Young gun Percat stays on the V8 grid

Nick Percat has signed with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport. Photo: Supplied. Source: Supplied

NICK Percat has catapulted from victim to victor in V8 Supercars' off-season musical chairs as a shock signing for Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in 2015.

The 26-year-old South Australian appeared destined to miss out on a full-time drive next season under a sponsorship funding shortfall with Walkinshaw Racing.

But a late deal with a likely two-car Lucas Dumbrell entry has given the 2011 Bathurst 1000 winner a chance to capitalise on a rookie V8 Supercars season that left him an impressive 12th in the championship.

"Extremely excited, and somewhat relieved," Percat, in Adelaide with family for Christmas, said. "After a solid year I thought I was definitely going to get a good drive in something.

"It's great that Lucas wanted to get a good driver in and help boost his team, so it's the perfect result for me.

"It's really encouraging that he wants me to be that guy that helps him improve the team."

Percat effectively replaces retiring motorsport veteran and fellow South Australian Russell Ingall in the LDM entry.

The Dumbrell garage downscaled to one car in 2014 but has committed to fielding two in 2015. It was thought that Percat would remain locked in to Walkinshaw Racing — which runs four cars including the two Holden Racing Team Commodores — but the team's failure to provide a full-time drive released him from a multi-year contract.

Percat finished with 1921 championship points in his debut year, just 18 points short of a top-10 finish. He ranked second among rookies, behind only Bathurst 1000-winner Chaz Mostert.

Despite a year that featured two podium finishes including a third at Bathurst, Percat found himself on the outer through no fault of his own earlier this month. His 2014 entry was underpinned by the racing entitlements contract of James Rosenberg, a long-time backer of young talents including Tim Slade.

But Rosenberg was forced to return his licence before 2015's December 1 entry deadline when a lack of commercial backing meant the SA entrepreneur would have had to have funded the shortfall for a second successive year.

Linking with team owner Dumbrell strengthens a long-time friendship between the pair.

"To come here and be lead driver is a different scenario to what I have been used to, but LDM has very good equipment, a Triple Eight Race Engineering-built Holden Commodore, and all the right people," Percat said.

"This team has grown up considerably in the past 12 months and I want to help it continue building momentum — we can show everyone what we are all truly capable of."

Dumbrell said signing Percat was a key step in his team's competitive development.

"Nick thought, through no fault of his own, it was going to be a pretty average Christmas for him so I'm thrilled that we've been able to bring him some joy for the festive season," Dumbrell said.

"I believe Nick's signing with LDM is the next step in our development as a team. It's an understatement to say I'm excited. The whole team is, and we all go away for the Christmas holidays knowing we're going to hit the track running in 2015."

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Ange backs Cahill for fourth World Cup

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ANGE Postecoglou has backed star Tim Cahill to play in a fourth consecutive World Cup.

Cahill was due to retire from international football after next month's Asian Cup, but his form suggests he could still be making an impact by Russia 2018.

The New York Red Bulls striker was among the 23-man squad named on Tuesday to play in the Asian Cup, with the Socceroos opening the tournament against Kuwait at AAMI Park on January 9.

Veterans Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Brett Holman and Luke Wilkshire have faded into the sunset on Postecoglou's watch, but the Socceroos coach said the door was open for Cahill, who will be 38 years and six months old when the 2018 World Cup kicks off.

"I'd be delighted if he's still banging in goals like he is now in four years,'' Postecoglou said.

"If you go on the evidence of the last 12 months, particularly in international football, Timmy's still a world-class striker and if he continues in that form that's fantastic for us.

"Timmy's a very important part of what we're doing and what we're building, not just on the field but off the field too.

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"He's been a fantastic leader for this young group in the last 12 months.

"I don't think I've called an end to anybody's career. All I do is select squads and then people make decisions beyond that.

"It's not up to me to tell people when their career should finish. I have a responsibility to select squads and players will make their decisions.''

Cahill's Red Bulls contract has another year to run but recent indications are that he may move on, with a return to England floated.

Australia's record scorer has scored eight of the 12 goals scored since Postecoglou replaced Holger Osieck.

"The pleasing thing for me is that, speaking to Tim, he makes these decisions on the back of him wanting to prolong his international career,'' Postecoglou said.

"So he'll make a decision that he thinks his best for him to continue wearing the Australian shirt, which I think is fantastic, the fact he's willing to put his country first.

"He's a pretty smart cookie, he's probably smarter than me when it comes to making the right moves. So I'd back him to make a good move again and hopefully we continue to get the best out of him.''

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Golden result for Coast in carnival reshuffle

Red Tracer wins this year's Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm. The Group 1 race will be run on the Gold Coast next year. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

GOLD Coast will be the only provincial club in Australia to host a Group 1 this season with confirmation the 2015 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) will be held on the Coast in June.

It comes as Racing Queensland officially moved the 2015 Stradroke Handicap to Doomben after ruling out the use of Eagle Farm racecourse for next year's Queensland Winter Carnival.

Racing Queensland chief executive Darren Condon. Source: Supplied

The Gold Coast club has been anxious to host a Group 1 race for many years and on Tuesday they got their wish when the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara meeting on June 20 was officially moved from Eagle Farm to the Coast.

In other changes announced by RQ, the Queensland Oaks meeting (May 30) and Stradbroke Day (June 6) have both been moved from Eagle Farm to Doomben.

It means the Stradbroke will be shortened from 1400m to 1350m next year, while the Queensland Derby and Queensland Oaks will both be held over 2200m instead of the traditional 2400m in 2015.

The above alterations are among a host of distance changes to feature races during next year's winter carnival due to the reshuffle.

Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said hosting the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara next year was like another early Christmas present for the club.

The announcement came on the back of news last Friday that the Gold Coast club will play host to Australia's richest race day, the $10 million Magic Millions from 2016.

"It's been a big few days for the club and this just tops it off," Cook said.

"Now we have two feature meetings during the Queensland winter carnival and it's fantastic to have the time-honoured Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and Prime Minister's Cup Day on Anzac Day and then have the Tattersall's Tiara meeting at the end of the carnival as well."

With the Tattersall's Tiara all but certain to return to Brisbane in 2016, Cook said the next challenge was to have a regular Group 1 race on the Coast.

"Our long term plan is to get the Hollindale up to Group 1 standard," he said.

"Having said that, it's fantastic that we will become the first club next year to host a Group 1 race outside of a metropolitan racetrack in Queensland."

RQ chief executive Darren Condon admits not being able to use Queensland's premier track (Eagle Farm) for the 2015 carnival is not ideal but he said the reshuffle will give valuable opportunities to other clubs in the state.

"We now have the Gold Coast Turf Club running a Group 1 in the Tatt's Tiara and the Sunshine Coast hosting a top two-mile race in the Queensland Cup, which presents great opportunities for fans in those regions," he said.

RQ also announced Toowoomba Turf Club would have a month off racing from January 19 following a host of problems in the past year with the club's new StrathAyr grass surface.

A dethatching process will be completed on the Toowoomba grass track during its break from racing in a bid to have the surface in prime condition for the club's feature winter carnival meeting on May 2.

Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook says hosting the Tattersall's Tiara next year is another early Christmas present for the club. Source: News Limited

The below changes for the 2015 Queensland Winter Carnival have been put through to the Australian Pattern Committee in a formal request by RQ.

April 11, Doomben

- Chief De Beers Handicap from 1000m to 1110m (previously at SC Turf Club May 16 — Caloundra Cup Day)

- Tails Stakes from 1800m to 1600m (previously at Eagle Farm May 30)

May 16, Sunshine Coast

(Caloundra Cup meeting)

- Bribie Handicap distance unchanged (previously June 20 Tatts Tiara meeting)

May 23, Doomben

(Premiers Cup meeting)

· Premiers Cup from 2200m to 2000m

· Grand Prix Stakes from 2200m to 2000m

· The Roses from 2200m to 2000m

May 30, Doomben

(Queensland Oaks Day meeting which was previously held at Eagle Farm)

· QTC Cup (G2) from 1300m to 1200m

· Lightning Handicap (Listed) from 1000m to 1050m

· Spear Chief Handicap (Listed) from 1500m to 1600m

· Queensland Oaks (G1) from 2400m to 2200m

· Phoenix (Listed) from 1400m to 1350m

River Lad narrowly claims this year's Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Mark Cranitch Source: News Corp Australia

June 6, Doomben

(Stradbroke Day meeting which was previously held at Eagle Farm)

· Stradbroke Handicap (G1) from 1400m to 1350m

· Brisbane Cup (G2) from 2400m to 2200m

· Queensland Derby (G1) from 2400m to 2200m

· Dane Ripper (G2) from 1400m to 1350m

June 20, Gold Coast Turf Club

(Tattersall's Tiara meeting which was previously held at Eagle Farm)

· Healy Stakes (G3) from 1300m to 1200m

· Daybreak Lover (Listed) from 1600m to 1800m

· Tattersall's Tiara (G1) — unchanged

· Mercedes Benz Stakes (Listed) — unchanged

· Tattersall's Racing Club Open Handicap (Listed) — unchanged

· Tattersall's Cup (G3) — unchanged

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Hales fails, Sixers cruise to victory

Alex Hales was dismissed for one as the Hobart Hurricanes lost to Sydney Sixers. Source: Nikki Davis-Jones / News Corp Australia

BOOM import Alex Hales' nightmare start to his Hobart career has continued at Blundstone Arena as the Sydney Sixers sank the Hurricanes in their home Big Bash League debut.

Hoping to kick-start a new era at Bellerive following the opening of the Western Stand, the Hurricanes crashed to Sydney by seven wickets in front of 13,140 fans.

Hales, the No. 3 ranked Twenty20 batsman in the world, failed for the second straight match and then dropped a relatively straight forward catch in the field which not only let fellow Englishman Michael Lumb off the hook but gifted him six runs in the process.

Nic Maddinson blasted 29 runs from the first two overs. Source: Getty Images

Hales earlier scored just one before skying Brett Lee to Sixers gloveman Ryan Carters in the opening over — his solitary run in the competition from just six balls faced in two innings after his duck against the Melbourne Stars on Saturday night.

Thanks largely to skipper George Bailey (71 from 44 balls) the Hurricanes amassed 8-154 but it was a total which never looked big enough once rising star Nic Maddinson produced an early blitzkrieg to launch the chase.

Maddinson cracked 29 from 12 balls, which included three consecutive boundaries off Ben Hilfenhaus in the opening over and another two in the next, as well as a towering six over mid-wicket, from Joe Mennie.

Although the 23-year-old threw his wicket away when he holed out to long-on in the third over, he had handed the visitors the momentum which Lumb (44 from 31) and debutant Riki Wessels (22) fed off during a 67 run partnership.

Michael Lumb top scored for the Sydney Sixers with 44 runs. Source: Getty Images

Lumb was on 35 in the 10th over when he top edged Mennie to deep fine leg, only for Hales to spill the chance over the boundary for six.

It didn't cost the Hurricanes too much when Lumb slapped a Cameron Boyce half tracker to deep mid-wicket next over, but by then the damage had been done as the Sixers were still travelling at nearly 10 runs an over.

Moises Henriques (29 not out) and Jordan Silk (31 not out) calmly guided the Sixers home with five balls spare.

"It [154] could have been [enough], but realistically it probably wasn't, we saw last night anything is in the game if you can take early wickets," Bailey said.

"But a pretty good onslaught there from Nic Maddinson at the top made it difficult for us.

George Bailey top scored for the Hurricanes with 71. Source: Getty Images

"It would have been nice to get about 170 on that.

"I thought our bowling was a little off tonight, particularly after how we had seen the Sixers bowl ... they had given us a blueprint on how best to bowl."

With help from Tim Paine (36 from 27) and Ben Dunk (23), Bailey lifted the home side to a competitive target after winning the toss in a contest reduced to 19 overs apiece following a delayed start due to the weather.

The Australian vice-captain was subdued early — his first 12 runs took 14 balls — before he began to flourish in smacking six boundaries and three sixes.

New cult hero Darren Sammy was unable to reproduce his heroics from the MCG, hitting a catch to deep mid-wicket for just two.

Former Australian speedster Brett Lee finished with 3-34 for Sydney, two of which came as part of a team hat-trick from the final three balls of the innings.

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Mata’utia mum to decide sons’ future

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TEENAGE sensation Sione Mata'utia says the motivation and inspiration behind his remarkable rise to Test football — his mum Matalena — will have the final say in his long-term playing future and the future of his brothers Chanel and Pat.

And in a stunning admission which underlines the level of respect he has for his more experienced teammates at the Newcastle Knights, Australia's youngest ever Kangaroo star expects to start next season in either NSW Cup or Holden Cup Under 20s because he claims his Test selection has "guaranteed me nothing" at club level.

UNWRAPPING THE NRL'S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

NEXT YOUNG GUNS TO BREAK INTO NSW SIDE

In his first major interview since debuting for the Kangaroos in the Four Nations tournament, the humble kid Wayne Bennett hailed as a future Knights captain and great of the game before he had even played NRL, opened up exclusively to The Daily Telegraph about playing for his country, his love for his family, the Newcastle Knights and why what is best for his mum will ultimately determine his long-term future.

Sione Mata'utia is back into training ahead of the 2015 season. Source: News Corp Australia

THE DREAM

Sione still finds the feeling of being selected for Australia and becoming this country's youngest Test player hard to put into words.

"It's all happened so fast. Getting some games in the Four Nations was awesome," he said.

"I don't know what to say about it — how to express it. I'm just truly honoured, truly blessed from above. All I try to do is make my mum proud and I guess she was and that makes me happy.

"Just to rub shoulders with those senior players. Six months ago, I'm watching them on television and supporting them and the next thing I know, I'm in the same room playing cards with them.

"I know why all the veteran players hold onto that kind of stuff. You just get addicted to it.

"Coming away from camp, I just want more of it now but I'm not getting too far ahead of myself."

Sione Mata'utia enjoyed his first taste of Test footy. Pic: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

THE EXPERIENCE

Sione said he initially felt "scared" to be in the company of the game's elite players but playing cards and table tennis with his idols helped break the ice.

"Josh Papalii was great. He sort of took me under his wing and Cameron Smith and GI (Greg Inglis) were others but I guess the whole camp was a really tight-knit group," he said.

"All the boys played cards. Greg Bird's probably one of the funniest and Beau Scott.

"We played in partners and "Birdman" wasn't too happy with me because I had no clue and struggled at the start so I had to get good fast."

FAMILY

Nothing is more important to Sione, who has a twin sister Sylvia, older sisters Jana and Josephine and three older footballing brothers Peter, Chanel and Pat.

He says his mum Matalena is his inspiration, raising seven kids on her own after separating from Sione's father and moving the family to Newcastle in 2000.

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"We didn't have a whole lot growing up but we had each other and that's why we are all so close now," Sione said.

"My father passed away last year of heart disease. I wasn't as close to him as my older brothers and sisters and it hit them pretty hard but I always knew that he was my father and it was a sad loss for the whole family.

"Mum took care of us and had a really hard time of it working three jobs back then. I'm truly thankful for what she did.

"She was doing it tough back then, dropping us off to training with one car — four boys who had different training times at different grounds. I don't know how she did it but she did and I guess that's where we get our motivation to train hard and play hard and be good at what we do because it's an opportunity for us to pay back our mum now.

"We can now let her rest up and have some time to herself. Give her good things and let her celebrate her life a little bit."

Despite becoming a Kangaroos rep, Sione Mata'utia doesn't think he's guaranteed a start with the Knights. Pic: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

NO GUARANTEES

Despite making his Test debut, Sione says he is not expecting to start next season with the Knights in the top grade.

"It's good to go on an Aussie tour and be recognised but coming back here, you've got plenty of players who still have the drive to get a spot in the first grade team," he said.

"So it brings the best out of everyone. It brings the best out of me too and it's why I came back to training two weeks early. I didn't want to fall behind.

"I'll probably play a little bit of NSW Cup or Under 20s. As weird as it sounds an Aussie Kangaroo player playing 20s, that's how we are here.

"Just because you are an Aussie player, doesn't mean you get a spot straight away."

THE FUTURE

Despite signing a letter of intent that could see them join the Bulldogs on a four years deal from 2016, Sione says he and brothers Chanel and Pat remain keen to stay at the Knights long term.

But when it comes to a final decision, mum's the word.

"There are some obstacles in the way but we want to get it sorted out as soon as possible," he said.

"We all want it to be here (Newcastle) but if it takes us elsewhere, it takes us elsewhere.

"It will come down to what suits my mum best. She will have a talk to the club and let them know what she thinks and if she is happy with that, we'll take it.

"To be honest, wherever we go, footy is always going to be there. We just have to take care of our mum first because she is our number one priority."

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Carlisle hit by truck, fights for life

Alive but stable ... Clarke Carlisle was hit by a truck. Picture: YouTube Source: Supplied

FORMER English Premier League defender Clarke Carlisle, who was once deemed Britain's Brainest Footballer', is "very poorly" but "alive and stable" after being hit by a truck, his wife Gemma has announced.

The 35-year-old who played for Burnley, Leeds and Queens Park Rangers was struck by a lorry in North Yorkshire on Monday.

Sportsman ... Clarke Carlisle in his playing days. Picture: YouTube Source: Supplied

His wife posted the first update on her husband's condition on Twitter: "Clarke's very poorly but he's alive and stable. Best Christmas gift we as a family could wish for. Thanks again."

Carlisle became the Professional Players Association chairman in 2010 and carried out the role for three years before stepping down in 2013.

Advocate ... Clarke Carlisle has spoken out against homophobia and racism as well as raising awareness for mental health. Picture: YouTube Source: Supplied

In 2002 was awarded the title of "Britain's Brainiest Footballer" in a TV game show.

He has worked as an advocate to stamp out racism and homophobia in sport, as well as raising the profile of mental health after revealing that he tried to kill himself after he retired from football.

Representatives from the PFA visited Carlisle in hospital, and in a short statement the organisation said: "Everyone at the PFA is keeping Clarke Carlisle in their prayers and thoughts.

"We visited Clarke at the hospital yesterday and we are offering our full help and support to him and his family at this difficult time."

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