The News Review:
- Rugby: Robbie Deans bracing for backyard scrap
- Vote of confidence for rugby’s gentle persuader
- … reinstate altitude ban – New Zealand’s source for sport…
- … out the imports now – New Zealand’s source for sport…
- New Zealand’s source for sport rugby cricket & league news…
- Rugby: All Blacks go back to the future with plan for midweek tour…
- New Zealand’s source for sport rugby cricket & league news…
Rugby: Robbie Deans bracing for backyard scrap
New Zealand Herald – Dec 16, 2007
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Vote of confidence for rugby’s gentle persuader
Times nline – Dec 16, 2007
Here was a coach who picked up a rapidly fallingteam and somehow pressed enough right buttons to relaunch them all the wayto the final. But Ashton suffered for his subtlety or as he described it to me in the daysbefore the final “the art of gentle persuasion” so gentle that a few oldwarriors discounted him altogether. So here we are two months on and stillEnglish rugby awaits Rob Andrew’s report to the management board a reportwhich lo and behold will almost certainly recommend that Ashton remainsthe man in charge of the England team. The RFU has wasted valuable timedebating whether Ashton has a way with words. The confusion over his jobtitle has centred on his oratorical abilities with the press or so it hasbeen widely reported. Such confusion reigns that many wonder whether Ashtonshould be left as head coach but not necessarily in charge of every aspectof the team itself. Dean Richards’s name has been whispered around Headquarters but if Ashton isto remain head coach he has to retain sole responsibility for his team.
… reinstate altitude ban – New Zealand’s source for sport…
stuff.co.nz – Dec 16, 2007
"It was decided after talks with Fifa's medical committee that international games should not be played above 2750 metres unless there is adequate time to acclimatise" Blatter told reporters after the meeting in Tokyo held on the eve of the Club World Cup final between AC Milan and Boca Juniors. "We are not saying it is forbidden to play games above 2750 metres but that there should be adequate time to acclimatise" Blatter added without giving details as to how much acclimatisation would be required. Football's world governing body originally introduced a controversial ruling forbidding games in FIFA competitions being played at more than 2500 metres in May following concerns expressed by its medical committee over the health of visiting players and over possible unfair advantages for the home side. However the limit was raised to 3000 metres a month later after strong protests in South America.
… out the imports now – New Zealand’s source for sport…
stuff.co.nz – Dec 16, 2007
But why penalise Pacific Island stars after the decades of service they have given netball here both at the elite level and more importantly at the coal face. Names like Margharet Matenga Rita Fatialofa and Vilimaina Davu hold special places in the game here. As in rugby and league Island players are interwoven into the rich cultural fabric of Kiwi sport. Holding still hopes to have a collective contract in place by Christmas. That's five working days. Santa Claus will also rock up to his place with a shiny Aston Martin. Respected former Silver Ferns defender and current Samoa coach Linda Vagana calls the current one-import ruling "stupid" and it's hard to argue when we're living in a multi-cultural country where there are scores of international-class netballers and only one team to play for the Silver Ferns.
New Zealand’s source for sport rugby cricket & league news…
Stuff.co.nz – Dec 16, 2007
The four leading contenders are in action tonight (NZ time) with champions Manchester United playing Liverpool at Anfield before leaders Arsenal host third-placed Chelsea. Arsenal have 37 points from 16 games to United's 36 with Chelsea on 34 and City on 33. Portsmouth could have gone fourth but fell to seventh after losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park. They remain on 30 points behind Liverpool and Everton – who won 2-0 at West Ham United– on goal difference.
Rugby: All Blacks go back to the future with plan for midweek tour…
New Zealand Herald – Dec 16, 2007
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New Zealand’s source for sport rugby cricket & league news…
Stuff.co.nz – Dec 16, 2007
The tourists were 30 for three after winning the toss and choosing to bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Scott Styris and Ross Taylor trying to rebuild the innings. Fired up paceman Brett Lee removed openers Lou Vincent for nought and Brendon McCullum for five while Jamie How was forced into a false stroke by Nathan Bracken and dismissed for four. Vincent and How were caught behind the wicket while Lee deceived McCullum with a slower ball which he lofted to mid off. Styris hit consecutive boundaries off Bracken to move to 12 in the final over before the rain interruption.