Yours Please #1

By Stephen Gallagher, Scott MacLean and Benji Crossley

We have decided to introduce a regular new series.  “Your Please” asks three Sportsfreak affiliates their thoughts on what has happened – and what may happen – in the sporting world.

This week, @SWTGallagher, @MadMaclegend and @bopman1 give us their thoughts on the weekend’s events.

Which was the bigger cricketing surprise – the Men winning the first test in India, or the Women winning the T20 World Cup?

@MadMaclegend – As great as the win in Bengaluru is, it has to be the White Ferns. Absolutely no form going in, all the vagaries of tournament play where things happen beyond their control, and a succession of players standing up in key moments. Yes we avoided Australia, but who cares?

@SWTGallagher – I’m a test purist at heart. I think the Black Caps have been underperforming in an aging side, with no real look to the future. Bowling India out for 46, after the day one washout was pretty remarkable. They were able to hold their nerve right at the end and get a historic test win.

@bopman1 – Before the tournament I would have said the T20 but I think the way the tournament ended up opening up for the White Ferns means the test match win is more of a shock. Having to get past the Windies and South Africa is much more palatable than having to get past England and Australia.

 

The America’s Cup is over again.  What is your care factor?

@MadMaclegend – Next to zero. And really, it’s only where Grant Dalton manages to extract money from to stump up and host it next time. That said, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are wizards and it was sad to see our favourite Aussie Jimmy Spithill bow out.

@SWTGallagher – THE AMERICA’S CUP IS OVER!? Care factor is zero. It used to be a lot higher when I was younger. But now, it’s not my thing. It’s not interesting and doesn’t give the casual sports fan a reason to watch.

@bopman1 – I’m one of that strange breed of Kiwis that becomes a yachting fan every time an America’s Cup rolls around. But not this time, and that’s a shame really. Those yachts are crazy pieces of tech and in Burling, Tuke et al we have amazingly talented sportspeople. But time zones and the Dalton factor have just turned me off this time.

 

After his 9th place finish this morning, how far can Liam Lawson go in F1?

@MadMaclegend – He’s fast, he’s composed and has all the talent in the world. The links to Red Bull might be an issue for a better performing seat elsewhere on the grid, but he could be champion one day. And how good to see him get under the skin of Fernando Alonso from the get-go?

@SWTGallagher – Liam Lawson snatching a couple of points in a F1 grid is great for him. The fandom surrounding F1 from the Netflix doco series has got a lot more people into this sport. I don’t know enough about Liam Lawson or F1 to have a true opinion, but always you want people to do their best and get a win.

@bopman1 – Every step in his career, Lawson has succeeded, and every step has been about getting to this point. The kid is clearly crazy talented, but does he have the other factors that F1 teams look for to justify a drive in a car that might challenge? Who knows. But his career shows that if he’s given a chance then he’ll likely succeed.

 

Who wins the NPC trophy, and why?

@MadMaclegend – When the Lions and Steamers met earlier in the campaign, it was a stonker that went to Golden Point. I think Wellington has the edge in experience and in the trenches up front and that is why they’ll win, but an afternoon kick off is probably right up Bay of Plenty’s alley.

@SWTGallagher – Wellington will win. They’ve been the best team all season. They only played each other just over a month ago, and the Lions prevailed by 5. I think they’ll win comfortably in the final.

@bopman1 – BOP, because obviously. Next.

 

Auckland FC has arrived – how would you grade their performance on and off the field? 

@MadMaclegend – Who? Oh, them… OK. I’ll take off my Nix hat then (sigh).  It’s a promising start. They’ve recruited well; Terry McFlynn and Steve Corica are no dummies in that regard, and they easily had the run of Brisbane first up. Off it, they’ve generated hype and seemingly brought together the notoriously tribal Auckland football scene. It’s an A for me.

@SWTGallagher – They managed to win their first-ever A-League game. More than can be said for the Wellington Phoenix in their first-ever outing (but that was a win of some sorts I guess). It’s good rivalry for the ‘Nix. I’d give them a B after that first performance!

@bopman1 – As a Phoenix fan this hurts to say, but A+ off the field and an A on the field. I’ve deducted a mark because after all the talk of signing Kiwis, not many of them actually started on Saturday. But that’s a minor quibble. Hugely impressive from every part of the club and if they can keep this momentum then the Auckland sporting landscape is in for another shake up. Bring on Week 3 and the derby.

Follow Stephen Gallagher  Benji and  Scott  on Twitter