Hits and Misses: Peter Pan packs rest off to Neverland

A tennis legend turned back the clock in Melbourne, a top lawn bowler added a missing link to his CV, while the International Cricket Council and National Rugby League put their respective feet in the do-dos in the sporting week that was ...

HITS

* Andre Agassi, the grand old man of international tennis, who won his eighth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in Melbourne, demolishing German Rainer Schuettler in straight sets. At 32, he is fit as a flea, clearly still has the desire and is a beacon to those who reckon this is a game to give away before the big three-oh.

* Xavier Rush, named Blues captain for this year's Super 12 campaign. His much-publicised late- night revelry last year clearly didn't count against him. A repeat of his strong end-of-NPC form is now the order of the day for the Auckland loose forward.

* Dean Kent, who produced an outstanding run of form at three World Cup short course swimming meets. Kent collected gold medals in the 400m individual medley at Paris, Stockholm and Berlin. The Athens Olympics are now firmly in the sights of New Zealand's best medal hope in the pool since Danyon Loader seven years ago.

* Northern Districts, who ensured an all-northern State Shield final at North Harbour Stadium today with a convincing win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve.

* The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winners of the Superbowl, cleaning out the Oakland Raiders 48-21. It was their first appearance in America's most-watched sports event since entering the NFL in 1976. It's a long way from their first two seasons, when they lost their first 26 games.

* Rowan Brassey, one of New Zealand's great lawn bowlers, who found it was fourth time lucky when he and Jamie Hill won the Manurewa pairs. Brassey had made the final three times, and three times come up short. The Avondale pair cleaned out Wanganui's Ray Park and Ray Savage 17-2 in just 11 ends.

MISSES

* This one belongs in capitals: The International Cricket Council, whose decision to stick with Kenya and Zimbabwe as World Cup hosts is dumb, insensitive, financially motivated, appallingly self-serving. We could go on, but you get the idea.

* The National Rugby League for their decision to go to a golden point-extra time format for this year. What's wrong with the draw, anyway? This smacks of Americanism. The US loathe the draw. You gotta have a winner, bud. There's plenty wrong with this call.

* Ali Lauiti'iti, whose NRL season has all but disappeared, due to a cyst on his left arm. He's expected to be sidelined for six months, removing one of the Warriors' strongest attacking weapons.

* Counties Manukau, who are facing the loss of their most promising back, Casey Laulala, to those renowned invaders from the south, the Crusaders. Although no decision has yet been made, the Crusaders have cheekily already named Laulala in their touring development squad to Argentina this month. Tough on Counties, but what's a promising young player to do when the heavy hitters come calling?