Burgess boys legends in the making

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SOUTHS already have their Gladiator — now they've got a Ramses.

George Burgess sure looked a frightening sight when he marched along Tamarama Beach dressed in character to help promote Ridley Scott's latest Hollywood epic Exodus: Gods and Kings being released on to Blu-ray.

But imagine how intimidating the Englishman will look when he swaps the ancient clobber, sword and dodgy eye make-up for a South Sydney jumper this afternoon.

Burgess will try to lead from the front when Russell Crowe's Rabbitohs lock horns with Canterbury in their Good Friday grand final rematch.

TWINS: Burgess and Morris boys to make NRL history

George Burgess gets a bit of heavy make-up for the part of Rameses. Source: News Limited

The powerhouse prop didn't look amused when The Daily Telegraph suggested the Bulldogs Army might ridicule him when photos of him dressed as Joel Edgerton's character Ramses surface. Only a brave Canterbury fan would try and wind the big fella up.

He later quipped: "This could be a future career for me. I've enjoyed this today, so it could be a thing after footy.''

As for the Dogs, Burgess said: "We lacked a bit of energy the other night, and Parramatta were really good. They had the edge over us.

''Obviously we've regrouped over the weekend and put a few plans into place for this weekend.

"Every game is physical, and if we can go out there and win the forward battle, it will go a long way to winning this game.''

Luke and George Burgess look a little out of place on Tamarama beach. Source: News Limited

Luke Burgess, George's older brother who left Redfern for Manly in the off-season — and also took part in Thursday's photo shoot — said as a neutral judge: "The forwards will judge who wins this game, and it will be the backs will decide by how much.''

Being up such a long time and travelling over the pre-season meant Souths would eventually hit a flat spot. Burgess, however, said that may have been the perception of the outside world, and it was from the case in-house.

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A Cool $40 million for star colt

Vancouver showed his class when winning the Golden Slipper. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: Simon Bullard / News Corp Australia

COOLMORE has won the race to purchase a controlling interest in unbeaten Vancouver in a deal that values the colt at more than $40 million — making him the most expensive Golden Sipper winner ever sold for stud duties.

On the eve of day one of The Championships at Royal Randwick, Coolmore will on Friday announce they have secured a majority stake in Vancouver and will eventually stand the colt at their picturesque Hunter Valley property.

But the good news for Australian race fans is Coolmore's Tom Magnier has confirmed plans to race Vancouver next season, Gai Waterhouse continuing to train him for the Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas-Cox Plate treble next spring, and then The Championships in 2016.

"There was obviously a massive amount of interest in the horse so we are delighted to have secured him," Magnier said. "He's a brilliant colt and we and our partners, who include the China Horse Club, Ramsey Pastoral and Peters Investments, couldn't be more excited about his future.

Golden Slipper winner Vancouver will return to racing in the spring. Source: News Corp Australia

"We are delighted to be racing this horse with its current owners next season and you have to give Gai credit, she has done such a great job with this colt, like she did with Pierro.''

Vancouver is unbeaten in four starts, winning the Breeders Plate, Canonbury Stakes, Todman Stakes and Golden Slipper, earning $2.33 million prizemoney and almost certainly clinching the Champion Two-Year-Old title.

His Todman success was achieved in record 1200m time for a juvenile at Randwick, while his Golden Slipper time equalled Coolmore's other Golden Slipper winner, Pierro.

The Daily Telegraph understands there are contingencies in the deal that if Vancouver wins more Group 1 races next season it will add to his value.

Gai Waterhouse will continue to train Vancouver. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: News Corp Australia

Coolmore has also bought into Blue Diamond Stakes winner Pride Of Dubai, who contests the $1 million ATC Sires' Produce Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Vancouver and Pride Of Dubai were born at Coolmore's Jerrys Plains property in the Hunter Valley. Both colts will eventually join Coolmore's stallion roster which already includes Pierro, dual hemisphere champion So You Think, Choisir and the all-conquering Fastnet Rock.

"Racing is very healthy in this country and we are delighted to be a part of it,'' Magnier said.

Vancouver is by Medaglia d'Oro, a multiple Group 1 winner and sire of freakish American filly Rachel Alexandra.

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Nevill wins Steve Waugh medal

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AUSTRALIA'S back-up Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill has capped off a memorable week by taking out the prestigious Steve Waugh medal as NSW player of the year.

Nevill, 29, who is now in the box seat to take over from Brad Haddin behind the stumps when the 37-year-old veteran does ultimately retire from Tests, scored 764 runs at an average of 76.40 this Sheffield Shield season, with the highlight a spectacular 235 not out against Tasmania in Hobart.

AUSTRALIA NAMES SQUAD FOR WEST INDIES, ASHES TOURS

However, it's on his keeping credentials that Nevill has been selected as Haddin's deputy for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England in a pointer to what the future might hold.

Peter Nevill scored 764 runs for New South Wales during the Sheffield Shield season. Source: Getty Images

And with the gloves, Nevill finished the Blues' campaign with 34 Shield dismissals, comfortably beating Gurinder Sandhu, Nic Maddinson and Ryan Carters to his first Waugh medal.

NSW women's captain Alex Blackwell took out the Belinda Clark medal, a fitting tribute to a player who has been part of all 10 of the Breakers' consecutive premierships.

In other award categories, Carters was named one-day player of the year, Moises Henriques Sydney Sixers player of the tournament and South African great Jacques Kallis the Sydney Thunder's best in the BBL.

The Daily Telegraph won two awards. Gregg Porteous was recognised for the photo of the year while Carly Adno won the women's coverage award for an article on Alex Blackwell.

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China not a traffic stop for Cahill

Tim Cahill is loving his time in China. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

WHEN Tim Cahill's brother Chris was pulled over for a routine check outside Ogalo in Kensington, the police (once they realised) only had one question — when is Tim coming home to play in the A-League? They were deeply disappointed when Chris told them that Tim won't be back anytime soon because of how much he is enjoying his stint in China.

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GONE FISHIN'

Lee Ki-Je may have signed a lucrative contract extension at the Jets, but the talented South Korean is still fishing for seconds.

Lee Ki-Je celebrates scoring against the Wanderers. Source: Getty Images

When Newcastle management attempted to track him down so he could put pen to paper, Lee was found happily fishing at Swansea Heads. It was a successful outing too — Lee caught a fish, scaled it and that's what he had for dinner.

GRANT FEELS APRIL'S WRATH

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Rhyan Grant was the butt of Sydney FC's April Fool's prank when the club sent out a press release saying the defender would be fined $15,000 for leaving his playing shirt in the away changing rooms against Wellington Phoenix. Jokes aside, Grant didn't escape punishment from the Sky Blues players, who we're told didn't hold back in the fines meeting.

O'REILLY FACTOR

Perth probably should be nervous about what's coming their way over alleged salary cap breaches. The man putting it all together legally is none other than Tony O'Reilly, the lawyer from the firm Kennedy's who assisted David Gallop in prosecuting Melbourne Storm and the Bulldogs for their own salary cap infringements.

KANE SPURRED ON BY SYDNEY TRIP

England's Harry Kane playing against Italy. Source: AP

That nice Harry Kane looks like a well-brought-up youngster, and so it showed this week on Twitter when the newly capped England striker cut through the controversy over his impending visit here with Tottenham.

England bosses want him to rest instead ahead of the European U21 championships in June, but Kane was having none of it.

"Just landed back from Italy! Very privileged to travel and play football. Next trip overseas is Sydney! Really looking forward to it!" he tweeted.

Compare that with grouchy Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke who last year said he had "zero excitement" about coming here (and diplomatically didn't in the end).

IVAN THE GREAT

ARSENAL CEO Ivan Gazidis is a busy man, but still keeps well abreast of world football it seems. Wanderers chairman Pauil Lederer walked into the Emirates stadium in north London, to be met with a handshake from Gazidis. "You've done really well for such a new club," said the Gunners boss. "Congratulations on the Asian Champions League."

RAMSEY ON TRACK TO PLAY ROOS

Iain Ramsey. Source: News Limited

IF Australia draw Philippines in the imminent World Cup qualifiers there could be a familiar face in their team. Melbourne City leftie Iain Ramsey is frantically trying to renew the Filipino passport he had as a kid, so that coach Thomas Dooley can call him up for the qualifiers in June.

"Ramsay had a Filipino passport before, when he was a 10-year-old boy. He should be on track for June. He is just renewing," said Dooley.

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Glory facing the boot from finals

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UPDATE: PERTH Glory look set to be thrown out of the A-League finals, after a Football Federation probe uncovered tens of thousands of emails that A-League bosses believe prove Glory has breached the salary cap by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The "show cause" notice issued to Glory on Wednesday night by FFA alleges that payments and benefits to multiple players were not declared, but have since been uncovered by forensic auditors.

Though Glory owner Tony Sage last night said he had been assured by CEO Jason Brewer that the issues related to "misunderstandings" and "interpretations" that are "not black and white", it seems certain that a draconian punishment will be handed out by FFA's board on Friday next week, once Glory's official response has been received.

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FFA are racing to complete their probe before the final round of the A-League regular season, as potential sanctions threaten to change the face of the finals series. Perth could appeal to the A-League's tribunal, and then again back to the FFA board — each of which would take seven days, leaving a final resolution as the A-League enters its final round.

The allegations include but are not limited to the contract of star striker Andy Keogh, only a fraction of which was allegedly included in the club's salary cap declarations.

After thinking at the outset that Glory had breached the rules of the cap but not its limit, FFA officials believe they have uncovered far wider breaches, with the head of the A-League, Damien De Bohun, warning that "deliberate deceit" would bring heavy punishment down on the side currently sitting fourth in the competition.

The possibility of Perth being barred from the finals will have a widespread impact on the competition, with the Mariners as well as Brisbane and Melbourne City mathematically able to finish seventh and thus potentially inherit a place in the play-offs.

"FFA places the upmost importance on the integrity of the A-League, and the salary cap is a key pillar of that," said De Bohun.

"In what has been a detailed inquiry, serious concerns have been raised about Perth Glory's compliance with the cap.

"The show cause notice we have sent them alleges nondisclosure of payments, and we would take deliberate deceit much more seriously than administrative oversight or confusion over interpretation of the rules.

"The amount of the alleged breach would place Perth significantly over the cap."

It's believed that several players and coach Kenny Lowe have been interviewed by FFA officials — as well as members of the club's back office staff.

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said on Thursday any punishment Perth recieved would be deserved.

"If they have breached the cap then whatever penalty they get is deserved," Arnold said.

"That's what the salary cap is there for and if clubs aren't going to live by it then we may as well get rid of it and let the owners spend whatever they want."

Contract of Andy Keogh has come under severe scrutiny. Source: News Corp Australia

Sage was careful to distance himself from the running of the club, but insisted he had been told that the accounts would show Perth just under the $2.55m cap.

"Two years ago I got widely criticised by the fans and media for being too hands on, so since then I have left it to the CEO and staff," Sage told The Daily Telegraph.

"Every email I've sent, Jason has assured me we're under the cap. Clearly if there are things I'm not aware of, that can be proven by emails or documents, the CEO's position would be untenable.

Glory coach Kenny Lowe is believed to have been interviewed by the FFA. Source: News Corp Australia

"But equally I don't see how the salary cap can be ruled upon in March when there's still several months to go until the end of the year [when the clubs' accounts are tallied]."

Glory said he would "absolutely not" walk away from the club in the event of an adverse finding, but said FFA had to follow precedent if the club was found guilty.

"You can't go past history, and Sydney FC were fined for a breach [in 2006] before they lost points for subsequent offences. I'd be shocked if we were treated any differently."

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Origin places on the line in halves duel

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THEY already own NRL premiership rings after helping the Rabbitohs end a 43-year drought. Now Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary get the chance to prove they deserve to own NSW State of Origin jumpers as well when they run out in Friday's grand final rematch at ANZ Stadium.

The South Sydney young guns will go head-to-head with Canterbury's NSW incumbents Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds in the Good Friday blockbuster.

And NSW coach Laurie Daley told The Daily Telegraph he would be watching the clash with great interest.

Which club partnership should be selected for the Blues?

"I am looking forward to seeing two quality teams playing against one another and two quality sets of halves running about," Daley said.

Daley has already stated he would prefer to again stick with a club combination in the NSW halves this year.

And right now that puts the Canterbury halves in the box seat, given they helped NSW end their own Origin drought last year.

Daley said it was up to the Souths boys to push them out.

"It is always hard to replace an incumbent if they have done nothing wrong," Daley said.

"We still have six or seven weeks until we pick the team but if the incumbents are playing well then they will be in the team.

"But you want to make sure if someone does slip up them you are the next cab off the rank."

A couple of years back Daley said Adam Reynolds wasn't ready for Origin football. But that opinion has changed of the now 24-year-old.

DEBATE: Daley names NSW fullback contenders

ORIGIN WATCH: Relief for Mal as NSW injuries pile up

South Sydney's Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary are both in contention for State of Origin. Source: News Corp Australia

"I think he would handle it," Daley said.

"In the past I thought that he needed to mature and we needed to be patient with him. But if we had to pick Adam now I would pick him. He has played well consistently and played well in big games."

As for Keary, Daley said the 23-year-old was fast making up ground on his more experienced rivals.

"It is good to see Keary playing some good footy. He is an exciting prospect," Daley said.

"You don't want to rush them but if they are good enough they are old enough."

In-form Roosters Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney are the other contenders in Daley's halves equation.

Daley said he had been particularly impressed with Pearce and Adam Reynolds this year.

"(Adam) Reynolds and Pearce have been amazing so far," Daley said.

"Both of those guys have played consistent now for a period of time so they are obviously applying plenty of pressure to Hodko.

"But I thought Hodko last week played the best game of his season (in the golden point win over the Wests Tigers.

"He is looking as though he is starting to find some form."

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Friday will be Josh Reynolds' first game back from a fractured arm — and the livewire Bulldog has also vowed to must play smarter so he doesn't cop any more suspensions.

Daley said he would be patient with Reynolds' form in the countdown to Origin selection.

"Josh hasn't played for a while so I know he will take as couple of weeks to get going," Daley said.

"But he always gives it his all."

Daley said while he was not opposed to having a half and five-eighth from rival clubs team up for NSW, a club combination remained his preference.

"In the past I have picked club combinations in the halves for NSW because I feel as though that makes a player more comfortable," Daley said.

"I am not necessarily locked into that again this year but that is definitely a consideration for me."

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