Folau to get first crack at fullback

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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.

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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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'Samuels not well-liked in Australia'

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Fiery ... Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels face off. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Melbourne Stars' batsman Cameron White says he finds it remarkable that Marlon Samuels has escaped with a reprimand for hurling his bat at Shane Warne.

After a surprisingly light judgement for his role in the incident, Samuels lashed out at Warne and his behaviour as the the face of the KFC T20 Big Bash League, and now White has joined the war of words too.

The BBL handed down a verdict on Monday night on a charge of unbecoming behaviour levelled against Melbourne Renegades' batsman Samuels following the heated Melbourne derby on January 6.

An underarm throw from Warne hit Samuels, which prompted the West Indian import to hurl his bat in the direction of Warne.

Cricket Australia Commissioner John Price said in his findings from the code-of-behaviour hearing that Samuels had been officially reprimanded.

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''The player's conduct resulted from extreme provocation,'' Price said.

White is baffled at how Samuels has avoided suspension.

''Being provoked, I don't think you can use that as an excuse,'' White told reporters on Tuesday.

''It's remarkable, isn't it? How many times have you seen someone throw their cricket bat on a cricket field and get (reprimanded) for being extremely provoked?

''I've never seen it before. That's what the judiciary came up with.

White added that it isn't surprising Samuels didn't get much sympathy from him or his Stars teammates after the West Indian was floored by a Lasith Malinga screamer.

''I don't think he's very well-liked, definitely not just from the Stars' point of view but probably in Australian cricket,'' White said.

''People think he carries on a bit.

''There's probably a few reasons (the Stars' players didn't check on his welfare). We were quite busy.''

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'The mid-season blues are no more'

Rematch ... Melbourne Victory come out on top in November in the last Big Blue battle. Source: AAP

Is the Hyundai A-League finally rid of its annual case of the mid-season blues?

With the middle part of the season now behind us, and an exciting race to the finish line ahead, it's reasonable to say this yearly obstacle has been consigned to history.

In previous years, the A-League followed a familiar pattern. An initial burst of enthusiasm and interest at the start of the campaign, and a spike in interest once finals football was on the horizon. In between, a lull, with crowds tapering off and the media's curiosity drawn towards competing sports.

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Following a national narrative can be tricky when the local club is struggling.
 
But the addition of Western Sydney Wanderers (and not to mention three key marquee players) has helped sustain the competition throughout the summer months, with a regular diet of big matches and big stars, enough to keep the appetites of sports fans (and crucially, the media in the big cities) whetted week by week.
 
The Wanderers have been a masterstroke. Easy to say with hindsight of course, but it's difficult now to think of the competition without them, such is the impact their team - and their noisy supporters - have made.
 
That's not to say FFA gets away scot-free for killing off Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.

It remains my opinion (and many others), that pulling up sticks after only a couple of years in both areas was an unforgivable act of betrayal to football fans in both Townsville and the glitter strip. It's great to see the phoenix of the Fury starting to rise from the ashes and compete again in the Australian Premier League.

In truth, Wanderers was perhaps FFA's last chance to get an expansion club right - but credit to them, they've delivered in spades, and hopefully now the template is set for clubs who wish to join the league in the future. Ditto the marquee experiment. More of the same please next season.

Wanderers have given the competition three extra derbies to salivate over and, if you throw in the Adelaide-Victory rivalry, the F3 versions, the "Big Blue's" and the all-Melbourne clashes, there's never too long to wait before one of the real eye-catching games looms large on the horizon.

That is certainly the case this week.

Melbourne and Sydney was a rivalry just waiting to happen, even before the A-League kicked off. Right from the word go, the intensity was there - sparked by Victory's 5-0 thumping of the sky blues in just their second-ever meeting.

It's strange to think that match wasn't even shown live, with the TV deal in those days not stretching to coverage of every match of the opening season.

By contrast, the meeting this Saturday is arguably the showpiece occasion of the season so far - a game which will probably draw one of the biggest TV audiences this season.

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A resurgent Sydney - replete with its "marquee" quartet of Emerton, Culina, Griffiths and, of course, Del Piero - travelling to meet a Victory team with title aspirations, and which has Thompson, Rojas and Flores to offer as a counterpoint to the Sky Blues "fab four."

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A sell-out Australia Day crowd will gather at the splendid AAMI Park as representatives from the nations two biggest cities resume hostilities - and it's worth remembering that the rectangular stadium itself was built largely on the back of Victory's success, on and off the park.

Melbourne Victory versus Sydney FC is Australia's version of Liverpool v Manchester United.

People might scoff at that notion, but it must be pointed out that the aforementioned clubs have built their enmity over the course of a hundred years or more. In year eight of their rivalry, just 12,000 showed up to Old Trafford to watch the clash between the pair.
 
The A-League today is eight years old. The progress is staggering, and there is nothing manufactured about the mutual dislike between Melburnians and Sydneysiders. Imagine how big clashes between Victory and Sydney - along with the city and regional derbies - will be in a hundred years time? 
 
It's a pity we won't be around to see it - but in the meantime, let's enjoy the build-up. The mid-season blues are no more - this week it's all about whether you're navy blue, or sky blue.

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Catch the Big Blue derby live on Fox Sports 1HD from 5pm on Saturday.

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Rafter, Tomic bury the hatchet

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Stern ... Pat Rafter expects Bernard Tomic to move on from their feud. Source: Ibrahim Ot / AAP

Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter says he and Bernard Tomic have buried the hatchet and is hopeful of having the resurgent youngster back for Australia's second-round qualifying tie in April - if his weakened line-up makes it.

Tomic remains suspended from Australia's qualifying tie in Taiwan from February 1-3 after Rafter disciplined the 20-year-old last month for his poor attitude and dreadful end to 2012.

In a seemingly tit-for-tat response, Tomic earlier this month said he had no interest in speaking with Rafter until September, when Australia are hoping to contest another World Group playoff.

But after announcing his line-up for Taiwan on Monday, Rafter said Tomic had since recommitted to the Cup cause after the pair cleared the air following Tomic's third-round Australian Open loss to Roger Federer.

"It's the first time I made contact with him since early November. We had a great conversation," Rafter said.

"Obviously I spoke to him about just going forward, what he thinks about Davis Cup in the future, if he wants to be part of the team.

"It was really important for us to have contact straightaway ... obviously he's playing great tennis and it's a shame not to have him available for the first one in some ways.

"But in other ways we have to stand firm on our decision not to have him in this team.

"When the April tie comes around, providing we win, mind you, I hope he'll be available. He'll be part of the selection team like everyone else.

"But obviously if he's playing like he was at the back end of last year it would be hard to put him in.

"If he's playing like he is now, obviously he'll be a starter for sure."

Rafter admitted Tomic "didn't jump out of his skin" in putting his hand up.

"The proviso I put on to it was obviously we need to work things out," he said.

"Hopefully we're still on, not great terms, but good terms. I think our last conversation was that.

"He needs to respect me and I need to respect him in that manner. If we have a breakdown, then obviously that's not a good thing."

With Tomic out, Rafter named Lleyton Hewitt, Marinko Matosevic, Matt Ebden and doubles specialist Chris Guccione to face Taiwan, while Luke Saville will also travel as a hitting partner and standby player.

Rafter has no regrets about suspending Tomic, who bounced back to record 10 straight wins before Federer ended his summer campaign at Melbourne Park.

"The reason we left him out was hopefully to teach him a lesson," Rafter said.

"He came back at us pretty well. I think he used that anger, channelled it and played some great tennis here.

"I don't mind how he gets up to playing great tennis ... whatever spurs him on."

New Cup coach Josh Eagle, who has replaced Tony Roche - who will stay on as a team mentor - said Tomic's suspension was not dissimilar to Matosevic's for Australia's World Group playoff in Germany last September.

"The great thing about Marinko, that really hurt him last year," Eagle said.

"He thought just by winning matches and getting his ranking to 60 around the US Open, he thought he was a walk-up starter for the Davis Cup tie in Hamburg.

"Pat made it very clear to him due to his poor behaviour when he was representing Australia that he wouldn't be selected.

"That sends a great message to these guys. He went away, responded magnificently and finished the year top 50.

"Ultimately, what we want is people to be proud to represent Australia." 

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Black Caviar sizzles in trial

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Comeback ... Black Caviar is nearing a return to racing after a successful 800-metre trial. Source:AAP

Black Caviar's return to the racetrack appears a step closer after an impressive jump-out this morning.

Peter Moody's champion sprinter was part of a nine-horse field that ran 800m at Sportingbet Park on Tuesday morning.

As expected, Black Caviar made light work of those also in 'Trial 6' - cruising home to win in the impressive time of 45.58 seconds - but of more interest was how the six-year-old looked in her action.

She jumped quickly from the gates, assumed a front position and cornered wide but still cruised to the finish more than three lengths clear of her nearest rival.

Black Caviar's likely comeback race is the Group 1 Lightning Stakes - which has been renamed the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes - on February 16.

Moody has also floated the idea of his superstar running in the Newmarket Handicap on March 9.

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