Summary
So we’ll leave Saturday Sportwatch there. Plenty more to come with late fixtures from the West but time and tide wait for no final train home.
Two significant wins for clubs fancied to feature deep within A-League finals contention but otherwise struggling thus far this season. Melbourne Victory edging a tense, at times dour, encounter in Newcastle with both sides missing key front-third personnel.
A welcome return to form for the Wanderers who were a class above a lacklustre Phoenix outfit in the whirling wind and driving rain of Wellington with former Nix star Roly Bonevacia reminding his previous employees how good a player he can be if he fancies it.
In rugby union there was an impressive / terrifying glimpse of New Zealand’s “Generation Next” as a Baby Blacks outfit boasting eight debutants put a courageous Japan to the sword, running out 69-31 winners in front of a record crowd in Tokyo.
George Bridge in particular impressing on debut, on a night when Ngani Laumape also ran in three tries and Richie Mo’unga steered the ship with aplomb, on just his second start in an All Blacks jersey.
Plenty to look forward to at the host nation’s forthcoming World Cup, with Japan a hint to ruffle some feathers against more fancied opponents.
Thanks for your company on another Saturday where too much sport is not nearly enough to satiate.
Full-time: Newcastle Jets 0-1 Melbourne Victory
90 + 4 min: Ooh! It finishes with a tense goalmouth scramble as Petratos’ corner pinballs around the box for seemingly an eternity, but as it did all game, the ball just refused to go in the onion bag for the Jets.
Three points, and it’s the Victory who climb off the bottom in the battle of the cellar-dwelling Grand Finalists!
Updated
90 min: Four minutes added, but you get the sense the Jets could play for another 100 hours tonight and never score. Victory for their part are more than happy to keep things tight at the back and smother any momentum.
85 min: They’re building a little bit of sustained pressure, the Jets – but will it be enough to find the equaliser?
Petratos with a clever step-over to allow the ball to run to Ridenton, but the Victory defence blocked the effort, and then headed clear the following clipped ball into the box.
80 min: An air of frustration starting to envelope the stadium in Newcastle, with the sinking feeling they may never actually score tonight.
How keenly is ruthless goalsneak Roy O’Donovan being missed tonight? For all their endeavour they just can’t find a clear opening, the Jets. You’ll remember the Irishman is serving a lengthy touchline ban for his crude foul on Victory ‘keeper Thomas during last season’s grand final.
Petratos then drills a venomous freekick from 35m out, but it’s well saved by Thomas.
Goal! Newcastle Jets 0-1 Melbourne Victory (Antonis)
71 min: Ooohhh! Goooollllll. A terrific driven effort from Terry Antonis from outside the box, and it arrows into Glen Moss’ bottom left corner. Nothing the ‘keeper could do about that – it’s another perfect goal, like his strike against Perth last weekend.
Keisuke Honda with the assist; the same combination striking again.
Updated
64 min: Another letoff! Newcastle with some promising build up and it lands at the feet of Vargas about 8 yards out – but the marquee’s touch, so often immaculate, lets him badly down!
Ernie Merrick is chewing wasps on the Jets bench. He loves nothing more than a win over the club that let him go after two championships, and by all rights they should be ahead tonight.
60 min: Wowee. Huge let off for the Victory as ‘keeper Thomas badly shanks a clearance, at the cost of a corner.
And a few minutes later Dimi Petratos tries a spectacular volley, that flashes just over the relieved Victory custodian’s crossbar.
56 min: First signs of the crowd coming to life in this second half, as Newcastle go close as Jason Hoffman throws himself desperate at a whipped cross, but just misses the connection.
Meanwhile, Barbarouses continues to look most likely for Victory as he sparks a counter attack with a blistering dribble.
48 min: Well, they’ve gone from despair to delight inside a minute in the stadium in Newcastle.
Kosta Barbarouses with an excellent finish from a slide pass to beat former Phoenix teammate, Glen Moss in goals. But the linesman was quick to indicate offside, and a quick VAR check confirmed the decision.
A popular decision; especially given it was Barbarouses’ incorrectly allowed goal that denied a fairytale championship in the Hunter last season.
Second half – underway!
And we’re back to action in Newcastle. What can this 45 minutes throw up?
Half-time: Newcastle Jets 0-0 Melbourne Victory
45 min: We’ve been treated to some cracking attacking football already this A-League round, but this – well, this wasn’t an example of that. Ronnie Vargas’ crossbar-rattling effort aside, neither side managed to produce too many clear cut shooting opportunities.
Plenty to come after the break, you’d imagine, as the game opens up a little.
Updated
38 min: Ernie Merrick cutting a frustrated figure on the sideline as Victory appear to suck the oxygen out of that bright start with a lengthy injury delay and then a few unhurried restarts.
After that bright opening, it has very much gone off the boil as a contest, this one.
30 min: More or less one-way traffic in this A-League clash, with Jets dominating proceedings and showing a bit more industry in midfield. Victory are missing a target man upfront with Ola Toivonen and Kenny Athiu both out injured leaving the Kiwi pairing of Kosta Barbarouses and Jai Ingham to lead the line.
Having weathered a half-hour of half chances, Victory have however made one or two noises to suggest that marquee attacker Keisuke Honda is becoming more prominent.
And incidentally, here’s that full-time match report from the earlier 100pt rugby Test in Tokyo. Cracker of a game.
Some interesting chat flying round now surrounding George Bridge and whether he’ll force a spot into the All Black’s World Cup reckoning. Certainly a try with your first touch in an All Blacks shirt is never a bad start.
17 min: It’s the home side enjoying the bulk of the attacking moments, as Brazilian Jair fires in an effort on goal – but it’s well-held by the ‘keeper Lawrence Thomas.
Matthew Ridenton then finds Vargas free in the box, but the marquee can’t quite fashion a clear shooting opportunity for the Jets.
10 min: Ooph! Unlucky for the Jets, a marauding run from left back from Lachlan Jackson ends with a perfect cutback for Ronnie Vargas. The Ecuadorian international firing a fierce finish – but it rattles back off the crossbar!
A-League: Newcastle v Melbourne – Kickoff!
We’re underway in Newcastle where it looks a pretty healthy crowd is in. We’ll bring you the major talking points as they happen – but please do fire through any contributions you deem essential to our coverage! Email or tweet to @rrjparkin.
So, still more A-League action to come, and we’re off to Newcastle, where it’s a 2017/18 Grand Final rematch between the Jets and the Victory. Plenty at stake, as after two rounds these sides find themselves 9th and 10th on the ladder (given Wanderers’ earlier win).
Will Melbourne Victory start their season with an unprecedented three straight losses? Or will A-League marquee Keisuke Honda fire his side up the table?
Find out shortly, kickoff not too far away.
Full-time: Wellington Phoenix 0-3 Western Sydney Wanderers
Clinical, emphatic – he may have been sent to the stands last round but Liverpool legend Marcus Babbel would have enjoyed that from his chargers.
Phoenix huffed and puffed at times, but lacked final-third cohesion, although could have done with a shade of luck as skipper Andrew Durante conceded an unfortunate handball penalty, Burns rattled the crossbar, and Brendan Hamill was perhaps lucky to stay on the park after a last-man challenge on Fijian flyer Roy Krishna.
Still, a deserved result as the Wanderers jump up the table past the Phoenix and Melbourne City.
Updated
Goal! Wellington Phoenix 0-3 Western Sydney Wanderers (O’Doherty)
90 + 1 min: And just seconds after the unfortunate Nathan Burns rattled a header against the crossbar at the other end, the Wanderers have struck back with a classic counter punch! A slick, fast counterattack and it’s the former Red O’Doherty put through, who finishes calmly, one-on-one with the ‘keeper Kurto.
Goodnight nurse.
WNBL: Melbourne Boomers sink Dandenong Rangers 101-75
A comfortable win in the end for the visitors/crosstown rivals, the Boomers for their third W of the season, with Stephanie Talbot leading the scoring with 27. Lindsay Allen and Madeleine Garrick each chipping in with 18 a piece, with the latter playing almost the entire game. Dandenong stay seventh on the ladder, as they slip to their third straight loss.
NBL: Perth Wildcats defeat New Zealand Breakers by 14pts
So, an update from the early fixture in the NBL today, where it appears it’s turning into a mixed day for NZ teams.
Here’s Australian Associated Press with a match report:
The NBL-leading Perth Wildcats have safeguarded their unbeaten home court record by pulling clear to record a comfortable 92-78 victory over the New Zealand Breakers.
Perth led at every change inside RAC Arena on Saturday, though the Breakers did threaten regularly and even led by eight during the third term.
They also squared the ledger three minutes into the fourth quarter as Tai Wesley’s 22-point haul and Stewart Long’s double-double kept the visitors in touch before Perth upped the ante down the stretch.
Although Wesley and Long were prominent for the Breakers, Perth were also undermined by a sub-standard 12 from 21 from the free throw line as the Kiwis infringed frequently.
Ultimately Bryce Cotton’s game-high 23 points and Clint Steindl’s perfect five-from-five three-point attempts was sufficient to get the Wildcats home.
They are now 4-0 in Perth this campaign after earlier wins against Illawarra, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Goal! Wellington 0-2 Western Sydney (Riera, pen.)
56 min: Bad to worse in the A-League for the hosts, Wellington, where skipper Andrew Durante, in his 250th match for the club, has been adjudged to have handed in the area, and referee Jarryd Gillett has shown no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Oriel Riera slotting calmly past Filip Kurto in the Phoenix goals. A long way back now for the New Zealand side, you’d imagine.
Second half: Wellington 0-1 Western Sydney
And we’re back underway, and it does appear to have become slightly more inclement in the New Zealand capital, where it’s officially “sheeting in” rain. Mmm, the Cake Tin. Exactly where you want to be in swirling, rain-lashed conditions.
It’s a series of attacking corners for the hosts, and nearly a calamitous own goal from defender Tarek Elrich as the wind bends a fiercely whipped corner!
We’ll keep an eye on the major developments in this one, but let’s whizz round the grounds and see what news we have from the NBL/WNBL and beyond.
Updated
So, for our international audience – thanks for joining our rugby coverage as part of Sportwatch Saturday out of our humble Guardian Australia offices.
We switch now back to games closer to home, with A-League action between Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers.
What chance at 100pts being scored in that one? We’ll pick it up from the second half, where it’s 1-0 to the visitors Western Sydney, thanks to an 11th minute goal from German import Alexander Baumjohann after terrific lead up work from Bruce Kamau.
The perfect start for @wswanderersfc!#ALeague #WELvWSW
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) November 3, 2018
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/ucoJYjroww
Updated
Full-time: Japan 31-69 New Zealand
80 min: Phwaor. How quick’s this kid Nakamura?! He’s come off the bench and just lit up the touchline. And by kid, I obviously mean he’s in his late twenties, but he’s just shown the footwork of a skittish colt.
It continues the way it has been all game, relentless, all the way past the final siren, but with a Laumape knock on, that’s the ball game.
A remarkable match – a crowd of nearly 50,000 enjoying 100 points and some absolutely sumptuous moments. A great glance at Generation Next for this ridiculous talent line coming out of Aotearoa, and a confidence booster for a host nation looking to ruffle some feathers at it’s forthcoming home World Cup.
Updated
76 min: It’s about the first time either of these sides have looked tired; plenty of players sucking in the big ones as they set the scrum. If this was Wallabies v Argentina they’d have been at that stage about 25 minutes in.
Both sides continue to chance their arm. It’s terrific to watch from Japan, but you wonder how much Steve Hansen will be enjoying his youthful chargers playing with reckless abandon.
73 min: It’s hard to keep up with this one, but this sheer perseverance to continue to attack, and to attack at pace is terrific from the host nation. Sure, their fans may have seen them get a little bit mauled here today, but they’ve also seen them put five tries on the All Blacks – and how many nations can boast that.
Tamura looks for the cheeky crossfield kick once again, but he’s missed his winger. They come back for a scrum feed, as they were playing under an advantage.
Try! Japan 31-69 New Zealand (Lafaele)
70 min: Sheesh. You know you’re in a match when they’re scoring at a point-a-minute; well, we’ve just had 100 pts inside 70!
They refuse to lie down, even if they’re convincingly beaten here, Japan, and they run it wide, and it’s terrific hands from Lafaele to finish a fine flowing move.
Tamura strikes it sweetly, and adds the extra two.
Try! Japan 24-69 New Zealand (Bridge)
66 min: And yet still Japan attack. Leitch with a terrific claim off the short kickoff.
Dillon Hunt does well to get the turnover, and they look to counterattack straight away.
It gets to the hands of Bridge, and wowee! What an individual cameo we’re seeing from this man! Brilliant skills for the kick and chase, and he’s got a motor to match. Terrific solo effort – they’ve been singing his praises at Super Rugby level, but what an ABs debut to match!
Barrett tries from the sideline, but it strikes it flat, and to the right. 1/2
Try! Japan 24-64 New Zealand (Laumape)
62 min: They said Japan were a fit side, but there’s no accounting for the Kiwi depth. Just like that magic 60th minute mark that nations like Australia are familiar with, if anything, with more debutants arriving every few minutes, they’ve just strengthened, the All Blacks.
Terrific work from Bridge once more to force a turnover. New man Gareth Evans taking a quick tap and throwing a bullet cutout pass to his centre, trying a Dane Coles on the wing. And a clever kick and chase from Laumape to bring up a hattrick of tries!
Barrett takes over kicking duties, and slots one from the sideline! Magic, 1/1.
Try! Japan 24-57 New Zealand (Proctor)
59 min: A roar from the crowd as another Jordie Barrett clearance is charged down – he’ll be having nightmares about these won’t he? It bounces kindly for the ABs this time, and they look to rebuild.
Credit to Barrett though, he doesn’t dwell on the error and strikes an inch-perfect crossfield kick to pick out Bridge. Terrific hands, and then a clever kick and regather for the new man, and offloads for Proctor inside.
Mo’unga with the extras.
Try! Japan 24-50 New Zealand (Naiholo)
55 min: “Ohhh, Wai-sake Na-ho-lo. Wai-sake Na-ho-lo.”
A suspicion of interference as one of the ABs looped behind his own player, but the men with the whistle elect to not go upstairs. No catching the Fijian-born flyer.
And it turns out Richie is human. Another decent effort from the sideline but it just fades past the post. 7/8, conversion missed.
Try! Japan 24-45 New Zealand (Henry)
51 min: He’s only just converted from the Sevens game, but Jamie Henry must have brought some of the high-octane freneticism of the shorter form of the game with him!
Terrific courage again from Japan as they forgo (forwent?) the shot at three instead to gamble for the seven; and it comes off!
A clever crossfield kick and the Auckland-born Henry is open – he finishes with a massive superman dive, to the delight of the home fans. Not a bad way to mark your national team debut!
No dice from Tamura from the boot. They can’t afford to drop too many of these points, Japan.
49 min: The first points of this second half were so crucial, and they had such an opportunity, Japan with that offensive lineout just 5m out. On such small details whole games can easily turn. Just ask the Wallabies set piece coach.
Another training ground attacking move as Japan enjoy another penalty, what can the be-bereted Tony Brown’s chargers come up with?
Try! Japan 19-45 New Zealand (Bridge)
45 min: And they don’t stick the throw! Nine in the lineout, but the lifter doesn’t quite get the elevation for his man and the ball evades the jumper.
And how’s this – George Bridge has only just come on the field after Milner-Skudder succumbed to a rib injury, and he’s streaked the defence to score under the posts!
Another lethal counter-attack from the Kiwis, the mistake at the set play exploited, Coles looked wide quickly and good work from Mo’unga found the offload for Bridge.
No mistake from the conversion. What’s that, 7/7 for Richie?
43 min: It’s running rugby! They’re not afraid to try their hand, Japan – no wonder they’re called the Brave Blossoms.
They’ve probed round the edges but the All Blacks have more or less been equal to the task. They swing right as Leitch almost breaks the line, but as they go left again an attempted chip through goes into touch, and New Zealand look to spark the counter attack.
Huge tackle from Japan, and they’ve forced a penalty turnover! Tamura finds the corner precisely with the kick to touch. Big offensive lineout here.
Second half: Japan 19-38 New Zealand
40 min: The All Blacks receive the kick and after a few phases Jordie Barrett thumps a long clearance downfield.
What can Japan do, ball in hand.
And a half-time interview from Japan’s attacking coach Tony Brown, sporting of all things, what appears to be a beret. Move over Paul Tisdale.
We’ll stay with the rugby union for now. Second half not too far away.
And for fans of Australian football – I’d normally presume that’s all of you on Saturday Sportwatch, but we’ve obviously got a more international audience in today – we’ve just kicked off in the first of two A-League encounters today, where it’s Wellington Phoenix playing host to Western Sydney Wanderers.
We’ll bring you updates from that one where we can. It had been stormy and wet in the NZ capital (just for a change) but it looks to have cleared a little ahead of kickoff.
Updated
So. Did you follow all that?!
It was a forty of rugby conducted at breakneck speed, the raw energy of this vibrant home crowd, coupled with a few new faces in the All Blacks line up perhaps helping to contribute to a game where attacks were very much on top.
They haven’t enjoyed too much possession, the hosts, but they’ve managed to at least get three tries on the board. Can they hope for more in the second half?
Half-time: Try! Japan 19-38 New Zealand (Lafaele)
40 min: Lovely stuff! A penalty to the home side, and they elect to kick for the corner. It’s a well-worked set piece and they look to get a strong drive moving. The ABs defence on the line is terrific and wrestles the ball carrier backwards, but does he just catch a flicker of the line with the grounding? Yes, he does!
Tamura hooks the conversion effort from the sideline, but it’s an eight try opening stanza! A frenetic start to this Test!
Updated
Try! Japan 14-38 New Zealand (Laumape)
37 min: Ugh. If only halves ran 33 minutes they could go in the sheds with a sniff, here, the hosts. But it’s gone south incredibly quickly.
Mo’unga at the heart of that move off the base of a solid set lineout. He finds the big centre at close quarters and there’s no stopping Laumape from that range.
Try. Conversion.
Try! Japan 14-31 New Zealand (Tahuriorangi)
35 min: And when your luck is out, it’s out!
New Zealand look to hit straight back, and as Jordie Barrett tries to offload it comes off some Japanese hands, behind their defensive line and on a plate for the on-rushing Tahuriorangi!
Meat and drink. And no mistake from Mo’unga from straight in front with the kick.
Try! Japan 14-24 New Zealand (Tui)
33 min: Referees say yes! But it’s not without controversy.
Tui with a terrific step to find a half whole. He appears to have a body under him, but a follow up player shunts the defensive player on the ground, and it sparks a minor melee.
Can you do that? Probably not. But it’s been given.
Tamura with the conversion – it strikes the post, but ricochets over anyway! When your luck is in, it’s in!
31 min: Japan with ball in hand but they’re guilty again of overplaying it. A cute flick pass but it’s ball to ground, and New Zealand look to punish the extravagant play.
Now it’s the All Blacks guilty of over-egging it, and they’ve turned it over 20m from their own line after Mo’unga ran into heavy traffic and a few passes were forced!
Some fierce running here, and Japan have crossed the line! But has it been grounded?
Try! Japan 7-24 New Zealand (Laumape)
27 min: Different faces, but same shirt. It’s a classic ABs counter-attack, as Japan kick to a well-organised back three, and New Zealand launch a trademark raid from the deep!
Nice wrap-around from Milner-Skudder to create the overlap, before Naholo put it on the toe. A terrific chip and an unfortunate bounce takes out the Japanese fullback, and Laumape strolls over!
No mistake Mo’unga, 4/4.
24 min: A harsh one for Japan, as only a few phases in they’re pinned for a knock-on, perhaps incorrectly. ABs look to attack again, and as Japan go to clear they suffer their own charge down!
It falls more kindly for the hosts, but they try some Harlem Globetrotters stuff with a short crossfield kick looking for the skipper Leitch on the sideline, but it’s just into touch!
Brave or crazy brave? He would have been one-on-one v Coles if he’d reeled it in, but instead it gives the All Blacks a quick line up 30m out from Japan’s line.
22 min: Penalty against the ABs as Laumape attempts the intercept, but can’t reel in the lofted pass. Not a yellow card offence, though.
They haven’t had too much possession so far, so here’s a chance for the home side to build some phases and bring this huge, vocal crowd back into the game.
Try! Japan 7-17 New Zealand (Mo'unga)
18 min: It’s not one-way traffic, but anyone who though Steve Hansen would risk rolling out a subpar XV clearly doesn’t know the man of few smiles.
They’re looking sharp the ABs, and they switch it wide to Mo’unga, who senses a moment’s hesitation in the defensive line, and wriggles through two would-be tacklers about 5m out.
He converts his own try, another drilled effort.
Try! Japan 7-10 New Zealand (Coles)
14 min: All Blacks on the attack again from inside their own 22, with a good shift early. Proctor with a big burst before finding Milner-Skudder on the inside, before Mo’unga found Laumape, who threw a long ball out to the wing.
And who’s out there seagulling? The veteran hooker, Coles! It’s a move made in Wellington as the Hurricanes teammates find the line.
Terrific kick from the touchline from Mo’unga, and they’re back in front, New Zealand.
11 min: It’s another penalty to the ABs and Mo’unga, he must have ice in his veins – without hesitation he drills the kick to touch aiming for inside the 5m line, but this time he nails it!
Attacking lineout, and they look to drive over; but they’re held up! Terrific defence on the line from Japan, and they hold out the All Blacks.
8 min: ABs go short from the kickoff and look to go right back on the attack. Coles with a handy offload and they almost find space down the wing, but Japan scramble well.
A penalty to New Zealand after some good work from Hemopo, but welly, well! Mo’unga looks to gain plenty of metres with the kick for touch, but he puts it dead in-goal.
Big mistake, maybe there are some nerves out there for the Baby Blacks?
Try! Japan 7-3 New Zealand (Anise)
5 min: Wowee, wow. Jordie Barrett looks to clear a regulation ball from the back, but he’s drilled the kick into the outstretched arms of Anise!
Great stretch from the lock, and the ball ricochets fortuitously in the in-goal area and he gratefully takes the try!
No mistake with the boot, and it’s a shock lead for the Brave Blossoms!
Updated
Penalty! Japan 0-3 New Zealand
3 min: No mistake from Mo’unga from dead in front. A nice early nerve settler for the Crusader in just his second start for the All Blacks.
Kick off!
1 min: The All Blacks get us underway, and they’re immediately rugged in defence. It’s an early penalty conceeded by Japan, and Dane Coles gets a look at his first lineout.
He picks out the skipper, Luke Whitelock, and look to set something up. Japan penalised once again for a second player joining the ruck, late.
ABs look to take the early points.
The Hurricanes backliner Nehe Milne Skudder leads the Haka, and Japan opts for the slow walk-towards stare down in response.
I’ve seen Australia try that to them a few times, not sure if it’s ever worked. But maybe that’s just the Wallabies.
Here’s your team lineups:
New Zealand (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Richie Mo’unga, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Luke Whitelock (c), Dalton Papalii, Vaea Fifita, Jackson Hemopo, Patrick Tuipulotu, Angus Ta’avao, Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi
Bench: Liam Coltman, Tim Perry, Tyrel Lomax, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Mitch Drummond, Brett Cameron, George Bridge
Japan (15-1): Ryohei Yamanaka, Jamie Henry, Will Tupou, Timothy Lafaele, Kenki Fukuoka, Yu Tamura, Yutaka Nagare, Hendrik Tui, Kazuki Himeno, Michael Leitch (c), Wimpie van der Walt, Samuela Anise, Hiroshi Yamashita, Atsushi Sakate, Keita Inagaki
Bench: Yusuke Niwai, Masataka Mikami, Asaeli Ai Valu, Uwe Helu, Isileli Nakajima, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rikiya Matsuda, Ryoto Nakamura
Updated
Okay, off to Tokyo, where it’s a reported near 50,000 people packed in – a record crowd in Japan for a rugby game, daring to dream perhaps with this inexperienced NZ line up.
We’re about to have the anthems, and we’ll bring you some squad news asap.
But first for our racing enthusiasts: missed the action from Derby Day at Melbourne’s historic Flemington racetrack? Here’s your as-live account!
Extra Brut wins the Victorian Derby!
Stars of Carrum and Chapada grabbing the places – watch the full race below; Seberate set a cracking pace, and it didn’t slow too much from there!
EXTRA BRUT stays the journey in the AAMI Victoria Derby! pic.twitter.com/F7FbGqpJdp
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 3, 2018
Updated
Kia ora, g’day, Konnichiwa! From wherever it is you’re following this Saturday Sportswatch. Are you herding raindeer across remote Suomi lands while furtively stealing glances at your phone for international rugby league updates? Or returning from an abortive mission to Ouagadougou to find Prester John? Either way, let us know!
Email me or fire a tweet to @rrjparkin to join the coverage, we’d love to hear your best insights, tips and flagrant speculation on today’s sporting matters.
Strong feelings on Usain Bolt’s non-contract in the A-League? Come at me.
Preamble
You’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has faced some public scrutiny back home in NZ after naming a hatful of debutants in a very inexperienced All Blacks lineup against Japan – eight in fact.
But far from handing caps out like free yoghurt samples in a supermarket, those named are still among the top 50 players from a nation that’s peerless in the game; so if Super Rugby was anything to go off, expect NZ’s depth to still stand up well to the test.
And they’re hardly all kids. Veteran hooker Dane Coles returns from a lengthy injury lay off, and Richie Mo’unga – one of the best No 10s in the game – will still be there to steer the All Blacks around the park.
We start Saturday Sportwatch with rugby union, therefore, before A-League action takes over. Fellow New Zealanders Wellington Phoenix will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they take on a Marcus Babbel-less Western Sydney Wanderers, after the Liverpool legend’s sending off during a VAR-ruined ‘incident packed’ Sydney derby.
Then it’s last season’s grand finalists Jets and Victory reacquainting themselves, in the unfamiliar positions of 8th & 10th on the ladder. And, where we can we’ll have WNBL and NBL updates for you as well as Usain Bolt and Mumm champagne product placement from Flemington so that you don’t feel left out if you’re not near commercial TV today.
