Sports Benches presents this week’s Sports News headlines where NASCAR returned to Phoenix once again in 2026 but not as the season-finale destination this time with three races left.
We also have more Trans-Tasman flavour with Bledisloe Cup Game II in Rugby although it’s been a joy once again watching this on-site at Accor Stadium.
And welcome back Netball with a new Domestic league lifeline for current Comm Games Gold Medalist New Zealand starting next year.
Make sure you keep Sports Benches in the loop for the latest weekly Sports News and General Hospital updates twice a week.
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix II
It’s been a long while from 23XI-Toyota’s Tyler Reddick since his outstanding start earlier this year.
Credit to crew chief Billy Scott having opted with the two tire stop before Tyler unleashed ahead of everyone on the counter-attack following the final restart that paid dividends for victory lane.
He’s been battling somewhere mid Top 10 until a mix of strategy and luck finally went his way where he felt more comfortable to shut down shop.
Then Phoenix I winner & also polesitter Ryan Blaney was right in the thick of it following a great start, especially under green-flag racing.
Although he couldn’t keep track of the race lead due to yellows which added setback ahead of restarts but finished well in 2nd courtesy of these fast Ford Mustangs.
And someone else from Hendrick will make this week’s list by the No.9 of Chase Elliott where he made a late surge from a slow and steady mid-pack start to 3rd.
Bledisloe Cup II: Wallabies v All Blacks on-site at Accor Stadium
Save the rants, this year’s two-match series was already over with a game to spare following yet another All Blacks win whereas the Wallabies made up some lost time during the 2nd half.
However, it’s simply a selection and tactics issue already doomed by the Green and Gold long before kick-off as final score was Wallabies 21-43 All Blacks.
Can’t ignore these two reliable back row flanks by Tupou Vaai and Peter Lakai.
They work together really well along with No.8 Wallace Sititi through recycled balls, dominate territories and setting up lovely finishes for themselves and also backs to chase — all through sheer physicality.
The backs? Josh Moorby over No.10/15 Damian McKenzie whose overall performance was reliable on the left flank and even as decent as Will Jordan over in the right, both of whom at their prime sharing the same age of 28.
Nothing against Damian McKenzie with his creative spark and smiling assassin rituals before sinking conversions past the inside stick but up to DMac to make the 10 jersey his own if the ABs can have a productive tour overseas next month.
And Tom Wright’s natural game reflects how he loves taking risks from the Wallabies backline at 15 from catching out in the open to creating opportunities by the way of kick & chase further afield – all of these examples point towards try-scoring wonders.
Unfortunately, it’s just inexecutable from a long-suffering Wallabies standpoint, as either the tactics/selection are wrong or some players simply aren’t good enough.
New Zealand Netball receives Domestic Lifeline
It’s been a huge while since the Commonwealth Games following a bittersweet campaign from the Silver Ferns who won their 3rd gold medal since the 2006 & 2010 editions.
Great to see some players in attendance from last week’s Bledisloe Cup I at Eden Park while their four-match Constellation Cup campaign is already underway with a 56-50 win yesterday in Auckland’s Spark Arena.
Meanwhile, their domestic league has been under pressure over the past three years up until now.
This ranges from mismanagement to accepting short-term TV money while allowing players leave for better opportunities — as long as they still play for the Ferns of course.
Nearly all of the Silver Ferns squad and some ANZ Premiership players will be overseas next year except Martina Salmon, Parris Mason & Catherine Hall (currently injured with a devastating ACL).
Now NNZ can have a fresh start thanks to the husband-and-wife business duo: former All Black Ali Williams & businesswoman and investor Anna Mowbray.
They’ll take control of the Untitled NZ League project with initially five teams, what the format will look like, who reports to them as CEO and would have the final say on the broadcast partner.
RIP ANZ Premiership (2017-2026).
Also, it should be Steel, Tactix, Magic, Pulse and Mystics. Then Ali & Anna should look into Malaysia, Singapore and the Pacific Islands someday to make their own ANZ Championship without needing Australia.
