Super Rugby
As a mark of respect for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake, the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Hurricanes was cancelled and the result officially registered as a draw.
AMI Stadium, which is the home of the Crusaders and is due to host games involving both Australia and England during this year’s Rugby Union World Cup, suffered serious flood damage and may be out of action for up to five months. There has been talk of moving some games to Australia but New Zealand Prime Minister John Key sees that as a last resort.
“If we can host the Rugby World Cup as we intend to in Christchurch, I would like to do that,” he said. “It is some way into the future, but it is a very important city to New Zealand and it would be a demonstration that it was back on its feet. One of the issues might be accommodation as there has been substantial damage to hotels, but that is something the Rugby World Cup minister, Murray McCully, will be looking at.”
The Melbourne Rebels rebounded from their humiliating debut defeat to the Waratahs last week with a dramatic last minute win over the Brumbies. English import Danny Cipriani played a key role in the team’s first victory, booting six penalties and a conversion in a game they would have lost were it not for some resolute defending.
While he may have starred on the field, Cipriani’s off pitch antics have come under scrutiny and he is being investigated for a nightclub incident where it’s alleged that he stole a bottle of vodka from the establishment. The fly half will most likely escape with just a fine and keep his place in the side this weekend.
In the other games, it was a great week for tippers with the Stormers, Sharks, Waratahs, Bulls and Highlanders all claiming their expected victories.
AFL
On Sunday, I headed to the newly-renamed Paterson’s Stadium (it will always be Subiaco Oval to the locals) to watch the West Coast Eagles defeat the competition’s latest side, the Gold Coast Suns, 87-50 in their NAB Cup quarter final. Just over 12,000 brave souls ventured out in the 36 degree heat to watch the first ‘Coast to Coast Derby’.
West Coast’s All Australian forward Mark LeCras, who helped himself to 12 goals in one game last year, enjoyed his first run out of 2011 and kicked the game’s opening goal. The Eagles now take on Collingwood at home in this weekend’s semi-final after the reigning Premiers saw off Sydney who were again without Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly.
Tommy Walsh continues to develop into an AFL player and was again included for St. Kilda, picking up seven possessions in the win over Geelong. The Saints will meet Essendon in the other semi final as the Bombers comfortably beat Melbourne.
Cricket World Cup
Neighbours Australia and New Zealand met in the Cricket World Cup on Friday and the Aussies running out comfortable winners with seven wickets and 16 overs to spare. An opening stand of 133-runs by Shane Watson (62) and Brad Haddin (55) set them on their way after the Kiwis struggled in their innings and were 6-73 at one stage.
More interesting than the game itself was Ricky Ponting’s attempt to go all rock star by smashing a tv in the dressing room having been dismissed for just 12. The skipper was officially reprimanded for his actions with a level one breach of the ICC code of conduct under clause 2.1.2, which covers “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.
Ponting laughed off reports that bystanders had been injured by flying glass, though cynics might say that’s the best connection he has made in yellow for a while.
