Craig Lowndes admits he was caught off-guard by technical director Ludo Lacroix jumping ship for DJRs Team Penske in 2017.But he says he wasnt surprised at Red Bull boss Roland Dane labelling the Frenchman as dishonest.Lacroix was stood down from all team operations ahead of the Pukekohe Supercars round after it was revealed he would be heading to the rival Ford outfit for next season.Dane had worked with Lacroix for almost 20 years and while he knew he was leaving Triple Eight Racing at the end of the season, he claimed the move was duplicitous once discovering it was to head to another team.And Triple Eights Lowndes said while understood the move was the way of competitive sport, he could also acknowledge Danes emotions.I think Roland took it more personally than anyone, and so he should, Lowndes said while watching Rally Australia at Coffs Harbour.Its one thing to move on, but its another thing to go to another team.And for Roland its more of a kick in the guts than for anyone.The distraction did little to hurt the dominant Holden team at Pukekohe where Jamie Whincup and Shave Van Gisbergen each claimed race wins at the New Zealand round.They will also reclaim the drivers championship in Sydney early next month, with Van Gisbergan all but certain to win the title unless he stumbles and hands it to Whincup.And Lowndes believes its a sign that the move wont begin a slide of the Triple Eight juggernaut, which has now won the past seven teams championships. Sidney Moncrief Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Fake Bucks Jerseys .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/926t-eric-bledsoe-jersey-bucks.html . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Kent Benson Jersey . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. LONDON -- England is on the verge of hiring Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce to take charge of the national team as Roy Hodgsons successor.A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the English Football Association is close to finalizing Allardyces appointment.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment has not been made and the FA board, which is due to meet on Thursday, has to approve new coaches.The FA has to secure Allardyces release from Sunderland, which urged for a swift resolution last week after revealing that the 61-year-old Englishman had held talks with England.At the present time Sam Allardyce remains Sunderland manager, Sunderland said in a statement on Wednesday evening. We share in the anger and frustration of our supporters and would like to assure them that we are working to conclude the matter in the best interests of Sunderland.The FA began searching for a new coach three weeks ago wwhen Hodgsons hopes of extending his four-year stint were ended by an embarrassing loss to Iceland in the last 16 of the European Championship.dddddddddddd The defeat prolonged the countrys trophy drought since the 1966 World Cup.England has little time to dwell on the humiliation in France with qualifying for the 2018 World Cup beginning with an away match against Slovakia on Sept. 4.Allardyce has 25 years of experience in management, including spells in the Premier League with Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham.Although Allardyce has never won a major trophy as a player or coach, he has a reputation for improving struggling teams.Allardyce joined Sunderland in October and helped the team stay in the Premier League, further improving his credentials for the England job.Like Hodgson, Allardyce never appeared as a player for England. ' ' '