Bellamy learns off NBA visit

Craig Bellamy and Frank Ponissi in the US. Source: News Limited

A MEETING with NBA coaching legend Pat Riley - who charges up to $75,000 for a speaking engagement - has Melbourne Storm mentor Craig Bellamy bursting with new ideas as he attempts to keep his side in the upper echelon of the NRL.

Bellamy and football manager Frank Ponissi have returned from a two-week fact-finding trip to the United States, in which they spent time with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the all-conquering Miami Heat NBA franchise and the famed University of Notre Dame.

There were many highlights, but a 45-minute sit down with Riley - the president of the Heat and five-time NBA championship-winning coach - stood out for Bellamy.

Miami Heat's LeBron James shoots a free throw during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Source: AFP

"To be quite honest, that time with Pat was probably worth the whole trip on its own," he said.

"He was very intriguing with his insights on coaching and how a club should run.

"He was very open and honest and we found him to be a really personable guy."

Bellamy and Ponissi attended an NBA game between the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks in Miami.

Watching LeBron James in action was an experience, but it did not compare with the rare opportunity to trade coaching secrets with Riley.

The chance to pick the brain of one of the greatest NBA coaches in history left the two Storm head honchos mesmerised.

"He had some mentalities and philosophies on coaching players and he shared them with us, which was great," Bellamy said.

"He also had some very good ideas on running the club.

"And we found a lot of philosophies were things that we really believed in as well.

The Miami Dolphins prepare to take the field during a game against the Carolina Panthers. Source: AFP

"So it was nice to hear some of our own ideas reinforced by a guy like him."

The Storm pair were granted an all access pass at the Dolphins, which included joining the club on a trip to Tampa Bay for the clash against the Buccaneers.

They were blown away by the military-like precision of the road trip.

"They had 20 coaches and 50 some players on their roster," he said.

"There is a lot of people there so it feels big - everything in America is done big.

"They were very welcoming and opened the doors up to us."

Bellamy and Ponissi made a presentation to the Storm staff last week on their findings from the trip.

He said the insights gained would help Storm next season and the way they operate.

"There was a lot of things that we picked up that we think we can incorporate into our program," he said.

"There were a couple little things for each department that we picked up.

"They were very generous with their time and opened up their doors to us."

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jarryd Hayne central to Blues

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

NSW coach Laurie Daley says Jarryd Hayne has "outgrown'' the wing and is poised to be named in the NSW centres for next year's State of Origin series.

The only problem is that Hayne regards himself as a fullback.

Playing Hayne at right centre to confront Queensland's Greg Inglis would allow Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart to fight for the vacant fullback spot.

Daley's comments come as the draw for next year's Origin series was released with the second game at Sydney's ANZ Stadium to be played on June 18. .

''Jarryd was very impressive at centre,'' Daley told The Daily Telegraph. ''He will be in the team somewhere and I think he has outgrown the wing.

''He can give us another option at centre and more depth. He played centre for Australia so he may well play centre for NSW.

Jarryd Hayne is tackled during the RLWC Final against New Zealand. Source: AFP

''I think we need him in a position where he can do a bit more. I was impressed how he handled centre ... the way he took a knock (in the final) and defended strongly.

''I think the best of Jarryd is still in front of him. As I said, he will be there somewhere.

''Blake Ferguson will be another option at centre if he is available, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings and maybe Hayne.''

Jarryd Hayne beats the Fiji defence to score a try during their RLWC clash. Source: AP

But Hayne still wants to return to the No. 1 jersey.

"I think that is what everyone is talking about (moving to centre) but for me I really enjoy fullback and that attacking side of that,'' Hayne said after the World Cup final.

''Being on the edge is one of those positions where you can have games where you don't really see the ball and you can have games where you see all the ball.

"It is not dictated by how good you play, it is dictated by the halves inside you.

"(At fullback) you get a lot more places to roam and you can sort of have a lot more impact on the game."

Despite criticism the series was too long, NRL officials decided to leave three-week gaps between games.

NRL officials wanted to retain the lengthy breaks between matches to ensure marquee games are not played with Origin stars unavailable.

"We obviously try to place byes strategically through that particular area of the season to help compensate teams that are heavily affected by State of Origin and its impact on clubs," said NRL general manager of football operations, Nathan McGuirk.

"So we obviously also try and reserve marquee events or match-ups from our stand down Origin rounds when our superstars aren't playing and reserve those for rounds outside that time period."

The representative weekend will be played on the weekend of May 2 to 4, with the traditional midyear Test between Australia and New Zealand played on the Friday night and City-Country - to be contested at Apex Oval, Dubbo - on Sunday.

The full NRL draw will be released tomorrow.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meninga: Cameron Smith is best ever

CAMERON Smith is now starting to enter the debate of where he sits in the list of rugby league greats of all time.

Already considered by many to be the greatest hooker to lace a boot, Smith's cabinet full of trophies and accolades is now complete after leading the Kangaroos to a World Cup triumph in the UK.

It was the one prize the 30-year-old had yet to collect and now that he has led one of the most dominant tours for Australia the skipper is being lauded for his role.

Smith did not miss a single game for the entire World Cup, leading Australia out for all six matches in a feat only matched by interchange prop Andrew Fifita.

Cameron Smith of Australia celebrates with his winners medal after the Rugby League World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Old Trafford. Source: Getty Images

Smith saved his best for last with a game high 44 tackles in the final win over New Zealand and for a player that averages over 100 possessions a game the sensational hooker made just one error all tournament.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga said there was no doubt Smith was the finest No.9 of all time and was now beginning to be considered among some of the game's greats.

"If he is not the best hooker of all time then I don't know who is to be honest with you," Meninga said.

"I think you talk to any hooker and he is well out in front.

"He is resilient and he is tough and he doesn't seem to get any injuries. He just keeps pounding it out.

"He is one of our greatest ever players, there is no doubt about that."

Maroons legend Gorden Tallis said it was Smith's ability to make his teammates better players that was most impressive.

"He makes everybody look better," Tallis said.

"His ability to make everybody around him look better and go on looking like he is doing nothing is the greatest quality to have in our game."

Cameron Smith offloads during the Rugby League World Cup Semi Final match against Fiji. Source: Getty Images

In 2013 Smith led Melbourne to the World Club Challenge title, Queensland to an eighth-straight series win and the Kangaroos to World Cup redemption.

Starting with an NRL All Stars appearance on February 9, Smith played 35 games of rugby league in 42 weeks and amassed over 1300 tackles and 44 hours of time on the football field.

Cronulla prop Fifita set the record with 36 games in 2013, while Newcastle's Darius Boyd and Manly's Kieran Foran both equalled Smith with 35 appearances.

It was an effort matched by two Wallabies - Stephen Moore and skipper Ben Mowen - in playing 35 games in a calendar year as the two toughest sporting codes continue to push athletes to breaking point.

But it's Smith's efforts, with his high work rate in defence and handling the ball more than anybody else in the game, that is most stunning.

At 30 he is showing no signs of slowing down. Smith has one year left on his Melbourne Storm contract and is expected to be offered a three-year contract to see out his career at the Brisbane Broncos.

If Smith keeps playing until 2017 it would put the champion from Logan on the verge of reaching the incredible figures set by Immortal-in-waiting Darren Lockyer.

Lockyer retired in 2011 after 355 NRL games, 63 Tests for Australia, 38 Origin appearances and two All Stars starts.

Smith has already played 261 NRL games at the Storm, 37 Tests for the Kangaroos, 30 Origins and three All Star matches.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Players blocks Origin schedule change

Queensland celebrate their State of Origin win after beating the NSW Blues in Game 3 at ANZ Stadium. Source: News Limited

PLAYER power has ruled supreme with the game's elite rejecting moves to shorten the 2014 State of Origin schedule because of concerns about their physical and mental well-being.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg wanted to reduce the length of the Origin series for 2014 but hit a brick wall when he put the proposal to the Rugby League Players Association.

Fear of a physical and psychological burnout by reducing the gap between each Origin game by one week forced the NRL to abandon any plans to change the formula for next season.

"It was the players themselves that came back to us and said we preferred the current model in terms of the eight-week window rather than condensing it down," NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk said.

A dejected Mitchell Pearce after NSW lose Game 3 of the 2013 series. Source: News Limited

"The players were concerned about the quick back up within camps by reducing that time period.

"We heeded those calls and we said we will happily sit down with players during this season and try and work on what options are available that meet their needs."

RLPA chief executive David Garnsey said players were keen to consider other scheduling options but were never given the chance to enter into a proper discussion.

"Having consulted with the Origin players their concerns about reducing the Origin period centred on the physical and psychological toll taken by State of Origin football and the inadequate recovery time that would result from a condensed Series schedule," Garnsey said.

"But even with those concerns the proposed schedule change was not rejected out-of-hand, rather we proposed a 'round table' discussion involving all stakeholders that would consider Origin scheduling options and address the Players' issues.

"We're not aware what the reaction was from other parties (broadcasters, clubs etc) but in any event the NRL opted to shelve the idea for 2014."

The NRL yesterday confirmed the Origin dates for 2014 starting with Game One in Brisbane on May 28, with Game Two in Sydney on June 18 and Game Three in Brisbane on July 9.

The series will be identical in length to 2013 and run over six weeks and affect eight NRL competition rounds.

Josh Dugan in action for the NSW Blues in Game 3 of the 2013 Origin series. Source: News Limited

Player burnout had been a hot topic of discussion this year with NRL coaches furious at Origin impacting on one third of the regular season but also wary about player workloads.

As it stands the 2014 NRL schedule will be released just a few hours after Australia's World Cup team returns to the country.

The Test stars will not resume club duties until January, but will be back on the playing field by February for the new Auckland Nines tournament just 11 weeks after the World Cup final.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga agreed the competition schedule was too exhausting for the players and needed to be addressed.

"It's something the game needs to look at closely, it needs to be rectified and we need to come up with a plan about player welfare and the amount of games they play in the scheduling," Meninga said.

Queensland fans are urged to purchase memberships for priority access to next year's Origin games while tickets for the Sydney clash go on sale to the general public later this week.

Meninga said the Maroons were still concluding their planning for 2014 but with Queensland hosting two games for the first time since 2011 he knows they need to start the series firing.

"Game one is really important. It is every season but this year we have two at home and they (NSW) will be really working hard on getting game one and being successful up here that's for sure," he said.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lucky George better for the run

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

GEORGE Bailey may be Australia's lucky charm.

He played in a resounding win on debut after many of his team mates spent almost all year without success.

Australia's nine Tests without a victory is one of the worst sequences in this country's history so Bailey jokes he's a pretty popular bloke in the dressing room at the moment.

"They rub me," Bailey said with a broad smile.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"That was pretty surreal," he said about the win. "It brought home how special it was."

It contrasted with another of Australia's late call-ups, Chris Rogers, who went six Tests without a win before basking in Brisbane's 381-run first Test triumph.

"I really enjoyed the week," Bailey said of his first as a Test cricketer.

"It was a fantastic result and particularly seeing how hard those guys had worked for so many months without a Test win, to see the happiness and to be part of that was pretty special.

"It would have been nice to get a couple more runs in the first innings. Hopefully I'm like a race horse, better for the run."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Bailey reinforced what many who watch Test cricket already believe that overrates could easily be improved, given Sheffield Shield sides must bowl 96 overs, compared to a Test match's 90 in a day.

"The hardest thing I found, certainly in the first innings, was the tempo of the game," said Bailey

"It sounds a little bit silly but it goes a bit slower than coming up from Sheffield Shield.

"It felt like it was longer between overs and longer between balls and having spent a bit of time at short leg looking at how the other guys take their time between balls and take their time to face up that was the big learning curve for me, getting the tempo right."

At 31 Bailey is the oldest Australian batsman to debut for 34 years and after a poor first innings his second innings cameo of 34 included more sixes (2) than fours (1).

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Following on from centurions David Warner and Michael Clarke, Bailey continued what seemed the obvious tactic of murdering spinner Graeme Swann, one of England's most pivotal bowlers, but he claimed the plan was broader than that.

"We certainly wanted to keep bringing their best bowlers back into the game and try and tire them out. That worked," he said.

"Whether that's the same here, it might turn a bit more and reverse swing can play a part here.

"If they happen to be doing that (reverse swing) well and Swannie is trying to tie up one end then it's probably the best option to try and keep the scoreboard ticking along."

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

RLWC better than 2008: Bennett

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE man who masterminded New Zealand's shock victory at the last World Cup has declared the 2013 tournament "is better than 2008" and Wayne Bennett has rejected talk that it is a waste of time.

While there is justified criticism over some of the lopsided scorelines, Bennett last night said "what people have to realise is that this is not just about Australia, New Zealand and England, this is about the rest of the world.

"And this is not about now, this is about where we want the game to be in 40 years."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Bennett was the brains behind the Kiwis' stunning upset victory over the Kangaroos in 2008 and he has no doubt in five years the developing league nations have grown significantly, directly because of their involvement in the World Cup.

"One of the reasons I took on the New Zealand job was because everyone was talking down the World Cup and in my opinion this one has been better," the seven-time premiership winning coach said.

"It is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that."

"Fans vote with their feet and they have voted over there that they have enjoyed the concept and the quality of football.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"Everyone that was complaining about the 5000 people who turned up for Australia's game against Ireland should realise that crowd was the biggest rugby league crowd ever in Ireland.

"Biggest ever. That's a good thing for the game.

"And so many of these games have been held in front of similar record crowds, record crowds.

"All through the north of England, in France.

"It's easy for us sitting back here to say it's a waste of time but I'm telling you it is not a waste of time for the people of Fiji and everyone else who benefitted out of this. The United States. France. Italy. And that's what the World Cup is about, it is a bit bigger than the NRL, and we need to realise that.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"Whether it's cricket or rugby union or netball, they are all trying to make a thing of the World Cup in their different sports because it is the only way you are going to develop your sport.

"We keep taking this short-term view. It is not about the short-term here, it's long-term.

"And you're right, we know who the quality teams are now but it won't be long before someone is going to knock over one of these quality teams.

"And I talk to the players and the players have really bought into it this time and they want to represent their countries.

"In 2008 that wasn't as prevalent as it is now.

"I saw the other day Lachlan Coote, who is at the Cowboys now, says he wishes he had played for Scotland. There will be a lot more players that will take the offer next time.

"And people say it's not authentic. I know with Kade Snowden's case he had to get his grand father's birth certificate (to play for Italy).

"That is what they do for every other sport in the world, why do we always have to bag ourselves?"

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tale of two speedsters

Patrick Corbin: "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?" Source: Jared Wickerham / Supplied

PATRICK Corbin threw his first fastball wearing jeans.

Back then, the Arizona Diamondback was still in his teens. A junior at North Syracuse High.

A first pitch towards what would eventually be deliveries challenging those of Australian cricket speedster, Mitchell Johnson.

Now starring in the Major Leagues, Corbin will today join LA Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis at the Sydney Opera House as the hype surrounding the 2014 MLB season opener, to be held at the SCG next March, gathers momentum.

Despite being famed for his slider, Corbin still has a fastball that travels at 153km/hr. In comparison, Johnson, who starts his Ashes campaign on Thursday, recently had his own fastball clocked at 154.6km/hr.

Mitchell Johnson has recently been clocked bowling at 154.6km/hr as the Ashes loom. Source: Getty Images

Yet in a recent interview, Arizona superstar Corbin admitted he never even considered a baseball career until high school.

After being dragged along to tryouts by his friends, the coach asked if he could hit. 'No,' came the reply. 'Okay, I guess we better see if you can throw then'.

"I didn't really know what the heck was going on," Corbin recalled. "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?'

"I was good friends with all of them and was like, 'What the heck?' "

"I remember walking up to pitch with jeans on."

Ironically, it was a similar story of discovery for Johnson who, at 17 and bowling in his father's golf shoes, shocked Queensland cricket officials by recording the fastest delivery in the state.

Off the field, both speedsters are also considered shy, modest and incredibly respectful.

With his signing bonus, Corbin bought a used car instead of a new one. He also still lived at home with his parent's until earlier this year and, during the offseason, officiates youth basketball games.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Orica-GreenEDGE extend rider deals

Orica GreenEDGE rider Brett Lancaster drinks ater after the 18th stage of the Tour de France earlier this year. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

INVALUABLE experience and the attraction of more Grand Tour success are among the motivating factors behind Brett Lancaster and Svein Tuft's contract extensions with Orica-GreenEDGE.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lancaster, 34, and Canadian Tuft, 36, agreed to new two-year deals after sharing in OGE's watershed Tour de France glories this year.

With the departures of Stuart O'Grady and Baden Cooke, Lancaster and Tuft will be tapped for leadership and endurance qualities.

Both remain world-class time-triallers, but the pair's tactical savvy is just as critical as the team pushes to convert talented young riders to world-class competitors as quickly as possible.

"I really enjoy working with the younger riders," Lancaster said. "They have good heads on their shoulders.

"Guys like Luke Durbridge are so eager and all ears. I like passing along what I've learnt and helping them out by showing them the ropes."

Lancaster's work ethic was decisive in his re-signing.

"We're very pleased to renew Brett's contract," OGE sport director Matt White said.

"He played a part in some of our biggest rides and secured some nice results for himself.

"This past year, he won a stage in Slovenia, rode consistently throughout the entire Giro with our normal sprint group, won the team time-trial at the Tour de France and was one of the strongest performers in our silver-medal ride in the team time-trial at the world championships."

Part of the world record-setting 4000m pursuit team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lancaster wants to finish his career with OGE.

"I have another two years signed, but in my head I want do three more before I call it quits when I'm 37," Lancaster said.

"Five years with GreenEDGE would be a dream.

"The choice (to extend) was simple. I wanted to stay on the team. I wasn't really thinking about going anywhere else. The last two years have been very memorable. I've achieved some incredible things. I'm looking forward to another two years with GreenEDGE.

"The Tour this year was pretty awesome.

"Winning the team time-trial and standing on the podium with all the boys was really special.

"The team's owner, Gerry Ryan, and his son Andrew were there to witness it all. That was definitely the highlight - the highlight from two years with many, many memorable moments."

Eight-time Canadian time-trial champion Tuft again showed remarkable strength in a variety of roles.

He won the individual time-trial at the Tour of San Luis in Argentina and Tour of Slovenia before joining Durbridge in a record-breaking ride at the Duo Normand two-man team time-trial in France.

And he was hugely effective in OGE's Tour de France team time-trial triumph in Nice.

"Svein is one of the rocks in our team," White said.

"He's one of the most reliable guys we've got. He's a super teammate who is also very accomplished in his own right.

"It's great news that Sveino wants to retire with us. He's a big benefit to all the younger guys on the team - to everyone, for that matter."

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Watson still hoping to bowl in Test

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SHANE Watson managed six gentle deliveries at training yesterday, raising hopes that he may be able to bowl in the first Test, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba on Thursday.

However, his contribution with the ball will be so limited because of his latest hamstring drama, if it happens at all, spinner Nathan Lyon may be forced to sacrifice his own game and tie up an end.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

That Lyon is in the side at all is a show of faith from the selectors, which has not always been forthcoming given he was omitted at stages during Australia's most recent series in India and England this year.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris claimed that Watson was going well with his rehab.

"He did a little bit of bowling today, so that's in the infancy, but he's going well at the moment," Kountouris said.

"Obviously the Test is a long game, so we're building him up to bowl whenever he's ready to go.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"So if it's this Test, that's great. If it's a bit longer, then that's how it's going to be."

Michael Clarke is an attacking captain who likes to use his spinners in that vein.

However, Lyon can see occasions where that may not be possible.

"If it's turning a lot I'll be a more attacking bowling, but if it's not turning as much and if it's seaming I might be thrown the ball to do a containing-and-holding role so we can rotate our fast men for the other end and try to create some pressure," Lyon said.

"I'm happy to do whatever role it takes for Australia to win a Test match. I'm all for the team, I don't care who's taking the wickets.

"If Ryan Harris takes five and six wickets, I take none for the game and we win the Test match, I'm over the moon. I'm happy with whatever role Michael Clarke comes up with, and hopefully I'll be able to take that and help get wickets from both ends."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

While all the talk at the Gabba is of fast bowlers, Lyon has a good record there, claiming 11 wickets in two Tests at just 24 apiece.

He is one of just three off-spinners who have taken more than eight wickets at the ground in their career.

The others are former West Indian world record wickets holder Lance Gibbs (14) and former Australian captain Ian Johnson (12).

"I really enjoy bowling at the Gabba, you are able to get a lot more bounce compared to other pitches around the country," Lyon said.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Link reaction took a bit of time

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie says it took days for him to establish the facts of the alcohol-fuelled night out by his players in Dublin last week, so he could not have suspended them from last week's Test against Ireland.

McKenzie held a press conference at the Wallabies' Edinburgh hotel on Monday to explain his reasons for suspending six players for one match each, and officially warning nine others.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Five players; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Liam Gill, will miss this week's Test against Scotland while Paddy Ryan will miss next week's Test against Wales.

Immediately questions were raised about why McKenzie did not stand the players down from last week's Test against Ireland, which is generally considered a tougher challenge than this weekend's match against the Scots.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"When I was confronted with a number of names, I spent all Thursday and Friday establishing the facts and details," McKenzie said.

"I tried to work out where I would go.

"I delayed the decision because I had so many people to speak to.

"In this process I have got to be fair and just, I believe we have been.

"If I could have acted quicker, I would have.

"This sort of stuff is a massive distraction, I have spent far too long on this."

The players went out in separate groups for dinner, and some then decided to carry on at other bars, not returning to the team hotel until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

McKenzie said there were no public complaints made about their behaviour during the night, but expressed frustration with the wayward players after having spoken to them about off-field expectations the week before they arrived in Dublin.

Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga'a, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps have been given written warnings, while Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White received verbal warnings from McKenzie.

Wallabeers: six of the best banned for a Test, nine more disciplined following boozy night out

"I am disappointed in all of them, I don't think I've lacked clarity," McKenzie said.

"I made it clear to individuals about what is acceptable.

"It was a bad night for us, a bunch of bad decisions were made.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"The guys can have a glass of wine with dinner, that's always been the case.

"Some players made the decision the dinner would go on a lot longer, and involve a few more drinks.

"We were unhappy with the decision-making of some of our players.

"There is nothing sinister [about the night out], this is us judging ourselves.

"The decisions were poor and not in keeping with the focus of the team.

"We're in the business of developing a successful team for a long while.

"The easiest thing in this situation is to do nothing, I've been involved in sport for a long time, but to do nothing will give us mediocrity."

McKenzie is attempting to reform the culture of a side that has won just five Tests all year, and fallen from No.2 to No.4 in the world rankings in the past 12 months.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More