Month: September 2019

Tatafu Polota-Nau is enjoying life in Perth as the veteran hooker prepares for a new beginning with the Western Force.

Polota-Nau who has played 68 Tests for the Wallabies joins the Western Australian outfit from the NSW Waratahs whom he has played for since 2006, before playing at the Brumbies.

It is understood the injury plagued Polota-Nau turned down numerous offers from overseas clubs in order to sign with the Force in order for more playing opportunities with the Wallabies.

“I definitely needed a sea change to shake things up but more importantly with the move this will not deter me from trying to be the best that I can be,” Polota-Nau said.

“I’ll be trying to put my best foot forward for the Force this year, I have a really good feeling this year, there have been a lot of young guys that have been training the house down. I have a really good feeling for this year.”

“The most impressive factor for me since being at the Force this year has been the intensity at training. It’s something that I am used to at the Wallabies but to have this at the Force level is really impressive.”

Polota-Nau has relished the new move and can’t see himself leaving the West coast anytime soon.

“On my first weekend off training, I took the car down to Rockingham, it was a very nice serene, family-orientated area.”

“I absolutely loved it and I’m sorry to say Sydney but Perth has got me and I can see myself living over here after my career.”

In other news for the Western Force, former Australian Under 20s representative Alex Newsome has signed a one-year deal with the club for 2017.

The outside back had a strong season for the NSW Country Eagles in the NRC competition last year and will be hoping to make his Super Rugby debut in the new year.

The Western Force kick off their Super Rugby home campaign against the Queensland Reds on the 2nd March. Memberships can be found at www.westernforce.com.au

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Super Rugby fans should look out for a leaner, meaner Henry Speight this Super Rugby season.

Ex-Wallaby Andrew Walker has linked up with the Brumbies as a Tens wildcard and when asked by RUGBY.com.au which Brumbies player had caught his eye, he was quick to nominate the winger.

“There’s one bloke who’s really looking fit and mean and that’s Speighty,” he said.

“He’s looking pretty quick at the moment.”

Speight has battled with injury in recent seasons and a knee problem curtailed his 2016, while he juggled Sevens and Super Rugby commitments, but Walker said there was none of that this time around.

“He’s had his troubles on fitness but I think he’s looking very healthy this time around and hopefully [he’ll have] no injuries and he’ll go well,” he said.

Speight is one of the few older heads in the Brumbies squad or 2017 and Walker said you could see his maturity growing with that responsibility .

“But the boys are up to that challenge and they’ve got a couple of older blokes like Benny Alexander and ‘Speighty’ and a few others and hopefully they can just gel together.

“Down in Canberra, they should gel together because they’re so close.”

Walker said he would be happy to play second fiddle to the current players.

He couldn’t resist giving coach and fellow wildcard Stephen Larkham a wrap ahead of the tournament, though.

“He’s looking good – he’ll be playing the whole three games,” he joked.

Brisbane-based Walker is a big advocate of the Tens format, which has been played out in other countries in recent years, and endorsed the Suncorp Stadium venue for this Australian tournament.

The Brumbies take on the Bulls and the Highlanders in their pool at the Tens, kicking off on Saturday.

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Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio will have their first chance to start together on Saturday night,  with loosehead prop hoping it one day happens in gold.

The childhood friends were competing for a loosehead spot this time last year, before Alaalatoa made the switch to the tighthead side.

“I’ve been trying to tell him, ‘hurry up and go over to the loosehead side, you’re putting too much pressure on me at loosehead’ but it’s great,” he laughed.

“I think he’s had a great start to the season and showing his stripes at tighthead there and locking down the scrum for us.”

Sio said it was a pairing that he would love to see translate into the Wallabies fold one day.

“For sure. You’ve got to set those goals as a rugby player and keep striving towards them,” he said.

“First step towards something like that starts this weekend and making sure we put in a good performance against a Reds front row who have been around a while.”

Both Sio and Alaalatoa learned plenty from former Brumbies captain Stephen Moore, one of the most influential figures in the Canberra forward pack as they were coming through.

They’ll have a chance to test those lessons against the man himself on Saturday night.

“I don’t know what his banter’s like at scrum time but I’ll throw a few jabs his way and see how he reacts,” he said.

“The referees already calling crouch, bind, set by the time we can say anything. See if I’ve got enough energy to throw a few jabs.

“I think I learned a lot ff him about the way to approach your preparation and how key it is during the week, making sure you get yourself ready and in the right mindset heading into a game.

“You can never count out his wealth of experience and how much he brings to a game in the crunch moments.”

Canberra will host the first major Wallabies catch up of the season following the match and it’s one Sio wants to be coming into with a smile on his face, but he’s not letting Test talk distract him.

“That’s (competition) there every year and I’ve learned to keep focusing on what I’m doing here and the rest of that will come,” he said.

The Brumbies host the Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO from 7:30pm.

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Injuries have left the Force with no choice but to reshuffle their side for a clash with the Lions this Saturday.

Star fullback Dane Haylett-Petty (hamstring) was ruled out earlier in the week, potentially racing the clock to even feature in the Wallabies’ June series, while a broken cheekbone has ended Luke Morahan’s chances of suiting up against the Lions.

Curtis Rona will switch back to the 13 spot, with Marcel Brache taking on Haylett-Petty’s fullback position.

Flyhalf Jono Lance has been left on the bench for the second week in a row, with Luke Burton starting at 10 against the 2016 finalists.

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In the forwards, Pek Cowan will start at loosehead ahead of Ben Daley, with Francois van Wyk left out of the 23, as U20s star Shambeckler Vui comes into the 23.

Force coach Dave Wessels said the South African team would be a major threat.

“The Lions are obviously a very well balanced side with the ability to mix up their attack,” he aid.

“They’ve been together a long time as a team and we’ll need to be at our best if we hope to break them down.”

Wessels called for Force fans to turn up again this week after a 14,089 crowd in Perth for their loss to the Chiefs.

“It meant so much to us to have so many of the Sea of Blue at nib Stadium last week and we look forward to seeing them again this Saturday,” he said.

The Force will take on the Lions on Saturday night, kicking off at 9:55pm AEST, 7:55pm AWST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via radio on RUGBY.com.au.

TEAM

IN: Shambeckler Vui,James Verity-Amm, Peter Grant

OUT: Luke Morahan (cheekbone), Dane Haylett-Petty (hamstring), Francois van Wyk

Force to take on the Lions

1. Pek Cowan

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau

3. Tetera Faulkner

4. Lewis Carmichael

5. Ross Haylett-Petty

6. Brynard Stander

7. Matt Hodgson (C)

8. Isi Naisarani

9. Ian Prior

10. Luke Burton

11. Alex Newsome

12. Bill Meakes

13. Curtis Rona

14. James Verity-Amm

15. Marcel Brache

Reserves

16. Heath Tessmann (VC)

17. Ben Daley

18. Shambeckler Vui

19. Onehunga Havilli

20. Richard Hardwick

21. Mitch Short

22. Jono Lance

23. Peter Grant

Dave Wessels has made six changes to the starting XV which shocked the Jaguares for the Force’s clash with the Highlanders.

The changes are headlined by a completely new front row to tackle the Highlanders scrum on Saturday night.

Pek Cowan, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Jermaine Ainsley are all back in the side in place of Francois Van Wyk, Heath Tessman and Tetera Faulkner, respectively.

Brynard Stander comes in at openside flanker for Onehunga Havili, with Peter Grant starting at flyhalf in place of the injured Jono Lance.With Grant shifting from fullback, Luke Morahan returns to the back after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Lock Matt Philip returns to the bench from an injured foot, as does halfback Michael Ruru, who has recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in round seven.

Bill Meakes will captain what looks to be the strongest Force starting XV in many weeks.

TEAM

Force team to face Highlanders

1. Pek Cowan

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau

3. Jermaine Ainsley

4. Richie Arnold

5. Adam Coleman

6. Ross Haylett-Petty

7. Brynard Stander

8. Richard Hardwick

9. Ian Prior

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10. Peter Grant

11. Alex Newsome

12. Bill Meakes (C)

13. Curtis Rona

14. Semisi Masirewa

15. Luke Morahan

Reserves

16. Anaru Rangi

17. Francois van Wyk

18. Tetera Faulkner

19. Matt Philip

20. Lewis Carmichael

21. Isireli Naisarani

22. Michael Ruru

23. James Verity-Amm

The international manager of a flying forward believes the Red Devils star is finally back to his best following a tough spell under Jose Mourinho

France manager Didier Deschamps has heaped praise on Anthony Martial for returning to a “very, very good level” for Manchester United following a strained relationship with Jose Mourinho.

Martial has returned to form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival in the Old Trafford dugout, scoring two goals and assisting another in his last four appearances while also penning a new long-term contract.

The 23-year-old has played a pivotal role in the Red Devils’ revival under Solskjaer, with the Manchester club now winning 11 of their 13 games under his management.

On the international scene, Martial also now seems to be impressing his France coach and could be set for a recall to the squad.

Deschamps decided to leave the forward at home during France’s World Cup triumph in Russia last summer, but has praised his recent form for his club side.

“It’s always difficult to know what can happen but all players can have a period when they are less successful on the pitch,” Deschamps said at Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.

“It’s certainly related to confidence, it can be related to the relationship they have with their coach. It happens every season, for all players.

“Anthony Martial is back at a very, very good level.”

The France manager also hinted the United star could be back on the international scene if he keeps up his consistent performances.

“He’s often decisive. He had some physical problems too,” Deschamps added. “He is a player who was with us at Euro 2016, he was not there for the World Cup but he is one of the players we regularly follow.

“He is a young player who is gaining maturity also because he started very early in Manchester United and with the French national team too.

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“There are always difficult moments but in terms of potential, he has everything you need to be at the highest level.”

United’s next fixture is against Liverpool on Sunday, but Martial faces a race against time to be fit for the clash following his injury in the club’s recent 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

The forward had to be substituted off after 45 minutes with a groin injury, with Solskjaer admitting at the time he could be out for “two to three weeks”.

Following United’s clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side, they then face Crystal Palace on February 27.

Manchester City were the favourites to win Europe’s top prize ahead of the round of 16, but in the eyes of their manager they are still someway off

Pep Guardiola warned Manchester City cannot expect to win the Champions League if they gift their opponents goals as they did in their dramatic 3-2 win over Schalke.

City claimed a first-leg advantage in their round-of-16 tie in Germany, though only after substitute Leroy Sane’s 85th-minute equaliser was followed by Raheem Sterling’s 90th-minute winner.

Schalke had fallen behind to Sergio Aguero’s opener, yet entered the interval 2-1 ahead thanks to a pair of Nabil Bentaleb penalties, awarded for a handball against Nicolas Otamendi and a foul by Fernandinho.

Otamendi then picked up a second caution after the break for an ill-timed trip of Guido Burgstaller, and Guardiola admitted City could consider themselves fortunate to emerge with a first-leg lead.

“The result is incredibly good, three goals away is good,” he told a post-match news conference.

“We gave [Schalke] the first goal, we gave the second goal and we gave the red card. In that level, still we are not ready to fight for the Champions League, but the result is good.

“I know how difficult it is to play in Germany. They didn’t shoot one shot on target [apart from the penalties] but they scored two goals.

“[After] the red card, the last 15, 20 minutes, maybe they push more and score the third and the fourth and you are out.

“The result is good, [the tie] is not over. Hopefully our fans can help us in the second leg and hopefully we can improve for the future.”

Guardiola insisted the final result, and City’s response to their difficult spells in the match, pleased him.

Yet he reiterated their lapses of concentration could prove their downfall in the latter stages of the competition.

Guardiola added: “The way we played, the way we started, the way we finished, the way we reacted 10 against 11, the way we reacted at half-time, 2-1 [down], in the second half we played incredibly good.

“I’m more than delighted, but it’s not enough in this competition.

“When it happens in other stages, it’s over.”

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A depleted Manchester United could only draw at Old Trafford, but it allowed the club’s manager to notch another accomplishment

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set a new record points haul for a manager in their first 10 Premier League matches after Manchester United’s 0-0 home draw with Liverpool took him on to 26.

Solskjaer became United’s interim manager in December, replacing Jose Mourinho after a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

The Norwegian swiftly instilled a more attack-minded approach and United have remained unbeaten in the Premier League since he took over.

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Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Liverpool is only the second time they have dropped points in the league under Solskjaer – the other being against Burnley at Old Trafford, when United came from two goals down to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.

The draw against Liverpool will certainly go down as a good result for United given the context, as the hosts lost Nemanja Matic to injury in the build-up, before also seeing Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all forced off in the first half.

Marcus Rashford also struggled for most of the match with a knock sustained early on.

Solskjaer overtakes Guus Hiddink, formerly of Chelsea, for the most points won by a manager in their first 10 Premier League games – the Dutchman having taken 25.

The fixture also saw David de Gea keep a clean sheet for the 100th time in the Premier League, making him the second goalkeeper to do so for United after Peter Schmeichel.

Untied are back in action on Wednesday as they take on Crystal Palace in a midweek Premier League tie at Selhurst Park. 

The Atletico Madrid boss turned around to the crowd and grabbed his crotch as his side celebrated their goal against Juventus

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been charged with improper conduct by UEFA following an incident during the 2-0 Champions League win over Juventus.

UEFA did not confirm what action Simeone is being charged in connection with, but Omnisport understands it relates to the Argentine celebrating Atleti’s opener by clutching his crotch while gesticulating to the crowd.

Simeone attracted criticism from some for the gesture but he apologised after the match, explaining it was directed at Atletico fans, showing them “that we have cojones”.

“To start [Diego] Costa and Koke after they hadn’t played for a month takes balls,” he added.

The Argentine admitted that it is not the first time he has performed such a celebration, telling Sky Sport Italia:  “I did it as a player in Lazio vs Bologna and I did it again to show our fans that we have cojones. It wasn’t aimed at the other team, I was turning towards our own supporters.

“It’s not a nice gesture, I’ll admit, but I felt the need to do it. It was such a tough game, we fought so hard and Diego Costa worked really hard when he wasn’t 100 per cent fit. I had to show what I was feeling.

“I can only apologise if anyone was offended, but I did it from the heart.”

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Atletico appeared to be heading for a 0-0 draw in Wednesday’s round-of-16 first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, before Jose Gimenez’s 78th-minute goal inspired a 2-0 win that was capped off by Diego Godin.

UEFA has also charged Atleti with blocking stairways and the throwing of objects, while Juve are in hot water for a late kick-off.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri also has to answer a specific charge himself in relation to the delayed start of the match.

The cases will be dealt with by UEFA on a date yet to be confirmed.

Atletico will face Juventus in Turin for the second-leg of their last-16 tie on March 12.

The goalkeeper says he wasn’t trying to undermine his manager in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final

Kepa Arrizabalaga has come out to explain his on-pitch row with Maurizio Sarri in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, which threatened to overshadow Chelsea’s penalty shootout defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side.

The £71 million summer signing was involved in the incident at the end of extra time, where Willy Caballero was set to come on after Arrizabalaga went down injured with cramp.

Sarri has described the incident as a “misunderstanding” in his post-match press conference but he was seen to be seething on the final whistle and he had to be held back Antonio Rudiger at Wembley Stadium, when confronting his goalkeeper.

Arrizabalaga moved to assure fans that he maintains a good relationship with his manager and addressed the incident after the match.

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