Kiwi Sports Blog's Annual NRL Finals Preview

Last year the Warriors qualified 5th on the table, following a brilliant second half of the season. We travelled to the home ground of a fearsome Gold Coast Titans team (how things change in one short season), where we lost a fight we were hardly in.  The rest of the weekend, freak results worked against us. A raging hot Raiders team in 7th place beat the Panthers, then the Greatest Game of All Time happened and the Roosters upset the Tigers from 6th place.  The Warriors, as the second-lowest ranked loser, went home from 5th place. Loyal fans everywhere were outraged.

Stink, ao.

This year we have qualified in 6th against (in my opinion) a much tougher opponent – the Broncos. Thankfully this year we are a much stronger side than last season.  We’re a legitimate powerhouse with legitimate franchise players and legitimate title aspirations. Everyone at Kiwi Sports Blog is hugely optimistic about the upcoming six weeks (there’s also that Massive Penalty Party being hosted by New Zealand over the same period, plus the return of the greatest show on turf this weekend). And that’s why, despite a hiatus of nearly four months, the printing presses at KSB headquarters are back in action for The Second Annual Kiwi Sports Blog NRL Finals PreviewTM.

Click here for the Kiwi Sports Blog Rugby World Cup Preview

Rugby World Cup (Betting) Preview

After long years of waiting we are mere hours away from the first kickoff.  This is not going to be a preview of the games, or the venues, or the All Blacks squad.  Instead, because Centrebet and TAB have really stepped up their game with all sorts of bets available to the punter with no self-restraint, here are some of my favourites:

This photo has no relevance. Hilarious expressions though!

State of Confusion

Here at Kiwi Sports Blog recently there have been a few things I just don't get about my favourite sport in the whole wide world.  Not to say I just don't agree with them - my opinion on league is wrong more often than not - just that I have no idea what on earth people are talking about with these things.  By the way, by 'people' I mean mates, randoms on the Lone Scout facebook page, and randoms on twitter.

The 2012 Warriors Squad (Captions)

(Hover over pictures for comments, click to ENLARGE)

The Squad

1. Glen Fisiiahi

2. Krisnan Inu

Subcontinent Surprise

I have to hand it them, they did it.  They sucked me back in.


Apart from my absolute favourite teams (Warriors, All Blacks), I'm a bit of a temperamental supporter.  Sport is a two way street, where the team has to show you as much love as you put out there for them.  This doesn't just mean they have to perform well, it means they have to care as deeply as you do about the team.  Winning almost isn't as important as knowing that the management has you in mind and the players aren't mailing in their performances just to collect their match fee.

Marcin Gortat, NBA Center?

Have you seen Gortat's first few games for the Suns?  Not bad right?  The high FG% and points totals look good.  And look at those blocks!  There's something the Suns needed.

Musings on Melo

This morning, ESPN reported that Carmelo Anthony will not sign a contract extension unless the Nuggets trade him to the Knicks.  My first thought upon seeing that was, what a fool.

I would say that the Summer of Lebron taught Melo nothing, and point at the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, and Mavs as examples of where solid rotations and team chemistry turns out to be way better than a bunch of stars thrown together.  But that's not what it is about for Melo.  As he says to Chris Sheridan, he wants to be wanted.  Walking through the Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of, people were yelling for him to come.  He is only human.  It is understandable that he wants to have a good time and look out for himself.  But still, what a fool.