Aussie tennis’ time is at hand

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With great respect to John Lennon, somebody did tell us there would be days like these.

Days when a large group of Australian men would make the second round at the Australian Open, the best of them capable of rubbing Buddhist love symbol tattoos with the best players in the world.

Days when smoke came from remote controls as Australians flipped between the exploits of not one but two genuinely exciting prospects, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Days when Australia looked set to reclaim its place as a First World tennis nation, even if it wasn't like the "old days''. Because only the most deluded romantic believed Australians could again win Grand Slam titles like they were locker room drinking contests in a game now so cosmopolitan David Warner would need a full-time interpreter.

Thanasi Kokkinakis takes it all in after beating Ernests Gulbis. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The man who told us was Craig Tiley, a diminutive, fast-talking South African who had made his name on the American college circuit and took over Tennis Australia's development program in 2005.

Tiley spoke in business shorthand, worked a Blackberry instead of racquet-stringer and didn't seem to care that the coach he just replaced was Kenny Rosewall's old hitting partner or Neil Fraser's nephew.

As Tiley says: "If you've got an accent, you've got a slideshow and you're from out of town, you're an expert.'' And people don't like experts.

So the natives grew restless. I mean, all Harry Hopman needed to rule the tennis world was an ant-bed court and a basket of beaten up practice balls. Who does this bloke think he is?

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It got worse. Tiley went all King Herod. Young players were wrenched from the bosoms of their childhood coaches and put into centralised coaching programs. Or so they claimed.

So over the next decade the old guard plotted rebellion as the media and public grew impatient. There were board room challenges, an unflattering Four Corners "expose'' and corridor whispers that Tiley, who became Australian Open tournament organiser then TA chief executive, was a controlling megalomaniac.

Tiley blocked his ears. Asked the hardest thing he had done over the past decade, he says: "Not being swayed by the commentary. Not changing course after every setback.''

Yet from the seemingly intransigent Tiley there were significant concessions. Importantly he rebuilt some bridges, embraced former critics – Lleyton Hewitt among them – and anointed a successor.

Nick Kyrgios takes time out to sign a few Autographs at training. Source: Getty Images

TA's new tennis director Pat Rafter on Tuesday paid homage to Tiley by saying he would be "building on a good foundation''. Yet, significantly, the Queenslander will be his own man.

Players in Rafter's system will be forced to attend school because only a precious few will make money from the game. Fourteen year-old prospects will spend more time in Bondi than Berlin and, Rafter hopes, still be in love with the sport when they attempt to break into the big time.

Rafter is blessed with unusual common sense, but also because he has inherited a system already producing elite talent. Unlike the Mother Hubbards of the past he won't be constantly dogged by questions about why Australia's cupboard is bare.

Sam Groth will take on Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round. Source: Getty Images

So finally, as Australian tennis's godfather John Newcombe puts it, "everyone is rowing in the same direction''.

"You got a feeling it (the resurgence of Australian men's tennis) was happening for the past 18 months,'' says Newcombe. "But you've got to get the wins on the board to back it up.''

So at the stroke of midnight on Monday when Kyrgios and Kokkanakis had completed five-set first round victories and Australian tennis seemed to turn from a pumpkin into a pumpkin pie, how did Tiley feel? Proud? Fulfilled? Vindicated?

Lleyton Hewitt is the veteran amongst an exciting batch of young stars. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

"Standing in the corridor of Melbourne Park holding one of his three children aged three years-old and under, the answer should be "tired''. Instead it is hungry.

It's nice to have more players than we have had before,'' says Tiley. "I want to have more. I want the players we've got to progress through the ranks. I never want to reach the point of satisfaction.''

Australian tennis refusing to dine out on signs of success and instead looking wisely and harmoniously to the future?

Great days indeed.

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Speedster Gordon’s future in limbo

Kevin Gordon of the Titans runs the ball. Source: Tony Feder / Getty Images

THEY came through the grades together and now Titans winger David Mead has backed fellow speedster Kevin Gordon to become an NRL force again.

After years of consistent NRL action, Gordon is facing an uncertain future on the Gold Coast as he battles to bounce back from injury and poor form.

The 25-year-old was left out of the club's Auckland Nines squad by coach Neil Henry as he continues his recovery from knee and hip complaints.

Gordon has been in full training with the squad for some time but has seemingly fallen back in the pecking order of wingers.

Kevin Gordon and David Mead sweat it out in the gym. Source: News Corp Australia

Anthony Don and Kalifa Faifai Loa have moved ahead of him in the selection stakes while Henry will be desperate to fit Mead, vice-captain William Zillman and Broncos recruit Josh Hoffman into his Round 1 team.

Gordon, who has 112 NRL appearances under his belt, is almost certain to start the season in the Intrust Super Cup but Mead backed his sparring partner to return to the big time soon.

"I've always known Kev to work really hard," Mead said.

"He'll be doing whatever he can to make sure he gets a position in the team.

"He hasn't been on the field much because he had the clean-out on his knee and hip which held him back last year but he'll be doing everything he can to get a position on the field.

"Whether it's against me or any other winger he'll be making sure he works hard for it."

"Flash" Gordon burst on to the NRL scene in 2009 with his scintillating speed and freakish tryscoring ability making him an instant star.

Kevin Gordon makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

But he has struggled to produce consistently good form since suffering a devastating knee injury in 2011 and Henry is now blessed with a plethora of wing options.

"Last year, Kalifa and Boog (Don) got some time there and have been training really well," Mead said.

"They're some of the fittest guys in the team.

"They really want to improve so there's definitely a lot of heat there. There's always been someone coming through wanting to take the positions."

Titans assistant coach Terry Matterson said the club wasn't willing to risk an underdone Gordon in the fast-paced Nines later this month.

"Coming back from that hip operation and at this point in time we're not keen to risk anyone who's not 100 per cent," he said.

"We're hopeful but it's important he gets back 100 per cent fit before he plays."

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Matterson also hosed down speculation the club was in the mix to sign disgruntled Manly centre Steve Matai.

Henry has had discussions with Matai's manager, Gavin Orr, but it's unlikely the ex-Kiwi centre will be heading to the Gold Coast given he's chasing a three-year contract and the Titans are only willing to offer two seasons.

"I'm not really involved in those sorts of talks but, at the moment, I don't think they'll be going down that avenue," Matterson said.

"You're always going to be looking at things, even if your full squad is bedded down.

"People are always looking to recruit and you find ways to bring people in.

"We're pretty happy with the way things are and the guys here now are going to get first opportunity."

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Inglis captaincy to stop cashed-up clubs

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The Rabbitohs captaincy could end up being the carrot that keeps Greg Inglis in rugby league for the long haul.

Hot on the heels of yesterday's stunning announcement that Inglis would take over from premiership-winning skipper John Sutton this year, it has emerged that cashed-up rugby clubs in France and the United Kingdom are already sounding out the NRL's biggest superstar.

This is despite the fact Inglis doesn't come off contract until the end of 2017.

INGLIS TAKES OVER SOUTHS CAPTAINCY

Greg Inglis during South Sydney Rabbitohs training. Source: News Corp Australia

After losing Sam Burgess, Jarryd Hayne and Sonny Bill Williams at the end of last year, the last thing the NRL can afford now is for Inglis to even entertain the prospect of testing his value in a rival code.

But while Inglis is contracted at Souths for three more seasons, Burgess and Hayne's decisions to leave with time to run on their NRL deals is more proof anything is possible and the word filtering down from the Northern Hemisphere is that it's no secret Inglis has the talent to match Israel Folau who has been a phenomenon in rugby.

The fact is Inglis could stand to earn double what he is on now if he decides to go.

Asked if the rugby speculation was indeed fact, Inglis' manager Allan Gainey admitted to The Daily Telegraph last night: "There has been consistent contact from agents acting for clubs over there.

Greg Inglis makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

"We have said nothing at this stage. We are not prepared to entertain anything just yet until Greg says 'let's have a look at it'.

"But he hasn't said that at this stage.

"He has never said no (about the possibility of switching codes).

"I think he has been quoted a couple of times publicly where he said you just don't know. He is not going to say he is never going to do that.

"His heart is definitely in rugby league and it always has been.

"But in saying that when you get to that stage in your career ... who knows."

Inglis is 28 and while he made his NRL debut way back in 2005 he said going into last year's Four Nations final that he will play on as long as his body holds up.

"He reckons he can play until he is 35," Gainey said.

Greg Inglis announced as the new South Sydney captain. Source: News Corp Australia

While NRL boss Dave Smith last year introduced a war-chest designed to keep the biggest names in rugby league, the fact is we lost three of the best in Burgess, Hayne and Williams — and that's not forgetting Folau also started his career in the NRL along with Karmichael Hunt.

So far Smith is yet to dip his fingers into his secret pot of gold but if Inglis starts getting itchy feet Smith will have no choice but to act.

The tax rate in France is said to be a huge attraction and the extra money players can earn from sporting endorsements also dwarfs what they get in the NRL.

Greg Inglis salutes the crowd. Source: News Corp Australia

Gainey was adamant Inglis' focus right now was solely on Souths.

But it is also a manager's job to always be on the lookout.

As Gainey said: "I wouldn't be one to say if something came up he wouldn't consider it.

"It would only be a matter of him saying to me; 'Allan, push the button and see what's there'. And I would be inundated.

"I reckon there would be half a dozen top clubs in the UK and France that would throw their arms at him."

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Madge, Sutton made joint captaincy decision

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The scary thing is Greg Inglis says captaining South Sydney will help take his game to a whole new level in 2015.

Already rated a rugby league Immortal in waiting, Inglis revealed on Tuesday night how he returned from his Christmas break recently and was told by his coach Michael Maguire that he was about to be handed one of the greatest honours of his illustrious career.

Inglis had missed the start of the pre-season due to his Four Nations commitments playing for Australia and during that period Maguire had come to the conclusion with his grand final winning skipper John Sutton that it was time for a leadership change.

INGLIS TAKES OVER SOUTHS CAPTAINCY

Greg Inglis salutes the crowd. Source: News Corp Australia

With Sutton shifting into the forwards full-time this year, Maguire said they both decided it would be best if GI took over.

So Inglis was handed the top job, with a condition.

"I was allowed to tell the family but I told them to keep it quiet," Inglis laughed.

That was until Tuesday when Maguire unloaded his captaincy bombshell that sent shock waves through the rugby league community given Sutton's success last year when leading the club to a drought breaking premiership triumph.

Inglis admitted not saying anything wasn't easy given what this job means to him.

You think South Sydney and you don't just think about their 21 premierships wins but also the club's proud indigenous history. Rugby League historian David Middleton said Inglis becomes only the second full-time indigenous skipper for Rabbitohs following Darrell Trindall who captained the club for all 17 of his games in 1997.

Greg Inglis during the lap of honour in 2014 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia

Which is why Inglis ranks this latest honour right up there with the 33 games he's played for Australia, and the 24 Origins for Queensland that includes his part in eight straight series victories.

"When I stepped in last year for Johnny (as captain when Sutton was out injured) it was a huge honour and now to be captain of such a great club, I am just over the moon," he said.

"It definitely will be up there with the best things that has ever happened to me in rugby league, there is no doubt about it.

"It will be one of the things I look back on after I retire, where I can say I captained South Sydney."

Maguire said the decision to replace Sutton was not made without tremendous consideration.

Greg Inglis announced as the new South Sydney captain. Source: News Corp Australia

Maguire admitted they were in constant talks prior to Christmas, working on a plan to move the club forward.

"John is still very much a part of our leadership,' Maguire said.

"We just felt that it was a good time to hand it over with his move (to the back row).

"John had achieved some great things in his time as a captain but he wants to focus on his football. Still as a leader, but with more emphasis around his footy."

And the coach was adamant Sutton was not offended by the change.

"I was very open with John. It wasn't my decision, it was a dual decision," Maguire explained.

"And John is very much about the team.

South Sydney's Greg Inglis makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

"From Greg's point of view, he has been developing as a person and as a leader and I think everyone sees his stature in the game.

"John and myself thought it was a great opportunity just to freshen us up moving forward."

Asked if he believed captaining the team could potentially make him even more motivated, and a better player, Inglis said: "I'm not going to change anything with the way I play. But I think personally I am ready for this.

"It takes a while to find your feet in this game but given my home life is all sorted and going well, I feel really good about this. I'm looking forward to it and the challenges ahead of us this year."

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Mata’utia can handle the pressure: Stone

Knights player Sione Mata'utia at team training. Source: Liam Driver / News Corp Australia

NEWCASTLE coach Rick Stone is adamant boom youngster Sione Mata'utia will have no problem handling the weight of expectation on him this year, claiming second year syndrome will not be a factor after his stunning rise to Kangaroos selection in 2014.

Stone is banking on some "backyard telepathy" to help ignite his side's pre-season Auckland Nines campaign after naming Sione alongside his brothers Chanel and Pat in his Knights squad for the tournament.

KNIGHTS RISK MULLEN FOR NINES

Sione Mata'Utia of the Knights runs with the ball. Source: Supplied

He expects the 18-year-old to thrive in the Nines environment and holds no fears the unexpected dizzy heights of last season's representative call-up will impact on his development in 2015.

"Not at all,'' Stone said when asked if second year syndrome could become a factor.

"He's well grounded. He's a humble lad and he knows he's got to work hard for everything he gets still.

"He's not only a good person, he's a terrific player and hopefully, he'll be here for a while.

What position should Sione Mata'utia play in 2015?

"Obviously, he just caught the back end of last year (in the NRL) and he went from a first grade debut seven games out to being our youngest international which is a massive rise in just the space of a couple of months.

"But he's shown all the traits that he's heading towards a good season again this year and I think this (Nines footy) will be a great way to kick off for him."

Stone predicts the youngster, who will play fullback in Auckland in the absence of Kurt Gidley, will have a big impact at the Nines.

Kangaroo Rookie Sione Mata'utia. Source: News Corp Australia

"He's strong, he's skilful, he's aggressive and he competes hard and he is fit so he ticks all the boxes as far as a Nines' player is concerned," Stone said.

"He's playing with his brothers and that's a great opportunity for him.

"It's the first time the three of them have played together in the one team so if they get on the field together, let's see hopefully a bit of backyard telepathy."

Sione Mata'utia at team training at the Forum gym at Newcastle University. Source: News Corp Australia

Stone has opted for a mixture of experience and youth in his Nines squad to be captained by Jarrod Mullen, who put his hand up to play despite suffering a serious hamstring injury in last year's tournament.

"Everyone's been asking me if I want to play or not and I really do," Mullen said.

"It's such a great concept and the whole of New Zealand really grasp it. It's great to be a part of it."

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ICC promises ‘sledging’ crackdown

David Warner, left, shoots his mouth off at Indian players during a one-day international in Melbourne on Sunday. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson says the global governing body will come down hard on players who 'sledged' or verbally abuse their opponents at the upcoming World Cup.

The former South Africa wicketkeeper also said officials were determined to continue their campaign against illegal bowling actions and added he was confident the World Cup would not be blighted by match or spot-fixing.

Several high-profile incidents in recent months have led former Australia captain Ian Chappell to say he fears it can only be a matter of time before things get so heated that a physical clash ensues.

India's ongoing tour of Australia has been marred by numerous verbal spats, with Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland taking the unusual step of publicly telling David Warner to "stop looking for trouble" after the opener's latest flare-up saw him demand India's Rohit Sharma "speak English" during a one-day international in Melbourne on Sunday.

Richardson said he was confident the existing system, whereby match referees oversee disciplinary punishments at major international fixtures, could cope with "disrespectful behaviour".

James Pattinson sledges Ross Taylor in a match between Australia and New Zealand. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

However, he insisted the ICC had been stressing to on-field umpires the need to stop such conduct at its source, with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand now less than a month away.

"Over the last six months, or even going back further to the last Ashes series, there have been too many examples of player behaviour going too far and overstepping the boundaries of acceptability," Richardson told icc-cricket.com.

"The amount of sledging and disrespect shown by players to each other was bad.

"Since then, we have done a lot of work with our umpires and match referees to ensure they are much more proactive in terms of policing behaviour on the field and — when players do overstep the mark — taking appropriate action."

He added: "Over the last three or four months, you have seen 12 ICC code of conduct charges laid against people for exactly that — disrespectful behaviour on the field.

"For the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, it will be no different — and at all pre-event briefings with the teams, the match referees will be making sure that message is delivered loud and clear."

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