NEWS » the union filed a grievance and challenge

CHICAGO -- Ireland repelled an extraordinary second-half rally to shock New Zealand 40-29 and post their first win over the All Blacks in 29 matches spanning 111 years on Saturday.New Zealand rallied from 30-8 down after 47 minutes to close within four points at 33-29 when center Robbie Henshaw broke their line for Irelands fifth and match-winning try in the 76th minute.Three years ago in Dublin, the All Blacks broke Irish hearts when they rallied from 19-0 down -- the biggest comeback in their history -- to deny Ireland an historic win with an injury-time try and conversion.They seemed on the verge of repeating that at Soldier Field, where they closed within four points with 16 minutes remaining, but Ireland remained resolute to write their names into rugby history.In doing so, they also ended the All Blacks record run of 18 straight test wins, and set up a potentially thrilling rematch in Dublin in two weeks.Ireland played with remarkable skill and passion to stun the All Blacks with three first-half tries which gave them a 25-8 lead at halftime. Their fourth try to winger Simon Zebo made the lead 30-8, and the first time Ireland had notched 30 against New Zealand.With little more than half an hour remaining, an historic Irish victory seemed assured.But the All Blacks, who had barely been able to get their hands on the ball, mounted a determined comeback when they ensured more secure possession.With tries to replacement scrumhalf TJ Perenara, fullback Ben Smith and debutant lock Scott Barrett, they sawed into Irelands lead and moved within a trys breadth of another great comeback victory.It seemed at that point the Irish were spent. Their robust defense was cracking, and New Zealand gained the momentum it needed to uphold an unbeaten run stretching back to 1905.But with a piece of brilliance, the Irish broke out of their own half and, kicking ahead, forced an error from All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea, who was caught behind his own tryline. From the ensuing five-meter scrum, No. 8 Jamie Heaslip detached, and passed to Henshaw, who ran straight and hard past three defenders to score.Ireland fans who overwhelmingly outnumbered New Zealanders among the 64,000-strong crowd began a delirious celebration. In the hometown of the Chicago Cubs, who ended their 108-year losing streak by winning baseballs World Series this week, they went one better and stopped a 111-year run of outs.And they left New Zealand with no excuses. They outmuscled and generally outplayed the world champion All Blacks. New Zealands discipline was fractured, and through handling errors and tactical mistakes they failed to keep Ireland under any kind of pressure.Their rally, when it came, was determined, but it was too late, and it was again errors near the end, especially a pass from flanker Liam Squire which failed to find winger Julian Savea, which stalled their revival.It was a bridge too far, All Blacks captain Kieran Read said. It was the first half start from us that really let us down. You cant give a quality side like Ireland the lead we gave them tonight.New Zealand scored the first try when center George Moala pounced on a ball knocked back over the Ireland tryline.But a try to flanker Jordi Murphy from a superbly mounted rolling maul in the 10th minute gave Ireland back the lead, and they didnt concede it for the remainder of the match. Murphy and fellow back-rower CJ Stander, who scored in the 17th, took advantage of a 10-minute spell when New Zealand was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of prop Joe Moody.Murphy was forced from the field with a serious injury in the 26th, forcing a delay in play which made the match one of the longest in rugby union history. New Zealand also lost center Ryan Crotty in the same passage of play to what seemed a serious hamstring injury.Ireland put the All Blacks under almost intolerable pressure when scrumhalf Conor Murray, one of its best players, broke the fringe defense to score a superb solo try before halftime.Zebo exposed the All Blacks defense on the blindside in the 49th, and gave Ireland a lead which seemed insurmountable.But the lead began to creak under New Zealand pressure, as first Perenara then Smith scored. When Barrett, brother of flyhalf Beauden, scored in the 64th, a stunning turnaround seemed possible, even likely.But Ireland resisted and, continuing to play with enterprise, fashioned Henshaws try and immortality. Wholesale Authentic Balenciaga . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Cheap Authentic Balenciaga Shoes . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.cheapbalenciagaireland.com/ . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. Balenciaga Shoes Ireland .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Discount Balenciaga . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.NEW YORK -- One by one, for three weeks already, players accompanied by their lawyers have been summoned to interviews as part of baseballs latest investigation into performance-enhancing drugs -- and the process is a long way from finished. Some pretty big names, led by Alex Rodriguez, could be on the hot seat. A-Rod, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon are among the 20 or so players who may be disciplined for their links to the now-closed Miami anti-aging clinic, Biogenesis of America. The players union says it has been assured no decisions regarding discipline will be made until the interviews are completed. "It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged those investigations," union head Michael Weiner said in a statement Wednesday. And it appears the process has a while to run. Interviews with players started three weeks ago and are scheduled until the end of June, according to people with knowledge of the process who spoke on condition of anonymity because statements on those details werent authorized. Dan Halem, Steven Gonzalez and Patrick Houlihan, lawyers in baseballs labour relations department, conducted several interviews, and some players havent been scheduled. "Every player has been or will be represented by an attorney from the players association," Weiner said. "The players association has every interest in both defending the rights of players and in defending the integrity of our joint (drug) program. We trust that the commissioners office shares these interests." MLB has been seeking the co-operation of Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch since Miami New Times reported in January that it obtained what the paper said were records detailing drug purchases by Rodriguez, Cabrera, Cruz and Colon. Yahoo Sports reported that Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, was mentioned in the records. MLB sued Biogenesis and its operators in a Florida court in March, an attempt to pressure Bosch. A person familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that Bosch agreed to talk to MLB, a deal first reported by ESPN. MLB wants to speak with Bosch in the next few days, "Due to ongoing litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on any aspect of this matter at this time," Boschs lawyer, Susy Ribero-Ayala, said in a statement. Among the players linked to the clinic, Cabrera, Colon and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal already have served 50-game suspensions following positive tests for testosterone announced by MLB last year. "It looks like it could be getting to the bottom of this and finding some information that hopefully would help Major League Baseball as far as cleaning this game up," said San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who managed Cabrera last year. "I always thought they should be a little stricter to keep these players from trying to beat the system and cheat. Im all for stiffer penalties." Once MLB interviews Bosch and the players, it will have to determine what penalties to impose. "WADA commends the decision of Major League Baseball to seek suspension of an estimated 20 players," World Anti-Doping Agency Director General David Howman said in a statement. "More and more, information and evidence gathered in the investigative process is proving an effective means of uncovering doping in sport. MLB has approached this issue in a professional way, and the evidence gathered will undoubtedly be pivotal,&quuot; Howman said.dddddddddddd Any suspensions for first offenders would be put on hold if the union files a grievance, a process that would put the matter in front of an arbitrator and delay possible sanctions for weeks or months. Second offenders would serve suspensions during the grievance process. Baseballs drug agreement calls for a 50-game suspension for a first violation, 100 for a second and a lifetime ban for a third for positive tests for banned PEDS or their use or possession. The agreement also allows discipline for "just cause" for a violation not specified. Any player disciplined could file an individual grievance, and it isnt likely that cases would be combined into one proceeding. If Bosch testifies at a hearing, he would be subject to cross-examination, and players lawyers likely would try to attack his credibility. The Florida Department of Health sent Bosch an unlicensed activity citation on April 25, accusing him of practicing medicine without a license from 2009 through 2012 and asking him to sign a "cease and desist agreement." That action was first reported by the New York Daily News on May 6. Most players have denied the Biogenesis link either directly or through spokesmen or lawyers. Rodriguez admitted in 2009 that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with the Texas Rangers from 2001-03. As baseballs highest-paid player with a $28 million salary this year, he would lose $7.65 million during a 50-game ban. Rodriguez, who turns 38 next month, has not played since hip surgery in January and is not expected to be available to the New York Yankees until after the All-Star break. The third baseman, a three-time AL MVP, has been working out since May at the teams minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., and he drove past reporters without stopping when he arrived and left three hours later Wednesday after batting practice, fielding and agility drills. A-Rod drove a black Chevrolet SUV rather than the black Maybach he usually arrives in In addition to Rodriguez, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli was linked to the clinic. Cervelli, currently on the DL because of a broken hand, said he consulted Biogenesis for a foot injury, but didnt receive any treatment. "My focus is not on what MLB is investigating. I dont want to get caught up in that," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "My job is to manage the guys in the clubhouse." Girardi said the Yankees still planned for Rodriguez to rejoin the team after the All-Star break. Asked what he would do if A-Rod were suspended 100 games, Girardi responded: "Well cross that bridge." Brauns 50-game suspension for a positive test was overturned by an arbitrator in February 2012 after the union filed a grievance and challenged the handling of his urine sample. Braun has acknowledged he was mentioned in Biogenesis records because his lawyers used Bosch as a consultant during the grievance. After the Brewers 4-3, 10-inning win over Oakland at Miller Park on Tuesday night, the 2011 NL MVP said he was finished talking about the clinic. "Ive already addressed everything related to the Miami situation. I addressed it in spring training. I will not make any further statements about it," he said. "The truth has not changed." Braun said the speculation hasnt affected him on the field. "No, of course not. Ive dealt with this for two years now. Im pretty good at avoiding distractions," he said. ' ' '