MELBOURNE Storm went back to basics and looked anything but a spent force in a 26-18 win over the second-placed Sydney Roosters.

GUUS Hiddink may have got plenty of credit yet only now are we appreciating how good the 2006 World Cup squad was.

THERE is great excitement among all the players today as we prepare to leave for England.

THE pain of her French Open semi-final capitulation to unheralded Italian Sara Errani a year ago still stings Sam Stosur.

MELBOURNE's stunning recovery from its hellish South African tour will take on another dimension this week.