Talk:Wheelchair Rugby Tri-Nations Series begins in Sydney

Wednesday 18 September 10:00 - Opening ceremony

 * Notes from announcer:
 * VIPs present: Jason Hellwig (CEO APC), Barry O'Farrell (Premier of NSW), Robyn Kemmis (Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney), Matthew Crowdrey
 * World wheelchair rugby world championships are in Denmark next year
 * This is the first time that wheelchair rugby has been held outdoors in this arena
 * Teams:
 * New Zealand wheel-blacks were 2004 world champions
 * From program: Gold in Athens, 5th in Beijing but DNQ for London. Currently ranked 10th in the world.
 * United States are the current world champions. This is their first time in Australia since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
 * From program: bronze in Athens, gold in Beijing, bronze in London. Currently ranked 1st in the world.
 * Australian Steelers are the current Paralympic champions
 * From program: came 5th in Athens, silver in Beijing, gold in London. Currently ranked 2nd in the world.)
 * Highlights of games will be televised on Fox Sports 2 on 28 September at 14:30 and 29 September at 15:30
 * Entertainment: Justice Crew singing "Best Night of My Life" live
 * Three national anthems sung by Zoe Hammonds (NZ one in Polynesian) (evidently an opera singer)


 * Observations:
 * Stadium built in Cathedral Square, next to Hyde Park
 * Beautiful day. Free sunscreen!
 * Slight breezes stops it getting too hot
 * Volunteers shield players on the benches from sun with umberellas
 * Aus team pretty much the same as in London. Photographed two new players. Greg Smith not playing but is an assistant coach.


 * From program:
 * Tournament consists of each team playing the others on Wednesday and Thursday, then finals on Friday

Wednesday 18 September 10:50 - Game One - US v Aus

 * (all games listed here as light v. dark.)
 * Packed stadium, but largely with six big school groups.
 * Batt scores first for Australia
 * Three early turnovers hurt Australia, cost Aus points
 * 29-26 at half time
 * Turnovers continue. Australia makes mistakes, US does not. Both teams have very aggressive but usually unsuccessful defence
 * 41-36 at 3/4 time
 * Finally, Aus force a turnover, and another but unable to capitalise
 * 56-43 final score

Wednesday 18 September 17:30 - Game Two - US v NZ

 * Small crowd, Australians and plenty of vocal New Zealanders, including a few Maori
 * Game under lights
 * NZ team has two Maori
 * US is just too good.
 * US defence very tight.
 * 29-19 at half time, 40-27 at 3/4 time, 58-40 final score

Wednesday 18 September 19:30 - Game Three - Aus v NZ

 * Aus in gold instead of green
 * Aus way too good. Lots of intercepts and turnovers
 * 31-20 at quarter time, 48-32 at 3-quarter time
 * Dying seconds: NZ attempting to stall for time, Ryley Batt shunts NZ player over the line, forcing him to score. Throws ball to Chris Bond who races for the line but beaten by the buzzer by a fraction of a second.
 * 61-48 final score