Pumas primed for England showdown September 6, 2011 ENGLAND will face Argentina’s strongest possible side in their crunch World Cup opener in Dunedin on Saturday, according to Pumas coach Santiago Phelan. The shock semi-finalists in France four years ago are rated as underdogs, despite being ranked the top seeds in Pool B, but their line-up will be enhanced by the presence of outside [...]
Moody on course for speedy return September 6, 2011 ENGLAND captain Lewis Moody looks likely to be in contention to make his comeback against Georgia next week after he delivered an upbeat bulletin on the damaged knee which will keep him out of Saturday’s World Cup opener against Argentina. The flanker, who has been restricted to just over an hour of international rugby this year [...]
Pistorius interview bust-up over relay row September 6, 2011 DOUBLE amputee runner Oscar Pistorius cut short an interview yesterday after taking offence at being asked whether South African track chiefs might view him as “inconvenient” and “an embarrassment”. Pistorius, known as Blade Runner because of his distinctive carbon fibre ‘legs’, became the first Paralympian to win a medal at an able-bodied world championships when [...]
Westwood to spearhead GB’s Seve tilt September 6, 2011 WORLD No2 Lee Westwood will be the biggest threat in a depleted Great Britain and Ireland side bidding to retain the Seve Trophy in Paris next week. The holders have been hit hard by a spate of withdrawals, which will deprive them of four of the world’s top 20 in Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Graeme [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF September 6, 2011 Davies fearful of Steyn’s boot RUGBY UNION: Wales second-row Bradley Davies believes maintaining discipline will be the key to causing a World Cup shock against South Africa on Sunday. Warren Gatland’s side have let the world champions off the hook in their previous two encounters, conceding needless penalties. With Morne Steyn, one of the most reliable [...]
We’ll get over our Wembley wobble, vows captain Terry September 5, 2011 ENGLAND vs WALES ENGLAND captain John Terry admits his side must make Wembley a fortress again starting with tonight’s European Championship qualifier against Wales. Fabio Capello’s side have been in fine, free-scoring form away from home in their bid to reach Poland and Ukraine next summer, but have stumbled in front of their own fans. [...]
Moody blues won’t lessen Stevens World Cup hunger September 5, 2011 ENGLAND front-row Matt Stevens cannot wait to put his scrummaging powers to what he considers to be the ultimate test, a World Cup clash against Argentina – with or without captain Lewis Moody. Flanker Moody will not be ready to return from a knee injury when Martin Johnson’s men begin their tournament against the Pumas [...]
Bjorn would be a major Ryder Cup asset September 5, 2011 IT’S AN exciting time for European golf with youngsters like Rory McIlroy and Matteo Manassero establishing themselves as forces to be reckoned with, but it’s equally uplifting to see the old guard reminding the upstarts that there’s no substitute for experience in this game. Thomas Bjorn secured back-to-back victories at the weekend representing a fantastic [...]
Flashy Young in steady Murray’s sights September 5, 2011 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is looking to make sure lightning does not strike twice when he renews hostilities with “flashy” American wild card Donald Young tonight. Murray meets baseball-cap-and-earring-sporting Young in the last 16 of the US Open, eager to avoid a repeat of March’s shock defeat to the 22-year-old at Indian Wells. That Masters event [...]
Djokovic made to sweat by Dolgopolov September 5, 2011 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic made it safely through to the last eight of the US Open but only after prevailing in an epic first set tie break against Russia’s Alexandr Dolgopolov. Djokovic triumphed in straight sets – recording his 61st win of the calendar year – but it might have been a different story had [...]