This week could be unpleasant for two New Zealand teams, as they steer down the barrel of two dangerous Australian sides - the Kangaroos, and the Aussie cricket team. While there shouldn't have be any worries for the All Blacks against Wales this weekend, the same can't be said for the Kiwis and the Black Caps, who by all accounts should be no trouble for their Aussie counterparts.

The Kiwis showed glimpses of brilliance against the English league side on their way to reaching the World Cup Final, but the Kangaroos have looked unstoppable in their four games thus far, including comfortably beating the Kiwis in week one. The Kangaroos have only had 16 points scored against them in four games, which is an outstanding achievement when you consider they've faced the Kiwis and England - the two sides who were supposed to be their biggest challenge. They would have to turn in a very terrible performance for the Kiwis to have any chance of beating them, and that's very unlikely at this stage.

The only thing in the Kiwis favour is that they've been involved in two very physical clashes with England over the last two weeks, which should have them prepared for a tough battle with the Aussies. The Aussies, on the other hand, haven't had anything even close to a challenge thus far, and if the Kiwis can manage to step up, the Kangaroos may not be as prepared for a close encounter. It's hard to see this happening though, to be fair...

These are the two best sides at this World Cup, and of all the teams represented the Kiwis probably have what it takes to beat the Aussies - but it's going to take an outstanding performance from every player on the field, because you know the Kangaroos will be ready to go. It's hard for us to say this, but we honestly believe the Kangaroos will run away with this one, and should be able to put 30 points on the Kiwis. But, you just never know - we could have another 2005 Tri Nations Final on our hands.

One can only hope.

The other big trans-Tasman clash sees the Black Caps face off against the Aussies, starting today in the first of two Tests. There's a lot of people out there who believe the Aussies are wounded after their disappointing efforts in India, and that the Black Caps have some hope of actually winning. Well, if there's one thing you should always be aware of it's a wounded Aussie - especially one like the Aussie cricket team.

It's hard to see the Aussies losing to the Black Caps, especially when you look at how they've played over the past month or so. They were below average in Bangladesh, and utterly abysmal against New South Wales in the build up to the first Test. If they play anything like that against Australia, they will be easily thrashed within three days. Like the Kiwis, the Black Caps will need all players to be at their best, and even then Australia should be too strong.

The Brisbane pitch looked like it was going to be bowler friendly, and the first day today proved that, with New Zealand bowling Australia out for just over 200. A great effort, but also a very dangerous sign for the Black Caps, as it's our batsmen who have been letting the side down recently. Brett Lee will be licking his lips at the prospect of finding some form against the Black caps batsmen in the morning.

The Black Caps need to go out and play with confidence, like they did today - and, most importantly, not let the occasion get the better of them. Otherwise, it's going to be a long trip for them. They saw how the Indians attacked the Aussie bowlers, and they need to do the exact same thing. Test matches are no longer the slow affairs that they use to be - if you can't score runs quickly, you're going to lose. The Black Caps need to move away from their current style of slow batting, and hopefully when we get a new coach we can start catching up with the rest of the cricketing world.

Until then, we predict a comfortable Australian victory in both Tests.

Oh well - at least we still have the All Blacks.

The Kangaroo's sent out a warning to all teams in this year's rugby league World Cup, with a 30-6 win over the Kiwis - who are considered to be the only other team capable of winning. Although that theory may have just gone down the drain...

The Kiwis were in the match for about 50 minutes, and although they were trailing 18-6 they were still within reach of the Aussies. But the Kangaroos showed their class, and ran away with the game to secure their first-up win.

The problem for the Kiwis is that they don't have the forward pack to match the Kangaroos, who just seem to be able to eat up the meters at will - while the Kiwi boys seem to struggle to make good yards.

We're really missing Roy Asotasi in the front row, and a game breaker like Frank Pritchard in the second row. Nathan Cayless is a quality front rower, but he doesn't compare to the impact a guy like Asotasi has. We need guys who are constantly creating gaps for the backs to operate, but it's just not happening on a regular basis.

It's far too early to write them off, and if they can get through to the semi-finals they could bounce back and knock the Kangaroos off their perch. But it will by no means easy...

They need to start playing Issac Luke at hooker, move Nathan Fein into the halves with Benji, and have a guy like David Kidwell on the bench for his experience and passion.

So far the World Cup has been great, with PNG nearly beating England, and Ireland going toe-to-toe with Tonga, only to lose late in the game. It's good to see that the lesser sides are putting up a decent fight.

It shows that there are other countries who are capable of playing more international games in league, and could pave the way for more Tests ,rather than just the three or four we usually get.

The World Cup's off to a good start - bring on the rest, and bring on a Kangaroo vs Kiwi final!

This weekend sees the Rugby League World Cup kick off, with England taking on PNG in Townsville on Saturday. The Kangaroos then take on the Kiwis, in what could easily be an early look at the final - these are the two sides considered favourites to win, although England might have something to say about that.

This will be the first World Cup in eight years, which just goes to show how insignificant international rugby league is at the moment. Really, only Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain offer any real competition at the highest level.

When you consider the amount of talented Pacific Island boys who play in the NRL and Super League, it's a shame that Samoa and Tonga don't play more regular Test matches. It's going to be interesting to see how they go in the World Cup - we've already seen Tonga play the Kiwis, and it wasn't the best performance we've seen.

Still - the fact that they get to represent their country on the grand stage is important for the growth of the game in the Pacific Islands, and if they can get a few more games under their belt they can definitely start improving. It's important that they can hold onto their star players like Feleti Mateo, rather than having them play in the World Cup and then go off to play for Australia or New Zealand.

We don't have a problem with them playing for Australia or New Zealand if that's who they want to play for, but they can't choose to play for one team and then another - it's just not healthy for the growth of international rugby league.

The rules need to be made clear - you make your choice who you want to play for, and that's final.

The World Cup should be very exciting, and it gives us a great opportunity to see some other countries that we don't get to watch - for the simple fact that they don't play enough league at this level.

Make the most of it, league fans, because rugby league World Cups don't come around very often. Besides, this is the last lot of rugby league action for the year, so absorb as much of it as you can!

We're sure you wont be disappointed.

The NRL season may be finished, but we don't have to wait long for our next dose of rugby league action.

The World Cup is only a couple of weeks away, and while the Kangaroos are heavy favourites to win the cup, don't count out the Kiwis and Great Britain just yet - they may have a few tricks up their sleeves.

The Kiwi's and the Kangaroos named their 24 man squads yesterday, and while the Kiwis are pretty much as we expected, Ricky Stuart has named a few bolters in his Kangaroo squad.

Raiders stars Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan have been rewarded for a strong season with Canberra, and while we don't expect them to make the full strength team, they will get some game time in the pool matches. Both are exciting players, and are on the cusp of lengthy representative careers.

There are six Manly Sea Eagles players in the squad, which is a testament to how well they have been playing, while five Storm players also made the squad.

The biggest bolter in the 24 man squad is Manly winger David "Wolfman" Williams, who only made his debut in the NRL this year. His career is going from strength to strength, and a World Cup win would be the perfect end to his stellar season - although as Kiwis we hope his season doesn't end that nicely...

Darren Lockyer will captain the team.

Here's the entire squad:

Terry Campese, Petro Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Israel Folau, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Anthony Laffranchi, Darren Lockyer, Joel Monaghan, Josh Perry, Steve Price, Scott Prince, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Brett Stewart, Glen Stewart, Brent Tate, Jonathan Thurston, Anthony Watmough, David Williams.

The Kiwis head into the World Cup without the likes of Roy Asotasi and Frank Pritchard, which will test them in the big games, but Steve Kearney has selected a good squad that could potentially upset the Kangaroos - although they'll have to play out of their skins.

The big news is that Benji Marshall is fit and ready to put on the Kiwi jersey. And, while his defence is often lacking, there's no question over his ability to break a game open.

Nathan Fien also returns to the team after the "Granny Gate" incident, and is now a full New Zealand citizen. His form with the Warriors has been great, and he will likely team up with Marshall in the halves.

Only Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai have been selected from Britain, which really sums up how tough a competition the NRL is. Not that we're saying the Super League is soft, or anything...(ahem).

The most unlucky player to miss out on a Kiwis jersey has to be Luke Covell, who is an outstanding winger and an excellent goal kicker. He too has been in good form all year, and really must be wondering why he isn't there.

Steve Matai has been named in the squad, despite his ongoing shoulder and neck problems.

Here's the full squad:

Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless (c), Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith (from the Storm), Iosia Soliola, Manu Vatuvie, Brent Webb.

These two teams will meet first up, which is really going to set the tone for the entire World Cup.

It's going to be a great competition - bring it on.

What a day to be a Kiwi!

Five medals (including two Golds) at the Olympic Games, a victory to the All Blacks in South Africa, and the Warriors keeping their Top 8 hopes alive with a win over the Cronulla Sharks.

In terms of a weekend's sporting results, it really doesn't get much better than that.

Mahe Drysdale opened the evening with a Bronze medal finish in his final. Drysdale had been suffering from a flu, went into the race severely dehydrated and under strength, and spent 20 minutes after the race receiving medical assistance. To finish third in the Olympics is good, but under those physical conditions as well - well, that's just amazing.

George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle also finished third in their final, giving New Zealand a second Bronze medal.

It looked as though we might struggle to win Gold in the rowing finals - that was, before Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell ("The Golden Girls") stepped up.

It was truly one of the most exciting races we've ever seen, and with only one-one hundredth of a second between them and the German crew, it was definitely one of the closest races ever.

After a not-so-great year, they peaked at exactly the right time, and defended their title at Athens.

From five rowing finals, we won three medals - which we think is a fantastic effort.

New Zealand's night at the Olympics, though, wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Kiwi cyclist Hayden Roulsten won the silver medal in the 4000m individual pursuit, going down to the British rider by only a few seconds. Not bad for a guy who only a couple of years ago was told he shouldn't race due to a heart condition.

The night was then rounded off nicely with Valerie Vili completely dominating the women's shot put final - and it only took her first throw, with no-one coming close to her throw of 20.56m.

Two Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze, in what was New Zealand's greatest day at an Olympics - and there could be more medals to come.

Seeing our athletes doing so well against the best in the world makes us extremely proud to be New Zealander's.

And, the All Blacks and Warriors winning really topped off a fantastic day in New Zealand sporting history.

It's great to be a Kiwi!