Yours Please #5

After a week on hiatus, we are back with the new series.  “Yours Please” asks three Sportsfreak affiliates their thoughts on what has happened – and what may happen – in the sporting world.

This week, @SWTGallagher, @bopman1 and @Womble101 give us their thoughts on the weekend’s events.

 

1) The All Blacks’ Autumn Tour is over.  Overall, which was the best game to watch of the four, and how would you rate the tour out of 10?

@SWTGallager – Had to be the loss to France. It was probably the best game they played all year. The All Blacks winning 3 of the 4 is probably on par with expectation and that’s a fair indication of where they are.

@bopman1 – Best game to watch was probably the France test. That was a proper gladiatorial battle between two very good rugby teams decided by tiny margins. Best performance was the Ireland win. I didn’t think this generation of All Blacks had a win like that in them. I’d probably give the tour, and the year, a 6.5 out of 10. Tiny margins in the France or England tests could have seen it veer off in either direction.

@Womble101 – Jeez, where did that year of All Blacks rugby go? It hasn’t been as fresh a spectacle as many of us expected at the start of 2024 but by the end of that display in Turin I think I (we all?) need a break from the national game as far I’m concerned. The French game was the highlight of the tour for me. A superb atmosphere at the Stade de France, Scott Robertson’s men had two big victories in the bag from Twickenham and Dublin and were looking to make it a clean sweep in Europe. France were behind early and at the break, but they kept the visitors try less in the second half to sneak the win by a point. Overall, a tour score of 8 out of 10 and the quicker we move on from the final match the better.

 

2) In the IPL, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has just signed with the Rajasthan Royals at the ripe old age of 13.  How young is too young in professional sport?

@SWTGallager – 13 is too young. Way too young. Professional sport should be 18+. I can’t even comprehend being 13 and playing anything professional. Crazy!

@bopman1 – This one feels a bit ick. But without more detail to exactly what they’ve signed him up for and what he’ll be doing with the team I’m reluctant to pass much more judgement. Football clubs are famous for pulling players in at about 5 so 13 is positively geriatric. If I had to draw a line, I’d say a kid should be 16 before they see a proper professional environment, but there are always exceptions.

@Womble101 – I really don’t think there is an age that’s too young because of the variables; different sports have different physical and mental requirements and also different support structures, whether it’s the club/professional sporting body, or their family and friends. It’s also impossible to fully predict how that youngster will do post their career and how that experience will shape them. If they have the talent and everyone concerned is happy, let them play, let them take part – just make sure they’re not rushed, whatever the age.

 

3) Five rounds in and Auckland FC & the Phoenix sit one and two on the A-League ladder.  Early days, but are you convinced they’re both playing finals football yet?

@SWTGallager – You’re right. Early days. But it’s bloody GREAT to see! I’m calling it now. Finals footy for both!

@bopman1 – I really wish I wasn’t so convinced by Auckland, but they look the real deal. The thing that gives me hope that they will crash and burn is that I seem to remember Gold Coast starting in not dissimilar fashion in their first season and they then fell apart.  The Phoenix are beginning to show signs of proper 23/24 Chiefy-ball. I’d forgotten what it was like watching them get completely dominated but still being confident they’d win.  Right now, you’d have to be pretty confident they’ll both be right in the mix come playoff time.  Just imagine a two-legged playoff between them for a spot in the grand final.

@Womble101 – What’s that cliche when it comes to league football…it’s a marathon not a sprint? Hey, based on current form, absolutely, but so much can happen over the course of a season; injuries, suspensions, loss of form, plus the opposition working you and your tactics out. So as much as I hope they both make it (yes, both – I’m not playing favourites here) let’s get beyond the halfway mark and preferably the 2/3 mark before counting our chickens here.

 

4) What was the most entertaining sporting watch over the weekend for you?

@SWTGallager – India absolutely giving it to Australia at home. They were embarrassed at home by NZ and have come down under with a vengeance.

@bopman1 – It’s Christmas event time of year so I have to admit to not seeing a huge amount of sport over the weekend. The time zone meant I did see a lot of the first BGT test. Obviously, you love to see Australia lose and lose handsomely but there’s also that part of you knowing we need Australia to win that series. But despite the result, that was a seriously impressive performance in all facets by Mitchell Santner’s bunnies and it’s always delightful watching the Australians struggle. So that was my highlight.

@Womble101 – F1 in Vegas baby! A great win for George Russell in an unusually top performing Mercedes; oh, how they must wish that every race was in cold conditions. An honourable mention for the Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes which had four White Ferns on display (Devine & Halliday, Bates & Mair). Halliday & Mair were late call ups after their successful T20 World Cup performances; hopefully it’s just the start of more New Zealand women (apart from Devine, Bates and Melie Kerr) playing in these big tournaments.

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