Mike Kilpatrick

Women's tennis at risk of dying

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:09:09 -0800

I'm told that interest in rugby is dropping because the product is boring and people are being turned off by too many substandard games.

But if that's the standard for a sport in decline, rugby can't hold a torch to the game that's most at risk - women's tennis.

It actually saddens me a little to type that - I've been a long-time admirer of the women's game that harks back to when Steffi Graf was a youngster on the scene. ...

Putting the body on the line

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:14:35 -0800

It seems, despite it's scripted nature, wrestling is still a favourite in New Zealand and it was great that so many people shared their favourite wrestlers last week.

On a Monday I'll be writing a regular blog on wrestling - what's going on in the US, any controversy, latest signings and releases and - more importantly - I'll also be asking for your thoughts on classic moments of the past. ...

Remembering the 'voice of rugby'

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:35:08 -0800

It's a sure sign you're getting older when your heroes start to die and then you realise just how old they were.

And so it proved again when I woke up this morning to the sad news that Bill McLaren, the voice of rugby, had died in the Scottish Borders. ...

Making his way to the ring. . .

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:56:02 -0800

. . . all the way from Aberdeen, Scotland, weighing in at 300lbs is Mike 'Killer in the Kilt' Kilpatrick.

I have a confession - I'm a bit of a wrestling nut. In Scotland I grew up watching World of Sport on a Saturday afternoon with such stars as Kendo Nagasaki, Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Jackie Pallo. ...

Funny bones at the ready...

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:17:53 -0800

This week's picture sees us take a trip back in time to see two of the greatest tennis players of all time facing off.

But first up last week's contest. ...

We need a good laugh...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:03:53 -0800

It's time again for you all to show your intellect and wit as we challenge you to caption our sports photograph of the week.

But, as is traditional, let's first take a look at the winners from last time.

Unfortunately a few entries seem to have missed the idea of a caption contest. They're supposed to be entertaining and give us a laugh. ...

Something's got to give

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:25:28 -0800

The seemingly interminable saga of the format for next year's Air New Zealand Cup has hogged the headlines this week and I, for one, am getting sick of it.

First up, the decision by Sky to ditch Murray Mexted for sharing his desire for a 14-team top division next season is quite appalling.

Yes, old Muzza has been known to wander off topic, and I've written before of my lamentations at the passing of the supremely knowledgable John Drake. ...

Show me how clever you are!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:10:48 -0800

It's that time of the week again!

I know you all look forward to the Caption of the Week competition because it gives you a chance to show how much cleverer you all are than the Yahoo!Xtra Sports Editors.

And there should be plenty of laughs with today's special pictures.

But first to last week's competition. ...

So many decisions to make. . .

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:49:27 -0800

After another impressive performance last night - this time against the big guns of Canterbury - I'm pretty sure every man and his dog expects to hear Zac Guildford's name read out by Graham Henry on Sunday morning.

But I've been in this job long enough (ie more than five minutes) to know what's expected of the All Blacks coaches and what's delivered can often be completely detached. ...

Bolters for the All Blacks tour

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:34:23 -0800
With the almost instantly forgettable Tri-nations now behind us, thoughts turn to the end of season tour.

Over the next few weeks we'll be taking a look at those players who have impressed in the Air New Zealand Cup this season and who the triumvirate of Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen should be considering for a possible call-up. ...