Summary
That’s all from me on today’s special version of Sportwatch, which saw the 2017 NRL finals series and match-ups decided after a spectacular fall from grace from the St George Illawarra Dragons, who led the competition in round seven, before crashing out in the final round after an upset loss to the Bulldogs. Here are the finals match-ups for next week:
Friday 8th (Allianz Stadium) Roosters 2nd v Broncos 3rd
Saturday 9th (AAMI Park) Storm 1st v Eels 4th
Saturday 9th (Allianz Stadium) Sea Eagles 6th v Panthers 7th
Sunday 10th (Allianz Stadium) Sharks 5th v Cowboys 8th
Should be a fascinating semi-final week. Stay tuned for Matt Cleary’s NRL wrap-up tomorrow. Still think the Storm and Roosters are well ahead of their nearest rivals, with Storm surely favourites. Good to see the Cowboys scrape a finals spot are being so brave all season. Will also look forward to what could be a spiteful clash between the Sea Eagles and Panthers.
In netballing news, the New Zealand Ferns earlier took out a surprise Quad Series title after their convincing win against the Australian Diamonds, 57-47. After South Africa upset the English Roses, the Diamonds had only to win (or lose by less than 4 goals) to take out the title. They were hot favourites to do so, but the Ferns blitzed them from the first whistle, with an impressive defensive display from Jury, who took out player of the match. As solid as the Ferns were defensively, they were also potent in attack, with 35/41 to Selby-Rickit, and 17/18 to Bailey Mes at GA. The Diamonds will now be looking to settle their best side, and respective positions, in advance of the Constellation Cup, and Commonwealth Games.
Thanks for joining me today - and I hope you enjoyed this edition of Sportwatch. I’ll be back next week for finals. Can’t wait.
Canterbury Bulldogs beat St George Illawarra Dragons 26-20
Dragons get the ball back with just one minute to go - what can they make of it? Impressive effort - they make it all the way to 15m but ultimately come up short. Devastating for the Dragons, who led the competition in round seven, and are bundled out of contention in round 26. Dufty looks particularly heartbroken after the knock-on, while Graham looks thrilled with the unlikely Bulldogs victory, his last game for Canterbury before he crosses over to the Dragons next season. The Cowboys will be elated, as they now sneak into the finals in eighth.
Hopoate was the hero in the end for Canterbury - he had 198 metres run, a line break and a try to go with a try-saving intercept. Big game from David Klemmer for the Dogs who managed 214 run metres and 35 tackles. Lichaa, meanwhile continued his return to form with the winning try in the 73rd minute, and 37 tackles (a team-high). For the Dragons, Paul Vaughan and Jason Nightingale had the most run metres with 212 and 192 respectively. McInness (43) and Frizell (37) had the most tackles for the Dragons.
NRL H2 78:14 St George Illawarra Dragons 20-26 Canterbury Bulldogs
Six tackles for the Dragons - after the ball goes dead. Was almost a perfect kick from Mbye, but it just rolled over at the last minute. Nightingale almost makes it down the sideline again, but Lafai’s throw back on the inside is an awkward one and Dufty knocks it forward. Scrum to the Bulldogs.
NRL H2 76:36 St George Illawarra Dragons 20-26 Canterbury Bulldogs
Nightingale almost makes it down the sideline after a big, sweeping pass from Dufty - but guess who? Hopoate intercepts the kick. Not much left to play out here.
NRL H2 73:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 20-26 Canterbury Bulldogs
The Dragons are backed into a corner, and the Bulldogs are full of running after the last try. Will this go to Golden Point? Not a good finish to the set from the Bulldogs, who were 5m out - but the kick goes into the ankles of the Dragons’ defence.
Lafai, however, turns the ball over just 15m out with a shocking pass - unbelievable stuff.
LICHAA! He’s over after a neat run out of dummy-half. Is that it for the Dragons’ finals hopes? Lichaa completes an incredible turnaround in form to take the Bulldogs into the lead, with only 6 or so minutes to go. And he’s injured too! He hobbles off - as does Tariq Sims for the Dragons. Drama!
Mbye converts - it could be all over for the Dragons.
Updated
NRL H2 67:15 St George Illawarra Dragons 20-20 Canterbury Bulldogs
TRY for the Dogs! Brilliant, tackle-bursting run from Hopoate, who then finds a pass from off the ground to set up Aidan Tolman. Hopoate is having an incredible day.
Mbye just scrapes the conversion and it’s level!
"How did you get there Aiden?"#NRLDragonsBulldogs #NRL pic.twitter.com/Ib9uXgyuz9
— NRL (@NRL) September 3, 2017
NRL H2 63:30 St George Illawarra Dragons 20-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Try-saver by Klemmer on Vaughan, but he gives away the penalty straight after. The Dragons point to the uprights, and look to extend their lead to 6. Widdop strikes it truly, and they’re a converted try ahead.
Here’s the brilliant Hopoate save on Dugan.
"Tremendous tackle from Hopoate." - Rabs. #NRLDragonsBulldogs #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/BIz2IE6Kuf
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) September 3, 2017
NRL H2 61:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 18-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Josh Dugan looks to have scored a game-breaking try for the Dragons, but he’s held up in a brilliant tackle by Hopoate. That man again saves another try - this time with a hand in to stop Thompson and force a dropout. Tense scenes.
NRL H2 59:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 18-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Widdop kicks the ball over the sideline, and it’s a scrum to the Dogs. Not sure the Dragons can afford to be so defensive - they still need to score again, you’d think. That said the Bulldogs suddenly look impotent in attack - and on cue, Montoya turns it over with a forward pass.
Updated
NRL H2 54:40 St George Illawarra Dragons 18-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Dufty! He finally finds a way into the game, Lafai finds him on the inside after a dummy on the left, but it was a brilliant pass by Widdop that opened up the space. McGregor fist pumps and takes a deep breath.
“You have the feeling the Bulldogs need to score more points,” say our fabulous commentators. Hmmm. It does help when you’re behind.
Dragons into seventh on the live ladder.
Dufty scores, the @NRL_Dragons hit the lead!#NRLDragonsBulldogs #NRL pic.twitter.com/3jrrgz76JL
— NRL (@NRL) September 3, 2017
NRL H2 51:30 St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
MacDonald puts the ball down for the Dragons and the Bulldogs come again - they take a penalty from 10m out, and tap and go. Will they kick this time? They simply taken the tackle on the last two sets, but imagine they will go aggressive this time. They turn it over before they get to the fifth in a disappointing result. Great take by Montoya on the sideline, but it’s to no avail.
NRL H2 49:30 St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Dufty’s take is a good one on the run after a penetrating Frawley kick. He’s hardly been sighted, but is an important cog in the Dragons’ line-up - they’d do well to get him back in the game. Widdop takes another kick but Hopoate has no worries with the take. Morris gets the penalty against Dugan - Morris tries to tap and go, but is called back. Paul McGregor looks decidedly unimpressed - but the Bulldogs can’t get further than 5m out.
NRL H2 46:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Great take, and resultant take-off by Hopoate, who finds the Dragons on the back foot. The Bulldogs make it to 10m out with one left. Hopoate takes the tackle, and the ball goes back to the Dragons. Bulldogs need to keep pressing - they look to be playing things safe. Montoya takes Widdop’s kick, and the Dogs go again.
NRL H2 43:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Mistake in the play-the-ball by de Belin, which gifts the ball to the Bulldogs. De Belin argues he controlled it, but to no avail. Scrum for the Dogs. Stanley off for the Bulldogs with a hamstring, who joins Reynolds on the sideline. Bulldogs can’t complete the set, after Lichaa has the ball stipped, and Frawley knocks it on. Dragons ball.
NRL Cronulla Sharks beat Newcastle Knights 26-18
I haven’t had time to recap the Sharks v Knights game yet, so here’s the report from AAP.
Cronulla have work to do leading into enter next week’s elimination NRL final after slogging their way to an unconvincing 26-18 final-round win over Newcastle in the Hunter. Despite racing out to an 18-0 lead, the Sharks were pushed all the way on Sunday but eventually prevailed for a hard-fought second win in three weeks. Shane Flanagan’s fifth-placed side now await the winner of the St George-Illawarra and Canterbury game to decide whether they face Penrith or North Queensland in week one of the finals.
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was easily his team’s best, warming up for the business end of the season with a trademark 249 metres and seven offloads. Knights forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon impressed with two tries, although he suffered a compound finger fracture in the second half and failed to return. His efforts also weren’t enough to stop the Knights from finishing with their third straight wooden spoon in front of a healthy crowd of 20,535 on their annual old boys day.
The visitors were leading by six when James Maloney slotted over a penalty in the 44th minute, before Gallen offloaded for Jesse Ramien to score on debut. Danny Levi responded in the 61st minute but that was as close as the Knights got as they finished the year with three straight defeats.
Cronulla were set for a cruisy afternoon when they shot out to an 18-0 lead inside 20 minutes. Valentine Holmes started the surge when he caught defenders napping out of dummy half in the sixth minute, before Chad Townsend sliced through some poor defence in the 16th. Jayden Brailey made it a three-try advantage four minutes later, but the Knights made it a contest with consecutive Fitzgibbon tries to finish the half. First the lanky second-rower hit a hole off a short ball from debutant Tyrone Amey, and then he cut the deficit to six when Danny Levi found him minutes before the break. His two tries lifted him to eight for the season - the most by a Knights forward since Danny Buderus in 2003.
- AAP
NRL half-time St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
Well, as it stands the Cowboys are in the finals - with the Dragons putting on a disappointing first half display. They’re lucky to be as close as they are, helped by some Mbye inaccuracy and a multitude of penalties. Paul Vaughan still leads the way with run metres (106), to Klemmer’s 86 and de Belin’s 83. McInness and Elliott have 21 tackles respectively for their sides, while Lichaa, who has impressed, has 20. Reckon the Bulldogs will rue his departure.
If the Dragons can step up their intensity I think they take this one - hard to believe they’re only 2 points behind given how poorly they’ve played.
NRL H1 38:55 St George Illawarra Dragons 12-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
No luck for Reynolds, who won’t take to the ground again. Penalty goes to the Dragons - 6-1 is the penalty count in favour of the Dragons, but it hasn’t helped them with the scoreline so far. Make that 7-1 against the Bulldogs - this time for Jackson holding on. Can the Dragons finally convert? YES - through Nightingale on the left, which brings them back into a game they’ve looked horrible out of. The set lacked intensity, and was lucky to end in a try.
Widdop converts.
NRL H1 33:23 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-14 Canterbury Bulldogs
They do it again! This time it’s Montoya, and the Bulldogs are on fire. Hopoate again produces a brilliant pass to find Montoya in the corner. The Dragons look shell-shocked. Mbye can’t convert - and his poor conversion rate continues.
Here’s the last try - and the brilliant Stanley pass that sets it up.
Vision of the @NRL_Bulldogs Try decision in the 29th minute of #NRLDragonsBulldogs.#NRL pic.twitter.com/7mJVwYUJzy
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) September 3, 2017
NRL H1 31:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-10 Canterbury Bulldogs
Some footage is filtering through of Josh Reynolds in the rooms - who looks devastated at the likely possibility that he won’t get back onto the ground.
Bulldogs try!! Hopoate scores, after a brilliant pass from Stanley (one arm, back inside) - Hopoate starts and finishes the try for his team.
The conversion attempt, however, hits the uprights.
Frizell on for the Dragons. They need a lift.
NRL H1 25:21 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Big metres so far from Paul Vaughan, who has 106, while Graham and Jackson have 48 each for the Bulldogs. Most tackles also goes to Vaughan, with 15, while McInness (14), Lichaa (14) and Tolman (14) follow. 58% possession to the Dragons, and a 79% conversion rate to just 62% for the Bulldogs.
NRL H1 20:21 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Bizarre play by the Dragons - with Widdop kicking the ball into de Belin, who is caught accidentally off-side. Poor signs from them with a finals campaign on the line.
Confirmation it’s an ankle injury to Reynolds - unlucky.
Brenko Lee is over! He finds all kinds of space on the right - but it’s no try with McInness obstructed. Thought it looked too easy.
NRL H1 18:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
The Dragons have another go at the early kick, but it’s cut off. They’re travelling largely side-to-side - predictably, and not particularly dangerously.
Josh Reynolds finally makes his way from the ground in a disappointing final game for him - he’s into the rooms, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll be back.
NRL H1 14:39 St George Illawarra Dragons 6-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Mann kicks a high one in hope, it’s picked up by Sims after Widdop spills the ball. The Bunker rules it backwards, which means the try stands - which goes to Thompson after the Sims pass. A try to the Dragons well against the run of play.
Reynolds is still soldiering on, but looks sore.
The @NRL_Dragons hit back in style!#NRLDragonsBulldogs #NRL pic.twitter.com/ycxYbyjyuH
— NRL (@NRL) September 3, 2017
NRL H1 12:30 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Penalty goes against David Klemmer who is called off-side - and isn’t happy. The Dragons have another six, and are only 10m out. Great intercept from Morris - who got his hand to it and completed the catch just before the ball hits the ground. Missed opportunity for St George, who look the inferior side so far.
NRL H1 10:10 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Knock-on against Montoya who drops the Widdop kick - on the replay, it looks like the ball goes backwards. Unlucky - or a lucky break for the Dragons, whichever way you look at it. Good chase from Hopoate to knock the ball out of play for a dropout (although the ball has come off the hands of Dugan - which should force a restart). No call from the Bunker, though.
Bulldogs go short - but the kick is also short, and the Dragons regain possession.
NRL H1 6:46 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
Brilliant play by the Bulldogs which results in a Reynolds try - but Reynolds looks injured (is that his final play for the Dogs?) He looks very proppy. Great hands from Hopoate to set that one up, and a nice strike from Mbye follows.
Try-time for @joshreynolds9 in his last game for the @NRL_Bulldogs!#NRLDragonsBulldogs #NRL pic.twitter.com/AR33USl4Wl
— NRL (@NRL) September 3, 2017
Updated
NRL H1 2:46 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-0 Canterbury Bulldogs
Short dropout from the Bulldogs, which comes off - and Widdop’s gamble backfires. The Bulldogs make ground ground - right up to the 20, until Reynolds’s pass misfires, and the Dragons are back down the ground. Fumbling start from both sides.
NRL H1 1:00 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-0 Canterbury Bulldogs
We’re underway in this game against fierce rivals, and who would’ve thought James Graham would be leaving the club for the Dragons (on the same day as Josh Reynolds departs)? Emotional day for the Bulldogs, who lose two favourite sons.
Simple error from Tolman, who puts the ball down, and gifts the ball to the Dragons - who take the kick through Widdop and force a dropout. Aggressive play first up.
NRL
According to Andrew Johns, the Storm are near certainties for the title, with the Roosters the only team who might be able to challenge. The Storm became just the seventh salary-cap compliant team in history to finish a season with 20 wins with their 32-6 dismantling of Canberra on Saturday night. Melbourne have dropped just four games all season, including two without Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk during the State of Origin period. One of those Origin-affected losses came to the Roosters in golden point in Adelaide, and league great Johns said he believed they were the only team who could stop them winning the title.
“Best sporting club in Australia by a long way,” Johns told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. “The only team I think can beat the Storm is the Roosters”. Final-round results have meant that both the Melbourne and the Roosters can play at home until the grand final if they win in the first week of finals. Victories over Parramatta and Brisbane respectively will also mean the Storm and Roosters cannot meet until the October 1 grand final.
Roosters legend Brad Fittler backed Johns’ sentiment, but said he had concerns over his former side’s discipline. “When the Roosters won the comp (in 2013), they were the most penalised side but I thought they had the attack to sometimes score the points,” he said. If you’re playing Melbourne in the grand final I don’t think you can give them too many set starts. The Roosters’ discipline, if it can improve this period, they are a real threat.”
They won’t be helped, however, by the report on Zane Tetevano, who was charged with a grade three high tackle in yesterday’s win over Gold Coast. Tetevano can miss three matches with an early guilty plea, but will face up to five matches on the sideline should the club challenge.
- AAP
Updated
NRL St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs
Love this earlier photo of the much-maligned ANZ Stadium (read Matt Cleary’s thoughts on this from Monday). Dragons fans of course are lamenting that the game is not at spiritual home, Kogarah.
Couldn't ask for better weather ☀️ #NRLDragonsBulldogs #redv pic.twitter.com/ki1NPgUj8B
— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) September 3, 2017
Updated
NRL St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs
Not long - just under 13 minutes - until this game gets underway. This is a critical game for the Dragons, who need a win to sneak into September (and knock the North Queensland Cowboys out of the finals race). They don’t have a very good record against the Bulldogs, however, having lost 10 of their past 11 against Canterbury (including a 16-2 loss in Round 14). The Bulldogs have also had a decent run of late, with their two biggest scores of the year in their past two games. It will also be the final game in Bulldogs colours for their favourite son Josh Reynolds, and captain James Graham - who will join opponents the Dragons on a three-year deal next season. (Likewise, it’s the last game in blue and white for Sam Casino and Michael Lichaa - who has fired up in recent weeks). Meanwhile, Josh Dugan is back from his disciplinary break to give his side a boost.
Should be an intriguing contest. I’ll be keeping an eye on Tariq Sims after his game-breaking steal of a try last week (play of the year, no?)
Updated
Netball Quad Series New Zealand beat Australia 57-47
New Zealand are Quad Series champions! 2012 (in the Constellation Cup) was the last time the New Zealanders beat the Australians in a series - so this is a big win for the Ferns. They’ll take huge amounts of confidence into the Commonwealth Games after this victory. Disappointing day for the Diamonds, but all credit must go to the Silver Ferns, who were incredibly impressive. The Australians simply had no answer for Selby-Rickit, who scored 35/41, while Bailey Mes was critical in GA with 17/18. Crampton and Francois had 16 and 15 goal assists respectively, with some quick and impressive transition play. Jury, meanwhile was impressive in defence, and takes out player of the match.
For the Diamonds, Bassett finished with 22/24, while Philip had 11/12 and Thwaites 10/11. Liz Watson had 11 goal assists and looked damaging once she came on, with 27 feeds.
Katrina Grant, the Ferns captain, says she’s proud of the team after their earlier loss to England - she says everyone else wrote the Ferns off, but the team were confident in their abilities, and they look forward to their next meeting with the Diamonds at the Constellation Cup. Liz Ellis, meanwhile, says the Diamonds would have been unsettled after so many personnel and position changes; she claims they were correct, but ‘should have happened much earlier in the game’.
Netball Quad Series 4th 02:00 remaining New Zealand 54-44 Australia
Beautiful finish from long-range to Thwaites, but the margin will be too large. Francois gets her turn on the bench with 34 feeds and 15 goal assists for the night. Great game from her.
Netball Quad Series 4th 03:22 remaining New Zealand 53-43 Australia
The Australians are racing down the court as they try to peg this lead back. Selby-Rickit gets a rest with 35/41, while Maia Wilson gets her opportunity - and scores first up.
Netball Quad Series 4th 05:31 remaining New Zealand 51-42 Australia
Madi Robinson is back in WA for the Australians, while Weston (in just her sixth test) comes in to GD. Not sure there’s enough time for the Australians to erode this lead. What a game from the Ferns. Still, Selby-Rickit has missed her last three shots with the pressure on.
Updated
Netball Quad Series 4th 07:20 remaining New Zealand 49-40 Australia
Francois gets a warning, and the Australians pull another back through Thwaites. Three in a row for the Diamonds. Great pressure through the middle, particularly through Tippett in WA, and Simpson in WD, who push the Ferns back down the court. Selby-Rickit misses again, and the pressure mounts.
Netball Quad Series 4th 08:50 remaining New Zealand 49-39 Australia
Once more, the Australians look to have no answer for Selby-Rickit, who has 34/37 (92%). Like Philip in GA, though, she’s raced to 9/10. Lots of ‘tidy up’ calls for the Diamonds in defence - who finally force a miss out of Selby-Rickit and have a chance to pull one back. Thwaites makes them pay.
Netball Quad Series 4th 11:40 remaining New Zealand 47-36 Australia
Two in a row for the Aussies, who look rejuvenated by the changed line-up. Watson comes back into centre, and looks dangerous. Nonetheless, the Ferns get one back through some confident play. What can the Diamonds do?
Netball Quad Series 4th 13:49 remaining New Zealand 46-33 Australia
Another change for the Diamonds - Tippett comes on in WA, while Mannix gets a run at GK (Bruce comes off with the unfortunate tally of 18 penalties). Ferns get the first two to make the task even harder for the Australians.
Updated
Netball Quad Series three-quarter-time New Zealand 44-33 Australia
After some impressive pressure-play by Crampton (WA) and Grant (GD), the Ferns turn the ball over and make the attacking rebound - Selby-Rickit gets her own ball, and shoots for an 11-point lead to the New Zealanders. Trouble for the Diamonds, who have looked the inferior side from the first whistle. They scored 13-9 that quarter to take their overall lead to 11. Selby-Rickit now has 30/33 (91%) and Bailey Mes has 14/15 (93%). Crampton and Francois have been integral to the Ferns’ success, with 14 and 13 goal assists respectively.
Updated
Netball Quad Series 3rd 01:30 remaining New Zealand 42-32 Australia
Thwaites is on the board - and the margin is back to that of half-time, 7 points - until the Kiwis get one back through Mes (up to 14/15). Big win for Kelly Jury over Thwaites - she has 12 penalties, but has worried both Thwaites and Bassett and has been crucial to her side’s lead. Worrying margin for the Diamonds - now out to 10, with Bruce living on the edge with 18 penalties.
Netball Quad Series 3rd 05:00 remaining New Zealand 39-30 Australia
Thwaites on for the Diamonds and Bassett off. Crampton is pulled from WA for Souness - an interesting call, given she has 28 feeds, 13 goal assists and 12 centre pass receives.
Netball Quad Series 3rd 06:16 remaining New Zealand 39-29 Australia
Some big, impressive cross-court passes from the Ferns are bamboozling the Australians - while on the other hand their own attempts to divert play are regularly being picked off. Five in a row for the Ferns, and things look ominous.
Netball Quad Series 3rd 08:37 remaining New Zealand 34-29 Australia
Selby-Rickit misses in a rare slip-up for her: she’s 22/24 - the same tally as Bassett currently. Three in a row Australia through Philip. It tightens up again.
Netball Quad Series 3rd 09:43 remaining New Zealand 34-26 Australia
Philip’s on the board, while some shots filter through of the South African team taking selfies (or are they on Skype?) in the crowd. Today was their first ever win in the Quad Series against the much more highly-fancied English Roses.
Bassett scores for 22/24, and the Australians turn it over. Gabi Simpson can’t believe it.
Updated
Netball Quad Series 3rd 12:17 remaining New Zealand 33-25 Australia
A big change for the Australians with Tippett off. Tegan Philip - who turns 29 today - is on for Tippett in GA, but misses her first shot at goal.
It’s goal for goal so far, which isn’t good enough for the Australians.
Updated
NRL half-time Newcastle Knights 12-18 Cronulla Sharks
I’m just about to have a very quick lunch break but it’s half-time in the NRL and the Sharks are up 18-12. They got off to a 18-0 lead, before the Knights hit back with two tries to Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who also has 78 run metres (Saifiti has 102). For the Sharks, they’ve got one try each to Holmes, Townsend and Brailey. Gallen has 113 run metres, while Fifita has 106 and 20 tackles. Only Brailey (21) and King (23) have more. All set up for a tight second-half.
Netball Quad Series half-time remaining New Zealand 31-24 Australia
Too casual from the Ferns, who give up the ball in the middle - only for Tippett to give away a contact penalty with the Australians looking certain to score. Selby-Rickit makes them pay, taking her tally to 21/22 in the match so far. Much better quarter from the Diamonds, who outscored the Ferns 14-13, but fail to make significant inroads on the quarter-time margin. It’s now a 7-point margin to New Zealand, enough for them to win the title.
It’s all set for a fascinating second half.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 01:57 remaining New Zealand 29-22 Australia
Jury has done a fantastic job on Bassett - who is nonetheless up to 19/21. The Australians have gone to her on almost every occasion, while Tippett is just 3/4. New Zealand score three in a row for another mini-break on the Diamonds - with little luck for Bruce, who is up to 13 penalties and under the intense watch of the umpire.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 05:05 remaining New Zealand 26-21 Australia
A flurry of goals puts the Diamonds right back in the contest, making the home crowd nervous (and decidedly quieter). Selby-Rickit’s shooting, however, maintains the gap - currently at 19/20.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 07:22 remaining New Zealand 23-18 Australia
Bruce gets a couple of tidy-up calls, this time for knocking the ball right out of Selby-Rickit’s hands - but Mes misses the resultant conversion attempt, for 6/7. Down the other end, Tippett misses but gains the rebound and sets up Bassett. They’re finding much more speed down the court in this quarter.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 09:25 remaining New Zealand 23-17 Australia
Great, aggressive play by the Diamonds, who break for an intercept and put the Ferns under enough pressure to turn the ball over. Still, their run of defensive penalties continues, now up to 25 - and 10 for Bruce. We’re seeing a much more even quarter.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 11:15 remaining New Zealand 21-15 Australia
Watson has really sparked the Diamonds, and again feeds Bassett for a goal. She has a hand in the next one, too, for three in a row. She has brought poise and patience to the Diamonds’ build-ups. Tippett makes it 3/3.
Netball Quad Series 2nd 13:30 remaining New Zealand 20-11 Australia
A change for the Aussies with Liz Watson coming on at Centre. She’s into the action quickly and feeds Bassett for the first goal of the quarter. The Kiwis, however, hit back immediately through Selby-Rickit - twice.
Netball Quad Series quarter-time New Zealand 18-10 Australia
21 penalties for the Australians compared to New Zealand’s 10 - and their ill-discipline is costing them dearly. Courtney Bruce - at GK - has 9 alone. Selby-Rickit has 13/14 in a dominant display, and has been well supported by Mes with 5/5. Gina Crampton has 12 feeds and has been impressive at WA.
For the Diamonds, Bassett has looked dangerous with 8/10 but has suffered from a lack of opportunities.
Here’s that wonderful Bruce intercept from earlier.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Courtney Bruce! #NZLvAUS #QuadSeries pic.twitter.com/E7Yedt9kgL
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 3, 2017
Netball Quad Series 1st 1:20 remaining New Zealand 15-10 Australia
The Australians are lacking flow in their forays forward, and their checking of the Ferns is looser than you’d like, particularly down the wings. Still, they get their first run of multiple goals - and Bassett scores for three unanswered.
Netball Quad Series 1st 3:57 remaining New Zealand 13-6 Australia
Brilliant play by Courtney Bruce who showed great agility at GK to leap and intercept, and sets her team up for a much-needed goal. Nonetheless, the Ferns look unstoppable at this point. Thwaites and Watson warming up nervously for the Diamonds.
Netball Quad Series 1st 6:40 remaining New Zealand 11-4 Australia
Liking the game of GK Kelly Jury, who has won a few one-on-ones with Bassett, who has 3/4 so far. Selby-Rickit, meanwhile has 9/10. The Australians have given away 12 penalties to 4.
Netball Quad Series 1st 9:15 remaining New Zealand 8-3 Australia
The Australians have no answer for Selby-Rickit, who has 7 from 8 so far. This is her home court. The Australians are breaking down in attack - plenty of intercepts for the Ferns in the middle.
Plenty of penalties paid against the Australians, too.
Updated
Netball Quad Series 1st 11:53 remaining New Zealand 4-2 Australia
Another to Selby-Rickit, and a nice flat ball to Bassett sees the Aussies get the reply. Bailey Mes chimes in for the Kiwis, and a spectacular attempt at an intercept by Sinclair doesn’t come off - Australia hits back through Bassett.
Kiwis intercept again and hit the lead through yet another Selby-Rickit goal. The Kiwis look on song.
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Netball Quad Series 1st 13:32 remaining New Zealand 1-0 Australia
Bassett misses the first shot at goal and can’t get the rebound back into play. Contact on Selby-Rickit sees New Zealand score first.
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Netball Quad Series
Anthems have finished - but here are our teams.
Australia
GS Caitlin Bassett
GA Gretel Tippett
WA Madi Robinson
C Kim Ravaillion
WD Gabi Simpson
GD April Brandley
GK Courtney Bruce
Emily Mannix, Tegan Philip, Caitlin Thwaites, Liz Watson and Jo Weston.
New Zealand
GS Te Paea Selby-Rickit
GA Bailey Mes
WA Gina Crampton
C Shannon Francois
WD Samantha Sinclair
GD Katrina Grant
GK Kelly Jury
Monica Falkner, Pheonix Karaka, Whitney Souness, Jane Watson and Maia Wilson.
Netball Quad Series
Both teams are lining up for their national anthems. In the meantime, check out this great package documenting these two teams’ historic rivalry.
It's netball's greatest rivalry: @AussieDiamonds and the Silver Ferns. Who will come out on top? 💪 #QuadSeries pic.twitter.com/hk40bMsBXX
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 3, 2017
Netball Quad Series
Here’s a quick round-up of South Africa’s upset win over England 53-51 at Invercargill’s Stadium Southland. After narrow earlier losses to Australia and New Zealand, the Proteas showed resolve and focus in a hectic final quarter to shut out the more favoured English outfit. Captain Bongiwe Msomi at wing attack combined well with Erin Burger, feeding shooter Lenize Potgieter (43 from 45) from long range. Scores were level 26-26 at half-time, forcing England coach Tracey Neville made a series of changes in the third quarter, to little immediate effect. The two key shifts came with the injection of experience - in the shooting circle where Jo Harten replaced Kadeen Corbin (10 from 13), and at wing defence, with the introduction of Jade Clarke for Beth Cobden. South Africa, however, readjusted, showing plenty of patience in working the ball around until space opened, with Potgieter and goal attack Maryka Hotzhausen stepping up with a 100 per cent third quarter in sinking 16 from 16. Ahead 42-38 at the three-quarter mark, South Africa extended their lead to six midway through the final spell, digging deep to hold off a frenzied English finish in the closing minutes.
- AAP
Netball Quad Series
In breaking news, South Africa have just defeated the England Roses - which means the Australians will take out the title so long as they defeat the Silver Ferns, or lose by 3 goals or less. Meanwhile, the Silver Ferns can win if they defeat Australia by 4 goals or more. It all comes down to this game!
Welcome to ILT Stadium Southland @AussieDiamonds! #QuadSeries #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/Oaa9kc5Nft
— Silver Ferns (@SilverFernsNZ) September 3, 2017
Football
Speaking of the Socceroos, they’re facing an uphill battle for a berth in next year’s World Cup. Australia now needs to win (and win well) against Thailand on Tuesday night to secure a place in the 2018 tournament (watch out for John Duerden’s column on this tomorrow). Australia has qualified for three successive World Cups - but only 16 other countries have reached four consecutive World Cups (notable exceptions include Poland and Belgium).
Should Australia fail to secure second place in the group - dependant on Japan’s result in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning AEST - they do have the repechage route of two home-and-away ties. That could mean a trip to Uzbekistan or South Korea, followed by another to Panama, Honduras or the United States.
Midfielder and stand-in captain Mark Milligan remains confident Australia will advance to the world stage. “Going to consecutive World Cups has been very important not just for the national team but for Australian football, the A-League and lower leagues,” he said. “I still truly believe that we will go out Tuesday night and we’ll put in a good performance. Whether it’s Wednesday that it’s announced that we’re going to a World Cup or whether we have to wait a bit longer, it will happen. Obviously that’s worst case scenario but there’s a long way before we have to hit that panic button.”
Here are the official permutations for the Socceroos:
IF AUSTRALIA WIN
And Saudi Arabia win: Australia need to better Saudi Arabia’s winning margin by at least two goals to qualify directly. Otherwise, the Socceroos are into the play-offs.
And Saudi Arabia draw or lose: Australia qualify directly.
IF AUSTRALIA DRAW
And Saudi Arabia win or draw: Australia into play-offs.
And Saudi Arabia lose: Australia qualify directly.
IF AUSTRALIA LOSE
Australia into the play-offs - unless United Arab Emirates beat Iraq and there’s a goal difference swing of seven - which would end the Socceroos hopes of reaching the World Cup.
- AAP
Football
If you’re wondering what next for Tournament of Nations (ToN) champions the Matildas, they’re set to play Brazil (their final ToN opponents) to a sell-out, bumper crowd of 17,000 people in Penrith later this month. That’s the biggest crowd our national women’s soccer team will have enjoyed in Australia since the Sydney Olympics.
FFA chief executive David Gallop said the efforts of Sam Kerr, Lisa De Vanna and co had “captured the attention of football fans around the world. With the Westfield Matildas now ranked 6th in the FIFA world rankings, our intention to bid for the right to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, and our Westfield W-League starting its 10th season later this year, women’s football in Australia has never been in better shape. When you combine that with the fact that women’s football is the fastest growing area of the sport at grassroots level you can understand why there is such intense interest in seeing our star players perform.”
On the contrary, tickets are still available for the Socceroos’ do-or-die World Cup qualifier with Thailand in Melbourne on Tuesday night - despite the smaller AAMI Park being utilised for match.
The Matildas play Brazil twice - on the 16th September (sold out) and the 19th September (in Newcastle).
- AAP
Welcome
Hello and welcome to this Sunday edition of Sportwatch. I’m Kate O’Halloran and I’ll be here to take you through today’s live action, whatever your preferred shape of ball. Don’t forget to tweet us @GdnAusSport with the hashtag #sportwatch.
Today’s sportwatch has a slightly different flavour given we have the week off AFL, so first up we’ll be heading to Invercargill for Test Three of the Netball Quad Series between the New Zealand Ferns and the Samsung (Aussie) Diamonds. Today’s game is critical, as if Australia win they will retain the Netball Quad Series title (technically, they also win it if New Zealand win by 3 goals or less, and England win by 6 goals of less) - but let’s not worry about that too much yet. If New Zealand win, they can also win the title - but they will need a win by 4 goals or more, plus an English victory by 6 goals or more (and England, conversely, can also win, but need to win by a big margin - 7 goals or more - and New Zealand to win by a small margin). Complicated, I know. Basically the Australians are in the box seat - and need to win against the Kiwis to reclaim the title.
Australia have the advantage over the Ferns at this stadium- they’ve played 4 times at ILT Stadium for 3 wins and 1 loss. Their only loss was way back in October 2001. They’ve been almost unbeatable during Lisa Alexander’s reign, with Alexander set to today become the equal third most experienced Australian coach in her 66th test. Alexander’s coaching record is 65 games, 53 wins and 12 losses, with an outstanding 82% winning record. She will equal with Joyce Brown’s number of tests coached, behind Jill McIntosh (94 tests) and Norma Plummer (89 tests). Overall these two nations have played 133 times, with the Australians winning 82 of those, while 2 tests have been drawn and New Zealand have won 49 times. The Australians haven’t played in New Zealand all year, however, since the formation of Super Netball, which may amplify the rivalry.
Alexander is forecasting a gruelling test for her side. “It is always a challenge when facing the Silver Ferns on their home soil,” she said. “We know this will be our hardest test yet, and have been building to this moment. They will be hungry after their loss to England and out to prove a point. Without a shadow of a doubt it will take nothing less than our absolute best to come out on top. It will take all of our grit, all of our determination to put out a performance we can be proud of.”
Should be a cracking contest.
After this, I’ll jump across to the all-important NRL clash between the Dragons and Bulldogs, with the Dragons needing a win to secure their place in September.
U.S. Open
Just while we’re waiting for this game to get underway, here’s a quick update on the fortunes of the Australians competing in the U.S. Open. Nick Kyrgios and Matt Reid have both bombed out of the doubles competition, with a 6-1 6-1 loss to 16-time grand slam champions Mike and Bob Bryan, but the news was better for Dara Gavrilova and her Russian partner Daria Kasatkina, who powered into the women’s doubles third round with a 6-3 7-5 win over Chia-Jung Chuang and Misaki Doi. However, Australian sixth seeds Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua suffered a surprise 6-0 3-6 6-4 second-round loss to Shuko Aoyama and Zhaoxuan Yang, while teenager Thomas Bosancic was also eliminated from the junior boys’ singles with a 6-2 6-4 second-round loss to Jesper De Jong of the Netherlands.
In some better (and more amusing) news, Australian toiler John-Patrick Smith has profited from Fabio Fognini’s disqualification from the US Open in New York. Smith teamed with American Nicholas Monroe for a 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-3 second-round doubles win over Paolo Lorenzi and Rogerio Dutra Silva before learning the reward was passage through to the quarter-finals. Fognini’s suspension from the season’s final grand slam event for abusing Swedish umpire Louise Engzelle earned Smith and Monroe a third-round walkover - and a guaranteed cheque for $US41,000 each ($A51,500). Throw in $US50,000 for successfully qualifying for the singles and Smith, the world’s No.202, has more than doubled his season earnings of $US82,065 ($103,000) in a week.
Fognini was fined $US24,000 and kicked out of the tournament for allegedly directing offensive language in Italian at Engzelle during his first-round loss to fellow Italian Stefano Travaglia. Fognini issued an apology for his behaviour on Twitter. “First of all I would apologise to you fans, to the referee for what happened,” he posted. “It was just a very bad day, but it did not forgive my behaviour in the match. Although I’m a hot-head (and though I’ve been right in most circumstances) I was wrong. But in the end it’s only a tennis game.”
The volatile Italian has history, having been fined $US27,500 at Wimbledon in 2014.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer has just beaten Feliciano Lopez in their third-round clash, and will now advance to meet with Philipp Kohlschreiber (who he has a handy 11-0 record against).
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Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a recap of how Saturday panned out:
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