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in Diamondcraft - Registration Mon Jan 13, 2020 7:13 am
by Cl11234566 • 420 Posts

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Victor Matfield will return to top-level rugby in this years Super 15 and make himself available again for the Springboks, it is being widely reported in South Africa. Numerous reports say the 2007 World Cup-winning lock, who has played 110 tests for South Africa, will end his two-year retirement to again represent the Pretoria-based Bulls in Super Rugby from next month. He will be 37 in May. Matfield may also be considered for the Springboks, with national coach Heyneke Meyer a former coach of Matfield at domestic level with the Bulls and a big fan of the second-rower. Neither the Bulls nor the South African Rugby Union are commenting on a possible return for Matfield but he has been photographed training with the Bulls playing squad at a preseason camp, strengthening speculation over a comeback which was first rumoured in 2012, when Meyer indicated that Matfields return would be welcome. Meyer has also recently shown his willingness to recall veteran players to the national team, although none as old as Matfield, who is a member of the Bulls coaching staff. While Matfields ability as one of the best lineout forwards to play was still undisputed when he retired at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, he is risking diminishing his legacy as a great if hes unable to match those towering standards when he returns to the highest levels of the physically demanding sport after a long absence. "If (Victor) can play as he has in the past, it will be good news for South African rugby, but at his age it just gets harder and harder to compete at the same level," former South Africa lock Mark Andrews, a 1995 World Cup winner, told Die Burger newspaper. "And the 2015 Rugby World Cup is a long way away." Matfield could surpass Johan Ackermann as the oldest Springbok in the modern era if he plays for South Africa in the southern hemispheres Rugby Championship, which starts in August. Ackermann, the coach of the Johannesburg-based Lions, was also 37 when he played his last test in 2007. Ackermann backed Matfields return, even for the next World Cup in Britain, when Matfield would be 38. "Matfield is fit, athletic and his experience will add great value to the Springboks," Ackermann told the Afrikaans-language Die Burger. "I believe he is definitely still in Heyneke Meyers Springbok plans. He offers Heyneke security going into next years World Cup and is an ideal player to fall back on." Yet there was also a warning from Ackermann that Matfield shouldnt hold up younger players, something that led to criticism of the national team and former coach Peter de Villiers when former captain John Smit was picked at hooker at the end of his career ahead of Bismarck du Plessis, who was widely considered to be a better player at the time. Some argue that the Springboks should be developing a partnership between young locks Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit for the World Cup rather than gambling on Matfield. Colorado Avalanche Shirts . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/.com) - The University of Montana named Bob Stitt as its new head football coach on Tuesday. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys . Mueller is the grandson of the late Ron Lancaster, the Hall-of-Fame quarterback and longtime head coach in the CFL. Last season, Mueller was quarterbacks coach of the University of Regina Rams, his alma mater. Colorado Avalanche Store . Dillon Brooks scored 26 points on 9-17 shooting for Canada while pulling down six rebounds and picking up six steals. Teammate Chris Egi had 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks.BOGOTA, Colombia -- Radamel Falcao, who is recovering from left-knee surgery, was named Tuesday in Colombias preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup. Coach Jose Pekerman has until June 2 to name the final 23-man squad. Falcao has been sidelined since January. If he recovers in time -- surgeons initially gave him a 50-50 chance -- Colombia could be one of the real threats in the World Cup. "I am getting better and Im very happy with how the knee is reacting," Falcao wrote this week on social media. "Im starting on the pitch with the ball, again getting used to what used to be familiar." Falcao has been in Monaco, Spain and Portugal undergoing his rehab. If Falcao cant make it back, more responsibility for Colombias attack will rest with James Rodriguez, who plays with Falcao at Monaco. Colombias defence looks solid. It is led by 38-year-old Mario Yepes, who has made more than 100 international appearances. Colombia allowed only 13 goals in 16 matches to have the best record in South American qualifying. Colombia plays in Group C aand opens on June 14 against Greece.dddddddddddd It also faces Ivory Coast and Japan and is playing in its first World Cup since 1998. ------ Team: Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe). Defenders: Mario Yepes (Atalanta), Aquivaldo Mosquera (America, Mexico), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Pablo Armero (West Ham). Midfielders: Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Elkin Soto (Mainz), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Macnelly Torres (Al Shabab), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Edwin Valencia (Fluminense), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional). Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate). ' ' '

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