- Kolisi on the bench as Springboks ring changes for Scotland clash
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- Leveraging Trump win, embattled Macron eyes diplomatic comeback
- England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue
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- Arsenal ready to rebound after troubled spell: Arteta
- Cartier owner's profit sinks as China sales slump
- UN aims to set standards for scandal-hit carbon markets
- Australia rugby captain Wilson aiming to hit England for six
- Amsterdam mayor 'ashamed' by 'unbearable' attacks on Israel football fans
- UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
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- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
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- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
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- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
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Surgical Brady readies for Rams operation
Tom Brady says the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' regular season drubbing by the Los Angeles Rams will count for little when the two sides collide in the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
Brady's Bucs were roughed up when the two teams met in California in September, with the Rams barrelling past the reigning Super Bowl champions 34-24.
On Sunday, the NFC heavyweights meet again at the Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium where a place in the NFC Championship game will be on the line.
Bucs quarterback Brady, who looked close to his clinical best in dispatching the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, says the September loss to the Rams has no bearing on Sunday's showdown.
"They're each their own type of game," Brady said. "They're going to require their own individual type of game and are going to require their own individual performances.
"The point is it doesn't really matter what happened when we played in (September)."
That early season loss did provide Brady with invaluable intelligence on this weekend's opponents though.
"Anytime you play your opponent it gives you an understanding of what they do well, things you wish you would have done," said the 44-year-old seven-time Super Bowl champion, renowned for poring over hours of footage of opponents.
That could spell trouble for the Rams.
Or as Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians put it: "Once Tom Brady figures you out -- you're in trouble. He's a surgeon."
Typically, Brady has prepared for the postseason by marginalizing extra-curricular activities.
"This isn't the time for trips to movie theaters," he said. "This is the time to lock in on football. This is all we have."
The Buccaneers' offensive arsenal could be bolstered by the possible return of running back Leonard Fournette, who is on the mend after missing last Sunday's win over the Eagles with a hamstring injury.
The Rams meanwhile arrive in Florida on a high after an emphatic 34-11 dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
The Los Angeles defense laid the foundation for that win, with two sacks and two interceptions.
Rams linebacker Von Miller is under no illusions that Brady is a different class of opponent.
"It's Tom Brady. He does everything well," Miller said. "We just got to find a way to rattle him. We got to find a way to get to the quarterback."
- Bills aiming high -
Sunday's other divisional round game sees the Kansas City Chiefs attempt to return to the AFC Championship game for a fourth consecutive season when they face the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs beat the Bills 38-24 in last year's AFC Championship to reach the Super Bowl, but are hosting a Buffalo team who have hit form at the right time.
The Bills thrashed the New England Patriots 47-17 last week, with quarterback Josh Allen outstanding in a devastating offensive display.
"He's a tremendous player," Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of his Buffalo counterpart.
"They put a lot on his shoulders and he rises to the occasion. He's able to run the ball, he can throw the ball, he has the arm strength to throw it anywhere on the football field and he makes great decisions."
The Bills have already beaten the Chiefs this season, romping to a 38-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium in October.
Since then, however, the Chiefs have improved steadily. A dazzling burst of scoring against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, when Mahomes tossed five touchdowns in just over 11 minutes, served as a reminder that the Chiefs remain one of the most lethal offensive sides in the NFL when on song.
Allen says Mahomes and the Chiefs have set the standard for every other team in the AFC over the past three seasons.
"I don't know if rivalry is the right word, but they are the Mecca of the AFC," Allen said of the Chiefs.
"And that's the team that everybody wants to aspire to be, to be in three AFC championships in a row and being in two Super Bowls in a row.
"That's the type of level that we want to be. In order to be the best, you gotta beat the best. And they've really been one of the, if not the, best team in the last four years.
"We've got a good opportunity here and we're excited for it, as I'm sure they are as well."
O.Bulka--BTB