Hard News by Russell Brown

One more thing about the cricket. How my heart sank when I realised that Danny Morrison had crossed the Pacific to join the test commentary team. Sigh.

However this match goes, there’s going to be quite a lot of cricket with your cornflakes and Sky subscription on this tour

...surely?

or is it just the Cricinfo updates?

Hard to go past Brazil really, however Germany and Spain wold be no surprise (surprised Silver has Spain rated so low) and Argentina and the Netherlands (again, so low?) will be a chance. England have no chance, won't stop the hype though, although my mate Sean puts it very nicely here at Stuff.

and Sky subscription

True. But I don't think there's ever been live coverage from the Windies on free-to-air TV.

How my heart sank when I realised that Danny Morrison had crossed the Pacific to join the test commentary team. Sigh.

This. Cricket is muted and music goes on whenever he comes to the commentary box. Worst. Sports commentator. Ever.

Worst. Sports commentator. Ever.

Seriously. Worse than Justin Marshall.

Seriously

It's a constant surprise to me he doesn't spontaneously combust, after a batsman nudges one through mid wicket for two.

Good grief man! Settle down!

Oh contraire, my sommet sports love affair began with their coverage of the Caribbean premier league last year. Its only 20/20 but its still cricket.

I can't see Brazil doing it - too much pressure and I'm not impressed with the squad they've selected. reckon this might be Argentina's to lose. that pairing is my dream final.
I've had my fill of Spanish passathons. as effective as it is it ain't the old samba style.
otherwise, and like many, I'm interested in how Belgium goes, they've targeted this cup pretty well and have an interesting squad. also wondreing if England can get out of their group and I'd love to see an African team kick on.
gonna be damn hard to concentrate on work in the mornings but. those 4am kick offs are looking harsh.
who cares, it's the bloody world cup. bring it on now. that opening game will be huge.

Tis The Beautiful Game for me. Can't wait.

Dear old England - every 4 years it turns out "We was robbed !"
No, England, not so much robbed as rubbish. They last won the Cup around the time I had my 2nd Birthday. I'm now just a few weeks from hitting the Big Five Zero.

I'm going to the test here in Dunedin on Saturday. If the ABs don't drastically improve, I suspect it'll be nasty viewing.

If they'd played the Boks last Saturday, they'd have been hammered.

The fitba World Cup should be great viewing. I'd love to see the Dutch win it, they've been so near yet so far, so often.

Dear old England - every 4 years it turns out "We was robbed !"
No, England, not so much robbed as rubbish. They last won the Cup around the time I had my 2nd Birthday. I'm now just a few weeks from hitting the Big Five Zero.

Think they were a bit unlucky with the penlalties hoodoo in 1990. That was a good side who, if they could have passed Germany, faced a lack lustre Argentina and a cynical, ageing Maradona in the final. Since then though, all down hill.

Nelson's stats are a little surprising, not that I question them, as I thought McCaw was well short of an imposing presence. I didn't enjoy the game at all and that makes it easier to miss next weeks in preference for going to the Sydney Swans v Port Power.

Still, next Monday night, BOP Magic might win the ANZ Netball Championship having beaten the Sydney Swifts by one goal in the dying moments of last week.

feel free to tell me what else to look for

The protests of the Brazilian people against the bloody thing?

Spain's to lose. Easily the most talent stacked side. But tis the World Cup and randomness generally prevails, so hmmm Germany ? - Solid solid solid.
England lol no chance - might make it out of their group, maybe.

Spain's to lose. Easily the most talent stacked side. But tis the World Cup and randomness generally prevails, so hmmm Germany ? - Solid solid solid.

They're certainly right up there but maybe a little more defensively brittle than in previous tournaments with no super permed Puyol at the back. Also have Xavi getting older so how he'll last through the tournament will be a factor. Think Diego Costa will also prove important, most particularly his recovery from the hamstring injury.

The protests of the Brazilian people against the bloody thing?

It's certainly looking like a mess.

Gp a - Brazil and Croatia
Gp b - Nederland and Spain
Cp c - Columbia and Côte d'Ivoire
Gp d - Uruguay and England
Gp e - France and equador
Gp f - Argentina and Bosnia
Gp g - Portugal and Germany
Gp h - Belgium and Korea
Brazil beat Spain
England beat Columbia
Nederlands beat Croatia
Uruguay beat Côte d'Ivoire
France beat Bosnia
Portugal beat Korea
Argentina beat equador
Belgium knock out Germany!
France beat Portugal
Brazil beat England
Argentina beat Belgium
Nederlands beat Uruguay
Brazil beat France
Nederlands beat Argentina
Argentina beat France for third
Brazil beat Nederlands and win.

Ok so I'm following form and favourites but it's pretty much preordained.

Really nerdy ESPN article comparing Saturday's rugby test stats with the recent records of the respective teams. The All Blacks were down in various ball-in-play stats, but actually did better on scrums and lineouts than usual.

"Tracey Nelson has done the numbers" Good lord, haka.co.nz is still going. Copyright 2000 Catalyst.Net Ltd. Halcyon days.

And....nice work Tracy!