Why Manchester City will win the 2021/2022 English Premier League

One of the features of the Saturday morning radio show I host on Today FM, is a segment called “The Duel”. It a debate between producer extraordinaire Brad “B-Rad” Lewis and my good self on a topic du jour. Yesterday morning (Saturday 23 April 2022) our subject was the following question – Who is going to win the English Premier League – Liverpool or Manchester City? Brad, proud Liverpool supporter that is he, took the Liverpool side of the discussion and I the Manchester City point of view. Below is the argument I put forward for Pep Guardiola’s team.

NB – Since the following was broadcast, Manchester City has beaten Watford 5-1 to move four points clear of Liverpool, who play tomorrow morning (Monday 25 April 2022 NZT) against Everton at Anfield.

“Right you went first last week so I’ll go first today which is where Manchester City is going to finish and here’s why:

1. Manchester City have the lead – yes it only one point but it is still one point more than Liverpool and I’d rather be leading, even if it is only by the barest of margins, than chasing at the back end of title battle
2. The Pressure – Liverpool is chasing a quadruple and with that comes an extraordinary spotlight in which every selection, every move, every contest is micro examined to an disturbing degree 
3. The Schedule – Manchester City have great spacing of their remaining games. They go Saturday (EPL – Watford at home) Tuesday (UCL – Real Madrid at home) Saturday (EPL – Leeds away) Wednesday (UCL – Real Madrid away) then their last three EPL games on consecutive Sundays (home vs Newcastle, away vs West Ham, home vs Aston Villa) 
4. The Strength of Schedule – The best ranked of Manchester City’s remaining EPL opponents is 7th placed West Ham; the rest currently sit 11th, 15th, 16th & second-to-last AND finally
5. The Strength of Schedule! – Like Man City, Liverpool have to play a two-leg Champions League semi-final but also the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley – another significant and emotive game – and the coup-de-grace, my mob, the Jekyll’n’Hyde of the English Premier League nay English football in totality, the magnificent-against-the-best-teams, outhouse-against-bottom-third-of-the-league-teams, my equal parts beloved and uber-frustrating Tottenham Hotspurs and Brad Lewis, loyal Liverpool supporter that you are, I know that deep down in places that you don’t talk about at parties, you don’t want Tottenham at Anfield, you don’t need Tottenham at Anfield, not with the title and history on the line.

THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

After the greatest weekend of playoff football that I have experienced in my NFL-watching-life (first game was Super Bowl XXIII in 1989 at the only motel in Whanganui that had satellite TV with my now brother-in-law and his mates); one so mindblowingly great that we can casually gloss over my horrendous tipping (one of four last week to be six of ten overall in the post season).  That said, my Bills/Chiefs prediction was straight money, highlighted by “this strikes me as a “who-has-the-ball-last” game” & my personal fav “Prediction: Patrick Mahomes goes for a combined 435+ yards in the air and on the ground – Chiefs by 6 points” (Mahomes 447 for the game … BOOM) So having “glossed” accordingly, let’s turn our attention to the impending battles for conference supremacy this coming Monday:

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP – BENGALS @ CHIEFS 9am Monday 31 January

After what the intoxicating spectacle that unfolded last Monday at Arrowhead, this game feels like a massive come down.  Despite the presence of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in their conference, I’ll stick my neck out and say that the Bengals will make a Super Bowl in the next four years … just not this year.  They’ll land some shots against the Chiefs – at least one long range strike from Burrow to Chase – but allowing your young QB to get sacked nine times is inexcusable at any time, but even more so in the playoffs and while the KC defence has deficiencies, they too will be able to get to Burrow for losses like the Titans did last week.  The KC offence is healthy and clicking at the right time and that win last week will boost their confidence levels to the sky … oh and lest we forget, they have the Grim Reaper under centre.

Prediction: Chiefs to starting fast and maintain; Bengals to match the hosts initially then fade into the offseason – Chiefs by 17 points

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP – 49ERS @ RAMS 12.30pm Monday 31 January

Just stick with me for a minute.  Last year, the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice in the regular season, only to lose the third and most important game – the divisional round clash – to the Brady Bunch.  You know where I’m going with this don’t ya? Course ya do.  The 49ers beat the Rams twice in the regular season (Week 4 by 31-10 & Week 18 in OT by 27-24) but I see history repeating itself with the Rams winning the contest of most significance.  Both defences are excellent, as are the special teams, but even though they kept coughing the ball up and giving the GOAT waaaaay too many chances, you have to have more faith in the Rams offence than the 49ers.  Yep, I know that the 49ers have Deebo Samuel (who will be number one on a lot of fantasy draft boards next year me thinks) but that Rams offence will tidy up their ball security and just run away in the second half, cos while beating a team three times in one year is tough, winning three road games to make the Super Bowl is even tougher and you can see the 49ers getting the same level of self-inflicted help from their opposition this week as they got in the previous fortnight.

Prediction: Deebo Samuel has over 100 all purpose yards in the first half then gets shut down deluxe as the Rams D adjust and flex in the second half – Rams by 12 points

THE DIVISIONAL ROUND

Having picked five of six winners in last week’s Wildcard Weekend (how bout dem Cowboys & how bout dis dumbass for picking them? yeah yeah I should have known better, more fool me) but not genuinely feeling any the wiser about the six teams that advanced, it is with a greater deal of trepidation that I present my thoughts & predictions on the four games that make up the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs

AFC – BENGALS @ TITANS 10.30am Sunday 23 January 

Even if the Titans weren’t getting Derrick Henry back, which they are, I’d still be riding with Mike Vrabal’s men.  What’s my favourite sporting cliché at this time of the year? “Defence wins championships”! And this Titans defence is legit.  Yes, Joe Burrow and the Showtime Bengals will get some big chunk plays in this game, but Tennessee will also disrupt plenty too.  Henry’s presence, irrespective of many downs he plays, will have a calming influence on the offence as whole, especially QB Ryan Tannehill.

Prediction: It’s close but the Titans D delivers the decisive plays in the fourth quarter – Titans by 5 points

NFC – 49ERS @ PACKERS 2.15pm Sunday 23 January 

For all the talk about what a match-up nightmare San Francisco is for Green Bay, people seem to forget that the Cowboys incompetence was a significant factor in last weeks win for the 49ers.  Do you genuinely believe that Packers coach Matt LaFleur is going to make the same mistakes that Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore did?  Do you genuinely believe that Packers coach Matt LaFleur is going to take the ball OUT of Aaron Rodgers hands with the game/season on the line this year? Heck no.  LaFleur has shown that he is a quick learner and those lessons (that’s grammatically correct “lessons” not the bastardisation of the English language “learnings”) have served him well this season and will do so again in this contest.  Also, lest we forget; one team has Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback and not just any Aaron Rodgers, but heel Aaron Rodgers, who has fast become my most favourite Aaron Rodgers of all time.  

Prediction: San Francisco will be good in the first half,  poor in the second half (that’s a bit of a trend for them in the playoffs) while the Packers will just be good from start to finish – Packers by 9 points

NFC – RAMS @ BUCCANEERS 9am Monday 24 January

Man oh man, that Rams bandwagon filled up real quick after defeating (checks notes) a team led by a petrified quarterback in his first playoff game and coached by someone whose sides can’t maintain their performances for a full season, be it at the collegiate or NFL level.  However it must be said that the Rams did do some good stuff on both sides of the ball but it wasn’t as earth shattering as certain hype machines would have you believe.  I know that Donald, Millar and co will get some shots on the ageless one, but I suspect you’ll see Tom Brady do things in small bites which will keep the Rams defence on the field for long periods of time.

Prediction: Not picking a really high scoring affair – less than 40 points combined – by the Bucs precision and poise gets in done in crunch time – Buccaneers by 4 points 

AFC – BILLS @ CHIEFS 12.30pm Monday 24 January

Whatever you do, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, go can-per-touchdown [especially some with some of those cheap RTDs you can get nowadays) cos you could be well messed up by midway through the second quarter.  Josh Allen is trying to muscle in on Patrick Mahomes corner as the most exciting quarterback in the NFL and I fully expect Mahomes to push back in a big way.  This strikes me as a “who has the ball last” game because either offence is going to believe that they can score from anywhere, no matter how many seconds they have to work with.  I think the Buffalo defence is superior but I’m about to contradict myself massively (see the third line of my Titans vs Bengals thoughts) and back the one man who I think will leave them broken and bamboozled. 

Prediction: Patrick Mahomes goes for a combined 435+ yards in the air and on the ground – Chiefs by 6 points

THE WILDCARD (THREE-DAY) WEEKEND

Whilst I vehemently dislike the expanded NFL playoff format, I’m enough of a realistic & enough of a NFL junkie to know that, like many, I will forget the corporate greed that demanded extra playoff games the moment the first game kickoffs in Cincinnati. So in light of my freely admitted hypocrisy, here are my thoughts & predictions on the six games that make up the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs

AFC – RAIDERS @ BENGALS 10.30am Sunday 16 January 

This should be a bucket load of fun – Cincinnati Showtime vs the Cardiac Kids.  If the Bengals offensive line can figure out how to stop Joe Burrow from getting smashed – Maxx Crosby is flat out AWESOME – Cincinnati has the attacking weapons to win this.  However they have to win it early because these Raiders are scrappers and if you allow them to stay within a single digit margin, David Carr and co will believe, and with justification, they can win it, even if time seems to be their enemy

Prediction: A couple of big Burrow-to-Chase plays gives the Bengals the buffer they need to just … and I mean JUST, keep the Raiders at bay – Bengals by 4 points

AFC – PATRIOTS @ BILLS 2.15pm Sunday 16 January 

As always, let me be straight up with you all … I can’t stand either of these teams!  It’s in my DNA as a Jets fans to despise the Pats and Bills with equal passion and I’m more than happy to carry out my lot in life.  That said, it’s always very dicey to back against Darth Belichick at this time of the year but I’m going with the home team who I hope have learnt the lessons which were rammed down their throat from the last meeting against the Pats in Buffalo.

Prediction: Not that I truly give a **** but just a little bit too much Josh Allen in this one – Bills by 7 points

NFC – EAGLES @ BUCCANEERS 7am Monday 17 January

I had Jalen Hurts on one of my two NFL fantasy teams (Thunderbird 3 if memory serves; unlike the Eagles, Thunderbird 3 failed to make the playoffs, though Thunderbird 2 did … Virgil Tracy was always far more reliable than John) and he was fun though not very consistent when on the field.  Philly is going to give the defending champs some problems  but not enough over the course of a sixty minute game.

Prediction: Plenty of shots of Bruce Arians swearing at officials – Tampa Bay by 11 points

NFC – 49ERS @ COWBOYS 10.30am Monday 17 January

This is the ultimate don’t-trust game. I don’t trust either starting quarterback; I don’t trust either coach, not really sold on either team as neither have been the model of consistency. However, if the Cowboys don’t win this at home, at JerryWorld, then I suspect you will see the pile-ons to end all pile-ons with Stephen A Smith leading the charge with glee.

Prediction: The Cowboys get in front and stay in front despite Deebo Samuel doing a raft of Deebo Samuel things – Cowboys by 4 points

AFC – STEELERS @ CHIEFS 2.15pm Monday 17 January

I love me some Mike Tomlin, think TJ Watt is flat out awesome, likewise Najee Harris and have respect for what Ben Roethlisberger has achieved on the field (please note that I have specified “on the field”) but the Steelers are one-and-done in these playoffs.  Even as below-expectation as the Chiefs have been this season, they will handle business at home without too many issues 

Prediction: TJ Watt gets to Patrick Mahomes a couple of times, but Mahomes finds Hill, Kelce and company way more often – Chiefs by 14 points

NFC – CARDINALS @ RAMS 2.15pm Tuesday 18 January

In a true and just NFL, Cooper Kupp would be the runaway MVP of the league after his extraordinarily exceptional season and Tuesday arvo (NZT) he’ll prove it in spades.  He will make Matt Stafford look outstanding (NB I like Stafford; he’s a good human being and a better than average quarterback PLUS he honeymooned in NZ so by New Zealand sports law, he’s one of us) while Aaron Donald and Von Miller are going to have themselves a night at SoFI.  We are going to see delightful splashes of why Kyler Murray is one of the most creative quarterbacks in the NFL, but the Rams were built for a playoff run.  

PS If Deandre Hopkins and JJ Watt were fit, even say 75% ready and playing, I might (small “might”) see this game differently such are their collective talents

Prediction: Cooper Kupp drops a 150+ yard, 2 touchdown performance; late Cardinals TD makes the final margin flattering to visitors – Rams by 8 points

Revisiting the Logical Yet Illogical NFL Predictions – Part 2

Yesterday I went back to revisit my “Illogical But Logical NFL Predictions” for the American Football Conference. Today we relitigate the National Football Conference (NFC) which I’m feeling marginally worse about. As with the AFC 24 hours ago, I will post my initial picks followed by my re-ranked choices after 12 weeks of the regular season:

NFC EAST

Original Prediction: 1) Washington 2) Cowboys 3) New York 4) Philadelphia

1. DALLAS (currently 7-4) – the early season swag is gone and this team has realised that they need to grind, which they will over the final six games. The two game set with Washington will decide the division and as much as I back Ron Rivera to coach rings around Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have more on-field talent to make up for their average Head Coach.
2. WASHINGTON (5-6) – can they win both games against the Cowboys? No. A split won’t be enough to secure a wildcard spot which is a shame as I’d rather them in the playoffs than the Vikings.
3. PHILADELPHIA (5-7) – big decisions ahead for this organisation which means a big seven games ahead particularly QB Jalen Hurts
4. NEW YORK (4-7) – another season of mediocrity in the Big Apple (both in Blue and Green uniforms) but it not all doom and gloom for the Giants as you can see some of what Joe Judge is trying to achieve slowly filtering through. Management need to stay the course with Joe at the helm.

NFC NORTH

Original Prediction: 1) Green Bay 2) Chicago 3) Minnesota 4) Detroit

1. GREEN BAY (9-3) – I loooooooooove this version of Aaron Rodgers. The vaccine situation was IMO just flat-out dumb on his behalf but his “I don’t give fat rats” attitude is pure gold. The best part is that this going to see him overcall Matt LaFluer at some point in the playoffs cos he ain’t staying and he doesn’t care if he pisses folk off. In terms of a heel turn, this is right up there with Hulk Hogan being revealed as “the third man” at Bash At The Beach; still my pick for the win in the SuperBowl
2. MINNESOTA (5-6) – the Vikings are going to make the playoffs again and be one and one done. I am not sold on Kirk Cousins as an elite QB even though his receivers and running back are. However they have two games against the Bears and one each against Detroit and the Steelers and wins in those four games will get them a wildcard spot … sadly.
3. CHICAGO (4-7) – back to the drawing board, back to the draft board and back to the coaching carousal. Head Coach Matt Nagy is on borrowed time and I wonder how long it will be before we start hearing Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy’s name being linked with Chi-Town. Luring a prominent coach (either established or up and coming) should see GM Ryan Pace remain at the helm.
4. DETROIT (0-10-1) – There is so much to like about the Lions. Yes the Lions. Yes the oh-ten-and-one Lions. Dan Campbell’s team fight and scrap for everything. Eight of those ten losses are by single digit margins and in running back D’Andre Swift, they have a weapon. They have five picks in the first three rounds in the upcoming draft and must use them wisely. Keep an eye on this team in the next couple of years cos I think they are going places

NFC SOUTH

Original Prediction: 1) Tampa Bay 2) Carolina 3) New Orleans 4) Atlanta

1. TAMPA BAY (8-3) – the title defence is on track and a soft schedule to finish shouldn’t take too much out of them in their remaining six games.
2. NEW ORLEANS (5-6) – Taysom Hill isn’t a starting QB in this league. I know Sean Payton is a coaching savant but I just don’t think that Hill is the answer to the Saints quarterback problem. And yes I would have stuck with Trevor Siemian despite the recent performances because he is an out and out quarterback and I would back Payton to get the necessary performance out of the veteran backup.
3. ATLANTA (5-6) – just not consistent enough but they got the best player in the draft in tight end Kyle Pitts and the odd glimpse of old school Matty Ice has been fun.
4. CAROLINA (5-7) – after three games, Matt Rhule’s men were making me look like a NFL genius … then reality set in, my man Sam Darnold was broken and they went to the well of Cam Newton again. Oh well, at least they will have good draft picks … oh wait …

NFC WEST

Original Prediction: 1) Los Angeles 2) Seattle 3) Arizona 4) San Francisco

1. ARIZONA (9-2) – when you are wrong, just person-up and say it … I WAS WRONG. The Cardinals have been really good, even with Kyler Murray sitting on the sideline – shout Colt McCoy for stepping up big time. Kliff Kingsbury, who I foolishly thought would be this teams undoing, has done a better than excellent job with this team and they are set to make some serious noise come the playoffs.
2. LOS ANGELES (7-4) – it just hasn’t gelled as quickly as I thought it would with the Rams. QB Matt Stafford has oscillated between great and average and the Rams really just need him to be consistently excellent. However the recruitment of Von Millar was great business and there is plenty of time to get that defence really hissing for the playoffs
3. SAN FRANCISCO (6-5) – you know, I reckon Shanahan’s mob is going to make it three out of this division in the playoffs. They must take advantage of the expiring Seahawks this Monday then win at home against the Falcons and Texans and a 9-8 record should do the trick
4. SEATTLE (3-8) – its sad to watch a team that has given us a lot of great moments this century disintegrate before our eye. Russell Wilson looks damaged and disinterested (but man that last drive against Washington was still sweet) and the defence is really battling. By the way, if you want a really concise, accurate piece of punditry, check out Mina Kimes analysis on NFL Live from today (2 December NZT) … on the money!

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS/SEEDINGS

1. GREEN BAY (NFC West Champions)
2. ARIZONA (NFC North Champions)
3. TAMPA BAY (NFC South Champions)
4. DALLAS (NFC East Champions)
5. LOS ANGELES (Wildcard 1)
6. SAN FRANCISCO (Wildcard 2)
7. MINNESOTA (Wildcard 3)

WE WILL REVIEW THESE REVISITED PICKS AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON IN JANUARY

Revisiting the Logical Yet Illogical NFL Predictions – Part 1

On the 9th of September, one day before the start of the 2021/2022 NFL season, I published my “Logical Yet Illogical NFL Predictions”. Now its easy to just post them and leave it at that, but that’s not how I like to operate. So with 2/3s of the regular season in the books, its time to revisit my selections and see how things are tracking … small hint, it ain’t good. I’ll present you with my original picks for each division before re-ranking them. So lets begin with the American Football Conference (AFC)

AFC EAST

Original Prediction: 1) Buffalo 2) Miami 3) New England 4) New York Giants

1. BUFFALO – whilst they trial New England by a game, they have won all their division games and are yet to play the Patriots. I think they will figure out these odd malaises that they have sporadically suffered and grab top spot in the AFC East
2. NEW ENGLAND – Is it possible to win coach and executive of the year in the same season? Cos William Stephen Belichick could be in line for the double. His off-season splurge has delivered results and while he did nothing but watch Mac Jones fall to him at fifteen in the draft, the way he but more specifically OC Josh McDaniels has nurtured the rookie QB is simply high quality coaching. They are scary now but just wait two more seasons then DANG!!!
3. MIAMI – the slow start will ultimately be there undoing; just hope management doesn’t freak out and cast coach Brian Flores aside in a fit of panic
4. NEW YORK – look, all I wanted from my team was to double their win total from last year. Well we (the royal “we” as it related to MY Jets) currently have three wins, with winnable home games against Eagles and Jaguars to come. I see promise overall and our rookie class seems OK; jury still out of QB Zach Wilson though

AFC NORTH

Original Prediction: 1) Cleveland 2) Baltimore 3) Pittsburgh 4) Cincinnati

1. CINCINATTI – this division is just mad at the moment but the Bengals, whilst still perplexingly having a loss to the Jets blotting their resume, seem to have better balance and a nicer looking schedule to finish; win half of those six games and that should be enough to clinch the division PS the Burrow/Chase combo is a thing of beautiful and is only going to get more and more dangerous over time
2. BALTIMORE – they have the best player in the division by far but Lamar Jackson needs some other folk to step up and help him. I know they have two games with the underperforming Steelers to go but I expect Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin to light his team up deluxe and that could bite the Ravens
3. PITTSBURGH – I love me some Coach Tomlin and he will not muck around over the coming weeks. They were embarrassed by Cincinnati and that city will expect a response from THEIR team and Tomlin will make it his civic duty to provide that but they are now more a hinderance than a serious playoff option
4. CLEVELAND – never watch “Draft Day” and do AFC North picks on the same day. What was I thinking? They are still the Browns after all

AFC SOUTH

Original Prediction: 1) Tennessee 2) Indianapolis 3) Jacksonville 4) Houston

No change to my initial thoughts despite the injury to Titans running back Derrick Henry and the improvement of the Colts; reckon the Jags sneak an upset before rolling Houston in the last game to avoid the wooden spoon in this division but still pretty comfy with my initial calls

AFC WEST

Original Prediction: 1) Kansas City 2) Los Angeles 3) Las Vegas 4) Denver

1. KANSAS CITY – they needed last week off to just reset; this is still the best team in the division and the next three weeks will reestablish that. Its not going to take much to get Patrick Mahomes firing again, however if they decided to amp up the run game a bit, I suspect that will help some. They are not my SuperBowl favourites anymore but the Chiefs won’t lose between now and the playoffs starting
2. LAS VEGAS – the departure of Jon Gruden is already being proven as not a biggy and I reckon they can sneak past a Chargers side which has had some wobbles … mind you which team hasn’t this season?!
3. LOS ANGELES – they are just to erratic and are asking Justin Herbert to bail them out too often. Fun team to watch but a couple of key defensive pieces away from being legit
4. DENVER – they are a feisty team but aside from the Lions in ten days time, I don’t see them winning another game this season. They are heading in the right direction though; really need to nail the 2022 draft.

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS/SEEDINGS

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (AFC West Champs)
2. TENNESSEE TITANS (AFC South Champs)
3. CINCINATTI BENGALS (AFC North Champs)
4. BUFFALO BILLS (AFC East Champs)
5. BALTIMORE RAVENS (Wildcard 1)
6. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (Wildcard 2)
7. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (Wildcard 3)

I’LL REVISIT THE NFC PREDICTIONS TOMORROW …

Respect Between Great Sides Remains

NB – I wrote the following piece for Radio Sport IN JULY 2015. It continues to be my lasting memory of the All Blacks/Springboks rugby rivalrY ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100TH TEST BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS – KIND REGARDS NY

It’s mid-morning at international departure gate 35 at Sydney Airport.

Victor Matfield stands up and casually adjusts his Springbok blazer.

He saunters past some of his younger team-mates, showing no ill effects of the leg injury that forced him from the field in Brisbane a little over 12 hours earlier.

The veteran lock forward weaves through the rows other travellers who are sitting, waiting for the same flight to Johannesburg that he is.

Matfield strolls across a wide linoleum path that runs the length of the seemingly endless building.

As the linoleum transitions to carpet, he is met with a hearty handshake from All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu and the pair begin to chat.

Moments later Schalk Burger, the buttons of his white dress shirt straining to contain his massive chest, ambles over as well.

Ma’a Nonu steps forward, shakes his hand before turning that formal greeting into the half hug/half shoulder bump welcome.

Liam Messam turns his head to see what’s going behind him. In an instant he’s up, shaking Burgers’ hand with a wide, welcoming smile on his face.

First five Morne Steyn is next, wheeling his carry-on luggage to join Matfield and Burger in conversation with the Springboks most vaunted foe.

South African coach Heyneke Meyer looks over at the scene then turns to team manager Ian Schwartz.

Grinning, Meyer passes comment to Schwartz and grins transform into smiles as they watch the social scene unfolding before them.

Meyer knows and appreciates the special bond these two teams have.

Last year, he hosted members of the All Black coaching staff for dinner, including the man who calls him “Heineken” opposing head coach Steve Hansen, just two evenings before South Africa scored the first win over New Zealand of Meyer’s tenure as Springbok coach.

The pleasure the more established members of both parties genuinely appear to get from being around each other belies what the All Blacks & South Africa will try to do to each other at Ellis Park next Sunday morning (NZT).

These are the two fiercest rivals in world rugby.

Their last two tests in New Zealand have been ferocious.

Their last two tests in South Africa have been classics.

Richie McCaw and Jean de Villiers both spoke about respect after the tests in Wellington and Johannesburg last year.

Judging by the scenes in Sydney, the respect is stronger than ever.

Upon touching down in Johannesburg, after the long, seemingly interminable flight, the two parties went their separate ways – South African passport holders to the immediate left of the immigration area; exempt international passport holder to far end.

They will meet again in six days’ time.

They will meet in violent physical collisions.

They will meet in acts involving speed and elusiveness.

They will meet in tests of strength and technique.

And they will meet in a battle of mental strength and physical endurance.

But when it’s over, and the cuts are stitched, the bruises iced and mix of blood, dirt and sweat has been cleansed from their bodies, they get together to share a drink and have a chat.

Because games last 80 minutes, while respect and friendships last a life time.

Dream, Believe, Achieve

Michael Lewis Pulman was many things – a journalist, a broadcaster, a mental health and disability rights advocate.

However over time I came to realise that “disabled” was an adjective that did not apply to him. 

Sure, when you look at the photo above it would seem that he should be classed as that. 

But when I think about Mike – and like many people who had the joy of knowing him, I’ve been thinking about him a fair bit since hearing of his passing – it quickly struck me that he was one of the most enabled people I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. 

Whatever the true nature of those physical limitations were, he overrode them with his courage, determination, belief, intelligence and talent. 

NB – I never asked him and only found out in the last couple of days that it was a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Michael Pulman made things happen for himself. 

My interactions with Mike were pretty much exclusively around sport, primarily the Chiefs and Waikato rugby teams. 

I can vividly remember the excitement in his face when he was asked to cover his first All Blacks test.

His smile as he rolled into the opening press conference of test week was so wide and glowing that it made the Cheshire Cat’s grim look like that feline had been sucking on lemons every day for all of his nine lives. 

He loved his job and Mike was really good at it.

He was very organised; well prepared for the press conferences he was involved in and the interviews he would undertake. 

Mike had a wonderful sense of curiosity about him, often reacting to an interesting reply or seemingly throw-away line with a quick, well thought out follow up question. 

He would then take the words he had so carefully gathered and craft them into eminently readable prose. 

He expressed opinions, on both sporting and social issues, and whilst you may not always agree with them, Mike would invariably give you a clear rationale of why he thought of the topic in that way. 

Mike Pulman was an excellent story teller, be it verbally on FreeFM, as an MC, a public speaker and his podcast or in written form for print and online publications including (but not limited to) Rugby Pass, Waikato News, Last Word on Sports, The Runner Sports, NZ Herald, Sportsfreak and his own blog. 

There are many reasons for that but to me it was because he cared for people and the best story tellers have that innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life. 

A quick look at our text and “Whats App” exchanges illustrates his genuineness and humanity, the picture below just one of many similar conversations which either started or ended with him just wanting to “check in”. 

The kind and glowing messages that people have been sharing after learning of Mike’s passing is testament to wonderful human being he is. 

To Lew and Nanette, Jenna and Jessica, my deepest condolences for your loss, but also an equally heartfelt thank you.

Thank you for sharing Michael with us, our lives are so much better and far more richer because of that.

He inspires us to Dream, Believe, Achieve.

[Main photo supplied by Tom Rowland]

Logical Yet Illogical NFL Predictions – Part 2

Here’s the second part of my Logical Yet Illogical NFL predictions as I fill up the coffee plunger again, flex the fingers, start tapping the keyboard and dive head first into the National Football Conference (NFC)

NFC EAST

1. WASHINGTON – this is purely about coaching and defence. Ron Rivera is an outstanding coach, easily the best in the division (don’t at me about Mike McCarthy’s SuperBowl title), and the Chase Young led defensive unit are studs! They have a journeyman QB is Ryan Fitzpatrick but he just has to be Ryan Fitzpatrick, not Ryan Fitz-Magic, though I’m sure WFT fans hope to see a bit of that. The don’t call this division the AFC Least for nothing, but Washington has real substance as a football team
2. COWBOYS – forget Dak Prescott, this is Ezekiel Elliott’s time to shine. Zeke has to be to the Cowboys what Derrick Henry is to the Titans; he’s got to run, run and run some more. And if you’re worried that you won’t know what’s happening at the Cowboys, you clearly haven’t heard of “First Take”.
3. NEW YORK – I just looked at the Giants week 1 injury report … good luck Danny Dimes, its all on you young man. In all seriousness if Saquon Barkley can get back and be anything like what we know he can be, the Giants can show signs of life that quite frankly head coach Joe Judge deserves to see
4. PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles could be the surprise package of the NFC but as talented as some of their young core is – Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith specifically – you just suspect that there is going to be serious growing pains in the City of Brotherly Love this season. Its entirely conceivable that head coach Nick Sirianni could be a one and done with the Eagles

NFC NORTH

1. GREEN BAY – OK Packers, just calm the farm. That baaaaaaaaaad man Aaron Rodgers is going to go out there every giving Sunday and do the business for you. He will once again be everything that he already has been for you Cheese Heads, but enjoy every minute of it this season, cos he aint staying after he wins his second Super Bowl … there! I said it!
2. CHICAGO – after two very average QB performances to start the season, coach Matt Nagy, knowing its the last throw of the dice to keep his job, turns to rookie Justin Fields … and the rest will be history. The Bears won’t make the playoffs (its a tough conference) but Fields will win over the city and Nagy lives to fight another day.
3. MINNESOTA – heading into this season, the Vikes just seem disheveled and will battle to stay close to .500. Look for the Vikings to be in the quarterback market for the 2022 NFL Draft
4. DETROIT – “with the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select … Spencer Radler, Quarterback, Oklahoma”

NFC SOUTH

1. TAMPA BAY – absolute no-brainer.
2. CAROLINA – so I full admit to still being very, VERY upset at my Jets trading Sam Darnold and then drafting a Ken doll. Darnold is a talent and only 23 years old. He will flourish under HC Matt Rhule and benefit massively having Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. The Panthers will be the surprise package of the NFL season.
3. NEW ORLEANS – the most intriguing part of life after Drew Brees is going to be how coach Sean Payton adjusts. I like that he’s going with a quarterback at quarterback, as a opposed to a wildcat specialist but when you have spent all your time at the Saints with a QB who was in essence an extension of you as a coach, its going to be a struggle without him.
4. ATLANTA – Tight end Kyle Pitts will be phenomenal; maybe even an offensive rookie of the year candidate, but the Hawks are going to have another high draft pick and will be quarterback shopping too

NFC WEST

1. LOS ANGELES – Its now or never for Sean McVay. “The Rainman” has upgraded at quarterback (Matt Stafford … who honeymooned in NZ hence is now whanau) and has the best defensive player in the league Aaron Donald who has now entered his 30s, which means he’ll start contemplating the end of his career, thus ramping up his desire to put a ring on his fingers. I’m just not sure if there is enough other talent to get the Rams to where they want to be.
2. SEATTLE – After some offseason drama around their QB, the Seahawks will continue to be the perennial playoff team that they have become under head coach Pete Carroll. Much like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson will get the team around him and go to work each and every week.
3. ARIZONA – How can you leave a team that has Kyler Murray, AJ Green, DeAndre Hopkins and added JJ Watt out of the playoffs? Kliff Kingsbury – that’s how. The head coach will end up getting shuffled out of the facility at seasons end after a couple of shocking decisions in tight games which ultimate see the Cardinals miss the final wildcard spot. That will lead to some more experienced NFL coach is going to come in and take this team to the SuperBowl next season.
4. SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers are going to be consumed by your classic NFL quarterback controversy. Jimmy Garopollo will start but get benched; Trey Lance will come in and be average with glimpses of his massive upside. Jimmy will get miffed, coach Shanahan will try and appease him and return him to the starting job; the fans will chant for Lance. Based on the glimpses he saw from Lance, GM John Lynch trades Garopollo for two second rounds picks and a week later Lance blows out his knee ending his rookie season.

NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS/SEEDINGS

1. GREEN BAY PACKERS (NFC North Champs)
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFC South Champs)
3. LOS ANGELES RAMS (NFC West Champs)
4. THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (NFC East Champs)
5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Wildcard 1)
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS (Wildcard 2)
7. DALLAS COWBOYS (Wildcard 3)

Logical Yet Illogical NFL Predictions – Part 1

I absolutely love the NFL (well, the on field play at least) and first and foremost as a fan, which I can’t always say given my involvements in NZ sport on a broadcast or (now part time) journalistic level. So, in an attempt to re-ignite the creative side of this slightly misfiring sporting mind, I loaded up the coffee pot (gotta have caffeine team), fired up the lap top and put fingers to keyboard to bring you my logical yet illogical NFL predictions, starting with the American Football Conference (AFC)

AFC EAST

1. BUFFALO – the Bills have the best continuity of the four teams in the East and as cliched as it is have quality on both sides of ball. They have a legit MVP contender in QB Josh Allen … in short, they are clearly the best team in the division
2. MIAMI – even though question marks hang over starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, the Fins have a great defence and brilliant coach in Brian Flores; should be right in the Wildcard hunt
3. NEW ENGLAND – if Mac Jones carries his preseason form (and lets all remember the words of the great Allen Iverson – “We talking ’bout practice”) into the regular season, the Pats are going to be handful. The Pats overlord Bill Belichick spent some money in the off-season & upgraded that roster significantly. The defence looks more Belichickian & offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels should enjoy having a more pliable QB than last season
4. NEW YORK – I so want to be wrong about my team, but if the Jets can double their win total from last year (so improve from two wins to four) and reduce the points and touchdowns conceded numbers, that would represent a big win for new head coach Robert Salah … oh and if two of those win could be against the Patriots that would be awesome – thank you

AFC NORTH

1. CLEVELAND – maybe its because I just watched “Draft Day”, full of the joys of Sonny Weaver Jnr pulling off the draft move of the millennium, but I just think if its truly going to happen for the Browns, this is it. One year, one shot, before it all goes to hell in a handcart. Everyone on the roster, in particular the stars, have to be at the best all season long, but those players (Mayfield, Beckham, Chubb, Clowney, Garrett etc) know that this is a huge opportunity individually and collectively
2. BALTIMORE – the Ravens have the best player in the division (QB Lamar Jackson) and will always be tough defensively. They may not win the division but could make the most noise in the postseason
3. PITTSBURGH – my main concerns for the Steelers are A) Has Big Ben gone a season too long? B) Can management sort out TJ Watt’s extension sooner rather than have it drag into the regular season and become a distraction? Always a playoff contender under coach Tomlin but are they still a SuperBowl calibre side? …
4. CINCINATTI – great to see QB Joe Burrow back and with his former LSU team-mate Ja’Marr Chase now at the franchise too but still a couple of seasons (and a few more good drafts and free agent signings) away before being in the mix; will be the fly in the ointment for the other teams in this division

AFC SOUTH

1. TENNESSEE – cos they still have Derrick Henry and he’s a beast … their defence aint shabby either
2. INDIANAPOLIS – coach Frank Reich gets the QB he had success developing in Philadelphia (Carson Wentz) and still have a very impressive and combative defensive unit. If Reich can get Wentz confident, they are going to be a team to avoid in the first week of the playoffs
3. JACKSONVILLE – we saw Joe Burrows’ impact last year for the Bengals before he got injured. Well Trevor Lawrence is meant to be even better – “a generational talent” – so I expect him to do something even better than that.
4. HOUSTON – a dumpster fire. I feel for new head coach David Culley and hope management cut him some slack as the afore mentioned blaze had nothing to do with Culley

AFC WEST

1. KANSAS CITY – obviously. And SuperBowl favourites … no offense Tampa Bay
2. LOS ANGELES – a fun team which should keep trending in an upward. Looking forward to seeing if QB Justin Herbert can keep improving and want to see Joey Bosa put forward a compelling case Defensive Player of the Year because he is more than capable.
3. LAS VEGAS – Look I love me some “Spider 2 Y Banana” as much as the next bloke, but I struggle to see what heck Jon Gruden is trying to build in the desert. However [takes a huge breath] if there is a team that is going to do something outrageous its this team and no I can’t explain it … or maybe its because they have a rookie wide receiver with the surname Stoner which is such a Grudenesque name, akin to Leatherwood and Deablo (two other Raiders rookies via the last draft)
4. DENVER – Expect them to be better (big Teddy Bridgewater fan here) but not that much better; head coach Vic Fangio could be the first coach fired this season

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS/SEEDINGS

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (AFC West Champs)
2. BUFFALO BILLS (AFC East Champs)
3. TENNESSEE TITANS (AFC South Champs)
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS (AFC North Champs)
5. BALTIMORE RAVENS (Wildcard 1)
6. MIAMI DOLPHINS (Wildcard 2)
7. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Wildcard 3)

NFC PREDICTIONS COMING SOON …