WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015 SPORTS Crusaders coach Blackadder to step down after 2016 WELLINGTON: Canterbury Crusaders Blackadder said. “I’ve been so fortunate Deans left for a job with Australia’s shore contracts, while loose forward no further ahead than the season that coach Todd Blackadder will step down at to be able to do my dream job for all of national team. Richie McCaw has retired. McCaw, who is in front of me,” he added. “I am the end of the 2016 Super Rugby sea- these years, but eight years is a relatively Blackadder has led them to the play- led New Zealand to two Rugby World incredibly excited about the 2016 sea- son, the team said yesterday. Former All long time in coaching and I feel the time offs in six of his seven seasons in charge, Cup triumphs, including this year in son and what happens beyond that is Blacks captain Blackadder, a cult hero in is right for someone else to take the but they have lost two finals-to the England, was one of the best players immaterial right now. “There have Canterbury, would have been in charge reins and lead the team in their own Queensland Reds in 2011 and New ever to grace the game and ended his been some big changes in the... for eight seasons by then, having direction in the future.” South Wales Waratahs in 2014. Typically 14-year test career as the most capped Crusaders with some significant players replaced Robbie Deans following the The Crusaders are the most success- stocked full of All Blacks, the side is in player (148) and captain (110) in world moving on and a number of new, 2008 competition. “Moving on at the ful team in Super Rugby, having claimed something of a transition after losing rugby. younger players coming into the mix, end of the 2016 season is the right thing seven titles, but have not won the south- three flyhalves in Daniel Carter, Tom Blackadder said he had no immedi- and I think that signals some really for me and the right thing for the team,” ern hemisphere competition since Taylor and Colin Slade to lucrative off- ate plans for the future. “I am thinking exciting times ahead.” —Reuters Clarke welcomes ‘strong’ EurAsia Cup line-up KUALA LUMPUR: European captain Milkha Singh’s Asian team in Kuala Darren Clarke welcomed an “extremely Lumpur. strong” EurAsia Cup line-up yesterday as They will be joined by two captain’s Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett picks in two weeks’ time from Clarke, and French star Victor Dubuisson were who will also mastermind Europe’s team confirmed among 10 automatic quali- for next year’s Ryder Cup. “I am delight- fiers. ed with the make-up of the team. It may World number 20 Willett, 28, is among be a relatively young one, but it is five Englishmen to qualify for the extremely strong and packed with expe- January 15-17 tournament as the leading rience,” said Clarke, in comments 10 available players on the European released by the Asian Tour. Tour’s final Race to Dubai standings. “The EurAsia Cup also offers many of Dubuisson and fellow Ryder Cup player our players the opportunity to enhance Ross Fisher also made the cut, along with their prospects of making next Chris Wood, Michael Fitzpatrick and September’s Ryder Cup team. It’s also a Andy Sullivan, who was runner-up to good chance for me to see how comfort- Rory McIlroy at the European Tour’s sea- able they are with and in a team environ- son-ending DP World Tour ment,” he added. Championship in Dubai. Europe and Asia will both be trying to Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Bernd win the EurAsia Cup for the first time Wiesberger of Austria, Denmark’s Soren after the inaugural edition in 2014, also Kjeldsen and Swede Kristoffer Broberg at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, end- round out the 10 who will face Jeev ed in a 10-10 draw. —AFP GENT: (From left) Britain’s Dominic Inglot, Kyle Edmund, Britain’s captain Leon Smith, Andy Murray, James Ward and Jamie Murray pose during a press conference ahead of the Davis Cup World Group final between Belgium and Britain, yesterday, at Flanders Expo in Gent. The final will be Youngest US played from 27 to 29 November 2015 in Gent Flanders Expo. — AFP Britain counting on Murrays chess master to bring home Davis Cup GREENWICH: At age 10, Maximillian traveling from one competition to the Lu is the youngest-ever chess master next. “We didn’t plan anything out,” LONDON: Britain will attempt to win the Davis Against France in the quarter-finals at would be expected. “But the whole run to the Cup for the first time in 79 years this weekend Queen’s Club, the Murrays joined forces to win final has relied on Andy’s performances and it in the U.S. Even so, he sees room for said his father, David Lu. “It just sort of when they take on Belgium in Ghent, although the doubles with Andy winning both his singles has been great to see Jamie rising to the chal- improvement. happened.” if they do succeed the Scottish town of in a 3-1 victory-the second against Gilles Simon lenge and becoming a force in doubles.” Roger The distinction of being a national Dunblane could argue its name should be when he was down on both knees with fatigue. Federer, who won the trophy for the first time master belongs to less than 2 percent ‘Psychological aspects’ enscribed on the trophy. Then came the semi-final against Australia, last year for Switzerland, believes Murray will of US Chess Federation members and An adult’s perspective also makes a World number two Andy Murray and his again in Glasgow, when the 28-year-old crushed decide the tie. “Britain are the favourites, in my is earned by racking up at least 2,200 difference. Lu said he helps his son brother Jamie, who grew up in Dunblane, have Bernard Tomic, having won a gripping doubles opinion, because they have Andy in the team,” points in competitions. It’s a rarity handle what he calls the “psychologi- propelled Britain through the draw, with Andy five-setter with Jamie the previous day, to send he said. among children, but Lu shrugs it off, cal aspects” of chess, or maintaining a churning out vital singles wins and teaming up Britain into the final for the first time since 1978. Federer, however, believes Belgium should saying he needs to work on his balance “between seeming mentally with his elder sibling in the doubles. He flew into Belgium on Monday-a country on not be dismissed, especially with world number endgame. tough between losing a game and That is likely to be the scenario again at the high alert after the Paris attacks-having lost two 16 David Goffin in their ranks. “Belgium are at “It’s all right. I have to improve oth- coming back to play another game.” Flanders Expo, beginning on Friday, where of his three matches at the ATP World Tour home. I really like Goffin, a great player. Good er stuff,” he said in a recent interview. If approached the wrong way, com- despite 13,000 home fans trying to cheer Finals last week. attitude. I feel like he’s the kind of guy that can Max, who plays 45 minutes to an hour petitive chess can be a “high-pressure Belgium to their first ever Davis Cup, Britain will handle pressure,” he said. a day, and an hour or two on week- thing,” David Lu said. Ian Harris, man- start favourites. Rising to the challenge Goffin will likely be up against Britain’s ends or before major tournaments, ager of the Chess Club of Fairfield Twice grand slam champion Andy Murray is How he adapts to the quick switch to indoor 100th-ranked debutant Kyle Edmund in the started playing chess in an after- County in Norwalk, and Bryan Quick, the class act of the final-a repeat of the 1904 clay will be crucial for Britain captain Leon opening match-a must win rubber for the hosts. school program when he was 6 and executive director of the Marshall match when the British Isles won 5-0 with Smith. “The reality is that if Andy gets injured or Murray is likely to play Belgium number two has competed in tournaments in Chess Club in New York - sites fre- brothers Laurence and Reggie Doherty starring. ill, then it would be a very difficult match to Steve Darcis, who won the fifth rubber in the Toronto, South Africa and Dubai, and quented by Lu - say the game has Murray’s commitment to the cause this year has win,” Mark Cox, who played for Britain in the semi-final against Argentina, although captain he represented the United States in exploded in popularity in the past been immense. The 2013 Wimbledon champi- 1978 final, told Reuters. “Leon has done well to Johan Van Herck could save him for what could on is undefeated, winning two singles against bond the team and get some performances be a potential title-decider in Sunday’s reverse Greece this month. decade, particularly among young- the United States in Glasgow in March. from James Ward, well beyond what realistically singles. —Reuters Climbing the ranks has been diffi- sters. cult, he said. In matches with increas- In addition to ubiquitous after- ingly tough competition, ambitious school chess programs, charter rivals are always “coming up behind schools are taking up chess in the you,” he said.