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Folau to get first crack at fullback

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 29 Januari 2013 | 08.57

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Deep end ... Israel Folau should get the first crack at  fullback for the Waratahs. Source: Toby Zerna / News Limited

Israel Folau has revealed he's spent most of his NSW pre-season training at fullback as the Waratahs weigh up throwing their star recruit straight into the key position.

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Folau says he doesn't yet have a preference on where he lines-up during Super Rugby, but believes playing in the No.15 shirt during Waratahs trial matches is the best way for him to get a handle on rugby.

The cross-code convert seems certain to at least get a run at fullback during the Waratahs' opening trial against Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday night.

Coach Michael Cheika hasn't decided on the make-up of his back three for the season proper, but wants all the candidates to be as adept at fullback as on the wing.

Cheika is desperate for attacking weapon Folau to see as much space and quality ball as possible, and combined with his excellent skills under the high ball and kicking ability, fullback might prove to be his best position.

Folau isn't making any bold statements but agrees with Cheika that time at the back will give him a speedy education on the intricacies of rugby.

"I feel fine with that (fullback). I've been training most of the time at fullback so it doesn't feel any different and I'm looking forward to the challenge on Saturday," said Folau, who never played fullback in the NRL.

"We'll see how we go in trial games but at this stage I actually have no preferences.

"Fullback is probably the best way to learn and like Cheik says, you can see everything unfolding in attack. There will be a lot of space so that will be good."

Ruck work shapes as one of the biggest adjustments for AFL defector Folau, however Cheika says his star signing seems "comfortable" with that area of the game.

Cheika named a 28-man squad devoid of most of his Wallabies for the first hit-out against the Rebels - with Test stars likely to return in time for the third and final trial against the Crusaders on February 14 at Allianz Stadium.

The new coach wants to see combinations develop and for Folau to feel relaxed and free.

"My biggest thing for him is to let him have the space and enjoy himself and not get too beat up about it all," Cheika said.

"He should have a good time. There's no competition points on the line at this stage so I want guys to get a good hit out and not get too carried away by it all."

Waratahs trial squad: Michael Alaalatoa, Richard Aho, Kotoni Ale, Ollie Atkins, Peter Betham, Wayne Borzak, Tom Carter, Cam Crawford, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley (vice captain), Grayson Hart, Michael Hodge, Luke Holmes, Rob Horne, AJ Gilbert, Tom Kingston, Matt Lucas, Brendan McKibbin (captain), Tolu Latu, Dane Maraki, Elijah Niko, Greg Peterson, Jeremy Tilse (vice captain), Lopeti Timani, Peter Samu, Will Skelton, John Ulugia, Ben Volavola.peAAP bh/imc/jms


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EPL star's car stolen from home

Paul Scholes ... has his car stolen from the driveway of his Manchester home. Source: Tim Hales / AAP

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes has had his car stolen from the driveway of his home after he left its engine running while defrosting the windscreen.

The former England midfielder had gone back inside his Oldham home while ice melted on the windscreen of his grey Chevrolet Captiva on Monday morning (UK time).

When he returned, the car was gone.

A police spokesperson from the Greater Manchester Area said ""inquiries to locate the car are ongoing".

It is understood the 38-year-old owns the vehicle as part of the Red Devils' sponsorship agreement with the US car manufacturer.


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PM's XI too good for Windies

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Opener ... Jono Dean celebrates 50 for the Prime Minister's XI. Source: Mark Graham / AFP

The Prime Minister's XI have snuck home against West Indies by 23 runs in a high scoring 50-over thriller in Canberra.

The PM's side rattled up 6-333 and restricted the tourists to 310 runs off 49 overs.

The West Indies looked on track to chase down the score in front of a crowd of almost 10,000 at Manuka Oval until Kieran Powell retired hurt on 92 with leg cramps.

Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed then sparked a middle order collapse, grabbing a top edge off Darren Bravo (6) to Alex Doolan at deep square.

Dwayne Bravo (18), Kieran Pollard (2) and captain Darren Sammy (3) soon followed, leaving the visitors in an almost irrecoverable position.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (63) and Andre Russell (54) both attempted to revive the innings before both holing out to fielders in the deep.

Man of the match James Faulkner (4-54) bowled Tino Best (2) with his final ball during the penultimate over to put the visitors at 9/310, with Powell declining to come back out to bat.

Earlier in the innings Test hopeful Usman Khawaja silenced critics of his fielding by brilliantly running out opener Johnson Charles (34).

The foundations of the PM XI's total of 6/333 was built early on, with the top three batsmen Jono Dean, Khawaja and Alex Doolan all making half centuries.

ACT Comets captain Dean blitzed hit his half century off just 35 balls at the top of the order while Test hopefuls Usman Khawaja (69) and Alex Doolan (87) also starred with the bat.

Faulker also didn't hurt his chances of a call-up to the national squad with his batting performance, scoring 44 off just 28 balls.

Alister McDermott (2-63) and Ashton Turner (1-62) also chipped in with the ball for the PM's XI.

The run-chase was made all the more difficult for the West Indies with the late withdrawal of star batsman Chris Gayle before the match, who was suffering from slight back stiffness after a long flight.


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Ferdinand joins Behich in Turkey

Anton Ferdinand ... will join Socceroos star Aziz Behich at Turkish club Bursaspor. Source: Sang Tan / AAP

QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has signed a loan deal with Turkish club Bursaspor until the end of the season, the Barclays Premier League strugglers said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old will join Socceroos fullback Aziz Behich who confirmed his move to the Turkish side from Melbourne Heart on Tuesday.

Ferdinand, who has been at Loftus Road since moving from Sunderland in August 2011, will also link up with former England goalkeeper Scott Carson at Bursaspor, who are currently sixth in the Turkish league.

Ferdinand has played 49 times for QPR in all competitions but his time at the club was notably marked by a high-profile racism row with Chelsea's John Terry, which subsequently saw the former England captain banned and fined.


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January Transfer Centre

On the move ... keep on top of who moves where in January. Source: AP / AFP

It's that time of the season when managers across Europe head to the transfer market to bolster their squads ahead of a tilt for trophies, higher placings, or survival.

With the January transfer window now open, return to foxsports.com.au for the best wrap of all your news during the frenetic month.

Our ever-popular Rumour Mill will bring you the best gossip and speculation doing the rounds, while our Transfer Centre will chronicle the major signings throughout January as they happen.

For even more signing news, visit Sky Sports' Transfer Centre here.


29 January 2013: 

Didier Drogba: from Shanghai Shenhua to Galatasaray

Lewis Holtby: From Schalke to Tottenham

Anton Ferdinand: From Queens Park Rangers to Bursaspor (loan)

26 January 2013

Moussa Sissoko: from Toulouse to Newcastle United

Emmanuel Frimpong: from Arsenal to Fulham on loan

Wilfried Zaha: from Crystal Palace to Manchester United at season's end

23 January 2013:

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa: From Montpellier to Newcastle United 

Yoan Gouffran: From Bordeaux to Newcastle United

Wesley Sneijder: From Inter Milan to Galatasaray

22 January 2013:

Tom Rogic: From Central Coast Mariners to Celtic 

16 January 2013:

Loic Remy: From Marseille to Queens Park Rangers

January 4 2013:

Marouane Chamakh: From Arsenal to West Ham United, on loan
Tal Ben Haim: From Unattached to Queens Park Rangers
Joe Cole: From Liverpool to West Ham United
Mathieu Debuchy: From Lille to Newcastle United
Demba Ba: From Newcastle United to Chelsea

January 3 2013:

Pato: From AC Milan to Corinthians 
Daniel Sturridge: From Chelsea to Liverpool

January 1, 2013:

Lucas Moura: From São Paulo to Paris Saint-Germain


 


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Beckham links up with Arsenal

In training ... David Beckham has linked up with Arsenal but won't sign on. Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

Arsene Wenger says David Beckham won't join Arsenal, despite the former England skipper training with the Gunners as he continues to look for a club.

"He called me. He has asked to come here and to work on his fitness. He has not done anything for a long, long time," Wenger said of Beckham, who is without a club after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of last Major League Soccer season.

"It's purely for fitness. There's no speculation about signing or anything."

Beckham made his name with Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester United and has also played for Real Madrid and AC Milan.

The 37-year-old, who won 115 England caps, was a key figure in the successful bid to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to London last year.

There have been no new arrivals at the Emirates this month despite Arsenal's position outside the top four and the departures of Marouane Chamakh and Johan Djourou.

"We are still trying, but it's hard to sign players in January who can improve you," Wenger said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.


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