INCENSED AND OUTRAGED

In the 4th one-dayer vs england there was a run-out incident with Elliot and Sidebottom, that has soured relationships b/w the 2 teams and also the 2 countries. As you can tell by the video above, the kiwi player was 'accidentally' taken out by Sidebottom and was then subsequently runout. In the spirit of the game and fair-play the English captain (Collingwood) should have recalled is appeal, letting the NZ player to stay at the crease. However he didn't and Elliot had to leave the field. LUCKILY we won the game, needing 2 runs from the last ball. A great victory, and the kiwi's lead the series 2-1 with the last game this Saturday at Lords.

JUST VIEW THE FIRST 60 SECS.

June Tests.

The All Blacks have cleaned up the English with a comprehensive win Saturday, downing the Poms 44-12, claiming the series 2 zip. However...... just around the corner and the Springboks and the Wallabies who are a whole different kettle of fish. They will both be more sterner and more attacking opponents than the English.

On a bum note, both Richie McCaw (6 weeks) & Ali Williams (1 week hopefully) have sustained ankle injuries. McCaw (AB captain) is a huge loss, hopefully my man Chris Masoe can take his place @ # 7.

Stay tuned, first test is July 5th.

Gdog.

PS. We won the 3rd cricket one-dayer against England in a nail biter!!

All Blacks vs England.

All Black Captain, Richie McCaw.

Second test match of the International Series against England will be fought this Saturday. A different kettle of fish from the Irish, the English will probably benefit from better weather in Auckland from the freezing conditions in Wellington the weekend before. But then again so will AB's. Both teams have spoken of a current rebuilding phase which makes it hard to predict a score line, but I see the AB's fitness level to outlast England but their intensity level will have to lift for a an AB win.

English media reports have touted their team as one of the strongest to be sent downunder. We shall have too see?

McCaw will need to have another man-of-the-match performance.

NZ vs England Test Series

England have wrapped up the test series against the kiwi's with an emphatic win in the third test, winning by 9 runs and an innings and the series 2-0. A poor showing by the Blackcaps, whose woeful batting let them down once again.

Hopefully NZ can resurrect the tour with a good showing in the one day internationals.

All Blacks v Ireland highlights 2008

The first test of the 2008 season was played in freezing driving rainy conditions at the 'Cake Tin' Wellington. It was a hard fought first outing fo the AB's, who were relived to have their first win for the season 21-11. The Irish, who have never beaten the AB's in 103 years played good, hard, tight rugby, but couldn't pull off their first win.

Captain Richie McCaw played outstandingly.

June Test season.

Now that the Super 14 is over, the international series starts, with 1 test against Ireland this weekend and 2 against england before the tri-nation series starts in July against Oz and SA.

A squad of 26 has been selected on form from the super 14 with a few surprises, 4 recalls, 6 new caps and only 9 remaining from the World Cup squad. Henry and his team are hopefully looking towards the future and i guess the next world cup in 2011.

It will be an interesting first game for the AB's. The Irish have played together as a team and have picked a number of players from the winning Munster club, where as the AB's have just assembled a week ago. Ireland have NEVER beaten the AB's..never!

Ona sad note, my man Jerry "the inforcer" Collins was absent and has subsequently retired from NZ sport altogether. A shame but his service to NZ rugby has been huge and good luck for the future, mostly probably in Europe with a fat contract doing what his does best, the damage.

Rebel Sport Super 14 Finals

The Canterbury Crusaders
By now the finals have been and gone, the champions have been crowned and it wasn't my team the Wellington Hurricanes. The Cane's couldn't quite get past the Crusaders adn the final was played out b/t the NSW Waratahs & the Crusaders and the kiwi team was triumpant...again. The Canterbury Crusaders have now won this competition 7 times, the most of any team. Although it wasn't the mighty Cane's, at least it was a kiwi team eh.

Now the international test season begins...the serious stuff.