Au Revoir Zac Guildford!

Former All Black winger Zac Guildford is set to bid farewell to New Zealand rugby at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The Crusaders and Hawkes Bay winger is set to join French powerhouse club, Clermont Auvergne after the Super Rugby season after signing a 2 year playing contract with the option of a 3rd. Guildford has been billed as fellow All Black winger, Sitiveni Sivivatu's replacement.

24-year-old Zac Guildford last played for the All Blacks against Ireland in Christchurch in 2012 - high profile off-field issues involving his alcoholic addiction have stymied the young winger's career and in recent times, the likes of Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Julian Savea and Ben Smith have definitely passed him in the pecking order at the ABs.

Guildford's AB career started with a bang at first as he shot his way into the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. He sporadically featured with his highlight game being against Canada in Wellington. However, off-field disciplinary issues and a long-standing alcoholic addiction meant that he had to stand down from the game at certain times.

Au revoir Zac!

Road to the Super Bowl - NFL Divisional Round Preview!!

This weekend sees the big guns return from their brief break and take on the triumphant teams from last weekend's really wild Wildcard Round.

The winning teams now must take on the big guns on their own turf if they are to make their Super Bowl dreams in 2014 reality.

Here is a look at the big match-ups on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday -
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks - 4:30pm

The New Orleans Saints showed that they could win outdoors in the cold winter with a superb win over the Eagles in Philadelphia built on solid defence as well as their tremendous passing game orchestrated by MVP QB Drew Brees.

However, the Saints should expect a tougher time at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, the loudest stadium in the NFL against undoubtedly the best team in the NFC all season. The Seahawks have only lost once at home this season, albeit against the Cardinals but that was pretty much after the Hawks had wrapped up the division and a playoff spot.

Sean Payton's Saints were thrashed in the regular season here but Hawks fans will be expecting a much sturdier team and one that will be high in confidence after their tight win last weekend on the road. However, Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and the defence should be fresh after their bye week with Pete Carroll having had time to work on the flaws that dogged their finish of the regular season to get the Hawks machine back and running to perfection.

Hawks to win by 7 

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - 8:15pm

In seasons gone by, this was the decider for the AFC Championship with Peyton Manning's Colts taking on Tom Brady's Patriots. Now the Colts are back albeit without Manning to take on the effervescent Brady, after probably his worst season as Patriots QB. Instead of Manning, they have Andrew Luck who recovered from those turnovers to lead the Colts from 28 points behind to beat the Chiefs at home.

The Colts must keep the turnovers to a minimum if they are to have any chance to beat the Patriots who specialise in those. On the other hand, you feel that the Pats haven't quite their best form yet this season having been hampered by injuries to key personnel in the offence, i.e. Rob Gronkowski. On the Pats' side could be the weather and - Boston would have been just recovering from the latest cold vortex - and the fact that they will be used to playing outdoors compared to their opponents.

Patriots to win by 3

Sunday -
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers - 1:00pm

Who would have thought the 49ers would be forced to make their Super Bowl dreams true for the 2nd year running by playing their entire playoff series on the road? Not that that is putting off Jim Harbaugh's 49ers who defied the predictions of many to win at a freezing Lambeau Field.

They now travel to take on the Panthers, back in the playoffs for the first time in a long time, and a QB who is making his debut in the big time. However, if this season is anything to go by, nothing will faze Cam Newton and this defence who can claim an edge on the 49ers - they beat them at Candlestick Park in the regular season albeit by not a lot of points.

The 49ers might very well have the edge on paper with their experience but they are missing key personnel who stood out in the defence, e.g. Aldous Smith. But Colin Kaepernick is running better than he has been all season and that could make the difference as the 9ers rely on their powerful running game.

49ers to win by 3

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos - 4:40pm 

Back in 2010 when the Seattle Seahawks and St Louis Rams were battling to make the playoffs despite a losing record, you'd have been sent in a straight jacket if you said that the NFL playoffs would be dominated by the West Coast. You'd be put in isolation too if you said that 3 AFC West teams would be playing in the new year.

But alas this is the case, with the Chargers now taking on the Broncos after being given a free pass to the next round by a generous Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The odds are pretty much against the Chargers who just crept into the playoffs, up against an opponent widely tipped as favourites for the Super Bowl and who have been consistently better than the rest - and more importantly, have had the edge over their big AFC West rivals.

The Broncs may not have Von Miller to guide them to New York but they still have Peyton Manning and a whole array of weapons in the attack to ensure that opponents will need to win a shootout to cause an upset.

Broncos to win by 7

Schumi in Critical Condition Following Skiing Accident

UPDATE, 11:30pm, 1/1/14, Sabine Kehm, Michael Schumacher's long-time manager, has said that he is in a 'stable' condition in hospital. Kehm also said that Schumacher was being looked after very carefully and would not comment on rumours about his condition. Kehm also said that Schumacher was skiing "not too fast" and was with a group of friends when the accident occurred that cracked his helmet. 

UPDATE, 1:04pm, 1/1/14: Schumacher's condition has "slightly improved", doctors say following a second operation to relieve pressure on his brain. Schumacher remains in an induced coma with his wife, Corrine and family by his bed side. Doctors say that it is still impossible to give a prognosis in the coming days and even months.

UPDATE, 11:30pm, 30/12/13: A press conference with Michael Schumacher's treating specialists was held this morning. Chief anesthesiologist, Prof Jean-Francois Payen advised that his situation is being monitored on an hourly basis and cannot provide a comprehensive update on Schumacher's condition. Professor Payen did state that "we think his helmet did help, without a helmet he wouldn't be here now." Payen's statements were echoed by colleague Stephane Charbade. Schumacher has had an operation to reduce the swelling in his brain, and it does not appear at this stage that he requires further surgery. However, he will remain in an induced coma for several days as they monitor him. 

UPDATE, 11:30am 30/12/13: Grenoble Hospital have confirmed Michael Schumacher "was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival". Schumacher's management have also confirmed his critical condition. Meribel ski resort, where Schumacher was skiing say that the German was conscious when he was attended to by ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby town of Moutiers. Professor Gerrard Saillant and Jean Todt are believed to be at Schumacher's side.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion - and personal hero of mine - Michael Schumacher is reportedly in a critical condition after suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident.

The German who raced for Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes during his highly successful F1 career was reportedly getting off a chairlift in the French Alps when he tripped on a rock and hit his head. He was wearing a helmet at the time.

There have been many conflicting reports on Schumacher's status with some reports saying that he is in a coma and others saying that his injury isn't life threatening.

More updates to come as this story develops.

Corey Anderson Smashes Record Breaking Century!

Emerging Blackcaps allrounder, Corey Anderson, has broken the long time record held by Pakistani great Shahid Afridi, for the fastest century ever scored in one day cricket.

In the Blackcaps' rain-interrupted one day international against the West Indies in picturesque - but cold - Queenstown, the Cantabrian hit 131 not out from 47 balls as they scored an incredulous 283 for 4 from just 21 overs.

Teammate Jesse Ryder hit a 46-ball ton along the way as the Blackcaps naturally won the game to tie the one day series 1-1 as they head to Nelson this Saturday - let's pray the weather can behave as Nelson makes it bow in international cricket. 

But for now, it is a moment to savour for Anderson who has really taken the opportunities handed to him this summer by the selectors. He had a very respectable test series last month and has carried his big hitting and fast-medium bowling into the shorter forms of the game which really suit his style. 

Indeed, the 23 year old already has an unofficial facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/CoreyAndersonCricket. I think after today's performance, it is very much deserved.

Caro and Rory are Engaged!!

2014 has gotten off to quite a bang!

Within the last minutes, former tennis world number one, Caroline Wozniacki, announced on Facebook that she was engaged to former golf world number one, Rory McIlroy.

Earlier in 2013, there were rumours that Rory and Caro had split up, possibly fueled by the poor form of both in 2013 on the course and court respectively.

However, this latest announcement appears to have put those rumours to bed.

Congratulations to Caro and Rory! One wonders if Caro will now be McIlroy or McIlroy-Wozniacki or Wozniacki-McIlroy.. And one wonders what sport their kids will be good at.

Post by Caroline Wozniacki.

Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!! pic.twitter.com/gxO7rDDyPY
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) December 31, 2013