WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Trans-Tasman Heartbreakers

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Trans-Tasman Heartbreakers

13/09/10 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: A resilient All Blacks came back to break Australian hearts in Sydney. Led by the most capped All Black captain, Richie McCaw, the team scraped through to a 24-23 victory over the Wallabies. In his 52nd appearance as captain McCaw has only lost a total of six matches as skipper.

The All Blacks probably put out their worst performance of the Tri Nations, they were rusty and without some classy frontline players. But to turn a 22-9 deficit into victory in the last 15 minutes was testament to the character and leadership within this team.

One factor that compelled the team throughout the week was the people of Canterbury and there wasn’t one All Black who didn’t mention that they played to put a smile on the faces of those affected by the earthquake.

YOUNG GUNS: One sobering factor to come out of Saturday’s victory was the performance of the backup players. The gap was evident to see, however the gamble made by Henry to give the younger charges a chance was looking good until Kevin Mealamu went off injured.

When ‘Kevvy’ went off, the unplanned early replacement of Corey Flynn exposed his inexperience at test level and a deficiency at lineout time. Israel Dagg was still very impressive and Victor Vito was solid for the most part. Aaron Cruden just needed to get his hands on the ball some more early in the game. The positive is these players will be better for the experience, and it didn’t cost the game.

WALLABIES: In the rankings and on field the Wallabies are clearly the second best team in the world. Australia showed some brilliant attacking flair that thrilled the 70,000-plus crowd in Sydney. But make no mistake the Wallabies could and probably should have won this game. It was the four missed goal kicks that led to the 10th straight loss to the All Blacks. As McCaw alluded to winning is a habit and it’s about belief.

WARRIORS: The Warriors and fans alike suffered heartbreak as the Kiwis were knocked out of the NRL finals. Outclassed 28-16 by the Gold Coast Titans side they were left vulnerable heading into Saturday.

Unfortunately it was a Kiwi who put the first nail in the coffin, a try to Kiwi Shaun Kenny-Dowall saw the Roosters upset Wests Tigers 19-15. The final blow came as Canberra withstood a late comeback in a 24-22 upset victory over Penrith. These two upsets and the controversial McIntyre finals system have the Warriors looking to 2011 to break the duck.

US OPEN: Kim Clijsters successfully defended her US Open crown in impressive fashion. Clijsters dismantled Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1 at Flushing Meadows. Victory was short and sweet, in a time of exactly one hour it was the quickest women's Open final since time records began in 1980.

Rafael Nadal eased past Mikhail Youzhny 6-2 6-3 6-4 in the men’s semi-final to reach the US Open final for the first time. A victory would mean a career grand slam of all the majors for Nadal.

Novak Djokovic prevented Nadal and Roger Federer becoming the first two players to contest the title match at all four majors. Djokovic survived two match points to defeat Federer over five sets.

FORMULA ONE: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has won on home soil, taking the Italian F1 Grand Prix. Second place went to McLaren's Jensen Button while Felipe Massa, in the second Ferrari, took the last podium position. Red Bull's Mark Webber regained the lead in the Formula One drivers' championship. The previous championship leader, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton crashed out on the first lap.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: At the halfway point of the ITM Cup the race for the play-offs is on. But for every team apart from the top-two, the top seven is the focus. After this year the competition will split into a top and bottom tier, the cut-off is seventh place.

Some key results over the weekend saw Southland thump North Harbour 47-21 to retain the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury joined Southland at the top tight 27-23 win over Northland. That win had a lot to do with the SBW factor; Sonny Bill Williams looked sharp with three offload try assists. Auckland held off Wellington 21-15 in atrocious conditions at Eden Park and Taranaki moved into the top four with a 28-19 victory over Counties Manukau.

NZ FOOTBALL: The Wellington Phoenix stretched their unbeaten run at home to 22 matches with a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC in soggy conditions. The win came thanks to a handy tradition of debutants scoring at the cake-tin. New signing Nick Ward unleashed a lightning strike in the 72nd minute for the victory.

The Nix now head across the ditch to play consecutive matches in Melbourne. They face the Victory in a midweek game on Wednesday and the Heart on Sunday. Melbourne Victory have found some form with new signing Ricardinho scoring in Victory’s 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar.

In domestic soccer news the Miramar Rangers have won the Chatham Cup with a 3-1 final victory over Bay Olympic at North Harbour Stadium. Man-of-the-match went to Rangers’ goalkeeper Phil Imray who saved a 77th minute penalty to help seal the win.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea are out in front after a Michael Essien double helped them to a 3-1 win over West Ham. Manchester United have dropped points again after Everton fought back to snatch a 3-3 draw. Arsenal are among the leaders after a 4-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Perhaps the biggest surprise has Blackpool inside the top four after a 2-0 defeat of Newcastle.

V8 SUPERCARS: The Kiwi drivers are looking good ahead of next month’s big race at Bathurst. The V8 Supercars roared into action during the Phillip Island endurance classic. Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife combined to produce victory for Holden. New Zealander Jason Richards and Andy Jones finished third. Kiwi Shane Van Gisbergen was third in qualifying but fell back during the race.

(A service from Content Ltd.)

© Scoop Media