D6 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, August11, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch

RUGBY LEAGUE IN BRIEF

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Nadal still out ❯❯Rafael Nadal has dropped out of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinatti next week Rivals braced because of a knee problem that forced him to miss the Olympics and is threatening his entry at the US Open this month. Nadal pulled out of the London Games because of a sore left knee, missing the for grand final chance to defend his title and be Spain’s flagbearer in the Anthony Morgan opening ceremony. He won the French Open for a record Traditional rivals Halswell seventh time this year but has and Hornby will renew hostil- been bothered by a problem ities in tomorrow’s premier with the tendon in his knee for grand final at weeks. He lost in the second Addington’s AMI Stadium. round at Wimbledon in June The sides have met in nine and hasn’t played since. deciders, with the Panthers holding a 5-4 edge, but Sheen’s advice Halswell are a big chance of squaring the ledger after a ❯❯ and dominant season in which coach Tim Sheens has urged they have lost only one match. the board to After they beat Hornby stick to its guns and avoid 42-12 in the qualifying final hiring an NRL coach as Ricky two weeks ago, Hornets Stuart’s successor for the captain Jaye Pukepuke said Blues’ top job. NSW Rugby the extra week off has helped League general manager Geoff them as they search for back- Carr and chairman John Chalk to-back premierships, having are gauging the interest of demolished Celebration in every candidate who has been last year’s decider. touted as a potential “The extra week has replacement for Stuart. Carr helped us with injuries and admitted the board has not getting our niggles right. It ruled out approaching club might affect us a bit early on coaches – a position it had but we should be OK,” he said. previously hoped to avoid Hornby, like Halswell, will Old hand: Jonny Limmer, with ball, has plenty of experience to call on given the findings of a report go into the grand final with a tomorrow. Photo: STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ commissioned by the NSW full-strength side after a few Rugby League and compiled by players, including warhorse blend of youth and experi- League Park and both cap- former Roosters chief Corey Lawrie, returned for ence, with halfback Jimmy tains are excited to be back at executive Brian Canavan. their preliminary final win Lim one of the finds of the the “home of rugby league”. over Aranui. season for Halswell in a side “We haven’t played there Share upset Panthers’ skipper James that has the experience of for a few years and a clash Baxendale said his side aren’t Manu Weepu and Ross with our old rivals in the first ❯❯Manchester United Ltd said wary of Halswell’s imposing Martin to call on. match back is going to be its shares were priced attack, preferring to focus on Hornby has an experi- awesome,” Baxendale said. yesterday at US$14 their own game at training enced core, with Lawrie and “It’s great to be able to play (NZ$17.30) each for its United this week as they prepare for Baxendale joined by Jonny at a big stadium like that. States initial public offering, a defensive struggle. Limmer and Donny Aitken in Hopefully the game can get valuing the British football “We aren’t too wary of the veteran category, but some good promotion so we club at US$2.3 billion, signifi- them because we have been Baxendale said to not expect can have a big crowd out cantly below expectations. focusing on ourselves and any retirements following there,” Pukepuke said. The team priced 16.7 million what we can do well,” Sunday’s game. The grand final buildup shares, as planned, and raised Baxendale said. “Defence will “They always say they are has been quiet, with both US$233.2 million, about be the key. It always is in big going to retire but they sides preparing hard, but US$100m less than it had games like this one and if we always come back the next while Baxendale was quietly hoped. Although that still can get that right at the start year.” confident, Pukepuke laid makes it the largest sports- as well as improving our The previous match played down the gauntlet. team IPO (initial price offer) on attack from recent weeks we at Addington was Hornby’s “If we turn up to play, no record, the value is much should be a big chance.” 22-6 win over Papanui in the side is capable of touching Victor’s spoils: Rival skippers Jaye Pukepuke, of Halswell, left, and James Baxendale, of Hornby, get one hand on the Pat Smith Challenge Trophy below the up to US$3.3b the Both sides have a good 2010 decider at the old Rugby us.” ahead of tomorrow’s final at AMI Stadium in Addington. Photo: KIRK HARGREAVES/FAIRFAX NZ club and its owners, the Glazer family, were expecting. That would mean the club, which COWBOYS v WARRIORS has been trying to reduce its debt after its 2005 leveraged buyout by the Glazer family, Luck keen to leave Warriors on positive note COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, WARRIORS: Kevin Locke, Bill would get less money to do so. Ashley Graham, , Tupou, Lewis Brown, Konrad The Glazers, whose holdings Ben Stanley duced minutes tonight, said. Warriors’ hopes in 2012. because everyone’s fit and without footy, but equally , Antonio Hurrell, (c), include shopping centres and ‘‘I want to leave here on a Younger players, such as healthy and you’re in good excited. Winterstein, Johnathan , Shaun the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Micheal Luck is happy to be good note and want my final the Lousi brothers, Ben form. That’s the times when ‘‘We’ve got to meet life Thurston (co-captain), Johnson, Sione Lousi, Nathan football team, will also take in finally in a Warriors jumper memories to be real positive Henry and , you’ve got to step on the gas. head on, I suppose,’’ he said. Michael Morgan, Matthew Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti less money from the share tonight against the Cowboys ones. I suppose it’s my job to have had to fill the void. Then there’s other times, 2009 ‘‘Go and find something to do, Scott (co-captain), Aaron Mateo, , Elijah sale. The company expected to at Townsville regardless of try and lift the group now and ‘‘Obviously this year has- comes to mind, when we without the footy boots on.’’ Payne, , Gavin Taylor. Interchange (from): price shares in a range of how many more games he’s try to make everyone buy into n’t been ideal but in a contact weren’t healthy, we weren’t Standoff James Maloney, Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Russell Packer, Sebastine US$16 to US$20. got left, or what the import- a happy, positive atmosphere sport that’s the cards you’re in good form, and we who injured his right knee in Johnson. Interchange (from): Ikahihifo, Micheal Luck, ance of those games will be. and go out on a high.’’ dealt sometimes,’’ Luck said. struggled.’’ the 45-4 defeat to the Sharks, Ray Thompson, Ricky Thorby, Steve Rapira, . Squash promo ‘‘I can’t wait for this The absence of Luck, and ‘‘In my time here in the A safari trip to Africa travelled with the Warriors to Ashton Sims, , Venue: Dairy Farmers month or eight weeks or the likes of and fulltime squads, there’s been looms before he really starts Townsville and could be a late Anthony Mitchell, Joel Stadium, Townsville. Refs: ❯❯A women’s only squash however long we’ve got left,’’ through injury, years when you’ve got an to tackle life post-football. replacement for Carlos Riethmuller. Ashley Klein & Chris James. tournament reaches its climax Luck, who will play re- have undoubtedly hurt the opportunity to do something Luck’s nervous about a life Tuimavave. Fairfax NZ Sky Sport 2: 9.30pm, today. with finals today at the Christchurch Squash Club. The three-day tournament, staged to recognise the year of GOLF women in squash, attracted about 50 entries. It is designed to encourage more women back to tournament Kiwi star advances play with many preferring not to attend such competitions in Daly rediscovers his playing mojo favour of just the weekly inter- to quarterfinals club format. Pete Iacobelli ‘‘I’ve never seen anybody his popularity with fans. He World No 1 Lydia Ko has leading 1-up. The French hit the ball that hard,’’ said had almost as many followers Kiwis’ real test safely advanced to the player hit to the back of the There are plenty of people Woods, who has some length as Woods and the cheers for quarterfinals of the US green from the middle of the eager for John Daly to con- to his game, too. his good shots were just as ❯❯New Zealand won three of Women’s Amateur by win- fairway. With a good lie and tinue his latest surprise run Daly briefly gained a share loud. four games in the buildup to ning two matches yesterday. the match on the line, Ko at the PGA Championship, of the lead at 4-under with an ‘‘I have always rooted for the under-19 cricket World Cup New Zealand’s Ko aimed at the green with a including another big-hitter eagle on the par-5 11th, then him,’’ Woods said. ‘‘I have in but now face scrambled out of deep rough pitching wedge. She missed it in Tiger Woods. gave back a stroke a hole always been a John Daly fan the first match of the on the 18th hole to outlast left and short, but avoided a Daly dusted off his long later, a bobble that in the past and a friend.’’ tournament against Scotland Celine Boutier, 18, of France, greenside bunker. drives and showed the touch might have unnerved Daly for The support just does not tomorrow. They beat Nepal, 1-up, in the round of 16. Ko chipped to within 1.2m around the greens that won additional mistakes. come from Woods. Former US Scotland and West Indies, Top qualifier Hyo-Joo Kim, of the hole. When Boutier him two majors, including his This time, Daly held firm Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, while their single loss came of Korea, was eliminated in failed to make a 12m putt for breakthrough victory in the with two more birdies on the tied with Daly at 68, said against South Africa. The New the third round at the 5954m, birdie, Ko stroked the putt 1991 PGA, shooting a 4-under way in. He saved par from left plenty of pros at the WGC- Zealand Under-19s are in par-72 course at The Country into the middle of the hole for 68 yesterday to finish two of the green on the difficult Bridgestone Invitational Group B alongside Pakistan, Club in Ohio by Canada’s the win. strokes behind first-round 18th, rolling in a 12-footer to crowded around the TV to Scotland and Afghanistan and Nicole Zhang, who beat Kim In the morning’s second leader Carl Pettersson at stay two behind Pettersson. watch Daly challenge at the will probably need two wins to 1-up. round Ko beat American Amy Kiawah Island, South Caro- It was only the third time Reno-Tahoe Open. He wound advance to the next round. Ko drove deep into the Anderson, 3 and 2. Ko faces lina, yesterday. On the drive: American golfer John Daly launches his tee shot at the in his last 29 rounds at the up tied for fifth. right rough on the 18th hole of Paula Reto, South Africa, in Daly, 46, has lived off third hole of the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, PGA – Daly qualifies as a past ‘‘I’ve never seen more play- Rangers restart her match with Boutier when tonight’s quarterfinals. sponsor invites as he shuttles yesterday. Photo: REUTERS champion – that he has bro- ers more excited,’’ Ogilvy between the PGA and Euro- ken 70. He has not made the said. ‘‘Everyone wants to see ❯❯Rangers step into uncharted pean tours. Recently, though, own pace, just be myself and played with Daly. Woods was cut since 2007 or finished him do well.’’ territory tomorrow as they he has felt his game improve play golf,’’ said Daly, coming in awe of Big John’s power better than 32nd since gaining Daly’s had some strong kick off their first league enough that he is not that off a fifth-placed tie last week even then, sharing a story of a the Wanamaker Trophy 21 results this year. He was 12th campaign outside the top 2012 surprised by his round at The in the Reno-Tahoe Open. mid-iron, uphill, par-5 shot years ago. at the Greenbrier last month flight of Scottish football with Ocean Course. That’s always been good that Woods swore hit the ‘‘It’s just a course I feel I’ve and came into the PGA a visit to Peterhead. It caps a Premiership ‘‘I’ve been playing good, enough for some, like Woods, centre of the green and got to take it on,’’ Daly said. Championship off the strong humiliating fall from grace for just trying to keep it at my who was just 13 when he first bounced out of bounds. One thing he has not lost is showing in Nevada. AP Scotland’s most successful club, which was relaunched as Grand Final a new company in June after the old company couldn’t be PAT SMITH TROPHY saved from liquidation. It will Russley sharpen focus as Woodward Cup tees off be the Ibrox club’s debut in Sunday, August 12th Scottish football’s lowest tier after they were voted into the Halswell Hornets v Hornby Panthers Matt Richens manager Murray Brown ‘‘What’s happened has In Harry Bateman and order with Jordan Baker- third division following their 3.00pm AMI Stadium insists they are not looking happened,’’ he said. Owen Burgess, they have two mans at No 1 and Turner at failed bid to get back into the There is no thought of re- back at all. Russley will instead focus of the better performed play- No 2. Aaron Pablecheque, Scottish Premier League. The 2012 PREMIER RESERVE venge and no looking back to Russley were hot favour- solely on themselves, aim to ers in the region. Former New Richard Reed and J J Love Rangers are the favourites to last year for the Russley golf ites last year and hosted the shoot as low they can and, as Zealand matchplay runner-up are also back to help defend stroll to automatic promotion GRAND FINAL team ahead of the Woodward finals day. But after leading much as possible in the Steven Hayes, Michael the title while Phil Tuoro has ahead of their part-time and FRED ARNESON TROPHY Cup’s opening round. early in the final against matchplay format, work McAuley, Andrew Dufton and joined the team after impress- amateur opponents in the The 12-team competition Christchurch, they were together as a team. Regan Kilpatrick make up the ing during club trials. league. In recent weeks Halswell Hornets v Aranui Eagles begins at Clearwater tomor- pushed to a playoff which Brown said while it was side. Waitikiri and Templeton Rangers have had to cope with 12.45pm AMI Stadium row, with Russley having the they lost to a 5m putt from off largely an individual sport, There was no room for are both strong again while a mass exodus of first-team 4791034AA unenviable job of taking on the green by Christchurch’s ‘‘team spirit can be a very former Canterbury rep Mark Harewood are shaping up as players but boss Ally McCoist Adults $15. Children (under 17) $5 the hosts in the first round. Tom Turner. valuable thing’’. O’Malley, who starts the possible dark horses. has managed to strengthen Come along and support your team. The six-strong side could Brown, in his second stint Russley are again one of season in the Blank Cup Tomorrow’s draw: Rangiora v Coringa, his squad with some signings be forgiven for having last with the side, said Russley the title favourites, a tag they based on form. Russley v Clearwater, Templeton v of experienced players ahead year’s final result in the back were only interested in look- share with defending cham- Christchurch will again be Christchurch, Harewood v Windsor, of a one-year transfer ban in www.crfl .sportingpulse.net Waimairi Beach v Avondale, Waitikiri v

of their minds but new ing forward. pions Christchurch. powerful at the top of their Weedons.0.0 September. Agencies