France players celebrate their first win over the All Blacks in 15 attempts. Photo / AP
France players celebrate their first win over the All Blacks in 15 attempts. Photo / AP
OPINION:
Sport's latest winners and losers, including how the All Blacks standards have plummeted.
LOSERS: China et al.
Who would you trust most - the Chinese Government or the IOC? It's a close call.
It was always going to be interesting, observing how the Olympic Committee dealt with the concerningsituation involving Peng Shuai, among China's best ever tennis players.
Since tennis is an Olympic sport, the IOC is duty bound to act somehow, with Peng appearing to have disappeared - and certainly digitally - after accusing a top Government man of sexual assault.
But the IOC loves money, and China is worth a heap.
China's Peng Shuai serves to France's Caroline Garcia during their French Open second-round match at Roland Garros in May, 2018. Photo / AP
Leaping to Peng's aid, IOC boss Thomas Bach phoned Peng in recent days to see how she was.
All's well that ends well, and Peng informed him that she's good as gold. Phew. And we were all so worried there for a moment.
It didn't seem so long ago that it was all doom and gloom for the flamboyant French.
Which shows how quickly things can be turned around. Their rugby was sensational against the All Blacks, being both physical and, by modern standards, adventurous. The only shame is that the incredible counterattack launched by Romain Ntamack did not result in a try.
France's Romain Ntamack scores a try despite the attempts of Jordie Barrett and Sam Whitelock. INPHO/James Crombie
WINNER: Shane van Gisbergen
New Zealand's dominance of Supercars is in safe hands - not to mention a re-built shoulder - after van Gisbergen claimed the first title in the post-Scott McLaughlin era.
Van Gisbergen's title run included a brilliant performance in the second round of the series, competing despite excruciating pain from injuries received in a cycling accident. His shoulder was so bad that it will, in his words "never be the same again".
One of the things which separates top sportspeople from the rest is the ability to deal with pain (think Richie McCaw playing with a broken foot in the 2011 World Cup final).
I feel that Supercars is still trying to emerge from the McLaughlin shadow. But van Gisbergen - who first won the title in 2016 - is another brilliant Kiwi motor champ. New Zealand has punched above its weight in that wide genre for a long time.
LOSERS: Manchester United
Speaking of large shadows… Manchester United had become a failure before Sir Alex Ferguson arrived, and they have returned to that status since his long and incredible reign as manager ended.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the latest United boss to get the boot in short order, and he almost certainly won't be the last.
LOSERS: All Blacks
Yes, as emailers have pointed out to me, the All Blacks do lose. It's not a crime. But their standards have plummeted and they are being physically intimidated.
WINNERS: The Scott Robertson fans
They were right. The Crusaders champion should have got the All Blacks coaching job, although I thought chasing the tried and tested Jamie Joseph/Tony Brown combo would have been the smartest move.
Joseph and Brown's work with Japan's World Cup campaign was absolutely exceptional, and they are an established partnership.
LOSERS: The Black Ferns
Another test loss, against France, for the national team. The women's game is becoming more strategic and professional and New Zealand is struggling to keep up it seems.
LOSERS: Black Caps
India's wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, left, celebrates after the run-out of New Zealand's Mitchell Santner. Photo / AP
Does anybody really care about a hit and giggle series in India? T20 cricket isn't actually real cricket IMO.
As the great Aussie captain Ian Chappell said in a CricInfo column, T20 needs to find a better balance between sport and entertainment. At the moment, tactical contests are being obliterated by an endless parade of swinging bats.
The big problem, I would contend, is that wickets will never be prized enough when you have 11 batters available in a 20 over contest.
Off the top of my head, perhaps T20 cricket might look at American Football, which has offensive and defensive units. T20 could have a number of players who can only bowl.
Anyway, the real stuff starts this week, when Kane Williamson's brave lads - oh that's right, his world champions - go up against India's amazing home record in test cricket.
England put a little ding in that record this year with a first test victory, before being annihilated in the series. New Zealand will be spared dealing with the rested pace aces Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
But it's all about spin in India, and the Kiwi batsmen won't have any MIQ-type concerns - they can expect plenty of close fielders for company in the two tests.
