SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016 Brumbies ‘almost’ generation set for last hurrah SYDNEY: The ACT Brumbies are looking to ride something as a group but the best way to do that games, but after losing a few tight matches last the wave of Australia’s World Cup success into the is not focus on the finals, but on winning the first year, Larkham knows that might not be enough to Super Rugby season and send a string of stalwarts game.” Larkham, of course, was a standout in the take the final couple of steps to the title. “That’s off to pastures new on a high, according to coach team’s golden era, steering the Brumbies backline obviously something we’re very proud of but we Stephen Larkham. The Canberra-based outfit, who from flyhalf as they reached four finals in five can’t rest on that,” he added. “The biggest thing reached the 2013 final and the semi-finals in the years and won the title twice. we have to improve is our attacking game, we’ve last two seasons, are among the pre-season been tinkering with our attacking style, not only favorites to win the newly expanded competition. World Cup lift from set piece but also from multi-phase, so that’ll Scrumhalf Nic White and fullback Jesse Mogg It has not escaped his notice that their 2001 be biggest change you’ll see.” have headed to France but otherwise they have and 2004 triumphs came in the wake of the Larkham, who is also out of contract at the end retained a squad rich in test talent for the new Wallabies reaching the 1999 and 2003 World Cup of the year, was part of the Wallabies’ journey to campaign. At the end of the season, however, finals-a feat they matched in England last year. October’s World Cup final as attack coach under totemic captain Stephen Moore is off to “I’ve been thinking about that a lot over the last Michael Cheika. Seen by many as Cheika’s long- Queensland, flyhalf Matt Toomua to Leicester, month,” the pensive and quietly spoken 41-year- term successor as head coach, Larkham said he winger Joe Tomane to France, while flanker David old said. “I think there is a flow-on effect to the was still “weighing up” whether he could continue Pocock looks set to take a sabbatical. Super Rugby sides. It was a good journey for the combining the role with his duties at the Brumbies. “We’ve spoken about this a little bit, it is a last boys who were involved and I think we surprised a And whatever happens in the new season, which chance,” Larkham told Reuters this week. “This few people. “Rugby’s at a peak in Australia at the starts for the Brumbies next Friday with a rematch group’s been together for four years now, this moment and the boys are certainly riding on of last year’s semi-final against the Wellington really is the last opportunity as a group to achieve that.” Hurricanes, he looks unlikely to be leaving something and they’re highly motivated. “There is The Brumbies had the best defensive record in Australia’s capital any time soon. “I’m certainly a bit of expectation, and we want to achieve Super Rugby in 2015, conceding just 21 tries in 16 keen to stay with the Brumbies,” he said. —Reuters ITALIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW Napoli ‘alive and kicking’ ahead of AC Milan clash Celtic urged to MILAN: Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said the title- chasers are “alive and kicking” as they look to stop Juventus opening up a four-point lead with a win against AC Milan this weekend. Napoli, bidding for their first Serie A title in 26 remain focused years, slipped to second place at one point behind Juve after the latter’s 1-0 victory in Turin last week. With the Bianconeri hosting Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions GLASGOW: Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong says the can be frustrating at times for the fans but we want to League last-16 tie on Tuesday, Massimiliano Allegri’s men Hoops have to concentrate on their own performances keep the ball as much as possible and make the opposi- have the luxury of meeting Bologna away. A win at the Dall’Ara stadium would see the Old Lady stretch their lead to as they prepare to host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at tion run about and when the spaces open up, we will try four points, and heap further pressure on Napoli before Parkhead. Nearest rivals Aberdeen, who fell to a surprise to exploit them. “Inverness will be similar to Ross meeting a Milan side buoyed by a string of positive results of 3-1 loss to Inverness on Monday, have a chance to draw County. They will come and try to attack us and try and late. But Napoli, who on Thursday lost 1-0 to Villarreal in the level with the Glasgow giants at the top of the Scottish counter-attack, but if we play like that, especially as we Europa League, have no intention of lamenting their loss to Premiership if they can defeat Partick Thistle at Firhill did in the second half, I’m sure we will have no prob- Juve, says De Laurentiis. “We have to get over it, not cry about it,” De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss. “This is a defect today. lems.” we all have in the south (of Italy), we cry over things like But Armstrong, who helped his side get back to win- Elsewhere today, Dundee United, who are now 13 there’s been a death. We are alive and kicking!” ning ways in the league with a win against Ross County points adrift at the bottom of the league following their Milan are unbeaten in nine outings in all competitions last weekend, insists Aberdeen’s results will not affect 3-0 home loss to Motherwell in midweek, host high-fly- and visit the San Paolo looking for their fifth win in their past the way Celtic approach the match against Inverness. ing Hearts at Tannadice. Kilmarnock will attempt to seven league games-two of which came against Fiorentina and Inter. A 2-1 win over Genoa at the San Siro last week left “It’s important just to keep an eye on them but we move out of the relegation play-off place when they Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men in sixth place and Milan are now only always focus on ourselves,” the midfielder said. “That’s welcome Dundee to Rugby Park. Killie, who lost 2-1 at two points behind city rivals Inter, who host Sampdoria at the way it’s always been and that’s the way it will con- home to Rangers in their Scottish Cup fifth-round the San Siro today. Mihajlovic is set to be without Slovakian tinue.” Armstrong netted twice on Inverness’ last visit to replay in midweek, will be playing their first league midfielder Juraj Kucka as he recovers from a muscle prob- Celtic Park in August when the Hoops ran out 4-2 win- game since the appointment of former Huddersfield lem, but apart from a spat with Mario Balotelli last week has no major concerns. ners. Town, Birmingham City and Blackpool boss Lee Clark as The midfielder would be happy with a repeat per- their new manager. While United have been left adrift, Bacca staying put formance today but knows the Highlanders will be on a just six points separate Killie in 11th from Ross County Striker Carlos Bacca took his league goals tally for the sea- high following their win over Aberdeen. “They’ve been in fourth. —AFP son to 13, leading to speculation he could become Robert up and down but I saw the clips of their win over Lewandowski’s replacement at Bayern Munich if the Poland striker decides to quit the Bundesliga giants. Bacca, howev- Aberdeen and it’s good that they held on to Greg Scottish Premiership table er, said Thursday: “I’m happy here, I’ve got a five-year con- Tansey in the transfer window, I think he’s a very good tract with the club and everything’s going fine.” Asked about player,” Armstrong said. “They’re a good footballing GLASGOW: Scottish Premiership table ahead of this the trip to Napoli, he added: “It won’t be easy, either for us or team and it’s always difficult every time I’ve played weekend’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, them. We want a result, but it won’t be easy because them with Dundee United and Celtic. It’s always been although they got beat at Juventus, they’re second in the goals against, points): table and a very strong side.” tough and if you get three points, you’ve really got to Balotelli is expected to start on the bench after angering earn them.” Celtic 25 18 4 3 66 21 58 Mihajlovic by failing to carry out instructions in a cameo Aberdeen 26 17 4 5 45 29 55 Hearts 24 12 8 4 45 24 44 appearance against Genoa, meaning M’Baye Niang should Griffiths targets more goals Ross County 26 10 3 13 40 42 33 partner Bacca at the San Paolo. Mihajlovic refused to single One player who will be gunning for Inverness is strik- out Balotelli last week, but delivered a warning to all of his Dundee 25 8 9 8 39 41 33 players when he said: “I’m not naming any names.