Warriors to face Wigan in trial

New Zealand Warriors NRL signing Sam Tomkins speaks to the media. Source: Hannah Johnston / Getty Images

THE Warriors have squeezed a game against English club Wigan in Hamilton into their pre-season schedule.

The match, which could see new Warriors fullback recruit Sam Tomkins make his club debut against his old team-mates, will be played on Wednesday, February 12 at Waikato Stadium.

It comes three days after the NRL club's first pre-season fixture against the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland and three days before the inaugural Auckland Nines tournament.

Super League champions Wigan sought the match as a warm-up to their World Club Challenge (WCC) game against the NRL premiership-winning Sydney Roosters in Sydney on February 22.

The annual WCC has been played in England on all but two occasions - the original encounter between Eastern Suburbs and St Helens at Sydney in 1976 and Wigan's win over Brisbane in 1994.

Wigan Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan thanked the Warriors for fitting the match into their program, further strengthening the off-field ties forged between the clubs.

``Quite apart from the importance of the warm up game, being able to bring the two Warriors clubs together like this for the first time is great not just for us but for the fans and the game itself,'' Lenagan said.

Warriors coach Matthew Elliott says he can't confirm whether England international Tomkins would play in the Wigan game as he needed to juggle players across various pre-season fixtures, including a final game against the Brisbane Broncos in Dunedin on February 23.

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Leapai plans heavyweight belting

Alex Leapai has announced he wants a chance at the World heavyweight title. He will be fighting next at the Broncos Leagues Club this month against Russian Evgeny Orlov (140kg). Source: News Limited

WORLD heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he wants to unify the division for the sake of his family but he hasn't figured on being run over by Logan van driver Alex Leapai.

While Klitschko says he wants to add the WBC belt to the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO world titles he will defend against Queensland's incredible hulk next year, the 111kg Leapai says the Ukrainian giant shouldn't be getting ahead of himself.

Before chasing any more belts, Klitschko first has to fight Leapai in the most important bout to ever feature an Australian.

"Klitschko's a great champion but after I fight him all his belts will be coming home with me to Brisbane,'' Leapai told The Courier-Mail.

"I'm going to bomb him early and put so much pressure on him he'll think he's surrounded.

"He talks about wanting to win another world title belt for his family - well my family aren't multi-millionaires like his - we've done it tough all our lives and now it's time for me to beat him on behalf of Australia and Samoa.''

Wladimir, 37, and his brother Vitali, 42, have dominated the heavyweight division for 15 years but Vitali this week announced he was relinquishing his WBC championship to pursue another of his dreams, the presidency of Ukraine.

He is currently the country's opposition leader and he and Wladimir, along with Wladimir's fiancee the Hollywood actor Hayden Panettiere, have recently been manning the barricades in Kiev leading angry protests against President Viktor Yanukovych.

Now the 198cm Wladimir, an Olympic gold medallist in 1996, has announced he wants Vitali's WBC belt to add to his collection.

Alex Leapai working hard in the gym. Source: News Limited

"Of course, it is my goal to bring the WBC title back into the Klitschko family," Wladimir said yesterday.

The last heavyweight to hold all the major world titles was Britain's Lennox Lewis in 2000.

Canada's Bermane Stiverne and Americans Chris Arreola and Deontay Wilder are the top contenders to fight for the vacant WBC crown with Klitschko eyeing the winner.

But Leapai, who is a delivery driver away from boxing, says the world champ is getting ahead of himself.

"Klitschko can make all the plans he wants,'' Leapai said. "But he better plan on getting hurt against me because I believe I have the style to stop him.

"People have written me off all my life but I am going to shock the world - and Wladimir Klitschko.''

Leapai's trainer/manager Noel Thornberry, who is locked in negotiations with Klitschko's representatives over a purse that will pay Leapai seven figures, says he's happy Klitschko is looking past the Leapai fight that is due to take place next April or May at a venue to be decided.

"If Wladimir dismisses Alex he will pay a very heavy price,'' Thornberry said.

"I've always believed Alex was a good chance to knock out Klitschko. He's been a world champion for a long time and he's hard to dislodge but pure punchers like Alex give him hell. I don't think Wladimir has a great chin and he absolutely hates pressure.

"Lamon Brewster who is 10kg lighter than Alex knocked Wladimir out, Sam Peter had him down and almost out.

"We will be going into this fight very confident.''

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Kewell gives Melbourne their Heart

Melbourne's Harry Kewell battles for possession with Sydney's Joel Chianese. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

LEFT-BACK Aziz Behich has revealed that Harry Kewell's ability on the ball will give him and his Melbourne Heart teammates the confidence to take risks in tomorrow's derby at AAMI Park.

Kewell is set to start his first game since the Round 1 derby having come off the bench in the last two weeks after missing seven games with whiplash and an ankle injury.

Heart is desperate for a win with pressure mounting on coach John Aloisi whose team is winless and bottom of the table with the board expecting the team to play ``deep into the finals''.

But Behich, an attacking left-back who barely got forward in the opening round derby draw at Etihad Stadium and has had an under-par season, said he can be more adventurous when the ball is at his captain's feet.

"When he's got the ball he's capable of producing anything, hopefully on the weekend he can show a lot of that,'' Behich said.

``If he's looking one way without you even realising he knows where you are and can spot you out.

``He gets into good positions, little pockets and the balls he plays forward are very dangerous for the opposition to defend.

``Just with his experience and leadership on the park, when he's got the ball he's confident and obviously we know what he can do.

``I try to pick my times when to get forward, I try to feel the right moments to go forward. As the weeks have gone on, it's been easier with the flow of the game and keeping the ball allows me to get more forward.''

Behich, a former Victory player who joined Heart in season one, said the players are up for tomorrow's game.

He said the return of Kewell and striker Dylan Macallister has added an edge to training.

``The players are pretty confident because we do always perform well in the derby, it's a game our team has always been up for and it won't be any different,'' he said.

``We analysed the Sydney game and what we could do better, it's a different game plan playing Victory and hopefully we can turn it around.

``It is very important (to get some wins on the board over the festive period), we're 10 games in now and it's something we've looked at and what better way to start than derby.

``There's positive signs with Harry back and Dylan back training, bit more competitive at training now for spots.''

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Broncos inject much needed muscle

Martin Kennedy. The Brisbane Broncos training together at Purtell Park in Bardon, Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

THE Brisbane Broncos won't be pushed around in 2014, particularly if their latest injection of muscle can make the grade.

With star Broncos recruit Martin Kennedy caught up in the uncertainty of the ongoing ASADA investigation, two even larger props in Central Capras duo Arlin Paki and Sebastien Martins are bound for Red Hill.

State of Origin legend and Capras coach Jason Hetherington has endorsed the pair and said Paki reminded him of Matt Scott, just a 127kg version.

"Arlin's shoulders are that broad it would take you two days on horseback to get from one to the other," Hetherington said.

"He has a lot of Matt Scott about him actually and I think he's ready for the NRL now."

Ben Hunt reaches for Matt Gillett. The Brisbane Broncos training together at Purtell Park in Bardon, Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

Not to say former French Test prop Martins at 123kg is jockey size.

Martins joined the Capras this pre-season after a decorated career in England's Super League which included several year's with the Catalans Dragons.

The duo will take part in pre-season training when the Broncos' playing group returns from Christmas break in January with a full contract an option if they impress.

The Broncos have a proud history of turning Queensland Cup players from pre-season trainers to NRL stars.

The likes of Matt Gillett, Jack Reed and Antonio Winterstein were all discovered after being invited to spend a pre-season at Red Hill like Paki and Martins.

Andrew McCullough. The Brisbane Broncos training together at Purtell Park in Bardon, Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

The Broncos' front row depth could be tested if ASADA finds Kennedy has a case to answer and issues him an infraction notice.

Before he moved to Brisbane from the Sydney Roosters, ASADA investigators interviewed Kennedy regarding a series of text messages he sent.

With journeyman prop Scott Anderson having left for Wakefield there could be an option for a heavyweight forward and bringing the two giants to Red Hill strengthens the Broncos relationship with the Capras who recently re-signed as a feeder club.

Martin Kennedy. The Brisbane Broncos training together at Purtell Park in Bardon, Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

"Both those guys have an opportunity now and as I keep telling people, that's all you need sometimes to be an NRL player," Hetherington said.

"They are both huge men and very fit for their size.

"The Broncos were really interested in them because of their size.

"Sebastien has had a long career in the UK while Arlin has enormous potential.

"He had three months out last year through injury which set him back a bit but is fully fit now.

"He has a great attitude and is very coachable.

"It will be great for them to train in the Broncos set up and that club has been great to us."

Duncan Pala'Aua on the ground after hurting his right knee. The Brisbane Broncos training together at Purtell Park in Bardon, Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

The news for the club's young playmakers is not as promising, with 18-year-old halfback prodigy Ashley Taylor this week told he faces a five month recovery following a shoulder dislocation.

His under-20's halves partner Duncan Paia'aua, also named in the top-25 NRL list, broke down at training yesterday.

Paia'aua slumped to the ground clutching at his heavily strapped knee before limping from the field.

Broncos officials however are confident the injury is not as bad as it looked and the 18-year-old will continue his pre-season.

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Murali still a star turn at 41

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ONE of cricket's all time greatest double acts, the Murali-Warnie spin bowling masterclass, is over at last - well, half-over.

Shane Warne, 44, has 99 per cent certainly (he is fond of saying "never say never") played his last match at any elite level after declining to return for a third season with the Melbourne Stars in the T20 Big Bash.

But Mutiah Muralidaran, 41, rolls on and on, having - not for the first time - left Warnie in his wake.

Although Warne is most people's choice as the greatest spin bowler ever - and rightly so - the fact remains that the controversial Sri Lankan off-spinner took almost 100 more Test wickets (800 to 708) and almost twice as many in one-day internationals (534 to 293) for a grand total of 1334 to 1001.

And when Murali turned out for the Melbourne Renegades in last summer's Big Bash, he clearly outperformed Warne, taking 11 wickets at an average of 17.36 and economy rate of 5.96 compared to four wickets at 39.75 and 7.93.

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Warne's well-paid stint as the face of the fledgling Big Bash was a mixed blessing.

He was entertaining and engaging and certainly generated a lot of attention, which was the point of the exercise, but his exit was ugly with a suspension for throwing a ball at Renegades player Marlon Samuels, a rebuke for fiddling with the bona fides of the captaincy and a couple of disastrous decisions that cost the Stars their semi-final.

His contribution had run its race and it was time to go, this time permanently - so he did.

In Warne's absence tonight, Murali will be all the more welcome at the MCG, a stadium he has not graced all that often since the traumatic day in 1995 when he was first no-balled for allegedly chucking in Test cricket.

For the Renegades, his modestly-remunerated presence is priceless - and not only for the most obvious reason, that he remains a superb bowler.

Muttiah Muralitharan has been a positive influence on his Renegades teammates. Source: News Limited

His personality, experience and knowledge of the game are huge assets, according to captain Aaron Finch, who admits to being slightly overawed by the prospect of overseeing such a superstar as a rookie leader last year.

He found a simple solution: "I just let him go and he can do what he wants," Finch said yesterday.

"It's generally pretty set when he comes on and he looks to take wickets through the middle stages, which is what you really want. That can stall a lot of momentum.

"He's got a great feel for the game and he loves to impart his knowledge to anyone who will listen to him. Even if an opposition player asks him something he will sit down with them for a chat.

"He does talk a lot and he's a little pest around the dressing room - but it's fantastic.

"The energy and enthusiasm he brings, you'd think he was a 15-year-old kid in his first season."

Finch said the biggest lesson he had learned from the ever-smiling, good-humoured veteran was the importance of staying relaxed and positive even when things aren't going well.

Muttiah Muralitharan demonstrates that infamous bowling action Source: News Limited

"He understands, as we all do, that T20 is a game in which you can't win 'em all," Finch said.

"He says to just not stress and enjoy the game - try hard but at the same time don't get too down when things don't go your way.

"He is a fantastic calming influence."

Murali's other contribution is that he has been known to arrive at recovery sessions the day after a match with 15 or so tupperware containers of very tasty curry, which his mother - who sometimes travels with him and his wife and son - has cooked in their hotel suite.

So one way and another, the boys in red are making a meal of their famous friend's presence.

ron.reed@news.com.au

twitter: @Reedrw

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Laver fires gentle rocket at Tomic

Bernard Tomic's off-court form is not in question but it rapidly heads south once he's holding a racquet. Source: Supplied

ANOTHER coach is in place, but the key to Bernard Tomic's rise to become a Grand Slam champion is held by the man in the mirror.

Tomic finished 2013 with six losses in succession in tournament main draw matches, ending up with a ranking of No.51, one place worse than he was 12 months ago.

A lot else happened in his marking-time year. He turned 21, his family moved home from the Gold Coast to Melbourne and his father John was banned until at least next May for injuring his son's hitting partner Thomas Drouet, breaking the Frenchman's nose.

The 21-year-old will work with former Croatian Olympic team coach Vladimir Zovko at Melbourne Park this month, a time of year when the young Australian historically does his best work in training, judging by his results in his three full years on the pro tour.

Zovko was hired as a coach and John Tomic reckons his own future guidance of his son's career will be in the "background''.

Time will whether Zovko is the authoritative character of substance to challenge the Tomics' way of doing things when the tough issues, like commitment to training, have to be addressed.

The Tomics have to want to make the association work for Bernard's tennis, not for it to be a stopgap role until John's ban by the ATP is lifted.

Rod Laver believes Bernard Tomic needs to push himelf more in training to reap the benefits. Source: News Limited

Rod Laver follows Tomic from a distance, but attends as many Grand Slam tournaments as he can and wonders if he realises how hard he is able to push himself in training.

This is a kind way of saying what Pat Rafter, the Davis Cup captain, has reckoned about Tomic in past observations, such as the one that the effort in a 2011 US Open loss was "disgraceful''.

"Maybe Bernard sometimes feels he doesn't want to put in too much on court because then maybe he won't play his best in a match,'' Laver told The Courier-Mail.

"It's probably (about) preparation, putting in your best effort. You can push yourself a lot more than you think you can. It's possibly one of the things Bernard needs to look at, to force himself into positions on the court.

"It's hard to pinpoint. He played some great matches at Wimbledon this year and hopefully he will start getting some wins which he should get.

"They are the matches when I played, with Hopman and Charlie Hollis as my coaches, they would always put input on the matches that really counted. Maybe that's what Tomic is lacking at this juncture.''

In case you think it is just ex-Australian players and the Australian media growing impatient with Tomic's progress, I can pass on the thoughts of Peter Bodo, one of the most experienced of American tennis reporters.

In an end-of-year awards column, Bodo accorded Tomic his award as "Train Wreck of the Year''.

Tomic is the highest ranked of the four men younger than 22 ranked in the top 100.

I asked Laver who he thought the next Grand Slam men's winner would be aside from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. He gave one name in reply and it wasn't Tomic's.

Canada's Milos Raonic is Rod Laver's tip to be testing the best players in a few years. Source: AFP

"I think Nadal and Djokovic will have it between them for the next few years, but (Milos) Raonic from Canada is a very important part of things and has improved out of sight since he got a new coach and a new-found game,'' Laver said.

"He's going to be tough to beat. In two or three years he's going to be a force among the very top players.''

Raonic, 22, is ranked No.11 and edged out Tomic for the 2011 ATP rookie of the year award when the Australian was much better performed at the majors that year.

There are two others on the charge and ranked in the twenties - 22-year-old Grigor Dimitrov, a Bulgarian playing the Brisbane International this month, and Polish 23-year-old Jerzy Janowicz.

Nadal was the last of the teen champions of men's tennis.

The game has changed since then, so Tomic deserves our patience.

Even, that is, if some of the things he does, like his penchant for Gold Coast nightlife and his retirement from no fewer than three matches this year, tests it.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS WRONG WITH BERNARD TOMIC? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

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