O Canada!

First upset by the minnows. Canada beat Tonga. As I said in my wrap, an upset was coming.  Although it must be said that Canada have beaten Tonga on two other occasions in a world cup so maybe it is not really an upset.

Either way this is a good result for Rugby and highlights it's world game status.  Now for more of the minnows to upstage their more fancied opponents. Maybe Japan could pull of the upset of the tournament this week and knock off the Kiwis. Either way I will be barracking for Japan.

Weekend wrap

What a weekend of sport. 

Firstly I want to kick off by saying how great the Broncos were in the demolishing of a team that most people had beating them. 

 Jack Reed scores another great try (Rookie of the year for me)

Maybe some of the pundits down south might actually start mentioning the Broncs in who they think will be in the final.  OldwoManly showed yet again how much they love to whinge on the field and were parochially followed by a pitifully low crowd in the showing against the Cowboys.  The Cowboys played ordinary but Manly can't count on the opposition being so ordinary next game.  I didn't get to watch the Melbourne game but the result was no surprise.  Next week I have Brisbane easily putting away St George and the Warriors to bounce back and show the Tigers what a forward pack is.

The Rugby World Cup is under way and what I have noticed is how shockingly bad the refs have been.  All the minnows have really gotten a good deal so far except for the Tongans who found out what Latitude the Kiwis are going to enjoy on home soil, the USA didn't get any favours either.  Italy did well to hold Australia with many dubious calls and a ref who seemed to think his whistle needed to be blown everytime he exhaled.  Might be a few upsets coming in the next few games.

Cricket is under way and seeing as I am not playing this summer I will become more of a tragic this summer.  Great to see Marsh get a patient and well deserved ton on debut.  Australia has been missing a player who realises that there are 5 days to a test match not 20 overs each.  Many a critic/former player wrote off the Aussies on this tour so I wonder how many of them will come out and say completely the opposite later in the season.

There was plenty of other sport to mention but I can't talk too much about Liverpool and their first loss of the season and not much else took my notice.

Super Sam

Congratulations to Sam Stosur for an amazing and powerful win in the US Open over a whinging, poor sport, Serena Williams.  It was a dominating performance and her composure on the court during the outburst was fantastic.

Great to see another Aussie shining bright on the world stage.  I think she will really kick on as a force in world tennis now.

As for the whinger I would say "Suck it up princess" but Serena is far from a princess and picturing her a princess in a Disney movie is not something you would want your child to watch.  Ugly step-sister maybe but definitely no princess.

Atomic Force

Atomic Force is a horse of note.  This great thoroughbred has landed myself many a great TAB win and today I hope to added to the wealth.  Easily a winner at its last start, it's first race in Melbourne at Caulfield.  Also of note is the jockey on that day and today is Damien Oliver.  You know its a good horse when a good jockey wants to ride it.

Thankfully I have inside sources for this horse and I know bigger things are coming.  After hearing it has been nominated for sprint horse of the year, let's hope it can bring that home as well.

NRL Finals under way

What an ordinary game to kick off the NRL Finals.  Tigers showed no real class and the Dragons were very predictable in attack.  Either of these teams would struggle against a team with a good forward pack.

All a team has to do is run second rowers at Benji & Soward (I can't tackle brothers).  There were no big defensive hits to remember and the Tigers look like a touch football team with everyone scared to run to the line and get tackled.

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup kicked off last night with hosts New Zealand showing that they are not a force to be reckoned with.  Against a team that they should easily put away they needed a ref with blinkers on.  Tonga were gallant in the second half but were never going to beat a team that has the officials blind to any infringements they make..

All I can say is that after that game New Zealand looked to be a slow team in the backline, World Cup chokers again is my predicition.

Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid!! or should I say Billy the MAN!!  It was great to see a Queenslander win the Dally M award for 2011.  How Benji (can't tackle) Marshall got so close I don't know, but thankfully the right man came through for the victory. 

Overall on the night Queensland Players dominated the night and I can't wait to hear Paul Gallens typical post match interview blaming the officials for being biased.

Now all we need is a grand final with no Sydney teams and the Rugby League season will finished off in style.