'Wilko will answer Lions' call'

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Tour ... Stephen Larkham expects Jonny Wilkinson to answer Lions call. Source: David Davies / AAP

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham says he's surprised the British and Irish Lions have named just two five-eighths in their 37-man squad to tour Australia in June and July and doubts Englishman Jonny Wilkinson would refuse a second invitation to play.

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Larkham believes Irishman Jonathan Sexton's experience may earn him the nod at five-eighth over England's Owen Farrell, but added he wouldn't be shocked if Wilkinson also got a late call-up for the 10-match tour.

"You'd expect those two to get through and if you did get an injury to those two you'd bring someone else in, but it is a fairly long tour,'' Larkham said.

"You look at the number of backs versus the number of forwards they've picked, and it's disproportionate there.

"So it wouldn't surprise me if some other backs get called over late and (Wilkinson) could be one of them.''

Wilkinson and Larkham went head to head in the first two Test matches of the 2001 Lions series in which the Wallabies won 2-1.

While Wilkinson is most well-known amongst Australians for that 2003 World Cup-winning drop goal, many believe the intercept he threw to winger Joe Roff in the second Test of the 2001 Lions Tour was the turning point for the Wallabies in that series.

Wilkinson reportedly turned down an invitation to join the 2013 Lions Tour when asked by coach Warren Gatland, yet Larkham doubts the 33-year-old Toulon-contracted flyhalf would be able to resist one last crack in Australia if injuries presented him with a second chance.

"Maybe they're just waiting to see if there's a final and are going to call him up later,'' Larkham joked.

"Initially he might have had that reluctance but the closer it gets, every player that has sort of retired, or announced retirement from international rugby, still has that urge inside them to get back out there and play.

"It's quite historic, it's not England, it's the British and Irish Lions, the next step up and a big honour.''

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Officials to pull plug on inquiry telecast

Racing NSW has denied requests to televise the high-profile More Joyous stewards' inquiry. Source: AAP

REQUESTS to televise the high-profile More Joyous stewards' inquiry have been denied, with racing officials keen to hold the hearing in the same manner as any other.

Racing NSW received applications from television networks to attend Monday's inquiry featuring John Singleton, his former trainer Gai Waterhouse and her bookmaker son Tom as the main players.

The ruling body's chief executive Peter V'landys said it was not in the best interests of anyone concerned to make an exception.

"We don't believe that it would provide the necessary forum for the people involved getting procedural fairness, natural justice and due process," V'landys said.

"We don't want any distractions. It's a very high-profile and serious case and we want to make sure all parties are given every opportunity to present their cases.

"It is a normal stewards' inquiry and it's not appropriate for it to be filmed.

"We had a number of TV stations wanting to do live coverage but it is a serious inquiry and we want to concentrate on that."

Stewards opened an inquiry into the poor performance of the Singleton-owned and Waterhouse-trained More Joyous after she finished second last in Saturday's All Aged Stakes at Randwick.

Waterhouse said the mare had received an antibiotic on Thursday morning but she did not believe it was an issue she needed to tell stewards about.

The inquiry escalated after stewards became aware of public comments by Singleton who announced after the race he had sacked Waterhouse as his trainer because her son had told people More Joyous had a problem and could not win.

Former jockey Allan Robinson has revealed himself as the person who told Singleton, saying he heard it from ex-footballer Andrew Johns.

Robinson and Johns have been asked for statements which will be tendered to the inquiry but V'landys said it would be up to the stewards whether the pair would be asked to appear in person.

Tom Waterhouse has denied saying More Joyous could not win. He said his pay-out on the winner All Too Hard was a "strip-out" and a win by More Joyous, who he backed, was a $300,000 better result for him.

V'landys said stewards were scrutinising betting records on the race from all wagering operators.

He refused to speculate on what, if any, charges might result from the inquiry.

"The stewards will determine what rules if any have been breached," he said.

"No-one has been charged. It is an inquiry and stewards will determine what action, if any, to take after that."

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Ioane off to Stade Francais: report

Au revoir ... Ioane has reportedly decided to join Stade Francais. Source: AAP

Wallabies winger Digby Ioane will leave Queensland Reds and Australian rugby later this year after signing a massive two-year contract with French glamour club Stade Francais.

It's understood Ioane will reap almost $2.5 million but the deal will severely endanger his chances of playing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael on Thursday night confirmed French radio reports the world-class back would link with the Parisian club at the end of the year.

Ioane is regarded among the best wingers in the game and his loss is a major blow to both the Wallabies and the Reds.

One of the country's highest-paid rugby players, earning a reported $800,00 per season, the 34-Test flyer had another year to run on his Reds contract but his ARU deal expired at the end of 2013.

Despite a stand-off between the Reds and Ioane's management last week over alleged third-party payments he felt were owed to him, Carmichael stressed it was an amicable departure.

The pair met face-to-face this week and Carmichael said there were no hard feelings about Ioane taking the chance to provide long-term financial security for his family.

"He goes with our absolute blessing,'' Carmichael told AAP.

"I'm reassured about his feelings toward the Reds and his teammates and he'll always be a part of the Reds family.

"If he chooses to come back to Australian rugby after a couple of years I hope he picks up the phone and we'll welcome him back with open arms.''

While the French season starts in September, the ARU would be unlikely to release him from his current contract until after the spring tour of Europe in late November.

Ioane would still be regarded among the half-dozen certain selections in Robbie Deans' Wallabies starting 15 to play the British and Irish Lions next month.

Ioane's deal looks set to end his chances of playing a second World Cup, kicking off in September 2015 in England, as ARU guidelines stipulate that players must be involved in Super Rugby to be eligible.

The addition of the New Zealand-born, Melbourne-raised 27-year-old is a huge coup for Stade Francais - formerly coached by Australians Michael Cheika, Ewen McKenzie and John Connolly - as they are currently struggling in ninth on the Top 14 ladder.

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Bold bid to takeover Heart

Huge offer ... Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi with CEO Scott Munn. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

South Melbourne FC has confirmed an offer of more than $3.5 million to buy Melbourne Heart A-League club, and raised the prospect of Brazilian ex-international Emerson as coach.

South Melbourne responded via its Facebook account to reports that they had approached Heart with the offer, only to be rejected.

The statement read in full: "Following yesterday's (Wednesday) media reports … and statements made by the CEO of the Melbourne Heart (Scott Munn) South Melbourne FC wishes to confirm the following:

• South Melbourne FC that it made an offer to acquire 100% of the Melbourne Heart Licence.
• The offer was in excess of 3.5 million
• The offer was made after several discussions between Heart & SMFC Directors.
• South Melbourne FC has received an expression of interest from Emerson (Brazilian Legend) to coach and has already secured Major Sponsors for its A-League ambitions."

Munn said on Wednesday that Heart's owners had no intention of selling.

South Melbourne, which currently competes in the Victorian Premier League – and was also in recent discussions with cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners – reportedly offered a combination of cash and shares and included relocation to Lakeside Stadium, a facility it currently shares with Athletics Victoria.

Munn confirmed the offer and revealed that two offers from overseas investors had also been received in recent months but the club's owners weren't interested in selling a controlling stake.

While Heart's crowds have stagnated, the club will turn a small profit this season and Munn said this made the model enticing to potential investors.

"We've made it very clear we have no interest in taking their offer any further," Munn said.

"We've been approached this year a couple of times, from the Middle East and a European consortium.

"Those conversations were quite open and transparent but we made it very clear that there were some non-negotiables and one of them is that the founding owners always want to retain control.

"We'd love to invest more in areas such as marketing, advertising and most importantly the footy department.

"We can sustain a club, we can post a small profit and that puts us in an enviable position for investors, knowing they won't have to reach into their pocket each year."

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Is Inglis to blame for spear?

Target ... South Sydney star fullback Greg Inglis. Source: Renee McKay / AAP

Matt Russell, Christian Jantzen and Topher Sutton discuss the week's big issues heading into round eight in the NRL.

Is Greg Inglis to blame for being spear tackled? Are Melbourne unbeatable? Can anyone stop Sonny Bill Williams?

Matt Russell helps you out with a few pronunciations and the boys give some tips for your tipping.

Plus how good can Jesse Williams be in the NFL?

To hear the full discussion, subscribe free to the weekly rugby league podcast – There's Always Next Week – which you'll find on iTunes: http://bit.ly/11QaDoE 

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All the ins and outs for round six

In ... Andrew Krakouer has been named for his first game of the season. Source: Herald Sun

Check out all the ins and outs for round six of the AFL season.

Updated line-ups for Sunday's games will be announced on Friday afternoon, so check back in to get the latest teams before finalising your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach side.

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Collingwood v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Friday 7.50pm (EST)

Collingwood

B: Nathan Brown. Ben Reid, Brent Macaffer
HB: Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
HF: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Quinten Lynch
F: Ben Kennedy, Tyson Goldsack, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Andrew Krakouer, Jarrod Witts, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman
Emg: Alex Fasolo, Jordan Russell, Marley Williams

In: Krakouer, Jolly, J. Thomas, Witts, Kennedy
Out: Toovey (Knee), Hudson (Leg soreness), Russell (Omitted), Fasolo (Omitted), Sinclair (Omitted)

New: B.Kennedy, Witts

St Kilda

B: Nathan Wright, Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert
HB: Sean Dempster, Dylan Roberton, Jarryn Geary
C: Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes, Brodie Murdoch
HF: David Armitage, Rhys Stanley, Leigh Montagna
F: Josh Saunders, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Clinton Jones, Jack Steven
Int: Arryn Siposs, Sebastian Ross, Ahmed Saad, Stephen Milne
Emerg: Jimmy Webster, Jack Newnes, Tom Hickey

In: Milne, Siposs
Out: Dennis-Lane (Omitted) , Lee (Achilles)

Essendon v GWS Giants, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1:45pm (EST)

Essendon

B: Michael Hibberd, Tayte Pears, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker, Kyle Hardingham
C: Mark Baguley, Jobe Watson, Nick Kommer
HF: Brent Stanton, Stewart Crameri, Leroy Jetta
F: Jackson Merrett, Scott Gumbleton, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Ben Howlett, David Zaharakis
Int: Jake Melksham, David Myers, David Hille, Heath Hocking
Emerg: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Nick O'Brien, Elliott Kavanagh

In: Jetta, Pears, Melksham, Kommer
Out: Winderlich (Rested), Colyer (Omitted), Heppell (Groin), Carlisle (Ankle)

GWS Giants

B: Adam Kennedy, Tim Mohr, Josh Bruce
HB: Aidan Corr, Stephen Gilham, Toby Greene
C: Tom Scully, Callan Ward, Jacob Townsend
HF: Rhys Palmer, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson
F: Devon Smith, Samuel Frost, Taylor Adams
Foll: Jonathan Giles, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel
Int: Zachary Williams, Curtly Hampton, Sam Reid, Stephen Coniglio
Emerg: Thomas Downie, Shaun Edwards, Tomas Bugg

In: Gilham, Hampton, Bruce, Adams, Townsend, Frost, Corr
Out: Thornton (Omitted), O'hAilpin (Calf), Davis (Back), Bugg (Omitted), Whitfield (Soreness), Plowman (Omitted), Haynes (Omitted)

New: Corr 

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide, Blundstone Arena, Saturday 2:30pm (EST)

North Melbourne

B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Sam Wright
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Taylor Hine
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson, Will Sierakowski
Emerg: Daniel Currie, Liam Anthony, Lachlan Hansen

In: Sierakowski
Out: Anthony (Omitted)

New: Sierakowski

Port Adelaide

B: Campbell Heath, Alipate Carlile, Lewis Stevenson
HB: Cameron O'Shea, Tom Jonas, Dom Cassisi
C: Brad Ebert, Travis Boak, Hamish Hartlett
HF: Chad Wingard, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
F: Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Oliver Wines, Kane Cornes
Int: Brent Renouf, Matthew Broadbent, Angus Monfries, Kane Mitchell
Emerg: John Butcher, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun

In: Mitchell
Out: Trengove (Foot)

Adelaide v Hawthorn, AAMI Stadium, Saturday 4:10pm (CST)

Adelaide

B: Ben Rutten, Daniel Talia, Andy Otten
HB: Luke Brown, Brent Reilly, David Mackay
C: Sam Kerridge, Scott Thompson, Brodie Smith
HF: Richard Douglas, Shaun McKernan, Jarryd Lyons
F: Jason Porplyzia, Tom, Lynch, Josh Jenkins
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
Int: Ricky Henderson, Bernie Vince, Matthew Jaensch, Matthew Wright
Emerg: Lewis Johnston, Jared Petrenko, Richard Tambling

In: Porplyzia, McKernan, Lyons
Out: Petrenko (Omitted), Walker (Knee), Laird (Thigh)

Milestone: Rutten - 200 games

Hawthorn

B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge
HB: Grant Birchall, Ben Stratton, Brent Guerra
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Brad Hill
HF: Shaun Burgoyne, Lance Franklin, Paul Puopolo
F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston
Foll: Max Bailey, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell
Int: Liam Shiels, David Hale, Jonathan Simpkin, Michael Osborne
Emerg: Taylor Duryea, Kyle Cheney, Matt Spangher

In: Sewell, Simpkin
Out: Rioli (Hamstring), Savage (Omitted)

Richmond v Geelong, MCG, Saturday 7:40pm (EST)

Richmond

B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Dylan Grimes, Ricky Petterd, Bachar Houli
C: Chris Newman, Trent Cotchin, Matt White
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Dan Jackson
F: Luke McGuane, Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery
Foll: Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Nick Vlastuin
Int: Brandon Ellis, Jake King, Shaun Grigg, Chris Knights
Emerg: Jake Batchelor, Shane Tuck, Robin Nahas

In: Chaplin, Morris, King
Out: Nahas (Omitted), Batchelor (Omitted), Helbig (Hamstring)

Milestone: Knights - 100 games

Geelong

B: Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Taylor Hunt
C: Mitch Duncan, Jimmy Bartel, Steven Motlop
HF: Allen Christensen, Steve Johnson, Billie Smedts
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, James Podsiadly
Foll: Mark Blicavs, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
Int: Cameron Guthrie, George Horlin-Smith, Trent West, Mathew Stokes
Emerg: Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Murdoch, Mitch Brown

In: Chapman, Hawkins
Out: Rivers (Knee), Caddy (Omitted)

Milestone: Enright - 250 games, Johnson - 200 games

Gold Coast v Fremantle, Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7:40pm (EST)

Gold Coast

B: Trent McKenzie, Tom Murphy, Dion Prestia
HB: Danny Stanley, Rory Thompson, Greg Broughton
C: Michael Rischitelli, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch, Aaron Hall
F: Zac Smith, Sam Day, Brandon Matera
Foll: Charlie Dixon, Karmichael Hunt, David Swallow
Int: Matt Shaw, Jared Brennan, Jesse Lonergan, Jaeger O'Meara
Emerg: Jack Hutchins, Timmy Sumner, Daniel Gorringe

In: Bennell, Lonergan
Out: May (Hamstring), Hutchins (Omitted)

New: Lonergan

Milestone: Murphy - 100 games

Fremantle

B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Clancee Pearce
C: Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, Nick Suban
HF: Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
F: Hayden Crozier, Jack Hannath, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Matt De Boer, David Mundy
Int: Danyle Pearce, Paul Duffield, Cameron Sutcliffe, Alex Silvagni
Emerg: Lachie Neale, Tom Sheridan, Tanner Smith

In: Duffield, Silvagni, Sutcliffe, Crozier
Out: Bradley (Knee), Hill (Quad), Fyfe (Suspension), Neale (Omitted)

Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions, SCG, Sunday 1:10pm (EST)

Sydney Swans

B: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
HB: Marty Mattner, Ted Richards, Jarrad McVeigh
C: Lewis Jetta, Ryan O'Keefe, Ben McGlynn
HF: Dan Hannebery, Sam Reid, Kieren Jack
F: Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Jude Bolton
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker
Int: Tony Armstrong, Craig Bird, Jed Lamb, Mitch Morton, Dane Rampe, Tommy Walsh, Jesse White

In: Morton, White, Lamb, Walsh
Out: Everitt (Omitted)

New: Lamb

Milestone: McVeigh - 200 games

Brisbane Lions

B: Joel Patfull, Daniel Merrett, Ashley McGrath
HB: Elliot Yeo, Justin Clarke, Jed Adcock
C: Pearce Hanley, Tom Rockliff, Mitchell Golby
HF: James Polkinghorne, Jonathan Brown, Dayne Zorko
F: Sam Mayes, Matthew Leuenberger, Aaron Cornelius
Foll: Billy Longer, Brent Moloney, Jack Redden
Int: Josh Green, Rohan Bewick, Marco Paparone, Jordan Lisle, Andrew Raines, Ryan Lester, Jack Crisp

In: Hanley, Lisle, Lester, Crisp
Out: Docherty (Omitted)

Carlton v Melbourne, MCG, Sunday 3:20pm (EST)

Carlton

B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Simon White
C: Kane Lucas, Mitch Robinson, Kade Simpson
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Ed Curnow, Shaun Hampson, Jarrad Waite
Foll: Robert Warnock, Marc Murphy, Brock McLean
Int: David Ellard, Andrew Carrazzo, Eddie Betts, Tom Bell, Sam Rowe, Heath Scotland, Jaryd Cachia

In: Waite, Ellard, Cachia, Bell
Out: Gibbs (Hamstring)

Melbourne

B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Jack Viney, Matt Jones
HF: Jeremy Howe, Colin Sylvia, Dean Kent
F: Rohan Bail, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Jake Spencer, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones
Int: Sam Blease, James Strauss, Cameron Pedersen, Daniel Nicholson, Michael Evans, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey

In: Dunn, Strauss, Spencer, Viney, Kent, Nicholson
Out: Jamar (Groin), Rodan (Omitted), Watts (Hamstring)

New: Kent

West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Sunday 2:40pm (WST)

West Coast

B: Mitchell Brown, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Sharrod Wellingham
C: Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis, Bradd Dalziell
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
Int: Will Schofield, Daniel Kerr, Ashton Hams, Ashley Smith, Jacob Brennan, Matt Rosa, Callum Sinclair

In: Rosa, Schofield, Wellingham, As.Smith, Naitanui
Out: Butler (Calf), Cripps (Omitted)

Western Bulldogs

B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Liam Picken
HB: Jason Johannisen, Mark Austin, Tom Young
C: Jack Macrae, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
HF: Jake Stringer, Dylan Addison, Koby Stevens
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Liam Jones, Jason Tutt
Foll: Will Minson, Nick Lower, Tom Liberatore
Int: Lukas Markovic, Daniel Pearce, Patrick Veszpremi, Mitch Wallis, Clay Smith, Christian Howard, Daniel Cross

In: Addison, Markovic, Howard, Pearce
Out: Goodes (Suspension)

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