The Sports Matrix: Monday 10 October 2011
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Your support makes all the difference.Button wins but Vettel takes title
Sebastian Vettel won his second consecutive world championship yesterday, although it was Jenson Button who won the Japanese Grand Prix. “The hardest thing is winning after winning,” Vettel, the youngest ever back-to-back world champion, said. MORE
Rooney’s return is no mere formality
Fabio Capello has warned Wayne Rooney that he is not certain to return to the team once his Euro 2012 suspension is over: “I need to find the solution for the first game or two games. Then, if we find a solution, he needs to work to return to the first XI.” MORE
Youth and desire inspire Welsh
A mixture of youthfulness and hard work lies behind Wales reaching the semi-finals, coach Rob Howley believes. “We have youth and exuberance and this side want to express themselves,” he said. “These boys have worked hard and there’s no fear.” MORE
Nadal hails Murray as ‘unstoppable’
Rafael Nadal praised Andy Murray after losing the Japan Open final 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 to the Scot in Tokyo yesterday. “Only a few players could have beaten Murray,” Nadal said. “He was unstoppable.” Murray agreed he had “played some great tennis”. MORE
All Blacks to face Australia in semi
New Zealand will meet Australia in the semi-finals next Sunday. The All Blacks beat Argentina despite an injury to fly-half Colin Slade. “There will be a lot of emotion during the week but our guys are equipped to handle that,” said Australia coach Robbie Deans. MORE
Clinical Fowler records first title
Rickie Fowler claimed his first professional victory, winning the Korea Open by six shots yesterday. The American, 22, shot a three-under score of 68 in his final round to finish six shots ahead of the runner-up, Rory McIlroy, on 16 under par. MORE
Opinion: James Lawton
Maybe understandably, Martin Johnson, refused to acknowledge the grim reality of England’s World Cup exit in its aftermath. He talked about the ground that had been gained, not the huge tracts of it lost. MORE
Johnson and RFU reflect on early exit after French defeat
Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union’s professional rugby director, will lead the review into England’s disappointing World Cup performance in New Zealand, which will be completed this year. “Now is the time to take stock, look at where Martin [Johnson] is in his role and start thinking about the next few years,” Andrew said. “It will be a robust review.” Losing at the quarter-final stage matches England’s worst World Cup performance, and the tour has been beset by discipline issues. Last night, Manu Tuilagi was fined £3,000 by the RFU after the centre was arrested for jumping from a ferry in Auckland as the team returned from a trip to Waiheke Island yesterday. Johnson said that he has “no massive regrets” at the tour, but described his feeling at going home as a “bitter disappointment”. MORE
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