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Confidence is key for Miguel Francis

Published in Athletics

Thursday, 19 September 2019 07:59

Britain’s 200m No.1 has worked at building his self-belief

His performances might not show it, but Miguel Francis says he has struggled with self-belief and a lack of confidence in the past.

When he stands on the start line at the IAAF World Championships in Doha later this month, the sprinter knows that all of his nerves will disappear but managing those emotions in the lead-up is something which the 24-year-old has focused on.

“It has been really rough. At the beginning of my season, in my first two races, I struggled a lot. I didn’t know how I would compete coming back from injury. I was really nervous going into those races,” says Francis, who has returned to near top form this summer after undergoing surgeries on his right ankle and knee in the past couple of years.

“I struggled a lot with confidence and believing in myself,” adds the British 200m No.1, who works with Glen Mills, coach of sprints great Usain Bolt, in Jamaica as part of the Racers Track Club. “It is something I am still working on right now, my coach is trying to get me to work on it – trying to believe in myself more and be more confident.”

But the Montserrat-born sprinter, who transferred his allegiance to Britain in 2017, adds that his performances so far this year have given him a boost, with a UK-leading 19.97 clocked at the Müller Anniversary Games in London and a third-place finish at the British Championships, which helped to secure his spot on the GB team for Doha.

“The races I have done have really boosted my confidence a lot,” he says.

“I was coming back from surgery in September last year. To come back and finally run 19 (seconds) again and have the season I’m having, I feel the best I’ve ever felt. I’m training really well and things are going smoothly.

“The beginning of the season was kind of rough, I had some small pains and stuff. I started back basically learning to run again, learning to sprint again. I had to make sure that I got my body – my hamstrings, quads – stronger so I can stay healthy.

“The times that I do in training, I run them so easily, to be honest. I train so well. But it is so hard for me to be confident heading into races. But when I get on the start line, it all disappears – my nerves and everything disappear. I just get really nervous before my races.

“It definitely isn’t because of who is in the race, it is just me not believing in myself and believing that I can run fast.”

But Francis has already proven that he can. With some swift times this summer, and some solid training behind him, the best could still be yet to come.

The 19.97 he ran in London in July ranks him equal third on the British 200m all-time list alongside Adam Gemili, behind only John Regis and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, though Francis does have a faster PB of 19.88 – just 0.01 off Regis’ best – which he ran in 2016.

That came after he represented Antigua & Barbuda at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 world championships, with Francis having moved there with his family when he was a few months old after a volcanic eruption on his home Caribbean island.

But the Wolverhampton & Bilston athlete, who has family in the West Midlands of England, was eligible for a transfer to GB with his birthplace being a British overseas territory and his mind is now on medals as he races for GB in the 200m and forms part of the 4x100m squad in Doha.

“I know myself. I know when I get to Doha I won’t have any problems confidence wise,” he says. “Anything is possible. I feel like I can definitely be in the mix.

“This is something I want. I don’t want to go my whole career and never win a major medal. It’s something that I want to achieve.”

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Wimbledon: Birmingham grass-court tournament downgraded after WTA event switch to Berlin

Published in Tennis

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 07:55

The United Kingdom's biggest women-only grass-court event is to be downgraded from next summer, with Wimbledon supporting a new tournament in Berlin.

The Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham, a Premier status competition on the WTA Tour since 2014, is to return to being categorised as an International event.

The change means lower prize money and ranking points for players.

Ashleigh Barty become world number one after winning the tournament in June.

The French Open champion was in a field that included Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova and Venus Williams.

The tournament - held two weeks before Wimbledon, putting it up against the men's event at Queen's Club - is one that makes significant losses.

Prize money in recent years has not been matched by a similar increases in ticket sales or sponsorship.

The reduction in prize funds for the 38-year-old event represents a drop of about £600,000 from around £800,000 to approximately £200,000 - a significant sum for the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which reported a loss of £8.8m in May.

LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said the event will still "provide opportunities for tennis fans to get closer to the sport".

"We have worked closely with the All England Lawn Tennis Club on the plans for next year's grass-court season," he said.

"The Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham will continue to be one of the LTA's major events next season."

Birmingham will now have to compete with Berlin to try to attract players.

Other changes the grass-court season will include a new men's event in Majorca and a proposed women's tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, backed by former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber.

The other British tournaments in Nottingham and Eastbourne are unaffected by the changes.

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Coach Education the focus in Asia

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 06:05

Participation is limited to 30 attendees, and aspiring coaches taking part in one of the courses can look forward to five days of learning with 30 hours in total, including a PTT (Para Table Tennis) element. After conclusion of the course, coaches have to complete 30 hours of coaching practice, five of which supervised, before being awarded the ITTF-PTT Level 1 coach certificate.

For those taking on these courses throughout Asia in August, proceedings commenced in Malaysia where Christina Chee ran two ITTF-PTT Level 1 courses at the beginning of the month. The first course, was attended by 28 primary and high school teachers of whom five were women. It was the first coaching development course to be organised in the West Malaysian state of Pahang and carried out in the world-famous hill resort of the Cameron Highlands.

The five-day course was conducted in fresh mountain air, and cool temperatures resulted in the enthusiastic participation of all teachers who put their energy into getting a full pass rate in the practical evaluations.

“Aspects of the course were very useful for me to improve my players’ footwork, work towards correct basic techniques and even the innovation of tournament organisation to improve and to develop my students.” Zulhilmi, teacher from Kuantan District.

The Para Table Tennis element encouraged the participants to learn about the basic fundamentals, and experience playing the sport in a wheelchair and using crutches. The evenings were dedicated to learning the elements of organising a Para table tennis event.

“I hoped all of them learned all the strong foundation knowledge of coaching approach from the expert by application with more practical practice when the teachers return to the districts; not just only for completion thirty hours practical coaching after the course.” Azahari Talib, Table Tennis Technical Chairman, Sports Division of Pahang Education Department.

The second course, again led by Christina Chee, was staged in Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, which has produced many top Table Tennis players nationally and also in the international arena for the past 45 years.

“Due to the sport’s evolution and development, the state is in need to organise more coach education courses to produce more coaches from the base for greater future performance.” Lisa Ludong, Sarawak Development Officer of Sarawak Sports Corporation for Table Tennis.

A motivated group of participants consisted of seven full-time coaches, nine part-time coaches and 13 teachers responsible for state divisions and school development programs attended the five-day course.

“The comprehensive course contents learned and introduced on each day helps us to enrich both theoretical and technical skills, and enable us to put more into practical approach to carry out the program efficiently after the course.” Ling Kah Nge from Sibu, an active veteran player and a state Table Tennis legend.

“I enjoyed the course being conducted especially the skills demonstrations and Table Tennis science which gave me a deeper understanding and awareness of how to coach and play the sport more efficiently.” TT2 player Liu Bee Sang, Chairman Sibu Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Thomas Tay, former national player, said it was “a bonus to attend the course and it was extremely informative and satisfying, I admire the conductor’s approach with no boredom at any time.” Mikar Changgan, Sarawak Sports Corporation Central Zone Youth and Sports Officer provided the opening and closing address with words of encouragement to the coaches. He urged the participants to raise playing standards to a new level, and to believe that all coaches together can achieve and make things better for the state.

Bahrain also focused on their base by staging an ITTF-PTT Level 1 course from 21st to 25thAugust 2019, led by Karima Tellaa.

The course took place in Manama, the capital of the country, in the Federal Hall, with the participation of 30 trainees including 14 women. Notably, 23 participants (13 women and 10 men) were Physical Education (PE) teachers from different schools; the remainder of the participants were made up of active coaches and players. All The trainees were motivated and very involved, especially the PE teachers who followed the training with great attention and seriousness, and whose sole purpose it was to highlight and transmit their knowledge to change the practice of table tennis in their schools.

The Bahrain table tennis association is very active, providing all means for table tennis development and the training of table tennis players. The association plans to organize further training for next year through its Level 3 course, training of international referees, running an Under 15s training camp and by organizing an international competition.

“I would like to pay great respect toward the President of the Bahrain Table Tennis Association Mr. Sheikha Hayat Bent Abdul Aziz Alkhalifa, who does not stop making enormous efforts to preserve this discipline, his precious devotion and seriousness working for its development and my special thanks also to the Ministry of National Education for his interest in supporting sport in general and table tennis in particular. I hope that my participation will greatly stimulate the development of this discipline in schools and also in clubs.” Karima Tellaa

Thailand concluded the bustle of coaching courses in Asia with two ITTF-PTT Level 1 courses and one ITTF Level 2 course. Proceedings commenced in Bangkok at the ITTF-PTT Level 1 course led by Arsa Amornrattanasuchat from 19th to 23rd August 2019. The 27 participants were fully engaged throughout the course, during both the theoretical and the practical part. The PTT session was met with special enthusiasm, as this aspect of table tennis training was new to most of the group.

The second course in Thailand also took place in Bangkok, at the Sports Authority of Thailand. It was host to 20 aspiring Level 2 coaches from 26th to 31st August. Nowadays there are table tennis tournaments in Thailand almost every week. Increasing the number of athletes and qualified coaches is vital. Coaching courses are therefore of high importance for the development of knowledge and ability of coaches and athletes in Thailand.

“I would like to thank Mr. Richard MacAfee for being both the educator and the adviser. Thank you to ITTF and TTAT for the policy. The course was successful as well by all the participants. They were very pleased to learn and study hard in grouping after class.” Korakij Sermkijseree, course conductor

The ITTF-PTT Level 1 coaches met in Yala, approximately 1200km from Bangkok. Organized under the auspices of the Table Tennis Association of Thailand, Yala Municipality National Sports University, Yala table tennis club and Yala Municipality, the coaching course was held from 24th to 28th August 2019.

Its main objective was to raise the standard of education for students of the Yala Campus National Sports University to have more access to table tennis. This was the third such course held in Yala. More than 30 people were interested in joining, and of these 27 people were selected to participate. All of participants were very eager to learn and took part enthusiastically in every practice lesson.

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Men follow suit, China a class apart

Published in Table Tennis

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 07:14

In the title deciding contest the combination formed by Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong and Liang Jingkun showed no charity in opposition to Jang Woojin, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu.

Xu Xin set matters in motion by beating Xu Xin (11-3, 11-7, 11-9), before Fan Zhendong accounted for Jeoung Youngsik (11-8, 11-9, 11-7) and Liang Jingkun brought matters to a conclusion by overcoming Lee Sangsu (11-8, 11-7, 11-5).

“This victory is crucial to our team. It helps to increase morale and confidence. I hope this title will give my more power and confidence to play the following singles events.” Fan Zhendong

“This is my first time to get the chance to play at semi-final and final at team events. I am satisfied with my performance. I won all my matches. It is a recognition to myself.” Liang Jingkun

“I feel safe with Ma Long around but without Ma Long, we can still make our coach feel secure. No matter which players are not here, we will definitely win as always and make all our fans happy!” Xu Xin

Hesitant start

Earlier at the semi-final stage, China had accounted for Japan; Xu Xin making a now trademark hesitant start before eventually overcoming Tomokazu Harimoto in four games (5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10).

“I did not do well in receiving today. I had my chance in the second game but did not manage to take it to set up 2-0 lead. The match was really tough. I did better than last time, but the result was the same. A defeat is a defeat. I still need to think a lot when back to hotel.” Tomokazu Harimoto

Success for Xu Xin was followed by the same for Fan Zhendong against Maharu Yoshimura (13-11, 11-8, 11-6) and for Liang Jingkun in opposition to Kazuhiro Yoshimura (11-6, 14-12, 11-1).

“The first match was very important. Tomokazu Harimoto is their number one player and he had never beaten Xu Xin before. So we were confident in this match. Today Xu Xin entered into the match rhythm a bit slower, especially in the first game but he is experienced in international events, so he still controlled the match. The first point was crucial to Team China. In the second match, Fan performed not as well as we expected, especially in controlling the match rhythm. He was just stronger than Maharu Yoshimura. In the third match, I could feel the nerves and stress from Liang Jingkun; this was his first time playing in such an important match. He performed really well today.” Qin Zhijian

A 3-0 win for China, it was the same for Korea Republic but harder earned against the no.3 seeds, the Chinese Taipei trio of Liao Cheng-Ting, Chen Chien-An and Wang Tai-Wei. In a closely fought five games contest decided by the very narrowest of margins, Jeoung Youngsik beat Liao Chen-Ting (7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10). Immediately following, Jang Woojin overcame Chen Chien-An (11-9, 11-9, 11-9), Lee Sangsu accounted for Wang Tai-Wei (11-6, 12-10, 11-9).

Adding to collection

Success for China, no less than the 22nd time they have won the event since organised under the auspices of the Asian Table Tennis Union in 1972. In fact they have only surrendered the title twice; in the inaugural year Japan won and in 1996 when the Korea Republic succeeded.

Ever since 1996, now 11 in a row, China has always won.

Individual events

Meanwhile, happening alongside the men’s team event, the opening round of the women’s singles and men’s doubles competitions were staged, as well as the play advancing to the mixed doubles semi-finals.

Notably in the women’s singles it was not the best of days for Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut and younger sister Jinnipa; Suthasini was beaten by Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu (11-8, 11-3, 11-6), Jinnipa experienced defeat at the hands of Japan’s Saki Shibata (11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3).

Eye catching performances from Zhu Chengzhu and Saki Shibata; it was the same from DPR Korea’s Pyon Song Gyong, Singapore’s Yu Mengyu and Korea Republic’s Lee Eunhye. Pyon Song Gyong beat Hong Kong’s Chau Wing Sze (2-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7), Yu Mengyu overcame Chinese Taipei’s Su Pei-Ling (11-2, 11-7, 11-4); Lee Eunhye caused Thailand more problems, she ended the hopes of Nanthana Komwong (11-6, 11-7, 11-6).

Semi-finals

Efforts to raise the eyebrows, in the mixed doubles event it was the leading pairs who raised the eyebrows as play advanced to the semi-final stage; in the penultimate round Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen meet Lee Sangsu and Jeon Jihee, Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem oppose Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.

The matches will be played on Thursday 19th September.

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Ireland's Kearney and Earls fit to face Scotland

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 01:37

Ireland's Rob Kearney has been passed fit to face Scotland in Sunday's World Cup encounter, but Robbie Henshaw will definitely miss out.

It was feared that Kearney would miss the game was after picking up a calf injury in training on Monday.

Backs Keith Earls and Joey Carbery have both trained after sustaining injuries in warm-up fixtures.

Henshaw, who injured his hamstring in training on Saturday, will not recover in time for the game in Yokohama.

However, it is hoped the Leinster centre will be fit for for Ireland's second Pool A game against hosts Japan.

"Robbie won't make this weekend," said defence coach Andy Farrell. "We are very happy with his progress but he will sit out this weekend and hopefully he will be available for next week.

"We're pleased with how things have gone today. Rob and Keith ran well, and trained well.

"There's a few protocols that they need to go to, so that's what we need to adhere to with the medical staff. But they are very happy."

Kearney pulled up in training on Monday, which put "significant doubt" over his selection for the fixture.

Carbery was forced off against Italy in the opening warm-up game but has recovered from an ankle injury and is expected to take a place on the bench.

Likewise, Earls is available after shaking off a thigh complaint picked up at home to Wales.

Ulster's Will Addison remains on standby after the injuries to head coach Joe Schmidt's backline, 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 Schmidt will be keen to have his calming presence in the key pool match.

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Captain Leitch ready to 'inspire Japan again' at World Cup

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 06:23

Captain Michael Leitch says Japan are ready to inspire the host nation as they prepare to take on Russia in Friday's Rugby World Cup opener.

Japan beat South Africa, Samoa and the United States in the 2015 tournament, narrowly missing out on the last eight.

"We've got the opportunity to inspire Japan again. We've trained well, prepared well and this will be Japan's best World Cup ever," said Leitch, 30.

Wing Kenki Fukuoka and back row Amanaki Mafi will miss the match for Japan.

Both picked up injuries in the heavy defeat by South Africa earlier this month, with Fukuoka, scorer of 21 tries in 34 Tests, suffering a calf injury and Mafi hurting his shoulder.

Russia coach Lyn Jones, a former Wales international and Ospreys boss, has included Sale prop Valery Morozov in his starting XV, one of only two players who play their club rugby outside of Russia.

Second row Andrei Ostrikov, who moved to Grenoble from Sale at the end of the season, is the other.

Former Northampton wing Vasily Artemyev, who now plays for Krasny Yar, captains the side from full-back.

Leitch says that the attention on the Japanese team is unlike anything that he has experienced with the Brave Blossoms.

"This is no normal turnout," he told a packed media conference.

"I'm so nervous I've been making all sorts of mistakes in training - there's so many people and so many cameras. But I'm very proud to be part of the World Cup and to be captain of the Japan rugby team."

The match will be staged at the near 50,000-capacity Tokyo Stadium, with the tournament's opening ceremony preceding kick-off.

Japan beat Russia 32-27 last November in the teams' most recent meeting and have been set the target of making a first quarter-final by coach Jamie Joseph.

What they said

Japan coach Jamie Joseph: "I never read Japanese newspapers but I've never really considered us to be the favourites for this match.

"I'd say we were even going into this Test match and if we don't play our best we're going to struggle.

"The team has prepared as well as ever before and we look forward to Friday night."

Russia coach Lyn Jones: "With structured and organised sides like Japan you need to create chaos to get them to think for themselves.

"I don't know if they're educated to do that, but it's all theory anyway.

"We do have a plan. We have got a formula and we think we can take Japan on and make life as difficult as possible for them."

Stats

Teams

Japan: Tupou; Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lemeki; Tamura, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Valu; Van der Walt, Moore; Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.

Replacements: Sakate, Nakajima, Ji-won, Thompson, Tui, Tanaka, Matsuda, Yamanaka

Russia: Artemyev; Davydov, Ostroushko, Gerasimov, Golosnitskiy; Kushnarev, Dorofeev; Morozov, Selskii, Gotovtsev, Ostrikov, Fedotko, Zhivatov, Gadzhiev, Vavilin

Replacements: Matveev, Polivalov, Bitiev, Garbuzov, Sychev, Perov, Gaisin, Sozonov

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'We gave up everything for this’ - epic journeys to the Rugby World Cup

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 06:08

5,942 miles.

That is the distance between Twickenham Stadium, the home of English rugby, and Tokyo Stadium, where the first Rugby World Cup match in Asia will take place.

With fan packages costing as much as £20,000 and flights around £600, the tournament in Japan is a big financial commitment.

But jobs have been quit, house deposits have been spent and future plans have been scrapped to get there.

From Wandsworth to Toyota without flying

Benny and Tanya Hawksbee are no strangers to big sporting events. After getting engaged at Euro 2016 in France, the now-married couple decided to step things up for the Rugby World Cup.

Tanya had just been promoted at work and the Wales fans had saved up for a house deposit, but decided there was a much better way to use the money: a two-month journey to watch their team in Japan.

The 39-year-old - who turns 40 the day before the first semi-final - is afraid of flying so, inspired by the television show Race Across the World, the pair agreed to use other methods of transport.

They set off from Wandsworth, south London, on 2 July and have since been making their way across Europe and Asia by train, bus and boat, going through through 18 countries en route to Toyota for Wales' first match against Georgia on Monday.

"We kind of figured we were about to get ourselves into a massive mortgage and that would be it. We wouldn't be able to venture any other way," explains Tanya.

"So we had a moment. I was in the car driving home from work one day and I called Benny and said, 'I can't do this anymore. We need to get away'.

"Ben's obsessed with the rugby, I've always wanted to visit Japan. It's my first time travelling and I've embarked on this."

Low bank balance, high emotions

Benny's highlight so far was 10 nights spent camping in the Gobi Desert, but the 33-year-old says that would be eclipsed should Wales win the World Cup for the first time.

"That would make the trip - it would be the pinnacle," he says.

"It would be amplified by the fact that we've been away for such a long time. Our bank balance would be low but the emotions would be so high that it would be a fitting end to an amazing trip.

"We can't book a flight or a ferry away from Japan until we know. If things look like they're going well, then I can't leave. It could be a once in a lifetime thing."

The 'non-cyclists' who have ridden across the world

"I definitely wouldn't call myself a cyclist."

Those are the words of James Owens, who alongside Ron Rutland has been cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo since 2 February.

The pair have covered 12,485 miles across 27 countries to reach the World Cup and raise money for the tournament's official charity, ChildFund Pass It Back.

The feat is even more remarkable considering Owens spent most of 2018 recovering from a broken leg but he has kept going through sheer will.

"When I set off I didn't really know what I'd got myself into," the 28-year-old says. "I've just been stubborn, it's a case of putting my head down and going until I get there.

"It's almost so surreal that it doesn't really sink in. I wouldn't be surprised if it hits me during the opening game that I'm actually in a World Cup stadium and that it's started."

'We're still talking so it's worked out OK'

Spending more than seven months travelling together is quite an undertaking for the best of friends, but Rutland and Owens did not even know each other when the former first came up with the idea of cycling across the world.

Rutland had a hip replacement in 2018 and consulted his doctor before the surgery about whether he thought the ride would be feasible after an operation.

That doctor was Owens' father.

"At that stage who I was going to ride with was a detail I hadn't even thought about. He asked if I minded if he told James about it," says Rutland.

"I wasn't expecting anything to actually come from it. Why would he sign up for a trip with someone he'd never met? We spent five days together in total before we started but we soon got to know each other.

"We're still talking to each other so obviously it worked out OK."

'We've given up everything'

As unbelievable as it sounds, this is not the greatest distance Rutland has covered to follow his team, South Africa, to a World Cup.

When the tournament was staged in England in 2015, the 45-year-old did the world's first unsupported solo cycle through Africa to get there. It took him two years and three months and he travelled 26,000 miles.

This time, he has been given extra responsibility. The duo have been carrying the match whistle for Friday's opening game - Japan v Russia.

Their ride will officially come to an end when they hand it over to referee Nigel Owens on Thursday and Rutland says nothing will stop them getting there.

"We've both given up our jobs for this. We've given up everything for it," he says.

"There was no lack of incentive to get up on those cold mornings when there's snow and ice outside or you're a bit grumpy or under the weather.

"It would have taken a whole lot to stop us getting to the end."

And when you have given up everything for the trip of a lifetime, what comes next?

"We've still got six weeks in Japan to enjoy and watch South Africa regain the World Cup," says Rutland. "Then we'll decide what next."

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Is the All Blacks' dominance about to come to an end?

Published in Rugby

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 08:01

Sportswriters occasionally claim the headline, written by someone else on the paper, has mis-sold their words.

New Zealand rugby journalist Chris Rattue could have no such complaint.

"Just give us the World Cup now" ran a front-page plug for his piece in the New Zealand Herald.

Turn inside to the sport section and his opening line told readers "it's time to jump the gun".

He added: "They might as well hand over the Webb Ellis Cup now, with the All Blacks looking this good."

And on that day - Sunday, 26 August 2018 - no-one could have had many complaints about it either.

Mercurial fly-half Beauden Barrett had just scored four tries in a thumping 40-12 win over Australia.

The victory meant that, since winning their second successive Rugby World Cup in the autumn of 2015, New Zealand had lost just three of the following 33 Tests.

The total domination of world rugby showed no sign of ending and there was no reason to think it would not extend to Japan 2019 and a third straight world crown.

But, with their opening pool match and a potential final dress rehearsal against second-favourites South Africa looming, things are not quite so certain.

The end of an era?

In August this year another article appeared, this time on the other side of the Tasman Sea after a very different Bledisloe Cup result.

Sydney-based newspaper The Australian fed images of All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read into the viral Faceapp tool, putting another 40 years on the 30-plus All Black mainstays.

The dig at the 'Old Blacks' sprung from the Wallabies' record 47-26 win over a 14-man New Zealand in Perth a few days earlier.

The game before that, New Zealand had been held to a 16-16 draw on home turf by a resurgent South Africa. Nine months previously, they had been squeezed out by a relentless Ireland side in Dublin, going down 16-9.

As a result of those defeats, for what they are worth, World Rugby's own rankings rate Ireland as the world's best team heading into the tournament, as first Wales and now Joe Schmidt's side ended the All Blacks' near-decade long hold on top spot.

So is this the end of an era? Or just a false dawn for their chasing rivals?

Ominously Colin Slade, a member of those successful squads in 2011 and 2015 who now plays his club rugby with French side Pau, believes the recent taste of adversity could sharpen the All Blacks' appetite for more World Cup glory.

"I think that defeat in Perth, especially, might be a good thing as a bit of a wake-up call, a reminder that everyone is beatable on their day," he told BBC Sport.

"I think a lot of people tend to push the panic button really early and read a lot into things, especially with the All Blacks.

"One bad performance and everyone is led to believe the wheels are off the wagon.

"Heading into 2015, we weren't beating everyone comfortably but we had experience and belief on the mental side of the game.

"That is something head coach Steve Hansen has preached since before 2011 and has installed in every new player who comes into the squad - when times get tough, you have to switch up mentally, remain calm and focus on performing your job for the team."

The missing men

There are several things they are missing when compared to four years ago however; Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Richie McCaw for a start.

The decorated trio all bowed out of international rugby with the final win over Australia at Twickenham.

The vacuum has been filled with discussion.

While the 2015 side almost named itself, head coach Hansen's choices in Japan are more tricky.

"I don't think they are as stable as they were in 2011 or 2015," Northampton director of rugby, former Hurricanes coach and New Zealander Chris Boyd told BBC Sport.

"Those two teams were in concrete two years out.

"They understood the game they were playing, the players who were playing 1-15 knew who they were, the players 16-23 knew who they were and the guys outside the 23 knew who they were and they all had their roles.

"I think in the current side they are still 'fishing' because of injury, loss of form, unavailability and some guys putting their hands up."

Barrett is perhaps the first name on the team-sheet. But, with Hansen keen to deploy two playmakers in his XV, the question is where he fits in.

In the autumn, livewire Damian McKenzie shared the responsibility from full-back.

But his serious knee injury has forced a rethink and a re-jig, with Crusaders' Richie Mo'unga brought in at fly-half and Barrett switching to full-back.

"I like and understand the logic of having two playmakers on the field, that can help a lot," said Slade.

"'Beaudie' is a class act, needs to be on the field, and will be.

"Damian McKenzie is potentially a big loss, but the way Richie is going, he may have forced his way in there somehow.

"What Steve is going to do now is balance the make-up of the rest of the team and he will have some games in the pool to figure out his best combination."

The ghosts of World Cups past

As Hansen tinkers with the chemistry in his line-up in the early stages, New Zealand hope to be handing out lessons on recent history by the end of the tournament.

While they have dominated the last two editions of the Rugby World Cup, their relationship with the game's showpiece is complicated bordering on tortuous.

After winning the inaugural 1987 event, it took another 24 years until they finally got their hands on the William Webb Ellis trophy for a second time.

Until that cathartic 2011 triumph, the All Blacks turning from serial winners to late-stage chokers had become something of a World Cup tradition.

Have the ghosts of the semi-final defeat by France in 1999 or in the last eight to the same opponent in 2007 finally been exorcised? Or, might they be exhumed again if things get tight in the knockout stages?

"In 2011 the pressure was almost claustrophobic," remembers Patrick McKendry, senior writer at the NZ Herald.

"The final that year was painful for most New Zealanders to watch. They just had to get it done and they got it done and a very large monkey off their backs.

"The mood of the nation took a bit of hit after being beaten by Australia in Perth, however the response, beating the Wallabies 36-0 a week later, was pretty impressive.

"I would say the collective mood in New Zealand is quiet confidence. Three in a row will be hard, but they are pretty confident they can do it."

South Africa on Saturday will be a stern test of that confidence, the champions' credentials and and whether the All Blacks' era of dominance is ending.

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Thornley & Vreeland Teaming In Top Fuel Harley

Published in Racing

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 10:33

MCLEANSBORO, Ill. – Pro Fuel rider Janette Thornley is partnering up with two-time AMRA Nitro Bike champion Rich Vreeland to make her NHRA Top Fuel Harley debut in 2020.

The Straightline Strategy Group rider is looking forward to participating in all of the NHRA events next season.

As a four-time Pro Fuel champion, Thornley is familiar with the term “beating the odds,” as throughout her life she’s faced many challenges in the male dominated sport.

However, Thornley understands her new goal of racing Top Fuel Harley is very lofty. Pro Fuel and Top Fuel are two different animals, in both speed and in operational aspects.

“After nearly eight years of riding a nitro-powered motorcycle, nothing can prepare you for a Top Fuel Harley except seat time,” said Thornley. “I have nothing but respect for these machines and those who ride them. My goal is to be a competitive rider and I know that will take tenacity, strength and perseverance of my faith for it to happen.”

Thornley selected two-time Vreeland to assist her effort. The Straightline Strategy Group, who represents Thornley with a strategic marketing alliance, is proud to announce that Thornley and Vreeland will participate at all 2020 NHRA events in the Top Fuel Harley class.

The husband and wife duos – Janette and crew chief Buddy and Rich and Patti Vreeland – are excited about the 2020 season. The group have had a 20-year relationship both on and off the track.

While Janette obtains her seat time during test sessions, Rich will kick off the season as the team pilot of the Top Fuel Harley.

From a racing standpoint, Vreeland’s ability to tune and ride are a strong ‘one – two punch’. As a co-owner of Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson in Bloomsburg, Pa., for the past 29 years, Rich is highly engaged in community activities, including Starting Line Ministries and guides people of all ages.

The team is scheduled to debut its Top Fuel Harley this year at the 2019 Man Cup World Finals held at South Georgia Motorsports Park outside Valdosta Ga., Nov 21 -24.

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Cacklefest Push-Starts Memories

Published in Racing

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 11:00

Larry Dixon had just lost by one-thousandth of a second to Mike Dunn in the Top Fuel semifinals of the 2001 NHRA Winternationals at California’s Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, and he was perturbed.

But as he rode back toward the pits, brooding in the back of the tow vehicle, something caught his eye.

A rainbow of vintage, front-engine dragsters and their colorful period-correct push trucks sat ready to start and parade to the starting line in a tribute to the Golden Days of Drag Racing.

It was another edition of the relatively new phenomenon called “Cacklefest,” which had debuted during the 2000 California Hot Rod Reunion at historic Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

Dixon saw Tommy Ivo’s restored twin-Buick gas dragster, the copper-colored nose of Art Chrisman’s Hustler, the iconic banana-like Greer Black & Prudhomme machine that was a supreme marriage of form and function, and Kenny Safford’s blue “Sour Sisters” Olds-powered slingshot. He couldn’t miss the Magicar and its unique front-suspension design — with ace Jeep Hampshire sitting in the seat once again.

The red-and-blue Kuhl & Olson entry stood out. And there, in its scarlet glory, was THE car, the one that yanked on his heartstrings. It was the Howard Cams Rattler — with Larry Dixon Sr. in the cockpit.

“Stop for a second,” Dixon told the tow-vehicle driver. “I want to get out. I want to be a part of this deal.”

And with that, he bolted out and ran to the orange ’50 Ford that Steve Gibbs — then-curator at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum and the primary force behind Cacklefest (a term colleague Greg Sharp coined) — was driving. Gibbs welcomed Dixon to ride along in the front seat of the push car.

Dixon took him up on his invitation but insisted, “I want to sit in the back seat.” Gibbs was puzzled. “You don’t understand,” Dixon said, “When I was a kid, push-starting off, I sat in the back seat. And I’m getting to go down the race track and have my dad push-started in a front-motor car, sitting in the back seat, just like I did when I was a little kid.”

Dixon added, “Even talking about it right now, honest to God, it gives me goosebumps. It took me back 40 years. You couldn’t have done more for me at that moment. It was so pure. I don’t know … I’m short of words on it.”

Referring to the 1970s and ’80s TV show, he said, “It was like going to ‘Fantasy Island.’ It absolutely took me to being a 7- to 10-year-old kid. Push-starting my dad and watching him race. It was the coolest thing I had done. There’s not a lot of things that are cooler in the world than being able to live that moment like that. I was almost thankful that we lost in the semis, because I wouldn’t have got that moment otherwise.”

Dixon says that was exactly the kind of emotion Gibbs must have had in mind when he came up with the concept: Trying to preserve the history of drag racing.

“There’s a lot of young people that come into the sport who have no idea of the history of it, of its roots, not knowing that guys had to push-start the cars. And bringing in the older crowd, the people that have these cars, tying them in — that’s the sport they grew up on.

“Cacklefest,” Dixon said, “feeds a lot of people, feeds their desires. There’s definitely a demand for that and there’s an absolute place for it. And if you go to one of the reunions, at Bowling Green (Ky.) or Bakersfield or even the Nitro Revivals that Steve and daughter Cindy Gibbs are doing, they’re packed with people and with cars from that era.”

Gibbs, for years the NHRA competition director, has branched out across California with his own nostalgic events, having hosted them at California’s Irwindale Speedway, Laguna Seca Raceway and Barona Speedway.

But in the beginning, as longtime journalist Cole Coonce explained it for the online publication Fuel Curve, “Restored vintage iron once campaigned by drag racing’s original slingshot gunslingers in the 1960s was fired up en masse, showcasing the smoke, the noise, and the acrid discharge of nitromethane molecules. As eight vintage fuelers simultaneously growled, spewed, and popped before the photogs and the railbirds, grown men openly wept that evening.

“These were tears of pure joy, based on a lifetime of memories.”

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