Luke Munro almost perfect at Culs Nus Beach

Australia's Luke Munro current ASP World No. 31, was in excellent form this afternoon, beating former three-time ASP World Champion (and past three-time Quiksilver Pro France champ) Andy Irons, in Round 2 of competition.

En route to his emphatic Round 2 win, Munro consistently notched up dramatic barrels, collecting the day’s highest heat total of 16.87 out of a possible 20 including a near perfect 9.87 out of a possible 10 for an incredibly deep forehand barrel.

Ochocinco cereal box includes sex line number

Charity-minded callers are getting intercepted by a phone-sex line because of an error on Chad Ochocinco cereal boxes.

The phone number is supposed to connect callers to Feed the Children, which benefits from sales of the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver's cereal. But the box has the wrong toll-free prefix, meaning callers get a seductive-sounding woman who makes risque suggestions and then asks for a credit card number.

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. said Thursday it was pulling all Ochocinco cereal boxes from its grocery shelves because of the error. Some local stores had them on special display after the launch about a month ago.

Chad says it was a mistake, but shoot, can we believe him? (I'm not serious). Sorry, but this was too funny not to post about. I'm still coming to grips with the whole notion of Ochocinco cereal boxes.

Nicklaus Inspires Rafa's Rocket Serve

Republished from ATP World Tour: Tennis fans have marveled at Rafael Nadal’s much-improved serve, which was a big factor in his recent title run at the US Open, where he completed a career Grand Slam. Now we know the inspiration behind the dramatic improvement: US golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

"I saw a video by Jack Nicklaus that changed my vision,” Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and coach, told daily newspaper ABC. “In it Nicklaus said: 'First strike far, then we will think about getting the ball inside.’ I said to myself: 'This man must be right'. That is what I applied with Rafael. First strike hard, then we will get the ball inside," he added.

Nicklaus, the winner of 18 major golf titles, is a huge tennis fan. He has three natural grass courts and plays every Saturday and Sunday.

Uncle Toni went on to say that Nadal’s work ethic was just as much responsible for his nine Grand Slam titles by age 24 as was his natural talent. “You either have talent or you don't. But what makes the difference is hard work," he said. "Since he was a child I set a long-term goal for him: to be a great professional. In life you have to have hope to advance."

Scotland versus who? Afghanistan? Cool!

One of the feel good sports stories of the year for me is the contesting of the International Cricket (ICC) Council's Intercontinental Cup.The cup is a cricket tournament organized by the ICC as part of international development of the game all over the world. It is designed to allow Associate Members of the ICC the chance to play first-class cricket matches against teams of similar skill in a competition environment and prepare them for eventual promotion to Test cricket status.

While the Cup has been dominated by Ireland the last three years, this year the final will be contested by Scotland and Afghanistan, of all places. In fact, Afghanistan were the top qualifiers and are a really good team. In a country torn apart by fighting for many years, this is a miracle. Scotland know the magnitude of their challenge in Dubai, where the final will be fought, as they were defeated by 229 runs by the Afghan team in Ayr last month. It looks like sports will triumph again over adversity. I hope it can bring that battle ravaged country a few smiles, even if I do have a dram or two of Scottish blood running through my veins.

Burning on cheats in sport

Okay, Jim Rome is not the only one who gets to burn! I am still simmering a bit over some comments made by idiots after Derek Jeter got caught cheating in a Yankees game a couple of weeks back. I've tried to let it lie but I just can't. You know the incident I'm talking about; Jeter acted his way to first base after a pitch in the seventh inning hit the skinny end of his bat. He shook his arm, winced as if in pain, received a visit from the trainer and was awarded first by the umpire. The next batter belted a home run that gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Thankfully, the Rays rallied for a 4-3 victory.

Later, Jeter admitted he was not personally hit, but that it hit the bat. He said that the umpire told him to go to first base. I'm not going to tell him I'm not going to first, you know." Rays manager Joe Maddon was tossed from the game for arguing the call, but he didn't fault Jeter. He said he would have applauded if a Rays player had done it. Great, just what we need from a "leader".

I'm sorry but cheating is cheating. No other word describes it, not gamesmanship, not acting, not "it's just part of the game". Sports is a microcosm of life and if cheating is condoned and even "applauded" on the sports field, what chance do we have in society. We just end up teaching our kids that unless you are caught and it has consequences, then it's totally okay. Wrong, that's total BS ( and I'm not talking about a Bachelor of Science degree).

I guess the thing that burns me the most is that Major League Baseball did nothing about it. If an organization has the power to censure a player for taking drugs, they can make a guy lose a couple of weeks salary for cheating and bringing the game into disrepute, and that's exactly what Jeter did. I'm not picking on Derek, he just happens to be the best current example. The same thing could be said about Thierry Henry when he blatantly hand-balled a shot into goal, and his cheating bundled Ireland out of a chance to compete in the FIFA World Cup. What if Jeter's cheating had caused the Rays to loose the game, like Henry's did to Ireland? What outcry then? Oh FIFA did nothing afterwards about Henry either; what a bunch of pathetic losers.

Phillies clinch NL East for 4th straight year

While my favourite baseball is the Boston Red Sox, I have a soft spot for teams operating out of Philadelphia due to a close family connection. So it is with genuine pleasure that I read that the Philadelphia Phillies are the National League East champions for the fourth consecutive year. The Phightin' Phils have the league's best record and are now assured of home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Consistency at its very best.

Pitcher Roy Halladay allowed only two hits to earn his 21st season win with his fourth shutout and ninth complete game, all highs in the majors this season. Jayson Werth drove in four runs, helping to lead the Phillies to a 8-0 victory over the Washington nationals last night, wrapping up the division with five games left. After the final out the team gathered in the middle of the diamond for hugs and high-fives. Thousands of red-clad, towel-waving Phillies fans in the announced crowd of 14,309 gave a standing ovation then began their last in a long series of chants of "Let's go, Phillies!" Time to partay, as they say!

Should we forgive Michael Vick?

Republished from The Week. Three years ago, Michael Vick was persona non grata in the NFL. Once an electrifying young quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, his stock plummeted when he was indicted, then convicted, for running a dogfighting ring. One day after pleading guilty, Vick "became the first player in NFL history to have sales of his merchandise suspended by the league," with Reebok "taking the unprecedented step of halting the production of Vick's Falcons jerseys." But now, after 19 months in prison and a season as a backup, Vick has vaulted into the starting quarterback position for the Philadelphia Eagles, and is playing some of the best football of his career. With his jerseys selling at a record level, fans seem ready to let bygones be bygones — but should they?

Forgive Vick — don't forget what he did: "I believe in forgiveness," says Gregg Doyel at CBS Sports. But the Michael Vick who "ran for 103 yards against Green Bay and threw for 284 yards against Detroit" is also the Michael Vick who "personally killed seven dogs by hanging or drowning them." Vick deserves his shot at redemption, but it would be wrong to simply "move on" and forget what he did to those dogs.

He's a good redemption story: Surprisingly, Vick has become a "new role model for many of us who have failed and thought that a comeback was almost impossible," says Walter Pavlo at Forbes. A felon is often defined by his crime, but Vick has "fought his way back" to remake his image — and in so doing, he will have a "renewed appreciation for his talents and good fortune that allow him to play football on Sunday afternoons."

To read the full article from The Week magazine, please click on the link "Should we forgive Michael Vick?".

Go Utes! My choice of shirt ruffles a few BYU feathers

I wore my bright red University of Utah Running Utes polo shirt today. Not to cause any ruckus amongst my friends and colleagues, but simply because it was the first shirt in my closet and I was getting dressed in the dark this morning so as not to awaken my sleeping sweetheart. It was certainly not my intention to broadcast a blood red statement on the current state of Ute football compared to that of Brigham Young University on a Monday morning.

However, it seems to have gotten under the skin of a couple of my colleagues who graduated from BYU. They have been telling me all day long that the Utes aren't that great, and that BYU is 1-3 due to the fact that they have the 5th hardest schedule for September in the whole country. This assumes I am interested in excuses! Hahahahaha. They forget that I vote for BYU as long as they not playing my Utes, so my perfect Mountain West season record is: University of Utah 12-0, Brigham Young University 11-1, and everyone else can go fly a kite. I'd even be perfectly happy with Utah playing BYU for the national championship.

Still, every now and then I get an evil little grin on my face. This is because I listen intently to the little red devil sitting on my shoulder who is always telling me to stir my BYU buddies. Who am I not to take a perfectly good opportunity to crank up the heat. Right? I really should be a lot more mature, shouldn't I?

Bundesliga 2010

The 2010 German Bundesliga looks to be a cracker for your family. My father-in-law and his lovely wife live in Germany and our family favorites are faring very well at the start of the season. Kaiserslautern is the team I follow and also the one team that I have been able to to appreciate as the say, up close and personal. My wife Melissa and I got to see them play at K-town during our honeymoon visit in 2005. What an experience that was. They were promoted from the second division up to the top-flight at the end of last season and are currently sitting mid-table. Awesome!

But the big surprise for me is the blistering start served up by nearby Mainz. We also got to visit Mainz in our 2005 trip and it is a beautiful city, especially Old Town. With a stunning 6-0 record to begin the 2010 season, Mainz is the team setting the early pace. It was wonderful to see that they had beaten Bayern Munich, the perennial powerhouse of German football on the weekend. So as a family we are all really happy with the way things are going; it would be great to reach the last game and have a 1-2 finish! We shall see; but a number of fingers are crossed!

Ichiro Suzuki: Ten 200 hit seasons

In sports and in life one of my most elusive yet prized traits to have is consistency. For the last ten years, as a member of the Seattle Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki has recorded 200 hits per season for ten consecutive years. This is a feat that nobody else in major league has attained and only Pete Rose has come close to. In fact Ichiro broke his own record of nine seasons in a row. Suzuki has exceeded 200 hits every year since moving to the United States, using bat control and natural speed. Even though he is almost 37 years of age, I'm sure Suzuki will try and extend his record again next year. Totally amazing.

Little Sam Perrett Delivers for the Roosters

The Sydney Roosters stormed into next weekend's National Rugby League grand final with a bruising 32-6 victory over Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium. The NRL, Australia's equivalent of the NFL, will celebrate it's version of the Superbowl next weekend. The Roosters now have a chance to become the first team since Western Suburbs in 1934 to go from last place to premiers the very next season. Veteran coach Brian Smith's may now be able to end that embarrassing losing record in championship matches.

The Roosters led the Titans 12-6 in front of a big 44,787 crowd after a tense opening 40 minutes courtesy of two tries to right winger Sam Perrett. Young Sam was one of my next door neighbour's kid in New Zealand and although a small at the time he was a really nice boy. Sam obviously learned quickly to play to his strengths by showing his older and much larger brother, Lionel, a clean pair of heels when playing backyard football. The kid is a speed merchant and thankfully is no longer little.

Gold Coast discard Daniel Conn, released by the Titans last season, turned on his former club with a crucial try in the 49th minute which had more than an element of luck to give the visitors an 18-6 break. However, Braith Anasta booked the Roosters' grand final ticket, crashing over for his eighth try of the season in the 62nd minute to provide the Roosters with an unassailable lead at 24-6. Well done Sam, and the Roosters, good luck for next week in the Grand Final.

Shades of 1972: Commonwealth Games 2010 Target For Terrorism

As a teenager, a junior in High School to be exact, I clearly remember the horror of watching the Black September terrorists holding Israeli athletes hostages and finally murdering them at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich. Black September called the operation "Ikrit and Biram" and admitted that Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organization secretly endorsed the operation. Fatah later disputed the accusation.

It seems that 38 years later the specter of terrorism has returned to a major international sporting competition, as a top US counter-terrorism expert warned the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be "an appealing target" for Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). To counter this, British security forces are pooling resources with their commonwealth counterparts from Canada, Australia and New Zealand to accompany athletes at every competition venue at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has increased the numbers of security experts working with the Australian team, who will have a large contingent at the Commonwealth Games. She also said that government advice has made it clear that there is a high risk of terrorism in New Delhi. Since 2000 there have been at least 14 major terrorist attacks in New Delhi. Let's hope that India is spared more terrorist bloodshed, but because the games are so economically important to the Indian government, that maybe a forlorn wish.

European Handball Champions League

What sport is a combination of basketball, soccer, softball, and Australian Rules football? European Handball! This fast-moving, tactical, and very physical game is one of the huge highlights of every summer Olympic Games. I had the pleasure of watching a number of these gladiatorial contests at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and fell in love with the spectacle. If you ever get the chance to see a top class game, please do yourself a major favor and just go.

The 2010 Velux European Handball Federation Men's Champions League started Wednesday. The first two winners could not have been more different. Debutant St. Petersburg claimed victory in their first ever match beating Bosna Sarajevo 32-27 while three-time Champion Renovalia Ciudad Real overcame SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27-19 with a second half surge. The competition runs, first through a group stage and culminates in the final four competition in May 2011. Catch games on http://www.ehftv.com.

Priceless: No Caption Needed!

Too Close To Call: The Yankees and the Rays

I am really looking forward to the big match-up tonight between the NY Yankees and Tampa Bay. They are both dueling, and I mean really scrapping it out, for first place in the American League East Division. A lightning storm conspired to wildly interrupt the game last night and the Rays were the team best able to adapt to the conditions, winning it in the wet, 7-2. Tonight, Tampa Bay will be starting left-hander David Price, who will be sharing the mound with the devastating, and in-form, CC Sabathia. But both teams also have some true fire power in the batting department, so I think we can all sit back and enjoy a ding-dong battle.

After all the last meeting these two had in Florida was a humdinger. Both were pitching shutouts into the eighth inning. That game remained scoreless until the 11th inning, when Reid Brignac's spectacular solo home run gave the Tampa the 1-0 victory and much needed momentum. The Yankees, better known as "The Best Team Money Can Buy" (correct, I can't stand them), have the equal best record in baseball, along with the Twins and the Phillies. But Tampa Bay are only 1.5 games back after the win last evening, and another victory tonight would really set things up for a crazy finish. C'mon Rays!

Suicide: Unrecoverable Loss

Few things in this life are sad and destructive as suicide. It breaches every every clime, every tribe, every region. I have watched friends struggle with the death of a loved one, unable to really comprehend that a son or daughter, nephew or niece took their own life. A supervisor that I was very close to years ago committed suicide, and I wept it was so unimaginable, there were no signs at all that I could see. It profoundly affected me.

So with the untimely death of Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley at age 23, I am sure his family, friends, and teammates are seriously struggling. They will be asking why this happened, what caused it, and most of all beating themselves up for not recognizing the clues or cues that may have prevented such a disaster. When we lose a young person in the prime of their life, especially in Kenny's situation having the world at his feet so to speak, it is a tragedy. So I offer my heartfelt condolences to Kenny's loved ones. I wish them peace.

Clutch Performers, Those Brits! Pun Intended.

British motor sports is enjoying quite a renaissance. It's like "the British are coming, the British are coming" all over again. However, this time, they're not wearing red uniforms and carrying muskets. Their uniforms are just as colourful, maybe more so, but now they are driving fast cars and riding hot bikes, not marching through wooded hillsides by night, led by friendly natives.

Let me provide some details. The U.K. has provided the last two Formula One champions in Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button (above). Five of the top nine riders in the current World Superbike Championship are British. The Brits even have two representatives in the top ten of that bastion of American sport, the Indycar Series. One of them, Dario Franchitti (yes I know he's a Scot, but that still fits some definitions of British at least), is currently in second place on the championship ladder.

So why is this British invasion eating up the world of motor racing? Frankly I'm not sure I have a truly definitive answer. Oftentimes, these things have a life of their own and work in cycles. The Poms have been up there before, producing a number of world champions; Nigel Mansell and Jackie Stewart come to mind. But when such phenomenon have momentum they are hard to stop. That's where British racing is now... rolling.

Stupid People Should Not Be Published

Bigots rock. Ooops, wrong. Bigots are always stoned. Wrong again. Bigots should be stoned! That’s it! I read a really prejudiced article today that made me really mad. A moron named Troy Ballard wrote a blog today on The Bleacher Report titled, "Is Andy Reid's Religion Affecting the Philadelphia Eagles' QB Controversy?". His basic premise was that because Michael Vick was a bad man, who had been in trouble with the law from High School, Coach Reid was a would not start him as quarterback. The article concluded that Coach Reid insisted on choosing Kevin Kolb as his starter because he was 'lily" white. It pretty much insinuated that Reid was a racist.

There are several really glaring holes in Ballard's argument. Number 1: Coach Reid's Mormon religion does not influence him to leave Vick out as a starter. In fact the opposite is true. His religion teaches that everyone should be given a second chance, an opportunity to rehabilitate. In fact, Reid is the person who chose to hire Vick when everyone vilified him, so this argument is just plain stupid. In fact it is insulting. Number 2: Reid named Vick as his starter this afternoon, so Ballard must feel like a total fool right now. Number 3: Ballard also stated that normal people would be shocked that Coach Reid is LDS. Like Mormons can't coach football or something, like Mormons can't handle Philly, like Mormons don't want to be challenged in their work environment.

I really despise people who a) don't know what they are talking about but spout off anyway, 2) cannot back up their assertions with evidence, and 3) are just idiots. I suffer fools really badly and this Ballard guy just set me off. He is the in the same category as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton (except for the rich female bit) in that we somehow give them air time and then wonder why fluff comes out their mouths. The media actually has a duty, in my opinion, to weed out this rubbish and provide some substance.

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

It was painful for many of my friends to watch the Brigham Young University football game against Florida State on Saturday. Not only were they on the end of a thorough beating with a scoreline of 34-10, but they seemed to flat and lifeless, unable to respond to the second-half FSU onslaught. While the offense produced some faltering yards, the defense was ripped wide open, yikes, for the second week in a row.

So what's the problem with the Cougars? Sometimes it's easier to answer with what they are not - they are not a bad team, not even close. But they have some serious holes and these are not being filled, so what they need is a little Dutch boy, with pudgy fingers ready to go. First up: Quarterback, it's either Nelson or Heaps, take your pick, but you must choose, Bronco, heads or tails! I have seen many teams in a number of sports over the years use a positional rotation policy on a weekly basis, and it seldom works.

Where this policy can come up trumps is if you have one under-performing player who has lots of potential AND you know from close observation that his, or her, personality can handle rotation. What this injects into the right person is an attitude that says, "I'm gonna show you who's best!" On the other hand, a more fragile personality can crumble under the perceived lack of faith by coaches. For me, I'd keep Heaps as the starter even if he is a freshman, he gained in confidence the longer he stayed on the field, which is a good sign.

Secondly, the stuttering offense will probably fix itself if one quarterback is named starter, the team know who the leader is, and can learn his style. Running back J.J. DiLuigi looked eager and explosive, the one bright spark in the game. Last, for the moment, a defense that needs help and direction against the running game, where they fall down - sometimes literally. Both the Air Force and the Seminoles found big holes to run through. While they might not get back into the Top 25 Rankings, BYU I am sure, will improve vastly over the season and with Heaps around, will provide stern tests for most teams in the years to come.

Reverse Immigration: Turkey Recruits Players 'Made in Germany'

Republished from Spiegel International Online. Young football players with Turkish roots who have grown up in Germany and cut their teeth in the German football system are in much demand -- particularly in Turkey. At the moment, 59 men who fit this description can be found playing in Turkey's top league. And, every year, agents are bringing a fresh batch of talented young men -- with Turkish passports and "Made in Germany" pedigrees -- to its clubs.

Talent scouts focus their poaching efforts on German clubs with good reputations for devoting a lot of resources to training their younger players, such as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. They woo the young men -- some of whom have only just turned 16 -- away with promises of seeing regular playing time on a first-division Turkish team, higher pay and a chance to live in Turkey. As Vural puts it: "We're bringing the boys back home."

Aygünes and Basdas are buddies, and they share a double room in the Kasimpasa clubhouse. In the closet, there's is a rolled-up, green prayer mat. A mini-fridge full of snack bars, sodas and energy drinks hums from its position between the beds. Their window looks out onto the stadium; they had to put a shade in front of it because the flood lights are occasionally kept on until late at night. "You can't get any shut-eye," Aygünes complains. Kasimpasa is an Istanbul club. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, played for the team when he was younger, and its home stadium bears his name.

Before coming to play for Kasimpasa, Aygünes had only spent time in Turkey on vacation. His German is better than his Turkish. After practice, he recounts over tea how Turkish recruiters reeled him in, how they repeatedly approached him -- whether at games in Karlsruhe, at practice or at home. "They promise you that everything is better in Turkey," he says. "They tell you: 'Come home, come to your country. There, you'll be star.'" At the time, Aygünes only had a few vague offers from second-tier German clubs. So, he opted for an adventure in Turkey. But that's not all: He'll also admit that it had something to do with the dream of every Turkish boy, to one day grow up to don the jersey of one of the big clubs in Istanbul, of Fenerbahce, Besiktas or Galatasaray.

To read the full article by Markus Flohr and Maximilian Popp from Spiegel International Online, please click on the link. Reverse Immigration: Turkey Recruits Players 'Made in Germany'.

Dallas Cowgirls

Sorry but this just has to be said... the best team in Arlington, Texas right now are the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!

Redemption Rules

Sydney Roosters five-eight Todd Carney must be looking into heaven right now and thanking his lucky stars, or maybe trying to locate his personal guardian angel. For a player who was booted out of the Australian National Rugby League in 2008 to stand at the pinnacle of his prowess as a player by winning the Dally M Medal is nothing short of a miracle.

The Dally M Medal is the major individual award in the NRL, and given to the player voted the best and fairest in the competition for any given year. It is awarded to those that have performed at the top of their game and have limited their suspensions during the year. The award caps off a stunning return to the NRL for Carney, who spent the 2009 season rebuilding his life and his career playing district football in the North Queensland town of Atherton after several off the field indiscretions that cost him his place.

The resurrection of Todd Carney has paralleled the rise of the Roosters who have burst into contention for a grand final spot with some stunning play in the latter half of the season. It seems that Carney and the Roosters are a match made in heaven if their combination this year is anything to go by. It just goes to show that anyone, who does everything to put their past behind them, can succeed in their chosen arena. Thank goodness for opportunities that come along that allow us to change our spots. Apparently normal leopards suck.

Derek Cheater

cheat·er

/ˈtʃitər/ Show Spelled[chee-ter]

–noun

1. a person or thing that cheats; Derek Jeter.
2. cheaters, Slang .

• eyeglasses; spectacles.
• falsies.

---

Origin:
1300–50; ME; see cheat, -er¹

Penn State Womens Volleyball Team: We're not worthy!

The most amazing collegiate sports winning streak came to an end last Saturday. Previously, the Penn State womens' volleyball team had won 109 games in a row. Say that again... 109 games in succession without a defeat! Most teams would be happy with a tenth of that. What an incredible feat.

During this undefeated run, Penn State won three consecutive national titles, and a record-breaking 111 straight sets. But this great feat came to an end when the Nittany Lions were beaten by Stanford 28-26, 25-12, 25-18 and Stanford has moved into the number one ranking. I applaud the players, coaches and support staff for this wonderful run and look forward to the next crack at the record... by anyone!

About Time: The America's Cup has a Future

No more big, slow yachts, no more racing where nobody can see them except for the privileged rich, no more crazy rules and legal loopholes, no more racing in the courtroom. The America's Cup, a proud international sporting event, that began its storied traditions in 1851, is finally getting the facelift that it has needed for many years. About time! On Monday the America's cup holder, BMW Oracle Racing, and the the challenger of record, Club Nautico di Roma unveiled the AC72, a superfast trimaran with a wing sail that will contest the next cup race in 2013.

The best sailors and the coolest and fastest boats will sail in a pinnacle regatta in line with how this great series should be conducted. It is critical that the race have a new class of yacht, fair rules, and better television coverage will ensure that this fascinating race will be seen by many, many more than before. Perhaps a new generation grow up not only respecting and appreciating the traditions but also be able to witness cutting edge technology and awe-inspiring duels for yachting oldest and most coveted prize. I can't wait.

The Size of the Dog in the Fight

I really enjoyed watching the Houston Texans putting the Indianapolis Colts to the sword last Sunday. The played with grit and determination and stuck to their game plan. The punched hard against a much more fancied, and at least on paper, more skilled side led by Peyton Manning. It reminded me of little New Zealand battling away in the 2010 FIFA World Cup fought in South Africa a couple of months back.

The one standout facet from the World Cup that rose above all others is best stated in the ago old adage, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!" Let me illustrate. On one hand there were perennial powerhouses in England, France and Italy, exiting early, some not even making the second round. An examination of why is crucial here.

Italy simply took the opposition far too lightly. They relied on the same old troops in battle, the same tired old plays. They had no imagination. They expended about as much effort as a family of Koala's in a lush Eucalyptus forest (Koala's sleep up to 23 hours a day!). Italy did just about enough in each game, and no more. The French were like a loosely-tied raft in a turbulent sea. The coach had no idea, the players seemed lost, the plan was that there was no plan; in fact there was no team at all. It was sad and sorry to watch these groups implode and head home like whipped dogs.

By contrast New Zealand, ranked 78th in the world, didn't give a hoot about what other teams thought of them. They were there to do a job, to play to the very depths of their abilities, as players and as comrades. They didn't care about reputations and they certainly didn't worry that some of the world's most expensive players were arrayed against them. They simply played for each other, for their country, for their families and thoroughly enjoyed themselves doing it. You could positively see the joy on the faces coupled with a steely determination to get the job done.

It's amazing to see teamwork in action, pride at work and willingness to do what it takes. Mental toughness accounts for more victories in sport than any other factor. Sport is not just a test of skill but one of temperament and character. New Zealand and the Texans had it in spades.

Sir Alex: 700 EPL games as boss of the Red Devils

Sir Alex Ferguson, the durable but dour Scot, who has been manager of Manchester United since 1986 chalked up a remarkable 700 games in charge of his club in the match against Everton last Sunday. Sir Alex is the perfect fit for Old Trafford with his combination of skill for selecting just the right team and his understanding of the modern game. 700 games at the helm is a great achievement and one that should be recognised.

Fellow Premier League boss and sometime foe, Arsene Wenger, praised Sir Alex for his efforts. "It is dedication and it is a fantastic achievement,' Wenger said. 'He deserves a lot of credit to show such consistency at the top level which needs special qualities and special dedication. That certainly means 700 sleepless nights before and 700 sleepless nights sometimes after the game." Well done Sir Alex, but long live Spurs!

Twists and Turns in Formula One

I want Mark Webber, the Australian, to win his inaugural World Drivers Championship. It would be great for the nation as they haven't had a world champ for quite awhile, actually not since Alan Jones in 1980. Not that I don't like Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, but they have won the last two championships between them, and I have my own preferences, you know!

Lewis didn't help himself with a significant 'mistake' as he called it, by damaging his car while trying to pass Felipe Mass at Monza in Italy. Coupled with a sixth place finish by Webber, the drivers points lead went back to the Australian, by six from Hamilton, with five races left. Plenty enough of time for a crazy finish, with someone coming out of nowhere. I just would like the craziness to confirm Webbers' undoubted talent and let the title go back 'Down Under' for a year or two.

Maradona to be offered another four years

Argentina will apparently offer soccer icon Diego Maradona a new 4-year deal as coach of the national team that recently competed in FIFA 2010 World Cup. Now Argentina has the right to do what it likes with its own national team, but maybe it should be very careful with what it wishes for. As a player he was a marvelous tactician and man with sublime skills but he also had, and still has, his dark side.

To go with his skills he also has an ego the size of Brazil. That is not what is needed in a national coach as it can detract from the job he has been appointed to achieve. He was also a cheat, as was demonstrated with his infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in a 1986 World Cup quarterfinal. This goes with a few unkind things to say about the best player ever to take the pitch, the incomparable Pele. Not the ideal, if you know what I mean.

With an astonishing 4-0 loss to Germany in South Africa, causing Argentina to finish well below their stated goal that nothing less than third would be good enough, I think Maradona is a liability not a saviour. Of course, Diego may decline the offer, but I think that's about as likely as Terrell Owens exhibiting humility. I personally believe that he will turn out to be a poor choice if given the reins, and will not last the four year term.

A Trophy in the Hand is Worth Two from a Bush

There is so much being written about Reggie Bush. Will he keep his Heisman Trophy, will the Trust make him give it back, will Reggie do the right thing as one NY Times blogger suggested, and give the trophy back on his own volition? All this speculation is interesting, but what is the right thing to do? Does it matter or is it all a big yawn?

The first question to really answer is, did Reggie deserve the Heisman for his heroics on the football field, if that was the only criteria? Clearly yes, as he had an absolutely amazing season, and was arguably the standout player of the year. Should somebody else have won the Heisman that year? A moot point because Reggie was chosen by the Heisman Trust, ahead of the only other real candidate, Vince Young.

Here's where it gets technical. Of course, on-field performance is not the only criteria by which a Heisman Trophy winner is selected. The winner must also have kept a multitude of NCAA rules to be eligible. Again, clearly Reggie Bush did not keep all those rules; as he and his family accepted lavish gifts that were definitely outside accepted boundaries. Should Reggie lose his Heisman for breaching those regulations?

That answer will depend on a number of things. Do you love Reggie or not, is one. Things like, are some of those NCAA rules just plain ridiculous? Should a person be held to those standards despite them being draconian? And I know some of the are; I have a friend that worked during an NCAA tournament, I won't say which sport, and the security staff at the venue were made the put athletic tape over the sponsor logos on their uniform jackets. You have got to be kidding!

But do we then condone unfair play, and set ourselves up for more misadventure, if we don't enforce those rules, and take back the Heisman? Integrity makes a man, or woman, that I can say. I think we open up a can of worms what ever the decision by the Heisman Trust ultimately ( and they don't seem to be in a hurry to make a decision).

For me the biggest regrets are, firstly that this all happened and Reggie is in this position. Second of all, why has this saga dragged on so long? It should be dealt with much more quickly and effectively. But the most distressing of all, according to the Yahoo report that broke this story open, is that if Reggie is stripped of the trophy then nobody will be awarded it, in his place. This would be a travesty of justice, because Vince Young, the second-place vote getter did obey the rules and also shone on the field, especially in the BCS Championship game. Surely if Reggie would not have been chosen if the selectors had known he was a rule breaker, then Vince would have won the trophy. Why not now?

The Captain's Pick

I guess Corey Pavin HAD to choose Eldrick Tont Woods as a captain's pick to contest the Ryder Cup! After all he is still the World Number 1, despite Phil Mickelson's best efforts. I guess the fact that he is playing pretty much awful since his big bust up with Elin pales against his previous achievements. In other words, he was a very safe choice. We have seen glimpses of the great player, but unfortunately for the United States they have been far too few. I don't think too many of the European players will be exactly quaking in the boots as the tee off against Tiger. In fact they may sense that this is time time to move in for the kill with a wounded Tiger nowhere near his majestic best.

Time will tell if the choice of Tiger is an inspired one, but one thing I do know, is that Tiger WILL return to his former SPORTING glory. The man is just way too good for his malaise to continue. But the big question is will he make the breakthrough this year, in time to make significant contribution to the 2010 Ryder Cup. He will work through the unimaginable stupidity of his private mess (it could hardly be called a life right now), regain his confidence and amazing prowess. Hopefully he will really learn that just because you are the world greatest golfer that you are not immune from the follies that we mere mortals all too often exhibit. Because the one thing he will probably NOT regain, is the full trust and confidence of all of his former fanbase. His former pedestal is no longer available. And neither does he deserve it.

The Dynamically Unlikely Duo

I had the privilege today to witness a sight that I never thought I would see. A player from India paired with another from Pakistan; two countries who have been bitter enemies for years. But none of that enmity means anything to Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi who won their semi-final match and will now meet the Bryan brothers in the final of the U.S. Open.

It warms the heart when individuals decide to put decades of cultural and religious prejudice behind them and atke a stand. A stand that tells the world that hatred is a learned behaviour and completely unnecessary in intelligent and thoughtful people. While they are playing one to the great doubles teams ever in Bob and Mike Bryan, I am going for the underdogs in Bopanna and Qureshi; maybe because their teaming is an idea whose time has truly come.

Transformers: Spain becomes a Tennis Powerhouse

The emergence and dominance of the Spanish men in world tennis recently has been nothing short of breathtaking and exhilarating. Sure they have had No. 1's before; Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya come to mind, but up until now the best from Spain came singly. However, not only do the Spanish boast the World No. 1 in Rafael Nadal, no fewer than six Spaniards are in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Previously they had only two champions in the United States, Manuel Orantes in 1975 and Manuel Santana in 1965. How things have changed!

My memory watching Spanish tennis players over the years confined to clay-court supremos happily sliding (and winning) at Roland Garros, white shoes covered in red mud. Besides the number of good Spanish players, the greatest change is that Spaniards now win on all surfaces. No better example of this is Nadal who, if he wins at the U.S. Open, will have all four majors under his belt. However the Open pans out, Spain has not only established itself as the great world power in tennis, but the quality and style of their play is just fantastic to watch.

The All Blacks: Time for the Surge

With the 2011 Rugby World Cup just around the corner, the complete focus of the legions of Kiwi rugby fans is concentrated on the national rugby team, the All Blacks. Nothing but total dominance and bringing home the Webb-Ellis trophy will be good enough. New Zealanders have the best rugby team on the planet, as testified by the current International Rugby Board world rankings; in fact daylight is in second place, not South Africa. But the last couple of World Cups have been dismal by All Black standards and winning at home is the only way to sweeten the bitter taste that still lingers in Kiwi mouths.

The All Blacks have been labeled by some as chokers on the world's biggest stage, most often from rivals trying to play the psychological game. I wonder if this is a result of being the favourites for every single tournament they play in. Too much expectation can lead to playing in a straightjacket, not with joyful freedom to express. That said, they simply should have done better in Australia and France, but, did not. However, the All Blacks have been clearly the best side for the last decade, their record is envious. They have won so many more games than the next best team it is laughable… or wonderful if you bleed black.

All that remains now is for the current crop of players to stamp themselves on the rugby psyche of their opponents like the great All Blacks sides of yesteryear. Richie McCaw must make his team feared, absolutely feared, every time they take the field, like those teams led by Colin Meads and Wilson Whineray. As Irishman Edmund Burke said a long time ago, "No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear." When a team can combine their own strength and self-belief with fear in opposing ranks, the power to win is borne.

The All Blacks have a great chance to up-the-ante by going through the Tri-Nations undefeated in 2010; a feat only thus far accomplished by another All Black team in 2003. They only have Australia to beat, a team that is very much under the gun but coming off a morale boosting victory over South Africa. The Wallabies might have their backs to the wall, but an enraged and wounded animal has a fearsome bite. Victory on 9/11 in Sydney will set the foundation for bringing home the cup next year. Kia Kaha, Kia Toa. Black Magic!