| North Carolina's Draughn cleared to return By 2010-09-13T15:47:48ZCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina tailback Shaun Draughn will return for this weekend's game against Georgia Tech after sitting out a game due to the ongoing NCAA investigation.... hosted.ap.org |
Higgins's 'world in a spin' after sting • Three-time world champion endured 'horrible time'• Read the full interview on Tuesday morningJohn Higgins has spoken of the "horrible time" when, for four months, he was at the centre of snooker's worst match-fixing scandal before being cleared of the most serious charges 12 days ago.In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, which will appear in full online tomorrow morning and in Tuesday's paper, Higgins talks about the week in spring that ended with the News of the World breaking a story that it had video footage which apparently showed Higgins in Kiev agreeing to throw frames at future tournaments in eastern Europe."I was bewildered," he says of the meeting instigated by his former manager Pat Mooney. "I'm not the sort to start screaming and shouting, but I couldn't believe he had said this so flippantly. Once we were inside a few more things were said that didn't add up. It was pretty intimidating and I thought let's get out of here as quickly as possible. That's all I was thinking."I came back late on the Friday night," Higgins says, "and there was just time for me to help Denise [his wife] put the kids to bed. I was still getting my head around everything. Denise had to go to Glasgow early the next morning as her sister was getting fitted for her wedding dress. So I was running all over the place with the kids. At the same time Mooney had left messages for me but I didn't want to speak to him."He then left another message saying it was really important I called back. He said the News of the World had videotaped our meeting in Kiev. I just put the phone down. My whole world was in a spin. I had to go pick up Denise in Glasgow. When Denise and her mum got in the car she saw I was chalk-white. She said: 'What is it?' But I couldn't speak because the kids were in the back. When we got home the reporters were already waiting for us in the drive."Higgins adds: "It's been a horrible time." The day after he was cleared of the most serious charges of agreeing to fix matches - but suspended for six months and fined £75,000 for failing to report an illegal approach and for bringing snooker into disrepute - Higgins heard that his father's long battle against cancer had reached its final stage. John Higgins Sr has been released from hospital so that he can spend the time he has left at home.For the full interview, visit guardian.co.uk/sport tomorrowJohn HigginsSnookerNews of the WorldNewspapers & magazinesDonald McRaeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
F1 Austin organizers miss track design deadline Austin Formula One organizers missed a self-imposed September deadline to submit their track design to the FIA, which is the Paris-based international governing body for motor sports that sanctions Formula One races and oversees safety. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Baylor coach Scott Drew in wait-and-see mode on Dunn Baylor coach Scott Drew says he is not making any new plans for his team after guard LaceDarius Dunn was arrested this week after allegedly hitting ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Graham: England can beat New Zealand • Captain knows good start is essential in Four Nations• Sam Tomkins identified as England's main threatThe new England captain, James Graham, is confident his team of underdogs can spring a surprise in opening Four Nations game against New Zealand at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.The tourists' chances have been written off, largely on the basis of their inability to hold on to an 18-0 lead in their warm-up match against the Maori last Saturday, as well as the loss of their inspirational leader Adrian Morley.The Kiwis, on the other hand, have a team that looks even stronger than the one that lifted the World Cup in 2008 and they are buoyed by an impressive performance in last Saturday's 50-6 win over Samoa.The mood of pessimism surrounding England is in sharp contrast to two years ago when Jamie Peacock took his team to Australia for the World Cup amid high expectations, only to produce a series of disappointing performances.Graham, who was a member of the 2008 squad, is confident that under the new head coach, Steve McNamara, and their performance adviser, Brian Smith, these tourists can prove people wrong. "There was a lot of hype then, people saying how well we were going to do, whereas I think this time everyone seems to be writing us off, saying we've got no chance," he said."Everyone is entitled to their opinion – we're not living in North Korea – but the only people that can do anything about it are those who go out on the pitch. Steve, Brian and Jimmy Lowes [the assistant coach] have identified some of the areas where we went wrong and we've addressed some of those in training. We feel we've put those wrongs to right."The return of Graham, who was rested against the Maori, is one of three changes made by McNamara for a game that could make or break England's Four Nations prospects. The New Zealand scrum-half, Nathan Fien, has dubbed it "do or die", even though the Kiwis fancy their chances of toppling Australia at Auckland's Eden Park next month, while England know a defeat here would make next Sunday's game with the Kangaroos in Melbourne a must-win fixture."I don't think it's do or die but it's very important to get off to a good start," said Graham. "Otherwise you are almost going into cup rugby straight away – lose and you're out."While England's strength lies among the forwards, despite the loss of Peacock and Morley, New Zealand look a more balanced outfit and Graham believes the biggest threat will come from a familiar source. "The obvious danger that springs to mind is Benji Marshall," he said. "He's a very special player. He can do things that no other player can. But they have got plenty of strike players out wide and we'd be foolish to concentrate on any one player."The match will mark 100 years of international rugby between the two nations and is the first major test for McNamara, whose long-term brief is to prepare for the 2013 World Cup.Thomas Leuluai, the Wigan scrum-half who starts as the Kiwis' hooker, will come up against five of his club team-mates and the war of words began in a Wellington coffee shop 48 hours before kick-off. "I went out to have a coffee with them yesterday and we had a bit of a chat," he said. "When I was leaving, they were talking about how they were going to wrestle and snap my legs and stuff like that. I gave some back."Sam Tomkins, Stuart Fielden, Darrell Goulding, Joel Tomkins and Sean O'Loughlin are the Super League Grand Final winners in the England line-up but it is 21-year-old Sam Tomkins who has featured most in the Kiwis' team talks. "He's one of their strike players," said Leuluai. "I've played with him a lot and he's a great footballer, a real talent."It's about minimising his say on the game. I don't think you can cancel him right out of the game, it's just about making sure he's not as effective. It will be tough. He's skinny but so strong and he breaks tackles when he runs with the ball."Although he is the starting scrum-half for the Warriors, Leuluai has been increasingly used as a hooker by his club and has no problem switching between the roles. "It's not like I've been chucked in at hooker," said Leuluai, who along with the full-back, Lance Hohaia, is his country's most experienced current international with 23 caps. "Maybe there will be a different focus starting there so I've to get used to that but I'll be all right.England rugby league teamNew Zealand rugby leagueFour NationsRugby leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |