SPORT Abroad for Aussie World Cup Denman AUSTRALIAN racing’s latest star galloper is likely to be a fleeting one, with Denman near- Cricket tournament may be moved Down Under certain to be whisked overseas after the autumn. By BEN DORRIES, MICHAEL gency plan to shift the 2011 World against England to be played on were on the brink of pulling out. It would be ‘‘almost unthink- HORAN and RICHARD EARLE Cup away from the subcontinent February 6. However, the start ‘‘The gut feeling from us is that able’’ that Denman would not be transferred to Sheik AUSTRALIA was last night where it is scheduled to be held from of football seasons could be a certainly there are a significant February-April next year. major problem. Mohammed’s Dubai stable, ac- emerging as an emergency option number of players that are contem- While they publicly baulk at sug- The dramatic developments come plating whether they should tour cording to Darley’s Australian to host next year’s cricket World gestions the World Cup could be as Australia’s star players admit India at the moment,’’ May said. manager Henry Plumptre. Cup if the security situation in shifted, the Northern Territory News they are seriously concerned by the ‘‘They (terror threats) are credible ‘‘It will be a wait and see,’’ India continues to worsen. has learnt that state associations in terror threats in India and will and I don’t think there are Plumptre said. ‘‘The only thing As cricket stars meet in Sydney Australia have already been consider pulling out of the IPL. too many people that will oppose Darley is concerned about right today to decide whether to pull briefed on the possibility of it being Players will today be told the that position.’’ now is winning the Australian out of next month’s billion-dollar moved here. terror threat in India is ‘‘credible’’ However Test opener Simon Guineas, getting that Austral- Indian Premier League, the terror And New Zealand cricket boss when they are presented with the Katich forecast there would not be ian Group 1. ‘‘But it us almost threat in India could have Justin Vaughan last night conceded latest security briefing at a high- unanimous agreement between unthinkable that he (Sheik broader implications. he had been informed about the powered meeting with the Austral- players on participating in the IPL. Mohammed) would not be inter- ested in taking him.’’ World cricket bosses last night contingency plans. ian Cricketers Association. ‘‘It will be a big decision as there Denmanwill have no more confirmed Australia and New Zea- The shift may be logistically feas- Worldwide players union boss will be guys who think it is fine to go than three more starts before land were part of a possible contin- ible, with next summer’s final ODI Tim May claimed many players and other that don’t,’’ Katich said. what would appear an inevi- table swoop from Darley Stud’s Dubai arm. Denman, winner of eight of 11 starts and unbeaten in three starts this campaign, is long

PUB: odds-on favourite to win the $750,000 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 6 — his likely Melbourne swansong. TNEWS NT He could then contest the Doncaster Handicap and/or the All Aged Stakes over the Rand- wick Easter carnival. Plumptre said Darley’s key decision-maker, UK-based John Ferguson, would inevitably

DATE: have Denman in his sights after the Sydney autumn. — MATT STEWART 23-FEB-2010 Tambo’s China team

PAGE: relegated By ANDREW ALOIA THE future of Territory de- fender John Tambouras was 38 thrown into uncertainty yes- terday when the Chinese club

COLOR: he was set to join was relegated to the second division for match fixing. Reports from Beijing said Chengdu Blades and Guangzhou, China’s oldest pro-

C fessional side and the club LUCKY LADY: Cowboys fan Jaymie Blake from Jabiru poses with Cowboy stars and Willie . Picture: STUART WALMSLEY Northern Queensland Fury M centre-back Tambouras is trialling with this week, were Y dumped from the upcoming

K Home-grown Henry and Cowboys ready to go season for their involvement in a gambling From Back Page an improved performance with the three good ball work sessions and scandal that has already inclusion of star halfback It was good here in Darwin improve our fluency in attack this toppled the head of the coun- ‘‘It was good here in Darwin when I ‘ on Saturday when I was a kid week ahead of the Round 1 Derby try’s soccer association. was a kid, but we went back to night. game against the Broncos.’’ A probe into the dealing of Canberra because my dad worked ’ Henry added high-profile recruit ‘‘We’ll need to be a bit better Watts and Clint Amos given the clubs has seen more than 20 in the customs department. Willie Mason would be given every against the Titans this week — chance to cover the hooker’s role. players and officials, including ‘‘I played league for a team called hopefully we can use the five or six opportunity on Saturday night to former association boss Nan A more vexing problem for the force his way into the 17-man squad the Diggers and a bit of hockey days here as good preparation to get Yong, arrested or detained. Cowboys coach has been the rain for that Queensland Derby at because the field was just down the us through,’’ he said. ‘‘We won’t be It was rumoured over the which has seemingly followed the Suncorp Stadium. road from my house.’’ interchanging as many players as weekend that Tambouras was a ‘‘He’ll get at least 40-50 minutes While this week will be like a trip we did in , while JT’s club during the past month and pen stroke away from commit- against the Titans this week — down memory lane for the coach, (Johnathan Thurston) return in the made finding cohesion in attack ting to a deal with Guangzhou. Willie was a little bit underdone in The 31-year-old was granted Henry and his Cowboys mean busi- halves is a good boost for us.’’ much more difficult. Cairns because he hasn’t done too permission by A-League club ness when they face the Gold Coast ‘‘I’d like to get a dry track for a Who will be his halves partner much contact work,’’ he said. North Queensland to trial in Titans at Richardson Park. change — we’ve had a lot of rain in was something Henry is keeping ‘‘We’ve been pretty happy with Asia despite last month signing and it was wet in Cairns The Cowboys lost their first 2010 close to his chest until the team is him since he’s arrived at the club a two year contract extension. trial 28-6 to the New Zealand War- named tomorrow, but Aaron Payne last week,’’ he said. and he’ll only get better with each Tambouras was unavailable riors in Cairns, but Henry expects is the front-runner with Anthony ‘‘Hopefully we’ll be able to get in hitout.’’ for comment yesterday. Darwin Dragons on recruiting drive before union season begins By PETER TIFFEN some timber,’’ Shirley said. hooker Justin Smith who had ‘‘He is currently in Bris- Munro and James Mayo vital. so I talked him into coming THE Darwin Dragons rugby ‘‘We are missing some big moved to Perth. bane and I don’t expect him Vivian is a key component. over from Souths this year.’’ fellas this year. Hopefully back,’’ Shirley said. ‘‘He is probably our best The Dragons train at Anula union team has recruited ‘‘It would be a nice surprise Oval from 6pm on Tuesdays classy backline utility Byron they will turn up before the if he came back later in the Former Sydney first grader buy at the moment,’’ Shirley season starts.’’ and Thursdays. Vivian from South Darwin. year but I don’t think so,’’ Ross Fuller takes over as said. ‘‘We started two weeks ago But coach Kris Shirley said Shirley said the Dragons’ Shirley said. Dragons president and ‘‘He’s quite a good player and our attitude has been the club was desperate to find forward pack was minus a Shirley said flanker Chris Shirley said he would likely and has played some decent really good,’’ Shirley said. forwards for the Tooheys front rower and a second Joannou, who took the com- line up at hooker. rugby in . ‘‘We’ve honed in on our conditioning this year. New Cup season which starts rower at the moment. petition by storm in 2009, The Dragons’ backline was ‘‘He played a few games at on March 20. Really, the Dragons haven’t The Dragons’ campaign in winning a Mozzies jumper, also taking shape with young the start of the year last year. had a good pre-season for ‘‘We need some forwards, 2010 would be without classy was no chance of returning. players Gus Fitzgerald, Alex But I actually work with him years.’’ 38 — Northern Territory News, Tuesday, February 23, 2010 www.ntnews.com.au