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 »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 4th March 2008
The New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions have announced that there will be a fourth test in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series to be played in Hong Kong on November 1. International rugby may be crying out for a number of things, but another trans-Tasman clash certainly isn’t one of them.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, New Zealand, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 3rd March 2008
ICL, ICC, IPL, BCCI, cricket’s version of alphabet soup comes served with a side of confusion as India’s big money power struggle threatens international cricket.
Posted in India, New Zealand, cricket, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 27th February 2008
After two visits to AMI Stadium in a little over a week, I was absolutely staggered at the drunken, loutish behaviour on display. At exactly what point did sports and drinking to excess become linked in our “culture”?
Posted in cricket, opinion, rugby, sports | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 26th February 2008
The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have suspended Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic for nine months, plus a further six months probation for violent conduct after he slapped referee Mark Shields’ hand. This may seem like a strong message that touching officials will not be tolerated, but this is also same body who did not suspend Newcastle’s Joel Griffith when he struck an assistant referee.
Posted in A League, Football, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th January 2008
India flexing their muscles with the game’s governing board, secret trials, poor umpires and Ricky Ponting just wants his team to be loved. The fall out from the SCG test just keeps on coming, and it isn’t getting any prettier.
Posted in Australia, India, cricket, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th January 2008
Claim, counter-claim, accusation, counter-accusation, arrogance and threatening to take your ball home. Sounds like a school-yard squabble, but this is two of the biggest nations in world cricket.
Posted in Australia, India, cricket, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 7th January 2008
The Sydney test match between Australia and India is easily the most talked about sporting event of the year so far with allegations of racism, poor sportsmanship, underhanded tactics all served with a side of incompetent umpiring. But the amount of spin that surround the game would make Shane Warne proud, and as a neutral observer, perhaps I can cut through it.
Posted in Australia, India, cricket, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 3rd January 2008
The first test of 2008 is just two days old but has already produced some controversial umpiring decisions. Is it time for cricket to move into the 21st century and allow technology a greater role, or does the human element still provide some charm?
Posted in Australia, India, cricket, opinion | No Comments »
