Foley joins Wallabies overseas exodus

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WALLABIES and Waratahs star Bernard Foley has signed a two-year deal to play in Japan after the World Cup but is set to also represent Australia in sevens at the Rio Olympics.

In a major development on the eve of the Super Rugby season, The Daily Telegraph understands Foley has put pen to paper with a top Japanese club and will join them in November after the Wallabies' World Cup campaign.

It is a blow for Australian and NSW rugby but talks with the ARU are understood to be advanced for Foley to not be entirely lost next year.

Foley is negotiating a short-term deal to play for the Australian sevens team at the Olympic Games in Brazil in August, and in the lead-up tournaments.

Bernard Foley is set to play in Japan after the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

The 18-cap Wallaby five-eighth is believed to be then eyeing off a return to Australia in 2017 and a second World Cup in 2019.

The departure of a star player so early in his career will still ring alarm bells in Australian rugby as a Wallaby player drain to cashed-up foreign clubs emerges as a vexing issue.

Foley is in his prime at 25, and famously kicked the winning goal for NSW to win the Super Rugby title last season. He is expected to be Australia's Test No. 10 at the World Cup.

Sources said the ARU, Michael Cheika and Ewen McKenzie before him have worked on engineering a flexible outcome to ensure Foley isn't lost for good.

A former Australian sevens captain, Foley has long held ambition to go to the Olympic Games. And the ARU, which is desperate to unlock government funding with success in Rio, and sevens coach Geraint John were only too happy to make it happen.

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There seems to be a growing acceptance that names like Israel Folau and Michael Hooper are unwilling to give up a whole Super Rugby season to play in Rio, but Foley would be a recruit with both profile and a proven sevens background. He played at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was called back into the sevens team in 2013 for the World Cup.

Henry Speight and rising Wallaby rookie Sean McMahon are also names linked to Rio.

Though similar in appearance, Foley's deal is not officially one of the "flexible contracts" announced by the ARU in August last year which allow stars to play overseas for one season if they sign a long-term deal with the ARU at the same time.

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But a hidden detail in the fine print of what was dubbed the "Izzy clause" was the provision for a player to go to the sevens in Rio and then play in the Japanese 2016-17 competition and still be eligible for the Wallabies in 2017. The Top 14 season runs from August to March.

Foley has not yet committed to returning to Australia in 2017. The Waratahs, too, have not given up the fight and are still pushing for Foley to be ­allowed to play Super Rugby in 2016.

Sources say the ARU is willing to accommodate Foley's two-season Japanese move not only for the Olympic sevens implications and to encourage his return, but to allow Foley to bank a big Japanese payday and effectively only miss one year in Australia.

Foley said last month he was open to an overseas move.

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Heat’s on Hunt to click on the fly

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KARMICHAEL Hunt's raw playmaking skills must unleash the Fijian strikepower of Samu Kerevi or the injury-rocked Reds will be herded into an ambush by the Brumbies.

If the Reds are to fight fire with fire in the backline, experimental flyhalf Hunt must click with the 104kg stranger beside him in the same way that Brumbies general Matt Toomua is certain to send Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani careering into space.

Michael Cheika will ditch his NSW Waratahs persona to be in the Canberra crowd on Friday night as Wallabies coach to scrutinise more than 20 potential World Cup prospects.

New boy Hunt is one of them in the hottest seat of all. This is a new ball game for the code collector at flyhalf with senior Reds backs Quade Cooper (collarbone), James O'Connor (knee) and Anthony Faingaa (knee) sidelined and seven Reds debutants in the 23-man squad, including himself.

Hunt played five seasons with the Gold Coast Suns without ever being the go-to player who was relied upon to make something happen on his 18-man AFL team.

As much as his Reds coaches and teammates talk of "playing a role" being enough from him, all will be desperate for a magic moment or three as six-point underdogs. Based on 113 minutes of trials rugby in five years, that is a huge ask.

Karmichael Hunt must step up at flyhalf for the Reds. Source: News Corp Australia

The Reds had imagined storming Canberra with all their newly-bought weaponry but Hunt is the only bullet in the barrel with O'Connor and former All Blacks backrower Adam Thomson (shoulder) both judged a week away from playing.

Kerevi has been shuffled to inside centre to cover Faingaa's withdrawal. Short balls to get him rumbling are imperative but Hunt must also be savvy enough to snipe through a hole himself if the Brumbies defence drifts too quickly on to Kerevi.

Kerevi, 21, was the cheeky little kid buzzing around church at Brisbane's Acacia Ridge when Kuridrani was growing up in Brisbane with cousin Chris, who will make his Reds debut on the wing tonight.

Hunt was as relaxed as ever on Thursday when accepting that more decision-making and play-sparking now fall on him.

"A little bit more of a load is put back on my shoulders," Hunt said.

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"I'm comfortable with that and I've got Willy (Genia) at halfback as well helping out because I've learnt a lot from him and take advice on the field as well.

"It's exciting. We've got some young raw talent, me included because I've only started this season."

Genia's sniping and generalship are the key to the Reds pulling off an upset should the forwards hammer out good possession to keep Brumbies comeback flanker David Pocock from getting his mitts on Hunt.

Graham is upbeat that Hunt can deliver and his game will expand on his slick 50-minute trial at No. 10 against Dan Carter's Crusaders.

"He's definitely played within himself. There's a lot left in the tank that I haven't even seen yet," Graham said.

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"Karmichael realises he doesn't need to go out there and win the game for us. Like Stephen Donald did for the All Blacks in the World Cup final, he just needs to move us around the field in the right direction."

Graham said a taxing 16-game regular season dictated he be sensible rather than rush stars O'Connor and Thomson, both matchwinners.

"I felt we were rushed with both of them and with another 15 round games to go after this, it'd be foolish to risk them," Graham said.

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Busy Mentor full of energy

Melbourne Vixens' Geva Mentor keeps her eye on the ball in a game against the Sydney Swifts. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE Vixens MVP Geva Mentor is confident she will be fresh for the start of the season, despite her heavy international workload with England over summer.

The All-Star goal keeper missed a large chunk of the pre-season with the Vixens while she was away on Test duties with the English team in December and January.

Mentor only rejoined her Vixens' teammates in mid-January after almost two months overseas for six Test matches — against Malawi, Wales and Jamaica — and a series of training camps.

While Mentor admitted her body could have done with a bit more rest, she believed her match fitness would benefit from her international commitments.

"Even though it is pre-season and things are a pretty hectic with the Vixens, I can almost now just sit back and take a breath,'' Mentor, 30, said.

"The body survived, I'm in one piece and I'm fit and ready to go.

"I'm happy I've got that behind me and the one good thing is at least I'm match fit and match ready to go.

"Whereas the girls have had a good pre-season behind them, I just sort of kept going.

"My body probably could have done with a bit more rest, but I knew that was the case and I put my hand up to represent my country and fulfil those requirements.

"So it meant that six months was going to be hectic and this six months will be until after the worlds (in August) ... I'm well prepared for that.''

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis has been managing Mentor's training load since her return from England, but the dual championship defender was pleased with her hit-out at last weekend's pre-season tournament in Sydney.

The Vixens will continue their build-up to the season with practice matches against round-one opponents Central Pulse in Wellington today (Friday) and tomorrow.

Goal attack Tegan Caldwell is expected back on court after she missed last weekend's summer shootout as she recovered from an ankle injury.

"We had a really tough training session this week, which included a bit of match play, so Tegan was able to have a good run,'' Mentor said.

"This weekend will be good for her to play a full 60 minutes, particularly at goal attack.''

"We played (Northern) Mystics in a pre-season game in Tassie last year and they were our first-round game and it worked really well for us.

"That New Zealand style of play is very true to how (Pulse) play as a side, so I think it is going to be good for us to face that good strong court zone that they put on.''

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Kruse to go under knife, Jedinak sidelined

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ROBBIE Kruse will have surgery on his injured ankle in the coming days, as the post Asian Cup injury toll continues to plague Socceroos.

Captain Mile Jedinak was ruled out of Crystal Palace's Premier League draw with Newcastle United on Thursday, underlining the pain barrier he went through to last 120 minutes of the 2-1 final win over South Korea.

Russian based right-back Ivan Franjic, who limped off just after Kruse in the final, is still recovering from an adductor strain and still at least a month away.

Robbie Kruse is taken from the field injured during the Asian Cup final. Source: Getty Images

Kruse is the most serious injury, and after conjecture over the severity of the injury, is set to miss the rest of the German Bundesliga season.

The attacker will likely have surgery in Frankfurt and the diagnosis will be at least 12 weeks on the sidelines.

The Kruse injury was thought to be less serious but Bayer Leverkusen ordered him to have surgery after scans revealed that his strained ankle ligaments were severe.

While he did the injury on Socceroos duty, Bayer Leverkusen's medical staff assumed control of the diagnosis in the ensuing days.

Robbie Kruse walks onto the ground after suffering a leg injury during the Asian Cup final. Source: Getty Images

Kruse returned to Germany last week and is understood to be gutted after working so hard to overcome a knee reconstruction to play a key role in Australia's Asian Cup triumph.

"You get different timeframes from everywhere, but I'm expecting it to be fairly long,'' Kruse told the Herald Sun last week.

"I'm waiting to hear from the Bayer Leverkusen docs.

"It looks like I'll be out for a few months, so I'll just have to deal with it.

"I didn't get touched that hard, I just heard a pop and I thought it was the achilles.

"I didn't even know he (Cha Du-Ri) touched me at all.''

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak is also battling an ankle complaint. Source: Getty Images

Jedinak, who failed a late fitness test before the Newcastle match, said he was still bothered my the ankle he strained in the January 9 win over Kuwait at AAMI Park, which saw him miss the next two games.

Ivan Franjic is another injured Aussie. Source: Getty Images

"After playing so many games in a short space of time I feel OK, there's a slight bit of fatigue so I'm just managing that and seeing when I'll be reintroduced to the squad,'' Jedinak wrote in the Crystal Palace matchday program.

"I picked up an ankle injury in the opening game of the tournament and it's a little bit of a slight issue but we'll try and work through that.

"I've spoken to him (Alan Pardew) a couple of times and we exchanged text messages and well wishes throughout the Asian Cup, but I'm looking forward to getting back down to business in Beckenham and working with him.''

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Hunt hits hard and loves it

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REMEMBER the numberplate. The No. 10 will have flashed by and left the scene of a hit-and-run at Canberra Stadium tonight.

ACT Brumbies fans fancy that flyhalf Matt Toomua will make Karmichael Hunt another victim of his full-frontal hits that make him one of the best defenders in his position in Super Rugby.

Rattle Hunt and ruin the Reds. That's the game plan.

Here's a thought. It might not be the No. 10 you think leaving a mark.

Several of the six Wallabies in the Brumbies backline will be wondering just who hit them if Hunt has reason to put them in his sights.

Hunt has shown promise in many new facets of play coming to rugby but dusting off an old skill is part of what makes him a dangerous package.

He hits hard and loves it. He enjoyed the tackles of a sort he could make in AFL but he just loves the sore shoulders he's feeling again making the decisive hits that peppered his years in rugby league with Brisbane.

New Queensland Reds flyhalf Karmichael Hunt hits hard and decisively in defence. Source: News Corp Australia

A week ago, he smashed All Black Colin Slade to the Ballymore turf.

A week earlier he slammed Rebels winger Dom Shipperley in Cairns in between making two rattling clean-outs.

The Hunt experiment at flyhalf is fascinating but the changing of the guard with this Queensland team en masse should not be downplayed because of it.

Centre-winger Campbell Magnay is on the bench tonight at 18. Young Adam Korczyk, a fair-haired backrower goer from University, and back-up flyhalf Duncan Paia'aua are waiting for a chance too, while 100kg Chris Kuridrani gets a crack in the starting side on the wing.

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Games in the National Rugby Championship have prepared the next wave like Kuridrani far better than if they were treading water in aimless late season training.

The Reds are outsiders tonight.

There is not a lot of deception to the backline make-up but the Reds have never fielded nearly 200kg of running power in the centres before either.

Samu Kerevi and Chris Feauai-Sautia have to play with the authority their size suggests they can.

World Cup year is about to begin. There is nothing surer than the squad you've picked in your mind will be flipped in multiple areas by selection time.

It's high stakes, not just for the Reds but for all the Australian sides.

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Kennedy being eased into fitness

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IT IS "probably" a week too soon for him to start, but Melbourne City coach John van't Schip says Josh Kennedy will play a greater role against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.

City flies to the New Zealand capital on Friday low on numbers after its mini injury crisis failed to dissipate this week.

Of last week's absentees, only goalkeeper Tando Velaphi is any chance to regain his spot, meaning Erik Paartalu (calf), Rob Wielaert (ankle), Mate Dugandzic (knee), Ben Garuccio (ankle), James Brown (knee) and Jonatan Germano (Achilles) all remain sidelined.

But van't Schip said Australian marquee striker Kennedy had recovered well from his half-hour cameo against Melbourne Victory last Saturday and will be fit to play his second game for City tomorrow as he nears a return to full fitness.

Melbourne City's Josh Kennedy and Ross Archibald put through their paces. Source: News Corp Australia

"Of course it's always difficult coming in to a game when you have to chase the game," van't Schip said.

"We were not really giving him the best opportunities to get in to the game in the way we were playing the last 30 minutes.

"But Josh, personally, is getting stronger every day and it's now just trying to get him playing more and more games. That's something we will try to do, together with Josh, and we'll manage that in a good way.

"Of course it's also important that he starts getting more involved and playing more minutes so we have to build that up."

Melbourne City coach John van't Schip shows his desperation for the ball during training. Source: News Corp Australia

The coach stopped short of declaring Velaphi, who has missed two games with a shoulder injury, a certainty to replace Andrew Redmayne should he be declared fit.

"He hasn't trained for a few weeks at a high level so first we have to see if he progresses today and see his reaction," he said.

"That's something we haven't made a decision about."

Saturday's game is the second in a string of four for City against the A-League's top four sides.

City lost to Victory 3-0 last week and after the Phoenix it will play AAMI Park games against Perth (first) and Adelaide (third).

"It's a massive program," van't Schip said. "But it's also good because we know that if we want to have something to say (in the league this season) then we have to play those teams and we have to get results.

"Wellington is the first one that we have to get a result (against). We are going there to prove that we are a team that can play with the best in the league."

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How SuperCoach can save the PM

Shane Crawford tackles six big selection dilemmas in SuperCoach this year

MEMO: Tony Abbott, redemption is at hand.

The PM is in the middle of a storm after handing a 93-year-old British guy a knighthood — and rightly so.

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But Tony, there is a simple way to win back the hearts and minds of Australians.

Forget penalty rates, your No.1 workplace reform needs to be granting all Australians five, even 10 minutes a week, to fine-tune, trade, pick a captain and do whatever they have to do to get their SuperCoach side flying!

That includes schoolkids, hardworking Aussies, even the nursing homes should all have legislated compulsory SuperCoach time every week. Tony, if you do this the next election might even go your way.

BLOG LIVE WITH SUPERCOACH GURU AL PATON BELOW

It's SuperCoach time! Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

SuperCoach is back and I couldn't be more excited.

It is a great time of year where tens of thousands of footy fans have high hopes, dreaming of premiership glory over work colleagues, mates, family and friends, a bit like the Hawks last year ... oh, and the year before, and maybe even this year again wowee that would be amazing.

There are some big changes in SuperCoach this year that make the game more exciting than ever, but they could also cause a few headaches ... I've got one now just thinking about it.

The "captaincy loophole" might be dead, which I like — I wasn't happy with double dipping, no second chances I reckon (By the way, Gary Ablett will lead my side after what I put down as a freshen up).

We get only three rucks this year so decisions need to be nailed. I'm leaning towards a fit Nic Naitanui.

You will love the new SuperCoach Cup knockout tournament which will delight all except the ones that go out early — hopefully not me!

SUPERCOACH NEWS: BOOKMARK THIS PAGE FOR ALL YOUR PRE-SEASON RESEARCH

When it comes to selecting a winning squad, obviously pre-season games and form needs to be monitored closely and I will be keeping a close eye on experienced players who have moved clubs as they always seem to perform better in a fresh environment and have a desire to impress new teammates.

These guys are all on my radar: Ryan Griffen at GWS, James Frawley at the Hawks, Heritier Lumumba at Melbourne, Jarrad Waite at North Melbourne, Paddy Ryder at Port Adelaide, Adam Cooney at Essendon, Levi Greenwood at Collingwood​.

Those players won't necessarily be in my team, but could be with good NAB Challenge form — but only if the price is right.

Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull are set to help GWS climb the ladder this year. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

I've got the Giants pencilled in as the big improver for 2015. If they do the hard work to match their ability, like Nostradamus I can foresee massive improvement and bright skies ahead. Pick carefully as the right choices could result in absolute SuperCoach gold.

I also look forward to seeing all the new draftees with Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw my top SuperCoach selection from the so-called babies at the moment.

Remember, preparation is everything and practice makes perfect.

Good luck. Play well. Play fair and no regrets.

Now, I have to go. It's SuperCoach time!

BIGGER PRIZES

In 2015 you can win more cash in SuperCoach than ever before.

The No.1 coach at the end of the season wins $50,000 + $5000 for their local footy club.

Weekly prizes have been beefed up, with $5000 to be won every week: $3000 for the top score of the week, $1000 for second place, $500 for third and $250 for fourth and fifth.

Herald Sun+ members, TheAdvertiser+, Courier Mail+, Daily Telegraph + and Fox Sports subscribers can double that cash — nail the top SuperCoach score for the round and pocket $6000.

And sign up for SuperTipping and join a subscribers-only league with its own $20,000 prize.

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MORE FUN

Inject more fun and more chances to win awesome prizes into your SuperCoach experience with a series of new games including the knockout SuperCoach Cup that pits your SuperCoach side head-to-head against a random opponent each week — who will be the last man standing? More exciting announcements coming — watch this space!

FASTER, FRIENDLIER

SuperCoach is faster to load and easier to use on desktop, mobile and tablet. The login page has been rebuilt so you spend less time signing in and more time playing the game.

ROSS LYON RULE

Sick of mass restings in the final round derailing your SuperCoach Grand Final hopes? This year the playoff is a week earlier and private leagues start in Round 2.

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Got a selection dilemma? Run it past the entire SuperCoach community and get the opinion of fellow players. Vote in polls and join the debate on other players' questions.

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For the first time live SuperCoach scores are in the SuperCoach match centre plus LiveHQ. Herald Sun+ members can see how every kick, handball and clanger impacts their score as it happens.

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Join up to 10 leagues — up from five in previous seasons — and you also have the option of a 10-team league.

LESS RUCKS

A big on-field change with just one ruckman on the bench in 2015 and an extra midfield emergency.

SCORING CHANGES

SuperCoach is the only game that uses Champion Data's scoring formula that rewards players who influence the result of games — not just cheap kicks and handballs like other games. This year there is more reward for rucks who can tap the ball directly to a teammate.

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Burgess gets first England start

Sam Burgess looks on during an England Saxons training session. Source: Tom Dulat / Getty Images

RUGBY league convert Sam Burgess is set to make his international rugby union debut after being named in the second-string England Saxons team to face the Irish Wolfhounds in Cork.

Burgess will partner Elliot Daly at centre in Friday's match and Saxons coach Jon Callard says he has been impressed by what he has seen from the 26-year-old Bath player so far.

"I've watched Sam from afar in how he's evolving in the game. He's an impressive character," Callard said on Thursday.

"We're all excited for Sam, but we're taking it very, very calmly. There's plenty of time for him to develop.

Burgess in action during training. Source: Getty Images

"There's huge expectation, obviously, but it's an opportunity to test the waters at this level, see where he is, then reassess and put another plan together."

Burgess only joined Bath from NRL premiers South Sydney last October, but has been tipped to stake a claim for a place in England head coach Stuart Lancaster's squad for the World Cup.

With Burgess still coming to terms with the change of codes after six games with Bath, Callard said that he and his staff would try to avoid leaving him exposed against a strong Wolfhounds team.

"The challenge for us is creating a game-plan to get the best of him, and all the others too," said Callard.

Burgess gets a touch for Bath in the team's clash against the Wasps. Source: Getty Images

"Individually he might make some errors, and I think he will live with that and learn from that.

"If he does get exposed it will be about the system we've tried to put in place, either a defensive framework or attacking framework.

"I do not think it would be an individual exposure. It would be because the system wasn't correct."

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Aussies chasing big World Cup payday

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SPINNER Xavier Doherty may not play a game during the World Cup, but he will still pocket nearly $340,000 if Australia goes through the entire showpiece tournament undefeated on home soil.

Prizemoney for this World Cup has increased by 25 per cent from four years ago on the subcontinent, with a total of $12.6 million up for grabs.

Although it pales in comparison to what the big boys will earn in this year's IPL, winning a World Cup is a lucrative exercise, particularly for those players who don't command the millions available in Twenty20 cricket.

For the World Cup champions, there's at least $4.7 million on offer, however there are bonuses for going through the six-week event without losing a game or for only dropping one match.

Should Australia sweep the field and Michael Clarke holds the trophy aloft at the MCG, there will be over $5 million going into the players' purses.

Australia has always had a policy of equally distributing the winnings between the players in the 15-man squad.

YOUNG NSW QUICKS IN WORLD CUP BATTLE

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Meaning that fringe players like Doherty will pocket as much as superstars like Clarke, David Warner and Mitchell Johnson.

Being pipped at the post in the final would see Australia share a still lucrative $2.2 million runner's up cheque.

But crashing out in the semi-finals ($760,000) or the quarters ($380,000) would see the players walk away with only enough prizemoney to throw at buying a family car.

Match payments for winning a group game stack up at $3800 each, and teams eliminated at the end of the group games will receive over $44,000 to share among themselves.

While prizemoney will go straight to each player's bank accounts, the Australian men's playing group have decided to sacrifice a percentage of what they would have stood to earn, in the interests of putting back into the game.

The Australian Cricketer's Association, with the support of Cricket Australia, have established the Past Player Game and Personal Development Program, which supports ex-cricketers and also the development of future prospects.

Similar to rugby league's Men of League Foundation, the ACA's initiative aims to support past players in their post-cricket lives — with health, wellbeing, education, training and career development.

Ricky Ponting and the Australia team celebrates the 2007 World Cup victory. AFP Pic: Jewel Samad. Source: AFP

The program is available to all male and female past players, and even current female players in some circumstances.

It will receive funding of $1,000,000 for 2014-15 — money which comes directly out of the World Cup fund.

Australian male players have agreed to forgo 26 per cent of their World Cup revenue (excluding prize money) to support the program to the tune of $4 million — which works out at $1 million each year for the next four years.

Meanwhile, common sense has finally prevailed at the International Cricket Council, with the board overturning a farcical situation, which could have resulted in dual-World Cup winners on Australian soil.

An 11th hour decision by ICC powerbrokers has amended the game conditions to include the allowance for a super over should the final finish in a tie.

It means there will be a definitive winner of the World Cup, which kicks off in Melbourne on February 14.

Under the original conditions set out for the tournament, the trophy would have been split between the two finalists if the decider finished in a tie.

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Dragons make a play for Roosters’ Napa

Rooster's Dylan Napa has been identified as a recruitment target by the Dragons. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons have identified Sydney Roosters firebrand Dylan Napa as a priority target and are currently attempting to lure the future State of Origin forward away from the Tricolours.

Contracted with the Roosters until the end of this season, Napa, South Sydney's English international Tom Burgess and New Zealand Warriors prop Ben Matulino are the most in-demand prop forwards on the NRL's open market.

A DUMMY'S GUIDE TO THE AUCKLAND NINES

NINE UNKNOWNS TO LIGHT UP THE NINES

Dylan Napa during a Sydney Roosters training session at Kippax Oval, Moore Park. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The Dragons aren't the only club to have registered a major interest in Napa, with the Gold Coast Titans also in the race, trying to persuade the rookie forward to return home to Queensland.

Still at the Dragons, the New Zealand Warriors' bid to poach Trent Merrin away from the Red V has been amped up, with the NSW Origin forward flying to Auckland to tour the club's facilities last weekend.

When we spoke to Merrin a fortnight ago, the Dragons forward was hopeful of having his future decided before the Red V season kicks off against Melbourne at Jubilee Oval on March 9.

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"For sure. It would be a monkey off the back and the main thing I want to concentrate on is playing the game of rugby league," Merrin said.

"Obviously you have to deal with these things when you come up towards negotiations but I'd like to have it all sorted."

●●●

TENNIS hot shot Nick Kyrgios is an immense talent but his on-court antics hurling abuse at officials has gone down like a bottle of off wine.

It's no secret Pat Rafter has already had a word with the rising star about channelling his aggression in the right context. Kyrgios should do himself a favour and watch some footage of Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Rafter. We love his style of play, but drop the attitude.

Nick Kyrgios in action against Andy Murray in their quarterfinals clash on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Corp Australia

●●●

WE'RE tipping that rookie Wests Tigers forward Matt Lodge, who was recently arrested for refusing to leave a Kings Cross nightspot, would had to have been fast-talking trying to explain the incident to his parents. Both are police officers.

●●●

SATURDAY night's blockbuster AFC Asian Cup Final will be played in front of an 80,000-plus crowd at ANZ Stadium — but it will have a TV audience of 800 million, with more than one million Australians tuning in.

The Australia v Korea Republic final will be screened on 80 channels covering the entire globe, including Fox Sports and the ABC here in Australia.

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OWENS BACKING HAYNE NFL BID

FLAMBOYANT NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens is the latest American football superstar to throw his support behind Jarryd Hayne's bid to make the big stage in the US.

Currently on a lightning-fast visit to Australia to host a Superbowl event at Docklands in Melbourne on Monday, Owens rubbed shoulders with Sydney Roosters stars Michael Jennings and Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the Sydney Cricket Ground's Trust Suite on Thursday.

Regarded as one of the NFL's ­greatest wide receivers, Owens carved out a reputation for blazing touchdowns and then embracing the moment by ­celebrating in style.

NFL great Terrell Owens with Roosters players Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Michael Jennings at a SCG Superbowl Lunch. Source: News Limited

His theatrics over the years included taking a nap, borrowing a cheerleader's pompoms and signing an autograph on a ball. On Hayne, Owens said: "If he makes it he'll definitely be a ­trendsetter. Definitely, anything outside of being a punter, we haven't seen that.

"If he can come over and really make an impact then I think it will be a stepping stone for other athletes alike to come over and play American football.

"Playing football obviously is a physical sport. The position he's going for as running back and fullback that's one of those positions where you've got to be tough and you've got to be gritty.

"You've got to be able to go in and hit some guys head up and make some room and really sort of pave the way."

Jarryd Hayne in action for the Eels. Source: Supplied

NEW YEAR WITH NO BEER

A GROUP of the Wests Tigers chose to avoid the temptations of boozy New Year's Eve celebrations by heading to a primitive retreat run by Brian Smith's son Keegan in the Byron Bay hinterland. Called Real Movement Project, the Tigers who attended were Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, Curtis Sironen, James Tedesco and Tim Moltzen. Tigers coach Jason Taylor has previously worked with Smith at the Sydney Roosters.

FAMILY TIES BINDING TAHS

THE Waratahs have taken keeping it in the family to a whole new level this season.

New recruit Sam Lousi got a left-field shock when he turned up for training at the Super 15 champions headquarters to be told his Tahs teammate Tolu Latu was also his cousin.

Initially sceptical, Latu needed to explain to Lousi how their mother's fathers were brothers.

Confused? Don't worry, so were we.

Newly discovered cousins Tolu Latu and Sam Lousi at Waratahs training Source: News Corp Australia

The development makes them second cousins. But standing side by side, there's not exactly the most easily recognisable family resemblance.

Lousi is the ex-New Zealand Warriors forward who tips the scales at 126kg and stands 198cm. The ex-leaguie is in line to feature as a second-row/lock in the Tahs forward pack this season after the departure of Wallaby Kane Douglas.

Coach Michael Cheika convinced him to make the switch to rugby union after Lousi impressed ripping it up in the NSW Cup for the Auckland Vulcans.

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The stockier of the duo, Latu is a highly regarded emerging hooker who is the understudy to Wallaby Tatafu Polata-Nau. Now they've both been made aware of their family connection, we're tipping the new teammates will be spending a little more time shooting the breeze.

MAYWEATHER SET TO GET GREEN LIGHT

WORLD champion boxer Floyd Mayweather continues to mount a strong case to be admitted into Australia as promoter Max Markson claims the welterweight's visa should be resolved by Australian immigration officials on Friday.

No stranger to controversy, Mayweather has a detailed record in the US, including spending 60 days in Clark County jail in Las Vegas for pleading guilty to a domestic violence misdemeanour in 2012.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. poses for a photo during a news conference in Las Vegas. Source: AP

Markson has written to Federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to plead Mayweather's case, which the promoter claims will inject $1.5 million into the local economy and include charity work for homeless people and ­Aboriginal children.

Provided Mayweather is given the green light, the world champion boxer will arrive in Melbourne on Sunday, with plans to sit in Andy Murray's box at the Australian Open final if the Brit qualifies.

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TUESDAY night's Allan Border Medal was another wonderful ­testament to the saying "nice guys don't always finish last''.

Aside from Steve Smith cleaning up, our favourite part of the evening was the excitement from champion wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. No one epitomised playing the game harder or fairer than Gilly, who told Channel Ten viewers during the Big Bash final coverage he had savoured the moment with plenty of the players he wore the Baggy Green cap with until about 3.30am.

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RUGBY league legends Andrew Johns, Craig Gower, Anthony Minichiello and Brett Finch were all devastated to learn their corporate Super Bowl trip to Arizona had been cancelled at the 11th hour.

The quartet was planning to be involved in a corporate golf tour but a late development meant the trip had to be postponed. They hope to do the trip next year.

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THE NRL is giving fans the opportunity to feature in the new rugby league TV commercial for the 2015 season. Interested NRL club members or fans get to ANZ Stadium on Tuesday and enter through Gate L.

SMITH SUPERB BUT PUP STILL TOP DOG

WE plan to remain big supporters of Test captain Michael Clarke despite a tidal wave of opposition emerging this week to his continued leadership in the Baggy Green.

From the statesman-like way Clarke handled the tragic passing of Phil Hughes to his heroics in batting with a dodgy back to score a ton in Hughes's honour in Adelaide, the Australian skipper has been nothing but first-class.

Kyly and Michael Clarke at the Alan Border Medal. Source: News Corp Australia

But politics in Australian cricket remains a powerful beast and the reality is there is a major push on from within Cricket Australia to saloon Clarke away from the captaincy, especially given the success of Steve Smith.

Clarke will play grade cricket for Western Suburbs this weekend as part of his push to feature in the World Cup, where he will lead the team provided he is fit.

Beyond that, there are no guarantees in the shortened format of the game. Remember how previous captains Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh were tapped on the shoulder and made to step away from one-day cricket?

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There is a push on from within CA for the same thing to happen to Clarke post-World Cup. In our view, Clarke has earned the right to go out on his own terms.

WINNING

CHAMPION fast bowler Brett Lee showed intensity, class and style during his final over in the Big Bash on Wednesday night.

Despite missing out on a hat-trick on the last ball and a mix-up meaning the Scorchers were crowned Twenty20 champions, Lee was the first player over shaking hands with the victorious Perth players.

Legend.

Brett Lee celebrates taking the wicket of Nathan Coulter-Nile of the Scorchers. Source: Getty Images

DUNCE CAP

WE'VE never been fans of the way Nathan Tinkler has chosen to go about his business and the events of the last 48 hours in Newcastle have done nothing to alter our view.

There was hardly a tear shed when Tinkler was forced to bail out of the Newcastle Knights and it could be deja vu now in the A-League. Don't say the alarm bells haven't been blaring for years.

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SPOTTED

JARRYD Hayne enjoying a cold drink with friends at the ultra-trendy Casablanca bar in Double Bay last Sunday.

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SPIN king Shane Warne and Test opening batsman Chris Rogers out and about in St Kilda over the Australia Day long weekend. Rogers has been telling people that he's definitely retiring from

the Baggy Green brigade after the Ashes.

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SACKED Newcastle Jets player David Carney having a few beers at the Clovelly Hotel over the weekend — prior to club owner Nathan Tinkler tearing up his contract

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