Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 26th March 2008
With Adam Gilchrist now in retirement, the title of world’s best wicketkeeper-batsman is up for grabs. MS Dhoni of India, Mark Boucher of South Africa and Kumar Sangakarra of Sri Lanka are all worthy contenders to the crown, but for me the answer is: Brendon McCullum.
Posted in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, cricket | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 21st March 2008
The old “game of two halves” cliché certainly applied on Friday night as the Crusaders beat the Waratahs 34-7 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Posted in Australia, New Zealand, Super 14, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 20th March 2008
Round six of the Super 14 see several teams fighting for their lives, others looking to get their seasons back on track and everyone chasing the unbeaten Crusaders and Sharks.
Posted in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Super 14, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 15th March 2008
The Crusaders kept their unbeaten record intact, beating the Cheetahs 55-7 at AMI Stadium in a nine tries to one romp, but lost one of their young star to a serious shoulder injury.
Posted in New Zealand, South Africa, Super 14, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 13th March 2008
Round five of the Super 14 has just 12 teams in action but still promises some great match ups. While there are likely to be a couple of blow out results, the clash between the Blues and Force will have even neutral fans on the edge of their seats.
Posted in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Super 14, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 12th March 2008
After just four weeks of the experimental laws, the Super 14 is showing that they produce a faster and more action packed game. But the Northern Hemisphere seem reluctant to adopt them, perhaps stuck in a style of rugby from 30 years ago.
Posted in Australia, New Zealand, Six Nations, Super 14, opinion, rugby | 2 Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th March 2008
Just four short months after the Rugby World Cup, the turnabout in form for some teams is nothing short of miraculous. With one round left in the competition Hamish McBrearty wonders who these men in white or red really are.
Posted in Six Nations, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th March 2008
The Sharks and Crusaders kept their unbeaten records intact and the spectre of foul play raised its ugly head as this weekends Super 14 fixtures came to a close.
Posted in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Super 14, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th March 2008
Over this round of Super 14 there have been a few instances of foul play, some of which have gone unpunished, others have not been punished enough. Given the mine field of inconsistency from the officials, it’s about time rugby administrators gave the referees firm guidelines to deal with foul play.
Posted in New Zealand, South Africa, Super 14, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th March 2008
Bringing back my old “Aw Ref” column, which takes a weekly in-depth look at at controversial or misunderstood refereeing decisions. The week we look at the performance of Bryce Lawrence, who controlled his 100th first class fixture when the Highlanders hosted the Hurricanes, and seemed to be a bit confused about the intention of the new experimental laws.
Posted in Aw Ref, New Zealand, Super 14, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
