Sports shorts - 18 June

I've skipped a week, but bye weekends are not so much fun, I want more games not less.

NRL

• Anyway, Rugby League is dominated this week by the build up to State of Origin II.  Seems strange this year with NSW settled and Queensland having selecting dramas.  With the game in Sydney, NSW might not get a better chance to wrap up the series
• On the field this weekend wins for Souths, Melbourne (in a great game against the Cowboys) the Sharks and Eels. Maybe just maybe we'll see the Sharks and Storm face off in the Grand Final again this year.  If so, I'll be on the Storm. 

AFL

• Another win, and the Swans improve to 5-7. Hard to know if the win should be down to great effort from Sydney, or Richmond being 'Richmondy'. Just one win outside the eight. If they make the eight, they'll be the team noone wants to play. Next week will be another tough test against the Bombers. 
• Great to see Melbourne doing so well this year- just percentage outside the top four. 
• While its true the competition has been even this year, has it been good footy? I don't remember many standout games from the season so far.

Rugby

• The Lions tour is heating up, the Lions split their games this week losing to the Highlanders before a much better performance and win against the Maori.  The first test is next weekend and for me is shaping to be a good contest. 
• The All Blacks has a 78-0 win over Samoa. They looked good in patches, but have some improving to do still. 
• In other results, Scotland upset Australia 24-19. 
• The future of NZ Rugby looks good with the U20s All Blacks winning the final of the World Cup 64-17 against England. England's women team reversed that result beating the Black Ferns 29-21 in their four nations match. 

Other

• Forgot to mention last week, the Warriors won the NBA title with a super performance against Cleveland. 
• Watching the America's cup - NZ lead 3-0 but memories of losing after leading 8-1 last time are still fresh in my mind. 
• The Confederations Cup started, interested in it to see how the All Whites go, against Russia, Portugal and Mexico a point might be a stretch but we'll see.  Australia's group isn't much easier with a young German side, Chile and Cameron awaiting them.