Unlike its elder sibling and New Zealand’s national game, Rugby Union, league is always played in a fashion which promotes ball running, and hence maximises try scoring. The tackle rules also necessitate that kicking (away possession) is reserved largely for attacking situations.
Rugby Union in New Zealand is undoubtedly some of the very best and most entertaining in the world. While this makes rugby in this country largely enjoyable, it does not bode well for the sport in other countries. Northern Hemisphere teams in particular rely far too much on the Johnny Wilkinson approach—kick, kick and kick some more.

The major downfall of league, in terms of national popularity, is its lack of global recognition. The likes of rugby and football are much more globally played sports, especially on the international stage. This fact is regularly highlighted in the annual Halberg awards, with rugby a consistent frontrunner, and football having recently taken the stage. The latest awards were dominated by the All Whites, despite having failed to make the second round of the World Cup; whereas the Kiwis completed a major upset of their own in becoming world champions.
One of the major factors behind the excitement of league is the far greater level of physicality, compared to rugby and particularly football. This is another aspect which is heavily influenced by the laws of the game(s). League is by far the most lenient of the three sports, in terms of “tackling” rulings. Watch just one game and this becomes so very clear. I can’t remember the last time a crunching shoulder charge didn’t result in strict disciplining in a rugby match (dear Ma’a and Butch—switch code while you still can!).

Rugby is certainly very much a contact sport, but it stops short of defining the term, due to rules assumedly designed to prevent injuries. However, look at statistics for injuries sustained in rugby and league and I very much doubt they would be a telling factor. This is due at least in part to the vastly differing tackle-ball areas of the games. The elimination of the hassles caused by this area, as well as set pieces, is another factor which leaves league clearly leading when it comes to non-stop action and entertainment.

The reliance on forward packs in modern rugby makes for a much less entertaining format, in my not so humble opinion. But let’s face it, we want to see running rugby and try scoring, not fucking drop goals (although it seems somewhat of a given that the ABs need to learn how to in order to nab a second World Cup). Whatever happened to the “All Backs”? … I guess once you go Black, you do indeed never go back. League players, including the forwards, are all about the cardio (by necessity). Coupled with the brilliant interchange system, this promotes the fast-paced, attacking style and hard-hitting defence that rarely fails to enthrall.

Where rugby flails, football falls flat on its face. The seemingly dying craze that erupted during the All Whites’ admirable road to the FIFA World Cup, and unbeaten run therein, looks set to be replaced imminently by a renewed fervour for rugby, as the Rugby World Cup approaches.

It’s difficult to see how a sport in which a scoreless draw is fairly commonplace can garner such a colossal worldwide audience every day. Yes, there are plenty of intriguing and exciting contests played out, but watching two sides play out a game without troubling the scorers is an a hour and a half you simply can’t get back.

While league players have proven to be successful in extra-curricular activities in the ballpark of boxing, football players (with the exception of the likes of Vinnie Jones—that guy’s a fucking legend!) would be more at home at acting school. Thank god referees are starting to crack down on “Hollywoods”, because nobody likes a faker. That shit is just sad.

Another of the key aspects which makes league such an exciting game is salary capping. With the exception of those who chose to code-switch (not mentioning any names *cough* SBW *cough*), league players are among those who can often be presented as playing for the “love of the game”; a trait which eludes too many professional sportsmen of today. Yes, there’s a salary cap in the A-League but let’s face it, it’s not exactly what you’d call world class.

I don’t disagree with Kiwi rugby players heading abroad to finish off their careers, and talented local football players need to leave New Zealand to improve their game, but surely there’s an element of personal and national pride which needs to be instilled.

Probably the most compelling reason to watch league is the NZ Warriors’ very own Manu “The Beast” Vatuvei. The immense 112kg, 189cm Beast defies all laws of physics to hold his own with the quickest wingers the NRL has to offer, as well as offering a wicked step and the drive force of a bulldozer. Manu has already broken the Warriors’ try-scoring record at just 25 years young, averaging the best part of a try a game, and seems to get even better every single season. Unfortunately, he will be out for up to eight weeks following a knee injury suffered after just 14 minutes into the Warriors’ opening game of 2011.

Although Manu is a big loss, and round one saw a disappointing loss to the Paramatta Eels, the Warriors squad looks perhaps even stronger than the side which finished fifth in 2010, thanks to the smart signings of nippy Australian veteran Shaun Berrigan, blockbusting offload specialist Feleti Mateo and Kiwi goalkicking utility back Krisnan Inu. The future also looks bright, with the Junior Warriors having won last season’s Toyota Cup and already looking slick this season. Watch this space!

Rugby and football are decent enough sports; they just don’t deserve to be so much more popular than league. In my opinion, the majority of (one-eyed) rugby supporters who slander league have probably never given it a proper go. And football simply is not New Zealand’s finest sport. Having said that, indoor football is some seriously good fun. Check out the Multiple Scoregasms carving shit up on Wednesday nights at Shed 1. I hear they are fucking class.

The majority of professional winter sport in New Zealand is finally winding towards its conclusion. With the outbreak of summer nigh and some cracking weather already being enjoyed—even in Hurricane country—it seems wrong that summer sports should still be held back by those of the winter variety. The serial offender, rugby, is gearing up for domestic finals in weeks upcoming, and following the completion of the ITM Cup (and the Heartland Championship), the likes of cricket will finally have their moment in the sun.

The domestic men’s cricket competitions will kick off in early November, with the first of three pre-Christmas Plunket Shield rounds. The Shield competition won’t end until April 2011, with the other disciplines being
contested between rounds. The one day competition will get underway in the New Year, with the opening round on 9 January, while the much hyped HRV Cup will be held throughout December, leading up to the 2 January final.

On a personal note, while I believe Twenty20 isn’t really cricket, it is certainly an excitement machine, and this season’s HRV Cup looks set to be as entertaining as ever. New Zealand cricket is, as always, keen to trumpet this aspect, and with markedly increased (SKY) television coverage this season—with 19 games to be featured from the competition—the ever increasing fan base is sure to continue its rise. Perhaps even more significantly for the competition, there looks set to once again be a classy contingent of imports
taking the field.

Canterbury and Wellington have already dipped into the international market, with both having secured one import, and looking set to sign a second. Canterbury have signed in-form Twenty20 ‘wizard’ Ryan ten Doeschate, and are keen to complement the Dutch all-rounder with Aussie expressman Shaun Tait. Meanwhile, the Firebirds have secured the services of English short-game specialist Luke Wright, and look set to add another prolific Aussie Brett Lee.

Both Wellington CEO Gavin Larsen and coach Anthony Stuart are excited by Wright’s signing, believing that the all-rounder has the ideal skill-set to compliment the Firebirds’ side in the shortest form of the game. I believe the addition of Lee would be an even greater coup, and would stand the side in good stead for the competition. Let’s just hope neither is as much of a flop as English batsman Owais Shah was last season.

Elsewhere, the Northern Knights have been perhaps the most active in the import market, with South African master blaster Herchelle Gibbs almost certain to ply his trade with the side, while the likes of dashing Aussie opener David Warner, and powerhouse all-rounders Kieron Pollard (West Indies) and Andrew Symonds (Australia) have also been linked to the province.

Meanwhile, the Otago Volts have already filled their quota with two somewhat anonymous English all-rounders—big hitting Darren Stevens, and Brendon McCullum-recommended Chris Nash—who management
believes have the skills to fill crucial voids left by last season’s import Dimitri Mascarenhas, and Black Cap Nathan McCullum who is on international duty.

The upcoming domestic cricket season looks sure to be an absolute cracker, with the international flair set to complement the local flavour. The Black Caps also have a relatively busy upcoming schedule in the lead-up to next year’s ODI World Cup—one which looks set to be equally exciting, with an abundance of
youngsters looking to stake their claims, and the imminent return of uber-talented bad boy Jesse Ryder.

I’ll leave you with the great words of our very own Th’ Dudes: “I don’t like cricket, ah… I love it, ah!”

The biggest event on the Australasian motorsport calendar gets underway this weekend, as the V8 Championship Series heads to Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000. Kiwi and Aussie petrol heads alike will be glued to their screens throughout “The Great Race” on Sunday, with yet another nail-biter on the cards. While the overall series itself is shaping up as somewhat of a four horse race, Bathurst is, as usual, wide open.

The somewhat controversial decision to prohibit teams from using their two ‘main game’ drivers in a single car had the potential to change the dynamic of this season’s endurance races—the goal of the organisers being to make the likes of Bathurst more even. In reality, however, the move looks set to have little to no effect. The relative pull of the teams has already proved significant when it comes to finding co-drivers, with the top teams able to secure the services of better helmsmen.

Mount Panorama has been home to a proud history of motor racing, for New Zealand as well as Australia. Kiwi driver Jim Richards is the second most prolific winner of Bathurst—his whopping seven titles only bettered by legendary “King of the Mountain” Peter Brock. In more recent times, Greg Murphy has more often than not carried the Kiwi Bathurst flag, having accumulated an impressive four titles.

Plenty of teams have a legitimate shot at making the podium. Despite this, my resident V8 connoisseur, “Tequila Pete” Hutchings, expects that one of the Team Vodafone cars will more than likely to take it out. Hutchings couldn’t decide between Whincupp and Lowndes’ cars, up until Philip Island, when Lowndes and co-driving super-sub Mark Skaife took the chequered flag. Given current form, his prediction is hard to argue against.

Lowndes’ chances in the enduros were given a massive boost after securing the services of ex-partner and multiple-Bathurst winner Skaife. As defending Bathurst champions, Whincupp and Lowndes’ chances cannot be downplayed, especially given their form has continued into this season (currently lying second and fourth respectively in the championship). Despite championship leader James Courtenay clearly being the in-form driver, his co-driver Warren Luff does not quite have the calibre of some of the other wingmen.

Although the V8s have been dominated by Aussies in recent years, there is certainly hope for Kiwi fans at Mount Panorama. Despite a few disappointing years, Murph is always a threat at Bathurst—still holding the fastest lap record set during the top ten shootout of his title-winning performance in 2003—and recently has had two fourths and a second in his last three digs. Another podium possibility is Jason Richards, who finished third at Philip Island with co-driver Andrew Jones, and also has an impressive recent record at Bathurst, including second the past two years, and fourth in 2007.

Aside from Team Vodafone and the aforementioned Kiwi drivers, Mark “Frosty” Winterbottom—who finished second at Philip Island, and is third in the championship—is another in-form driver in with a shot at Bathurst.

In my opinion, the value money has to be on Richards and Jones, and the safe bet on Lowndes and Skaife. Having said that, my heart is adamant either Murph or one of the Jack Daniels cars will bring it home.

I hope you’ll be joining me in front of The Great Race this coming Sunday—with a slab of cold VB—to cheer on HOLDEN!

The New Zealand Rugby Sevens team will attempt to win their fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi next month. Coach Gordon “Titch” Tietjens has led a side to victory at all three previous Games in which Sevens has been included. Titch has named another tremendously powerful squad to contest this time around and has every right to be confident going in.

As at the last Commonwealth Games, Titch has bolstered his side with fringe All Blacks. A quartet of unwanted recent All Blacks was recently included in the squad—Zach Guildford, Adam Thompson, Ben Smith and Hosea Gear. Unfortunately Otago flanker Thompson—one of many Kiwi rugby stars to come to fruition under Titch’s wing—has since been ruled out, after sustaining a knee injury which will keep him out of rugby for eight to ten weeks. Fortuitously for the Kiwis, another of Titch’s proteges, Waikato flanker Liam Messam, is believed to fancy Thompson’s place in the squad. Failing that, Wellington wing Julian Savea is on standby.

The All Blacks’ losses are Titch’s gain, with unlucky flyers Guildford, Smith and Gear ready to set the field alight in Delhi. Gear in particular has continued where he left off at the end of the Super 14 with his scintillating form surely making an All Blacks recall a matter of ‘when’, rather than ‘if’. Guildford was in the All Blacks for the June tests, and will likely see the Games as an opportunity to push his own claim for a recall. Hawkes Bay speedster Guildford is particularly raring to go, despite being asked to stay home by his worried mother.

Tietjens is excited about his side’s prospects, despite a relatively disappointing World Series. He believes the combination of established national sevens players, along with the x-factor brought by the likes of Smith and Guildford, will give the side every chance of continuing its unbeaten Commonwealth Games record.

If the Kiwis do manage to regain their winning ways, it will bode well for next year’s World Series, and ultimately 2016, when Sevens makes its summer Olympic debut. I really hope Titch sticks around long enough to guide us to Olympic glory. It sure would put a cherry on top of a truly incredible coaching career.

The New Zealand Warriors’ season came to an abrupt end last weekend, after just the first week of the NRL finals. Hopes were high that the Warriors could have a genuine tilt at the title, following a late-season surge which saw them finish fifth in the regular season. A loss to the fourth-placed Gold Coast Titans meant the Warriors needed two of the teams who finished below them to lose. Unfortunately, narrow wins to both the sixth-placed Sydney Roosters and seventh-placed Canberra Raiders sealed our fate. There are, however, plenty of positives to draw from the Warriors’ season.

Coach Ivan Cleary believes his side has been hardened by a tough season, and will have a chance to reap the rewards next year. The Warriors were forced to play the entire season without inspirational former captain Steve Price, as well as dealing with numerous other key injuries. CEO Wayne Scurrah believes that, on the back of said injury setbacks, simply making the top eight was a fantastic achievement. In addition, Cleary sees the bright side of the injury-ridden season, with the opportunity arising for youngsters to step up, as well as for incumbents to take on extra responsibilities.

The Dally M Wing of the Year-winning performances of Manu “The Beast” Vatuvei—who scored a whopping 19 tries in just 18 games—were crucial in the Warriors’ late season charge. Cleary believes that the recruitments sorted for next year—namely Eels duo Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo, and former junior Kiwi Steve Rapira—will ideally complement the likes of Vatuvei. With the loss of veteran Aussie centre Brent Tate to the Cowboys, the Warriors will be hoping this comes to fruition.

With the depature of the two highest-paid Warriors, as well as an increase in the salary cap, Cleary must have enough spare money to further bolster the predominantly youthful side. Having failed to secure Kiwi enforcer Steve Matai’s signature, this will surely go towards filling the big void left by Tate. Succeeding in reinforcing the centres should ensure the Warriors have the makings of a premiership-contending squad, with the youthful forward pack on the rise, and the new halves pairing of James Maloney and Brett Seymour having really clicked. Perhaps the only other area of concern would have been the departure of nifty Scottish hooker Ian Henderson, but said concern has been all but alleviated by the form of the up-and-coming Aaron Heremaia.

I believe next season has the potential to be very successful for the Warriors, even if hit by injuries again. Unfortunately the Kiwis look to have their work cut out for them in the upcoming Tri Nations, with talismanic half Benji Marshall and in-form powerhouse Frank Pritchard in doubt, and the likes of Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran already ruled out. However, you can never rule out the ‘world champion’ Kiwis, and I will be alongside the Mad Butcher, cheering them on all the way!

The future of Kiwi basketball looks bright enough. The Tall Blacks made it past the competitive pool stages for the third consecutive time at the World Championships, with some unprecedentedly strong showings along the way, such as a narrow, hard-fought loss against defending champions Spain, and an impressive 82-70 victory over the highly-ranked French. The Kiwis were realistic about their chances before the tournament, and despite being knocked out by Russia in the second round on Tuesday, they have once again proven themselves to be a genuine threat on the world stage. This form can only be a blessing for the New Zealand Breakers in the upcoming Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) season.

Breakers’ coach Andrej Lemanis recently finalised the player roster for the season starting on 15 October. Guard Kevin Brasswell has returned to the club and, in Lemanis’ view, “rounds out the roster nicely”. The American was credited with being crucial to the Breakers’ late charge last season, thanks to his passing game and vision, which allowed him to link superbly with playmakers such as CJ Bruton and Kirk Penney.

The Tall Blacks’ success is promising for the Breakers, with the bulk of the Auckland-based club’s talent being local. Standout performances from the likes of mountainous prodigy Thomas Abercrombie, returning hard-man Mika Vukona and ever prolific scorer Penney are excellent signs. Add to that the likes of Tall Black ANBL veterans Dillon Boucher and Paul Henare, and young gun Corey Webster, and the homegrown talent looks set to make up a solid backbone for the side. The re-signing of Brasswell, and signing of big American forward Gary Wilkinson, along with the undisputed talents of Australian guard Bruton, makes sure the Breakers’ roster is as strong as ever.

The success of three-on-three basketball at this year’s inaugural Youth Games is filling the sport’s organisers with hope that basketball will continue to be included in future Olympics. This means that the growth of basketball in New Zealand could be further buoyed—perhaps as much as the post-2002 era, following the Tall Blacks’ extraordinary fourth-placed performance at the World Championships.

The Breakers were one of the title favourites last ANBL season, and I expect it will be the same for the upcoming season. With the inherently close nature of the Australian league, however, it is always hard to pick a winner. This always makes it exciting to follow, as I will certainly be doing from the outset.

Let’s hope Kiwi basketball continues to grow and impress.

All Whites players were predicted to make an impact in the overseas transfer market following New Zealand’s unprecedented success at the recent World Cup. The team’s achievements have since lead to a range of outcomes for the players concerned.

While there have not been wholesale, or particularly exceptional transfers, the most outstanding result has to be 22-year-old defender Winston Reid’s signing at EPL club West Ham. Reid was unknown in New Zealand before the World Cup, but that has all changed. His late equaliser against Slovakia in the All Whites’ opening match grabbed headlines, and made him an instant household name.

Since the World Cup, Reid has been linked to a number of top European clubs, including All White captain Ryan Nelsen’s Blackburn Rovers. However, the Hammers secured the talented youngster for three years, with a reported £4 million transfer from Danish side FC Midtjylland.

While Reid’s induction to the Premier League has been well publicised, another All White—18-year-old striker Chris Wood—is also currently plying his trade in England’s top flight. Wood’s West Bromwich Albion was promoted for this season, making him the youngest Kiwi in the competition.

The All Whites’ other World Cup goal scorer, Shane Smeltz, was another big transfer prospect. Smeltz’s prolific form in the A-League over the last few years—including successive golden boot performances—has been nothing short of phenomenal, and this made him hot property even before the successful World Cup campaign. Smeltz has since been signed in on a big money, two year deal to play in China for Super League club Shandong Luneng.

However, these players’ successes have not been without hiccups. Reid made a surprise start in West Ham’s first EPL match of the season, only to make a decidedly average performance in a losing side. He has since picked up a hip injury which has seen him miss the last couple of games, putting his (near) future aspirations in further doubt. Meanwhile, Smeltz reneged on his Chinese deal after spending just five days in the country, and returned to A-League club Gold Coast United. The striker has now signed with Turkish club Genclerbirligi, despite the risk of repercussions for breaking his Shandong contract.

Perhaps most disappointing for All White fans could be Chris Wood’s apparently uncertain future at West Brom. The club recently signed former Celtic striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, and is expected to put both Wood, and fellow striker Simon Cox, up for loan once the Championship window re-opens. However, Wood made an appearance off the bench against English and European giants Liverpool just over a week ago—surely a career highlight—and his young age makes him an almost certain star of the future.

Playing in strong leagues overseas can only strengthen the All White squad as it moves into a new era. Let’s hope Kiwi football can continue its stellar run—both home and abroad.
With a few minor tweaks, the Phoenix will certainly have the potential to grant the latter!

The NPC is underway, and the opening rounds have again provided plenty of upsets. After two weeks, Counties Manukau— one of the wooden spoon favourites—top the table, as one of only three teams to have recorded two wins from two. Canterbury remains the favourite at the TAB, following a draw and a win leaving them in fourth place, while Waikato and Auckland (third and fifth respectively) are third-equal favourites.

The biggest disappointment so far has been local boys Wellington. They’re sitting in the bottom half following a narrow win over the other wooden spoon favourites Tasman, before being the victim of perhaps the biggest upset so far, with a loss to Tana Umaga’s Steelers in round two at the Cake Tin. However, at least the Lions have showed glimpses of class and fight—reason enough to remain second favourites.

Fellow Hurricane franchise sides Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki have had vastly differing fortunes so far. The Turbos are not expected to do much more than cause a few upsets, and almost did so with a gut-wrenching 26–27 loss to Canterbury. On the other hand, the Magpies have been excellent in recent years, and hence will be disappointed with an 11–30 defeat at the hands of Bay of Plenty. This was following on from yet another strong showing against Canterbury (23-all in round one). Meanwhile, Taranaki has had a mixed start, backing up a narrow upset loss to in-form Northland with a solid win over Tasman, to currently fly the Hurricane flag in seventh place.

The surprise packages so far, other than the table-topping Steelers, have been Northland and Bay of Plenty. Despite only recording one win apiece, both have caused upsets, and been narrowly denied hard-fought victories in their other games. My favourite moment so far was Taniwha veteran David Holwell’s canny try against North Harbour—a classy left-foot step capped off by ducking under the last defender’s tackle. While it is far too early to make many predictions, there are certainly good early signs that this season could be tight and exciting. I still have faith in Wellington’s ability to finish at the top, and failing that there is always the mighty Wairarapa-Bush in the Heartland Championship.

I feel sure the sides will perform better than in the Super 14, and the All Blacks’ commanding form in the Tri Nations bodes well for Kiwi rugby on the whole.

Formula One has continued to be rife with controversy in recent years, and following the widely publicised Max Mosley scandal, this year has been no different. The season is starting to reach an epic climax, with the top five drivers separated by less than a single win following the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, the last two races in particular have been marred by intra-team shenanigans.

The illegal utilisation of team tactics has been under the spotlight, with Ferrari having already been convicted and fined $100,000. Felipe Massa was indirectly instructed to let more likely championship contender Fernando Alonso pass him at the German Grand Prix (“Fernando is faster than you”), while leading a Ferrari one-two. Veteran V8 driver Russell Ingall has said that if he was told to let a teammate pass while leading a race, he would have given team management the “one finger salute”. The outspoken Australian asserted that Formula One had no credibility remaining, and that if he wanted to see a manufactured sporting result, he would watch Pro Wrestling.

The incident resonates back to the antics of Michael Schumacher and his team back in his glory days with Ferrari. Ferrari has been widely criticised for constantly forcing long-time teammate Rubens Barrichello to allow Schumacher to pass him. The tables were turned somewhat at the Hungarian Grand Prix, when Barrichello passed Schumacher late in the race to claim the last race point. Schumacher’s infamous questionable sportsmanship came to the forefront again, as he nearly forced Barrichello into the wall by closing the gap dangerously late.

There was also rumour at Hungary that Red Bull’s Sebastien Vettel had been instructed to maximise the distance between himself and leader teammate Mark Webber behind the safety car, in order to give Webber time to pit. Red Bull fervently denied this, and in reality this does seem farfetched, given Vettel’s bemusement at his drive-through penalty (received for slipping further than ten car lengths back)—stating that he did not know what it was for at the time. Additionally, Vettel and Webber’s rocky relationship—which climaxed when the pair collided at the Turkish Grand Prix—would make the use of team tactics seem highly unlikely.

Despite the controversy surrounding Formula One etiquette, this season looks set to go right down to the wire, for both the Drivers’ and Constructers’ Championships, with Red Bull leading McLaren by just eight points and Webber only four ahead of second-placed Lewis Hamilton going into the Belgium Grand Prix. With seven races left, Ferrari cannot be counted out yet either, and it is nigh on impossible to pick a winner from the top five drivers.

The Black Caps embark on a tri-series against Sri Lanka and India this month on the back of the recent naming of the year’s contracted players list. As per usual, the makeup of the list was not without controversy. Five changes have been made to last season’s twenty, with a number of star rookies making their presence felt.

Veteran domestic toilers Andy McKay and Nathan McCullum have been added to the list, alongside BJ Watling and exciting prodigy Kane Williamson, while Scott Styris gets his place back following Shane Bond’s retirement. The casualties are underperforming batsmen Neil Broom and Daniel Flynn, and all-rounders James Franklin and Ian Butler.

The new points system used to select the contracted players played a big part in the demise of Ian Butler, who was pinpointed as the “unluckiest player” by coach and selector Mark Greatbach. Test performances are now worth double those of ODIs and T20s, making it difficult for limited over specialists like Butler to make it—especially with a relatively large quantity of test cricket coming up. Butler has surely outperformed the likes of Styris and Jacob Oram over the last year.

The “Baby Caps” head to Sri Lanka as clear underdogs (currently paying around $4.50 to win the series), due in no small part to its youthful nature. The distinctive lack of captain fantastic Daniel Vettori and master blaster Brendon McCullum leaves the Kiwis somewhat underpowered. It will be interesting and worthwhile seeing how the Ross Taylor-captained side manages in their absence.

The most publicised Black Cap news is the continued unavailability of injury-prone star Jesse Ryder. Ryder has been ruled out of the tri-series, due to an aggravated elbow injury sustained prior to the Twenty20 World Cup in May. Ryder’s injury-prone nature has caught the attention of Greatbach, who believes that the big hitting all-rounder needs to start working just as hard off the field as on it in order to avoid continued injuries. This is a view trumpeted by ex-Black Cap Craig McMillan, who believes Ryder is not doing his best to get fit, and hence has a questionable work ethic.

Ryder’s place has been taken in the tri-series squad by Central Districts’ opener Peter Ingram—a twist of fate following his absence from the contracted players list. His spot was originally reserved for fellow un-contracted batsman Aaron Redmond, however, the Otago opener has wedding commitments.

The touring squad is far from ideal, while the contracted list also (debatably) leaves a lot to be desired. But you can never count out the Black Caps when it comes to ODIs. I will be keenly following the tri-series, starting on the 10th against India. With plenty of promising youngsters coming through the ranks, New Zealand cricket is hopefully on the way up.