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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 SPORTS The Pumas way is the American way BRIGHTON: The United States wants to make it easier for those following Australia beat the US Eagles 47-10 at two million active players-was that they Nevertheless the challenges faced by emulate Argentina’s elevation to the elite behind.” The 41-year-old believes the one the legendary Chicago Bears stadium. were attracting top level athletes from the amateurs in the side (14 of the 31 rugby nations-only quicker, their assis- major vacuum in the United States rugby Fitzpatrick, who had a successful spell in other sports. players have professional contracts) is tant coach and European Cup winning DNA will soon be fixed, namely a profes- France with Castres before ending his “There is a high level of dropping out reflected by players such as hooker Zach prop Justin Fitzpatrick told AFP. sional league. career winning the Celtic League with of sports such as NFL and basketball Fenoglio, who combines being a chem- The Pumas are now part of the “I believe that will be resolved by next Ulster, said qualifying for the World Cup and they are suddenly realising that it istry teacher with playing for his country. Southern Hemisphere Rugby year. There will be a professional league and the Sevens side success in reaching doesn’t mean the end of their sporting “I have to manage my time carefully. Championship and have a franchise in in the United States,” he said. next year’s Olympics had a galvanising career,” he said. “They see that there is a Teach during the day (at Regis Jesuit in the next Super Rugby club champi- Fitzpatrick, who moved to the United effect on gaining new adherents. career path, through qualifying for the Aurora, Colorado) then after that is done onship. States in 2013 and coaches a Seattle The United States will also host the World Cup or playing sevens at the keep my competitive edge by doing The United States-who started the team, said there has been a dramatic 2018 Sevens World Cup in San Francisco. Olympics. Americans love winning some weights,” Fenoglio told AFP. World Cup on Sunday with a 25-16 change in American rugby. “I think the biggest game changer is the medals and world titles and this pres- “When I go to training camps for the defeat by Samoa-are a long way off that, “I went with the Ireland team in 2000 inaugural Six Nations tournament in ents an opportunity. national team it sometimes takes me but Fitzpatrick believes it is getting clos- and we played in Manchester, New 2016 which is a very important addition,” “As an example I have a former player like many of the other guys six hours to er. “The Argentina route is our example, Hampshire, with a makeshift stand and he said. The tournament will involve the from the Baltimore Ravens NFL side com- get there. “I’m lucky, though, I have a only I hope it doesn’t take us as long as it 3,000 people watching,” said Fitzpatrick. Argentina Jaguars, the Pumas second ing to join my club in the next few weeks. very supportive circle round me and it did them to get there,” said Fitzpatrick, “A fortnight ago at an iconic stadium team, Canada, Uruguay Chile and Brazil. “The level of player is getting better. I has been ace since I returned there as who won 26 caps for Ireland and the Soldier Field the USA played Australia, Fitzpatrick said that another positive would say several of the players at my head rugby coach. The numbers play- 1999 European Cup with Ulster. there were over 20,000 spectators and it result of the growing popularity and pro- club would have made the Ulster side I ing have gone from 18 to filling four “Still they say those who pave the way was broadcast live.” file of the sport in the States-there are played in.” full teams.” — AFP Wallabies unleash jackals on Fiji CARDIFF: Bossing the breakdown has “I am very excited. I really enjoyed play- become a crucial part of modern rugby and ing alongside Michael in the Rugby Australia are unleashing two masters Championship, so hopefully we can make Michael Hooper and David Pocock-in their that partnership work.” World Cup opener against Fiji tomorrow. While the ball-seeking Pocock slots in at The out-and-out openside flankers are first- the back of the scrum, Cheika insisted that rate “jackals” who will prey on the slightest his selection there would not mean a seis- mistake by Fiji captain Akapusi and his mic change in his abrasive playing style. counterparts in the loose. “For (Pocock) it’s mainly about the scrum Wallabies coach Michael Cheika named control - he’s had a bit of a handle on that Hooper at openside and Pocock at No 8, already,” said Cheika, in his playing days with rugged Scott Fardy filling in at blind- also a No 8. “I believe in him a lot there. He’s side in an impressive backrow for been very versatile at what he’s done.” Wednesday’s Pool A match at Cardiff’s Cheika added that he thought Hooper and Millennium Stadium. “It’s pretty hard not to Pocock, normally fierce competitors on the pick one of them,” Cheika said of Pocock field, had “really enjoyed working together”. and Hooper, who has been described by “They’ve been fierce opponents, obviously. many as the best centre in the backrow giv- And now there’s an opportunity that they en his additional slick distribution skills. “It probably didn’t think they’d ever get: to sort of means you pick them both. I’m not work together, which they’ve enjoyed.” trying to claim there is any brilliant rocket Stephen Moore will captain the science behind it. You just have two very Wallabies against Fiji, the hooker saying the good players. squad were raring to go. “Sitting around “The way they’ve played throughout the watching footy all weekend, they are pretty Super Rugby season and in the rugby inter- keen to get out there now,” Moore said. nationals, either together or separately, has “We will be blowing pretty hard in that forced the coach’s hand - and that’s exactly first half, but we’ve been training as close what you want from players.” as we can to game intensity so hopefully It is just the second game Hooper and that will set us up well.” Pocock will have started a match together, Fiji more than matched England in the following a successful outing in a 27-19 win loose in their 35-11 defeat by the hosts in over the All Blacks in Sydney in August. Twickenham on Friday, and Chieka will look LONDON: Argentina’s Joaquin Tuculet beats New Zealand’s Ben Smith to win a high ball during their RugbyWorld Cup Pool C match between “We’ve been training with several com- to the dynamic Hooper-Pocock combina- Argentina and New Zealand at Wembley stadium. — AP binations and we are starting to feel more tion to snuffle out the Pacific islanders with comfortable just getting out there whatev- a view to nailing down their starting berths er position we’re in and playing our struc- for tougher games to come against the ture,” said Pocock. English and Wales. — AFP All Blacks struggle as Wales suffer injury blow LONDON: Underdogs Argentina made Richie McCaw’s defending champions New Zealand fight for victory in their opening World Cup game Sunday as Wales suffered critical new injury blows. All Blacks skipper McCaw was sin-binned and the team had to come back from behind to beat Argentina 26-16 in front of a World Cup record crowd of 89,019 at Wembley Stadium. Wales, in the same tough Pool A as England and Australia, hammered Uruguay 54-9. But hat-trick scorer Cory Allen will probably miss the rest of the World Cup as he joined a growing Welsh casualty list. In the day’s third game, Samoa defeated the United States 25-16 on the Brighton ground where Japan on caused the biggest World Cup upset ever by beating South Africa 34-32 on Saturday. South Africa faced calls at home for the resigna- tion of coach Heyneke Meyer. As the result rever- berated around world rugby, Springbok legend Schalk Burger called on the side to “write off” the shock loss and regroup before their next Pool B game against Samoa. Aaron Smith and replace- ment Sam Cane came to New Zealand’s rescue after they trailed Argentina for much of the Pool C game. McCaw was given a yellow card for tripping Tony Martin in action in this file photo. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. It was only on his return and the introduction of Sonny Bill Williams BIRMINGHAM: South Africa’s Jean de Villiers ( left) grimaces during a training session at the Martin chases fourth and Cane as substitutes that New Zealand awoke University of Birmingham as they prepare for their next Rugby World Cup match against from their slumber. Samoa. — AP The Pumas led 16-12 when Aaron Smith world time trial crown crashed over for a key try. Cane made the game safe in the 67th minute. Dan Carter kicked four Leitch and Goromaru tasked RICHMOND: Germany’s Tony Martin seeks now.” Dennis took a boost from the team penalties and two conversions. “I guess that’s what his fourth title in five seasons to match victory but knows it’s a very different ride you expect first up.