- Great win by the Blackcaps in the West Indies during the week. Only the second New Zealand Test victory in the West Indies. Neesham has scored centuries in his first two tests (the first Kiwi to do so) and Mark Craig's 8-188 (match figures) was great on debut.
- Both the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos made the Final of the World Cup against The Netherlands. The Hockeyroos lost 0-2 (repeating their pool result), the Kookaburras are World Champions after a 6-1 win (maybe the Socceroos should watch it, to get some ideas...)
- The Giants win on the road for the first time, kick their highest score and have their biggest winning margin against the Brisbane Lions. Great effort.
- Really great game between Sydney & Port Adelaide. Sydney certainly missed Tippett and McGlynn. I have the feeling these two teams will meet again in September. maybe a prelim final, maybe the Grand Final. Franklin is getting better for the Swans. The other talking point, the 41,317 crowd is the biggest at the SCG since 1997.
- Surprised by the West Coast's win against the Gold Coast. It's the sort of game the Suns needed to win to make the Finals, though with ASADA (and Watson's injury) haunting the Bombers, they might just stay in the eight. Adelaide are the other team who could sneak into the eight.
- On ASADA & the Bombers -- It seems that Essendon are paying for their crimes twice. I would like to see drugs out of sport - but it is hard to describe the ASADA investigation as anything other than a disorganised chaotic mess.
- The Demons-Bombers game would have been quite a thrilling game to watch - especially if you don't follow either team. Roos would have been a great asset for the Dees given the tendencies the Swans had for close finishes.
- But the Bulldog's win over the Magpies was the upset of the round...
- State of Origin ... its hard to get the thought of a Queensland win out of my head - everything is pointing against them, but these are the games they find a way to win.
- I'm glad to hear there is a growing number of people saying the Origin should be played over three weeks. Waiting for the TV executives to get on board.
- Penrith remain at the top of the table with their win against the Dragons, though Manly have one game in hand.
Rugby
- Anther patchy performance from the All Blacks - but better than last week. Second half showed glimpses of the rugby they are capable of, and will hoping for more like it during the Championship. Barrett was much better than last week.
- If there was a prize for winning ugly, it would have gone to the Wallabies last night, with their 6-0 win against France. It was the Wallabies first try-less test under McKenzie. The most disappointing aspect the performance was the number of times the Wallabies kicked the ball away, and the decisions they made to shoot for goal rather than go for a try. If the French had the discipline shown by the English last night - they would have stolen the game 7-6. Folau hardly saw the ball.
- Given their performance against Wales last night - the Springboks should probably be favourite for the Championships at the moment.
- The final of the Junior Rugby World Cup, will be between England & South Africa, after they beat Ireland & New Zealand in the respective semi-finals.
World Cup
- I'll wait for the first matches in each group are finished before looking at the field. Couple of general comments.
- Can't remember a tournament where standard of refereeing hasn't been mentioned as a problem. It is the human part of sport. Sometimes wrong decisions will be made (just like they are made by the players). I have no problem living with this.
- Impressed in the number of goals so far 28 in seven games. Hoping this trend continues.
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