Cruel end to brilliant Brumbies career

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Brumbies flanker George Smith slips the tackle of Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow. Source: Ross Setford / AP

ONE of the greatest Super Rugby careers of all time finished in cruel fashion when George Smith bowed out a losing finalist.

The comeback story of the decade had the unhappiest of endings despite Smith's best efforts, with the Chiefs prevailing at Waikato Stadium in his 142nd and last match in the Brumbies jersey and probably in Australia.

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Smith was bitterly distraught in the change rooms on Saturday night, but the plaudits from those who know him best came thick and fast.

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Brumbies coach Jake White said: "He's phenomenal, you can't believe he's 33 years old, gets man of the mach last week at Loftus, today again everyone is talking about his performance.

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"He just epitomises everything we're trying to get to at the Brumbies.

"He puts the team first, makes sure in big games he puts his hand up.

"Obviously that's his last game, we feel a bit for him, obviously we would have liked to have given him the trophy as well and let him finish off on a high note, but it wasn't meant to be."

Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore, the second-most experienced player in the squad behind Smith, said: "It would have been very easy for George to stay in Japan and watch from afar, but he answered the call when we lost Dave Pocock, which was a huge blow for us this year.

"He showed what a champion player he is all season, and there's not many better players to have played in Australia than George Smith.

"It's a privilege to play alongside him so often, and for our young team to play with a guy like that is fantastic.

"You look at him and Richie McCaw, they've been the benchmarks for openside flankers over the last 10 years.

"He is going to leave a real legacy on Brumbies rugby that he can be proud of."

Smith, who on Saturday night equalled the record for most appearances in Super Rugby finals (five) alongside fellow legends George Gregan and Stephen Larkahm, will soon return to his Japanese club Suntory.

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Aussies tighten stranglehold on Test

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Ryan Harris is mobbed by teammates after dismissing Jonathan Trott. Source:AFP

AUSTRALIA tightened its stranglehold on the third Test, seizing the vital wickets of Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook, as England went to lunch at 4-114 on the third day at Old Trafford.

After their much improved first innings of 7-527 declared, suddenly, the Australians had given themselves a wonderful chance to keep the series alive. A dramatic turnaround for a team pilloried, quite rightly, after losing its past six Test matches.

Both in the way they batted, and the manner the Australian bowlers broke the resistance of the England top order, the tourists seemed a team transformed.

While Peter Siddle had led the way on with two late wickets on day two, fellow pacemen Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc did the damage early on day three.

With England resuming on 2-52, Trott had ambled to five from 32 balls, and looked set for a typically long stay. But Harris found the edge with a lifting ball and Michael Clarke completed the dismissal with a neat catch at second slip.

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Cook then looked set to build a big stand with the South-African born Kevin Pietersen, as the pair put on 46. But the England captain's 234 minute stay ended when he popped up a short ball from Starc and was brilliantly caught by the diving Brad Haddin for 62.

That effort was symbolic of the Australian's improvement here, given the veteran gloveman Haddin had been harshly criticised for some missed chances at Lord's.

As has often been the case in Ashes series here, Pietersen, who entered the match despite a strained calf, again looked the key to England's chances of a revival. He was 33 not out at lunch, with the in-form Ian Bell 4.

At both Trent Bridge and Lord's, the Australian bowlers failed to take full advantage of a good starts. Although the fast bowlers had claimed the first four wickets, Australia's hopes on the final days here could rest with off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The brown pitch was slowly crumbling, but still providing some bounce. For Lyon, that means conditions were likely to become even more inviting than they had been for England's Graeme Swann, who took his 17th five-wicket haul - 5/157.

Step forward Lyon, who was dropped for the first two Tests of the Ashes series in favour of youngster Ashton Agar; and who is still looking for the match-winning performances to cement his place as Australia's first premier spinner of the post-Warne era.

Lyon bowled well, but without luck, early in England's first innings. He had 0-24 from 13 tight overs by lunch.

Other than some stout English resistance, Australia's greatest threat appeared to be the weather. For a second day, light showers cleared in time for play to begin. But rain is forecast for Sunday and Monday.

Australian had built a dominant position on the back of Michael Clarke's excellent 187. Chris Rogers (84), Steve Smith (89), Brad Haddin (65 not out) and Mitchell Starc (66 not out) all made significant contributions to what was, by far, Australia's best batting of the series.

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Freo pressure Blues into submission

Pest ... Hayden Ballantyne celebrate a goal against Carlton. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

CARLTON'S hopes of pushing into the AFL's top eight suffered a setback as Fremantle shook off the Blues in the final term to win Saturday night's clash by 36 points.

Fremantle slipped into the top four midway through round 19 following their 17.14 (116) to 12.8 (80) win over Carlton in front of a crowd of 30,457 at Etihad Stadium.

The Dockers led by eight, nine and 10 points at each change but flexed their muscles in the final term as they outscored Carlton five goals to one.

Fremantle's record now stands at 13-and-a-half wins from 18 games, while the Blues have slipped to 9-9.

Small forwards Michael Walters (four goals) and Hayden Ballantyne (three goals) were match-winners for

Fremantle while Walters' opponent Zach Tuohy kicked three goals for the Blues and Heath Scotland was busy across half-back.

Ballantyne provoked furious reactions from Carlton's defence, who ripped his jumper to shreds at one stage, while Ryan Crowley tagged Carlton skipper Marc Murphy out of the game with just 13 touches.

Nathan Fyfe, with 31 disposals and seven clearances, was a star for the Dockers.

Fremantle led by nine points at halftime, 7.5 (47) to 6.2 (38), after the Blues were forced to sub midfielder Andrew Carrazzo out early in the second term with a suspected leg injury.

The game's tempo went up a notch early in the third term when Tuohy kicked two fine goals on the run to put the Blues in front.

But the Dockers replied immediately with a devastating five-goal burst in 10 minutes to move 28 points clear.

Three late goals from the Blues, including one from Jeff Garlett after the siren, cut the margin to 10 points at three-quarter time after both sides scored five goals for the term.

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Fremantle's defensive pressure all over the ground took its toll as Carlton conceded five goals in the final term, scoring a solitary major through Lachie Henderson on the siren.

Carlton play Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Saturday while Fremantle will host Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium the following day.

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Rockliff, Rich power Lions past Saints

Fly ... Daniel Merrett spills what could have been a terrific mark. Source: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

LIONS great Jonathan Brown may have played his last game of AFL after suffering a serious foot injury in Brisbane's 31-point win over St Kilda on Saturday night.

Brown cut a forlorn figure as he was subbed out in the first quarter after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot just 14 minutes into play at the Gabba.

The injury makes it near impossible for the Brisbane co-captain to play again this season, with just four rounds left.

Off-contract at the end of the year and already wary about to committing to a 15th season, Brown's future is now under a murky cloud.

It would be a sad way for the 31-year-old power forward's glittering career to end after 245 games, 573 goals, three premierships and two All-Australian selections.

"Hopefully it's not too bad,'' coach Michael Voss said at three-quarter time. "We'll assess it Monday.''

Brisbane (8-10) did their best to keep their remote finals hopes alive by out-pointing the outgunned Saints 16.12 (108) to 11.11 (77) in a match they controlled throughout.

Tom Rockliff was a dominant presence with a match-high 39 disposals while ruckman Matthew Leuenberger also starred and Joel Patfull tormented Nick Riewoldt.

Down by four goals at halftime, the Saints made a third-quarter revival to get within 13 points just before the last change as Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo came to the fore.

But the home side kicked clear in the final term with former Saint Matt Maguire relishing a move up forward to slot his first goal in seven years to the delight of the 19,856-strong crowd.

There was controversy before the first siren with Saints forward Ahmed Saad, only added as an emergency on Friday afternoon, named as a late inclusion.

Under investigation by the AFL after providing an irregular drug sample last month, Saad had two goals from his first two kicks but only had one more kick for the match.

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The 23-year old came in as an emergency after Trent Dennis-Lane was mysteriously scratched and then included in the Saints' final team when Jack Newnes was ruled out by illness.

Lions midfielder Daniel Rich kicked three 60m-plus goals in the first half in a fine response to his quiet game in last week's loss to Port Adelaide, while Brent Staker also finished with three majors in his 150th match.

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Chances blown in golden point draw

Corey Parker of the Broncos scores a try against Newcastle. Source: Tony Feder / Getty Images

MAYBE neither side deserved to win in the end.

4 Tries 3
Zane Tetevano 3'	Justin Hodges 13'
Joseph Leilua 56'	Corey Parker 36'
Beau Scott 72'	Jack Reed 60'
Akuila Uate 78'
1 Conversions 3
Tyrone Roberts 4'	Scott Prince 15'
	Scott Prince 37'
	Scott Prince 62'

A frantic golden point game finished all square as both Newcastle and Brisbane missed chances at the death to seal victory.

Knights five-eighth Jarrod Mullen missed with four field goal attempts while Brisbane's radar was also off in the desperate final minutes with Ben Hunt and Peter Wallace failing with two attempts.

Brisbane looked to have the game in their keeping with less than 10 minutes left with an 18-10 lead and seemingly in control against a spluttering Knights attack.

But after struggling  with the football for much of the game, the Knights sent the game into golden point with two tries in six minutes .

Backrower Beau Scott  crossed with eight minutes to go before Dane Gagai put Aku Uate over in the corner with two minutes left.

With regular kicker Tyrone Roberts off the field, veteran Craig Gower was forced to step up.

He missed his first from a handy position before completely fluming his sideline conversion attempt at 18-all which would have won Newcastle the game. 

The draw leaves the Knights in eighth spot on 23 points but they will drop out of the top eight if the Warriors beat Cronulla.

Brisbane will need to win their five remaining games to be certain of a play-offs spot.

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Coaltrain costing $500 per minute

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Dave Taylor has not justified his pay packet in 2013. Source: Matt Roberts / Getty Images

STRUGGLING Titans forward Dave Taylor has been challenged to stand and deliver his team a finals berth as it emerged the "Coaltrain" is costing the Gold Coast nearly $500 a minute.

Taylor is set to activate a contractual clause that will keep him at the Titans for another three years but his debut season has been far from impressive.

The Titans are on a four-match losing streak with Saturday's Skilled Park encounter against second-last Wests Tigers a must-win clash to keep their finals dreams alive.

And with forwards Greg Bird (ankle), Nate Myles (groin) and Ryan James (groin) facing fitness tests this morning, Taylor must step up and deliver.

He has played 744 minutes in Titans colours this year but has failed to live up to his $350,000-a-season price tag with his statistics being far down on his last season at the Rabbitohs.

The 25-year-old has made just one linebreak in 2013 compared to 14 last year, and broken only 20 tackles after breaking 88 in 2012. He hasn't scored a try since round one.

His poor form has seen coach John Cartwright opt for the reliable Ben Ridge in the starting side with Taylor only earning five starts from 14 games.

"I love turning up to watch the Titans play when Dave's in the team because I get excited about what he can produce," said former Titan Chris Walker.

"He's no longer a kid anymore. He's been around long enough now that he should be able to start taking control of games with his presence.

"He's a lump of a lad and a nice kid but he hasn't taken his game to the next level. Once he does, he'll be that destructive."

Taylor signed a two-year deal with the option for another two years and has until the end of the year to activate the option. 

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Warner Australia's latest DRS dud

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David Warner looks on as he's caught at slip, which he unsuccessfully reviewed. Source:Getty Images

THE day after Australia lodged an official complaint about the application of the DRS, the rest of the cricket world had cause to complain about David Warner's blatant misuse of the same mechanism.

As Australia attempted to consolidate its position on the second day of the third Test at Old Trafford, Warner lodged a compelling entry for "worst referral ever". A piece of wishful thinking that was, in its insanity, no worse than the third umpires' refusal to grant Usman Khawaja a reprieve the previous day.

Facing Graeme Swann's spin, Warner's thick edge deflected from the gloves of wicketkeeper Matt Prior into the hands of Jonathan Trott at first slip. A dismissal remarkably similar to that which should have brought Stuart Broad's downfall at Trent Bridge.

But where Broad refused to walk when the umpire gave him not out, Warner refused to do so when the umpire did.

Instead, after a long consultation with captain Michael Clarke, he squandered the referral in a gesture almost as futile as his attempt to floor Joe Root with a wild bar room swipe.

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Despite Warner's dismissal for five, and that of Steve Smith for 89, Australia remained in a strong position on 5-392 at lunch. Clarke was on 168, and Brad Haddin 18.

Having led from the front on the first day, Clarke continued his habit of turning centuries into even more momentous totals. Resuming on 125, Clarke made a slow start before warming to his task.

From one Tim Bresnan over, Clarke hit three consecutive boundaries as the Australians looked to make the most of what, on a crumbling pitch, will almost certainly be the best batting conditions.

Clarke had one life when dropped by Swann at short cover from Tim Brenan's bowling when on 136. A sharp chance to a close fielder specifically placed for the lofted drive.

As Australia began its improbable attempt to save the series, Clarke's partnership of 214 with Smith - a record fourth wicket stand for a Test match at Old Trafford - could prove telling.

Coming together at 3-133, the pair put Australia in a commanding position before Smith tried to slog Swann over mid-wicket and popped up a catch from a leading edge to Jonny Bairstow at cover.

Warner arrived at the wicket to a loud chorus of boos, the inevitable outcome of his skirmish with Root. However, while he might have been the right man to accelerate the scoring rate, his early dismissal left that task to Clarke and Haddin.

Some light rain cleared before play started on the second day. However, with heavier showers forecast for day three, the Australians needed to give themselves sufficient time to press for victory.

After the first day, English paceman Tim Bresnan had said his team had always thought the prospect of winning the series 5-0 was farfetched because, as some stage, "it will chuck it down".

That England, rather than Australia, was more likely to benefit from rain delays here might be considered some sort of victory for the tourists during a series when they have seldom held the whip hand.

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Roos deny Cats in thriller

North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey burns clear of Geelong captain Joel Selwood. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: George Salpigtidis / HeraldSun

GEELONG had the futuristic Bugatti Veyron.

North Melbourne had the ageless classic, Porsche 911.

We talk of Steven Motlop and Brent Harvey, who last night took turns treating Etihad Stadium to rare moments of brilliance in a thrilling end-to-end spectacular.

The top-shelf showdown between two of the game's most electric players was at the centre of one of the year's most entertaining games.

The fact the Kangaroos won it, in more convincing fashion than the final margin would suggest, may only serve to frustrate their supporters in this "nearly-there" season.

SuperCoach scores, stats

The final score was 15.6 (96) to 13.8 (86).

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw declared before the game this hadn't been a wasted season for his club, but last night's result would point to the contrary.

The Roos amassed 99 more disposals and 23 more contested possessions than the Cats. They lead by 25 points 28 minutes into the second quarter and by 19 points four minutes into the last.

Not for the first time, they deserved to win a game they had controlled.

But nearly for the first time, they actually did.

Finally, North Melbourne made one stick. Like that murderous doll in those horror Child's Play films, we know Geelong just keeps coming.

But this time it wasn't enough.

On a bitterly cold and windy winter night in Melbourne, the footy was hot under the lid at Etihad.

But while Motlop and Harvey revved their engines, North would prove to have the bigger garage as Daniel Wells, Lachie Hansen and Shaun Atley drove the Roos to final siren glory.

But first, Harvey. "Boomer" went boom. He had 37 disposals, seven inside 50s and three direct score assists. He was vintage, as his 24 handball receives would attest.

Like those old Porche's, the 35-year-old still catches the eye. On his day he still runs beautifully.

Geelong let Harvey run around without an opponent in the first half and he made them pay with 24 touches.

Cue Taylor Hunt's arrival in the second half, with the Cats tagger unloading verbally and physically, but he would be run into the ground.

Motlop's 21 disposals, three goals, six inside 50s and sizzling corridor bursts were breathtaking, but he was outnumbered on the Autobahn last night.

Wells had 18 touches and four goals and quite simply, everything he did was quality. If Harvey is the evergreen Porsche, Wells is the Bentley - all class all the time.

Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen were excellent in defence and it was their beating of Tom Hawkins - who can't be fit - and a combination of Mark Blicavs and Nathan Vardy that allowed the Roos to control the ball off half-back.

Aaron Mullett had a game-high nine rebound 50s but it was Atley who split the Cats open with his piercing runs down the middle from the back half.

This was football at its fastest.

In a first half blur, North Melbourne and Geelong combined for a remarkably efficient 17.6.

Geelong laid the foundations for a showtime night under the lid by deploying Mathew Stokes, Motlop and Travis Varcoe all inside 50m in its own version of the Carlton mosquito fleet.

It paid immediate dividends with Stoke's getting the game's first before Motlop showed his immense skill and class by kicking Geelong's next two from play-on situations.

After 12 minutes the Cats had the goals - three of the first four - but the Roos had the ball, and it wasn't long before their glut of possession told the story.

North kicked four of the last five goals of the opening term to take an eight-point lead into the first change.

The second term was a near replica of the first. Geelong got the first two through Tom Hawkins and Varcoe before the Roos hit the accelerator in spectacular fashion.

North kicked six of the last eight goals before half time, including a run of five unanswered.

They did it by removing Geelong's trademark half-back counter punch by regularly hitting up leading targets.

The "no bombing" policy starved Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright from damaging rebound opportunities and Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan from peeling off and taking cut-off marks.

Instead the counter-attacking was coming from the Roos, who when allowed, do it with the best of them.

It was the 15 minutes that screamed speed and for a while they simply looked too quick for the Cats. Harvey was surging, Wells gliding and Shaun Atley charging.

At half-time North Melbourne lead Geelong by 20 points.

Then the Cats brought the heat. This time, North Melbourne didn't melt.

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Khawaja cops DRS howler

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DRS holwer ... Usman Khawaja cops terrible DRS decision. Source:FoxSports

THE umpire decision review system is a joke. Bad umpiring on the field has been compounded by bad umpiring off it.

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No matter how good the technology is, if those using it cannot see what millions are watching on television then it is of no use.
 
The only way the International Cricket Council can make the DRS work is to properly train specialist umpires on how to use the system.
 
At the moment it does not. It has become an embarrassment which will reinforce all the illogical arguments proffered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India not to use it.

Usman Khawaja. Source: Getty Images

Collective incompetence by on field umpire Tony Hill and video umpire Kumar Dharmasena has put the immediate Test future of Usman Khawaja in jeopardy.
 
Hill has never been a good umpire but the DRS offered a fail safe for his shockers, or at least it should have.
 
How on earth Dharmasena thought Khawaja was caught behind by Matt Prior off Graeme Swann will no doubt remain one of the game's great mysteries.
 
The ball after surviving a leg before wicket appeal off Swann, Khawaja had a wild swish at a wide ball.

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Prior appealed but neither Jonathan Trott at slip nor Swann reacted.
 
Hill took an age to give Khawaja out. He went down to batting partner Chris Rogers and appeared to say "I don't know" but referred the decision after a brief discussion.
 
The review took another age from numerous angles and the hot spot. Nothing suggested that Khawaja had hit the ball.
 
The original replay appeared to show it had clearly spun past the outside edge.
 
Hotspot showed nothing, then a shot from behind appeared to show Khawaja flicking his pad with his bat.
 
The use of technology through this whole series has been a complete shambles which has added to uncertainty rather than clearing it up.
 
And the system of each team being allowed two wrong reviews in each innings means the howler still takes place.
 
During the first Test at Trent Bridge a thick edge off Stuart Broad flew from Brad Haddin's gloves to Michael Clarke at slip.
 
Aleem Dar, usually one of the best umpires in the world, somehow managed to give it not out and Australia had no referrals left.
 
Broad went on to score an extra 28, twice as many as Australia eventually lost the Test by.
 
As for Khawaja, he made just one and needs a big score in the second innings to ensure he keeps his place.
 
A peripheral player since the last Ashes series in Australia, when he debuted as a replacement for the injured Ricky Ponting, Khawaja has never been able to establish himself in the side.
 
He was given the opportunity after Ed Cowan was dropped following the first Test and had a mixed game at Lord's, playing a poor shot in the first innings before a gutsy 54 in the second to top score for Australia in what was a generally dismal team performance.
 
Now Hill and Dharmasena have managed to compromise Khawaja's career.
 
The ICC needs to spent much more on developing umpires or the game will continue to make a fool of itself in front of millions.

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Live: third Ashes Test, day one

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Usman Khawaja referred the decision straight away, but it was to no avail.

AUSTRALIA are playing to keep the Ashes series alive as the third Test against England gets underway at Old Trafford.

We'll bring you all the best reaction and analysis, both from the ground and from around the world via social media.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the blog below, or let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, @FoxCricketLive.

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