In this week's On The Sidelines, Scotty looks at the 'grandma' gang's shot at a series win, a thrilling NPC final and the Kiwis licking their wounds after losing to the Kangaroos.
'Grandma' gang give NZ shot at series win
New Zealand cricket is still basking in the afterglow of two breakthrough performances — the Women’s T20 World Cup victory and the men's Test series win in India — but the good times kept rolling over the weekend, with the White Ferns squaring their one-day series 1-all with an emphatic performance in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand’s performance relied heavily on the self-proclaimed “grandmas” of the side. Suzie Bates (58) was in sparkling touch, bringing up a 35th ODI half-century and sharing in an 87-run opening wicket stand with the impressive Georgia Plimmer (41). Sophie Devine was back among the runs after a lean time, reaching 79 off 86 deliveries, and Maddy Green, whose influence on the side in one-day cricket cannot be underestimated, added a quickfire 42, as the tourists posted 259/9.
In reply, India never looked likely, effectively batting for time to keep the New Zealanders fielding in the heat for as long as possible. Tahuhu had Smriti Mandhana caught without scoring with her second ball, and Jess Kerr trapped the dangerous Shafali Verma two overs later. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 24 off the bowling of Devine and India slumped to 77/5. From that point, the hosts lost all hope of victory.
Devine and Tahuhu both claimed three wickets, Devine with a player-of-the-match performance.
This was a spectacular turnaround from the opening match, played so soon after the World Cup final. It was a win spearheaded by the experienced campaigners — Bates, Devine, Green and Tahuhu — and one that showed this series is very much for the taking.
The final match takes place tonight, with play scheduled to start at 9pm NZT.
All Blacks attack must fire at Twickenham
As far as tests go, the All Blacks v Japan fixture over the weekend was not what you might call text book or traditional. This was 80 minutes of commercialised chaos, as Patrick McKendry and I cover off in the weekend’s episode of Test Digest.
It may seem unfair to look for fault in a team that put 64 points on the opposition, but the result did nothing to assuage the nagging concerns that this All Blacks squad is struggling to fully commit to an all-out assault gameplan.
The test itself has been well trawled over, but all eyes now turn to London and what shapes as a much tougher assignment. Many of the All Blacks’ key starters bypassed the Tokyo tour to be in place for this weekend’s fixture and news of Scott Barrett’s availability is one major positive.
This team will have to blitz — and be able to stay in that mode for much longer than they have been able to this season. With the exception of the Fijian and Japanese hidings, and the final home test against Australia, New Zealand’s fluctuations in focus have left the fans feeling flat.
They will get no respite over the coming three weeks, which is why the selection of halfback, first-five and fullback are going to be crucial.
Patrick McKendry has run the rule over those decisions and selected his team.
Thrilling NPC final further evidence of competition’s importance
Undoubtedly the most exciting game of rugby on Saturday took place in Wellington, rather than Tokyo. In appalling conditions, the Lions and Steamers played out a regulation-time stalemate that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
This was a high-quality graft from the two teams that have led the way statistically this year. Bay of Plenty found themselves behind by eight points at the break, which felt like a victory, considering they were playing into a howling gale.
The visitors were able to take advantage of a climbing penalty count early in the second half and did well to create that pressure on an otherwise staunch Wellington defence.
Emoni Narawa’s go-ahead try in the 58th minute should have signalled the beginning of the end for the home side, but instead, the Lions showed an incredible aptitude for controlling possession and field position. Jackson Garden-Bachop and Peter Umaga-Jensen were outstanding, using all their experience to probe and prod for space and opportunity.
Brad Shields and DuPlessis Kirifi were heroic in the loose.
Garden-Bachop had three chances to seal the deal in regulation time, but could not break the deadlock. Instead, we were treated to 13 minutes of extra time, before the unheralded Callum Harkin stepped forward to kick the winning points.
The White Ferns and Black Ferns dominate India in all forms of cricket. (Source: Breakfast)
New Zealand Rugby’s governance will be in the spotlight again over the coming weeks, but the unions have been heard in terms of where (most) see the opportunity for the NPC. Those voices must stay strong.
The current provincial rugby pathway is unique to New Zealand and this has been an outstanding season set against the backdrop of further funding cuts.
New Zealand Rugby must re-up its commitment to the programme and the unions must have clear direction on the role they have to play to keep the sport front of mind for future generations.
Silver Ferns show heart and skill in savaging Australia
You would have got long odds on the Silver Ferns beating Australia by 18 goals on their patch, but they were backing themselves and it showed on Saturday.
Head coach Noeline Taurua talked about embracing the player leadership group in strategic decisions before the Taini Jamison series against England, something she revealed has not been a part of the team set up in the past. While the series against England did not go to plan, the team did fight back in Invercargill to take the final game.
Since then, this side has not looked back.
A win against Australia at home is one thing, but the Ferns have struggled across the ditch. Not this time.
Australia were routed in New Zealand and have now been handed one of their heaviest defeats. The Ferns played with accuracy, intensity and jaw-dropping skill on their way to victory.
The series goal tally stands at 188-145. In netball terms, that is about as one-sided as it gets.
The other point to note is that Taurua did not make a single change in the game. The starting seven all played 60 minutes.
Is that part of the secret to driving this team’s performances? You can read captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio on the mindset here:
Auckland FC go top, Phoenix lay in wait
It's hard to imagine a better introduction to the A-Leagues. Last weekend the Black Knights took down the Roar 2-0 in front of a 24,000-strong crowd and this week, they entertained the fans for 97 minutes, before Nando Pijnaker back-heeled the ball into the goal, sending the south stand into raptures.
I wrote last week about the importance of Auckland FC’s introduction to the A-Leagues for football in the city and in New Zealand, and their clash this week with Wellington Phoenix will be one to savour.
Not ones to be left out, the Phoenix managed to get a banner flying over Mount Smart on Saturday. It read: "New Zealand is Yellow. See you next week."
It was a great touch from the competition veterans, but a reminder that having two clubs in the country has the potential to foster some incredible occasions.
It's certain to be one in Wellington next week, as the Yellow Fever go toe-to-toe with the Port.
Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns go down, but league the winner in Christchurch
The Kiwis will have to lick their wounds after a gutsy but ultimately unsuccessful performance against the Kangaroos, while the Kiwi Ferns will also have to shake off a 14-0 loss to the Jillaroos. Both teams are back in action this weekend — the Ferns facing PNG and the Kiwis taking on Tonga.
One thing is certain — rugby league would have a wonderful home in Christchurch. Addington Stadium was a wall of noise all day and into the night.
League fans wear their hearts on their sleeves and genuinely believe they have a role to play in the match. Imagine an NRL club to call their own in the south — now that would be something to celebrate.
The door isn't shut on a South Island club just yet. Hopefully the scenes on Saturday force that door open again.
There were some touching moments on the weekend — the return of Shaun Johnson to the Kiwis jersey being one and the debut of Jordan Riki another.
You can read about the latter here:
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