Sporting notes

The biggest news was Fiji’s first ever win over France in Rugby, other results saw NZ rejoin the winners list with a 66-3 win over Italy. The Wallabies lost 18-37 to England. Yes, I think we still have to work out what it all means in the lead up to the world cup. 

Fair enough for Ireland to named team of the year. Maybe more surprising to some that there was one All Black in the Wolrd XV. I think we're lucking to get one. 

Speaking of World Cup’s – as expected the Southern Stars won the Women’s T20 Wold Cup. Certainly, a lot of players in the Australian team my children can look up too. The first test between Australia and India is coming up soon which should be interesting.

The Champions League groups will more or less be decided this week – with a host of teams set to confirm the qualification for the next stage of the Europa League or Champions League. The tournament should get a whole lot more interesting with some of the next stage ties.

The New Zealand u/17s have made the Semi-finals of the tournament for the first time defeating Japan 4-3 on penalties. NZ will play Spain for a spot in the final. Needlesss to say more wiill be re draw for the Women’s World Cup will be held on December 8.

Def Leppard / Scorpions (Dallas Crane) Concert review

Def Leppard was one of the first metal bands I recall getting into - I think it was David Gray and Michael Gromek who were the inspiration. It was I think 1991, and Let's Get Rocked cane out. The attitude in that song certainly resonated with the teenager in me. I don't recall Def Leppard visiting Australia often, so I had been keeping an eye on tickets hopeful that if I was well enough the week before, I'd buy a ticket and go. I do have to admit it was touch and go at some points about whether I would go, but I did end up going, and they did not disappoint.

I have to admit, I am a Scorpions fan, and the fact they couldn't perform was disappointing, as was the way the news wasn't really circulated before the show at the venue. That said I still had an awesome night. Most people would remember The Scorpions from this song Winds of Change. I feel like it was their only big hit in Australia.

It was quite an interesting crowd, comprised mostly of dads and their teenage daughters and sons. There was certainly a lot of long hair in the room.

Have to take my hat of to Dallas Crane - a Melbourne based rcok band who were invited mid afternoon to play. The crowd warmed up slowly for them. Have to admit I won't be checking them out in the future, but they did a great job, in the circumstances.

Def Leppard hit the stage just after 9, and began by playing their album Hysteria in full, before concluding with a variety of tracks - some pre Hysteria and some more recent, like Let's Get Rocked, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad.  Hard to believe that Hsyteria is now 31 years old.

A couple of highlights for me were Love Bites, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad, Hysteria, and there was a very tasteful and moving tribute to Stephen Clark, their original lead guitarist. I am blown away every time I look at Rick Allen - their drummer who has one arm and plays mostly with his feet. If you're just listening to the music you'd just never know that.

Joe Elliot fnished by telling us we were a great audience, and that they won't forget us, and they're will be a next time - they will be back. I'm certainly hoping his words come true.

Edited to include the setlist:

Women / Rocket / Animal / Love Bites / Pour Some Sugar on Me / Armageddon It / Gods of War / Don't Shoot Shotgun / Run Riot / Hysteria / Excitable / Love and Affection
Encore: Let It Go / When Love and Hate Collide / Let's Get Rocked / Rock of Ages / Photograph.

What I've been in to - October Part II

I wanted to revisit this post from October as I feel there's a few more points to make.  While I was in hospital the last time my cousin gave me a copy of Geraint Thomas' The World of Cycling According to G'. 

I finally finished the reading it, and while it hasn't turned my to love cycling and certainly have a greater appreciation for the tactics and training involved in the sport and likewise understand while so many get so little sleep each Winter because of a race around France. Thomas writes with a sense of fun and love of the sport and both are clearly come across on each page. His followup based on his experiences on the Tour de France could be a good read too.

I haven't pick a new book to start so with oodles of waiting room time on the cards this weeks I will have to soon :)

Back on to the music front, My treat to myself this month was an 8 CD and 1 DVD collection of R.E.M. performances recorded by the BBC. While I haven't yet worked my through the whole collection, the complete recording of their 1999 set from Glastonbury and from Jools Holland stood out as collections I wanted to hear.  It's fascinating reading the linear notes, and the journalists reflection on both the music and musicians.

The other notable musical event was the release of Abby Dobson's new solo album. I've always just loved her voice and songwriting, and the album certainly doesn't disappoint of that front.

Onto sport. 
Not a lot to say I guess. It is actually on of the harder weeks I find to be a sports fan, with the build up, running and post-game of the Melbourne Cup dominating TV.  I just can't seem to get into it.

• Its maddening the South Africa v Australia One Series is not on free-to-air TV. Though with the Australian performance - losing by 6 wickets with 120 balls to spare - maybe that is a small mercy that it is not on TV.  In case you were wondering the next ODI is on Friday from Adelaide. Hopefully a more competitive game.
• NZ lost 8/23 to lose the match and their T20 series against Pakistan 3-0. The NZ summer of cricket continues with Tests against Pakistan.
• The Champions League continues this week too with a few teams able to seal their passage into the next round on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Interestingly also this week was talk of a new European Super League. Not sure what I think about this.  I do kind of like the Champions League in its current form. 

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