Yours Please #2

By  Kiwi Kali, Hamish Girvan and Graeme Woolf

We have decided to introduce a regular new series.  “Yours Please” asks three Sportsfreak affiliates their thoughts on what has happened – and what may happen – in the sporting world.

This week, @kiwi_kali, @girvana and @gcwoolf give us their thoughts on the weekend’s events.

NZ win two tests in India in 70 years, then two in two weeks.  Have the tables turned in world cricket?

@kiwi_kali – Let’s not get carried away. The mantra of being a Blackcaps fan is that it’s the hope that kills you. On paper, there is no way that this side should be up 2-0 against India at home, and certainly not thanks to Mitchell Santner’s bowling. What hasn’t really been talked about is the form of India, their batters particularly, and the lack of influence of Jadeja and Ashwin. It’s a great achievement, don’t get me wrong, and I’m celebrating as hard as the next person, but there are still issues with the makeup of the Blackcaps side (it pains me, but we need to talk about Tom Blundell), and this historic series win shouldn’t let us lose sight of that.

@girvana – Yes and no.  An historic win, however, Santner had one of “those” test matches and I’d doubt he will be fortunate again to get a pitch like that again to bowl on. It has definitely quietened a lot of the negativity around the recent performances – and those that questioned whether the Blacks Caps should have flown home for a break before this series and have some friends and whanau time should maybe look at themselves.

@gcwoolf – I wouldn’t say they’ve turned but some of the Indians could be on their way out. Our series v England at home has the potential to be a close one now. Santner or Phillips for the spinner/batter spot? Or both? I still can’t believe what Santner did.

 

Assuming you stayed awake for the second half, which of the All Blacks stood out for you against Japan?

@kiwi_kali – Dude, I was too busy watching the cricket.

@girvana – Watched the first 60 mins then went to watching the cricket. Firstly, it would be nice if the All Black selectors showed a bit of respect to Japan and picked a full strength team to play Japan one day. Roigard is definitely back in the first team mix and Sititi is carrying on with his Rugby Championship form. Others played to their level and maybe look more at home in the NZ A team. A messy performance really.

@gcwoolf – Wallace Sititi. I thought he was outstanding at No.8. I must admit, I only watched the first half as the cricket won out for me, but Cam Roigard was lively and looked to be building back into last year’s form nicely.

 

Is Chris Wood the most prominent New Zealander in world sport right now?

@kiwi_kali – Who? Sorry, that was facetious. I am notorious at Sportsfreak Towers for my lack of interest in and knowledge of football. I do know that he plays in the EPL and seems to be doing well. I couldn’t quote stats, but I do wonder if Liam Lawson pips Chris Wood in terms of the global appeal of Formula 1, and the fact that there are only 20 drivers on the grid vs hundreds(?) of footballers.

@girvana – Wood is having a stellar start to the season and is in what is described as a goal scorers “purple patch”.  Most prominent though may be a stretch. There are plenty of others who are prominent right now, especially some of the White and Silver Ferns and even Mitch Santner. Let’s see Wood’s goal tally come season’s end.

@gcwoolf – He’s one of a number including Liam Lawson & Lydia Ko who are on the world stage in their particular sports every week. With him performing so well in the Premier League though, maybe he is.

 

So the Constellation Cup Netball Series sits at 3-0 – where did THAT come from?  Are we that much better or are Australia struggling a little at the moment?

@kiwi_kali – It’s a well overdue change in fortunes after the series loss to England at home. I didn’t watch any of the games, so can’t comment on Australia’s performance, but perhaps Dame Noeline’s tactics and emphasis on player fitness have finally paid off. I grew up watching and loving netball, but it is a bit problematic in that the only way to overcome a deficit is to intercept a pass, and there’s a heavy reliance on shooting accuracy.

@girvana – The Ferns are more focused and dominant than they have been since the 2019 World Cup win. Dame Noeline certainly seems to have the right mix of players now and by the sounds of it some very physical training camps over the past month look like they are paying off. One concern going forward is Grace Nweke leaves the Ferns set up to further her career in Australia after this year. Can the Ferns still be as dominant shooting wise? Oh, and NZ Media please stop calling Dame Noeline “Noels” in media conferences. It is too matey matey and lacks respect.

@gcwoolf – This has been interesting to follow, and I didn’t see this result coming at all, after the England series. It’s a combo for me of Australia struggling and the Ferns learning and being more consistent throughout the court.

 

What interest did you have in the Kangaroos win over the Kiwis in Christchurch?  Was it all a little flat?

@kiwi_kali – League is second only to football in being at the bottom of my list of sports I follow. So, I asked ChatGPT:

“Australia took an early lead with strong attacking plays and solid defence. The Kiwis responded with their own aggressive tactics, scoring some impressive tries. Key players from both sides made significant impacts, with standout performances contributing to the tension of the match.  Ultimately, the game was closely contested, with both teams exchanging leads and fighting hard until the final whistle. The atmosphere was electric, reflecting the fierce rivalry between these two nations in rugby league.”

@girvana – Only was on in the background and was not really watching but the final score was closer than predicted. It’s been some sporting weekend so had to sacrifice watching something!

@gcwoolf – An interest in the score but that’s about it. Since the NRL finished, there’s been so much great sport on, and the end of the season seems like an eternity ago. I think for me at least, league has been forgotten about until next season.

Follow Kiwi Kali  Hamish  Graeme on Twitter