Tuesday 3 March 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Obama says 'nothing new' in Netanyahu speech

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said there was nothing new in Benjamin Netanyahus controversial speech to Congress Tuesday, insisting the Israeli Prime Minister did not offer a better option than negotiations.Netanyahu did not offer any viable alternatives, Obama said speaking from the Oval Office. Netanyahu earlier, before an impassioned joint meeting of Congress, pilloried talks with Iran, which if successful would be a key plank of Obamas foreign policy legacy. Receiving a warm welcome from Obamas Republican foes, Netanyahu insisted the deal doesnt block Irans path to the bomb. It paves Irans path to the bomb.Obama has refused to meet Netanyahu during his visit to the US capital and said he did not watch the speech but saw a transcript.I am not focused in the politics of this, I am not focused on the theatre, Obama said.As far as I can tell, there was nothing new.On the core issue, which is how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon which would make it far more dangerous, the prime minister did not offer any viable alternatives.We dont yet have a deal, he added. But if we are successful, then in fact this will be the best deal possible with to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon.As Obama was speaking, talks between the United States and Iran to reach an agreement continued in Switzerland.The deal would limit Iranian nuclear activity for a decade or more, but would not completely dismantle facilities that could be used to make a bomb.Iran says it does not want a nuclear weapon.

Thousands evacuated as Chile volcano erupts

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PUCON (AFP) - A volcano in southern Chile erupted early Tuesday, spewing fiery plumes of lava into the night sky and forcing the evacuation of some 3,600 people from nearby towns.In its first major eruption in 15 years, the Villarrica volcano, one of Chiles most active, began spewing lava and ash around 3:00 am (0600 GMT), prompting authorities to declare a red alert, the National Emergency Office said.As sirens sounded, bright yellow-orange lava spewed from the volcano about 800 kilometers (500 miles) south of the capital Santiago.A column of ash rose as high as three kilometers above the volcano, which is about 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) high.Authorities closed roads leading to the area as residents streamed into shelters at designated safe zones well removed from the volcano.But within about seven hours the eruption calmed, and there were no longer any visible signs of activity.Its an active volcano, but at this point it has calmed down, said President Michelle Bachelet after flying into the region for an emergency meeting with local officials.Bachelet held an early-morning meeting with the countrys emergency committee in Santiago before traveling to the affected area, flying over the volcano along the way.She declared an agricultural emergency for part of the region, enabling local governments to access national emergency funds to deal with the effects of the eruption and a drought gripping the area.Once the eruption died down, authorities partially lifted their red alert, keeping it in place for a 10-kilometer radius around the volcano but allowing residents of the main towns in the area to return home under yellow alert.But schools remained closed in the towns of Villarrica, Pucon, Curarrehue and Conaripe, which surround the volcano.The eruption was fairly intense but short in duration, said Luis Lara, the head of Chiles volcano monitoring network.It was basically a small eruption, he said from the National Emergency Offices headquarters in Santiago.He downplayed the risk of widespread flooding, which sometimes occurs when lava melts the snow cover around a volcano, causing the surrounding rivers to rise.But about 45 families were stranded in one community after a swollen river washed out a bridge.Officials classified the eruption as level two on a scale that runs from zero to eight.It was less intense than the 2011 eruption of Caulle, another volcano in southern Chile that spewed ash so high that it was visible across the continent in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.Villarrica is considered one of the most active volcanoes in South America, and draws crowds of tourists each year, with hikers climbing its slopes in the summer months to peer inside its crater.Its last major eruptions were in 1984 and 2000.It had shown signs of activity in recent weeks, registering minor explosions and emitting ash.

Tennis: Bad-boy Kohlschreiber wants crowd support against France

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BERLIN (AFP) - Philipp Kohlschreiber is hoping to shake off his bad-boy image when he ends his Davis Cup exile on Friday as Germany host 2014 finalists France.A disagreement with ex-Germany captain Carsten Arriens meant Kohlschreiber last played for his country in the Davis Cup a year ago.He was part of the German team which were booed by their own crowd in Frankfurt after having to forfeit a match in their 4-1 win over Spain due to injuries.Germany bowed out to eventual finalists France in the quarter-finals, but without Kohlschreiber, who has been accused at being involved in the sacking of both Arriens and his predecessor Patrik Kuehnen.Now Germanys number one player just wants to focus on doing well in the first-round tie to help shake off his bad-boy reputation.Im calm, Im the bad guy, he said with Kohlmann set for his first match in charge.As soon as I say something, I am the bad guy anyway, so it doesnt really matter what I do.Kohlschreiber, ranked 28th in the world, says he had nothing to do with Arriens and Kuehnens dismissals.Even if you want to hold it against me, the German Tennis Federation (DTB) make their own decisions, said the 31-year-old who has won two of his seven ATP matches this season.But Kohlschreiber is still affected by the memories of being booed by his home crowd in February 2014.With Germany 4-0 up on the final day, injury to himself, Tommy Haas and Florian Mayer meant they had to forfeit their final singles rubber against Spain.I hope the public will help the German team. I am a part of that and its a good thing, he said.

Golf: WGC Match-Play event will move to Texas in 2016

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AUSTIN (AFP) - The World Golf Championships Match Play tournament will move to Austin, Texas, in 2016 and be played two weeks before next years Masters, the International Federation of PGA Tours announced Tuesday.The event was played in Arizona for the past eight years but this year moves to San Franciscos Harding Park course and from its prior February spot on the schedule to April 29-May 3 -- three weeks after the Masters.No decision on a host course has been made for the March 23-27, 2016, tournament.The WGC Match Play will also have a new sponsor starting next year in Dell, a computer technology company based in the Austin area.The Match Play has a tremendous future with Dell as the incoming title sponsor, the events move to Austin and the new round-robin format that is being introduced this year.Instead of a strict knockout format as in years past, the Match-Play starting this year will feature 16 groups of four players based on seedings from world ranking. Group matches Wednesday through friday will decide 16 players for the first knockout round Saturday morning with the quarter-finals Saturday afternoon and the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.Australian Jason Day is the defending champion after defeating Frances Victor Dubuisson in 23 holes last year.Past champions include Englands Ian Poulter and Luke Donald, Aussie Geoff Ogilvy twice and US star Tiger Woods three times, most recently in 2008.

Badminton: Lin calls for more freedom for players

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BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - Lin Dan, widely regarded as the greatest mens singles player in badminton history, marked his return to the All-England Open with an appeal for his fellow professionals to be given more freedom.The Olympic champion from China said Tuesday he wants professional players to be allowed more choice in where and when they play, something which might have been regarded as an anathema in his country only a short time ago.Athletes are a crucial part of the sport, said Lin, who has reappeared at the worlds oldest event here in preparation for a bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics.We should lower the barriers to entry for professional players so they can sign up (for tournaments) themselves.That might help younger players come through as well as prolong older players careers, added Lin.The Chinese superstar believes the longevity of great players, such as Lee Chong Wei, the reigning All-England champion from Malaysia, and two other former world number ones, Peter Gade of Denmark, and Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, may have delayed the onset of a new wave.Lins opinions were supported by Gade, who believes most players will only be able to make their own decisions when supported by their own organisation.Badminton is different from tennis and golf in that it doesnt have its own professional players organisation, said Gade.We have a different system. Its a kind of old fashioned system. I know that the BWF and all the associations around the world are doing the best they can. But we have to put the bar as high as we can and work together. If we do that the sport we love has huge potential.We have huge stars like Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. Hopefully we will see new stars emerge and older ones who still want to contribute. I dont see many sports where bigger stars are active in this way. I really hope badminton will take advantage of this.Meanwhile the focus upon Lin has rarely been greater, as badmintons biggest star prepares his bid to qualify for the 2016 Games, at which he would be trying for a third successive gold medal at the age of 32. It is for me to realise my value and put in the effort to win big tournaments, said Lin, whose tournament appearances have been scarce in the past two years. Lin denied that he was aiming for another Olympics because great rival Wei had changed his mind about retiring after narrowly missing a gold medal at the London Olympics.This is a goal I wanted to pursue myself and it is a great honour to represent my country, he said.Lin made clear the connection between playing at this weeks All-England and getting to the Olympics.My goal is to accumulate as many (qualifying) points as possible (for the Olympics) - and then fight for my sixth (All England) title, he said.Lin was also questioned about what the All-England meant to him, which he has not competed in since 2012.Of course I know that the All-England is a 100-year-old tournament, he said.I have played 12 times and won (the title) five times. When I see top players here, for me it is very special.

Nasir Jamshed departs early again

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NAPIER (Dunya News) – Pakistan opening partnership once again failed to deliver as Nasir Jamshed got out after scoring just 4 runs when Pakistan total was 10.Earlier United Arab Emirates have won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat first. Pakistan made no change in their squad that beat Zimbabwe on March 1.

LIVE - Pakistan vs UAE - World Cup 2015 updates

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LAHORE: (Web Desk) -33 overs:Pakistan on 170-2, Harris Sohail OUT playing wonderful innings of 70 runs making partnership of 160 runs with Ahmed Shahzad30 overs: Pakistan were 157-1, dazzling partnership of Ahmed Shahzad and Harris Sohail.29 overs: Amusing fans, Yes, Pakistan were on 140 on the loss of only one wicketNasir Jamshed parody account driving fans crazyStill alive. Phew. Thank you cameraman for finding me. PakvsUae— Nasir Jamshed (@NasirJamshed_) March 4, 2015 Meanwhile, the palyers succeeded in winning some place in the hearts of cricket loversBoth are playing without helmet.. God protect them pls (Ameen) PakVsUae— Âì§hà Ñòór (@aishanoor91) March 4, 2015 27 overs:Pakistan off to steady play making fans stun, striked 131-124 overs: Pakistan were on 103 for 1.9 overs: Players developing hopes for the heavy sceore as Pakistan were on 31-16 overs: Pakistan were 14-1 after completion of six overs. Pakistan lost Nasir Jamshed jamshaid whem the team s total was 10. He was caught by Khurram Khan off the bowling of Guruge. Jamshed made just 4 runs.3 overs:Pakistan were 8 without loss after completion of three overs with Nasir Jamshed batting on 2 and Ahmed Shehzad scored 5 runs.United Arab Emirates (UAE) won the toss and decided to field first against Pakistan in Napier on Wednesday.Teams:Pakistan: Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.UAE: Amjad Ali, AR Berenger, Krishna Chandran, Khurram Khan, Shaiman Anwar, SP Patil (wk), Rohan Mustafa, Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Tauqir (capt), AM Guruge.

USE win toss and put Pakistan in to bat first

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NAPIER (Dunya News) - United Arab Emirates (UAE) won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat first in their World Cup Pool B match in Napier on Wednesday.Pakistan made no change in their squad that beat Zimbabwe by 20 runs in their third match of the World Cup 2015 on March 1.Pakistan team captain Misbah-ul-Haq while talking just before the toss said that each team knows each other very well. UAE are a capable side and the coaches are working well with them. Every game now is important for Pakistan and we have to win each game and do it to the best of our abilities. Everybody is ready to perform their specific roles.Teams:Pakistan: Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Umar Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.UAE: Amjad Ali, AR Berenger, Krishna Chandran, Khurram Khan, Shaiman Anwar, SP Patil (wk), Rohan Mustafa, Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Tauqir (capt), AM Guruge.

New pot users in Spain outnumber new tobacco users: study

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MADRID (AFP) - The number of Spaniards who said they started using cannabis in 2013 outnumbered those who said they took up smoking cigarettes, according to a government study released Tuesday.A total of 169,000 Spaniards began using cannabis in 2013 compared to 142,000 who started to smoke tobacco, according to the latest annual health ministry study of drug use in Spain.More than one-third of new users, 61,000 or 36 percent, were between the ages of 15 and 17, the study showed.The number of cannabis users overall was slightly down but the number of people who use the drug on a daily basis has increased.The figures confirm the extension of the problematic pattern of consumption of this substance, the head of the governments National Drugs Plan, Francisco Babin, said in a statement.Of Spaniards aged 15 and 64, 9.2 percent said they had smoked cannabis within the last year, down from 9.6 percent in the previous study carried out in 2012.But the percentage who said they smoked marijuana on a daily basis rose to 1.9 percent in 2013 from 1.7 percent in 2012.Over 700,000 Spaniards between the ages of 15 and 64 meet the criteria for a diagnosis of a problem user of this drug, the study found.Spains proximity to Morocco, one of the worlds principal producers of cannabis, has made it the main gateway into Europe for the drug.Since June 2013, Spanish authorities have seized more than 100 tonnes of hashish in various operations.

Oil prices rise on Libya unrest

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices turned higher Tuesday on unrest in exporter Libya and as the market expected another rise in US inventories.In New York trade, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery rose 93 cents to $50.52 a barrel.European benchmark Brent North Sea crude for April leaped $1.48 to $61.02 a barrel in London.Geopolitical tension returns to the fore to support oil prices today, as Libya experiences fresh attacks on its oil fields by militants, said Matt Smith of Schneider Electric.Militia warplanes attacked a major oil export terminal in Libya but were driven off by anti-aircraft fire without being able to hit their targets, a spokesman for guards there said.The Department of Energys weekly US inventory data to be released Wednesday will be the markets next focus, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures.Most observers (are) looking for an extension of recent trends, with limited refinery runs allowing a further build in US crude stocks for the week ended February 27, but also translating into a decline in product inventories, he said.Last week, the department reported that US oil stockpiles had surged by 9.4 million barrels to a record 434.1 million barrels.

Dollar-euro stable, yen edges higher

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Major currencies were little-changed Tuesday with markets poised for key US data to be released in the next three days.But the Chinese yuan slipped further in the wake of the central banks interest rate cut on Sunday.The euro-dollar rate was stable, moving around the $1.1180 line in uneventful trading.The yen rose to 119.74 to the dollar and 133.85 to the euro.Markets are looking for fresh data to lay down markers for the direction of interest rates, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.The most important piece of data on the US calendar tomorrow will be the non-manufacturing ISM report. If service sector activity slows alongside the manufacturing sector, it would reinforce our view that the Federal Reserve is in no rush to raise interest rates, she said,The Chinese currency moved to 6.2766 per dollar from 6.2726 Monday, and 6.2650 Friday before the 0.25 percentage point cut in key rates was announced by the People Bank of China to stem disinflation.

Bangladesh sense their time has come

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NELSON (AFP) - Fired up Bangladesh sense a World Cup quarter-final berth will be one match away by close of play in Nelson on Thursday as they prepare to play a disconsolate Scotland.Both sides are coming off a seven-day break following losses but their attitudes are polar opposites heading into the Pool A encounter.While Bangladesh are talking up the future despite being thrashed by Sri Lanka, Scotland are weighed down by the past where their loss to Afghanistan a week ago made them the worst performing side in World Cup history.They were devastated to lose to the tournament newcomers after having Afghanistan on the ropes at 97-7 chasing 211 and letting them steal victory with three balls to spare.Its going to be a huge challenge for us to respond to this, said skipper Preston Mommsen as he considered the erratic performances from his side.We know Bangladesh are a side were capable of beating. Weve played good cricket in parts in the first three games, but not for long enough.Losing to Afghanistan left the Scots with the unwelcome record of having been beaten in all 11 matches they have played in three World Cups, overtaking the Netherlands who suffered 10 consecutive defeats.The future does not look too bright for Scotland either for if they fail to beat Bangladesh then they have Sri Lanka and Australia to come and the record could balloon out to 0-14.Bangladesh, meanwhile, are upbeat despite losing to Sri Lanka by 92 runs.Having been eliminated in pool play in three of the previous World Cups they have contested, they now believe they can emulate their 2007 achievement of making the last eight when they finished the group stage ahead of India.They lie third in the Pool A table, ahead of Australia on run rate, and know they are assured of a quarter-final berth if they win two of their last three games against winless Scotland, misfiring England and unbeaten New Zealand.I think they are desperate to play a very big game for Bangladesh, fielding coach Richard Halsall said.The great thing is we win two out of the next three games, we are through to the quarter-finals. So they are genuinely excited.The margin of Bangladeshs loss to Sri Lanka was exaggerated by a sub-standard fielding performance which included five spilled catches as the Sri Lankans raced to 332-1.But there was some solidity with the bat where Sabbir Rahman scored 53, Shakib Al Hasan 46 and Mushfiqur Rahim 36.In their 105-run win over Afghanistan to start their World Cup, Rahim scored 71 and Hasan 63 while their other match against Australia was washed out.Scotland have suffered from inconsistency in their losses to New Zealand, England and Afghanistan which have left them languishing at the bottom of their pool.Kyle Coetzers lone hand 71 against England is by far the Scots top score in the tournament with Matt Machan (56) and Richie Berrington (50), both against New Zealand, the only other players to post half-centuries.Neither side has impressed with the ball apart from Scotlands Josh Davey who has an impressive nine wickets from three outings.Against Afghanistan, Berrington took four for 40 for Scotland while Bangladeshs Mashrafe Morgaza took three for 20, while Scotlands Iain Wardlaw claimed three for 57 against New Zealand in the only other performances of note.

Clarke sidesteps Lehmann fall-out talk

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PERTH (AFP) - Michael Clarke shrugged off suggestions he was at loggerheads with Australia coach Darren Lehmann by telling reporters on Tuesday: You wont get headlines out of me.In the aftermath of the one-wicket loss to New Zealand at the weekend, Clarkes observation that Australia had failed to prepare for the swinging ball was seen as thinly-veiled blast at Lehmann for an apparent lack of planning.But when asked on Tuesday what input Lehmann had provided for Wednesdays crunch World Cup pool game against Afghanistan in Perth, Australia captain Clarke refused to take the bait.Weve trained really well in preparation for this game. You guys will get no headlines out of me, said Clarke, who returned to the team for the first time since November for Saturdays defeat in Auckland, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury.Boof (Lehmann) made it pretty clear to us today that he wants us to stay focused on whats right in front of us this game, and well worry about Sunday (when Australia face Sri Lanka in Sydney) after tomorrows game.Australia had a scare in the WACA nets on Tuesday when batsman Steve Smith was struck on his left hand while batting but after ice treatment the 25-year-old returned to practice.Paceman Pat Cummins wont play after injuring his left side during the loss to New Zealand but all-rounder James Faulkner is ready to return against Afghanistan.Smithy got hit on the hand facing a spinner, and he went back in the nets, so I think hes fine, Clarke said.I just spoke to (selector) Rod Marsh, and he wants to see how everyone pulls up after training before he selects the eleven.Josh Hazlewood will likely replace Cummins, leaving either Shane Watson or Mitch Marsh to be dropped to accommodate Faulkner.Afghanistan go into the game having won their first World Cup match against Scotland last time out following losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Clarke refused to predict a comprehensive win for Australia even though Afghanistans batsmen are expected to struggle on the fast, bouncy WACA wicket.I think theyve shown the world theyve got a really good team that can perform at this level against the best, Clarke said.I think this is great for the game. Ive always been a believer in the more countries that we can get involved in the game of cricket, the better.Australia are fourth in Pool A after an opening win over England was followed by a no-result washout against Bangladesh in Brisbane and then last weekends narrow defeat by New Zealand at Eden Park.Wed love to win every game we play, but I dont think thats realistic in the game of cricket, said Clarke. So we certainly respect and appreciate how good a team New Zealand are, and they beat us the other day.Its up to us to turn things around and come out and perform really good on Wednesday.

Scotland take on ex-Bangladesh coach for Tigers clash

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NELSON (AFP) - Scotland have taken former Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen on board for a one-match deal -- Thursdays make-or-break World Cup clash against the Asian side.Australian Jurgensen quit as Bangladesh coach last year but was already in the New Zealand town of Nelson as head of the Fiji Under-19 team when the Scots came calling.Scotland, with three defeats in three games so far at the World Cup, need to beat Bangladesh at the Saxton Oval to have any hope of squeezing into the quarter-finals.The Scotland coach and manager are very good friends of mine and they have asked for some consultancy ahead of their match against Bangladesh, Jurgenson told the Daily Star of Bangladesh.They just want to know about what kind of team Bangladesh is and the impact of some individual players. I am here to help the Scottish boys but you cant do much in two-three days and I believe there has been plenty of improvement with the Bangladesh players in the last few months.Cricket Scotland confirmed that Jurgensen was on board just for Thursdays match.Big Scottish welcome to @ shanejurgo who is helping us prepare for the game against @ BCBtigers followscotland, they tweeted.Bangladesh are currently third in the Pool A table with three points from three matches following a win over Afghanistan, a no-result washout with Australia and a defeat against Sri Lanka.

All not lost for us, says Ireland skipper Porterfield

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CANBERRA (AFP) - Ireland captain William Porterfield vowed to bounce back at the World Cup after his team crashed to a morale-sapping 201-run defeat by mighty South Africa at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis hit centuries as the Proteas piled up a massive 411 for four after taking first strike and then bundled Ireland out for 210 with five overs to spare.It was Irelands first defeat in three matches in Pool B following wins over the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates. India and South Africa lead the table with six points each.South Africas total was the second highest total in World Cup history, just two runs behind Indias record 413 for five against Bermuda in 2007.It was also the second successive 400-plus total for the Proteas in the current tournament, following their 408 for five against the West Indies in Sydney last week in which skipper AB de Villiers hammered 162 off 66 balls.Porterfield rued the missed chance off Amla when the batsman was on 10 as Ed Joyce spilled a catch at short mid-wicket off Kevin OBrien after getting both hands to the ball.Yeah, obviously that was a big chance, he said. We had a chance to take Hashim there and he obviously made us pay. Hes a fantastic player and we were not going to get too many chances off him, especially on such a good wicket.The Irish captain said he would not be surprised at South Africas big totals in the tournament and warned future rivals of what lay in store for them.Theyre playing very well, he said. They set up a bit of a platform and Hashim at the top is a massive player for them. To knock him back youre going to have to take wickets because the middle order can come in and strike it pretty quickly.Porterfield urged his team to focus now on the next game against Zimbabwe in Hobart on Saturday.Youve got to put it behind you pretty quickly, he said. The tournaments back-end fixtures come pretty quickly.Every game is a two-pointer for us and Hobart is no different. Weve got to take what we can from this game (against South Africa) and move forward.Two points are up for grabs and they are a pretty big two points for us.Were going to prepare for Hobart as we do for every other game. And do everything we need to do to improve and keep doing the good things were doing well.
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