The Sporting Hack

    Melbourne Storm 22-18 Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Round 3 AAMI Park Attendance: 11923   Melbourne full-back Billy Slater was controversially spared a potential red card tonight after his ‘karate-kick’ on Canterbury substitute David Klemmers head. The repeat of September’s action packed Grand Final lived up to its billing and hinged on the incident just after half time. Defending his own line, Slater leapt highest to claim a hopeful high ball before straightening his leg in the direction of the onrushing Klemmer, who was floored immediately. Referee Ben Cummings put the Australian international on report for the 41st minute talking point of a topsy-turvy encounter. With the Bulldogs still reeling from the absence of English forward James Graham, who is still suspended following a 12 match ban for biting Slater’s ear in the Grand Final, they lacked the necessary firepower early on to get a foothold in the game. A moment of magic from half ba...

Here is the story of two internationally recognised sports stars who, having been in the wilderness – albeit it for differing lengths of time – have been handed an olive branch to once again represent their countries. One snatched at the chance of redemption and the other snubbed it. We’ll start with the latter.  Rio Ferdinand’s England career is seemingly over then after 81 caps wearing the three lions crest. And if it’s not over, then Roy Hodgson certainly will be thinking it – in agreement with the rest of the nation – even if he doesn’t say so. "Three Lions in the dirt" The 34 year old centre half, who has little left to play for domestically this season, as his Manchester United side are streets ahead of their nearest Premier League rivals in the title race, and out of European competition, has strung the national side along in farcical circumstances. Having confirmed his availability for two forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino an...

Sharks' Paul Gallen: down but not out South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 Cronulla Sharks NRL Round 2 ANZ Stadium With the news that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) have delayed their investigation of the fourteen players alleged to have broken their code of conduct, facing genuine title contenders might not have sounded the most appealing prospect. Cronulla Sharks though managed to put their off the field troubles behind them in a focussed and spirited display which pushed the hosts all the way in a thriller. A typically Australian game of rugby league, full of hard running, committed tackling and inventiveness from cheeky half-backs, such as the ever impressive Adam Reynolds, provided a welcome distraction from the men in suits. The Rabbitohs, who have had eleven days to wait since their season opening win over the Roosters in which Reynolds starred, once again had the diminutive scrum half to thank for making sure that they maintained th...

North Queensland Cowboys 10 - 32 Melbourne Storm NRL Round 2 1300smiles Stadium Attendance: 19288 North Queensland Cowboys CEO Peter Jourdain announced on Monday that, on the back of Captain Johnathan Thurston’s signing of a lucrative four year contract extension, the club were: “Confident that we have put in place a squad that can challenge for the premiership this year and for years to come.” Thurston: The plus point in a bad night for the Cowboys If those claims are to come to fruition, particularly this season, then they will more than likely have to get past reigning domestic, and World, champions, Melbourne Storm at some point. Craig Bellamy’s side, who defeated Leeds Rhinos in their own backyard a fortnight ago, before beating the Dragons in 35˚C heat last week, played to a standard that befitted their illustrious crown. The instigator in this comprehensive dismantling was none other than Thurston’s Australian half-back partner Cooper Cronk, who, than...

As mentioned last week, we’re trying to grow this part of the blog for your enjoyment. Don’t hesitate to get involved and have your say @thesportinghack or use #TSHfridayfeeling Uno Steak and Kidney please! Wigan Athletic and Millwall will do battle in the FA Cup semi-finals next month for the right to face Chelsea or one of the Manchester Clubs in the final. People may claim that the other semi final will be “like the final” and, while there is always the possibility of the actual final being an anti-climax, at TSH we say well done to the ‘pie-eaters’ and the Lions! Or should we have a re-draw because it’s not the game everyone supposedly wants? Both sides have suffered at the hands of Manchester United in major finals (Millwall FA Cup 2004 and Wigan League Cup 2006) and will hopefully, while wearing the underdog tag, look to avenge those defeats and prove the critics that they are worthy of their moment in the sun. Yes I'm from Wigan too, how could you ...