SPORTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 Carr ready to relaunch ‘Boks bid against Italy

FLORENCE: South Africa’s Nizaam Carr is England to earn a place in Allister Coetzee’s ence.” Carr said he had “seven to nine” doc- impress Coetzee. With lock Eben Etzebeth ready to show thousands of Springbok hope- starting XV against the Azzurri in Florence tors probing, in vain, the virus that com- ruled out of the match due to concussion, fuls what it means to pull on the green and today. After losing for the first time in a pounded his nightmare year in 2015. Pieter-Steph du Toit will return to the second gold jersey when he lines up, out of position, decade to England at Twickenham last week- But he added: “The illness was when I fell row after playing as flanker against England. against Italy in Florence. their fifth test reverse in six outings-the back but I made a full recovery so I can’t stand Carr will form a new back row with Willem Described as one of the most exciting wounded ‘Boks are out for redemption. here and blame the virus for losing my place. Alberts moving to blindside after operating at young prospects of recent years, Carr made And Carr, despite not playing at his pre- “It happened, it’s in the past and I’m here openside last week and Warren Whiteley history when he became the squad’s first ferred No 8, wants to show he fully deserves now, starting against Italy. retaining his place at No 8. Muslim player on his maiden call-up in 2014, just his fourth cap. I’ve stepped up mentally and I’m the in- “I’ve been blessed to be able to able to when he made his debut in a 22-6 win over “I was very emotional about falling out of form Nizaam Carr that people know. “I slowly play No 8 and No 6, although I 100 pe cent Italy. But a disastrous 2015 he blamed on a the ‘Bok squad in 2015. It was a big year picked up and there are thousands of kids prefer eighthman,” said Carr. debilitating and mystery virus, as well as other because it was a World Cup year and as a who want to play for the ‘Boks. I have a “I have to adapt my game because I can’t issues, meant he dropped off the radar and result I really struggled mentally,” Carr said in responsibility to not only play for my commu- be standing out wide and playing that linking notably missed possible selection for the 2015 Florence on Thursdady. “I took it out on my nity, myself and my family, but for all South game I do as a No 8. World Cup. family and they could see how much it was Africans to make them proud.” “I need to be at the breakdown first The 25-year-old is now back “in-form” after affecting me. I’m grateful and blessed to be Carr replaced Lood de Jager for the final 12 because Italy will look to make those leg tack- coming off the bench in a 37-21 loss to here again and I’m hoping to make a differ- minutes at Twickenham, and did enough to les and get the stealer in over the ball.” —AFP

Cockroach kid leads Scott, Spieth in

SYDNEY: World number seven Adam Scott surged into con- tention while two-time major champion Jordan Spieth remained within striking distance of leader James Nitties in the Australian Open second round yesterday. Nitties-who competes on mini-tours in the United States, and complained he often stays in cockroach-infested hotels- fired seven-under 65 to enter the weekend at nine-under 135. New Zealander Ryan Fox was one shot behind at eight-under, with Australia’s Rhein Gibson alone in third at the par-72 Royal Sydney Golf Club. Local favourite Scott vaulted into a five-way tie for fourth at six-under, three shots off the pace, after a morning 65 that included a closing nine of six-under 30. Former world number one Spieth is one shot further back in a six-way tie for ninth after following his opening 69 with a 70. Nitties started on the 10th hole and ignited his round with an eagle at the par-five second before producing five birdies in his final six holes. “It’s been a pretty rough last three years,” Nitties said. “Playing mini-tours this year in America and you’re 34 years old and you’ve been on the PGA Tour and your game hasn’t really changed much from then, but you’re staying in hotels which have cockroaches running around.”

‘BRAINLESS’ SPIETH Fox-who has full status on the European Tour for 2017 — will play alongside Nitties in today’s final group and is looking to become the first New Zealander to win the Australian : File photo shows Ireland’s Joey Carbery, left, celebrates with , second from left, after a rugby Open. “Playing in The Open at St Andrews last year and the match against , in Chicago. — AP Olympics this year, granted I wasn’t in this position, hopefully I can draw from those experiences and be nice and relaxed and go out and have some fun tomorrow,” 29-year-old Fox said. Ireland seeking double Scott picked up four shots in three holes late in his Friday round, which included an eagle at the par-five seventh. “It’s always the secret when you’re not quite on top of your game, you just need a good stretch of nine holes somewhere over the All Blacks in the tournament and that can carry you,” Scott said. “Hopefully that will be the nine that will (be) enough with : It took the Irish 111 years formance to score five tries. “You’d love to Otherwise, the All Blacks are at full two solid days on the weekend to carry me through.” to beat New Zealand. Today, they’ll be think that we’re favorites, wouldn’t you?” strength, with at flyhalf in Alongside the 2013 US Masters winner at six-under are fel- seeking a second win over the mighty All Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said, reacting to his first game since being named world low Aussies Rod Pampling, Todd Sinnott, reigning US Amateur Blacks in two weeks. Hansen’s earlier remark. “But I wouldn’t player of the year. and Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Curtis Luck, and 20-year- “We are going into the game as the suggest that become a Ireland, whose only change from old Lucas Herbert. Spieth carded five front-nine birdies but underdogs,” said New Zealand coach bookmaker. “We’re at about 6-1, not that Chicago has Sean O’Brien replacing the lost momentum with a three-putt double bogey at the par- Steve Hansen, words that stretch the truth we’re allowed to indulge in that. It’s a bit injured at openside flanker, four 15th. “It’s just the putter that needs improvement but, but will still hearten Ireland fans who have better than the 13-1 we were in Chicago. is expecting a “Blacklash.” again, I’m still in it with feeling like I’ve been brainless on the suffered a century of heartache at the You certainly wouldn’t put us as favorites. I “It wasn’t the New Zealand that we had greens,” the American said. The top three players in Sydney hands of the world’s greatest rugby team. think everyone is due a hiccup.” Schmidt been used to seeing throughout the who are not otherwise exempt will win direct entry into next They aren’t alone. has acknowledged Ireland caught the All Rugby Championship,” Ireland fullback July’s British Open at Royal Birkdale. — AFP The All Blacks’ reaction to a loss can be Blacks at an “opportune moment” in said, recalling the game in gauged by the seven years since any one Chicago due to the absences of first- Chicago. “Their lineout was poor. Some of team beat them back to back. That was choice locks (ankle) and their handling was pretty poor. They con- South Africa. Only two home nations have (concussion), which forced ceded five tries in the whole (Rugby) consecutive wins: Wales in 1935 and 1953, Hansen to play flanker out Championship and we scored five against and England in 2002-03. Wales hasn’t of position in the second row. Hansen them. If we’re honest, it wasn’t the New beaten them since, and England just once. defended Kaino afterward, and blamed Zealand that we’ve all come to know. It’s This is the size of the task facing hooker . really important that we recognize and Ireland, whose 40-29 win in Chicago on Without Whitelock and Retallick, understand that.” That loss ended the All Nov. 5 was arguably the country’s greatest Ireland bossed the mauls and disrupted Blacks’ record 18-test winning run, and moment in rugby, certainly in modern lineouts, where Coles came under pres- they began a new one by thrashing Italy times. Driven on by the memory of sure on throw-ins. Ireland also competed 68-10 last weekend. Next stop is , Anthony Foley, the popular former inter- for kickoff ball, forcing more errors. where they scored an injury-time try and national who died weeks earlier, the Irish Whitelock and Retallick are back, but conversion to beat the Irish 24-22 on their Adam Scott took advantage of a sloppy All Blacks per- Kaino is out with a minor calf injury. last visit in 2014.— AP