For everyone involved it is a welcome return. On Friday I got to watch NZ Super Rugby heavy weights The Chiefs vs The Crusaders. The chiefs came out on top of that one but like most top NZ rugby union matches, top quality was on show for all to see. Crusaders didn't capitalise on some penalty opportunities and were left rueing their mistakes.
Saturday saw me taking my 14 year old son to some preseason training running up and down the hills of Oatley. The boys were rewarded with some beach sprints then a cool refreshing swim.
Super Saturday started off with the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeating the Dragons. 2013 wasn't the best year for the Dragons if memory serves me right. But they are lucky it is only a trial round and therefore no competition points were up for grabs. Congratulations must go to South's for retaining the Charity Shield.
The next match I was very interested in watching was another NZ Super rugby union conference match between the Otago Highlanders and The Auckland Blues. Now if you don't know, The Auckland Blues are the team that signed Benji Marshall NRL premiership, Rugby League World cup winning playmaker and Tigers Legend.
It was a well fought game won in the end by the Otago team. Both teams will be happy for the hit out and should feel optimistic about their chances of winning a Super rugby champion ship this year. But what I really was interested in was the Benji factor. I had to wait for about 67 minutes for him to make his Super debut from the bench. Look its a very different beast compared to rugby league as far as footy goes but I think he went ok. And yes the old school classic Benji Marshall flick pass was pulled out and it did lead to a try. Beauty!!
Now on to the big match for the night World club challenge between the Wigan Warriors and the Sydney Roosters.
It was a cracker of a crowd at the Allianz venue full of cockadodledoos and a sprinkling of Wigan fans. I thoroughly enjoyed this game. For starters us down here in the southern hemisphere don't get to see the English teams down here that often, I think the last time was 20 years ago when the Wigan team came down and upset the Broncos. The Roosters started the game on fire after 18 minutes the Roosters were 18 points up. You'd think a visiting would pack up and go home but to the Warriors credit they didn't. They were very skilful with the ball and they notably strung togeather a number of passes often. The Warriors had a little fight back in the second half and come within 10 points of the hosts. But it was going to be the Roosters night. The Roosters kicked away in the end to run up a pretty good score to take the cup. I tend to agree with the commentators, the Roosters look like they can go back to back this year which hasn't been done in recent times. It should be mentioned that Michael Jennings did score a hat trick which makes him the first to do it in a World Club Challenge Match.
I wasn't expecting much on Sunday but whilst I was flicking through the channels I was cheerfully surprised when the NZ Warriors were running onto the field to face The Brisbane Broncos. This game was played in front of a smallish crowd in the deep south of New Zealand which is a shame because the Warriors were about to turn it on, they were heading toward 50 when I had to duck out.
They say the trials don't mean much so it makes me even more confused when I think of the Warriors chances of NRL grand final glory in 2014??? One thing that is for sure, the English import Sam Tomkins is looking to give the southern hemisphere a bloody good shake. As the famous Warriors saying goes KEEP THE FAITH.
Keep the awesome games coming boys!!!
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