Sky Blues lose despite ADP stunner

Crestfallen ... Alessandro Del Piero's stunning strike wasn't enough for Sydney FC. Source: News Limited

Alessandro Del Piero produced a 27-metre wonderstrike but it wasn't enough as Sydney FC crashed to a 2-1 defeat to A-League strugglers Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic could only watch on in amazement as Del Piero produced a trademark thunderbolt in the 28th minute to level the score at 1-1 following Chris Harold's earlier strike.

But Shane Smeltz's 34th-minute volley was enough for Perth to secure all three points, lifting the Glory back within three points of sixth spot.

Sydney, who ended the match with 10 men after Fabio received his second yellow card of the night in the 56th minute, face a major battle to secure a finals spot following back-to-back losses.

With four rounds remaining, Sydney remain one point adrift of sixth spot.peBut with tough games against Central

Coast, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney and Brisbane in the run home, Sydney must rediscover their mojo if they are to make a late charge into the top-six.

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Re-live all the action from the nib Stadium clash, including video of the Italian maestro's stunner, at our A-League Match Centre.

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Glory midfielder Daniel De Silva, who turns 16 next Wednesday, became the second youngest debutant in A-League history when he came on as a 62nd-minute substitute.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	23	15	2	6	14	47
2	Central Coast	23	13	6	4	24	45
3	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Newcastle	23	8	6	9	-6	30
6	Brisbane	23	8	4	11	1	28
7	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
8	Sydney	23	8	3	12	-10	27
9	Perth	23	7	4	12	-3	25
10	Wellington	23	5	6	12	-18	21

De Silva, who signed a two-year deal with the club last week, provided the Glory with plenty of energy, and displayed enough talent to justify his tag of being a star in the making.

Glory, who entered the match without Jacob Burns (back), Travis Dodd (calf) and Nick Ward (quad), were dealt a further blow when defender Steve Pantelidis was forced off late in the first half with an ankle injury.

There were chances galore in the first half, and it was Glory winger Harold who struck first in the 19th minute after a neat midfield run from Liam Miller.

Del Piero was a menace from the outset, and the Italian great made Glory pay when he was afforded too much space in the 28th minute.

Vukovic hardly moved as Del Piero's swerving strike hit the top corner, but Perth were back in the lead when Smeltz side-footed home a dangerous cross from Scott Jamieson.

Although Vukovic could do little to stop Del Piero's goal, he produced a series of sharp saves throughout the match.

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Aussie collapses put India in control

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Skipper ... Michael Clarke couldn't reach his century in Hyderabad. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Australia suffered two separate collapses as they crumbled for 9-237 declared on day one of the second Test against India in Hyderabad.

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And not surprisingly it was skipper Michael Clarke who stood tall among the ruins.

Clarke top-scored with 91 and was ninth man out at 236 before making the bold decision to declare with one wicket in hand and bowl three overs at the home side before stumps.

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India reached no wicket for five.

With only No.10 James Pattinson and No.11 Xavier Doherty left, Clarke had hit out on 91 and was bowled by spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3-33), falling nine runs shy of his 10th hundred in 23 Tests as captain.

2nd Test - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

2 March 2013 - Day 1, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Vijay	0	12	0	0	0
V. Sehwag	4	6	1	0	66.67
J. Pattinson	2	1	1	0	0.50

Clarke and Don Bradman (101.51) are the only two players in cricket history to have led a side for more than 20 Tests and averaged over 70 as skipper.

Matthew Wade, batting with a fractured cheekbone following a training accident on Friday, played a crucial knock of 62 after Australia had chosen to bat and lost their first four wickets for 63 runs.

The No.6 batsman and wicketkeeper shared a partnership of 145 with Clarke, which is a record for the fifth wicket for Australia in India.

Wade said it was disappointing to fall away after he and Clarke had rebuilt the innings.

"It would have been nice to get a few more runs going down the order today,'' Wade said.

"But Moises played out of his skin in the last Test match (with two half-centuries on debut) and it was Maxie's first game.

"It was disappointing in the last session, how we fell away.''

Australia's top order fell cheaply on a pitch showing early signs of variable bounce.

Paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-53) dismissed David Warner (six), Ed Cowan (four) and and Shane Watson (23) and Phil Hughes (19) was caught behind to spinner Ravi Ashwin.

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Relive all the day one highlights from Hyderabad with our Test Cricket Match Centre, featuring all the stats and ball-by-ball commentary.

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Clarke and Wade went to lunch at 4-83 and added 104 without loss in the middle session.

Wade threw his head back in disgust after slicing a wide ball from spinner Harbhajan Singh to point where he was caught by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 5-208 after tea.

The dismissal of Wade triggered a collapse of 5-28.

Moises Henriques, the allrounder who scored two half-centuries in his debut in the first Test in Chennai, was bowled by Jadeja for five.

Debutant Glenn Maxwell was caught behind to Jadeja for 13 at 7-233 and Peter Siddle was out for a duck three runs later with Clarke on 91.

Clarke hit nine fours and one six from 186 deliveries and was in fine touch following his century in the first Test in Chennai which India won by eight wickets.

Australia made two selection changes, recalling left-arm spinner Doherty and including Maxwell at the expense of offspinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc.

Wade remained confident his bowlers could still trouble India.

"These wickets are so different to what we're used to playing on,'' he said.

"If we bowl well enough tomorrow, we can definitely restrict India to under 230.''

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Lions pip Giants and Blues thrash Freo

Tom Rockliff ... celebrates the Brisbane Lions come from behind win over GWS. Source: Darren England / News Limited

The Brisbane Lions have come from behind to win by three points against a spirited Greater Western Sydney outfit to put themselves in the box seat for a pre-season Cup grand final berth, while Carlton have dominated Fremantle by 70 points.

0.3.2 (20)	Q1	1.2.2 (23)
1.8.3 (60)	Q2	1.5.7 (46)
1.10.7 (76)	Q3	1.9.12 (75)
2.12.7 (97)	Q4	1.12.19 (100)

Sam Frost 2	Aaron Cornelius 5
Jonathan Giles 2	Marco Paparone 2
Adam Treloar 2	Patrick Karnezis 1
Jeremy Cameron 1	Ryan Lester 1
Toby Greene 1	Sam Michael 1
Anthony Miles 1	Tom Rockliff 1
Jonathon Patton 1	Dayne Zorko 1
Devon Smith 1
Liam Sumner 1
Callan Ward 1

The topsy-turvy battle in front of a crowd of 7,068 at Robertson Oval, Wagga, saw the lead change hands several times in the second half, with Brisbane eventually winning 1.2.19 (100) to 2.12.7 (97).

The Lions blew several golden opportunities late in the final quarter, before a composed Sam Michael kicked the winning goal late in the match.

Aaron Cornelius went a long way to nailing down a permanent spot in the Lions line-up, scoring five goals and providing a reliable target up front despite the absence of co-captain Jonathan Brown.

Jed Adcock was solid as ever in his first game as captain for the Lions, however it was Patrick Karnezis (26 possessions) who was the big impress or for the Brisbane side.

Claye Beams (21 possessions) and Jack Redden (20 possessions) would have also given coach Michael Voss plenty to smile about.

Meanwhile Callan Ward and Lachie Whitfield were the best for the Giants, while Adam Treloar, Sam Frost and Jonathan Giles led the goal scoring for the Lions with two goals apiece.

The Giants bounced back from a narrow deficit at quarter time to lead by 14 points at the half time break courtesy of a Jeremy Cameron super-goal.

But the Lions bounced back immediately, scoring three goals within five minutes after the break.

The Lions had a golden opportunity to snatch a the lead late in the match, but Josh Green shanked the ball from right in front of the sticks.

It was looking like it would cost Brisbane the match until Michael got a last minute opportunity to redeem the visiting side.

The Giants 2011 No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton kicked his only goal of the match in the second minute of the game before hobbling off the field with a bad cork to the right leg midway through the second quarter.peThere were no reported injuries for the Lions.

The Giants travel to Canberra's Manuka Oval next Friday for a pre season Cup clash against Essendon while the Lions travel to Etihad stadium to take on Collingwood on Saturday night.

0.6.5 (41)	Q1	0.1.1 (7)
0.12.7 (79)	Q2	1.1.3 (18)
0.14.12 (96)	Q3	1.5.7 (46)
0.18.16 (124)	Q4	1.6.9 (54)

Eddie Betts 4	Matthew De Boer 2
Jefferey Garlett 3	David Mundy 2
Bryce Gibbs 2	Hayden Crozier 1
Mitch Robinson 2	Jonathon Griffin 1
Andrew Carrazzo 1	Garrick Ibbotson 1
Levi Casboult 1
Michael Jamison 1
Matthew Kreuzer 1
Marc Murphy 1
Andrew Walker 1
Simon White 1

Meanwhile Carlton have dominated their second-round pre-season Cup match against Fremantle, winning by 70 points at Etihad Stadium.

The Blues were never really challenged and won the match 0.18.16 (124) to Fremantle's 1.6.9.54.

Matthew Kruezer, working in combination Sam Rowe and Matthew Warnock, dominated the ruck and consistently gave their midfield control of the ball.

The Blues, under the influence of new coach Mick Malthouse, were kicking long into the forward line where they just had too many options for a stale Fremantle defence.

By the end of the match, Carlton had 11 goal kickers compared to just four for the Dockers.

Small forward Eddie Betts showed excellent early forming, kicking four early goals to help build Carlton's match-winning lead.

In a new role for Betts, Malthouse threw him into the midfield at times giving the Blues even more speed across the centre of the ground.

Jeff Garlett was also creative in the forward line, ending the night with three goals.

Levi Casboult was also impressive, showing himself to be a worthy marking target in the midfield.

When he didn't mark the ball, he put plenty of pressure on the defenders and brought it to the ground for the small forwards.

While the Blues looked sharp for a March hit-out, the Dockers looked underdone.

They made plenty of errors and coughed up the ball under pressure. Their decision-making was sloppy, often handballing to men under pressure and turning over the ball to their opponents.

The only real highlight for the Dockers was a super-goal from Garrick Ibbotson during the second quarter.

Both sides were without several of their most important stars for the pre-season match. Carlton was without former captain Chris Judd, Jarrad Waite, Brock McLean, Heath Scotland and Shaun Hampson.

Meanwhile, Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich, the injured ruckman Aaron Sandilands,Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne and Alex Silvagni were all out for the Dockers.

Still the Blues were getting were able to find run thought the likes of Mark Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Mitch Robinson.

By contrast, the bigger names of the Dockers, players like Hayden Ballantyne, Luke McPharlin and Nathan Fyfe could not get into the game.

New Docker and former Port Adelaide forward Danyle Pearce was a positive for his new club, one of the few Dockers to use the ball well through the match.

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'Shock, surprise at spin selection'

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Tough ... Moises Henriques surrounded by Indian fielders. Source: Craig Greenhill / News Limited

I'll be straight with you here. When I heard that Glenn Maxwell was making his test debut for Australia , I was surprised. No, I was shocked.

I then found out that Xavier Doherty was to be his spin brother for this game and I was shocked. No, I was surprised.

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No, I was scratching my head contemplating what on earth the selectors were thinking. From there, I fell into a state of catatonia and woke up sharing a cell with Randal Patrick McMurphy (Mac to his mates). This news was difficult to take.

But, with some well placed research, Glenn Maxwell is in fact the best performed domestic spinner on the current tour of India . This is more surprising than the fact that Virender Sehwag is slowly morphing into Mr Mole from Wind in the Willows.

Mr Mole ... or is it Virender Sehwag? Source: Supplied

Maxwell – 27 wickets @ 33
Lyon – 103 wickets @ 40
Doherty – 122 @ 44
Smith – 46 wickets @ 56 

These numbers are not pretty and suggest that those in charge of Australian cricket development are having some serious issues. Outside of this group, Steve O'Keefe is the unlucky man to be given a crack on the clay courts that are Indian surfaces.

O'Keefe 78 wickets @ 27

There are people with far greater credibility pushing young O'Keefe's cause. Stuart Macgill has made it well known around the traps that he thinks Xavier Doherty is not a Test match spinner. This has been well publicised and the point was further made by some skywriting over the city of Sydney . "X is a pie lobber and not a test match performer" Personally, I thought this was too much.

Of course, Maxwell and Doherty will get their respective opportunities in this current test and it is possible that they will prove their doubters wrong – but not likely. We've talked about this before.

Off-spinners that don't have a doosra, will not have major success at Test level. Lyon was slammed for his lack of variation in the first test and I thought this was unfair. What is an off-spinner meant to do if he can't take the ball away from the righties? Bowl a bumper? Try some underarm? Bowl with his opposite arm? Shoot the ball and a clown out of a cannon? He is an off-spin bowler that doesn't have the doozy. So is Maxwell. This means trouble.

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Doherty is a chance of success against the Indians because he takes the ball away from the right handers, of which India have a few. Jadeja bowled superbly for India today. His angles and subtleties through the air are what Doherty is capable of.

Keep in mind that the Indian team are phenomenal players of spin bowling and this is their home patch. This means further trouble.

Positives? How good does James Pattinson look?

His bowling action - for those that love bio-mechanics and good use of levers – is possibly the best I have seen. If he wasn't a cricketer, I have no doubt his physical attributes would carry him into an AFL team.

For the young people that read this, apologise to your parents for the fact that you are reading this and learnin bad grammar n that. Then, watch James Pattinson and attempt to emulate his bowling style. He is a jet and should be cloned. 

Michael Clarke is pure magic. I've talked about him before and how good he is. Seriously, as spectators, we are being treated to something memorable. Michael Clarke will be talked about in the same way that the Don is now.

I've heard people say "Is Don, is good" but this was not in reference to Don Bradman and has nothing to do with cricket at all. It does, however, have something to do with rolls of belgium and as a public school boy, the memories of belgium and sauce sandwiches are happy thoughts that make me smile.

If you too had a father that cared little for your dietary requirements, you will be smiling at the thought of a lettuce and vegemite or pickles and apricot jam sanga. Delish!!

The Australians were pretty unlucky on day one of this match. Eddie Cowan got a stinker. Watto got an old fashioned molly grubber and Davey Warner didn't quite make it to the toilet, leaving an awful mess to be cleaned up in the middle of the change rooms.

Poor Davey; there is no worse feeling than having to run to the toilet every two or three minutes. We've all been down this road at some stage. 

I holidayed in Hawaii once and hired a car to travel some distance to one of the higher ranked golf course on the island. After three days eating American sized meals and drinking the local brew, my stomach was in a bad way.

I made it 25 minutes down the freeway and got an urge so bad, I couldn't rest my bottom on the seat. I took the nearest exit hoping for a roadhouse or a golden arches; I received neither and was met by a sign that read "next exit 80km's" – oh no.

Fortunately, I had my own golf clubs with me and the end result was that I had to purchase a new golf towel upon arrival to the course. This was a baaad day.

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Giggs to play on with Red Devils

Winger ... Ryan Giggs will play a 23rd EPL season with Manchester United. Source: Jon Super / AP

Ryan Giggs, who is set to make his 1,000th appearance in senior football this weekend, has signed a new one-year contract at Manchester United, the club announced on Friday.

The Barclays Premier League leaders said the deal keeps the 39-year-old Wales winger at Old Trafford until June 2014 and sees him complete a 23rd season as a first-team player.

Coach Alex Ferguson told manutd.com: "What can I say about Ryan that hasn't already been said? He is a marvellous player and an exceptional human being. Ryan is an example to us all, the way in which he has, and continues to, look after himself.

"He has fantastic energy for the game and it is wonderful to see. Ryan seems to reach a new milestone every week and to think that he now has 23 unbroken years of league goals behind him is truly amazing in the modern-day game.

"His form this year shows his ability and his enjoyment of the game are as strong as ever and I am absolutely delighted that he has signed a new contract.''

Giggs signed professional forms with United in 1990 and made his debut on March 2, 1991. He has made 931 appearances for the club -- a Manchester United record -- and scored 168 goals.

He has been capped 64 times for Wales and played four times for the British Olympic men's football team at last year's London Games.

During his impressive, storied career, he has won 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Giggs said he was "delighted'' to have signed a new contract and despite his advancing years said he was "feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team''.

He added: "This is an exciting team to be part of, with great team spirit, and we are again pushing for trophies as we head towards the business end of the season.''

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Tahs snap losing run against Rebels

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Waratahs ... break their losing streak against Rebels. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Substitute Ben Volavola has sparked a second-half revival from the Waratahs, who powered home to beat the Rebels 31-26 in their Super Rugby clash in Sydney.

3 Tries 2
Bernard Foley 58'	Ged Robinson 25'
Michael Hooper 65'	Kurtley Beale 80'
Paddy Ryan 75'
2 Conversions 2
Brendan McKibbin 60'	James O'Connor 27'
Brendan McKibbin 66'	James O'Connor 80'
4 Penalties 4
Brendan McKibbin 3'	James O'Connor 8'
Brendan McKibbin 29'	James O'Connor 19'
Brendan McKibbin 52'	James O'Connor 38'
Brendan McKibbin 72'	James O'Connor 69'

Volavola's injection into the match a few minutes after halftime resulted in the 22-year-old shifting to fullback with star recruit Israel Folau moving to the right wing and Tom Kingston replaced.

Coach Michael Cheika's much-vaunted running rugby didn't eventuate in the first half on Friday night with the Waratahs trailing 16-6 at the break.

The only five-pointer came from Rebels hooker Ged Robinson from a short lineout in the 26th minute in slippery conditions.

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But Cheika's call to send Volavola on brought the side to life and also put the lethal Folau into the game.

With Rebels prop Laurie Weeks in the sin bin, the Waratahs made the visitors pay with a nice exchange of passes.

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Relive the action at our interactive Super Rugby Match Centre, featuring video highlights of key moments.

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Folau drew in a couple of defenders before finding Kane Douglas, who popped a ball to five-eighth Bernard Foley to score on 58 minutes.

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The home side scored again seven minutes later through openside flanker Michael Hooper on the back of mounting pressure from close range.

Replacement prop Paddy Ryan then barged over to score and seal the game with five minutes remaining, with Kurtley Beale scoring a consolation try in the dying seconds.

Waratahs halfback Brendan McKibbin racked up 16 points from four penalty goals and two conversions, as did Rebels fullback James O'Connor.

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Bulldogs pip Hawks in thriller

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Winners ... Bulldogs' Luke Dahlhaus evades a Hawthorn tackle. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

The fight the Western Bulldogs were missing for much of last AFL season has been rediscovered in a valiant one-point comeback NAB Cup win over Hawthorn.

The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 14 points midway through the last quarter before charging home to win 1.10.6 (75) to 2.8.8 (74) despite a fine five-goal performance from Hawk superstar Lance Franklin at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Hawks, winless so far in the pre-season, had their night further soured by having David Hale and Luke Breust limp off injured in the second half, while Dogs draftee Jake Stringer also hobbled off in the last term.

0.3.3 (21)	Q1	0.1.3 (9)
0.5.3 (33)	Q2	1.3.5 (32)
0.8.4 (52)	Q3	1.6.6 (51)
1.10.6 (75)	Q4	2.8.8 (74)

Ryan Griffen 2	Lance Franklin 4
Luke Dahlhaus 1	David Hale 2
Tory Dickson 1	Jarryd Roughead 1
Brett Goodes 1	Shane Savage 1
Jason Johannissen 1	Isaac Smith 1
Liam Jones 1
Robert Murphy 1
Clay Smith 1
Koby Stevens 1
Jake Stringer 1

Skipper Matthew Boyd (31 disposals) was excellent for the Bulldogs while youngster Clay Smith had a fine game and kicked a nine-point super goal to put his side in front in the last quarter.

But after Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis kicked a behind from what should have been a straightforward set shot, to level the scores, it was a poster from young tall forward Liam Jones that ended up deciding the game.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney praised his team's fight.

"They wanted to hang in there,'' he said.

"That was a good sign because we haven't been able to do that for a while now.''

It was the Dogs' first win since midway through last season, with the club having lost their last 11 games last year.

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They kicked the first three goals of the night, the first to Robert Murphy, who is expected to play mostly in attack this year and showed he will add spark.

Franklin kept the Hawks in touch with his side's only goal of the first term.

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He also kicked the first of the second quarter then gave the Hawks the lead with a nine-pointer midway through the term, after shrugging off a tackle and taking a bounce.

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The Dogs edged back in front by halftime before Hawthorn looked set to blow them away with the first three goals of the second half.

A one-armed mark and goal from Bulldogs tall forward Liam Jones, who showed brighter signs in attack than he did for most of last year, narrowed the margin.

Stringer, playing his first game, then snapped cleverly to put the Dogs in front at the last change.

The Hawks again looked set to kill the contest when Jarryd Roughead booted a nine-pointer to start the last quarter and Franklin kicked two goals in two minutes soon after to push the lead to 16 points before the Dogs' decisive charge.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said his team were "rusty" and would be right to go come round one before launching a scathing attack on the new interchange cap rule.

"There's not a person in the land who knows what's going to happen to the game if that happens,'' he said.

"I reckon that's an enormous risk to take with what's a pretty good game we've got at the moment just on a hunch.''

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Reds hang on against Hurricanes

Hair-raising ... the Reds cause plenty of anxiety for fans, but manage to hold on. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Digby Ioane and Rob Simmons both ended very different try-scoring droughts for Queensland to finally crack their Super Rugby bogey side, the Hurricanes, at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

It certainly wasn't pretty by the Reds, in fact a real comedy of errors, but they somehow held on for a valuable 18-12 victory - their first win over the Wellington side since 2007.

2 Tries 0
Digby Ioane 23'
Rob Simmons 49'
1 Conversions 0
Quade Cooper 50'
2 Penalties 4
Quade Cooper 4'	Beauden Barrett 2'
Quade Cooper 9'	Beauden Barrett 11'
	Beauden Barrett 21'
	Beauden Barrett 56'

Both teams are renowned as two of the competition's most vibrant, attacking outfits but neither were able to handle the greasy conditions in a stop-start encounter.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	2	0	0	35	1	13
2	Reds	2	1	0	-4	0	8
3	Waratahs	1	1	0	-3	0	8
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	2	0	-15	1	5
5	Western Force	0	2	0	-19	1	1
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	2	0	0	33	2	10
2	Chiefs	1	0	0	14	1	5
3	Highlanders	0	1	0	-14	0	4
4	Crusaders	0	1	0	-19	0	4
5	Hurricanes	0	2	0	-20	1	1
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Southern Kings	1	0	0	12	0	8
2	Bulls	1	0	0	8	0	4
3	Sharks	1	0	0	7	0	4
4	Cheetahs	0	1	0	-7	1	1
5	Stormers	0	1	0	-8	0	0

Neither will they want to watch a tape of the match which was dominated by the whistle of referee Steve Walsh who frustrated both teams at key moments.

Wallabies winger Ioane scored his first try at Suncorp Stadium since the 2011 Super Rugby final triumph, while lock Simmons scored the first of his 51-match career by burrowing over for an 18-9 lead with half an hour to play.

But the Reds were unable to return to the Hurricanes half for the rest of the match as they were tormented by a litany of mistakes.

It was only the visitors' inability to retain possession themselves, cruelling a number of late try-scoring chances, that saved them in front of 30,995 fans.

"It was one of the strangest games I've ever played," said disbelieving Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith. "We don't know what was going on and we didn't understand."

The Hurricanes were just one of two teams the Reds hadn't beaten since Ewen McKenzie took charge in 2010.

But the victory kept McKenzie's perfect record over Kiwi teams at Suncorp Stadium and gives them 23 wins from 26 matches at the venue.

Ioane ended his home ground drought in the 23rd minute, dashing over in the left corner from a swift scoot to the blind and pass by halfback Ben Lucas, in the only genuine highlight of a scrappy first 40 minutes.

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Re-live the action and check out all the video highlights with Match Centre.

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Queensland attempted to limit the Hurricanes' opportunities with the ball by keeping possession tight around their forward pack but their hands let them down out wide.

The Hurricanes rued three missed kickable penalty attempts by Beauden Barrett which could have reversed the result but Barrett did show glimpses of class, along with All Blacks winger Julian Savea.

Flanker Liam Gill was again among the Reds' best, although a 79th minute kick out of his quarter almost ended disastrously, while playmaker Quade Cooper had a game he'd rather forget.

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Video: Re-live best one-day finishes

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Heartstopping ... Re-live some of the best one-day finishes in our video. Source:FOX SPORTS

After spending an entire day watching high-class players slog it out for their club, state or country, there can be nothing more exhilarating for cricket fans than watching a one-day match that comes down to the last over.

Purists complain that the 50-over game has become too formulaic, but it's hard to argue with the entertainment value provided by a last-over thriller.

The case was put forward again on Wednesday night, as Queensland seemingly came from nowhere to claim a stunning win over Victoria in the Ryobi Cup final courtesy of a great final over from Ryan Harris.

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But you don't have to cast your mind back too far to conjure up similar scenes on the cricket field.

In fact, last year's Ryobi Cup final had just as much theatre, memorably ending in a tie and with Ricky Ponting throwing his pads off so he could run faster for the last ball.

On the international scene, few will ever forget Australia's famous win over South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-final, when Lance Klusener smashed two boundaries in the last over before calamitous running with Allan Donald saw the Aussies snare a remarkable tie that put them through to the final.

Seven years later those two sides were at it again, with Mark Boucher hitting the winning runs in a match that is better remembered for both teams setting the world record for most runs in an ODI.

From the immortal image of Michael Bevan hitting a four off the last ball against West Indies at the SCG in 1996 to Ryan McLaren hitting a six off the final delivery of the match against New Zealand just a month ago, we've compiled a video of one-day cricket's great last-over finishes.

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Watch the video at the top of the page to see some classic one-day finishes and let us know the most exciting by leaving a comment below.

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Smith: I'd consider Wallabies return

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Interested ... Smith says he'd have to consider a return to the Wallabies if approached. Source:AAP

Wallabies great George Smith is open to a return to the national team for the British and Irish Lions series but says his main focus is contributing to the Brumbies' Super Rugby title charge.

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The 110-Test veteran this week signed a short-term deal with the Canberra-based franchise, sparking a string of comments from the likes of Eddie Jones and George Gregan that he should be in the mix for the three-Test series in June.

Speaking exclusively to Rugby HQ's Sean Maloney, Smith said he'd have to consider a shock return to the gold jersey for what would be his second Lions series.

"These are two people that I respect hugely, George Gregan's done it all and Eddie Jones is a mentor of mine," Smith told Rugby HQ.

"Their opinion I do take on board, and if I was considered for the Wallabies I'd definitely think about it because it is such a huge occasion.

"But first and foremost I have to earn my spot within the Brumbies."

Smith will serve as cover for likely Wallabies captain David Pocock in Canberra, although there has been speculation Brumbies coach Jake White may look to play the two in tandem.

Whatever the case, the Brumbies now boast a backrow contingent the envy of many other Super Rugby franchises especially with skipper Ben Mowen also in impressive early-season form.

Smith said he wanted to "test" himself again, after playing in the less-intensive Japanese competition over the past few seasons.

"It was presented to me a little while ago, a few weeks back," Smith said of contract talks.

"I obviously had time to think about it and I thought it would be a good way to test myself in the Super Rugby arena, and I'm excited about the challenge.

"I've had two good seasons at Suntory Sungoliath and I think this will definitely test me."

Smith said he was keen to renew hostilities with New South Wales Waratahs in the Brumbies' Centenary match at Canberra Stadium in round four.

"I'd love to play within that game but first and foremost I have to earn my spot in the Brumbies side," he said.

"And that's why I'm turning up tomorrow (Friday) in Canberra and training well and meeting the guys."

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Bird ruled out for six weeks

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No return ... Bird will remain in Australia to undergo further tests. Source: William West / AAP

While Australia's selectors agonise over whether to play two spinners or one in the second Test against India on Saturday, their fast-bowling ranks have thinned overnight.

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Reserve paceman Jackson Bird has had a second round of scans in Melbourne which are believed to have ruled the pace bowler out of action for at least six weeks with a back injury.

The tall Tasmania quick, who took 11 wickets in two matches in his debut Test series against Sri Lanka in January, was sent back to Melbourne from Chennai earlier this week after suffering back soreness.

Selectors were hopeful scans would clear the 26-year-old to return to India for the remainder of the four-match series, however those plans have been shelved.

"Initial tests performed in Melbourne have confirmed that Jackson Bird has a bone-stress injury of the low back," Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said.

"He will not be re-joining the team in India."

Bird's absence leaves 50-Test veteran Mitchell Johnson as the only back-up paceman in the 16-man squad.

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A team spokesman said no decision had been made on a possible replacement player.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has turned to close mate and legspin great Shane Warne for advice on how to knock over India's batting lineup cheaply in Hyderabad.

Many would argue playing only one spinner compared to India's three in Chennai was a blunder, as India captain MS Dhoni suggested.

However, the tourists have hinted off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-215 and 1-29) is not guaranteed a place in the side as yet for the second Test, while back-up spinner Xavier Doherty has been praised by Clarke for his three-wicket performance in the warm-up match against India A.

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Coach Mickey Arthur says ideally he'd like to have left-arm spinner Doherty and right-arm offspinner Lyon in the side for Saturday's second Test.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and offspinner Graeme Swann claimed 37 wickets in England's 2-1 series win in India in December.

Arthur says England's ploy was to use Panesar early and turn to the Swann late in the match.

"Ideally you want both," Arthur says.

Arthur says Warne provided Lyon and Doherty and some batsmen with some valuable tips on Tuesday on how to play spin and bowl it in Indian conditions.

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Legal threat looms for The Giz

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About-face ... Shane van Gisbergen faces legal threats around his return to V8 Supercars. Source: Mark Horsburgh / AAP

If Kiwi star Shane van Gisbergen was spooked by the threat of legal action blocking his controversial V8 Supercars return in Adelaide, he hid it well on Thursday.

The budding champion arrived in South Australia appearing unfazed by reports his former Ford team Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) - now owned by Mercedes' Erebus Motorsport - would stop him hitting the infamous Adelaide street circuit in this weekend's V8 season opener.

The 23-year-old driver sensationally broke a recently renewed three-season deal and "retired" from V8s late in 2012 citing lack of motivation, only to again shock the touring car community by signing up for family-run Holden team Tekno Autosports in 2013, much to SBR's dismay.

SBR claimed van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal contravened the terms of his release and it appears the young gun is now bracing for an injunction seeking to enforce a one-year, non-compete clause.

When van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal was announced, SBR team boss Ross Stone said: ``SBR is considering its legal position and whether it is worthwhile holding (van Gisbergen) to his promises.''

In a potential worry for the Kiwi star, since his defection SBR has been taken over by the cashed-up Erebus Motorsport owned by extrovert billionaire Betty Klimenko who is believed to be unhappy with van Gisbergen's about-face.

And Klimenko has made a habit of getting what she wants, as indicated by her team's remarkable achievement of producing a three-car V8 team in barely six months.

Erebus Motorsport has made no official comment.

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NRL CEO's Benji-Barba gaffe

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David Smith ... confuses Ben Barba with Benji Marshall at NRL season launch. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

David Smith's NRL identity crisis continues.

Rugby league's supremo embarrassingly referred to troubled Bulldogs star Ben Barba as 'Benji' during his speech to open the rugby league season Wednesday night.

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Smith's gaffe was the talk of the NRL's season launch at The Star.

He famously admitted to not knowing the identity of Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith when he accepted the job as NRL chief executive.

Barba may no longer be the face of the game, Smith said the code would not turn its back on fallen Dally M medal winner.

Smith said the game would continue to support Barba - who was to be the face of the NRL in 2013 and launch the season before he was sensationally suspended by the Bulldogs over behavioural issues.

Barba is dealing with a host of personal problems stemming from a messy break-up with his longtime partner Ainslie Currie - the mother of his two children.

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston stepped in to replace Barba for Wednesday night's formalities, but Smith, who at one stage made a gaffe in referring to Barba as "Benji" (Marshall), said the game was not abandoning the star.

"Ben remains a key part of our promotion, and so he should be," Smith said during his official speech.

"The rugby league family is proud of him and he has earned that right.

"If we are to grow the game, we must stand by and help stars like Ben when they need it most.

"It's not only the rugby league way - it's the right way."

Thurston said he had no apprehension about filling in for Barba in a role that has been somewhat of a poisoned chalice over the years.

Manly's Brett Stewart and West Tigers' Marshall both found themselves involved in ugly off-field incidents just days after being given the 'face of the game' label in the past.

"Definitely not - it's a huge honour to be here to launch the season," Thurston said of any apprehension.

"No doubt I'll bunker down for a few months and make sure nothing happens," he added with his trademark smirk.

Thurston praised Barba -a teammate when the latter scored a hattrick of tries in the All Stars game earlier this month - and the Bulldogs for their handling of a situation that went well beyond rugby league.

"This is Benny Barba we're talking about as a person not as as a rugby league player," Thurston said.

"He needs to get himself right.

"This could have been a downward spiral - you know what happens with downward spirals - people harm themselves.

"We need to make sure Benny gets his head right - hopefully he can be back on the field soon."

With a host of the game's biggest stars in his presence, Thurston completed his duty of opening the season while Jessica Mauboy belted out the anthem for the game, a re-mix of the classic Etta James track Something's Got a Hold On Me.

During his speech Thurston said there was high anticipation across the board for every club.

"Every fan, every player, every team right now is dreaming of being there on grand final day and winning the NRL premiership, myself included," he said.

"I can't wait for the season to start."

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NRL TV campaign best since Tina

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Johnathan Thurston and Jessica Mauboy ... launch the 2013 NRL season. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Has rugby league ever looked as fast and infectiously fun as it does in the NRL's new ad?

Easily league's best campaign in years, Jessica Mauboy is an inspired choice as the face of the game.

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It might not be 100% perfect, but the advertisement ticks plenty of boxes:

It's Young

The message is clear: rugby league's got a fresh, fun new feeling.

From playful playground stacks-ons to astonishing parkour-style flips, the enthusiasm of young fans is central to all the action.

The seamless chip-and-chase sequences are a nice bridge between the game's grassroots and its elite competition.

Clever and convincing, these dynamic segues breathe life into the stock sports montage.

Compare all this bright, sunny optimism with Bon Jovi's belated 'Our House' battle cry.

The Bon Jovi campaign cast rugby league as a code locked in defence of its home turf.

The subtext was of a sport under siege, paranoid of being pushed out of its own backyard.

Thankfully the new ad has shed the insecurity.

From the playground to schoolyard to stadium, rugby league is confidently presented as a game that is growing.

It's Feminine

The growth in female support for rugby league following the Tina Turner campaign has become sports marketing folklore.

Wisely the 2013 ad follows this formula, presenting girls and women of various ages participating in a game that is safe and inclusive.

Rugby league die-hards love singing from the hymn book of hurt.

Blood and thunder hits have been the game's bedrock image for decades.

Some may feel threatened by any softening of the game's macho mythology, but the NRL must broaden its base if it's serious about becoming the keeper of the country's number one code.

It has a Face

Jessica Mauboy's the perfect fit for the NRL's newly invigorated image.

From 'Idol' to video clips with Snoop Dogg to an acting career that could go anywhere (her debut film 'The Sapphires' opens in the US this March), Mauboy's star is on the rise. She balances RnB glitz with an authentic love of the game that's grounded in family.

Importantly, she's actually present in the advertisement, unlike Bon Jovi who felt like Photoshopped ring-ins.

Their appearance was limited to stock concert footage that could have been licensed by any product.

You never felt they were living in the message. Mauboy promises to be a true year-round ambassador rather than a celebrity gun for hire.

And she can spiral pass a Steeden.

It's Parochial

In an ingenious twist fans are able to edit the ad online so that it showcases their favourite teams and players.

It's a neat piece of interactivity that will keep the ad rolling in between commercial breaks.

More importantly, it turns fans into flag bearers of the 'That's My Team' message, which becomes more impassioned and authentic when coming straight from the supporters.

But is it the Greatest?

For mine the weakest part of the campaign is the 'Greatest Game of All' tagline.

No doubt it resonates with rusted on code warriors.

But it smacks more of grandstanding than a strategic positioning statement.

Everyone expects brands to boast that they're the best.

The claims only really cut through when they're backed by a position – a simple, self-evident idea they own in the public's mind.

The FFA has a position – they are 'Football', the most played game in the world. The AFL has a position – they are 'Australia's Game'.

What mental real estate does the NRL convincingly own?

On paper, 'Simply the Best' might also sound like a boast.

But the song was so stirring, and Tina's delivery so emphatic that you couldn't help but be pulled in by it.

It was an intoxicating, big-screen vision that looked a million bucks. In an era when no code had an unshakable national footprint, 'Simply the Best' suggested that the NSWRL might just have the star power to become Australia's first big league.

Is it an Anthem?

While it might be familiar as a recent chart sample, 'Something's Got a Hold On Me' doesn't grab me as a potential rugby league anthem.

It suit's Mauboy's vocal talents, but will league fans be humming it in years to come?

Let's not forget it took time for Tina Turner and rugby league to hit gold. Before 'Simply the Best', Turner's 'What You Get is What You See' was the game's soundtrack.

Hopefully Mauboy and the NRL can find the song that indelibly defines the game into the future.

Maybe that song is… 'Simply the Best'? Creatives always want to be the ones to strike lightning.

Administrators always want to stamp a sport with their own legacy. The temptation is to constantly tinker with marketing rather than lock onto something that's a proven winner.

Tell me Jessica Mauboy belting out rugby league's greatest ever anthem at this year's Grand Final wouldn't bring the house down?

All up though, this is an energetic campaign that should give the NRL plenty of spring into season 2013.

It shows that you don't need a long, plodding, half-paced pre-season comp to get people excited for round one.

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Anthony Costa is a sports branding expert who writes on the subject for www.sportsbusinessinsider.com.au where this piece also appears. Follow him on twitter @Costasports. 

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Last-gasp Bulls crowned champions

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Nine-time champions ... the Bulls leave it late to defeat Victoria in the Ryobi Cup final. Source: Julian Smith / AAP

Queensland have taken two wickets in the last over to beat Victoria by two runs in an astonishing one-day cricket final at the MCG.

ODD - Melbourne Cricket Ground

27 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Victoria 1st Innings

D. Pattinson	1	2	0	0	50
F. Ahmed	0	1	0	0	0
R. Harris	7.4	1	26	4	3.39

Former Test paceman Ryan Harris dismissed Clint McKay and Fawad Ahmed with successive deliveries to end the match with two balls left.

Needing five runs from the last over, Victoria were bowled out for 144 from 31.4 overs in the rain-shortened game.

It is Queensland's ninth one-day title, while Victoria have made six finals in the last seven seasons for only one win.

This was a classic Ryobi Cup match, featuring near-continuous rain through the Victorian innings and repeated momentum shifts.

McKay loomed as the hero with his innings of 18 at No.9, including a monstrous driven six off Cameron Gannon that landed 15 rows deep in the Ponsford Stand.

But a superb delivery from Harris had him caught behind and the following ball, Peter Forrest took a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Ahmed.

Harris was named man of the match, taking 4-26 from 7.4 overs.

Rain stopped play for two hours and 42 minutes in the Queensland innings.

The bowler-friendly conditions meant Victoria's target of 147 from 32 overs was always a lot tougher than it appeared.

Queensland bowled superbly and had the upper hand when they reduced Victoria to 4-42 in the 13th over.

Captain Cameron White and Peter Handscomb then combined for a 63-run stand from 74 balls that briefly put them back in control.

When Handscomb lofted Alistair McDermott for four at the end of the 25th over, Victoria were 4-105 and had passed their par score.

That was vital, given the persistent rain.

But one ball later, a bouncer from Gannon had White caught behind for 28.

In the following over, the momentum swung even more dramatically back in Queensland's favour when Handscomb was caught in the deep off McDermott for 42.

After John Hastings fell for 28th over for three, Victoria were teetering at 7-114 before McKay and Will Sheridan combined for 29-run stand.

Just when Victoria looked in control again, McDermott bowled Sheridan for eight in the second-last over.

Queensland were teetering at 4-69 after 20.1 overs when rain stopped play.

But a big-hitting knock from No.8 Jason Floros helped put them back in contention.

Floros was the last wicket to fall and top scored with 47 from 32 balls.

He started the last over of the innings from John Hastings with a six, a four and a six before he tried to hook a bouncer and was caught behind.

Clint McKay, Darren Pattinson, Hastings and Will Sheridan all took two wickets apiece.

While the Bulls were jubilant, the Bushrangers were shattered by the near-miss.

I don't think you can be hurting any more than I am hurting right now,'' White said when asked about their poor one-day finals record in the past few years.

"Like this one, you live with the losses you've had previously as well.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow at the moment."

White said they had not bowled well at the start of the Queensland innings and conceded too many sundries - 21 for the innings.

"Tonight was just about getting the ball in the right area enough," he said.

"You saw the pitch had plenty of life in it ... it was under covers, two brand-new balls.

"We weren't able to do that well enough and Queensland did that very well."

While White conceded the dismissals of himself, Handscomb and Hastings were crucial, he said he would not have changed his mindset at the time.

"I knew we'd gotten the (par) rate back, I wasn't trying to over-hit the ball," he said.

"I was trying to hit it along the ground."

By contrast, Harris only returned to interstate cricket earlier this month in Queensland's one-day win over Victoria at the MCG.

He has battled injuries since last year.

Harris admitted he briefly was not aware he was bowling the final over of the game.

"So I just ran in and bowled and got those two good balls out that McKay nicked and then the last one," he said.

"Something clicked and they came through alright."

Harris added he was in shock after the match.

Asked if he had played in a game with so many momentum shifts, Harris said: ``No, probably not. It was amazing.''

Harris was also in awe of the two sixes that McKay walloped in his innings.

"I want one of his bats," he said.

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Video: NRL team-by-team preview

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NRL season 2013 ... How will your team fare this year? Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Former Test star Mark Gasnier and Fox Sports commentator Matt Russell preview the 2013 NRL season in a comprehensive team by team guide.

With the new season almost upon us, our NRL experts will tell you everything you need to know about your team before the first ball is kicked on March 7.

"It's just amazing that seasons can keep getting better and better," Gasnier said, as he and Matt Russell gave their predictions.

What do the experts have to say about your team?

Watch the video at the top of the page to see what's in store Melbourne Storm, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks.

Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights fans watch the video below for all the news on your team.

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Who will be in your NRL SuperCoach team? Register now for your chance to win $30,000.

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What do Gaz and Matt Russell think about Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, New Zealand Warriors, Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels? Watch the video below to find out.

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Biggest hitter in game shows drive

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Big shot ... British golfer Joe Miller is arguably the world's hardest hitter of a golf ball. Source: Gregory Bull / AP

Weighing 19 stone and standing six-foot, four-inches tall, Joe Miller looks like should be tackling NRL players instead of fairways.

But the little-known linksman is also golf's Mr Big Shot, literally, having built a successful career out of his powerful swing in the growing game of long drive.

In 2005, in his first competitive event, Miller won the European Long Drive Championship with an incredible 474-yard strike.

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In 2010 he became the first European to win the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships with a 414-yard drive. It broke the record for a winning margin by 43 yards and Miller put so much force into the shot he broke his toe.

The big-hitting Brit holds the world record for ball speed, at 225 mph, and has been developing his game since the age of 15, when he realised his amazing swing was ideally suited to the sport of long drive.

Asked about his future plans, Miller said: "My main focus is on introducing long drive to the UK and the rest of Europe because it's still new to everyone over here. We are trying to build awareness."

Now Miller is in Australia, and Brett Ogle took the chance to watch the big hitter in action and pick his brains about long driving.

Asked whether he felt nerves facing the sport's biggest names at the world championships, Miller replied: "Nerves don't come into it.

"Adrenaline comes into it, don't get me wrong," he said.

"It's one of those things. You've got the crowd going, the TV is on you, there's a lot of pressure. We're not chipping and putting here so it's not going to be delicate ... it's all-out war when it gets to that final competition."

Watch the full interview above.

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No end in sight to Judd's career

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No end in sight ... Chris Judd wants to keep playing AFL beyond the 2013 season. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Carlton star Chris Judd says there is no end in sight to his AFL career despite relinquishing the captaincy.

Judd, who turns 30 in September, enters his 12th AFL season without a contract for next year.

But the two-time Brownlow Medallist says a new deal is a given.

"I'm not going anywhere," Judd told the Ten Network on Tuesday.

"I'm keen to play on next year - the club's keen to have me.

"At some stage throughout the year, we'll sit down and nut out the finer details.

"I've been excited by what (new coach Mick Malthouse) and his team are doing and I want to hang around for a little while longer yet."

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Check out the full 2013 AFL premiership season fixture

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Judd also confirmed the Blues had found ways to fit the remainder of his Visy ambassador deal in their salary cap, after the AFL tightened rules on what could be paid outside the cap.

"The AFL allowed us to put some of the money into last year's cap, where there was a bit of room, and some of it into injury payments," he said.

"With our point of view, we were really happy with how that went down."

Judd, who didn't play in the opening round of the pre-season, will also miss Saturday night's clash with Fremantle as he works his way back to fitness after a hamstring strain.

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Fox Footy is the only place to see every game of the 2013 AFL regular season live in high definition and uninterrupted siren-to-siren.

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Video: the worst sports ads

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Cringe ... Rovers players dig into some friend chicken before a match. YouTube. Source:Supplied

It's no secret that companies don't mind splashing the cash to get high profile sportspeople to front their marketing campaigns, no matter what they're trying to sell.

It can be a masterstroke - see some of Nike's football commercials down the years - but very often these advertisements land wide of the mark.

Spanish football giants Barcelona are sponsored by nutrition company Herbalife, whose latest ad, at the top of this page, features Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi trying his hand at cricket.

Judging by his performance, it's luckily the little Argentine is rather good at football. His unorthodox technique with the willow and a debatable bowling style ensure he doesn't have a future in cricket, let alone acting.

The Barcelona ace is used to competing with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, and it appears their rivalry transcends the pitch and onto the silver screen.

Who can forget Ronaldo's infamous pronunciation of "liquid engineering" for the Castrol ads we were forced to endure during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Aussie sportspeople aren't exempt either - just ask Sydney Swans recruit Kurt Tippett.

In an advert for Balfours Pies, the former Adelaide Crows forward dons the chef whites to … heat up a pie and put it on a plate.

Makes perfect sense.

Queenbeyan product Mark Webber, true to his local roots, put his name, face and even voice behind Canberra Milk.

Points for effort to the Formula One driver, but I doubt he drinks much milk before strapping himself in to experience some severe G forces around the track.

You couldn't find a worse discipline of athlete to sponsor fried food than lean footballers, but that's exactly what Venkys Chicken, the Indian owners of Blackburn Rovers, did.

An advert from them features Aussie Brett Emerton and his teammates digging into some fried chicken before heading onto the pitch for a match.

Eating fried chicken right before a football match? I guess that explains why Rovers were relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season.

One of Shane Warne's many nicknames is Hollywood, but don't let that fool you into thinking the Aussie spin king has skills in front of the camera.

Just check out his effort below for hair a regrowth company.

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Watch the cringeworthy sports commercials above and tell us which is the worst by leaving a comment below.

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Australia's first Test report card

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Disappointing ... Australia had a tough time in Chennai. Source: Rob Griffith / AAP

After Australia were beaten by the brilliance of MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin in the first Test in Chennai, we pass judgement on each player's performance.

David Warner 
Rating: 6 out of 10
Warner never looked comfortable in the first innings but it's a credit to him that he managed to scratch his way to a solid half-century. He wasn't comfortable for other reasons - namely a case of gastro - in the second innings and was dismissed for 23. Worrying that he was out lbw both times. Was called upon to bowl very late in India's innings but could be used more later in the series.

Ed Cowan
Rating: 5 out of 10
Actually looked to be in good touch until playing a rash stroke and being deceived in flight by Ravi Ashwin on 29 in the first innings, and was also dismissed by Ashwin in the second innings. Has significantly altered his game for the sub-continent, and looks to be one of the few Aussie batsmen to successfully master the sweep shot.

Phillip Hughes
Rating: 2 out of 10
Looks like a fish out of water in Indian conditions and struggled against India's spin trio, being dismissed for six and zero. That being said, he copped a virtually unplayable ball in the second innings. Will be feeling the pressure in Hyderabad.

Shane Watson
Rating: 4 out of 10
His first Test outing in his new mode as a batsman had mixed returns. He showed flashes of the trademark aggression that have made him so dominant in the short forms of the game, but never quite looked settled. Warner's illness gave Watson his wish of opening the batting in the second innings, but he didn't even face a pace bowler.

Michael Clarke
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Typically brilliant from the start. The Australia captain looks a class above his teammates, especially when it comes to playing spin. Failed to capitalise on his start in the second innings, but he was victim to a viciously turning ball from Ashwin. In the field, he rotated his bowlers well despite the criticism received for restricting Pattinson too much in the first innings. Might be required to bowl more himself in the coming Tests.

Matthew Wade
Rating: 2 out of 10
Not a great Test for Matthew Wade. He won't want to relive his shot in the second innings, as he was clean bowled playing a sweep shot that was never on. Had a tough time behind the stumps as well, facing a plethora of balls that didn't carry through to him, and dropping a couple of difficult chances off Nathan Lyon.

Moises Henriques
Rating: 8 out of 10
Henriques proved a lot of doubters wrong with his stirring debut performance. His first innings was impressive but his defiant knock in a losing cause late on day four could be the making of the man. Looked far more comfortable on the spinning deck than most of his more accomplished colleagues. Wasn't as threatening as he would have hoped with the ball, but did bag his first Test wicket courtesy of a terrible shot from Harbhajan Singh.

Peter Siddle
Rating: 4 out of 10
As usual, Siddle toiled long and hard all day, but his lack of a plan B saw him gain little reward in Chennai as he struggled to get a lot of movement out of the ball. Despite lacking penetration, he wasn't truly hammered by India's batsmen, going for less than three an over but only picking up the one wicket.

Mitchell Starc
Rating: 3 out of 10
Went from Australia's form bowler to their most vulnerable in the blink of an eye. Starc failed to swing the ball at all on the dusty wicket, and didn't get the bounce that James Pattinson found. Never really looked like taking a wicket and as a result, didn't.

James Pattinson
Rating: 8 out of 10
Easily Australia's best bowler. At some stages he looked to be bowling on a different pitch than everyone else, extracting pace, bounce and swing where others couldn't. He was willing to try new things and was rewarded for doing so with six wickets. Pattinson showed there is a way to be successful with fast bowling in India.

Nathan Lyon
Rating: 4 out of 10
The 215 runs he conceded in the first innings grabbed plenty of headlines, but Lyon was always fighting a losing battle without much in the way of support. Ashwin had Jadeja and Harbhajan keeping up the pressure at the other end, while Lyon occasionally had Pattinson. There's no hiding the Aussie spinner didn't bowl to his best, and didn't extract as much spin out of the pitch as the Indians – or even Michael Clarke – did, but his figures don't tell the full story.

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Wing harder than 15 for Izzy: Cheika

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Tough night ... Folau dropped a couple of balls in the face of some tough Reds defence. Source:AAP

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has slammed suggestions cross-code superstar Israel Folau is too raw to be playing fullback, claiming wing is in fact the more difficult position to adjust to.

Folau struggled on debut in the Waratahs season-opening Super Rugby loss to Queensland, and playing the pressure position of fullback, was frequently found out by the Reds' attack.

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But asked whether it would be better for Folau's development to be shifted to the wing to face Melbourne on Friday, Cheika hit back at the criticism and said the 23-year-old shifts between the two positions anyway.

"I don't know why there seems to be a perception that the wing is easier to play than fullback. In my way of thinking ... the wing is actually positionally much more difficult to play," he said.

"I've said it probably about 50 times now. But we play with an interchangeable back three. So he sometimes plays on the wing, sometimes at fullback."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says it was the right decision for NSW to throw their debutant into the deep end against Queensland and defended Cheika's decision to back Folau in the No.15 shirt.

Deans says Cheika had every right to have confidence in his big-name recruit and predicted Folau would be better for the experience.

"It was a baptism of fire obviously. It was always going to be, but he's a class footballer, and he'll be back don't worry about that," said Deans.

"It's easy from the grandstand. But he based his decision on a lot of background, from what he'd witnessed on the training ground and seen in pre-season fixtures."

The Australian Rugby Union on Monday started the 100-day countdown to the British and Irish Lions tour which kicks off on June 5.

By the time the first Test against the Wallabies rolls around on June 22, Folau would have had nearly a full season of Super Rugby under his belt.

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Despite his shaky start, Deans said it was too early to make a call on whether Folau a Test debut against the Lions would be too much to ask of the former league and AFL star.

"We'll make those assessments as we go," Deans said.

"There's risk in every choice you make.

"He's a huge talent and he can play fullback, he can play wing, he can play 13. He's getting in-game experience week to week and the competition is getting tougher, getting him closer to Test rugby week by week. So it's great, it's good for him and good to us."

Recovering Wallabies halfback Will Genia said Folau was more than capable of stepping up to Test standards inside four months.

Genia, who hopes to be back from his knee reconstruction for the Reds in round 5-6, said Folau had a lot to learn but was capable of adjusting quickly.

"I'm a massive fan of his. I hope he learns from it and becomes a better player and I think if he does he can have a massive future in rugby," he said

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GWS star punctures lung, breaks rib

Knock ... GWS player Matt Buntine handballs as he is tackled by Lions player Simon Black. Source: By Dave Hunt / AAP

Greater Western Sydney emerged as the biggest losers of the weekend's AFL pre-season action, with defender Matt Buntine to miss up to eight weeks with a punctured lung and broken rib.

The news was better for Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo, who landed awkwardly after a marking contest against Gold Coast Suns and went to ground clutching his knee painfully.

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Hawks football manager Mark Evans says Puopolo has bone bruising and could play in round one of the premiership season.

"I'm not sure about the severity of the bone bruising but that will really be determined by how it settles down,'' Evans told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"Sometimes you can play straight away and sometimes you might need to miss a few weeks, so we'll see how that goes over the next couple of weeks.''

GWS posted a shock win over local rivals Sydney in Sunday's pre-season triple-header at Blacktown, but Buntine was rushed to hospital after a crunching collision with Carlton forward Levi Casboult in their earlier match.

The 2011 No.5 draft pick needed his lung drained after it copped the full brunt of Casboult's knee.

Despite the severity of the injury, the AFL's match review panel deemed Casboult had no case to answer.

''(Casboult is) grabbing for the ball as he makes contact with his opponent. It was the view of the panel that Casboult was making a realistic attempt to gather the ball and the contact was accidental,'' the league said in a statement.

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy suggested his club would take a cautious approach with Buntine's recovery.

"We're not into the game of rushing these sorts of players back. We'll just bring in another kid,'' Sheedy said on Sunday.

"He's a pretty special sort of guy. He's going to be there for a long time and he reminds me a bit of Andrew McKay, who used to play at Carlton.''

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Henriques pushes Test into fifth day

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Fighter ... Henriques has impressed with the bat in his debut Test. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Australia's cricketers fought back to force the first Test against India into a fifth day and Moises Henriques says the tourists haven't given up hope of scoring a remarkable victory.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 4, Session 3

Australia 2nd Innings

M. Henriques	75	124	6	2	60.48
N. Lyon	8	47	1	0	17.02
I. Sharma	3	1	2	0	0.67

Australia will resume on Tuesday's final day on 9-232 with an overall lead of just 40.

Henriques is unbeaten on 75 alongside his first-innings score of 68 in a tremendous performance on debut in Chennai.

No.11 Nathan Lyon is on eight and they have added 57 for the 10th wicket after Australia appeared headed for an innings defeat at 9-175.

Off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has claimed 5-90 after his seven-wicket haul in Australia's first innings.

Australia's 84-over second innings has included only three overs of pace bowling from Ishant Sharma as Ashwin and fellow spinners Ravindra Jadeja (2-68) and Harbhajan Singh (2-55) exploit the crumbling red-clay pitch.

The tourists have only one frontline spinner and off-spinner Lyon had a difficult first innings, conceding 3-215.

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But Henriques says Lyon and Australia's pace attack are confident they can put India's batsmen under pressure, even with only a small total to defend.

"MS Dhoni was able to put on 100 or 150 (140) with the guy batting at 10, so if we come out tomorrow you just never know, especially on a day-five wicket," Henriques said.

"Our backs are up against the wall.

"We know that especially on a wearing wicket, it's only going to get tougher to start (for India's batsmen).

"It's that type of wicket where you almost have to concentrate as if every ball is your first one because you have to stay sharp and make sure you're alert for that one that does act a little differently.

"Sometimes you will get one that you just can't do anything about."

India had resumed on 8-515 and were all out for 572, boosted by Dhoni's 224, a record for an India captain.

He was one of five victims for Aussie quick James Pattinson (5-96).

Australia's top order of Ed Cowan (32), Shane Watson (17) and David Warner (23) failed to capitalise on their starts while Phil Hughes (0) at No.4 and Michael Clarke (31) were victims of a couple of sharp-turning deliveries.

Opener Warner batted at No.3 after a bout of gastro.

Matthew Wade (eight) was bowled attempting a slog-sweep against Harbhajan and Peter Siddle (two), Pattinson (11) and Mitchell Starc (eight) went cheaply before Australia's fightback late on Monday.

Meanwhile, team doctor Peter Brukner announced that reserve quick Jackson Bird would be sent home for precautionary scans on a back injury.

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Injured Bird to fly home from India

Flying home ... but Bird could head straight back to India if the scans are good. Source: Manan Vatsyayana / AAP

Pace bowler Jackson Bird will return to Australia after suffering from back pain while in India.

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Pace bowler Jackson Bird will return to Australia after suffering from back pain while in India.

Bird is in Australia's 17-man touring party but wasn't playing in the first Test in Chennai.

According to a Cricket Australia statement, the Tasmania quick will return to Australia in the next 24 hours to have precautionary scans on his back.

"Jackson has reported some low level back pain and we feel the best course of action to determine the issue is to send him back to Australia for scans," Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said.

"If the scans come back clear then he will return to India to take up his place with the squad."

The statement didn't say if Bird would be replaced by another player, but there would be plenty of candidates to fill his spot if CA were to send a replacement.

In all likelihood it would be a spinner, given the lack of success Australia's fast bowlers have had in the first Test, with New South Wales tweaker Stephen O'Keefe probably the frontrunner.

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The man to fill Rogic's shoes

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Back with a bang ... the Mariners have put their rivals on notice. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

What's the best response to losing your A-League ladder lead?

Belt six past the next best rival, return to the spot you believe is rightfully yours, before issuing the challenge to Western Sydney Wanderers: come and get us. 

Central Coast Mariners were scintillating against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, with the likes of Bernie Ibini, Mitchell Duke and Nick Montgomery running with purpose and pace that Ange Postecoglou's side couldn't contain as the match went on.  

But a secret to the Mariners' success could lie at the feet of a diminutive Kiwi, now enjoying an extended run in his favourite position, as an underrated replacement for prodigal sons Tom Rogic and Mustafa Amini, who have played in the attacking midfielder role in recent seasons. 

Enter Michael McGlinchey – scorer of a gorgeous hat-trick against Victory, which you can watch at the top of the page. 

McGlinchey laid on one assist and scored three times with his only three shots of the match as the 26-year-old New Zealand international put on a masterclass at Bluetongue Stadium. 

Shane Smeltz – his national team colleague – believes the Mariners have unleashed a secret weapon. 

"I know Mickey loves to play in the middle and maybe he'll get bit more of an opportunity to do that now and show his true colours," Smeltz told foxsports.com.au.

"We've seen with last night's game and maybe with Rogic gone now, maybe that's the role for him to fill – be a bit more creative going forward, whereas before you've had Rogic there and (Michael) sitting a bit deeper or wider." 

While the Mariners' lack of a finals x-factor has been questioned, Smeltz has nominated his countryman to fill the void. 

"What you're seeing this season is he's added goals to his game, which has been great," Smeltz said. 

"It's great for him, Central Coast Mariners and great for New Zealand's national team. With the games we've got coming up, it's good to see him, and others, hitting form. The more Kiwis firing, the better!"

While Arnold was annoyed at conceding two against the Victory, the truth is that the home side schooled the visitors in the latter stages. 

"It was a phenomenal performance," Craig Moore said on Sunday Shootout. "Every time they looked to attack they looked like scoring goals – they could have got double figures!

"I really like Michael McGlinchey – a really clever player. They've got a good balance across the field. On the back of a bad performance, what a great way to see your team bounce back." 

Mark Bosnich, however, had stern words for their finals rivals, Victory. 

"Melbourne Victory were pretty much pathetic," he said. "They've got a major job next week - a massive test of the players and the coaching staff, coming back from losses like this."

While the Victory pick up the pieces, the Mariners can bounce into a big week in their season – an AFC Champions League clash with Suwon Bluewings before the much anticipated Premiers' Plate showdown against the Wanderers. 

Smeltz explains why McGlinchey provides the Mariners with a player that Duke, Ibini and Daniel McBreen can thrive alongside. 

"He's someone always a pleasure to play with. He can see your runs.

"And you also know when you get the ball to him, he's going to keep the ball. 

"That, for me, is his biggest asset. He rarely turns the ball over."

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Dhoni demolishes Aussies in Chennai

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Hundred hero ... MS Dhoni played a real captain's knock on Sunday. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AAP

India still have two wickets in hand at 8-515 at stumps on Sunday after resuming in Chennai on 3-182 in reply to Australia's 380.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Dhoni	206	243	22	5	84.77
B. Kumar	16	56	2	0	28.57
M. Henriques	17	4	48	1	2.82

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 206 from 243 balls including 22 fours and five sixes.

Nathan Lyon - Australia's sole specialist spinner for a match on a crumbling pitch - has figures of 3-182 from 40 overs. Only seven Australia bowlers have conceded more runs in a Test innings.

Debutant tailender Bhuvenshwar Kumar contributed 16 not out in a 109-run partnership for the ninth wicket which demoralised Michael Clarke's side.

It was Dhoni's sixth hundred and first against Australia and came at a crucial time with his side struggling at 4-196.

The skipper shared a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket with Virat Kohli (107) after Australia had been in a strong position with India 4-196 when Sachin Tendulkar fell for 81.

Paceman James Pattinson claimed 4-89.

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Seven India batsmen have been bowled in the innings so far, which is two shy of the world record.

Tendulkar inside-edged a ball from Lyon onto his stumps, robbing the thousands of the screaming fans in attendance the chance to see the 39-year-old little master score his first Test hundred since January 2011.

Kohli's 199-ball century, the fourth in the 24-year-old's 15-Test career, was his second in successive matches against Australia after his 116 in Adelaide 13 months ago.

Kohli was caught at mid-on to Lyon's bowling and Ravindra Jadeja (16) was bowled by Pattinson shortly before tea.

Ravi Ashwin (three) was Lyon's third victim and debutant Moises Henriques' first wicket came when the seamer rattled the stumps of the feisty Harbhajan Singh (11) at 8-406.

Harbhajan entered into a heated debate with Australia's Matthew Wade after an lbw appeal was rejected with Harbhajan on zero.

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