NFL: 'The Best Play of All Time'

More on the Super Bowl next week, but in the meantime, here's an interactive piece from the ESPN website looking at the critical moment of last year's big game, James Harrison's 100 yard interception return for a touchdown. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history, and taking views from those who were involved or who witnessed it, ESPN have dubbed it 'the best play of all time'. That's a bold claim, but there is no doubt that it was one of the most memorable sporting moments of last year, and if this year's Super Bowl features anything nearly as spectacular, fans are in for a treat.



Harrison bearing down on the end zone for his record-breaking score

Rugby: Ruben Kruger

How sad to hear of the death, aged 39, of former South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger, who was part of the World Cup winning side in 1995. Kruger was the epitome of the tough South African flanker, strong in the tackle and the carry, not playing a flashy game. He could go unnoticed at times, but he was an important part of that world champion side, memorably scoring the only try of a waterlogged semi-final against France in a drenched Durban.


Highlights of the 1995 semi-final begin five minutes into this clip

With Invictus in cinemas this week, recounting the tale of South Africa's historic victory in that tournament, it is easy to forget just how close that game was, ending 19-15. Kruger's try was the difference, and without it, history could have been very different.

Cricket: Development vs Tradition in Samoa

There's a fantastic piece on The Guardian's website about the growth of cricket in Samoa and its clash with kilikiti, the distinctively local sport that evolved out of a previous attempt to introduce the game to the country in the 19th century. As Andy Bull, the writer, points out, we're used to hearing about the clash between modernity and tradition in the cricket world, especially when Twenty20 is involved, as it is here, but this particular clash has a unique flavour.

The links in the article are also worth looking at, particularly this video, which gives the viewer a proper look at kilikiti:

Cricket: The Greatest Female Cricketer of All Time

Before today I'm ashamed to say I had never heard of Betty Wilson, but reading her obituary, it is clear that she was a remarkable cricketer, and quite possibly the greatest female cricketer of all time, as you would expect from someone who was compared to Don Bradman. In fact, she went one better than her fellow Australian by being a superb bowler as well, completing the then-unheard of feat, in male or female test cricket, of scoring a century and taking 10 wickets in the same match in the 1957-58 series against England.

A test average of 57.46 with the bat and 11.80 with the ball is a remarkable achievement in any form of the game, no matter what the standard, and although the women's international scene may not have been as well developed as it is now, those figures demand respect. Indeed she gained that respect, becoming the first woman to be inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame. There's a brief interview with her from a couple of years ago on Cricinfo, which does not reveal that much, other than a single-minded and driven individual, as one might expect.

Rugby: Borthwick's Captaincy

Amongst all the doom and gloom in the press surrounding the retention of Steve Borthwick as England captain, Bryn Palmer has broken the decision down on the BBC website. He concludes, much as I did back in the autumn, that Borthwick may not be the most inspirational choice, but right now he is the only logical one, and that is a realistic reflection of England's place in the world at the moment, and their talent pool, rather than blind loyalty on the part of Martin Johnson.



Northampton's Lawes is pushing for Borthwick's starting place

England will no doubt have mixed results in the Six Nations, and Borthwick will cop a lot of criticism, but until a more qualified candidate comes up either in the second row, or for the captaincy, he is the man for the job. It is easy for pundits to throw around names like Courtney Lawes, but the truth is that England's pool is very shallow when it comes to second rows and captains, and Lawes cannot even get into the Northampton team on a regular basis. Hopefully come the autumn, more players will have established themselves, and there will be alternatives in both roles, but for now England actually have greater concerns, such as establishing a regular team and some positive results. Focus on those, and the captaincy will take care of itself in due course.

Great Sporting Nicknames: The Chiropractor

Samoans are known throughout the rugby world as the biggest hitters in the game, and in this nation of big hitters, Brian Lima was, for many years, king. The only Samoan to be banned from tackling his team mates in training, such was the damage he could inflict, despite the history of Samoan tacklers such as Va'aiga Tuigamala and Trevor Leota, Lima became known as 'The Chiropractor' for rearranging his victims' bones with each hit.


Lima tackles Derick Hougaard at the 2003 World Cup

Unfortunately his tackles strayed into illegality too often for a player with such a long career, and despite being the only man to play in five World Cups, he never seemed to learn his lesson. Fittingly, his international career finally ended with a three-week ban during the 2007 World Cup for a typically robust high tackle on Jonny Wilkinson. However, when he got it right, he was thrilling to watch, utterly fearless and completely dedicated to the cause, and like so many great hard-tackling Samoan players, he dished out the big hits without malice, and played the game in an earnest and honest manner.

Free Video Hosting

The tackle which led to the ban that ended Lima's career

The attention on his tackling meant that his other skills were often overlooked, but he was a world-class wing and centre, and one does not play in five World Cups, nor for top-flight clubs in England, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland and France without being a multi-faceted player. The fact that he played so long, despite his uncompromising style also speaks of a remarkable athlete, and the game was always a more eventful place for his presence.

As a nickname, 'The Chiropractor' has a great balance of humour and menace, you can picture it being given to a mafia enforcer or a Guy Ritchie-esque cockney villan. That is, however, if you would even consider giving the name to anyone else. Like all great nicknames, it was clear that there could be only one 'Chiropractor'.

Highlights of the Decade: Cricinfo's list

Cricinfo has published a list of the best cricketing performances of the 2000s (parts one and two). The performances they have chosen are certainly classics, but have they missed anything? Feel free to add your thoughts.