A round-up of today's other stories in brief
New Zealand sweep annual IRB awards
RUGBY: New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has been named International Rugby Board player of the year for 2010. It is the second successive year McCaw has landed the award and the third time in total, having also been honoured in 2006.
The 29-year-old flanker won the vote ahead of Mils Muliaina, Victor Matfield, Imanol Harinordoquy, David Pocock and Kurtley Beale. It completed a hat-trick for New Zealand, who were named team of the year with Graham Henry coach of the year for a record fourth time.
McCaw led the All Blacks to a record of 13 wins from 14 matches during 2010, including a Tri-Nations title and a successful grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland.
Henry, who was also coach of the year in 2005, 2006 and 2008, paid tribute to his back-room staff.
“The award reflects the hard work of the team,” he said.
Clijsters named player of year
TENNIS: Kim Clijsters has been voted the WTA’s Player of the Year, the second time she has won the award.
Having returned to the sport in 2009 after a two-year hiatus, the 27-year-old Belgian had a terrific 2010, highlighted by winning her third US Open title and reaching her “second-career” highest ranking of world number three.
Clijsters won five tournaments in 2010, including the year-end WTA Championships.
Harrison won't hang up his gloves
BOXING: Audley Harrison has revealed he never seriously considered retiring despite last month’s defeat by David Haye.
Yesterday he released a statement confirming his intention to fight on, and since then he has expanded on his motivation and his plans despite the general derision that greeted his performance.
Instead, Harrison believes he should have been allowed to continue with the fight.
On how close he came to retiring after the Haye debacle, Harrison said: “Nowhere near to be honest. Once I’d looked at the fight and saw what I was doing in the first couple of rounds, I could see I was following the game plan we had worked on. David was off rhythm. He was as tense as me early on.”
Australia set to drop Johnson
CRICKET: Australia are expected to drop fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for the second Test in Adelaide tomorrow after England’s batsmen made a mockery of his predictions that his aggression could spearhead their Ashes challenge.
Johnson, who was chosen little more than a year ago as the ICC’s world player of the year, looked ridden with confusion as he took no wickets and conceded 170 runs at The Gabba, with England’s batsmen treating him with disdain.
Johnson is expected to be replaced by his fellow left-armer Doug Bollinger. A decision on whether Australia will replace Ben Hilfenhaus with Ryan Harris is due to be made today. Peter Siddle’s first test hat-trick has made him the only Australian fast bowler certain to start in Adelaide.
Williams call up Maldonado
FORMULA ONE: Pastor Maldonado says he feels ready to make the step up to Formula One after being confirmed as a Williams driver for the 2011 season.
The 25-year-old Venezuelan will partner Rubens Barrichello in the Grove outfit’s line-up after being chosen as the replacement for Nico Hulkenberg, his predecessor as GP2 Series champion.
Maldonado has spent the last four seasons in the feeder series, adding consistency to go with his undoubted speed to scoop this year’s title. He also impressed in the recent young driver’s test in Abu Dhabi, and he is confident that he can compete with the best.
“GP2 is a very good championship; it really prepares drivers well for F1. I have worked very hard to get to this position and yes, I definitely feel ready,” he said.
“Williams do an amazing job. It is unbelievable to be here and to be part of the team. It is a dream.
“I just want to do my best.”
Ryan calls in new names for Tipp
GAELIC GAMES: New Tipperary senior hurling manager Declan Ryan has boosted his options ahead of next year’s All-Ireland defence by adding a number of new players to his extended panel.
Talented half forward Denis Maher and corner forward John “Bubbles” O’Dwyer played key roles in this year’s All-Ireland Under-21 success and will be handed the chance to impress in the New Year.
Ryan has also made contact with Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), John O’Keeffe (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Timmy Dalton (Arravale Rovers), Seán Curran (Mullinahone) and Stephen Lillis (Thurles Sarsfields).
The seven have been given individual strength and conditioning programmes to work on ahead of a return to collective training on January 1st, when they will hope to nail down a place in Ryan’s squad.
It is expected they will be tried out during the pre-season Waterford Crystal Cup and the early rounds of the National Hurling League.
