Latest from Best of Sport Analysis

Richard Loe: Top stars loaded on the bench

I can only wonder, given the New Zealand team's selections for this round, who is singing off which hymn sheet.

Rugby: Hard times for Victorian rugby

Wynne Gray: Good time to be a Lion in Melbourne

The Lions led the back page in Melbourne, big headlines, too: "It's a miracle: Lions back from the dead."

Chris Rattue: McCaw x-factor a must to get team on track

Richie McCaw - your country still needs you, writes Chris Rattue. I've long believed that the great one has covered up fairly serious deficiencies in New Zealand rugby and the series against France has done nothing to dispel the theory.

Wynne Gray: Australian injuries aside, well drilled Lions had edge

We hear the truths in rugby and sometimes do not want to believe them. Especially if you are a Wallaby.

Mark Richardson: Finding opener and No 6 is Black Caps' priority

Paul Lewis: The Mal-icious media to blame

At last we know the answer. It hasn't been the rugby league players getting in trouble for booze, violence and sexual offences. It's all down to the media ...

Sean Fitzpatrick: Junior result a major wake up call

It's been a worthwhile series against the French but I still have a worry nagging away at me about the development of our players.

Richard Loe: Hooker Coles cuts the mustard

Chris Rattue: Sky TV deserves a giant kick up the butt

The new soccer deal making every match in the English Premier League available online - live and on demand - is an absolute winner in my book, writes Chris Rattue.

Wynne Gray: Rugby, you mean the State of Origin league bash, mate?

Wynne Gray arrives in Brisbane for the first Lions test where the State of Origin is the talk of the city.

Wynne Gray: Nonu's finesse owes much to skills coach

Be honest, how often would you associate deft touches with Ma'a Nonu's rugby gamut?

Wynne Gray: ABs repay try from world's end

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre is now absorbing the pain he inflicted on the All Blacks 19 years ago.

Chris Rattue: Wizards have more up their sleeves

Chris Rattue writes, "Taranaki could turn into a byword for a rugby disaster. A 40 or 50-point job is in the offing."

Paul Lewis: Sportsmanship lost at sea

Mark Richardson: One-day game blossoming thanks to clever planning

Last week I said that while the Black Caps ODI team looks formidable, the acid test will come when they reach the must-win games. Tonight's match against England could prove to be the first of those.

Richard Loe: Entire All Black squad lift in tempo

Improvement across the board was demanded after the first test and it was delivered last night.

Chris Rattue: Baby Blues match against French team a $40 rip off

It's wonderful to hear that members of the Baby Blues used the French game to work on their pick and go, or whatever.