Wrap - Who Would Have Thought?

1. NRL International. New Zealand had a great win over the complacent Australians. Usually it is the other way around, but over there it is always a struggle. It looks like some of the New Zealand players are actually caring enough to be bothered these days. An enthralling end to the game, but too laboured and slow by Australia. Jake Trobejivic was outstanding and Valentine Holmes electric. If north Queensland snare him, that will be a great signing for them. Cronulla have everyone they want, but they need young legs. Losing Jessie Ramien is a big loss.


A great effort by coach Maguire who must be on a good wicket there to knock back coaching Manly. Fancy getting Des back to coach. Honestly that club is the closest to folding out of all of them. Shaky financials and rusted on culture.

2. Major League Baseball. The Houston Astros did a number on the Boston Redsox in their first game. Too strong all over the park. Boston need to unleash their bats if they are to bounce back. It will be a struggle for the Redsox whose bullpen has been found wanting at the back end of the season. Plenty more needed there. 

3. The Everest. Redzel ran an amazing race to be a two time winner of the $13 million Everest race. It is a lot of coin for such a short race. However, the field was pretty awesome. The wet deck was a test, but Redzel was amazing. The 50-1 shot winner in the Country equivalent - The Kosciusko - was a great story. The owners looked like they enjoyed a drink. If they didn't then, they do now!


4. Andrew Gaze - NBA Sydney Kings. Hopefully he can turn things around, but really they are stacked to the hilt now with stars and they still can't produce - although Adelaide are pretty awesome. Bogut won't be able to do it on his own. His body is hanging together by a thread I suspect.


5. Cricket. A great effort by Khawaja and Paine to save the Test. Nice to see Paine step up as he has been moderate at best as skipper. This is as close to a win as we might see, so lap it up! Finch went well, but the middle order was awful really. All of them got ducks in one of the two innings- S Marsh, M Marsh (who would have thought?), T. Head and M. Labuschagne. Horrible. However Marnus got some wickets which was at least something. Lyon and Holland OK, but these decks are too flat. Spice them up.


6. Usain Bolt. Good to see him score some goals. What does that say about the standard of our league?


7. Parramatta. In a week where the club completed, but did not publish, its report into the culture at the club (finding lack of leadership and ill discipline the twin evils behind a wooden spoon winning season - who would have thought?), young Jaeman Salmon graduated into the ranks of Parramatta stupidity with his effort in a car crash where we are told: "the 19-year-old’s white Jeep Cherokee hit three parked cars before rolling onto its roof, stopping southbound traffic in Miranda in Sydney’s south". As you do. A normal night out. Yet another goose embodying the lack of leadership and complete ill discipline of anyone who walks in the door of that joint. I am going to run for a position on the Board of that place one day and straighten the joint out.


8. AFL. The trade whispers and draft talk are almost making the code a laughing stock. Trying to become like a US sport and failing miserably. Have an off season and relax.