SPORT Knights Tuqiri released early, likely to start from bench in Round 1 will be OK, says Hagan : Former Newcas- tle coach Tigers get their man has thrown his support behind Knights mentor and backed SYDNEY: star ‘‘It is terrific news and a him to get the NRL team recruit looks real bonus for us on the eve of back on track after it was set to make a dramatic the 2010 season,’’ Humphreys engulfed in another drugs return in the opening said. ‘‘I greatly appreciate scandal. round of the NRL season Leicester’s co-operation in Stone’s pre-season prep- after securing an early re- making it possible.’’ arations have been thrown lease from English rugby While Tuqiri has been ab- into turmoil after key for- union side Leicester. sent from the NRL for seven ward Chris Houston was Tuqiri will link up with his seasons, coach charged on Monday with new Tigers teammates next three counts of supplying said he would have no hesi- week and, despite having just ecstasy and one count of tation in rushing him back a handful of training sessions supplying cocaine. into his squad given his under his belt, he is a likely Houston’s arrest follows match fitness would be high starter against Manly at the the bailing in December of following his stint in the on his former flatmate Danny northern hemisphere. March 15. Wicks, who is awaiting Tigers chief executive Sheens this week hinted trial on drug-related Tuqiri — who played 99 charges. Stephen Humphreys con- firmed yesterday the club had games for the Broncos from Wicks quit the club fol- 1999-2002 — would start on the lowing his arrest, and come to an agreement over- wing before a possible switch Houston has been stood night with Leicester for an down indefinitely, leaving early release for the dual to later in the season. rookie coach Stone, who international, who was in- ‘‘Lote’s arrival will give the has just five NRL games itially not due to return to team a real lift as we prepare under his belt, with a until next month. for Manly,’’ Sheens said. massive job ahead of his Tuqiri, who has not played in the NRL since quitting the ‘‘We will monitor his con-

first full season which gets K Broncos after the dition but as long as he comes underway in less than Y 2002 season to switch to the through the weekend’s game two weeks. injury free and recovers well Hagan, who brought 15-man game, will play his M from his flight, I would expect Stone to the club as an final match for Leicester C assistant five years ago, against this he would be involved in the said he had sympathy for weekend. Round 1 match.’’ his friend, but had no doubts he is strong enough to get his players fully Storm youngsters impress focused ahead of their tricky opening game of the LONDON: ’s youngsters have given coach COLOR: season against Canterbury. Craig Bellamy plenty to think about as he prepares for a new

‘‘I really feel for Rick, as NRL campaign. 63 a coach the situation is Prop continued his breakthrough form of the something you don’t really 2009 finals series with a strong performance as the Storm know how to deal with and claimed the title with an 18-10 win over is out of your control,’’ champions Leeds at on Monday. PAGE: Hagan said. And , the club’s 2009 rookie of the year who turned 21 on the day of the WCC match, and , 20, were impressive off the bench. ‘‘First the grand final win and now to be a part of the World Princely Club Challenge, it’s great,’’ Procter said. The New Zealand-born back-rower, who has had to work his advice way back after suffering an ankle injury last season, scored a try in the warm-up win over Harlequins last week. 3-MAR-2010 half- ‘‘I was a little bit dodgy when I first came back because of back has ad- my ankle, but it felt good in the game against Harlequins and vised South Sydney’s man I just got my confidence up from there and kept going on,’’

of the moment Chris FLASHBACK: Lote Tuqiri takes the ball up for the Broncos in his last season of rugby Proctor said. ‘‘I just want to seal an NRL spot and play DATE: Sandow to learn a few new league in 2002, before he made the switch to consistently every week. tricks if he wants to be the spark behind the Rabbitohs pack in 2010. The experienced Prince said rival clubs have been Rhys tipped to win NT sports award doing their homework on NORTHERN Territory He also took out the MC prospects in Australia. hit time to coaching other NT NEWS Sandow after his debut squash champion Rhys Hazell Award for the Best Squash Australia has al- juniors. NRL season in 2009 and he Dowling is one of the favour- and Fairest Player of the ready recognised this, last

‘‘I feel the need to give back PUB: could expect a torrid time ites to win a NT Sports national titles. year naming him Junior to the sport by helping with when the premiership gets Award this month. Athlete of the Year. He is now the No. 1-ranked junior coaching because underway. Dowling is a finalist in the player in his age division. ‘‘The NTIS has been ex- some of them will be the next He said Sandow’s chip- Junior Sportsperson of the tremely helpful over the past Dowling’s success last year batch of squash superstars to and-chase was his main Year category. followed his victory in the few months,’’ Dowling (pic- come out of the NT,’’ he said. weapon, but Souths’ rival He won the under-15 nat- under-13 national champion- tured) said. clubs were awake to it. ional title in Sydney in 2009. ships in Perth in 2008. ‘‘And I hope to continue The winners of the NT Souths play bitter rivals The 14-year-old third seed The left-hander’s speed my success in 2010. Sports Awards will be an- in Round 1 won the Aussie crown when around the court and flair for ‘‘My coaches, too, have put nounced at the gala awards on Sunday week before he decked Western Austral- hitting killer shots from any- a lot into my squash and for night on March 26 in the meeting the Titans in Syd- ian top seed Kane Koteka where has stamped him that I am very grateful.’’ Arafura Ballroom at the Hol- ney on Friday, March 19. in five gruelling sets. as one of the best young Dowling even dedicates iday Inn Esplanade.

Real Madrid in the money FOOTROT FLATS LONDON: Real Madrid has become the first sports team in the world to generate annual revenue in excess of 400 million euros ($A602.23 million), accord- ing to figures compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte. The latest edition of the Deloitte Football Money League published yesterday also shows Spanish giants Real as the world’s largest revenue-generating football club, for the fifth consecutive year. Real’s broadcast income of $A242.4 million was greater than the total revenue of all but the top 10 clubs in the Deloitte table. Barcelona moved to second place, primarily as a result of winning last year’s Champions League final while Barca’s beaten opponents Manchester United dropped down into third position. www.ntnews.com.au Northern Territory News, Wednesday, March 3, 2010 — 63