Goals! Midweek Special - Best Goals of 30-31 October 2013

It's been another busy midweek of football with lots of good goals. Here are 8 of the best - and finally we get Gareth Bale on the list!

Gareth Bale, Real Madrid v Sevilla (1st)

Kaka, Milan v Lazio

Emerson, Livorno v Torino

Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla v Real Madrid (2nd)

Roberto Torres, Osasuna v Rayo (it's the 3rd goal Osasuna score - no separate video sorry)

Juan Mata, Chelsea v Arsenal

Gylffi Sigurdsson, Tottenham v Hull City

Phil Jones, Manchester United v Norwich

And...

(Not) The Goal of the week..

Brad Freidel, Tottenham v Hull (OG)

Boston Red Sox are 2013 World Champions! #BostonStrong

The Boston Red Sox are world champions.

Yes that moniker may not hold much outside the 50 states of the United States of America but for the city of Boston and fans of its fabled baseball team, it is a title they deeply cherish.

While the grip of the curse of the Bambino is long over, Red Sox fans definitely cherish the World Series like the Holy Grail.

And this achievement will definitely rank as the best out of their three World Series since they broke the curse of Babe Ruth in that fabled American League pennant series against the Yankees in 2004.

After all, let's not forget that the Red Sox just over a year ago finished last in the division. Their then manager, Bobby Valentine was sacked and replaced by John Farrell, a coach who had done a bit with the Toronto Blue Jays but was still by all accounts not familiar with autumn baseball.

The bullpen and batting roster were heavily changed in the winter although the likes of Jack Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ortiz stayed at Fenway Park. 

Then of course, came the fateful day of April 15, 2013, a day which Boston residents and a nation will never forget.

The Boston Marathon, a day prided so much by the city along with it's other sports teams, was marred badly by a bomb that killed 3 and maimed thousands forever.

The BostonStrong logo was born that day and as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev were being hunted down in a bloody chase by Massachussets State Police, Boston moved on and the Red Sox who stood in silence just days after the bombing at Fenway Park, vowed to win for their wounded city.

That they did, not only winning their division and having the pleasure of seeing their bitter rivals, the Yankees miss out on October baseball completely, but they also earned the best record in the American League, vanquishing the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers en route to a series against the equally impressive St Louis Cardinals.

It's not as if the Cards were bad this series. Far from it.

The team from the Gateway to the West showed why they've made the playoffs every season and made this a highly competitive and enjoyable World Series - more so than the lopsided encounters of past Red Sox wins and last season when the Giants won.

Alas, the Red Sox were a team with a mission and had that 10% extra over the 120 that Yadier Molina and John Wainwright gave and ultimately created their own destiny.

While David Ortiz was named MVP of the Series, it was a team effort all round and no-name players like David Ross and Jonny Gomes made big contributions with the bat.

And how about Koji?

How about Koji!

He may be no Mariano Riviera but for closers he is as good as they get.

In the end, the Red Sox were a star team rather than a team of stars and that's why they're World Series champions.

And that will delight those in Boston who lost their limbs those 6 months ago that can now seem like a terrible nightmare - winning it at home for the first time since 1918 makes this achievement even sweeter.

Well done Red Sox! #BostonStrong

All Blacks Named to Face Japan!

As expected, the All Blacks have named a largely experimental side to face Japan this Saturday - at the unusual kickoff time of 6:30pm New Zealand time - it'll be 2:30pm local time.

Indeed, there are players in unusual places with Richie McCaw captaining the side from the number 8 position - he has played there before - and Charles Piutau moving to wing with Beauden Barrett playing at fullback - he has played there before with aplomb.

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw were probably meant to join the likes of Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Ma'a Nonu and Kieran Read etc. in the team to play in Paris but having not played much in the last few weeks, the coaches decided to play both against Japan in a bid for them to get game time that they need.

There will be several new caps with Dominic Bird and Frank Halai getting theirs from the start, and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Luke Whitelock set to get theirs off the bench.

This team should beat Japan fairly easily even without many of the first choice starters and it's a good opportunity to blood talent in the right spots.

Wyatt Crockett
Dane Coles
Ben Franks
Jeremy Thrush
Dominic Bird
Steven Luatua
Sam Cane
Richie McCaw (captain)
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Dan Carter
Frank Halai
Francis Sai'ili
Ben Smith
Charles Piutau
Beauden Barrett

SUBS:
Andrew Hore
Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen
Charlie Faumuina
Brodie Retallick
Luke Whitelock
Aaron Smith
Tom Taylor
Ryan Crotty

FIFA World XI for 2013!

FIFA released its shortlist for the Ballon d'Or yesterday with Gareth Bale named alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Ribery, etc.

Who would make your team of the year?

Here's mine (formation 4-2-3-1)

GK - Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich (Germany) - Best keeper in the world right now

LB - Marcelo, Real Madrid (Brazil) - Superb heir to Roberto Carlos at Real Madrid

CB - Thiago Silva, Paris St Germain (Brazil) - Defies the tradition that Brazilians don't make good defenders

CB - Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid (Spain) - Best centre back in the world

RB - Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich (Germany) - Best right back in the world

CM - Yaya Toure, Manchester City (Cote d'Ivoire) - Best midfielder in the Premier League right now

CM - Mesut Ozil, Arsenal (Germany) - Masterclass passer

LW/RW - Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur (Wales) - Left or right side, Bale was unbelievable at Spurs

FW - Lionel Messi, Barcelona (Argentina) - Nuff said

LW/RW - Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid (Portugal) - See Bale but switch Spurs for Real

ST - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris St Germain (Sweden) - Best striker in the world right now

SUBS -
GK - Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur (France)
DF - Vincent Kompany, Manchester City (Belgium)
MF - Frank Ribery, Bayern Munich (France)
FW/ST - Radamel Falcao, AS Monaco (Colombia)

Can the Blues win Super Rugby Next Season?

John Kirwan and Graham Henry have been very busy since the Blues' last game of the season against the Chiefs at Eden Park.

It's evident with the squad that they've named with the likes of Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu, all Rugby World Cup winners signed to the Blues for 2014 along with Benji Marshall, whom Kirwan convinced to convert to rugby union after he was disillusioned with the Wests Tigers' new management.

Where Marshall plays remains to be seen, although I expect him to be at fullback initially while he learns the more refined arts of defense in union.

Apprentice and the master

The question is, with all those high-profile recruits and given how close they were to making the playoffs, can Graham Henry help guide the Blues back to where they were when he was in JK's job?

Look at this possible starting side -

Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Cullum Retallick, Tom Donnelly, Steven Luatua, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Baden Kerr, Frank Halai, Francis Sai'ili, Ma'a Nonu, George Moala, Charles Piutau

SUBS: James Parson, Tom McCartney, Angus Ta'avao, Liaki Moli, Kane Barrett, Jamison Gibson-Park, Chris Noakes, Benji Marshall

Woody is back!

That forward pack looks incredible especially now that Tony Woodcock is back to partner his All Blacks teammates. Even if the locking duo is a bit new with Ali Williams and Anthony Boric gone, the backrow could be very good particularly now that Jerome Kaino is back and refreshed hopefully from his time in Japan.

The backs also look pretty promising especially if Piri Weepu can carry his NPC form over. Frank Halai will be an All Black cap by the time he returns and deservedly so given his form for the Blues and Counties last season - he could be the most destructive winger in New Zealand rugby. Expect Nonu to move to centre to allow Sai'ili to play second-five.

The draw will be the key - unlike last season, the Blues are amongst the first New Zealand sides to tour South Africa this season so will get the hardest part of their season out of the way.

As they say, with Henry and the Blues, never count them out and for once, the talk is all good coming out from Auckland's Super Rugby camp.

Can the Highlanders Turn It Around in 2014?

Colin Slade won't be leading the Highlanders revival this season

The Highlanders have named their squad for 2014 with plenty of changes as expected after their disastrous season.

Tony Woodcock, Jamie Mackintosh, Ma'a Nonu and Colin Slade have moved to pastures anew up north along with Kade Poki, Declan O'Donnell and Tamati Ellison who have moved on from life down South. Andrew Hore has also moved on albeit to the pastures of the Maniototo.

So what to make of this squad?

Whopper and Horey are gone now

Apart from looking a bit short in the front row particularly in the loosehead with no real specialists named - although expect the wider training squad to feature heavily here - the squad as usual has promise and the backline is probably as exciting as it could be even without Ma'a Nonu who you could probably say was a bad influence.

In my opinion, this will be the Highlanders starting XV and bench -

Chris King, Liam Coltman, Mattias Diaz, Brad Thorn, Jarrad Hoeata, Shane Christie, John Hardie, Nasi Manu, Aaron Smith, Hayden Parker, Patrick Osborne, Shaun Treeby, Malakai Fekitoa, Ben Smith, Willie Ripia

Subs - Brayden Mitchell, Ma'afu Fia, Joe Wheeler, TJ Ioane, Fumiaki Tanaka, Lima Sopoaga, Winston Stanley

Malakai Fekitoa comes down south with plenty of plaudits

The backline has plenty of potential with Malakai Fekitoa coming down from Auckland with lots of kudos from coaches - he has only moved because Ma'a Nonu has moved to the Blues meaning less opportunities with him. He and Treeby will form a very strong and powerful midfield. Complimented with the pace and skill of Ben Smith and Patrick Osborne along with the boot of Willie Ripia, the Highlanders definitely have a backline that can return to the exciting days of 2011 and 2012.

The front row must be sorted out soon though - it was a bit of a faux pas letting go of Jamie Mackintosh, Bronson Murray and Tony Woodcock without bringing in an established loosehead prop but as mentioned before, the wider training squad could be the key here and Jamie Joseph has to find a backup to Chris King given the bench calls for two props.

Can they improve? Well, Highlanders fans have always lived in hope that their team can do better than last and perhaps this team will do that again.

Jamie Joseph will be hoping his charges do as another mediocre season could be his last in the deep South.

Jamie Joseph has a big 2014 up ahead

Blues Announce Super Rugby Squad for 2014!

The Blues have announced their squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season. Can John Kirwan and Graham Henry return the Blues to the playoffs next season?

Here's the squad of 32 -

Forwards -
Keven Mealamu, James Parsons, Tom McCartney, Sam Prattley, Tony Woodcock, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Angus Ta'avao, Culum Retallick, Liaki Moli, Tom Donnelly, Patrick Tuipulotu, Steven Luatua, Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Brendan O'Connor, Peter Sai'ili, Jerome Kaino,

Backs -
Jamison Gibson-Park, Piri Weepu, Bryn Hall, Baden Kerr, Benji Marshall, Chris Noakes, Frank Halai, Ma'a Nonu, Jackson Willison, Francis Sai'ili, Charles Piutau, Pita Ahki, George Moala, Lolagi Visinia,

Hurricanes Name Squad for 2014 Super Rugby!

The Hurricanes announced their squad for the 2014 Super Rugby. Coach Mark Hammett has managed to keep Julian Savea in Middle Earth and added in-form back, Marty Banks along with Cardiff Vaega from Southland.

The squad is as follows -

Forwards: Mark Abbott (Hawke's Bay), James Broadhurst (Taranaki), Dane Coles (Wellington), Ash Dixon (Hawke's Bay), Ben Franks (Hawke's Bay), Reggie Goodes (Wellington), Jack Lam (Waikato), Faifili Levave (Wellington), Motu Matu'u (Wellington), Mark Reddish (Wellington), Ardie Savea (Wellington), John Schwalger (Wellington), Brad Shields (Wellington), Eric Sione (Wellington), Blade Thomson (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington).

 Backs: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Marty Banks (Tasman), Tim Bateman (Wellington), Cory Jane (Wellington), Alapati Leiua (Wellington), James Marshall (Taranaki), Hadleigh Parkes (Auckland), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Matt Proctor (Wellington), Julian Savea (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Chris Smylie (Taranaki), Andre Taylor (Taranaki), Cardiff Vaega (Southland). Wider training squad: Chris Eves (Manawatu), Callum Gibbins (Manawatu), Adam Hill (Wellington), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu)

Chiefs Announce Super Rugby Squad for 2014!

The champions have announced their squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season. The Chiefs have made some big recruitments from Te Waipounamu with fullback Tom Marshall and prop Jamie Mackintosh moving to the Tron. Despite only getting Sonny Bill Williams for 2015, the Chiefs squad still looks very good and favourites to retain their title and make it three-in-a-row.

The squad is as follows - 

Forwards: Hika Elliot, Rhys Marshall, Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Josh Hohneck, Jamie Mackintosh, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna, Mike Fitzgerald, Brodie Retallick, Mathew Symons, Sam Cane, Nick Croswell, Ross Filipo, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Liam Squire, Kane Thompson

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Augustine Pulu, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden, Bundee Aki, Robbie Fruean, Mils Muliaina, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, James Lowe, Tom Marshall, Tim Nanai-Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Robbie Robinson

Crusaders Squad for the 2014 Super Rugby Season!

The Crusaders have named a 37 men squad for their 2014 Super Rugby campaign - the squad includes 5 wider training squad players and a mystery winger from Japan.

As expected, Dan Carter will not feature much for the Crusaders next season with Carter starting a sabbatical after the end of year tour, but like McCaw will be named as part of the squad. Patrick Osborne, James Lowe, Tom Marshall and Shane Christie have all departed for pastures anew.

Can this Crusaders squad win another Super Rugby title?

Here is the squad -
Forwards - Corey Flynn, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock,

Backs - Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz, Mitchell Drummond, Colin Slade, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Rey Lee-Lo, Zac Guildford, Johnny McNicholl, Nemadi Nadolo, Israel Dagg.

Gareth Bale on Shortlist for FIFA Player of the Year!

FIFA has released its shortlist for the Ballon d'Or (Player of the Year) Award. The shortlist of players is as follows.

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/Wales),
Edinson Cavani (Paris St-Germain/Uruguay),
Radamel Falcao (Monaco/Colombia),
Eden Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium),
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St-Germain/Sweden),
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain),
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany),
Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund/Poland),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina),
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich/Germany),
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany),
Neymar (Barcelona/Brazil),
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/Germany),
Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy),
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/France),
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Netherlands),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal),
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich/Germany),
Luis Suarez (Liverpool/Uruguay),
Thiago Silva (Paris St-Germain/Brazil),
Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast),
Robin Van Persie (Manchester United/Netherlands),
Xavi (Barcelona/Spain)

And coach of the year..
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid CF),
Rafael Benítez (Napoli),
Antonio Conte (Juventus),
Vicente Del Bosque (Spain),
Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United's former coach),
Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich's former coach),
Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund),
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea),
Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil),
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).

Southampton! Can the Saints March into the Champions League?

There's no doubt that Southampton FC are the surprise team of the Premier League so far this season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men briefly scaled the heights of the top 4 after Saturday night's 2-0 win over Fulham at home before Chelsea and Tottenham as expected took over.

The South Coast side are still well in the top 5 - and 4 points clear of the champions, Manchester United, and deservedly so.

The table definitely explains why Southampton are in the top 10 - their defence has only leaked 3 goals, by far the best defensive record in the Premier League.

Dejan and Jose - an unlikely but successful pairing

Serbian Dejan Lovren has been a revelation since signing in the summer from Lyon and his partnership with Portuguese defender, Jose Fonte is definitely the meanest central defence in the EPL right now.

Big Artur!

And of course, Artur Boruc - the big Pole finally with his chance to show his stuff in the Premier League week in week out after establishing himself as a Celtic legend along with midfielder, Victor Wanyama.

And not only can Southampton defend, they can score goals when needed - sure they're not quite Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City at the moment, but they do have some threat up front with record signing, Pablo Osvaldo from Roma along with regulars from last season, England star, Rickie Lambert and the emerging Jay Rodriguez.

Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse

Indeed, Jay Rodriguez along with Adam Lallana, Jack Cork, James Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw are the young guns who are really flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance and leading the revelation on the south coast.

The former Argentine defender is fondly remembered by English football fans for tripping Michael Owen in the box at the 2002 World Cup that resulted in the penalty kick that David Beckham put away with aplomb.

However, Pochettino might very well be remembered for other reasons - particularly his effective, pressing type of football which he first applied as manager at Espanyol with some success for 3 seasons.

He may not speak English, but he's doing alright in the English Premier League!

It is this brand of football by the Saints that has caused the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United problems this season and earned them a 1-0 win and 1-1 draw away from home respectively.

More of this football and top 4 is a possible dream - realistically, Southampton will be aiming for a top ten spot and with some luck, possibly a Europa League spot.

It was West Brom and Swansea last season. It looks like Southampton have taken over for this season.

Funny all of them were clad in Adidas.....

Rickie Lambert and the Saints keep marching on! 

Red Sox Take 3-2 Lead in World Series Back to Boston!

The Red Sox are within touching distance of a third World Series triumph in ten years after taking the final game of the series at Busch Stadium. David Ross was the unlikely hero as his fly ball allowed a double which gave the side from Boston an unassailable 3-1 lead.

It is a bonus result for the Red Sox now who head back to Fenway Park with form in the batting lineup as well as a pretty decent bullpen - Cardinals fans must consider this as one hammer blow given that this was probably their last chance for their team to keep the series alive.

While it was a day for St Louis sports fans to forget, Boston sports fans can look forward to celebrating come Wednesday night the earliest.

Highlanders to Name Super Rugby Squad for 2014!

The Highlanders have named their Super Rugby squad for 2014. Head coach Jamie Joseph along with assistants, Jon Preston and Tony Brown will be hoping this squad can turn the Highlanders around after a disastrous season last time round.

Here is the squad -

Gone - Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Hosea Gear, Kade Poki, Tamati Ellison

Forwards -
Liam Coltman, Brayden Mitchell, Mattias Diaz, Chris King, Ma'afu Fia, Brad Thorn, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Joe Wheeler, Shane Christie, John Hardie, Elliot Dixon, Nasi Manu, TJ Ioane, Kane Hames

Backs -
Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Winston Stanley, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith, Buxton Popoali'i, Kurt Baker, Willie Ripia, Frae Wilson

Goals! (Best Goals of Weekend 26-29th October 2013)!

Luis Suarez got another hat-trick for Liverpool but even then, it was probably overshadowed by his fellow team-mate who scored the strike of the weekend - unless you were a Sunderland fan.

Her are the top ten goals of the weekend - and one extra one.

Shinji Okazaki, Mainz v Eintracht Braunschweig (1st)

Nuri Sahin, Borussia Dortmund v Schalke

Luis Suarez, Liverpool v West Brom (1st)

Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool v West Brom

Alexis, Barcelona v Real Madrid

Nolito, Celta Vigo v Malaga

Nabil el Zhar, Levante v Espanyol (2nd)

Radamel Falcao, Monaco v Lyon

Sergio Aguero, Man City v Chelsea

Fabio Borini, Sunderland v Newcastle

And...

A quick mention for a very quick goal... Atletico Madrid v Real Betis after only 14 seconds!!

Red Sox Send World Series Back to Boston - Series Tied 2-2!!

The Red Sox have bounced back from their defeat on Saturday to the Cardinals to ensure that the 2013 World Series will return to Boston regardless of what happens tomorrow night at Busch Stadium.

In a thrilling and even series so far - let's hope it stays that with way as long as the outcome is right - Jonny Gomes emerged as the unlikely hero as his triple-run home run gave the Red Sox a 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning.

Game 4 finished 4-2 but with the series level at 2-2, even defeat tomorrow can't really stop the fact that the Red Sox have a slight edge in taking out the World Series with the last two games at Fenway Park - funnily enough it will be the first time that the Red Sox clinch the World Series in the new millennium at their home ground - their last two World Series were 4-0 whitewashes so the title was always clinched away from home.

Go #RedSox #BostonStrong!! Here are all the highlights from tonight's game.

ITM Cup Team of the Season!

So the ITM Cup, the best provincial rugby competition in the world is over for another year. Who made the team of the season? Here's mine -

1.Joe Moody, Canterbury
2.Hika Elliott, Counties Manukau
3.Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Wellington
4.Michael Allardice, Hawkes Bay
5.Dominic Bird, Canterbury
6.Luke Whitelock, Canterbury
7.Shane Christie, Tasman
8.Fritz Lee, Counties Manukau
9.Andy Ellis, Canterbury
10.Marty Banks, Tasman
11.Frank Halai, Counties Manukau
12.Ryan Crotty, Canterbury
13.Richard Buckman, Hawkes Bay
14.Patrick Osborne, Canterbury
15.Charlie Ngatai, Wellington

SUBSTITUTES - 
16.Ben Funnell, Canterbury
17.John Schwalger, Wellington
18.Ben Afeaki, North Harbour
19.Tom Franklin, Otago
20.Ardie Savea, Wellington
21.Willie Heinz, Canterbury
22.Ihaia West, Hawkes Bay
23.Tom Taylor, Canterbury

Wellington Choke! Again!

It's official. The Wellington Lions are New Zealand rugby's perennial chokers.

In the last ten years, they've only missed out on the final 4 out of 11 times, but their record in finals is played 7 and lost 7, including 4 at home at Westpac Stadium - no wonder the fans didn't really turn up this time, most fans were expecting another defeat for the home side.

While the other defeats were disappointing, this must surely rank as the most disappointing of the 7 finals defeats. After all, this was the same Wellington side that had gone unbeaten until the final regular season game which was really a dead rubber, and had dispatched Counties Manukau with relative ease.

It boasted a squad of All Blacks and Super Rugby players, i.e. John Schwalger, Motu Matu'u, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Brad Shields, Victor Vito, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Tim Bateman, Alapati Leuaia, Charlie Ngatai and of course the promising Ardie Savea. This was considered to be one of the best Wellington sides of all time.

If only the ITM Cup were contested on a round robin basis, Wellington would have more championships in that case.

Alas, some credit should go to Canterbury who have won their 6 national title on the trot, equaling the record held by Auckland through the late 80s and early 90s.

They showed the same dominance in defence and tactical prowess that has been prominent in all their 5 previous victories in New Zealand provincial rugby's showpiece game and made it clear that they are still very much the team to beat when it comes to provincial rugby.

Georgie - champion, again!

George Whitelock was tremendous in defence - a shame that he's playing in a position that Richie McCaw is playing in and has now probably missed his chance with the likes of Sam Cane and Ardie Savea now in pole position for selection as he would have been an All Black ages ago. Tom Taylor was impeccable with the boot too and he along with Ryan Crotty showed why they're going on tour to Japan and Europe next month.

The only downside on a night of many upsides - including Scott Robertson's dancing at the end - was the injury to Joe Moody that could possibly cost the player who has been in the All Blacks wider training squad for much of this season, his first cap on this tour - his knee was heavily iced at the end.

Mind you it could provide the one and only upside on the night for Wellington - Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, a player who was set for his first cap of the season, might very well be the player to take Moody's spot in the ABs on tour.

Congratulations Canterbury!

Should There Be More Coverage of Heartland Rugby?

East Coast - another cinderella story of NZ rugby!

It's a big day for New Zealand provincial rugby with the ITM Cup Premiership Final tonight between Wellington and Canterbury as well as the Meads Cup Final and Women's NPC Final between Canterbury and Auckland.

And if you're still feeling deprived of rugby after all that, there's the Lochore Cup Final on Sunday afternoon from 2:30pm.

All games will be televised on Sky - sorry for the ad pitch, but it is true.

Indeed, the ITM Cup Premiership and Women's NPC Finals are the only finals this weekend to be played away from Te Waipounamu - that's South Island if you haven't been watching Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie of late - although Wellington is pretty close to the Mainland as the crow flies.

Tasman v Hawkes Bay was a cracker last night!

The other 3 finals - including last night's thriller in Nelson between Tasman and Hawkes Bay - are to be played in God's own land - a place I'm glad to be on for this Labour Day weekend with both Heartland Rugby finals played in Ashburton and Timaru - only an hour apart on State Highway 1.

It's a shame that this is the only time of the year that New Zealand rugby followers get to watch the Heartland Rugby live and uninterrupted by ads.

Rugby in the provinces has experienced a resurgence since the expansion of the ITM Cup and conception of the Heartland Rugby Championship. This is evident on TV with the good crowds in Napier, Whangarei, Nelson, Blenheim, Invercargill and New Plymouth but also in the Heartland hubs like Ashburton, Ruatoria, Taumaranui and Westport, etc.

It's a shame that in the eyes of the New Zealand media, New Zealand's rural rugby competition, one that often requires players to make at least one flight stopover at a main hub to get to their games, doesn't warrant as much coverage as the ITM Cup - which has admittedly diminished too - and Super Rugby and All Blacks.

This is after all as the name says, the heart and soul of New Zealand rugby and one where the everyday joes play unlike those well-paid superstars in the cities who are starting to feel like those poncy Premier League footballers.

Indeed, this is where plumbers, lumberjacks, farmers, electricians in the week become heroes on the rugby field on the weekend, and dream to step and run like the Dan Carters and Julian Saveas of this world.

I'm not suggesting all games should be televised but I reckon Sky should consider televising one feature Heartland Rugby Championship game a weekend - maybe it could be during the Saturday 12:30pm slot before the first ITM Cup game of the afternoon - along with the excellent highlights show that is sort of hidden amongst Sky's varied programming.

If not Sky, then maybe this could be one for Sommet Sports to consider - it could be the big thing that could really finally make Sommet a player in the New Zealand sports broadcasting market.

Mid Canterbury are flying again

Anyway, in the Meads Cup Final, Mid Canterbury will be looking for their first title in the Heartland Championship era when they host North Otago in Ashburton. Glenn Moore will be hoping his former side don't manage to get revenge on them at the wrong time - the green and gold beat the gold and blue in Oamaru by a solitary point in the regular season.

Then tomorrow, South Canterbury host Buller in the Lochore Cup Final in Timaru with Buller looking for an unprecedented double. South Canterbury have overcome the woes of a few seasons ago when players were caught abusing staff on an Air New Zealand flight to become a contender in the Heartland Championship.

Marty Banks - a Lochore Cup winner last season

But Buller have been one side who have really benefited not just from the Heartland Championship but the creation of the Tasman Makos side to play in the ITM Cup. Indeed, now-star, Marty Banks was a Buller man himself before making his name for the Makos and earning a Super Rugby contract with the Hurricanes.

God, I love Heartland Rugby!!

Barcelona v Real Madrid!

The first el Derby of the season kicks off on Saturday evening when Real Madrid travel to the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona.

With Barcelona sitting on top of the table 3 points ahead of Real Madrid, this is one game that Real Madrid would love to win as it would put them right back in the La Liga title race - although a draw would be a pretty good result at the Camp Nou and would still keep them in touch.

Defeat for Real Madrid against their biggest archenemies on Saturday evening will be disastrous though - psychologically it would be a big obstacle in their challenge for the title even if 6 points at this stage of the season is easily surmountable.

It'll be Bale's first El Derby - not a patch on Arsenal v Tottenham eh?

It's simply because of Real Madrid's slow start and their form being not as good as Barca's right now - Real Madrid have really battled to victory in many games this season and the team with plenty of new but talented stars is still trying to gel together.

Mind you, there is the match at the Bernabeu in 4 or so months time so by that time, the likes of Gareth Bale, Asier Illharamendi and Daniel Carvajal, will be up and running.

In the most intriguing start to La Liga for a while, Atletico Madrid are also a key factor in this match - or rather could be a key benefactor depending on results.

Diego Costa - he has taken over from Falcao as Atletico's talisman

A draw at the Camp Nou and victory for Atletico would see Atletico - a point behind Barca going into this game - take the lead of La Liga with victory at home against Real Betis - and you wouldn't really bet against Atletico on their form and Betis who are currently in woeful form, unable to win at home or away.

It's quite possible that Barca can only get a draw - Messi is still recovering from injury and it seems that the goals have dried up a bit for Barca at the moment with their failure to break down Osasuna last Saturday and Milan in midweek - albeit both away from home. Indeed, the signs were sort of coming in the last home game against Valladolid before the international break with Barca only pulling away at the end.

Have Barca become far too dependent on Messi? It's a very plausible case and expect Ancelotti, who has lots of experience against this Barca tikka-takka team to probably crowd out Messi and snub him as a threat meaning Iniesta and Xavi have to push forward.

Real Madrid could possibly play a counter-attacking game meaning expect a bit of a battle on Saturday night.

But hey, it could be a battle between Ferraris and Lamborghinis rather than one in the trenches.

Bring on El Derby!

Tasman Promoted to ITM Cup Premiership!

They've done it. New Zealand's smallest and newest province have done it.

To cap off a season where they've entertained and thrilled thanks to Marty Banks and co, the Tasman Makos have beaten Hawkes Bay 26-25 in a thrilling final in Nelson to win the ITM Cup Championship and earn promotion to the Premiership for next season.

There'll be celebration like never before in Takaka, Nelson, Wakefield, Havelock, Renwick, Blenheim, Picton and Seddon with their rugby team now earning the right to play Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, Taranaki and Counties Manukau in the same league next season.

Congratulations Tasman!!

Red Sox 1 Cardinals 1 - Cards Bounce Back to Knot World Series!

The St Louis Cardinals ended the Boston Red Sox's unbeaten record in the World Series stretching back to 2004 with a 4-2 win in Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park tonight.

Michael Wacha and John Lackey started the pitching for the Cards and Sox respectively in an error-ridden contest for the fielders. In the end, it was a mistake by the Red Sox thanks to good base running by John Jay that resulted in the Cardinals going ahead with the triple after they went behind 2-1 thanks to a David Ortiz double homer in the bottom of the 6th.

The series is now tied, knotted one a piece as we head to St Louis for Games 3, 4 and 5 starting Saturday.

Best of Rene Ranger in 2013!

The long rugby season in New Zealand is nearly over. It's time to look back at the best of Rene Ranger in 2013!