Springboks coach backs debutants to deliver June 6, 2012 SOUTH Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has backed his three debutants to be a success against England during Saturday’s Test in Durban, even though his bold team selection is uncharacteristic for the Springboks. Three of their eight starting forwards, locks Juandre Kruger and Eben Etzebeth and flanker Marcell Coetzee, will receive their first caps, suggesting South [...]
Platini: Refs to rule over racism and players must adhere to call June 6, 2012 UEFA President Michel Platini insists referees will have the authority to abandon games over racial abuse at this summer’s European Championship, though he has warned players not to take the matter into their own hands. Euro 2012 begins tomorrow when co-hosts Poland play 2004 champions Greece in Warsaw and there are genuine concerns that the [...]
TERRY DISMISSES FITNESS FEARS June 6, 2012 ENGLAND yesterday received a much-needed fitness boost over Chelsea defender John Terry before flying out to Poland for the European Championship. Having already had midfielders Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry and defender Gary Cahill ruled out of the tournament, manager Roy Hodgson will have been concerned about Terry but the Blues captain’s tight hamstring has [...]
Right to rest Anderson on eve of busy summer, says Strauss June 6, 2012 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss expects both England and James Anderson to benefit from the decision to rest the latter from today’s third Test against West Indies, believing him to be key to England’s chances throughout a strenuous summer schedule. Strauss’s men face West Indies at Edgbaston today in the final Test of a series that [...]
Arsenal chief warns rivals that revolution will raise their game June 6, 2012 ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis last night sent out a warning shot to big spending rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, insisting that new regulations will crack down on football’s “insane business model” of rising wages and transfer fees. Gazidis faced a grilling by 300 fans at the Emirates Stadium and told the Arsenal faithful that [...]
I’d love to get one back on Cav at London 2012, says rival Goss June 6, 2012 AUSTRALIAN cyclist Matt Goss, who looks set to be the biggest obstacle between Mark Cavendish and road race gold at London 2012, has admitted he would love to spoil the Briton’s hopes of glory in his home Olympics Cavendish pipped his former team-mate to the top prize at last year’s world championship and Goss cannot [...]
Lambert plots excitement at Villa June 6, 2012 FOOTBALL: New Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert plans to excite the club’s fans as he looks to end their decline. “I’ll give it everything I’ve got to make sure we are as successful as we can be,” said Lambert. “We have to get the fans excited. We will need them to stay with us and [...]
O’Sullivan takes Snooker break June 6, 2012 SNOOKER: World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will take a break from the sport after refusing to sign the players’ contract, consequently making himself ineligible to participate in any World Snooker-sanctioned event. “I have not signed the players’ contract as I feel the contract is too onerous,” O’Sullivan’s statement read.
Kranjcar set for Spurs exit June 6, 2012 FOOTBALL: Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar is set to leave the club for Dynamo Kiev after struggling to hold down a regular first-team place at the club. “The clubs have agreed,” said Kranjcar, a Croatia international. “Now all that remains are some small details as I agree personal terms. I personally am not involved with that. [...]
Federer the next hurdle for Djokovic after epic victory June 5, 2012 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic is set for a mouth-watering semi-final French Open clash with Roger Federer after both players fought back to secure epic quarter final wins. A battling Djokovic survived four match points last night to emerge victorious from a five set struggle against the local favourite and fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Serbian’s [...]