it to one side and get out there and express yourself,'' he said.

"It's pleasing that they expressed themselves in the face of a fair bit of pressure rather than shrink and say it's all too hard so I was quite pleased with the character shown.''

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Wallabies set sights on All Blacks

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THE Wallabies are intent on backing up a strong performance in Rosario - particularly by the maligned Australian forward pack - when they tackle New Zealand and the best of the northern hemisphere in coming months.

A record victory over Argentina was the sum of several impressive parts, with star outings by Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau and Joe Tomane among the most eye-catching.

But collectively the Wallaby forward pack deserved cold beers post-match, after answering criticism of their physicality and weak scrum by getting on top of a tough Pumas pack.

Argentina troubled the All Black scrum so much a week earlier that many predicted they would slaughter the struggling Wallaby pack, and it didn't take long for the showdown to occur.

Australia were camped on their own line for almost 10 minutes as scrum after scrum was packed. They gave up four penalties and lost prop James Slipper to the sin-bin, but with Benn Robinson's timely addition, ultimately held the Pumas out.

"They're difficult moments and they're the ones you look back on," James Horwill said.

"All the effort you do at scrum training comes off. We knew that they're good and we could see that's where they were going, they were behind on the scoreboard and they were wanting to chase and assert themselves, so we stuck at it, even a man down. And in the end we got the result we were looking for. It was certainly tough."

As the match wore on Australia's scrum even began to get dominance, and not only pressured the hosts' ball but gave a solid platform for set-piece attack that bent the gain-line.

Horwill said the effort had to be backed up or it would mean nothing.

"We're coming up against some world class scrums. The All Blacks are an excellent scrum and we've got them in two weeks. A big thing for us is not going back from here, it's moving forward. You can't just rest on your laurels and have it be a one-off performance, it needs to be a stepping stone on to bigger and better things," he said.

The Wallabies were beaten by the Kiwis twice in August but Folau said the team could take their confidence forward into the dead-rubber third Bledisloe Cup fixture in Dunedin on Saturday week.

"The challenge now, it's good to get the win tonight but we want to get two in a row," Folau said.

"That's going to be our next challenge. That one in Dunedin is obviously going to be a pretty tough challenge but we can regroup and turn up and have the same passion like we did tonight going in against the AB's."

Fardy, who duelled with Hooper for man-of-the-match with a typically tireless effort in defence and at the breakdown, said the Wallabies never lost heart despite a tough winter.

"We knew we were working towards something," he said.

"It hasn't been a great Rugby Championship. We lost all our games to New Zealand and South Africa, but there were halves there where we played really well. I thought we played well in the second half last week. Things went our way a bit more tonight.

"We get a bit of time away from footy now, go home rest up and by the weekend, really be focusing on getting after the All Blacks next week and go there hungry for a result."

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World Cup miracle for Afghtanistan

Afghan fans celebrate their team's victory after watching it on a big screen in Kabul. Source: AFP

WAR-TORN Afghanistan erupted in wild celebrations as its cricket team beat Kenya to qualify for the 2015 World Cup, just 12 years after the game took hold in the wake of the Taliban's fall.

About 3,000 fans packed onto the field at Kabul's only cricket stadium to watch the match on a big screen, with noisy chants and dancing marking each boundary as Afghan batsmen carried the side to an easy victory in Sharjah.

Celebratory gunfire tore through the air in the eastern city of Jalalabad as the realisation dawned that their country will be heading to the tournament, to be hosted in Australia and New Zealand.

"Tears come out of my eyes because of my happiness,'' Zakir Mohammadi, 23, told AFP, the national flag draped across his shoulders.

"I am speechless and can't express myself. This is a great feat for our cricket team and for all Afghans."

After dismissing Kenya for just 93 in the 44th over at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, Afghanistan reached their target in the 21st over when captain Mohammad Nabi hit a boundary through midwicket.

Nabi, who finished on 46 not out, and Hashmatullah Shaidi put on 62 for the fourth wicket to bring their side home with 175 balls to spare.

Nabi smashed two huge sixes and three fours to assure his team of second place in the World Cricket League behind runaway winners Ireland, who have also qualified for the World Cup.

Afghanistan will play in Pool A at the World Cup in 2015 along with Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka and another qualifier.

Afghanistan's cricket side has progressed rapidly since the country emerged from the rule of the Taliban in 2001, when they also became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council and an associate member earlier this year.

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