D2 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, February 19, 2011 THE PRESS,

IN BRIEF Head1

Coach quits ❯❯ Former Waikato coach Tony Let ratepayers rename stadium Hanks is leaving London Wasps after 21 months as the et’s launch a Now, we shouldn’t carp Christchurch’s coffers. Zealand wicketkeeper and Perhaps people just don’t now. The remaining first- Premiership club’s rugby campaign to rename and moan because we’ve got a Sports stadiums will Tony , claimed the national care about the way class players are hardly director. The New Zealander the People’s Republic spanking new facility, albeit always have to be subsidised, Smith authorities had got the timing they used to. After all, Cricket household names. How many announced yesterday he had Lof Christchurch’s one where the punters are to some degree. But it seems all wrong for the T20 season World Cup fever has hardly of the present Black Caps – left the club by mutual main sporting stadium still too far from the action sport has become less self- with the hit-and-giggle reached epidemic levels this Brendon McCullum, Jesse agreement. Wasps have won . due to the ground’s oval supporting, not more, since competition shifting to the week. Ryder and, perhaps, Ross just one of their last six After all, the beleaguered configuration. the advent of professionalism. busy pre-Christmas period Comparisons have been Taylor apart – have the same Premiership games. ratepayers are the majority But it’s more pleasant Should the general punters The Bald Facts from January when punters made between Canterbury pulling power as Cairns (or shareholders in the opulent going to games there now of Christchurch – the major- have more time on their Wizards crowds now to the his dad), , amphitheatre, not a than it was in the 1970s, when ity of whom never go near a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? hands. 1990s era, when huge crowds Richard Hadlee and Astle? Dreams of upset Christchurch-based the old open embankment rugby game – have to contin- He may well be right. He flocked to Lancaster Park for Domestic cricket is ❯❯ Crawley Town are dreaming insurance company. was in full swing. Back then, ue paying through the nose so Germon’s stumper could also argue, with some one-day finals. But, while the suffering from the same of scoring the greatest upset We don’t know how much you always got wet even on the city can host the All justification, that sport hasn’t Wizards have done well apathy which has afflicted in FA Cup history as they money AMI pays to have its fine days, if you get my drift Blacks? Is an All Black test Lee Germon almost been immune from the impact enough this year, you can’t local football and rugby prepare to take on mighty name affixed to our sporting (or someone else’s, in fact). worth a potential 1 per cent covered all the bases – if he’ll of the recession. compare the current team to league. It’s hard to get fans off Manchester United at Old shrine – sponsorship sums There’s no doubt that the rate rise every year? pardon a softball analogy – in But he may have the 90s incarnation with their couches when they can Trafford in the fifth round are deemed commercially venerable venue had to be Anyway, who pays the his rationale for dwindling overlooked the innate , Craig watch top world sport with a tomorrow morning. Both clubs sensitive these days. But I redeveloped or Christchurch piper should play the tune. crowds at Canterbury reluctance of Canterbury McMillan, , flick of the remote button. are nicknamed The Red Devils doubt it’s in the same ballpark would have struggled to Shouldn’t we, as owners and Wizards cricket matches. cricket types to travel east of , The Canterbury Wizards v and they are both managed by as the $45 million the city attract A-level rugby tests underwriters of the stadium, Almost. Fitzgerald Ave to QEII’s and Lee Germon himself. Northern Districts or a fiery Glaswegian. Man- council may pluck from our which are worth millions to have a right to name the The Canterbury Cricket Village Green, or north to The Black Caps barely play Australia v in the chester United have won the pockets by way of a rates rise. earthquake-rattled ground? Lancaster Park has a chief executive, a former New Rangiora. in our domestic competitions Ashes? league 18 times and the FA Cup on 11 occasions. Craw- ley’s more modest recent suc- cesses have come in the Sus- RUGBY sex Senior Cup and the South- ern League Championship. NZ sevens draw Same old cup ❯❯ The sevens team will face France, Portu- Opening try: Highlander Lima gal and Korea in pool play at Sopoaga dives over in the tackle the next of Hurricane to score month. New Zealand, who the first try of the Super season at year problem share the lead in the world Westpac Stadium in series with England on 80 last night. Photo: NZPA Familiar territory, different points after three tourna- scenario. Richard ments, were drawn in Pool A in In 2007 – a World Cup year Hong Kong yesterday. – the also began Knowler SCORERS their Super campaign at where they slumped to a Gold to Slovenia Highlanders 14 (Lima 34-25 defeat on a warm Comment ❯❯ Tina Maze, of Slovenia, won Sopoaga try; Sopoaga 2 pen, evening. the gold medal yesterday in Robbie Robinson pen) As demanded by the All the women’s giant slalom at 9 ( 3 Blacks coaches, both teams were smacked by the in the world championships in pen). Halftime: 11-6. had omitted the majority of , while the All Blacks’ Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Ger- their internationals who were aspirations for world domi- many, riding her advantage Waratahs 43 (Kurtley Beale instead immersed in a rigor- nation were garrotted by the from the first run to her first (2), Drew Mitchell (2), Tatafu ous training programme to French in their quarterfinal major title. Federica Brignone, Polota-Nau, Rob Horne, Phil prepare for the global tourna- in . The idea might of Italy, took the silver and Waugh tries; Kurtley Beale ment. have been sound, but the Tessa Worley, of France, (2), Drew Mitchell (2), Tatafu For a side that often conditioning programme had jumped from 19th to third for Polota-Nau, Rob Horne, Phil selected some of the heaviest proved a PR disaster. the bronze medal. Waugh conv.) beat Rebels 0. names in world rugby, the Now, in another World Crusaders were without Leon Cup year, things have MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, changed. Skater in form , Richie McCaw, All Blacks boss Graham ❯❯ New Zealand ice skater and Chris Henry is still eager to have his Shane Dobbin showed he is on Jack when they were players ‘‘managed’’ during target for the 2014 Winter removed for six rounds. the extended Super season, Olympic Games with world Nonu loses control, Hurricanes lose game A browse through that although in a more subtle class results at the 2011 world match programme shows manner; discussions have all-round speed skating Toby Robson opening to Hammett’s reign canes’ effort on a night where nobody, but coach Jamie line breaks cancelled out by Brent Ward at fullback, Rua been held with the coaches, championships in Calgary last as coach and to another passes were spilled, touch Joseph, thought they could. sloppy kicking, including two Tipoki used as a substitute in who have agreed they will weekend. Dobbin finished Hurricanes second five-eighth Hurricanes season that got off missed and opportunities lost. Sopoaga missed three pen- easy misses from his five the midfield and Peter Nixon rest their All Blacks at fourth in the 10,000m in 13min Ma’a Nonu must have missed to a horror start in front of They were also outnum- alties and a conversion, but attempts. and Jake Paringatai unloaded various points of the season. 6.17sec, taking him to ninth new coach ’s just 11,091 fans. bered at attacking rucks with struck when it mattered most Hurricanes wing Julian into the back row. Although there has been overall. In the 5000m he memo about discipline as the Nonu’s second-half send- blindside Adam Thomson the after Cowan scooted around Savea summed up his side’s That was also a year when no public declaration of when, finished fifth. Dobbin broke season got off to ing off for a late shoulder pick of the visiting pack. Hurricanes skipper Andrew frustrating inability to get a fresh-faced blindside flanker you can bet Henry and the national records in the 1500m, the ugliest of starts. charge on Highlanders half- The only ones who didn’t Hore on the back of a lineout going, not touching the ball in by the name of five franchise coaches have 5000m and 10,000m and was a Nonu’s second half sending back saw him care that this was an awful on the half-hour mark. the opening 40 minutes. made his Super debut. mapped out a plan. But if fraction outside the record in off left the Hurricanes a man gain his second yellow card advertisement for the new It was a rare spark from The match will be remem- Those were complicated injuries strike other players, the 500m. down for the final half hour as from Australian referee Stu Super Rugby competition either side, but enough to get bered for Nonu’s late shoulder days for everyone; the players or teams plunge in form, there they crashed to a 14-9 loss to Dickinson after an earlier were the Highlanders. the southern franchise home. charge on Cowan, who stayed were itching to play despite could be an edge to some mid- the Highlanders in Welling- transgression at a ruck. They rode a first-half try to In contrast, Sopoaga’s down for dramatic effect until being instructed to remain in term discussions. Some Super Liverpool draw ton last night. But it was far from the young first five-eighth Lima opposite, Aaron Cruden, was Dickinson had finished cottonwool, the coaches were coaches may want to keep ❯❯ Liverpool was close to It was a disappointing only ugly part of the Hurri- Sopoaga to get the win off his game, some nice early playing cards. Fairfax frustrated at fielding depleted running their internationals reaching the round of 16 of the lineups while watching the while their form remains hot, Europa League by drawing South Africans and Aussies while Henry will tap their with Sparta Prague 0-0 yester- select their internationals and temples and urge them to day. The result left Liverpool a the broadcasters were hardly recall their pre-season agree- clear favourite for the second Lineouts will intrigue most thrilled at seeing the All ment. leg of the round of 32 match at Blacks stars omitted. Just when Crusaders Anfield in a week. From his perspective, coach will Deans wanted the All Blacks rest his key playmaker, Ban looming in tonight’s Eden Park clash left right out of the compe- Carter, could yet prove a tition – his reasoning was the turning point in his season. ❯❯ AC Milan vice-president David Long physicality and Sam returning internationals With now with Adriano Galliani sprung to the Whitelock is a real pest would disrupt the rhythm of the Highlanders and Stephen defence of veteran midfielder Of all the matchups for around those rucks.’’ the team. Brett contracted to the , Gennaro Gattuso after Uefa tonight’s Super Rugby clash Crunch time will come at Despite the disruption the Blackadder must call on Matt charged him with gross un- at Auckland’s Eden Park the lineouts. Going by repu- Crusaders still qualified for Berquist or the raw Tyler sporting conduct over his between the Blues and tation this is where the Blues the semifinals where they Bleyendaal as cover. behaviour in Wednesday’s Crusaders, the most should come out on top – Champions League match intriguing will be the one in Williams and Boric are world- between Milan and Tottenham the second rows. class jumpers. THE NEW SUPER RUGBY FORMAT Hotspur. After the game he It features four locks who Thorn is the weakest of the headbutted Joe Jordan. fancy their chances of making four in lineouts but the it into the All Blacks squad Crusaders do have the option ■ The addition of the face the Blues, , Bahrain in doubt for the World Cup. Whichever of going to Kieran Read at the Melbourne Rebels has Hurricanes and Highlanders pair ends up on top could back, although the Blues can increased the competition twice. The top finisher from ❯❯ Formula One’s season- determine which side wins counter there through Jerome to 15 teams and six teams each ‘‘conference’’ will opening Bahrain Grand Prix on tonight. Kaino. will now qualify for the automatically snare a March 13 may have to be On one side there is Brad Another advantage for the playoffs in late June. playoff place. called off due to civil unrest in Thorn – who is yet to show who arguably moved ahead of Blues is the continuity that ■ Qualification is determined ■ The remaining three playoff the country, commercial any signs of slowing down – Tom Donnelly in the pecking comes from starting their best by teams that top their spots will be determined by supremo Bernie Ecclestone and , the big order during last season’s All team over the past two weeks country’s ‘‘conference’’ or teams with the most said yesterday. At least three sensation in the All Blacks Blacks end-of-year tour. of trial games. collect the most competition points from all people were killed overnight last year. Boric is fully aware of The Crusaders weren’t competition points. their matches. It is possible after Bahraini police stormed a In the other team there’s what Thorn and Whitelock able to welcome back some of ■ Each Sanzar country will New Zealand may have just protest camp in a central , an All Blacks will bring to the tussle. their All Blacks until their host two ‘‘derby’’ matches one team in the playoffs if Manama square. incumbent up until two years ‘‘They’ve got real workers final pre-season hit-out between their five teams the South African and ago when his injury run in that second row, ’’ he said. against the Highlanders over throughout the season. For Aussie sides outperform German steps up began, and , ‘‘Thorn brings that real a week ago. Fairfax example, the Crusaders them. ❯❯ Nick Heidfeld will replace injured Polish driver Robert Kubica at next month’s Bah- rain Formula One season- opener. The Lotus-backed Dagg cracks smiles as well as defences outfit said the experienced 33-year-old German would test for the team at Spain’s Richard Knowler Springboks on August 21. with layers of skill. Even with caps, he earned just one more said this week. ‘‘And it turned Barcelona circuit this week In that split-second he nursing start after out to be the right option; I and then race alongside has brought his almost went from being a his injured leg, the Crusaders’ returned from injury, and a cracked it and made the All Russian team-mate Vitaly inimitable enthusiasm to the national treasure to embar- back division is heaving with 15cm quadriceps muscle tear Blacks.’’ Petrov at Sakhir on March 13. Crusaders as he prepares for rassment as he went close to talent in Dan Carter, Robbie forced him out of the All Midway through last Kubica has been ruled out for his first match in red and crossing the dead ball line; Fruean, Sean Maitland and Blacks’ northern tour. year’s Super 14, however, at least three months and black against the Blues at instead he dotted the ball Dagg, who, at just 22, may be Following two seasons at there was no preventing Dagg possibly the entire season Auckland’s Eden Park down short of the white paint on the cusp of launching a the Highlanders, Dagg’s from wanting to sign with the after suffering serious arm, leg tonight. to give the All Blacks an memorable career in World arrival at the Crusaders is a Crusaders. and hand injuries in a rally Another couple of inches improbable 29-22 win and Cup year. year later than expected. His mind was made up; he crash in Italy 11 days ago. and Israel Dagg’s youthful have New Zealanders back A reasonably big man for a The Christchurch-based wanted to link with the side exuberance could have seen home leaping off their fullback – he stands 1.86m and franchise also wanted Dagg he had admired as a kid and him make one of rugby’s most couches in hysteria. weighs 97kg – the Hawke’s for their 2010 campaign, but the one he believed would Sibling to race expensive blunders in Soweto His near blunder in Soweto Bay product’s running game the enable him to benefit him ❯❯ Lewis Hamilton’s younger last year. may have nearly caused some from broken play made Irish Union told him his immediate most. brother Nicolas, who has Having been put in the pensioned-off fans to croak eyes water as the debutant future lay in . ‘‘That was what made my cerebral palsy, is to compete clear by Ma’a Nonu, Dagg with shock, yet there is attacked from the deep in ‘‘Ah, yeah . . . I had the decision so easy to come here. in the junior Renault Clio Cup plunged down the accelerator something infectious about last winter opportunity to come here last I have been watching these series in Britain after gaining and lifted an arm in triumph his enthusiasm on and off the and his audacity in Soweto year but I just thought I would guys play my whole life. They his racing licence last week. before he scored the All rugby field and that is not suggests a lack of confidence give the Highlanders another play exciting rugby. That is The eight-round Renault Clio Having fun: Israel Dagg enjoys a lighter moment during Crusaders Blacks’ winning try in the likely to be tempered by a will not be an issue. crack, just to give it one more what I love and that is what I Cup season starts in April. training in Christchurch. Photo: JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON final seconds against the Crusaders backline stacked Although he amassed six shot to see how it goes,’’ Dagg want to play.’’ Agencies