Top marks to Taranaki sporting achievements

From the Hip

What an amazing bunch of athletes we have in Taranaki.

That's something everyone knows, with the weekend's efforts only reinforcing the claim.

In Mt Maunganui, Taranaki's surf lifesavers ruled the waves and the sand to win the national Surf League title for the second year running.

It was a superb effort and typified what is good about Taranaki sport. Everyone performed above expectations, with captain Glenn Anderson dragging himself out of his hospital bed to win the prestigious ironman title and helping his side to victory.

In Wanganui, Taranaki's top cricketers won the Chapple Cup one- day trophy for the first time since 1982.

The win was just reward for Taranaki, which had been robbed of a Hawke Cup two-day challenge earlier in the season when rain denied the side points against Horowhenua-Kapiti. In the final wash-up it meant it dipped out on a net run countback, with Manawatu earning a challenge.

If that wasn't impressive enough, the efforts of 14 Taranaki competitors in the gruelling Coast to Coast multisport endurance race surely were. Anyone who competes in that race deserves a medal and those who finish it deserve another.

Then there's the Taranaki bowlers who reclaimed the White Eagle Trophy beating Hawke's Bay in Palmerston North. Another top effort.

Who's watched any of the Winter Olympics?

I've tried, but it doesn't do a lot for me. As for television trying to ramp up the coverage of New Zealanders in the event, that doesn't work either. Leave it to the Europeans, Americans and Canadians to have their time in the snow.

There was plenty of discussion about the performance of Willie Ripia at first five-eighth for the Hurricanes and his replacement Aaron Cruden against the Blues last Friday night.

While neither showed out, the finger should have been pointed at halfback Piri Weepu, who did one of the better impersonations of a policeman trying to direct traffic. All he did was slow down play, allowing the Blues' defence time to reset.

Weepu should concentrate on what good halfbacks do - clearing the ball quickly. Then perhaps whoever is at first five-eighth will have the opportunity to run on to the ball.

Cruden's welcome to Super rugby was a crunching hit. Picking it won't be the last as the big South African sides eye up the talented youngster.

- © Fairfax NZ News