WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Wallabies show grit

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Wallabies show grit, Warriors dominate

09/08/10 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

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION: The All Blacks have retained the Bledisloe Cup by beating the Wallabies 20-10 in Christchurch. A record equalling run of nine victories against the Australians also bought up 13 successive wins for this All Blacks team.

OMINOUS SIGNS: It was a vastly improved performance from the Australian side. The Wallabies dominated territory and possession throughout the match. It was their inability to convert pressure into points cost them the game. All they lacked was a creative spark, a player who can mesmerise defences, throw miracle balls and instil confidence in those around him. Luckily for Australia they do have a New Zealander available - Quade Cooper will return from suspension this week and with him the Australians are a different prospect.

ALL BLACKS IN SOCCER CITY: The Tri Nations competition has a week off with the All Blacks only one point shy of reclaiming the title. But this All Black team will not go to Africa for a bonus point, they want to beat the Springboks in their own backyard. Unbeaten in 2010 the All Blacks next opponent is South Africa. They play the wounded beast at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto on August 21.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: The second round of the ITM Cup was played this weekend but there was perhaps just as much interest in a third tier club rugby game in Christchurch as Sonny Bill Williams ran out for his Belfast Club.

A host of tight games and many potential upsets went begging. The Shield challenge was magnificent a true testament to what the Ranfurly Shield does for Provence and each game they defend it. Counties Manukau cemented their place as this year’s fan favourites with another big upset, this time beating Wellington at the cake tin.

SONNY BILL: This man turned down a record $5.4 million to play club rugby at Belfast primary school. But it is only the humble beginnings of a dream to become an All Black, and it is where they all started. The former NRL star scored a try and thrilled the crowd with his offload game, no one ever denied the natural talent of the future All Black.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Warriors crushed Cronulla Sharks 37-10 at Shark Park. It was a timely return to form after back-to-back losses. Young winger Bill Tupou claimed a late hat-trick of tries and James Maloney kicked the goals to seal victory.

Currently sitting in eighth position the Warriors need at least two wins from their last four games to ensure they play finals football. A tough challenge waits as the in-form Knights arrive in Auckland for next Sunday’s clash.

GOLF: Another blow for Tiger Woods as the world number 1shot his worst ever round on the PGA tour, even including the times he played as an amateur. The 72-hole score of 298 at the Bridgestone Invitational is 39 more than the record he posted at the same event 10 years ago.

World number two Phil Mickelson missed the chance to take the top spot, he needed to finish better than fourth he couldn’t manage that even though he started the final day four shots behind the leader.

Tiger Woods' hopes of continuing his five-year reign as world number one will likely end this on at the PGA Championship this weekend.

NZ BASKETBALL: New Zealand secured a 69-68 victory over Iran in Istanbul. The
Tall Blacks are playing in a warm-up tournament for the Basketball World Championships. Iran are not easy-beats, the current Asian Champions were favourites heading into the match but a solid final quarter effort claimed the game for the Kiwis. The world champs starts in Turkey in a month’s time.

NZ HOCKEY: The New Zealand men's hockey team had a chance to secure a semi-final place overnight at the six nation champion’s trophy in Germany. Instead, they not only went down 4-3 to England but lost to Spain 2-3 later in the day during the play-off for fifth and sixth place. The latter meaning they will be relegated from the elite men's hockey tournament won by Australia.

NZ CRICKET: The Blackcaps will be without Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder for the upcoming Tri-series with India and Sri Lanka. Ross Taylor led the inexperienced team to a 185 run win in their final warm-up game against Sri Lanka A. The one-day tournament gets underway tomorrow with New Zealand taking on hosts India.

OTHER SPORTS NEWS: Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt suffered his first defeat in two years. Bolt’s fierce rival Tyson Gay won their 100m clash at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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