Premier League Round-Up



A stunning scoreline.



Believe it or not but we are roughly a quarter of the way through the football season. With the odd exception the teams are roughly where we expected them to be at the start of the season, but this is nothing like an ordinary season. Goals a plenty have flown in against the most unlikely teams. Who could have predicted that Manchester City, despite all their financial clout could put five past Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and even more astonishing, six past the league champions Manchester United away from home where the hosts have been unbeatable. Spurs who were reeling from a terrible start, put four past big spending Liverpool and then Man United themselves in perhaps the most unbelievable result beat Arsenal 8-2! Arsenal then rallied and went to Stamford Bridge beating Chelsea 5-3.

Perhaps the biggest strides have been made by Newcastle United who have confounded all their critics and at time of writing were sitting pretty in the Champions league places, only a point off second place. Even the most optimistic supporter doubts that they can hold the position for the season, but they should now be looking up rather than down for the remainder of the season. Man City surely have their best ever chance of winning the title, with players such as David Silva in such mercurial form they do look unbeatable at the moment. The battle for the rest of the top four looks as wide open as it’s ever been. Newcastle as mentioned have put themselves into the mix, but both North London sides, Arsenal and Tottenham are looking massively improved, Chelsea and Man United have been up and down but still look strong, and Liverpool’s new signings are slowly bedding in and are quietly climbing.

The battle to avoid the drop looks set to be as enthralling as ever, with only eight points separating Norwich in eight place from Wigan who sit bottom, and with all three promoted clubs playing well and in the top half, none of the teams in this bracket can afford to relax for a second.

Nominee for World Player of the Year  Luis Suarez may be in trouble.

Off the field the biggest stories involve Man City, where unrest still lurks over Carlos Tevez. Former captain and talisman Tevez has been trying to leave the club for some time, in the summer saying he did not want to return to Manchester ever again, (surprising as he is on a paltry £200,000 a week), but family commitments pushed him into a move back to South America, which fell through. Tevez, on the bench for a vital Champions League match away to German side Bayern Munich, allegedly refused to come off the bench. The exact sequence of events is still unclear with both sides adamant of their side of the argument. Nonetheless it seems pretty clear that his days as a City player are numbered.

Racism has no part in football, or in any sport for that matter, so it is disturbing that allegations have arisen recently involving two high profile players, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and England captain John Terry. Nothing has been proved thus far and one hopes this will be brought to a swift and fair resolution quickly.

There is doubt that this scene will be repeated in May.

With some massive games in the next few weeks the run into the Christmas fixtures look set to shape the table, but with the season going the way that is has been with crazy results, the destiny’s of the twenty clubs is far from certain.

All Black Gold



 

New Zealand victorious.



New Zealand finally beat their French 'hoodoo' to win the Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup. Having won the inaugural tournament back in 1987, also on home soil, the All Blacks have flattered to deceive ever since. Lauded as the best nation to play the game, they have had to play second fiddle to their southern hemisphere counterparts Australia and South Africa in recent years, with England also winning the tournament since '87.
 
Having gone into the tournament as odds on favourites the pressure was immense. Some classy performances in the group stages where they scored tries for fun only served to increase the expectation of a hungry home crowd. Argentina despite the final score put up stiff resistance in the quarter final and only a remarkable kicking display by Piri Weepu kept New Zealand on course. Australia in the semi final was always going to be a massive test and was won by a moment of brilliance by Israel Dagg and Ma'a Nonu. The French in comparison limped to the final, arguably the worst side to reach the final having been torn apart by New Zealand in the pool stages, struggling to overcome Japan and even losing to minnows Tonga. Playing a poor England side in the quarters where they played 30 minutes of excellent rugby, only to capitulate in the second half and almost throw it away, before somehow winning by a single point against a Wales side shorn of its talismanic captain to a contentious red card after only 16 minutes.
 
The French were written off by many, massive outsiders, just there to make up the numbers in this, their third final. This French side like so many others before it however thrives in the adversity, and the press inadvertently gave them all the motivation they were to need to take the game to New Zealand and give them the fright of their lives. Winning ugly is a term used by many others but not in the All Blacks vocabulary, until today. It was not pretty, but it was compelling. Like many finals before, it was tense, and hinged on a few key moments. As in 2007 when a Mark Cueto try was not awarded, the French at 0-5 down were not awarded a penalty that all bar the referee could see, only to award the Blacks on seconds later, from which Stephen Donald was to kick the games winning points.
 
Rejoicing captain Richie McCaw hoisting the trophy aloft at a packed Eden Park in Auckland will be the image taken home by the 60,000 capacity crowd and by millions watching at home, but the game itself was far from clear cut, right up to the final whistle. France started well, buoyed by the nervousness very apparent in the home teams ranks, they set about to disrupt as they had done to England and Wales in the earlier matches. Both teams lost the fly halves before the interval, New Zealand having to call on the fourth choice Donald, not even in the squad at the start of the tournament. Veteran Prop Tony Woodcock scored the only try of the half from an excellent set piece line-out, which the usually reliable Weepu failed to convert, a missed drop goal from France was the closest they came to troubling the scoreboard but in possession and territory they were far from being outplayed. Into the second half and having seen Francois Trinh-Duc miss an early penalty for France, Donald completed his fairytale by calmly slotting over his in reply a couple of minutes later. The relief was immense and perhaps lulled the Blacks into a false sense of security. France had to put points on the board quickly which they did as sub Trinh-Duc carved open the New Zealand defence, creating the opening for captain and man of the match Thierry Dusautoir to score under the posts. Trinh-Duc converted to leave France within a point. A 48 metre penalty fell shy for France and despite all the effort, the wall of black held off a final 18 phase attack to leave the hosts and favourites as the 2011 winners.
 
For many rugby lovers this was the right result. The team that had looked the best throughout the tournament, who had scored the most tries, had been victorious, but it was far from a polished performance. In France, somehow they got to a final that they scarcely deserved to be in, but once there they showed just why they are now ranked as the number three side in the world. New Zealand for all the facts and figures, remain at number one. But ask any local what they really care about, and that is New Zealand have won the 2011 rugby World Cup.

Unlikely hero's, Donald and Woodcock.



Dan Wheldon RIP

Dan Wheldon, one of Britain's best.

Tragedy is a word often used in sport to describe heartbreaking moments of sporting drama. However the true meaning of tragedy in sport struck yesterday when Dan Wheldon, one the best British racing driver of his generation, was killed at the Las Vegas Indycar race.

In a monumental pile up that included fifteen cars, Wheldon, winner of the legendary Indianapolis 500 twice, came off worst at the end of season race, before he was pronounced dead after being airlifted from the raceway to a nearby hospital.

Whilst Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hold higher profiles back home in the UK and the Formula One circuit, Wheldon's career was based almost solely in America, finishing up at the Bryan Herta Autosport team where he took his second Indianapolis 500 win in 2011.

Wheldon moved to America in 1999 stating that he could not get the investment needed to continue his racing dream. Making an almost instant impact he was voted 'Rookie of the Year' in 2003 and runner up overall the season after after claiming three wins. His big break came in 2005 where he won a record six races on his way to becoming series winner. A mooted move to Formula one never materialised and Wheldon continued in IndyCar, finishing second again in 2006 despite having the same number of points as the winner. Finishing with sixteen wins overall and a popularity that rivalled the very best in the sport, Wheldon was a much loved and well respected driver.



The horrific nature of the crash involving 15 cars.

 Jenson Button tweeted "I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90s, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy." Scotland's Dario Franchetti who finished as series winner after the race was abandoned said;  "We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn't matter."

Wheldon who had not driven much this season as he had failed to secure a regular team, was invited to race from the back of the grid, chasing a bonus prize of $5 million which he had said would go to a charity should he have won.

Wheldon who was just 33, leaves a wife and two young children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.

England crash out of the World Cup

French joy at beating the old enemy.

England’s World Cup came to an abrupt end at ther hands of the mercurial French. The side battered by New Zealand, destroyed and shocked to the very core with defeat to minnows Tonga, showed the endemic flaws in the English game, racing into a 16 point lead that they were never likely to relinquish.

After indifferent performances in the group stages, England were expected to up their game in the knockout stages, especially against a team that had looked like a pub side at times. Perhaps this psychologically hampered England, maybe believing the game was already won.

Foden's try and Tualigi's performance was meek reward.

Credit to the French they matched England all over the park, outmuscling in the scrum, one of England’s strengths, winning lineout ball and tearing holes in a usually measly defence. When you fail to control the game in the forwards and continue to give teams kickable penalties then you will always struggle and that’s exactly what happened.

Three first half tries owed as much too poor English tackling as to the French movement. For the last two World Cups England have held the Indian sign over France ending their hopes with typical gritty English performances. This time the grit seemed to be lacking, and even when it was, basic skills and ball handling time and time again undid any good work England managed to put together.

Before the game Martin Johnson had admitted that England had been starting poorly and the opening exchanges appeared to show that this trend had ended. But with no points on the board England went into self destruct mode, allowing France to pin them back time and time again. England came out in the second half and dragged themselves back into the contest, but chances were few and far between, whereas mistakes were in abundance. Winning the second half 12-3 will be no consolation to a team which was destroyed in the first.

England were out-muscled in all departments.

Selection is always easy to criticise after the event, especially when things have gone badly. The loss of Mike Tindall allowed Johnson to experiment with both Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson. Both seemed to be subdued and out of sorts, only allowing the outstanding Manu Tualagi scant possession. The big debate over who should kick between Wilkinson and Flood was never really called into question as the French did not concede any kickable penalties until it was too late in the match for these to be taken. One of England’s best players in this tournament, James Haskell, was left on the bench and introduced far too late to have any noticeable impact.

Whether or not these changes would have changed anything is a purely hypothetical debate, but having seen the heart, desire and ball handling of the Welsh earlier in the day perhaps a disappointing defeat to France is better than a humiliation against the men from the valleys.

Manager Johnson has much to do to restore English pride.

In 1999 England crashed out in the quarter finals to South Africa and Jannie de Beer’s record five drop goals. What the English learnt from this, they took on, built for the next World Cup in Australia, and duly brought the trophy home. Amongst the debris and fallout that will follow, the RFU, management and players must take a long hard look at themselves if any repeat is to happen in 2015.

Ashton books Englands place in the quarter final.

Waking up this morning to read the sports headlines, you would be forgiven for thinking that England had crashed out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Disappointment, poor performances, players on the front pages of the papers as well as the back.

Now forgive me for stating the obvious but England, without playing well have just topped a pool including the team who finished third last time out, won against the auld enemy, always tricky in the conditions presented, and gave a stuffing to Georgia and Romania. We have the tournaments top try scorer in Chris Ashton, and found a genuine world star in Manu Tuilagi.

In tournaments passed, the All Blacks swept all before them playing wonderful running rugby before falling at the final hurdle. 1995 springs to mind as a Jonah Lomu inspired team destroyed all before them before losing to the host nation, South Africa. Winning ugly is a phrase that has been used in Martin Johnsons reign before, but winning is winning. Ask any New Zealander what he’d rather see. Yes we would all like to see the running rugby, balls pinged out wide for the speedsters to round five defenders before seeing them swallow dive into the corner, but let’s be realistic. Rugby is now fully global and the gap is getting smaller. Some teams will still get an old fashioned spanking, but the massive wins by 100 plus points are now down to 60, and this gap will continue to narrow as the smaller nation’s progress apace. Small margins separate the good from the great and much of that is purely psychological.

Injury may prevent Wilkinson from improving his impressive resume vs France

We cannot hide behind the obvious. Jonny Wilkinson has not kicked to his usual high level, but let’s not get away from the fact that the ‘usual high level’ is sublime. Against the Scots he was asked to nail long range efforts in wet blustery conditions and he fell short, a couple by a whisker. His first drop goal attempt was poor and he will admit this, but his second was superb. The clamour for Toby Flood after his ten minute cameo where he supplied Ashton with the pass for the winning score before kicking a touchline conversion will not go unnoticed but Wilkinson is much more than kicking goals. His tigerish defence and big hit tackling surpasses some of his forward colleagues and will make the decision to drop him that much harder.

Elsewhere Matt Stevens was given a lesson against Ewan Murray, but a better prop he will not face again in this tournament. Mike Tindall continues to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The British press seem to love to derail an English player/team. Any scandal is pounced upon, especially when the spotlight is so acute. Once again the press seem to be obsessing over a players private life when really they should be more concerned about getting behind the side at a time where the World Cup is about to hit the most exciting and treacherous phase. To be in a place such as New Zealand is a dream for most, but the players simply cannot be expected to cocoon themselves in their rooms for the duration of the tournament which hopefully will last for as few weeks longer. They may well have crossed some boundaries, but the management have dealt with the issues and that really should be that.

Tuilagi may hold the key to beating the French.

If England are to progress further in this tournament, then the discipline on the pitch must be sharpened up. Too many penalties and free kicks conceded once again. The French, despite being in as bad a state as I can remember, (having been outplayed all over the pitch by the Tongans), will not be so forgiving. France are the most mercurial side in world rugby, capable of beating the best and losing to the teams really here to make up the numbers. No disrespect to Tonga as it was a sensational performance but they really are in the third tear of international rugby right now.

The winner will play either a resurgent Wales or a newly confident Ireland for a place in the final. All four European teams will rightly be justified in seeing a uniquely winnable route to play one of the southern hemisphere giants. England have beaten all three this year and should rightly be cast as favourites to progress, but Johnsons men will need to discover the form and confidence of the Six Nations and then some if they are to make it three consecutive final appearances.

Cavendish becomes World Champion

Cav crosses the line as the 2011 World Champion.

Mark Cavendish capped a phenomenal year by becoming the first British man for 46 years to win the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Not since Tom Simpson in 1965 has a Brit stood on the top step of the world road race podium, but once he got in front, he ably held off Austrailian HTC teammate Matt Goss, and former teammate Andre Greipel from Germany.

Since the course was announced the British team had targeted the win, with Cav’ as the man to deliver. An extraordinary amount of pressure to put on a man who whilst undoubtedly the fastest finisher in the world, was without the usual HTC Highroad team lead-out train that had served him so well in his career so far.

Throughout the season Cavendish’s British teammates were out collecting the required amount of points in order to send the strongest team possible. Despite the early breakaway, Team GB dominated, dictated and delivered the Manx Missile to the finish and once in position, there was little doubt what the outcome would be.

The Green Jersey winner from the Tour de France

Despite the fact that in the cycling world, on the continent especially, Cavendish is a superstar, the Jonny Wilkinson or David Beckham of cycling, he was quick as always to praise his team. Bradley Wiggins in particular, fresh from his third in the Vuelta a Espana and a sensational silver in the individual time trial earlier in the week, was a man possessed in bringing the breakaway back to the main peloton, before ceding to his now fresher teammates, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas in particular to set up the rider from the Isle of Man.

Still only 26 years old the world really is at his feet now. His twenty stage wins at the Tour de France place him sixth on the all time list, just behind seven time winner Lance Armstrong. Yet to confirm which team he will race for, after the failure of HTC to find a sponsor left him free to join a new outfit, Team Sky have looked the favourites to sign the current Green Sprint Jersey holder from this years tour, and one of the few to be able to offer him the salary he deserves.

The Rainbow Jersey belongs to a Brit for the first time in 46 years.

Barring an England rugby World Cup win, Cav surely is a nailed on cert for Sports Personality of the Year, and a never a more deserving candidate indeed. He will now be able to wear the much coveted 'Rainbow Jersey' worn with distinction by Thor Hushovd this year.

The one remaining target now is the London Olympic gold medal. After his huge disappointment of 2008 where he was the only track cyclist to return without a medal after he and Wiggins could only finish ninth few would bet against another medal adorning the walls of the Cavendish household.

Off and Stumbling

The All Blacks signal their intent with the trademark 'Haka'

The Rugby World Cup kicked off with all the style, razzmatazz and passion that you can expect from the rugby obsessed nation of New Zealand. The All Blacks took on Tonga in the opening match, expecting to win and win well. That they did, but not before they exchanged the stunning spectacle that is the Haka. The debate as to whether or not this has a place in elite sport should have been put to bed long before now, as it is a remarkable spectacle and sets the tone for what is after all, a war of attrition, a physical conflict between the countries best.

The hosts 41-10 victory came from a first half in which their tactical superiority and skill set, won over the Tongans heart and desire. A 29-3 half time score, led to New Zealand taking the foot off the pedal in the second half having secured the try bonus point. The All Blacks have never lost a pool match in the history of the finals, and France aside they should add to this record. Whether or not the favourites can lose the tag of ‘chokers’ we will find out soon enough.

Simon Danielle spares Scottish blushes.

The northern hemisphere sides France, Scotland and England all started with wins. All bar the latter with a try bonus point, but it was far from easy. Scotland were indebted to two late tries from Simon Danielle to squeeze past rugby minnows Romania 34-24. Romania who led 24-21 with twelve minutes remaining showed that no match in this pool will be easy. Scotland will have to raise their game considerably to qualify for the quarter finals.



Julian Pierre opens France's account.



France took on Japan, who have only ever won one match at the finals, back in 1987, looked as though they would have no trouble dispatching the side who have been hit with ‘cricket scores’ in the past. 20-3 up and in complete control France were pegged back to 25-21. With Japan in the ascendency and looking hungry for more, it appeared that the enigmatic French were on the verge of one if not the greatest World Cup upset. Dramatic it was, but romantic it was not, as the French found another gear to score three tries in the last ten minutes to take the win.

Ben Youngs provided the inspiration for a below par England

England took a huge step to the quarter finals after an attritional win over a solid rumbustious Argentinean side. Played under the roof of the Otago stadium, the only fully enclosed arena in world rugby, the ‘perfect conditions’ were made a mockery of by the fact that between them, eleven penalty kicks were missed! The fact that many of these were from distance, such was the tightness of this match, we should not overlook the fact that against a more clinical side, a lack of discipline at the breakdown will be punished more severely. As it was England were down and out, 9-3 behind lacking in ideas with just over ten minutes to go before sub Ben Youngs changed the match with a trademark dash to score under the posts.

Argentina finished third in 2007, and whilst they have lost key players, they are still a force, winning ‘ugly’ after all is still winning. Having spent just over four minutes in the opposition ‘22’ compared to Argentina who almost doubled that shows just how tight the match was. Finishing top of the group should mean that a quarter final against the French and not the host nation beckons. But on this performance England will need to raise their game, curb the penalties and increase the energy from what was a largely flat performance. Scotland, Georgia and Romania will not lie down and Martin Johnson needs to find a way to utilise his speedsters when it matters.

Never leave home without your Jonny...

With the Rugby World Cup just a matter of days away, one player, who was seemingly on the outside of the England team, now looks set to take centre stage once again.

Wilkinson is so much more to England than kicking alone

Despite all his injuries, loss of form and the fact that his is now the wrong side of thirty, England’s Jonny Wilkinson now looks set to usurp his old protégé, Toby Flood, the pretender to the throne that is England’s number ten. Whatever route Martin Johnson takes on Saturday, Wilkinson will be forever mentioned in the same sporting breath as Sir Geoff Hurst. Hurst famous for his World Cup winning hat-trick in football, synonymous with drama, even able to inspire the theme tune of a popular sporting quiz (with the commentary of Kenneth Wolstenholme). Wilkinson, despite a couple of wobbles during the 2003 tournament, held his nerve to slot not only his penalties, but the winning drop goal (remarkably with his weaker foot!) in their epic extra time final win against the hosts Australia.

The trademark Wilkinson stance.

Wilkinson at the absolute pinnacle of his sport, despite his age, (then only in his early twenties) paid the price for his tough tackling, all or nothing style. He missed the next thirty of England’s test matches before the World Cup of 2007, where he returned (after yet another injury) to steer a battered England, (having been thrashed in their first game without Wilkinson), to the final against South Africa. But for a bit of luck England could have gone on to win that tournament, but the fact that they made the final at all was almost astonishing and owed a lot to the experience and game play of their talisman.

Toby Flood can consider himself unfortunate. He did no wrong in the Six Nations, at least until the final match in Dublin. If this game was a one off for Flood, then his form has since plummeted and the Wales matches have forced manager Johnson into a rethink. Recalling Wilkinson for the final pre-finals match against the Irish, proved that the three time finalist Wilkinson still has what it takes to compete at the very highest level.

Wilkinson should extend his incredible record at the finals. Picked in 1999 he was dropped for the Quarter final defeat against the Springboks, but was first choice ever since (if fit). Not only will this be Wilkinson’s fourth World Cup, only eleven other players share this record, but he is the highest points scorer in the history of the tournament, has kicked the most penalties, and also has the highest amount of drop goals to his name.

With injury behind him can Jonny inspire England once again

Team mate and speedster Chris Ashton has waxed lyrical about his teammate this week. Wilkinson despite being surrounded by younger quicker teammates has been topping the shuttle run charts, proving that whilst he has the temperament and talent, he still has the athleticism to run the England side. The fact that he was the all time leading scorer in test history earlier this year, (before Dan Carter retook this title), having lost at least four years of his career, is also astonishing.

Pivotal in 2003, Johnson and Wilkinson have equally important roles in 2011

England have a tough task in New Zealand. If they are to win the group, they will need to start off with a convincing performance. Group B contains the aggressive Argentineans, the Scots, a banana skin in Georgia and also Romania. Sterner tests await. Winning the group should give them a quarter final against the French, the in-form Aussies in the semi should they overcome that, before the final. With ‘our Jonny’ playing and playing well, then anything is possible.

The Fall and Rise of Bradley Wiggins

The finger of Sky's Chris Froome points to the new race favourite.

A little under two months have passed since Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky’s hopes of general classification glory in the Tour de France were ended, after an innocuous accident resulting in a broken collarbone and subsequent retirement from the race. Team director Dave Brailsford had stated that Wiggins was in fantastic form, his ‘numbers’ were superb and was coming off the back of an amazing win in the Criterium Dauphine de Libere, pushing Cadel Evans into second place. (Evans was to be the eventual winner of the 2011 Tour de France).

Many riders who fall by the wayside will always say ‘what if this’ and ‘what if that’ but there was a general feeling that Wiggins could at least challenge for a podium spot, if not for an actual win in cycling’s premier road race.

Sky regrouped after this low point, and managed another stage win through Edvald Boassen Hagen but the time lost whilst waiting for Wiggins after the crash meant that any hopes of a decent G.C. placing for the rest of the team were gone.

Sky decided subsequent to this that Wiggins’ form could not be left to waste, and entered him into the Vuelta a Espana, the Spanish version of the Tour, and the third great stage race of the season, (the Giro de Italia is raced first).

A shocking start to the Vuelta in the team time trial set back all of the teams hopes. In a stage where Sky were expected to do well, if not win, then at least put some serious time into their chief rivals who are more specialised mountain climbers. (Mountain specialists are seen to do better at the Vuelta than the Giro and the Tour). An untimely crash in stage one left Wiggins with a time deficit on most if not all of the riders expected to challenge. Wiggins and his team rode on and whilst languishing off the pace did look strong.

Coming into stage ten’s individual time trial, Wiggins was expected to reduce his deficit, (of around one minute) and put time into his rivals to pull on the race leaders Red Jersey. He did not factor in the time trial of his life by team mate Christopher Froome, who whilst only finishing in second place on the stage (to Wiggins’ third) he became one of only a handful of British riders to lead this illustrious race.

The next big mountain stage saw Froome sacrifice himself for team leader Wiggins who took over as leader (by seven seconds to Froome) showing how much faith the team leadership and its riders have in their main man.

The odds of this scene being repeated in Madrid have tumbled.

So to Saturday’s stage, Wiggins was expected to suffer. With 2010 winner Vincenzo Nibali having reduced the gap to just four seconds, (with time bonuses for the stage winner) the race lead was expected to change again. This was not the case as both Froome and Wiggins took the race by the scruff of the neck and on the one year anniversary of the death of one of Sky’s soigneurs (Txema Gonzalez) ripped the race apart to distance themselves from virtually all of the contenders.

The race is far from over, Wiggins is only one accident, one bad day from falling off his perch, and with some of the mountains having a ridiculous gradient of over 20% including the finish of Sundays stage 15 it is all still possible. But even if he is to lose some time, Wiggins now has to be considered one of, if not the favourite to complete his transformation from Olympic gold medal track cyclist, to elite road racing champion.

Sports review 28-8-11

Wigan Warriors celebrate their record 18th Challenge Cup win after a sensational match against the Leeds Rhinos

Rugby League:

Wigan Warriors won the Challenge Cup at Wembley for a record eighteenth time. It was Wigans first visit to Wembley since their eight year winning run ended after the 1995 win against Saturdays opponents Leeds, (they beat St Helens in 2002 at Murrayfield). Wigan flew out of the blocks with three early tries, Leeds did fight back to within a score at half time, but the Super League holders and current leaders just had too much for their Yorkshire rivals and edged ahead to win a fantastic final, 28-18. Leeds have now lost the last five finals they have played in, Wigan now face second placed Warrington in a game that should decide who finishes as leaders going into the playoffs.

Rugby Union:

England went to Dublin to face an Irish side in poor form. Despite beating the English in the Six Nations and having a record against them at home that would be the envy of many, they were no match for an England side clearly fired up and looking to cement their places ahead of the opening World Cup game against Argentina. England will go away now battle hardened and with high confidence after condemning the Irish to a sixth defeat in eight. In the Tri Nations, Australia beat New Zealand 25-20 in a stunning game in Brisbane. The second defeat in two games left the Wallabies with their first Tri Nations title for ten years and they leave for the World Cup in fantastic form.

100m sensation Usain Bolt is disqualified after a false start

World Championship Athletics:

The biggest stories coming out of the Daegu championships are the high profile disqualifications of two British medal hopes, Christine Ohuruogu in the 400m and Dwaine Chambers in the 100m, but also of the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt. Bolt who also false started leaving training partner Yohan Blake to take the glory. In another British disappointment, Mo Farrah was overtaken by Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia with just metres remaining in the 10,000m. Farrah the fastest man in the world this year had looked in complete control before Jeilan’s late surge relegated the Brit to Silver.

South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius finished in third place in his heat to qualify for the semi-finals of the 400m. The first amputee athlete to race in the able-bodied competition is already a multi Gold medal winner in the Paralympics.

McLarens Lewis Hamilton crashes out

Belgium Grand Prix:

Sebastian Vettel once again dominated the ‘Spa’ race to increase his remarkable lead even further. Team mate Mark Webber fought back from a poor start to finish second just ahead of McLarens Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton crashed out after contact whilst leading the race. Vettel is now 92 points ahead of Webber after his seventh win in the last twelve races.

Tennis:

Britains Laura Robson has qualified for the US Open. Now ranked 173 in the world, Robson will hope that the aftermath of Hurricane Irene will not hamper her progress and that she can make an impact as the fourth Brit woman in the main draw along with Andy Murray in the mens singles.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cuts a lonely figure at Old Trafford

Football:

In the Barclays Premier League, the lead changed hands five times over the weekend as first Wolves led, then Chelsea, before Liverpool took the top spot for the first time in two years overnight. Manchester City’s thumping of Spurs put them top on Sunday, before Manchester United’s astonishing 8-2 win over an increasingly desperate Arsenal, left the champions looking down at the rest after the first three games. At this early stage the title cannot be won, but it can certainly be lost, and with both North London clubs (Arsenal and Spurs) suffering two defeats apiece to top four rivals, it could be a season of trial and tribulation for them both.

Rugby World Cup 2011

Radike Samo scores for Australia in their win over New Zealand

All the pre-World Cup warm up/Tri Nations matches have now been completed. The squad lists are in. The countdown to the 9^th September and the opening game is well and truly on the horizon. Ireland versus England in Dublin was the final warm up game for the home nations and with England’s terrible record on Irish soil, one win in nine before today, they were out to lay down a marker after the disappointing game against the Welsh last time out. With New Zealand born Riki Flutey perhaps the only big name surprise left out of the England side (due to Danny Care’s untimely injury) manager Martin Johnson wanted to head off to the Southern Hemisphere with a confidence boost. In fact not since Johnson was captain, in the Grand Slam/World Cup winning year of 2003 did the English put the Irish to the sword. Perhaps more importantly was Irelands need to win having gone three straight lacklustre defeats in their warm up games. Discipline will be key in the tight matches, sin binned players usually come at a cost of about ten points, so for Ireland to ship a try during one of those periods will be sending warning signals throughout the country. England came to erase the poor performance of last time out and will take inspiration from this performance as well as the 20-9 win itself.

Have England found a new star in Manu Tuilagi?

England do have injury concerns, taking one or two players not fully fit in the hopes of them being ready later on in the tournament seems the order of the day for several sides. With Captain Lewis Moody and scrum half Ben Youngs being so pivotal Johnson feels this is a risk worth taking. Fitness in the first of the two Wales’ games was criticised, but the performance in the second at Cardiff was poor, forwards aside. For a side that looked so dominant in the Six Nations, (Ireland aside), it was a big come down to lose in this way. England really have to top their group, this way they should avoid the hosts. Whether they can beat a fast moving French side is anyones guess. The England side of the Spring would be confident, this current side perhaps a little less so, but regaining the winning habit will help no end.

Ireland’s biggest problem seems to be in the centres, despite the abundance of talent at back row forward, meshing an effective 12/13 position is a worry for manager Declan Kidney. As shown against the dominant French, giving away penalties is an easy way to lose a game, especially those on a knife edge. Discipline will be key for them in New Zealand. They can take solace from the fact that pre 2007 South Africa also looked poor, before going on to dominate the tournament. Ireland failed to make the knockout stages last time out, a poor showing losing two of four games, (nearly losing to Georgia as well). This time out it will not be easy as they face the always tough tackling USA and a growing Italy. Although I still expect Ireland to qualify from the group, (even on this form), edging out the Azzurri, but it will be as runners up to an ever improving Australia. Whether they can kick on from there will be very difficult as they may well face the improving Springboks in the quarters.

The Welsh sprung a surprise by not only leaving out Martin Williams, but also by naming Sam Warburton as captain at the tender age of 22. A fantastic season may have cemented his place in the side, but Warren Gatland has taken a risk in naming him as the skipper. Back to back wins at home to England and Argentina sees the Welsh off in good form, but with Fiji and Samoa vying for second spot behind Australia, the men from the valleys will have to maintain this good run as well as surviving the attritional war that will be the physical Samoans. Australia should be their target in the next stage.

France have drawn the short straw, initially at least, facing New Zealand in the group stages. Much like England losing to South Africa in 2007, they may well be put to the sword by the host nation, but could very well go all the way to the final should they hit form. Tonga aside they should have a relatively easy passage to the last eight as I do not expect either Canada or Japan to offer much resistance. They will then face the winner of Englands group for a place in the semi finals. Seeded fourth in the current IRB rankings and winning away in Dublin will give the French real belief that they can challenge again this time around. Thirteen survive from the squad beaten in the semis by England in 2007, few would be genuinely surprised should they go one better. Power and pace in the backs would generally be seen to be the French strengths. Fast hard grounds will be as key to their chances as the players form.

Scotland have regrouped from a poor Six Nations campaign to give themselves plenty of confidence in the build up to New Zealand. An opening game against Romania should give the team a big boost, as will the knowledge that their two biggest rivals in the group, England and Argentina play each other the same day in what will surely be a war of attrition with these two big rivals. With the runner up in the group surely playing New Zealand in the quarter finals, winning this group is key. However, despite the improvement, I just cannot see how they can top the group, runners up surely is the ceiling of their ambitions.

No one really expects Argentina to replicate their third place finish of 2007 where they only lost to eventual winners South Africa. Retirements have hit the side hard and they have been in a rebuilding phase since then. The lack of tournament rugby hinders them, surprisingly still to join the Tri Nations series, (2012 is possible). The loss to Wales was hardly confidence boosting, and the fact that they will play the biggest team in the group (England) first up leaves them with no room for error. I still expect them to qualify for the quarters but if England play to potential it will only be as runners up, leaving them with a match surely versus New Zealand.

Australia sprung a surprise by leaving out Matt Giteau, a player who would walk into the majority of Northern Hemisphere sides. Perhaps due to a fall out with the A.R.U? Will they come to rue this decision? With a far from fit Berrick Barnes in the squad they may well qualify as group winners, but from then on they will miss Giteau's skills and influence. With captain Rocky Elsom picked for the squad, but replaced by James Horwill as skipper, the second best side in test rugby according to the rankings will have genuine beliefs that they can do well again, that’s if they can break their English hoodoo, having lost in the last three tournaments, including the final on home soil in 2003. Their first Tri-Nations success in ten years, included a wonderful win at home to the All Blacks will push their confidence through the roof.

The South Africans showed that there are weaknesses in the juggernaught that is New Zealand as they got their only success in the Tri Nations series with a classic win last weekend. Whilst the All Blacks were not at full strength, it was still a huge result for the Springboks and showed that with intensity and a huge scrambling defensive effort, coupled with discipline and a bit of luck no team is unbeatable. However, back on home turf it will be a different story. South African rugby took a bit of a pasting in the opening two games of this series, fielding weakened sides, they gave the fringe players a chance, which did not pay off. A huge ask for them to repeat the win of 2007, even with eighteen members of the victorious squad from last time out selected again, but they should win what looks to be the toughest of the four groups.

New Zealand it seems will never have a better chance of winning a second Rugby World Cup. On home soil, manager Graham Henry has selected the most experienced squad in their history, nine of their squad boasting over 50 caps. Thirteen have played in two World Cups, five of those have starred in three. Daniel Carter has the most points in test history, (pushing Jonny Wilkinson back to second). Looking at some of the players they have left out only emphasises how strong the squad is. They are most people’s outstanding favourites, despite back to back losses to their biggest rivals. New Zealand has been here before, only for the pressure to overcome this hugely iconic rugby nation. Only a brave man would back against them with home support, and most neutrals will be supporting this team, playing the most exciting and expansive rugby around at this current time.