3 Players Liverpool Should Prepare to Target in January

Ok we all know that Liverpool couldn't buy a striker before the 31st of August and we all know that they'll have to rely on Fabio Borini to get the other goals that Luis Suarez won't score until the transfer window opens again in January.

Still, Liverpool certainly need to start looking for a striker to bring in for the transfer window - much as Jonjo Shelvey, Suso and Raheem Sterling have done extremely well in the Premier League, but it'll be quite unwise to bank the club's expectations of Champions League football on their young shoulders this season. Furthermore, having a quality striker join the club will not only take the burden of Luis Suarez but also help Sterling and Suso's development as players.

Given the state of the economies of Spain and Italy, it might be best to look towards there as the transfer fees commanded by clubs will be less daunting than usual - clubs in Spain and Italy will be looking for a quick buck just to cope with mounting debts in a tough environment. Getting an English player even from the Championship would actually cost more than getting a player from Spain or Italy.

As far as I know, Falcao will be too expensive - he'll go to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man City, PSG, Chelsea but I don't think Liverpool can afford him..

1. Alvaro Negredo, Sevilla
One of the unsung heroes of Spain's EURO 2012 triumph, Negredo has been a very good goalscorer for his club, Sevilla with 46 goals from 104 appearances. He would be a great asset to any Premier League team in my opinion and would fit very well with Brendan Rodgers' gameplan with his technical ability and skill up front.

2. Fernando Llorente Torres, Athletic Bilbao
Liverpool could revive the Fernando Torres name if the Lion King makes the move from Athletic Bilbao. Llorente is another great Spanish striker who isn't as well known just because he doesn't play for Real Madrid or Barcelona but is worth a shot - Athletic Bilbao played the best football in La Liga outside the big two and a style similar to what Brendan Rodgers wants to achieve.

3. Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina
A bit left-field here but Montenegro's striker is a very good support act and one who would take the burden off Luis Suarez in terms of creating and fashioning chances. He is also big and very strong - probably the Andy Carroll that Liverpool were after.

How to Get The Crowds Back to NPC Games

The 2012 ITM Cup is about to draw this marathon season of domestic rugby in New Zealand - a season which has seen it draw parallels with football in Europe. It has been a great season to be fair with plenty of unpredictable results but there have been plenty of criticisms especially in regards to the format - which I think is fine and needs to be given at least another year - and the lack of crowds at games.

No one at Waikato Stadium to watch Waikato v Tasman, Thursday night

Yes, apart from the likes of Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Northland who have enjoyed bumper crowds, crowd attendances have been pretty bad elsewhere especially in the cities. It is really down to the fact that people in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin can choose what games to watch, i.e. All Blacks, Super Rugby and ITM Cup. Only a few would buy a season ticket and watch all three - most would save up and buy a ticket to either an All Blacks or Super rugby game.

But not everyone can watch an All Blacks game and I think if there were incentives to go watch a rugby game, people would go - remember the Canterbury v Wellington game at the now defunct Lancaster Park that was free in 2010?

So here are my suggestions on how to get crowds back to NPC games

1. Local TV blackout
In Britain, football games that kick off at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon are not broadcast live locally and the public have to wait till later that night for highlights programmes to see goals or tune to the radio or watch news programmes to get updates on games. In the USA, the NFL can blackout games in a region if a franchise isn't about to fill out its capacity on a consistent basis - this has happened many times to the Jacksonville Jaguars and St Louis Rams.

I think it has gotten to the point in the ITM Cup that games need to be blacked out in their local regions - I'm sure Sky have a way of figuring out which decoders should not be showing a particular ITM Cup game. So if Wellington v Auckland was playing at the stadium, all decoders in the Wellington region would not be able to get the signal for that game, pubs in the region would have to pay a premium to Sky to be able to broadcast it in their premises - so that could mean money for Sky to cover the technology required to blackout games in a region. That way, people in the Wellington region would have to go out to the stadium to watch the game.

This option is probably the most difficult but could be the most worthwhile in changing people's perceptions - and certainly making those stadia look better on TV.

2. Half-time entertainment
Let's be honest, we live in an age where rugby is not the only means to filling their spare time at night and people have plenty of other options now whether it's other sports, music or movies. And then there's the issue of not enough venues in this country big enough for big concerts, etc.

I went to a Highlanders game once and it was combined with a Shihad concert post game. The ticket was about $40 which was more expensive than the average Highlanders game ticket but then again Shihad was playing so you really got two for one. I think we need more acts to maybe do the half-time show or after the game - which would definitely appeal to concert goers. In a way, we could kill two birds with one stone and get more people through the gates.

It would also certainly help enhance the gameday experience.

3. Lower ticket prices on the day
Perhaps unions should consider gradually reducing ticket prices as game day approaches if they find themselves not selling out games. It would be following Air New Zealand's grabaseat strategy albeit in reverse - mind you that strategy of selling the cheap seats early could work for rugby too. That way, games would become more appealing to the many punters who form the walk-up crowd.

Currently, the pricing for rugby matches is far too rigid and isn't adaptable to weather conditions, events in the city etc. If rugby wants to continue to play a part in the community, unions must be prepared to go out and cut prices in order to get the punters through knowing that most of them are after value for their money.  

4. Afternoon games for city unions/alternative venues
It's safe to say that rugby is safe in the likes of New Plymouth, Napier and Whangarei, i.e. crowds will turn up whatever time the game is shown. It's not quite the same in the big cities so perhaps it's time for Sky to try and schedule the city union's home games for weekend afternoons whenever they can so that they can get more families to games.

The other option - one unlikely to be taken up of course - is for the likes of Wellington, Waikato and Otago to have some ITM Cup games away from their big stadia and at smaller grounds around the union, e.g. Hutt Recreation Ground, Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt, Tokoroa, Balclutha, Queenstown, etc. That way people there would get a chance to watch top class rugby.

5. Better marketing
Yes it has to be said, the rugby unions could do with better marketing people. They need to take a look at what the Wellington Phoenix and Warriors have done - and what MLB teams do in America -and try and make every home game special, i.e. a 2 for 1 Lovers Special, Club Day (make it even more significant), etc. Right now, it feels like unions are not making the effort to get people through turnstiles and rather giving the ball to people who are the worst decision makers when it comes to going to games. A bit more marketing is needed to nudge people through gates.

Who Should Captain the All Blacks In McCaw's Absence?

So McCaw will be off on holiday for 6 months in 2013, giving his body a break while he travels the world looking for his long lost love.

McCaw should be back for the Rugby Championship but will miss the All Blacks' first three games against France in June, leaving the All Blacks captaincy role vacant for those games.

So who should captain the All Blacks in McCaw's absence if they're not injured? Here are my 5 top likely candidates -

Kieran Read
The favourite it has to be said at this point. Read is already captain of the Crusaders and very much part of the leadership core of the All Blacks. As long as Read's body holds up during another tough Super rugby campaign, Read's consistent form should continue and All Blacks selection in June should be nearly by default as will the captaincy. He would make a fine leader in McCaw's absence.

Keven Mealamu
An outside shot really given Mealamu's age but has captained the All Blacks before so should not be counted. However, Mealamu hasn't shown any signs of slowing down and could possibly play on for another season or two. Mealamu is one of our best ever hookers and a fine leader of the forwards. However, his  rotation with Andrew Hore for the hooker position could also count against him taking McCaw's armband.

Dan Carter
Another outside shot but Carter was set to captain the All Blacks against Canada in the Rugby World Cup last year until Carter's desperate bad luck with injury prior to the game. Would Hansen consider giving him the captaincy for the 3 games as compensation? Perhaps, but quite unlikely I'd think - I still don't necessarily consider Carter as an All Black captain in the traditional sense even if he does lead the backline extremely well. There's also still the chance he may join McCaw on sabbatical next year too as he aims to keep himself fresh and available for 2015.

Conrad Smith
A long outside shot but should be considered given he has experience as Hurricanes captain and is pretty much an ever-present at centre nowadays. Conrad Smith would make a fine captain, and the first centre to be captain of the All Blacks since Frank Bunce.

Andrew Hore
Another long outside shot especially with Mealamu more likely to be the hooker who gets the captaincy but if Mealamu and Read are unavailable for selection, Hore could be the only forward with enough experience and therefore should be considered captain if the coaches would rather have a forward as captain. Hore has captained Taranaki in the past but wasn't really considered as captain at the Hurricanes and Highlanders and with his age it is questionable how long he'll be around for.

Richie or Pinetree?

Phil Gifford has reignited the old Richie McCaw or Colin Meads debate in his latest lazy Sunday afternoon article: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/7717819/McCaw-one-of-seven-wonders-of-rugby-world.

Veteran sports broadcaster and one-eyed Cantabrian, Gifford, now considers the current All Black captain, our greatest All Black ever after years of naming Colin Meads our greatest ever.

So is Kurow-born Richard Hugh McCaw really the greatest player ever to represent New Zealand in rugby football union? Or is Sir Colin Earl Meads of Te Kuiti still undoubtedly the best All Black of all time?

Let's look at both careers from a statistic angle -

Colin Meads, born 3 June 1936
All Black international debut, 25 May 1957 v Australia

55 caps (4 games as captain)
133 games (11 games as captain)
21 test points (7 tries)
86 test points (28 tries, 1 conversion)

Honours -
2 British Lions series win
Never lost the Bledisloe Cup

Richie McCaw, born 31 December 1980
All Black international debut, 17 Nov 2001 v Ireland

110 caps (73 as captain)
111 games (74 as captain)
95 test points (19 tries)
None scored in his 1 non-test

Honours -
Lost the Bledisloe Cup once (2002) but held it since 2003
1 British & Irish Lions series win
3 Grand Slams (2005, 2008 & 2010)
1 Rugby World Cup

Of course, the stats often don't tell the whole story and in this case they certainly don't. One must remember that the All Blacks played far less tests than they do today. Therefore, Meads' 55 caps should be held in equal regard with McCaw's 110 caps not out - and it sort of works out that the All Blacks now play double the number of tests per season compared to when Meads was playing.

Meads did score a lot of tries for a player of his position - he was truly a remarkable athlete for his time. The same could be same for McCaw who even in his 30s is still a class above the rest when it comes to physical shape and ability.

The other thing to note of course is that there was no World Cup in Meads' time. In fact, the Bledisloe Cup was the only trophy that the All Blacks played for - although series wins were just as important as today's Rugby Championship (and probably more so then).

So, in conclusion, it's too difficult to call at this point of time - and it should be as Meads and McCaw played two different games.

Meads played during the amateur era, when players were farmers, lawyers, doctors, etc. who trained in the evenings, and played a slower game with a different point-scoring system, and tests were often dour affairs played on mudbaths of pitches - goalless draws were more common then.

McCaw is playing during the professional era; the game is so fast, players are now full-time professionals who train week in week out. The game is much faster, more physical, and there is more impetus on scoring tries.

What I can say is that Meads and McCaw were/are both the greatest players of their generations, athletes superior to the rest of their peers.

What I can also say is that McCaw still has room to be remembered as the greatest player ever if he keeps on playing for another 5 years. If he makes it to the next Lions tour of New Zealand, whether as captain of the All Blacks or not, then he would be the greatest All Black we've ever had without dispute. I dare say he would have that title if he got to the 2015 Rugby World Cup and won it.  

2013 Super Rugby: Who Will Replace Gareth Anscombe?

The 2013 Super Rugby season is clearly upon us - the schedule was released today as below:
http://files.allblacks.com/nzru_media_releases/2012/09_September/2013_Investec_Super_Rugby_Draw_210912.pdf

In a nutshell, the Australian teams will kick off the season, while the Crusaders don't even start the season until round 3. And don't worry too much that the Blues venues are TBC on that media release.

The deadline for players to be mutually de-listed by Super rugby franchises was on Monday and there was one high profile de-listing with the Blues removing Gareth Anscombe from their protected list - it doesn't mean that Anscombe will not play for the Blues as it transpires.

However, with plenty of players overseas now and yet again, more impressive young talent on the scene as witnessed in this year's ITM Cup, who could possibly bolt into one of the Super rugby squads - note these players haven't got a contract yet with a Super rugby side at this stage.

(And who could the Blues have lined up to replace Gareth Anscombe at the Blues?)

Hayden Parker, Otago

In his second season for Otago, Kurow-born Hayden Parker has really stepped up to become the first choice pivot in a young, inexperienced team. His kicking record has been superb - best out of all the kickers indoors at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, but his all-round play has been pretty good too. He would make a very good backup first-five at any of the Super Rugby franchises: he could be handy at his home franchise, the Highlanders given their bad luck at that position in the last 2 seasons. The Blues could be his best bet though given the dearth of good first-fives there at this stage.

Baden Kerr, Counties Manukau

With Gareth Anscombe out of favour a bit at the Blues, one wonders if John Kirwan is looking at young Baden Kerr at the Steelers. The team down the Southern Motorway have been sublime this season and Kerr has been one of the keys in a revitalized Counties team coached by Tana Umaga. Baden Kerr was superb a few seasons ago in his first season of ITM Cup rugby but injuries held him back in 2011. However, he has returned to his best and could be in line for a Super rugby contract. However, one wonders if giving him the no.1 spot at the Blues would be a bit of a huge gamble.

Juan Martin Hernandez, Racing Metro Paris

Not really a young head but certainly one playmaker any team would love to have. With Argentina also now playing in the Rugby Championship, expect to see more Pumas playing in Super Rugby - it's the only way they can learn more about their rivals rather than playing in the Northern Hemisphere where the intensity there doesn't quite prepare them for playing the Boks and All Blacks week in week out. Hernandez could be perfect for the Blues as he can provide the experience a potentially talented but still inexperienced backline needs. At this stage a bit of an outside chance but there's still plenty of time especially since Hernandez doesn't need to be protected by the Blues.

The Fantasy Economy of Football

While the likes of Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy continue to bleed the Eurozone dry of money and America struggles to create new jobs for its people in a global economy that remains as volatile as it was since it first plunged into recession in 2008, one sector in the world continues to blossom at rates pre-2008 - or so it appears.

Football has never really operated to the rules of the world economy - transfer fees were amongst the highest less than a year after the big recession in 2008. This was also about the time Manchester City were taken over by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group with their billions of dirhams and staking their claim to be the richest football club in the world.

Yes there have been busts since the noisy neighbours also became the richest neighbours in Manchester. Liverpool fans are still angry at the way Texans Gillett and Hicks left the club in huge debts which the club is still struggling to reverse. Racing Santander and Blackburn's apparently wealthy owners arrived promising Champions League football, only to see both clubs relegated from the top flight after 10 years of being a part of it. Sunderland, Birmingham City and Aston Villa fans are also wondering where all that investment has gone from their rich foreign owners.

And then there's Rangers, the biggest football club north of the border, liquidated and reborn as a club playing in the Scottish Third Division.

Amazingly amidst all that, there have been quite a few more sugar daddies popping up the false economy of football since Roman Abramovich kicked off the age of real-life fantasy football by buying Chelsea in the summer of 2003.

While David Cameron is struggling to rejuvenate the British economy, Kuwaitis are trying to rejuvenate a former giant, i.e. Nottingham Forest, while Malaysians are trying to revive Welsh football, even changing the home colours of Cardiff City from traditional blue to red, thinking it would get the club back into the top flight for the first time in years.

And the sugar daddies are everywhere on the continent too. Step aside Inter, AC Milan and Juventus, it's Malaga and Paris St Germain (PSG) who have the power in the player market now outside the Premier League, Barcelona and Real Madrid stratosphere. After all, PSG bought Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva in one huge move from AC Milan along with rising Argentina stars, Javier Pastore, from Palermo and Ezequiel Lavezzi from Lazio.

Hello? Didn't Italy have the richest clubs in the world? Weren't they the ones always buying the best players in the world? Oh wait that was 20 years ago. Italy's Serie A isn't even rated in the top 3 leagues in the world at this time.

In fact, I even wonder if the richest league in the world is the Premier League. I think that title should go to Russia's Premier League given many of its clubs are bankrolled by the oil tycoons scattered throughout this massive country. Hulk and Axel Witsel were brought to Zenit for lots of money. Then there's previously unknown Anzhi Makhachkala who hired legendary coach Guus Hiddink and bought Samuel Eto'o. Russia's league will surely get better as it has the money to buy the best players so even the Premier League, La Liga and other more "traditional" leagues better watch out especially given Russia's growing economy compared to the rest of Europe.

So is the false economy of football a global phenomenon? Well look closer to home at the A-League. Australia's mining industry has definitely helped prop up the country while the storm rages around, but it has also meant there are A-League clubs with the money like Newcastle, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. There was Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton last year but to get Alessandro del Piero to come to Sydney is no mean feat. Del Piero will not come cheap even if he will be earning a bit less than he did at Juventus. Newcastle also looked to have signed former England and Liverpool striker, Emile Heskey - he will do very well in the A-League - and West Sydney were seeking former German captain, Michael Ballack.

Ah yes, while people are struggling to find jobs in many parts of Europe and the USA, football's economy is growing like never before. The bubble will eventually burst but right now with football's popularity at a sky high and the right customers, i.e. the wealthy Chinese, Southeast Asians, Russians and Arabs, in the market to take over traditional football clubs.

Gareth Anscombe Axed by Blues

Amidst the excitement on TV in the buildup to Valerie Adams receiving her gold medal, a big piece of news for rugby fans somehow slipped through with One News reporting that Gareth Anscombe has been delisted from the Blues for next season.

The promising Auckland first five made his Super rugby debut during a difficult season for the Blues in bits and pieces and was set to play a bigger role in 2013 following a full campaign with Auckland in the ITM Cup.

Not anymore, it appears. Which means who on earth will play first five for the Blues next season?

More on this story as it unfolds.

3 Sports New Zealanders Should Get More Involved In

New Zealand is a small country which has punched well above its weight on the global sports front but there is potential for the country to show even more of its colours if focus was placed on these sports. 

Why these sports? Because they have quite a high profile on the world's stage and success for New Zealand in these sports would be quite tremendous for the country and bring long-term benefits. 

1.Baseball 

New Zealand has had a great tradition at softball but let's face it softball is a bit of a minority sport on the world front - when was the last time the world champs were held? On the other hand, baseball - a sport so identical to softball they should be the same - has a growing profile worldwide with the world classic becoming more popular. And of course, Major League Baseball is a lucrative arena for baseballers worldwide. I think it's time to channel that talent that has been great at softball here into baseball and perhaps maybe see a few New Zealanders join the Hispanic Americans, Japanese and Koreans plying their trade in the MLB.

2.Handball

Handball is growing fast from its base in continental Europe and is quite a superb sport to play combining the skills of netball, basketball and football. And it is played at the Olympics and looks set to do so for years to come. Even Great Britain have started playing it by choice. I reckon New Zealand could be quite good at handball given that we do have some rather tall men and women and already have the facilities and skills. Handball could also be a great sport to play during the lunch breaks. 

3.Basketball (womens)

I'll be crucified for saying that we should ditch netball for basketball but to be honest, basketball is a far bigger game on the world stage and surprisingly, women's basketball is very much the poor cousin here. There is plenty of potential for women's basketball to take off here and there's also the lucrative WNBA in the USA to consider - certainly more lucrative than the ANZ Championship. And unlike netball, basketball is an Olympic sport for both men and women. 

What's Happening in the Fenway Empire?

Times are tough at the moment for the sports empire that John W Henry is trying to build. Both his marquee teams, the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool are struggling big time with lots of talk about both rosters/teams.

Sox manager Bobby Valentine actually came out with the following statement:

“This is the weakest roster we’ve ever had in September in the history of baseball. It could use help everywhere.” 

Brendan Rodgers and Bobby Valentine - two managers under the pump

(I think we can apply this tag to Liverpool to be honest but more on that later)

And it's not hard to agree with the former Mets manager - it has been some fall from grace for the Red Sox since July and they could struggle to beat the Blue Jays to avoid the wooden spoon in the Yankee division. I watched the Sox earlier this year and the pitching is absolutely amateur and the batting attack has failed to fire on a consistent enough level.

The similarities between the current Red Sox and Liverpool sides are eerie. Both rosters/squads are not worthy of being compared to the glorious, successful sides even of recent times. And both rosters/squads just cannot compare with their much hated rivals - the Yankees are probably more worried about Baltimore and Tampa Bay rather than those mutts from Boston and likewise Manchester United, more concerned about their noisy neighbours at the Etihad Stadium.

At least for Sox fans, the end of season can't come sooner enough and they will still have their regular fix of games against the Yankees, etc. As for Liverpool, there is a real threat of relegation this season if Brendan Rodgers can't get the results.

Yes it is admirable what the former Swansea manager is trying to do at Anfield but he has already made one fatal mistake that could bite later - the inability to replace Andy Carroll with a decent striker in the transfer window just gone by. To put your faith in Fabio Borini to get 20 goals per season is a bit like trusting a Minor Leaguer to pitch a no-hitter in his first game.

As a Liverpool fan, having seen the calamities of the last 4 years, this latest drama is beguiling to say the least and quite terrifying actually. I can get over the fact we won't be in the Champions League next season but being caught in a relegation battle is absolutely unthinkable.

But really the lack of success at Fenway Park has clearly flown with the jets that fly from America to Heathrow and fallen from the sky onto Anfield. Clearing the roster is the theme of the moment and absolutely necessary but it is going to be quite painful for both sets of fans - fans of two of football and baseball's greatest institutions.

Teams to Watch in the Fall?

With the MLB season heating up to its showpiece finale in late October, the potential contenders for the World Series are starting to emerge throughout the American and National Leagues. But which teams are pretenders and which teams are the real deal?

American League East 
The most competitive race for the playoffs this season - there will be two teams in the playoffs from this division but we won't know in which order until the end. But will they be good enough for a world title?

Baltimore Orioles
The hottest team in the division at the moment, the Orioles have turned themselves from a minnow to a real title contender thanks to a young team finally playing at its potential. Their bullpen has depth and they know how to fashion runs in tight games. The one thing that will count against them is their lack of experience in the post-season especially if they come up against the likes of the Texas Rangers.

If they make it: They'll play for the American League pennant but will come up short against the Rangers.

New York Yankees 
Hard to read into the Yankees at the moment. They will always have the power at base but their pitching hasn't been their strongest this year and question marks remain over the form of CC Sabathia and Jaba Chamberlain. Phil Hughes has done a super job as both have blown hot and cold this season but he can't be expected to carry the Yankees through the entire post-season.

If they make it: Wildcard team at best. Pitching not good enough to win a World Series at this point of time.

Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have one of the best bullpens in the league but at base haven't been so effective which has left them high and dry in the tight games - they've lost many of those including to the Rangers. They're currently on the backfoot in this tight race for the wildcard but could still sneak in. If they do, they could be a true wildcard team and a real spoiler for the division winners expecting an easy run.

If they make it: Could be a team to watch in the post-season. But I think they'll just miss out as a result of those tight losses.

American League Central
It's turned into a fascinating battle between the Sox and Tigers with both needing to win the division to make it into the post-season.

Chicago White Sox
The White Sox started brilliantly since that perfect game by Phil Humber against the Mariners and have really kept up the pace at the top, keeping a little bit of distance between themselves and the Tigers. Are they a playoff team? I don't think their pitching and batting is as good as the other contenders in the American League.

If they make it: They should be happy with winning the Division, could struggle against the Rangers or American League East winner.

Detroit Tigers
It's frustrating being a Tigers fan. You have the best pitcher in the league in Justin Verlander and one of the best first basemen in Prince Fielder but you still find yourselves on the backfoot in the race for a playoff spot - again. The Tigers have got a great squad and one that would be tough to beat in the playoffs but getting there has been a problem Jim Leyland is scratching his head to figure out. Those losses to the White Sox will hurt should they fail to make it again.

If they make it: Potential World Series contender here. But that's if they make it.

American League West
Texas Rangers
Best team in the American League? They have been for some time and it's pretty much the same team that has flown the flag for the American League in the World Series since 2010. They will be there - too many good hitters and a bullpen that is stronger than ever. Question is whether they can finally shrug off their "choker" tag - Game 6 of the 2011 World Series pretty much glued that tag on Ron Washington's team. Surely, 2012 will be their year, then again we said that in 2010 and 2011.

If they make it: Certain World Series contender bar an upset. World Series favourite as always but it might be a tag they'd like to lose as it's never really helped them.

Oakland Athletics
Riding on the wave of popularity courtesy of Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, Billy Beane's A's are having their best season in ages and should sail into the playoffs as the best wildcard team in the American League. Are they a World Series contender? They've done well given the limited budget they're on, but quality will cream to the top in the post season and I don't think the A's quite have it.

If they make it: A chance for the Pennant at best. But it'll be quite a tale if they made it all the way.

National League East
Washington Nationals
The Nats have finally shown what they can do after years of underperforming since the original Expos franchise moved from Montreal. They've riden on Strasburg's coat-tails but with the star pitcher's season now over, I wonder if the Nats will struggle from here on end. They should win the division but factors like experience and bullpen depth could count against them.

If they make it: Could lose to a Wildcard team. Pennant race at best. Would be remarkable if they won the World Series without Strasburg.

Atlanta Braves
The Braves have had a good year and might just avoid that traditional September collapse and march into the playoffs as the best wildcard team. They could be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs given the format - Tim Hudson is one of the best pitchers home and away and a good platform for the Braves to build their world title hopes on.

If they make it: Potential Pennant and World Series contender. Will lose to the Rangers though.

Philadelphia Phillies
A sign of a good team. The Phillies looked completely out of it 2 weeks ago but a winning run has suddenly put them right in the thick for one of the wildcard places. If they pull it off, it would be quite sensational and I think no one in the post-season would want to face the likes of Chase Uttley and Roy Halladay. This is after all nearly the same team that won the World Series in 2008, made it again in 2009 and has been a playoff regular ever since.

If they make it: Pennant winner and a strong favourite on paper for the World Series.

National League Central
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are a tough, uncompromising ball team as we've seen in their feisty series against the Pirates. They will be quite hard to beat in the playoffs but their manager has made comments about the format and is rightfully concerned. The Reds are a vulnerable team away from home - which really rules them out as a true playoff contender with the Giants, Cardinals and Phillies all good teams away from home if they make the playoffs.

If they make it: Pennant at best.

St Louis Cardinals
Like the Phillies, the Cardinals are one of those teams who are always thereabouts. Like the Phillies, the Cardinals looked out of it until the latter part of the season. The reigning World Champions are just clinging onto that final wildcard spot. It'll be remarkable if they made it in their first post-Pujols season and like the Phillies they could be a team no one wants to face.

If they make it: See Phillies.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Whatever happens to the Pirates, it has been a season to remember for this team that is used to finishing last in the whole league. It has been quite a turnaround for this young team that hopefully will get better and ensure the beautiful PNC Park sees action right till Halloween. Form hasn't been good in recent weeks though and might have just about ended their hopes of a first appearance in the playoffs in years, this season at least.

If they make it: Unlikely now but if they somehow pulled off a late, late surge and results elsewhere went their way - eliminated in the wildcard game.

National League West
San Francisco Giants
I wasn't so sure 2 weeks ago about my team being a World Series contender but with each day, I think the Giants look more like the World Series winners they were in 2010. Keeping Buster Posey healthy will be important - the Giants offence seems to fall apart when he's not in the starting lineup although it looks like Hunter Pence is starting to take more responsibility in igniting the offence. The bullpen isn't as strong as other teams but is getting better - Affeldt is emerging as a top class finisher. If Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum can hit their best form at the right time and the offence keeps firing, I can't see why the Giants can't win the World Series.

If they make it: Could be the National League's best chance of winning the World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers
On paper, they currently have the best team in the National League. But the reality never usually follows the script albeit a script that was really only written last month. The Dodgers will be playoff contenders next season if their team is healthy throughout but the best they can hope for right now is a wildcard spot and given their current form, that is looking quite remote especially given the Braves have sealed one spot while the other is being hotly contested by the Phillies and Cardinals as well. But as I said, they do have the best team on paper in the National League which counts for a lot in the playoffs.

If they make it: Dark horse for the Pennant.

Tip for World Series? Heart says Giants v Rangers. Mind says the same actually.

Great Britain XI

With England, Scotland and Wales producing blotches of talent but not enough to be truly contenders for the World Cup or Euros, is it time that the 4 nations combined to play as Great Britain in all competitions? After all, we saw how successful the Great Britain Olympic football team was this year and given the current love over Team GB, and the divisive nature of having English, Scottish and Welsh football teams, perhaps the time is right to convince people that a Great Britain football team might be the way to go.

It's a bit hypothetical but if we were to select a Great Britain XI now, this would be my team:

Kit maker: Adidas

Coach: Roy Hodgson
Assistant Coach: Stuart Pearce

Starting team:
Joe Hart (GK)
Ashley Cole
Joleon Lescott
Chris Smalling
Leighton Baines
Joe Allen
Aaron Ramsey
Steven Gerrard (captain)
Gareth Bale
Wayne Rooney
Danny Welbeck

Substitutes:
Wayne Hennessey (GK)
Ben Foster (GK)
Micah Richards
Chris Gunter
Glen Johnson
Charlie Adam
Tom Cleverley
James Milner
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Theo Walcott
Steven Fletcher

Who-segems?

Huysegems at Lierse - funny how the colours are exactly the same as the Phoenix's

The Wellington Phoenix's quest for a world-class striker has ended with the signing of former Belgian international, Stein Huysegems. The 30-year-old who was off contract at his last club, Racing Genk, signed a 2-year contract and arrives on the A-League scene on the back of glowing recommendations from former teammate at Lierse and Melbourne Victory star, Archie Thompson.

Huysegems has played in the top divisions of Dutch and Belgian football, featuring for top ten clubs over there like Lierse, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Twente and Racing Genk. Huysegems' most prolific goal scoring run came for Lierse where 33 goals in 135 appearances.

Huysegems also made 15 appearances for the Belgian national side without scoring any goals.

I must admit I haven't seen too much of Huysegems to comment on what type of player to expect but I have seen some of his goals and they are quality. The standard of the A-League is also lower than that in Holland and Belgium and I think if Huysegems can stay healthy and fit the formation at the Phoenix, he could potentially be the best ever footballer to play for a New Zealand professional football team. At 6'1" he is quite tall for a striker and should be good with his head, but apparently he has good pace too.

The Phoenix's problem is that they were far too dependent on Paul Ifill's creativity last season and we sorely missed him when he was injured. However, with Ifill not getting any younger, there needs to be more options up front. Dani Sanchez has emerged as a good creative option but will still play as the link man between midfield and the strikers. Huysegems will be expected to finish off whatever Sanchez feeds to him.

So, the season opener in Wellington could be the one to watch on the opening weekend of the A-League with two footballers from Europe's top flights now taking on each other. Of course, Del Piero's name will shade the unknown quantity that is Huysegems but could the Belgian come up with the goods when it matters? That often tends to be the case.

2012 : (Not) A Vintage Season of Rugby

Marc Hinton has written a superb piece about the state of this year's international rugby season here (courtesy of Stuff.co.nz) -

There is no way to put this politely. So let's not beat about the bush. Test rugby sucks right now.

The competitiveness and overall standard of the international game, from where I've been sitting this year, is arguably as low as it's been in the professional era.

And the quality of the rugby being produced in what is supposedly the world's best annual competition involving the top three sides in the game also leaves a fair bit to be desired.

I hate to say it, because this is our national game, but right now the elite rugby product is pretty poor indeed.

How do I come to this conclusion?

Well I'm pretty sure my eyes aren't deceiving me, so empirical evidence is as good a place as any to start.

I challenge anyone to put hand on heart and say they've been entertained by the rugby that's been dished up over the last month. Some of it has been turgid, to say the least. Much of it muddled.

Let's paint the picture. So far in the Rugby Championship - a bland name for what's been a bland competition - the All Blacks have been far and away the best team.

They have beaten Australia home and away, and taken care of the Pumas at a wet 'n wild Wellington with a degree of comfort, if not ease.

But all three performances have been flawed to one degree or another.

The All Blacks have committed a high number of basic errors and they've been below-par in their execution under pressure, as well as their decision-making.

Their long periods of dominance have not produced the tries they should have, and so far the renowned All Black attacking game - remember that? - has been seen only sporadically.

But they've still been too good for anyone they've faced thus far, and than in itself should have alarm bells ringing somewhere.

If the world champs are this far ahead of the pack when they're playing badly, imagine what it will be like when they find some form.

It's not all doom and gloom.

There have been some things worth getting excited about - the speed and intensity of Bledisloe II, and the defence in all three tests to name a couple - but if we're honest we would acknowledge the All Blacks have been able to win all three matches without going near their best rugby.

Hopefully it's coming, and all indications are that Steve Hansen's side are poised to take their game to a new level. But so far it's all been gloriously imperfect.

But for Exhibit B in the case against test rugby at the moment look no further than this fact: the Wallabies are the No 2 side in the world.

Yes, Robbie Deans' Wobberlies, with all their weaknesses, flightiness and lack of depth, are still the second best team in world rugby.

That's a sad an indictment of the international game, if ever there was one.

With the Springboks well and truly immersed in rebuilding mode - and a distant shadow of their usual selves - gloriously gritty, but severely limited, Argentina still finding their feet at this level, and the northern hemisphere cursed to play second fiddle to the south, somehow the awful Aussies have managed to cling to the second rung on the ladder behind the All Blacks.

This is a team which has lost 14 of its last 17 matches against the New Zealanders, and yet still can lay claim to be the next best in the business.

That, dear people, is a disgrace.

And there are no signs that the northern hemisphere is set to spring a revolution. Their teams were competitive enough in June, yet at the end of the three series against the Sanzar nations the final score read the South 8, North 0, one draw.

Wales have the makings of a pretty competitive outfit and certainly have some impressive talent at their disposal, but they still have a mental block against the southern hemisphere heavyweights.

England have the resources and numbers to demand respect, but that's more on potential than anything tangible.

France have to be respected for their ability to rise to the occasion, though their glory days of Gallic flair seem to be a deep and distant memory.

The rest, in terms of test rugby, are chopped liver. Ireland should have beaten the All  Blacks in Christchurch in June, but let a glorious upset escape them and were thrashed in the first and last tests.

Scotland and Italy are making no headway at all.

Which brings us to Saturday night at Dunedin's new indoor stadium - the first time either the All Blacks or Springboks will have played there.

Test rugby needs not so much a command All Black performance, but a competitive, captivating test match full of skill, commitment, derring-do and athleticism.

If Hansen's men deliver the breakout display they hinted at on Eden Park, all the better from a Kiwi perspective.

But most importantly rugby must remind its watching public that the test game can still be entertaining and invigorating.

Now seems like the perfect time to start that process.

- © Fairfax NZ News

And in a way I do agree. It hasn't been quite a vintage season of rugby has it apart from the thrilling conclusion to the 6 Nations earlier in the year when Wales were struggling to win their 3rd Grand Slam in as many seasons.

The quality of the Rugby Championship hasn't been particularly great even if the games have been good contests. Certainly, the quality of backline play has been rather lacking with plenty of mistakes by established players like Ma'a Nonu and Jean de Villiers. It may be a rather sad indictment on the quality of the inagural Rugby Championship should the All Blacks as expected, win without looking like they're playing above 100% of their best. 

I think a key factor has been the fact that the established Big 3 of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, whether it's a result of injury or retirements, have had plenty of young, inexperienced players in their lineups who talented as they might be, are slowly finding their feet at this level. The Springboks and All Blacks have very young locking duos and key playmakers like Dan Carter and now Will Genia have missed game time. 

The Wallabies have been the worst-affected by injury losing David Pocock and Will Genia for the season but they look pretty much like a side on the decline until last weekend. 

Then there's Argentina who have performed as we had expected - admirable but not quite enough to beat the big 3 just yet. I think they will get better though with time and could be equal with Australia at this stage and not too far off from South Africa. Argentina could be the toughest place to win a test match yet.  

I don't think there is absolutely nothing wrong with the rules - in fact I think rugby has been more attacking than it has ever been - however, the key players just haven't performed as they should.

Maybe, the extended Super rugby season may have taken its toll on the players with the Rugby Championship effectively the end of the rugby season in the Southern Hemisphere - perhaps another look at the length of the rugby season is required? 

However, rugby fans, don't give up hope. Like all sports, rugby has a cycle and I think we're just at that time of sowing. Soon it'll be reaping time and I think the game will get better. 

Is GB The New Super Power of World Sport?

It's official.

2012 is the greatest year in British sporting history. 

And the golden summer of 2012 was the most golden and glorious of summers for those flying the Union Jack. 

To be fair, after years of underperforming - including just 1 poultry gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta - Great Britain has finally arrived to the party as a genuine super power of sport. 

Let's face it, GB has always been a sleeping giant when it comes to sport. After all they pretty much gave the world many of the sports we love today, including football, the most followed sport of them all. They were the first country to make playing sport a professional career thanks to the football leagues established at the end of the Victorian period. 

The most prized contribution that GB gave to the world of sport: grit. 

Yet, for so long, British sport lacked that final spark which saw the likes of the United States, Australia, Germany and other countries steal the limelight. Perhaps, British sport had gotten too comfortable and complacent resting on its laurels that the country thought it could afford having invented and spread many of the world's sports. A case in point: England's FA was very late in joining FIFA and UEFA because it felt that it was too important to join them initially. 

But Great Britain no longer ruled half the world and lost its aura of invincibility. It needed to reinvent itself without the money that had now gone to the United States, Germany and China. What it did have in spates was a proud tradition and a semblance of patriotism that was waiting to flourish. Eventually, as Britain's economy blossomed in the 1990s and 2000s, the government realized that it needed to pour more money into youth and sports to nurture a new generation that would take the place of its athletes who had done the nation proud on their own stead, i.e. Sir Chris Roy, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes, Bradley Wiggins, etc. 

If Atlanta 1996 was the nadir, London 2012 has certainly marked the arrival of Britain as a sporting superpower. The evidence is there: yes the likes of Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton, Katherine Grainger all won gold but they belong to a different generation. What is really remarkable is that the likes of Tom Daley, Laura Trott, Katherine Copeland, etc. were all born in the 1990s and have plenty of Olympics to come. 

And beyond the Olympics, British teams and athletes have begun to really dominate - even if their teams aren't completely comprised of British born athletes, i.e. Chelsea and Manchester City. Ulsterman Rory McIlroy is clearly the golfer to beat in the field now. Andy Murray has finally broken Britain's long Grand Slam duck. English cricket is very much in contention for the no. 1 in the world spot in all forms of cricket and of course, it was English rugby which kicked off what has so far been a successful century for British sport with Jonny Wilkinson's winning drop goal against Australia nearly 10 years ago. 

So could the mighty Union Jack once again be on top of the world for years to come like it was 150 years ago? Probably, and Australian fans better get used to it.