All Blacks prop Owen Franks should count himself extremely luck after he was cleared of an alleged eye-gouge on Wallabies lock Kane Douglas in Bledisloe II.Thats the opinion of former Wallabies winger Cameron Shepherd, who told ESPNs Scrum5 podcast he thought the incident had been swept up like it didnt happen.Referencing a similar incident that saw Argentina forward Mariano Galarza suspended for nine weeks?at last years Rugby World Cup, Shepherd said Franks didnt even have the excuse he couldnt see what he was doing.As far as the Franks eye-gouge, you cant be putting your hands up around someones eyes, Shepherd said.And not only that, hes looking at him; so its not like his head is down in a maul or a ruck and he cant see what hes doing. And then after his hand is removed from the eyes he comes underneath and it almost looks as if he goes for a choke. Now I would never say thats 100 percent what hes doing, but thats what it looks like and thats the way its interpreted.Now look apologies but I cant remember the two people in question with this case but when New Zealand played Argentina at the Rugby World Cup 12 months ago, one of the Argentinian forwards lashed out with his hands towards the face of one of the New Zealand players and he got nine weeks for doing that.Now Ive watched both those bits of footage side by side at Fox Sports during the week, and look Franks should have been in a lot more trouble than this getting swept up like it didnt happen.Shepherd also spoke of the Wallabies defensive woes, telling Scrum5 hed heard rumours Michael Cheika had been putting his squad through a heavy workload the day before each Test match.Ive thought on top of everything from the last few weeks, the boys look tired. I think theyre being over-trained at the moment. I think Cheika is so nervous about being under-prepared that hes doing too much.A few sources close to the camp have told me that training sessions, even the day before the game, are going for two hours. Now if youre still prepping for two hours the day before a Test match, youre not in the right mindset anyway; you know that should be where you just put a little bit of the polish on what youve done during the week.So to me, yeah its mindset. And I think sometimes our structures in defence arent very good. But I think that our change in (defensive) attitude has only come about because the guys are so tired, theyre rundown and mentally theyre already battling that whole issue of pressure of beating the All Blacks. 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Adidas NHL Jerseys Outlet .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans.CHICAGO -- Carlos Rodon struck out a season-high nine over six innings, Adam Eaton doubled twice and scored two runs and the Chicago White Sox beat Kansas City 7-2 on Friday night to prevent the Royals from gaining ground in the playoff race.Rodon (7-8) fanned Paulo Orlando with the bases loaded on his 116th pitch to end the sixth inning and move to 5-0 in his last seven starts.Kendrys Morales had a two-run single in the first inning for Kansas City, which has dropped six of nine and remained four games behind the second wild-card after Detroit beat Baltimore.Eaton doubled to lead off the first and fifth innings off Yordano Ventura (10-10) and scored each time on Melky Cabrera RBI. Tyler Saladino had three hits and drove in two runs in Chicagos third straight win over a playoff contender.The 23-year-old Rodon struggled early this season and went on the disabled list after he sprained his left wrist slipping on the dugout steps. But the lefty has been sharp since returning.In his career-high 24th start, Rodon allowed two runs -- one earned -- and six hits while lowering his ERA to 1.85 ERA in his past seven outings, all quality starts.Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau added RBI singles as Chicago had 13 hits.Ventura allowed five runs -- four earned -- and 10 hits over seven innings in taking his first loss in seven starts.Dan Jennings got five outs and Tommy Kahnle worked the ninthh for the White Sox, who have won five of seven despite slim playoff hopes.ddddddddddddRAINERS ROOMRoyals: C Salvador Perez (bruised right wrist) sat out a second straight game. He still feels it a little bit when he swings, manager Ned Yost said. He feels fine when he throws, so were definitely making progress. Well shoot for tomorrow. . RF Lorenzo Cain (wrist) started for the first time since Aug. 30, but looked uncomfortable throwing. . LHP Matt Strahm left to attend his grandfathers funeral and was expected back Saturday.White Sox: Struggling RHP James Shields was cleared to start Saturday after complaining of a sore back in his last outing. Shields hasnt missed a start since 2007. I just want to post every five days and throw 200 innings, Shields said. Im obviously not going to get (200 innings) this year for the first time in nine seasons, which is disappointing.HOT SOXAbreu went 2 for 4 to improve to 22 for 50 (.440) with 16 RBI in his past 11 games. Saladino is 6 for 8 in the past two games.TIRED SORIAYost said hes been overusing struggling reliever Joakim Soria and planned to limit his appearances. Soria has six blown saves and eight losses.UP NEXTShields (5-17, 6.07 ERA) will face Royals RHP Edinson Volquez (10-10, 5.02) on Saturday night. ' ' '