It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. He looks small next to Canberra Raiders props Shannon Boyd and Dane Tilse, and heavyweight boxer Ben Edwards, but don't underestimate Canberra's Josh Tonna. Tonna is the newly-crowned International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) world champion. The 57-kilogram featherweight and Edwards dropped into Raiders training recently to thank the NRL boys who attended their recent title bouts at the Hellenic Club. The Raiders' wrestling coach, Steve Babic, has worked with both Tonna and Edwards, and other fighters from the Stockade gym. "I do a bit of training with them, do a bit of boxing, so I've got to know a couple of them," Tonna said. "It was cool, I got to hang out with them afterwards and have a chat. We also got an insight into how a professional rugby league teams trains, it was really cool to see." Tonna produced the highlight of his 10-year career with a majority points decision against Dave Aung from New Zealand, winning four of the five rounds. He has a note stuck to his fridge, along with a photo of his first fight, that has driven him to this moment. "After my first fight I knew I wanted to be a world champion, so I wrote a note that I looked at every day just saying I was going to be the world champion," Tonna said. "That inspired me. We're looking at two possible guys to defend the belt against in Canberra in late February, but we haven't locked in an opponent yet."
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Campese urges Moggs to take running risk
Australian Wallabies rugby union great David Campese fears the ACT Brumbies' defensive game plan used by Jake White has hindered Jesse Mogg's development as a star fullback. Mogg is recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss at least the first month of the Super Rugby season next year. He still hopes to push his case for World Cup selection after making his Test debut for Australia in 2013. But Campese, who was at Wallabies training this week, believes the Brumbies' plan to kick in the rebuilding 2012 season has taken Mogg's instincts away. "I think a great player that we've absolutely stuffed up is a guy called Mogg," Campese said. "Two years ago he was unbelievable but his game was destroyed by every time he went to run it he thought he had to kick it when Jake came long. We need guys like him to run because when he runs he's bloody good. We need that confidence in Australian rugby because if we get that in our back line no one can beat us in the world."
Tennis at Aussie Open, anyone?
Canberra's Nick Kyrgios might be the country's star attraction at the Australian Open this summer, but two Canberra mixed-pairs are in with a shot at joining him at Melbourne Park. Troy Smith and Nicole Morris will join Sarina Kang and Christian Parker in the next stage of Tennis Australia's Win a Wildcard competition, and the major prize is ... a shot at a major. In the ultimate underdog story, the Canberra duos are among 32 pairs from around the country vying for a spot in in the mixed doubles at the Australia Open plus a $5000 grant for their tennis club. The finals will take place at Melbourne Park on December 21, with the winners going on to mix it with the superstars of tennis in January. Smith and Morris used to play together as teenagers and couldn't resist an opportunity to get the band back together. "Nicole rang me up and said 'why don't we have a crack?"', Smith said. "If we made the main draw I'd be happy if I didn't crap myself, get a few balls in and play in front of a big crowd. The fast four format [first to four games] means anything can happen, we'd like to think we're in it but there'll be very good players down there." One of those is former professional Nicole Pratt, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 35.
Austin has his passport Power
Belconnen Magpies junior and Canberra's latest AFL draftee Logan Austin was busy organising his passport on Friday morning, given he's off to Dubai next week for a training camp with his club Port Adelaide. Port coach Ken Hinkley was one of the first people to ring Austin on Thursday night when the Power selected him at pick 69, wanting to welcome him to the club and promote its family-oriented values. Locker Room wonders how the first conversation between Carlton coach Mick Malthouse and his draftee Blaine Boekhorst will go, given the young buck's tweet earlier this year savaging the Blues. The Swan Districts youngster, an avid Blues fan, tweeted during Carlton's inept round seven loss to Collingwood "How can Carlton kick 1 goal 5 in a half, disgusting display of footy! The whole Carlton team need to go or Mick does. #switch on #AFLPiesBlues." At least Carlton can't question his passion for the club.
Jackson closer to action
Canberra Capitals star Lauren Jackson has her hometown stadium in Albury named in her honour, but she's yet to play in it. Jackson was forced to sit out another frustrating match as the Capitals played Adelaide in the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre. Coming back from hip and knee surgery, Jackson admits she's frustrated by her slow rehabilitation but is aiming to be back on court in the new couple of weeks. "I'm very close, I'm looking forward to it, I can't wait to get out there and play," Jackson told ABC. "I want to be out there and helping them win a few games and get back into the playoff zone ... but it's one of those things that if I rush it, it could be the end of my career. I've got to do what they tell me and do everything right. It's repetitious, every day I'm doing the same rehab, and I just can't wait to get back on the court."
Larkham on attack with Wallabies?
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wants World Cup winner Stephen Larkham to join Australia's coaching staff to bolster the team's hopes of lifting the trophy at Twickenham next year. But it's understood Cheika will not ask Larkham to sacrifice his Super Rugby duties with the Brumbies to be a part of the Test set up. Cheika will return to Australia next week after a five-week tour of Europe. Larkham is on his radar as the Wallabies' attack coach after Cheika took on the role for the spring tour. Larkham is about to start his first year as a Super Rugby head coach. He turned down Cheika's invitation to join the spring tour to ensure he wasn't distracted from his Brumbies job. But Larkham, who played 101 Tests for Australia, has left the door ajar for a role at the World Cup and has previously admitted he would love to be involved with the Wallabies again. Cheika spoke to Larkham this week after Tevita Kuridrani suffered an ankle injury. But any discussions on future coaching roles will be delayed until the pair can meet in person.
