Blaze Set The Jungle On Fire, Wallabies Finish Tour With Big Win, Windies Demolished In First Test

HATS OFF ALL ROUND

PERTH FEEL THE HEAT
 

Big Hats Off must be given to the the Gold Coast Blaze who traveled to 'The Jungle' in Perth and came away with the victory. The Gold Coast franchise has been on fire of late winning it's last three games, two of them against the Wildcats. Should we be surprised? I certainly am not! They have had a good team over the last few years but the team never gelled like it is now. Last year fingers were pointed at the coach and the unusual signing of Shane Heal who was clearly on his last legs. The Blaze were moving in the wrong direction. Now with super coach, Joey Wright,  the team is firing on all cylinders and enjoying their hoops. The Wildcats had not been beaten in their previous seven home games. This didn't phase the Blaze at all. After a high scoring first quarter the Wildcats slowed the game down to a tempo that suits them the most. However Gold Coast showed they are able to play that game too. Low scoring quarters allowed Perth back in the game and were able to take a one point lead into the final break. In the last quarter, Perth's offense collapsed. The Wildcats only scoring 12 points in the quarter. The Blaze too strong in the dying stages eventually winning 82-78. I really like the look of the team. Two good imports who can both put large numbers up, James Harvey who is an Australian Boomer, and some good young talent in Adam Gibson (Boomer) and Chris Goulding. Are they any chance of winning the competition? That remains to be seen!

WALLABIES SMASH THE WELSH

On their last game of the Grand Slam Tour the Wallabies put on a show for their fans back home. After being slammed by the critics and old Wallabies for being soft and having no pride in their jersey. I was one of them, but did believe that the team was good enough to inflict such damage. The 33-12 win showed the world that the Wallabies are a completely different team to the side that lost to Scotland a week ago. This win will give them all the confidence in the world that they can match it with the best at the World Cup. The Wallabies defense was outstanding, leaving the Welsh without a try on the score sheet. Great effort in such hostile conditions. Matt Giteau picked himself up after last weekend's humiliating loss and played an outstanding game leaving him with man of the match honours. Genia also played a fantastic match proving he is the most promising half back in the world. Lets hope the Wallabies hold their head high when they return home. I am looking forward to the Super 14 competition, it should be a ripper with some of the recruiting done.

SHOULD THE WINDIES GO HOME?

The West Indies have got to be kidding right? Are they just here for a holiday? It certainly looks like it. Australia posted a first innings total of 480. Nothing spectacular! I probably thought Australia could have posted a larger total, it seemed as if they took the foot off the gas. The traveling team from the Caribbean could not post enough runs to avoid the follow on and Australia threw them into bat again. Needing 252 runs to put the Aussies back into bat should be accomplished in professional sport, one would think. They could not even do that! To not score 480 runs in two innings of cricket is a disgrace. We can't take away the fact our bowlers were ruthless. Hilfenhaus took 5 wickets for 70 runs over two innings. That's a great spell. It's a pity he will be out for the second test. This could be a humiliating series for the Indies unless they pick their act up. Losing Taylor won't help their situation at all. It's great though to see Australia back to their best even if it is against a woeful West Indies team. Any Australian victory is a great one, Right?