The first prediction Springboks to win the first test — just. All Blacks to win the second test by 10 points. The third test to go down to the wire . . . and the Springboks to win it. All Blacks to win the Baltimore test, technically leaving the Greatest Rivalry series tied 2-2, but really meaning the Springboks won the proper series 2-1. Let’s see what happens. Man in the middle Hearty congratulations to Dunedin referee James Doleman for clocking up another milestone. Doleman has just become the 10th New Zealand rugby referee to reach the milestone of 200 first-class games. He reached the mark when he blew the whistle on the Ranfurly Shield game between Canterbury and Bay of Plenty at One New Zealand Stadium on Saturday. To do what he does at such a high level for so long is an immense achievement. Doleman’s knowledge of the game, allied with his instincts, his physical and mental fitness, and his ability to calmly take control have made him one of our officiating greats. He made his debut in the Heartland Championship in 2014, stepped up to NPC level in 2016, handled Super Rugby for the first time in 2020, and made his test debut in the Wallabies v France game in 2021. Plenty more to come, I suspect. REUTERSThe Last Word expects Arsenal players to be celebrating again in May. Sigh. Photo: Reuters The second prediction Arsenal 1, Manchester City 2, Manchester United 3, Liverpool 4, Chelsea 5, Aston Villa 6, Tottenham 7, Bournemouth 8, Brighton 9, Newcastle 10, Everton 11, Sunderland 12, Brentford 13, Crystal Palace 14, Nottingham Forest 15, Coventry 16, Leeds 17, Fulham 18, Hull 19, Ipswich 20. Thunderstruck Technically, the Otago Daily Times sports editor does not have a dog in the big ice hockey fight in Queenstown. The New Zealand Ice Hockey League final — game one was on Friday night, game two is on Saturday night, game three (if required) will wrap things up on Sunday — involves two Otago teams. Queenstown’s beloved Stampede are the powerhouses who have simply dominated this league over the past two decades. The Dunedin Thunder are the slow-boiling “new” kids on the block who have created a little bit of magic with their fiercely supported team. TECHNICALLY, I am not bothered who wins. But there is a woman who lives not too far from me who would freeze me out if I did not at least say it would be wonderful for ice hockey in this city if the Thunder can win their first championship. Mashed by Bangers How delightful. How utterly, utterly delightful. Few tears would have been shed around the cricket world when Bangladesh shocked Australia in the first test in Darwin. What a seismic result, at once magnificent for the Bangers and magnificently disastrous for the Aussies. There are massive issues in this Australian team, most obviously in the batting, and I just hope the Black Caps can take advantage when they head over there this summer. Name of the week His first name is LeBron-Ronaldo. His middle name is Messi. His surname is Jordan-Brady. The ghastly rise of AI has made us question everything we see on the interwebs, and I am 99% sure this “athlete” circulating on social media this week was purely fictional. Some name, though. What would the ultimate New Zealand sporting baby be christened? Something like Foxko-Jonah Carrington Hadlee-McCaw? My mind goes back to the Dunedin club rugby player with the magnificent (and real) handle of Shelford Meads. Time is a’wasting There was an interesting development in the football world you may have missed this week. Fading star Neymar became the first player in the Brazilian league to be sent from the field for a minute — yes, 60 seconds — under a new rule targeting time-wasting by goalkeepers. We’ve all seen it. As the clock ticks down, the goalkeeper for the winning team starts dramatically falling to the ground with the ball, gesticulating wildly for several seconds before taking a kick, or complaining of a sore leg. Under the trial, which will be implemented in other competitions including the Premier League, if play is stopped due to a goalkeeper requiring “medical treatment”, the coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for a minute after play resumes, Reuters reports. If the coach fails to nominate a player within 10 seconds, the captain of the team must be the one to leave the field. When Santos beat Vasco 3-0 on Sunday, the rule was invoked for the first time in the Brazilian league when keeper Gabriel Brazao requested medical attention. The referee told captain Neymar to leave the field as the Santos coach did not nominate another player within 10 seconds. Sporting stalwarts The Last Word and everyone at the ODT sports department send best wishes to the families of Bill Trewern and John Stinson, both of whom have died. “Billy T” was our long-serving golf correspondent and an immensely popular figure on the local scene. He loved a laugh and would tease some of us mercilessly — always in good spirits. John was a well-known member of the athletics community and a long-time member of the Caversham club. He also worked for our newspaper for a significant spell, and was a regular correspondent with us long after retirement. Vale, Bill and John. hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz
