Hunt in driver’s seat on road to redemption

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WHEN a decision is made at odds with our view, the absence of logic is the most basic cause of our angst.

Family members, close friends, colleagues with similar political leanings and any other interested parties may have been at each other's throats this past week when the conversation turned to the punishment meted out by both the court and his employers to Karmichael Hunt.

Wherever one stands though, it can't be argued logic was an absentee when the reasoning was explained.

When it comes to a crisis, Reds CEO, Jim Carmichael is a measured man.

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"Each individual will have their own perspective and opinion on this issue and this specific case based on their personal life experience," he said. "In arriving at these penalties we have all been acutely mindful of our responsibilities to sport and the wider community, as well as the long-term interests of the game, our stakeholders and our fans."

There will be those who dismiss the statement as a cleverly concocted piece of political sidestepping intended to protect the code, while at the same time keep a potential on-field star on the books.

Karmichael Hunt with Reds CEO Jim Carmichael. Picture: Getty. Source: Getty Images

I accept both that Carmichael was sincere, and that convincing the doubters of that is impossible. However, for those who might accuse the Reds of having an eye for the main chance, it is worthwhile considering that Hunt has yet to prove himself a major performer on the field, and this was potentially a perfect opportunity to eliminate the risk of their initial purchase, rid the code of a scandal not of their making, and save a reported two million bucks over the next three years.

A great number of the perfect among us, as well the imperfect but idealistic, wanted Hunt banned from sport forever, and the great majority of the imperfect but realistic probably felt he has got away lightly. I admit the six week ban and $30,000 fine seemed as lenient as it could get, but I am a proud, card-carrying member of the "second chance" union, and felt that total expulsion was an overreaction. (I have handed in my resignation of the "third chance" union.)

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We're all willing to put ourselves in the shoes of the professional sportsperson with the big money contracts and the jet-setting lifestyle, but very few have experienced, or would want to, the constant scrutiny in the relatively small bubble of the Australian sports star.

There's no violin being played here, and undoubtedly there are too many spoiled brats among the sporting elite in this country, but public scrutiny when you've erred on or off the field is an uncomfortable fact of life. The anonymous yearn for fame and the famous seek anonymity.

Many won't count as a penalty, the churning and consistent knot in his gut that Hunt will have had since this episode began, due mainly to the disappointment and embarrassment brought on his family. As someone in a similar situation, Wendell Sailor says none of that will go away in a hurry, if ever. A life sentence of sorts.

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He brought it on himself but if he were your son, brother or friend would you be baying for one strike and you're out? We can always unearth some logic in the search for leniency.

As for the role model argument, perhaps the best example we can set for our kids is the one of somebody making a big mistake and then having the chance to publicly prove they have learned their lesson.

Shuffling them off into oblivion tells our kids what. That only the perfect survive? We all know that's a lie.

QRU Chairman Rod McCall is a former policeman, a World Cup winning Wallaby and not a noted "softie" and it may be his comments that were the most telling.

"I believe in the man," he said.

Whatever we think about the logic of the punishment handed to Hunt, he is ultimately the man who'll determine the wisdom or otherwise.

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Road record drives belief for Taipans

Cairns are banking on their good road record when they face the Breakers in New Zealand. Source: Brian Cassey / Getty Images

CAIRNS coach Aaron Fearne says the Taipans have no choice today but to live up to their 'road warrior' reputation to keep their NBL title dream alive.

New Zealand hold a 1-0 buffer over the Taipans in the best-of-three grand final series after an emphatic 86-71 win in Cairns on Friday night.

A victory in Auckland today will hand the Breakers their fourth championship in five years.

But the Taipans have reason to be optimistic about sending the series to a decider in Cairns this Friday night.

They boasted the best away record in the competition during the regular season with nine wins from 14 games.

Two of those away wins were over the Breakers in Auckland.

"It's going to be a big ask but we've beaten them twice over there so we know we can do it,'' Fearne, who was crowned the NBL Coach of the Year on Friday, said.

"That road record is really going to have come through or our season is done.''

Fearne said a vastly improved performance from Friday night would be required with a sharp focus on increasing defensive intensity and decreasing turnovers.

Breakers guard Cedric Jackson carved up Cairns with 22 points as New Zealand ran the sloppy Taipans off their feet in the first half.

"I know when we don't execute our gameplan, we get our butts kicked. When we do execute it, we give ourselves a chance,'' he said.

"We've played them four times this year and that's the worst we've played. They've stepped it up so we have to step it up too.

"We showed in the third quarter (Cairns outscored New Zealand 26-11) what we can do. We need that for four quarters.''

Cairns forward Cameron Tragardh was honoured with the NBL's Best Sixth Man award on Friday night.

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Flanno: New era for Sharks after 11 months of hell

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IF ever he was asked, Shane Flanagan would look down at his iPhone for the answer. 209 days to go, 123, 77, 42, 11.

Not a day passed without the Cronulla coach snapping a glance at the days counting-down to his NRL return date at the helm of the Sharks.

On Sunday, just after 6.30pm, the clock finally stops.

On December 17, 2013, Flanagan was suspended for what would equate to 11-months out of the game for governance issues surrounding the club's infamous supplements scandal.

On November 4, 2014, Flanagan was cleared by the NRL to return to Shark Park to reclaim the reigns of a club decimated by more than two years of turmoil. Flanagan's return was the lead story. The beginning of a new chapter, the headlines suggested.

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Aiken holds key to unlocking potential

Romelda Aiken holds the key to unlocking the Firebirds potential. Picture: Russell Shakespeare Source: Russell Shakespeare / News Corp Australia

JUST fling it to Romelda and get out of her way.

It could be as simple as that for the Queensland Firebirds as they chase their first scalp of the ANZ Championship season on the road against the Pulse on Sunday.

Last week's anticlimactic start to the season was a disjointed performance that not even the great Romelda Aiken could retrieve from the fire in her 100th Championship outing.

The Firebirds have far greater potential than what they showed at their first start, and the quality of service to Aiken would be a positive starting point.

Caitlyn Nevins is confident she can build a good relationship with Aiken. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

Aiken had five feeders — Gretel Tippett, Amorette Wild, Caitlyn Nevins, Verity Simmons and Kim Ravaillion — in that hiccup against West Coast Fever.

In the past the Firebirds have thrived with a constant line-up but rotating the playmakers changed the delivery into attack.

Nevins is new to the system and is confident she can build on her relationship with the Jamaican sharpshooter.

"All goalers are different in the way they want the ball," the little wing attack said.

"Our job is to understand that placement and deliver good ball.

"I don't think we need to go back to the drawing board.

"But one of the things we identified was trying to give Romelda the ball earlier."

Verity Simmons has developed a good connection with Aikens. Picture: Jerad Williams Source: News Corp Australia

Simmons, now in her second year feeding Aiken, has learned it pays not to be too precious about lobbing the ball to the long-limbed goal shooter.

"It took me a little bit of time to work it out," she said.

"What I've realised is that it doesn't have to be the perfect ball.

"She has such great hands that even when it's not spot-on she can still pull it in."

Queensland's away record will give the side reason to be confident of rebounding against Irene van Dyk's Pulse.

The Firebirds have the best record of any Australian team on Kiwi soil with 14 wins from 18 matches.

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What it feels like to punch Muhammad Ali

Joe Bugner reveals what it was like to fight with Muhammad Ali. Source: Richard Gosling / News Limited

It's been 40 years since Joe Bugner went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight championship of the world. Aussie Joe, 65 this week, has lived on the Gold Coast for more than two decades and recently had a stent placed in his heart. But he comes out swinging to talk about his greatest opponent.

MANY PEOPLE SAY MUHAMMAD ALI WAS THE GREATEST ATHLETE IN HISTORY? WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE?

Very difficult. We fought twice. Ali was so fast and evasive. He was hard to nail with more than one punch at a time but I did manage to get my left jab going in both fights and I connected with plenty of shots. I trained very hard for both fights. I'm proud of the fact that I'm the only man in history to go the distance with both Ali and Joe Frazier. And I went the distance with Ali twice, in 1973 in Las Vegas and again in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur.

ALI TALKED HIMSELF UP BETTER THAN ANY ATHLETE IN HISTORY. HE CALLED HIMSELF "THE GREATEST." WAS HE REALLY THAT GOOD OR WAS HIS REPUTATION INFLATED BY THE HYPE?

Bugner lands a right hand on Ali. Source: Supplied

He was that good. To me he was like football's Georgie Best, a great natural talent with charisma. He had two great weapons. He was utterly fearless no matter what happened in a fight and he was able to dominate opponents psychologically as much as physically. His speed for a big man was quite incredible. He was the greatest heavyweight of all time in my opinion. He was bigger than the sport of boxing, too. He marketed his own fights and himself unlike any athlete in history.

ALI BECAME SUCH A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN DID YOU FIRST LAY EYES ON HIM?

He came to London in 1963 to fight Henry Cooper, who was a big star in England and a man I eventually beat for the British, Commonwealth and European titles. Ali was still known as Cassius Clay then. The fight was a huge outdoor event at Wembley Stadium. Ali was winning but Cooper landed a big left hook and dropped him at the end of the fourth round just as the bell rang. Ali was badly hurt but he came out the next round and unloaded on Cooper and the fight was stopped because of a bad cut.

THEN HE BECAME THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP?

Bugner has remained friends with Ali since they met in 1965. Picture: Peter Ward Source: News Limited

The next year Ali won the title in a big upset against Sonny Liston, a fighter I later sparred with, a big powerful guy who terrified everyone. But Ali gave him a boxing lesson. Then Ali came back to England in 1966 and stopped Cooper again at Arsenal's Stadium in Highbury in London. Both the Cooper fights were huge news in England. At the time I was a schoolboy more interested in athletics than boxing. I was England's national junior discus champion at 14. Track and field was my first love but I was also doing boxing training at the Bedford Boys Club and my coach thought I showed a lot of promise.

SO WHEN DID YOU AND ALI FIRST MEET?

In New York in 1969. I was 19 years old and Ali was attempting a comeback after being banned from boxing for three years for refusing to join the American army. I'd been boxing as a professional since 1967 and was seen as a rising star in Britain. My managers took me to America to train with some of the greats. Ali offered me $10,000 — which was a small fortune in those days — to spar with him. I first met him in a coffee shop at Lowe's Midtown Hotel in Manhattan while I was having breakfast. There were 200 people surrounding him as soon as he walked in. The first thing he says is ``so you're this white boy thinks he can whup me? You caaan't whup me. Man you soooo ugly. Your mamma must have been sad when she had you.'' I said "Muhammad if you think I'm ugly you haven't seen my sister." That stunned him. For the first time in his life he was speechless. But then he came back and said: "Boy, know how fast I am? I'm so fast I can put the light out and be in bed before it gets dark."

SO HOW DID THE SPARRING GO?

Joe Bugner with his wife Marlene and Joe Frazier. Picture: Regina King. Source: Supplied

First up we did five rounds at Gil Clancy's gym in Lower Manhattan. I was very nervous. Ali was already this great figure in sporting history and I was this big lanky teenager. He was a legend, my idol. I had butterflies flying around my stomach at 100 miles an hour. There was a big crowd watching and once again Ali wanted to put on a show. I had one tactic only against him and that was not to let him beat the crap out of me. I was taller than him and had a longer reach so I kept sticking my left jab at him and then covering up when he attacked. I landed plenty of jabs and a few rights. Sparring the master was an education. After the sparring finished Ali told me I hadn't given him a black eye but a white eye.

YOU BECAME QUITE GOOD FRIENDS WITH HIM AFTER THAT?

We had a good relationship. He and I both liked to joke around. He would hire me as a sparring partner for different fights. I learned so much from him in sparring and all the time I was making my own career as a fighter in England. His jab was the main thing I tried to copy. Fast and snappy, a great weapon in both attack and defence.

SO IN FEBRUARY 1973 YOU FIGHT HIM FOR REAL IN LAS VEGAS. FRANK SINATRA AND SAMMY DAVIS JR ARE RINGSIDE AND YOU HAVE A BIG FIGHT WITH ELVIS PRESLEY ON THE EVE OF THE BOUT?

Tom Jones (right) was Bugner's best man at his wedding. Source: Supplied

The night before the Ali fight I told Elvis to go and get stuffed. I was always a big fan of his singing but he lost me that night. He had given Ali this beautiful white robe which had the words ``People's Choice'' spelt out in gemstones on the back. Ali was no longer the world champ but was angling to get a fight with the titleholder Joe Frazier. At the time Elvis was performing at the Las Vegas Hilton. Before the fight Elvis invited about 50 or so people to his hotel suite for a party. I was on my best behaviour but I said to him ``Excuse me, Elvis that's a beautiful robe you gave Ali. I'd love one too because as you know I'm the only one in the fight who is actually a champion." I had just defended my European championship. But Elvis turns around and says ``Man you're no champion'' just like that. He tried to humiliate me. I told Elvis to get stuffed and I walked out. His bodyguard, a guy they called Big Red, comes over and says ``hey man whatya doin ... no one speaks to the King like that.'' I said ``tell Elvis he's a dickhead.''

SO FIGHT NIGHT ARRIVES. YOU'RE 22 AND FACING YOUR IDOL, THE BLOKE YOU RECKON IS THE GREATEST ATHLETE OF ALL TIME. IF YOU WIN YOU MAKE HISTORY. NERVOUS?

I was actually very confident. I was only young but already very experienced. By that stage I'd had 48 professional fights and had beaten Henry Cooper and the best in Europe. I'd also sparred Ali many times so I felt I knew what to do to beat him. I tried very hard and if you watch the fight you see that I came out very aggressively and rocked him in the first round with my right hand. My jab worked well too but Ali was just sharper and faster and he was able to pick me off. He won on points over 12 rounds. Still, I gained a lot of credit on the world stage for giving him a good fight.

WHAT WAS THE TOUGHEST THING FOR YOU TO OVERCOME?

Ali shouts "Joe Bugner must go!" to fans and media in Kuala Lumpur. Source: AP

He had speed, great technical skills and of course the confidence to impose his will. I tried to out-jab him because I had the reach advantage but once he got his distance he would counter with his own left hand and bring out combinations of punches from nowhere. I caught him with a beautiful right hand and he said, "Damn, good punch white boy, do it again!" Now, I was only 22 and pretty naive. When I tried the same punch again he was ready and caught me with four solid punches to the jaw.

SO THEN YOU BOTH GO AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE A REMATCH?

My next fight was against Joe Frazier at Earls Court in London. George Foreman, who was the new world heavyweight champion, did the TV commentary and he told viewers he thought I won, but Smokin' Joe got the decision. Then Ali beat Frazier and stopped Foreman in Zaire to regain the world title. I won eight fights straight between 1973 and 1975 and Ali agreed to a rematch.

HE WOULDN'T GIVE YOU HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE?

Joe Bugner at Broadbeach Waters PCYC. Source: News Limited

No. The fight was in a huge stadium in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia because Ali and his promoter Don King wanted to fight before a big Muslim audience. It was in broad daylight and coming from England I found the heat and humidity overpowering. Lionel Rose beat a Japanese fighter on the undercard. I don't know whose plan it was to unsettle me but I got a death threat just before the fight. I had all these commandos guarding me from a potential sniper attack but I'm 6ft 4in (193cm) and they were all 5ft 2 (155cm). It wasn't a lot of protection.

I was very fit but Ali handled the heat better than me. He fought with his hands low but only when he was out of punching range. His radar worked very well and he was able to slip punches and counter when he got in range. When I set myself to punch Ali seemed to know what was coming and he responded in a flash. In the later rounds Ali still had the fitness to dance around me and stay out of any trouble.

YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH ALI ENDURED?

Yes. I lived in Beverly Hills for 10 years from 1975. My neighbours included Dean Martin and Tom Jones, who was best man at my wedding. Ali had a house in Hancock Park not far from me. Two of my kids went to the same school as Ali's daughter Laila and I met my wife at Joan Collins' house.

DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HIM?

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I saw him a few years ago when I was in America but I prefer to remember him when he was at his peak. I spent some time with him at the Sydney Olympics. The Parkinson's disease had ravaged him even that long ago but he was still too sharp for me. I said to him: "Muhammad, damn you're lookin' good'' and he whispers "Joe Bugner, I wish I could say the same.'' I gave him a kiss and he froze and said "Don't do that again.'' I said "Muhammad it's a common custom for Europeans.'' And he says "Man we ain't in Europe.''

FOR YOUR FIRST FIGHT WITH ALI YOU RECEIVED $125,000 AND HE RECEIVED $275,000. BIG MONEY FOR 1973 BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU READ FLOYD MAYWEATHER COULD RECEIVE $200 MILLION FOR FIGHTING MANNY PACQUIAO ON MAY 2?

That's just absurd. I hope Pacquiao knocks him out. From what I've read Mayweather is not a very nice person. Mayweather might be unbeaten but he's certainly no Muhammad Ali.

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Bunnies scouting as Turner’s season looks over

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THE immediate playing future of South Sydney young gun Kyle Turner remains uncertain with the Rabbitohs edge backrower diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck.

The Sunday Telegraph was told Turner required fusion surgery and was expected to be ruled out for the remainder of the season, with South Sydney beginning the search for a replacement backrower.

But after an appointment with a Gold Coast specialist on Friday, the Rabbitohs remain hopeful of Turner becoming available for the back end of the season.

Despite sustaining the injury in the All Stars fixture last month, Turner travelled to Brisbane with the premiers for Thursday night's season-opening victory over the Broncos.

There were initially fears Turner was facing an indefinite period out of the game after it emerged the Indigenous All Stars forward was suffering pins and needles in his arms and hands.

But South Sydney coach Michael Maguire said the premiers remained optimistic Turner may only miss the next three months of football.

Kyle Turner looks set to be ruled out for the season Source: News Corp Australia

"More than likely he's going to need some form of surgery but the medical experts were more positive about the process they had to go through," Maguire said.

"We're being very thorough and making sure we get all the necessary medical information from all the different surgeons.

"Troy Thompson our high performance manager has been very thorough in making sure we get exactly what's required for Kyle.

"We're not rushing this decision. Kyle's welfare comes first. One surgeon did advise a fusion surgery whereas another has suggested a shave or a replacement."

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The Sunday Telegraph has been told Rabbitohs recruitment manager Grant Jones has begun the mission to find a replacement backrower, with the club preparing for the possibility Turner may be ruled out for the entire season.

Maguire said the reason Jones was scouting a backrower was because the Rabbitohs "still had a position available".

After a shocking run of concussions last season, Turner suffered the neck injury inside the opening four minutes of the NRL All Stars fixture and was stretchered from the field.

NRL All Stars and NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen was responsible for the tackle, with the match review committee later determining the Cronulla backrower had no case to answer.

Turner remained in hospital on the Gold Coast at the time and was ruled out of travelling to England for the Rabbitohs World Club Challenge victory against St Helens.

Turner's family initially posted concerns about his immediate playing future on social media last month.

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Ready to Fire as finals fever hits

Townsville Fire prepare for the WNBL final against Bendigo Spirit. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: Zak Simmonds / News Corp Australia

IT will be bigger than Texas in Townsville on Sunday.

The city has been painted red and back and swept by basketball fever with the Townsville Fire hosting the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL decider this afternoon.

The build-up has been electric with the 2,200-capacity Townsville RSL Stadium selling out in 45 minutes.

A special live site in the centre of town with a big screen has been setup and a local cinema will show the feed of the nationally-televised match.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and North Queensland Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston and his teammates will be courtside.

Country music star Adam Brand will sing the national anthem while golf legend and proud north Queenslander Karrie Webb has been pumping up the game on Twitter.

Just one thing remains.

A Fire victory to deliver Townsville its first major national sporting title.

"We had three goals to start the season. Make the finals, get a home grand final and win the championship,'' Fire coach Chris Lucas said.

"We've got one to go.

"The support we have received from the community has been unbelievable. It's been crazy the last couple of weeks. If we can secure the championship, it would mean a great deal to the city and north Queensland.

"It's now a matter of performing on the day. That's what counts.

"These are the games you work for. You try and treat it like a normal game but it's not. It's a championship game.

"We know we've done the work and we are in a good place both physically and mentally.''

This is the third consecutive year that Townsville and Bendigo have met in the decider.

The Fire were extinguished by the Spirit the past two years when Townsville were forced to go on the road for the season showpiece.

Townsville thumped Bendigo 82-63 in the semi-final two weeks ago to earn the home grand final but only a victory today will count as any sort of revenge.

"The girls have been fairly determined to get back to this point,'' Lucas said.

"We have been extremely disappointed the past two years. We've always believed we could go to another level and contend for a title again.

"Bendigo are an extremely tough team but we feel like we can match it with them.

"They are a high-scoring team with depth on their bench. We need to spread the load defensively.''

The vastly experienced Suzy Batkovic shapes as the most important player for the Fire today but Lucas says the triple Olympic medallist, dual WNBL MVP and former WNBA player cannot do it by herself.

"It can't all be about Suzy. When we've played our best, we've had four or five girls in double figures. Suzy will do her job but we need everybody to bring what they bring each week,'' he said.

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