O'Connor: I want Test No.10 jersey

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Rivals ... O'Connor (L) and Cooper will put their friendship to one side on Friday night. Source:News Limited

Melbourne Rebels star James O'Connor has signalled his intentions to secure the Wallabies No.10 jersey as he prepares to face good mate Quade Cooper on Friday night.

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The rival No.10s will put their friendship to one side when Queensland Reds arrive at AAMI Park for O'Connor's first start in the playmaking role in 2013.

Speaking on Fox Sports' Rugby HQ on Thursday night, O'Connor stated his desire to once again don the Wallabies No.10 jersey as he did at the tail end of 2011.

"I haven't made it a secret that I want to be in the director's seat," O'Connor said while seated alongside Cooper in Fox Sports' Melbourne studios.

"But I just want to play with the best team when it comes to Wallabies selections – you want to be playing with the best guys.

"So for me, personally, I've got a bit to do to earn my way back into the team; obviously I didn't play much last year and I know Quade's got a few battles he wants to sort out."

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Cooper's form has been patchy following his boxing debut in February with the controversial fly half struggling to produce his renowned attacking flair.

Still, the man who last year famously described the Wallabies environment as "toxic" said the added competition at No.10 would only benefit the Test side.

"The best thing about it is pushing yourself against the best players," Cooper said.

"James is one of the best players in Australia and to go head-to-head and to have that opportunity to play against one of my best mates and one of the best players in the world, it's a great opportunity for both of us."

One man who won't be out on AAMI Park Friday night is the incumbent Wallabies No.10, Kurtley Beale.

Beale underwent surgery on a hand injury on Tuesday, ruling him out of Super Rugby for up to four weeks.
 

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Bunnies give SBW tough welcome back

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V for victory ... Issac Luke celebrates the win over Sydney Roosters. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

South Sydney underlined their NRL premiership credentials in the opening round of the season with an impressive 28-10 win over the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.

2 Tries 5
James Maloney 3'	Nathan Merritt 10'
Sonny Bill Williams 75'	Nathan Merritt 28'
	Chris McQueen 40'
	George Burgess 46'
	Nathan Merritt 61'
1 Conversions 4
James Maloney 77'	Adam Reynolds 12'
	Adam Reynolds 30'
	Adam Reynolds 47'
	Adam Reynolds 63'

The return of Sonny Bill Williams and the Roosters' recruitment of big-name stars Michael Jennings and James Maloney dominated the build-up but Souths' superstars took the plaudits in front of a crowd of 35,942 at Allianz Stadium.

A hat-trick of tries from Nathan Merritt laid the foundations for the victory along with Greg Inglis, who had hand in four of his side's five tries.

Williams marked his debut with a try late in the game - his first since July 7 2008, but it was nothing more than a consolation.

Young halfback Adam Reynolds outshone his opposite number Mitchell Pearce with an assured performance and Sam Burgess and Ben Te'o dominated the Roosters much-vaunted pack.

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Souths coach Maguire was delighted with his side's display and heaped praise on his forwards and Reynolds.

"They (the forwards) were clinical for us. I thought all out front-rowers stood up," he said.

"The Reyno understands the game and the balance he has between pushing a pass or putting a kick in goal, it's a big thing for the team.

"Adam's up there with (the best) with the ability with his kicking. He's one of the best kickers in the game."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson bemoaned his side's ill-discipline but said he was pleased with Williams' contribution after he played the final 50 minutes.

"It was great to see him back," Robinson said.

"We saw some stuff where he needs to get used to the game again and then we saw him trying to really push hard to try and get us back into the game as well so I was really pleased."

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"I saw some really good stuff with the ball and some good push and he was looking to create some stuff so I think that's the Sonny that we know.

"It's going to take a couple of weeks but it was nice to have him out there."

The crowd were on their feet after three minutes when Maloney marked his Roosters debut with a try.

However, the response from the Rabbitohs was swift, as man of the match Inglis blazed his way deep into Roosters territory before releasing Merritt with a bullet of a pass.

The prolific winger raced to the line for the 130th try in Souths colours.

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That kick-started the Souths forwards into action and they were rewarded when Merritt doubled his tally on the half-hour mark.

A teasing bomb from Reynolds was flicked into the path of Inglis, who found Dylan Farrell in space and the young centre offloaded for Merritt to score.

The setback prompted Roosters coach Trent Robinson to throw Williams into the fray for the first time since his controversial exit from Canterbury in 2008.

The Kiwi was greeted with a some heated words from Burgess, who then ran straight over the Rugby World Cup winner, much to the delight of the Rabbitohs supporters.

Souths continued from where they left off at the break, dominating in attack as the Roosters ill-discipline continued to let them down in addition to a number of basic errors.

The arrival of giant George Burgess from the bench added some extra beef to the Souths go-forward and the younger brother of Sam showed his potential with some powerful runs with the ball.

Six minutes after the break the Englishman scored his first NRL try when he bulldozed his way under the posts to end the game as a contest.

Merritt scored his third on the hour with Inglis once again the instigator to add some extra gloss, before Williams, who was quietly effective in his 50 minutes on the pitch, hauled in a Frank-Paul Nuuausala pass to race under the posts.

Reynolds kicked four goals, with Maloney kicking one for the Roosters.

Jennings was put on report just before the interval for a high shot on Beau Champion as was Sam Burgess for a high shot on Pearce.

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I don't have a drug problem: Swan

Dane Swan ... defends himself against drug rumours. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Collingwood star Dane Swan admits he's no angel and his attitude to football has been less than perfect in the past.

But the 2011 Brownlow Medallist and three-time Magpies best and fairest says he doesn't have a drug problem and has never posted a strike under the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

Swan said he had been confronted by Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert and other Magpies officials several times over his off-field behaviour.

But rumours that had swirled about him during the off-season regarding issues such as drug use and wild behaviour were ridiculous.

And he said his approach to football had improved greatly since he was suspended by his club over an alcohol-related incident late last season.

"I'm clearly not an angel,'' Swan told the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show.

"I suppose I probably go out a little bit more socially than the normal footballer.

"Maybe I am a little bit of what they call a lad and I have a laidback attitude and like just to relax and have a bit of fun, I'm not footy, footy, footy all the time.

"So maybe I'm not doing everything I possibly could to get myself 100 per cent for game day.

"But I'd like to think since I got suspended last year I certainly have.

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"And I'm hoping if you ask the coaches at the footy club and all the players that I certainly am a lot better this year than I ever have been.''

Swan also said he did not use performance-enhancing drugs but was tested six or seven times for them last season in what he believed was targeted testing.

"If you see what I look like and the way I run I clearly do not use performance-enhancing drugs,'' Swan joked.

He said he had no problem with Pert or other Magpies officials confronting him at times over his behaviour.

"We've had a couple of frank conversations and I realise where I'm at and I'd like to think that they know how I'm going and where I'm at too,'' he said.

Swan said while he was an easygoing character who wasn't too bothered by rumours about him, it did bother him that his parents and partner were sometimes upset by them.

The interview was pre-recorded and Swan was fined by the Magpies on Thursday for conducting it without first gaining the club's approval.

But while the fine is understood to be at most $5000, Swan was reportedly paid $20,000 for the interview.

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Smith: I'd consider Wallabies return

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Interested ... Smith says he'd have to consider a return to the Wallabies if approached. Source:AAP

Wallabies great George Smith is open to a return to the national team for the British and Irish Lions series but says his main focus is contributing to the Brumbies' Super Rugby title charge.

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The 110-Test veteran this week signed a short-term deal with the Canberra-based franchise, sparking a string of comments from the likes of Eddie Jones and George Gregan that he should be in the mix for the three-Test series in June.

Speaking exclusively to Rugby HQ's Sean Maloney, Smith said he'd have to consider a shock return to the gold jersey for what would be his second Lions series.

"These are two people that I respect hugely, George Gregan's done it all and Eddie Jones is a mentor of mine," Smith told Rugby HQ.

"Their opinion I do take on board, and if I was considered for the Wallabies I'd definitely think about it because it is such a huge occasion.

"But first and foremost I have to earn my spot within the Brumbies."

Smith will serve as cover for likely Wallabies captain David Pocock in Canberra, although there has been speculation Brumbies coach Jake White may look to play the two in tandem.

Whatever the case, the Brumbies now boast a backrow contingent the envy of many other Super Rugby franchises especially with skipper Ben Mowen also in impressive early-season form.

Smith said he wanted to "test" himself again, after playing in the less-intensive Japanese competition over the past few seasons.

"It was presented to me a little while ago, a few weeks back," Smith said of contract talks.

"I obviously had time to think about it and I thought it would be a good way to test myself in the Super Rugby arena, and I'm excited about the challenge.

"I've had two good seasons at Suntory Sungoliath and I think this will definitely test me."

Smith said he was keen to renew hostilities with New South Wales Waratahs in the Brumbies' Centenary match at Canberra Stadium in round four.

"I'd love to play within that game but first and foremost I have to earn my spot in the Brumbies side," he said.

"And that's why I'm turning up tomorrow (Friday) in Canberra and training well and meeting the guys."

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Aussie prodigy could choose Scots

Big decision ... Bradden Inman wrestles with the decision on his international eligibility. Source: Nigel French / AFP

Newcastle United's Adelaide-born prodigy Bradden Inman is still refusing to commit his national team future to Australia, despite speaking of his excitement at the prospect of pulling on the green and gold.

The 21-year-old is a potential Socceroos bolter as he flourishes on loan at English League One side Crewe, where he's scored six times in 17 appearances in his role as an attacking midfielder with a license to cut in from the left.

But his ties to Scotland, who he is eligible to play for through his mother, remain strong, having represented them regularly at under 19 and 21 levels. Inman is clearly in two minds over his international allegiance but did admit to feeling a sense of national pride when called into an under-age camp by Holger Osieck in March 2011.

"Being born in Australia and playing my juniors there, that's what you want to do, you want to play for Australia. I got to play for them once when we had an Under-23 camp in Germany and that was a great experience, I buzzed off that, representing my country," Inman said.

But when asked what his answer would be if called up by Osieck for either the March 26 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Oman or another camp soon after, he stopped short of a definite yes.

"It would be good to play for Australia and hopefully one day I get the chance but I'd still still have to talk it through with people and my family," he said.

"It's a big decision that I'll have to make very soon, when the time comes hopefully I'll make the right decision," he continued.

His call to go to Crewe after eight years in the Newcastle youth and reserve system has definitely been the correct one though. Signed in a deadline day one-month loan deal that has now been extended until the end of the season, he says there aren't many clubs at that level that could have suited him more.

"I was pleased when I was told I was coming to Crewe, they're one of the few teams that like to play football in League One and that helped me as opposed to a long ball game," he said.

"They call it the Crewe way, they aim to get the ball from the back and play as much as possible. Sometimes it's hard on some of the pitches you come across but we get the ball down and play and the gaffer encourages that."

This stint away from Newcastle - the club he joined as a 14-year-old - will have a big say in whether Inman wins a new contract at St.James Park, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

He says manager Alan Pardew wanted him to go out on loan to prove what he can do in a more competitive environment.

"He wanted me to get the first-team experience and you see when you come here there's just such a massive difference between this and reserves and under 18 football at Newcastle," Inman said.

"You're fighting for proper points and league positions, so that's really helped me.

"He (Pardew) told me I would become more of a man from the experience and that it takes courage to go to a new team and try and fit in."

The South Australian has sat on the bench twice for the Newcastle first team and now needs to build on an impressive first three months at Crewe in order to win a new contract and make that long awaited debut.

"I've seen some of the other reserves lads have broken through so that encourages you to push even harder," he said.

"I've just got to continue to do well this season and hopefully go back in the summer and try and do well in the friendlies and prove what I'm able to do."

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Hindy empathises with Barba

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Support ... Nathan Hindmarsh has commended Barba for seeking help. Source:News Limited

Confessed problem gambler Nathan Hindmarsh says Ben Barba has made the first step to overcoming his gambling problem by admitting he has an issue he needs to address.

The former Parramatta great revealed in his autobiography last year he'd lost thousands of dollars gambling on poker machines, before managing to address his addiction with the help of his wife Bonnie.

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The 33-year-old was surprised to hear that Canterbury stood down their star player after he informed club officials he was struggling to deal with issues in his private life.

However, he said the 23-year-old is doing the right thing getting away from spotlight while he sorts his life out.

"It's nice to see Benny realises he has an issue and he's getting it sorted," Hindmarsh said.

"He obviously realises he needs help. It's not social anymore and it's become a bit of an addiction for him."

Hindmarsh said he found it easier to overcome his addiction when he was finally forced to make the people closest to him aware of the situation.

"You get into a bit of a rut. I spent a long time telling myself I didn't have an issue," he said.

"But once I started telling people it made it a lot easier.

"There is not too much advice I can give Benny really. You just have to be willing to change. And this is the first step to doing that.

"He has spoken to the people he needs to speak to and he's making a change."

Hindmarsh said he wasn't aware of a huge gambling problem among NRL players and it was unfair to single them out.

"It's not just footy players it's society," he said.

"There's a lot of players who have a punt socially and then walk away.

"Most people do. Some can stick a 20 or a 50 in a machine and then walk away.

"And there are some that can't."

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Video: Re-live best one-day finishes

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Heartstopping ... Re-live some of the best one-day finishes in our video. Source:FOX SPORTS

After spending an entire day watching high-class players slog it out for their club, state or country, there can be nothing more exhilarating for cricket fans than watching a one-day match that comes down to the last over.

Purists complain that the 50-over game has become too formulaic, but it's hard to argue with the entertainment value provided by a last-over thriller.

The case was put forward again on Wednesday night, as Queensland seemingly came from nowhere to claim a stunning win over Victoria in the Ryobi Cup final courtesy of a great final over from Ryan Harris.

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But you don't have to cast your mind back too far to conjure up similar scenes on the cricket field.

In fact, last year's Ryobi Cup final had just as much theatre, memorably ending in a tie and with Ricky Ponting throwing his pads off so he could run faster for the last ball.

On the international scene, few will ever forget Australia's famous win over South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-final, when Lance Klusener smashed two boundaries in the last over before calamitous running with Allan Donald saw the Aussies snare a remarkable tie that put them through to the final.

Seven years later those two sides were at it again, with Mark Boucher hitting the winning runs in a match that is better remembered for both teams setting the world record for most runs in an ODI.

From the immortal image of Michael Bevan hitting a four off the last ball against West Indies at the SCG in 1996 to Ryan McLaren hitting a six off the final delivery of the match against New Zealand just a month ago, we've compiled a video of one-day cricket's great last-over finishes.

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Watch the video at the top of the page to see some classic one-day finishes and let us know the most exciting by leaving a comment below.

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Legal threat looms for The Giz

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About-face ... Shane van Gisbergen faces legal threats around his return to V8 Supercars. Source: Mark Horsburgh / AAP

If Kiwi star Shane van Gisbergen was spooked by the threat of legal action blocking his controversial V8 Supercars return in Adelaide, he hid it well on Thursday.

The budding champion arrived in South Australia appearing unfazed by reports his former Ford team Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) - now owned by Mercedes' Erebus Motorsport - would stop him hitting the infamous Adelaide street circuit in this weekend's V8 season opener.

The 23-year-old driver sensationally broke a recently renewed three-season deal and "retired" from V8s late in 2012 citing lack of motivation, only to again shock the touring car community by signing up for family-run Holden team Tekno Autosports in 2013, much to SBR's dismay.

SBR claimed van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal contravened the terms of his release and it appears the young gun is now bracing for an injunction seeking to enforce a one-year, non-compete clause.

When van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal was announced, SBR team boss Ross Stone said: ``SBR is considering its legal position and whether it is worthwhile holding (van Gisbergen) to his promises.''

In a potential worry for the Kiwi star, since his defection SBR has been taken over by the cashed-up Erebus Motorsport owned by extrovert billionaire Betty Klimenko who is believed to be unhappy with van Gisbergen's about-face.

And Klimenko has made a habit of getting what she wants, as indicated by her team's remarkable achievement of producing a three-car V8 team in barely six months.

Erebus Motorsport has made no official comment.

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Bird ruled out for six weeks

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No return ... Bird will remain in Australia to undergo further tests. Source: William West / AAP

While Australia's selectors agonise over whether to play two spinners or one in the second Test against India on Saturday, their fast-bowling ranks have thinned overnight.

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Reserve paceman Jackson Bird has had a second round of scans in Melbourne which are believed to have ruled the pace bowler out of action for at least six weeks with a back injury.

The tall Tasmania quick, who took 11 wickets in two matches in his debut Test series against Sri Lanka in January, was sent back to Melbourne from Chennai earlier this week after suffering back soreness.

Selectors were hopeful scans would clear the 26-year-old to return to India for the remainder of the four-match series, however those plans have been shelved.

"Initial tests performed in Melbourne have confirmed that Jackson Bird has a bone-stress injury of the low back," Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said.

"He will not be re-joining the team in India."

Bird's absence leaves 50-Test veteran Mitchell Johnson as the only back-up paceman in the 16-man squad.

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A team spokesman said no decision had been made on a possible replacement player.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has turned to close mate and legspin great Shane Warne for advice on how to knock over India's batting lineup cheaply in Hyderabad.

Many would argue playing only one spinner compared to India's three in Chennai was a blunder, as India captain MS Dhoni suggested.

However, the tourists have hinted off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-215 and 1-29) is not guaranteed a place in the side as yet for the second Test, while back-up spinner Xavier Doherty has been praised by Clarke for his three-wicket performance in the warm-up match against India A.

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Coach Mickey Arthur says ideally he'd like to have left-arm spinner Doherty and right-arm offspinner Lyon in the side for Saturday's second Test.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and offspinner Graeme Swann claimed 37 wickets in England's 2-1 series win in India in December.

Arthur says England's ploy was to use Panesar early and turn to the Swann late in the match.

"Ideally you want both," Arthur says.

Arthur says Warne provided Lyon and Doherty and some batsmen with some valuable tips on Tuesday on how to play spin and bowl it in Indian conditions.

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Sehwag set to wear specs

Shades ... Virender Sehwag will swap his shades for specs against Australia. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

Underfire Indian opener Virender Sehwag is set to wear spectacles for the first time in his 102-Test career amid fears his deteroriating eyesight could be exposed by Australia's express pace attack.

The 34-year-old is fighting to save his career in the first Test against Australia starting tomorrow after two lean calendar years which have fuelled speculation the master blaster is on the wane.

Sehwag, who has just one ton from his past 16 Tests, averaged 29.54 in the 2011 calendar year and 31.56 last season, figures well shy of his magnificent career mark of 50.05. 

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But Sehwag's eyesight has emerged as a potential problem. The Delhi dasher had been complaining of mild headaches and a recent visit to the optometrist found Sehwag no longer possessed 20-20 vision, although his decline is said to be only minor.

The veteran of 8559 Test runs wore glasses during last weekend's three-day team camp in Bangalore and also road-tested his new look last month in nets sessions in Delhi to feel comfortable while batting.

He has also trialled the spectacles while fielding.

Sehwag may yet decide to face the Australians without them but it would be a dangerous move considering pace trio James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc will test his reflexes generating speeds in excess of 140km/h.

The Indian slugger would join a select band of Test cricketers to wear spectacles. West Indian great Clive Lloyd, Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas, Kiwi duo Daniel Vettori and Walter Hadlee and Australian batsman Dirk Wellham all carved out international careers using visual aids.

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Former Indian leggie Anil Kumble also began his career wearing glasses before shifting to contact lenses in his final years.

Sehwag, who relies heavily on his hand-eye co-ordination to bludgeon attacks, has scored just one century from his past 37 Test innings.

He faces Australia coming off a second-ball duck in his last knock against England in December in Nagpur.

But it would be short-sighted of Australia to underestimate Sehwag. 

He has a formidable record at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, having amassed 708 runs at an average of 101.14, including 155 against Australia in 2004 before thumping 319 off 304 balls against South Africa in 2008.

Indian spin great Bishan Bedi has called for selectors to axe Sehwag, saying he is "past his prime", but it may prove a myopic appraisal if the opener reprises his vintage form against Australia.

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