Cricket

Confusion surrounds Watson over selection

CHRIS BARRETT Former Test captain Mark Taylor believes Shane Watson remains one of Australia's top six batsmen but argues it is a risk to the team if he is picked anywhere short of full fitness.

Cricket

Warner tells Smith to stop delays

CHRIS BARRETT David Warner says South Africa's captain Graeme Smith is needlessly wasting time by repeatedly rearing away from his crease because of concerns with the sightscreen.

Soccer

Socceroos debut whets Rogic's appetite

Lee Gaskin Tom Rogic returns to Australia with his national claims enhanced, while fellow Canberran Carl Valeri faces an injury-enforced stint on the sidelines.

Soccer

Ibrahimovic strikes gold with stunner

Pirate Irwin Zlatan Ibrahimovic lit up a night of friendlies with one of the greatest goals of all time as the Swedish star scored four times to give his side a 4-2 win over England on Wednesday.

• Video: Greatest goal ever?

Murphy holds out hope for IRB approval

CHRIS DUTTON ACT Brumbies prop Ruaidhri Murphy is refusing to give up hope of being eligible to play for the Wallabies and hopes the International Rugby Board will finally grant his wish by the end of the year.

Union

Sack Deans, says angry Campese

Mick Cleary David Campese, the former Australia winger, has lambasted the Wallabies for their inability to score tries and called for head coach Robbie Deans to be sacked.

Rugby

Wallabies ready to bounce back

GEORGINA ROBINSON Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has defended the character of his side following Australia's ''inexcusable'' loss to France last week.

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Union

McCabe sizes up England's mighty centres

Georgina Robinson Injured Wallabies centre Pat McCabe says England power-centres Manu Tuilagi and Brad Barritt will put Australia's midfield under extreme pressure at Twickenham this weekend.

Union

Quick buck in Japan not on: Friend

CHRIS DUTTON Former ACT Brumbies coach Andy Friend has warned money-hungry NRL players they could have the door slammed shut on their entry to Japan, claiming the country places a priority on loyalty.

Put rivalries aside, says AIS chief

CHRIS DUTTON Forget about the domestic rivalry and develop an ''international outlook'' - that's the message from AIS director Matt Favier to ensure cross-code and sport barriers don't hold Australia back.

Golf

Millar plays through pain barrier

CHRIS DUTTON Matt Millar will push through the pain barrier to try to avoid the cut at the Australian Masters on Friday after an injured back limited him in the opening round.

Golf

Queenslander masters his game

Sam Lienert Living proof that golf can drive you crazy, Queensland's Rika Batibasaga is feeling remarkably calm about sitting near the top of the Australian Masters leaderboard.

Golf

Goss holds his own among elite company

Matt Murnane Graeme McDowell and Adam Scott can both remember the jangling nerves as each stepped up for their first tee shot playing as the emerging youngster sandwiched in a group with two tournament headliners.

Baseball

Wedding bells first for Cavalry recruit

David Polkinghorne The sound of wedding bells will end Canberra Cavalry recruit Masanori Fujihara's stay in the ACT.

AFL

Giants hope to unveil Tippett in Canberra

Lee Gaskin Their inaugural win came in Canberra and now the Greater Western Sydney Giants want to use the capital to celebrate another landmark, as their pursuit of Adelaide Crows star Kurt Tippett continues.

Athletics

Sky's the limit for those Bourne to fly

Lee Gaskin It's enough to, literally, make your head spin. That is, sprinting up Australia's tallest building, going round and round for 88 storeys and rising between 1700 and 1800 stairs before reaching the summit.

AIS awards

No rivalry as golden girls vie for gong

Fleta Page Ellie Cole is set to be a bridesmaid for Alicia Coutts, but whether she'll have the chance to be the proverbial bride will be answered when the pair go head-to-head at the AIS awards.

Transition

Triathlon back in the swim with back-up plan

Chris Wilson Triathlon ACT hopes to rebuild its reputation with local and interstate athletes, confident it now has a plan to ensure the sport is no longer a slave to the water quality of Lake Burley Griffin.