• Lomu stars at world Cup
• Chandima wins two gold medals
• From Sharjah to Zimbabwe
• KT stood with the best
• Upeka is the odd man out
• Briefly
• Rudra, an officer and gentleman

Lomu stars at world Cup

LONDON - New Zealand have signalled their attacking intentions for today's World Cup semifinal against France by naming reserve scrumhalf Byron Kelleher in the starting lineup.

Justin Marshall, the incumbent since the 1995 World Cup where New Zealand lost to South Africa in the final, has been relegated to the bench although the All Black management said he would still be a strong contender for a place if their team won through to this year's final in Cardiff on November 6.

Today's victors will meet the winners of Saturday's South Africa-Australia clash in the final on November 6.

Kelleher impressed as a replacement against Tonga in the opening game, scoring a try and demonstrating speed of pass, foot and thought.

Marshall has looked comparatively ponderous and it was significant that flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens looked uncharacteristically hurried against England and had one kick charged down. But the former All Black skipper's strength and experience had until this week been preferred in the tournament and he started against Tonga and England in the group stages and again against Scotland in the quarter-final last Sunday.

Kelleher Suited to New Zealand Game Plan

Coach John Hart said, without elaborating, that Kelleher suited the game New Zealand hoped to play against France on neutral territory at Twickenham.

"He was the best option for this particular game," Hart said.

All the indications on Thursday were that Kelleher will be partnered by Mehrtens, whose place was in doubt after he left the field at halftime against Scotland with a knee injury.

A scan revealed no cartilage damage and Mehrtens planned to practise on Friday and Saturday.

"I will be surprised if he doesn't go onto the field," Hart said.

Mehrtens, whose kicking and all-round vision have been crucial to New Zealand success, expressed confidence that he would play.

"The knee felt good today," he said. "It's still a little bit tender but it's more bruising than anything."

France make one change

France have made one change from the side who beat the spirited Argentine XV in the quarter-finals, recalling Fabien Pelous at lock after suspension to replace Olivier Brouzet.

There is an injury cloud over Emile Ntamack, who has sustained an injury to his left knee, with Stephane Glas slotted to take his place if the recently converted centre fails a fitness test.

"It's looking good," said France coach Jean-Claude Skrela on Thursday. "He went running this morning and he will take part in training this afternoon."

France, who have fallen abruptly from grace in the past year after two consecutive Five Nations' championship grand slams, were unconvincing in the group stages and have benefited from one of the easier draws.

New Zealand, though, have found out in the past that no French side can be discounted and there remains sufficient talent in the present XV to cause what would admittedly be the biggest upset in four World Cups.

"I expect the French to be hugely fired up for this game," said Hart. "I think they will come out and throw everything at us. They have got the size and the technique. It's going to be an interesting day at the office."

Inevitably the giant frame of Jonah Lomu is looming large in the French thoughts and the New Zealander winger has scored at least once in every match of the tournament.

Giant Task For Bernat-Salles

The man with the unenviable task of marking Lomu is Philippe Bernat-Salles, one of the smallest players in the French side, albeit one of the most skilled and elusive.

"I''ll just have to jump on him and call my mates to the rescue because one man is not usually enough to bring him down," said Bernat-Salles.

Both sides have dismissed as irrelevant the 54-7 scoreline in favour of the All Blacks in an one-off test in Wellington last June.

"We have started a new adventure with this World Cup and what happened before does not count," said France manager Jo Maso.

"If we did not have a belief that we can beat them, there would be no point in even going out there to play the match.

"Of course we have a strategy. We must win the ball and whatever we do, we must not give it back to them. One of their many strengths is that they are superbly organised to counter-attack. Another thing to do is to knock them down early. Those guys are dangerous when they are standing."

Captain Raphael Ibanez added: "There is a difference, a physical one. It's obvious they're bigger but it' s mentally that you win a match like this."

New Zealand are deservedly favourites to win today but, as an article of faith, they take nothing for granted and captain Taine Randell refused to even speculate on Saturday week's final.

"We have to be at our best today," he said.

Randell also knows the French have done something none of the four home nations have ever managed by winning a series in New Zealand.

Abdel Benazzi, one of the few French players fully justifying his reputation in the current tournament, played in that memorable 1994 series and also in the 22-15 victory in Toulouse in the following year.

"I was so happy after it that completely lost my mind that night and I had a car crash," he recalled. His joy will be unconfined if France do confound the pundits this Sunday.

Teams:

New Zealand - 15-Jeff Wilson; 14-Tana Umaga, 13-Christian Cullen, 12-Alama Ieremia, 11-Jonah Lomu; 10-Andrew Mehrtens or Tony Brown, 9-Byron Kelleher; 8-Taine Randell (captain), 7-Josh Kronfeld, 6-Reuben Thorne, 5-Robin Brooke, 4-Norm Maxwell, 3- Craig Dowd, 2-Anton Oliver, 1-Carl Hoeft.

Replacements: 16-Daryl Gibson, 17-Tony Brown or Bruce Reihana, 18-Justin Marshall, 19-Andrew Blowers, 20-Royce Willis, 21- Kees Meeuws, 22-Mark Hammett.

France - 15-Xavier Garbajosa; 14-Philippe Bernat-Salles, 13-Richard Dourthe, 12-Emile Ntamack, 11-Christophe Dominici; 10- Christophe Lamaison, 9-Fabien Galthie; 8-Christophe Juillet, 7-Olivier Magne, 6-Marc Lievremont, 5-Fabien Pelous, 4-Abdel Benazzi, 3-Franck Tournaire, 2-Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1-Cedric Soulette.

Replacements: 16-Ugo Mola, 17-Stephane Glas, 18-Stephane Castaignede, 19-Arnaud Costes, 20-Olivier Brozet, 21-Pieter de Villiers, 22-Marc de Maso.

Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland).-REUTERS

Chandima wins two gold medals

Chandima Sugathapala, Managing Director of Explora Ltd., contested from Nuwara Eliya Sport Shooting Club and won two Gold Medals for the best civilian individual performance (standard) at the 7th Practical Pistol National Shooting Championship conducted by the National Rifle Association of Sri Lanka.

The team, sponsored by Nuwara Eliya Sport Shooting Club emerged the best Civilan Standard Open team.

This championship competition was held on from October 15-17 at Welisara Navy Range.

From Sharjah to Zimbabwe

At the conclusion of the Sharjah Cup final the former West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding asked the Sri Lankan Captain Sanath Jayasuriya, "where do you go from here Sanath?" "Zimbabwe" was the Captain's answer. Short, sweet and simple. But is it that way? Yes, in a few days from now the national squad will jet away to that African country. It will be both an important assignment and a valuable experience for Sanath Jayasuriya and his team. Since Zimbabwe were tapping at the door to gain International recognition many Sri Lankan 'A' and Sri Lankan sides have embarked on tours over there. This undoubtedly will be a real tester.

Zimbabwe are a team that can upset any of the stronger International teams. Although not yet able to do that consistently. At home they are even more formidable. Sri Lanka encountered mixed fortunes in Sharjah. To obtain a place in the finals could be considered a reasonable achievement. The concern is that players are not playing to their potential. Particularly the batsmen - they have to buckle up. Their performances are disjointed. When all goes well they look like champions. The second game against the West Indians in Sharjah was an example. With Romesh Kaluwitharana leading the way runs simply flowed. Only a few days later it was all dried up and it was a novice -like effort in the finals.

The selectors have stood by the players selected for Sharjah and some of the youngsters tried against the Aussies. These days with players being scrutinized all the while opportunities have to be made use of. Regular failure puts pressure on the players. Selectors also have to turn to other options then.

For Sanath Jayasuriya it is time to do some soul searching. He is definitely short of runs and he has to find a remedy to get back amongst the runs. Bowlers around the world have assesed his strengths and weaknesses. Should he try going down the order? It is something he and Coach Dav Whatmore must sort out. Mentally adjusting is the key to such a move. Then to play according to the state of the game is the next requirement. A move down the order must be accepted as a correct and positive move. After all many of the greatest batsmen who have started in the top four have slid down and continued to perform. It is the contribution to the team that matters ultimately.

The beacon that sood out at Sharjah was the pace bowling of Nuwan Zoysa and Chaminda Vaas. They bowled accurately, moved the ball around and varied cleverly. They were both focused thoroughly on the job at hand. Zimbabwe should suit their style of bowling. They have to continue from where they left off in the desert and make the most of the seaming conditions of that African country. Proof of it is how the games were decided in the Test and one dayers against Australia. The quicker bowlers dominated and that could well be the case with the Sri Lankan tour too. The batters must be aware of it and work towards countering the moving ball. Jayasuriya, Jayawardena and Atapattu have a massive job to do. I recollect once reading about Sir Donald Bradman admitting, that, his aim either early on a tour or early in the season was to score a double hundred! That was the great man's approach. Lesser players could perhaps aim to get half that score for a start. The important factor is to get a big score in one of the lead up games, get into the correct frame of mind and also get your game organized to proceed from there onwards.

It is also a big step forward for all the young players. Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram, Suresh Perera, Indika Gallage, Rangana Herath and Prasanna Jayawardena are talented youngsters in the different departments of the game. Of the lot Arnold has pushed his way up in the big league. He and the others have a whole cricketing future ahead of them. Sri Lanka will benefit should these lads grab the opportunity and make this a successful tour. Next stop Zimbabwe! The performances of the individuals and the success of the team is what will determine where Sri Lanka's cricket goes next.

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