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**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 09:35 AM

Reigning champions Wasps recorded a 40-7 bonus-point win over Llanelli Scarlets to line up a do-or-die clash against Munster for a European Cup rugby quarter-final spot.

The result left Wasps in top spot in Pool 5 with 18 points, with 2006 champions Munster second on 15 points after overcoming a 20-6 half-time deficit to claim a losing bonus point in their 26-19 defeat to Clermont, who are third on 14 points.

Wasps travel to Limerick next week to play Munster in their final pool game, while Llanelli host Clermont.

Only the winners of each of the six pools are assured qualification to the quarter-finals, the other two places going to the best second-place finishers.

Led by an imperious backrow of flankers James Haskell and Tom Rees and veteran No.8 Lawrence Dallaglio, Wasps outplayed the Welsh region all over the park.

"It was a very satisfying performance for us," said Dallaglio. "We showed that with our best players on the pitch we're a formidable side. There is a lot to be very positive about.

"We showed we can play for 80 minutes, and it sets it up nicely for what will be an epic battle against Munster."

Llanelli's leaky defence - only Italian clubs Viadana and Treviso have conceded more tries - was shown wanting in the sixth minute.

Live-wire Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan took a quick penalty tap and dropped off centre Fraser Waters who sprinted in for the opening try.

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**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 09:36 AM

As a Queenslander who has just joined the Waratahs, Ben Mowen expects to get a bit of ribbing in two weeks when he captains NSW against the Reds in their first Super 14 trial match at Campbelltown.

Maybe that is why the back-rower didn't bother keeping secret - as he could have - his nickname of "Blade" when asked for it yesterday at the announcement of his captaincy on debut for the Waratahs.

"For me?," answered Mowen with a broad grin before coughing it up: "Oh … they've been calling me 'Blade' … 'Mowen blade', but that's it."

Blade, the former Australian Under 21, Queensland A and East Coast Aces captain was one of 28 players named for the Waratahs' night-time trial against the Reds at Campbelltown Stadium on Australia Day. So, too, was league recruit Timana Tahu, for whom the game will be his first in the NSW strip since switching codes last year, when he played in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels.

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**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 09:37 AM

Matt Giteau, one of Australia's highest-paid footballers of any code, and fellow Wallabies star Drew Mitchell have lodged a complaint against their former manager to the Rugby Union Players Association over alleged secret payments.

It is understood that the complaint against Greg Keenan includes an allegation that he was paid a direct inducement by former Western Force sponsor Firepower to procure the two players' interest in making the move to Perth, and that he failed to disclose it to them. That payment was allegedly on top of any percentage fee he received as part of the agent-player agreement. The RUPA said Keenan would be asked to respond to the complaint against him and Giteau and Mitchell would be summonsed to testify.

This latest controversy will again turn the blowtorch on the behaviour of the Force, which recently was fined $150,000 for breaching Australian Rugby Union protocols after the Herald revealed $300,000 in secret payments to induce players to Perth.

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**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 09:39 AM

Wallabies forwards coach Michael Foley has passionately declared he wants to keep his position under new head coach Robbie Deans so he can finish the job he started when he joined the national side.

Foley, appointed in 2006 along with backs coach Scott Johnson under former Wallabies coach John Connolly, believes he has not had long enough to rebuild the Australian pack into a world force.

The 1999 World Cup-winning Wallabies hooker is still on contract with the Australian Rugby Union. As is Johnson, who is yet to announce his intentions, while defensive coach John Muggleton has been a full-time ARU employee since 1999.

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**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 09:41 PM

South Africa's World Cup-winning captain John Smit has emerged from his first meeting with new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers impressed and confident for the future of the team.

The pair got together on the skipper's brief return to South Africa from his French club Clermont Auvergne and walked out in good spirits.

"The guy wants what is best for the Springboks," Smit told the <i>Pretoria News</i>.

"If you are a South African rugby player or supporter you have to be encouraged by that."

"He's had success at national Under-19 and Under-21 level. His track record is one of producing winning teams."

Smit added that reports of players demanding a meeting with De Villiers were a fallacy and that no player had the right to demand a selection guarantee.

"Yes, we won the World Cup, but no player in that World Cup squad is bigger than the game," warned the 29-year-old. "No player has ownership of the Springbok jersey. It is earned through performance."

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**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 09:42 PM

Queensland coach Phil Mooney has gifted a number of young guns the chance to impress when the Reds' take on the Waratahs in Sydney on Australia Day.

Mooney has decided to rest his World Cup Wallabies for his side's first trial of the campaign with the exception of veteran halfback Sam Cordingley who will travel to Campbelltown Stadium for the January 26 clash.

Reds Academy player Ben Lucas has also been drafted into the squad at scrumhalf following a hand injury to Will Genia, while Academy prop and former Sydney player Dayna Edwards returns home in enemy colours.

Mooney said the match will be a good test for the talented Lucas, who will go head-to-head with former Wallabies Brett Sheehan and Josh Valentine during the encounter.

"It's a great opportunity for Ben and the other guys to see where they sit in terms of their development, being up against some experienced opponents," Mooney said.

Up front promising rookies Josh Afu and giant lock Rob Simmons, are also both expected to see action for the first time in 2008.

Skipper John Roe will add experience to the 24-man squad as will 2007 Test newcomer James Horwill and veteran duo Lloyd Johansson and Andrew Walker.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 09:43 PM

The Western Force is a step closer to having its first home-grown West Australian line-up in the Investec Super 14s, with prop Kieran Longbottom stepping up after the retirement of Angus Scott.

Longbottom is a born and bred West Aussie and if he makes his debut this season, will be the first player from WA to represent the Force.

The 22-year-old had a tremendous Mazda Australian Rugby Championship with the Perth Spirit, on the back of representing WA at under-15s, 16s and schoolboys level. He spent a year playing with the Queensland University colts and has come through the Firepower RugbyWA Academy.

The potential step up into the side is certainly daunting for Longbottom, but he couldn’t be more excited.

"It’s going to be really great even though it’s a massive step up," Longbottom said.

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**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 09:45 PM

Webb has already commenced work with NSW Rugby following the departure of Scott Harrison who is now pursuing a business career.

"I've really enjoyed my time in Rugby but I've got some exciting new work opportunities ahead," said Harrison.

"We've been handing over the reins to Chris this week and I'm happy to the say the transition is going smoothly."

Head coach of the HSBC Waratahs Ewen McKenzie paid a glowing tribute to Harrison.

"Scott started in the 90's at the ARU doing video analysis before making his way up the Rugby ladder," said McKenzie.

[ul=http://www.nswrugby.com.au/MediaExtranet/News/2008/January/ChrisWebbReturnstoManageHSBCWaratahs.aspx]Complete article[/url]

**truebluefan** · 01-21-2008, 07:16 PM

Super 14 wooden spooners Queensland Reds are determined to "stop the rot" and go from laughing stocks to finalists in one season.

New coach Phil Mooney declared his team capable of making their embarrassing end to 2007 a distant memory when the competition kicks off next month.

After suffering a record 92-3 loss to the Bulls in their last match under Eddie Jones, Queensland are aiming to regain the respect and success enjoyed up until 2002.

"As a group we're determined to stop the rot of the last couple of years," Mooney said at Monday's season launch.

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**truebluefan** · 01-24-2008, 09:10 AM

England five eighth Jonny Wilkinson has pledged his future to Newcastle Falcons by signing a new two-year-deal, the club said today.

The 28-year-old World Cup winner is in his 11th season with Newcastle and is just nine points short of kicking his 2000th point for them.

"This is a massive endorsement of where we are going as a club," director of rugby John Fletcher told the club's website.

"It's no secret that Jonny has had offers from elsewhere, but this is where he sees his rugby future with the huge amount of talent and ambition at the club.

"He is the biggest name in rugby, still the best player in the world in my opinion, and the fact that he wants to stay at Newcastle sends out a clear message about where this club is going and how close it is to his heart."

Wilkinson has scored 77 points in seven club appearances this season.

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