ite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title si

Australia will be out to end a decade-long wait for a Four Nations final victory over New Zealand when the sides meet at Anfield in the early hours of Monday (AEDT).Despite having appeared in all eight of the Tri/Four Nations Finals since 1999,Australia have lost three to New Zealand with their last success over the Kiwis coming in 2006 in Brisbane.David Kidwells side were unconvincing in their opening three matches and held to a shock draw by Scotland last week in Workington before Australia beat England to confirm their spot in the decider.However, the Kangaroos are well aware of the the Kiwis prowess in tournament finals having been beaten in the 2005, 2010 and 2014 Four Nations finals in addition to the 2008 World Cup.We dont need to be reminded about what New Zealand are capable of, Kangaroos halfback Cooper Cronk told AAP.They have one of the best props in the world in Jesse Bromwich, the reigning Dally M Medal winner in Jason Taumalolo and Shaun Johnson who is one of the best halfbacks in the world.What has happened in the past means nothing, but teams know each other inside out and the match will be won by the best team on the day. Hopefully that will be us.After losing three straight matches against the Kiwis, Australia under Mal Meninga, has now won the last three by a combined margin of 56-14.The Kangaroos have also not lost at a neutral venue since the shock 24-0 defeat at Elland Road in 2005, with their worst result against the Kiwis since then coming in a 20-all draw in London in 2009.Since that stalemate at the Stoop ground in Twickenham, Australia have won 16 straight matches in Europe with Johnathan Thurston playing a key role in nearly all of them.Thurston will play his last match on English soil on Sunday and will call time on his representative career after the Rugby League World Cup next year.Ive real fond memories of playing on English soil, in fact some of my fondest in the green and gold have been here, Thurston said.Winning the Four Nations tournament in 09 and 11 and obviously the (2013) World Cup at Old Trafford.Ive indicated to Mal that its my goal to make that World Cup squad next year so, providing my form is warranted for selection, Ill be putting my hand up, but that will probably be the end of my representative career.Its going to be sad, he said. Ive loved playing for my country and Ive loved playing for my state but it has to come to an end some time.New Zealand will be without experienced five-eighth Thomas Leuluai who is out due to a broken jaw and Thurston said the loss of the former Warriors playmaker will place more expectation on halfback Shaun Johnson.Even though they might have just limped into the final, the Kiwis know how to win tournaments and they know how to play in big games, Thurston said.But theres going to be a lot of pressure on Johnsons shoulders to create opportunities for them but their strength is definitely their forward pack.Whenever theyve won tournaments, its been through their forward pack. So our boys need to match them in the middle third if we are to have any hope of winning this game.Kangaroos team: Darius Boyd, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett, Trent Merrin. Interchange: David Klemmer, Shannon Boyd, Michael Morgan, Tyson Frizzell, Justin ONeill, Jake Trbojevic. (two to be omitted).Paul George Shoes Buy . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Air Max Plus Tn Fake . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Nike Air Max 90 China Wholesale Paypal .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Air Max 97 Plus Wholesale China . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif.CHICAGO -- Terry Francona is on the verge of ending another long World Series drought.Call him Mgr. October.Clevelands maestro of a manager, who has pushed all the right buttons this season and especially over the past few weeks, moved closer to capturing his third Series title as the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead.Francona is the one who guided the Boston Red Sox around the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, helping them to their first title in 86 years. He led them to another three years later.And now hes got the resilient Indians on the edge of taking their first World Series in 68 years.The 57-year-old would never take any credit for Clevelands success, but the Indians wouldnt be where they are if not for Francona, who improved to 11-1 in World Series games.The guy everyone calls Tito -- his dads name -- claims he doesnt have a crystal ball. But he certainly seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to setting his lineup, pulling pitchers at just the right time and keeping his players focused.Hes at the front of all we do -- our attitude we take onto the field, the looseness we kind of carry ourselves and create the environment of having fun and being ourselves -- that all starts with him, said Jason Kipnis, whose three-run homer in the seventh blew the game open.Following Clevelands 1-0 victory in Game 3, a chess match with Chicagos Joe Maddon that he called one of the most agonizing games of his managerial career, Francona made the difficult decision of not starting first baseman Mike Napoli in Game 4.Hes like the heart and soul of our team, Francona said beforehand. It bothers me to sit him, a lot.Francona played Carlos Santana at first instead, and the move panned out when he homered leading off the second inning against John Lackey. And although his move proved to be wise, Francona wasnt happy he had to keep Napoli on the bench before using him as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Napoli flied out to the warning track in left-center.I still wasnt pleased that Nap didnt play, he said. But hell be in there tomorrow. His one at-bat, he took a really good swing that, I think, should help make him feel a little better going into tomorrow.Francona has been forced to be creative with his lineup during the three games at Wrigley Field, where the Indians have had to play by National League rules and couldnt use their designated hitter.He took a risk byy starting Santana in left field for Game 3 even though the former catcher had played just four innings in his career in left.dddddddddddd It worked, though, as Santana caught the only ball hit his way on a night when the wind was blowing out in Wrigley.That was probably the funnest moment of the game, Francona said of Santanas catch in the first. I was going crazy in the dugout. Then I thought I better cool it because there might be another one that finds him.None did, and Francona made several more astute moves in the first Series game at Wrigley in 71 years. He pulled starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth and ace reliever Andrew Miller came in and shut down the Cubs. And when Millers turn came up to bat, Francona sent in pinch-hitter Coco Crisp, who drove in the games only run.Of course he did.Francona also got a little lucky.He made so many double switches that he ran out of position players, and was going to have to bat Game 4 starter Corey Kluber.He almost used some guys that werent on the roster, joked Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway. I mean, theres no better manager in all of baseball than him. He thinks of everything at every moment. Ive learned so much from him.Francona knew just what to do with Kluber on Saturday night.Miller was throwing in the bullpen when Anthony Rizzo doubled leading off the sixth. Miller, who has been virtually unhittable in the postseason, was ready but Francona stayed with Kluber and he promptly retired the next three batters.Its been like that all month as the Indians, who have been overlooked despite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title since 1948.The Indians can almost taste the champagne, but Francona wont let them think too far ahead.Nothing changes. Were going to show up tomorrow -- the only thing that changes is well pack our bags, because were going to go home one way or the other, and well show up and try to beat a really good pitcher, and thats what we always do. Nothing needs to change.That 48 Cleveland team was managed by Lou Boudreau, who was also the clubs starting shortstop.Francona laughed before Game 4 when he was asked if he was ready to play short.Im just trying to handle managing, he said. That will be enough.Its been more than that. ' ' '