At the beginning of this second Test between New Zealand and Australia, the Australians formed a guard of honour for Marais Erasmus standing in his final Test. It was a lovely touch from Pat Cummins and his men. But, also, presumably, an attempt to get the odd umpire’s call to go their way. (Things can […]
Carey the clutch king: Gloveman’s stunning 98, Cummins heroics keep Kiwi curse alive in thrilling comeback win
With his place as Australian wicketkeeper suddenly in jeopardy after a poor run of scores with the bat, Alex Carey’s brilliant unbeaten 98 to steer his team to a thrilling three-wicket victory over New Zealand did more than just win the match for his country – it might prove a career-saver. Needing 202 runs for […]
John Hart’s glorious Athletic Park heroes, how Australia had the last laugh, and could Ireland suffer the same fate?
It was the was the ultimate mix of old and new; and the greatest display of wet weather rugby we’re ever likely to see. THE OLD The old was Athletic Park, a unique, epic arena. A stadium so exposed to the elements on the high Berhampore Plateau, with low open terraces at either end pointing […]
UCL Preview: Gunners aiming to flip script, Inter and Atleti well poised and a potential belter in Barcelona
The Champions League is back this week, and this time they’re playing for keeps. All four ties are well and truly alive after the first legs, with two home victories, for Inter and FC Porto, setting up second legs in which the home teams, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, will have to attack, and two draws […]
Five things we learned: Why Schmidt is in a better place than Rennie was, how Kiss has transformed Reds
The naïve theory is because the Wallabies failed to make the World Cup knockout stages, Joe Schmidt’s side are in for a tough few years ahead. But that’s not quite accurate. The Wallabies always had the talent to make the final eight, perhaps even the last four in France last year, but a combination of […]