The News Review:
- Tennis: Statham out for big Heineken payday
- Dedicated fans look to future
- Leinster win does little to lift the Blues
- Lions roar back into action for Munster
- TEN THER GREAT VERSEAS IMPRTS
- Glorious year for Welsh rugby wasn’t quite as straightforward as ABC
Tennis: Statham out for big Heineken payday
New Zealand Herald New Zealand
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Dedicated fans look to future
LLanelli Star UK
Summarising the season so far the 55-year-old said: “I’m very pleased with the way we have more than held our own and very frustrated we haven’t got the results our performances have deserved. What would be a good finish? “I would like to see us challenge for the play-offs but I wouldn’t be totally disappointed if we didn’t get there” he said. For spreys supporters the big prize remains the premier European club competition the Heineken Cup. A win against French side Perpignan on January 17 would be a major step towards qualification for the knockout phase said Brynmill-based fan Robert ‘Shea. “We have been patchy throughout the season — I would say we’re not quite playing to our true potential” he said. “We clicked early on in the season against Ulster but since then there have been games we struggled in but shouldn’t have. “We do seem to miss a cutting edge without Shane Williams.
Leinster win does little to lift the Blues
Herald.ie Ireland
Eventually Kearney had the strength to power through Fionn Carr’s contact for the second try before Connacht coach Michael Bradley must have been frothing at the mouth over Contepomi’s clearly forward pass to Fitzgerald for the third. Cheika must have returned to the sanctity of the dressing room with steam rising from his ears over the diabolically unintelligent interventions at the breakdown. He promised to challenge his players to redeem themselves in the aftermath of the Heineken Cup sacking by Castres lympique in the south of France before Christmas. They have not met that challenge yet. Quite simply it took the introduction of Brian ‘Driscoll to get their backline moving with any degree of fluency. The Ireland captain may not be the player of yesteryear but his command of the basics of the game how to take and give a pass and how to run hard and straight opened up Connacht in the last quarter. It is part of the nature of two breaking inside backs like Contepomi and Nacewa that they always look for the gap first especially as the phases build.
Lions roar back into action for Munster
Irish Independent Ireland
ie Web Search Saturday January 03 2009MUNSTER reintroduce a trio of Lions for tonight’s Magners League meeting with Ulster at Thomond Park. The Heineken Cup champions were stunned 12-6 by Connacht in the Sportsground last Sunday and coach Tony McGahan has rung the changes with Ronan ‘Gara coming back in at out-half John Hayes restored to the tight-head slot and Donncha ‘Callaghan back in the second row. PartnerRua Tipoki makes a timely return to the centre where he teams up with his usual partner Lifiemi Mafi while Denis Hurley starts at full-back and Kieran Lewis comes in for Ian Dowling on the wing.
TEN THER GREAT VERSEAS IMPRTS
Walesnline United Kingdom
Justin Marshall(spreys 2006-08)Some might argue he made a bigger impact off the field than on it but he played a pivotal role in the spreys reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals last season. Percy Montgomery(Newport and Dragons 2002-05)Resurrected his career at Rodney Parade with his displays earning him a recall to the South African squad culminating in a 2007 World Cup triumph. Dan Baugh(Cardiff and Blues 1998-2005)The Canadian back rower became a firm favourite at the Arms Park with his direct running and bruising tackles. Now part of the coaching staff at the Blues. Regan King(Scarlets 2005-present)If only he hadn’t won that solitary cap for New Zealand – against Wales of all people – back in 2002.
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Glorious year for Welsh rugby wasn’t quite as straightforward as ABC
Walesnline United Kingdom
2008 has seen the usual player accounts like Shane Williams but this year we have even had books from former Wales stats man Alun Carter and referee Nigel wens. Expect the Blues ball boys to release their memoirs in 2009. B – BLUESDAI Young’s region have made significant progress in the last 12 months by qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals last season and winning all four European matches so far in this campaign including a double-header success over Biarritz. What is needed now is that elusive trophy in 2009. C – CAPTAIN MARVELRYAN Jones has proved an inspirational choice as Wales skipper as he led his nation to a Grand Slam and the spreys to the EDF Energy Cup triumph at Twickenham. Now the favourite to lead the British and Irish Lions in South Africa next summer. D – DRAGNSTHE Newport-based region continue to be the spirited underdogs in Welsh rugby.