WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Wallabies comeback

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Wallabies comeback, Chelsea on top

01/11/10 Executive sport summary – An overview of the major sporting events – Results, key moments and talking points – Everything you need to know to foot it at the water cooler this week.

By Jonathan McKeown

ALL BLACKS: The Wallabies staged a remarkable comeback to beat The All Blacks in Hong Kong. James O’Conner was the hero for Australia scoring a try on full-time and converting for a 26-24 victory.

With the Bledisloe Cup already won the All Blacks were playing hoping to keep the foot on the throat of their plucky opponents. The Wallabies were playing for pride and to end a 10 match losing streak against New Zealand.

It was the Wallabies who came out swinging as the crossed for the first two tries to lead 12-0. The All Blacks then came storming back and tries to Jimmy Cowan, Ma’a Nonu and Corey Jane had the All Black in front 24-12 with 20 minutes to play.

Daniel Carter left the field and the structure of the All Blacks attack suffered, some simple errors and a missed penalty gave Australia a chance. The Wallabies were good enough to take it and end the All Blacks 15 match winning streak and a chance to claim the World Record.

New Zealand now head to London where they face an England team who must be in awe of the pace of game that was displayed by the top-two ranked teams in the world.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Waikato will face Canterbury in New Zealand rugby’s NPC final, the showpiece of the domestic season. Canterbury are looking for a third successive title after a fantastic semi-final against Wellington. The Lions couldn’t break their hoodoo going down to Canterbury again in a final, this time in an entertaining 57-41 loss.

Waikato left it late once again to beat Auckland at Eden Park, in the final play Waikato secured a 38-37 win and a spot in the final. In a replay of the last round-robin clash, Waikato will hope for a repeat result in an attempt to win their first title since 2006.

FOUR NATIONS: New Zealand beat Papua New Guinea 76-12 in their Four Nations match in Rotorua. The Kiwis scored 14 tries including hat-tricks for Sam Perett and Junior Sa'u. It was a one-sided affair but PNG certainly made their presence felt with some huge hits at the collision zone.

In the other match Australia beat England 34-14 to end the Roses hopes of progressing. The Kangaroos ran in six tries to two against an error plagued England. The Kiwis' next match is against Australia at Eden Park this weekend. The two sides will the back up a week later in the Four Nations final.

JUNIOR KIWIS: The Junior Kangaroos took on the Junior Kiwis in Rotorua in the Four Nations curtain raiser. After a 24-16 victory last weekend the Kangaroos were heavy favourites and the green and gold were cursing as they racked up a 20-0 halftime lead.

The second half was a different story as the Kiwis sprang into life. Much like the Junior Warriors this season, as soon as they got a roll-on they were almost unstoppable. The Junior Kiwis scored six tries-to-none to beat the Junior Kangaroos 36-20.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal took a 1-0 home win over West Ham United two keep second position while Chelsea stole a late 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers to remain in top spot. Manchester United held onto third and continued 21 year record beating Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford. Manchester City fell to a second successive loss 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were overjoyed with their upset of the glamour club. Fulham downed Wigan Athletic 2-nil and Everton accounted for Stoke 1-0.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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