The greatest New Zealand sports writer, ever. Captured history as well as the game in a special era.
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Month: July 2004
All Black pack ready to tackle the Tri Nations
No matter how flat the All Blacks were against Argentina and the Pacific Islands, the fact remains that we haven’t seen a black pack dominate a quality side when the chips were down like in the first half at Carisbrook in a long time. Our back line has fired because of the take no prisoners approach of the tight five. Waikato’s Keith Robinson and Jonno Gibbes are a throwback to the All Black forwards of yesteryear, shame that they (or Deon Muir. Or Duane Monkley.) have not been given the chance before. The All Blacks could have done with them.
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New Zealand’s best not selected for "World" XI
NZ Herald’s Richard Book is rightly indignant no Black Caps have made the World XI to play Australia, depsite being second in the world rankings. Surely Stephen Fleming would be a certainty as either Captain or as a Batsman. Chris Cairns brings experience and explosiveness, and Scott Styris has been the form all rounder. This suggests NZ is a star team, rather than a team of stars, but surely we deserve better than this.
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Are the Black Caps quietly becoming the best one day side in the world?
Mike Selvey is awfully impressed with our cricketers. With one of the best middle orders in the world and the best captain, it’s no surprise to me. Pity it didn’t carry over to the Tests in England.
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The Tennis camp that’s ruining the game
Nick Bollettieri is perhaps the most successful tennis coach ever. His production line of power hitters includes Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and now Maria Sharapova. But where’s the flair? Oh for a tennis ranch that turns out a Federer, Becker or a Cash.
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Lance Armstong vs The World
Lance Armstong attempts to beat the legends of Cycling and win a sixth Tour De France. Under pressure from the expectant public and drug rumours, not to mention Ullrich and Hamilton, it will require a superhuman effort. Again.
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Tour De France Flash guide
Guardian Unlimited Sport’s guide to the Tour – an interactive map and bluffer’s guide to the riders, teams and tactics.
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Sent them home tae think again
Clive Woodward’s England left the Southern Hemisphere having lost three tests. Not exactly revenge for the World Cup, but it was great seeing the ABs playing like men possessed for a change, and sets things up nicely for what should be a fascinating Tri-Nations this year.
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50 sporting things you must do before you die
The Observer Sport Monthly’s list of 50 sporting things you must do before you die. I’d love to play the Old Course at St Andrews’, or drive an F1 car, but will probably settle for spending a weekend at home watching sport on TV!
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link to part two
link to part three
Tyler Hamilton – Tour diary of the most pain-immune man in cycling
Tyler Hamilton, the man who rode all but the first two days of last year’s tour with a broken collarbone shares his thoughts. He has to be one of the favorites, if he can stay out of trouble, in the world’s most complex, fascinating and toughest sporting competition.
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