One of the bigger sporting weekends for some time is upon us. The NRL is into the play-offs, the ITM Cup is heating up, there's another Ranfurly Shield match, and the Tri-Nations concludes.
First up the NRL. It's a huge match tonight for the Vodafone Warriors when they play the Titans in week one of the play-offs. Heading into the post-season in fifth, it's not quite do-or-die time; two of the teams below them would have to beat higher-ranked opponents and the Warriors lose for them to be eliminated in week one under the convoluted McIntyre system. On the other hand, a win to the Warriors would give them a home match in week two, and that's what we're tipping.
We're off the Wellington tomorrow to watch the Phoenix take on Sydney FC. This is shaping as a huge match for the 'Nix. They've lost a bit of momentum on the road after a promising start to the season, there's the "unbeaten at home" run to defend, and there's the small matter of the Hand of Payne in the A-League finals last year. Doubtless Yellow Fever will not have forgotten that moment of infamy. We're meeting up with James Stephenson and young son for a pre-match lubricant, so we should be in fine voice by kick-off!
That means, of course, that we won't see the All Blacks play Australia, although we have planned our return trip so that we will be in our car by kick-off! We'll preview the match in the morning, but we like the look of the All Black team that has been selected, and wonder if Henry Inc have a weather's eye on 2011 in the mix they have selected. It should be a cracking match.
But the BIG rugby match this weekend takes place right here in little ole W(h)anganui, where Chester Borrows' Parliamentary XV takes on Michael Laws' Mayoral XV in the curtainraiser at Cooks Gardens. We reckon that the pollies will be queueing up to deal to Laws at the bottom of the rucks; he may have been imprudent to even hint at a Lazarus-like comeback!
That's it from us; what say you?
6 comments:
Well done inv2 you maintain your lead in my ITM Virtual Rugby mates.
Dare I ask how we can have a dysfunctional Hurricanes inside back and midfield combination line up starting tomorrow. I hope it doesn't comeback to bite the AB's.
Looking forward to it Inv - t'young 'un has been promised a Phoenix scarf to show off at creche if he behaves between now and Saturday afternoon. I'll be the one with the Tranmere scarf...
It will be a great test of the defense of the rejigged ABs in Sydney and a good window on the virtually untried depth issues. I hope Slade gets on the paddock for a first cap as his form has been solid and going back to the future with McAllister is something to be avoided as his level is a little below that required for a big International imho.
They will need to be on their game from the get go as the Aussie's opening 20 minutes on the high veldt was pretty impressive, Beale Cooper and Ashley Cooper make Giteau look a whole lot better. Our 8 need to take it to them from the kickoff.
It will indeed be interesting to see how Cruden goes and I'd be surprised if Slade doesn't get a chance especially with Delany looking good for BoP last night - I'd say the three wise monkeys would want to see him play at test level sooner rather than later.
Chatting to a Saffer colleague earlier who was whinging about Richie McCaw "getting away with cheating"...I had a flash of insight. He doesn't "get away with it" because he's Richie McCaw...he's Richie McCaw because he's clever enough to get away with what he does!
@pdm - the key to it might be in the coaching. Henry, Smith and co have a lot more vision than Colin Cooper.
I really hope Michael survives the day in one piece. I have heard that he has protection in the form of a big Samoan player!
PHEW!!!
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