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Warriors' Draymond Green praises ‘great' hometown Pistons team amid hot start

Warriors' Draymond Green praises ‘great' hometown Pistons team amid hot start originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Detroit Pistons have been dwelling in the depths of the NBA’s Eastern Conference for much of the last decade. 

But that seems to be changing in a big way. The Pistons are 9-2 to start the 2025-26 NBA season on the heels of a playoff appearance. 

Draymond Green, on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” said his hometown team is taking the next step and could be championship contenders this season. 

“[The] Pistons should have [beaten] the New York Knicks,” Green said. “And when you come out of a series knowing everything that you did wrong… you’re coming into that next year, you’re saying amongst each other, ‘Yo, we’re ready to take this next step…’”  

“… ‘We know we did X,Y and Z wrong, and if we can correct those things, we’re in the Eastern Conference Finals. We’re giving ourselves a chance.’ And so, they’re coming out with that type of energy and that type of attitude, and they look great. They look incredible.” 

Green notes that the Pistons, led by All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, have the team construction that a contender needs for success in the playoffs. 

“Anytime you’re gonna compete for a championship, guess what you must have? You must have an MVP candidate. Cade Cunningham is definitely that right now,” Green explained. “You usually have a second All Star, Jalen Duren is showing that he’s going to be that this year….”  

“…You usually have a great defender, Ausar Thompson is putting his fork in the ground. You must have a good bench, Caris LeVert is coming off that bench scoring. You must have some shooting. So, when you start to look at the team, you look at the schedule and yeah it is what it is, but these boys [are] coming.” 

The Pistons’ makeup of young, emerging players is an encouraging sign of good things to come. Green mentioned that their loss to the more-experienced Knicks in the first round of last year’s playoffs is akin to the Warriors’ playoff exits against the veteran-led San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers when the Golden State core was coming of age. 

The disappointing playoff exit is a learning lesson for the young Detroit core. 

“It’s beautiful to watch, man… the Pistons are taking that next step, and I’m looking forward to watching it all year,” Green said. 

The Pistons’ 9-2 record through 11 games is the best in the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday, and is the second-best in the NBA behind the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder (10-1). 

Green’s Warriors will face the Pistons twice this season, first on Jan. 30 in Detroit and next on Mar. 20 in Golden State. 

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Pros and Cons: Should the Mets trade for Freddy Peralta?

The easiest and cleanest way for the Mets to add a top-of-the-rotation starter to their staff this offseason is to turn to the free agent market, where the headliners are Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Ranger Suarez.

Ahead of his age-32 season, Valdez is the oldest of the available top starters. And he'll be seeking a huge deal.

King, who will be entering his age-31 season in 2026, was tremendous for the Padres in 2024 as he transitioned from relieving to starting. But he made just 15 starts in 2025 as he dealt with a nerve injury in his throwing shoulder and also lost time due to a knee injury.

Suarez, who turned 30 in August, might be the safest bet -- but he's also the least imposing. He has allowed 8.6 hits per nine during his eight-year career, is not a big strikeout guy, and has never thrown 158 innings or more in a season.

Then there's Cease, whose upside is sky high.

Entering his age-30 season, Cease has finished in the top-four in Cy Young voting two of the last four seasons. And he eats tons of innings. However, he's coming off a campaign where he had a 4.55 ERA, and has been maddeningly inconsistent.

With Suarez not an ideal fit, Valdez in line for a monster contract, King having serious injury concerns, and the up and down Cease possibly looking at a deal as long as six years, could a trade make the most sense for the Mets?

And if so, should Brewers ace Freddy Peralta be near the top of New York's list?

Here are the pros and cons of dealing for Peralta... 

Oct 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of game one of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field.
Oct 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of game one of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. / Michael McLoone - Imagn Images

PROS

Peralta is coming off a phenomenal 2025 season, where he had a career-best 2.70 ERA in 176.2 innings. He posted a 1.07 WHIP, allowed just 124 hits, and struck out 204 batters -- a rate of 10.4 per nine.

Since transitioning in 2021 from mainly a relief option to the starting rotation, Peralta has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. 

In 139 starts over the last five years, Peralta has a 3.30 ERA and 1.09 WHIP and has fanned 895 batters in 738.1 innings while allowing just 536 hits. He has also been reliable when it comes to taking the ball, tossing 165.2 innings or more reach of the last three seasons..

His ability to miss bats and limit hits is elite, as is his stuff. 

Peralta relies mainly on a four-seam fastball (which he threw 53 percent of the time this past season), a changeup, and a curve. He'll also mix in a slider.

In 2025, his pitching run value graded out in the 97th percentile, via Baseball Savant. And all of his individual pitches were tremendous -- the fastball was in the 84th percentile, the breaking balls were in the 88th percentile, and the changeup was in the 96th percentile. 

Looking at Peralta's advanced metrics, he was near the top of the league in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, whiff percentage, strikeout percentage, hard hit percentage, and extension.

Peralta is also almost unbelievably inexpensive, set to make just $8 million in 2026 in what is his final year before free agency. 

Sep 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (not pictured) with the bases loaded in the fourth inning at American Family Field.
Sep 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (not pictured) with the bases loaded in the fourth inning at American Family Field. / Benny Sieu - Imagn Images

CONS

There is no guarantee the Brewers will trade Peralta, so the Mets hitching their wagon to that possibility could be fruitless.

But the Brewers have often dealt players who are entering their walk year, and in some cases have traded key players with more team control than that.

They traded pending free agent Corbin Burnes during the 2023-24 offseason and pending free agent Devin Williams last offseason. At the 2022 trade deadline, the Brewers dealt Josh Hader to the Padres when he still had a year and change of team control remaining.

If Milwaukee makes Peralta available, though, it could cost a ton to acquire him.

It's very rare to be able to get a pitcher of Peralta's caliber on such a team-friendly contract, meaning it will likely require the Mets parting with a package of players it would pain them to surrender.

There's also the risk of giving up a huge package for what could amount to just one year of Peralta's services.

Looking at Peralta the pitcher, there really aren't many red flags.

His walk rate is a tick high and he doesn't induce many ground balls. But that's pretty much it. 

VERDICT

David Stearns is obviously very familiar with Peralta from his time with Milwaukee, which can't hurt. 

And if the Mets are unable to pry Tarik Skubal from the Tigers, Peralta -- or Joe Ryan of the Twins, or Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins -- should be the fallback plan.

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Giants trade Mason Black to Royals for right-handed pitcher Logan Martin

Giants trade Mason Black to Royals for right-handed pitcher Logan Martin originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAS VEGAS — The annual General Managers Meetings mostly are about laying the groundwork for moves that might happen later in the offseason, but the Giants made a minor trade Tuesday on the first full day of the event in Las Vegas. 

San Francisco acquired right-handed pitching prospect Logan Martin from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-hander Mason Black, who had been designated for assignment last week after a couple of waiver claims. Black will get an opportunity to try and contribute in the American League, while the Giants get a 24-year-old who does not have to take up a spot on their 40-man roster and potentially can help down the line. 

“We had to make a decision on Mason and we’re fortunate to get an arm-strength starter back in the system,” general manager Zack Minasian said Tuesday morning. 

Martin, a 12th-rounder out of Kentucky in 2023, pitched in High-A last season, posting a 3.45 ERA across 22 starts. He has a 3.49 ERA in three minor-league seasons, although his strikeout rate has dipped in Single-A. Martin, who relies primarily on a mid-90s four-seamer and a cutter, currently is pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

The Giants have tried to add young pitching in every deal over the past year and plan to be aggressive in adding depth at all levels this offseason. At the same time as they DFA’d Black, who struggled in his big-league stints, they acquired lefty reliever Reiver Sanmartin from the Cincinnati Reds and outfielder Justin Dean from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Those two waiver claims were the first for the organization since before the 2025 season. Minasian said the front office liked Sanmartin’s versatility and noted he has big-league experience. Dean joins a crowded outfield group on the 40-man roster, but the Giants consider him to be the best defender of the group and the fastest baserunner. Minasian said adding a lefty relief option and potential bench outfielder “felt like two things that fit the roster at this time.”

“We’re happy to have him on,” he said of Dean, who appeared in the World Series with the Dodgers. “We’ll see what he can do in Arizona (next spring).”

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Arsenal and Crystal Palace games moved by Premier League before Carabao Cup tie

  • Clubs face each other in cup quarter-final on 23 December

  • Their weekend league games go from Sunday to Saturday

Arsenal and Crystal Palace have succeeded with requests to the Premier League to move their fixtures the weekend before they meet in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The teams play in the cup at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 23 December and had been due to play at 2pm GMT on Sunday 21 December. Instead Arsenal’s game at Everton and Palace’s at Leeds will take place at 8pm the previous day.

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Warriors' Draymond Green strongly defends Nico Harrison before Mavericks firing

Warriors' Draymond Green strongly defends Nico Harrison before Mavericks firing originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Dallas Mavericks made a bold front office move that should appease the majority of their fan base, but was it the right move?

Dallas officially fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, nine months after he stunningly traded superstar guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA and angered a large portion of the Mavericks’ fan base.

To put it lightly.

Despite Dallas’ productive offseason, which included shockingly landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which it used to select consensus top prospect Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have been abysmal to start the 2025-26 NBA season, going 3-8 through the team’s first 11 games, which prompted fans to chant “Fire Nico!” with the general manager in attendance for Monday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Well, they got their wish.

However, Warriors forward Draymond Green explained on the latest episode of his “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, which was recorded before Dallas fired Harrison, why it might not be the right time to make such a move.

“When stuff is going wrong, everyone is quick to jump and try to pounce on it and that’s just what people do in this business,” Green said. “Quite honestly, the team that Nico has placed his bet on, and I say that no pun intended, but the team he’s constructed to go win a championship hasn’t been on the court. Nobody assumed Kyrie Irving would tear his ACL. [Anthony Davis] started off with the eye [injury] as of late. The team hasn’t really been out there.”

Trading Dončić, understandably, was not received well by Mavericks fans and those around the league, but Green believes, on paper, Harrison was able to construct a team led by Irving, Davis and Flagg that, when healthy, could be competitive and that Harrison deserved to see his plan play out this season.

“I find it weird that everybody’s just like Luka’s playing great, everybody was s–tting on Luka last year,” Green added. “Now Luka’s playing great and everybody wants to take that opportunity to s–t on Nico because Dallas is playing bad. But it’s not apples to apples. The team he constructed to be out there isn’t out there.”

“Y’all just want to go point the finger at Nico because that was a storyline, now let’s make that a storyline again. That s–t is whack to me. So next year, that full team that Nico intended to be out there, and they have success, then what? … They have great pieces. So let’s see it all together before we yell ‘Fire Nico.’ Let’s see if it actually works. Because if it works next year, what are y’all gonna say?”

While Harrison will not be able to see his plan play out as general manager, Green believes that if the Mavericks eventually have success this season, and in the near future, the former executive deserves his flowers.

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Flyers: Are We Headed Towards a Goalie Controversy?

Despite some truly impressive performances from newcomer Dan Vladar, the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in a situation similar to what transpired in the previous two seasons.

Sam Ersson, who has clearly lost a greater share of the crease to Vladar, has again been plagued by injury, and has again not performed all that well in respect to raw statistics or relative expectations.

Ersson, 26, was beaten thrice on just 14 shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, conceding two goals on six shots in the first period alone.

Some magic from Matvei Michkov and a goal from Jamie Drysdale helped earn the Flyers a point in the loss, as Ersson was tested only seven more times across the second and third periods.

So, while he did ultimately settle in, fans are quickly growing tired of the Swede and his continued injury struggles and average performances.

For the year, Ersson is 2-1-2 but owns a porous 3.03 GAA and .866 save percentage, with the latter ranking 66th in the NHL amongst 73 total goalies.

Porter Martone Doing Everything Flyers Needed to See in NCAAPorter Martone Doing Everything Flyers Needed to See in NCAAThe Philadelphia Flyers have to be thrilled with how Porter Martone has been developing on the ice and in the gym.

And, among the goalies who can be considered true NHL regulars, only Joel Hofer, Jordan Binnington, Sam Montembeault, and Calvin Pickard have been worse.

The problem, at least for the Flyers, is that goalie prospect Aleksei Kolosov has played well enough to say that he's legitimately earned the chance to have a real look at the NHL level.

The Belarusian appeared in two games with Ersson on the shelf, going 0-1-0 and posting a 1.61 GAA and .929 save percentage.

In fairness, 26 saves on 28 shots across two games isn't the greatest sample size, but Ersson is 103 for 119 on the season.

To match that, Kolosov would have to go 77 for his next 91, which equates to a .846 save percentage. The 23-year-old wasn't even that bad last season, and he looks better and worlds more comfortable this year.

Piggybacking on the last point, Kolosov is playing in the AHL this year, as many thought he wouldn't, and he's excelling.

In six games, Kolosov is 4-2-0 with a 2.50 GAA, a .918 save percentage, and his first shutout on North American ice.

Kolosov's .918 save percentage ranks 10th amongst AHL goalies with at least five games played this season, below prospects like Sergei Murashov and Drew Commesso and above the likes of Erik Portillo, Jacob Fowler, and Devon Levi. In other words: exactly where he should be considering his relative lack of experience playing on this side of the world.

NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Forward Not Out of the Woods Yet?NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Forward Not Out of the Woods Yet?The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly not thrilled with another season of inconsistent scoring contributions from Owen Tippett.

Both Ersson and Kolosov are in contract years and will be restricted free agents at the end of the season, end if the Flyers decide that Ersson isn't the future or that they can only keep one player, we can expect Kolosov to get another long look, especially now that he appears to have improved significantly.

Kolosov is also the younger option, and his absence from the AHL ranks won't be too considerable. Fellow prospect Carson Bjarnason, 20, is holding up just fine with his 3-1-2 record, 2.52 GAA, and .918 save percentage.

The longer this current trend continues at the NHL level, though, the more likely these changes become reality.

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Shaikin: Torii Hunter sees Angels turning into 'a force to be reckoned with' soon

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (27) talks with former baseball players.
Angels star Mike Trout, right, speaks with Torii Hunter, center, and Jered Weaver, left, before the Angels' 2024 home opener against the Boston Red Sox. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)

Trout National does not formally open until April. But, when you’re Mike Trout, you can invite your friends to play a couple rounds on the course that carries your name.

And so it was that Trout, the best player in Angels history, last week welcomed Torii Hunter, one of the most popular and respected players in Angels history. The course, designed by Tiger Woods and his team, is located in Trout’s hometown of Millville, N.J., and includes a refueling stop in “a concrete bunker tucked behind the 14th tee and styled like a classic baseball dugout.”

Said Hunter: “It’s a great course.”

Hunter could have managed his former teammate next season, had the Angels chosen him to replace Ron Washington. However, for the second time in three years, the Angels interviewed Hunter for their managerial vacancy and then hired someone else — this time, former Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki.

Read more:Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers charged with betting on pitches: 'They betrayed America's pastime'

Hunter, speaking Monday at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast before a fundraiser for Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, said he interviewed with Angels general manager Perry Minasian.

Hunter said he believed Suzuki would do well in the position and had no hard feelings about the process.

“It was a great interview,” Hunter said. “We had a good talk. It just didn’t work out.

“The opportunity presented itself. They were looking for a manager, and they decided to interview me for the job. They told me to.

“I still love the Angels. That’s why I did it. That's why I wanted to do it.”

He felt the same way about his original team, the Minnesota Twins. He said he “put my name in the hat” for the Twins’ managerial vacancy and had informal discussions with the team, but no formal interview.

Hunter declined to discuss details of his interview with Minasian.

Read more:MLB free-agent tracker: Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber among 13 players getting a qualifying offer

The Angels have baseball’s longest playoff drought, now at 11 years, and have finished in last place in back-to-back seasons. Hunter said prospects need to get to Anaheim and start playing with the young players already there.

“I think those guys have got a couple of years under their belts,” he said. “It’s time to go out there and really compete.”

The Angels’ minor league system is widely regarded as one of baseball's thinnest. Hunter, who worked as a special assistant to Minasian last season, said he sees a fair amount of talent at the lower levels of the system.

“Maybe they don’t win the World Series next year,” Hunter said. “Maybe they don't go to the playoffs.

“A shift in the team dynamic depends on the pieces that they add. But, in the next two years, you’re going to see these guys, and they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Hunter said he is unsure yet whether his business interests — he owns five restaurants and two coffee shops, in addition to commercial real estate investments — will allow him to continue as an Angels special assistant. He hopes to do so.

Read more:Eric Kay's ex-wife says she told Angels co-workers he had a drug problem, contradicting their testimony

“I love Kurt Suzuki,” Hunter said. “I played with him with the Twins in 2015, and I played against him forever. I love everything about him. I would love to be there to help him along the way if I can.”

Suzuki agreed to a one-year contract, which puts him in the uncomfortable position of being a lame duck before he manages his first game.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Hunter said. “You’ve got to give him time, and a chance to get to know the fellas. The guy is smart, he’s intelligent, he’s got great relationship skills. So, be patient.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Dallas Mavericks confirmed they fired general manager Nico Harrison during a scheduled meeting with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, confirming recent rumors of a change in the front office.

ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the team’s plan to fire Harrison and replace him in the interim with executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. The team confirmed the interim placements and said a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent general manager.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” said Dumont of Harrison’s firing.

Harrison had been the team’s GM and president of basketball operations for the last four seasons, which included two trips to the Western Conference finals, a trip to the NBA Finals and the unforgettable blockbuster trade that led to fans screaming for his ouster.

Nine months ago, Harrison traded superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The backlash was swift and unrelenting. For months after the trade, disenchanted Mavericks fans protested the trade and chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity.

In April, at the season-ending press conference, Harrison said he stood by the deal but didn’t realize how much fans loved the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I did know that Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Harrison said in April that he’d hoped the team he put together, which included Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, would be improved by the addition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Because of injuries, that team never really materialized, and the Mavs fell flat.

Even after winning the lottery for the No. 1 draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the Mavs are among the worst teams in the NBA and are ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record (2-5 at home) and five straight losses, including Monday night’s 116-114 loss to Milwaukee where fans renewed the chants calling for the team to “Fire Nico.”

The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

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With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade

With team in the cellar, Mavs fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Dallas Mavericks confirmed they fired general manager Nico Harrison during a scheduled meeting with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, confirming recent rumors of a change in the front office.

ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the team’s plan to fire Harrison and replace him in the interim with executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. The team confirmed the interim placements and said a comprehensive search will begin for a permanent general manager.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” said Dumont of Harrison’s firing.

Harrison had been the team’s GM and president of basketball operations for the last four seasons, which included two trips to the Western Conference finals, a trip to the NBA Finals and the unforgettable blockbuster trade that led to fans screaming for his ouster.

Nine months ago, Harrison traded superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The backlash was swift and unrelenting. For months after the trade, disenchanted Mavericks fans protested the trade and chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity.

In April, at the season-ending press conference, Harrison said he stood by the deal but didn’t realize how much fans loved the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I did know that Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Harrison said in April that he’d hoped the team he put together, which included Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, would be improved by the addition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Because of injuries, that team never really materialized, and the Mavs fell flat.

Even after winning the lottery for the No. 1 draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the Mavs are among the worst teams in the NBA and are ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record (2-5 at home) and five straight losses, including Monday night’s 116-114 loss to Milwaukee where fans renewed the chants calling for the team to “Fire Nico.”

The Mavericks’ next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

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The Breakdown | New Zealand stars Barrett and McKenzie show how skill and vision can flourish

The veteran All Black duo both grew up on dairy farms and may not have flourished in English rugby’s rigid system

This week’s column is being compiled slightly differently. It’s not easy to type while looking upwards and smiling warmly at the bookshelf but, hey, that’s the price to be paid for method sportswriting. When you’re putting together a piece on Damian McKenzie, the All Blacks’ so-called “smiling assassin”, it’s important to try to get into character.

The head bandage took time to apply as well, as did the fake-blood drizzle of ketchup down the cheek. Anyone who watched the later stages of New Zealand’s win against Scotland on television on Saturday, however, will appreciate why the extra touches felt appropriate. It is not every day a player preparing to kick the clinching points in a major Test resembles a happy, beaten prizefighter.

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