WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: An Aussie takes the Tour de France

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: An Aussie takes the Tour de France, ABs thrash Fiji

25/07/11 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

TOUR DE FRANCE: Cyclist Cadel Evans has become the first Australian to win the Tour de France, at 34-years-old he is also the oldest to win since the event 1923. Evans ended Alberto Contador's three-year reign in the 21 stage 3,600km race.

In his third straight second placing Andy Schleck finished one minute 34 seconds behind Evans. Mark Cavendish claimed the green jersey as the tour's top sprinter for the first time although Cavendish has now won the classic finish on the Champs-Elysees three times.

FORMULA ONE: Lewis Hamilton secured his second win of the year with victory in the German Grand Prix. The McLaren driver was locked in a thrilling three-way battle with Ferrari and Red Bull but Hamilton held his nerve to finish ahead of Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.

Sebastian Vettel's superb run of 11 consecutive podiums ended with a fourth place and his championship lead was clipped by three still 77 points clear with nine races left.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: The All Blacks started their international season with a 60-14 victory over Fiji. New Zealand was far from clinical but still scored eight tries in a dominant display. The visitors scored two long range tries with typical Fijian speed and flair in Dunedin.

Despite the margin Fiji were strong in large patches as Pacific Island teams put their opponents on notice with good form ahead of the World Cup. The All Blacks will host South Africa following their bruising loss to Australia. With 21 top line players at home the young South African side have been dubbed the second-string Boks.

The Wallabies were at their breath-taking beast in the 2011 Tri Nations opener and two scorching long-range tries had Australia up 12-0 after just 12 minutes. The dangerous Australian backs counter-attacked from anywhere on the field to lead 39-6 at one stage. The Australians scored five tries to two led by the Queensland Reds’ dynamic duo of Will Genia and Quade Cooper. Australia were far too slick for the sluggish South Africans claiming a 39-20 victory

RANFURLY SHIELD: The Ranfurly Shield is back in Invercargill following an epic battle at Christchurch's Rugby Park. A resolute Southland upset Canterbury 22-19 to lift the famous Log o’ Wood. With three minutes remaining James Wilson kicked a pressure drop goal to seal victory.

In 2009 Southland won the Shield off Canterbury but had to hand it back in 2010. With two losses leading up to the Shield challenge, it seems no one except Southland rated their chances. Counties Manukau will provide the first challenge to the Stags’ reign next week.

PROVINCIAL RUGBY: The weekend’s action began early as Taranaki came from behind to secure a bonus point victory 30-23 over Waikato. Manawatu tamed the Taniwha beating Northland (30-22) for the first time since 1993.

Auckland overcame the fierce Wellington weather and Lions to record a 21-17 win. Bay of Plenty remain unbeaten with a bonus-point 38-17 win over North Harbour and on Sunday Counties Manukau scored four tries to two beating Tasman 32-23 in Blenheim.

NRL: South Sydney was blown off the park in a 48-16 loss to the Warriors with winger Manu Vatuvei scoring three of the Warriors nine tries. The Warriors’ traditional offload game was mixed with pin-point attacking kicks. The Kiwi franchise remains sixth on the ladder with 24 points two ahead of the Tigers.

Elsewhere Melbourne Storm secured an eighth successive win beating Brisbane 26-6 while Parramatta suffered yet another defeat in golden-point extra time 8-7 to the Bulldogs. A Jonathan Thurston spay spurred a Cowboys comeback win, 28-20 over the Gold Coast.

Wests Tigers consolidated a top-eight spot beating the Sydney Roosters 19-12 and a late surge helped Newcastle re-ignite their top-eight hopes shutting-out Cronulla 18-0.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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