The Beijing Olympics, played out against a background of political intrigue and featuring 16 days of compelling and controversial action.
Chinese superstar Liu Xiang sensationally pulled out of the Games injured on Monday, putting a dampener on China’s success thus far.
Michael Phelps won a record-equalling seventh Olympic gold medal in Beijing, ahead of Saturday’s showpiece, the athletics’ men’s 100m final.
Norway produced an opening 2-0 upset win over defending champions the United States as women’s football launched the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.
Injuries have forced the All Blacks to cobble together a makeshift backline for this weekend’s crucial rematch against the Wallabies.
It’s a match that has divided a nation and carries the hype of a boxing contest, with Robbie Deans in the gold corner and Graham Henry in the black.
The All Blacks and Ireland have been forced to hastily rejig their battle plans 48 hours before Saturday’s one-off rugby Test.
The Crusaders and Waratahs face off in a classic showdown for the Super 14 rugby crown in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday. ”It’s going to be an epic,” said Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, the most successful coach in the history of Super rugby. In a match laden with All Blacks and Wallabies, Waratahs assistant coach Steve Tuynman sees the final as one for the purists.
Injuries, coaching concerns and travel fatigue loom as significant factors in the Super 14 rugby semifinals when the Crusaders, Waratahs, Sharks and Hurricanes front up on Saturday. Competition leaders the Crusaders are at home to the Hurricanes in the first knock-out match, followed by the second-placed Waratahs hosting the Sharks in Sydney.
The Wellington Hurricanes and Auckland Blues kick off a climactic final Super 14 round on Friday in which six teams have a chance of joining the Canterbury Crusaders in the final four. The make-up of the semifinalists is unlikely to be decided until the final match of the weekend when the Sharks play the Chiefs.