Hes the son of club icon Kevin Hastings and has the

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The outcome of the U.S. presidential election could heavily influence Los Angeles chances of hosting the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tells The Associated Press:Its hard enough to raise the doughTo make this massive project go.Its hard to sweet talk wealthy folk,Assure them this is not a joke.Its hard when Angelenos curseAnd fear that traffic will get worse.And then Ill schmooze the IOCAnd tout the citys pedigreeOf palm trees, glitz and Hollywood,And all thats dazzling, all thats good.Ill tell the world LAs the best,Not Paris, Rome or Budapest.Ill say we want to light the flame.Once more, were here to play the game.Ill speak of how much LAs meant -Two Summer Games, theres precedent.But heres whats hardest after all:When someone wants to build a wall. Boston Bruins Store . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Boston Bruins Shirts . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. https://www.cheapbruins.com/ . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Stitched Bruins Jerseys . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Fake Bruins Jerseys . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks.The World Club Series kicks off on Friday night, but which NRL stars will shine brightest? We take a look at six of the best. The 2016 format will be the same as 2015 - three massive games with the prize of world champions handed to the winners of the Leeds Rhinos v North Queensland Cowboys game.The series starts with St Helens v Sydney Roosters on Friday and continues with Wigan v Brisbane Broncos on Saturday before the Rhinos face the Cowboys in the showpiece match on Sunday. All three games are live on Sky Sports. The NRL overcame their Super League counterparts 3-0 last season, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs striking the major blow, beating St Helens 39-0 in the showpiece.So what to expect this year? We look at six players jetting over from down under who could hit the headlines…Johnathan Thurston - CowboysThe main man for last seasons NRL winners North Queensland Cowboys; Johnathan Thurston is one of the games true superstars and, having guided his side to a first Premiership title with an extra-time winning drop goal, the half-back won the Golden Boot for the third time. Johnathan Thurston has ruled out a move to the Super League So there is plenty to fear for the Rhinos - but what will Thurston bring to Headingley? For starters, four Dally M Medals and seven Dally M positional awards. Thurston also has five State of Origin man-of-the-match trophies and is the all-time leading points scorer in the series, playing 33 consecutive games for Queensland since his 2005 debut, winning nine overall Origin series.Thurstons also won the World Cup and is Australias leading points scorer. So whats left? A World Club Challenge medal, and hes eager to add that to the collection. Worrying times ahead for Leeds. Matt Scott - CowboysThurston shares the Cowboys captaincy with prop forward Matt Scott. Hes a one-club man, making 208 appearances in the North Queensland jersey since his debut in 2004, winning the Player of the Year award twice, some achievement given Thurstons presence in the side. Matthew Scott shares the Cowboys captaincy with Thurston Scotts played 17 times in the Green and Gold and has 19 State of Origin tests under his belt, so he brings plenty of experience from down under. A no-nonsense, hard-running forward, hes also undergone neck surgery in pre-season, ensuring hes fit and ready to challenge the Rhinos.Darius Boyd - BroncosA versatile back, Darius Boyd is a Wayne Bennett favourite, having followed him from Brisbane to St George Illawarra then to Newcastle before returning to Brisbane with his coach last season. How England wish Boyd could follow Bennett internationally. Darius Boyd in action in the 2015 NRL Grand Final With 13 tries in 17 Australia appearances, and 16 tries in 23 Queensland appearances, Boyds proved he can finish at the highest level.dddddddddddd A two-time NRL winner, Boyd missed a chunk of the 2015 season with an Achilles injury.He did return and played in their Grand Final defeat to the Cowboys, but his return of three tries from 18 games left a few people questioning whether hed lost his sparkle. Boyd will be out to prove hes still got it against Wigan.Sam Thaiday - Broncos Sam Thaiday played a big part in the Broncos win over Wigan in 2015 Thaiday will arrive in England late having played in the Indigenous All Stars game. But hes been named in the Broncos squad and Wigan will know all about him, with Thaiday playing a big part last year in the narrow 14-12 win.Thaiday takes on the enforcer role for club and country, dominating opposition packs with big drives, big hits and a decent offload. He won the NRL with the Broncos in 2006 and has racked up 231 appearances in the Maroon and Gold since his 2003 debut, winning the World Cup with Australia as well. If Wigan are to win, Shaun Wanes side will have to target Thaiday and stop him causing mayhem up front.Jackson Hastings - RoostersIt was a difficult off-season for the Roosters, with captain Mitchell Pearce heading for rehabilitation after an off-field incident. And Pearces 2015 half-back partner James Maloney has left the club, joining Cronulla for 2016. So the pressure falls on the shoulders of Hastings, a 20-year-old with 19 grade appearances to his name, who signed a new contract with the club in the off-season. Jackson Hastings is the son of club icon Kevin Hastings The good news for Roosters fans is that Hastings is seriously talented. A Junior Kangaroo, hes also played U20 State of Origin, so the half-back has already shown considerable promise in his early career.Hes the son of club icon Kevin Hastings and has the likes of Brad Fittler talking up his abilities, so all eyes will be on Hastings to show he can deliver in a pivotal position for the Roosters.Blake Ferguson - Roosters Blake Ferguson will provide experience to the Roosters backs Its not just the absence of Pearce that will hit the Roosters hard. Michael Jennings has quit for Parramatta, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has signed for the New Zealand Warriors and Shaun Kenny-Dowall has had well-documented off-field problems.So responsibility in the backs is handed to Blake Ferguson. Hes another with plenty of off-field history, but he knuckled down in 2015, starring in the centres. Ferguson will switch to full-back to replace Tuivasa-Sheck this season and will hope to add to his 10 tries from 19 games last year. Hes played once for New South Wales, but a strong start to the season could lead to a State of Origin recall from coach Laurie Daley. St Helens will be hoping that Ferguson doesnt settle in too quickly in his new position.Which NRL players are you looking forward to seeing this weekend? Let us know by sharing your comments below if viewing on skysports.com, or Tweet us @SkySportsRL Also See: Club challenge a highlight Thurston rules out Super League move Burrow has faith in Rhinos Eden to make Broncos bow ' ' '