Springbok injury update: Eben Etzebeth

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth should be fit to be considered for selection to face Argentina in the first Test of The Castle Rugby Championship in Cape Town next Saturday (August 18).

Etzebeth and Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts travelled to Johannesburg on Tuesday where the player was assessed by a hip specialist. Both the short and long term management of his current injury was discussed.

Following further discussions with the Western Province team doctor on Wednesday, it was decided that Etzebeth will undergo functional field testing on Monday to determine his ability to perform on the field.

"Eben has responded very well to treatment thus far and we are confident that he will be available for the first Test against Argentina," said Roberts.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said: "Eben is an asset for South African and Western Province rugby. I have full confidence in our medical team and we will always put the player's future welfare first when we make a final decision, but I'm happy that the news on Eben is good."

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Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs Match Preview

The game is composed of 12 rounds, game play meetig on Allianz Arena between Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs.

Both groups are not doing very well currently. Canterbury Bulldogs are 8th with 12 factors. On the street in 6 games they had 146-96 factors change (40.3 per game). However Quotes Roosters are on Fourteenth position with 10 factors won. At house in 5 games performed they are only 76-90 (33.2 per game). But on the street this variety goes to even 43. The serves in 3 of last 5 games were above 49.5 factors range.

Also last two common events were above this line:

Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury Bulldogs 32:28

Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury Bulldogs 36:32

Initial range is set on 38.5 but in my view there is purpose to go with this extra range of 49.5 factors.

Time	EVENT		FT. HDP
	Rugby League - Australian NRL
LIVE 05:00PM	Sydney Roosters Canterbury Bulldogs		0 2.280 1.600
LIVE 05:00PM	Sydney Roosters Canterbury Bulldogs		3.5 2.000 1.820

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Sports Betting Tips to Help You Win

Be calm even if you lose : Before you begin wagering, you have to prepare yourself to lose. There’s never been a sports bettor in history who hasn’t lost a sports bet. Remember, the key to sports betting is to win more games than you lose.

Knowledge is the key : The most critical betting tip is to become educated about the sports betting industry. Learn how to follow the sports betting odds and sports betting lines. Review the sports handicapping tools at Vegas Experts such as betting trends, free sports picks, free game match ups, etc. Never make an uninformed sports betting pick.

Emotional factor : Betting on your favorite team can be very dangerous. The old saying by wise sports bettors is ─ don’t bet with your heart. There are a lot of sporting events to wager on, so it’s sometimes better to just watch your favorite team play, and not make a wager on them.


Bet wisely : Review the money management systems section at Vegas Experts and pick a system or design your own. All winning sports bettors follow a money management system. This will prevent you from wagering more than you can afford to lose.

Learn to handle winning streaks : Winning streaks are great. However, don’t expect to win every bet. Stick to your system of making sports betting picks, and follow your money management system.

Sports handicapping advice : If you don’t have the knowledge or the time to do your own sports handicapping, then you should consider utilizing sports handicapping advice. Vegas Experts has the nation’s top sports handicapping experts that do the analysis for you. At Vegas Experts the sports betting picks are guaranteed to win, so if you don’t win you don’t pay.


Sports betting odds Knowledge : Online sports betting companies put out sports betting odds, and they change the odds. It’s critical to follow these sports betting odds changes and understanding how to use the moves to your advantage. Click here for a guide on how to read and track sports betting odds.


Sports betting account : Establish sports betting accounts with a minimum of three quality online sports betting companies. This will enable you to get the best sports betting odds available. Vegas Experts has a recommended online Sportsbook section that provides detailed information on the top three online sports betting companies and how to open up a new account. Also, be sure to take advantage of the free sign up bonuses.

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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles Match Preview

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles Match Preview Live at 05:35PM GMT+8

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Last meeting: Round 24 2011 - Sea Eagles 27 bt Bulldogs 16 at Brookvale Oval
Head-to-head: Bulldogs 60 Sea Eagles 48 drawn 5
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Brett Suttor

Possible Lineups:

BULLDOGS: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jonothan Wright, Bryson Goodwin, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Dene Halatau, David Stagg. Interchange (from): James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Corey Payne, Joel Romelo, Martin Taupau

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (c), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Jamie Buhrer, Glenn Stewart. Interchange (from): Joe Galuvao, Dean Whare, Nick Skinner, Vic Mauro, Daniel Harrison, Liam Foran.

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Saracens to wrap up Farrell future

Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths has insisted he is looking to resolve the future of the club's coach Andy Farrell next week.

The Aviva Premiership champions are keen to keep hold of the former Wigan Warriors rugby league star, who has greatly impressed in the coaching department of the 15-man game.

Farrell worked alongside Graham Rowntree and head coach Stuart Lancaster with England during the Six Nations this season, which saw the national side finish second behind Grand Slam winners Wales. The RFU are looking to lure Farrell to the job alongside Lancaster on a more permanent basis but his club side are keen on keeping hold of him. With Saracens set to take on Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup on Sunday, Griffiths wants the matter resolved.

"We would like to (resolve it) because we don't want any 'will he? won't he?' distractions going through the Clermont week," he said. "It is like any kind of discussions. "You would like an early settlement but we will see. "We will have more discussions this week."

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O'Sullivan targets coaching return

Eddie O'Sullivan has made it clear he wants a return to management and he has set his sights on the vacant head coach position at Munster.

With Tony McGahan due to return to Australia at the end of the season Munster have begun the process of finding his successor with a shortlist of five candidates set to be interviewed by a selection committee - former winger John Kelly, Munster junior vice president John Hartery, former president Declan Madden and chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald - within the coming week.

"The Munster job is a big job in terms of rugby, it’s one of the marquee names of European rugby, having built up a huge tradition in the Heineken Cup having won it twice," he said. "Munster is a big name not just in Europe but around the world. It’s a big job, a very big job. It’d be great to be involved in it. "At the moment I presume like any other job they get a shortlist together and carry out interviews. I’ve heard nothing yet but I’d suspect Munster are pretty busy as yet with the preparations for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals coming up. I’m assuming like any other job I’ll be called in [for interviews] and we’ll take it from there."

O'Sullivan has been out of management since stepping down from his position with the USA Eagles following the Rugby World Cup but he is looking for a return and has set his sights on the Munster vacancy.

"I just want to get back coaching. I’ve been coaching all my life and at the moment I’m stuck between jobs, which happens every so often. It happened after I finished with Ireland and the American job came along," O'Sullivan is quoted as saying in the Irish Examiner. "I am looking to get back on the horse and get on with it."

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Connacht Connacht capture Faloon

Flanker Willie Faloon will swap Ulster for Connacht at the end of the season after signing for the Westeners until the summer of 2014.

Faloon was voted Ulster Academy Player of the Year in 2009 before going on to win his first Heineken Cup cap for the province against Bath in the same year. The back-rower has made 33 appearances for Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12 and a further 14 in the Heineken Cup but his time at Ravenhill is coming to an end with Connacht snapping him up on a two-year deal.

"I'm really looking forward to the move to Connacht next season to challenge for regular game time. After speaking with Eric (Elwood) I was in no doubt as to the direction he wants to take Connacht Rugby and I'm happy to be part of that plan," Faloon said.

Connacht are working on strengthening their squad for next season and Faloon is the latest player to commit to life at the Sportsground, following in the footsteps of Dan Parks and Nathan White. "Signing Willie is a big step for us, he will join an already strong pack here at Connacht and his experience and workrate will add an extra dimension to our gameplay," Elwood said. "He's an athletic, aggressive ball-carrier in the mould of a traditional number seven and alongside his phenomenal work at the breakdown I know he will be a major asset to the club."

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Ritchie won't rush England choice

 Ian Ritchie says the Rugby Football Union (RFU) are in no hurry to appoint a new England coach, but want someone in place by summer.

It was originally thought that a new permanent England boss would be confirmed by the end of the Six Nations campaign, but it now appears that final decision could be delayed.

Ritchie, the new RFU chief executive, has already confirmed that interim coach Stuart Lancaster will be interviewed for the permanent post before England play their final Six Nations match on March 17. But the RFU officials want to make certain that they get the right man to replace Martin Johnson, with an announcement now expected to be made before the tour of South Africa in June. Ritchie told Radio Five Live: "There's no magic date that we have to appoint anybody by.

"What I've said is that, in an ideal world, and I stress even that, we would like to have someone in place to coach on the tour to South Africa in the summer." Nick Mallett and Eddie O'Sullivan are thought to be the other strong contenders for the post, while Ritchie insists Lancaster would not be purely judged on the Six Nations results. - http://www.setanta.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/17

Solomona blow for Wolves

Smith will have just 22 fit players for game against South Sydney

Warrington have been dealt a blow ahead of the new Super League season with the news that David Solomona has sustained a broken leg.

The experienced forward sustained the injury during the Super League club's three-week training camp in Australia.

The 31-year-old former New Zealand international underwent surgery in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, Sydney and will now remain with the rest of the squad Down Under.

"The operation was a success and David is now back with the squad and in good spirits," said a Warrington spokesperson.

"The club's medical staff are happy with how everything has gone so far and David will remain with the team for the duration of the pre-season training camp in Australia."

Solomona is the second Warrington player to be hurt in pre-season - they will have to start the 2012 campaign without scrum-half Richie Myler after he dislocated an elbow in the club's friendly against Widnes on Boxing Day.

With full-back Brett Hodgson also sidelined until March with an ankle problem, Wolves coach Tony Smith will have just 22 players available for a friendly against South Sydney on January 28. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Get the great ODDs for online sports betting at 12BET. Good Luck!!!

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/06

Smith admits Australia gamble

Wolves coach confident players will be better for pre-season trip

Warrington coach Tony Smith insists he is happy to risk his side being jet-lagged for the start of Super League season as the Wolves prepare for a pre-season trip to Australia.

Smith's men fly out to Sydney on January 7 with a 25-strong squad and full support staff for a training camp, culminating in a friendly match against South Sydney at Redfern Oval on January 28.

The team will arrive back in England two days later and play their first Super League match against Hull at the KC Stadium six days after that, with Smith admitting the players could be a "bit jaded".

"We couldn't get a game any earlier because the season for the Australians starts so much later than ours," Smith said.

"We weighed it all up - a three-week training camp in Australia against the risk of arriving six days before the competition starts - and we're happy to take the three weeks and the experience our players will gain. -http://www1.skysports.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/04

Ear trouble for King 

Ospreys flanker James King is to undergo plastic surgery following a freak incident during the RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Cardiff Blues.

King's ear was left hanging off when he collided with Blues back-row forward Xavier Rush in the sixth minute of the 17-12 victory at the Liberty Stadium.

He was taken straight to hospital in Swansea where doctors determined that he suffered a severe laceration to the ear and he is to undergo plastic surgery to repair the damage.

"He more or less ripped an ear off in a tackle," said Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

"He collided with Rushie and it's quite a nasty one."

It is unclear how long the 21-year-old will be out of action for with Ospreys unwilling to discuss his recovery period until after the operation. - http://www.setanta.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/04

Ear trouble for King 

Ospreys flanker James King is to undergo plastic surgery following a freak incident during the RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Cardiff Blues.

King's ear was left hanging off when he collided with Blues back-row forward Xavier Rush in the sixth minute of the 17-12 victory at the Liberty Stadium.

He was taken straight to hospital in Swansea where doctors determined that he suffered a severe laceration to the ear and he is to undergo plastic surgery to repair the damage.

"He more or less ripped an ear off in a tackle," said Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

"He collided with Rushie and it's quite a nasty one."

It is unclear how long the 21-year-old will be out of action for with Ospreys unwilling to discuss his recovery period until after the operation. - http://www.setanta.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/03

Elwood laments errors

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood feels Sunday's 15-13 defeat to Leinster can be attributed to the poor kicking form of Matthew Jarvis.

Five Isa Nacewa penalties gave Leinster the win at the Sportsground, but Connacht scored second-half tries through Tiernan O'Halloran and Ethienne Reynecke and would have taken the points had Jarvis brought his kicking boots with him.

The result takes Connacht's poor run to twelve straight defeats in all competitions leaving them 10th in the PRO12 and Elwood knows the team needs wins more than spirited performances.

"Obviously it's another disappointed dressing-room," Elwood told the Irish Independent.

"Leinster are the European champions and we outscored them two tries to nil. But we couldn't buy a kick. The kickers don't need me to tell them.

"We've had a chat downstairs; they know that. If one of those kicks goes over, it wins you a very important game and gives us the lift we were looking for.

"But unfortunately again, it's a good performance, a great effort, good crowd participation and a great night but we've nothing to show for it. It's disappointing."

Connacht have now suffered twelve straight defeats in all competitions leaving them 10th in the PRO12, with a visit to bottom of the table Aironi next.

"We knew we needed to step up from last week (the 24-9 defeat to an under-strength Munster side) and we did that. If we can take this on next week, that's the consistency we'll be looking for against Aironi.

"If we can stay at this level of performance, intensity and even maybe a step further, who knows? But we can't drop our levels."- http://www.setanta.com

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/2

Henry backs McCaw for honour

Graham Henry is confident that Richie McCaw will receive a knighthood at some point in the future.

World Cup winning coach Henry was knighted in the New Year’s Honour’s List for services for rugby.

McCaw, meanwhile, had been formally approached by New Zealand prime minister John Key regarding an honour, but turned down the offer, stating that he would not be comfortable with an award or formal title whilst still playing.

However, Henry believes that McCaw, who led the All Blacks to World Cup glory last year, will eventually be honoured.

"He is a young fella and he has a few years ahead of him playing rugby," he said.

"He will probably feel uncomfortable about that (being knighted), particularly when he is captaining the side and is still playing rugby.

"But I am sure his time will come." - http://www.setanta.com

                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

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Rugby news 12BET update 1/1

RISE, SIR GRAHAM World Cup.

New Zealand's World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has been given a knighthood in the country's New Year's Honours list, but captain Richie McCaw declined to accept one.

Reports in New Zealand say 30-year-old McCaw, who lifted the trophy in October, told Prime Minister John Key he felt he was too young to be known as 'Sir Richie'.

"He is still a young fella and he has a few years ahead of him. He will probably feel uncomfortable about that (a knighthood) when he is captaining the side and still playing rugby," Henry said of McCaw in the New Zealand media.

Of his own honour, the veteran coach, who has since stepped down from the position, added: "It was a hell of a shock. It makes you feel very uncomfortable, but humble as well."

Martin Snedden, a former Test cricketer who was in charge of the company that organised the World Cup, was made the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. - http://www.sportinglife.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 12/28

MYLER SUFFERS INJURY SETBACK Super League. 

Warrington scrum-half Richie Myler will miss the start of the new Super League season after dislocating an elbow in Monday's 32-18 Boxing Day friendly victory over Widnes.

The former Widnes and Salford half-back left the field in obvious pain 29 minutes into the game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after being hurt trying to prevent a Vikings try.

"Richard was taken to hospital to see if his elbow could be put back in place and for checks on any additional damage," said Wolves coach Tony Smith.

"It's a significant injury and one that's come at a bad time. He's been training exceptionally well and he was definitely keyed up for a big start to the season.

"But he may just have to delay that a little bit - it's a blow for him."

Myler, who is a member of England coach Steve McNamara's elite training squad, may be forced to pull out of Warrington's pre-season trip to Australia.

The Wolves are due to fly out on Saturday week for a three-week training camp, culminating in a match against South Sydney on January 28. - htp://www.sportinglife.com

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Rugby news 12BET update 12/27

Munster beat Connacht

Munster cruised to a 24-9 win over Connacht in the Pro12 at Thomond Park on St. Stephen's Day.

Ian Keatley missed two penalties in the opening quarter of an hour, before finally discovering his kicking boots as Munster went 6-0 up.

Niall O'Connor halved the deficit when he kicked over for Connacht, but first Sean Scanlon and then Tomas O'Leary scored tries for Munster in six first-half minutes, with Ian Keatley converting Scanlon's try.

O'Connor missed a penalty attempt for Connacht before the break as Munster went in 18-3 up.

O'Connor and Keatley each kicked two penalties before the 60th minute, but even the loss of Donncha O'Callaghan for a yellow card in the 61st minute could not offer a way back in for Eric Elwood's side.

It was the final Munster match for John Hayes, who is retiring at the age of 38, but it was all a bit patchy and disjointed, and the prop will not be digging out the DVD of this game any time soon. - http://www.setanta.com/

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Rugby news 12BET update 12/26

Player of the Year: Kevin Sinfield

While Leeds were the only real choice to be named team of the year, there were plenty of candidates to be picked out as the top player. Sam Tomkins provided a raft of highlight-reel moments during a campaign that saw him top the try-scoring charts and while James Roby may not grab the headlines quite as much, he was just as effective for Saints - he had 778 runs out of dummy half, more than twice as many as the next player on the list. Both players were pipped by Chase in the battle to be crowned Man of Steel, but the influential Castleford half-back has missed out on our award. 

Instead Kevin Sinfield gets the nod, the Rhinos captain having led from the front with class and style during a real topsy-turvy season for his club. Sinfield made a smooth progression from the pack to stand-off, a position he ended up filling for both club and country, and was instrumental in Leeds' unlikely run to the title - it was his last-gasp penalty against Warrington that booked his team yet another trip to Old Trafford. Throw in a golden-point winner against Castleford in a Challenge Cup semi-final and it's fair to say Sinfield has nerves of steel. - http://www.sportinglife.com

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Rugby news 12BET update 12/25

One last start for Hayes

John Hayes will line out for Munster for the final time in Monday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Connacht.

The gentle giant from Bruff, a legend for province and country, will line out at prop at Thomond Park as he bids farewell to the game. And in what will be his 217th provincial outing, Hayes will play in a Munster side that retains just four players from the team that faced the Scarlets in the Heineken Cup.

Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Donncha O'Callaghan and Niall Ronan are the quartet to keep their places, with Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Donnacha Ryan are unavailable because of the Irish national management dictat. 

Mick O'Driscoll captains a team that does contain some inexperience, in the forms of debuting full back Sean Scanlon and young wing Luke O’Dea.

Fetu’u Vainikolo replaces Mark McCrea on the wing for Connacht in the only change that their coach Eric Elwood has made from the team that took on Gloucester last weekend.

McCrea strained his hamstring in the game in England, so the Tongan international lines out in a side that, as usual, is captained by full back Gavin Duffy. - http://www.setanta.com

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Rugby news 12BET update 12/23

Skinner given two-week ban

Will Skinner will miss Harlequins' next two matches after being banned for two weeks by the European Rugby Cup.

The flanker was sent-off during last week's Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse in France, when he was off the pitch, after preventing the French side from taking a quick lineout.

Skinner, who was replaced 30 minutes before the incident, received the red card from referee Alain Rolland for playing the match ball in the technical zone - described as "an act contrary to good sportsmanship".

Following a disciplinary hearing in Dublin, European Rugby Cup officials decided to implement a two week punishment, stating: "Having taken into account the mitigating factors, including the player's excellent record, he decided on the maximum reduction of 50% and imposed a suspension of two weeks."

Skinner, who can appeal against the decision, will not miss out on Quins' next HEC clash due to the ERC decision, with their next European game not until January 14, when they face Gloucester. Instead, he will be unavailable for Quins' Premiership table-topping game with Saracens at Twickenham on Tuesday (Dec 27) as well as the New Year's Eve trip to Exeter.

Toulouse and Connacht make up the HEC's Pool 6, along with Quins and Gloucester. 

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