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Home , Beauden Barrett, Ben McCalman, Ben Mowen, Conrad Smith, Dane Coles, Dan Carter

SPORTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014 Photo of the day McKenzie banks on Beale to give Wallabies ideal start

SYDNEY: ’s 2014 Rugby Championship will prise but ’s quality means he will Hooker Polota-Nau, rejuvenated eight again be defined by their opening two matches, surely play a major midfield role in the campaign and young lock ’s ability to do home and away tests against their fiercest rivals, even if it is off the bench initially. the hard yards with ball in hand for the Waratahs and world champions . will start at scrumhalf but can expect to Australia were one area where the Wallabies could Win at least one of those matches and the confi- be pushed all the way by Waratahs halfback Nick point to distinct improvement this year. dence they bring into the competition from a seven- Phipps, one of the most-improved Australian players The trio also contributed to a marked step up in game and an outstanding year for over the last year, with the injured a possi- physicality, a quality that will be vital at the break- Australian teams in could blossom into bility for a call-up towards the end of the campaign. down against South Africa and , not to something more tangible. Lose them both, as they With also sidelined by injury and mention the All Blacks in on Saturday and did in coach Ewen McKenzie’s maiden campaign last left out of the matchday squad for a week later. year, and it will be back to the drawing board for the Saturday’s opener in Sydney, the influence of the Captain Michael Hooper’s incredible work rate Wallabies with the World Cup a little more than a side that won the Super Rugby means he will more often than not be the busiest in year away. McKenzie knows he needs to bring some- title under McKenzie in 2011 is greatly diminished. the tackle area from the openside flank, while Scott thing different to the table to threaten the All Blacks and he rolled the dice with his first matchday squad by installing utility back at flyhalf for Saturday’s opener. It was a calculated gamble that bucked form in the strictest positional sense - incumbent had led the line ably in the three-test sweep of France in June and was a key factor in Waratahs’ Super Rugby triumph. But Beale, who has played at inside centre for the Waratahs this season, alternating in the role of first receiver with Foley, offers McKenzie that indefinable quality that coaches yearn for in their big players, the “X factor”. A potential weak link in defence, Beale will be expected to work with outside him to bring the best out of a backline that includes one of the most lethal weapons in , fullback . Folau’s 13 tries in his first 18 tests make him one of the first names on the Australia team sheet and halfway through the championship, he is likely to be joined in the backfield by the exciting winger . The tackle-busting Fijian was named in the squad pending his qualification for Australia on residency grounds on Sept. 11 and could have recovered from Kurtley Beale a hamstring injury in time to take his place in the side to face Argentina two days later. Lock Horwill may yet return but the two players Fardy and Ben McCalman will bring more grit to the The keenness to get Speight involved reflected a that followed him as Wallabies skipper, France- back row. Australia know they must at least be com- shortage of experienced wingers after James bound number eight and injured hook- petitive at the set piece and what lock Rob Simmons O’Connor left for Europe under a cloud last year and er Stephen Moore, are not available. perhaps lacks in “mongrel”, he brings in organisation Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins announced he was The further loss of Tatafu Polota-Nau, whose knee at the line-out. heading to . injury will be re-assessed for the second New McKenzie is resigned to the fact the front row will Zealand test next week, is a blow and not just always be considered Australia’s soft underbelly and A competitor performs at the Red Bull Skate Arcade at the skatepark in SCRUMHALF OPTIONS because it leaves the mobile but inexperienced even if he believes they are unfairly maligned, he will Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain — www.redbull.com That made the selection of the versatile Adam starting in the middle of the front still be happy with as few set scrums as possible over Ashley-Cooper at outside centre something of a sur- row. the next eight weeks. — Reuters Ohio State in need All Blacks eye of major overhaul world Cup COLUMBUS: So Urban Meyer and his wife said. “He could have practiced but we’re in it were coming back from the victory at rival for the long haul. He’s right on schedule.” : The All Blacks head into the Rugby Michigan last season, and he turned and Miller may figure in the Heisman race and Championship with the whiff of a world record in the nos- asked a question. “In your wildest dreams, should set most of Ohio State’s QB records - if trils but their eyes firmly focused on a bigger prize in could you have imagined we’d win our first 24 he’s healthy through that long haul. England in 13 months time. games at Ohio State?” he said. ’s side have the opportunity to secure a Shelley Meyer thought a second and then IT’S WHAT’S UP FRONT: The O-line may world record 18th successive win on Saturday when they replied, “Honey, you’re not in my wildest have doubters, but the D-line doesn’t. Tackle face a buoyant Australia, although the “bigger picture” mis- dreams.” Regardless of whether that tale, told Michael Bennett (7 sacks) is the only senior on sion is ensuring they continue to advance their 2015 World by Meyer at a women’s clinic this summer, is a young unit full of blue-chippers. First-team Cup ambitions. true, there’s no question that he could hardly All-Big Ten end Noah Spence (8 sacks), Joey The former Wales head coach embarked upon a believe his tenure with the Buckeyes opened Bosa (7.5) and Adolphus Washington should rebuilding project ahead of the defence of the World Cup with two dozen wins - or that last season be good enough to lend a giant helping hand title and has introduced 24 new caps to the team - 12 of would close with two painful losses. to the inexperienced secondary. whom are in squad - in his three Now 2014 beckons with a couple of units MISSING MR. HYDE: Carlos Hyde was sus- seasons in charge. needing major overhauls - and a franchise pended for the first three games of his senior The injured is also almost certain to be in quarterback in Braxton Miller returning for a season in 2014 and still piled up 1,527 yards Hansen’s plans for 2015, while , and final hurrah. and 18 touchdowns. are on the fringes of selection and would be Now Ohio State will rely on several backs considered unlucky not to have been named in the current squad. WHAT NEEDS WORK: The offensive line, to fill his sizable cleats: sophomores Ezekiel Jake Webster perhaps the strength of Meyer’s first two Ohio Elliott, Bri’onte Dunn and Warren Ball, fifth- Uncapped prop has also been brought in State teams, lost four of five starters. year senior Rod Smith and freshman Curtis for Tony Woodcock, who requires shoulder surgery and Unfamiliar names fill the two-deep. Samuel. been ruled out for the rest of the season. Hansen considers Castleford eager to “We’ve got six or seven guys that we like,” All have pluses and minuses. Still, the four that a blessing in disguise. line coach Ed Warinner said. “We just have to veterans combined for a little over a quarter The 33-year-old Woodcock, considered one of the see where we go from here.” Meyer and his of the yards last year that the bruising Hyde more damaging scrummagers in world rugby, is likely to win without Carney staff blew up the pass defense after it was provided. enjoy the extended break, Hansen reasoned, in order to shredded by Michigan State in the Big Ten freshen up ahead of his final push towards the World Cup : Castleford cruised to victory last LONG WAIT title game and Clemson in the Orange Bowl. ALL EYES ON MSU: A lot can happen next September. weekend in ’s absence and And Webster will be hoping to once Now the Buckeyes will play press coverage before the calendar turns to November, but Hansen’s biggest headache derives from his search for team-mate Jake Webster believes they can again compensate for Carney’s absence with a rotation of cornerbacks in hopes of Buckeyes fans are already focused on the Nov. one, possibly two, hookers to step up if 35-year-old Keven repeat the feat without their try-scoring after scoring against Widnes. “It had been a limiting completions over the top and under- 8 meeting with the Spartans in East Lansing, Mealamu’s calf muscles finally decide they cannot carry machine on Friday. long wait-eight weeks,” added the 30-year- the 113-test veteran through another year. His decision to neath. “That’s not a concern,” safety Vonn Bell Michigan. Carney-Castleford’s top tryscorer in the old, who has eight New Zealand caps. “It is select just and Mealamu for the Rugby said of the secondary. “I’m not concerned and The 10th-ranked Spartans ended No. 2 this season-will miss the trip always good to get over the line and in a they (the fans) shouldn’t be.” Ohio State’s school-record winning streak Championship, however, suggests he is willing to take a gamble on blooding a third hooker on New Zealand’s end to Warrington as he completes a two- big game like that I suppose it was a bit and knocked it out of the national champi- match suspension. sweeter.” THREE-PEAT? Miller, a two-time winner of onship game with a 34-24 win in the Big Ten of year tour to the United States and Britain. That ban was received during their 64- Wigan are one of three sides above the Big Ten’s top player award, missed all of title game. The 2014 showdown figures to The explosive ’s emergence at centre the spring after surgery on his right (throw- loom large for both teams, well aware that has handed him a replacement for , while fly- 18 thrashing of London Broncos earlier this Tigers in the table and they visit Hull KR ing) shoulder. He said he had some soreness the winner is in the driver’s seat of the con- halves and have done month, a clash in which the former Sydney today with a double boost. Blake Green, after the first week of fall camp and was held ference’s new East Division race. Still, Meyer enough to suggest the absence of will not be a Roosters wing also grabbed a hat-trick of who is Storm-bound at the end out. said, “There’s zero conversation about tomor- significant upheaval. tries. of the season, returns from a bicep injury “I’ve dealt with guys with arm issues row or November.” That’s only a topic in his Tigers coped without him on Sunday, while former South Sydney forward Eddy before, and we’re being very cautious,” Meyer dreams. — AP CARTER OUT beating Widnes 28-6 to set up a Challenge Pettybourne is back from a jaw problem. Carter, the world’s all-time leading points scorer, Cup final with Yorkshire rivals Leeds, but Warriors boss Shaun Wane said: “Greeny returned in July after taking a six-month sabbatical in an the Wolves may provide a tougher test. is good to play and it’s a huge boost to attempt to shake off a series of lingering injuries that were And Webster is hoping Carney’s clinical have him returning to the side after such a hampering his playing time as he looked ahead to 2015. finishing will not be missed as Castleford spell in the medical room. He has worked The 32-year-old, however, broke a bone in his leg dur- continue their march towards the Super hard to get back to fitness and deserves ing the Canterbury ’ Super Rugby final loss to the League summit. this. and was ruled out for at least “I don’t think there is a winger that can “Eddy is back with us too, I had some the two clashes against the Wallabies. When fit again, score a try like he does,” said the former selection headaches this week and we though, he is widely expected to retain his status as the man. “He is fast, he is have some talent not in the squad.” automatic choice at flyhalf, no matter how well Cruden powerful and I would hate to come up Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson believes and Barrett may be playing. against him. Reports in New Zealand indicate Carter had a major Ukuma Ta’ai will be ready to fire against input into a revamp of the tactics after 2011 which have “He is missed every week he is not out Widnes on Sunday after he was given a resulted in the team offering the multiple threats over the there-just his presence puts fear into the two-week break to recover from a groin last two seasons. other teams-but I think we will get the job injury. While they have attempted to play a high-tempo, done. “We do have some strong options in the spread-the-ball-wide gameplan since 2012, in the second “Every game is a big game for us com- back row, which was again evident with test against France in 2013 their tactical kicking was ing up. We have got to put a good side out the way we played at Wakefield last week- superb with Cruden controlling the flow of the match. every week and we have got to perform. end,” said Anderson. Always dangerous on the counter-attack and from bro- We are two points off the top of the table “But it’ll be good to get Ukuma back in ken play, their backs showed against England in the third and that is in our sights. “I think the teams contention for selection and hopefully test this year how potent they can be from set pieces by above us, one or two of them have got to the break will help him keep on improv- scoring tries from the first phase - a rarity in the modern play each other, so that puts us in a good ing and give the team even more when era of rugby-league inspired drift defences.—Reuters COLUMBUS: Ohio State running back Rod Smith carries the ball during an NCAA col- position.” he returns.” — AFP lege football practice in this file photo. — AP Top players vie for scrabble crown

BUFFALO: The world’s best Scrabble players are squaring off for outscore opponents. The player to beat is five-time champion up at this guy in awe.” possible, either on the computer or in person. “When you’re fac- the title of Scrabble champion, with the winner to be crowned in Nigel Richards, an Australian who lives in Malaysia. Will Anderson, Mark Przybyszewski, Buffalo’s top player, was pretty sure he ing someone who you know could end up in the money, you Buffalo. The 25th National Scrabble Championships began on an editor from Croton-on-Hudson, was hoping to spell out a seri- wouldn’t win the world title but was confident he would retain know you have to be on your toes at all times and not make a Sunday with 525 players from 11 countries competing for the ous challenge after finishing third last year. his ranking as having the highest scoring name in Scrabble, dumb play and not let a dumb play go.” $10,000 top prize. The winner will be named late yesterday. “He’s like the Michael Jordan of our game,” said Anderson, worth about 39 points on the board. His goal for the tournament The tournament began days after the announcement that By the time it is over, contenders in five different divisions will who prepared for the games by solving jumbled word lists and was a winning record. 5,000 new words had been added to “The Official Scrabble have played 31 games each over five days, with rankings based playing practice matches. “He’s in a class by himself and his com- “I play better when I’m playing better players,” said Players Dictionary” - but players won’t be able to use those words on win-loss records and the number of points by which they mand of the dictionary is unbelievable. ... We’re all kind of looking Przybyszewski, who prepared by getting in as many games as until after this year’s championship. — AP