Scotty Stevenson: Viva Las Raiders

So much for that.

For all the fanfare and the bright lights, the charter flight of hopes and dreams, and the extensive coverage of the Warriors’ maiden visit to Vegas, the harsh reality is this: they were hammered by the Raiders and deserved to finish third in a two-horse race.

At least the Raiders went all-in.

The Warriors looked as if they were too scared to take a seat at the table. They were tentative on attack, misguided on set-completion and defensively inept, slipping off an alarming number of tackles (36) as the green machine did them over 30-8.

Regardless of what you think about the NRL’s Vegas gambit (and in my experience your proximity to any occasion goes a long way to deciding how you feel about it) the fact is, this was an official NRL game - the season opener no less - and this kind of performance is hardly the tone-setter Andrew Webster was looking for.

Webster alluded to the “emotion” of the occasion – coach code for being a bit overwhelmed by the week. It didn’t look like the other team had any such problems, though they started the trip with a faux-hotel elevator fight featuring an inflatable baseball bat, so I guess they got the “emotion” out of the way early.

The Raiders were by far the superior side. They looked hungrier, created more opportunities, shut down the Warriors' central runners, and harried the Warriors’ outsides, who rarely looked willing to take a sideline option.

That was not a problem for Raiders’ wing Xavier Savage, whose second try of the opening half (a long-range effort from an interception mere minutes after being placed on report, which just proves how hopeless the report system is in terms of giving any advantage to the aggrieved party) allowed the Raiders to jump out to a 16-nil lead, and effectively killed the game as a contest.

At least the Warriors have until March 14 until they play their second game of the season.

Coach Webster said after the game, “we’ve got to celebrate anything we did well tonight” - which by any serious estimation would not have taken long.

What will take much of the next fortnight is figuring out just how this side allowed themselves to play the bit part when they were supposed to be the star attraction.

While the NRL opener in Vegas proved to be a one-sided affair, the same could not be said of the final of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, New Zealand’s women’s domestic one-day competition. In a match for the ages, the Otago Sparks chased down 292 for victory, claiming their second straight title with the very last ball of the match.

The Sparks, without veteran Suzie Bates (precautionary withdrawal), Hayley Jensen (injured in warm up) and Bella James (injured), knew something special would be required after the Auckland Hearts posted 291 thanks to captain Maddy Green’s 126 (her third century of the season) and Lauren Down’s 90.

It did not look likely early, as Saffron Wilson and Olivia Gain both departed within the first four overs. It would be two partnerships – one always a chance and one straight out of left field – that would eventually see the Sparks home.

Skipper Felicity Robertson and freshly minted White Fern Polly Inglis shared in a 148-run third wicket stand to keep on target, but a middle-order crumble meant the Sparks found themselves 190-6 with less than 14 overs remaining and 102 runs required.

Cue PJ Watkins and Eden Carson – the latter with one list A half-century to her name.

To say this was the innings of Carson’s life is an understatement. The diminutive spinner bashed two sixes and five fours on her way to 59 not out from just 43 deliveries. Watkins, for her part, played the perfect foil, finishing 47 not out from 60 balls.

If Carson’s hitting was impressive, her running was sublime. Time after time, she pressured the Hearts’ fielders, turning quickly and turning singles into twos.

In the final over, she managed the feat twice, once off a wild throw from the outfield, and the second time, off the final ball of the match, from a misfield inside the circle.

Carson, sitting safe after sliding in on the throw, threw her bat away and was duly mobbed by her teammates. This was a win for the ages and a match that deserves to be considered one of the greatest finals in HBJ history.

A bit of Beauden Barrett magic ensured the Blues snapped up their first victory of the Super Rugby season with a 33-29 away win against the Hurricanes.

Barrett was the spark for the Blues go-ahead try in the 70th minute, and simply must have more time controlling the play. Barrett has been picked at fullback for the opening three matches, but it is obvious he craves a positional switch.

Ironically, Harry Godfrey, playing first five for the ‘Canes, looked like vintage Beauden Barrett. Expect to see a switch in the coming weeks.

The NZ Open is a fantastic showcase for golf and for the Central Lakes region, and the pictures beaming out of Arrowtown over the last four days have been superb.

Golf has exploded in popularity over the last five years.

The chief executive of Golf NZ, Jeff Latch, told Sport Nation that club memberships have gone from 104,000 five years ago to more than 150,000 today, while a further 300,000 golfers are playing without official club memberships.

The final round at Millbrook was a sensational watch, and the format continues to be attractive to amateurs and professionals alike.

The Black Sticks women will face Ireland in the final of the Nations Cup in Chile today, with coverage available on TVNZ+.

It has been a fantastic tournament for the team, finding its feet again after missing out on an Olympic Games berth last year.

The team has beaten Scotland, Korea and Chile on the way to the final, with their only loss coming against Ireland in their second match last week. This would be a great step forward for a team that is desperate to be back at international hockey’s top table.