The Crowd Goes Wild: Kiwis top of world

The Kiwis celebrate smashing Australia in the Anzac test but the international game still needs legitimacy. Photo / Getty Images

Danger in jingoistic Aussies turning inwards.

Andrew: We must champion the Kiwis in this column, first up. What a game of blistering attack with devastating Manu Vatuvei finishing and a second half defensive effort that previous Kiwis teams have lacked. We are the yardstick for international league now because while a victory over the Kangaroos will always be treasured by anyone who plays them, the top dog in international league is us and that's really cool.

Mark: You're right, we must champion this. It was like when the Kangaroos scored first I was like, "oh here we go again, talk them up all week and then the Aussie's clinically put us way". But no. Not this Kiwis side. Sure we will champion this but I have one nagging question. At a time when international league needs legitimacy and a shot in the arm could this win have actually harmed the international game? Will it force the ARL to run, turn inward and focus its attention on Origin? After all, behind America, Australia is the most jingoistic country in the world.

Andrew: I'm glad you brought up America because I've being waiting to bring this up after we celebrated the Kiwis. The Medieval Combat World Championships in Malbork, Poland has just happened and the USA was defeated by the perennially strong Polish team. It's amazing to watch because it is so much more than your traditional LARPing (Live Action Role Playing for the uninitiated). By looking at the You Tube clip of the final it appears that each side has around 13 "knights" in full armour, and you'll need that armour, because while the weapons are dulled they are real axes and swords. Humour me on this please, Mark. If we would send our best athletes, our best knights to the next world championships who would we send to represent us? Incidentally we won a gold at the recent championships in the women's "polearms" category.

Mark: I'll humour you on this one because the minute you said, "I'm glad you brought up America", I panicked because I thought you were going to wah on about the NBA but when I saw you weren't, I went "hurrah". Well obviously I would send Sonny Bill Williams because he is the modern equivalent of Hercules. Then I would go with Richard Kahui, not because he is athletic but because he is handsome and charming and no one would want to hurt him. Oh ... hang on you want actual "knights". Well then you have to send Sir JK because when things turned nasty he could talk his way out of any tight spot.

Andrew: Hmm. Think of people like Valerie Adams who have explosive power to deliver devastating blows. Even Lydia Ko, who can swing a club, would be effective. Someone like Floyd Mayweather would be great in a combat situation like that; happy to lean against the fence, evading the swinging axe and counter-striking when opportunities presented themselves. I know you didn't buy the fight but will you even consider buying a re-match when Pacquiao is fit after shoulder surgery?

Mark: No, I will not be buying a rematch and refer right of page for reason why. Ha, ha, ha, ya loser, Beauden Barrett's gone and it's all over. You had to flog your All Blacks didn't ya, just like the Chiefs used to and now it's come right back to bite you on the backside.

Andrew: I LOVE Beauden being out for a month because it gives a chance to see what TJ Perenara is made of, the quiet influence of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith taking direction of the team. They'll obviously miss the running game of Barrett but Perenara is a great runner, too, so maybe he has more opportunities with the ball. Whatever the case I'm making sure TJ is in my Dream Team Fantasy line-up this week but here's the question for you; should I pick up Colin Slade, Handre Pollard or Lima Sopoaga for my Dream Team to replace Barrett?

Mark: I would say that the Crusaders v the Reds game is likely to be a high-scoring affair and as such Slade could be in for a points-scoring bonanza. Sopoaga will undoubtedly be the most influential first-five of the weekend as he expertly steers the Highlanders past a capable Lions team in South Africa and while he will assert himself as the superior first-five this will not translate into fantasy points -- so Colin it is then. Highlanders rule.

Pros & Cons

... of a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch

Andrew pro: My first reaction on Sunday afternoon was "well at least the Kiwis game will be entertaining and not one-sided" and I wasn't wrong, thankfully. But as the days went by I felt a little cheated. Cheated by the revelation that Pacquiao had a dodgy shoulder as the inevitable internet theorists started posting about incorrectly filled out score cards and who sat in which coloured corner in the ring. Cheated by the fact that Mayweather doesn't put on a show, rather a clinic and cheated by the fact that Jamie Foxx ruined one of the great national anthems. I thought that there's no way Mayweather would risk another fight with a power puncher like Pacquiao if he's 100 per cent. But when I saw the Las Vegas cash cow flash his US$100 million cheque to the Sportscentre hosts after the bout it became apparent Floyd can't resist that; the pay cheque. Pacquiao has the blueprint and the experience of seeing Mayweather up close.

Manny Pacquiao failed to shoulder the burden in the ring. Photo / AP

Mark con: Have they not done enough harm already? This was the bout I thought would save boxing. The heavyweight division is dross and nearly non-existent right now, perhaps until our lad Joseph Parker can get to the title fight. At the moment, however, he fights talked-up chumps. This was the fight that was meant to really mean something. This was the fight that was meant to tell us who was the best pound-for-pound boxer ever. This was the fight that was meant to reward those who had dabbled a little into the world of pay per view. In reality, people probably got their money's worth because they got what was always on the cards. They got Floyd Mayweather's excellent defensive game out-boxing Manny's slightly more aggressive approach. Can't we just leave it at that? But no, once again we have controversy, excuses and denial. Was Manny really hurt, did he disclose it, would it have made a difference, and is it all just a planned strategy to start hyping up the rematch so more shady figures can make more bucks? This was boxing's chance to look "real" but it failed and I won't let myself be sucked in again. No rematch.