Ricky moves into ex-PM's residence

Is Sami Kennedy-Sim who has overcome a stroke to qualify for Sochi Winter Olympics our toughest Olympian. Read about her below. Source: Cameron Richardson / News Limited

<span id="U1026629245857eG" style="font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;">RICKY Stuart</span> loves a celebrity mansion. When he started coaching at the Cronulla Sharks he bought <span id="U1026629245857KI" style="font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;">Ian Thorpe's</span> waterfront home on Burraneer Bay in the shire.

Now he has moved to Canberra and is living in former prime minister Kevin Rudd's old house.

Mr Rudd and wife Therese Rein sold their Yarralumla home in September for $2.25 million and the buyers decided to lease the house.

It was described as a "sophisticated and luxurious home" with five bedrooms, Italianate gardens, a swimming pool and a spiral staircase. Stuart was keen to play it down yesterday when asked about his new residence.

"Seriously, it's a nice family home and close to our families which is why we've moved back to Canberra," he said. "Just say I hope I don't have to use the panic buttons … at least until Round 3."

The house is in the same street as Stuart's sister-in-law and close to his parents.

"We haven't been close to our families for a long time," he said. "We're really enjoying it."

Stuart has kept his home in the shire and will rent while coaching the Raiders. He signed a three-year deal after quitting the Eels.

"I'm really enjoying the coaching side of things," he said.

"I feel I'm very fortunate to be back in my old town coaching my old team."

■ ■ ■

IN more property news, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan can't be too worried about reports he may face suspension over the ASADA scandal because he was spotted looking at new property in the shire yesterday. He is upgrading and looking around the Lilli Pilli area.

*****

Blake splits with his player agent

BLAKE Ferguson is no longer being managed by player agent Sam Ayoub.

The State of Origin winger is now being guided by Anthony Mundine and Khoder Nasser.

An accredited agent or accountant will become involved when he's closer to making a decision on his NRL future.

******

This proves that Isaac's no goose

YOU could never accuse Sharks hooker Isaac De Gois of not being loyal to his family.

The Sharks players recently went on an end-of-season trip to Hawaii and - in a rugby league first - De Gois took his wife, Renee.

He has copped plenty of ribbing from the players, but more importantly he got lots of brownie points at home.

De Gois faces a real battle to retain his first-grade spot this year with the emergence of Holden Cup hooker of the year Michael Lichaa, a boom local product.

Lichaa played in the club's NSW Cup premiership-winning side.

*****

Abbot girls score a prime gig

SOON we could be seeing more of Tony Abbott's daughters than the Prime Minister himself.

Racing administrators want to use Bridget and Frances to promote next year's $18 million autumn carnival at Randwick, The Championships.

The plan is being driven by Racing NSW supremo, Peter V'landys, who first met the girls on Derby Day in Melbourne two years ago.

"I said to Bridget when I first met her I'd like to use her as the face of an autumn carnival and we did last year," V'landys said

"They thought I was joking but I followed it through and we used her.

"We're looking at both girls for The Championships next year. They are very impressive young ladies."

Abbott's daughters also have horse racing in their blood.

Their grandparents Richard and Fay Abbott have been going to Randwick and Rosehill every Saturday for 35 years.

"They never miss a race meeting," V'landys said.

*****

AFL players do a runner

TWO Essendon players walked out of a restaurant in St Kilda last week without paying for their meals or drinks. They told a waiter two girls they had met over dinner would take care of the bill then scarpered.

Typically, soft Melbourne media outlets like the 3AW Sports Today team made nothing of it. The club dismissed it as a "silly but harmless" prank and a couple of days later the players returned and paid the bill.

They are fortunate it didn't become a police matter and lucky that 3AW announcers Gerard Healy and Dwayne Russell are so determined to protect players at all costs.

*****

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Heart slide doesn't end with Aloisi

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MELBOURNE Heart's board is under growing pressure from fans and corporate backers alike to sack under siege coach John Aloisi after Friday's insipid showing against Sydney FC.

Rooted to the bottom of the table with two goals in six games, it's the Heart board that has plenty to answer for after a rapid 18-month demise has culminated in the club becoming the antithesis of its original philosophy.

Declaring attack and youth as their point of difference to neighbours Melbourne Victory, Heart has transformed into an ageing, dour, defensive unit that can't deliver results.

When Heart kicked off in 2010 they recruited a well credentialed foreigner to set the culture and headhunted arguably the best young Australian coach to be groomed by John van't Schip with a view to replacing him.

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By the time the Dutchman quit in 2012, Ante Milicic had served a top three-year apprenticeship - coach of the year and first place with NSW state league side Sydney United, two FIFA U20 World Cups with the Young Socceroos and almost three years as an A-League assistant.

But the Heart board backflipped on the Milicic pledge, declaring an interview process would take place.

So what happened?

John Aloisi was a frustrated Sydney FC striker when he met van't Schip and football operations manager John Didulica on the eve of Heart's first season.

He was talked out of retirement by with the promise that he won't be pressured to play each week and - the clincher - a deal that rolled over into a coaching contract at the end of his one-year contract.

Aloisi then commenced his UEFA coaching badges in England and Heart was suitably impressed with his work ethic and determination in recruiting the club's inaugural youth squad.

By the end of his maiden youth league season Craig Goodwin, a player he had plucked from state league side Oakleigh, had broken into the seniors.

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Heart's youth team travelled to Hawaii for a tournament against senior opposition and with van't Schip having just quit Aloisi, who was touted a serious contender by Heart's board, was closely watched by chief executive Scott Munn.

The performances were good and Aloisi presented well. He was now on the same line of betting as Milicic.

Both undertook two separate interview processes with Munn and Didulica followed by the Heart board.

Having had years to contemplate life as head coach, Milicic had two non-negotiables in his interview.

He wanted a more experienced coach to assist him, such as Rado Vidosic, and his no.1 target was disillusioned Victory midfielder Carlos Hernandez who Milicic felt could deliver regular finals football and lift crowds.

Aloisi was more flexible and wanted Milicic as his assistant.

Heart's board knew Milicic was the better candidate in football terms but felt Aloisi's profile would help the club bridge the gap between them and Victory, remembering Heart finished sixth, two spots and eight points ahead of Victory that season.

Finances may have also played a part but Heart's board felt with the right support, Aloisi would eventually succeed.

John Aloisi makes a point at Heart training.. Pic: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

With the ultimate call, chairman Peter Sidwell and his five fellow directors went with Aloisi.

To add insult to injury for Milicic, Heart chief executive Scott Munn tried to block his move to the Wanderers and demanded compensation when Tony Popovic lured him as his assistant.

Heart's given Aloisi ample support and now sports the most beefed up backroom staff in the A-League, yet the team is in disarray and has the hallmarks of a team not playing for its coach.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne has clearly been Heart's best player this season and that's a tell-tale sign.

While Heart's board made the call, Aloisi didn't have to put his hand up for the senior job after an apprenticeship of just 18 youth league games.

Kevin Muscat a fortnight ago said only now, almost three years after retiring and having worked under Ange Postecoglou, does he realise how ill-prepared he was when he coached as interim after a year.

Aloisi has a thicker skin than most, having been scorned - often unfairly - late in his playing career when his knees were that bad he'd rarely train.

But he had that look of resignation after Friday night's 2-0 debacle against a Sydney side whose away form has been as bad as Heart's.

If Aloisi manages to arrest this slump and see out his contract, which expires at the end of the 2014-15 season, it will be a miraculous recovery.

Aloisi has shown plenty to suggest he will become a decent A-League coach, that it will come to fruition at Heart is looking increasingly unlikely.

Unfortunately for Heart, Milicic remains the best Aussie candidate without a senior role.

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Bridge steals game for Wanderers

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MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat offered no excuses for last night's loss to Western Sydney Wanderers but promised fans they were on the right track.

With Mark Milligan watching with his Socceroos teammates from the stands and Kosta Barbarouses away with the Kiwi national team, Victory threatened to inflict a first defeat before an 82nd minute Mark Bridge goal secured a 1-0 win for the Wanderers.

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The Wanderers, who have conceded just three goals in six games, returned to the top of the table and opened up a six-point gap on fifth-place Victory.

"The reality is tonight was a performance we should've got something from the game," Muscat said.

"There's improvement from the side, there has been distractions but it's not an excise. The performance was good and we're heading in the right direction.

"Tonight was different (to last week), it was a much improved performance and I was just disappointed to walk away with nothing.

"We had a very good first half, we were on top of them in long periods. Just on the edge of the box we needed a little but more patience but credit to them they defend well.

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MATCH CENTRE: WANDERERS v VICTORY

"They make it hard for you, especially here. They're very disciplined getting behind the ball.

"But it's more about us, our structure was far better and we stopped then counter attacking.

"We didn't have a bundle of scoring opportunities tonight A little bit more composure and better quality going forward and it would've been a different story if they had to come out in the second half and had to claw a goal back."

After beating Wellington in his opening game since replacing Ange Postecoglou, Muscat has lost his next two ahead of Saturday's clash with Adelaide United at Etihad Stadium.

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Missing Youssouf Hersi, Tomi Juric and dumped skipper Michael Beauchamp, Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said it was one of his team's best performances of the season.

"All round it was a very good performance against a very good team," Popovic said.

"It was an encounter we expected against a very good opponent, but patches were a bit longer in terms of our good play which is encouraging moving forward and we'll work hard to make those periods even longer."

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 1 (Mark Bridge 82m) bt MELBOURNE VICTORY 0 at Pirtek Stadium. Crowd: 15,854. Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones.

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Honours even as Gallas debuts

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MAKESHIFT stopper Osama Malik scored his first and most important A-League goal of the season as Adelaide United halted its three-game losing streak in a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Saturday.

Malik's goal was cancelled out, however, after the Reds were punished for being dormant during a short corner in the 67th minute.

Chris Harold headed the equaliser unmarked at the back post when Adelaide's defence was not prepared for the quickly taken set piece.

It was comical defending as some players were not even looking at the ball only to see it land in the net.

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But to its credit Adelaide didn't drop its bundle as substitute Awer Mabil had a chance to bury Glory two minutes from time after a Cassio cut back but his 7m shot was blocked by the legs of Perth keeper Danny Vukovic.

Malik, however, initially shocked the home side with the opening goal after Fabio Ferreira unwittingly started the goal scoring move when he managed to escape the Glory defence from the half way line.

Ferreira's final delivery was cleared over the bar by Edwards but with Neumann lurking it started the Reds revival in the 52nd minute when Adelaide punished Glory from the resultant and rehearsed corner kick.

MATCH CENTRE: GLORY v UNITED

Steven Lustica played the corner to Tarek Elrich outside the box before Malik rose high at the back post to beat Vukovic with a looping header.

With Glory eventually parading its new superstar William Gallas off the bench in the 61st minute it was Adelaide asking all the questions as Sergio Cirio smacked the ball against the crossbar just before the former France, Chelsea and Arsenal defender entered the fray.

But the Perth heat played an important factor in the fixture as referee Shaun Evans called for two drink breaks during the mid-afternoon encounter in Perth as temperatures hovered around 33C in the first half.

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But with Nigel Boogaard serving a one-match ban for his red card during Adelaide's 2-1 home loss to Newcastle Jets last weekend United appeared to be much more cautious in its game day approach.

Adelaide - possibly due to the searing heat - wasn't forcing a high press on Glory.

Instead the Reds were dropping off when Glory had the ball in defence.

After a nervy opening where Glory was trying on the counter attacking game without success, Adelaide handed the home side a gift when it overplayed the ball from a goal kick.

Reds skipper Eugene Galekovic's meek pass to Malik outside the box was intercepted by Ryan Edwards but his cross wasn't good enough for Jamie Maclaren who couldn't direct his header towards goal.

Glory winger Ryo Nagai then forced Galekovic into a save at full stretch after a brilliant route one delivery from Vukovic in the 18th minute.

It was the wake-up call Adelaide needed when the Reds through Cassio - starting his first game of the season - Marcelo Carrusca and Cirio created openings.

Cirio created a chance for Jeronimo Neumann after Adelaide was forcing Glory to retreat but the Argentine's effort sailed just wide of the upright.

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Cassio then forced Vukovic into a save from a tight angle seven minutes before the break when Ferreira and Cirio combined.

A minute later Carrusca's placed left foot shot from 20m flashed wide after a neat cut back from Neumann.

With temperatures dropping to 30C in the second half Adelaide upped the tempo but Adelaide struggled to get enough numbers forward to hurt Glory despite again having a mountain of possession.

Ferreira caused Adelaide concern in the 56th minute when he was crunched by Steven McGarry's high studs but incredibly the Portuguese was yellow carded when he appeared to be the victim.

After receiving treatment Ferriera played an important part in the Reds resurgence before Glory's Sidnei shaved the crossbar with a cross in the 67th minute.

PERTH GLORY 1 (Chris Harold 69m) drew ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (Osama Malik 53m) at nib Stadium. Crowd: 8,574. Referee: Shaun Evans.

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Sheens piles on pressure to perform

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TIM Sheens has warned his players complacency is their biggest danger heading into the sudden death stage of the World Cup - and no player, no matter how big their reputation, is above being dropped on the back of one bad game.

The Kangaroos aren't expected to have too much trouble against a United States team that is made up mostly of part-time footballers and who will take the field as $250-1 outsiders.

Sheens has already admitted boom halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is pushing Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston for a spot in the starting team - and while the coach has gone with experience for the game against the Tomahawks there are no guarantees that is the way it will stay.

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"I have said to our guys Test matches are a season within itself," Sheens said.

"You don't play poorly in a Test match and get the next match.

"Many a player, Wally Lewis, Alfie Langer have been dropped in a Test match series when it becomes sudden death.

"There has been some great players sit on the sideline in previous series over the last 20 years.

"We can't be any different. This match this week might not be quite as intense as an England and Australia but it is still sudden death."

There will be plenty of focus to see how Jarryd Hayne goes at right centre after Australia dropped Brent Tate from the original 20-man squad that was named earlier in the week.

Sheens makes no secret of the fact he sees Tate as his best defensive option but Hayne definitely gives the team a more dangerous attacking edge.

Hayne was in awesome form leading up to State of Origin this year but after having a blinder in the opening game in Sydney he suffered a nasty hamstring injury days later that ruined the his season.

He only played a couple more games at the end of the year which was enough to get him a start at the World Cup and he has obviously done enough to impress Sheens to the point where Hayne is now leading that four-man race for the contentious right centre spot.

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Tate's omission means he joins Michael Jennings and Josh Morris as casualties for the game against the Tomahawks, while Robbie Farah also wasn't named.

Sheens will have to cut two more players from the 19 named but he has until an hour before kick-off to do that.

Sheens said a few people might be surprised with the line up he goes with.

"Everyone will have a different opinion but obviously I have got to go with what I think," he said.

"I think right at the moment the side that we start with will be close to it but there is not much between them.

"You are talking about a very good squad here. In fact, everyone one of these guys has played State of Origin this year.

"The whole 23 of them, 24 with Luke Lewis. You are talking about two Australian sides, NSW and Queensland, and there is always only ever a few points between them in the whole three games.

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"It is equally difficult for me as it is NSW and Queensland selectors to decide how I filter that into one team and get it to work."

The Kangaroos haven't let in a try in their last two games after beating Fiji 34-2 and Ireland 50-0 and Sheens said Australia have no plans to go easy on the United States.

"You put your foot on them and you don't take it off," Sheens said. "Not play to halftime and then release the foot and have an easy second half.

"We are not looking past this game. (The 13 who start) will be close to what I think is our best but that doesn't mean that other guys are out of the picture."

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World Club Challenge date locked-in

Players of 2009 NRL Premiers Melbourne Storm celebrate after defeating 2009 English Super League Premiers Leeds Rhinos in their World Club Challenge match at Elland Road in Leeds. Source: Supplied

THE date and venue of the first World Club Challenge to be held on Australian soil in two decades have been confirmed - Saturday 22 February at Allianz Stadium.

The NRL is hoping to sellout the clash between Australian premiers Sydney Roosters and their Super League peers, Wigan Warriors, which will also be broadcast live on Channel Nine.

It's understood Wigan are planning to head Down Under two weeks in advance of the match and possibly play a lead-up game against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Despite being on home turf at Moore Park, the schedule also creates a tough dilemma for the Roosters - with the inaugural NRL Nines tournament to be staged in Auckland the previous weekend.

All NRL clubs are expected to field at least two marquee players, but most of the Roosters squad will have barely resumed pre-season training after their post-World Cup break.

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Sydney FC keep Heart winless

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SYDNEY FC surged to third on the A-League table after a 2-0 win over a diabolical Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park on Friday night.

The result heaps pressure on Heart boss John Aloisi, whose side remain bottom of the table and without a win since February.

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For the second straight week, the hosts went behind in the 27th minute, and never looked likely to recover as the Sky Blues kept a clean sheet away from home for the first time in 22 games.

The opener came after chief tormentor Joel Chianese was brought down in the box by Rob Wielaert and referee Alan Milliner wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Alessandro Del Piero made Heart pay the penalty, sending Andrew Redmayne the wrong way.

Chianese added his name on the scoresheet just before halftime when he ghosted into the penalty area and tapped home Ali Abbas's low cross at the back post.

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The Heart players were booed off by their fans at the break, but it could have been so different with Michael Mifsud wasting a glorious chance to break Heart's long goal drought after 14 minutes.

Played onside by Brett Emerton, Mifsud had just Vedran Janjetovic to beat, but he blasted his effort straight at the advancing goalkeeper.

But from that point in the game the Heart were subjected to attack after attack, with Redmayne making smart saves to deny Chianese and Nicky Carle, while Del Piero and Chris Naumoff also went close.

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Sydney continued to dominate after the break and a second successive victory never looked in doubt as the Heart struggled to mount any decent attack.

Chianese missed a sitter from five metres out on the hour mark, while Aziz Behich got away with a clear handball in the area while trying to control a high ball.

Re-live the live action - with video highlights, polls, play-by-play updates and key stats.

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Clubs unsure whether injured star is still worth early pick

Matthew Scharenberg did not test at draft combine. Source: CAS Andrew Brownbill / News Limited

CLUBS are facing an agonising decision on whether to risk a top-10 draft pick on one of the country's brightest prospects as it emerges Matthew Scharenberg is battling injuries affecting both feet.

Throwing a major curve ball into the likely order for Thursday's draft, word filtered out last night about growing fears the ready-made South Australian faces running issues because of bone-stress ­reactions in his feet.

Treatment options could range from pre-Christmas rest to surgery, which could sideline him for months, depending on the medical advice of the club that picks him.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Demons requested the AFL commissioned Melbourne to run scans on Scharenberg in Melbourne on Wednesday, in the ­belief he could still be available at the club's pick No.9.

PICK ME: THE PIES, DOGS AND BLUES WANT THE NEXT SCOTT PENDLEBURY

While those scan results are now available for clubs who ­request them, it is believed ­recruiters became aware of the seriousness of the problem only late this week.

Recent drafts have been littered with players who have carried major injury concerns late in their ­junior career but still blossomed, including Essendon's Dyson Heppell (groin), Geelong's Joel Selwood (knee) and Chris Judd (shoulders).

Those close to Scharenberg, 18, remain confident he will be able to complete a significant chunk of pre-season and be ready for a Round 1 debut.

Champion Data ranked the Brendon Goddard-type the third-best player in the draft pool in yesterday's Herald Sun, given his damaging rebound game dominated the national championships.

Ben Williams tackles Glenelg's Matthew Scharenberg. Source: News Limited

But there are suspicions the dual All-Australian could now fall outside the top 10 in a scenario considered unthinkable all year.

Scharenberg was slated to fall to Collingwood as a bargain-priced No. 6 pick to help replace star backman Heath Shaw and veteran Nick Maxwell.

He did not complete physical testing at last month's draft combine and has not played at any level since August 3. He played four senior games for Glenelg in the SANFL this year.

The revelation, which was a hot talking point at recruiting meetings yesterday, shapes as one of the biggest dilemmas leading into Thursday night's AFL national draft on the Gold Coast.

Clubs faced a similar proposition last year when ACL victim Troy Menzel, considered a top-five talent, fell to the Blues at No. 11.

Menzel played seven games for Carlton this year.

But clubs are more wary of Scharenberg's fitness with the 190cm intercept king still unable to run after the injuries flared late in the season.

Scharenberg collected the second-most SuperCoach points of all defenders at this year's national under-18 carnival, ranked No. 1 for intercept possessions and ranked in the elite category for disposals by a defender. He averaged 22 possessions and six marks per game in four matches for South Australia.

If Scharenberg does fall outside the top 10 the domino effect could see Victorian midfielders Chris Salem, Marcus Bontempelli, Nathan Freeman or Ben Lennon take the South Australian's place as Collingwood's first and second selections at Nos 6 and 10.

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Pendergast sets sights on Sochi

Paralympic sit-skier Tori Pendergast in action ar the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Thredbo in September. Picture: Jeff Crow Source: Supplied

SHE hurtles down mountains at 80km/h but it's not a career-threatening high-speed stack Winter Paralympian Tori Pendergast has nightmares about - it's her alarm clock.

The Paralympic ski newcomer is still more at home on the beach near her NSW Central Coast home than the slopes of Europe but the change in climate doesn't bother her much.

"It's the early mornings,'' said the 22-year-old who will make her Winter Paralympic debut at the Sochi Games next year.

"I am so not an early morning person and I hate getting up. That's really the hardest thing for me.''

Pendergast, born missing the lower part of her spine, has skied standing in the past but will race a hi-tech custom-built sit-ski at the Paralympics next year.

While now considered a dark horse for Australian medal success in Sochi, Russia, after a silver and bronze medal at recent World Cup meets in slalom and super G events, the youngest member of the Winter Paralympic team admits her introduction to top level competition three years ago was less than memorable.

"I was super new to it and super nervous,'' said Pendergast whose ankles and thighs are strapped into the enclosed seat which carries her down mountain and who is Australia's first ever female sit-skier..

"I got really hyped up and nervous about it and crashed so I DNF'd my first two races.

"But I still loved it.''

This weekend Pendergast heads overseas for a series of training camps and pre-Winter Paralympic events with other Australian squad members including vision-impaired Jessica Gallagher, who became Australia's first female Winter Paralympic medallist at the last Games in Vancouver.

Australia failed to win a gold at those Paralympics with the goal to rectify this omission in Sochi next year.

Mitch Gourlay, in the standing men's class, is considered one of Australia's top chances of achieving the feat along with Toby Kane and Cameron Rahles-Rehula, who has come out of retirement for another shot at glory.

Australia is still hopeful of qualifying two snowboarders for the games at upcoming American and European meets.

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Perth beat Cairns, still unbeaten

James Ennis of the Perth Wildcats drives to the basket against the Cairns Taipans at Perth Arena. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

THERE was no shortage of highlights as the Perth Wildcats maintained their unbeaten start to the NBL season with a 75-68 win over Cairns.

James Ennis scored eight of his 22 points in the third quarter and came up with two clutch baskets in the last to help Perth record its best start in franchise history with a seventh consecutive win.

Cairns fought back from a 14-point deficit late in the third term to draw level early in the last quarter, with former Cat Alex Loughton (14 points) doing the bulk of the damage.

But timely triples from veteran duo Damian Martin and Shawn Redhage steadied the home side before a monster three from Ennis with 2:30 to play gave the home side a seven-point buffer.

A contested Cam Gliddon layup kept the Taipans alive, but Ennis answered with an even tougher floater in the keyway to ensure the Wildcats would remain unbeaten.

The WA side had the luxury of easing centre Matt Knight back into the fray following a pre-season ankle injury, with the big man logging 18 minutes while showing understandable signs of rust in his return.

Perth also had to cover for a rare off-night from Redhage, who logged just 10 minutes after getting in early foul trouble and eventually fouling out.

But stellar performances from Martin (12 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals), Jermaine Beal (13 points) and Tom Jervis (eight points, eight boards and three blocks) led the Cats home.

Demetri McCamey (13 points) was among Cairns' best, but the visitors paid the price for a high turnover count of 17 after succumbing to Perth's full-court pressure.

Earlier, Ennis wasted little time in getting into his dunk routine for the night, throwing down two slams in the first quarter, including an eye-catching alley-oop on a pass from Beal.

Martin's three opening term steals were the catalyst for Perth's eight-point lead at the first break.

But solid shooting kept the disciplined Taipans within range, and the visitors ended the first half with an 8-2 run to trail by just two baskets at intermission.

Ennis caught fire with a big third term as the Cats pushed their lead out to double digits before the Taipans began their massive comeback.

The Wildcats will complete the second leg of their Round 6 double-header on the road against Wollongong on Sunday, while Cairns travels to Melbourne to take on the Tigers on Saturday.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

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Sachin unbeaten after first day

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DELIRIOUS crowds greeted India's Sachin Tendulkar as he walked out to bat in his last Test match on Thursday, an emotional farewell game for a national hero whose 24-year career has made him a cricketing legend.

'The Little Master' faced 73 balls and finished the first day unbeaten on 38 from 73 balls.

Crowds at the Wankhede stadium in his home town of Mumbai erupted as Tendulkar went to the crease on the first day of the match, walking through a guard of honour created by his West Indian opponents, television pictures showed.

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Each run was greeted with raucous applause and cheering, with several textbook cover drives exhibiting the elegant strokeplay that had marked Tendulkar out since his international debut in 1989.

The 40-year-old is ending an international career during which he became the all-time leading Test and one-day batsman and the only man to score 100 international centuries.

Ahead of the match, he said the last 20 years had been "marked by some of the most challenging, exhilarating, poignant and memorable moments of my life".

"The game has seen so much change over the last two decades -- from advances in technology, new formats, yet the basic spirit and passion surrounding the game remains the same," he wrote in a front-page Hindustan Times article.

The end of the "Little Master", who has almost god-like status in his cricket-mad country, has been met with nationwide nostalgia for his sporting feats.

As he strode to the crease, acknowledging the applause with a modest raising of his bat, Indians all over the country huddled around television sets and Twitter exploded with messages wishing him luck.

Tendulkar led the team out onto the field at Wankhede stadium in the morning and the toss took place with a specially minted coin bearing his image on one side, footage showed. Cries of "Sachin! Sachin!" echoed throughout the day.

Follow the course of the game, and get all the social media reaction in our blog, and tune in to Fox Sports 2 to watch all the action LIVE and in HD.

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Kings hope import makes impact

Sam Younggoes up against LeBron James while playing for the Indiana Pacers against the Miami Heat. Source: Supplied

HE'S not a house hold name but NBA import Sam Young will give the Sydney Kings fans plenty to be excited about when he joins Shane Heal's team next week.

The 28 year old has played 249 games in his five years in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies (Three seasons), the Philadelphia 76ers (One season) and the undefeated (8-0) Indiana Pacers (One season).

The 198cm, 102kg swingman is expected to have an instant impact in the NBL after playing big minutes in the NBA making 52 starts in his five seasons.

Young's first game is expected to be against the Wildcats in Perth setting up the tantalising prospect of going head to head with excitement machine James Ennis.

Ennis has taken the NBL by storm this year with some monster dunks drawing comparisons with former King Leon Trimmingham.

Kings fans will have to wait a while to see their star import in action with their next four games after tonight's home game against Townsville on the road.

The December 14 match at the Entertainment Centre against the Wollongong Hawks looks likely to be Young's first game in Sydney.

Young's agent Joel Bell broke the news broke in US media yesterday declaring his player will be the highest paid player in the NBL.

"Sam had other options but this one made the most sense and will pay him as the highest player in the league," Bell said.

The news caught the Kings on the hop and left Heal with the difficult task of letting import Jesse Sanders know he would be playing his last game for the Kings against Townsville at the Entertainment centre tonight.

The match against the Crocodiles is sure to be an emotional one for Sanders and his team mates as he suits up for the last time with the Kings.

Sydney are looking to maintain their hold on third spot against another team with playoff ambitions.

The Kings have lost just one game at home this season going down 82-72 to the Wildcats at the Entertainment Centre in round three.

The signing is likely to move the third placed Kings into championship calculations with big man AJ Ogilvy in good form and perimeter players Ben Madgen and Charles Carmouche getting better every game.

Young also spent a short time at the San Antonio Spurs but was cut in the pre-season.

Kings fans will be hoping Sam Young fairs better than another US import Kenne Young who was one of the team's great disappointments when he arrived and departed in 1991.

But he did leave Sydney with a memorable quote when he said "I like dunking more than sex."

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Broad admits pitch worried Poms

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CHIEF protagonist Stuart Broad has conceded that timid England were so worried about a juicy SCG pitch they decided to bowl against a second-string side yesterday.

With conditions likely to be even livelier at the Gabba for the first Test next week, England ignored the chance to try and tough out some early moment against an unknown attack.

And the ploy appears to have backfired, with an invitational XI made up largely of NSW second XI players reaching 5-271 at stumps on the first day of the four-day match.

England complained so strongly about a lack of competition that Cricket Australia capitulated, dragging a number of players from other states into the side.

Ryan Carters hits a cut shot with Ian Bell fielding in close in the tour match between England and an Invitational XI at the SCG. Source: AFP

However, it was NSW second wicket-keeper Peter Nevill (76 not out) and the state's number three gloveman, Ryan Carters (94 not out), who embarrassed England by batting for almost four hours for an unbroken partnership of 178.

Broad was the pick of the England bowlers, claiming three early wickets to finish with 3-36 from 20 overs.

However, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin played themselves out of Test contention by bowling too consistently short.

It would have been understandable if England had fielded first to ensure their bowlers had more of a workout after only having a few hours of action in Hobart, where more than two days were washed out against Australia A last week.

However, Broad admitted England had been influenced by the condition of the SCG pitch.

Boyd Rankin failed to take a wicket for England on day one of the tour match against an Invitational XI. Source: Getty Images

"There was a little bit of a green tinge in the wicket and it did seam around for the first couple of hours, there is no doubt about that. I think it was quite a good time to bowl," Broad said.

"It was probably the best time to bowl on this wicket in the four days.

"Judging what Swannie (spinner Graeme Swann) got out of the wicket, it won't turn.

"The plan was to make early inroads, to try and get through them and then bat tonight, but they fought back fantastically well."

It was a miracle that curator Tom Parker and his ground staff were able to roll out a wicket of such high standard given the days of pouring rain leading into this match.

However, the outfield was still sandy after being top-dressed at the end of the football season, which Broad found tough.

"It was one of the hardest conditions I've bowled in on the calves and hamstrings for a long time with the sand-based outfield," he said.

"It was really hard to get grip and every stride took quite a bit out of the legs."

England's embarrassment at demanding more competition should be matched by CA's for attempting to provide it.

All the players who have been added to and subtracted from what was originally a NSW second XI could have turned it into a rugby XV or even AFL XVIII.

In the end only three interstate batsmen played and two of them, Aaron Finch (4) and Callum Ferguson (8), must have wondered why they bothered.

Ed Cowan (51) batted well in the difficult pre-lunch conditions but once again failed to press on.

Invitational XI 1st Innings

Aaron Finch c Bairstow b Broad 4 (7)

Ed Cowan c Trott b Finn 51 (93)

Callum Ferguson lbw b Broad 8 (30)

Kurtis Patterson c Cook b Finn 5 (11)

Ben Rohrer c Carberry b Broad 19 (48)

Ryan Carters not out 94 (199)

Peter Nevill not out 76 (157)

Sundries: (7lb, 2w, 5nb) 14

Total: Five wickets for 271

Fall: 4 (Finch), 27 (Ferguson), 37 (Patterson), 90 (Rohrer), 93 (Cowan).

Bowling: Stuart Broad 20-7-36-3 (2nb), Boyd Rankin 20-4-60-0 (1w), Steven Finn 22-4-79-2 (1w 3nb), Graeme Swann 22-5-66-0, Jonathon Trott 5-1-22-0, Joe Root 1-0-1-0.

Overs: 90.

Umpires: Simon Fry, Mick Martell.

Match Referee: Peter Marshall.

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Harris hoping his body holds up

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FAST-BOWLING warhorse Ryan Harris is prepared to bowl through the pain barrier and play all five Tests in a courageous bid to wrest Ashes supremacy from England.

Australia are sweating on the battle-scarred Harris averting a mid-series breakdown after the latest injury saga that has claimed comrades James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird.

The bullocking Queensland quick was a revelation during the recent Ashes in England, producing a lion-hearted effort to claim 24 wickets from four Tests at 19.58.

At 34, Harris is ostensibly a Test-by-Test proposition due a slew of injuries including shoulder, hip, knee and foot complaints. The lethal quick isn't about to take a reckless approach with his body, but is determined to play every Test this summer to halt the English juggernaut.

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"Hopefully I stay fit," Harris said ahead of the first Test starting Thursday.

"I've done everything I can, I've had a great build-up.

"It is very similar to what I've had in England and I got through four Tests there.

"I've tried to mirror what I did there, I've had that same build up, hopefully I stay healthy. The bowling group we have at the moment is great so I'll try and get as many wickets as I can through the series.

"If I'm not feeling 100 per cent right, I will be honest with 'Boof' (Australian coach Darren Lehmann) ... but hopefully it won't come to that."

Harris's assortment of setbacks has restricted his career to just 16 Tests. But when he is on deck, the former South Australian is one of the most incisive bowlers in world cricket, having claimed 71 scalps at a world-class 22.27.

Ryan Harris bowls in the new National Cricket Centre in Brisbane earlier this week. Source: Getty Images

At his lowest ebb, Harris briefly contemplated retirement, but the desire to taste Ashes glory has fuelled the likable paceman in his darkest days.

Labelled Australia's leader, Harris is content enough to adopt a pack mentality and says the return of bowling coach Craig McDermott will motivate the bowlers.

"It's nice to be known as the leader of the Australian attack but I look at it as us being there to do a job and get results," he said.

"I don't feel as though I'm the leader, we are all playing for our country, we are all leaders.

"The bowling group we have together, everyone is really close, we all talk about plans and we know what our plans are.

"I know what I have to bowl, it will be similar to England.

"Craig will finetune our plans and it's good to have him back ... he is very good at what he does."

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Gabba hoodoo haunts England

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IF there is any amusement in statistics then England's record at the Gabba is worth a chuckle.

Believe it or not, the Poms have lost more games in Brisbane than Australia.

That's a mighty achievement given they only catch the boat out here every four years or so.

Australia has played 55 Tests at the Gabba and lost only eight. England has played 19 and lost 10, a worse than 50 per cent record.

It gets better. Australia has won 33 matches at what has become known as fortress Gabba while England has claimed just four.

And the only post World War II victories were against virtual Australian second XIs, in 1978-79 during World Series Cricket and 1986-87 amid South African rebel tours.

So all things being equal, Australia should be raging hot favourites to stitch up the Poms on a typically bouncy deck.

Except things are rarely equal and they are certainly not at the moment.

It is little more than two months ago that Australia suffered a third successive Ashes defeat.

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Not since those dim, dark days in the mid '80s has Australia had such a forlorn run, failing to win nine Tests in a row.

The long term ramifications of the first Test are enormous on and off the field.

The new-found mantra of stability with selection, which has resulted in a rightly predictable first Test team, can only last with winning.

And Cricket Australia needs a victory desperately to put out the spot fires of chaos which are in danger of bursting into a raging bushfire.

Change is difficult and the Argus report has demanded sweeping reform following Australia's previous Ashes defeat at home three years ago.

But few have confidence in the man charged with implementing much of that change, Pat Howard, who holds the newly created position of high performance manager.

The former Wallaby has managed to upset or confuse many of the so called "stakeholders" he is meant to be working with, including players and state coaches and officials.

Perception is reality and CA gives the appearance of fraying at the edges.

How the governing body can so publicly fall out with cricket's biggest supporter, the ABC, is mind-boggling.

A slap around the head from recently retired legend Ricky Ponting via his book and subsequent straightforward interviews have not helped CA.

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Chief executive James Sutherland poured fuel on that spot fire when he played the man and not the ball at a press conference following CA's annual meeting last month.

He should have taken his angst out on Ponting, not those simply delivering Ponting's message.

Becoming frazzled in front of those who disseminate to the cricket world was neither reassuring nor edifying.

The capitulation and confusion surrounding England's current tour game, when a NSW second XI became an invitation XI at the insistence of the England Cricket Board, has only added to the perception of uncertainty.

Just two of the seven leading state players plucked from everywhere are involved, while South Australia's Callum Ferguson was a late inclusion.

Victory at the Gabba can set Australia on course to retain the Ashes.

Defeat doesn't bear thinking about.

GABBA TEST RESULTS

Australia: 55 Tests - 33 wins - 8 losses - 13 draws - 1 tie

England: 19 Tests - 4 wins - 10 losses - 5 draws

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PAIN OF DEFEAT

Michael Clarke has had enough of being beaten.

The Australian captain makes that clear in his just released book The Ashes Diary.

"Losing the series is devastating. I feel sick in the guts, to be honest,'' Clarke wrote after a promising run chase in the fourth Test at Durham fell apart and Australia went 3-0 down.

"The washout in Manchester hurt, but this is a feeling I couldn't prepare myself for.

"I had no idea it could feel this bad, and so personal."

Later Clarke continued: "I'm devastated and disappointed that we've let ourselves down with the bat again.

"If I want to face up to it, it's been happening for three or four years, about 10 times in that period."

BACKING UP

Along with the mental anguish Clarke has the constant physical demands of a degenerative back he has carried since a teenager.

The book offers a revealing snapshot of how much Clarke must endure simply to get on the ground.

His most constant companion is a MedX machine, either at his physio's rooms in Sydney or in London attempting to recover from flare-ups.

"I sit in position in the machine while it stretches me to full flexion and full extension. Every second I spent in there is strengthening me."

Clarke reveals that not only was his back sore, he needed a cortisone injection in a hip joint following the disastrous second Test at Lord's.

"It had better improve," Clarke wrote. "I can't feel my left quad so it's awkward walking around."

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Kruse makes Aussie awards history

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SOCCEROOS striker Robbie Kruse has created a piece of local football history after winning the Professional Footballers' Australia Footballer of the Year award.

Kruse enjoyed a strong 2012-13 campaign with German club Fortuna Dusseldorf before being transferred to their Bundesliga rival, Bayer Leverkusen.

The 25-year-old also became an increasingly significant member of the Socceroos side that qualified for next year's World Cup finals.

"It's been a wonderful ride and something I'm really enjoying and hopefully I can keep pushing myself and continue to improve," Kruse told AAP at Wednesday's award ceremony in Sydney.

He won the award ahead of England-based Socceroo midfielder Mile Jedinak and Central Coast striker, Daniel McBreen, last season's leading A-League scorer.

Kruse became the youngest ever winner of the award and the first man to win both it and the Harry Kewell Medal, the award for best under-23 player, which he took out two years ago.

"It's a good progression in my career. It obviously shows the A-League is a wonderful stepping stone as well,"' Kruse said. "I won the Harry Kewell the year after I moved from the A-League and then two years later I've won this award.

"It's very humbling to win the award and it's voted by your fellow players so it makes it even more special."

Another Germany-based player, Marco Rojas, won the Harry Kewell Medal.

New Zealander Rojas won last season's A-League MVP award while playing with Melbourne Victory.

Matildas star Samantha Kerr won the PFA Women's Footballer of the Year.

Attacker Kerr was a key member of Sydney's W-League winning team and also performed well for Australia.

She won the award from Brianna Davey and Stephanie Catley, who finished joint second.

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CCTV: Billy the boxing Kangaroo

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IT'S nearly 3am on the streets of Manchester at the front of a popular nightclub.

Billy Slater is struck on the side of the head by an open-handed shove from a man who thinks Slater is queue-jumping.

The Australian fullback's retaliation, as shown in CCTV footage screened on Channel 7, is swift.

The star No. 1 throws a strong right hand punch, collecting the other man who instigated the incident.

The man then clashes heads heavily with a woman behind him.

She careers away and is comforted by onlookers. The grainy footage shows Slater is not punched by the 40-year-old as had been previously claimed.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE

But team officials remain convinced that Slater was in the right.

"The first thing to remember here is the player is the victim," Australian team manager Gareth Holmes said.

"The second thing is that this is an eight-week tour and there are times when the players will be given the opportunity to go out and they deserve to be able to do that. We have great respect for our players and they respect their responsibilities."

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Police initially took Slater into custody but he was later released without charge - with police saying he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Police spokesman Adrian Worsley said Slater had left the Mojo nightclub at about 2.40am and then returned to collect his jacket when another patron, who had been arguing with the doorman, struck Slater.

Slater didn't return to the team hotel until after 8am and spent the day resting while teammates attended a training session in the lead up to Saturday's knockout quarter final against the United States in Wales.

Billy Slater for the Kangaroos. Source: AFP

It's the second late night incident on this tour, with rookie forward Josh Papalii robbed on his first night in Manchester, allegedly by armed thieves after another night out drinking with teammates.

Slater yesterday refused to go into detail about what happened, but conceded the attack was a "wake up call" for all players.

"I think we have to be aware of the situations we find ourselves in," he said.

"I suppose it is probably a bit of a wake-up call for everyone when we do go out."

Slater said the first call he made after the incident was to his family back home to let them know he was not injured.

"That was my main priority, to make sure my family knew I was OK," he said.

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Asked if he could understand the criticism that players shouldn't be out drinking in the early hours of the morning while on tour at the World Cup, he said: "I can understand that perception too. We are over here for eight weeks and it is important to enjoy and celebrate your wins, but obviously you'd like to stay away from these situations."

The Mojo nightclub, where the incident took place. Source: Supplied

It is understood Slater will be available for Australia's World Cup quarter final against the US, but he said he hadn't contemplated if the incident could cost his place in the team.

Slater said he would not be pressing charges.

Asked to explain exactly what occurred, Slater said: "I'm not going to sit here and go through the finer details of the event

"I think it has been well documented and the police report has the facts in it.

"I'm disappointed that spotlight is on this and not the tournament and the games we've played.

"I just want to express my disappointment there and move forward."

Slater said his main priority after being released by police was ensuring his family back home knew he was okay, with his wife Nicole posting this message on Instagram:

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Slater and Roos to stay on booze

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THE Kangaroos won't be put on a booze ban despite the second early morning incident during this World Cup campaign.

Yesterday, team officials leapt to the defence of Billy Slater, who was the victim of an unprovoked attack at a Manchester nightclub on Sunday in the UK.

Police initially took Slater into custody but he was later released without charge - with police saying he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Police spokesman Adrian Worsley said Slater had left the club at around 2.40am and then returned to collect his jacket when another patron, who had been allegedly arguing with the doorman, hit Slater.

Worsley said Slater then defended himself and struck the man hard enough to knock him backwards.

Slater didn't return to the team hotel yesterday until after 8am and spent the day resting while teammates attended a training session in the lead up to Saturday's knockout quarter final against the United States in Wales.

Rookie forward Josh Papalii was also robbed on his first night in Manchester, allegedly by armed thieves after another night out drinking with teammates.

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Slater last night refused to go into the exact details of what happened, but conceded the attack was a "wake up call" for all players.

"I think we have to be aware of the situations we find ourselves in," he said.

"I suppose it is probably a bit of a wake up call for everyone when we do go out.

"But I hope what happened last night doesn't jeopardise anyone else going out and having a good time because that is certainly what I don't want."

Australian team manager Gareth Holmes said: "The first thing to remember here is the player is the victim.

"The second thing is that this is an eight-week tour and there are times when the players will be given the opportunity to go out and they deserve to be able to that.

"We have great respect for our players and they respect their responsibilities."

The Mojo club, where the incident occured. Source: Supplied

Regardless, the attack on Slater occurred at 2.40am on Monday outside a Manchester nightclub.

Slater yesterday said the first call he made after the attack was to his family back home to let them know he was not injured.

"That was my main priority, to make sure my family knew I was okay," he said.

"It's pretty tough on them being over the other side of the world and hearing stuff like this.

"So that was my main priority, to make sure they knew I was okay."

Asked if he could understand the criticism that players shouldn't be out drinking in the early hours of the morning while on tour at the World Cup, he said: "I can understand that perception too.

"We are over here for eight weeks and it is important to enjoy and celebrate your wins but obviously you'd like to stay away from these situations."

CCTV footage of Billy Slater after the scuffle. Source: DailyTelegraph

Slater's wife Nicole posted an emotional message on Instagram where she said the king hit style attack could have "killed" her husband.

"Someone thought it was ok to punch my husband in the face, because he thought he pushed in line. If he had king hit him and killed him I would have to raise my 2 kids alone," she wrote.

"What has this world come to? I have already lost dad. Makes me sick. Think before u act, there is a family behind everyone. And your actions in that 2 sec can change people's lives 4 ever. This has to stop."

It is understood Slater will be available for Australia's World Cup quarter final against the United States on Saturday in Wales but he said at this point he hadn't contemplated if the incident could cost his place in the team.

He said he would not be pressing charges.

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Biggest Roo tour scandals revealed

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THERE was the time AC/DC once complained to management at a French hotel about the noise coming from the rooms of the Kangaroos. And the time Australian players rushed into a bar to fight the moody members of an English band.

The 3am dispute between a Manchester man and Billy Slater outside a nightclub is just one more instance in which off-field action on Australian Rugby League tours have been more newsworthy than what's happened in the Tests.

On the 1978 Kangaroo tour, a member of The Jam viciously glassed the face of Jim Caldwell, the team manager from Queensland, in a Leeds bar. Kangaroo Larry Corowa ran to defend the bloodied Caldwell, was punched from behind himself and raced into a nearby bar to get teammates to provide reinforcements for the brawl that ensued.

One member of The Jam landed in hospital with broken ribs and another was reported at the time to have been charged with assault.

Band ACDC on tour bus in 1976. Picture: Gary Graham Source: News Limited

Senior Australian manager Peter Moore told police that while he could guarantee the behaviour of his players for the rest of the night, he could not guarantee it the day after.

So what was left of The Jam were kicked out of their hotel rooms.

It's a source of wonder that footballers "get picked'' as often as they do. But some blokes just love to have something to boast about to their mates, don't they?

As the Kangaroos are in Manchester on this tour and not Leeds, a football city and not a rugby league one, there's every chance the galoot in the nightclub queue did not realise Slater was an international footballer who can handle himself.

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"You'd think because I'm 6 foot 3 and known for my aggression on the field that people wouldn't want to mess with me in public,'' marvelled Gorden Tallis, showing himself a man with a game plan in his book "Gordie's Tales''.

"(When I was a player, I'd say) if you're that tough, you should be getting paid for it instead of having a fight here. And then when you're getting paid (for playing league) I'll punch the shit out of you and can't be sued for it.

"No one ever did test that out. I've never been in a fight off the field.''

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While some of the most memorable Kangaroo tour stories over the years involve violence, some have none at all.

The mental picture of the members of AC/DC, purveyors of "Highway To Hell'' and all the rest, having their rest disturbed on a tour stop in the south of France by the racket from Aussie footballers in other rooms is one to savour.

From 1967, there was the "man in the bowler hat'' tale 1967 which was pinned on John Raper for 20 years until he wearied of it.

Ultimately Dennis Manteit admitted in an interview for Ian Heads' book The Kangaroos that while the most sensational part of the story was wrong - it was "ridiculous'' that anyone could walk down a town's street in a north of England winter wearing nothing but a bowler hat - he had taken part in a floor show at the hotel one night.

Heads wrote that Manteit wore a bowler hat, a team tie, an overcoat and nothing else, throwing the overcoat wide at the end of the act.

That was the tour Raper brought a jukebox into the hotel to create some fun. He also imported crates of beer for parties when the pub's prices got too high.

But at its end, the ARL docked each player a sum towards payment of a $700 bill for damage at their inadequate Yorkshire hotel, which had precisely two bathrooms.

John Raper with the Kangaroos. Source: News Limited

The 1990 Kangaroos racked up a total of $11,600 in hotel damages and a headline "Aussie Yobs Riot in Bar''. In his book, Ben Elias wrote one teammate "went crazy ... cornered the barman and clobbered him''.

In the 1980s, Kangaroo tourists would pool resources and buy a bomb to drive around during their visit. These were treated with such love and care that one on the 1982 tour was eventually good for nothing else than being pushed into a canal behind the team's Leeds hotel.

Police divers were summoned by a member of the public, alarmed that someone might be in the wreckage.

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Kiwis face big-bopper dilemma

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ONE stands 1.96m, weighs close to 130kg and goes by the nickname Dogzilla.

The other has been described as a wrecking ball.

The reality is that Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney will probably have to omit one from his team to face Scotland on Saturday morning.

It wasn't long ago that it was often a case of who to put in rather than who to leave out of the New Zealand side, but Kearney and assistant Ivan Cleary have some difficult decisions to make as the Kiwis head into the knockout phase of the World Cup.

The defending champions base a large part of their game around forward dominance and have arguably the best pack at the World Cup.

The biggest selection dilemma will be which world-class front-rower to leave out for their quarter-final in Leeds, assuming Kearney opts to go with his best playing 17.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is an automatic choice and Jesse Bromwich and Ben Matulino are also likely starters. That would mean either Sam Kasiano or Sam Moa being left out of the four-prop rotation.

Kasiano and Moa present compelling cases for inclusion for different reasons.

Sam Moa on the charge. Source: Getty Images

Kasiano, the only one of the five props to have played in all three games, is huge (officially 1.96m and 122kg but closer to 130kg) but also has soft hands and a good engine.

Dogzilla, as he's often referred to, is comfortable playing the ball at the line and has produced seven offloads at the World Cup.

Moa is a lot more compact (1.83m and 105kg) and very direct.

It's rare for him to produce an offload but he often provides a quick-play-the-ball, which is when hooker Issac Luke is at his most dangerous.

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Unsettled conditions all round

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ENGLAND'S Ashes preparation continues to be unsettled by injuries and the weather, with Kevin Pietersen needing to prove his fitness at training today.

If England's star performer cannot bat without discomfort in the nets this morning he will not be chosen for the last warm-up game, a four-day match against an invitation XI at the SCG starting tomorrow.

That would leave Pietersen with just 10 balls of match batting in the lead-up to the first Test at the Gabba, beginning on Thursday week.

He is not a certainty for the Test either after requiring a cortisone injection for a knee injury last Sunday in Melbourne.

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Wicket-keeper Matt Prior has already been ruled out of the tour match after scans revealed a low grade tear of his left calf suffered in last week's washed out match against Australia A in Hobart.

The England vice-captain has also spent limited time at the crease and will need to prove his fitness before playing in the Test.

Reserve wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow will replace Prior in this match,

Not only is England's side unsettled, the Cricket Australia invitation XI they will play has become a revolving door spinning off its axis.

West Australian Adam Voges will be ruled out today with a back injury, while spinner Steve O'Keefe has been called back into the NSW team to play the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Brisbane, beginning tomorrow.

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Earlier yesterday CA announced that Usman Khawaja had been released back to Queensland and Phil Hughes back to South Australia, in a swap for Callum Ferguson into the invitation XI.

NSW was going to lose exciting young batsman Nic Maddinson but he is also now in the Shield team.

Originally England was to play a NSW second XI but an angry England Cricket Board demanded greater competition so a gun batsman was summarily plucked from each state, turning the team into the CA capitulation XI.

Now half the original invitational players are unlikely to front.

And bad weather continues to follow England. After more than two days of the Australia A game were washed out, it has been pouring in Sydney since England arrived on Sunday.

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The tourists were forced to train indoors yesterday and the forecast is no better for today, but there is hope that the sun will return for the opening day of the match tomorrow.

England batsman Ian Bell described his team's injury situation as "not ideal."

"It's disappointing ... Matt is a key part of our success over the last few years and obviously we want him recovered as quick as possible.

"But there's still a bit of time. Matt has got himself in fantastic condition for this tour and he'll be very good with his rehab so we've got every faith that he'll be be fully fit for Brisbane."

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Slater attacked at UK nightclub

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AUSTRALIA'S Rugby League World Cup campaign has been thrown into turmoil, with superstar fullback Billy Slater attacked at a nightclub in Manchester.

Slater had been out drinking with teammates and was leaving the club around 3am when a fight broke out.

A police spokesman said: "One of the men threw a punch at the other, so the victim retaliated and punched him back in self-defence."

Australian team management said Slater now has the right to press charges.

"After reviewing CCTV footage of a scuffle outside a Manchester nightclub, police have determined that Slater was the victim who then acted in self-defence and has informed him of his right to press charges," a spokesman said.

"Billy was returning to the venue to collect his jacket that he left behind when he was attacked."

It is understood the doorman at the club recognised Slater as he returned for his jacket and started up a conversation, before another patron took offence to the line being held up and the drama erupted.

Police initially detained both men for several hours while they investigated the fight, and Slater still had not returned to the team hotel by morning.

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The Kangaroos were on a night out after returning to their World Cup base in Manchester following their 50-0 win over Ireland in Limerick.

Team management said the players were free of official duties after returning from Ireland early Sunday morning.

But the incident is still an unwanted distraction, with Australia taking on the United States in Wales on Saturday in their knockout quarter final.

It's not the first incident to occur in Manchester on tour. Rookie Kangaroos forward Josh Papalii was robbed on Australia's first night in the United Kingdom.

It is understood Papalii was also returning home after a night out when he was fronted by a group demanding money.

But since then, the Kangaroos had a faultless build up to the quarter finals with three straight victories over England, Fiji and Ireland.

Australian team management said Slater was not injured in the fight.

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Smith not thinking about Sonny

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KANGAROOS captain Cameron Smith says Australia can't afford to worry about what the Kiwis and Sonny Bill Williams are doing at the World Cup as the two powerhouses of the tournament head towards an inevitable showdown.

The two heavyweight nations of international rugby league have once again been the standout performers over the opening pool matches and England appear to be the only other side capable of ruining the dream final.

The Kangaroos lost to the Kiwis in 2008 and again in the 2010 Four Nations and for many of the senior players in the Australian side this will be their final chance for revenge.

Australia will again go into this Saturday's quarter final against the United States at just about unbackable odds - but Smith was adamant the Kangaroos would not treat the Tomahawks with disrespect.

Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand. Source: Getty Images

"The thing about this side is that we don't underestimate anybody we play," Smith said.

"Although we'll come in as red hot favourites against most teams, we don't underestimate any opposition we're playing against and we show the respect they deserve.

"I think that's the reason why we've played so well the last couple of weeks.

"It hasn't been the best of conditions that we've played in. We haven't really had a good track to play on.

"In Cardiff blokes were slipping all over the place. Last week and (against Ireland) was wet.

"But we've still played some pretty good football. We've controlled the ball really well.

"I think in all three matches we've had a completion rate in the 80s so we're just trying to build for the big matches.

"We want to continue what we've done in the last few weeks over the next few weeks."

And while everything looks to be heading towards a clash of the titans in the final at Old Trafford on November 30, Smith said the Kangaroos need to focus not on the Kiwis but improving their own game.

He said he had watched some of New Zealand's early pool performances and it was obvious Williams was their strike weapon - just like he was with the Roosters on their charge to premiership glory in the NRL.

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"We've seen a bit of the game against PNG. They played really well, they've got a great side," Smith said.

"They played strong and physical through the middle.

"Obviously they're trying to get the ball to Sonny Bill Williams as much as they can and he's done a fair bit of damage there.

"We're not too worried about them at the moment.

"If we meet them it's going to be in a grand final of this tournament so we'll just worry about getting ourselves right for this week.

"Everyone wants to be involved in the World Cup final so whoever we come up against, they'll be hungry and we can't get ahead of ourselves trying to think about New Zealand, if they're going to be there, how they're going to play, how we're going to play against them.

"We've just got to worry about who we're playing."

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Injured Messi out for two months

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LIONEL Messi has been ruled for out up to two months after tearing his hamstring in Barcelona's La Liga match against Real Betis on Sunday.

The Argentine international was replaced in the 19th minute of the 4-1 win over Betis at the Benito Vilamarin stadium, and Barcelona's club doctors revealed early Tuesday (AEST) that tests revealed a tear to his left leg.

"The club's medical services confirmed after tests this Monday morning that Leo Messi has a torn hamstring muscle in his left thigh and is expected to miss the next 6 to 8 weeks," Barcelona said in a statement.

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Messi has suffered three injuries already this season. The four-time World Player of the Year missed a week after bruising his thigh in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid against Atletico Madrid on August 21. The forward was also out for three weeks after a small muscle tear in his right thigh in the league match against Almeria on September 28.

Despite the injury setbacks and a four-game streak without scoring, Messi has still managed 14 goals in 16 matches this season.

After Sunday's match, Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said Messi's injury troubles were not related and his absence could never be used as en excuse for the team to not perform.

"We have the best player in the world, but we also have four or five of the next six or seven best players in the world," Martino said. "Therefore, as a coach, the absence of Messi should never be used as an excuse for not winning.

"The injury to Messi doesn't have anything to do with the previous ones because it is in the other leg."

Despite losing Messi with the score still at 0-0, Barca cruised to victory as two goals in two minutes from Neymar and Pedro Rodriguez put them 2-0 up at the break.

The first phase of Messi's recovery will be covered in Barcelona, the club said, and he will then travel to Buenos Aires for further treatment.

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Fawad's Test hopes take a spin

NSW duo Steve Smith and David Warner hit Sheffield Shield centuries in their clash with Victoria.

FAWAD Ahmed has bowled himself out of Test contention.

The leg-spinner was always going to be the gamble that Australia could not afford to take once Shane Watson broke down with a minor hamstring strain.

Watson will play in the first Test against England at Brisbane's Gabba next week as a batsman but will not bowl.

Fawad had a bad week of Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria, reinforcing the view that he is simply too big a risk.

His elimination from the Test candidates leaves just one place in the team up for grabs.

It is a tight tussle between Tasmanians George Bailey and Alex Doolan which will be decided when the selectors finalise the side at a meeting in Brisbane tonight.

Bailey was a standout during the recent one-day series in India while Doolan has been in sublime form at the start of the first class summer.

As by far the most productive one-day batsman in the side since joining the 50-over team early last year, Bailey remains the favourite to collect a baggy green cap.

Fawad shot into Test calculations when he claimed 6-68 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia recently.

In his past three Shield innings, including two against NSW last week when he bowled to Test captain Michael Clarke and destructive opener David Warner, Fawad had collective figures of 1-166.

Worse than that, he has conceded more than four runs an over.

The only way Australia was going to take a punt on Fawad was if he continued taking bags of wickets and Watson was able to bowl as a fourth seamer.

But with only three front-line fast bowlers, including a sometimes wayward Mitchell Johnson, the selectors are not prepared to gamble with Fawad.

He may still play later in the series if he can begin claiming wickets again and Watson resumes bowling.

Nathan Lyon's start to the Shield season for NSW has been no more than steady but his accuracy will be vital to try and create pressure on England.

Leg-spinners have a better record at the Gabba than off-spinners in Test cricket, largely thanks to Shane Warne.

The game's greatest spinner claimed 68 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 20, the most wickets ever taken at the Gabba by any Test bowler.

Richie Benaud is the next most successful leg-spinner with 23 wickets in five Tests at an average of 26.

However Lyon is one of just three off-spinners to claim more than eight wickets in a career at the Gabba. He has 11 at 24 in two Tests after a good first game against New Zealand.

The most successful off-spinner at the Gabba is actually West Indian Lance Gibbs, who once held the record for the most number of wickets in Test cricket.

He claimed 14 wickets in two Tests, while Ian Johnson took 12 wickets in six Tests.

Likely team: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon. 12th James Faulkner or Ben Hilfenhaus.

Leg-spinners

Shane Warne - 11 tests - 68 wickets - average: 20 - best figures: 8-71

Richie Benaud - 5 tests - 23 wickets - average: 26 - best figures: 6-115

Doug Ring - 2 tests - 14 wickets - average: 19 - best figures: 6-72

Off-spinners

Lance Gibbs (WI) - 2 tests - 14 wickets - average: 23 - best figures: 5-8

Ian Johnson - 6 tests - 12 wickets - average: 20 - best figures: 3-46

Nathan Lyon - 2 tests - 11 wickets - average: 24 - best figures: 4-69

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Tigers prove point

The Melbourne Tigers' Mark Worthington can't stop the Hawks' Rhys Martin from driving to the basket. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

THE Melbourne Tigers haven't had the league's leading scorer since Andrew Gaze was still doing his thing more than a decade ago.

Yesterday Chris Goulding again showed why he is the man to change that statistic.

After an indifferent start - his first points came from a three-point bomb on the quarter-time buzzer - the Tigers scoring machine flicked the switch and then when the game was on the line delivered to get his team home 81-76 against a dogged Wollongong Hawks.

Goulding finished with his first NBL double-double - 29 points and 12 rebounds - as the Tigers withstood a last quarter comeback to close out their third victory of the season.

While there were several other important contributions including 20 points from Mark Worthington, some improved output from Canadian centre Scott Morrison (12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks) and valuable defensive minutes from youngster Owen Odigie, it was two big plays from Goulding which decided the contest.

With less than two minutes to go the Tigers star drove to the basket, sucking two defenders to him before producing a brilliant no-look behind-the-head pass to Morrison for an easy dunk.

Then with 34 seconds to go and the lead only two points, Goulding wandered into the corner and despite defenders all over him nailed the winning jumper.

Hawks guard Rotnei Clarke, a former US college star with Butler University who led his team with 17 points, summed it up best afterwards: "He (Goulding) is a great player, he takes some tough shots and they go in."

Tigers coach Chris Anstey was happy to mention Goulding, who is averaging 26.6 points this season to lead the NBL in scoring, in the same sentence as Gaze afterwards.

"I don't think this club has had a scorer like him since Andrew Gaze," Anstey said. "That's what he is to us right now at the offensive end, you put the ball in his hands and he creates something.

"Even the bad shots he takes you still expect to go in, and when I say that, they are a bad shot for others but not for him."

It has already been a big year for the Tigers reigning MVP after a workout with NBA star Kyrie Irving earlier in the year led to an invite to the Cleveland Cavaliers' pre-summer league camp and then a spot on the team for its series in Las Vegas.

Worthington, who previously played with Goulding at the Gold Coast, afterwards praised the maturing of his teammate which the man himself admitted was a factor in overcoming his tardy start.

"It is something I have been working on," Goulding, 25, said. "I've realised over the last couple of years that it is a long game, 40 minutes is a long time.

"I think in my earlier years I would have got a bit antsy and tried to force it a little bit but the same thing happened in Adelaide (on Friday night) as well, personally I didn't get off to a great start but it's a long game.

"So I just had to stay in that mindset, try not to force it, take the opportunities when they come."

The victory over the Hawks, who now slip to 1-5, was important for the Tigers given they came up short, 90-87, to the Sixers in Adelaide on Friday night.

Anstey praised his charges for willing themselves over the line given they were once again hampered by injuries with Lucas Walker (illness) sitting out while Nate Tomlinson also battled through a stomach ailment.

"We needed a win, and we ground it out," he said.

The Tigers next game is against the Cairns Taipans on Saturday night at The Cage.

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NBL: no vendetta against Joey

Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright (left) speaks to the referee during an NBL game against the New Zealand Breakers. Source: Fiona Goodall / Getty Images

THE Adelaide 36ers today will review technical fouls slapped on Joey Wright while NBL referees boss Mal Cooper insists there is no "vendetta" against the Sixers' coach.

"I must stress there's no vendetta against Joey at all," Cooper said.

"Maybe there have been a couple of unfortunate incidents but I will find out from both officials exactly what was said and I will talk with Joey to try and sort it out."

Wright, who has a reputation for volatility but has shown only passion since being appointed coach of the second-ranked Sixers, was hit with a technical foul by Vaughan Mayberry just 4:46 before half-time of Adelaide's recent 96-93 road win over New Zealand.

Import Jarrid Frye was roughly handled by Breakers' swingman Reuben Te Rangi and no call was made, leading to Wright's protestations.

Mayberry replied by giving him a technical foul.

On Friday as the 36ers saw off Melbourne 90-87 at Adelaide Arena, Wright was hit with a technical foul by Nathan Durant 43 seconds from half-time.

Wright had been animated about a no-call when Gary Ervin was knocked to the floor after releasing a three-point attempt.

Wright already had received what appeared to be an unwarranted earlier warning from referee Michael Aylen, prompting Durant's tech.

In both instances, the technical fouls looked more the work of trigger-happy refs than officials understanding man-management.

"Michael (Aylen) and Vaughan (Mayberry) are our Olympics referees so I will talk with both but I know no-one has any axe to grind against Joey," Cooper said.

Adelaide 36ers general manager Dean Parker said he had no issue with his coach's sideline behaviour and felt the officials may have been overly sensitive.

"I'll speak to Joey first before we look at whether we take it up with the NBL or Mal," Parker said.

"Joey is a vocal, emotive man when he's coaching and we wouldn't want him any other way.

"He's done nothing abusive or nothing incorrect and I do have a concern they're (the officials) jumping on him faster than they need to.

"Are they jumping on him because it's him? Calls like those have the potential to be game-changing."

Adelaide is on the road back to Auckland on Friday to again face New Zealand, the Breakers beaten 91-78 by Townsville this weekend and currently seventh on a 2-5 record.

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Cooper deed shows meaning of Cup

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FOR every critic who thinks this World Cup is a waste of time, Ireland captain Liam Finn tells a story that might change your mind.

Finn walked off the field yesterday on the wrong side of a 50-0 hiding at the hands of the tournament favourites Australia.

But on a bitterly cold night in Limerick, Finn then spoke about a moment at the end of the match that he would remember forever.

"Cooper Cronk asked me to swap shirts today after the game," Finn said.

"I play second division rugby league in England and he is probably the best halfback in the world. And he wants to swap shirts with Ireland.

"That's the type of players who play rugby league.

"The message that we get from a lot of the NRL players is they want the game to develop and they are happy to pass on their knowledge and they are secure enough in their own knowledge that they are happy to pass it on."

Jarryd Hayne tackled. Source: Getty Images

Cronk agreed that there was more to this tournament than who wins the final at Old Trafford on November 30.

"The experience to spread the word of rugby league is what it is all about," Cronk said.

"I am just as proud and excited to represent my country as the captain of Ireland.

"It is a chance of a lifetime to come over to Ireland. Play at Wales at Millennium Stadium, one of the biggest venues in the world, and just do as you dreamed of as a kid.

"Now there are guys who play second division, locals from Samoa and Tonga, and you've got guys who are playing professional as well.

"It is a really good mix. It is a great advertisement for rugby league and I hope it continues for the next month."

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The crowd in Limerick was only 5021, but it was the biggest to attend a rugby league match in Ireland.

And as for the future, Ireland's coach Mark Aston was adamant the tournament was a step in the right direction.

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