Minichiello: I’m reborn, baby

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YOU'D think by now Anthony Minichiello would have had enough of lacing on his boots for another rugby league year - but coming into his 15th NRL season the 33-year-old Roosters skipper reckons this is the most excited he has ever been ahead of a new season.

And it's all because of his new baby girl Azura.

The NRL biggest stars will come together tonight to officially kick-off the game's 107th season and the likeable Minichiello has been asked to be the headline act.

After nearly having his career cut short because of a series of terrible injuries, the 2005 Golden Boot winner has won the admiration of everyone in the game because of the courage he has shown to fight his way back to the top.

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It all culminated in him captaining the Roosters to last year's grand final triumph, and after representing Italy at the Rugby League World Cup, he returned home to what he calls "the best prize of all.

"Every season gets much tougher and the players get stronger and the teams get better but this is the most I have ever looked forward to a season," Minichiello said.

"To now get to play in front of my little daughter each week has made me look forward to this like never before.

"2013 was pretty special, there is no doubt about that.

"And to finish it off with a little daughter is the best prize of all."

Anthony Minichiello (R) celebrates at the World Club Challenge. Source: Getty Images

Little Azura got to watch her first game of footy last Saturday night when Minichiello led the Roosters to a crushing win over Wigan in the World Club Challenge.

"I went and held her straight after the game and it was a special moment for my family and I," he said.

"She was dressed up in a little Roosters' jersey and it was just a great night."

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Minichiello first signed with the Roosters 18 years ago as a 16-year-old before his first grade debut in 2000.

Since then he has made 275 appearances for the Bondi club and won two premierships along the way.

On top of that he played 11 State of Origins for NSW, 18 Tests for Australia and three Tests for Italy.

Now he will have the chance to try and lead the Roosters to back to back premierships for the first time since Brisbane in 1992-93 and 1997-98.

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V8 boss and the twilight zone

James Warburton: "I am confident that Adelaide will give us the best test yet." Source: Adam Armstrong / News Corp Australia

THE Clipsal 500 this weekend will provide a further acid test for the long-term future of V8 Supercars' bold plan for twilight racing.

With the season set to launch to life in Adelaide with the first ever twilight season opener, the dusk finishing time will be firmly placed under the spot-light.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton is pushing ahead with plans to race into the twilight as an important growth platform for the sport.

The Sydney 500 last December delivered 30 per cent more viewers as Warburton's experiment paid immediate dividends. But the later start and finish failed to have any positive impact on the Sydney Olympic Park crowd.

Warburton is pushing ahead with the concept in a bid to increase the sport's TV appeal.

"Whether that (the TV ratings increase) is replicated this Saturday night, where twin 125km races will end at 8.30pm on the east coast, is critical to doing more dusk fixtures in 2015,'' Warburton said.

"It was certainly a good first step in Sydney and I am confident that Adelaide will give us the best test yet."

He also said racing in total darkness is still firmly in his plan.

"I haven't and won't give up on lights," Warburton said. "People tell me it is not possible, but that continues to motivate me, there has to be a way."

The Clipsal 500 starts the V8 Supercars season. Last year it hosted more than 270,000 people across the four days that is a mix of pure motorsport and party.

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Clarke’s lean run is captain’s lot

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MICHAEL Clarke is going through a rite of passage experienced by every modern Australian captain, a lean trot.

More than 30 years ago Greg Chappell publicly pleaded with the selectors not to drop him after a string of ducks against the then mighty West Indies pace attack.

Clarke walks off the ground at St George's Park after yet another failure. Source: AFP

One of Australia's finest batsman and captains, Chappell is part of an unbroken line which currently sees Clarke experiencing his own barren streak. He has gone 11 innings with a top score of 24 after centuries in the opening two Tests of the Ashes series earlier this summer.

Clarke is well aware that as a captain and senior player he is letting the team down. What six wins on the trot may have papered over, an embarrassing 231-run loss in the second Test at Port Elizabeth could not.

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But as one of just six Australians with more than 8000 Test runs, at an average of 51, Clarke has been on enough swings and roundabouts during a decade of international cricket to know that with hard work these troughs tend to right themselves.

And hard work it was on what should have been the fifth and final day of the second Test, joining those members of the squad who did not play the Test in a solid net session. The only other player from the team who fronted was Alex Doolan.

The unscheduled practice also doubted as a continuing fitness test for Shane Watson, who bowled off his full run for the first time since suffering a calf problem doing fitness work early in the tour.

Shane Watson training in the nets in South Africa. Source: News Corp Australia

Watson felt no discomfort but must prove to coach and selector Darren Lehmann that the all-rounder is capable of bowling a reasonable quota of strong overs.

The players were relaxed and upbeat despite the heavy loss, knowing it had only been a week earlier that they had a big win at Centurion Park.

Clarke was annoyed with his shot selection during the first innings of both Tests, an attempted guided hook in Pretoria which was skied to fine leg and a bunt to cover at St Georges Park.

"When you get in you've got to cash in," Clarke said.

It may be some consolation to know that there are an impressive line of players behind him who have been through the same thing. His run drought is but a blip on the captaincy radar.

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Allan Border, who dragged Australia from the depths during the mid '80s, went four years late in his career without a century, due in part because as the team improved he increasingly declared on himself.

He passed 50 regularly and no one mentioned the lack of hundreds because of the endearment a grateful nation felt for him single-handedly carrying Australian cricket through its worst period.

Mark Taylor and Clarke have something in common, their flat spot average is 18. It's just that Clarke's has gone for two months and Taylor's lasted a year and a half.

Steve Waugh went 16 innings without a hundred as captain and later his career Ricky Ponting spent two years and 33 innings searching for triple figures.

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Inside NSW’s new Origin base

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IT'S a sight that has become all too familiar and one we NSW folk are sick and tired of.

But it's all about to change.

Queensland's State of Origin stranglehold over NSW is about to come to an end.

And this is where it all starts for NSW.

And ends for Queensland.

Laurie Daley at the site of this year's NSW State of Origin camp at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

Right here in Coffs Harbour, 530 kilometres north of Sydney.

Welcome to Camp Laurie.

The Daily Telegraph was yesterday given a full tour of NSW's new training facilities inside the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, 10 minutes north of Coffs Harbour.

The Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

It is from within the bowels of this delightful haven on the NSW north coast that the underdog Blues will attempt to dismantle Queensland's iron-like grip on State of Origin.

The Blues will enter camp here at Coffs six days before both Suncorp Stadium matches. They will fly straight to Brisbane from Coffs Harbour on a charter flight.

This serene setting is strikingly different to NSW's previous camps in downtown Coogee, in Sydney's east.

The Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The 40 hectare resort - split by the Pacific Highway - offers tranquility and, most importantly, privacy. The training field is pristine, nestled below rolling hills and hundreds of massive gum trees.

Adjacent is a gymnasium, hydrotherapy rooms, meetings rooms, ice baths and full recovery facilities. There are also hot and cold spas and a 25 metre lap pool.

The gym was specifically built for the Wallabies, who used Coffs Harbour as a base for nine years. Sporting clubs to recently use the facility include Geelong, Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders and Sydney Swans.

Laurie Daley inspects the gym at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The training fields are set on one side of the Pacific Highway. A two-minute drive through a small tunnel under the highway brings you to the western side of the resort which offers a nine-hole par three golf course, three pools, five tennis courts and a nine-floor, four-star hotel.

A boom gate splits the two sections - meaning training will be private, and away from the media.

One of the swimming pools at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

"We are trying to get an advantage and trying to improve by five to 10 per cent,'' said NSW coach Laurie Daley.

"This is a great venue - it is isolated and will give us the best chance to focus and win games of football.

"We are under no illusions - we are up against a mighty side and will have to be at our best to win.''

Golf course at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

As much as the players enjoyed camp at the Crowne Plaza in Coogee, Daley felt a change was important.

"When we train up here we can train on our own," Daley said. "Everything is in the one venue.

"We are trying to do something a little different. Here we can totally focus on football.''

The conference centre is also impressive.

It offers meeting rooms for the team and a restaurant which overlooks a self-made lake and golf course.

A small, quiet beach, which isn't patrolled, is a six-minute walk from reception.

Team rooms at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

One source close to the NSW camp said: "Coogee was very cosmopolitan. It was hard to leave.

"But we had a five to ten minute walk to Coogee Oval where we trained. Players could be stopped every 20 metres for autographs and photographs.

"Players love the fans but there were a lot of distractions. But in Coffs, everyone will be together and fully focused.''

NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden reiterated why the Blues would be heading out of Sydney.

"This is the best elite training facility in NSW. It makes sense to come here,'' Trodden said.

"The players can avoid distractions and concentrate on their performance.''

Laurie Daley at the team rooms. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

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Superior Seoul adds to Mariners misery

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CENTRAL Coast Mariners' misery continues, as the A-League champions went down 2-0 to FC Seoul in their first instalment of this season's Asian Champions League.

Out-classed and picked apart by their hosts, Phil Moss's team suffered a miserable night compounded by the late dismissal of defender Marcel Seip, making it now five defeats in a row.

The game had started well enough for Moss's team, has Seoul looked as rusty as you might expect from a side still in pre-season. Zac Anderson and Seip were happy enough to ward off a succession of long balls, though there was precious little attacking threat from the visitors.

Suddenly though Seoul had a brief flurry of chances just before the quarter hour, showing they had hit their stride.

First Osmar Barba Ibanez let fly from 30m with a vicious shot that Liam Reddy did well to tip aside. Then from the corner, Sergio Escudero scuffed a shot that bounced off the post, as the Central Coast rocked a little.

What really hurt them though was a quite bizarre decision from the referee. Escudero chased a ball into the Mariners box, and flicked a pass out towards the wing, a split second before Josh Rose's challenge brushed the forward's leg.

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There was no appeal from any of the Seoul players, but remarkably a penalty was awarded, and Osmar stroked it home via a post.

For Moss there was only frustration, compounded by his own side's inability to make any inroads going forward. It took until the 50th minute for the Mariners to create a real chance, but it was a good one.

Bernie Ibini and Nick Fitzgerald were the creators, swapping passes on the right wing before Ibini drove a low cross towards Rose at the far post, just 12m out. The leftback had time to measure his shot, but instead blazed it horribly over the bar.

Six minutes later, the Mariners' angst at that was even worse, as Seoul doubled their lead. It was a beautifully crafted goal, the ball worked out wide to Kim Chiwoo, whose low cross was dummied by Escudero allowing Yun Il Lok to drive home a crisp shot.

Worse nearly followed minutes later, when a deflection opened space for Chiwoo, whose shot was clawed away by Reddy.

But despite the willing running of Matt Simon there was little threat from the visitors, who after sitting back for so long only began to muster any offensive strength once two goals behind.

With five minutes to go, Seip was shown a straight red card for a studs-high lunge. In the end the final whistle was a relief for the Central Coast.

Re-live the action as it happened on our live blog.

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Del Potro out with wrist injury

Juan Martin Del Potro returns the ball to Somdev Devvarman during the Dubain Championships Source: Kamran Jebreili / AP

SECOND seed Juan Martin del Potro has retired with a wrist injury in his first-round match against Indian Somdev Devvarman after losing the first set tiebreaker at the Dubai Championships.

The 2009 US Open champion and world No.5 had been having trouble coming over the ball on his backhand during the 67-minute set.

The Argentine had three set points at 0-40 on Devvarman's serve in the 12th game, but the 78th-ranked Indian wildcard won the next five points to force the tiebreaker which he went on to win by seven points to three.

Devvarman, who won a challenger last week in New Delhi, hit a service winner on his third set point. That proved to be the final point of the match.

"I didn't feel well on the court; my wrist hurts a lot all the time," said del Potro.

"It was tough to play today.

"I tried everything, but I cannot hit my backhand and I cannot be the player that I want to be."

Del Potro has been troubled by his left wrist since the start of January, feeling it for the first time in his opening match at the Australian Open in Melbourne after winning the Sydney title.

He played a fortnight ago in Rotterdam, making it to the quarter-finals but complaining every day about pain when hitting his backhand.

Somdev Devvarman of India returns the ball to Juan Martin Del Potro. Picture: AP Source: AP

Del Potro went immediately to the tournament doctor after the loss. He said he had been in touch with his long-time American doctor and warned: "The pains I'm feeling are similar to the ones I had in my right wrist four years ago (which required surgery and resulted in a lost 2010 season)."

Del Potro has been saying for weeks that US advisers have been telling him it would be fine to play on his bad wrist.

But the problem prevents him hitting his backhand with any authority and remains a huge mental issue each time he picks up a racquet.

In other first-round action in Dubai, third-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych extended his winning streak to eight matches with a 6-3 6-4 win over Romanian qualifier Marius Copil.

Russian sixth seed Mikhail Youzhny advanced to the second round via a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Poland's Michal Przysiezny, Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic downed German Daniel Brands 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, and veteran fellow Czech Radek Stepanek recovered to beat American Michael Russell 5-7 6-3 6-1.

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Pace trio's plan is to 'Get Smith'

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AUSTRALIA'S Ashes fast bowling heroes fried Alastair Cook - now they are turning their "Captain Killer" blowtorch onto South African skipper Graeme Smith.

Smith out to Shane Watson in 2011 in Cape Town with Mitchell Johnson in the backdrop. Source: News Limited

Michael Clarke and his men have no great affection for Smith.

There has been a story passed down through Australian changerooms about how Smith made his debut against Australia in 2002 and then tipped a bucket on their sledging in a South African magazine a few months later.

Smith is made of exceptional stuff - he became his nation's youngest skipper at age 22. Turning 33 on Saturday, he has led South Africa through all manner of controversies and scored 9220 Test runs at almost 50.

Perhaps no captain since Clive Lloyd of the great West Indian sides of the 1980s has had such complete authority of his team.

But the Australians sense that South Africa's steely warrior, who has twice had bones in his arm broken by Mitchell Johnson thunderbolts, may not be the batsman he once was.

Without Jacques Kallis in the South African side for the first time, Australia feels that if it can get to Smith the rest of the No.1-ranked Proteas side could crumble.

They are similar tactics to how Australia pointedly went after Cook during the Ashes and the Englishman they could once not get out averaged just 24 as his side was smashed 5-0.

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Peter Siddle, who yesterday fined-tuned his South African preparations by taking 4-45 for a Qld second XI against WA second XI in Brisbane, said Australia would go after Smith in the same hostile way.

"We have always tried to target the captain and he (Smith) is the top again, like Cook," Siddle said.

"We have always had a good contest against him, it has always been hard work.

"Our bowling unit is the best I have played in since I've been in the Australian side. There is no doubt we can perform the way we did against England again."

Australian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus celebrates the wicket of Smith in 2009 at the Wanderers. Source: AFP

ustralia's South African tour plans were shaken with allrounder James Faulkner pulling out with injury and doubts over the fitness Shaun Marsh and Jackson Bird.

But Faulkner wasn't in Australia's first choice Test XI and Alex Doolan is likely to be preferred to Marsh for George Bailey's former spot in the starting XI.

Smith gives a thumbs-up after South Africa beats Australia in the 2011 Cape Town Test. Source: News Limited

The good news is Siddle and fellow Ashes fast bowling hero Ryan Harris looked impressive in their red-ball hit-out in second XI cricket before both jet out to South Africa this morning.

Harris, who points out it is a huge bonus for Australia that South Africa's all-round legend Jacques Kallis has retired ahead of next month's three-Test series, worked back to form and fitness taking 2-49.

Harris has played just one Test in South Africa but says he will feel like he is bowling at home.

"I see it as a similar situation to playing here in Australia, the wickets are pretty similar. I will just approach it like I am bowling on home wickets," Harris said.

Australian Test squad member James Pattinson also played second XI state cricket in Brisbane this week and bowled with nice pace and swing.

"He has had his hiccups in the last couple of years but when he gets back on song he always competes hard and goes at it," Siddle said of Pattinson.

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Hamilton crashes his new Mercedes

Off track ... Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton had a rough start to testing in Jerez. Source: Miguel Angel Morenatti / AP

LEWIS Hamilton drove his new Mercedes into the barrier during Formula One's first preseason session overnight, only hours after its unveiling.

Hamilton emerged unscathed from the crash that his team said was caused by a front wing failure.

Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg presented Mercedes' silver-and-turquoise W05 before testing got under way, and the former champion was the first to take his car out and the first to complete a full lap at the Jerez track.

He drove into the barrier at turn 1 midway through the session, leaving debris and long tyre marks before he went off the asphalt.

So far, few drivers have ventured out as teams struggle with new engineering rules that have caused them to revamp their cars.

There have been three red flags, including Hamilton's. Of the five drivers who have taken to the track in southern Spain, only two have completed laps so far.

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Aussie teen Exum set for NBA draft

Basketball wizz ... Teenager Dante Exum, 19, has said he will make himself available for the NBA draft, where he is expected to be picked in the top-five. Source: Jason Edwards / News Limited

AUSTRALIAN basketball wonder Dante Exum, 19, has decided to declare for this year's NBA draft in the US.

His family made the announcement in a statement, saying they had signed with talent agent Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports Agency. Pelinka's clients include Kobe Bryant and Andre Drummond.

"We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports," Cecil, Desiree and Dante Exum said in a statement to ESPN. "Our family felt The Landmark Team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses. We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work."

Exum and his family met with eight different agents in Melbourne during the past month.

"We are thrilled and honoured to be working with Dante and his family," Pelinka said in a statement. "As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante's international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a 'franchise' point guard in this next generation of great NBA players."

Exum is considered to be a top-five draft pick. He is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN's Top 100 and ranked as the No. 1 point guard.

Last week Exum led his team, Lake Ginninderra in Canberra, to the national schools basketball title.

His speed is his main gift but his jump shot is a work in progress.

The announcement came as 17-year-old Melbourne teenager, Brandon Stenhouse, announced he had signed a six-figure deal with the New York Yankees baseball side as a pitcher.

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Stosur: Li Na can be world No. 1

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FORMER US Open champion Sam Stosur has backed Li Na to reach top spot in the world rankings, after the Chinese sensation's Australian Open victory.

Australian Stosur voiced her belief in 31-year-old Li ahead of an exhibition match between the two in Hong Kong. Li has already declared that she is determined to work hard to become number one following her win in Melbourne.

"Think about her ability and what she has been able to do in the last year or so - for sure I think she has a chance to get even higher than number three," Stosur, 29, told reporters.

"I don't see any reason why you wouldn't think anything is possible ... of course, it's very very hard. The closer you get the harder it gets."

Li is third in the rankings, just 11 points behind second-placed Victoria Azarenka, after downing Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday to take her second Grand Slam title after winning in France in 2011.

Winning tournaments and fans ... Li Na poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at Brighton Beach, after winning the 2014 Australian Open.

Serena Williams, 32, remains world number one.

Stosur said she did not believe Li's age would hold her back.

"Lots of players now are playing their best tennis at a little bit older age ... being healthy is the important thing," she said in a phone conference in Hong Kong.

Describing Li as "down to earth" Stosur said she loved the post-match one-liners that had the Melbourne audience in stitches.

Looking forward ... Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, left, is congratulated by Samantha Stosur of Australia at the net after Ivanovic's win in their third round match at the Australian Open.

Li thanked her agent for making her rich and jokingly blamed her husband Jiang Shan's snoring for keeping her awake.

The two will meet at the BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition in Hong Kong in March, to mark World Tennis Day.

Stosur was a top 10 player almost continuously for three years until her run ended when she finished last year ranked 18, after a season blighted by injury.

She has however won all six of her WTA tour matches against Li.

"For whatever reasons I have always had success against Li Na when we played. But they've been very very tough matches," she said.

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