Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
Venter leaves a cult hero for exposing interview hypocrisy
Brendan Venter, Saracen’s idiosyncratic coach, has returned home to South Africa leaving opinion sharply divided in Britain after a surreal televison interview which has won him a cult following on YouTube.
In response to nine questions in 57 seconds, Venter parodied a parody after Saracens had lost a Heineken Cup match to Racing Metro.
Venter, who was fined for his outspoken comments in a post-match interview last October, this time decided to emulate a character in the spoof film “Mike Bassett; England manager”.
To this end he repeated or agreed to the questions asked by an increasingly frustrated Sky television interviewer.
For example.
“Why didn’t you win?”
“Ah, good question that. Very good question. Win. It’s important to win, it is important to win. We must try harder, absolutely.”
The importance of keeping talent in reserve
Maintaining the strength in depth to cope with injury crises is as crucial for the management of a top-class team as it is difficult to master, writes William James.
The recent experience of England’s rugby team is testament to this after being forced to pick a squad without twelve regular members.
Similarly just 10 games into soccer’s Premier League season, managers of the big four clubs have been forced to field reserves. Liverpool handed big-game debuts to Daniel Ayala and Jay Spearing, while injuries forced Arsenal to thrust goalkeeper Vito Mannone into the Champions League spotlight.
The challenge for any team is to keep a pool of talent bubbling underneath the first team that is both able and experienced enough to step up to the next level. Teams invest vast amounts into scouting young talent, but experience is harder to buy.
Managing the gulf between the first team and the reserves is key to ensuring the consistency that brings league titles and secures international trophies. What this soccer season has shown already is that this issue warrants much greater attention.
Second-string teams competing in football’s reserve leagues are given over largely to youth and those returning from injury, while more senior players lose match sharpness bench-sitting for the first team.
The loan deals that provide young players with the experience to slot back into first team action are too inflexible to work; lower-league sides demand season-long loans and control over players.
Classic is the only word with U describe this inning. If anybody really interested to play cricket he must watch this inning. It was one of the best knock from the great player.
England places up for grabs as European rugby action hots up
Europe’s premier rugby competition has returned with seven English clubs providing much food for thought for England coach Martin Johnson ahead of the November internationals, writes James Illingworth.
Gloucester, London Irish and Northampton recorded opening day victories while defeated Bath, Sale and Harlequins will be looking to this weekend to get their first points on the board. Leicester staged the comeback of the first week, overturning a 26-8 deficit to draw 32-32 with the Ospreys.
Johnson’s eyes would have also been drawn to one match in particular across the channel as England outcasts James Haskell and Tom Palmer put in solid performances as Stade Francais ran out convincing winners against Edinburgh in Paris.
England line-up against Australia at Twickenham on Nov. 7 with matches against Argentina and New Zealand following in quick succession and Johnson’s best-laid plans have been hit with an injury crisis in recent weeks.
The back division named by the 2003 World Cup-winning skipper in the 32-man elite player squad in July has been decimated after the withdrawals of Riki Flutey, Toby Flood, Delon Armitage, Danny Cipriani and Sam Vesty through injury.
So with places seemingly up for grabs, here are a few players who could have secured a place in the starting XV against the Wallabies or are pushing hard for future England recognition.
Shane Geraghty Northampton Age: 23 Caps: 3
I cant remember the last time I saw an interesting intrerview that wasnt Blackpool’s Ian Holloway of Harry Redknapp. Fair play to Venter, some broadcasters might think again before aimlessly shoving microphones under people’s noses when there is no news expected