'Cheika can bring success to NSW'

Talking tough ... Cheika isn't too impressed with the ARU's idea. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Ewen McKenzie believes new Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is tailor-made to reawaken the sleeping Super Rugby giant that is NSW.

Former Waratahs mentor McKenzie, who took the underachieving province to two grand finals in four seasons before being cut adrift in 2008, is wary of a NSW uprising under his long-time Randwick teammate.

Now aiming to guide Queensland to a third straight season on top of the Australian conference, McKenzie knows the task will be tougher with Cheika ensuring a cultural overhaul within a Wallabies-laden roster.

Despite their obvious depth of talent, the Waratahs won just four matches last season and coach Michael Foley quit to link with the Western Force.

''Cheika will culturally get them focussed,'' McKenzie told AAP.

''He's very motivated, he understands team culture and will do a good job.

''And all the players have enjoyed the highest representation in the Wallabies so those two things together will make some sort of difference and that will be good for Australian rugby if the Waratahs are out there.''

McKenzie led NSW to the 2005 and 2008 deciders as well as the 2006 semi-finals but well knows the pressure that comes with the Waratahs job following an injury-hit 2007 and subsequent axing at the end of his five-year contract.

''A lot of people like to contribute,'' he said of the environment.

''In the end Cheiks has a good personality for all of that.

''He doesn't suffer fools, he's pretty much his own man, he'll articulate that and no one will be left not understanding about what's required.

''When you've got that you can drive a team ethos and culture in a certain direction.

''I'm sure they will make good progress.''

Ironically, Cheika - who coached Irish club Leinster to the European Cup before heading to Stade Francais - will make his Super Rugby coaching debut opposing McKenzie when the Waratahs play the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on February 23.

Cheika has quickly earned a reputation for adding a harder edge to the Waratahs through a tough pre-season training campaign, and also admitted bringing cultural change was a major part of his job.

''Ewen knows that more than anyone because he was the last person to be able to put the right identity into the Waratahs jersey,'' Cheika said.

''They had a strong culture then and it's up to us to make sure we have that uncompromising nature about us no matter who plays.

''You know it's a difficult challenge that every coach must meet.

''You just have to make your own page with the guys and get the buy-in with the way we want to do things. So far that's the case.

''I've really enjoyed myself so far.''

Halfback Brendan McKibbin has emerged as a captaincy contender and will lead the Waratahs in their opening two trials, starting Saturday against the Rebels in Hobart.

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Faulkner replaces injured Henriques

James Faulkner ... replaces the injured Moises Henriques in Australia's ODI squad. Source: Dale Cumming / AAP

Tasmanian allrounder James Faulkner has been called into Australia's one-day squad as replacement for the injured Moises Henriques and is in-line to make his ODI debut against the West Indies on Friday.

Faulkner joins the Australian squad for the first two ODIs against the Windies in Perth on Friday and Sunday.

The in-form Henriques has been sidelined for the two matches after undergoing minor surgery on his ongoing finger injury.

National Selector John Inverarity said Faulkner will first play for the Prime Minister's XI against the Windies on Tuesday in Canberra, before joining the Australian squad in Perth.

Faulkner has been part of Australia's ODI and T20I squads already this summer, but hasn't added to the solitary international T20 cap he collected last year.

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Gayle, Haddin put feud behind them

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Dwayne Bravo ... says Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their feud behind them. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo insists Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their ongoing feud to bed as the Prime Minister's XI prepare to host the West Indies in Canberra on Tuesday.

Sydney Sixers captain Haddin initially sparked the big row last month when he questioned Gayle's value to the winless Thunder.

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Gayle used Twitter to retaliate with a tirade the next day.

However West Indies all-rounder Bravo on Monday said both his fellow countryman and Haddin had put the disagreement behind them for the Manuka Oval match on Tuesday night - Canberra's first ever day/night match.

"We are all teammates we are all friends," the West Indies vice-captain said.

"Chris is a very easy going guy, a fun loving person.

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"And I was fortunate to be led by Haddin when I played for the Sixers last year. He's a lovely guy also.

"It's something they have both put behind them."

Bravo also jumped to the defence of Gayle's form, saying he was only one innings away from being back to his devastating best.

"We all know Chris is one of the best players in the world, you can't hide that, and these conditions suit him," Bravo said, referring to Gayle's 146 off 89 balls against the PM's XI three years ago.

"I know obviously he had a bad Big Bash this year but the previous seasons he did o.well with the bat. I hope that people remember that and know that he's still dangerous."

Haddin was also quick to play down the row with Gayle.

"I think it will be all good," he said.

"That was about a month ago. We're here to celebrate the PM's XI. That's not in my thoughts anymore."

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Rodgers rages at misfiring Reds

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Brendan Rodgers ... hits out after his side were sent packing from the FA Cup. Source: PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was disappointed with the young players he handed a chance to as they crashed out of the FA Cup at League One side Oldham.

Rodgers was left bemused by a below-par effort from a mixed Liverpool side in the 3-2 fourth-round defeat at Boundary Park as they were hardly in the game in the first half.

Things improved a little when he brought on added experience in the second period, but Joe Allen's 80th minute goal came too late to turn around a Sunday afternoon the red-faced Liverpool manager would rather forget.

Ties to be played on February 16-17:

Huddersfield Town or Leicester City v Wigan Athletic

Milton Keynes Dons v Barnsley

Oldham Athletic v Everton

Luton Town v Millwall

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Manchester City v Leeds United 

Manchester United v Reading 

Middlesbrough v Brentford or Chelsea

"We are bitterly disappointed. We started the first half poorly and we started the second half and got punished," Rodgers said. "We've got a big week of games but our mentality in that opening period was poor and it ended up costing us.

"I was disappointed with the young players today I've got to be honest.

"We are trying to give them experience and let them see what it was like to play for Liverpool. It is not just about playing for Liverpool, you have to be competitive and be part of a group that is going to challenge for trophies.

"It is not enough to play for Liverpool and get up for the Arsenal and Manchester City games because if we are going to win trophies you need to be able to come to places like Oldham and win and we weren't good enough for that."
Brendan Rodgers Quotes of the week

"I thought how we reacted to that and how we performed, knowing that is what we are looking for, was disappointing.

"We were just too much on the back foot early on, you really have to be aggressive. These are different games to the Premier League: Premier League games are nice, you go in and teams will pass the ball and give you time to get your shape.

"These games are a different type of football, you have to roll your sleeves up be strong and aggressive and unfortunately for us there were too many who weren't.

"It is just a different type of football where you have to stand up and be counted. It is great to put young players in but you have to have personality and the young players disappointed."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/8447258/Liverpool-s-young-players-face-the-wrath-of-boss-Brendan-Rodgers

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Australia's final-ball heartache

Party time ... Sri Lanka overcome the rain and Australia to win at the MCG. Source: Dan Himbrechts / AAP

Sri Lanka's tour of Australia finished in ugly scenes as players clashed on field and had to be physically separated following Sri Lanka's two-run win in the second Twenty20 clash at the MCG.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

28 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Australia 1st Innings

S. Marsh	47	40	2	2	117.5
G. Maxwell	8	3	2	0	266.67
T. Perera	3	0	25	1	8.33

Monday night's defeat means Australia lost the series two-nil and remain seventh on the world rankings.

Sri Lanka scored 4-161 and Australia reached 2-60 from 10 overs before a 45-minute rain delay.

Australia resumed with a revised target of 122 from 15 overs and finished on 3-119.

Skipper George Bailey hit 45 and Shaun Marsh was unbeaten on 47, while Glenn Maxwell hit his first two deliveries for four and needed another boundary from the final delivery to clinch victory.

Maxwell (eight not out) missed the final ball and ran a bye as Australia finished three shy of victory.

Before the final ball, Sri Lanka's fielders had gathered around the bowler Thisara Perera to offer advice and an angry Maxwell yelled at the tourists to get on with it.

This prompted Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene to yell back at Maxwell and the pair clashed immediately after the final over in a nose-to-nose argument while Perera taunted Maxwell.

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Re-live all the key stats from the thrilling clash at our Match Centre.

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Several Australia players also argued with Jayawardene during the on-field handshakes in front of 39,247 fans.

Needing 18 from the final over with eight wickets in hand, Australia scored 14 off the first five balls including two successive fours from Maxwell after Bailey's exit caught at deep-square leg.

Bailey suffered a foot injury while batting and could be in doubt for Friday's first one-day international against West Indies in Perth.

Earlier, Jayawardene (61 not out) shared a 63-run partnership with Jeevan Mendis (25) for Sri Lanka's fourth wicket before plundering 20 runs from the final over with Thisara Perera.

Perera belted an unbeaten 35 from 15 deliveries.

Jayawardene and Perera added 59 from 28 deliveries.

Offspinner Maxwell (1-23 from four overs) and paceman James Faulkner (1-24) were able to restrict Sri Lanka's scoring.

However Ben Laughlin's final over -- which went for 20 runs including one bye -- blew out his figures to 1-40 and fellow quick Mitchell Starc (0-35) also struggled.

Australia have not won a T20 series since February 2010.

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Titans pocket cheque book - for now

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Shifting focus ... Gold Coast search for Scott Prince's replacement. Source: Ribb Cox / AAP

The search for a halfback is about to begin in earnest at the Gold Coast Titans.

But they reckon they have put away the cheque book after their ill-fated swoop on Jamie Lyon.

Coach John Cartwright says the recent $3 million-plus play for Manly matchwinner Lyon showed they had the money to sign the NRL's elite.

However, coming trial matches would decide who would replace halfback Scott Prince (gone to the Broncos) and centre Beau Champion (South Sydney) after giving up on signing any more players ahead of the 2013 season.

"It (luring Lyon) was a business decision. If the right guy is on the market we are ready to talk,'' Cartwright said on Monday.

"We've got money in the bank to make an offer but it is not just going to be to anyone.

"Jamie is one of the best in the game so if he was available we would be silly not to have a go.''

Asked if the Titans had given up on him Cartwright said: "I would say so - if it was going to happen it would have been last week.

"It shows the club is deadly serious about putting the best side on the paddock but we will not go out willy nilly.''

Cartwright conceded the Titans were "a bit thin'' in the centres after both Lyon and Michael Jennings knocked back lucrative offers.

But he was confident they had the depth to cover the gaping hole left by ex-captain Prince.

He said Beau Henry, Albert Kelly and Jordan Rankin would vie for his No.7 jersey in the pre-season trials, starting against the New Zealand Warriors on February 9.

"They have worked as hard as each other at training but it's out on the field when it is competitive, that's when you get a better grasp, the trials will be very important for these guys,'' said Cartwright who is set to name his new captain this week.

"We have built a very good side around them (halves). If I was a young halfback I would love to be playing in this side.

"Now it is about someone going out there and grabbing that spot.''

Rankin believes the next Titans halfback has the chance to follow Rabbitohs sensation Adam Reynolds and become the next NRL success story.

"It's probably the elephant in the room at the moment - who is going to fill Scott Prince's spot?'' Rankin said.

"It was important that the club showed confidence in us young guys coming through and didn't shop around (for a halfback).

"The spot is now there to be taken. Adam Reynolds showed last year if you take your chance you can be anything.''

Cartwright did not believe the failure to replace Champion put added pressure on Jamal Idris to step up in the centres this season.

"We haven't kicked a ball yet,'' he said.

"But he is where we want him to be.

"He hasn't put a foot wrong. He will start fitter than he ever has.''

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Glock, Marussia F1 team part ways

Mutual ... Timo Glock (R) and Mark Webber in Spain. Source: Jan Woitas / AAP

German driver Timo Glock has left the Marussia Formula One team with immediate effect, the team said on Monday.

Glock, 30, had a contract with the team until 2014, but Marussia cited economic reasons for a decision it said was reached "by mutual consent.''

It is believed Marussia is looking for a driver who will bring more sponsorship revenue to the team.

The racing future of Glock, who has been with Marussia since it was formed in 2009, is now uncertain.

It is thought the former Jordan, Toyota and Virgin driver could be eyeing a start in Germany's DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft) race series.

Marussia team principal John Booth praised Glock's "very significant contribution'' to the team's development.

"The ongoing challenges facing the industry mean that we have had to take steps to secure our long-term future,'' he said in a statement posted on the team's website.

"Tough economic conditions prevail and the commercial landscape is difficult for everyone, Formula 1 teams included.

"We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision, especially as he had a valid contract, and also for the contribution he has made to our team.''

Marussia has not yet named a replacement for Glock.

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Watch & vote: best catches of BBL

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Screamer ... Kane Richardson won't forget this catch in a while. Source:Fox Sports

There were plenty of spectacular catches during this season's KFC T20 Big Bash League, but which was the best?

Which catch was the best of BBL|02?

The team at Inside Cricket have trawled through a myriad of impressive fielding feats and come up with their top six grabs from BBL|02.

Kane Richardson's one-handed effort on the boundary during Adelaide Strikers' win over Hobart Hurricanes scored plenty of headlines, and rightfully so, but was it better than Joe Burns's balancing act for Brisbane Heat?

Unfortunately for Hurricanes batsman Travis Birt, he was the unlucky batsman on both occasions.

While the catches off Birt's batting are high on the list, there's also room for a couple of great grabs from earlier in the season.

Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman's amazing one-handed catch during the thrilling win over Brisbane Heat sent Fox Sports commentator Allan Border into raptures, while Cameron Borgas and Scott Coyte's team effort for Sydney Thunder certainly deserves a mention.

Let's not forget big West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who followed up his impressive catch against Melbourne Renegades with an even more impressive celebration.

And while he may have grabbed more attention for his efforts with the ball in Test cricket this summer, seamer Jackson Bird showed he's more than just a one trick pony with a nice diving catch for Melbourne Stars.

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Fed express rolls Raonic

Juggernaut rolls on ... Roger Federer dismantles Milos Raonic. Source: Paul Crock / AAP

It was everything everyone's come to expect from Roger Federer - relentless, error-free tennis to bemuse, break down and eventually beat another Grand Slam opponent.

Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic found himself kicked to the Australian Open fourth round kerb by Federer despite doing little wrong on Monday night.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Rao (13)	4	6	2
Fed (2)	6	7	6

But the barest of openings offered by the 13th seed were enough for Federer to pierce his defences, and win 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to book a quarter-final showdown with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

How a match which barely moved off serve became the Swiss master's in straight sets in under two hours was classic Federer.

Raonic's serve faltered just once in a 10-game opening set - in the last game as Federer increased the pressure exponentially, then took full advantage of his only set point.

In the second set, the Canadian then held his nerve and his serve through to roll into a tie-break.

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Missed a result? Catch all the Australian Open score here!

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The early signs were good, until the No.2 seed uncorked a couple of huge winners to take an advantage, then whipped in a superb forehand winner backed by a guttural roar to seal it.

Raonic's spirit was broken along with his serve in the opening game of the third set, and Federer backed the truck over him again for a second service break soon after.

The highlight of the set - and perhaps of the match - was Federer's deft drop shot return on Raonic's serve which fell dead just over the net cord in the fifth game.

Federer's match against Tsonga will be his 35th consecutive appearance in a Grand Slam quarter-final.

Federer was particularly thrilled with his opening to the third set and his ability to deal with Raonic's huge serve - clocked at one point at more than 230km/h.

"You try to anticipate it a little bit, try to get a feel for it,'' Federer said.

"I'm so happy with the way I played.''

The 31-year-old also did not face a single break point on his own serve, and produced just 12 unforced errors in the match.

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Hodge in last-gasp Ashes bid

Grand ambitions ... Brad Hodge is eyeing an Ashes spot at the ripe age of 38. Source: AAP

Brad Hodge hasn't quite given up hope of a trip to England this winter, and may play for Victoria in a late bid to make the Ashes squad.

Speaking to the Cricinfo website, Hodge - who represented his country in six Tests - said he should have played more for Australia in his prime, but didn't enjoy the benefit of a rotation policy at the time.

"Would I like to play for Australia? Of course, everyone would," Hodge said.

"I probably deserved to play a little bit more when I had the opportunity. It seems that there seems to be a lot more rotating players then when I was in my prime.

"I am still playing good enough to represent Australia I think. But I do believe that my opportunity is passed. Having said that I am considering after this tournament, to go back to four-day cricket and have a quick shot at trying to make the Ashes team."

Victoria's selectors have reportedly discussed the possibility of Hodge playing in the final three Sheffield Shield matches of the summer, against Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Hodge, 38, is currently plying his trade in the Bangladesh Premier League after impressing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. 

Despite his form, national selector John Inverarity described the prospect of Hodge being selected for Australia's T20 team as "unlikely".

Hodge has not played Test cricket for Australia since 2008.

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