MANCHESTER, England -- Sonny Bill Williams can fill the gaping hole in his impressive sporting resume on Saturday by leading Ne

MANCHESTER, England -- Sonny Bill Williams can fill the gaping hole in his impressive sporting resume on Saturday by leading New Zealand to a repeat triumph over great rival Australia in the Rugby League World Cup final. Reds Jerseys 2019 . Since 2009, Williams has flitted between rugby union, boxing and league -- and success has followed him everywhere. He is New Zealands top heavyweight boxer after winning all six of his fights, captured World Cup and Super Rugby titles in the 15-man code and this year claimed the NRL title with Sydney Roosters at the end of his first season back in league. And after being voted as rugby leagues International Player of the Year for the first time on Wednesday, Williams said winning rugby leagues biggest prize three days later "would definitely top everything off." "To come away and enjoy time over here with the brothers and put that Kiwi jersey on, for myself I have actually fallen back in love with rugby league this year," said Williams, who is bidding to become the first player to win World Cups in both rugby codes. Even with Williams on board, New Zealand heads into the game at Old Trafford, the home of England football giant Manchester United, as the underdog. Australia has not been beaten in its last six meetings with New Zealand and has cruised into the showpiece match, conceding just two points and scoring 210 in its last four games since beating co-host England in the tournaments curtain-raiser. New Zealand, meanwhile, was seriously roughed up by England in an epic semifinal at Wembley Stadium but still came through after scoring a converted try with barely 20 seconds left to win 20-18. "Twelve rounds?" said Williams, the part-time boxer. "It certainly was like that." The Australians have bristled at suggestions they will be undercooked going into a match they have waited five years for -- since losing 34-20 to the Kiwis in Brisbane in the 2008 final. "Weve played Fiji twice, they are a big physical side and when its all said and done they finished the fourth best team in the tournament," said Australia coach Tim Sheens, referring to his teams 64-0 win over the Islanders in the semifinal. "The score line just doesnt indicate how much ice was on the guys after the game, I can tell you. "What I was very happy about was that we kept the pedal down for 80 minutes. We didnt drop off, and havent in the tournament. Preparing for the final, we wanted to play the 80 minutes and we have done the whole month. I am hoping that intensity prepares us well for what will be the most intense game of the tournament." Like Williams, Australias star players wont be short of motivation, either. Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, who appears to have overcome a knee injury sustained in the quarterfinal win over the United States, all turned 30 this year and are unlikely to be around for the next World Cup in 2017. This may represent their last chance to get their hands on the World Cup, a feat they havent achieved amid stellar careers in the NRL and with Queensland. "For us, its an opportunity to win a World Cup -- we dont look at it as a last opportunity," Australia captain Cameron Smith said. "And we dont see it as a chance to make up for what happened in 2008. Nothing will ever make up for that. "When our career comes to an end, we arent going to look back and judge it off one match, one result. Wed like to think weve done a fair few things in our career over multiple matches that people can look back on." Australia is looking to win the trophy for a record-extending 10th time in 14 World Cups. "Obviously we are the reigning world champions but in the past four years they havent lost too many games," Williams said. "Australia definitely set the standards." Custom Cincinnati Reds Jerseys .During the week, McCoy told reporters he respected Hoyer for his intelligence, athleticism and how he conducts himself on and off the field. This wasnt an act, some attempt at psyching out Hoyer. Stitched Reds Jerseys . She still remembers the massive roar of the home crowd when the Canadians walked out on the pitch before 47,784 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in 2002. Lang expects a similar reception for the Canadian team as the host nation at this years tournament, which begins Tuesday. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . Maximilian Arnold put Wolfsburg ahead in the eighth minute, when the stationary Fallou Diagne allowed him to guide Patrick Ochs cross beyond the helpless Freiburg goalkeeper, and Ivica Olic doubled the lead three minutes later after Luiz Gustavo did well to set him up.CLEVELAND - Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy — never afraid to speak his mind — went out of his way to rave about Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer.During the week, McCoy told reporters he respected Hoyer for his intelligence, athleticism and how he conducts himself on and off the field. This wasnt an act, some attempt at psyching out Hoyer. McCoy meant every word.On Sunday, McCoy said it to Hoyers face.He came up to me during the game and hes like, Hey, I meant everything I said, Hoyer said following Clevelands 22-17 victory over the Buccaneers. To know youre earning the respect around the league means a lot.And Hoyer isnt the only one getting praise.The Browns, stuck in a degrading cycle of losing for years, have the NFLs attention.They definitely know about the Cleveland Browns, said safety Tashaun Gipson, who picked up his sixth interception. They take the Browns seriously. They have no choice. You dont win five games by mistake.Hoyers 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Taylor Gabriel with 8:59 left gave Cleveland the lead, and the Browns confounding defence was able to protect it.Clevelands fourth victory in five games helped the Browns (5-3) surpass last years win total and gave them some momentum heading into Thursday nights matchup with AFC North-leading Cincinnati. The Browns havent been this good at the midway point since 2007, when Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas was a rookie.Its been a long time, Thomas said.The Browns concluded a three-game stretch against three of the NFLs weakest teams — Jacksonville, Oakland and Tampa Bay are a combined 2-23 — with two wins. They were ugly at times, and the Browns still have a lot of areas to clean up, but Cleveland teams in the past probably would have found ways to lose.Not this one. Hoyer shook off two interceptions and the Browns blocked a field goal and punt to pull out the win.For a team whos culture has been losing, I dont know if a few years ago — and I can only speak for my time here — I dont know if a Browns team wins that game, Hoyer said.The Buccaneers (1-7) have lost four straight and five games by six points or less. Coach Lovie Smith is seeing progress, but its not translating to wins.There is no doubt that we are headed in the right direction, but you could say that about four games ago, Smith said.. Reds Jerseys 2020. . We have to find a way to win a game.By November football, you are supposed to be playing your best football and we havent.There was little time for the Browns to celebrate. Coach Mike Pettine said he and his staff planned to grind in the office a little bit on Sunday night to prepare for the Bengals (5-2-1), who will provide a much better measuring stick than Clevelands three previous opponents.Here are five other takeaways from the Browns win over the Buccaneers:HOYERS HEART: Hoyer passed for a season-high 300 yards and stayed in after taking several hard hits. He improved to 8-3 as Clevelands starter, but not before he was booed by some Browns fans who cant let go of the thought of Johnny Manziel behind centre.Obviously, we need to play better, he said. Our fans expect more out of us, and we expect more than our fans do.HEY, ROOMIE: Bucs rookie WR Mike Evans caught a pair of 24-yard TD passes from Mike Glennon and celebrated both scores by making the money gesture made famous by his Texas A&M roommate, Manziel.Evans finished with seven catches for 124 yards, but was called for pass interference in the final two minutes, wiping out a key first down.WINNS WIN: Browns defensive end Billy Winn made the most of his first game back in several weeks. Winn blocked a field goal in the first quarter by placing his hands on two Tampa Bay lineman and leaping over them.I landed on both feet, said Winn, who had never blocked a kick before. Its one of my old skateboard moves.SUB-PAR SUB: Glennon fell to 1-4 since replacing the injured Josh McCown. Glennon made some strong throws, but missed a couple hed like to have again.The two picks in the first half were not good at all, he said. Should have been potentially two touchdowns, throws that I need to make.INJURY FRONT: Browns rookie CB Justin Gilbert took a blow to the head in the fourth quarter and was helped from the field, but the team said he did not have a concussion. DB Johnson Bademosi, one of the Browns top special teamers, sustained a concussion on a crack-back block covering a punt. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David was helped off the field after he was dropped by Browns RB Terrance West, but the team said he was not seriously injured.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '