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Dogs pounce on fullback Hoffman

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 19 November 2013 | 08.57

Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman. . The Brisbane Broncos vs the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

THE Bulldogs are preparing to pounce on disgruntled Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman as payback for stealing their Dally M superstar Ben Barba.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler is aware the Kiwi World Cup star is unhappy in Brisbane and is working feverishly behind the scenes to get him to Belmore.

Canterbury has four players in the New Zealand tour party - Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Krisnan Inu and Greg Eastwood - who are quietly encouraging the blockbusting fullback to move to Sydney.

Hoffman has been out of sorts since Barba signed at the Broncos amid speculation he would be shunted to the wing.

"We're aware of Canterbury's interest," said one senior Broncos official.

"They're all over him.

"When you're on tour in another country for so long you build a bond with your team mates and the Canterbury boys have been working on him.

"But at this stage we don't want to release him."

Broncos Training at Red Hill. Justin Hoffman. Pic Mark Calleja Source: News Limited

Still, the Broncos based their entire campaign to sign Barba on the fact he was unhappy in Sydney and wanted out from Canterbury.

It would be hard for them to stand in the way of one of their own players who clearly doesn't want to be there, just like Barba at the Bulldogs.

Since the end of the season, the Dogs have tried but failed to lure Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne and William Hopoate to Belmore to replace Barba.

They even went big-time for Wallaby star Israel Folau who eventually decided to stay with the Waratahs.

When those negotiations fell over, Hasler turned his attention to the blockbusting Broncos player.

Working in Canterbury's favour is the fact the Broncos need to free up cash to finalise their record bid for Australia's Test captain Cameron Smith.

Paying Hoffman $400,000-a-season to play on the wing is seen as too much money spread across the salary cap.

Josh Hoffman after Brisbane's loss during the round 24 rugby league game between Penrith and Brisbane at Centrebet Stadium in Penrith, Sydney. Source: News Limited

Aside from the Bulldogs, other NRL clubs are aware of Hoffman's situation and have spoken to his agent in recent weeks.

However they don't have as much money as Canterbury have to play with under the salary cap.

Before Barba signed in Brisbane, 25-year-old Hoffman was just beginning talks with the Broncos about extending his contract.

But he has made it clear he wants to wear the No 1 jersey.

Barba can play in the halves but has made his home at fullback in recent seasons from where he became the 2012 Dally M champion.


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Sydney's newest home run

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SYDNEY'S sports fans will get another chance to be part of the excitement of Major League Baseball's season opening at the SCG next year.

An Australian All Stars team will now take on the LA Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday March 25 and Friday March 26 also at the SCG.

With tickets to the MLB opening series almost sold out the new fixtures provide another affordable chance for families to be part of the action.

Premier Barry O'Farrell made the announcement at the Opera House yesterday.

Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher Patrick Corbin and LA Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis at the Sydney Opera House / Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited

"The MLB Opening Series games have proved to be some of the hottest tickets in town and these two exhibition games will give 80,000 fans another opportunity to secure tickets," Mr O'Farrell said.

Tickets for the exhibition matches start at $29 and finish up at $113 for the premium seats.

There are still approximately 2,000 tickets available for the MLB opening series matches at a price range of $49-$499.

The worldwide interest in the event has seen 45,000 tickets already sold to both matches.

Those fans who are quick enough to snap up the new tickets will see the cream of world baseball in action.

Australian Peter Moylan and former LA Dodgers teammate catcher AJ Ellis / Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited

The Dodger's and Diamondbacks rosters are collectively worth more than $300 million and feature stars like LA pitcher Zack Greinke who is on an annual salary of $22 million.

The Dodgers are one of the most famous sporting teams on the planet and have won six World Series and 21 National League pennants.

They are also part of the longest running rivalry in baseball with the San Francisco Giants which dates back to when both teams were based in New York.

The Diamondbacks are one of baseball's newest teams and set a record in 2001 when they became the fastest expansion team to win the World Series in only their 4th season in Major League Baseball.

For Australian first baseman Justin Huber who played Major League baseball between 2005-2009 the chance to meet the Dodgers and Diamondbacks on home soil is the thrill of a lifetime.

"This is a dream come true for me," Huber said.

"I've been thinking about the opportunity to be involved in a MLB opening series since I was a boy.

"This is a showcase of what baseball is going to look like in the future.

The game is going to expand, we're seeing it locally where memberships are up right across the country.

The impact on the game in this country is profound."

The matches will be the first time a Major League Baseball team has played at the SCG since the Chicago White Sox played a the New York Giants in 1914.

The games are expected to deliver $13 million in direct visitor impact for the local economy.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin during the 2013 Major League Baseball All Stars match / Picture: MLB Source: Supplied

What.

Major League Baseball's season opening series between the LA Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at the SCG.

Plus two lead up matches featuring an Australian All Star team against the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks.

Matches.

Thursday 20. March Australian All-Stars v LA Dodgers

Friday 21. Australian All-Stars v Arizona Diamondbacks

Saturday March 22. LA Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks

Sunday March 23. LA Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks

Tickets.

$29-$113 for Australian All Stars v LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. (March 20-21)

$49-$499 for LA Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks (2000 left)

Television.

ESPN will televise the Dodgers v Diamondbacks games to a worldwide audience of over 500 million.

Negotiations are continuing with an Australian free to air network for local coverage.

Teams.

LA Dodgers. One of the most famous sporting teams in the world. Winner of six World Series and 21 National League Pennants. Has the oldest rivalry in baseball with the San Francisco Giants dating back to the days when both teams were based in New York.

Arizona Diamondbacks. Started in 1998 and became the fastest expansion team to win a World Series when they claimed the 2001 title.


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Rabbitohs and Wanderers unite

Coach Michael Maguire during South Sydney rugby league training at Redfern Oval, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

THEY are successful Sydney sporting clubs with virtually nothing in common.

One has won 20 premierships over 103 years and is run by a glamorous Hollywood actor.

The other is not two years old from battling western Sydney.

Now though, the famous South Sydney Rabbitohs and A-League's Western Sydney Wanderers have united at the highest level.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic have struck up an unlikely friendship. They share ideas and ideals.

Maguire was at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night watching the Wanderrs beat Melbourne Victory 1-0. He ended up in the victorious dressing room.

The Bunnies coach spent a portion of last week with Popovic inside the Wanderers organisation.

Popovic now has plans to visit South Sydney's Redfern headquarters when Maguire returns from a trip to Arizona.

The cross-code relationship just may help the Wanderers to A-League glory and Souths to an elusive NRL premiership.

Coach Michael Maguire and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Domestic Airport after returning from Townsville Source: News Limited

"He (Popovic) is a great fella," Maguire said from America.

"I can see why they are having success.

"He is a very smart coach."

Asked did they share ideas, Maguire said: "He is very similar to me, always learning."

Maguire was so keen to watch the action on Saturday night he was spotted sitting in the rain.

"The match against Victory was a good opportunity to bring Michael in to see how we do things at the Wanderers," Popovic said.

"I look forward to taking some time to visit Redfern oval in the coming months."

Andy Paschalidis, Sky Sports Radio football commentator and Wanderers ground announcer, watched Maguire and Popvic mingle on Saturday evening.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael at the game. I first noticed him talking to some of the Wanderers backroom staff at the dressing room entrance before the game," Paschalidis said.

Tony Popovic during the Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory A League game at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. pic mark evans Source: News Limited

"Then I bumped into him in the Premier's Lounge where he would have been the guest of (Wanderers executive chairman) Lyall Gorman. It was an engaging conversation with 'Madge' stating that both he and Tony Popovic are very similar in many ways and that he was very keen to forge a long-term friendship.

"Michael was enthralled by the match day spectacle on the back of spending time with 'Poppa' and the team in midweek.

"Like many who make it to 'Wanderland' for the first time he couldn't believe how such a franchise could have developed so quickly, reached such great heights on the pitch and drawn a strong supporter base.

"Despite the rain he decided to head outside and take in the atmosphere during the second half; no doubt impressed that the majority of the Wanderers fans didn't move from their seats for the entire match."

Maguire's Rabbioths fell one game short of the 2013 grand final, Popovic's Wanderers were beaten in the A-League grand final earlier this year.

Popovic visited Wayne Bennett several years ago when he coached the St George Illawarra Dragons.


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Beefy takes long handle to Aussies

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ENGLAND legend Ian Botham has launched a scathing attack on Australia's batting depth - labelling it the weakest Ashes line-up ever.

Botham, speaking at a sports lunch on the Gold Coast yesterday, also described the attempt to wind Kevin Pietersen up as "dumb" and said the recent slanging match would only wake the sleeping giant.

The South African-born Pietersen, who celebrates his 100th Test for England at the Gabba tomorrow, has been the subject of a media tirade this week.

He was dubbed "so arrogant not even his own team likes him" on the front page of Monday's Courier Mail and was later involved in a Twitter exchange with a News Limited journalist about the story.

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The episode seemed harmless but Botham warned the attack would only motivate Pietersen.

"If that's the best the Aussies can come up with in the newspapers and if you think you are going to rile people of his experience then you're dumb," he said.

"What you are doing is winding him up and I wouldn't wind him up if I was you guys, and you might well pay heavily.

"KP only wants to play in big series.

"The big arena is not playing in warm-up games and he will be just building himself up nicely until Thursday."

Pietersen's perceived arrogance has caused headaches in the England team for years.

His international career was in jeopardy last year after he was embroiled in a texting scandal when he sent messages - including an attack on his then England captain, Andrew Strauss - to rival South African players.

But Botham said players like "KP" are essential in the modern era where world cricket has lost many of its colourful characters.

Ian Botham and Greg Ritchie chat about old times at an annual charity lunch in Surfers Paradise. Source: News Limited

"Yes he gets under people's skin but that is what he is there to do," he said.

"Does everyone like Michael Clarke? Does everyone like Ricky Ponting? And did everyone like Dennis Lillee when he played?

"We need great players ... and he is one of the best players that has walked on the planet.

"There's been so much talk, so much gobbledygook spoken and I bet Australia wish they had a player like Kevin Pietersen."

England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker said Australian openers Chris Rogers and David Warner will need to go beyond their call of duty if the home team is to claim back the urn this summer.

"Their batting is very fragile and it's as fragile as I've ever seen an Australia line-up," said Botham, who single-handily destroyed Australia in the 1981 Ashes series.

"It's not detrimental to the players out there but when I think of the sides we've seen over the last few years and the quality then you need to get a good start and you can't be two or three (wickets) down and expose your best players early in the game.

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"There is pressure on the openers and the England bowlers know that and will target that."

Botham, who claimed 383 wickets in 102 Tests for his nation, also believes Australia doesn't have the bowling depth to challenge England this summer.

"You better look after Ryan (Harris) because if he goes down and where you are with cricketers at the current moment you are going to suffer," Botham said.

"I don't see the other guys coming up to the plate.

"Mitchell Johnson has got to deliver and he has got to be able to bowl consistently and you can't leave it all down to Ryan Harris."


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Heavyweight battle Kiwis and Poms

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SUNDAY morning's World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand is being billed as a battle of the heavyweights and it's an appropriate description when you consider the relative size of the forwards packs each side will put out.

The Kiwis have arguably the most formidable pack in the tournament, with the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Sonny Bill Williams.

It's one with power and skill and a large part of New Zealand's game plan is based around forward dominance.

But England won't be intimidated. They have the Burgess clan - Sam and Tom are the lightest of the three at 116kg - and workhorse front-rower James Graham.

In fact, England's starting pack in their quarter-final against France was slightly heavier than New Zealand's at 625kg to the Kiwis' 620kg and they also brought George Burgess and his 120kg frame off the bench.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of New Zealand during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

England and New Zealand have taken a different approach to Australia, who have opted for a more mobile pack, and it's helped by the slow play-the-balls seen so far at this World Cup and 12 interchanges allowed in the international game.

There will be a number of intriguing match-ups on Sunday, not least of all the one between Williams and Sam Burgess. Williams will play on the right side, Burgess on the left.

Williams leads the tournament in offloads with 13 (Burgess has five) while Burgess is third among forwards for tackle breaks with 16 (Williams has 14).

"They have a lot of big boys but we should be able to match them," Matulino said.

"They are going alright in the tournament and so are we.

"Sam Burgess is in the top three forwards in the game at the moment. You know what he's going to bring because he brings it every week in the NRL. He's going to come out and hit hard and run hard.

"James Graham is a workhorse. He tackles and runs all day. We have a little bit of insight but our track record against them in England isn't too good so we are the underdogs."

Sam Moa (C) of New Zealand acknowledges the crowds applause on a lap of honour after his sides victory during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Kiwis haven't beaten England in the UK since 2005 and Matulino has been involved in the last two tours.

He debuted in the unsuccessful 2009 Four Nations, when the Kiwis won only one game against France, and returned for their poor 2011 campaign when their only win was against Wales.

He had a great season in 2012, when he was Warriors' Player of the Year, but his form dipped in 2013.

"I think I'm playing a bit better [at the World Cup] than what I was in the NRL," he said.

"I'm a lot more confident playing alongside these boys.

"Everyone is driving each other in this team. Sonny is probably leading the way. When he does stuff, people tend to copy and it rubs off on the others."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said last week's side against Scotland was close to his favoured 17 but there's still a question mark around the fourth front-rower with Sam Kasiano and Sam Moa going head-to-head.

Moa was preferred last week over Kasiano, who had previously played in all three games on tour and was said to be in need of a rest.

If Kasiano was to play, his 1.96m and 122kg frame - it's closer to 130kg - would only add to what is already a weighty match.


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Socceroos Report Card

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"It's a starting point and we want to get better".

Ange Postecoglou might not have been doing cartwheels, but he was certainly a satisfied man after the Socceroos opened his account as coach with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

There was evidence of what the side worked on at training, signs of a renewed spirit and energy, the return of a structure and organised set-up and glimpses in attack to bury the memories of a torrid few months for the green and gold.

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It's only a step forward and the 1-0 win against an underwhelming Costa Rica is nothing to get carried away over. As Mark Bosnich noted on Fox Sports after the match, there's a long way to go just to be competitive in Brazil next year, but it's a hell of an improvement.

We run the rule over the first performance in the Postecoglou era.

OVERALL/TACTICS

The pride in the green and gold returned, and they are starting to remember what it's like to play with the ball again.

It was fascinating hearing veteran Mark Bresciano elaborate on the difference over the past week: "(It was) different (under Ange). I think you can see the boys are enjoying their football again, we showed that tonight - keeping possession, looking to play ... We got our enthusiasm back."

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The Socceroos pressed the Costa Rican midfield well for the majority of the 90 minutes, which went a long way to winning the midfield battle, and retrieving the ball promptly if we did happen to turn it over.

If that high tempo, energised style is to become a hallmark under Postecoglou, then we're going to see a return to a type of character that once again befits our national side.

Postecoglou is making no secrets of his approach. Mat Ryan was preferred because of his comfort with the ball at his feet; the coach singled out his full-backs for their energetic performances, and even in the dying moments of the match, you could hear the coach barking "keep the ball, keep the ball".

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A confidence returned to the side on the ball and there were more forward passes played than in a long time. Sure, the opponents didn't put a great deal of pressure on the Socceroos this time around, but the signs of the work in progress are promising.

There was always pace available in midfield - and in stark contrast to some of the recent performances under Holger Osieck, there was mobility and structure that helped support Bresciano, Neill and co, and build towards the clean sheet.

Was there cohesion for 90 minutes? Not at all; even Postecoglou said it was far from the fluency he would like. But it was certainly a step in the right direction - in attitude, demeanour and performance.

Mark : B+

MATCH REPORT: ANGE ERA OFF TO WINNING START

ANALYSIS: PLENTY OF POSITIVES FOR ANGE

TIRADE: NEILL: 'WHY ARE YOU F***IN BOOING?'

AS IT HAPPENED: RE-LIVE OUR INTERACTIVE BLOG

PLAYER RATING: WHO SHONE FOR THE SOCCEROOS?

DEFENCE

All the talk in the days leading into the game were that Mitchell Langerak would get the nod between the sticks, but game time for Club Brugge and his ability to sweep off his line and distribute saw Ryan get the nod. Barring two nervous miscommunications with Jason Davidson and Lucas Neill in the first-half, the former Central Coast Mariners stopper had little to worry about.

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That had a lot to do with a terrific performance from the back-four. Ivan Franjic is arguably the epitome of the type of player Postecoglou wants in his side, and he did not look out of place at this level, feeding Kruse cleanly all night, was on the money defensively at right back and often the man scrambling back to defuse dangerous situations.

Davidson, playing with Hercules in the Dutch first division, enjoyed his best 90 minute display for the Socceroos - recovering well after almost enduring a horror start when he headed past Ryan and scoring another international own goal. With the country craving a genuine left-back to step up to the plate, he now finds himself in the box seat, and was lavished with praise from Postecoglou after the match.

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A lot of focus was on captain Lucas Neill at the back, but alongside Rhys Williams, then Ryan McGowan, they were hardly troubled. Australia drifted a bit too deep midway through the first-half, but the back-four returned to squeezing further up the field in the second term, and Neill was quick to pressure Joel Campbell or Jonathan McDonald when they had their back to goal.

It's hard to remember Ryan having to make a save of note, so it was a job well done by the back-four.

"I thought he (Neill) marshalled the defence really well," Postecoglou said. "He kept us nice and compact.

"Rhys has been fantastic all week - he tweaked his groin yesterday, so to get through 60 minutes was (great)."

Mark: B

MIDFIELD

What an encouraging performance from Mark Milligan and Mile Jedinak playing alongside each other as the screening 'two' in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

"It's the first time I've played with him (Mile) at international level ... and when one was going, one was sitting," Milligan said after the game.

Indeed, the balance was solid as Australia dominated midfield and possession. Jedinak's work-rate was outstanding, but what was particularly impressive was his distribution - after a wobbly start, it was one of his sharpest displays in green and gold. Alongside Milligan, they consistently broke down Costa Rica's attack and it's a combination that looks promising going forward.

Further down the pitch, the more we see Robbie Kruse on the ball, the better. The Bayer Leverkusen man is a menace and a vital outlet. He almost put one on a platter for Matthew Leckie in the first-half, and his pace, movement and footwork are a treat to watch. He lures an incredible amount of fouls on him, which can put Australia into valuable set-piece territory, and also makes some incisive darts through the heart of the defence.

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It makes such a difference to Milligan and Jedinak to have pace to hit out wide, and if need be, a shrewd ballplayer in front of them. To start with, it was Mark Bresciano. It wasn't his most dangerous or consistent display in green and gold, but he put a tough week behind him to show signs of his importance - although it must be said, Costa Rica weren't putting a great deal of pressure on the Aussies on the ball.

The veteran, though, was arguably upstaged by Tom Rogic's cameo. In his stint, we saw glimpses of his surreal talent as he burst through the heart of midfield. The Celtic man needs more game time at club level, and if he develops that killer instinct, he will be the vital cog in the Roos XI.

Tommy Oar added another dimension when he replaced Dario Vidosic, who was involved in some nice interplay but probably didn't grab his opening with both hands. Oar was a slippery customer on the left.

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Can the midfield move the ball quicker, press more consistently and provide more incisive goal scoring opportunities? Of course. But as flat as Costa Rica were, a lot of it had a to do with the energy resonating from the Socceroos' engine room.

It was a hell of an improvement on recent outings and the intent was there.

Mark: B

UP FRONT

The more things change, the more they stay the same. You can throw all the analysis out the window, because at the end of the day, it was Australia's talisman who scored the way he has so many times for the national side - soaring above the pack with his head off a set piece.

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Cahill certainly provided an excellent focal point when he came on, but credit has to go to Mathew Leckie for his first big outing at international level. Alone up front, he drifted into space, was able to hold the ball up and link with the oncoming midfielders. On another day, would have had a goal.

We didn't see a lot of Cahill and Kennedy together, but there mere fact they were on together is another sign that there is a new coach in charge, prepared to try things.

Mark: B


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