Luis Suarez is Back!

The Luis Suarez we all know, was back in force on Sunday for Liverpool, scoring a brace in his first Premier League game since his 10 match ban finished in midweek.

On the ball, Suarez looked fantastic on the ball and was very much his feisty, creative self, backed up by his now partner-in-crime, Daniel Sturridge, as they brought more misery on a Sunderland side bereft of confidence and ideas.

Indeed, had Simon Mignolet not spilled a save after a fierce shot from Ki sung-Yeung which resulted in a goal for Emanuele Giaccherini, Liverpool should have had yet another clean sheet in what looks to be an improved effort on last season even despite the loss of Jamie Carragher.

It is a tribute to Brendan Rodgers' management that Liverpool coming into this game, looked like a side not missing their best player.

Indeed, much of their success so far this season has come from other players that Rodgers has signed since that disastrous August transfer window last season when they failed to sign any players, e.g. Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspoas, Mamadou Sakho etc. as well as the rise of players like Jordan Henderson who started out as a flop initially.

However, against an efficient side like Southampton, it was brutally clear that Liverpool needed that one special player to get them the win on tough days - particularly when their other creative outlet, Coutinho was out injured.

It's therefore, somewhat fortuitous timing that just as Coutinho is sidelined, Luis Suarez is back to bring his talent and creativity up front and ease the pressure off Daniel Sturridge and Iago Aspoas.

While Suarez is mercurial and his temperament is very questionable, there is no doubt, he is definitely one of the best players in the world and on his day, is virtually unplayable. He has shown that time and time again for Liverpool and Uruguay and hopefully after his last indiscretion, has gotten over his bad boy days.

Liverpool - and Brendon Rodgers - sure need Suarez along with the rest of the team if it wants to return to the heady days of the Champions League.

Go Otago Volts!

Forget the sailing, New Zealand sport is pretty much riding a huge pipeline with the All Blacks and even the cricketers doing well overseas!

Yes, the Otago Volts are doing New Zealand cricket proud at cricket's version of the financially lucrative UEFA Champions League - shame there's no hymn like football's tournament.

They thrashed the Perth Scorchers and then beat the Highveld Lions from South Africa in a thrilling super over in extra time meaning they're now 2nd on the table behind the Rajasthan Royals who they play in their final game of the round robin.

Beat the Royals, and the Otago Volts will be in a good position for the semis - they should still make the semis even with a loss as they're 4 points clear of the Mumbai Indians who play the Perth Scorchers in the last game.

Jimmy Neesham, Ian Butler and the McCullums as ever have been the standouts in India, as the Volts try and provide New Zealand's best ever performance at the annual tournament - no New Zealand side has made the semis and a performance like this could mean that New Zealand sides don't need to participate in the qualifying tournament before the round robin in the future.

Go Volts!

Best All Black of the Rugby Championship?

With the Rugby Championship nearly over, who has been the stand out All Black of the campaign?

It is always hard to pick a real stand out player from the All Blacks - the ABs have always had such a good team whose parts have always contributed to such a good performance but as in all sports, one player has tended to stand out thanks to his performances over the season which have been the difference.

For me, that player this campaign has been....

Ben Smith.

Ben Smith is on course to be the best All Black of 2013 after a stellar year in the black jersey - to back up a stellar year in the Highlanders jersey.

The 27 year old from Dunedin is surely at the start of the form of his life and given that he is still very much a utility player, his best days are yet to come.

No one else in the ABs has found more gaps and finished off more moves than Ben Smith whose 7 tries make him by a long way - the next top try scorer is Juan Manuel Leguizamon. He also leads the way in line breaks, metres run, etc. and has clearly outshone his fellow winger, Julian Savea who was the breakout player in 2012.

Plus his defence is absolutely magnificent - that's often hard to see in a side where most players are pretty awesome in D, but out on the wing, Smith has hardly missed a tackle - indeed, the one tackle he missed was that one that led to Ben Franks scoring for the Hurricanes during Super Rugby.

Other standouts?
- Steven Luatua - breakout rookie of the season by a long way. You have to feel sorry for Liam Messam who thought he could look after the number 6 jersey for a couple of years following Kaino's departure to Japan.

- Sam Cane - the tackle machine. Richie McCaw has not really been missed, when Sam Cane can put on defensive performances as good as the maestro.

Owen Franks Doubtful for All Blacks against Boks!

UPDATE - Owen Franks has been ruled out of the All Blacks' next game against the Boks with a thigh injury - no replacement has been brought in while Charlie Faumuina is expected to take his place against the Boks in the Rugby Championship decider next Saturday.

It was a scrappy affair for much of the All Blacks' test against Argentina in La Plata as conditions - and Los Pumas' spoiling tactics - made running rugby a bit of a challenge for 50 minutes of the game.

Indeed, Julian Savea's try in the first half was a bit of a fluke as Los Pumas seemed to stop playing and pursuing Savea who couldn't quite believe his luck that he was going to score the easiest try of his ABs career.

The ABs led 11-9 as a result but it was quite difficult to watch.

Whatever Steve Hansen said in the sheds at halftime must have worked as the ABs suddenly discovered holes in the Los Pumas defence, with Ben Smith finding holes and scoring twice - to make it 7 tries in the Rugby Championship this season for the Otago utility back.

In fact, it was Ben Smith who deservedly completed his brace in the last minute of the game to hand the ABs a vital bonus point for scoring 4 tries. This will be vital going into what will be the decider for the Rugby Championship in Johannesburg next week - the Boks who beat Australia 23-8 will now need to score 4 tries and win just to have any chance of taking the title on points difference.

For some time, after Ben Smith got his first try, it looked like the ABs would choke like Team New Zealand when it came to finishing off the job, with chances going begging at scoring that 4th try as they comfortably led the Pumas 26-12, then 26-15.

Alas, unlike Dean Barker's men, the ABs have always shown to be clinical and Ben Smith's try will surely seal another trophy for the cabinet at HQ in Molesworth Street.

So, a scrappy win but a win nevertheless. As they always say, a champion side knows how to win pretty and ugly.

Man of the Match - Ben Smith had a superb game finding holes in the Pumas defence late in the game but my vote goes to Sam Cane who tackled his heart out and never let the Pumas reach the game line - got a deserved try. Richie who?

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid Live Stream Here!

El Derby madrileno has started! Follow it here - http://cdn.livetvstatic.ru/webplayer.php?t=ifr&c=162821&lang=en&eid=189821&lid=162821&ci=15&si=1

Tottenham v Chelsea!

The North London derby is no longer the only premiere derby in London nowadays. With Chelsea now firmly a powerhouse of football in England, their derbies against Arsenal and Tottenham are now huge affairs, and games that Premier League fans look forward to.

This weekend, Jose Mourinho faces his former protege, Andre Villas-Boas, for the first time ever when he takes his Chelsea side to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham along with bitter rivals, Arsenal, currently lead the Premier League at this stage on 12 points ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool on 10. While it's far too early to consider who will really be in the title race, a good performance by either Tottenham or Chelsea today could lay a marker for the rest of the season.

Paulinho

This is quite a big game for Tottenham after their heavy summer spending. They have won 4 out of 5 games but those 4 wins have come against sides not expected to challenge them for a top 4 spot, i.e. Crystal Palace, Swansea, Norwich and Cardiff. Indeed, their first game against one of their contenders, ended in a 1-0 defeat albeit at Arsenal.

AVB knows that to really be contenders, Tottenham need to beat the big teams at home and given their form so far at home and the talent they have, the signs are pretty good for Tottenham to start an unbeaten record at least against the likes of both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal, etc.

Spurs' Danish maestro

Another encouraging sign is that loss to Arsenal came before the arrival of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen from Ajax. Since starting for Spurs against Norwich, Eriksen has made quite a difference - he is the sort of player that Spurs have missed since Luka Modric left for Real Madrid, and provides the intuitive passing and attacking play that makes their attack even more potent.

Will Juan Mata feature for Chelsea today?

So come lunchtime, expect lots of fireworks - if lots of chances, maybe not much goals given Tottenham's recent record. Expect Chelsea to be under a lot of fire from Spurs' much vaunted summer purchases.

Here are some highlights from past Tottenham v Chelsea encounters (at White Hart Lane)

Kieran Read in Doubt For All Blacks Test v Argentina!

Los Pumas' hopes of a historic first ever victory over the All Blacks - and their first in the Rugby Championship - have been boosted by the news that All Blacks captain, Kieran Read, may be ruled out of tonight's (tomorrow morning if you're in NZ) test with a stomach bug.

Liam Messam could be moved to the back of the scrum with Steven Luatua returning to the blindside flanker position that he has sort of made his own this year with Sam Cane at openside. Conrad Smith could be favourite to lead the ABs out at La Plata should Kieran Read not be able to play at all.

It'll be a big test for this brand new back row trio although their form has been very very good. The atmosphere and noise at La Plata and the physical challenge posed by Argentina's world class back row featuring the experienced Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Bring on Sunday morning!

How Can Argentina Become A Rugby Force?

For a long time, rugby fans and administrators worldwide clamoured for Argentina to be included in regular international rugby competition.

Those calls were loudest in the aftermath of the 2007 Rugby World Cup when Argentina finished 3rd having beaten hosts, France twice and the likes of Ireland and Scotland despite not being in the 6 Nations or Tri Nations at the time.

Argentina romp towards a surprise 3rd at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

With an impasse reached with the 6 Nations, SANZAR finally opened its doors to Los Pumas, inviting them to join the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks in its annual international rugby competition in time for the 2012 edition, despite many Pumas players being based in France and England. The IRB eventually added the September/October international window to ensure the best players from Argentina were selected.

In the two seasons so far, Argentina has proven to be competent but not quite ready to be considered serious champions. They are still yet to win a game in the new Rugby Championship although they have come mighty close against the Boks and Wallabies.

Los Pumas came agonisingly close to upsetting the Wallabies earlier this year

This sort of performance may have been excusable in a time when Argentina was still considered a backwater of world rugby. But now that Argentina is officially part of international rugby's elite, plans must get underway to ensure Los Pumas can improve and eventually be champions.

This is imperative considering that many of the current crop, e.g. Leguizamon, Fernandez Lobbe, Contepomi and Fernandez are in the autumn of their careers. The signs are a bit worrying that the next tier of Argentina's players aren't quite up to international standard - they were thrashed twice by England's B team in June.

Perhaps the key would be encouraging Argentine players to play in Super Rugby - after all, Super Rugby is the world's best provincial competition even if the money isn't quite as good as in France or England. Indeed, the key could be having at least one Super Rugby franchise based in Buenos Aires - this would be more realistic should the plan to split Super Rugby into a South African/Argentine western conference and Australian/New Zealand eastern conference come to fruition in 2016.

Can Los Pumas gain as much recognition and support as Lionel Messi?

There is no doubt that Argentina has definitely got the potential to be a world beater in rugby just as it has shown to be in football, hockey and other sports. Argentines are a very proud and athletic people, possibly one of the most talented sporting nations in the world. What it currently lacks to succeed at the moment is the non-existence of any development and professional structure for its rugby players.

Until that is sorted, expect Argentina to finish at best 3rd in the Rugby Championship each season. Mind you Italy has finished last in all but two of the Six Nations championships it has been a part of since 2000 but has there been any word to kick them out?

In the end, being there and competing is all part of it, and no one is disputing that the Rugby Championship is richer for having Argentina, its players, fans and the Spanish language in the competition.

El Derbi Madrileno!! Madrid Derby!

(desplácese hacia abajo para el español)

The first Madrid derby of the season has come - sorry Getafe and Rayo Vallecano fans, but the real El Derbi madrileno is the one between those rag tag boys from the southern part of the city (Atletico de Madrid) and those rich kids from the north with all the glamour and fans (Real Madrid).

While historically Real have always had the bigger following, glamour and coverage over Atletico, recent seasons have seen Atletico gain a bit of ascendancy on Real. Indeed, some say that Atletico's team is just as talented and a bit more cohesive than Real's team of stars.

Look at the table this season, Atletico along with Barca are the only teams with a 100% record although Real are still unbeaten and only 2 points behind.

Atletico may find it very hard to maintain their 100% record at the Bernabeu where their record is very poor - even if they did beat Real Madrid there last season en route to winning the Copa del Rey.

Last season, Real completed their 5th consecutive league double over Atletico - the results helped Real finish ahead of Atletico on the home straight.

Gareth Bale has experience playing in big derbies

However, the likes of Gareth Bale, Carvajal, Illarra and Isco set to feature in their first El Derbi Madrileno, so this will be a very new experience for them - mind you, Bale has a lot of experience playing in a derby of similar magnitude back in London. Diego Simeone's men will play a much tighter game compared to what they've played recently at the Bernabeu meaning the space afforded to those guys may not be much.

However, Atletico do have the quality to put together a move that results in goal especially with David Villa and Diego Costa scoring goals freely.

So bring it on this Saturday night!

My tip - Real Madrid 2 Atletico Madrid 1

El primer derbi madrileño de la temporada ha llegado - lo siento Getafe y aficionados Rayo Vallecano, pero el verdadero El Derbi madrileño es la que existe entre esos muchachos harapientos de la parte sur de la ciudad (Atlético de Madrid) y los niños ricos del norte con todo el glamour y ventiladores (real Madrid).

Si bien históricamente real siempre han tenido el siguiente más grande, el glamour y la cobertura frente al Atlético, las últimas temporadas han visto Atlético de ganar un poco de ascenso en la Real. De hecho, algunos dicen que el equipo de Atlético es tan talentoso y un poco más coherente que el equipo de Bienes de las estrellas.

Mira la tabla de esta temporada, el Atlético, junto con el Barça son los únicos equipos con un récord de 100%, aunque real todavía está invicto y sólo 2 puntos del líder.

Atlético puede resultar muy duro para mantener su récord de 100% en el Bernabéu, donde su récord es muy pobre - incluso si lo hicieran ganar al Real Madrid la temporada pasada en el camino a ganar la Copa del Rey.

La temporada pasada, el Real completó su quinto doble liga consecutiva frente al Atlético - los resultados ayudaron acabado real por delante del Atlético en la recta final.

Sin embargo, la talla de Gareth Bale, Carvajal, Illarra e Isco establece en función de su primera El Derbi madrileño, por lo que esta será una nueva experiencia para ellos - eso sí, Bale tiene un montón de experiencia de juego en un derby de magnitud similar de vuelta en Londres.

Los hombres de Diego Simeone jugarán un juego mucho más estricta en comparación con lo que han jugado recientemente en el Bernabéu lo que significa que el espacio que ofrece a los chicos puede que no sea mucho.

Sin embargo, el Atlético no tiene la calidad para armar un movimiento que resulta en gol, especialmente con David Villa y Diego Costa objetivos de puntuación libremente.

Por lo tanto lleva en esta noche de sábado!

Mi consejo - Real Madrid 2 Atlético de Madrid 1

Greatest Comebacks in Sporting History

Today we witnessed something quite quite special in sport - the great come from behind win. It's wonderful for the neutral and supporters of the eventual victor, absolutely heartbreaking for supporters of the eventual loser.

It is most galling to think that they were in what seemed an insurmountable winning position.

But here are the greatest comebacks in sporting history.

2013, Oracle comes from 8-1 behind to retain America's Cup 

Much as 4 million Kiwis would hate to say it, but you've gotta give Aussie Jimmy Spithill and his Oracle Team a lot of credit for the fightback that they showed. Having to win 8 races knowing that the next one could be your last, in a big final series with the America's Cup on the line, against an expert and unified opponent at home is a lot of pressure - but they delivered in some style (and cash).

Indeed, the media outlets back in New Zealand were pretty much already preparing for Auckland to host the America's Cup in 4 years time. They had rucked up the crowd to the point that Shed 10 in Auckland was packed to the rafters for a week in anticipation of that one win to bring the Cup back to New Zealand. This particular blogger actually set up a Bring the America's Cup to Wellington which now turned out to be rather silly.

In the end, there's that saying don't count your chickens before they hatch, although for Dean Barker and his vanquished Emirates Team New Zealand, it was pretty much at a point that you could definitely see the leg popping out of the egg.

2005, Liverpool comes from 3-0 behind to win the Champions League

The greatest comeback in footballing history. Milan were 3-0 up at halftime against a Liverpool side completely at sea in the biggest club football match of the season, up against a Milan side boasting world footballer of the year, Kaka and many stars like Paolo Maldini and Andriy Shevchenko. Alas, 10 inspired minutes by Rafa Benitez's men in the 2nd half completely transformed the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, sending the game to extra time.

A shell shocked AC Milan fell apart in the penalty shootout courtesy to Jerzy Dudek's antics and Liverpool won their 5th European Cup in the most thrilling fashion.

2004, Boston Red Sox comes from 3-0 behind to beat New York Yankees 

Another defeat and another season under the Curse of the Bambino. Or so it seemed when the Boston Red Sox found themselves 3-0 down in the best of 7 American League Championship series of 2004, against their most reviled rivals, the New York Yankees.

But in 2004, things were going to be different, and the Red Sox rallied home to win the next 3 games and force a decider at Yankee Stadium. Like Oracle this year, the Red Sox looked the faster, sharper and more powerful team in the final and they romped home 10-3 to become the first ever team to go 3-0 behind in a pennant race to progress to the World Series.

How sweet then, it was against those bloody Yankees.

1981, England comes from behind to beat Australia in 3rd Ashes test

The greatest test match in history. Australia were in a formidable position in this test and set to take a 2-0 lead with 2 tests to go with England forced to follow on. Up stepped Ian Botham to score a magnificent 149 not out and give Bob Willis the chance to take 8 wickets for 43 as Australia were bowled out for 111 and England won by 18 runs.

It was the start of Botham's Ashes as England went on to win the next 2 tests and win the Ashes in 1981.

1976, James Hunt comes from behind to beat Niki Lauda

In the season now made into a wonderful Hollywood film - Rush if you haven't figured it out - Austrian Niki Lauda and McLaren's James Hunt fought tooth and nail for the world championship, although it was Austria's and Ferrari's reigning champion who seemed to have the luck of the Irish for much of the season as reliability issues and controversial disqualifications hampered Brit James Hunt's push for the title.

Then came Lauda's big accident at the Nurburgring in the summer which nearly killed the Austrian and saw him out of F1 for many weeks. Hunt made hay while the sun winning the Dutch Grand Prix and finishing 4th in Austria to close the gap to Lauda.

Even then, the odds were still against him when Lauda made a surprise comeback to F1 at Monza - Hunt's engine blew up then. But Hunt struck back and won both Canadian and United States East Grand Prix to set up a title showdown at Fuji Speedway in Japan.

Lauda, with fresh memories of crashing in the rain at the Nurburgring, pulled out early in the race while Hunt continued in atrocious conditions. Yet, Hunt still seemed set to lose the title with a late pitstop. A barnstorming run to 3rd meant that Hunt had won the title by a single point from Lauda in one of F1's greatest ever seasons.

Other great comebacks to mention (WARNING: Manchester United features heavily here)

Darkest Days in New Zealand Sporting History

 26 September 2013 is a date that will go down in infamy.

For New Zealand sport.

Dark Thursday will forever be remembered as one of New Zealand sport's darkest, darkest days as Oracle - as predicted on this blog - completed the greatest comeback in world sport to win the series 9-8 and retain the America's Cup despite defending against match point for over a week.

So what are New Zealand sport's other dark days?

3 September 1949, All Blacks lose to South Africa AND Australia - in one day!
Yes, an All Blacks team toured South Africa and stayed at home to play the touring Wallabies in 1949 resulting in this very unique sporting anomaly. A third-string All Blacks side lost 11-6 to Australia at Athletic Park in Wellington earlier in the day, then the first-string ABs side lost 9-3 to South Africa in Durban. That is what we call a double black day for New Zealand sport.

25 March 1955, New Zealand score only 26 runs against England
It still remains the lowest test cricket score - much as the Blackcaps have tried in recent times to beat it. New Zealand bowled out for a paltry 26 at Eden Park.

31 October 1999, France 43 New Zealand 31
The last time New Zealand was at the wrong end of an incredible comeback. Nuff said. Watch the video.

7 October 2007, France 20 New Zealand 18
Unfortunately, 1999 wouldn't be the last time that France would be New Zealand's sporting nemesis with Les Bleus again coming from behind to stun the favourites albeit thanks to some controversial refereeing from Wayne Barnes. That was a very dark and bloody Sunday.

All Blacks Side Named to Face Argentina!

Steve Hansen has named his All Blacks side to face Argentina this weekend in La Plata. It is hoped that the All Blacks can provide some much needed joy to New Zealand sports fans after the disappointment of the America's Cup this week.

However, as was in 2003, when one New Zealand team loses, the others tend to follow and I think that the injuries to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw and All Blacks playing away from home mean that it's never been a better time for Argentina to get its first win against an All Blacks side deflated by America's Cup defeat.

Aaron Cruden and Andrew Hore return to the squad - Cruden is back from injury of course. McCaw is still not fit to face the Pumas this week though.

The side is as below -

15-Israel Dagg, 14-Ben Smith, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 1-Julian Savea, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Sam Cane, 6-Liam Messam, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Charlie Faumuina, 19-Jeremy Thrush, 20-Steven Luatua, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Charlie Piutau.

Luis Suarez Set to Return for Liverpool!

Luis Suarez is set to make his return to competitive football when Liverpool travels to Old Trafford to play Manchester United.

Suarez's 10 match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic late last season has ended meaning the controversial Uruguayan striker is available should Brendan Rodgers decide to pick him.

It will be a controversial set of circumstances for Suarez to return given his history with Manchester United, i.e. that Patrice Evra incident two seasons ago, and given that Suarez will probably be a bit rusty and out of form at first, it'll be a challenging place to find his very best.

Suarez's return does come at a good time. While Liverpool have made one of their best ever starts to the season, there is an indication that they would definitely appreciate Suarez's return to give their pretty decent attack a bit more variety and another edge.

With Coutinho still out, Suarez could also possibly provide the creativity that the forwards badly missed against Southampton on Saturday although he doesn't quite track back as well as Coutinho does.

One wonders how David Moyes will treat this game along with the rest of the League Cup with more pressing issues at hand like getting back into the league title race and ensuring a prolonged run in Europe.

Indeed, the League Cup this season probably means a lot more to Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers as a chance to win silverware and play in Europe - especially considering how competitive the race is for the top 5 nowadays.

Welcome back Suarez!

Worst Tackles in Football Ever

It has been 20 years since that Goikoextea famously broke Maradona's leg in a La Liga game between Barca and Athletic Bilbao. The Athletic Bilbao's hard man's brutal tackle put the Argentine out for a year and effectively ruined his Barcelona career from which he never really recovered from.

But was it the worst tackle in football ever? Here's a look at a few others that have caused us to puke every time we see it

(WARNING: Please don't watch this if you're eating or drinking or have a soft disposition)

Harald Schumacher on Christophe Battiston

Roy Keane on Alf Inge Haaland

Martin Taylor on Eduardo

Ryan Shawcross on Aaron Ramsey

Ben Sigmund

Can the South Sydney Rabbitohs be NRL Champions?

It has taken a while but the Bunnies are back to being amongst the NRL's powerhouses.

Thanks to Russell Crowe's investment in the last few years, bringing in league stars like Greg Inglis, Roy Asotasi, the Burgess brothers, South Sydney Rabbitohs are again the team to beat and fans from Redfern and south of Kings Cross can wave their red and green flags at a winner.

Burgess brothers

The Bunnies' best chance of ending their long, long Premiership drought has finally arrived and only the experienced Manly stands in their way of reaching their first Grand Final since 1971. Indeed, they haven't won the title since that Final even if they remain the most illustrious club in Australian rugby league with 20 titles.

Manly will be a tough challenge given that they were champions only two seasons ago and have a formidable team with world class players like Brett and Glenn Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai. They also have plenty of experience at this time of the season. However, Souths could yet be their toughest challenge given the talent and defence of the green and reds.

SBW could be key for the Roosters

Another tantalizing prize to look forward to is a dream Grand Final with their most hated rivals, the Sydney Roosters, another once great team that has made a renaissance this year on the back of All Black Sonny Bill Williams and former Warrior, James Maloney.

The Roosters face an in-form Newcastle who upset Melbourne in Melbourne last week and with Wayne Bennett at the helm, will be a massive minefield to overcome. Akuila Uate has shown to be the best winger in the post season and his pace and power were key in the Knights' win over the Storm on Saturday night.

However, the Roosters have shown that they have plenty of fight and mettle in them particularly in that 4-0 win over Manly two weeks ago. Their defence is strong and they have plenty of quality in attack with Anthony Minichello and Mitchell Pearce.

The Roosters won 24-12 last time these two met

Tips? Souths to beat Manly and Roosters to beat Knights to set up a very traditional Grand Final on Sunday week.

5 Players the Highlanders Need to Sign for 2014

The Highlanders have lost a huge number of players for the 2014 season, e.g. Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Jamie Mackintosh and Colin Slade. Jamie Joseph has a big task ahead to strengthen the squad and improve on their disappointing 14th place finish last season.

They have re-signed the likes of Shane Christie, Hayden Parker, TJ Ioane and Brad Thorn - the last one a big boost for the Highlanders.

Here are 5 players the Highlanders need to sign for the 2014 season.

Ihaia West, Hawkes Bay - the young Maori redhead has been a sensation this season and was key in breaking Otago hearts as the Magpies ended their long shield drought. With the Highlanders losing Colin Slade to the Crusaders, here is a chance to develop a first five option for the long term.

Hugh Blake, Otago - one of the new rising stars of blue and gold rugby, Blake could fill the void left by Adam Thomson last year. Tall and athletic, Blake made the extended Highlanders squad last season and deserves a spot full time in the squad.

Sherwin Stowers, Counties Manukau - another player who has been forgotten a bit by Super Rugby teams, Stowers kept fit by featuring for Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand World Sevens team and brought that form into the Counties top. He had a sterling display against Hawkes Bay and helped Counties win the Shield for the first time. If the Chiefs or Blues don't snap him up, the Highlanders must sign Stowers.

Joe Moody, Canterbury - Moody's stocks experienced a big rise this season, named in the All Blacks training squad when injuries struck Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks. With those two at the Crusaders, Moody may very struggle to develop further by being just a substitute. A move to the Highlanders to fill the void left by Mackintosh and Woodcock could boost Moody's chances of making the national squad with regular playing time.

Sam Aiono, Counties Manukau - A key player in Counties Ranfurly Shield efforts, with options a bit limited for established props, the Highlanders could take a punt on a promising prop for the future.

Napoli Può Essere Campioni?

(scorrere verso il basso per l'italiano)

The blue team from the south is back.

For so long, Naples or Napoli has been wallowing in the depths of its own debt, uncollected rubbish and mafia gangs. Its football team, the once proud SSC Napoli, made great by Diego Maradona in the late 1980s was languishing in the depths of Italian football – at once stage playing in Serie C1.

Alas, Italy’s southern city has something to be proud of once again with Napoli roaring once again at the top of Italian football.

Under Walter Mazzani, Napoli consolidated itself as one of Italy’s top teams alongside the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Internazionale (who finished 9^th last season), AS Roma and Lazio. Mazzani left last season after guiding Napoli to a runners-up spot behind Juventus.

In came, former Liverpool, Inter and Chelsea manager, Rafa Benitez.

There must have been some trepidation from Napoli fans considering Rafa’s record at Inter – he took the European, Italian league and cup champions from heroes to near zero, earning the sack in the same season.

Hamsik and Balotelli

So far, things seem to be going well for the sky blues with Napoli scoring plenty of goals thanks to former Real Madrid man, Gonzalo Higuain and key playmaker, Marek Hamsik.

Hamsik has long been one of world football’s most underrated playmakers but is now on top of his game and leading the Napoli revival and their push for a first Scudetto since 1990.

Napoli is a squad with plenty of quality. Besides Higuain and Hamsik, there’s former Liverpool keeper, Pepe Reina who is on loan from Anfield, Miguel Britos, Goran Pandev, Valon Behrami and Jose Callejon. Their qualities showed against Milan at the San Siro where they totally bossed the former European champions on their own turf - this was on the back of a wonderful performance against last year's European runners-up, Borussia Dortmund. 

The key for Rafa will be to keep the injuries to a minimum and at times of the season when they can be rested. The key is to ensure he has Higuain and Hamsik fit for the run-in given Juventus’ depth and strength.

But that’s for later, for now, Napoli fans should enjoy the mini-renaissance of the Azzurri. 

Il team azzurro dal sud è tornato.

Per tanto tempo , Napoli o Napoli è stato sguazzare nella profondità del proprio debito , rifiuti non raccolti e bande mafiose . La sua squadra di calcio , il tempo orgogliosa SSC Napoli , reso grande da Diego Maradona alla fine del 1980 languiva nelle profondità del calcio italiano - in una volta tappa a giocare in Serie C1 .

Ahimè , città del sud d'Italia ha qualcosa di cui essere orgogliosi , ancora una volta con il Napoli ruggisce ancora una volta al vertice del calcio italiano .

Sotto Walter Mazzani , Napoli si è consolidata come una delle migliori squadre d'Italia al fianco di Juventus, Milan , Internazionale ( che ha chiuso 9 ° la scorsa stagione ) , AS Roma e Lazio . Mazzani lasciato la scorsa stagione , dopo che guida Napoli a un punto secondo posto alle spalle della Juventus .

In venuto , ex Liverpool , Inter e Chelsea , Rafa Benitez .

Ci deve essere stato un po 'di trepidazione dai tifosi del Napoli considerando il record di Rafa all'Inter - ha preso il , campionato italiano europeo e Coppa Campioni da eroi quasi a zero , guadagnandosi il sacco nella stessa stagione .

Finora, le cose sembrano andare bene per il blues cielo con Napoli scoring sacco di gol grazie alla ex uomo del Real Madrid , Gonzalo Higuain e fantasista chiave , Marek Hamsik .

Hamsik è stato a lungo uno dei registi più sottovalutati del mondo del calcio , ma ora è in cima al suo gioco e che porta alla rinascita di Napoli e la loro spinta per un primo scudetto dal 1990.

Pepe Reina

Napoli è una squadra con molta qualità . Oltre Higuain e Hamsik , c'è l'ex Liverpool custode , Pepe Reina , che è in prestito dal Anfield , Miguel Britos, Goran Pandev , Valon Behrami e Jose Callejon . Le loro qualità hanno dimostrato contro il Milan a San Siro dove hanno totalmente maltrattati gli ex campioni d'Europa sul loro stesso terreno - questo era sul retro di una splendida prestazione contro finalisti europei dello scorso anno, Borussia Dortmund.

La chiave per Rafa sarà quello di mantenere le lesioni al minimo e, a volte della stagione , quando possono essere riposati . La chiave è quello di garantire che ha Higuain e Hamsik misura per il run-in data profondità e forza Juve ' .

Ma questo è per dopo , per ora , tifosi del Napoli dovrebbero godere il mini- rinascita degli azzurri .