Who Wants The Smoke?
Welly Nix Women won, Warriors release a couple fringe lads, Super Smash notebook, Black Sticks World Cup joy, Angry Steven Adams & Auckland Tuatara are playoff bound
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Reading Menu
Kiwi Steve in the NBA #5: A Legacy of Clutch Buckets (Basketball)
2023 Women's T20 World Cup: White Ferns Squad Breakdown (Cricket)
Mid-Season Canterbury Wahine Deep Dive (Cricket)
Football Ferns vs USA: Record Crowds & Brewing Hype (Football)
What To Expect From Aotearoa Warriors Coach Andrew Webster (Rugby League)
Scotty’s Word
Last Friday news came through that NZ Warriors were releasing Taniela Otukolo and Kina Kepu. For those deep in the Warriors mangroves, this was a weird decision as both are local juniors who had endured the pandemic phase and seemed on track to push for more NRL minutes this season. Hence this falls snug into those easy regular Warriors yarns about losing local juniors and mediocre development, especially as they were part of the 2020 SG Ball team.
Move past those easy Warriors storylines though and this move isn't as dramatic as it may seem. Otukolo was behind Wayde Egan and Freddie Lussick as specialist hookers. Otukolo made his debut during the 2021 season, Warriors then snapped up Lussick along with halfback Ronald Volkman from Roosters mid-season last year. With the benefit of hindsight, Otukolo's quick promotion through the Warriors ranks and then struggling to find a consistent groove seems like a clear indicator of the chaos Warriors endured during that phase: stunted development pathways, coaching/staff turnover muddling talent assessment.
Kina now splits with twin brother Valingi after they impressed with Redcliffe-Warriors. While they could have worked their way into NRL game time as efficient middle-mahi lads, both were behind Tom Ale in this pocket. Ale sits is on the fringe of top-17 selection, so the most realistic scenario was that one Kepu twin was going to get game time. Kina probably got an offer for more game time. It’s also weird to compete for game time with your twin bro.
This news popped up just after dropping some Andrew McFadden seeds in the Friday newsletter. This may be a win-now move from McFadden and coach Andrew Webster as the extra roster spots could be filled with more experienced NRL players. Rocking with more local juniors isn't a win-now move, but McFadden may also be chuffed with how young forwards Zyon Maiu'u, Demitric Sifakula and Jacob Laban are tracking in summer training.
Win-now moves and/or promoting other local juniors set the scene for this year. Now we wait to see what comes of these departures. The timing is especially funky. McFadden/Webster have observed a few months of summer training and can now gauge talent/fit. Stay tuned.
Black Sticks lads had a fabulous victory over India at the World Cup, knocking the host nation out and moving into a quarter-final against Belgium. The kiwis were always chasing India and clawed their way back to 3-3 before winning an epic shootout thanks to goalie Leon Hayward. Hayward didn't play during the game as Dom Dixon handled that mahi and made a bunch of quality saves, before Hayward was injected for the shootout.
Having lost to Malaysia, defeating India in India was a delightful start to the week. As noted in all Black Sticks World Cup yarns, Aotearoa lost both their Pro League games to India late last year - also in India. The youngsters continue to impress with Sean Findlay and Hayden Phillips playing creative midfield roles, while Sam Lane is a constant threat in attack. Simon Yorston and Charlie Morrison look kinda comfy in defensive spots around veterans Blair Tarrant, Kane Russell and Dane Lett.
Previous Black Sticks teams have had multiple top-notch attacking players and this outfit is extra fun because of how attacking movements revolve around Simon Child. Child's play-making outside the circle was on display once again vs India and as Aotearoa chased goals, Child stayed in the circle to receive passes and shoot. Child also dragged-out for attacking penalty corners and sat on the post in defensive penalty corners; he's got the quickest drag and best hand-eye coordination.
Belgium are an elite hockey team. Football Ferns lose to USWNT because USA is the best team in the world. Black Sticks men probably won't defeat Netherlands, Belgium, Australia etc. Coach Greg Nicol has already shown some funky tactics against Netherlands. Hearty kiwi mahi combined with quirky tactics could give Aotearoa a chance against Belgium.
Super Smash/domestic cricket notes (prior to Monday games)...
Kate Ebrahim's last 10 games: 68*, 20, 37, 52, 40, 45*, - , 16, 26, 81.
Natalie Dodd's last 10 games: 6, 5, 37, 5, 4, 60, 78*, 29, 59, 83.
Two current White Ferns are in the top-10 for Super Smash batters (Bates, A-Kerr)
One current White Fern is in top-10 for Super Smash bowlers (J-Kerr)
Super Smash Most Runs
Suzie Bates: 293 runs @ 73.25avg/128.5sr
Natalie Dodd: 272 runs @ 45.33avg/111.47sr
Amelia Kerr: 244 runs @ 48.8avg/121.39sr
Amy Satterthwaite: 224 runs @ 112avg/118.51sr
Kate Ebrahim: 216 runs @ 43.2avg/104.34sr
Super Smash Most Wickets
Leigh Kasperek: 10w @ 12.7avg/5.77rpo
Gabby Sullivan: 10w @ 14avg/6rpo
Jess Kerr: 10w @ 14.5avg/5.57rpo
Missy Banks 10w @ 15.3avg/6.95rpo
Amy Satterthwaite: 9w @ 16.6avg/6.52rpo
Kyle Jamieson's return to cricket...
SS vs Wellington: 1w @ 4.5rpo, 12* @ 109sr
SS vs Northern: 1w @ 6.5rpo, 45* @ 125sr
Ajaz Patel's return from Pakistan...
SS vs Auckland: 3ov @ 6.66rpo
FT vs Northern: 1w @ 5.1rpo
SS vs Otago: 3ov @ 9rpo, 3 runs @ 60sr
Will Young's return from Pakistan...
SS vs Auckland: 67 runs @ 248.14sr
FT vs Northern: 17* @ 283.33sr
SS vs Otago: 25 runs @ 113.63sr
Neil Wagner's return from Pakistan...
FT vs Central: 0 runs, 5ov @ 8.8rpo
SS vs Auckland: 3w @ 6.5rpo
Super Smash Most Runs
Dean Foxcroft: 290 runs @ 48.33avg/121.84sr
Josh Clarkson: 183 runs @ 45.75avg/194.68sr
Cole Briggs: 180 run @ 25.71av/127.65sr
Chad Bowes: 169 runs @ 42.25avg/155sr
Rob O'Donnell: 167 runs @ 23.85avg/128.46sr
Super Smash Most Wickets
Michael Rae: 12 @ 9.91avg/7.51rpo
Ray Toole: 11w @ 19.18avg/10rpo
Jayden Lennox: 10w @ 16.7avg/7.59rpo
Dean Foxcroft: 9w @ 12.44avg/5.89rpo
Brett Hampton: 8w @ 9.12avg/7.55rpo
Musical jam…
Wildcard’s Notebook
Now that was a weekend of kiwi sports. We’ll ignore the Blackcaps but there were some excellent Super Smash things going on and the U19 women continue to look sharp at their T20 World Cup in South Africa, going through to the second round whilst losing just one wicket in three matches (they lost six in their subsequent game but still got a comfortable enough win over Rwanda).
There was a solid win for Joseph Parker in his latest boxing outing. Can’t say I paid much attention to the Rugby Sevens but that was on in Hamilton too. Chuck in some Men’s Hockey World Cup antics. Steven Adams had an eventful weekend trying to fight Shannon Sharpe (good job, he woulda rocked the bugger too) amidst another plethora of rebounds. The Breakers had a brilliant win away to the top-of-the-table Sydney Kings to steady things during a tricky spell.
And then we’ve got the football...
Football Ferns vs USA in Auckland broke another attendance record
Wellington Phoenix Wahine won their first game of the season in stunning style
Wellington Phoenix Blokes made it three dubs in a row, with Alex Rufer scoring his first ALM goal
Hannah Wilkinson scored the winner for Melbourne City, her second goal in two weeks
The Men’s U17s squeezed into the Oceania Championships semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Vanuatu
Chris Wood sealed his transfer to Nottingham Forest (and has already made his starting debut)
Plenty more Flying Kiwis glory, including another fine WSL performance from Anna Leat
Auckland City continue their preparation for the Club World Cup in less than two weeks
Not sure how any jerry is supposed to cover all of that sporting glory but mate what a time to be alive.
The Welly Nix Women’s result was the big shocker there. Imagine scoring three goals in your first eight games and losing all but one (a 1-1 draw, unable to hold their half-time lead)... then you just randomly whip out a 5-0 victory looking like an absolute attacking juggernaut.
I wrote heavily about them last week, great timing there on my part, and I did mention in there that it felt like the loss in Perth was the best they’d looked in attack for weeks (their best stats all came in the first game but that was a 4-1 loss whereas this time they had a strong defensive showing too... after the first 15 mins when they were already 2-0, that is).
It started that day with Chloe Knott. Her midfield efforts had been kinda average so far, way too sloppy with her passing and that incredible engine of hers became a problem as she’d track for miles when actually what the team needed was for her to hold her position. Well, Knotty was superb in that second half against Perth. Not sure what clicked but something must have. Maybe a mental thing? Suddenly she was moving the ball with purpose and intensity which lifted those around her and then from a more structured base was able to wreak havoc stepping up and winning second-phase ball.
Against Canberra United, she did the same thing but with Betsy Hassett ahead of her operating for the first time in the ten role. Hassett’s technical prowess made her an obvious eight for this team however Grace Wisnewski’s strong return from injury and Knott’s levelling-up has changed that. I was surprised to see Hassett higher up instead of Knott but can’t fault it. In hindsight Nat Lawrence got that one spot on.
Hassett was remarkably good, playing with real freedom and giving the team someone who can hold the ball under pressure in the other half. That allowed more time in possession. In turn that meant the fullbacks could get nice and high, especially Michaela Foster who set the tone for this game with some sharp touches and delicious crossing from both open play and set pieces.
Then there’s Milly Clegg. The best striker prospect that Aotearoa has produced for at least a generation and in the last couple of weeks she’s begun to settle into the ALW playing mostly as a runner on the right wing. Same gig again here and she was brilliant. Clegg’s goal-scoring is what got folks excited at last year’s youth World Cups but she did also set up the winner in the Kate Sheppard Cup final and some of her passing here was magical.
Like, a 17 year old should not be doing this. Not popping up to score the opening goal. Not dribbling past defenders. Not threading beautiful passes. Not running in behind herself. She wasn’t the best player on the park in this game, that honour goes to the legend Betsy Hassett... but when you look at all the tools that Milly Clegg has in her toolkit already at this age it’s hard not to get fizzed for the future. Particularly when pondering a national team that has been desperate for a player of her profile for a long time. But you know what? I’ll be writing more about Milly Clegg later this week so enough of that for now. Can’t burn through all my good ideas at once.
Here’s Steven Adams doing something very rare and losing his cool, in case you didn’t see it, yapping at Shannon Sharpe who was acting a pest on the sideline (a legendary NFL player, now one of those wind-’em-up-and-let-’em-go sports talk shock jocks)...
The funniest part was that right before Sharpe was inexplicably allowed back to his seat for the second half (presumably because he’s famous?) he offered a pull quote to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin who was working the game in which he basically did the whole “Ja Morant doesn’t want the smoke, Dillon Brooks doesn’t want the smoke, Desmond Bane doesn’t want the smoke” yarn... very conspicuously leaving Steven Adams’ name off the list.
By the way, these are Steven Adams’ total rebound numbers starting with Xmas day:
14, 9, 17, 21, 23, 15, 6, 15, 18, 9, 9, 10, 17, 16
During the month of January alone (which starts with the 23 game), he is averaging 10.6 points, 13, 6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 blocks, and shooting 64.5% from the field (and 41.7% from free throws which sucks but is an improvement on his overall season efforts). He has multiple assists in his last seven consecutive games. And he’s doing all that only averaging 28.1 minutes per game which... yeah tbh they need to be making more of an effort to get him heavier into those rotations.
And another sporting achievement from the weekend: The Auckland Tuatara clinched a spot in the ABL playoffs. It’s the second time in their three seasons that they’ve made the postseason, although they did duck out for two years due to covid (this is their first campaign back).
The Tuatara barely snuck in by the skin of their teeth. Losing their last game 3-1 to Brisbane Bandits meant that the Canberra Cavalry would have gone ahead with a win over Sydney Blue Sox... but rain meant that game was a washout and being the last day of the regular season they couldn’t reschedule it. Half a win was awarded to each team per league rules and that meant that the Tuatara crept into the semis with a 17-17 record, a 50% winning rate compared to Canberra’s 49.3% (18.5-19).
As if that’s not wild enough, the only reason they were even in that position was a remarkable comeback win over Brisbane the day before. They were playing a seven innings game (they seem to do either sevens or the usual nines in the ABL, I assume in this case it was to save time as it was a double-header) and it was tied at 2-2 after the regulars. A few more scoreless extra frames followed before things got messy.
There’s a tiebreaker rule in place where from the tenth innings onwards you start with men already on first and second base. So that’s what the Bandits did and Tuatara relief pitcher Elliot Johnstone walked the first bloke before the next fella, TJ Bennett, slugged a grand slam home run. Dai-Kang Yang then smacked a homer from the next at-bat too. All of a sudden it was a 7-2 game. At least Johnston did fight back to strike out the following hitter before a pop up and fly ball took care of the rest of the innings.
Bottom of the tenth then, five runs down. Two men on base automatically. Jason Matthews lines out to the shortstop. Damn. Jack Barrie then singles to left field to load the bases... but Robert Emery pops up to second and the Tuatara are down to their final out still trailing by five. In fact they were soon down to their final strike... when Jax Biggers (great name) powered one over the right field boundary for a grand slammer of his own. Back within one run... and the very next ball is sent outta the park by Keyber Rodriguez.
Scores tied so we went to the eleventh where Brisbane were able to score on a sacrifice fly, however a defensive error in the bottom of the frame allowed the Tuatara to tie it up before Wyatt Hoffman snuck through for the winning run on a Jason Matthews sac-fly (in non baseball terms, that means he was out but the runner on third was able to sneak in between the catch and the throw to home – it also doesn’t count as an out for the hitter’s stats, although it does for the team in that innings of course, hence the sacrifice).
The Tuatara then lost the second game of that double-header but to be fair Brisbane have the best record in the league this season and the one they did win from them that series has put them into the semis.
This means they play the Adelaide Giants in the semis. Still awaiting the schedule of that at the time of writing, though know that it’ll be a best of three with the Tuatara hosting game one and Adelaide, as the higher seed, getting both games two and three. Brisbane Bandits face Perth Heat in the other semi. The winners will face off over three games in the finals with the two home games going to the higher seed (which will be the other team if the Tuatara advance, given they’ve got the worst record of the four qualifiers).
Can’t say I’ve been able to follow the Tuatara too very closely this season but I will try tune in for the finals series. A few notable players...
Keyber Rodriguez leads the team in hits with 32 of the fellas, that’s at a .265 average and a very decent .434 slugging percentage. Rodriguez is one of three blokes to have hit five home runs along with Jason Matthews and Matt Feinstein. First baseman Jack Barrie leads way with six homers though. And definitely gotta shout out second baseman Tzu-Wei Lin who has missed a few games compared to others but has hit at a .337 average, .554 slugging, and .446 on-base percentage. Those rates are first, first, and second on the team respectively. Of those fellas, Lin is Taiwanese and Biggers and Feinstein are American. Barrie and Matthews are NZers.
As for the pitchers, Japanese starter Toru Murata got through the most innings (43.0) and his 36 strikeouts were also a team high, plus his earned run average of 3.35 was the best of all the Tuatara pitchers to start three or more games. Relief pitcher Oscar Nakaoshi had a wicked 25 strikeouts in only 20.1 innings pitched. Then closer Jason Blanchard (with four saves) delivered some bangers with only one earned run against his name in 21 innings of work. ERA of 0.43. Both Nakaoshi (Japan) and Blanchard (USA) are lefties.
NZ’s top minor league prospect, Kyle Glogoski (recently traded from the Phillies system to the Reds system) popped by for a couple of appearances earlier in the season during which he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings. But we shan’t see him in the finals as he ducked back to the States as soon as he was scooped up by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 Draft. Wrote a bit about that in a previous email back when it happened.