View from the Stand.

Well done to the Australian Men's hockey team on winning the World Cup in India.After three attempts at not winning the title the Kookaburras won the title in defeating Germany.

The Reds win over the Force in the Super 14 has seen them win back to back games for the first time since 2006. Also it is their best start to the super comp since 1996. They now sit sixth on the table, on 15 points. The Brumbies are the best placed Australian side on 16 points, the Waratahs are on 14 points. The top four consist of two South African sides and two Kiwi sides.

The win by the New Zealand cricket side on the weekend has seen the ODI series Finnish at 3-2 to Australia. The two sides now are preparing for the two test series which starts on Friday. The New Zealand test squad is,1. Daniel Vettori2. Brent Arnel3. Martin Guptill4. Peter Ingram5. Brendon McCullum6. Tim McIntosh7. Chris Martin8. Jeetan Patel9. Mathew Sinclair10. Tim Southee11. Ross Taylor12. Daryl Tuffey13. B.J. Watling.

There is one change to the New Zealand Test team that took on Bangladesh in February. Mathew Sinclair comes in for Neil Broom in the thirteen man squad announced today.

Selector, Mark Greatbatch, said Sinclair has been brought into the squad as cover for the top order batsmen; “We felt we needed a cover top-order batter, rather than cover for our middle order, so Neil is a little unlucky in that respect.”Greatbatch confirmed that Daniel Vettori will bat at six; “He has been very successful there over the last half-dozen tests.

It also gives a very good balance to our side. It enables us to play the five bowlers we are looking for, whether that is four seamers and one spinner, or three seamers and two spinners in our squad, we have the ability to be flexible.Greatbatch says success in the test matches will depend on doing the simple things well; “Batting time, getting through sessions, being patient with the ball, being disciplined and doing it day after day.”

The Australian squad is expected to be named tomorrow.

In Christchurch this week we will see top internati0onal athletes compete in the International Track and Field meet. These include Beatrice Fauimania. Many of these athletes will be looking to post Qualifying throws or times as a step to the Commomnwealth Games.

Coming up this week to View from the Stand- CRICKET; 1st test Australia v New Zealand. RUGBY; Super 14 Crusaders v Lions (Saturday) Blues v Brumbies.Bulls v Huricanes. EPL; Man Utd v Liverpool, Everton v Bolton Wanders, Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea. ALEAGUE; Sydney FC V Melbourne. NRL roud two AFL; Lions v West Coast, Bulldogs v Collingwood, Geelong v Essendon.

Tips- Australia, Crusaders, Reds,Brumbies, Man Utd, Blackburn, Everton,Melbourne, Lions, Bulldogs.

Till next time enjoy the View from the Stand.