Australia and Queensland appear to have won the tug of war for the services of rugby leagues hottest young property Kalyn Ponga.While the Queensland Rugby League and NRL said they had not received official advice from Pongas camp, North Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston suggested he had resisted overtures from New Zealand to pledge his allegiance to Australia.The 18-year-old - who has been described as the next Johnathan Thurston - has a New Zealand father but was born in Western Australia, making him eligible for both countries.His allegiance is as clear as mud - he was a part of the New Zealand train-on squad last year and Kiwis coach David Kidwell said on Wednesday he hoped to see Ponga wearing a black jumper in the near future.A NZRL spokesman also said they had received no advice on his allegiance.He attended a Queensland development camp earlier in the year and had been in the Queensland system since he was 14 and represented the state at junior level.He is not expected to make an official call on his eligibility until next years junior Test between the Kiwis and Australia - which he sat out last year because he was still making up his mind.However, Thurston indicated Ponga was leaning towards representing the Kangaroos and Maroons in a major boon for their stocks.I think hes leapt towards the Kangaroos, Thurston told New Zealand radio station Newshub.He pretty much made (the decision) on his own. His familys from here in New Zealand and hes spent most of his time growing up in Queensland.He feels as though hes an Aussie, he feels as though hes a Queenslander and I think thats what got him over the line.Rated a future star, Ponga made his NRL debut on the wing in the Cowboys semi-final win last month over Brisbane.He didnt take long to prove his class, making a scything run down the left flank in which he turned several defenders inside out to almost score.He made his second appearance the following week in the Cowboys loss to Cronulla and is expected to be a fixture of Paul Greens side next year.Blessed with deft touch and footwork, he is being eyed by the Cowboys as Thurstons long-term halves replacement however Green has called for fans and commentators to curb their expectations given he is still developing.The former Brisbane schoolboy rugby union star was chased by four sports and six clubs, including the Brisbane Lions, Queensland Reds, Broncos, Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm, before signing with the Cowboys.He is due to come off contract next year and is expected to be a hot commodity on the open market with clubs allowed to make approaches from November 1. 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Rasheed Wallace Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. DENVER -- The St. Louis Cardinals picked up a win before a pitch was even thrown when reserve outfielder Jose Martinez captured a playful, pregame staredown with Colorado reliever Carlos Estevez.Too bad for the Cardinals that didnt count in the standings. They sure couldve used it.Nolan Arenado hit a grand slam, German Marquez pitched five solid innings for his first major league win and the Rockies slowed the Cardinals playoff chase with an 11-1 victory on Wednesday.The Cardinals, who had won four straight, entered the day tied with New York and San Francisco atop the NL wild-card standings. The Mets and Giants both played later.Arenado broke open the game in the second with his NL-leading 39th homer of the season. His fourth career slam made it 6-1.Its a pitch that simply caught too much of the plate.Stayed straight, starter Luke Weaver said. For it to flatten out at such a big moment right there is disappointing.Weaver (1-4) was roughed up by the Rockies, surrendering seven hits and six runs in two innings. Before this game, the right-hander had allowed 12 earned runs in his last seven starts combined.The Cardinals had some early momentum when that standoff went their way just after the anthem.Heres how it unfolded: Estevez and Martinez stood near their dugouts -- with their baseball cap over their heart -- and refused to back down until the other moved first.Estevez blinked first and made a winner of Martinez, who celebrated before retreating to the dugout. Estevez said manager Walt Weiss pulled him in out of fear of being ejected.Its not fun to have one less bullpen guy, Estevez explained.Martinez was going to see this thing through to the end -- no matter the consequences.The umpire asked me, `Why you do that? Im like, `When youre a rookie and a big league guy asks you to stand up there, I stand up there, said Martinez, who had a pinch-hit single in the seventh. The most important thing is we have fun and the fans enjoyed it.This was a memorable day for Marquez (1-0), who made his first big league start after three appearances out of the bullpen. He allowed one run and struck out three.At 21 years, 212 days, Marrquez was the second-youngest pitcher in Rockies history to earn his first win, the team announced.dddddddddddd The youngest was Jamey Wright (21-206).A great pitching performance from the kid today, Weiss said. Its easy -- easy velocity. Very effortless.The hard-throwing Marquez was acquired in January as part of the deal that sent outfielder Corey Dickerson to Tampa Bay. Marquez pitched a majority of the season for Double-A Hartford, where he was chosen as the pitcher of the year in the Eastern League.Marquez worked his way out of several dicey situations against the best road team in baseball. He allowed his only run in the second, when Jeremy Hazelbaker led off with a double and later scored on Kolten Wongs sacrifice fly.The Cardinals took two of three from Colorado during a series in which their starting pitchers were brilliant at the plate. Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright and Weaver went a combined 4 for 4 with two doubles and six RBI. Weaver had a single in his only plate appearance.DJ LeMahieu got two hits and drove in two runs to raise his average to .351. He holds a slight lead over Washingtons Daniel Murphy in the NL batting race.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: OF Matt Holliday (broken right thumb) is hoping to take live batting practice Friday at Wrigley Field before the Chicago Cubs series. ... C Yadier Molina had the day off.Rockies: Third base coach Stu Cole sat out another day after being hit in the head by a ball that caromed off another during batting practice Tuesday.THIS & THATRockies catcher Tom Murphy had a three-run homer as part of a five-run seventh. ... Arenados grand slam gives him 128 RBI this season, which leads the majors.UP NEXTCardinals: After a day off, RHP Mike Leake (9-10, 4.54 ERA) opens a three-game series Friday in Chicago. RHP Jake Arrieta (17-7, 2.96) goes for the Cubs.Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (11-9, 4.13) takes the mound Thursday to begin a four-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Chatwood is 7-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 11 road starts this season. ' ' '