SPORTS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2014 Battle of Britain heats up NRL grand final

SYDNEY: Rival English Test forwards was still in ownership of the club. wherever they are from, I’m just trying to do my best and James Graham will play crucial roles when South “Not only for Russell, there’s hundreds of people I for the club.” Graham will be also looking for a better chase their first Australian can name. For the team, the whole squad of 30, it’d outcome than his last appearance in a grand final for championship title in 43 years against Canterbury in be a great achievement.” England coach Steve the Bulldogs two years ago when his team lost 14-4 the NRL grand final Sunday. Burgess has been a driv- McNamara, who has watched Burgess and Graham in and he received a 12-match suspension for biting the ing force in his five seasons in the National Rugby his role as an assistant coach at the , ear of Melbourne’s Test fullback . League since joining the Rabbitohs from the said Burgess has had an enormous impact on Souths “Jammer’s (Graham) in tremendous form, you look at in 2010, while ex-St Helens prop and the NRL. “He was always destined to be a star. the number of carries he makes and the number of Graham has been inspirational for the Bulldogs. It The impact he’s had on not only South Sydney, but plays he’s involved in with the Bulldogs,” McNamara will be an NRL farewell for Burgess, who is switching the NRL and even Australian sport as a whole is fan- said. “Also his sheer ability to play, it’s like having an to rugby union with Bath later this month, but is tastic,” McNamara said. “For an Englishman to do extra halfback (scrum-half) in your team in a front- vowing to do all he can to bring home South that is a magnificent achievement.” rower’s body.”Souths are the sentimental favorites to Sydney’s first premiership since 1971. win with the Bulldogs chasing their first NRL title Burgess, 25, was persuaded by Oscar-winning ‘British Bulldog’ since 2004. They split their two regular season games Hollywood actor and club owner to Renewing old rivalries will be Merseyside-born against each other this year. join the Rabbitohs and has been a major influence in Graham, who was the Dally M Award front rower of While the Rabbitohs have one of the NRL’s super- the rise of the 1908 foundation club after decades in the year, and he will have a huge say in the Bulldogs’ stars in at fullback, they will be without the doldrums. Burgess, along with his three brothers- chances in Sunday’s decider. Graham, 29, has been their New Zealand international hooker . Luke and twins George and Tom - have made Souths an outstanding leader of the Canterbury pack and Luke was suspended for two matches for a danger- the most feared forward pack in the league and bat- been tagged the ‘British Bulldog’ by the club’s fans as ous throw on last week and has tered the defending champions Sydney Roosters 32- he inspired the Dogs past , Manly been replaced by rookie . Souths have 22 last week to reach their first premiership decider Sea Eagles and to get to the grand won the most premierships and should they go on in 43 years.”We’re totally grateful for everything the final. “We both play in the middle, so we’re going to and down the Bulldogs this weekend at Sydney’s club’s given us,” Sam Burgess said. “I’d love to be part have to tackle each other,” Graham said. “For me, it ANZ stadium it will be their 21st title, but their first of the team that won the premiership while Russell doesn’t matter that Sam’s here and his brothers and since 1971.—AFP

Springboks urged to break through the mental barrier JOHANNESBURG: South Africa must overcome a mental block they have against New Zealand if they are to tri- umph in today’s final round Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park, captain Jean de Villiers said yesterday. The Springboks have won just one of their previous 10 meet- ings with the All Blacks and are now seeking to end the 22- game unbeaten run of the New Zealanders in Johannesburg. “I truly believe we are good enough to beat them,” De Villiers told reporters. “Playing at home in front of a packed Ellis Park, it’s a great stadium to play at with the crowd behind you. “We need to get over that mental barrier we have built up around playing them...it’s easier said than done but we truly do believe we can do it. In the past we have played well and didn’t get the result, at some stage that will change.” The centre said “attitude” would be important for the home side to build on their 28-10 victory over Australia last EUGENE: Pharaoh Brown #85 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Jourdon Grandon #26 of the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen weekend. “Being able to rock up in the right frame of mind Stadium on October 2, 2014 in Eugene, Oregon. — AFP with the same attitude and the willingness to perform is crucial. Our problem is it has not always happened and no one has the answer why.” The respective coaches dis- Arizona upsets No 2 agreed in the week whether it would be the loose-for- wards or tight-five that would be the key battle, but back- line star De Villiers says all 23 players will have to be top of their game for the winning side. “In a game like this you Oregon again, 31-24 need every single department to fire, including the bench. These days you need a good squad of players to be suc- EUGENE: The look on Marcus Mariota’s Sept 20. True freshman Nick Wilson ran third-and-8, but Tony Washington was cessful.” face was unmistakable: He was stunned. for two touchdowns and caught a scor- called for unsportsmanlike conduct to Oregon’s star quarterback lingered on ing pass from quarterback Anu Solomon give the Wildcats a first down. A pass Off-field friendships the field late Thursday night following to help the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) interference call got Arizona closer for They may be the fiercest rivals in world rugby on the his team’s 31-24 loss to Arizona, shaking open the season with five straight victo- Jones-Grigsby’s go-ahead touchdown. pitch, but De Villiers said there were many friendships hands with the Wildcats after they upset ries for the first time since 1998. And on Oregon’s ensuing series, Mariota between the teams and their off-field interactions with the heavily favored Ducks for the second Terris Jones-Grigsby plowed into the was sacked by Scooby Wright, who each other was more in the sprit of the game. “Even consecutive season. Later, he shouldered end zone from a yard out for the stripped the ball from the Heisman the blame for a loss that left No. 2 tiebreaking touchdown with 2:54 left, Trophy hopeful and recovered it himself. though these two teams have played some brutal games Oregon with a tough hill to climb if it and Arizona held on after sacking Mariota “It was a good play by him, honestly,” in the past, the mutual respect is there from both camps. wants an invite to college football’s first and recovering his fumble. It was the Mariota said. We are able to play hard on the field, but off it we can have postseason playoff. third time since 2007 that an unranked Arizona then gained a clinching first a drink together. “That is something that has been lost in And he credited the unranked Wildcats team upset an Oregon squad down on the ground and ran out the the professional game, but these two teams are trying to Wildcats, who were 24-point underdogs. ranked in the top 5. “They’re probably clock, silencing Autzen Stadium’s 100th bring it back.” De Villiers also congratulated opposing skip- “They’re undefeated,” he said. “It’s obvi- having a good time in Tuscan, Arizona, straight sellout crowd. “Last year it was per Richie McCaw on becoming the record-holder for the ously a testament to our conference. If right now,” Wildcats coach Rich really heartwarming because it was the most appearances in an All Black jersey when he runs out you’re not prepared each week, if you’re Rodriguez said. With his team trailing 24- seniors’ last home game and it was for the 134th time today. “He has been phenomenal for not ready to play, you’ll lose.” Oregon 14 going into the final quarter, Oregon’s improbable, of course,” Rodriguez said. offensive coordinator Scott Frost told Matt Wogan made a 21-yard field goal. “This one, I don’t know if anybody picked them and has made a massive difference in world rugby, I reporters after the game that Mariota Mariota then hit Keanon Lowe with a 9- us. I don’t know how many people were really do respect him in that regard,” he said. “When we was not 100 percent after he was sacked yard scoring pass to tie it with 8:21 left. talking about us, but I bet you most of take to the field that goes out the window, but after the seven times in the Ducks’ 38-31 victory at With Arizona driving downfield, the them weren’t thinking this was going to game we will have a nice chat.”—Reuters Washington State in their previous game Ducks (4-1, 1-1) sacked Solomon on happen, not on the road.”—AP