It has occurred to me recently how valueless most sports opinion is and how cynically we abuse it. All we do is shape arguments to fit our prejudices, even in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence.
For example, in the burgeoning Dan Carter v Beauden Barrett for All Black No 10 debate, you'll hear or read Carterites trumpeting his "game management" skills knowing that the fluid nature of rugby means they can never be proved wrong. Meanwhile, Beaudenians point to his dynamic game-breaking ability (which, ironically, Carterites use as fuel to suggest those abilities are best employed from the bench) and gloss over his bad haircuts and wobbly goalkicking.
Even numbers, which shouldn't lie, are moulded to suit pre-determined arguments, but this column will try to avoid such shenanigans and present you with these 2015 Super Rugby numbers (and, yes, we know Carter played a lot at No 12).
Carter Mins played 985 Metres gained 444 Defenders beaten17 Tries/ assists 3/3 Tackle success 82.4% Kicking success78.9%
Barrett Mins played 772 Metres gained 702 Defenders beaten 27 Tries/ assists 3/2 Tackle success 88.1% Kicking success67.3%
Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks is tackled by Dan Carter during the New Zealand All Blacks training session at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
The conclusion: If you're Steve Hansen, you can't really go wrong. Barrett is going to gain you more on the ground and take the line on a little more aggressively, but Carter is going to give you less conniptions from the kicking tee. Any other country in the world would be grateful for the choice.
GIVE 'EM A TASTE OF KIWI...
Each week we'll delve into nostalgia, with a clip of a Kiwi making it big, or not so big. To mark the passing of magnificent thoroughbred Bonecrusher, here's a great, largely unsung performance from a New Zealand horse in Australia. It's Rough Habit winning the 1992 Stradbroke against a high-class field at Eagle Farm. At the top of the straight, the gelding with pretty ordinary breeding and, let's be honest, far from movie-star looks, is nowhere to be seen. What follows is one of the great weaving runs in Australasian equine history. Rough Habit was a legend of NZ racing and an absolute superstar in Queensland, where there is a bar named after him. This is one of many reasons why.
SPORTS STOCKMARKET
I'm buying... Joseph Parker
His hand speed is among the best in the heavyweight division and his ability to throw combinations rare for a big man.
His power is improving - coach Kevin Barry called it "world class" and "shocking" following his demolition of Yakup Saglam in Palmerston North. The good folk of the shire took him under his wing last week and the reception he received as he walked to the Arena Manawatu ring was the loudest of his career.
If Wladimir Klitschko retires in next two years it will open up all sorts of possibilities in terms of title fights and Parker is well poised to take advantage.
Joseph Parker and Yakup Saglam during their bout on June 13, 2015 at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North, New Zealand. (Photo by Mike Heydon/Getty Images)
I'm selling... Mitchell McClenaghan
It is not that big a stretch to suggest the left-arm quick is playing with his ODI career on the line.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a whirlwind start to his career in 2013, taking wickets for fun and looking to the manner born. But 2015 has been unkind, including the fact he played just one game during New Zealand's World Cup run.
When he plays he's still chipping away with wickets - 14 this year at about 1.5 per game, which is fine - but batsmen are targeting him for treatment and he has been unable to staunch the bleeding.
His 76 overs in 2015 have gone at 6.78 runs per over and that sort of return is going to put your batsmen under a lot of pressure.
Yes, one-day cricket is a batsman's game at the moment and wickets are seen as the best ways to keep a run rate in check, but the pacemen are going to have to find ways to keep the batsmen in check or they will be quickly seen as a luxury you cannot afford.
MY LAST $10 Every week I will make one $10 bet. The goal is to get to December 31 with more money than I would have had if I had put it in the bank.
This week: $10 on Golden State Warriors to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers head-to-head in Game 6 of the NBA finals at $1.50. LeBron James has put together an epic string of performances but when one of your key teammates is Matthew Dellavedova, you're in trouble.
Last week: n/a Spent: $10 Collected: $0
OVER TO YOU This is your chance to highlight a terrific grassroots sports performance, promote an upcoming sports reunion, or just send me crazy ideas. It's also not a bad spot for giveaways, if you're that way inclined. Email me at dylan.cleaver@nzherald.co.nz. I might not respond to your mail, but I will read it.
