It's been a busy sporting weekend, and it's only going to get busier when the NRL starts next weekend. So we are reinstating The Monday Wrap where we can give our thoughts on the weekend, and you can reciprocate.
If the weekend's rugby results are anything to go by, this could be the most even Super Rugby competition yet. Most of the matches went down to the wire, and those who picked "unders" results in the various picking competitions will have done well. Of the New Zealand teams the Highlanders showed real heart to beat the Chiefs, and the Crusaders again showed that they will be one of the teams to beat. For Hurricanes and Chiefs supporters it looks like being another long year, and already the latter side has major injury worries. The 'Canes hung in against the Stormers in Cape Town, but three yellow cards and a penalty try eventually cost them any competition points. Wheter or not they still have discipline problems, or whether or not it'll take time for the reputation for discipline issues to be shed is a moot point.
The Black Caps were simply outgunned by a full-strength South African outfit. When they had the Proteas at 35 for three early on, with Amla, Smith and Kallis dismissed, things looked promising. But they were unable to exert enough pressure on the South African middle order, and an unlikely win escaped them. There's a lot of work to be done if they are to threaten South Africa on Wednesday in Napier.
It was a busy footballing weekend with the Wellington Phoenix returning to third place in the A-League with a gutsy 1-nil win over Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium. Paul Ifill headed home a beauty in the 12th minute, after which the 'Nix defended stoutly. They've now had four away wins this season; that's a promising statistic. And the mighty Arsenal had a resounding 5-2 win over North London rivals Spurs in the early hours of this morning which takes them back to fourth in the Premiership, and within reach of Champions League footie next season.
What else? Marina Erakovic lost the chance to win her first WTA title, but will hit a career high in the women's rankings later today. Rory McIlroy and Hunter Mahan will go head to head for the World Matchplay golf championship, and as we type this, NASCAR's showpiece Daytona 500 (the Great American Race) is underway at Daytona Beach in Florida; MySky is taking care of that for us!
That's it from us today; how did you see the weekend's results and performances?
2 comments:
Gidday there Inventory2. Yeah loved the rugby action and it was great seeing the ABs back, even if they were a bit rusty. I got all my virtual rugby picks correct - except for my team the Highlanders, who I usually pick and then shake my head asking "why?"! Bring on the mighty vodafone warriors!!!!
Didn't bother with the S15 but was up bright-and to see England lose very unluckily to Wales. It's so much better watching the game with Brian Moore and Eddie Butler's commentary (shame about the Aussie panel ESPN put on at HT).
Andy Farrell's boy looked the business at standoff and following the Cricket team's recruitment strategy has a couple of good dividends in Botha and Barrit.
A good game plan, lacking a little in the execution and accuracy, but very encouraging for England fans with the RWC debacle fresh in our minds.
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