Sport | 15
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Fans to have say in selection of A-League squad ...continued from p16 Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop confirmed the Socceroos would have preference. But Postecoglou was confident the A-League still had the depth to field a very competitive side. “I think there’s enough talent in our league,” said Postecoglou, who is looking at a one-week camp for the selected players. “If anything I think it gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the players who we believe may be emerging Socceroos. “There’s plenty in the league at the moment. You just have a look at the weekend. “Terry Antonis was fantastic for Sydney, (Central Coast’s) Bernie Ibini. “Those kind of players. Aaron Mooy of Western Sydney. “If they are not part of the Socceroos it gives us a chance to have a look at them at the highest level.” Postecoglou was excited rather than daunted at the challenge of beating one of the world’s best club sides, but
made it clear he wasn’t interested in a damage limitation policy. “We won’t be parking an All Star bus,” Postecoglou said. “I think people who know me and have watched me coach the last few years know the type of football I want to play. “I think sometimes in these games it should be a celebration of football. “I don’t want to go out there and stop Man United playing their football. “I also want to showcase what we can do. There’s no point us going out there with a conservative nature.” A two-time A-League championship-winning coach with Brisbane, Melbourne Victory’s Postecoglou (36.8%) shaded Western Sydney mentor Tony Popovic (36.2%) in a fan vote of over 15,000 people to determine who will guide the All Stars. The fan vote will also have a 50 per cent weighting in the selection of the squad, with 20 per cent going to an expert panel, another 20 per cent to the players via the PFA Team of the Year, with the remaining 10 per cent going to Postecoglou. He will also have 100 per cent
Barba out for finals clash ...continued from p16 encounter at AAMI Park. “Is he going to play against Melbourne? No he won’t play,” Hasler said on Monday. “This early in the competition we won’t be making any rash decisions related to Ben’s welfare. “So at the moment I can’t give an answer on his immediate comeback. That will probably come midway through next week when he has got some solid training under his belt.” Hasler said the two weeks Barba had spent dealing with his issues at a private clinic had been worthwhile but he was not yet ready to return to the NRL.
“The program that Ben underwent was just fantastic for him so we are really pleased,” Hasler said. “I don’t think the time away would have set him back a long way at all. In fact, it might not have set him back at all. “Physically, he is OK so (the decision on when Barba returns) it will be made by our HP (high performance) department. And we will be making that decision halfway through next week.” Hasler said premiers Melbourne have maintained their high standards of 2012 across the opening two rounds this season which have produced wins over St George Illawarra and North Queensland. “No thoughts of revenge ... we just
RUGBY LEAGUE ON YOUR DOORSTEP
All Stars coach Ange Postecoglou (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) jurisdiction over an additional three players in the 18-man squad for the July 20 match at ANZ Stadium. Gallop was adamant runaway English Premier League leaders United would bring their biggest stars like Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney to Australia. By Adrian Warren want to play well down there,” Hasler said. “I don’t mean to be flying under the radar but they are playing very well. “They have picked up where they left off last year. It’s a good test for us and we need to bring our `A game’. I don’t think it is difficult for any side to get up for a game against Melbourne.” Five-eighth Josh Reynolds echoed Hasler’s sentiments. “Last year was a big game for us but this is just another game,” he said. “We just have to go into it with a calm mind. They are already on the ball and it is only round two.” Hasler also said Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard (both leg injuries) were both not yet fit to return.
roncos
eB #Backth
v HULL FC Saturday March 23rd, kick-off 3:00pm at the Twickenham Stoop, TW2 7SX londonbroncosrl.com
@LondonBroncosRL facebook.com/LondonBroncosRL
By James Macsmith
Tag rugby spring season in full swing By Jennifer Lawton Spring leagues across London are now up and running with some tight competitions developing. Actual spring weather has been slow to arrive, but this hasn’t stopped the hardy taggers taking to the field. Despite the below freezing temperatures and light dusting of snow both Borough and Tooting Bec competitions kicked off last week. Borough has seen the return of some great teams and welcomes two new teams, the Southwark Slayers and Ballz Up. Tooting Bec has an early front runner for the trophy with Trip and Chase taking the lead with two from two. With the rain on Wednesday our West London competition at White City was a muddy delight. The teams managed the conditions well and we saw some great tag rugby being played. Tumeke is out in front but new team #almost winning following closely behind in second place. Shoreditch Park has two nights of competition with men’s and mixed leagues on Tuesday and mixed on Thursday nights. Both competition nights are shaping up nicely. In the men’s division on Tuesday nights
Balham Bulldogs
THE NRL IS BACK & IT’S BIGGER THAN EVER EVERY GAME
EVERY ROUND
FROM INCLUDING THE GRAND FINAL
Patrick Quigley are early leaders, while The Lollabies and ~dirty tagtics~ are top of their respective mixed competitions. On Thursday, EMAP are running first in the A Grade, but the mixed beginner grade sees four teams with equal points. It looks like it is going to be an interesting competition. Down in Barnes, it’s shaping up to be another tight contest, especially between last season’s finalists Colin and Born to be Taggers. They may also have to watch out for TAGata Whenua who have made a great start to the season. In other news, summer registrations are now open for teams or individuals interested in playing tag rugby.
Leagues are running at Acton, Balham, Borough, Canada Water, East London RFC, Finsbury Park, Fulham, Highbury, Reading, Richmond, Shoreditch, Southfields and Wandsworth Town from the week beginning 29 April. Get in quickly as spaces are filling up fast. New team and individual registrations are welcome as this is a great chance to develop a network of friends if you are new to London. If you would like to register for a spring league, go to www.trytagrugby. com or email info@trytagrugby.com for more details.
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