Dicks, Picks and Tricks
A sporting weekend Lollapalooza
Yes! Finally!
A ranking article!
A listicle!
The easiest way to break down anything of anything significant.
Question answered: was that our most extraordinary weekend of sport?
Outside of the Olympics and in the ‘modern era’ (whatever the parameters are for that definition)?
Yes, it has to be one of our most incredible weekends of sport, not involving rugby, in a long time, if ever.
BUT HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY DECIDE WHAT IS THE BEST IN SPORT WITHOUT SHOUTING DOWN EACH OTHER IN UNHEALTHY DISCOURSE?!?
From Auckland FC’s debut on a sun-soaked Go Media Stadium to the hallowed grounds of Dubai International Stadium (so many memories are made there for cricket fans…well, there is one now) and the legendary Formula One track in Austin, Texas, the weekend had it all!
With apologies to Hayden Wilde for winning the World Triathlon Championship finale in Spain and our Women’s Canoe Polo Team for winning the World Championship for the first time in eight years, here’s how they rank on my official ‘unlikeliness’ scale… this is the defining list that must be adhered to, ok?
6. Team New Zealand
No matter how much you dress this up, it was a formality, wasn't it?
Sir Ben Ainslie did his best impersonation as a villain and then mentioned that, according to history, no lead is safe, but Team New Zealand took care of business.
My favourite was the ‘it’s not fair’ brigade from the world’s media, which the Herald did a great job collating.
5. Auckland FC’s debut
I went because I had corporate tickets, and I probably wouldn't have gone if I didn’t.
Yes, I’m at that age and saw many people in the lounge with the same sentiment.
You would too, wouldn't you?
Please say ‘yes’.
Congrats to the crowd, the owners, the organisers, the PR machine, the players and the fans who turned up.
It’s pretty impressive to see on the Auckland FC jersey Fonterra, McDoanld’s and ANZ all on board.
I also went to the Phoenix game for Sky’s coverage and saw what they were up against. Phoenix fans seem annoyed with Auckland FC, and I can imagine that within the organisation in the capital, they are annoyed with the love the new kids on the block received.
It also helps when there are two billionaires involved in getting a new franchise off the ground.
As a Wellingtonian, seeing so many empty seats for a team that went close to the Grand Final last season pains me.
At least the weather was its usual calm, sunny self for it.
Here’s a thought. They both need each other. The A League needs a rivalry with the Sydney and Melbourne teams having healthy play, now New Zealand Football fans have one.
November 2nd for the first derby game between AFC and the Phoenix will be amazing.
Please turn up, Wellington.
4. Black Caps (sorry BLACKCAPS…THEIR NAME MUST BE SHOUTED ACCORDING TO THEIR MARKETING)
We reckon at Sky Sport (there are heaps of reckons at Sky Sport, as you can imagine) that no one in New Zealand saw a second of play, let alone a session of the last historic test win in India in 1988.
Here is the scorecard from Cricinfo FYI
The best thing for me is that there was no Kane, Ross, or Trent.
It shows we have the depth and talent to carry on from those modern greats.
I also found it hilarious that they would’ve batted first if they won the toss according to Rachin Ravindra.
3. Liam Lawson
He’s a talent, and he has a bright future. And even though he went from basically last to ninth, which is an incredible achievement, he is only just beginning so this was the cherry on top result for mine.
Christian Horner has either a tough decision or an easy one with the seats in his teams for next year. Lawson went fast, beat his teammate Tsunoda, and won points.
I can’t wait for the Mexican GP this weekend.
2. The Silver Ferns
We did what to the Diamonds?!?
We crazy spanked them.
Fourteen goals is a lot in Netball, and against a team like the Aussies, it’s impressive to see our team put 64 on them after a mixed bag against the English Roses.
Fun fact! The ‘64’ is among the highest scores the Ferns have posted against the Australians or England in the last two years.
My CGW co-host, Storm Purvis, is happy with me right now.
1. The White Ferns
When you lose ten games in a row to Aussies and England in anything, if you’re New Zealand, you either pack it up and go home or, dare I say it, trust the process and the format of a tournament and let self-belief and confidence take over.
The White Ferns did the latter.
People will say they are fortunate not to play either of those two teams in the knockout part (boooooo to those people), but if they can't get past South Africa or the Windies, they just weren’t good enough when they needed to be.
It was an amazing tournament from the White Ferns, with Melie Kerr receiving the MVP award with 15 wickets, the ‘grandmas’ of Devine, Tehuhu, and Bates getting redemption, and the latter giving one of the best post-celebration interviews on three hours sleep to CGW ever.
This link also takes you to the entire show, which is one of the best we’ve done in a long time because of all these amazing results.
I hope listicles and ranking achievements catch on in sports media…