Six Nations rugby; Sam Burgess and Sydney Roosters; South African cricket; Wayne Rooney rakes it in
Six Nations rugby produced a memorable weekend headlined in Cardiff, where the mercurial Welsh found top gear to overwhelm France 27-6. "We have redeemed ourselves a bit after [defeat by] Ireland but we have a big game against England," said the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, referring to a game already being talked up as a possible title decider. Meanwhile England coach Stuart Lancaster described his side's comeback to beat a strong Ireland side 13-10 as "right up there" with his most satisfying wins. Ireland, England, Wales and France are all level on four points with two rounds to play. Even wooden-spoon rivals Italy and Scotland served up a thriller in Rome, with a last-gasp Duncan Weir drop-goal winning it for the Scots.
**Roosters earn crowing rights*
*
Bragging rights in club rugby league were re-cemented in the southern hemisphere as Sydney Roosters comfortably beat Wigan Warriors 36-14 in the World Club Championship. So one-sided was the action that even at half-time with an 18-0 lead, the Roosters hooker Jake Friend was complaining about his side's "rusty" display. The 13-a-side code was also left to ponder the defection of another of its star players, the English forward Sam Burgess, to rugby union. Burgess, currently on the books of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, will learn the club game with Bath and hopes to force his way into the England team in time for the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup.
**'Hulk' fires up South Africans*
*
South Africa: an apology. Last week this roundup may have given the impression that it believed South Africa's cricketers had sunk to a similar depth as England following a first-Test drubbing by Australia. However, in the light of an equally emphatic 231-run victory by the hosts in the second Test, with Dale Steyn taking four for 55 to dismantle the Australian batting line-up, we now accept that this was not the case. We apologise for any distress caused, especially to Steyn, who drew an Incredible Hulk-like comparison from his captain, Graeme Smith. "Dale sort of goes from very angry to extremely angry," Smith said. "But he is always one spell away from being able to create something for us."
**Money rains on Rooney*
*
Manchester United, marooned hopelessly in the icy hinterland separating the Premier League's top four from everyone else, revealed something of their emotional anguish last week by offering their Desperate Dan-chinned striker Wayne Rooney an eyewatering new $500,000-a-week contract. That's $71,500 a day, or $3,000 an hour, or even $50 a minute, which is food for thought for those considering forking out a similar sum for a replica shirt. Rooney rewarded his club by scoring in a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace. In turn, Palace fans responded by pelting Rooney with coins and a Football Association inquiry now beckons.
Graham Snowdontheguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 58 minutes ago.
Six Nations rugby produced a memorable weekend headlined in Cardiff, where the mercurial Welsh found top gear to overwhelm France 27-6. "We have redeemed ourselves a bit after [defeat by] Ireland but we have a big game against England," said the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, referring to a game already being talked up as a possible title decider. Meanwhile England coach Stuart Lancaster described his side's comeback to beat a strong Ireland side 13-10 as "right up there" with his most satisfying wins. Ireland, England, Wales and France are all level on four points with two rounds to play. Even wooden-spoon rivals Italy and Scotland served up a thriller in Rome, with a last-gasp Duncan Weir drop-goal winning it for the Scots.
**Roosters earn crowing rights*
*
Bragging rights in club rugby league were re-cemented in the southern hemisphere as Sydney Roosters comfortably beat Wigan Warriors 36-14 in the World Club Championship. So one-sided was the action that even at half-time with an 18-0 lead, the Roosters hooker Jake Friend was complaining about his side's "rusty" display. The 13-a-side code was also left to ponder the defection of another of its star players, the English forward Sam Burgess, to rugby union. Burgess, currently on the books of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, will learn the club game with Bath and hopes to force his way into the England team in time for the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup.
**'Hulk' fires up South Africans*
*
South Africa: an apology. Last week this roundup may have given the impression that it believed South Africa's cricketers had sunk to a similar depth as England following a first-Test drubbing by Australia. However, in the light of an equally emphatic 231-run victory by the hosts in the second Test, with Dale Steyn taking four for 55 to dismantle the Australian batting line-up, we now accept that this was not the case. We apologise for any distress caused, especially to Steyn, who drew an Incredible Hulk-like comparison from his captain, Graeme Smith. "Dale sort of goes from very angry to extremely angry," Smith said. "But he is always one spell away from being able to create something for us."
**Money rains on Rooney*
*
Manchester United, marooned hopelessly in the icy hinterland separating the Premier League's top four from everyone else, revealed something of their emotional anguish last week by offering their Desperate Dan-chinned striker Wayne Rooney an eyewatering new $500,000-a-week contract. That's $71,500 a day, or $3,000 an hour, or even $50 a minute, which is food for thought for those considering forking out a similar sum for a replica shirt. Rooney rewarded his club by scoring in a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace. In turn, Palace fans responded by pelting Rooney with coins and a Football Association inquiry now beckons.
Graham Snowdontheguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 58 minutes ago.