2022 in Review: November
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By Aiden McLaughlin
At the Women’s Rugby World Cup, it’s semi-final time. Two excellent matches take place at Eden Park with pre-tournament favourites England coming out on top against Canada, 26-19. In the second, the Black Ferns hold on 25-24 after the French miss a last gasp penalty kick. In the final, a new record crowd of 42,579 occupy Eden Park. In a pulsating encounter, England take a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes before Lydia Thompson is sent off shortly afterwards for a tackle that makes contact with Portia Woodman’s head, seeing England down to 14 players for the rest of the game. Woodman is replaced by Ayesha Leti-I’iga who goes on to score two tries. With the Black Ferns leading 34-31 in the closing stages, England, whose lineout drive had been dominant throughout the tournament, get a lineout just metres from the New Zealand line. Lock Joanah Ngan-Woo gets the steal which secures the most dramatic of victories for the most likeable of teams.
The T20 Men’s World Cup continues and although New Zealand lose to England in the group stages, they qualify for the semi-finals, where they lose to Pakistan by seven wickets. England go on to beat Pakistan in the final. The Blackcaps return home where they face India in rain affected T20 and ODI series.
In the Men’s Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, Australia beat New Zealand 16-14 while Samoa gain revenge for their opening day defeat, beating England 27-26 on golden point. In the final, Australia run out comfortable winners by 30-10, securing their 12th title. In the women’s tournament, Australia dominate New Zealand to win their third consecutive title 54-4.
The All Blacks complete their end of year tour with two victories against Wales and Scotland and a draw against England. The Twickenham encounter, which marks Brodie Retallick’s 100th test, ensures that the players and coaches will have plenty to think about over the summer though as England come back from a 25-6 deficit with 10 minutes to go to share the spoils.
Lydia Ko wins a third LPGA Tour crown while claiming the Tour Championship in Florida. She also returns to number one in the women’s golf world rankings for the first time since 2017.
Steve Alker wins the season-long title on the PGA Champions Tour, taking his 2022 earnings to more than US$4.5 million.
Ryan Fox finishes second to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai DP World Tour standings, just a week after reaching a career high world ranking of 24.
Hayden Wilde takes third in the World triathlon championship series after finishing sixth in the series finale in Abu Dhabi.
Israel Adesanya loses his UFC middleweight title to Alex Pereira, a man who had defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden.
Brendon Hartley wins the World Endurance Championship alongside Sébastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa after finishing second in ‘8 Hours of Bahrain.’
Gold Trip wins the 162nd running of the Melbourne Cup.
The new A-League women’s season starts with back-to-back 4-1 defeats for the Wellington Phoenix, to Melbourne City and Western United.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United by mutual agreement after the Portuguese star’s interview with Piers Morgan, where he said he felt no respect from manager Erik ten Hag and was being forced out of the club.
The much-maligned FIFA Men’s World Cup starts in Qatar and provides plenty of early shocks, including the late decision not to serve alcohol to fans at stadiums. On the field, Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 and Japan beat Germany by the same scoreline.
The FAST5 Netball World Series takes place in Christchurch, with Australia winning the women’s competition, defeating South Africa 34-20 in the final. The New Zealand men beat their Australian rivals 29-25 in the first men’s version of the event.
The Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 to win their second baseball World Series.
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