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- By Head-knocked Nick
Who likes sports shorts? For those who like their sports brief – to the point, that is, not unnecessarily revealing! – we have a few short shots to share. If you think we’re not playing fair, and other teams deserve a mention, email editor@franklintimes.co.nz and he’ll look into them… the teams that is, not their shorts.
Not just cricket!
Initially, it looked as if the Blackcaps were to be lambs fed to lions in England, as cartoonist Roger Smith depicts.
However, after collapsing in the first test, the Kiwis hit back, bowling (and batting) the opposition all the way back to Old Blighty in the second and third tests. In other words, they won the series!
Unfortunately, the White Ferns haven’t fared as well in the UK, a loss to England on Sunday calling stumps on the defending champs’ Women’s T20 World Cup run.
Home… again!
Just one week after Navigation Homes Stadium hosted all four Super Rugby Aupiki teams, the Chiefs Manawa are back at home (one of them) again.
Due to resurfacing work at Fred Jones Park in Hamilton, our home team will take on Matatū this Saturday, kicking off at 3.05pm.
Club rugby – big ‘Mc’s’
Franklin will be the winner on the day when the top four battle it out for the McNamara Cup.
Ardmore Marist plays Patumahoe at Bruce Pulman Park, while Karaka is at home to Pukekohe. Both games kick off 2.45pm this Saturday.
See cmrfu.co.nz for more club rugby information across the grades.
Baa-baas not sheepish
Despite Wales coming away with the win (33–31), the Scott Robertson-led Barbarians played with trademark panache at Twickenham at the weekend.
Among the Baabaas, former Karaka local Harry Plummer – now playing for Clermont in France –slotted two conversions.
The multi-national team also lost to South Africa (80–31) last weekend.
Moana sunk – make cents?
While the Times has suggested relocating Moana Pasifika to Pukekohe, others (including NZ First’s Winston Peters) have been trying to save the ailing Super Rugby
franchise.
However, NZ Rugby (NZR) has now put the final, official nail in the coffin for the (now former) Tana Umaga-coached North Shore-based team, cutting it from the roster for 2027, NZR chief financial officer Chris Kinraid confirms.
“This has been a difficult time for the Moana Pasifika players, management and fans, and the communities that supported them. A lot of hard work has gone into looking at all possibilities for next season. Unfortunately, the long-term financial requirements to participate in the competition could not be met.”
A return is not off the table, he adds.
“The door remains open beyond 2027. We firmly believe a team can be based in the Pacific Islands and a sustainable long-term solution can be found. We remain open and willing to engage with anyone who can meet the financial and commercial requirements.”
Photo NZ Rugby, Smartframe
PS: Liam Lawson, please phone home! Ed.
