Izzy scores, Reds down Tahs

Redemption ... Queendland Reds bounce back against NSW Waratahs. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Israel Folau scored on Super Rugby debut and the NSW Waratahs produced a stirring comeback but Queensland Reds ensured Michael Cheika era started with a 25-17 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

Tireless flanker Ed Quirk was the hero for the Reds in an entertaining and tense interstate derby, setting up a sensational match-winning try to stand-in captain Ben Tapuai with six minutes left.

3 Tries 2
Dom Shipperley 6'	Israel Folau 47'
Ben Tapuai 10'	Ben Volavola 58'
Ben Tapuai 74'
2 Conversions 2
Michael Harris 7'	Bernard Foley 48'
Michael Harris 12'	Bernard Foley 59'
2 Penalties 1
Michael Harris 16'	Brendan McKibbin 4'
Michael Harris 69'

Quirk barged his way past four defenders in a 40m run and then off-loaded to Tapuai after code-hopper Folau produced a last-ditch tackle.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	2	0	0	35	1	9
2	Melbourne Rebels	1	1	0	-10	0	4
3	Reds	1	1	0	-10	0	4
4	Waratahs	0	1	0	-8	0	4
5	Western Force	0	1	0	-7	1	1
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	1	0	0	14	1	5
2	Chiefs	1	0	0	14	1	5
3	Crusaders	0	0	0	0	0	4
4	Highlanders	0	1	0	-14	0	0
5	Hurricanes	0	1	0	-14	0	0
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	1	0	0	8	0	4
2	Cheetahs	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Sharks	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Southern Kings	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Stormers	0	1	0	-8	0	0

Tapuai finished with two tries but deflected all praise to Quirk and his impressive back-row amigos Liam Gill and Jake Schatz in their battle against an all-Wallabies pack.

"They were unbelievable," the centre said.

"It was a big ask for the young guns to step up but they did the job and got us over the line."

In a far cry from the gritty interstate derbies of years past, the Reds played a high-octane game which ran NSW off their feet in the first half to the delight of a home crowd of 35,801.

The 17-3 halftime scoreline was a true reflection of proceedings as the Reds - with boom youngster Chris Feauai-Sautia starring - looked flash while their arch-rivals paid for a litany of bumbling errors.

New Waratahs coach Cheika was an unhappy man as Queensland scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes and should have crossed more times as the NSW lineout crashed and they failed to hold on to the ball in contact.

It didn't get any better from the second-half restart as Tom Carter fumbled a poor pass and Wycliff Palu was immobilised.

But the match turned on its head when radar-boot Mike Harris hit the post with a penalty attempt and Drew Mitchell countered 30m to put NSW on the front foot.

Three minutes later Folau crossed after a Michael Hooper pass deflected off Digby Ioane into the arms of Bernard Foley, who easily put the former Queensland league winger over for his 24th try in his 27th appearance at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland started losing their lineouts and dropping off tackles but the Waratahs bombed a certain try when replacement fullback Ben Volavola wasted a four-man overlap with a terrible pass.

Volavola quickly made up for the mistake by shredding Harris on the outside to equalise at 17-all with 20 minutes left.

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A 49-metre bomb - from a ruck penalty sparked by hooker James Hanson's counter-rucking - by Harris nudged the home side into the lead eight minutes later.

Despite his try, it was a deflating start by Folau who shared time at fullback and wing and was well contained by the Reds kick-chase defence.

He had the ball jolted from his grip three times in tackles and also failed to stop Dom Shipperley run over him to score the opening try.

NSW could rue two easy missed penalty goals by Brendan McKibbin in the first half as well as a near try by lock Kane Douglas who charged down a Quade Cooper kick but grounded the ball just before the line and lost control.

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Lions condemn Hawks to second loss

Slippery ... Tom Rockliff struggles to hold onto the Sherrin. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Brisbane Lions have smashed a sloppy Hawthorn outfit by 21 points, condemning last year's grand finallists to a second straight NAB Cup loss.

0.0.3 (3)	Q1	0.1.3 (9)
0.4.8 (32)	Q2	0.1.5 (11)
	Q3
	Q4

Dayne Zorko 2	Luke Breust 1
Todd Banfield 1
Jordan Lisle 1

The Lions used the ball far better in slippery conditions at Metricon Stadium to finish 4.8 (32) to 1.5 (11).

Hawthorn were backing up after being upset by Gold Coast Suns in the opening game of the NAB Cup triple-header and, at times, looked lost under the Lions pressure.

0.2.3 (15)	Q1	0.2.4 (16)
0.4.6 (30)	Q2	0.4.5 (29)
	Q3
	Q4

Harley Bennell 2	Luke Breust 1
Jarrod Harbrow 1	Sam Grimley 1
Zac Smith 1	Ryan Schoenmakers 1
	Derick Wanganeen 1

There were few highlights but plenty of worries for coach Alastair Clarkson after Hawthorn crashed to back-to-back losses.

Clarkson may not want to sift through the game tape of either match and his team were particularly rusty against the Lions, who were without the likes of co-captains Jonathan Brown and Jed Adcock, Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger and Brent Staker.

The Lions could only manage three behinds in the first half but stormed home, keeping the Hawks to just a single point in the second 20 minutes.

Patrick Karnezis looked impressive for the Lions running off half-back while fellow young gun Billy Longer did some positive things in the ruck and Dayne Zorko kicked two goals.

Goal sneak Luke Bruest kicked the only goal for the Hawks, who saw another solid performance from new faces Will Langford, Derrick Wanganeen and Sam Grimley.

In the night's opening game, the highlights reel was dominated by Lance Franklin - mostly for the wrong reasons - as the Gold Coast Suns snatched a one-point win over Hawthorn in their NAB Cup  clash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

Utility Luke Russell was the hero for the Suns when his behind after the full-time siren sealed a dramatic 0.4.6 (30) to 0.4.5 (29) victory in the opening round robin clash at Carrara.

However, Franklin was the name on everyone's lips.

The Hawks superstar faces a nervous wait after collecting Suns midfielder Matt Shaw in the head in the second half.

He had earlier made everyone sit up and take notice with some more subtle touches, including a sublime handball that set up a Sam Grimley goal in the second half and kept Hawthorn in touch with upstarts Gold Coast.

The Hawks led 0.2.4 (16) to 0.2.3 (15) at halftime.

Hawthorn - without the likes of captain Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell on the Gold Coast - received another scare when Paul Puopolo was helped off the ground late in the clash with a suspected knee complaint.

The Suns were led by Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett who backflipped and opted to take on Hawthorn rather than the Brisbane Lions in Saturday's pre-season cup action at Carrara.

Suns coach Guy McKenna said before the match that Ablett was in "ripping nick'' and looked to at least match his 2012 form which had him in the mix for Brownlow Medal No.2.

And he lived up to the hype, leading the way with 13 touches while Russell had 10 disposals including the match-winning behind at the death.

For the Hawks, Matt Suckling was impressive with 13 touches while highlight machine Cyril Rioli had his moments in the first half.

Rising stars Jaeger O'Meara and Jack Martin also impressed for the Suns who will later take on arch rivals Brisbane on Saturday night.

Like O'Meara last year, 18-year-old Martin can't make his AFL debut until next season due to age restrictions but has been granted permission to take part in the NAB Cup.

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Sachin nullifies Pattinson's blitz

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Little Master ... Tendulkar was looking in good touch in Chennai. Source: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AAP

Another classy knock from Sachin Tendulkar has the first Test between India and Australia poised on a knife's edge at stumps on day two in Chennai.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

India 1st Innings

S. Tendulkar	71	128	6	0	55.47
V. Kohli	50	84	7	0	59.52
N. Lyon	14	0	55	0	3.93

Three wickets in a pace blitz from James Pattinson looked to give Australia the upper hand, but Tendulkar combined with Virat Kohli to see the hosts through to stumps, ending the day on 3-182.

India were struggling early in their innings after Pattinson removed openers Murali Vijay and Virender Sehwag - the latter in bizarre circumstances after the ball landed on top of the stumps - to reduce the hosts to 2-12 in the sixth over.

But steady hands from Tendulkar and Cheteshwar Pujara guided India past 100 before Pattinson struck again, this time removing Pujara.

Earlier, Michael Clarke added a further 27 runs to his overnight total before eventually being removed by Ravindra Jadeja, the Aussie skipper holing out to long-off.

Some restrained batting from Peter Siddle and James Pattinson helped Australia reach 380 all out.

Ravichandran Ashwin added one more wicket to his tally to finish with career-best figures of 7-103. 

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Mariners rain goals in Victory win

Raining goals ... Central Coast Mariners thrash Melbourne Victory. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

A clinical Central Coast rightfully held on to their place at the A-League summit by dismantling Melbourne Victory 6-2 in Gosford.

Michael McGlinchey scored a hat-trick, Mitchell Duke netted a brace while Nick Fitzgerald added to the hosts' goal haul to inflict a third straight loss on the hapless Victory, who remain in third spot.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
4	Adelaide	21	11	2	8	2	35
5	Sydney	21	8	3	10	-7	27
6	Newcastle	22	7	6	9	-7	27
7	Brisbane	22	7	4	11	0	25
8	Heart	21	7	3	11	-3	24
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	21	5	5	11	-17	20

Mark Milligan was the sole goal-scorer for the visitors after Mariners defender Trent Sainsbury gifted them a consolation own-goal.

With Western Sydney climbing to first place with their 1-0 win over Perth earlier on Saturday, a loss would have resulted in the Mariners surrendering top spot for the first time in 13 weeks.

The sense of urgency was apparent from the get-go as the Mariners came bursting out of the blocks at a rain-lashed Bluetongue Stadium in a game that delivered a torrent of goals and was awash with incident.

It was Duke who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, getting on the end of a superb cross from Bernie Ibini to slot the ball home at the near post.

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Duke then turned from hero to villain, bringing down Victory's Daniel Mullen in the box to concede a penalty.
Socceroo defender Milligan stepped up to the mark and made no mistake, levelling at 1-1 in the 23rd minute.

Duke got to redeem himself only moments later when Victory gloveman Nathan Coe came way off his line, leaving his goal wide open for Duke to score his second in the 32nd minute.

The Mariners didn't let up in the second stanza and got the breathing space they wanted in the 56th minute when McGlinchey scored his fourth goal of the season for a 3-1 lead.

The Victory tried desperately to get back in to the match with Leigh Broxham hitting the post moments later.

The Mariners got the chance to go further ahead when Victory defender Adama Traore gave away a penalty for bringing down McGlinchey in the box, only for Daniel McBreen to miss the ensuing spot-kick.

The Victory were gifted a goal in the 70th minute when Mariners 'keeper Mathew Ryan tried to defuse a dangerous cross from Diogo Ferreira, only to send the ball into Sainsbury's path who scored an own-goal and put the game in the balance at 3-2.

Substitute Fitzgerald got another one past Coe in the 81st minute with McGlinchey scoring two goals in five minutes in the dying stages to seal the big win.

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Clinical Brumbies outclass Rebels

Jesse Mogg ... breaks away from the Rebels' defence at AAMI Park. Source: Mark Dadswell / AAP

The Brumbies added the Melbourne Rebels' scalp to their growing collection with a clinical 30-13 win in their Super Rugby clash at AAMI Park.

After accounting for Queensland in the opening round, the Brumbies delivered an emphatic second-half performance to stamp themselves as the Australian conference heavyweights.

1 Tries 4
Scott Higginbotham 18'	Jesse Mogg 4'
	Clyde Rathbone 35'
	Ben Mowen 61'
	Robbie Coleman 74'
1 Conversions 2
James O'Connor 18'	Christian Lealiifano 5'
	Christian Lealiifano 63'
2 Penalties 2
James O'Connor 15'	Christian Lealiifano 44'
James O'Connor 34'	Christian Lealiifano 57'

The Rebels led 13-12 at halftime but they were starved of ball in the second stanza and injuries to their attacking maestros James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale cruelled their chances as the Brumbies piled on 18 unanswered points.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	2	0	0	35	1	9
2	Melbourne Rebels	1	1	0	-10	0	4
3	Waratahs	0	0	0	0	0	4
4	Western Force	0	1	0	-7	1	1
5	Reds	0	1	0	-18	0	0
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	1	0	0	14	1	5
2	Crusaders	0	0	0	0	0	4
3	Blues	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Hurricanes	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Highlanders	0	1	0	-14	0	0
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Cheetahs	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Sharks	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Southern Kings	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Stormers	0	0	0	0	0	0

Beale was due to have scans on his shoulder with Rebels coach Damien Hill unwilling to speculate on the seriousness of his injury.

He said O'Connor had already recovered from his head knock better than hoped.

Hill was delighted by his team's first half performance but said they lost composure when things didn't go their way later in the game.

"In the first half we stuck to the game plan and played with intent.

"The breakdown was good, the set-piece was good, defence was great ... we were in the game.

"The second half we seemed to go away from that a little bit and a little bit of panic set in, around those injuries I think.

"Against a team like the Brumbies, it's going to result in what you saw tonight."

Brumbies coach Jake White said his side showed great composure, led by skipper Ben Mowen and new recruit David Pocock.

He said the calibre of players that the Rebels lost to injury made it difficult for them to remain competitive.
Mowen felt his side was out-enthused early on.

"We needed to flick that switch mentally," he said.

"The second half was much better."

O'Connor was steamrolled by veteran Brumbies winger Clyde Rathbone while making a try-saving tackle and left the field to be checked for concussion.

He looked set to return at the 55-minute mark but was frustratingly over-ruled by the team doctor, who benched him for the remainder of the game.

Around the same time Beale hurt his left shoulder while making a tackle and while he played on until the final five minutes he clearly struggled.

Those two players fired in the first half as the home side matched the Brumbies across the park.

O'Connor set up the Rebels only try, scored by their new recruit Scott Higginbotham in the 18th minute, while Wallabies five-eighth Beale was a constant danger.

Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg was just as dynamic for his team, scoring a try and setting up another in the first half.

Mogg, the two-try hero from the Brumbies win over the Reds, was first on the scoreboard in the fourth minute after Beale turned over the ball when he was crunched midfield.

The fullback showed scintillating speed when he ran on to a Rathbone pass and then he burnt both O'Connor and Nick Phipps to the ball that he had kicked into the in-goal.

Mogg also set up their second try, scored by Rathbone, who has returned to Super Rugby after four years on the sidelines with a midfield break.

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The Brumbies were quick to close their one-point halftime deficit, through a penalty strike by Christian Lealiifano and the momentum of the match quickly swung their way.

As the home side's injury toll mounted the Brumbies grew in stature.

After skipper Ben Mowen showed his pace to scoop up a loose ball and charge to the line, they grabbed their bonus point with a fourth try in the 74th minute, scored by replacement back Robbie Coleman.

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Jets, Roar play out desperate draw

Atrocious conditions ... Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar play out scoreless draw. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Newcastle held on to sixth spot on the A-League ladder after drawing 0-0 with Brisbane at Hunter Stadium.

It was a crucial encounter with just five rounds of the regular season remaining with the Jets holding the final playoff spot and the defending champions Roar just two points behind in seventh.

But in very wet and rainy conditions neither side was able to break the deadlock.

With the visitors dominating the first half before a crowd of 8,310 but unable to make the most of their chances on goal, the second stanza was a mirror effort with the Jets looking the more likely but unable to force the issue.

After Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo dived to stop a Ruben Zadkovich snap just after the break, it was Adam Taggart who had the best opportunities for the Jets in the second half.

In the 58th and 72nd minute, Taggart had shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net, with Theo again featuring on an impressive night for both keepers.

Newcastle had some good early chances when an Emile Heskey shot rebounded off the post in the sixth minute and again when a Taggart strike flew well over the bar in the 10th minute.

In atrocious conditions which included torrential rain and howling, swirling winds, Brisbane controlled much of the first half and could have easily gone to the break one or two goals ahead.

The Jets owe much to shot stopper Mark Birighitti, who was a rock at the back for the home side in trying conditions.

Brisbane's best opportunity came in the 30th minute when Birighitti intervened to prevent a freed Besart Berisha getting a decent shot on goal.

And again when the custodian stopped a Stefan Nijland strike in the 42nd minute.

A minute later, Jade North found the back of the net when he latched onto a long ball, but the former Jet was ruled offside.

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'Roos undefeated with thrilling win

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Thriller ... Majak Daw just gets his kick away against Jack Riewoldt. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

North Melbourne is undefeated after the first round of the NAB Cup after a thrilling, final-minute win over Richmond.

0.4.3 (27)	Q1	0.5.2 (32)
0.6.8 (44)	Q2	0.7.6 (48)
	Q3
	Q4

Shane Edwards 2	Aaron Black 2
Jack Riewoldt 2	Brent Harvey 2
Brandon Ellis 1	Majak Daw 1
Daniel Jackson 1	Lindsay Thomas 1
	Jack Ziebell 1

In the final game of the triple-header with Melbourne, it was the Kangaroos who trimphed by five points, 7.6 (48) to 6.8 (44).

It took a Aaron Black goal with 40 second on the clock to put the Kangaroos in front and Shane Edwards had a chance to win it for Richmond but his shot sailed wide and missed everything.

0.1.0 (6)	Q1	1.2.5 (26)
0.2.3 (15)	Q2	1.2.9 (30)
	Q3
	Q4

Jimmy Toumpas 1	Bachar Houli 1
Jack Watts 1	Jack Riewoldt 1
	Tyrone Vickery 1

The Tigers, having backed up from their win over Melbourne in the second game, came out strong in the final game of the night and looked to be heading for an unlikely win before the North Melborne comeback.

The Kangaroos join Collingwood as the only other undefeated team with two more round-robin clashes to come.

Majak Daw provided the highlight of the night, taking the ball just outside the 50m arc he jinked around Tigers defender Steven Morris with a strong fend before running in and slotting a classy goal.

It was a big night for the AFL's first Sudanese-born player and will go a long way to him securing an AFL debut in round one.

Richmond were well served by their leaders, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin, were all strong during the second game.

Earlier, the Tigers inflicted a second-straight defeat on Melbourne, after the Demons had lost to North Melbourne in the opener at Etihad Stadium.

The fresh Tigers took advantage of Melbourne backing up after the first game to register a scrappy 15-point win, 1.2.9 (30) to 2.2 (14).

New captain Trent Cotchin starred in the comfortable win.

The Tigers burst out of the blocks, Cotchin starting brightly as his side dominated the midfield and had eight scoring shots to the Demons' one in the first half.

1.2.2 (23)	Q1	0.2.2 (14)
1.4.5 (38)	Q2	0.5.6 (36)
	Q3
	Q4

Lachlan Hansen 1	Jeremy Howe 2
Ben Jacobs 1	Jesse Hogan 1
Drew Petrie 1	Dean Kent 1
Robbie Tarrant 1	Jack Watts 1
Lindsay Thomas 1

Riewoldt and Vickery each kicked a first-half goal, while running defender Bachar Houli, who had a strong game, booted a nine-point super goal.

Small defender Steven Morris was also good for the Tigers, blanketing Aaron Davey and winning plenty of the ball.

But he gave Melbourne their only goal of the first half, giving away a free kick and 50m penalty to put Jack Watts in range to goal.

Watts, who played in defence, was among the Demons' best and had a big hand in Richmond not kicking further clear in the second half.

Melbourne draftee Jimmy Toumpas had an impressive debut, with eight touches and a goal, while reigning best-and-fairest winner Nathan Jones was good for the Demons in both of their matches.

In the opening game, Majak Daw showed glimpses of his exciting athletic potential in the Kangaroos two-point win.

Both teams showed off new faces but it was the Kangaroos who prevailed 1.4.5 (38) to 0.5.6 (36).

While Daw, elevated to North's main list at the end of last season after three years as a rookie, didn't do a lot, what he did do stood out.

The powerful 195cm forward-ruckman took a strong pack mark in defence midway through the first half.

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Soon after he produced a nice ruck tap from a boundary throw-in to set up a nine-point super goal for ex-Port Adelaide recruit Ben Jacobs.

It was a bright start in Kangaroos colours for Jacobs, who had set up North's first goal with a kick into attack which allowed Lindsay Thomas to take a high-leaping mark over Demons recruit David Rodan.

Another Melbourne recruit, Shannon Byrnes, was involved in letting in the opposition for a goal later in the half, being run down by Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey, with the turnover setting up Lachie Hansen to mark and goal.

There were a few good signs for the Demons.

Big-leaping Jeremy Howe kicked two second-half goals from marks, to tighten the contest after the Kangaroos threatened to run away with it.

The Demons would have been thrilled to see hulking 18-year-old Jesse Hogan use his body cleverly to mark late in the first half, then thread through a goal from the pocket.

The only problem is they'll have to wait more than a year to watch him do something similar in a game for premiership points, as the under-aged recruit is only allowed to participate in the pre-season this year.

Nathan Jones continued his best-and-fairest form from last season, while midfield father-son recruit Jack Viney had some good moments, but ex-Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes had a quiet start in Demons colours.

Captain Andrew Swallow was North's best player.

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Clarke, Ashwin dominate day one

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Skipper ... Clarke led from the front for Australia again. Source:Fox Sports

Michael Clarke waited until the second-last ball of the day to reach a magnificent captain's century to lead Australia to 7-316 at stumps on day one of the first Test against India.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

M. Clarke	103	169	11	1	60.95
P. Siddle	1	18	0	0	5.56
R. Jadeja	24	5	56	1	2.33

Clarke is unbeaten on 103 from 169 deliveries with 11 fours and one six, after coming into the match with a hamstring complaint.

The tourists - who chose to bat first on a crumbling, spinning pitch in Chennai - stumbled to 5-153 after lunch.

That was before debutant all-rounder Moises Henriques played a mature hand of 68 and shared a 151-run stand with Clarke.

The day's pivotal incident came when Clarke was on 39 in the penultimate over before tea.

The right-hander appeared to give a bat-pad catch to short leg but the appeal from offspinner Ravi Ashwin (6-88) was turned down.

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The short-sighted decision by the India board to oppose the use of the decision-review system has already proved costly in this series.

It was Clarke's 23rd hundred and ninth in 22 matches as captain and came with a stylish four to long-off.

David Warner added 64 for the first wicket with Ed Cowan (29) who was stumped off the bowling of Ashwin.

Phil Hughes was bowled by Ashwin for six but Australia were well-placed at lunch at 2-126.

Ashwin threw Australia's middle order into disarray by removing Shane Watson lbw for 28 in the first over after the interval.

Ashwin trapped Warner (59) lbw in his next over and 12 runs later Matthew Wade (12) was Ashwin's third lbw victim at 5-153.

Clarke, who began the series seven runs behind Bradman's 6996 runs, became the 10th Australian player to reach the 7000-mark with a cut shot to the point boundary off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.

Australia reached 5-215 at tea and Henriques was out in the 90th over with the total on 304, when he was Ashwin's fourth lbw victim. Mitchell Starc was bowled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the next over.

Australia attempted to put off-field security tensions to one side on Friday following twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad overnight which claimed the lives of at least 14 people.

The second Test starts in Hyderabad on March 2.

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Sehwag set to wear specs

Shades ... Virender Sehwag will swap his shades for specs against Australia. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

Underfire Indian opener Virender Sehwag is set to wear spectacles for the first time in his 102-Test career amid fears his deteroriating eyesight could be exposed by Australia's express pace attack.

The 34-year-old is fighting to save his career in the first Test against Australia starting tomorrow after two lean calendar years which have fuelled speculation the master blaster is on the wane.

Sehwag, who has just one ton from his past 16 Tests, averaged 29.54 in the 2011 calendar year and 31.56 last season, figures well shy of his magnificent career mark of 50.05. 

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But Sehwag's eyesight has emerged as a potential problem. The Delhi dasher had been complaining of mild headaches and a recent visit to the optometrist found Sehwag no longer possessed 20-20 vision, although his decline is said to be only minor.

The veteran of 8559 Test runs wore glasses during last weekend's three-day team camp in Bangalore and also road-tested his new look last month in nets sessions in Delhi to feel comfortable while batting.

He has also trialled the spectacles while fielding.

Sehwag may yet decide to face the Australians without them but it would be a dangerous move considering pace trio James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc will test his reflexes generating speeds in excess of 140km/h.

The Indian slugger would join a select band of Test cricketers to wear spectacles. West Indian great Clive Lloyd, Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas, Kiwi duo Daniel Vettori and Walter Hadlee and Australian batsman Dirk Wellham all carved out international careers using visual aids.

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Former Indian leggie Anil Kumble also began his career wearing glasses before shifting to contact lenses in his final years.

Sehwag, who relies heavily on his hand-eye co-ordination to bludgeon attacks, has scored just one century from his past 37 Test innings.

He faces Australia coming off a second-ball duck in his last knock against England in December in Nagpur.

But it would be short-sighted of Australia to underestimate Sehwag. 

He has a formidable record at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, having amassed 708 runs at an average of 101.14, including 155 against Australia in 2004 before thumping 319 off 304 balls against South Africa in 2008.

Indian spin great Bishan Bedi has called for selectors to axe Sehwag, saying he is "past his prime", but it may prove a myopic appraisal if the opener reprises his vintage form against Australia.

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Ponting signs on as Ashes spy

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Ricky Ponting ... on an Ashes spying mission. Source: David Mariuz / AAP

Ricky Ponting will be playing cricket in England this northern summer as Australia battles it out for the Ashes after all.

Former Australian captain Ponting has agreed to a two-month deal to join Surrey this county season, the club has confirmed.

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The 38-year-old has been signed to replace South Africa skipper Graeme Smith while he is expected to play in the Champions Trophy with the Proteas.

Ponting, who retired from international cricket in December, will be available in all formats in June and July.

He made an emotional farewell to Test cricket, as the all-time second-leading runscorer, against Smith's South Africa in Perth in December.

Since then Mike Hussey also called time on his Australia career to leave Michael Clarke's side with an inexperienced batting line-up.

While there has been no indication Ponting would look to reverse his retirement call, he has previously stated his desire to play in one last Ashes series before the end of his career.

Ponting, who surrendered the past two Ashes series in England as captain at the Oval, is the second major coup for the club following Smith's signature.

"I'm really excited to be playing for Surrey this season," Ponting said in a statement on Surrey's official website.

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"They are a forward thinking and historic club - and play at one of the greatest grounds in the world. It hasn't been the friendliest place for me but now it will be my home for two months this summer.

"I'd like to think I can contribute a significant amount to the club - on and off the field - and am looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as I arrive."

The first Ashes Test begins at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on July 10.

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Cornerpost Cam set for Charity Shield

Amazing ... Cornerpost Cam will make its debut in the Charity Shield clash. Source:Fox Sports

Unique angle ... Cornerpost Cam is sure to capture some classic vision. Source:Fox Sports

Just when Rugby League fans thought the era of the corner post was over, Fox Sports has delivered the ultimate reason for its survival.

Friday night's annual Charity Shield battle between St George Illawarra and South Sydney marks the unofficial start to the 2013 NRL season, but the annual pre-season clash will also be remembered for being the first rugby league match with cameras installed in its corner posts.

Fox Sports latest camera innovation Cornerpost Cam will be unveiled for the first time on Friday night after being trialled with great success during a pre-season rugby trial between the Brumbies and an ACT representative team in Canberra earlier this month.

In an extraordinary weekend of innovation for Australia's leading sports broadcaster, Cornerpost Cam will make its debut on the night before Ref Cam makes its maiden appearance in the round two Super Rugby clash between Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane.

Fox Sports chief executive, Patrick Delany, said the breakthrough innovations are aimed at bring fans closer to the game.

"Ref Cam and Cornerpost Cam produce very different but equally stunning vision," Delany said.

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Watch Cornerpost Cam make its debut from 7.00pm (EDT) Friday on Fox Sports 3HD!

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"They are about giving fans a new perspective, something they've never seen before, and bringing them closer to the sports they love.

"During the summer we rolled out FoxKopter and Helmet Cam and the impact on our Big Bash coverage from an entertainment perspective was really felt by cricket fans.

"We are looking at ways to open up an entirely new experience for fans of every sport and we are only at the tip of the iceberg."

Cornerpost Cam features a GoPro Hero 3 camera imbedded in the lower part of the corner post padding and captures stunning vision of flying wingers leaping over the tryline, or spectacular try-saving tackles by desperate defenders trying to protect their line.

The technology is non-obtrusive and is contained within the corner post padding, making it safe for impact by players or the ball.

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Tassie snare crucial WA wickets

Paceman ... Ben Hilfenhaus helped decimate the WA batting line-up. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Tasmania's bowlers chimed in with crucial late innings runs and then ripped the heart out of Western Australia's batting on the opening day of their do-or-die Sheffield Shield game at the WACA Ground.

With both teams needing an outright victory to remain in the hunt for a spot in next month's Shield final, Tasmania amassed a 211-run total then went on a bowling rampage to leave WA at 6-54 at stumps.

SHEF - WACA Ground

21 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 3

Western Australia 1st Innings

R. Duffield	4	8	1	0	50
S. Whiteman	6	15	1	0	40

WA captain Michael Hussey won the toss and elected to field first on a green looking WACA deck.

The move appeared to pay off well with Tasmania slumping to 8-138 just after lunch on the opening day, but the lower order did tremendously well to fight.

James Faulkner did well to steady things with 28 with Jason Krejza then adding 36, Ben Hilfenhaus 23 and Adam Maher a not out 14 to help Tasmania post 211.

WA still appeared on top heading into their second innings, but not for long with Hilfenhaus (2-21), Luke Butterworth (2-14), Maher (1-9) and Faulkner (1-8) bowling outstandingly well on what was still a green top.

Tasmania had WA 4-28 with Liam Davis gone for five, Marcus Harris for seven, Luke Towers for two and John Rogers for 14 before Hussey and the returning Mitch Marsh came together at the wicket.

The pair tried in vain to survive until stumps falling for consecutive deliveries. Hussey was caught by Bailey at fourth slip off Butterworth for three and then Marsh was trapped in front by Maher for 10 to be 6-44 .

At stumps they are 6-54 with Sam Whiteman not out on six and Ryan Duffield four.

Earlier, Tasmania's batsmen Alex Doolan (33), Ricky Ponting (28), George Bailey (18) and Jon Wells (16) all made starts but couldn't go on with it.

Tasmania was 3-68 at lunch, but lost both Ponting and Bailey soon after to be 5-86. That's where the lower innings revival kicked in, though, and the Tigers went from being 8-138 to making a competitive 211.

Teenage spinner Ashton Agar collected 3-47 for WA with the returning Duffield taking 3-61, Burt Cockley 2-47 and Michael Hogan 2-54.

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Anasta: Chooks captaincy a burden

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Braith Anasta ... is relishing life after the Roosters. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Braith Anasta is in love with rugby league again, free from the burden of one of the toughest gigs in the NRL in recent years - Sydney Roosters skipper.

The Wests Tigers recruit will go up against his former club for the first time in Saturday night's Foundation Cup clash, fresh from scoring a double on debut for his new club against Parramatta.

But while he still admits to having a soft spot for the Roosters, Anasta admitted to some relief at having left the club.

Anasta was not just Roosters skipper - he was the face of a club which endured more than its fair share of off-field drama during his reign.

In the end, he'd had enough.

"There was that many things going on there,'' Anasta said.

"I love the place and I loved the captaincy - I don't know if it's as intense everywhere else as captain but it certainly was there.

"I was very passionate about the job and the players and the club - I've still got a soft spot for the them.

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"But I've definitely noticed a bit more freedom now that I don't have that and I think it's helped with my footy.''

Not only did it affect Anasta's enjoyment, but it also fast-tracked his departure from the club.

''... it was one of those situations at the time where I wasn't really enjoying my football and there was a million reasons for that,'' Anasta said.

"They probably weren't rushing to re-sign me either because it was obvious I wasn't enjoying myself because I wasn't playing that good - it was a bit of a mutual thing (to leave) I think.''

Now at the Tigers, Anasta is no longer one of the big guns, a tag which belongs to Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

He has also been relieved of playmaking duties with a shift to the back-row, Anasta reviving the left-edge role he thrived in during the Roosters' run to the 2010 grand final.

Anasta said he'd had a chat to a few of his former teammates about the upcoming clash, and said he was relishing a chance to get the match-up out of the way.

"It's a bit weird, it's still just a trial game - it's probably a good time to play them because it's early on,'' Anasta said.

"People can move on and get over it. I can move on and get over it and get it out of the system.''

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Sayers injured but SA on top

Rib ... Chadd Sayers will be a massive loss for South Australia. Source: Michael Marschall / News Limited

South Australian paceman Chadd Sayers has torn through two things: New South Wales' batsmen and a rib muscle.

Sayers will have scans on a potentially season-ending injury after putting the Redbacks on course for a Sheffield Shield win against the Blues.

SHEF - Adelaide Oval

19 February 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

New South Wales 2nd Innings

S. O'Keefe	3	19	0	0	15.79
A. Zampa	6	13	0	0	46.15

NSW were 7-141 in their second innings at stumps on Wednesday's second day, a lead of just 58 runs.
But SA, poised to climb into Shield final calculations, were rattled by the loss of Sayers and fellow quick bowler Kane Richardson.

Richardson's season appears over after scans on Wednesday revealed a stress reaction in his back, suffered while playing for Australia A against the British Lions two days ago.

Sayers, the Shield's leading wicket-taker with 38 victims at a stunning average of 18.02, nabbed three more scalps on Wednesday to follow his five-wicket haul in NSW's first innings.

But after dismissing dangerman Brad Haddin, Sayers doubled over in pain and clutched his left ribcage. He delivered one more ball, then left the field.

"We are certainly not writing Chadd off at this point in time ... he feels as though he has got off (the ground) before
he has done anything major,'' SA coach Darren Berry said.

But Richardson's scenario was grim, with a recent change in his bowling action likely causing his back injury.

Richardson altered his action after being banned from bowling for running on the pitch during his Australian limited overs debut in late January.

"We knew the dangers of it but we had to change his action,'' Berry said.

"Whether that (injury) is the direct correlation - probably. But we don't absolutely know.

"It's not a stress fracture, it's not as dire as we thought, but he has got a hot spot.''

The injuries took the gloss of a polished performance against the Blues on what Berry described as "the best day's cricket that I have coached South Australia''.

The Redbacks were 5-51 on Tuesday in reply to NSW's first innings of 157 and resumed on Wednesday at 5-101.

They recovered to made 240 and then almost bowled the Blues out again.

"We were 5-51 - you have seen us roll over many times from there,'' said Berry, named SA's coach in March 2011.

"We fought, with people with character.''

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Go live with Foxtel Go App

Foxtel Go ... watch all your favourite Fox Sports channels. Source: FOX SPORTS

Sports fans can now stay with the action no matter where they are in Australia with Fox Sports 1, 2, and 3 now available on Foxtel's ground-breaking App, Foxtel Go.

The three Fox Sports linear channels joined Fuel TV and Speed, adding to the suit of sports streaming live on the App.

Foxtel Go will showcase the two biggest sporting events of the year - The Ashes and the
British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour live; alongside five live matches from every round of the NRL
Telstra Premiership and live coverage of every match from the 2013 Super Rugby season.

There's also plenty in store for football fans, with the Hyundai A-League and Barclays Premier
League building towards epic finishes and the Socceroos hitting the business end of their World
Cup qualification campaign for Brazil 2014, all of which can be seen on Foxtel Go.

Fox Sports Chief Executive, Patrick Delany, said: "This is a real game-changer for sports fans in
what is a massive year of sport in 2013."

"Foxtel Go was already a revolutionary product and it is now a must-have for all sports fans with
the inclusion of the three Fox Sports channels, joining Speed and Fuel TV to offer the same
incredible sports experience on iPhone and iPad that is available on television through Foxtel,"
he said.

Beyond the football codes there will be plenty of other live sport from around the globe for fans
to take wherever they go. The Australian cricket tour of India; all four tennis Grand Slams; every
Golf Major; the USPGA Tour; the Nationwide and LPGA Tours; and US sports such as the NHL will
now be accessible for fans anytime, anywhere in the country via their iPhone and iPad.

To receive the full package of sports channels on Foxtel Go, fans must subscribe to the sports
package on Foxtel and obtain online login details from the Foxtel website using their Foxtel
customer account number.

Foxtel Go, featuring the Fox Sports channels, Speed and Fuel TV is available now from the App
Store. Watch Foxtel Go on compatible iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as iPad and iPad mini.

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Pistorius found with drugs, needles

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Evidence ... Paralympian Oscar Pistorius arrives in court. Source:AP

Killing suspect Oscar Pistorius is a flight risk and should not be granted bail, South African police argued in court Wednesday.

Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder for the Valentine's Day shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp with a 9mm pistol.

Pistorius asserted in a court affidavit Tuesday that the shooting was accidental and he thought the model was an intruder in his home.

Police officer Hilton Botha alleged in the star athlete's bail hearing Wednesday that Pistorius illegally possessed .38-caliber ammunition in a safe in his bedroom. The policeman testified that Pistorius did not have a license for a .38-caliber weapon and consequently possession of that ammunition was illegal.

The detective said that all Pistorius would say after the shooting was "he thought it was a burglar.''

Botha also said a witness told police he heard gunshots, a woman screaming and then more shots on the night Steenkamp was gunned down.

Botha told the court he arrived at Pistorius's luxury home in Pretoria at 4.15am to find the athlete's girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, lying dead at the bottom of the stairs "wearing shorts and covered in towels".

In other evidence, Botha told the court that Pistorius had threatened a man at a race-track "over a girl" and said he would "f--- him up."

The investigating officer said the man was so scared by Pistorius's alleged threats, he consulted a lawyer.

In an additional revelation Wednesday, police said they found two boxes of testosterone and needles in the Pistorius' bedroom.

Pistorius' defense lawyer, Barry Roux, said the substance found in the bedroom was a "herbal remedy'' not a steroid and not a banned substance.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said police are not saying that Pistorius used the substance, simply that it was found in his bedroom.

Earlier, Nel told the court the prosecution team had a witness who had heard non-stop shouting coming from Pistorius's luxury home on the night Steenkamp was gunned down, between 2am and 3am.

Pistorius became the first Paralympian runner to compete at the Olympic Games in London last year.

Pistorius, 26, has insisted he shot the 29-year-old Steenkamp by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his gated and guarded luxury complex in the capital, Pretoria.

- with News Limited

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RLIF extends shoulder-charge ban

Ban backed ... The NRL's ban on shoulder charges has been endorsed by the game's governing body. Source: News Limited

Rugby league's international governing body has endorsed the NRL's ban on the shoulder charge by extending it across all competitions.

All rugby league matches - starting with this weekend's World Club Challenge between NRL premiers Melbourne and Super League champions Leeds - will now be played under the new rules prohibiting the shoulder charge.

Rugby League International Federation chairman Scott Carter said competitions already in progress - such as the Super League - will be allowed to separately determine if the rule is implemented immediately.

"Reviewing rules such as the shoulder charge is an important part of ensuring we have created the right environment for our players,'' Carter said in a statement.

"Player safety is a fundamental principle and the latest research and current trends show that the shoulder charge has the potential to create an unacceptable risk of injury for players.''

The ban has been met with a largely negative reaction by NRL players, who argued tougher penalties for contact with an opponent's head would have been a better response to a spate of ugly shoulder charges last year.

The matter came to a head last year when St George Illawarra utility Dean Young was flattened when hit by South Sydney's Greg Inglis, who was banned for three matches as a result.

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Inglis' Rabbitohs teammate Sam Burgess - a keen exponent of the shoulder charge - said he wasn't in favour of the ban.

"If I'm honest I think it's a crap rule change, because everyone likes seeing it - it's on every highlight reel with all the big hits,'' Burgess told Triple M's The Rush Hour.

''You do have to change (your tackling technique) in a sense because the decisions to make a shoulder charge are split second, so you have to change your whole mindset defensively.

"I think we'll see a few penalties early on in the year.''

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Sayers emerges as Ashes bolter

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Chadd Sayers ... emerges as an Ashes bolter. Source:News Limited

NSW quicks Trent Copeland and Doug Bollinger claimed quick wickets as South Australia lost their early grip of the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

The Redbacks bowled NSW out for 157 but in reply wobbled to 5-101 at stumps on Tuesday's opening day.

Copeland (3-22 from 14 overs) and Bollinger (2-32) triggered a South Australian collapse of five wickets for 14 runs.

Copeland grabbed the first three scalps and Bollinger then claimed victims in consecutive balls.

Bollinger's hat-trick attempt was a bouncer which cracked into the helmet of SA's Jake Brown, leaving the batsman dazed but not dismissed.

Earlier, SA's in-form paceman Chadd Sayers destroyed the Blues' batting line-up.

Sayers, the Shield's leading wicket-taker this season with 35 victims, claimed 5-54 from 20 overs including the initial four wickets, as NSW crashed to 4-33.

Sayers, who this season has played eight of his 10 first-class games, refuses to rate himself an outside chance for Australia's Ashes tour of England this winter.

"If you keep performing, then your name gets thrown up there. If that does happen, then I will grab it with both hands,'' Sayers said.

"I'm not thinking that far forward ... I will just keep performing for the Redbacks and you never know what happens.''

Sayers stands only 1.80 metres tall, or 5'9 in old-speak.

He's not overly quick, bowling around the 130-135kmph mark.

But he can swing a ball, mainly outswing. And he can jag it both ways off the pitch.

And Sayers has uncanny accuracy, operating with a simple mantra of making the batsman play at each ball.

"When you're asking a batsman to make a decision 100 per cent of the time, the odds are in your favour,'' he said.

"Not many people around Australia at the moment can play outswing bowling so if you can swing the ball, you're in the game.''

His pace partner Joe Mennie took 4-39 from 20 overs, with only Blues veteran Brad Haddin playing an innings of substance.

Haddin top-scored with 56 but opener David Dawson (26) and Copeland (26) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

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Ref Cam set for Super Rugby debut

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Ref Cam ... The latest innovation in broadcast technology will be unveiled in Brisbane. Source:Fox Sports

Fox Sports' ground-breaking use of technology will continue this weekend when Australia's first "Ref Cam" is unveiled in the much-anticipated Queensland Reds-New South Wales Waratahs Super Rugby clash.

Following on from a KFC T20 Big Bash League season that featured FoxKopter, Helmet Cam and Zing Bails, Fox Sports will unveil "Ref Cam" as its latest piece of broadcast innovation.

Trialled in the Super Rugby pre-season, referee Chris Pollock has been given the okay to don the specifically-engineered camera - which transmits live vision via an earpiece camera - in Saturday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium.

One of the biggest matches on the Super Rugby calendar, Aussie fans will now find themselves a step closer to the always fiery Reds-Waratahs showdown.  

"Rugby fans will be blown away by some of the angles this camera can produce," Head of Fox Sports Channels Gary Burns said. "You don't get any closer to the thick of the action than this.

David Pocock ... Ref Cam's extreme close-up. Source: Fox Sports

"The referee has the best view of anyone on the field, but now we are able to share that point-of-view with those watching at home and at Fox Sports venues.

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Watch Ref Cam in action from 7.30pm (EDT) Saturday night on Fox Sports 2HD!

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"The sound that it captures is great too. Through this camera you get a real appreciation for how tough it is out there, believe me."

Burns paid tribute to the Australian Rugby Union and SANZAR, who were both keen to see the latest in broadcast technology implemented in Super Rugby.

"But this wouldn't have been possible without the support of the ARU and SANZAR, so we really must thank them for seeing the benefits of the technology and working with us to give their fans the opportunity to see something very unique," Burns said.

"We also thank referee Chris Pollock for volunteering to wear the camera and allowing us to make it all happen in such a big game."

Fox Sports rugby reporter Sean Maloney will have a behind-the-scenes look at "Ref Cam" on Rugby HQ on February 28.

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Ryobi Cup final hopes over for WA

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So close ... Ricky Ponting fell just five runs short of a century in possibly his last one-day match. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

A maiden one-day domestic century from the returning Mitch Marsh was not enough for Western Australia to book a place in Saturday's Cup final, with Tasmania winning by 51 runs at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.

Having won their past two one-day cup games, WA needed to beat the Tigers with a bonus point to feature in the final at the MCG against Victoria.

WA skipper Michael Hussey won the toss and sent Tasmania into bat, so the Warriors would know exactly what score they would need off 40 overs to win with a bonus point.

But the fairytale looked decidedly unlikely when Ricky Ponting's 95 led the Tigers to 6-307 from their 50 overs.

The Warriors needed to score at 7.7 runs an over from the outset and in an attempt to get off to a flying start slumped to 5-78 with Liam Davis (28), Sam Whiteman (13), Hussey (four), John Rogers (12) and Tim Armstrong (one) all falling relatively cheaply.

However, the one positive for WA was having 21-year-old Marsh at the wicket in his first match since tearing his hamstring on November 17 last year.

Hilton Cartwright briefly joined up with Marsh before he fell for 20 from 24 balls.

But then debutant Ashton Turner came to the crease and he and Marsh, for a brief moment, gave the Warriors some hope of what was becoming a near impossible task.

The pair put on a partnership of 86 in just 75 balls before Turner fell for a swashbuckling 51 from 43, with six fours and two sixes.

Marsh continued on, though, and brought up his maiden one-day century for WA before falling for 104 to a brilliant direct-hit run out from Ponting, who was near the circle at backward point.

That ended Marsh's knock on 104 from 96 balls with six boundaries and five clean sixes.

With the bonus point win and place in the final gone, WA went on to be bowled out for 256 to lose the match and finish the one-day season on the bottom of the table.

Faulkner took 3-62 for Tasmania, with Evan Gulbis claiming 2-57, Timm van der Gugten 2-44, Ben Laughlin 1-37 and Harry Allanby 1-50 in a solid bowling display against some big hitting.

Earlier, Ponting made 95 for Tasmania from 105 balls with 13 boundaries after being dropped twice when on four and 35.

He was run out due to a bad call from Jordan Silk who went onto bat well himself making 66 from 66 balls and James Faulkner remained not out on 59 from 37.

Marsh was disappointed not to lead WA to the bonus point win to book a spot in the final, but was delighted to score his maiden one-day century after three months out injured.

''It was obviously good to come back like that and it was just a shame that we lost that way,'' Marsh said.

''We dropped a couple of chances and we learnt today that you can't really drop Ricky Ponting on four and 35. On a personal note, it's a good reward for my hard work and rehab though.''

Faulkner had a terrific day with the bat and ball for Tasmania, but was more impressed with the batting form of Ponting and Silk - and then with the whole bowling unit to get the win.

''Any time you start well with either the bat or ball I think it gives you confidence naturally, and it was good to be part of it,'' Faulkner said.

''But it was set up by Punter's 90-odd and I thought Jordan Silk batted really well in his second game.

''We obviously knew they were going to come hard and try to get the runs in the 40 overs, but for us it was just about concentrating on what we do well and we did that by creating opportunities in the first 20-odd overs. It was good to get a win today with a solid effort.''

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Manicini: EPL race not over yet

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Fighting words ... Roberto Mancini says his side can still retain their EPL title. Source: Clint Hughes / AAP

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini feels his side's FA Cup fifth-round win over Leeds United could help rejuvenate their Premier League title bid.

City produced a strong performance to beat Leeds 4-0, with Sergio Aguero scoring twice and further goals from Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure securing a passage to the competition's last eight.

Mancini felt the result was reward for his team's concentration during a comfortable win over Leeds that the Italian hopes will also help inspire his players to break down Manchester United's 12-point advantage in the race for the league championship.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	26	21	2	3	31	65
2	Man City	26	15	8	3	24	53
3	Chelsea	26	14	7	5	27	49
4	Tottenham	26	14	6	6	14	48
5	Arsenal	26	12	8	6	21	44
6	Everton	26	10	12	4	8	42
7	Liverpool	27	10	9	8	15	39
8	Swansea	27	9	10	8	4	37
9	West Brom	26	11	4	11	1	37
10	Stoke	26	7	12	7	-5	33
11	West Ham	26	8	6	12	-9	30
12	Fulham	26	7	8	11	-6	29
13	Sunderland	26	7	8	11	-6	29
14	Norwich	26	6	11	9	-15	29
15	Southampton	26	6	9	11	-9	27
16	Newcastle	26	7	6	13	-12	27
17	Aston Villa	26	5	9	12	-25	24
18	Reading	26	5	8	13	-15	23
19	Wigan	26	5	6	15	-21	21
20	QPR	26	2	11	13	-22	17

"It was really important to win this game and if you score two goals in the first 20 minutes it is clearly easier," he said.

"If he (Aguero) scores a lot of goals from now until the end, the championship is not finished."

Leeds manager Neil Warnock was not happy with City's second goal, an Aguero penalty awarded by referee Mark Clattenburg after he had adjudged Tom Lees to have fouled the Argentine striker in the box.

Contact between the two looked minimal, but Aguero stopped playing after Lees' arm made contact with his face.

Mancini, though, insisted he did not have a good view of the incident but that the result was the right one.

"It (the foul for the penalty) was difficult to see from the bench. I didn't see it," he said. "The game finished 4-0 and I don't think we gave them many chances to score.

"I think the result is correct. I don't know if the penalty was correct, I will see it again but I can't say at the moment."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8506611/Manchester-City-manager-Roberto-Mancini-hoping-for-an-FA-Cup-spark

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Shanghai could report Drogba to FIFA

Controversy ... Didier Drogba (L) left Shanghai in acrimonious circumstances. Source: AAP

Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua will take its battle against star striker Didier Drogba's move to Turkish side Galatasaray to football's governing body FIFA this week, domestic reports said Monday.

The Ivory Coast striker left the club in acrimonious circumstances last month, with Shanghai saying he had breached his contract.

''We now have evidence which we believe will give Shenhua a 99 per cent chance of winning a lawsuit at FIFA,'' a lawyer acting for the club told the Sina web portal.

The anonymous source from ''Shenhua's legal team'' said papers would be submitted to the sport's governing body on Wednesday.

The report said Shenhua will provide evidence that Drogba breached his contract and that Galatasaray had violated FIFA rules by luring a player away from his current club.

Shenhua declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Chinese media previously reported Drogba had asked FIFA to nullify his contract after the club defaulted on payments following a shareholder dispute dating back to September.

Drogba came off the bench to score five minutes into his Galatasaray debut on Friday, a 2-1 victory over the Turkish league's bottom club Akhisar.

The striker signed an 18-month, 10 million euros ($A13.06 million) deal with the Istanbul side, who are due to play German side Schalke 04 on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Drogba -- a Champions League winner with English Premier League side Chelsea last season -- had signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Shanghai in June last year on a reported salary of $US300,000 ($A292,870) a week.

Drogba's exit from Shanghai followed that of former Chelsea teammate French striker Nicolas Anelka, who joined Italian giants Juventus on loan.

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Aussies outclassed by India A

Phillip Hughes ... struggled to make an impact in both innings against India A. Source: News Limited

Shane Watson and Ed Cowan made half-centuries on Monday as Australia's three-day tour match against India A ended in a draw and laid bare the tourists' problems with bat and ball.

Australia resumed on 4-131 in their first innings in reply to India A's 451 and were skittled for 235 at Chennai's Guru Nanak College Ground.

The home side's spinners Rakesh Dhurv (5-51) and Jajaj Saxena (4-61) claimed nine wickets between them in Australia's first innings.

Trailing by 216, Australia were forced to bat again as India A skipper Gautam Gambhir enforced the follow-on.

The Watson-led tourists improved in their second dig, reaching 3-195, still behind by 21 runs. Play was called off half an hour early.

Watson top-scored in Australia's first innings with 84 off 87 balls and the Test vice-captain was prominent again in the second dig, hitting 60 from 63 deliveries.

Watson and Cowan (53) added 104 for the first wicket on Monday - their second century partnership of the match.

Phil Hughes (19) was bowled by Dhurv in the final over before tea in Australia's second innings, as the left-hander produced just 20 runs in two hits in the tourists' only first-class fixture before Friday's first Test.

Usman Khawaja finished on 30 not out with Matthew Wade on 19.

Skipper Michael Clarke (hamstring) and David Warner (thumb) were rested from the three-day game but have been batting in the nets in the past few days.

Ashton Agar will head home on Monday night to resume state duties with Western Australia, ruling the 19-year-old out of a shock call-up for the first Test.

The left-arm spinner claimed 3-107 in India A's first innings in just his third first-class game.

Australia's four-Test series against India starts on Friday at Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium.

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Wellingham's freak trampoline injury

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Freak injury ... a trampoline accident throws doubts over Wellingham's pre-season. Source: Daniel Wilkins / AAP

Gun West Coast Eagles recruit Sharrod Wellingham will miss the rest of the NAB Cup and could be in doubt for his new club's first game of the season proper after he injured an ankle in an off-field incident.

Wellingham damaged ligaments in his ankle after he landed awkwardly bouncing on a trampoline.

He will wear a moon boot for the next couple of weeks.

The former Collingwood midfielder won't require surgery but will miss the rest of the pre-season with West Coast, and is in doubt for the blockbuster round one Western Derby on March 23.

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Wellingham starred in West Coast's win over Fremantle on Saturday night at Subiaco, finishing with eight disposals and two clearances in the shortened match.

The club has this weekend off before playing Collingwood on March 3.

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Bozza's Save of the Week R21

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Adelaide's goalkeeper ... Eugene Galekovic makes an impressive save. Source: Tim Marsden / AAP

Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has won Mark Bosnich's Save of the Week for his impressive save, stretching to his limits in the round 21 encounter with Sydney FC.

The dangerous Alessandro Del Piero had Galekovic busy throughout the game.

Del Piero's left foot looked certain to hit the back of the net before the Reds gloveman overextended his left arm and batted away the shot on goal.

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Click on the video at the top of the page to see Eugene's outstanding save and for more of Bosnich's critique of the round's A-League goalkeeping.

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According to former Australian international goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, the save was a challenging one to make.

"It is very difficult to get down that low that quickly from such a distance," said Bosnich.

"Eugene Galekovic once more comes to Adelaide's rescue."

It was a textbook save by Galekovic because he abided by the key fundamental rule of not stepping beyond his goal post.

"From the post to the middle of your six yard box you should have an imaginary line," Bosnich explains.

"It goes to (the middle) and to the other post so it's like a triangle.

"You don't want to be too far outside that triangle."

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How does Eugene Galekovic's save stand up against other stops in round 12? Have your say by leaving a comment.

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Shin wins Women's Aussie Open

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Jiyai Shin ... with the winner's trophy after her victory at Royal Canberra. Source:AFP

One of the best shots of South Korean star Jiyai Shin's life delivered her an eleventh LPGA win at the Women's Australian Open golf tournament in Canberra.

Shin completed the four-round tournament at Royal Canberra in 18-under 274 on Sudnay, two shots clear of world No.1 Yani Tseng and four shots ahead of New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko (278).

Former world No.1 Shin was hot out of the gates, birdieing the par-5 first hole as her overnight co-leader Ko double-bogeyed.

A bogey on the second hole by 15-year-old Ko then delivered Shin a sizeable four-stroke advantage.

But Ko fought back, birdieing consecutive holes while Shin slipped a shot with a bogey on the fifth after running into bunker trouble.

Shin then dropped another stroke on the 12th to fall equal with Ko and a blistering Tseng soon made up her eight-stroke overnight deficit to momentarily make it a three-way tie.

Under pressure and in the rough next to a sign to the left of the 14th green, Shin then lob-wedged in for a birdie to reclaim the outright lead in what she said was one of the best shots of her life.

"The ball was sitting pretty good, so if I dropped it, I'm not sure the ball would be sitting that good," she said.

"Before I chipped it in, my play was a little bit tough, but after I chipped it in finally I get more relaxed and enjoyed the other few holes."

Shin followed the chip-in with another birdie on the next hole to all but seize the championship.

It wasn't the fairytale many where hoping it would be for Ko, who hit two bogeys after Shin's chip shot to fall from joint-leader to four shots off the pace.

"Third at a professional tournament is a pretty good result and I can't say I'm not fully pleased," Ko said.

"I was disappointed with how I played today.

"I think it was just a couple of drives and one putt in the game, but overall I had my career-low (score) on Thursday so I think it was a pretty good week."

Ko said her round of three-over on Sunday might have been due to tiredness.

"But you know, I've got another tournament next week and if I really want to go on tour I'll be playing three or four weeks in a row so those are the kind of things I will need to build up," she said.

Tseng was eight shots off the leaders overnight and a bogey on the first hole of the day just about put her winning aspirations to bed.

But the Taiwanese golfer turned in some blistering form, dropping five strokes in the next four holes that included an eagle on the par-5 6th to turn in a round of the day 66.

"After the first hole I wasn't happy to make bogey," she said.

"But that bogey I think give me a pump a little bit, that's why I think I made three birdies in a row.

"Tough fight, top 10, I'm pretty happy."

Queenslander Katherine Hull-Kirk was the best of the Australians, finishing equal 8th on 281, while four-time champion Karrie Webb (287) finished equal 36th.

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Crows finish on a high, beat Power

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Showdown ... Crows' youngster Brad Crouch gets his kick away just in time. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide Crows ensure all three teams take wins from the NAB Cup triple-header in Adelaide with a strong 16-point win over rivals Port Adelaide.

0.3.3 (21)	Q1	0.1.2 (8)
0.6.7 (43)	Q2	0.4.3 (27)
	Q3
	Q4

Josh Jenkins 2	Brendon Ah Chee 1
Luke Brown 1	Angus Monfries 1
Richard Douglas 1	Cameron O'Shea 1
Ricky Henderson 1	Aaron Young 1
Jarryd Lyons 1

The Power had earlier demolished St Kilda by 50 points, while the Saints got the day started with a 26-point win over the Crows.

Adelaide had the break between games and took advatange of the Power backing up in hot conditions at AAM Stadium, triumphing 6.3 (43) to 4.3 (27).

There was improvement across the ground for the Crows with forward-ruckman Josh Jenkins particularly impressive.

Jenkins has been earmarked as the replacement for Kurt Tippett in the Crows line-up and he did his chances no harm with a strong showing, while one-time top draft pick turned forgotten playmaker Richard Tambling also showed signs he can contribute for the Crows.

Youngster Brodie Smith was the Crows only casualty on the day after the midfielder looking to injure his shoulder.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said Smith's injury would be confirmed by an x-ray on Monday, with a likely result of six to eight weeks on the sidelines.

Sanderson said Adelaide were "soft around the contest'' in their initial loss to St Kilda, before lifting their intensity against Port.

The Power kicked a goal with 10 minutes left to close the gap to 10 points but were unable to get any closer as Richard Douglas kicked the final goal to seal the result.

Rookie-listed Kane Mitchell was good in both games for Port Adelaide but stepped up against Adelaide and could have sealed elevation onto the senior list for round one.

The Power lost Angus Monfries to a hamstring strain in their win against St Kilda.

"It will keep him out for a couple of weeks,'' Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Hinkley said he was pleased overall with Port's output.

"We got some good stuff, we got some bad stuff, and we got plenty to improve on,'' he said.

"But overall, as the day went, we achieved some fairly good things.''

0.0.4 (4)	Q1	0.4.1 (25)
0.3.6 (24)	Q2	0.8.2 (50)
	Q3
	Q4

Graham Johncock 3	Trent Dennis-Lane 2
	Beau Maister 2
	Terry Milera 2
	Stephen Milne 1
	Ahmed Saad 1

In the second game, Port Adelaide showed signs of major improvement with a big 50-point win over St Kilda in the NAB Cup.

Fatigued by the triple-header's first game, St Kilda were powerless to stop a rejuvenated Power, succumbing 1.9.2 (65) to 2.3 (15).

In very hot conditions, the Saints won their opening game against Adelaide Crows but undid a lot of their good work by getting smashed by the Power.

It was the Power's first game under new coach Ken Hinkley and it was a completely different outfit to the one that was often a shambles in 2012.

Rookies Jake Neade and Ollie Wines showed some exciting signs while leaders Travis Boak, Jackson Trengove and Brad Ebert were outstanding.

In the opening game, Saints recruit Trent Dennis-Lane made an instant impact with two goals in a 26-point thumping of an under-strength Adelaide Crows.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters said he was pleased with the first game but his team found it tough to back up in the hot conditions.

"There were a lot of things out of the first game that we were pretty pleased with, obviously we had a slightly more mature group of players out there," he said.

"We still got a lot out of the second game, to expose those young players ... there are 20 players who have played less than 20 games of footy for this footy club.

"So there were some great learnings on how to maintain you structure on what was a difficult, hot day.''

The Saints won 0.8.2 (50) to 0.3.6 (24) as Dennis-Lane, Terry Milera and Beau Maister (formerly Wilkes) each kicked two goals for St Kilda, while veteran Graham Johncock kicked all of Adelaide's goals.

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St Kilda kept Adelaide goal-less in the opening half of a match played in searing 38-degree heat, while kicking four majors themselves.

Small Saints Milera, Dennis-Lane and Ahmed Saad all potted early goals and formed a dangerous forward line against a Crows outfit missing nine top-line players.

Dennis-Lane, in his first official match for the Saints after being traded by Sydney, added another second-half goal while spearhead Maister also kicked goals in each half.

The duo benefitted from frequent chances provided by a dominant midfield headed by Farren Ray, Jack Steven and David Armitage.

And the Saints were also in control defensively, with creative backmen Arryn Sippos and James Gwilt gathering repeated disposals across half-back.

In contrast, Adelaide struggled for cohesion and didn't register a major until the second minute of the second half when veteran Graham Johncock strolled into an open goal.

Johncock booted two more in the half but was the sole shining light in attack for the Crows.

The Saints next play Port Adelaide before the Power meet Adelaide in the final game of the triple-header.

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Rebuilding Eels a huge task: Stuart

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Work in progress ... Ricky Stuart admits it will take time to transform the Eels. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

If trying to end Queensland's seven-year stranglehold on State of Origin wasn't hard enough, Ricky Stuart admits he faces another massive task trying to make Parramatta a force in the NRL again.

Stuart failed in his quest to guide the Blues to a series for the first time since 2005 in his two-year stint as coach, but did much to close the gap between the sides and restore some pride to the jumper.

However, he knows he has his work cut out reviving the Eels and warned the club's long-suffering fans not to expect miracles in the wake of Saturday's 41-4 trial defeat to Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.

"If anyone thinks we're going to rebuild this in two or three months doesn't know the extent of the job," Stuart said on Sunday.

"This is a huge job. The club's been in the doldrums for a couple of years. It's going to take time to pull ourselves out of that and start showing some consistency."

The Eels claimed the wooden spoon for the first time since 1974 last season and have not made the top-eight since reaching the 2009 grand final.

The retirement of stalwarts Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt in addition to missing out on several recruitment targets such as Israel Folau, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Greg Bird has not helped Stuart's cause.

However, he's hopeful he can help mould a relatively young side into a competitive outfit.

"The team's been bashed around for the last 18 months," he said.

"Whether that's been publicly or within, it's been a very tough 18 months for them.

"You're not going to find me critical of the team in regards to denting their confidence because it's one area we've got to work hard on.

We have to work hard to find confidence and be happy in what we're doing.

"Obviously we all want to win and we want to be successful but it's going to take time.

"I've told them I'll be patient with them. If I've ever had a job where I have to rebuild, this is it."

Test prop Scott re-signed with North Queensland last week and Stuart revealed he almost persuaded him to join the Eels rebuilding program.

"We were very close. But he showed a lot of strength and loyalty to stay with his club as James Tamou did," he said.

"I don't really see it as losing a player when they stay with their club.

"We'll just keep pushing forward with our recruitment and improve our players here."

Parramatta back-rower Taniela Lasalo has been ruled out for up to 14 weeks.

The 23-year-old broke his arm playing for Eels' NSW Cup side Wentworthville on Saturday night against the Tigers.

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