1. NRL -Tonga. A dominant start and almost a late choke, but well done to them. Through to the Pacific Championships Final v Australia. The second time they have beaten New Zealand, but they will be hard to toss in the final. Their halves are sharp. Plenty of Katoas in the team... Eli, Isaiya and Sione. Like Smith in Tonga! Not sure that the Australian forwards are that dominant.
This is the same Pacific Championships where Samoa are not involved, instead playing in England. That is a strange one indeed.
Great time of year for sackings and new homes... Gutho, Hunt, The Fox. Unfortunately the quick fox tried to jump over the lazy dogs and failed. He is looking for a new club. Parramatta?
2. F1 - Oscar Piastri and McLaren. Half a chance for Lando Norris to win the drivers championship, but McLaren are right on top in the constructor's championship. Verstappen is looking for his straight F1 win. Piastri has had a great year coming foruth at present, but being a team man he will gift Norris the priority position to get valuable points.
3. Test Cricket. New Zealand Test Cricket has really risen on the back of this Indian tour after some pretty poor results leading in. Drawing with Bangladesh, losing to Australia and losing to Sri Lanka...
They pushed India really hard at 6/92 at lunch when only defending a low total. Pant continues to prove himself as a match winner. After lunch 4/55 was needed by New Zealand for a whitewash. Too many run outs by India at present. They had another two this Test.
NZ were extraordinary in getting 3-0 result. That is unheard of in India and at Mumbai. First time ever for an Indian whitewash! Ever! No Santer. No Williamson. Incredible! India actually look a bit unfit and their batting was not good enough. Heads will no doubt roll!
4. Nathan McSweeney. What a tremendous effort v India A when all the other hopefuls crashed and burned. Bancroft has been terrible (10 runs in five inns in 2024) and Harris and Konstas, just mild efforts. McSweeney could open. He would be as good as any others. The interesting news is that Renshaw has disappeared from contention. Thank goodness for that.
Beau Wester also had a ripping game. Hilton Cartwright a 150 for WA in the Shield too.
5. Rugby. NZ beat England in a slashing Test overnight. Some costly goal kicking misses, but NZ are amazing. Scott Robertson has not had an easy start, but he is starting to fire!
6. EPL. Man City beaten by Bournemouth and Notts Forest now coming third! Arsenal are fading. Man U have sacked their coach and Liverpool are on top!
7. James McDonald. Two new Group 1s on the weekend. On great terms with his bank manager, but no Melbourne Cup ride... what? Owners should be scrambling! Flemington was glorious on the weekend. A stunning course and huge Derby Day crowd.
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