Tigers attitude
SYDNEY - Less than a fortnight after questioning his team's desperation to win games, Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says attitude is not the problem at the hopeful NRL finalists. The Tigers are currently clinging to eighth spot on the competition ladder after Monday night's 51-26 victory over Parramatta which followed five losses in six games.
Play tough
SYDNEY - Parramatta caretaker coach Brad Arthur has urged his players to follow in retiring skipper Nathan Hindmarsh's footsteps and play tough for the final four rounds of the NRL season. The Eels have endured a regrettable season, culminating in the sacking of coach Stephen Kearney last month, but have experienced a mini-revival under Arthur which has inspired hope that they could avoid the wooden spoon.
Focus ahead
SYDNEY - Australia's cricketers must start putting their English one-day disappointment behind them and focus on what lies ahead, according to allrounder Shane Watson. Speaking at Australia's camp in Darwin ahead of limited-overs clashes with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, Watson conceded the hurt of the 4-0 series defeat in England was still raw.
Sharapova out
MONTREAL - World No.2 Maria Sharapova withdrew from the WTA Rogers Cup event on Wednesday citing a viral infection. The Russian Olympic silver medallist joins gold medal winner Serena Williams in missing the event, which falls directly after the end of the Games' tennis competition
Lindberg leads
SYLVANIA, United States - Pernilla Lindberg holed a string of monster birdie putts to take a two-shot lead after the opening round of the LPGA's Jamie Farr Toledo Classic yesterday. The Swede carded a seven-under 64 to sit ahead of a group of six players that includes Thailand's Numa Gulyanamitta and Frenchwoman Karine Icher.
Fall from grace
GLASGOW - Rangers step into uncharted territory on Saturday as they kick off their first ever league campaign outside the top flight of Scottish football with a visit to Peterhead. It caps a humiliating fall from grace for the country's most successful club, who were relaunched as a new company, or newco, in June after the old company couldn't be saved from liquidation.