| Exeter in talks with Brumbies over deal for lock Peter Kimlin • Chiefs move for Australia forward on short-term contract• 25-year-old has played little rugby since damaging shoulderThe Aviva Premiership newcomers Exeter are in talks with the Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin over the possibility of signing the Australia forward on a short-term deal.The 25-year-old, who made his Test debut against Italy last June, has been starved of rugby over the last 12 months after suffering nerve damage in his right shoulder during a Brumbies development tour in France.The Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: "We're in discussions with the player and his agent but nothing has been signed just yet."A report in Australia claimed the deal had already been sealed, with Kimlin set to join the Chiefs in the next fortnight after receiving clearance from both the Brumbies and the Australian Rugby Union.The two-Test forward, who would reportedly return to the Canberra-based Brumbies in early January, is relishing the prospect of a new challenge after a frustrating stint on the sidelines."The last two weeks playing for Eastern Suburbs is probably the most excited I've been about playing for a long time, so to have that chance to go overseas and play a totally different type of game... hopefully it's going to strengthen my game," Kimlin said at the completion of a Wallabies scrum session today."Going from training so much, pretty much by myself down in Canberra, to having an opportunity to miss out on pre-season and play some consistent footy, I'm quite lucky I think."It probably hasn't sunk in until I get over there and play some week-in week-out footy, which isn't going to be easy footy as well – it's going to be hard on the body which is what I need, seeing as I haven't played for 12 months."ExeterPremiershipAustralia rugby union teamRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Miller part of the Ryder Cup fabric By DOUG FERGUSON 2010-09-28T17:22:46ZNEWPORT, Wales (AP) -- You can count on Johnny Miller to be impartial at the Ryder Cup as an analyst for NBC Sports.... hosted.ap.org |
Washington Nationals win ‘most improved’ on TV The Washington Nationals finished the 2010 season with one of the worst records in baseball (69-93), but they lead the Major Leagues in one category: most improved television ratings. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Klitschko beats Briggs to regain title • Champion Vitali Klitschko wins unanimous points decision• Shannon Briggs goes the distance but is well beatenVitali Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title with a comprehensive points victory over Shannon Briggs in Hamburg. The underdog showed superb resilience to last 12 rounds in the face of a thunderous barrage but the Ukrainian was awarded the fight 120-105 by all three judges.Briggs had said before the fight that he was in the best shape of his career but there was little indication that he could spring a surprise. The 39-year-old American landed a couple of purposeful straight rights in the early going but he struggled to contain Klitschko's power and he was wobbled by a fearsome right in the first round.Klitschko repeated the blow in round two and caught his opponent off balance after jabbing his way through much of the third. The champion dominated the fifth round, staggering his opponent with another big straight right and following up with a powerful combination.The following round was even more brutal, Klitschko's left hook working well in combination with the right hand on three occasions. He continued the onslaught into round seven as he repeatedly rocked Briggs on to the ropes.Briggs developed a cut and swelling under his left eye and his corner were overheard advising him to "stay out of the way of his right" before round nine. They were cautioned over their language during the round.Amazingly, Briggs made it the full distance but was never going to be in the frame when the judges made their decision.Boxingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
McCoy favourite for sports personality • Poll: Who is your choice to win the 2010 award?• In pictures: The lowdown on the 10 candidatesAfter Ryan Giggs unexpectedly stole the show to claim the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award last year, footballers are conspicuously absent on the 10-strong BBC shortlist in 2010. That will come as no surprise following England's disastrous World Cup performance in South Africa and a myriad unwelcome sex-scandal headlines; instead the shortlist represents the major triumphs of the year – from the Ryder Cup winners Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood to Jessica Ennis's domination of the heptathlon and the pentathlon for a second year in a row.It is the jumps jockey Tony McCoy, though, who is the bookmakers' tip to take the BBC title. In April the 36-year-old finally won the Grand National at his 15th attempt, adding this piece of silverware to an incredible collection that includes a record 15 champion jumps jockey titles and more than 3,000 winners. Should McCoy also win the BBC award, the votes will no doubt reflect his entire career achievements as much as recognising a successful 12 months – a sentiment that would echo Giggs's victory in 2009.McDowell is likely to be a frontrunner in the voting after a scintillating year from the golfer that included winning the US Open – the first European to do so since Tony Jacklin in 1970 – and helping to clinch victory over the US Ryder Cup team in October. McDowell played in the final singles match of the competition, hitting a birdie on the 16th green to secure his lead and retain it in a match that was all about holding his nerve.Should the England bowler Graeme Swann perform well at the Ashes in the lead-up to the vote he could swing the poll – his Twitter feed has almost 100,000 followers. The cyclist Mark Cavendish, who also made the shortlist last year, repeated his success in 2010 with an impressive five stage wins in the Tour de France and a points jersey at the Tour of Spain, the first Briton in 21 years to earn the sprinters' title at a grand tour.Only two women are on the list, which some may feel is a slight on the many British sportswomen making their mark in world-class competition. Beth Tweddle, who came third in the 2006 BBC poll, won her third world title this year, confirming her status as Britain's most successful gymnast in history, surely deserved a mention, as did the road cyclist Emma Pooley, who won her first world title in the time trial in September along with a string of other prominent races to stake her claim. But Ennis and Amy Williams certainly deserve their places.Following on from Ennis's world title last year the Sheffield-based heptathlete was once again in winning form in 2010, claiming the world indoor and European titles, setting championship records in each, while Williams's Olympic gold in the skeleton was the first individual British Winter Olympics gold medal in 30 years.At 50 years old, Phil "The Power" Taylor, who was crowned world champion for the 15th time in his career this year, is the oldest personality on the list, while the 16-year-old diver Tom Daley – twice the winner in the Young Sports Personality of the Year contest – is the youngest having secured individual and pairs gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.The only name on the list that may cause some consternation is the boxer David Haye, whose world title fight against an ageing Audley Harrison this month was widely scorned.The awards ceremony will be held in Birmingham on Sunday, 19 December.The Sports Personality shortlistMark Cavendish, Tom Daley, Jessica Ennis, David Haye, Tony McCoy, Graeme McDowell, Graeme Swann, Phil Taylor, Lee Westwood, Amy WilliamsBBC Sports Personality of the YearGraeme McDowellTony McCoyGraeme SwannBeth TweddleEmma PooleyJessica EnnisAmy WilliamsAnna Kesselguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |