Marathon man Broxham’s timely break

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JUST about the only way you can get Leigh Broxham to take a break is a suspension.

The Melbourne Victory vice-captain will miss Saturday night's AAMI Park clash with Sydney FC after receiving his eighth yellow card of the season in the 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at the weekend.

But no one could begrudge the 26-year-old a rest as he has been Victory's marathon man for the past month.

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Broxham played a staggering 687 minutes in the space of 29 days as Victory contested eight games between February 22 (against Adelaide) and March 22 (against Roar).

The only minutes for which he was sidelined came in last Tuesday's Asian Champions League win against Yokohama F. Marinos, when he was substituted in the 57th minute for Mark Milligan.

Milligan, Victory's captain, is another who has had a power of work of late.

Not only has he been involved in four A-League games and three Champions League games for a total of 573 minutes, he flew to London to play for the Socceroos in the March 6 friendly against Ecuador. He played 90 minutes that night, too.

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All the while Milligan has nursed a suspect knee, surgery on which sidelined him for the best part of a month this year.

In all, Victory has six players who have played more than 500 minutes in its past eight games: Broxham, Milligan, James Troisi, Lawrence ­Thomas, Archie Thompson and Jason Geria.

Only Broxham, Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses (463 minutes) featured in all eight games, which featured trips to China, Perth and Brisbane.

With no Champions League game this week, coach Kevin Muscat said his players would enjoy a few days to recover.

"It's been a hard slog," he said. "I think we've embraced playing in the Asian Champions League and our A-League form has been good. It'll be nice now to try and freshen the boys up."

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Proof referees gave Eels a raw deal

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THESE are the crystal clear images which prove that Jarryd Hayne was right — Parramatta were robbed on Sunday.

The Eels coaching staff yesterday reviewed the controversial loss to Manly at Brookvale and found blatant inconsistencies from referees Jared Maxwell and Grant Atkins.

And the NRL has conceded that the two whistleblowers made mistakes.

Frustrated at losing 22-18 in the final 53 seconds, and having to overcome a 10-4 penalty count, Hayne exploded on the field at fulltime, describing the refereeing as "disgraceful".

The NRL yesterday resisted the temptation to fine Hayne $10,000. But Hayne had every right to be angry. The game was littered with refereeing inconsistencies.

In the seventh minute, Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi was penalised for a hand on the ball. But when Manly's Glenn Stewart and Dunamis Lui committed a similar indiscretion in the 29th minute, Parramatta didn't get a penalty. Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin also wasn't penalised for a hand on the ball in the 71st minute.

Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi is penalised for hand on ball. Source: Supplied

Manly's Matt Ballin is not penalised for hand on ball. Source: Supplied

It didn't get any better for Parramatta when it came to high shots.

Manly winger Cheyse Blair avoided a penalty despite a dubious tackle on Hayne in the 37th minute, but Eels winger Semi Rad­radra was penalised for a high shot on Daly Cherry-Evans near fulltime.

Parramatta's Semi Radradra is penalised for a high shot on Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans. Source: Supplied

Manly's Cheyse Blair's high shot on Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne not penalised Source: Supplied

Parramatta were also dudded in the play-the-ball. In the 27th minute, Eels forward David Gower was penalised, although Manly's Josh Starling avoided a penalty despite a dodgy play-the-ball in the seventh minute.

And Manly's James Hasson got away with a horrible play-the-ball in the 79th minute — seconds before Manly scored a late try to win.

Parramatta's David Gower is penalised for an incorrect play the ball Source: Supplied

Manly's Josh Starling is not penalised for an incorrect play the ball. Source: Supplied

"We were definitely disappointed with some of the decisions," Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said yesterday.

"At the end of the day, we need to be better ourselves and not use these things as an excuse if we lose a game.

"But some of the decisions — I'm not quite sure what they were about.''

Arthur contacted NRL referees elite performance manager Tony Archer to vent his frustration.

"I just asked him to explain what we are doing wrong," Arthur said.

Asked whether Manly received the "rub of the green", Arthur said: "Definitely. But the really good teams don't let these things affect them. But it definitely didn't help us."

The NRL reviewed Hayne's comments but didn't believe they were "excessive" or attacked the credibility of the referees.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said: "We are still finalising reviews of round three but across the opening rounds the quality of the football and the standard of the refereeing has been excellent.

"Our match officials make hundreds of decisions every match. They will make mistakes from time to time and there are some errors we have identified in this match.''

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Ronaldo dubbed ‘cry baby’

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CRISTIANO Ronaldo has sparked a storm of criticism for condemning the referee who awarded three penalties in Barcelona's dramatic win over Real Madrid.

Ronaldo said after the 4-3 Clasico defeat on Sunday night that referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco made "unbelievable" decisions and that unnamed forces wanted Barcelona in the title race.

Barcelona players said the comments by the world player of the year were unjustified. Sport newspaper called Ronaldo a "cry baby".

Lionel Messi scored three goals, two from penalties, in one of the most dramatic matches between the arch-rivals. The result took Barcelona just one point behind Real and Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish table.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (left) vies with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spanish league Clasico football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Picture: Curto de la Torre Source: AFP

Mallenco gave Madrid defender Sergio Ramos the 19th red card of his career and Ronaldo, who scored from a controversial penalty himself, blasted the referee.

"The decisions that the referee took, for me it was unbelievable," the Portuguese striker said.

"It makes you think that maybe they don't want Madrid to win this league. Or they don't want to completely rule out Barca, because if Barca had lost today they would have been dead."

"There were a lot of mistakes for just one game. A match between Real and Barca ought to have a high level of referee," added Ronaldo.

"You can't make correct decisions when you are nervous. It makes me think that it is not just on the field that you win games, a little help from outside helps too.

"My penalty might have been just outside the area, but there are many things that went on. It is difficult when many people didn't want us to win today."

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos after scoring during the Spanish league Clasico football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona. Picture: Pierre Source: AFP

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez said Ronaldo had "spoken too soon" and that the referee had been "fair". Gerard Pique also called on Ronaldo to stop "complaining".

Marca newspaper commentator Roberto Palomar said Ronaldo "ended up spewing stupidities in the press room. He can be forgiven for being who he is."

"As usual when they lose, Real Madrid's worst image returned," said Barcelona newspaper Sport. Ronaldo's criticism "showed once again that, when things don't go the way he wants, the arrogant, ill-humoured Cristiano reappears."

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Steyn’s class too much for NZ

South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn celebrates the wicket of New Zealand batsman Nathan McCullum. Picture: Prakash Singh/AFP Source: PRAKASH SINGH / AFP

JEAN-PAUL Duminy hit a fighting half-century and Dale Steyn took four wickets as South Africa recorded a thrilling two-run win over New Zealand at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong on Monday.

Duminy notched a 43-ball 86 to lift South Africa to 170-6, before Dale Steyn successfully defended seven runs in the final over to help the team win their first match in Group One of Super-10 stage.

With three runs needed off the last delivery, Ross Taylor, who made 62, played straight into the hands of Steyn, who ran him out at the non-striker end to spark a South African celebration at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

New Zealand finished at 168-2 in their 20 overs.

It was a much-needed win for South Africa, who lost their opening match to Sri Lanka by five runs on Saturday.

Opener Kane Williamson (51) and Martin Guptill (22) put New Zealand on the right path for the chase with a brisk 57 for the opening wicket.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson acknowledges the crowd after scoring a half century. Picture: A.M. Ahad/AP Source: AP

Williamson, who hit five fours and two sixes off 35 balls, added another 51 for the third wicket with Taylor after Brendon McCullum was out for just four.

Taylor, whose runs came off 37 balls with four boundaries, smashed three sixes off one Morne Morkel over to bring New Zealand within 37 runs to get in the last five overs.

Steyn conceded just eight in the 18th over, and had Corey Anderson caught for his 50th Twenty20 wicket, then wrapped up the match in his next over.

Earlier, Duminy hit ten boundaries and three sixes while Hashim Amla made a resolute 41 to guide South African, who were put in to bat.

South Africa's start wasn't ideal as they lost opener Quinton de Kock (four), Faf du Plessis (13) and AB de Villiers (five) inside seven overs with the score at 42.

It was Amla and Duminy who steadied the innings during their 55-run fourth wicket stand to give some respectability to the total.

South Africa celebrate their win over New Zealand. Picture: A.M. Ahad/AP Source: AP

Amla was finally out in the 14th over, as his drive hit the non-striker batsman Duminy's bat and looped in the air for Corey Anderson to take the catch off his own bowling.

Anderson was the best New Zealand bowler with 2-28.

South Africa were lucky to get their captain du Plessis back after he missed the first match.

He replaced Farhaan Behardien in the team while New Zealand remained unchanged from the side which beat England via Duckworth-Lewis method.

Sri Lanka face the Netherlands in the second match Monday.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-finals.

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Arteta: Arsenal ‘embarrassing’

Chelsea's Eden Hazard, left, vies for the ball with with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, centre, and Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge stadium. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

ARSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta issued a public apology on Monday for the Gunners' "unacceptable'' and "embarrassing'' 6-0 thrashing by Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend.

Saturday's crushing London derby loss at Stamford Bridge was a humiliating way for Arsenal to mark Arsene Wenger's 1000th match as their manager and left them in fourth place, seven points adrift of Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand on the table-toppers.

Defeat at Stamford Bridge was Arsenal's third huge away loss to one of their title rivals this season after a 5-1 reverse at Liverpool and a 6-3 humbling at Manchester City.

Arsenal were overwhelmed by Chelsea's pace and power, falling 3-0 behind inside 17 minutes and playing most of the match a man down after Kieran Gibbs was mistakenly sent off in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar (left) scores his team's fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Glyn Kirk Source: AFP

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Arteta said the Gunners were "just not good enough'' but promised an improved performance at home to top-flight strugglers Swansea on Tuesday.

"We paid for our own mistakes. We have to take it on the chin because it is unacceptable to lose another big game like this,'' Arteta told Arsenal Media.

"You cannot only just move on, you have to analyse what you have done and react. I am expecting a big reaction on Tuesday (because) Saturday was not good enough for this football club

"The good thing is we have a lot of things to play for and we have always reacted to disappointments and difficult moments, but this one is a really hard one to take, it was a massive game for us and for me it is unacceptable.

"The pressure we put on ourselves by losing games like that is massive and there is no need for it.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dives in the goal mouth after deflecting a shot on goal from Chelsea's Oscar, left. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: AP

"We just disrupted the good season we were having. I don't know what else to say apart from sorry to everyone at the club, the fans, and we promise that we will try hard to put that right.''

Arteta added: ``It hurts deeply inside. It is embarrassing to be on a football pitch in that situation.

"Psychologically it is really hard, and when you go through that you analyse it and you know you don't want to be in that situation again.

"I promise everyone that we have that hunger to put it right. On Tuesday, we have an opportunity again at home and we just need to bounce back.''

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Gus fish and chip shop mystery solved

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THE great Phillip Ronald Gould fish and chip shop mystery has been solved.

The Panthers general manager and Channel Nine commentator took to Twitter on Monday to explain why he wasn't watching Penrith on TV against Melbourne Storm.

The Sunday Telegraph spotted the great man at Port Hacking Seafoods while his team was involved in a nail-biter.

Phil Gould in the commentary box with a carton of hot chips in front of him. Source: News Limited

"Fierce electrical storm caused blackout in my suburb approx 5pm Saturday," Gus tweeted.

"No TV, so I followed 5.30pm Panther game on ABC radio with great David Morrow.

"Unable to cook evening meal, approx 6.30pm wife asked me to get dinner for kids. She must be obeyed.

"Found fish shop with power to cook. Followed scores on mobile. Nail-biting.

"Thankfully power restored while I was gone. Finally got to watch Panther replay Sunday morning before flying to Gold Coast.

"Panthers were great. Hope mystery now solved."

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Irish eyes smiling at World T20

Ireland's Andy McBrine, right, celebrates with Gary Wilson after taking a wicket. Source: A.M. Ahad / AP

OPENER Paul Stirling smashed 60 off 34 balls to set Ireland up for a last-ball victory over Zimbabwe in their first-round match in the World Twenty20 championship on Monday.

Stirling's fifth Twenty20 half-century, including nine fours and a six, helped Ireland to a three-wicket victory on St Patrick's Day at the Sylhet stadium.

Ireland needed four runs off the last over but lost Ed Joyce (22) and Max Sorensen, run out without scoring, before winning through a bye off the last ball of the over — bowled by paceman Tinashe Panyangara who finished with 4-37.

Stirling and skipper William Porterfield, who scored a 23-ball 31 with three fours and a six, had given Ireland a fiery 80-run start in 8.2 overs as their run chase began confidently.

A ruthless Stirling hit paceman Panyangara for four boundaries in one over before he fell with the total on 100.

Ireland batsman Paul Stirling plays a shot as Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor watches. Source: AP

Ireland then lost three quick wickets to Panyangara, including that of hard-hitting Kevin O'Brien (17), before their last-gasp victory.

Zimbabwe earlier owed their total to a solid 46-ball 59 by Brendan Taylor. The Zimbabwe skipper hit six boundaries and two towering sixes, while Elton Chigumbura made 22 and Hamilton Masakadza scored 21.

But spinners George Dockrell (2-18) and debutant Andy McBrine (2-26) restricted Zimbabwe to 163-5 in their 20 overs.

The Group B defeat has put Zimbabwe in a tight corner as only one team will go on from each of the two Groups into the Super-10 stage.

Hosts Bangladesh beat Afghanistan and debutant Nepal downed Hong Kong in Group A matches on the opening day of the World Twenty20 on Sunday.

The two top teams from each Group will join the top eight seeds in the Super-10 stage, starting from March 21.

The final is on April 6 in Dhaka.

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Brooks to be tested by Burgess boys

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HE is the most hyped rugby league rookie to emerge in years — but this Friday night little Luke Brooks will face his biggest test.

In just his fourth top grade game, the 19-year-old Wests Tigers protégé will tackle what is undoubtedly the most daunting challenge in the NRL that comes in the shape of the Burgess brothers.

Between them, big Sam, George and Luke weigh in at a combined 348kg, and no doubt the giant Rabbitohs will run out onto ANZ Stadium with the intention of making sure the 85kg playmaker never forgets his first Friday night NRL game that will be televised live on Channel Nine.

Asked if he expects Brooks to be targeted by the Rabbitohs' big men, Tigers coach Mick Potter said last night: "You will have to speak to Michael Maguire but you'd assume they will send some traffic at him".

The Burgess brothers with mother Julie after a game against West Tigers at Allianz Stadium last year. Source: News Limited

But while careful not to put too much pressure on his young gun, Potter is confident Brooks has the right attitude to handle all the attention that is coming his way.

On and off the field.

"You get what you see with him," Potter said.

"He doesn't say much. He seems quite grounded.

"He has a good family behind him which is a steadying influence."

Already Brooks is being compared to the game's greatest ever player Andrew Johns and even rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis was blown away by the similarities when he watched Brooks star in the Tigers' win over the Titans on the Gold Coast last Sunday.

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Brooks was man of the match in his debut at the end of last season against St George Illawarra but was given a reality check in round one when he fronted up to the Dragons for the second time and missed 10 tackles in the 44-24 defeat.

But he bounced back against the Titans with a performance that had everyone believing that a very special talent has arrived at the Tigers.

As for the comparisons with Johns, Potter said he just hopes everyone gives the kid time to become his own man.

Brooks races through to touch the ball down in-goal after a kick from James Tedesco. Source: News Corp Australia

"He is progressing, we just need to be patient," Potter said.

"Everyone is mentioning other people's names.

"I'd rather him just be Luke Brooks and not compare him to anyone else.

"Just let him be his own player.

"He is three games into his NRL career.

"It is a different time for him compared to other players in the past.

"I don't think it is right comparing.

"It is not the same era, it is not the same defence, it is not the same attack.

Brooks (R) is congratulated by Braith Anasta after scoring against the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"I suppose what hasn't changed is the size of the field."

But the size of the players certainly has.

"That's right," Potter added, "and the athleticism of the guys has changed which makes it that much harder for the player's to cope.

"He has a lot more to come at him and he has to handle it the best way he can.

"I thought he had a real good response (after the round one loss to the Dragons) in round two.

"Everyone is after improvement all the time and I think he showed that (against the Gold Coast).

"This will be another challenge against Souths.

"It's a hard position to play week in, week out, but I think he quite enjoys the challenge."

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DNA secrets helping athletes improve

New info ... Jenny Meadows is using a revolutionary DNA test designed to prevent injury and improve her performance ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Source: David J. Phillip / AP

BRITISH runner Jenny Meadows is using a revolutionary DNA test designed to prevent injury and improve her performance ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The test is a brainchild of London-based company DNAFit, which obtains genetic profiles — using a simple mouth swab — to identify genes that make athletes prone to certain injuries. It can also ensure they can tailor a program of training and nutrition to fit their DNA.

Meadows, a world indoor silver medallist in the 800 metres in 2010, became the first athlete to publicly reveal the secrets of her DNA on Monday.

"I only wish I'd had this information years ago,'' said Meadows, who has discovered she has the gene that makes her prone to the kind of tendon injuries that forced her to miss the London Olympics in 2012.

"To get to the top as an athlete, it takes a combination of hard work, luck and timing. But if I'd have known what my genetic strengths and weaknesses I could have trained more effectively.''

Dr Keith Grimaldi, DNAFit's chief scientific officer, said two Premier League teams and another leading club in Europe have also commissioned genetic profiles of their players. He said they can't be named for confidentiality reasons.

"The idea of having knowledge of genetic variation is such that we can give personalised advice on training programs and nutrition and also give an idea of any increased risk of tendon injury, if there is any, so that preventative measures can be taken,'' Grimaldi said.

The DNA test revealed to Meadows that she has an even split of power and endurance, making her ideally suited for 800 metres instead of 400 metres, and that the potential of her sustaining a sports-related soft-tissue injury was high, causing her to make changes to her training schedules that included reducing her running sessions and doing more cardio work on a bike. It also told her that her recovery times were quicker than average.

In winning the 800 at a meet in Prague last month in 2 minutes, 1.67 seconds, she is among the top six in the world this year and could be one of the favourites for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"The real eye opener has been the prediction that I have a high risk of potential sports injury,'' she said. "This is the biggest fear for any athlete wanting to excel at their sport.''

Dr Grimaldi said the test — it takes two weeks from taking the mouth swab to getting the results — could help football teams going to the World Cup know which players are more at risk of sunstroke or sunburn, for example.

"What we are trying to emphasise is that the genetic variants are very common,'' Dr Grimaldi said. "There's no hint of any bad news in the results. The only thing you can get out of the result is useful and important to know.''

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Malaysia F1 race going ahead

The festivities surrounding this year's Malaysian Grand Prix will be more subdued. Source: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

MALAYSIA'S Grand Prix will go ahead as planned this month despite the national crisis over a missing airliner, but proceedings will be more subdued out of respect, the organiser said Monday.

"Whatever it is, Formula One will go on and the concert after that will proceed but we will be sensitive and not go overboard," said Razlan Razali, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit where the annual race and subsequent musical extravaganza are held.

The race is set for March 30.

The Sepang circuit is next to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, from where Malaysian authorities are coordinating an international effort to find missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.

Cambodian residents of a community light candles as they pray for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight. Source: AFP

The plane disappeared early in the morning of March 8 with 239 passengers and crew aboard, spawning a massive international search across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean that has so far turned up no trace of wreckage from the Boeing 777.

Malaysia Airlines also has housed anxious relatives of passengers in a pair of hotels not far from the airport as they await news.

"People are not in the mood for an event like this. Everywhere, be it on radio, newspaper, TV or social media, it is all about finding MH370," Mr Razlan said.

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