Welcome back to the all-new weekly sport ramble. Not that anything is that new, just a few little pretty things here and there to cover up for the facts that the actual content isn’t much different than before let alone better. But all-new doesn’t necessary advertise as better. Think of all the TV shows given “All New Time” as a way of letting it down softly that it is more of a Young Lions or Bob Morrison show not a Law & Order or an All Together Now.
It’s also been a couple of weeks since the last weekly roundup. That should give us twice as much to talk about in theory. It hasn’t, but like the all new, the weekly part is more of a serving suggestion than a promise.
Without any further rambling or time wasting watching Flying High, here’s the guff.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Peter Stuyvesant Real Estate
AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM
My, how things have changed. What was looking like the busted arse of world cricket is now the number one Test and One Day nation. Consecutive series over England and South Africa was enough to nudge us to the apex of the ICC. Let the good times roll with John Inverarity set to stand down too after proof that Ryan Harris on one leg is a far better option than rotating the best players out of the team.
ALEX LEAPAI
So what if the Logan based slugger only landed a handful of punches on the mammoth that is Wladimir Klitschko to get there was feat enough, given the size of the monster, lasting 5 rounds was plenty. Remember Peter McNeeley v Mike Tyson.
There is also the silver lining of a mouth watering battle with the American Shannon Briggs who gatecrashed the party, baring his thorax, and calling the Australian a bum at the press conference. Leapai has wisely considering lining up a chance to kick him right in the arse in the ring.
For your viewing pleasure we have the clip of the press conference, plus a Top 10 of The Gurglers favourite sporting pleasures – a fight at boxing press conferences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvkvOKoupI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRBfZna8QlA
MARCUS AMBROSE
The Australian has made a pretty good fist (pun intended – just keep reading) at NASCAR, winning races whenever the cars have to turn to the right and being competitive on ovals when the chance arrives.
He also has won a few fans, especially after last race where after being confronted by a competitor and receiving the manly shove in the back as he walked off, he punched the guy in the face. They do things differently in NASCAR with the authorities looking into the incident but unlikely to act. Certainly beats the rigid punishments of other sporting bodies. Nothing like a punch up after the race to settle differences.
We have the clip to judge for yourself. Not a great moment in boxing, but certainly better than a European football skirmish that ends with a player rolling over 17 times only to miraculously get better with a spray of miracle water and free kick. We also included our favourite motor racing stoush of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbsE2weoQ4w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG6ZGWA_xiA
WORLD CUP TICKETS
Australians have bought over 50,000 tickets for the World Cup in Brazil in a little over a month’s time. This is impressive as we are in the Top 5 for tickets bought per head of population – 0.23%. Equally impressive is either the steadfast loyalty of a Melbourne Demons or Rabbitohs fan given the horror draw and form leading into the tournament or the blind ignorance to the formbook and experts. The Gurgler hopes either is the case and we have a chance to get into the next round where anything can happen. Especially an England defeat on penalties.
Although with tickets to the final heading toward $50,000 the percentage of Australians will surely dip. More a chance than Brazilians whose chance is even less with the cost of the final around 20 times the annual wage.
SUPER RUGBY EXPANSION PLAN
It was originally Super 10, then 12, then 14, then 15, then, well actually I’m really not sure how many there are, but plans are to expand again.
Here’s a poll of the proposed locations of a new franchise.
[poll id=”10″]
AFL MULTI – $28
CARLTON +24.5 start v Collingwood
MELBOURNE +43.5 start v Adelaide
SYDNEY -27.5 start v Brisbane
GOLD COAST +26.5 start v North Melb
GEELONG -34.5 start v Richmond
KENTUCKY DERBY
Wildcat Red – $15
A LEAGUE FINAL
Either Brisbane ($11) or West Sydney ($13) to win after penalty shootout.
A Penalty is awarded – $4.35
WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPS
Neil Robertson
