All Blacks pair stun with the bat to beat ex-international cricketers at their own game
Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read and current All Black flyer Will Jordan put in an impressive batting performance to led Team Rugby to a victory over Team Cricket in New Zealand's annual Blackclash fixture.
Team Cricket featured a number of ex-New Zealand international cricketers including legendary pace bowler Shane Bond, Kyle Mills, Stephen Fleming, Jacob Oram and Adam Parore.
The former Black Caps looked to have the job half done after posting 203 in their 20 overs after a late flurry from Jacob Oram (23 off 8 balls) and key innings from former wicketkeeper BJ Watling and Grant Elliot.
But the opening batting pair of Read and Jordan blazed the path to victory with an opening partnership of 100. The former All Black Number 8 smashed 84 from 55 balls including a key over against Shane Bond where he hit the fast bowler for consecutive fours and a six.
Will Jordan, who impressed last year with his batting, did more of the same hitting another half century with 63 from 37 including a number of sixes.
Read was caught out with the scores tied but up stepped Jordie Barrett who hit the winning runs from his first ball.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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