Wallabies name side to face England

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Character ... Robbie Deans wants the Wallabies to fire up against England. Source:AAP

Fired-up Wallabies coach Robbie Deans set his side the challenge to bounce back against England and make amends for an inexcusable performance against France.

Deans admits it's been a tough week for the Wallabies who have been accused of lacking character against the French in their humiliating European tour opening 33-6 loss at Stade de France.

Of all the criticism aimed at them during the week, it's having the heart of the side questioned that's really hurt the Wallabies.

Starting: Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson.

Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Mike Harris, Drew Mitchell.

Deans has made four changes to his team to face England at Twickenham.

"No one enjoys that,'' Deans said.

"The team has also shown a lot of character along the way and that's where last week's performance was out of character and inexcusable and we've got to get on and address it.

"Last week's performance was poor. I'm making no excuses about that and we've got to address that.''

To make Saturday's (Sunday Live on Fox Sports at 1.30pm AEDT) Test at Twickenham even more challenging, the Wallabies received a triple blow this week with inside centre Pat McCabe (neck) and second-rower Kane Douglas (knee) both ruled out of the England game.

They also lost reserve lock Rob Simmons for the tour after he copped an eight-week ban for his lifting tackle on French flanker Yannick Nyanga, with the Wallabies likely to appeal the severity of the suspension.

"We certainly have a lot of background in these sorts of challenges,'' Deans said.

"It's more the norm than otherwise and that's the nature of the industry - you've just got to keep going.

"Sure we've lost Tuesday's prep in terms of combinations but it's not the end of the world.''

Deans is likely to be forced into flying in two fresh players for the European tour following Simmons' ban, while it's feared Douglas' tour could also be over.

Standby Scott Higginbotham already has his bags packed while Deans has a decision to make on the other player to come in should Douglas not be declared fit for the Italy Test in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) week.

Higginbotham, who the Wallabies say hasn't been given an official call-up yet, is serving a suspension for striking All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw and will be available for Italy.

"We've maintained contact with Scotty, he continues to train and, from the outset, was hopeful that it wouldn't be the end of his tour prospects,'' Deans said.

"He's obviously a bloke who would have been here if he hadn't had that setback.''

There is major concern over Douglas with a call on his fitness expected to be made immediately after the England Test.

"We've got what we need for this (England) game. Obviously Dave (Dennis) can cover that area,'' Deans said.

"We need to monitor Kane's progress. It's possible we could call for two replacements. We've got to get through the weekend obviously.

"We'll do it as soon as it's evident. If the medical staff believe it's marginal whether he'll be available to us next week, we'll probably have to act.''

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Crows skipper caught up in cap drama

Nathan van Berlo ... the latest caught up in the Crows' cap crisis. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

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Adelaide Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo was paid outside the club's salary cap, it has been reported, as the Kurt Tippett saga takes an unexpcted twist.

A report from Melbourne newspaper The Age late on Thursday night said van Berlo was the second Adelaide player to become embroiled in the club's salary cap scandal.

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The Crows are said to be under investigation for third-party payments made to van Berlo.

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Adelaide are already facing heavy sanctions over third-party deals for Tippett and are set to face the AFL commission on Monday at 1pm (EDT).

The Crows confessed to their secret arrangements with Tippett just as a deal to send him to Sydney Swans was about to be completed in last month's trade window.

They were hopeful their decision to come clean to the league and their "exemplary" record would bring some leniancy.

However, if the van Berlo claims were found to be true, they will likely be hit even harder by the AFL.

Thursday's Fairfax Media report said that four companies were involved with the third-party payments brokered for Tippett when they signed him to a three-year contract which expired at the end of the 2012 season.

McMahon Services, a South Australian-based resource company, paid the full-forward $20,000 to $30,000 a year for two years, while club sponsor Amcor Packaging was also approached regarding a third-party deal for the 25-year-old, the report said.

Balfours Bakery diverted $30,000 from a club sponsorship to Tippett at the written request of the Crows, with one other, unknown company also caught in the scandal.

It is not yet known which company paid the extra money to van Berlo, who became Adelaide's captain last year, or how much he was offered.

The Crows were forced to delist young midfielder Nick Joyce on Thursday but have assured him that he will be redrafted at the "earliest opportunity" following their hearing.

Told by the AFL they could not delist Tippett ahead of the hearing, Adelaide needed to clear an extra spot on their list so that they could make their compulsory three selections at next week's national draft.

The Crows are bracing to be excluded from the first few rounds of the draft pending Monday's hearing, meaning they must hope Joyce is still available when they enter the draft.

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Rika finds his way out of the rough

Back from the brink ... Queensland golfer Rika Batibasaga. Source: Hamish Blair / AAP

TWO moments - separated by three years - have defined Rika Batibasaga's career.

"In 2008 I went over to Orlando," Batibasaga said.

"I was living with Jason Day. I actually caddied for him at an event. Just getting a taste, being so close to all those boys, being on the range - I wanted it so much.

"I just pushed myself way too hard mentally and physically. I started doing 10 or 11-hour days of hitting ridiculous amounts of balls and doing the gym.

"Before I knew it I was that stressed and wired I couldn't sleep. I went 5 1/2 days without sleeping. There was something inside me that snapped."

What followed was a moment that threatened to end more than just his golf career. Batibasaga, his mind a sleep-deprived mess, ripped off his clothes and jumped into a friend's car. "I crashed the first one into the garage," he said.

"Without even breaking step I got into another car, drove out and was driving around Orlando. I got arrested out the front of Universal Studios without any clothes on by cops at gunpoint.

"A cop here and a cop there (pointing to his temples), through the windows pointing their guns at me.

"They're going mental at me. They ripped me out of the car, cuffed my hands, cuffed my legs. They thought I was on drugs, gone. They rang the ambulance. They cuffed me to the bed in the ambulance and a cop got in the back of the ambulance.

"They took me to the hospital. By this time, I was that gone and screaming to the doctor: 'just kill me, just kill me, I am done'. I woke up in the morning and I remembered everything.

"They checked my system and there were no drugs. They took me to a mental institution in Florida. They had no idea who I was. I was in there two days and that was the scariest time of my life. It was horrendous."

Batibasaga was eventually released and made his way back to Orlando. Day - he and Batibasaga grew up playing golf together - made sure his mother flew over and escorted him back to Brisbane, where he spent another two months in an institution as the medication helped his equilibrium return.

Three years later, his life back on track, Batibasaga was standing on the practice fairway at the Palmer Coolum Resort on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, preparing for the Australian PGA, when Ulsterman Darren Clarke and super-agent Andrew "Chubby" Chandler walked by.

"Chubby was watching, keeping a keen eye," Batibasaga said.

"When I left to do some putting Chubby called my coach over, Kevin Healey. They got to chatting. Chubby asked a few questions. A month or two went past and I was at the Victorian Open this year. I got a call from Chubby. I thought it was a gee-up. He goes 'no it's Chubby Chandler'.

"He said: 'we have taken a look at you and I would like to give you an opportunity and help you'. Before I knew it, I was in the UK, spent six months there and he looked after me.

"I was living in his offices - there is an apartment attached to the ISM offices in Manchester. I was playing the Euro Pro Tour. Chubby looked after everything."

Batibasaga, 25, had two top-10 results on the Euro Pro tour and finished the year in 43rd place on the money list. More importantly, he picked up life experiences that have steeled him for the challenging path ahead. He showed the benefits with a share of 25th at the Perth International last month, winning a cheque for $19,653.

He hasn't forgotten the past either. Batibasaga still has the green uniform from his stint at the Lakeside Mental Institution and he shares his story with schoolchildren, warning them not to be ashamed if they are having problems.

"It's a bit therapeutic for me to let it all out," he said.

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Del Piero still has that aura

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Training ... Alessandro del Piero imparts his wisdom to some younger Sydney FC players. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero looked anything but "just another soccer player'' when he arrived in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon intent on helping Sydney FC continue Brisbane Roar's A-League woes on Friday night.

Brisbane coach Rado Vidosic was not being disrespectful earlier when he said of Del Piero: "It's just another game and he is just another player. He is one of the 11 enemies.''

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Vidosic was speaking as a coach intent on winning a big game.

There wasn't quite the media scrum waiting at the airport for him as there was a few hours earlier when former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was humbled by a cuddly Koala at his press conference.

But heads turned and people stopped in their tracks as the 38-year-old Italian World Cup hero strolled through the airport's baggage area before happily answering media questions.

How was the Sydney club handling the shock resignation of coach Ian Crook last weekend?

Did he know who might replace him and had he recommended anyone from Europe who might be interested in the job?

And more importantly, how were the hamstrings of the best overseas big-name player ever to compete in the A-League?

"The hamstrings are feeling better but not 100 per cent,'' said the man whose first appearance in Brisbane is tipped to pull more than 25,000 fans to Suncorp Stadium.

Del Piero said the eyes of Europe were on the Australian competition now that he was playing in the A-League.

"Coaches, I think players, watching, maybe something can change,'' he said.

"About Australia, the eyes of Italy are really open. That's why we have to win because they call me all the time and say 'what's up Ales'.

"I am joking, but it's true. Everybody is watching here with curious eyes and interesting eyes.''

All eyes will be fixed on De Piero on Friday night with Vidosic revealing his match tactics to stop him would be simple.

"Don't let him get the ball,'' said Vidosic.

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Watch Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC live and exclusively on Fox Sports 1HD at 8pm on Friday.

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Ioane v Ashton: their debut clash

Threat ... Digby Ioane will have to be at his best to stop Chris Ashton (L), who loves scoring against Australia. Source: AAP

Chris Ashton's inclusion in the England team to face Australia sets up a promoter's dream clash between the rugby league convert and Wallabies winger Digby Ioane.

Two of rugby's most explosive and exciting wingers will face off for the first time in a Test match at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), despite being stalwarts of their respective sides and having amassed 57 caps between them.

Ashton was named on the right wing to mark Australia's left winger Ioane, who is returning from a knee injury.

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The 25-year-old Ashton has been something of a nemesis for the Australians with three tries in as many Tests and it's a clash Ioane is looking forward to.

"I've got a lot of respect for Chris Ashton because he's done a lot for England rugby,'' Ioane told AAP.

"But I see him as another stepping stone in my career. I love these challenges and coming up against Chris Ashton will be a challenge.''

Ashton's inclusion is the only change to coach Stuart Lancaster's side that beat Fiji 54-12 last week with the move seeing Charlie Sharples switching to the left wing in place of Ugo Monye.

Ashton, the former Wigan league player, missed the Fiji match due to suspension.

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Ashton scored his first Test try in England's 21-20 victory in Sydney in 2010 and crossed twice in a record 35-18 victory at Twickenham a year later.

The second of his tries, finished a counter-attack from their in-goal and is regarded as one of the best tries scored at Twickenham. Ashton iced the touch-down with his customary swan dive.

Ashton is England's most lethal attacking weapon with 15 tries in 26 Tests but hasn't scored for nine matches.

Ioane, who has 11 tries from 31 Tests, is playing his first match since early last month when he scored in Australia's 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario.

The hulking winger's try against Argentina was the last time Australia have scored a try in a Test match after failing to do in their past two against New Zealand and France.

England: Alex Goode, Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, Charlie Sharples, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Thomas Waldrom, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Johnson, Geoff Parling, Tom Palmer, Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Joe Marler. Res: David Paice, David Wilson, Mako Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Tom Wood, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown.

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See who comes out on top as the Wallabies take on England, live on Fox Sports 3HD at 1:30am EDT on Sunday.

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Sehwag puts India on top of England

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Drought is over ... Virender Sehwag clubbed a century. Source:AFP

Virender Sehwag's century laid the platform for India to reach 4-323 on the opening day of the Test series against England in Ahmedabad.

1st Test - Sardar Patel Stadium

15 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

India 1st Innings

C. Pujara	98	181	13	0	54.14
Y. Singh	24	47	2	0	51.06
J. Anderson	17	3	66	0	3.88

Sehwag hit a run-a-ball 117 and Cheteshwar Pujara finished on 98 not out as India seized the initiative after opting to bat first.

Graeme Swann took all four of the wickets to fall, removing Gautam Gambhir, Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar during the afternoon session to peg back the home side to 3-250.

Swann (4-85) added the scalp of Virat Kohli after tea on a pitch that was already showing signs of wear but Pujara and Yuvraj Singh stood firm for the remainder of the day in a fifth-wicket stand of 40.

Sehwag and opening partner Gambhir had put on 134 in 29.5 overs as England went wicketless in the morning. Sehwag brought up his half-century from 44 balls with James Anderson (0-66) and Tim Bresnan (0-56) - preferred to Monty Panesar in the starting XI - taking the most punishment.

Gambhir was bowled for 45 in the second over after lunch, Swann straightening one from round-the-wicket as the left-hander looked to play through the off-side but Sehwag continued to play his shots, bringing up his 23rd Test hundred by lofting his 16th boundary - 15 of them fours and one six.

His scoring rate slowed in the aftermath of his milestone but it was still a surprise when he misjudged a sweep against Swann and was bowled.

Tendulkar, playing in his 191st Test, received a rousing ovation on the way to the middle but his stay was a brief one, scoring 13 off 17 balls before holing out to Samit Patel at deep midwicket shortly before tea.

Kohli was dropped at slip by Jonathan Trott off Swann on four but had only advanced to 19 when he offered a crooked bat at a delivery from Swann that turned sharply to hit middle stump.

Pujara had no such problems, showing exemplary technique to combat the threat of England's bowlers for 181 balls and he was still there at the end, two short of a century, alongside Yuvraj (24no).

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Parramatta lead race for Folau

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New teammates? ... Israel Folau with Eels prop Tim Mannah. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Parramatta Eels are leading the race for Israel Folau's signature after the code-hopper walked out on AFL football.

The former NRL star, who has spent the past two years in the AFL with Greater Western Sydney, announced on Thursday he is quitting the Giants.

It is understood the Eels, a club now coached by Ricky Stuart, have been in talks with Folau and plan to conduct further discussions with the NRL over the prospect of signing the former Queensland and Australia back.

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However, at Thursday's press conference Folau refused to confirm he would be returning to league - and even left the door open for a switch to rugby union.

Folau will have to accept a cut in salary to rejoin the NRL after being on multi-million dollar deal in the AFL .  

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Parramatta chief executive Ken Edwards confirmed the club's interest in Folau.

"We would be very interested in talking to Israel," Edwards said.

"We think Israel would be a great fit."

Asked about the salary cap implications of signing Folau, Edwards said: "Salary cap in the first year would probably be an issue for us. It's something we need to work through with the NRL and discuss with the NRL. In terms of years after 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 would not be an issue for us."

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Mick can't save the Blues: Judd

Skipper for now ... Chris Judd looks at life under Mick. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Carlton captain Chris Judd has warned teammates against expecting decorated coach Mick Malthouse to turn the AFL club around on his own.

Judd said he had long been a Malthouse admirer and expected the three-time premiership coach to have a quick impact.

But he cautioned that rebounding from a disappointing season would take club-wide improvement.

"It's really important that we don't view (Malthouse) as a panacea that's going to fix all our problems," Judd told reporters on Thursday.

"At the end of the day, there's 44 players on that list, there's a staff of 70 or 80 people and it's not up to Mick to come in and solve all the problems at our football club.

"It's up to everyone who's there to work out how they're going to improve on what they've done before, to be accountable and be a part of the solution."

Malthouse guided West Coast to premierships in 1992 and 1994 and Collingwood to the 2010 flag.

But Judd took more from Malthouse's transformation of the Magpies from a wooden-spoon side when he took over ahead of the 2000 season to grand finalists in 2002-03.

"As much as they didn't win a premiership, I think to get to two grand finals in a row with the list he had there, that's almost the most impressive feature of his coaching career," the Blues skipper said.

Judd is yet to meet Malthouse face-to-face since his appointment so his view of the veteran coach is based mainly on reputation.

He said that was of a coach who ruled from the top and expected players to toe the line.

"He probably doesn't go down the player empowerment model, which a lot of modern-day coaches do," Judd said.

The 29-year-old dual Brownlow Medallist is yet to announce whether he will stay as skipper and plans to consult with Malthouse at the Blues' pre-season camp in Arizona, which starts on November 9.

While coy on his plans, he understood the speculation.

"There comes a time in every player's career where it makes sense for him to move on, whether that's move on from the game or move on from a leadership role to open up opportunities for young people," Judd said.

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Thorpe has Games in his sights

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Revealing ... Ian Thorpe opens up to Fox Sports News on a wide range of issues. Source: Adam Knott / Supplied

Ian Thorpe has no immediate intention of retiring from swimming for a second time, instead targeting a place at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

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The five-time Olympic gold medallist sat down with Fox Sports News reporter Andrew McKinlay for an exclusive interview, following revelations of his battles with depression and alcoholism were detailed in the launch of his biography, This Is Me.

Despite failing to secure a place at the London Olympics, Thorpe said he has no regrets about his comeback to the pool.

"I wish my return went the other way and I qualified for London, but I found for myself the reason I love swimming. I had lost that," Thorpe said.

Thorpe confirmed he will target the 2013 World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the following year, provided his form and fitness is good enough.

"Everything is on a two-year plan for me these days. What I didn't like about London was that I was rushing to make it.

"I'm not going to do that this time. I'll do what I want to do and what I feel I can do."

He also opened up about his well-publicised battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, a topic he originally only wrote about for his own personal benefit and didn't plan to publish.

"It's a difficult subject for me to discuss," Thorpe said. 

"I am someone who has everything people dream of, but there was always something missing.

"When you get to a point when you rationalise the process of suicide, you can't sleep at all at night and when you feel it's actually a viable option, that's when you know you need more help.

"I experienced that. I hit rock bottom, then found another layer below that.

"It's not a chapter I wanted to publish, but I'm glad I have been able to. It's been a bit cathartic."

The 30-year-old also discussed his relationship with the media, his thoughts on American rival Michael Phelps, his second coming to swimming, failure to make the London Olympics and the constant innuendo over his sexuality.

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Bogut back with a bang in NBA

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Back on court ... Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut. Source: Paul Connors / News Limited

He only played three quarters but as his first basketball steps in nearly a year Australian superstar Andrew Bogut's 2012 NBA debut was a good one.

Now with Golden State Warriors, Bogut missed all eight of his new club's pre-season games and was a surprise elevation to the starting line-up for the Warriors' season opener against Phoenix Suns in Arizona.

But he poured in his team's opening points and finished the night with eight and six rebounds in his first competitive hit-out since injuring his ankle in January.

Bogut played 18 minutes all up in the thrilling 87-85 win and said he felt "great".

"It's been a long time coming for me; it's been nine months since I've played basketball competitively. I felt great,
body felt great," he said.

"Early on in the game it was kind of tough. Once I pushed through that and got my second wind I felt great.

"Obviously they limited my minutes tonight so I wasn't too happy about it but as long as we get the win."

Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he wouldn't rush Bogut, his No.1 centre, back in to big minutes.

"It's going to take time, but he certainly gives us a presence on both sides of the ball and makes us that much better," Jackson said of Bogut.

"We'll wait until the real Andrew Bogut shows up, and we'll take this one for now."

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