WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: All Blacks fight back

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: All Blacks comeback in dying minutes, Phoenix winning streak

22/08/10 Executive sport summary – An overview of the major sporting events – Results, key moments and talking points – Everything you need to know to foot it at the water cooler this week.

By Jonathan McKeown

ALL BLACKS: One of the greatest test matches of the modern era returned a famous victory over the Springboks. The All Blacks were superb in Soweto scoring twice in the last three minutes to turn a narrow defeat into a pulsating 29-22 win.

For 77 minutes the Springbok defence was like a wall. Repeatedly the All Blacks attacked but they were consistently knocked backwards. But the New Zealanders were just as committed without the ball and the South Africans had no answer.

Ma’a Nonu’s searing break and perfect pass to find Israel Dagg got the Kiwis over the line but this resounding victory on African soil was built around defence and discipline.

SOCCER CITY: Almost 95,000 fans packed into this remarkable sporting coliseum to christen international rugby’s newest ground. What an atmosphere they provided! A mighty roar went up when John Smit, playing his 100th test led out the Springboks. The All Black haka was completely drowned out to a familiar soccer chant. The crowd was silenced 80 minutes later when Smit missed the tackle and Nonu put Dagg in the corner.

TRI NATIONS: A bonus point loss would have sufficed but the All Blacks reclaimed the Tri Nations title in style. With three games left in the competition the Wallabies and Springboks are playing for second place.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: It was a weekend of champagne rugby around the country with some real entertainment on offer and a host of talent. Tasman produced the upset of the round beating Canterbury 27-25 in Nelson. Southland remains undefeated after beating Hawke's Bay 23-20 in Napier. The Ranfurly Shield curse has not hit the Stags as they have been able to win away from home when the shield is not on the line.

The provinces are fighting hard to stay in the top-tier, Auckland are the only Super franchise in the top-four after beating Northland 26-13. Counties beat Manawatu 35-14 and must now be considered title contenders. The Steelers were expected to struggle to make the top seven after winning the wooden-spoon in 2009, but the team has galvanised around Tana Umaga winning three out of four.

QUALITY FINISHERS: The individual talent on show in the ITM cup should is outstanding. Pace, power and skill were on display with dome brilliant tries being scored. Steeler Sherwin Stowers stood up three players, powered through one tackle and out-paced the cover defence for a sparkling solo try.

Wellington Lion Julian Savea has future All Black written all over him as he broke the Waikato defence to score with ease. Kurt Baker was well worth his transfer fee for Taranaki, when a jinking step felled his defender he was good enough to chip the sweeper and re-gather to put David Smith over the line.

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL: The Phoenix continued an unbeaten 21-match home record beating the Central Coast Mariners 2-0 in Wellington. Leo Bertos finished a classy team move to open the scoring in the 10th minute. In the 61st minute Paul Ifill closed it out putting a world class strike into the top corner. The Mariners haven’t scored against the Phoenix in their last seven outings. The Nix now cross the Tasman to play their first away game against Brisbane Roar on Friday,

RUGBY LEAGUE: A finals spot still eludes the Warriors after they went down 19-16 to Manly. Heading into the match a win would have guaranteed the Kiwi franchise post season footy. The pressure will be on to beat Brisbane at Mt Smart on Friday night when the Broncos come to town. Failure to pick up the points next week will mean a must-win final match. In round 26 the Warriors take on the Eels in what could be a heart-stopper in Sydney.

NETBALL: The Silver Ferns claimed a 20-point win over Jamaica in Napier. It was a similar margin to the first test but the Ferns looked much more assured in the 62-40 rout. However coach Ruth Aitken knows the Kiwi’s need to improve again before the three-match series against Australia begins in Adelaide on August 29.

INTERNATIONAL TENNIS: The ATP tour and build-up to the US Open continued with the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. World number one Rafael Nadal was upset by Marco Baghdatis. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic both went down leaving to American opponents. Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick will now meet in the semis. Third-seed Roger Federer will face Baghdatis final after defeating Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

Two big names have withdrawn from the US Open prior to the tournament. Juan Martin del Potro will not defend his US Open title as he recovers from wrist surgery. Similarly a foot injury has forced Serena Williams has out of the US Open.

NZ BASKETBALL: New Zealand's Tall Blacks have beaten Russia 67-65 in Croatia. The Tall Blacks are preparing for basketball's world championships in Turkey. The tournament tips-off for New Zealand when they take Lithuania next Sunday.

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