White relishes return to big time

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A STARRING return to the international arena has not been enough to convince Cameron White he is a walk-up start for the Twenty20 World Cup squad.

Playing in national colours with the first time since October 2012, White produced a man-of-the-match performance against England in Hobart last night to lift Australia to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

The Melbourne Stars skipper clubbed 75 off just 43 balls, cracking four sixes and six boundaries as he shared a 106-run opening stand with Aaron Finch (52) inside 11 overs which set up the home side's daunting 4-213 and eventual 13-run win.

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With World Cup certainties David Warner and Shane Watson rested ahead of the South Africa tour, White relished the chance to open the batting for his country for the first time to stake a claim for inclusion in the final squad.

However despite his brutal display and being regarded as one of the cleanest hitters in the game, White knows he must keep producing if he is take keep his second shot rolling.

"Those guys (Warner and Watson) have got to come back in, I'm not exactly sure I will be in the team once they are back,'' White said when asked if he expected to slide down the order for the return of the dynamic duo.

"Naturally they will come in for the next series overseas.

"All I can do is concentrate on these next couple of games and hopefully put my best foot forward and score a few more runs.

"With the Twenty20 World Cup around the corner, that is a bit of an aim.''

White had been a mainstay in coloured clothing for Australia up until a few years ago, but strong form domestically in the Ryobi Cup, Sheffield Shield and Big Bash forced the selectors hands.

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Cousins to face court: report

Ben Cousins will reportedly face court next month. Source: Richard Ashford-Hatherly / News Limited

FALLEN former West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins is facing a fresh chapter in his addiction battle after being charged with drug possession.

Seven News reported tonight that Cousins, who has battled drug addiction, was stopped by police in his car near his Bicton home last October.

The Brownlow medallist and premiership player's car was searched and police allegedly found a bag containing traces of what they suspected was a prohibited drug.

The bag was sent for testing and three months later Cousins, 35, was charged with drug possession despite it only involving a tiny amount of an alleged illicit substance, it was reported.

Cousins will reportedly face court in Fremantle next month.

Cousins was fined $800 in June 2012 after he pleaded guilty to possessing methylamphetamine, a small amount of cannabis and a smoking utensil following his arrest at Esperance Airport earlier that year.

His drug battle ended his 12-year career with West Coast after a string of incidents.

The father of two young children was suspended for 12 months by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute before making a comeback with Richmond. He retired in 2010.

Cousins' drug addiction has seen him experience relapses, admitted to hospital, undergo stints in rehabilitation centres and offer public apologies.

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Bosnar call looms for Sydney FC

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DEFENDER Eddy Bosnar is likely to learn at the weekend whether Sydney FC will sign him and the signs are promising.

Bosnar, who was recently released by Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, has been training with the Sky Blues for over a fortnight.

Tiago Calvano's exit to the US this week further weakens a Sydney defence which had already lost fellow import Pascal Bosschaart in October and it opens up another spot in coach Frank Farina's squad.

Farina admits the timing could be right for Bosnar before the January transfer window closes next week.

"Yes it does open a door but whether or not we decide to welcome him through that door we'll decide most probably on the weekend because that decision needs to be made by Tuesday," said Farina on Thursday.

Defender Eddie Bosnar, right, playing for Suwon Bluewings against Central Coast Mariners during the Asian Champions League last year. The Aussie centre-back may join Sydney FC. Source: AFP

"Eddy's looking in good shape and we are looking a bit thin across the central defence now.

"So there's an opportunity there."

The 33-year-old journeyman hasn't been back in Australia since leaving the old NSL in 2000, having since had stints at clubs including Everton, Sturm Graz, Dinamo Zagreb and Shimizu S-Pulse.

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Bosnar represented Australia at three different age groups but was never picked for the Socceroos.

Farina said it was more matter of money rather than Bosnar proving his skill.

"He doesn't have to do a lot to impress me. He's got a great history," Farina said.

"It's just a decision we've got to make both financially and for the team.

"If it's the right one we'll go about it."

Eddie Bosnar training with Brett Emerton way back in 2000. Source: News Limited

Farina said however, while there are two spots he can fill in this current transfer window, the club will only be offering contracts until the end of this season.

With the majority of the players coming off contract at the end of this campaign, including the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Ali Abbas, Joel Chianese, Richard Garcia and Terry McFlynn, Farina says he has plans to wait until then to make more permanent signings.

"If we fill those spots it will only be until the end of this year it won't be long term," he said.

"At the end of this current season only eight players remain on contract so there's an opportunity to really rebuild."

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Farina won't be making too many changes this week however, as the Sky Blues face Melbourne Heart on Friday having dismantled their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory 5-0 last week.

"It's hard to change a winning side," he said.

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White relishes return to big time

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A STARRING return to the international arena has not been enough to convince Cameron White he is a walk-up start for the Twenty20 World Cup squad.

Playing in national colours with the first time since October 2012, White produced a man-of-the-match performance against England in Hobart last night to lift Australia to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

The Melbourne Stars skipper clubbed 75 off just 43 balls, cracking four sixes and six boundaries as he shared a 106-run opening stand with Aaron Finch (52) inside 11 overs which set up the home side's daunting 4-213 and eventual 13-run win.

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

With World Cup certainties David Warner and Shane Watson rested ahead of the South Africa tour, White relished the chance to open the batting for his country for the first time to stake a claim for inclusion in the final squad.

However despite his brutal display and being regarded as one of the cleanest hitters in the game, White knows he must keep producing if he is take keep his second shot rolling.

"Those guys (Warner and Watson) have got to come back in, I'm not exactly sure I will be in the team once they are back,'' White said when asked if he expected to slide down the order for the return of the dynamic duo.

"Naturally they will come in for the next series overseas.

"All I can do is concentrate on these next couple of games and hopefully put my best foot forward and score a few more runs.

"With the Twenty20 World Cup around the corner, that is a bit of an aim.''

White had been a mainstay in coloured clothing for Australia up until a few years ago, but strong form domestically in the Ryobi Cup, Sheffield Shield and Big Bash forced the selectors hands.

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Cousins to face court: report

Ben Cousins will reportedly face court next month. Source: Richard Ashford-Hatherly / News Limited

FALLEN former West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins is facing a fresh chapter in his addiction battle after being charged with drug possession.

Seven News reported tonight that Cousins, who has battled drug addiction, was stopped by police in his car near his Bicton home last October.

The Brownlow medallist and premiership player's car was searched and police allegedly found a bag containing traces of what they suspected was a prohibited drug.

The bag was sent for testing and three months later Cousins, 35, was charged with drug possession despite it only involving a tiny amount of an alleged illicit substance, it was reported.

Cousins will reportedly face court in Fremantle next month.

Cousins was fined $800 in June 2012 after he pleaded guilty to possessing methylamphetamine, a small amount of cannabis and a smoking utensil following his arrest at Esperance Airport earlier that year.

His drug battle ended his 12-year career with West Coast after a string of incidents.

The father of two young children was suspended for 12 months by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute before making a comeback with Richmond. He retired in 2010.

Cousins' drug addiction has seen him experience relapses, admitted to hospital, undergo stints in rehabilitation centres and offer public apologies.

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Bosnar call looms for Sydney FC

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DEFENDER Eddy Bosnar is likely to learn at the weekend whether Sydney FC will sign him and the signs are promising.

Bosnar, who was recently released by Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, has been training with the Sky Blues for over a fortnight.

Tiago Calvano's exit to the US this week further weakens a Sydney defence which had already lost fellow import Pascal Bosschaart in October and it opens up another spot in coach Frank Farina's squad.

Farina admits the timing could be right for Bosnar before the January transfer window closes next week.

"Yes it does open a door but whether or not we decide to welcome him through that door we'll decide most probably on the weekend because that decision needs to be made by Tuesday," said Farina on Thursday.

Defender Eddie Bosnar, right, playing for Suwon Bluewings against Central Coast Mariners during the Asian Champions League last year. The Aussie centre-back may join Sydney FC. Source: AFP

"Eddy's looking in good shape and we are looking a bit thin across the central defence now.

"So there's an opportunity there."

The 33-year-old journeyman hasn't been back in Australia since leaving the old NSL in 2000, having since had stints at clubs including Everton, Sturm Graz, Dinamo Zagreb and Shimizu S-Pulse.

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Bosnar represented Australia at three different age groups but was never picked for the Socceroos.

Farina said it was more matter of money rather than Bosnar proving his skill.

"He doesn't have to do a lot to impress me. He's got a great history," Farina said.

"It's just a decision we've got to make both financially and for the team.

"If it's the right one we'll go about it."

Eddie Bosnar training with Brett Emerton way back in 2000. Source: News Limited

Farina said however, while there are two spots he can fill in this current transfer window, the club will only be offering contracts until the end of this season.

With the majority of the players coming off contract at the end of this campaign, including the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Ali Abbas, Joel Chianese, Richard Garcia and Terry McFlynn, Farina says he has plans to wait until then to make more permanent signings.

"If we fill those spots it will only be until the end of this year it won't be long term," he said.

"At the end of this current season only eight players remain on contract so there's an opportunity to really rebuild."

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Farina won't be making too many changes this week however, as the Sky Blues face Melbourne Heart on Friday having dismantled their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory 5-0 last week.

"It's hard to change a winning side," he said.

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Ref rage latest off-season blight

NRL referee Gavin Morris. Source: News Limited

COULD the NRL's summer of hell get any worse?

A player sent to jail, a taxi driver assaulted, drunken misbehaviour and now a referee, yes, a referee, being investigated by the code's integrity unit for allegedly punching a touch judge.

Gavin Morris is accused of striking Terry Pascoe, a Queensland Cup touch judge, at a new year's eve party in Sydney.

He required treatment in hospital for a nasty facial gash.

The photo doing the rounds on social media. Source: Supplied

A photo of the touchie's bloodied face was doing the rounds on social media but has been removed in recent days.

Not before it was emailed to The Daily Telegraph.

Pascoe is understood to have spoken to police about the incident but declined to make a formal complaint.

However he did give a report and his version of events yesterday to the integrity unit, which is treating the incident seriously.

Morris has done 46 first grade games since becoming an NRL referee in 2010. The 33-year-old referee did not return phone calls or text messages yesterday.

Integrity Unit boss Jim Doyle was reluctant to comment because the matter is still under investigation.

However there is concern about the likelihood the allegations may result in player sledging if Morris has any foul play to deal with from here on.

Drama and controversy within the NRL refereeing ranks hasn't been restricted to their on-field performances in recent seasons.

Last year two experienced refs - Gavin Badger and Jason Robinson - fell out and were barred from officiating at the same venue.

The turmoil has resulted in four different refereeing bosses in three seasons - Bill Harrigan, Stuart Raper, Daniel Anderson and now Tony Archer.

The latest allegations cap one of the worst off-seasons on record for player misbehaviour, which included the jailing of the Knights' Russell Packer.

Former Origin and Raiders star Blake Ferguson was convicted of indecent assault and faces sentencing on Monday.

The last week has seen three incidents involving Willie Mason, Dane Gagai and Liam Foran.

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NRL'S PRE-SEASON DEMONS

Ben Rogers (Knights) - Player turned club official charged in October with assault after September 1 charity fundraiser incident.

Dylan Walker (Rabbitohs) - Charged with affray over alleged role in November 3 street brawl.

Tyrone Phillips (Bulldogs) - Charged with affray over alleged role in November 3 street brawl.

Reni Maitua (Bulldogs) - Charged with assault over alleged November 25 attack on cab driver.

Blake Ferguson arrives at Sutherland Court. Picture: John Appleyard Source: News Limited

Blake Ferguson (ex-Raiders) - Convicted on December 11 of indecent assault before Origin II, awaiting sentence.

Russell Packer (Knights) - Convicted and jailed two years on January 6 for brutal November 29 assault. Has appealed.

Richie Fa'aoso (Sea Eagles) - Given good behaviour bond on January 23 after November 24 domestic argument with pregnant wife that ended in drunken police pursuit.

Willie Mason at his home in Newcastle after going DUI on his way to training. Picture by Peter Lorimer. Source: News Limited

Willie Mason (Knights) - Charged with drink-driving on January 27 after Australia Day bender.

Dane Gagai (Knights) - Banned from Queensland duties on January 27 for missing Emerging Origin training.

Liam Foran (Eels) - Fronted court January 28 over alleged January 12 assault on family member.

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SuperCoach 10 commandments

Shane Crawford reveals his bargain picks for SuperCoach 2014

SINCE the dawn of Nissan SuperCoach, the secret to success has been a Holy Grail.

Finding it is made even tougher by the fact that the game changes every year. New players emerge, teams rise and fall and tactics evolve.

But some things don't change.

If you want to have a shot at the $50,000 prize, or just claim bragging rights over your best mate for a week, you have to follow these golden rules.

SUPERCOACH IS BACK! CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

1. Take off your scarf

Don't let your allegiance to your favourite AFL team cloud your thinking.

You need to be ruthless in this game and if that means leaving out Luke Hodge because he doesn't fit your team structure even though he's your favourite player, that's what you have to do.

SHANE CRAWFORD: NO MORE MR NICE GUY

Collingwood fans be warned, this might mean including Dale Thomas in your squad even though you burnt your No. 13 Collingwood jumper when he jumped ship to reunite with Mick Malthouse.

Knowing your own team can have its benefits though if you are a regular at pre-season training and get a whisper on kid likely to get a game early or a player being tried in a new position.

2. Pick Gary Ablett

You can't win without Gazza. The Gold Coast captain is the most expensive player in the game but there is a good reason for that - he produces the highest scores and dominates on a consistent basis. We've heard talk he might spend more time up forward this year but don't expect that to impact his scores too much - they might even go up. Some clever players left out Ablet last year and watched in horror as he scored 178 in Round 1. If their opponent had him as captain, they were 356 points behind. Don't be clever this year.

SERIOUS SUPERCOACH: IS THIS THE YEAR TO LEAVE OUT ABLETT?

3. Get your rookies right

The $10 million salary cap sounds a lot but it isn't enough to fill your team with champions from Round 1. To get as many as you can - and to help add more later in the year - you need to find the bottom-priced players who will get games, score you points and increase in value.

High draft picks are usual safe bets, especially in the midfield, and clubs down the bottom of the ladder are more likely to expose their youngsters to senior action. Watch SuperFooty closely to find out which players are being talked up by teammates and coaches over the pre-season.

Shane Crawford ponders his selections for 2014. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Limited

4. Make the most of the mini-draft

Last year two of the best performing rookies were Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara and Adelaide midfielder Brad Croach. This was no surprise as both had 12 months in the AFL system after being recruited as 17-year-olds via the GWS mini-draft. This year we have another two mini-draft picks who should be great SuperCoach scorers - Jack Martin at Gold Coast and Jesse Hogan at Melbourne. Both played - and dominated - against senior company last season (Martin in the NEAFL and Hogan in the VFL) while being groomed by an AFL club. This year they will cost a lot more than other rookies, but pay the dollars and get them in.

SERIOUS SUPERCOACH: IS JACK MARTIN WORTH THE CASH?

5. Pick dual-position players

Dual-position players can be picked in more than one position and provide valuable flexibility in your line-up. They also allow us to pick players in the forward line and defence who spend a lot of time in the midfield - where more points are on offer. Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin can be picked as forwards and you can select Sam Mitchell and Jimmy Bartel in your backline. Make sure you have DPPs on multiple lines who can swap with each other if injury or suspension strikes.

EXPERTS NAME THEIR BEST AND WORST SUPERCOACH PICKS

6. Back the comeback kids

SuperCoach prices are calculated on output in 2013 so if a players' output was affected by injury their price may be considerably lower than what they are capable of producing when fully fit.

Dayne Beams played only eight matches last year and was underdone after returning from a quad injury. He averaged 102 SuperCoach points and is priced this year on those scores, but when he was fully fit in 2012 his average was over 120.

Hamish McIntosh didn't play at all in 2013 and has been given a big price discount even though he averaged 103 points in 2012. But picking injured players can be risky if they don't return to their best or, worse, break down again.

THE BASICS: HOW TO PICK A WINNING SUPERCOACH TEAM

7. Give second chance players a go

Players at new clubs can provide another avenue for SuperCoach value. Dale Thomas is the obvious example but don't forget lesser-known names like Viv Michie - who should get plenty of opportunities at Melbourne after struggling to break into Fremantle's best 22 - and Jeremy Laidler, who is now at Sydney (and available at a bargain price) after falling out of favour at Carlton. Michie and Laidler are priced cheaper than some first-year players and have been recruited to fill a specific role, which makes them more likely to hold their spot in the side.

SuperCoach is a fantastic way to continue great rivalries off the field, as Barry Hall and Jason Dunstall can attest. Source: News Limited

8. Don't forget the byes

This year the multi-bye weekends fall from Rounds 8-10. When picking your team keep one eye on the fixture to make sure you don't have too many players from one team, or from teams who share the same bye. During those weeks only our best 18 scoring players contribute to our score, and we get some extra help in the form of a bonus trade. But Round 8 could be a killer with all our Collingwood, Geelong, Gold Coast, Richmond, Adelaide and North Melbourne players sitting in the stands. It shouldn't dictate our selections but if you have to make a line-ball call between two players, it could be the deciding factor.

WHO'S READY TO BREAK OUT IN 2014?

9. Everyone makes mistakes

Don't expect to get every selection right. Even after exhaustive research and watching every pre-season game closely, the experts can still get it wrong - and recover. Last year's overall winner had Brisbane's Patrick Karnezis in his Round 1 line-up. After starring in the NAB Cup, Karnezis bombed in Round 1, was the sub the next week and was dropped the week after. Now he's at Collingwood. Smart players use all available trades in the early rounds to correct any pre-season bloopers.

10. Sign up your mates

The No. 1 rule is to have fun! And the real fun of SuperCoach is challenging your family, friends, co-workers and neighbours in head-to-head competition every weekend. Set up your league and invite your mates and let the mind games begin.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW!

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SuperCoach: No more Mr Nice Guy

Shane Crawford reveals his bargain picks for SuperCoach 2014

I HAVE a message for all those kids who constantly remind me that I'm an easybeat at Nissan SuperCoach.

To those little old ladies who stop me in the supermarket aisle and want to see who my captain is that week.

SUPERCOACH IS BACK! CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

And to my friends and work colleagues who get so much satisfaction out of defeating me throughout the season - guess what? That's all about to change. That's right, in 2014 my philosophy is simple: No more Mr Nice Guy!

I'm so excited to have footy back in the paper and even more excited that my new SuperCoach squad, which I've spent my summer holidays fine-tuning to pure perfection, is ready to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public.

WIN $50,000 PLUS A NISSAN ALTIVA ON OFFER FOR THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL ROUND SCORE OF 2014

Nothing but premiership glory for me this year!

I'm sick and tired of my emotions being defined by the result of my SuperCoach team.

Every weekend of the season I go in full of hope only to show my face on Monday to cop the barbs about an out of form line-up.

I will not stand for it any more.

SUPERCOACH 10 COMMANDMENTS

12 PLAYERS TO ROLL THE DICE ON

My preparation will be faultless, just like the AFL players who are training like their life depends on it (it will if they are in my team and not performing)!

While they sweat it out on the training track and in the gym, I'm working just as hard dissecting every story about a player "training the house down" over pre-season, injury reports, stats, the fixture and making a few calls to people in the know.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CHAT ON A MOBILE DEVICE

THE BASICS: HOW TO PLAY SUPERCOACH

HOW TO PICK A WINNING TEAM

TOP SUPERCOACH PICK AT EVERY CLUB

JAY CLARK REVEALS HIS EARLY SUPERCOACH LINE-UP

I'm not going to give away the results but here are some questions you should be asking too:

WILL Gary Ablett still be the No. 1 SuperCoach player by the end of the season or will Scott Pendlebury, Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield, Trent Cotchin or Ryan Griffen challenge for the prestigious title?

WHICH injured player is a MUST for our sides? Is it Dale Thomas or Hamish Macintosh? You will get them at a good price, but are they be reliable?

WHO will be the next Chad Wingard? Last year Wingard exploded as Port Adelaide started the season on fire with plenty of great SuperCoaches scorers - who can do that this year?

WILL the Demons under Paul Roos go from SuperCoach duds to SuperCoach studs?

WHAT do we do with ageing stars like Adam Goodes, Mathew Pavlich and Chris Judd? Do they still have currency? Hint: Never write off a champion.

IS THIS the year of the Tiger? Teams that win lots of games score lots of SuperCoach points. Getting on board a rising team early could be the key to success.

ST KILDAhas a new coach and a rebuilding mentality. Does that mean they will give plenty of game time to youngsters and, if so, which ones?

AND what about Buddy? Will he fit into the Sydney's style of play? Will the SCG (smaller ground) mean more goals which means more points? I am confident he will win the Coleman Medal this year.

SERIOUS SUPERCOACH: IS THIS THE YEAR TO LEAVE OUT ABLETT?

SERIOUS SUPERCOACH: IS JACK MARTIN WORTH THE CASH?

I will let you in on one piece of inside knowledge.

My old teammate Campbell Brown tells me Jack Martin is the best talent he's ever seen, which is a huge call considering he's played with champions like Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli - and not forgetting Gary Ablett - so surely Jack is an automatic lock in everyone's team (no pressure).

Watch all the NAB Challenge games, follow SuperFooty for all the latest news on who's hot and who's not. Jump onto Twitter and Facebook for the latest tips from the experts.

Make sure you keep an eye on the Herald Sun's very own Jay Clarke and Mark Robinson who I can reveal have also had outstanding pre-seasons.

I'm ready to take on the world in SuperCoach so get your team registered and take me on. Next time you see me in the supermarket I'll be the one doing the bragging.

BRING IT!

SuperCoach has a new user-friendly look for 2014. Source: Supplied

NEW FOR 214

FREE SUPERCOACH GOLD

Get a Herald Sun digital subscription and get SuperCoach GOLD free all season. It's the ultimate resource for the serious SuperCoach player keen to get one up over their mates.

FREE SUPERCOACH APP

The app you know and love is yours free in season 2014 on Apple and Android devices. It's never been easier to play. Coming soon.

IMPROVED SUPERCOACH DRAFT

Fancy a challenge? Take one your mates in our draft game with all new functionality and features for the 2014 season.

ALL NEW MOBILE SITE

Take SuperCoach with you wherever you go with our all-new mSite. Change your team, follow live scores and check your ranking all on your mobile or device.

REAL RIVALRIES

Bragging rights are yours for the taking. Play a mate head-to-head every week of the season with our all-new rivalries feature.

PLAYER COMPARISON TOOL

Take the guesswork out of team selection with our all new player stats comparison tool. A 50-50 call? Not anymore!

REWARDS & BADGES

Get recognition for your SuperCoach prowess with our all new rewards and badges.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? SIGN UP NOW FOR A SHOT AT $50,000!

WHY SUPERCOACH IS NO. 1

SuperCoach is the only fantasy only game that uses exclusive Champion Data ranking points to provide scores. Champion Data's unique formula is refined every year to reward players for the actions that make a real difference on the field. So stats like contested possessions and goal assists score highly while an uncontested mark when the game is over earns less points. And, like a real AFL coach, you'll be cursing your players who make a bad turnover instead of cheering another cheap stat.

That's why SuperCoach is Australia's No. 1 fantasy game by a clear margin year after year, and the game of choice for serious footy fans.

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Mundine wins, but can't get KO

Anthony Mundine went for the stoppage but could not get it done against Gunnar Jackson. Source: Adam Smith / News Limited

THE haunting memory of his shock 2010 loss to rank outsider Garth Wood guaranteed Anthony Mundine never put himself in danger of being buried Wednesday night by Kiwi drain-digger Gunnar Jackson.

Mundine won convincingly on points, staying out of trouble behind his jab for most of the 10-rounder against the outclassed New Zealander, who answered the call-up to fight on a week's notice with great pluck after two Americans withdrew.

Mundine's inability to put the 8-1 outsider on the canvas again calls into question whether he has the big punch for the super-bout he still dreams of against one of the world's top fighters at super-welterweight later this year.

The Australian rattled off some sharp jabs and his defence kept his face unscarred but he couldn't land a telling shot when the Kiwi was seemingly at his mercy in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

"I wanted to get the stoppage, I was going for the stoppage, but he's a tough boy," Mundine said.

"If you don't get the stoppage, you can't much better than a shutout."

WALLABY: QUADE COOPER WINS BY TKO

Anthony Mundine's uppercut was effective all night. Source: News Limited

Mundine desperately craves a main course in 2014 after Wednesday night's entree, which saw him back in the ring just two months after his last fight when aging American legend Shane Mosley was forced to retire with back spasms after six rounds.

The bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was never to be more than a sharpener for the bigger fish that are always on the Mundine horizon. On that score, he got a workmanlike night out in the ring that no gym workout can replicate.

Jeff Fenech tackled his last serious fight at 31. Mutliple word champion Kostya Tszyu was 35 when he hung up his gloves.

Both were far better fighters than Mundine, who, just four months short of his 39th birthday, is teasing us that somehow his best fight is still ahead of him.

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Fighting Cuba's Erislandy Lara, the WBA superwelterweight world champion, is still two or three massive leaps of faith ahead that only the ever-optimistic Mundine can believe in absolutely.

"This wasn't a money fight and Anthony made that clear. Fighting a Daniel Geale or Danny Green are money fights," Nasser said.

"This was about keeping sharp, being on stage, staying used to the nerves. The big fight down the road is still the goal and the money comes at the end.

"Sportsmen are lasting longer than ever in their chosen games. His best fight is still in him."

Mundine improved his record to 46-5 and his relentless pursuit of a knock down in the 10th round did keep many of the fight fans interested.

For the fourth time, he won over the full distance at the venue.

Re-live the action in the round-by-round blog below

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE ON A MOBILE

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QLD Origin dream bye-bye for Gagai

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DANE Gagai's State of Origin dream is over for now, but the Newcastle Knights' pre-season from hell shows no signs of ending.

Queensland powerbrokers have put a red line through his name because of a discipline breach while in camp with the Emerging Origin squad.

Gagai, the Newcastle centre, was considered a front-runner to replace the injured Justin Hodges in this year's series.

GAGAI MISSING AFTER BRISBANE BENDER

Gagai has now been shunted to the back of the selection queue after The Sunday Telegraph revealed he missed a Sunday morning training session while in camp in Brisbane a fortnight ago.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga said last night that while Gagai had not been banned for life, the 23-year-old would have to serve a significant ­"penance'' to be considered for future selection.

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The incident continues a horror pre-season for the Knights.

First, they had new signing Russell Packer sentenced to two years in jail for assault, then the club's community and charity support manager Ben Rogers was had two assault charges after an incident at a charity fundraiser. Rogers has pleaded not guilty.

Earlier this week, star forward Willie Mason was charged with drink driving after allegedly blowing .09 on his way to training.

Gagai's banishment from the Maroons mirrors that of former Parramatta centre Esi Tonga, who was booted from the Queensland Origin program two years ago for being a no-show at the Emerging squad's final training run. Tonga has not been sighted in the Queensland system since.

Dane Gagai fumbles the leather at the Newcastle Knight's training. Source: News Limited

"He missed the Sunday morning training session, but it wasn't an alcohol-related problem. It was just a lack of discipline," Meninga said.

"This is behaviour that we just can't condone, but it does give us an idea about where their minds are at in regards to their ambitions for playing Origin. We put these guys into camp not just so they can learn about the Origin program, but also so we can learn about them, and the way that they handle the profile and scrutiny that comes with being an Origin player. Behaviour is a big part of that.''

Asked whether the incident had killed Gagai's Origin career before it started, Meninga said: "Not for good, no.

"But certainly paying your penance is a part of the culture that we have developed.''

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Mundine's story in black and white

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ANTHONY Mundine was just about to bask in his greatest triumph but he wanted the spotlight to fall instead on the chubby little man with glasses and halting gait who had inspired him and generations of Aboriginal athletes.

Lionel Rose, the first indigenous Australian of the Year, almost half a century before Adam Goodes, was lending support in Mundine's dressingroom just moments before The Man's victory over Danny Green in 2006.

Mundine's fight with unheralded Kiwi Gunnar Jackson at the Entertainment Centre tonight has not generated the same sort of anticipation as that bout at Aussie Stadium but Mundine's athletic prowess and dedication continue to inspire Aboriginal Australians everywhere.

He has called Rose one of the greatest fighters ever and in 1968 the American magazine Sports Illustrated said there was elation throughout Australia's population of 12 million when Rose won the world bantamweight title in Japan against the ominous Fighting Harada.

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"Among the nation's 130,000 Aborigines, Lionel Rose was now Superman,'' the magazine said. "In the slums of Redfern black men danced in the street, in the dry bed of the Todd River outside Alice Springs they fired rifles into the air.''

On outback stations black Australians hollered so loud their voices carried almost to the Gippsland forest where Rose had grown up in a hut with as many as a dozen children sleeping on chaff bags atop a dirt floor.

Mundine's respect, admiration, even affection for Rose on the night of the Green fight were obvious.

It reminded me of an old photograph buried deep within The Courier-Mail archives showing Rose as a beaming 10-year-old boy congratulating his hero George Bracken after the Aboriginal boxer from north Queensland scored a memorable win in Melbourne in 1958.

Lionel had been taught boxing by his father Roy in a ring made from fencing wire stretched between trees. He sparred with rags on his hands.

10 yr old Lionel Rose with Aboriginal boxer George Bracken, in Melbourne. Source: News Limited

In 1958 the Save The Children Fund charity brought Lionel and three other indigenous youngsters to Melbourne for a rare treat and Lionel was overawed by the tall buildings, the lifts and escalators, the trams and all the people. He had never seen a light switch before.

He acquired a taste for the city and a couple of weeks later he and his grandmother, who was almost 70, hitchhiked from their humpy to Melbourne 100km away to see George Bracken beat Max Carlos at the West Melbourne Stadium. Lionel was wearing a suit jacket, shorts and tie that a charity had given him.

When Bracken's hand was raised in victory, Lionel was hoisted into the ring to celebrate this magical moment in both their lives.

"George Bracken was my idol,'' Lionel told me decades later. "If not for Georgie Bracken I probably would never have started boxing seriously. He was devastating.''

Lionel wanted to be a champion like Bracken in the same way that Bracken had wanted to be a champion like Cloncurry's Jack Hassen, a success in a the white world.

Dave Smith v Jerry Jerome, at the old Sydney Stadium, April 1913. Image: National Library of Australia Source: Supplied

Likewise Hassen, a great fighter of the 1940s, had been raised on the stories of Dalby's Jerry Jerome, a black stockman like him.

Jerome became the first indigenous national boxing champion at Brisbane's Olympic Stadium in 1912 when "fighting like a wild cat'' as one report said, he dropped Charlie Godfrey from Bundaberg in round three and then knocked all the wind out of him with a right to the stomach in round four.

Twenty years later, Ipswich produced an Aboriginal worldbeater in Ron Richards, who drew massive crowds around the country and battered New York's future world champ Gus Lesnevich at the Sydney Sports Ground in 1938.

In the 1940s, Kempsey's Dave Sands, a regular star in Brisbane, and his five boxing brothers, dominated the sporting headlines alongside Hassen and a decade later Elley Bennett, a product of Pialba near Hervey Bay, became the world's No.1 bantamweight contender.

Elley Bennett, featherweight boxer. Source: News Limited

Despite their success, almost all of those great Aboriginal fighters experienced exploitation and poverty. Still, they provided the impetus for the careers of more recent indigenous fighters including Hector Thompson, Baby Cassius Austin, Steve Dennis, Wally Carr, Pat Leglise, the world champions Robbie Peden and Daniel Geale and the London Olympians Damien Hooper and Cameron Hammond.

Times change and Australia has woken up in its treatment of our first people but, as Goodes says, there is still much to do in the way of reconciliation.

Mundine still draws strength from the tales of Aboriginal hardship passed down by his father, Tony, and from all the other great black fighters who came before him.

When Lionel Rose was a little boy George Bracken told him something that became the mantra for all of Australia's great indigenous champions.

"Boxing is one of the few places where an Aborigine can be treated as an equal,'' Bracken said, "because with our people we all started life behind the eight-ball.''

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Pace trio's plan is to 'Get Smith'

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AUSTRALIA'S Ashes fast bowling heroes fried Alastair Cook - now they are turning their "Captain Killer" blowtorch onto South African skipper Graeme Smith.

Smith out to Shane Watson in 2011 in Cape Town with Mitchell Johnson in the backdrop. Source: News Limited

Michael Clarke and his men have no great affection for Smith.

There has been a story passed down through Australian changerooms about how Smith made his debut against Australia in 2002 and then tipped a bucket on their sledging in a South African magazine a few months later.

Smith is made of exceptional stuff - he became his nation's youngest skipper at age 22. Turning 33 on Saturday, he has led South Africa through all manner of controversies and scored 9220 Test runs at almost 50.

Perhaps no captain since Clive Lloyd of the great West Indian sides of the 1980s has had such complete authority of his team.

But the Australians sense that South Africa's steely warrior, who has twice had bones in his arm broken by Mitchell Johnson thunderbolts, may not be the batsman he once was.

Without Jacques Kallis in the South African side for the first time, Australia feels that if it can get to Smith the rest of the No.1-ranked Proteas side could crumble.

They are similar tactics to how Australia pointedly went after Cook during the Ashes and the Englishman they could once not get out averaged just 24 as his side was smashed 5-0.

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Peter Siddle, who yesterday fined-tuned his South African preparations by taking 4-45 for a Qld second XI against WA second XI in Brisbane, said Australia would go after Smith in the same hostile way.

"We have always tried to target the captain and he (Smith) is the top again, like Cook," Siddle said.

"We have always had a good contest against him, it has always been hard work.

"Our bowling unit is the best I have played in since I've been in the Australian side. There is no doubt we can perform the way we did against England again."

Australian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus celebrates the wicket of Smith in 2009 at the Wanderers. Source: AFP

ustralia's South African tour plans were shaken with allrounder James Faulkner pulling out with injury and doubts over the fitness Shaun Marsh and Jackson Bird.

But Faulkner wasn't in Australia's first choice Test XI and Alex Doolan is likely to be preferred to Marsh for George Bailey's former spot in the starting XI.

Smith gives a thumbs-up after South Africa beats Australia in the 2011 Cape Town Test. Source: News Limited

The good news is Siddle and fellow Ashes fast bowling hero Ryan Harris looked impressive in their red-ball hit-out in second XI cricket before both jet out to South Africa this morning.

Harris, who points out it is a huge bonus for Australia that South Africa's all-round legend Jacques Kallis has retired ahead of next month's three-Test series, worked back to form and fitness taking 2-49.

Harris has played just one Test in South Africa but says he will feel like he is bowling at home.

"I see it as a similar situation to playing here in Australia, the wickets are pretty similar. I will just approach it like I am bowling on home wickets," Harris said.

Australian Test squad member James Pattinson also played second XI state cricket in Brisbane this week and bowled with nice pace and swing.

"He has had his hiccups in the last couple of years but when he gets back on song he always competes hard and goes at it," Siddle said of Pattinson.

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Melbourne teen earns Yankees deal

Brandon Stenhouse has signed a six-figure contract with the New York Yankees. Pictured at home with dad Dave. Source: Jason Sammon / News Limited

A MELBOURNE teenager has hit a home run by signing a lucrative professional contract with the New York Yankees that will make him a millionaire before he can legally drive.

Mordialloc school boy Brandon Stenhouse has realised a childhood dream, inking a six-figure deal with the most famous baseball team in the world.

Stenhouse, 17, could go from suburban pitcher to global star after signing the deal this week with US scouts who flew to Australia to see him play.

``It's still sinking in and I was a bit nervous signing the contract but it is a dream come true,'' he said.

``I was never sure it was going to happen.''

Brandon Stenhouse signed a six-figure contract with the world's biggest basecall club. Source: News Limited

Stenhouse started playing tee-ball aged four and caught the eye of scouts in the past two years by consistently clocking pitching speeds approaching 150kph.

With at least two other Major League Baseball clubs circling, Yankees scouts gave Stenhouse his ticket to the big time on Monday along with an educational scholarship and a bag of merchandise including the club's famous NY cap.

Proud dad Dave Stenhouse said the sky was the limit.

``It's a good opportunity but I don't think it will hit him until he gets over there,'' he said.

"He got a big bag full of stuff which I think made him the happiest and mum and dad are happy too since we don't have to pay for anything anymore.''

Stenhouse will report to Yankees spring training camp in Florida in April for two weeks of orientation before returning to Melbourne to complete his VCE.

He will then move to the US full-time to live his dream.

The teen sensation, who plays in the Victorian league for Cheltenham Rustlers, was signed by the most successful and well known club in the US after a standout performance at the Under 18 National championships in Canberra.

Yankee's Australian scout John Wadsworth said the young gun would be given ``every opportunity'' to become a Major League star.

``I have been waiting for many years to see if Brandon Stenhouse had the physical and mental makeup to be considered as a possible Yankee.,'' he said.

``I am pleased to see just how far this young man has progressed and his future is exciting to us all.''

Stenhouse will join fellow Victorian player Adam Silva on the Yankees's books this year.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au

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How I'll turn Broncos into warhorses

Brisbane ironman Andrew McCullough. Source: Tim Marsden / News Limited

BRISBANE performance boss Alex Corvo, one of the coaches behind Melbourne Storm's decade of dominance, is on a mission to turn the Broncos into warhorses.

Having noted the evolution of the NRL's superstars into 80-minute performers and Brisbane's sequence of second-half collapses last year, the Broncos' pre-season focus has been on preparing stayers.

Head coach Anthony Griffin and Corvo have made it painfully clear during conditioning sessions they are less concerned with size of players' biceps than they are in big-hearted finishers who can use their superior fitness to execute matchwinning plays.

The emphasis, according to the head of performance, is on preparing combinations who can deliver repeat power efforts until the death.

"You don't want them just going through the motions. You want a group in those (last) five minutes who are capable of an extraordinary effort," Corvo said.

"If that effort's below your best it's probably not going to be a matchwinning one.

"More and more games are going to be in the balance up until the very end.

"The teams who win those close games, it's not a coincidence.

"They're the ones who are better prepared, better structured and have a plan for those minutes."

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The Broncos' second-half fade-outs contributed heavily to last season's 12th-placed finish.

Fox Sports statistics show Brisbane scored just 198 second-half points while leaking 263 at the other end.

Fightbacks were rare as the Broncos won just twice from the 13 matches in which they trailed or were level at half-time.

The game's elite have proved they can strike as powerfully in the final minute as they did in the first.

Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen and Corey Parker are perfect examples of players who can deliver long and productive stints in the middle of the field.

"Some coaches are looking for players capable of playing long bursts at high quality," said Corvo who promises to be the club's most influential recruit after several seasons in Melbourne.

"They're more likely to keep players on who are being more effective during the game.

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"We look for backrowers capable of playing halves of footy, not needing to be interchanged.

"And there's an expectation, if you're a middle forward, of playing (at least) 20 minutes.

"If you're not capable of 20 minutes of high intensity footy you're a bit of a passenger.

"It means some one else has to play more minutes."

The Broncos have been enduring more running and longer sessions over summer as they gallop towards next month's trials and the season-opener against the Bulldogs on March 7.

There is, however, some comfort for the less athletic footballers in the squad.

"There's also room for pure footballers," Corvo said.

"If you recruited purely on physical capabilities, Cameron Smith, the best player in the competition, probably wouldn't be an NRL player

"If he was at the Magic Millions you probably wouldn't have bought him as a colt, but he has other qualities."

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Hooker battle to hot up at Nines

Ray Thompson trains with the Cowboys. Source: Evan Morgan / News Limited

THE battle for the Cowboys' starting hooker role may be as hot as the action at the Auckland Nines.

While most positions will have alterations to their traditional play in the attack-minded shortened version of rugby league next month, dummy-half responsibilities will remain very similar.

Crisp service from the ruck, strong instinct on when to run and an unrelenting work ethic in defence will each be pivotal to any team's success at the two-day pre-season tournament.

Although the value of the Nines has been criticised in some quarters from a selection viewpoint, North Queensland coach Paul Green could go a long way towards deciding who will don the No.9 jersey for the Cowboys' March season opener against Canberra.

Ray Thompson, Anthony Mitchell and new boy Cameron King are each vying to be a starter.

"Any time you're on the training paddock or on the field is a time to impress," Thompson said.

"There is a fierce competition for the No.9 spot again ... you can't give them a leg-up because, if they get it, they will take it with both hands and they'll hold on to it for as long as they can.

"Everyone's working really hard and everyone's got a common goal."

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The Cowboys - drawn to meet Manly, Canberra and the Warriors in the Auckland Nines' preliminary rounds - will announce their 15-man squad for the lucrative tournament on February 11.

With modern-day hookers being able to switch between the halves and No.9, there is a chance all three, along with playmaking backrower Rory Kostjasyn, will be picked.

Thompson - who represented Papua New Guinea at last year's World Cup and was North Queensland's primary hooking option last season - in particular heaped praise on King since he arrived at the Cowboys from St George Illawarra in the off-season.

"He's a bit of a larrikin, the boys love him and he's a good bloke," Thompson said.

"He's been training the house down, he's looking fit and strong coming back from a shoulder reconstruction ... so if he gets that spot he thoroughly deserves it."

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Turtur: Forgive O'Grady

Stuart O'Grady in action before his premature retirement brought on my his drug admission. Source: News Limited

RACE director Mike Turtur says it is time to forgive disgraced South Australian cyclist Stuart O'Grady for his drug indiscretions and welcome him back into the Tour Down Under fold.

O'Grady, a two-time TDU winner and 2007 Paris-Roubaix champion, quit the sport suddenly last July after confessing to once using the banned substance EPO before the Tour de France in 1998.

Turtur has been close to O'Grady for his entire professional career, which has spanned more than two decades.

But Turtur acknowledged the decision ultimately rests with the State Government - and O'Grady himself. Events SA - an arm of the SA Tourism Commission - has owned the Tour Down Under since its inception in 1999.

"I think it's time and Stuart will handle it his way,'' Turtur said yesterday.

"He's back home now with his family and he needs to find his feet in a normal life.

"He's a good guy. He's a proud South Australian.

"We'll see what develops over the course of the next year.

"We've honoured Stuart at the past Legends Night dinner and I think it's a decision (O'Grady's involvement with the Tour Down Under) that will come within the next period.

"I'm certain in the future things will be different."

O'Grady returned to Adelaide permanently last December with his family after selling his home in Europe.

He spoke for the first time publicly since his shock retirement at a cancer charity dinner in Adelaide on January 17.

He declared at the Ride Like Crazy function that he viewed the event as the first step to giving back to cycling in SA.

Turtur also said he believes the UCI (International Cycling Union) will allow the Tour Down Under to retain its January timeslot, despite speculation some WorldTour teams preferred a February start.

"I think you know in January we're only talking of a period of about a maximum of two weeks,'' Turtur said.

"At the end of the day it's something UCI have to discuss with the reform of professional cycling.

"The season has to start somewhere and we're happy to be the first race of the season.

"I think being the first race offers the unknown for media, for spectators, for riders.

"January, in my view, worked very well for the riders."

New UCI president Brian Cookson saw first-hand the significance for the state of holding the race during school holidays.

It is believed Cookson - an official guest of the race - was delighted when he witnessed thousands of Tour Down Under school-holiday revellers partying on King William Rd, Hyde Park in the leadup to Friday's stage start.

According to sources, Cookson is well aware a February start would change the entire fans' logistics of the race.

Turtur believes this 16th edition of the Tour Down Under was the best on record.

Orica-GreenEDGE's Simon Gerrans claimed his third Australian title in emphatic fashion, with several spectacular stages writing the race into the annals of cycling history.

Gerrans, BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, Lotto-Belisol's Andre Greipel, Sky's Richie Porte and Italian surprise packet Diego Ulissi from Lampre-Merida added daily drama to the event, given they all won stages during an exciting week of action.

"The spectacle for the whole week it came down to one second for first (Gerrans) and second (Evans) but it had the different stage winners,'' Turtur said.

"And the way the stages finished each day - there was always an element of interest right up until the finish.

"It wasn't a forgone conclusion with a big break going and that was it.

"I think it was the best competitive cycling race we've had in the 16 editions."

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Willie's bender: 10 beers, then spirits

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BIG Willie Mason had a few Newcastle Knights teammates and a handful of friends in tow when he went out to celebrate Australia Day, like so many others - by having a drink.

It was, by his own admission, a "decent" drink too, but nothing over the top.

"We started at around 3 in the arvo which was probably too early but I was home in bed by 11.30pm," he said yesterday.

"I hadn't had a drink for a while - it was Australia Day - we were doing the patriotic thing and were out celebrating on a day off."

Willie Mason at his home in Newcastle yesterday. Source: News Limited

Mason says he probably had around 10 beers and several gin and tonics before finishing up at an inner city hotel and catching a taxi home.

His big mistake came the next morning when he decided to drive himself to an early morning weights session.

Only a few kilometres from the club's training base at Mayfield, he was pulled over by a random breath testing unit at 7.05am where it was found he was over the legal limit.

He was immediately taken to Newcastle police station where he recorded a reading of 0.09 and was charged with a mid-range offence, his first drink driving black mark.

He is due to appear in court on February 20.

Willie Mason at his home in Newcastle yesterday. Source: News Limited

"I'm filthy at myself for making the wrong decision," a contrite Mason said yesterday.

"I didn't even think about being over the limit. If I had, I would have rang one of the boys for a lift.

"Even when they pulled me over, I thought I'd be right because I'd had a good seven hours sleep.

"But there are no excuses. It's completely my fault. I've got no-one to blame but myself and I have to take responsibility for it.

"I'll cop whatever is coming to me. I should have shown better judgment."

Knights coach Wayne Bennett was the first person Mason phoned after he was charged.

"Wayne was good. He wasn't angry. He just said it was my responsibility and I had to deal with it," Mason said.

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But the big prop, who has had more than his fair share of controversy during his career, is aware he has again brought unwanted attention to the club, which is still reeling from the serious assault charges that saw new frontrow recruit Russell Packer jailed for two years.

"That's the disappointing thing. I've let Wayne, the club and the fans down and put the joint in the spotlight again so I want to apologise for that," he said.

Mason is not expecting to be punished by the club for his indiscretion.

"I've spoken to Gids (CEO Matt Gidley) and I don't think there will be any action there," Mason said.

Despite the charge, Mason is expected to spearhead Newcastle's Auckland Nines campaign in a few weeks time.

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Evans vows he'll be back Down Under

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CADEL Evans has vowed to return for another tilt at the Tour Down Under after finishing one second behind this year's winner, Simon Gerrans.

Evans has conquered the brutal switchbacks and punishing mountain climbs of Europe, but his home roads have again proved tougher to crack.

The Tour de France great fell agonisingly close to his first Tour Down Under title yesterday after 800km of racing.

The loss is now likely to lure Evans back for one last shot at his first major victory on home soil since winning the Tour of Tasmania in 1998.

"If Adelaide will have me back that would be so cool for this to be my last racing appearance,'' Evans said.

Evans indicated during this year's Tour Down Under he would reassess his career after the Giro d'Italia in May but would not be rushed into retirement.

Tour Down Under - Stage 6 - Adelaide Street Circuit. Simon Gerrans over 2014 champion. Source: News Limited

The 36-year-old dreamed of a fairytale finish to what many had believed would be his last race in Australia but instead he was beaten to the punch by Gerrans, the man who defeated him by centimetres for the Australian road title two weeks ago.

It was a loss which has disappointed the 33-year-old Evans but also fired him up.

"Don't underestimate the competitive fire," Evans said.

In a warning to rivals ahead of his full-throttle bid to become the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia.

Evans has also rated his form ahead of where he had thought he would be at this stage of the season.

Simon Gerrans of Orica GreenEDGE celebrates on stage. Source: Getty Images

"Of course we would prefer to win, that's what we are hard-wired to do, but to be second by one second shows we are starting to work towards May (and the Giro),'' he said.

Earlier Evans said he was satisfied with what he has gained out of the six-day Tour.

"My goal for this year was to start off well and somewhere near my best level, " said Evans who lost the race lead on Saturday to Gerrans, supported by a purpose-built team, on the only hilltop finish of the race.

"I come away from the race satisfied. I am riding as well as I had hoped, maybe even better and I think my performances have demonstrated that.

"Certainly I think I am riding as well as I hoped [and] the performance I think have demonstrated [that]."

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Coaltrain with a dash of caveman

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YOU have to feel sorry for big Dave Taylor.

The Titans' juggernaut has a tear in a calf muscle.

The club sent him off to a specialist and it was discovered that the injured muscle only exists in the smallest percentage of the world's population. It is apparently a genetic throwback to our ancestry - a muscle used for climbing trees - and is super rare.

So rare, the specialist said it won't exist anywhere at all in the human race within a matter of years.

The Coaltrain not only has it, he has torn it. Do you think his teammates have been giving him heaps?

The good news is Taylor's pre-season has been tops and there are high hopes of his best season yet after his brutally brilliant finish to 2013.

Ben Barba in action during the first training of the year. Pics Tim Marsden Source: News Limited

BRONCOS SHAPE UP WITH BOXERS

EXPECT to see a couple of new faces at Broncos training in the next few weeks with the recruitment of London Olympic boxers Cameron Hammond and Damien Hooper.

The pair, with trainer Gareth Williams, regularly host the rugby league players at their boxing gym inside the campus of Griffith University at Nathan.

And the The Broncos have invited the pair to take part in their conditioning program at Red Hill in a reciprocal arrangement.

The Broncos' new co-captain Justin Hodges (pictured) and former Bulldog Ben Barba are said to be the best boxers among the Broncos team, with Hooper saying Barba has the skills to make it as a fighter if he wanted to.

Fight training is also proving to be a hit for some of our Olympic swimmers, with Australian coach Michael Bohl sending the likes of Meagen Nay, Bronte Barratt, Brittany Elmslie and Mitch Larkin to work out alongside the fighters at Griffith Uni on a weekly basis.

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MAKING A FIST OF BREAK

WHILE on boxing and the Broncos, the players have been given four days off over the Straya Day weekend to refresh after copping a flogging on the track in pre-season training.

So what did Sam Thaiday do to unwind?

He booked himself in for six gruelling rounds in the ring with boxing trainer and mirror enthusiast Mark "Chopper" Burgess on Saturday morning.

While the rest of his teammates were kicking back with Vegemite sangas in front frontof a Skippy marathon, Sammy was punching on, and then booked himself in for a return session tomorrow.

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

MAGUIRE BRISSIE BUZZ

BRONCOS coaching rumour No.1: Whispers linking South Sydney coach Michael ­Maguire with the Broncos in 2015 won't go away, especially with news coming out of the Rabbitoh warren that the coach and the board are tetchy at each other over "demands" from the coach and "broken promises" from the board.

With Cameron Smith tipped to be joining the Broncos in 2015, and assistant coach Steve Kearney already at the club, it would be like a Storm Old Boys reunion.

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BENNETT STAYS IN TOUCH

BRONCOS coach rumour No.2: Wayne Bennett was spotted having a long chat with a couple of Broncos staffers while in Brisbane with the Emerging Origin squad last week.

Catching up on old times, or renewing acquaintances for down the track?

CLUB LOGO MAKEOVER

A CASE of identity crisis in the Intrust Super Cup?

One club is considering a change of logo for 2015.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR CRONULLA

IF the rumour mill is to be believed, the messy and seemingly endless ASADA investigation will come to a head this week. Stand by for the earthquakes.

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Gerrans' 'perfect day' Down Under

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THE man they call the Sniper has taken aim at producing the best season of his career, with Simon Gerrans claiming the first major tour of the season at the Tour Down Under yesterday.

The 33-year-old described his historic third win over Tour de France winner Cadel Evans on Australia Day as "the perfect day out''.

"It is a huge honour to win the Tour Down Under and to cap it off on Australia Day, racing for an Australian team, it doesn't get much better,'' said Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE) who survived a hectic finish in yesterday's street circuit finale in Adelaide to claim a one second victory over Cadel Evans (BMC Racing).

Gerrans, chasing stage wins in the Tour of France, Giro d'Italia and Tour of Spain this year, now leads the World Tour rankings thanks to his victory in the opener of the series. Incredibly five Australians (Gerrans 1, Evans 2, Richie Porte 4, Nathan Haas 5, Adam Hansen 9) feature in the top 10 thanks to their performance in the six-day Tour Down Under.

It was a day for the history books yesterday as the race set new crowd record with an estimated 766,000 watching the six-leg Tour.

Simon Gerrans of Australia smiles prior to the final stage of the Tour Down Under. Source: AFP

Tour de France stage winner Andre Greipel rode off with a record 16th stage victory after beating Bathurst rider Mark Renshaw in the final 85km criterium in Adelaide yesterday while Gerrans became the first man to win three Tour titles.

The 16th edition of the race has been labelled the best ever thanks to the calibre of field, large crowds and thrilling, close racing.

"The racing was fantastic and the fans really make this race. They make the ambience,'' said Evans "I am so pleased and proud of us as a country and as a cycling nation, but also a sporting nation, to see this event and what the ambience makes of us.''

Matt White, team director of Australia's first pro team Orica GreenEDGE,said the 2016 was a tour to remember.

"The best thingt is the best Australians battling it out,'' he said. "These are the best guys in the world at what they do,'' he said.

"To have Richie (Porte), Cadel (Evans and Simon (Gerrans) going hammer and tongs for the overall of their own tour, it's been a great week.''

ends

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Marsh again hit by injury set-back

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SHAUN Marsh's Test future will be determined today, with skipper Michael Clarke hoping the left-hander won't miss the South Africa tour with a calf strain.

Marsh was noticeably inconvenienced, leaving the field in the 36th over of England's innings and not returning in Australia's thrilling five-run win in the one-day international at Adelaide Oval last night.

Seven-Test batsman Marsh was treated immediately by team physio Alex Kountouris, putting a dampener on the thrilling Australia Day win that delivered Clarke's side a 4-1 scoreline.

"He went off the field and said his calf was a little bit sore, so hopefully it is not too bad, something small," said Clarke.

"He was still moving around alright. Knowing what we have coming up I think Alex would have kept him off the field even if it was nothing."

However, Marsh's fragile frame will have medicos worried and could yet open the door for rival southpaw and run-machine Phil Hughes in a 15-man tour party to face the Proteas.

Marsh's international journey has been decimated by back, hamstring and knee injuries since making his one-day debut against the West Indies at Kingstown in 2008.

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Failure to be fit to face the Proteas in a three-Test series would be a devastating set-back. Australia also has seamer Jackson Bird in doubt for South Africa with a back injury sustained while representing Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes last Tuesday at the MCG.

Having made a ton on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011, Marsh suffered a back injury on Australia's subsequent tour of South Africa. Marsh, 30, also jagged a hamstring in the fourth one-day clash against England at Cardiff last September.

Australia's tour of South Africa begins with a tour match in Potchefstroom on February 5, while the series opener against Graeme Smith's champion outfit starts February 12 at Centurion.

Australia secured the No.1 one-day ranking and almost complete dominance with a nail-biting national birthday win. England endured a 7/58 collapse that was the story of its summer having been wiped 5-0 in the Ashes.

Australia defended 217 on a low and slow strip with clinical displays from man of the match James Faulkner (2/37), Clint McKay (3/36) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (3/34) putting the brakes on the English who lost 7/58 in 14 overs.

"It was as satisfying one-day win that we have had recently," said Clarke.

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Ravi Bopara (25, 44) exited to a controversial stumping on replay determined by the third umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Australian keeper Matthew Wade's rebound onto the stumps standing up to McKay bounced back onto the leg bail with the batsman's foot raised.

"I made it clear I wanted him Wade at the stumps and it worked out," said Clarke.

"The third umpire has the greatest view."

Alastair Cook conceded he would consider his future as England captain after sobering one-day and Test defeats in Australia. However, this would only be after chatting to his pregnant wife and director of coaching Andy Flower.

Cook struggled for 246 Test runs at 24 and 144 one-day runs at 28 this tour. The 2013-14 campaign contrasted with Cook's incredible 766 Ashes runs at 127 here in 2010-11 in which England prevailed 3-1.

"We will cross that bridge in the next week. It has been a real tough tour for me. We have to individually look at our games," said Cook.

"I think there will be some talks. I have been speaking to Andy Flower and we will meet up in the next week and plan a way forward."

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