The 16-year-old cousin of Socceroos superstar Tim Cahill proved on Tuesday night why he's considered one of the nation's hottest young boxing prospects when he sparred with Danny Green before the IBO champion's title defence next Wednesday. Jai Opetaia joined the likes of the WBC world title contender Jason Robinson and former Australian cruiserweight champion Daniel Ammann to help Green prepare for his bout with the Hall of Fame-bound Antonio Tarver. The Central Coast teenager, who will represent Australia at the upcoming world amateur youth championships in Europe, did well and said the three rounds provided him with a healthy dose of confidence. ''To get the opportunity to spar a guy of his level - a world champion, at the top of his game and in his prime - at my age is unbelievable,'' said Opetaia, who fights in the 81-kilogram division. ''He's one of Australia's best, and to have experienced this was special.''
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WITH CLARKE HURT, L-PLATE LEADER HANDED THE KEYS
New Australian skipper Michael Clarke's chronic back issue has put the focus on L-plate leader Shane Watson earlier than expected. The star all-rounder Watson was handed a surprise first taste of captaincy yesterday when he led Australia's one-day team on to the field in a practice match against Queensland in Brisbane. Clarke was forced to retire hurt with back stiffness after scoring 13 from 31 balls, and watched on as Australia defended 8-263 from 46 overs at Allan Border Field. Former captain Ricky Ponting was also on the sidelines with a calf problem. Coach Tim Nielsen stressed both batsmen were rested as a precaution, and he had no concerns about either before next month's tour to Sri Lanka. ''[Clarke] pulled up a little stiff, which is why he retired, and we're just going to take the opportunity to get everybody out there,'' Nielsen said. ''[Ponting] has had a bit of a sore calf as well which we're just being careful about. Really, it's a training day for us.'' Watson, appointed vice-captain in March, has been Australia's best player in all forms of the game over the past two years but has never captained a senior team. Animated in the field, he appeared to enjoy the challenge, and took 3-26 as he and David Hussey (2-13) prevented the Bulls (9-229) challenging Australia's total.
THE RIGHT WAY
Goalkeepers tend to dive right when their team is trailing in a World Cup penalty shoot-out, according to a study to be published in the journal Psychological Science. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam examined every penalty shoot-out at the four-yearly championship from 1982 to 2010, and found that most of the time goalkeepers were equally likely to dive right and left. When the goalie's team was behind he was more likely to go right, the study showed. ''Even in this really important situation, people are still influenced by biological factors,'' said Marieke Roskes, who co-wrote the study. The pattern follows findings that people and animals tend to favour the right side if they want something, the report said. When dogs see their owners, they wag their tails more to the right.
Daniel Lane, agencies
