Jets steal point from Sydney FC

Heartbreak ... Ryan Griffiths scores a last-minute penalty goal to draw with Sydney FC. Source: Tony Feder / AAP

A Ryan Griffiths penalty in the dying minutes forced Sydney FC to settle for a 2-2 A-League draw with Newcastle on Saturday.

Sydney FC, missing a host of regular starters, opened the scoring through Alessandro Del Piero, with teammate Blake Powell getting the Sky Blues' second goal.

But late drama, in which skipper Terry McFlynn was sent off for a handball, ensured Griffiths - who scored the first-half equaliser also through a penalty - grabbed the point for the Jets at a rain and wind-lashed Hunter Stadium.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	19	11	6	2	17	39
2	Victory	18	10	3	5	3	33
3	Western Sydney	18	10	2	6	8	32
4	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
5	Newcastle	19	6	5	8	-8	23
6	Brisbane	19	6	3	10	-1	21
7	Heart	18	6	3	9	-2	21
8	Sydney	19	6	3	10	-9	21
9	Wellington	19	5	5	9	-10	20
10	Perth	19	5	4	10	-2	19

Sydney appeared undeterred by their depleted squad after coach Frank Farina was forced to make several changes. Defenders Tiago Calvano and Fabio were both suspended alongside striker Joel Griffiths, while speedy Panamanian attacker Yairo Yau was away on national duty and injured duo Brett Emerton and Jason Culina were also missing.

The Jets, undefeated in their previous four matches, stay in fifth place while the Sky Blues remain in eighth.

The Jets had the lion's share of possession in the early stages and created a few chances.

But a terrible defensive mistake from Connor Chapman allowed Del Piero a perfect shot at goal inside the box with the Italian legend making no mistake to put Sydney 1-0 up after just 12 minutes with his 10th A-League goal.

The Jets redeemed themselves only moments later when Rhyan Grant conceded a penalty after bringing down Ryan Griffiths in the box.

Griffiths stepped up to the mark, easily beating gloveman Vedran Janjetovic to level the score in the 16th minute.

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Del Piero threatened again, this time with a superb free-kick from outside the box, forcing a spectacular save from Jets 'keeper Mark Birighetti just before the break.

The Sky Blues started the second half determined to create chances with Ali Abbas forcing Birighetti into action with his powerful header.

But it was Powell who put the visitors 2-1 in front in the 57th minute.

A sloppy Jets defence was again to blame after Del Piero, given too much space, passed the ball to Abbas, with Birighetti making a meal of the Iraqi's ensuing strike - sending the rebound to Powell's feet for the cool finish.

A Griffiths strike created a goal-mouth scramble late in the match with McFlynn red-carded for attempting to clear the ball with his arm.

Griffiths stepped up for the spot, securing the 2-2 result in the 89th minute.

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Two-try Folau inspires Waratahs win

Star ... Israel Folau has made an instant impact for the Waratahs. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Code-hopper Israel Folau has spectacularly celebrated his New South Wales Waratahs debut with two tries in their 24-16 trial win over the Melbourne Rebels in Hobart.

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Folau looked a fish back in water as he swerved to beat three Rebels and put the ball down one-handed before wildly celebrating the five-pointer with teammates in the 12th minute of the four-tries-to-two victory at North Hobart Oval.

The former rugby league international and AFL marketing tool produced the goods with just his third touch in the 15-man game.

He repeated the dose with the last play of the game, crossing in the left corner while playing outside centre.

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He might have had a third try in the 34th minute but unselfishly offloaded for winger Cam Crawford when Folau could easily have crossed himself.

And on an eventful evening for the former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos star, Folau was yellow-carded for a 54th minute breakdown infringement, helping the Rebels score a try through Tom English two minutes later.

Starting at fullback, Folau's kicking game was non-existent as the Waratahs made good on coach Michael Cheika's new attacking mantra.

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But he got a feel for his new game with a big tackle on a flying Lachie Mitchell in just the second minute.

Folau had switched to the right wing before he was carded in the second half of the opening trial for both franchises, played in front of 9751 people, and also spent time on the left.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was one interested spectator but was reluctant to single Folau out.

"It's good to see him playing rugby," Deans told reporters.

"He's obviously playing well."

Rebels and Wallabies winger Cooper Vuna briefly sent a scare through his camp when he copped a shoulder knock but it was revealed to be a stinger, and not on his troublesome left joint.

In a four-quarter game, the Rebels led 6-5 at the first break following two penalty goals from James O'Connor.peThe Waratahs led 12-11 at halftime after Crawford's second quarter try.

They scored first in the third through Pete Samu for 19-11 before English hit back to make it 19-16.

Folau's 81st minute effort, beating two defenders, capped the Waratahs' win.

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Will Folau be a Super Rugby star? Leave a comment below to have your say!

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Aussies crush Taiwan in Davis Cup

Kaohsiung ... Lleyton Hewitt returns a shot in the Davis Cup men's doubles against Taiwan. Source: AFP

Australia on Saturday swept to an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Taiwan in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone tie in Kaohsiung.

The dominant combination of Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione humbled the Taiwanese to win the doubles rubber in straight sets.

The pair took their Cup record to 8-0 when they overcame the Taiwanese pair of Hsien Yin Peng and Hsin-Han Lee 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-2.

Australia took a 2-0 lead into the second day after singles wins by Hewitt and Matthew Ebden.

Davis Cup coach Pat Rafter said the doubles clash had been difficult at first with the Taiwan duo playing an unorthodox style.

''It took a while for our guys to find their game plan - also the courts are so quick,'' Rafter said.

''But once Lleyton and Gooch got in the match, they were too good and the other guys couldn't keep up for that period of time.

''Our guys didn't actually face a break point in the whole match so that was great.''

Rafter said that despite being favourites, he was wary of the conditions and the opposition, who he expected to play above their world rankings of around 200.

''We were a bit nervous going in. You always get a bit tight going in because you're not sure how they're going to play.

''They can come out blasting because Davis Cup does different things to players.

''But our guys were right on and the others were outclassed which was what I was hoping for.''

Ebden and Marinko Matosevic will line up in the reverse singles on Sunday.

Matosevic is back in the team after being dropped for the tie last year against Germany due to disciplinary reasons.

''It is good for him - even though it's a dead rubber, he still has the pressure of representing your country,'' Rafter said.

''This will be another great stepping stone in his development.''

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Jedinak suffers eye injury

Mile Jedinak ... is in some doubt for the Socceroos friendly against Romania. Source: Herald Sun

Socceroos midfielder Mile Jedinak was sent to hospital after suffering an eye injury in Crystal Palace's loss to Huddersfield Town in the English Championship.

Palace captain Jedinak copped a swinging arm from Huddersfield striker Alan Lee in the dying minutes of Thursday's 1-0 defeat.

The Australian was cleared of serious damage at hospital and coach Keith Millen said he was an outside chance to play against Charlton on Saturday.

The injury casts doubt on Jedinak's availability for the Socceroos' friendly match against Romania next week.

"He's OK, although it was a bad one,'' Millen told the Croydon Advertiser.

"He went straight to hospital after the game and they looked at him and gave him the all-clear thankfully.

"Structurally there is no damage and the main thing is that his eye has been tested and nothing is wrong.

"The main problem now is the swelling because it's keeping his eye closed."

Millen did not rule out the possibility Jedinak could wear a face mask should he play on Saturday.

The coach was angry that Lee was not punished for the incident and accused Huddersfield's players of showing a lack of remorse.

Jedinak has impressed for promotion contenders Palace and was linked with a move to Premier League side Stoke City, however he will be staying.

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Aussies dominate at world sevens

Con Foley ... scores a try as Australia win their pool opener. Source: Marty Melville / AFP

Australia crushed Scotland 29-5 to complete a surprisingly dominant opening day at the world series sevens rugby tournament in Wellington.

The young side coached by Michael O'Connor eased past Portugal 24-5 and stunned Fiji 21-12 to top pool D on Friday and reverse their previous form in the International Rugby Board series.

They were knocked out in the Cup quarter-finals of the opening tournament on the Gold Coast and failed to advance beyond pool play at Dubai and Port Elizabeth.

The previously unbeaten Scots had no answer to Australia's pressure game in defence which was also effective against Fiji.

The Australians attacked the breakdowns with vigour to dominate possession and score five tries to one.

As with their first two games, their tries were shared around. Con Foley, Lewis Holland and Allan Fa'alava'au put them 17-0 clear at halftime before Jordan Tuapau and Shannon Walker completed the second-half scoring.

James Fleming crossed for a consolation for Scotland.

Both teams upset Fiji, who failed to qualify for the Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the series' history.

Australia will face the runners-up from pool A, which could potentially be New Zealand, assuming the tournament hosts win their final game against the United States and unbeaten England beat Spain.

England toppled the series-leading New Zealanders in the opening round of matches.

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Joel Griffiths gets three-match ban

Suspended ... Sydney FC's Joel Griffiths will miss three matches. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

An already-depleted Sydney FC have been hit with a fresh blow ahead of Saturday's crucial A-League match against Newcastle with striker Joel Griffiths suspended for abusing a linesman.

Griffiths was suspended on Friday evening after a review of an incident in the Sky Blues' loss to Melbourne Victory last weekend by a reconvened A-League match review panel.

The incident happened in the 89th minute of the round-18 fixture and Griffiths was charged with ''use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official''.

The 33-year-old faces a three-match suspension. He will serve a mandatory match suspension against the Jets and can appeal the additional two-game suspension.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata condemned Griffiths' behaviour.

''Sydney FC is disappointed with what happened late in the game last weekend against Melbourne Victory that has led to Joel Griffiths receiving a three-match suspension,'' Pignata said in a statement.

''Sydney FC prides itself on setting standards in community behaviour and we expect our players to uphold those standards and set a good example.

''Joel has shown remorse for what happened and Sydney FC will consider its options in relation to appealing the severity of the suspension.''

The A-League's match review panel usually convenes earlier in the week but it's understood they did not receive information on Griffiths' outburst until midweek.

It's not the first time Griffiths has been involved in a controversy involving match officials. He appeared to punch a linesman in the groin when playing for Newcastle in 2007, but escaped further sanction on a technicality because he received a yellow card at the time.

The suspension denies Griffiths the opportunity to play alongside brother Adam and against his other brother Ryan, in what would have been the first time three brothers had played together in an A-League fixture.

Griffiths is the fifth change forced on Sydney coach Frank Farina for the match against the fifth-placed Jets who sit two points above the Sky Blues on the A-League ladder.

Socceroo Brett Emerton (back) has been ruled out of the match with the Jets, against whom Sydney have lost twice already this season. The Sky Blues also are without Yairo Yau to international duty with Panama while defenders Fabio and Tiago Calvano are serving one-match suspensions.

Goalkeeper Ivan Necevski returns from an ankle injury to take Matthew Nash's place on the bench while Terry Antonis, Peter Triantis, Nathan Sherlock, Paul Reid and Aaron Calver have been recalled to Farina's extended 18-man squad.

Farina bemoaned his continued bad luck at training on Friday before the news of Griffiths suspension.

''It's certainly had its moments (this season). We are probably five or six down from last week but that is the reality of it - we have to live with it and just get on with it. Every day in football is a challenge,'' Farina said.

''When you are on a bit of a rollercoaster ride like we have been, it tends to stay that way. We have to continue to keep working hard, take what we have got and keep battling away.''

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Wheelhouse leaves the Jets

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Jobe Wheelhouse on the ball for the Jets. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

Newcastle Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse has announced his shock departure from the A-League club.

When the 27-year-old was told he wouldn't be re-signed for next season, he decided to leave the club immediately.

"It goes without saying that I am disappointed I won't be at the Jets anymore," Wheelhouse said in a statement.

"Over the last six to 12 months my head hasn't been it in like it should be, and this will now give me a chance to get away and plan my future.

"There is no point being at a place when my heart isn't in it and the last thing I want to do is let down my teammates.

"I am good mates with all of the boys and I wish them only the best for the future.

"Hopefully they will make the six and go deep into the finals this year."

The midfielder was expected to announce he was joining Melbourne Heart for the remainder of the season with the retirement of former Socceroo Vince Grella earlier this week creating an opening.

But Wheelhouse said he has knocked back Heart's offer and would be taking the rest of the season off.

A local boy who has played his entire career in Newcastle, Wheelhouse's future at the A-League club has been the subject of considerable speculation over the past few weeks.

The Jets had insisted they would not release their skipper mid-season but, at the same time, refused to say if he would be offered a new deal when his current contract expired.

One-club man Wheelhouse has made 105 A-League appearances for the Jets.

Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby thanked Wheelhouse for his contribution to the club.

"This hasn't been an easy process and we hoped Jobe would play out the remainder of the season," Middleby said.

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Jade North set for Roar debut

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A-League return ... Jade North will make his Brisbane Roar debut this week. Source: Robert Mckell / News Limited

Socceroo defender Jade North is set to make his long-awaited debut for the Brisbane Roar in Friday night's clash with A-League leaders Central Coast at Suncorp Stadium.

North was signed by the defending champions from Japan three weeks ago but has yet to appear as coach Mike Mulvey opted to build up his fitness.

However, Mulvey has confirmed the 31-year-old former Newcastle and Wellington player will team with Matt Jurman in central defence against the Mariners.

North will replace youngster James Donachie who has impressed Mulvey in the absence of injured captain Matt Smith.

"He's done a tremendous job,'' Mulvey said. "But with young players, you need to know when to rest them.''

PSV Eindhoven recruit Stef Nijland, a former under-23 Netherlands striker, might also make a shock appearance against Central Coast after training with the Roar on Thursday morning following a 26-hour trip to Brisbane.

"It will be tough to start tomorrow but, if I can make minutes, I'll be happy,'' 24-year-old Nijland said.

Meanwhile, Brisbane's opposition Central Coast, have suffered a blow with experienced attacker Adam Kwasnik forced to undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Kwasnik will go under the knife on Monday after sustaining the injury in the lead-up to last week's 3-1 win over Adelaide United.

The 29-year-old had stepped up in the absence of boom youngster Tom Rogic and helped the Mariners continue their dominance.

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Cronk withdraws from All Stars

Melbourne Storm are confident Cooper Cronk will be fit for the World Club Challenge despite his withdrawal from the All Stars clash due to an ongoing back injury.

The 2012 premiership-winning halfback on Thursday pulled out of the NRL All Stars side for the match against the Indigenous All Stars on February 9.

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While the Storm acknowledge the injury has interrupted Cronk's pre-season, they are hopeful he will take the field against Super League champions Leeds at Headingley on February 22.

"Everyone knows Cooper is the ultimate professional and would only play in a game of this calibre if he was 100 per cent fit," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said in a statement.

"Cooper's back has been tightening up, particularly at the back end of sessions, therefore we will stand him down from training for five to seven days and continue a modified program with the aim to be fully fit for the World Club Challenge."

"Our medical staff, in consultation with Cooper, decided to withdraw him from the (All Stars) match as a precautionary measure to avoid any risk of further damage."

Cooper's position as Wayne Bennett's 'coach's pick' in the NRL All Stars side has been taken by Warriors' playmaker Shaun Johnson.

"It's all a bit surreal for me at the moment," Johnson said.

"It's exciting and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing alongside so many quality players as well as being in a side coached by Wayne Bennett.

"It's a massive honour."

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Live Blog: Mundine-Geale II

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Live Blog ... Join us for all the action from Anthony Mundine v Daniel Geale II. Source:Fox Sports

The verbal barbs have been traded by the bucketload, and now it's time for Anthony Mundine and Daniel Geale to let their fists do the talking in Wednesday's night's blockbuster bout.

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The fuse has been well and truly lit for what should be an explosive rematch between the long-time rivals.

'The Man' took bragging rights when the pair met back in 2009, but it wasn't without controversy, with many claiming Geale should have been awarded the win.

In typical fashion, Mundine has dominated the headlines in the lead-up to the rematch, questioning Geale's Aboriginal heritage, engaging in some heated words with journalist Paul Kent and claiming racial bias against him during his rugby league career.

And at Tuesday's weigh-in, in which Geale came in slightly heavier, Mundine blew a bubble gum bubble in his opponent's face.

The normally mild-mannered Geale couldn't resist a few verbal jabs of his own, admitting he would love nothing more than to send Mundine into retirement.

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We bring you all the build-up before delivering a blow-by-blow account of the fight from 9.30pm (EDT).

[View the story "Live blog: Geale v Mundine II" on Storify]

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