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US stocks in broad rally Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:06 PM PDT NEW YORK: The S&P 500 posted its third straight week of gains on Friday, lifted by optimism before this weekend's summit of European leaders and strong earnings from blue-chip stocks. US stocks rose in a broad rally to their highest levels since early August after a volatile week. Important differences still separate major players France and Germany in solving Europe's debt crisis, but with two summits scheduled for next week, investors took an optimistic view that a resolution will soon be reached. Buying was also motivated by fear of missing a sharp move if basic agreements are reached over the weekend. "I think there's at least better visibility on the path to resolution of the European sovereign crisis, and I think the markets are responding to that, even though there is not a specific concrete agreed-upon solution at this stage," said Natalie Trunow, chief investment officer of equities at Calvert Investment Management in Bethesda, Maryland, which manages about US$14.8 billion. Consumer discretionary stocks were the best performing among S&P sectors after McDonald's Corp reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit. Shares of the fast-food restaurant chain jumped to a new high of US$92.45 earlier. The stock ended up 3.7 percent at US$92.32 and the S&P consumer discretionary sector gained 2.8 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 267.01 points, or 2.31 percent, at 11,808.79. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 22.86 points, or 1.88 percent, at 1,238.25. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 38.84 points, or 1.49 percent, at 2,637.46. For the week, the Dow was up 1.3 percent and the S&P rose 1.1 percent, but the Nasdaq fell 1.1 percent. Recent gains have pushed the S&P 500 to the top of its trading range between 1,230 and 1,250, where it has struggled to advance. Many investors are looking for progress in Europe before earnings can push equities much higher. Light volume suggests investors aren't entirely convinced of the move; just 7.91 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex and Nasdaq on Friday, below this year's daily average of about 8 billion. Equity markets have been susceptible to rapid and violent swings in recent weeks as traders latch on to varying headlines on Europe's debt crisis, leaving markets prone to volatility heading into the weekend. Among industrial companies, Honeywell International Inc climbed 5.8 percent to US$51.28 after it reported better-than-expected results and lifted its earnings outlook. The commercial aerospace company rose as much as 5.7 percent, its biggest gain since May 2010. General Electric Co's third-quarter earnings met Wall Street's estimate, driven by strong demand from Brazil, Russia and China. But its shares fell 1.9 percent to US$16.31 as investors worried about declining profit margins at GE's energy equipment division. The S&P industrials index advanced 1.9 percent. According to Thomson Reuters data, of the 133 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings through Friday, 68 percent have topped analysts' expectations. On the NYSE, about eight stocks rose for every one that fell. On the NASDAQ, advancers beat decliners by a ratio of about 4 to 1. -- Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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CARING TRADITION Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:20 AM PDT Although its new clubhouse is being built, it did not stop the Johor Cultural and Sports Club from hosting lunch for a group of special children INSIDE the event hall at the Johor Cultural and Sports Club (JCSC)'s annual lunch for special children, the stage backdrop displayed a small poster featuring a caricature of a little girl. Scribbled in a childish scrawl, the caption on the poster reads: "All children deserve to feel wanted, safe, secure, special and loved." This clearly reflects the club's sentiment towards those who are less privileged and is the reason why this lunch remains a recurring date on the club's annual calendar of events. Even as the new JCSC clubhouse at Jalan Larkin is under construction, the club was determined to maintain this tradition with the children and an event hall was hired to host this annual event. At this year's lunch, held on Sept 25, some 250 guests from eight charitable organisations and welfare homes were entertained with balloon sculptures by Susu the clown, and played games and received prizes. A special appearance by comedian Sathya, of Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu fame, kept the audience laughing with his skits and songs. "You can be assured that we will hold the next event in our own hall at the new clubhouse next year," said A. Prasad, the club's honorary secretary, to which the guests responded with enthusiastic cheers and applause. He added that the access road is being built. While JCSC members looks forward to moving into their new premises, which is expected to become the premier Town Club of Johor, the club remains committed to continuing to contribute to the community. Guest of honour Chia Song Cheng, the state assemblyman for Pengkalan Rinting, noted that members of the public need to set aside some time to care for special people. Additionally, he commended JCSC for their efforts to bring good cheer to less privileged people in the community and encouraged other groups and corporations to support the club in its activities. Chia showed his support by announcing that the State Government would contribute RM3,000 towards JCSC social welfare activities, along with RM10,000 for the JCSC building fund. Also, on behalf of JCSC, Chia presented gift cheques of RM1,000 to representatives from the charitable organisations and welfare homes. The beneficiaries of these donations were Pertubuhan Sosial dan Kebajikan Sari Saujana, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pushpa Nesan, Taman Sinar Harapan Tampoi, Rumah Cheshire Johor, Rumah Kurang Upaya Permulian Permas Jaya, Malaysia Hindu Sangam Masai, Taman Sinar Jubilee Larkin and the Johor Spastics Children Association. Herman Gilbert Joseph, chairman of JCSC Social Welfare Sub-Committee, thanked members and sponsors for their generosity and contributions in making the event memorable. Also present at the luncheon were Lim Jit Ngoh, Johor State Registrar of Societies; S. Balakrishnan, MIC Johor Baru division chairman; and JCSC manager N. Singaraveloo. While donations were being announced, guests were served fried chicken from KFC and chocolate bars. Later, there was a buffet lunch of rice with local dishes and ice cream served in individual cups. After the meal, volunteers were invited to play games and win prizes. Among the activities were a dance contest, balloon-blowing and musical chairs. JCSC, which started as a social club for high-ranking civil servants in 1930, changed its name from Johore Civil Service Club to Johor Cultural & Sports Club in 1985 when the club expanded its activities and became a more family-oriented organisation. As JCSC journeys to its new location, the club remains committed to its tradition to ring in the New Year with an annual dinner and dance and give back to the community through annual charitable events organised for the less privileged and the elderly. For information about club membership, call 07-224 1899 or fax to 07-222 4445. Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

A road most travelled is Jalan Meldrum Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:00 AM PDT JALAN Meldrum is a pedestr ian street in downtown Johor Baru. It used to be a road for motor ists. It runs parallel to Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, and is intercepted in three junctions by Jalan Siu Nam, Jalan Siu Koon and Jalan Siu Chin. Little was known that the vicinity in the late 1800s was known as "Kam - pong Ah Fook", named after the early Chinese immigrant Wong Ah Fook, who was a builder and later, a successful entrepreneur. On these streets, where the Chinese immigrants lived, were houses, gambling and opium dens, leisure clubs and brothels. Traders such as barbers, vegetable sellers, and money-changers lined the five-foot ways along Jalan Meldr um. Old ladies would sit by the roadside peddling jade ornaments, vegetables and cooking utensils. A few vendors would push their carts from one spot to another, shouting on top of their voices to attract customer s. One of these traders was a fortune teller I would never forget. He would predict the fortune of people by throwing coins or conch shells. One's fate would be decided by the way the items landed. And that was not the only method he would use to predict the future. He also resorted to shaking numbered fortune sticks, and the stick which slipped out from the bamboo container has a number. The number is then used to tally with the the numbered paper slips with various fortunes written on them. Another method he used was picking up screwed up balls of paper, on each of which had Chinese characters such as "water", "mountain", "rain", "sun" or "moon" written on it. These characters symbolised different meanings. They could be used to refer to fortunes such as "money is coming", "trouble expected from mother-in-law", "obstacles coming your way" or "bright future". I used to follow my grandmother to have her fortune told in Jalan Meldr um. There were back lanes where the night soil collectors would come and collect the faeces in buckets from every household. The human waste was often covered with earth and soil. This may be how the term "night soil" came about. The once renowned Capitol Cinema stood at one end of Jalan Meldrum, while the Central Police Station built in 1914 stood on the other end of the road. Jalan Meldrum was named after a Scottish businessman Datuk James Alexander Meldrum who started the first European enterprise in Johor. As the son-in-law of Reverend Keasberry, a personal tutor to the sultan of that time Sultan Abu Bakar, Meldrum operated the largest sawmill in Johor Baru which was near the old Immigration Department. Meldrum was also credited with the construction of Malaysia's first railway line. He was the engineer of the project as well as the timber supplier for the construction of the Istana. In recognition of his contribution, the road adjacent to his sawmill was named Jalan Sawmill even till today. He used to live in Alexander Hall at Bukit Meldrum, now the site of the Grand Blue Wave Hotel. Meldrum passed away on April 11, 1904 and his wife, Datin Meldrum, on Aug 10, 1908. Both of them, and subsequently their daughter and son-in-law, were buried on the hillside of Bukit Meldr um. In 1971, due to the subsequent construction of the Customs Complex, the relics of 13 members of the Meldrum family were relocated to a new burial ground at Kebun Teh provided by the state government. A monument was erected in their honour in 1979. Meldrum was awarded the highest Datukship (SPMJ) by the sultan for his service and contributions to the state . Bukit Meldrum and Jalan Meldrum hence were named in honour of him and his deveopment of the state . You can find the oldest building within the area at one end of Jalan Siu Nam known as the Kwong Siew Wai Kuan, a clan association established in 1878 by the Cantonese. The association provided lots of support and help to the early immig rants. New immigrants could get job placements and recommendations, or financial help if needed, and sometimes lodging. The association also held meetings and gatherings to look into the conditions of the new immigrants, and how well they were coping with their new surroundings. Letter-writing and remittance services were provided, too. In other words, the immigrants were made to feel at home and given a sense of belonging. The most memorable place within the Jalan Meldrum area was the only Chinese funeral parlour at that time, also in Jalan Siu Nam. Here, one can see mourners in black, and jute mourning clothes, the display of rows of flower wreaths with paper effigies of houses, cars, and air planes. From a distance, one can also hear the "clang-clang" beats and the "tock-tock" sounds of death rituals. I remembered when my grandmother passed away in 1966 when she was 60 years old, her funeral procession started from Jalan Meldrum to the burial ground which is about 2km away. Personally, I think Jalan Meldrum is still a place for things of old. It is not just for the tourists to enjoy, but for ourselves and our children too. We can enjoy the rich culture and tradition left by our forefathers. We should learn to rejoice in our culture, and celebrate and treasure it. It is, after all, our heritage. It should be a journey into the very essence of our identity when we visit these streets of downtown Johor Baru as such as the one-and-only Jalan Meldrum. n Jimmy Leong is a UNESCO accredited cultural heritage guide, the chairman of the Johor Tourist Guides Association, the president of the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council and permanent member of Iskandar Malaysia Tourism Steering Committee. Interview by Sim Bak Heng Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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'Emphasize Bahasa Melayu on signboards' Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:22 PM PDT KUCHING: Sarawak Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has asked local authorities to enforce the use of Bahasa Melayu on signboards and billboards, saying people should not get the impression that they are in a foreign land when they are in the state. Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said Malaysians should be confident that using the national language will also play a role in delivering knowledge as well as push the country towards developed nation status. "I hope Sarawak will work towards this and I ask all local authorities to look at signboards in their areas," he said in his speech at the launch of the Kuching-level National Language Month 2011 at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak branch today. The text of his speech was read out by Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazlan Abg Hipni. Abang Johari said the use of Bahasa Melayu also serves to assist in realising the 1Malaysia concept to unite the country's multi-racial and multi-ethnic communities. "Our national language does not belong to any particular race, it belongs to all Malaysians," he said. -- BERNAMA Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

74 injured in Hong Kong ferry crash Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:21 PM PDT HONG KONG: Seventy-four people were injured after a Hong Kong ferry crashed into a mooring pillar Friday, the city's marine department said. Of the injured, nine were in a serious condition and had to be air-lifted to hospital, Patrick Wong, a spokesman for Hong Kong's Marine Department told AFP. "At about 5am this morning, a 29-metre long ferry carrying 140 passengers crashed into a concrete mooring facility by a typhoon shelter shortly after departing Cheung Chau," Wong said. "The boat did not sink, but some people were hurt." The commuter ferry was carrying people from Cheung Chau, a small island off the city's southern coast, to the main Hong Kong island. Wong said an investigation into the accident had been launched, adding that visibility at the time was normal. The cause of the accident was yet to be determined. "We were all thrown out of our seats when the ferry crashed — people were bleeding all over, from the head, nose and lips," a passenger told local broadcaster Cable News TV. "It was very chaotic inside, none of the crew came to help us, we had to help ourselves," another passenger told the station. Last year, eight people died in Hong Kong when a vessel collided with a cargo boat in the South China Sea. - AFP Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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Chinese hit and run toddler dies Posted: 20 Oct 2011 08:04 PM PDT Chinese hit and run toddler dies BEIJING: A Chinese toddler who was ignored by 18 passers-by as she lay critically injured in the street after being run over by two vehicles has died, the hospital treating her said Friday. Surveillance camera footage of people walking past the two-year-old girl, nicknamed Yue Yue, as she lay bleeding and unconscious sparked a wave of condemnation and soul-searching on China's hugely popular social networking sites. A rubbish collector who finally moved the girl to the side of the street in the southern Chinese city of Foshan was hailed as a national hero, but the incident also led many online commentators to question the state of Chinese morality. "Yue Yue died of systemic organ failure," a spokesman from the hospital treating her told AFP, adding that no expense had been spared to try to save the girl, whose parents are migrant workers. Doctors had earlier said Yue Yue, who had been in a coma since the October 13 incident, was unlikely to survive. The death of Yue Yue was one of the most popular topics on China's weibos — microblogging sites similar to Twitter — on Friday as people expressed sorrow and anger over the incident. "Farewell to little Yue Yue. There are no cars in heaven," wrote one microblogger on Sina's weibo. "Yue Yue was consumed for a week by the fake kindness of netizens... All the wishes are fake and only the 18 passers-by are real. Farewell, and do not be born in China in your next life," another weibo user wrote. Police have detained the drivers of both vehicles involved in the incident. - AFP Air your comment on this issue: Chinese hit and run toddler dies Log in with your Facebook account or use the form below to comment. New Straits Times reserves the right not to publish offensive or abusive comments and those of hate speech, harassment, commercial promos and invasion of privacy. Your IP will be logged and may be used to prevent further submission.The views expressed here are that of the members of the public and unless specifically stated are not those of NST. Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Indonesia lifts maid freeze Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:24 PM PDT 2011/10/21 From Noor Adzman Baharuddin in Mataram (Lombok) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the 8th Malaysia-Indonesia Leaders' Consultation in Lombok yesterday. — Bernama picture PRESIDENT Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesians can once again work as maids in Malaysia from Dec 1. He said both countries had resolved all problems and obstacles to Indonesians becoming maids in Malaysia. A Malaysian-Indonesian task force will submit a report to him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when they meet again at the Asean Summit in Bali on Nov 17. Susilo said: "There are many Indonesians working in Malaysia and the governments of both countries have agreed to provide protection and assistance to our workforce, since they are contributing to the Malaysian economy. "We are also happy with the amendments made between the two governments on the recruitment and placement of maids this year. "As such, we have agreed in principle to normalise this (lift the moratorium) on Dec 1," he said at a press conference with Najib at the end of the 8th Malaysia-Indonesia Leaders' Consultation here yesterday. Indonesia imposed a freeze on the sending of its citizens to work as maids in Malaysia in June 2009, following complaints of abuse. In May this year, the two-year freeze was supposedly lifted when Malaysia and Indonesia signed a new memorandum of understanding. Among the conditions agreed upon was that the employer would get a replacement maid or compensation if the maid ran away, was inefficient or failed the medical test in six months. But, two weeks ago, Indonesia said it had not lifted the moratorium. Najib said he did not see problems with lifting the moratorium. He said people had inundated his social network Facebook and Twitter accounts with concerns about the maid freeze before he came for the meeting. "We have resolved the matter and President Susilo's announcement reflects his sincerity and earnestness to boost cooperation and bring greater prosperity to both countries." Najib advised Malaysians against mistreating Indonesian maids. He said there might be only a handful of abuse cases, but prospective Malaysian employers must improve the image Indonesians had about how Malaysians treated maids. "The number of cases of mistreatment may be small, but don't let a few bad apples spoil our good name." On the issue of wages for maids, he said thematter would be covered under the National MinimumWage Policy, which would be announced soon. Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul Posted: 14 Mar 2011 11:25 PM PDT I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul 2010/10/29 By NST team in Gua Musang, Kelantan news@nst.com.my GUA MUSANG: Pas' candidate Dr Zulkefli Mohamed remained a good sport over jokes that his stocky frame might tire him fast during the campaign trail. He said he was used to work long hours when he was a doctor at government hospitals in the past. "There were times when I had to work over 36 hours on a stretch, then. I think I can keep up with the hectic campaign schedule now," he said. Dr Zulkefli, 44, will be up against Barisan Nasional's Abdul Aziz Yusoff, 49, in the Galas by-election on Nov 4. Some segments of political watchers have been heard making comparisons between the two candidates of their physiques. Such light banter follows an absence of substantive issues to debate since campaigning started on Nov 26. Dr Zulkefli said he was feeling alright even when there were many places to visit over the past three days. To keep fit, he said he took a lot of water and sufficient rest. When a reporter asked about his weight, Dr Zulkefli said: "I do not know. Let us keep it as a secret." In jest, he said he could take on Aziz in a running or tug-of-war competition. Visit us for more web exclusives everyday from NST Galas team. For full stories and in-depth news, get NST in print tomorrow. Air your comment on this issue: I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul Log in with your Facebook account or use the form below to comment. New Straits Times reserves the right not to publish offensive or abusive comments and those of hate speech, harassment, commercial promos and invasion of privacy. Your IP will be logged and may be used to prevent further submission.The views expressed here are that of the members of the public and unless specifically stated are not those of NST. Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Sabah Umno reaching the 500,000 mark Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:17 PM PDT Once upon a time, a real history took place and handed down the real lessons out of the events concluded that a small number can defeat a huge number of opponents by the will of Allah taala. Therefore, in the modern institutions and struggle like political institutions, this lessons of history is still relevant and worthy to ponder. In fact, there are many facts to ponder on why the listed numbers of political members do not reflex the true pictures. The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman's recent annoucement of Sabah UMNO success in the recruitment of membership drive does not mean much to me as it seems to suggest it is the result of his leadership. A leader should be humble and not self glorifying. One's work should be judged by the people and not himself. I still remember our DPM, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin remark in the opening of the PBS congress in Kota Kinabalu recently where he said "he has done little in the success of the Batu Sapi by election ". Frankly how many can do that ? This is the model of leader we must emulate - humble, unassuming and lead by example. Traits of great leader who make small people feel great. Afterall, recruitment of new members in any party is the duty and obligation of its leaders. It is not a competition as it is the quality and not quantity of the effort that count. We should not trumpet about it. High membership in any political party does not guarantee success if the party and its leaders do not command the support from its ranks and files as well as leaders from other coalition parties, particularly in the state of Sabah. Having such a mentality would breed complacency and place the party concerned and BN in a perilous situation. Sabah UMNO chief, Datuk Musa Aman's annoucement that their membership drive to date has reached 456,000 membership level, the highest among all other states is indeed quite credible. The first thing that comes to thought is 456,000 is 456,000 until the half million mark is reached which is another 44,000 more to go and this is not a small number. In the annoucement, last year alone, they only managed to recruit 40,000 new members and has no mention of what this year's result is ? Has the effort reached been saturated is another question that surfaces in my mind. My concern however is in any numerical assessment, we must give the picture in its correct perspective and not try to over dramatise or sensationalise it to justify certain motives, personal or otherwise. And when figures concerning and affecting the outcome of an election, the state and the image of UMNO and Barisan Nasional, we have to be careful and truthful. The annoucement also gives rise to many questions to be answered. First, how many of these registered members will actually and eventually vote and vote for BN comes election time?. Is the annoucement trying to suggest we are growing stronger, there is nothing to worry and we can repeat the big win in the state achieved in the last election ? The Batu Sapi by election is no doubt the combined efforts in greater and lesser extend of all state BN coalition members. However, with the bad blood that existed all along with the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman and PBS president, Datuk Pairin, with SAPP president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the duel was in actual fact a life and dead battle among the subject combatants. Aided by a predominantly bumi constituency,the vast resources from BN and the ever tireless presence of our DPM, the vast win at Batu Sapi could be an isolated incident. Removing these factors, or in a diluted extent, the result could be different. As a rough estimate, Sabah with a population of 2.5 million and say,with a 60% eligible voters, it will work out to have about 1.5 million potential voters. From the above, the present UMNO membership only represents to about 30% of the total possible voters. Will that be adequate to determine another landslide victory in the coming election ? given the fact there 60 constituencies in the state ? Many in the last encounter encountered sort of narrow escape ? The growing number of unresolved problems faced by the people todate? The discontents of the present leadership among the files and ranks ? How much support the present state leadership since last reappointed, still enjoy is therefore any one's guess. To me the annoucement seems to be made in conjunction with the coming BN convention in Kuala Lumpur in an effort to influence its outcomes Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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Golf CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia: Shaaban swings into the money game Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:28 AM PDT Shaaban Hussin LASt year, he received US$50,000(rM156,275) for finishing last. this time, Shaaban Hussin will earn more than that amount irrespective of his position in next week's cIMb Asia Pacific classic at the Mines Golf and country club in Kuala Lumpur. that is because the total prize money for the tournament has been increased from US$6 million to US$6.1 million. the winner's purse is US$1.3 million but Shaaban, who is Malaysia's sole challenger after winning a local qualifier, will have to first beat five Major winners. Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Rugby / World Cup: French ready to repel Kiwi onslaught Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:11 AM PDT France coach Marc Lievremont (right) chats with doctor Jean Philippe Hager during training at the Takapuna Rugby Club in Auckland yesterday. — AFP picture AUCKLAND: The battle lines have been drawn, the weapons selected, and now the French rugby team have thrown up a Gallic siege wall ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand. The French are sure to face a ferocious onslaught from an All Blacks side backed by a New Zealand public desperate to win the World Cup after 24 barren years. France have found themselves cast as very much the villains ahead of the clash at Eden Park, as much for their turgid rugby as for the identity of their opponents. But this pugnacious French side are determined to turn all the external negativity into a force to throw at the hosts as they bid to pull off one of the more unlikely upsets. "For several weeks now it has been us against the world," France flyhalf Morgan Parra told reporters yesterday. "We felt after beating England we might have some more support. We felt after beating Wales we might have some more support... but yet again, it is us against the world. "So ... we are trying to keep ourselves cocooned in this bubble. Some people are saying we don't deserve to be where we are. Criticism from supporters or from certain England and Wales players saying we don't belong in the final -- that hurts," he added. For one half of their quarter-final victory against England, France played the dashing, fluid rugby French sides have prided themselves on through the years. But, for the rest of their campaign, and never more so than in their scrappy 9-8 semi-final win over 14-man Wales, they have resorted to dull, staccato set-play and kicks, winning few fans along the way. Even their own coach Marc Lievremont has been critical about their performances, creating yet more tension in the camp and drawing the ire of senior squad members. All this, though, has simply served to make the squad a tighter unit. "We are like a family now," scrumhalf Dimitri Yashvili told reporters. "We will have French support ... all our families and our squad. We know we will be 15 players on the pitch against all the world, maybe." Winger Vincent Clerc said the French had to be given some credit for their bellicose showing in New Zealand. "This is the World Cup final .. you can put some of it down to good fortune, but we are not here by chance or coincidence. We've been saying for some time we came here to be world champions and now we are in the final. We didn't come here to lose. "We understand only too well that the All Blacks are the favourites -- somebody has to be the favourites. They will have a stadium jam-packed with New Zealanders -- but we haven't played the match yet ... they are not world champions yet. And I do not feel like I am in the skin of a loser ... like somebody who cannot win. I don't feel like that at all. And it doesn't matter what happens before -- only what happens on Sunday counts. "We are in our bubble. Not many people believe in us, but we do not want to miss this opportunity." -- Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

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