Could the Australian Wallabies call on the Lord's help before this year's World Cup - Laurie 'The Lord' Fisher that is. There is speculation the former ACT Brumbies coach has been sounded out about joining Michael Cheika's staff as forwards coach. Fisher now coaches Gloucester, but is back in Canberra during the European break in the international season. Cheika wants to finalise his coaching structure as soon as possible, with Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham all but certain to join the team as a backs and attacking mentor. Fisher's future is less clear, but Cheika would have his work cut out trying to convince him to return to Australia. Fisher is a tireless worker and he even dropped in at Brumbies headquarters last week to watch a training session. Also, don't be surprised if you see a Brumbies scrum expert helping the Wallabies occasionally this year.

When Cricket ACT asked umpires Terry Keel and Bill Ruse where they would like to officiate their 200th first-grade game, the clear choice was the Queanbeyan-Ginninderra clash at Freebody Oval on Saturday. "Based on the quality of lunches that Queanbeyan provide," Ruse quipped. Keel added: "Largely, but also they're both full of good players in both teams and we're looking forward to umpiring them for that reason too." Both took up the job in the `90s and have officiated at one-day domestic level. Ruse had the honour of standing in the last Canberra Comets match in the domestic one-day competition, as well as a couple of Prime Minister's XI matches. As the debate rages about the Aussie cricket team's sledging, Ruse said the banter between players was normally the best part of the game. "Sometimes I get home and the wife says, 'Anything interesting happen in the cricket today?' and I'll tell her a couple of funny things that were said and she says, 'No, no, no, I mean in the cricket'."

Canberra will host three matches of the Cricket World Cup from this month and members of the capital's multicultural communities are taking to the pitch to get warmed up. An ACT Mini World Cup, involving six teams from different multicultural backgrounds, will be launched at Nicholls Oval on Sunday, February 1, as part of Global Cricket Day festivities. Kids are invited for a free skills clinic from 9am to 12pm, before the first rounds of the Mini World Cup in the afternoon. The Twenty20 tournament will involve teams representing India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland and Australian indigenous backgrounds. "Organising this Mini World Cup is to demonstrate to the world that the ACT is a multicultural society and the best of this part of the world," said Krishna Nadimpalli, president of the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT. Manuka Oval will host three World Cup matches, beginning with Bangladesh against Afghanistan on February 18.

Canberra fast bowler Jason Behrendorff was sworn to secrecy when told he had won Cricket Australia's domestic young player of the year award last week. Behrendorff was in Canberra for Wednesday night's Big Bash League final with the Perth Scorchers and could not attend the gala function on Tuesday. He pre-recorded his acceptance speech ."I had to keep it under wraps so definitely nothing on social media until then." Behrendorff's week got even better when the Scorchers secured back to back BBL titles with a thrilling last-ball victory over the Sydney Sixers. Behrendorff was the second leading wicket-taker in the both the Sheffield Shield and the BBL, and also claimed 5-27 in the final of the Matador Cup. He was rewarded with selection for the Prime Minister's XI, taking 4-78 against England earlier this month. It's no wonder the big left-armer is on the cusp of higher honours.

Canberra sprinter Melissa Breen skipped this weekend's Hunter Track Classic in Newcastle so she could run in front of her 89-year-old grandfather at the Albury Wodonga Gift. The fastest woman in Australian history, Breen won last year's gift off a handicap of -0.5m. "I obviously ran there last year and one of my top three highlights in my career was winning the Albury Gift for my grandad," Breen said. "It's important for me to do it for him and it's an important weekend for my family. He's 90 this year, he's really 89 going on 70. He's in really good shape and I'm really lucky I've got those genes in me." Breen was off scratch for Saturday's Albury Wodonga Gift, but the rest of the field was given an extra three and a half metres with her inclusion. Breen will return to the track for the first time this domestic season when she takes on golden girl Sally Pearson in the 100 metres at the Canberra Track Classic at the AIS on February 7.

Undefeated Canberra boxer Steve Lovett is excited to get back in the ring after a four-month spell. The 29-year-old, who has eight knockouts from his 10 professional wins, suffered a badly cut eye from a head-clash in his last US bout, in October, the fight deemed a no-contest. Having trained in Canberra over the summer, and working as a stonemason, Lovett returned to his base in the US in January and was given his next match-up on the day he arrived. Lovett will travel to Mississippi to take on 38-year-old veteran James "King" Johnson, who has just 28 wins from his 75 professional fights. But it's an important first stepping stone for Lovett, as the light heavyweight looks to get enough fights to challenge for a world title in 2016. "It's good to know I'm getting back in the ring early in the year, I want to try and get at least three to four fights early this year. I'm more than ready."