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 Geplaatst: 21-03-2020 06:43:37 Onderwerp: MANCHESTER, England -- Sonny Bill Williams can fill the gap |
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| MANCHESTER, England -- Sonny Bill Williams can fill the gaping hole in his impressive sporting resume on Saturday by leading New Zealand to a repeat triumph over great rival Australia in the Rugby League World Cup final. Colin Kaepernick Super Bowl Jersey . Since 2009, Williams has flitted between rugby union, boxing and league -- and success has followed him everywhere. He is New Zealands top heavyweight boxer after winning all six of his fights, captured World Cup and Super Rugby titles in the 15-man code and this year claimed the NRL title with Sydney Roosters at the end of his first season back in league. And after being voted as rugby leagues International Player of the Year for the first time on Wednesday, Williams said winning rugby leagues biggest prize three days later "would definitely top everything off." "To come away and enjoy time over here with the brothers and put that Kiwi jersey on, for myself I have actually fallen back in love with rugby league this year," said Williams, who is bidding to become the first player to win World Cups in both rugby codes. Even with Williams on board, New Zealand heads into the game at Old Trafford, the home of England football giant Manchester United, as the underdog. Australia has not been beaten in its last six meetings with New Zealand and has cruised into the showpiece match, conceding just two points and scoring 210 in its last four games since beating co-host England in the tournaments curtain-raiser. New Zealand, meanwhile, was seriously roughed up by England in an epic semifinal at Wembley Stadium but still came through after scoring a converted try with barely 20 seconds left to win 20-18. "Twelve rounds?" said Williams, the part-time boxer. "It certainly was like that." The Australians have bristled at suggestions they will be undercooked going into a match they have waited five years for -- since losing 34-20 to the Kiwis in Brisbane in the 2008 final. "Weve played Fiji twice, they are a big physical side and when its all said and done they finished the fourth best team in the tournament," said Australia coach Tim Sheens, referring to his teams 64-0 win over the Islanders in the semifinal. "The score line just doesnt indicate how much ice was on the guys after the game, I can tell you. "What I was very happy about was that we kept the pedal down for 80 minutes. We didnt drop off, and havent in the tournament. Preparing for the final, we wanted to play the 80 minutes and we have done the whole month. I am hoping that intensity prepares us well for what will be the most intense game of the tournament." Like Williams, Australias star players wont be short of motivation, either. Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, who appears to have overcome a knee injury sustained in the quarterfinal win over the United States, all turned 30 this year and are unlikely to be around for the next World Cup in 2017. This may represent their last chance to get their hands on the World Cup, a feat they havent achieved amid stellar careers in the NRL and with Queensland. "For us, its an opportunity to win a World Cup -- we dont look at it as a last opportunity," Australia captain Cameron Smith said. "And we dont see it as a chance to make up for what happened in 2008. Nothing will ever make up for that. "When our career comes to an end, we arent going to look back and judge it off one match, one result. Wed like to think weve done a fair few things in our career over multiple matches that people can look back on." Australia is looking to win the trophy for a record-extending 10th time in 14 World Cups. "Obviously we are the reigning world champions but in the past four years they havent lost too many games," Williams said. "Australia definitely set the standards." Mitch Wishnowsky Super Bowl Jersey . Not that he was complaining. Davis had 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans emphatically snapped a three-game skid with a 135-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Nick Mullens Super Bowl Jersey . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. http://www.49ersofficialfanshop.com/ .C. -- Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is resigning after 13 seasons at the school.CARDIFF -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the ultimate super-sub in his 11 years at Manchester United, his lethal finishing snatching priceless league points and famously winning his team the Champions League in 1999. Now, he is back in the Premier League and on a very different kind of rescue mission -- saving Cardiff from relegation. The 40-year-old Solskjaer was hired as Cardiffs new manager on Thursday, swapping job security at Molde and a settled family life in his native Norway for the high-pressure world of footballs richest league. "I felt I needed to be back here," Solskjaer said of his return to the Premier League. "I wish I was 25 again and playing in the Premier League," he added. "Time ticks for everyone so I cant -- now Im a lucky man to be a manager in the Premier League." Nicknamed the "Baby-faced Assassin" during his time at United from 1996-2007, it was a grey-haired Solskjaer who was presented at Cardiff City Stadium as the replacement for Malky Mackay, who was fired last week after losing a power struggle with the Welsh clubs Malaysian owner, Vincent Tan. Solskjaer has signed a rolling, season-by-season contract, with his first task to ensure Cardiff retains its Premier League status following its return to Englands top flight for the first time in 51 years. Cardiff is 17th in the 20-team Premier League -- a point and a place above the relegation zone after 20 games. If he achieves that, his next aim will be to establish the team from the Welsh capital as a force in the division. And he is pledging to do so by playing an attacking brand of football modeled on the sides of Alex Ferguson, who was his manager at United in that trophy-laden decade when Solskjaer won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League. Naturally, Solskjaer spoke to Ferguson before accepting the job at Cardiff, which is increasingly perceived in Britain as a tough role because of Tans reported meddling in team affairs. "When theres a big decision to make, you rely on certain people you trust," Solskjaer said. "I trusted him with my football career, to manage my career, and I trust him now as well." Solskjaers career, whiich reached its peak when he diverted home Uniteds injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in that most dramatic of Champions League finals, ended in 2007 after he failed to recover from a serious knee injury. Fred Warner Super Bowl Jersey. He remained at United in a coaching and ambassadorial role, however, and went on to become the clubs reserve-team manager. He coached Molde -- his former club -- from 2011, winning back-to-back titles in his first two seasons and then the Norwegian Cup in his third. Solskjaer was always tipped to make a return to the Premier League sooner rather than later, and was linked with vacant roles at Aston Villa and Blackburn only to stay in Norway for family reasons. He was immediately installed as favourite to succeed Mackay after the Scot was fired on Friday and held talks with Tan and chairman Mehmet Dalman at Arsenals Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before the teams match against the Premier League leaders. Dalman said Solskjaers name was the "only one name in my head from the very beginning." "He is coming here to prove something to himself and to Cardiff," Dalman said. "I had no doubts from day one, so I do feel like the cat that got the cream." Working under Tan may prove to be challenging, with Mackay barely communicating with his owner by the end of his time in charge. Since buying Cardiff in 2010, Tan has alienated some supporters by changing the clubs colours from blue to red, adopting a new crest and then removing Mackay, who had guided the team to a League Cup final in 2012 and the Premier League a year later. "When I went to Manchester United, it was a new experience for me; when I went back to Molde with the English influence I had, that was a cultural difference for people back in Norway," Solskjaer said. "Now when I come here, I want to create a culture here too. The communication between me and Mehmet and me and the owner will be crucial. Communication and dialogue is the key in any organization." Solskjaers first game in charge is against Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. He will return to Old Trafford on Jan. 28 for a league match against United. ' ' ' |
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