Dein erstes Forum » postponed by snow.Seven months later, on N

Yes I know numerous New Zealand rugby supporters take delight in ridiculing their Australian counterparts... and it can be so mind numbing.The Kiwi baiting has continued for some time, leading to a rugby inferiority complex this side of the Tasman; not surprising considering Australia has not sighted the Bledisloe Cup for 14 seasons.Painful as it is to admit, Australia still must give thanks to New Zealand this season for at least making the revamped Super Rugby tournament watchable, enjoyable at times.We even should not quibble if any of the New Zealand teams which have made the Super Rugby quarterfinals go on to win the title. It would be the right outcome, because the New Zealand conference has quality wise been by far the best of the four.For those who follow the Australian provinces, this seasons competition has been a tough ride.If just working out the logistics of a flawed and lopsided tournament format was bewildering enough, adding to the confusion was the dismal form of those in the Australian conference.A once confident, exuberant brand of rugby has become hesitant, lacking in intelligence and relying more on hope than instinct, to the extent that the winner of the Australian conference- the Brumbies- stumbled instead of marched their way into the finals.The Brumbies, while industrious, are not the team of enlightenment they once were. Solid rather than spectacular. Cautious rather than creative. They survive another week, but are spluttering. Even the benefit of hosting a final in Canberra on Friday night is not likely to be enough of an advantage against a special Highlanders outfit who could easily successfully defend their title.The figureheads of Australian Rugby- such as national coach Michael Cheika are making the necessary rallying the troops messages at the moment by arguing that it is not all doom and gloom. It is still impossible to avoid the fact that the fodder provided by the five Australian provinces over the past few months has often been dire.In a season where two of the provincial coaches- Richard Graham and Michael Foley- were replaced during the season and the Australian Rugby Union had to prop up several financially struggling provinces- its hardly startling that Australian teams have sometimes appeared distracted.With the talent spread too thinly across the five Australian provinces, it has led to numerous substandard matches, and late in the season when injuries took its toll, round 16 turned nightmarish when Australian teams were roundly humiliated by New Zealand sides in all four encounters- losing by a collective 140 points.The last round was a little more encouraging, with Rebels backrower Sean McMahon enlivening the match against the Reds by showing what actually can happen if someone has the courage to takes risks and the Waratahs pack providing some menace against the Blues.But this was countered by constant elementary errors in either game and that the Waratahs over the final two rounds badly wasted their opportunity to make the finals through poor finishing and average options.In another disconcerting sign for Australian Rugby, just two years after winning the Super Rugby title, the Waratahs have collapsed to tenth spot.Thankfully we have been able to watch the New Zealand local derbies to revive our faith in rugby, and remind us that when played properly, it can still enlighten and invigorate.Unlike the Australian conference, where the low skill level and predictable coaching methods were often exposed, the New Zealand matches have constantly been of the highest standard because the players are willing to trust their own abilities.Their skill set and level of fitness is exceptional, leading to a succession of high intensity games played at a frenetic rate, often with virtually no interruption. More often than not when under pressure they do not make mistakes. They instead lift.New Zealand coaches also trust their players to allow them to try something different and seize the moment, which has prompted numerous memorable individual performances.With this has come a constant stream of standout games- as good as anything witnessed at the top level in recent times. It doesnt get much better than what the Highlanders and Chiefs offered in Dunedin on Saturday night, which involved endless highlights, in particular the home team winger Waisake Naholos leap of faith that enabled him to score one of the best tries of the season.This followed a mighty performance by the Hurricanes in Christchurch, where through the ingenuity of such vast talents as their All Black five-eighth Beauden Barrett they succeeded in a bonus-point triumph over the Crusaders that saw them unexpectedly finish on top of the ladder.And so four New Zealand teams are in the finals to Australias paltry one.Even though a competition structure, which is stacked in favour of the South African conference, makes it difficult for the Crusaders and Chiefs to continue on as they are respectively off to Johannesburg and Cape Town for their finals match, they should never be under-estimated. Its again about faith. 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The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies.CLEVELAND -- The Latest on Game 6 of the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians (all times local):11:40 p.m.The Chicago Cubs have closed out a 9-3 victory over the Indians to force the World Series to Game 7 on Wednesday night in Cleveland.---11:30 p.m.With the Cubs leading 9-2, closer Aroldis Chapman has been removed after issuing a leadoff walk in the ninth inning. He got four outs and threw 20 pitches.The hard-throwing lefty has fired 62 pitches in the past three days. In Game 5 on Sunday night, he entered in the seventh inning for the first time since 2012 and pitched a career-high 2 2/3 innings to close out a 3-2 victory. In that one, Chapman fired 15 of his 42 pitches at 100 mph or faster.---11:20 p.m.Anthony Rizzos two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning has extended Chicagos lead to 9-2. Rizzo has three hits and teammate Kris Bryant has four.---11:15 p.m.Aroldis Chapman has worked a scoreless eighth inning to preserve Chicagos 7-2 lead. He got pinch-hitter Yan Gomes to ground into an inning-ending double play with the help of a difficult turn by slick-fielding second baseman Javier Baez.Looking ahead to a potential Game 7 on Wednesday night, that could be crucial for the Cubs because it limited the number of pitches Chapman needed to throw.---11:05 p.m.Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman has entered in the seventh inning for the second consecutive game. Before that, he hadnt been summoned so early since 2012.With his team leading 7-2, Chicago manager Joe Maddon brought in Chapman with two runners on and two outs. The hard-throwing lefty got Francisco Lindor to hit a bouncer to first and raced to cover the bag.Lindor initially was called safe on a close play, but the ruling was overturned after a replay review. Chapman came up limping a bit, but appeared to be OK and smiled as he playfully tossed the ball to Lindor.---10:35 p.m.Jake Arrieta has done his part to force a Game 7.The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine with three walks as the Chicago Cubs took a 7-2 lead over Cleveland into the seventh inning of Game 6.Arrieta gave up an RBI single to Mike Napoli in the third and a solo home run to Jason Kipnis in the fifth. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner also wriggled out of a jam in the fourth when he struck out Tyler Naquin with the bases loaded.Kipnis went 3 for 5 against Arrieta in his two World Series starts. The rest of the Indians were 2 for 34.---10:05 p.m.Jason Kipnis is doing what he can to bring the Cleveland Indians back.The All-Star second baseman hit his second home run of the World Series in the fifth inning against Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, pulling the Indians to 7-2. Kipnis doubled and scored in the third for Clevelands first run, and his shot over the wall in left gave Progressive Field a jolt.Still, the Indians have their work cut out. Arrieta went 15-0 in the regular season when given at least six runs of support.---9:55 p.m.LeBron James and his teammates on the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers have arrived at the ballpark and are sitting in a suite. They played a 6 p.m. game at Quicken Loans Arena just across the plaza, beating the Rockets 128-120.If they win it, weve got to come back and win it again, too, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said about the Indians.---9:40 p.m.The Indians are on the board but still trail 7-1.Jason Kipnis doubled off the left-center wall leading off the fourth inning for Clevelands first hit against Jake Arrieta. One out later, Kipnis scored on Mike Napolis single.Cleveland had a chance for more, but right fielder Jason Heyward made a tough catch to rob Jose Ramirez of a hit, and Arrieta struck out rookie Tyler Naquin with the bases loaded to end the inning.---9:15 p.m.Addison Russell is having himself a night in Game 6.The 22-year-old shortstop has six RBI through three innings, including a grand slam off Cleveland reliever Dan Otero that gave the Chicago Cubs a commanding 7-0 lead.The six RBI for Russell have tied the record for a World Series game.Aided by an Indians misplay in the outfield, Russell hit a two-run double off starter Josh Tomlin in the first to help the Cubs jump in front 3-0. Russell then drove Oteros third pitch to center field for the first World Series grand slam since Paul Konerko connected for the Chicago White Sox in 2005 (Game 2).It was the first grand slam by a Cubs player in the World Series and the first given up by an Indians pitcher.Mickey Mantle was the only player younger than Russell to hit a grand slam in the World Series.The Cubs are looking to become the first team since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates to rally from a 3-1 Series deficit by winning the final two games on the road.---8:55 p.m.Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta is cruising so far.Staked to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, Arrieta has struck out four and allowed just a walk to Francisco Lindor through two innings as Chicago tries to force a Game 7.Arrieta received the best run support of any National League pitcher this season. The Cubs averaged 6.8 runs during his 31 starts. When they scored at least three, Arrieta was 18-4.---8:20 p.m.The Cubs wasted little time getting to Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin.Chicago touched up Tomlin for three runs in the first inning, all with two outs. Kris Bryant hit a 433-foot homer to left field, putting Chicago up 1-0. It was the first home run off Tomlin this year on an 0-2 count.Bryant also homered during Game 5 in Chicago on Sunday night to help the Cubs stave off elimination.Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist followed with singles and both came home on Addison Russells pop-fly double to right-center. The ball fell between center fielder Tyler Naquin and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall when they failed to communicate properly.---6:55 p.m.Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon looks back fondly on the last team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in the World Series to win Games 6 and 7 on the road.Maddon grew up in eastern Pennsylvania but was captivated by the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, who stormed back to top the Balltimore Orioles in seven games to win it all.ddddddddddddThe Pirates rallied around the disco song We Are Family and rode the play of stars Dave Parker and Willie Stargell. They did it in style, too, wearing bright yellow jerseys and striped caps that the Pirates even used as their throwbacks during Sunday home games this season.Maddon said he was never really a Pirates fan, but he loved the uniform. He also remembers the team being tight knit, not unlike this group of Cubs who have reached the Fall Classic for the first time since 1945.---6:30 p.m.Joe Maddon wants the Cleveland Indians to pitch to slugger Kyle Schwarber.The Cubs manager is hoping that bumping Schwarber up to second in the lineup will do the trick.Schwarber hit fifth in Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland as the designated hitter, going 3 for 7 with two RBI in his first major league games since April. He had only one plate appearance in Chicago as a pinch hitter because he hasnt been cleared to play defense following surgery on his left knee.Maddon says that if he let Schwarber hit fifth again, he doesnt think the Indians would pitch to him at all. By putting Schwarber in the second spot, Schwarber has protection because hes hitting in front of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist.---5:45 p.m.Terry Franconas first two managing jobs in the major leagues were Philadelphia and Boston, cities not exactly known for their hospitality.The Indians manager joked that the next obvious stop would have been Beirut. Francona says there were a lot of times when he thought his name was You suck! because he heard it so often from the Red Sox and Philly faithful during tough times.Instead, Francona ended up in Cleveland, about two hours from where he grew up in western Pennsylvania. Now in his fourth year, Francona says he sees a lot of similarities between the city and the team hes led to the brink of a championship.Francona says the city kind of reminds me of our team a little bit. They got pushed around, now theyre starting to push back, and Im happy for them.---5:25 p.m.Tuesday night isnt the first time Indians manager Terry Francona has been looking for a little bit of magic in Game 6 of a World Series.Francona joked that he once won a stash of cash when Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hit his famous home run off the foul pole in the 12th inning of Game 6 in the 1975 World Series to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds, forcing Game 7.Francona says that when the ball hit the foul pole, he went bananas. When his father mentioned that he didnt know his son was a Red Sox fan, Francona replied: Im not. I had the (final score) at school. I won $100.---4:50 p.m.Indians manager Terry Francona could run for mayor and win. Not everyone in Cleveland knows his face, though.Before heading to Progressive Field earlier than usual on game day, Francona, who typically rides a scooter to the ballpark, was helping one of the employees at the hotel where he stays while in Cleveland. The worker had no idea she was talking to someone famous.She said: `Man, this place is crazy. Who do you want to win? Francona said.He said he looked at her with a straight face and said, Ill go with the Indians.Francona will win his third World Series title if the Indians can finish off the Chicago Cubs. He captured two championships with Boston, helping the Red Sox end an 86-year drought in 2004.---3:55 p.m.Carlos Santana is back at the top of Clevelands lineup.After playing two games in left field and one at first base in Chicago, Santana is batting first as the designated hitter. With the World Series back in Cleveland, the teams are playing under American League rules again.Manager Terry Francona also put Game 3 hero Coco Crisp in left field and moved Tyler Naquin to center, bumping Rajai Davis out of the lineup. Crisps pinch-hit RBI provided the only run in Clevelands 1-0 win in Game 3. Crisps only start of the series came in Game 2 against Chicagos Jake Arrieta, who will take the mound for the Cubs on Tuesday night.Cleveland right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall will bat sixth after dealing with some stomach discomfort before Game 5 on Sunday in Chicago.---3:30 p.m.Kyle Schwarber is batting second for the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the World Series.Schwarber injured a knee on April 7, had surgery to repair torn ligaments and was out until the Series opener. He batted fifth as the designated hitter in the first two games against Cleveland. Because he does not have medical clearance to play the field, he was limited to pinch hitting in the three games at Chicago. Overall, he is 3 for 8 in the Series with a double, two walks and two RBI.Center fielder Dexter Fowler remains in the leadoff spot, followed by Schwarber at DH, third baseman Kris Bryant, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, left fielder Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell, catcher Willson Contreras, right fielder Jason Heyward and second baseman Javier Baez. Game 2 winner Jake Arrieta is on the mound.Heyward is making his third straight start after a four-game benching. He was 2 for 31 (.033) with one RBI in the postseason before getting two hits in Game 3. He is 3 for 11 in the Series.---2:35 p.m.Cubs manager Joe Maddon can ditch the stocking cap for Game 6. The World Series has heated up.The temperature is expected to be in the 70s when the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs play Tuesday night at Progressive Field, which was bathed in sunshine in the hours leading up to first pitch.For Game 5 at Chicagos Wrigley Field, Maddon donned a blue ski cap as the Cubs rallied on a chilly night to win 3-2 and extend their season. It was 43 degrees at first pitch that night and whipping winds made it feel much colder.The Indians will gladly take the warm weather. Their season opener on April 4 at Progressive Field against the Boston Red Sox was postponed by snow.Seven months later, on Nov. 1, Cleveland is enjoying unusually warm autumn weather.postponed by snow.Seven months later, on N ' '