Supershorts: Blame it on Rio

A streaker runs onto the field during game three of the ARL State of Origin series. Photo / Getty Images

Manchester United defender and prolific tweeter Rio Ferdinand was in the ANZ Stadium crowd for Wednesday night's State of Origin III. Here's his take on the game's only real talking point: "Quality game of rugby! The streaker needs to work on his tan though! Security footwork questionable! 5k fine for streaking #deterrent !"

Southern man

So Jesse Ryder is packing up his coffin and moving south. Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, said Otago appealed as a new home: "It just feels right. The Otago environment feels like the logical place for Jesse to go." Or as a Wellington-based man of wireless fame told Supershorts: "Ryder off to the home of the scarfies. This will end well."

Shutting up shop

Having said that, with the Captain Cook Tavern following the Garden Tavern, or Gardies, into retirement, things aren't quite the same down there any more.

Broad shoulders

A nice Twitter exchange between England cricketer Stuart Broad and a follower. "Glorious day for our Team England golf at The Grove. Got buggies ...," Broad tweeted. To which a follower replied, "so you're not going to walk?"

Broad shoulders II

Speaking of Broad and social media, the "Stuart broad is a s*** bloke" Facebook page got a nice boost this week. At last count it had 63,130 likes and climbing.

Petrolhead shout-out

A New Zealander is to be inducted into a Hall of Fame next week, but chances are you haven't heard of him. John Godfrey, 58, will take his place in the High Banks Racing Hall of Fame (migdet/open wheel motorsport) in Belleville, Kansas. Godfrey moved to the United States in 1986 where he started the Stealth Chassis Co and later the Spike Chassis Co. He has been the dominant chassis supplier to the big winners in midget and sprint car racing in the US, as well as building winning TQs, mini-sprints and motorbikes.