For sports fans, it doesn’t get any better than this. Across a range of codes and sports, we will this weekend be treated to plenty of sporting action.
The rugby league Test between Australia and New Zealand, the Super Rugby clash between the Brumbies and the Waratahs, culminating in the biggest money-spinning world title fight in history – Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
Johnathan Thurston will be the difference when the Kiwis seek a third successive win over the Kangaroos to become world number one.
An injured Thurston missed the last two Kiwi victories in the Four Nations tournament, and the Kangaroos missed his generalship.
It will be a damn shame if Mother Nature continues to bucket Suncorp Stadium, because this clash is deserving of decent weather, and so are the fans.
What will the Kiwis have to face? Thurston and his combination with Cooper Cronk on the inside, and the express centres Michael Jennings and Will Chambers outside with Greg Inglis chiming in from fullback, and linking with wingers Josh Dugan and the exciting 19-year-old Alex Johnston on debut.
But having a superb backline won’t be of any use unless the forwards win enough ball – skipper Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Matt Scott and Greg Bird will see to that.
But the Kiwis are no shrinking violets with Jesse Bronwich, Issac Luke, and Ben Matulino as good a front row going around.
But the surprise packet could yet be Kiwi pivots Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran.
Johnson has been well below form this season, but Golden Boot winners are never out of form for long, and tonight may well be the night.
Foran has been injured, but he too grows an extra leg when he pulls on that black jersey.
Television coverage will be live on Channel Nine at 7.30pm, and replayed on Fox at 10pm. It will also be covered live by The Roar.
It’s a tragedy for rugby fans the Brumbies-Waratahs clash at Canberra is on at the same time and only on Fox, not free to air.
The game is vital to both sides, with the Brumbies leading the Australian Conference on 31 points from ten games over the Waratahs’ 27 points from nine.
There are three absorbing clashes.
The head-to-head between the world class sevens David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
Pocock has captained the Wallabies, Hooper’s the incumbent and both need to stay in form with George Smith now eligible for Rugby Championship and World Cup selection.
Inside centres Kurtley Beale and Christian Lealiifano will also be well aware of Matt Giteau’s eligibility for the same reasons.
Last, but by no means least, the clash of the coaches – Wallaby coach Michael Cheika (Waratahs), and the new Wallaby attack coach Stephen Larkham (Brumbies) – bragging rights are up for grabs, so too a place in the play-offs,
That alone will be worth the price of admission.
Live television coverage on Fox at 7.30pm, and live coverage also on The Roar.
Then the wait until Sunday afternoon when Floyd Mayweather Jnr steps into the MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas to do welter battle with Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather (38) with an unbeaten 47-0 record including 26 knockouts, standing 173-centimetres tall with a 183-centimetre reach, has the stats over Pacquiao (36) with a 57-5-2 record including 38 knockouts, standing 169-centimetres tall with a 170-centimetre reach.
Both have fought the brilliant Oscar de la Hoya. Mayweather beat him in May 2007 in a split decision over 12 rounds, while Pacquiao gave de la Hoya such a pummelling,the fight was stopped in the eighth of 12 rounds in December 2008 with Pacquaao well ahead on all three judge’s cards.
Both fought the tough-as-teak Ricky Hatton – Mayweather won on a TKO in the 10th of 12 rounds in December 2007, Pacquiao knocked Hatton out in the second of 12 rounds in May 2009.
Pacquiao couldn’t beat Juan Manuel Marquez in two meetings with a draw over 12 rounds in May 2004, and lost a split decision to Marquez in March 2008, but Mayweather won a unanimous decision over Marquez in September 2009.
The MGM Grand Gardens Arena seats 16,800, all tickets were sold before you could blink.
A friend of mine in Las Vegas told me the $50,000 ringside seats are being scalped for $350,000.
It’s anticipated the nett from gate and pay TV will realise around $400 million of which Mayweather will bank 60 per cent ($240 million), and Pacquiao 40 per cent ($160 million).
The contract that took over five years to be signed also states Mayweather must be named first in the promos and placards, he will also have first choice of locker room and corner, and that he will be second into the ring, and announced second.
The only item Floyd Mayweather hasn’t organised for himself is the result to end a magnificent weekend of sport.
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