WORLD OF SPORT

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Good news for Russia but more work to do

On the one hand it was a thumbs up for the organisers of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Following a recent inspection of the country’s preparations ahead of next summer’s tournament, the word “good” was used by Colin Smith, the Fifa director of competitions, to describe their progress. “In general the state of readiness is good,” Smith said in Moscow yesterday. But that use of the word “good” was covered by the warning more work was still expected as he cautioned: “There are still some risks and a significant amount of work to be done, especially in the next two or three months to finish all the infrastructure by the end of this year. We look forward to the test matches because ultimately that’s the first opportunity we’ll get to see the facilities in action.” Smith, who heads the Fifa operational commission, said during the 10-day inspection tour his board had focused on the cities and venues that did not host matches for the Confederations Cup last summer.

Player exodus hits New Zealand’s hopes

Losing one or two players before a major tournament could be something of an irritant, but pity New Zealand’s situation ahead of the Rugby League World Cup. Eight players have walked out on them to play for Tonga ahead of the tournament in Australia that begins on October 26. North Queensland Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo was the latest player to make the move. Under international rules, players eligible to represent more than one country through descent back to grandparents can switch between a Tier 1 nation (Australia, New Zealand and England) and Tier 2 or 3 as long as they do so before an international tournament starts.

Gullit warns players not to leave the Netherlands

Ruud Gullit had a successful end to his playing career at Chelsea in the late 1990s but he is now advising his young Dutch compatriots not to follow him to England, at least not early in the career. Gullit, now assistant manager for the Netherlands national team, said talented youngsters can waste their early careers sitting on the bench in England rather than getting time on the pitch. “The biggest problem in Holland is that young players, when there is a talent, they get them away to the academies abroad and they don’t play firstteam football,” he said. “We warned players, young players, to stay in Holland and play first-team football. Because then, later on when you’re good enough, you will get to [other] places anyway.”