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Yelich talks injury: 'Had my pity party that night'

Published in Baseball
Monday, 16 September 2019 16:33

MILWAUKEE -- Christian Yelich said he had a "pity party" for himself after fracturing his right kneecap.

Hurt when he fouled off a pitch last week, the reigning NL MVP will miss the rest of the season as the Milwaukee Brewers try to make the playoffs. The projected recovery time for the two-time All-Star outfielder is eight to 10 weeks, and doctors say surgery is not necessary.

"I think the hardest part of the whole thing was the unknown for about 24 hours," Yelich said Monday in his first public comments since the injury. "It was a broad spectrum of outcomes and recovery times, depending on what the MRI showed. We got the good news of no surgery. Once I knew that, it was just about getting better and trying to make a full recovery."

Yelich said it will be difficult to miss playing in the postseason.

"It's the first time I've broken anything in my life or had a real injury,'' Yelich said. "It seems to be one of those things that's not fair at the moment. Trust me, I had my pity party that night at the stadium and I felt terrible. ... Trust me, I wish I could have an impact on this race, or if we make the playoffs, participate in that. But it's not going to happen. So there's no point in dwelling on it or letting it get you down.''

Yelich hit .329 with 44 homers, 97 RBIs and 30 stolen bases for the Brewers, who reached Game 7 of last year's National League Championship Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"For whatever reason, we seem to pull it together in September, and when everything is on the line, we find a way to win," he said.

It's time for my annual column looking ahead to potential World Series showdowns. We've been blessed in recent years not just with some great matchups in the Fall Classic, but some classic World Series, as well: the small-market Royals winning in 2015; the Cubs ending their curse in 2016 with a dramatic Game 7 win; the Astros winning their first title in 2017 in a colossal showdown against the Dodgers; and the Red Sox impressively steamrollering through the Yankees, Astros and Dodgers to take the title last year.

We still have a few playoff spots to decide, but let's break things down:

The powerhouse showdowns

With apologies to the Braves, we have three great teams in 2019:

Astros: 98-53, plus-255 run differential

Yankees: 98-53, plus-188 run differential

Dodgers: 97-54, plus-240 run differential

The Braves have been spectacular in the second half, but their run differential for the season is still just plus-106. They are a very good team, certainly capable of winning it all and maybe peaking at the right time, but they haven't dominated on the same level all season as these three teams. So ...

Yankees versus Dodgers: I know many fans would throw up at this World Series of two teams with pockets deeper than the Mariana Trench. I get that, but come on, this would be a classic matchup for two historic franchises that have met 11 times in the World Series, although not since 1981. Plus, there would be so much on the line that would ramp up the intensity in this one. The Yankees haven't been to the World Series since 2009, a relative eternity for this franchise. The Dodgers are still seeking their first World Series title since 1988, having lost the past two, and will enter the postseason on the heels of their seventh straight division title.

Plus, who doesn't want to see flashbacks of Reggie Jackson's three home runs in Game 6 in 1977:

Astros versus Dodgers: A rematch of the great seven-game duel in 2017. The Astros, of course, have that recent championship, but a second title would affirm their run as one of the greatest of all time. This will be their third consecutive 100-win season, and all three have come with huge run differentials:

2017: 101-61, plus-196
2018: 103-59, plus-263
2019: 105-57, plus-273 (on pace)

That's a remarkable run. In the 162-game era (since 1961), the only franchises to win 100 games three years in a row are the 2002-2004 Yankees, 1997-1999 Braves and 1969-1971 Orioles. Those three teams won just one World Series in the years in question (the 1970 Orioles). Winning a championship is hard even if you're a great team! The Astros have the opportunity to cement their legacy, and given the one-two punch of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, plus third wheel Zack Greinke, this might be their best team yet.

The Dodgers have won those seven division titles in a row, but I would argue they've had a truly great team in just two of those seasons: 2017, when they won 104 games; and this season, when they will again soar past 100 wins. In some years, they took advantage of a weak division. Last year, they needed a tiebreaker game over the Rockies to win the division. As with the Astros, this is L.A.'s best team in this run, with a deep rotation and a powerful lineup. The scary thing is this string of dominance isn't about to end, not with future stars such as Gavin Lux and Will Smith just getting their feet wet in the majors.

If we get this matchup, it could very well come down to Kenley Jansen, who ran into some trouble the last time these teams met in October:

The rematch of the best World Series ever

Twins versus Braves: Back in 1991, the Twins and Braves both went from last place to first place and won their league championship series, then met in the most exciting World Series ever played. Yes, I'm going to recap this because you need to know what happened in 1991 and look up the games on YouTube:

Game 1: Twins 5, Braves 2. Jack Morris goes seven-plus innings for the win.

Game 2: Twins 3, Braves 2. Scott Leius homers off Tom Glavine in the bottom of the eighth to give the Twins the win.

Game 3: Braves 5, Twins 4 (12 innings). The Twins tie it on Chili Davis' two-run homer in the eighth, but the Braves finally win on Mark Lemke's walk-off single.

Game 4: Braves 3, Twins 2. Lemke triples in the bottom of the ninth and scores the walk-off run on a sacrifice fly.

Game 5: Braves 14, Twins 5. The one blowout as David Justice drives in five runs.

Game 6: Twins 4, Braves 3 (11 innings). The Kirby Puckett Game. He goes 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs, makes a leaping catch against the fence and belts the walk-off home run off Charlie Leibrandt:

Game 7: Twins 1, Braves 0 (10 innings). Morris goes the distance, and Gene Larkin finally knocks in Dan Gladden with the winning run.

Five one-run games, all won in the final at-bat; four walk-off wins; three extra-inning games; and two classic contests in Games 6 and 7. Best World Series ever.

The 2019 rematch wouldn't feature teams that have gone from worst to first, but they are two exciting teams, with the Twins bashing all those home runs and the Braves featuring three potential 40-homer guys of their own in Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman and Josh Donaldson. The Braves haven't been to a World Series in 20 years; this will be their 11th playoff appearance since then. The Twins haven't reached the World Series since that 1991 title, with seven empty playoff runs since.

Midwest mayhem

These are the matchups that Fox executives don't want, but there are some fun storylines here:

Twins versus Brewers: Upper Midwest mayhem! The old American League matchup would be a fun showdown, as the Brewers seek their first World Series title. Plus, we would get the governors of the two states betting soybeans and cheese.

Indians versus Brewers: Combined seasons without a World Series title: 109. Who would you root for?

Indians versus Cubs: The Cubs beat Cleveland in 2016 to end their curse. It would be sweet revenge for the Indians to beat Chicago and win their first title since 1948. Or maybe sweet revenge for the Cubs to silence all their critics who have pounced on them throughout 2019.

Twins versus Cardinals: Jack Flaherty facing that Twins lineup? Thank you very much. This could be one of those classic Cardinals World Series seasons. They won at least 100 games in 2004, 2005 and 2015 and won 97 in 2013 (tied for most in the majors) and didn't win the World Series any of those years. They had 90 wins in 2011 and 83 in 2006 and won it both of those seasons.

Indians versus Cardinals: Frankly, I love any matchup between two of the original 16 franchises. It would be a miracle for the Tribe to get here: They have to get to the wild-card game, then they have to win that, then they would have to beat the Astros or Yankees in the division series, then probably the Astros or Yankees in the American League Championship Series, then they'd have to beat the Cardinals in the World Series. That would be some story.

Six other intriguing showdowns

Yankees versus Cubs: There's no denying the TV ratings would be good for this one. In fact, which matchups would draw the highest ratings? Two things help drive up the ratings: big markets and a longer series (more people watch as the series goes six and seven games). The 2016 World Series between the Cubs and Indians averaged 22.8 million viewers, the most since 2004 (Red Sox-Cardinals). Both of those series, of course, had extenuating circumstances, with the Cubs and Red Sox trying to end long World Series droughts. The six highest-rated World Series since 2000:

2004: Red Sox-Cardinals (25.4 million)
2001: Diamondbacks-Yankees (24.5 million)
2016: Cubs-Indians (22.8 million)
2003: Marlins-Yankees (20.1 million)
2009: Yankees-Phillies (19.3 million)
2017: Astros-Dodgers (18.9 million)

We don't have a Cubs/Red Sox storyline this year (not to dismiss the droughts of the Indians or Brewers), but we do have the potential of the Yankees facing the Dodgers or Cubs. I think those two would easily draw the highest ratings, given the national appeal of the Yankees and the market sizes of Los Angeles and Chicago. I think the Braves, with a large regional following and making their first World Series appearance in 20 years, would also rank high. You could argue that the Yankees against any National League team would draw the top ratings, although Houston is a large market with some of the biggest names in baseball, and the 2017 World Series drew excellent ratings. I would guess the highest ratings would be:

1. Yankees-Cubs
2. Yankees-Dodgers
3. Yankees-Braves
4. Yankees-Cardinals
5. Astros-Cubs
6. Astros-Dodgers
7. Yankees-Nationals

I'm assuming the Mets and Phillies won't make it, although I don't think any World Series with either of those two would crack the top seven. The Yankees-Mets in 2000 had lower ratings than the Yankees-Braves in 1999, for example. It's also worth noting that good series in the earlier rounds also can help the ratings -- excitement helps build momentum. So, a Twins-Braves World Series could earn good ratings if the previous rounds had a lot of drama.

By the way, we have ratings back to 1984. The 1986 World Series between the Mets and Red Sox has the highest average rating with 36.4 million viewers (a different time in television). Game 7 in 1986 drew an estimated 55 million to 60 million viewers; but Game 7 in 2016 did draw an estimated 40 million views -- an unbelievable number in today's saturated TV market.

Yankees versus Cardinals: This is either the "Love Them" or the "You're Sick of Them" series. On the positive side, we have two tradition-rich franchises with passionate fan bases, classic uniforms and likable teams. That's right, the Yankees are likable in 2019. I mean, just look at the surprising production from players such as Gio Urshela and DJ LeMahieu. And did I mention that Brett Gardner has career highs in home runs and slugging percentage, and New York is going to hit 300 home runs even though Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge have combined for just 24 and some guy named Mike Ford has 11 home runs in 129 at-bats and ... *&%@)($! Yankees.

Rays versus Dodgers: Could you imagine the Dodgers getting to a third straight World Series and then losing to the Rays? The franchise Andrew Friedman dumped in order to take over baseball operations for the Dodgers? I'm not saying I'm rooting for this to happen. OK, I am. And I like the Dodgers! It would suck to see Clayton Kershaw lose another World Series. But hope and faith are good things, and a small-market franchise beating the big, bad Dodgers would give us some of that.

A's versus Dodgers: Actually, losing to the A's might be even more painful for Dodgers fans. Plus, we would get plenty of Kirk Gibson replays from 1988. Surprise! I'm not going to show that highlight. Here's Joe Ferguson with a laser throw from the 1974 World Series between the A's and Dodgers:

Astros versus Nationals: It has been the Year of the Home Run, but this series would be a nice reminder that there's still some really good starting pitching out there, with Verlander, Cole and Greinke facing off against Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin.

Yankees versus Mets: Maybe next year, Mets fans.

The five best matchups

This is personal preference only. My favorite team (the Mariners) has never even reached the World Series, so this doesn't mean I don't like your team. Really, all I root for is seven games, dramatic moments and heroic home runs. I like the best teams to make it or I like the teams with the longest droughts to make it. So here are my top five, with the rule that I could pick a team in only one matchup:

1. Astros versus Dodgers. In my mind, the two best teams in baseball, the two teams I've most enjoyed watching in 2019 and a series full of great storylines, from the Astros trying for a second title in three seasons to Kershaw trying to finally get a ring.

2. Twins versus Braves. Two very good teams with high-powered offenses that haven't been to the World Series in a long time.

3. Yankees versus Cubs. I'm a sucker for old-school matchups, and it would be fun to see the Yankees' pitching staff maneuver through that Cubs lineup.

4. Indians versus Brewers. This one's an extreme long shot, but the two clubs with the longest droughts squaring off means at least one fan base gets to finally celebrate.

5. A's versus Nationals. Can Billy Beane finally win a World Series? Can the Expos/Nationals finally get to one?

Shoot, I left out the Rays. I love the Rays. How about Rays-Cardinals in the Tommy Pham Bowl?

Richard Kilty voted GB team captain for Doha

Published in Athletics
Tuesday, 17 September 2019 06:42

World and European indoor gold medallist is keen to share his “experience and enthusiasm” with the squad at the IAAF World Championships

Sprinter Richard Kilty has been voted captain of the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the IAAF World Championships taking place in Doha from September 27.

Kilty, who won the world indoor 60m title and European indoor gold medals in 2015 and 2017, received the most votes after every member of the 73-strong British team was given the chance to nominate their choice of captain.

“It feels incredible,” said Kilty, who also recently captained Team Europe at The Match in Minsk. “It’s always a huge honour to represent the British team but to be selected as captain feels amazing. It will definitely go down as a special moment in my athletics career.

“The squad is so talented with many star athletes. A lot of the athletes in the squad have leadership skills and would do an amazing job at being captain so to think that they have voted me in is a huge honour and I’m over the moon with being captain.”

A European gold medallist in the men’s 4x100m relay from 2014 and reigning Commonwealth champion in the event, Kilty won the 200m at the European Team Championships last month and this season has also come within 0.05 of his 20.34 PB set in 2013.

Selected for his fourth successive world championships as part of the world champion men’s 4x100m relay squad, Kilty is the sixth British athlete to have been voted as captain by his fellow athletes and, as part of his role, will deliver the pre-championships captain’s speech at the British team meeting.

“It makes it extra special that my fellow athletes have selected me as their captain,” Kilty added. “I have lots of experience and enthusiasm, which I be sharing with the squad.

“I will bring energy and confidence to everyone around me from the athletes to the team staff. I’ve got a great story to tell and I will try my best to inspire the team every moment from my team speech and on a daily basis over the course of the championships.”

Team leader Neil Black said: “I am extremely happy for Richard that he has been voted as captain of the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the IAAF World Championships. Richard is having a brilliant season, running as fast as he ever has, battling to victory at the European Team Championships and, as always, forming an integral part of the men’s 4x100m relay team, which was typified by his performance at the Müller Anniversary Games in July.

“Richard is an inspiration to his team-mates on the track and to so many off it as well, in particular through his work with young people, especially at his home in Teesside. It is no surprise that his peers have voted him as captain of the British team for Doha and I’m looking forward to seeing Richard embrace the roles and responsibilities of being captain from now right through to the end of the championships.”

Find the full GB team for Doha listed here.

Johanna Konta will not play any tournaments in Asia this autumn and so will not be able to qualify for the season-ending WTA Championships.

The British number one has withdrawn from the China Open in Beijing because of "slight knee pain" and did not enter next week's lucrative tournament in Wuhan in China.

She is next expected to play in Moscow in the middle of October.

Konta, 28, is currently 11th in the annual WTA singles race.

The top eight players qualify for the WTA Championships in Shenzhen in China, but the next 11 - plus a wildcard - are eligible to compete in the Elite Trophy.

Konta is still likely to qualify for this event, which is staged in the Chinese city of Zhuhai at the end of October.

Demanding opening day, notable performances

Published in Table Tennis
Monday, 16 September 2019 17:52

Competing in class 7, Pavao Jozic accounted for Spain’s Jordi Morales, the no.2 seed and reigning world champion (10-12, 12-10, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8); a hard fought success it was the same for Dezso Bereczki in class 9, he overcame Italy’s Mohamed Amine Kalem, also the no.2 seed and bronze medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (11-8, 2-11, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10).

More Spanish heartache

Likewise, Kim Daybell, silver medallist at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games accounted for the no.2 seed and in so doing caused Spain more heartache; in class 10, he beat José Manuel Ruiz (11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7), a player with an outstanding record in major international tournaments. At the European Championships in 2001, 2007 and 2009 he secured gold, a feat he also achieved at the 2010 World Championships in Gwangju, Korea Republic.

“I’m really pleased. Obviously it is nice to get the result but I think the feeling I had on the table and the way I portrayed myself was really good, I’m proud of that. I have struggled this season mentally a little bit so it feels really good to get the win. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s a really good player and he’s beaten me a lot of times so any win against him is really difficult. He’s a tough opponent even when things are not going his way as he’s very clever so I was pleased, especially after going 2-1 down, I thought the way I came back was good.” Kim Daybell

Testing times, also in class 9, Ukraine’s Lev Kats upset the order of merit by beating Russia’s Iuri Nozdrunov, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-6, 12-10), as in class 10 did Montenegro’s Filip Radovic, he overcame Frenchman Matteas Boheas, the no.4 seed (13-11, 11-7, 10-12, 13-11). Pertinently, Iuri Nozdrunov has a most creditable record at the Para European Championships, in 2013 and 2015 he was a bronze medallist, in 2009 and 2017 a silver medal winner.

Inspired performances

Impressive performances, in the men’s singles events it was the same in class 1 where Great Britain’s Tom Matthews, bronze medallist at the 2018 Para World Championships, beat Italy’s Andrea Borgato (11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8) and Serbia’s Goran Perlic overcame Ukraine’s Oleksandr Yezyk (12-10, 11-8, 12-10). Both Andrea Borgato and Oleksandr Yezyk occupied the no.3 seeded position, Oleksandr Yezyk having been a bronze medallist at the Para European Championships in 2013 in Lignano and two years later in Vejle.

“I’m really pleased with my performance. I kept my head throughout the match and even at 2-1 down I felt quite confident to come out of that game. He is such an experienced player; he has been there before and been to Paralympics so to beat him on a stage like this is an amazing feeling to be honest. I’ve just got to keep taking it one match at a time and see where it goes from here. I’m feeling quite confident and feeling good so let’s see where it goes.” Tom Matthews

Polish success

Meanwhile, in the women’s singles competition, Dorota Nowacka was very much the player centre stage, in class 11 she accounted for Ukraine’s Natalia Kosmina, the no.2 seed (12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7), the reigning European champion in addition to being gold medallist at the 2013 Para European Championships and at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Success for Poland, in the same category the nation enjoyed further success against the odds. Krystina Lysiak beat Russia’s Anzhelika Kosavheva, the no.3 seed (8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9). A fine effort from Krystina Lysiak, in 2011 Anzhelika Kosavheva was crowned European champion, in 2014 the World champion.

Excellent form

Good form from Polish players; it was the same in the women’s singles for Sweden’s Ingela Lundbäck, Germany’s Stephanie Grebe and Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic. In class 4, Ingela Lundbäck beat Great Britain’s Sue Gilroy, the no.4 seed and 2005 European champion (11-7, 11-9, 11-8); in class Stephanie Grebe overcame Russia’s Maliak Alieva, the 3 seed (11-5, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9).

Meanwhile, not to be overshadowed, in class 10, it was success for Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic; she defeated Turkey’s Unran Ertis, the no.3 seed (6-11, 2-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-4) and gold medallist at the 2013 Para European Championships.

Problems for notable names but only one defeat; players finishing in first and second places in each group advance to the main draw, the door is open.

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Four teams remain, who will prevail in Yogyakarta

Published in Table Tennis
Monday, 16 September 2019 18:41
China v Singapore

The first semi-final of the day sees favourites China take on Singapore at 10.00am local time in what should prove to be an exciting contest.

So far, we’ve only had the one glimpse at the Chinese women’s team in Yogyakarta, but that encounter with DPR Korea was all we need to know they mean business. Liu Shiwen was the experienced head in a young line-up which included Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu and all three players produced devastating performances to defeat the opposition by a commanding 3-0 margin.

Singapore’s journey started in the group phase of the competition, coming out on top against Maldives and Sri Lanka without dropping a single game! Through to the quarter-finals, Singapore sprung a shock 3-1 victory over Korea Republic with Lin Ye, Yu Mengyu and Feng Tianwei contributing one win each.

Based on previous meetings Chinese fans will be feeling pretty confident that their team will succeed against Singapore. In recent years China has held an immaculate record against their semi-final opponents, beating Singapore 3-0 at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and then 3-1 two years later at the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London.

However, there is one head-to-head meeting with China that Team Singapore will be looking to take inspiration from and that’s the 2010 World Team Championships final. Feng Tianwei played a key role in helping Singapore to a shock gold medal finish on that occasion – can she lead her country to another famous victory over the 17 times Asian champions? Surely not?

There’s no secret that the odds sit firmly in China’s court in Yogyakarta, they are after all searching for a seventh consecutive women’s team gold at the event. But, if there’s one team that still haunts the top seeds somewhat it’s Singapore following their shock defeat at the 2010 World Team Championships.

Chinese Taipei v Japan

Following the conclusion of China’s meeting with Singapore it’s time for the second women’s team semi-final as Japan and Chinese Taipei battle it out in the lower section of the draw.

Japan head into the match off the back of a convincing 3-0 win at Thailand’s expense. Miu Hirano, Kasumi Ishikawa and Hitomi Sato were a delightful watch against their Thai counterparts in the quarter-finals and with Saki Shibata and Miyu Kato also available for selection, you can bet you’ll see a strong team lining up for the country in the penultimate round.

As for Chinese Taipei, the path to the semi-finals was slightly trickier: facing fierce competition in the form of Hong Kong, Team Chinese Taipei required a heroic display from Chen Szu-Yu who came up trumps twice while a third win from Cheng I-Ching also proved invaluable.

The most recent head-to-head between the two teams came on this very stage four years back at the 2015 ITTF-Asian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. On that occasion it was a case of one-way traffic as Japan powered to a 3-0 victory but should we expect a closer contest this time around?

Whether Chinese Taipei can cause an upset or not will depend heavily on how the duo of Cheng I-Ching and Chen Szu-Yu fare. Both players are fully capable of taking the challenge to the Japanese squad, but the task will be a difficult one. Stranger things have happened in sport, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Who will be crowned champions?

Four teams remain, on Tuesday that number will be cut down to two. China and Japan are the favourites to progress but can Singapore and Chinese Taipei spoil the party?

If it is indeed to be another bout between China and Japan at the final hurdle the former of the two teams will head into the match with confidence on their side. However, rule out this young and exciting Japanese outfit at your peril! What ever the final outcome the women’s team contest is set for a spectacular conclusion.

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The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced the opening of the first stage of bidding for the 2020 ITTF World Veterans Tour (WVT) – a series of events connecting millions of table tennis players across a professionally organized and managed format. WVT events are open to any player aged 40 and over, and include:

  • A dedicated ITTF World Veterans Tour website, including event-specific pages;
  • Worldwide Veterans ranking system;
  • Enhanced marketing and social media programs for tour operators;
  • Consistent playing formats;
  • And much more!

With seven age categories on offer and match formats including men’s and women’s singles and doubles events with optional mixed doubles and team events, this is very much a Tour open to anyone and everyone who continues to show their passion for the sport!

Over 1,000 players will have competed in this year’s WVT events, which started in Shenzhen (China) in August and will conclude in Cardiff (Wales) in December. Other stops in 2019 include Townsville (Australia) in September, Ft. Lauderdale (USA) in October, and Doha (Qatar) in November.

The 2020 ITTF World Veterans Tour will be expanded to include up to 12 events. National associations, regional associations and local organizers are encouraged to be a part of the Tour, which is not just an opportunity for mass participation in an ever-growing veteran players community, but also for host cities to put on an international sporting event with visibility boosted through the support of the ITTF’s Marketing Team.

Hosts must start their bidding process with an expression of interest to the ITTF, who will then invite bidders to explain more about their proposals and submit a detailed bidding form. The strongest bids will be shortlisted by the ITTF, who will subsequently decide which hosts have been successful.

Bidding process deadlines are as follows:

  • 7 October 2019: Expression of Interest
  • 18 October 2019: LOC and Host Interviews
  • 7 November 2019: Selection

To begin the process of hosting an event on the 2020 ITTF World Veterans Tour, click here.

To review the 2020 World Veterans Tour Directives, click here.

For more information or questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Horne hopes try threat catches Townsend's eye in Japan

Published in Rugby
Monday, 16 September 2019 22:29

George Horne's capacity to cut holes in defences is clear, but it's only when you put his statistics in context that you get an angle on how ruthless the scrum-half can be.

Horne might be Scotland's third-choice scrum-half in Japan, but in other categories he's out on his own.

The younger Horne has scored 22 tries in 42 games for Glasgow, which means he's scored in 52% of the matches he has played in for the Warriors - plenty of them off the bench.

It's a figure that looks impressive at first glance, but it only gets better when you place it alongside the best finishers the club has had in recent times.

Horne is ahead of all others. DTH van der Merwe is the nearest with a try in 48% of his Glasgow games, Tommy Seymour and Niko Matawalu are on 34%, while Stuart Hogg finished his time on 25%.

The scrum-half might only be the size of the leg of a chair (he is 5ft 9ins and 79kg) but he has the kind of stamina and gas that could prove influential in the stifling humidity of the World Cup.

"I try to get the team playing at a high tempo and, to be honest, a lot of those tries don't come from me doing anything special," he says.

"It's the guys making breaks and me just getting on the end of them. I think that ability to track the ball and just get on the inside has counted for 75%-80% of those tries.

"A lot of the credit goes to the guys making the breaks. But, yeah, if there's a gap there I will try and take it."

A debut that left him 'distraught'

His eye for space and his pace off the mark might not be enough to get him ahead of the game management and big-game nous offered by Greig Laidlaw or the frenetic excellence of Ali Price, but Horne is the coming man, no question.

At 24, he has seven international caps and three international tries - two against Argentina last summer and one against Georgia earlier this month.

Again the strike rate is impressive; not quite as prolific as Darcy Graham, Sam Johnson or Blair Kinghorn, but better than everybody else in terms of tries to caps won.

Different players bring different things but his three in seven compares favourably to Laidlaw's four in 73 and Price's four in 27.

This road to Japan began in earnest on the summer tour in 2018, a test of resolve if ever there was one. His debut came against the United States in Houston - and it was a nightmare as Scotland lost.

"The game itself was weird," Horne says. "We got off to a great start then our own mistakes just started killing us.

"I was just distraught. I got my cap presented to me but I was just raging. I was fizzing. I couldn't comprehend what had happened.

"It was always my dream to play for Scotland and to follow in the footsteps of my brother [Peter, who has 43 caps], but it was a pretty bleak couple of days."

'Pete has been a massive influence'

The following week Scotland went to Resistencia in Argentina. Las Vegas, it was not. Scotland were cooped up in a hotel in the sticks. Horror of horrors, the WiFi was patchy.

There was a heavy air about the place that week and for a young guy who had just suffered through his debut it was a challenge.

Gregor Townsend put Horne, and Adam Hastings, straight back into the team for the Test with the Pumas. Within a minute the pair got hold of the match and dominated it.

Horne's talent was not in question but you never find out about a player's mentality until it's tested in weeks like that - and Horne stood up.

"That Argentina game was the best feeling I've ever had in rugby," he says. "I'm hoping to have some better ones in Japan, but that will take a bit of beating.

"Pete has been a massive influence on me. If you ask anyone they'll tell you he's the ultimate professional, so having him to learn from has definitely helped me get to where I am.

"He's had upsets in in his career and he's come through them. He's had injuries, he's had disappointments in games. He's shrugged it all off and bounced back.

"Everything I might go through in the game he's already been through, so it's brilliant to be in the squad with him."

'I don't sulk. I try to make a difference'

The scrum-half has had to battle. Once upon a time he was a 10, but not a highly regarded 10 by those in power.

"The coaches didn't really see me as a stand-off," he recalls. "I think there was this perception that I tried to play for myself, and they just didn't think 10 was for me. I didn't manage the game as well as others."

He always wanted to be a professional player but around the time that his brother was playing - and scoring - for Scotland against Australia in the World Cup quarter-final four years ago, Horne was in an uncertain place, unwanted by the national academy and unsure about where his future lay in the game.

Talent wouldn't have been enough to get him through the traffic at nine - he's had to play his way past Henry Pyrgos and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne. He's needed perseverance, too. Plenty of it.

"I want to start more games. Every player will tell you that," he says.

"I know how it is, though. Greig runs the game exceptionally well and that's something I need to work on. Ali's basic skills of passing and kicking are unbelievable so I need to match the boys in those areas.

"I have a lot to learn but I think I can make an impact. I don't sulk. I come on the field and try to make a difference."

And he does. His scoring rate is extraordinary and it's that cutting edge that gives him a chance of upsetting the natural order in Japan.

Ireland's Kearney could be fit for Scotland opener

Published in Rugby
Monday, 16 September 2019 23:38

Ireland full-back Rob Kearney could still be in contention for Sunday's World Cup opener against Scotland despite a calf injury.

The 33-year-old had looked set to miss the first Pool A game but is now likely to train on Wednesday.

Ireland remain hopeful that both Kearney and Keith Earls, who has a thigh problem, can face Scotland.

They are already likely to be without centre Robbie Henshaw this weekend because of a hamstring complaint.

"Rob Kearney has a bit of tightness in his calf, and that will be managed across Tuesday," said an Irish Rugby Football Union spokesman.

"We hope he'll be out running on Wednesday so we will be able to update after that. Keith Earls ran on Monday, while Joey Carbery trained fully on Monday too."

Carbery, who was forced off in the first warm-up fixture against England, is primarily a fly-half but has also previously played at full-back.

Kearney's Leinster team-mate Jordan Larmour could also fill in for him, while Munster's Andrew Conway is another option.

Ulster's Will Addison remains on standby after Henshaw's injury on Saturday, with Ireland management requesting that the full-back was rested from Saturday's pre-season friendly against Glasgow.

Kearney impressed in Ireland's 19-10 victory over Wales that closed their World Cup warm-up fixtures in Dublin on 7 September.

The 92-cap full-back ties Ireland's backline together and coach Joe Schmidt will be keen to have his calming presence in the key pool match.

England scrum-half Ben Youngs says he wants something special from his third World Cup after the bitter disappointments of 2011 and 2015.

Youngs is one of four survivors, along with centre Manu Tuilagi and forwards Dan Cole and Courtney Lawes, from the squad that travelled to New Zealand eight years ago.

England were beset by off-field controversies as they went out in the quarter-finals in 2011, and then failed to get out of the group stages four years ago.

Youngs said: "Neither of them was the outcome I wanted.

"I think anyone wants to look back at the end of their career and feel proud of success - and the World Cup is always the pinnacle.

"This opportunity here with this side is probably the best shot I have of being able to look back at a period of my career and say, yeah, that was something really special."

'There were a lot of distractions that didn't help'

Youngs was just 22 when he made his World Cup debut in New Zealand eight years ago, scoring the critical try in Dunedin as England squeezed past Argentina in their first group game.

But they struggled from that point on, an infamous team night out in Queenstown creating a tabloid storm and Tuilagi being fined after jumping off a ferry into Auckland harbour.

Their defeat by a France team that had itself lost to underdogs Tonga led to the resignation of head coach Martin Johnson and three separate reviews into what had gone wrong at what the RFU's director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, later called "the World Cup from hell".

Youngs told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm proud of the fact I've been to two World Cups before - I'm proud of 2011 in that I was there, and in 2015 representing England at a home World Cup, which was an achievement in itself.

"Every experience is different. They all teach you something. And the biggest experience from 2011 was making sure you stay focused on the pitch and deliver on that.

"There were a lot of distractions going on in that tournament that didn't help us to deliver.

"World Cups are strange things, and I don't have the magic formula - it's sport, it happens. It happened to us.

"I can sit here and say I'm determined it won't happen again, but I can't guarantee it.

"But it's what coming up that matters - about this group now under Eddie Jones. There are many guys who played in 2011 and 2015 who didn't get another opportunity at a World Cup."

'They are big guys so we have to be smart'

England open their campaign against Tonga in Sapporo on Sunday.

The Pacific islanders were thumped 92-7 by New Zealand in a warm-up match this month, conceding 14 tries.

But Youngs - the most capped number nine in English history - is wary of the threat they might pose in the tournament proper.

"When you play Tonga and Samoa and South Africa, you know they're regarded as the most physical teams, and they seldom disappoint," he said.

"We've got to make sure that physically we're up to the challenge - they're going to get a lot of belief through how they carry the ball and how they tackle.

"They are big guys, so we have to be smart about how we carry the ball and which channels we go down - they certainly won't give us any room around the ruck or getting momentum round there.

"You have to be patient. What you have to avoid is falling into the trap of fool's gold space, where you see what you think is space or an opportunity and shift it too early, and then they get cover there.

"There's no hiding - you have to get through a team first before you can create the space out wide.

"They can lure you out there and then, boom, they close it down and then go really hard at the breakdown and make it very hard for you."

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