Titans win thrilling nail biter

Ryan James ... stars in Gold Coast Titans V Many Sea Eagles on Saturday. Source: News Limited

Gold Coast dug extra deep to deliver injured teammate Ashley Harrison a special 16-14 win over Manly at Skilled Park in his 250th NRL game.

2 Tries 3
Ryan James 45'	Jorge Taufua 57'
David Mead 51'	Tom Symonds 60'
	Jorge Taufua 71'
2 Conversions 1
Aidan Sezer 47'	Jamie Lyon 72'
Aidan Sezer 53'
2 Penalties 0
Aidan Sezer 36'
Aidan Sezer 76'

The match was locked at 14-14 on Saturday night after Manly scored three second-half tries before halfback Daly Cherry-Evans conceded a match-winning penalty late in the clash.

Cherry-Evans booted a goal line drop-out over the sideline with four minutes left on the clock.

Aidan Sezer calmly kicked the penalty goal from right in front.

In a heart-stopping final few minutes, Manly attacked the Titans' left-hand side before a Jamie Lyon pass was spilled over the sideline by winger David Williams.

Manly interchange forward Richie Fa'aoso's 36th-minute shoulder charge which wiped Harrison out of the game proved a huge turning point following an epic first-half defensive battle.

A distressed Harrison was ferried from the field with his neck in a brace on the back of a medicab with the crowd chanting "send him off, send him off".

Fa'aoso was placed on report and could be the first player suspended under the game's new shoulder charge rules outlawing the dangerous tackle.

Sezer thumped over the penalty for a 2-0 halftime lead.

The home side started the second half positively and led 14-0 after converted tries to big Ryan James (46th minute) and winger David Mead five minutes later.

However, the Titans let Manly cross twice in the space of three minutes.

Winger Jorge Taufua dived over in the left corner in the 57th minute before replacement Tom Symonds muscled his way over in the 60th after Matt Ballin, Kieran Foran and Cherry-Evans swept the ball to the right side.

Skipper Jamie Lyon missed both difficult conversions as Manly pulled back to 14-8 with 20 minutes remaining.

When Taufua, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend, crossed for his second and Lyon converted from touch, the match was deadlocked at 14-14.

Sezer had two shots at a field goal before kicking his game-winning penalty.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Red-hot Crusaders massacre Kings

Scoring spree ... Willie Heinz dives for the line under pressure. Source: David Alexander / AFP

Zac Guildford made a winning return as the Crusaders overwhelmed the Southern Kings 55-20 in a lop-sided Super Rugby match at Christchurch on Saturday.

7 Tries 2
George Whitelock 4'	Petrus van der Walt 40'
Wyatt Crockett 13'	George Whitehead 79'
George Whitelock 24'
Willi Heinz 31'
Matt Todd 47'
Luke Whitelock 57'
George Whitelock 76'
7 Conversions 2
Daniel Carter 6'	Demetri Catrakilis 40'
Daniel Carter 14'	George Whitehead 80'
Daniel Carter 25'
Daniel Carter 32'
Daniel Carter 49'
Tyler Bleyendaal 57'
Tyler Bleyendaal 76'
2 Penalties 2
Daniel Carter 10'	Demetri Catrakilis 2'
Daniel Carter 43'	Demetri Catrakilis 21'

The Crusaders hammered South African opponents for the second straight game, running in seven tries to two, with six of them going to forwards.

It reflected the dominance of the home pack against a Kings side who spent most of the night defending in suffering a third successive defeat.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	4	0	0	83	3	23
2	Reds	3	2	0	-1	1	13
3	Western Force	1	3	0	-22	1	9
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	9
5	Waratahs	1	3	0	-33	1	9
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	4	1	0	77	5	21
2	Crusaders	2	2	0	37	4	16
3	Blues	2	1	0	26	3	15
4	Hurricanes	2	2	0	-15	1	13
5	Highlanders	0	4	0	-47	1	5
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	3	1	0	3	1	13
2	Sharks	3	1	0	3	0	12
3	Cheetahs	2	2	0	-31	1	9
4	Stormers	1	2	0	-12	1	9
5	Southern Kings	1	3	0	-43	0	8

It was the first away match in the Kings' inaugural season and came at the end of a tumultuous week.

The South African Rugby Union announced it would investigate the team for using more than two overseas players - a SARU stipulation - during their loss to the Chiefs last week.

There was no such pressure on the Crusaders, coming off a 41-19 humbling of the Bulls.peThey dominated from the outset, marching over the advantage line at will and snuffing out the Kings' infrequent attacking opportunities.

All Blacks winger Guildford produced a solid 80 minutes for the seven-time champions in his first appearance since leaving the franchise in January to address alcoholism issues.

He was named on the reserve bench but started the game after fullback Israel Dagg was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Guildford threw the final pass to put flanker George Whitelock over for the opening try after four minutes, the first of a hat-trick for the tough flanker.

Whitelock's second bisected tries to prop Wyatt Crockett and halfback Willie Heinz as the Crusaders bagged a bonus point.

Flanker Wimpie van der Walt drove over from a lineout for the Kings' only try on the stroke of halftime, leaving them trailing 31-13.

They also scored the last try in the second half, to fullback George Whitehead, but not before Whitelock bagged his third, alongside tries to younger brother Luke Whitelock and fellow-loose forward Matt Todd.

Five-eighth Demetri Catrakilis kicked eight points for the Kings while his opposite, Dan Carter, landed seven from seven shots for a 16-point haul.

It was Carter's last game for at least two weeks after the All Blacks playmaker chose to skip the next two matches in South Africa, remaining in New Zealand for the arrival of his first child.

The Crusaders will travel there with a two win-two loss record while the Kings have slumped to 1-3 ahead of next week's match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glory win last-gasp thriller

Winners ... Perth Glory's Steve Pantelidis and Matias Cordoba celebrate. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Perth Glory strengthened their A-League finals pulse with an injury-time Josh Risdon winner sealing a spectacular 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

{ "type" : "nmdata", "id" : "1226604119725", "name": "FS football NMdata MVC v PER", "title": "", "classname": " ", "total": "0", "content" : { "match": [ ] } }

Risdon bent home a superb goal four minutes into stoppage time after the Victory had pinched a disputed late equaliser through substitute Cris Cristaldo in the 89th minute.

The stunning win lifts last season's grand finalists into the top six.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	25	17	2	6	17	53
2	Central Coast	25	14	6	5	23	48
3	Victory	26	12	5	9	2	41
4	Adelaide	25	12	4	9	3	40
5	Perth	26	9	4	13	-2	31
6	Sydney	25	9	4	12	-8	31
7	Newcastle	26	8	7	11	-12	31
8	Brisbane	25	8	5	12	0	29
9	Heart	25	8	3	14	-6	27
10	Wellington	26	7	6	13	-17	27

The Glory still need other results to go their way this weekend and perhaps in the last round of fixtures to make the finals.

But they have a great opportunity to become a finals wrecking ball after delightfully crafted first-half goals to Chris Harold and Travis Dodd, and the brilliance of midfielder Liam Miller and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, were capped by Risdon's late moment of magic.

With both teams undermanned, the Victory took an early lead through skipper Adrian Leijer's 13th-minute header.

But driven by perhaps the most underrated of the A-League's high-end imports in Irishman Miller, the Glory took control for the rest of the first half.

Both goals were created by Miller's superb vision - his pinpoint cross on 21 minutes met by a spectacular Harold volley to smash in off the left-hand post.

Miller and the equally busy Ryo Nagai created the second, seven minutes before halftime, with some delightful front-third interplay with Dodd.

The former Socceroo met Nagai's cross from the left in traffic with purpose to put his side deservedly in front.

Desperately missing their internationals, Mark Milligan, Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas, the Victory suffered another blow when Marcos Flores limped off injured less than an hour into the match.

The Argentine midfielder was playing his first match in five weeks after quadriceps and back problems.

Victory curtailed Miller's influence late in the second half and had their best period of the match as they chased an equaliser - two Vukovic saves denying them.

First, Victory youngster Connor Pain's goal-bound shot was saved by a high-diving Vukovic, before he produced an even better stop from the resulting corner.

Somehow, he managed to get a hand to Leijer's downward close-range header to deny the Victory.

But then, Cristaldo netted in the 89th minute after a superb run from Pain spoon-fed him the chance to slot home.

However, replays showed the ball had been run over the sideline earlier in the movement - and the Glory were livid the goal was allowed to stand.

It mattered little just minutes later as Risdon's winner gave the Glory a deserved win - just days after interim coach Alistair Edwards' appointment was made permanent.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tassie grab day one honours in final

Tasmanian crawl ... Mark Cosgrove and Jordan Silk. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

Tasmania crawled along at snail's pace on day one of the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland at Bellerive before reaching a strong 2-176 at stumps.

The Tigers' run-rate languished below two an over for most of a day characterised by a lack of runs and wickets after the home side had won the toss on the driest-looking Bellerive track of the season.

Opener Jordan Silk will resume on 82 with Ricky Ponting 20 and Tasmania mindful they need only to draw the game to win their third title, and first with the former Test skipper.

The Bulls are fighting to defend their title and win the Shield for the eight time.

Silk and Mark Cosgrove (58) put on a disciplined 133 for the first wicket, but they were certainly in no hurry.

Cosgrove's innings took 217 balls, while Silk had faced a marathon 291 deliveries.

---

Follow the Sheffield Shield final live on Saturday, 10.30am (EDT), FS2HD or follow our live stream at foxsports.com.au.

---

It took 37 overs for the Tigers' 50 to come up and 393 balls for the side's 100 on a day that included 33 maidens.

Cosgrove was out late in the day when he dragged a Michael Neser (1-40) delivery onto his stumps.
Ryan Harris (1-46) then struck with the second new ball to have Alex Doolan (6) caught by Peter Forrest at first slip for 2-147.

Ponting's 20 from 31 balls came as a breath of fresh air late in the day.

Silk, coming off a century against Victoria, fought hard but was lucky to still be there after offering up three chances.

The 20-year-old, in just his third match, was dropped by Harris at slip on four off the bowling of spinner Nathan Hauritz.

He then nearly ran himself out on 34, stranded mid-pitch as Cameron Gannon's throw at the stumps from point just missed.

Late in the day, he was dropped by wicketkeeper Chris Hartley after he'd inside-edged James Hopes.

Queensland's accurate bowlers notched some impressive economy rates, with skipper Hopes sending down 21 overs with just 28 runs conceded, while Hauritz's 21 cost just 27.

Showers forecast for Hobart stayed away but more are predicted over the weekend.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Helmet hit leads to Hughes wicket

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Duck ... Hughes never really recovered from being hit on the grill. Source: Alexander Joe / AAP

Australia batsman Phillip Hughes has been brought unstuck by an unlikely foe in India - a bouncer.

Calling it a bouncer is perhaps a bit generous to India paceman Ishant Sharma, who in all likelihood was looking to bowl a regulation-length ball against the diminuitive Aussie.

But the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground was doing funny things on Friday, and unfortunately for Hughes it sprung the ultimate surprise for this particular delivery as it shot off the pitch and made a bee-line straight for his face.

Luckily for the left-hander, the ball struck him flush on the grill, but it had the desired effect of shaking Hughes up.

Up until that point, the Australia No.3 had looked very comfortable at the crease and had crunched a number of balls to the cover boundary with majestic ease.

But he looked a different batsman after being hit, and unfortunately for the tourists he lasted just three more balls before being brought unstuck by a relatively tame delivery in Sharma.

Hughes's score of 45 was made to look even better by the carnage that followed his dismissal, as Australia's batsman again struggled against India's spinners to be reduced to 7-149 shortly before tea.

---

Follow the fourth Test LIVE with our Match Centre, and watch it LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION on Fox Sports 2.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chiefs do double over Highlanders

Impressive ... the Chiefs continue their winning ways against the Highlanders. Source: AAP

Super Rugby defending champions the Chiefs condemned the winless Highlanders to a fourth defeat with a straightforward 19-7 win on Friday in Hamilton.

1 Tries 1
Tim Nanai-Williams 8'	Aaron Smith 20'
1 Conversions 1
Gareth Anscombe 9'	Colin Slade 21'
4 Penalties 0
Gareth Anscombe 3'
Gareth Anscombe 25'
Gareth Anscombe 62'
Gareth Anscombe 70'

Both teams scored one try but fullback Gareth Anscombe kicked 14 points to reflect the Chiefs' control of the match and lifted them to a fourth win from five matches.

		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	4	0	0	83	3	23
2	Reds	3	2	0	-1	1	13
3	Western Force	1	3	0	-22	1	9
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	9
5	Waratahs	1	3	0	-33	1	9
1	Chiefs	4	1	0	77	5	21
2	Blues	2	1	0	26	3	15
3	Hurricanes	2	2	0	-15	1	13
4	Crusaders	1	2	0	2	3	11
5	Highlanders	0	4	0	-47	1	5
1	Bulls	3	1	0	3	1	13
2	Sharks	3	1	0	3	0	12
3	Cheetahs	2	2	0	-31	1	9
4	Stormers	1	2	0	-12	1	9
5	Southern Kings	1	2	0	-8	0	8

They have cemented second place in the standings behind the Brumbies while the Highlanders remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

The result comes exactly one month after the competition-opener between the teams in Dunedin, which the Chiefs won 41-27.

They were just as convincing at Waikato Stadium, opening up a 10-0 lead inside 10 minutes after centre Tim Nanai-Williams pounced on turnover possession and raced 60m to score untouched.

However, the hosts failed to cross again, having scored a competition-leading 18 tries in their first four games.

Instead, Anscombe slotted four from seven shots at goal, punishing the ill-discipline of a Highlanders side who were outplayed at the breakdown and lacked the same fluency in attack.

The visitors scored their try in the 20th minute when All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith finished off a neat scrum blindside move.

The try was converted by five-eighth Colin Slade but he had a night to forget with the boot, landing just one from four shots.

Up 13-7 at halftime, two more Anscombe penalties stretched the scoreline before a scoreless final quarter.

---

Re-live the action with our Super Rugby Match Centre.

---

Chiefs inside centre Andrew Horrell went closest to scoring another try but replays showed he grounded the ball centimetres short of the line.

Chiefs flanker Sam Cane and Nanai-Williams continued excellent seasons to date while Highlanders veteran lock Brad Thorn - captaining in place of the injured Andrew Hore - was tireless around the park.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Time to turn the corner: Kimmorley

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

No excuses ... Canberra Raiders sit at the bottom of the premiership table. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley says it's time for Canberra to turn the corner with a win over St George Illawarra on Sunday.

Both teams are struggling early in the season sitting at the bottom of the premiership ladder after two rounds. 

Having sacked Josh Dugan for behavioural issues last week and stood down Blake Ferguson for breaching team protocol, Kimmorley told NRL360 guest Gorden Tallis, the Raiders have no excuse not to perform. 

---

See the exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Brett Kimmorley and Gorden Tallis, as they get ready for NRL 360 in the Fox Sports' make-up room, by clicking on the video at the top of the page!

---

"We can't blame any more distractions, Dugan's gone and it's time to turn the corner," Kimmorley told Tallis. 

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL teams to kick-start the season

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hurley ... a full-strength Essendon welcome Michael Hurley into their round one side to face Adelaide. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Here are the listed teams for the four clubs that will get the 2013 AFL season underway this weekend.

	3:15 PM Melbourne Cricket Ground
All times are listed in EDT

Adelaide v Essendon, AAMI Stadium, Friday 8.40pm (AEDT)

Adelaide
B: Luke Brown, Ben Rutten, Rickey Henderson
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: Bernie Vince, Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay
HF: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, Jared Petrenko
F: Jason Porplyzia, Taylor Walker, Matthew Wright
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloana
I/C: Matthew Jaensch, Graham Johncock, Brodie Martin, Andy Otten
Emg: Brad Couch, Shaun McKernan, Aidan Riley

Essendon
B: Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
HB: Brendon Goddard, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle
C: Courtenay Dempsey, Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell
HF: David Zaharakis, Patrick Ryder, Stewart Crameri
F: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Nick Kommer
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Ben Howlett
I/C: Heath Hocking, David Myers, Jake Melksham, Jackson Merrett
Emg: Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham, Elliott Kavanagh

Fremantle v West Coast, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (AEDT)

Fremantle
B: Kepler Bradley, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Paul Duffield, Luke McPharlin, Nick Suban
C: Danyle Pearce, Michael Barlow, Clancee Pearce
HF: Ryan Crowley, Matthew Pavlich, Nathan Fyfe
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
I/C: Matthew de Boer, Tendai Mzungu, Lee Spurr, Camerno Sutcliffe
Emg: Jesse Crichton, Jack Hannath, Lachie Neale

West Coast
B: Will Schofield, Darren Glass, Ashley Smith
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Scott Lycett, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
I/C: Adam Selwood, Ashton Hams, Jamie Cripps, Brad Sheppard
Emg: Jacob Brennan, Mitch Brown, Bradd Dalziell

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hurley and Zaharakis fit, Crouch misses

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

High Five ... David Zaharakis (right) is fit and ready to roll in Essendon's opener. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Much-vaunted Adelaide recruit Brad Crouch has missed selection for what would have been his AFL debut in the season opener against Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Crouch, recruited at the end of 2011 as a 17-year-old via the mini-draft and forced to wait until this year before he could play AFL, had been regarded as a round one certainty.

	3:15 PM Melbourne Cricket Ground
All times are listed in EDT

Instead, the midfielder has been named as an emergency for the match.

Versatile Crows tall Josh Jenkins has been named at centre-half-forward, getting first opportunity to replace the departed Kurt Tippett.

Essendon will give mature-aged recruit Nick Kommer an AFL debut, while David Zaharakis and Michael Hurley have been named despite pre-season injury problems.

Both West Coast and Fremantle have dipped into their stocks of big men to cover injury losses for their season opener on Saturday night.

---

Does Adelaide's decision not to select Brad Crouch have you needing to shuffle your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach team? Don't forget to alter your line-up ahead of Friday night's season-opening clash!

---

The Eagles have promoted Scott Lycett to step in for the injured Nic Naitanui, while Fremantle will play Jon Griffin and experienced Kepler Bradley after pre-season injuries to Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke.

Click here to see the round one AFL teams in full.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Burgess backs shoulder charge hits

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sam Burgess ... will continue using the banned shoulder charge. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

The NRL's shoulder charge ban appears to have missed the mark, with South Sydney powerhouse Sam Burgess claiming there was little deterrent in using the tactic.

The NRL's crackdown on the spectacular tackling method reached a crossroad on Monday night, when Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt hammered Cronulla's Matthew Wright close to tryline.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Merritt prevented a try as a result of a shoulder charge, and Burgess - who described Merritt's try-saver as "a good tackle'' - said he would do the same in similar circumstances.

Because he didn't make contact with Wright's head, Merritt was not charged as a result of the hit, with his only punishment being a penalty.

"You'd rather give a penalty away than a try being scored against you,'' Burgess said.

"I think it's a very fine line, especially when there's two players diving for the corner.

"I think it's a tough position to be in as a player and the officials as well.''

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Teammate John Sutton was less forthcoming as to whether he would use the shoulder charge.

But asked if he would give away a penalty to save a try, Sutton said: "Definitely.

"You don't want them to score, but all within the rules.''

The NRL clamped down on the tactic after a series of head injuries to players as a result of mis-timed shoulder charges last season.

On report ... Sam Burgess Source: News Limited

A majority of players, including Burgess, claimed the NRL went too far with the ban, claiming stiffer penalties when a shoulder charge made contact with the head would have been a better approach.

The Rabbitohs welcome back Burgess for Sunday's match against Penrith at Centrebet Stadium after the Englishman served a one-game ban for a high tackle on Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Pearce was treated by Roosters medical officials as a result of the hit in the NRL season opener, after which Burgess was put on report.

Burgess admitted to still being miffed by the ban, and called on the NRL to ensure players were not rewarded for staying down.

"I don't think there was too much in it,'' Burgess said.

"You could pick five of them from each game each week, I think. Just because a player gets injured, we seem to take more notice of it.

"I just hope we don't get in a situation where a player starts staying down.''

Either way, Burgess said he wouldn't be tempering his aggressive approach, which included a bone-rattling hit on returning Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams.

"I don't want to miss football so you've got to be aware of contact with the head but, certainly, I don't feel I need to change my game,'' Burgess said.

"I'm not going to change my technique or anything. I don't think it's anything to worry about.''

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More