As the final whistle sounded on the Warriors\u2019 demolition of the Canberra Raiders<\/a> in the rain at Go Media Stadium on Friday night, there were few better sights than chief executive Cameron George giving the visitors a serve from the sidelines; a callback to Raiders enforcer Joseph Tapine doing the same after his side won in Auckland last year. <\/p>\n It\u2019s that sort of passion from the people within the club that radiates to and amplifies that of the fans.<\/p>\n The only question through two rounds for the New Zealand club is: can they keep this level of play up? <\/p>\n Winner: Liam Lawson \u2013 professional points-scorer?<\/p>\n Sticking to overperforming Kiwis for a second, Liam Lawson had no right to be scoring points from both Formula One races at the weekend<\/a>. The young Kiwi driver even admitted as much himself after finishing seventh in Saturday\u2019s sprint race, indicating his team prioritised a good result in the short-form race, based on how the Racing Bulls car felt through the week.<\/p>\n Qualifying in 14th for the grand prix, it seemed that might have been the right choice from the Lawson stable. But the race itself was Lawson at his very best<\/a> as he claimed another seventh-placed finish.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I expected, so very, very well done,\u201d he said over the team radio after the race. \u201cI think, honestly, for what we had, the pace we had, that was everything we could do with the car.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawson was able to capitalise on the misfortune of others off the starting line, but found himself needing to pit early as his tyres were struggling and he had no pace. A safety car then coming on to the track moments after he left pit lane could have derailed his race.<\/p>\n Instead, the Kiwi drove a clean race, managed his only available set of hard tyres masterfully over 47 laps, was aware of what was going on around him and squeezed everything he could out of what initially looked like it would be a bad situation.<\/p>\n He did benefit from the two McLarens not starting the race and Max Verstappen having to retire his Red Bull late, but it was a drive that earned Lawson plenty of praise from his team.<\/p>\n \u201cWell done, mate. Impressive. That is right up there with your best. Really, really well done mate,\u201d Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane told him.<\/p>\n Lawson is now tied on points with Verstappen on eight.<\/p>\n Loser: English rugby <\/p>\n This was a terrible tournament for Steve Borthwick\u2019s side. A first-ever loss to Italy seemed like a death knell, and Sunday morning\u2019s 48-46 loss to France<\/a> was the final nail in the coffin. With just one win, this was England\u2019s worst Six Nations performance ever. The Telegraph reports England had not lost four tests (or more) in the Six Nations for 50 years.<\/p>\n But in a strange way, losing to France actually boosted the English stocks. The side showed plenty of fight in what was an enthralling test match, leading at halftime and then taking the lead late. Discipline, however, again led to their downfall, with a Thomas Ramos penalty goal in the last play of the game lifting France to the win and the Six Nations title.<\/p>\n England will now review their campaign, ahead of a trip to Ellis Park to face the Springboks in July. Good luck to them.<\/p>\n Winner: New Zealand women <\/p>\n Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: Claimed gold at the Natural Selection Tour event<\/a> in Revelstoke, Canada. Her first event post-Olympics and the Kiwi star triumphed in the bracket-format event.<\/p>\n Black Ferns Sevens: Won the tournament in New York<\/a>; topped the world series.<\/p>\n Alice Robinson: A podium finish in the FIS Giant Slalom in Are, Sweden.<\/p>\n White Ferns: An easy T20 win over South Africa<\/a>. <\/p>\n Wellington Phoenix Women: A 3-0 win over Brisbane and looking every part a title-contending team.<\/p>\n Heck of a weekend, that.<\/p>\n Losers: Black Caps <\/p>\n Followed up a near 100-run loss in the T20 final by being absolutely obliterated by the South African bowling attack in Mount Maunganui in the first of five T20s on Sunday.<\/p>\nWarriors chief executive Cameron George sent the Canberra Raiders on their way. Image \/ Sky Sport<\/p>\n
The Black Ferns celebrate after the final whistle to defeat Australia in the New York final. Photo \/ SmartFrame<\/p>\n