THE LEDGER: It Was a Sub-Par Round of Trans-Tasman Sport Hate

The universe returned to its traditional north/south axis last week as Australia claimed back trans-Tasman bragging rights. New Zealand had just broken the drought the in the weekend prior but the relief was short-lived.

Even worse for New Zealand sports fans, Steven Adams and his Thunder have been turfed out of the NBA Finals leaving only Australian lads playing in the biggest event in US sports right now.

Despite the knock, can the Kiwis pull one back this week? Read on and find out.

CRICKET

With the IPL over for another year, cricketing attention turns back to the international game.

There's only one series on at the moment, and that's a tri-series involving the Australians, South Africans and West Indians in the Caribbean.

The men in the Baggy Greens got their tournament off to a strong start with a six-wicket demo job of the hosts in Guyana. Spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon were too good for the Windies batsmen, but should have a tough challenge against the Saffers later this week.

The Black Caps are out of action at the moment, and you can't lose if you don't play, so that leaves the ledger squared for the time being.

WINNER: Draw

FOOTBALL

The world's footballing attention is on the Copa America, and the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament in France—meaning Kiwis and Aussies have very little share of the soccer spotlight at the moment.

Both teams have been playing though. The Socceroos recovered from their defeat by England last week to sneak past Greece 1-0 in Sydney. The Kiwis, meanwhile, have had very little trouble reaching the semi-finals of the OFC Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea – with a 5-0 thumping of Vanuatu amongst their victories.

Neither result is hugely impressive, even though New Zealand are on track to grab a spot in next year's Confederations Cup with a OFC Nations Cup title. Let's call this category a draw.

WINNER: Draw

RUGBY UNION

The tools were down this weekend for Kiwi and Aussie rugby players, with Super Rugby beginning its mid-season international break.

The All Blacks will host Wales this month, while the Wallabies have three tests against Eddie Jones and his England team.

With no games, this has to be a draw. Which, for Australians in rugby, is as good as a win.

WINNER: Draw

RUGBY LEAGUE

On and off the field, the Warriors have been an absolute mess this season. So when last year's grand finalists—the Broncos—roll into town, it's probably going to be a hiding, right? Wrong.

The Warriors dished out a 36-18 stunner to the Queenslanders; arguably their best match of this NRL season. Shaun Johnson turned it up, as did the forward pack.

Along with troublesome centre Konrad Hurrell being booted by the club last week, maybe things are turning the corner at Mt Smart Stadium?

WINNER: New Zealand

NETBALL

Four games in the ANZ Championship this weekend—but the two local derbies for both Australia and New Zealand meant zero battles for direct trans-Tasman supremacy.

The Aussies are leaving the comp because they reckon the Kiwis aren't competitive enough—but this week, they had no chance to prove why.

Points even, yet again.

WINNER: Draw

MOTORSPORT

It's been all-quiet on the motorsport front for Kiwis and Aussies, with no racing in the F1, Indycars and V8 Supercars.

Poor old Daniel Ricciardo is probably still licking his wounds after being cruelly denied victory in the Monaco Grand Prix—but pity isn't enough to earn your nation points in this, the most highly competitive round of the Ledger so far.

WINNER: Draw

BASKETBALL

As already mentioned, the fairy tale playoff run of bearded Kiwi superhero Steven Adams and his Oklahoma City Thunder ended last week.

The Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, whose Game 6 victory in OKC was one for the absolute ages.

Adams' stock rose throughout the playoffs, and is now seen as a breakthrough star in the league. But with two Australians left in the NBA Finals (Andrew Bogut of the Warriors, and Matthew Dellavedova of the Cavaliers), there's no doubt who takes out this category.

WINNER: Australia

OLYMPIC SPORTS: TENNIS

Like football and golf, tennis is one of those sports that just shouldn't be at the Olympic Games. Professionals who make an absolute packet being allowed into the Olympic fold? No thank you.

But the sports are there, so no point complaining. The Australian Olympic Commission will be this week though, with tennis player Nick Kyrgios pulling out of the Australian Olympic team due to "unfair and unjust treatment."

The world no. 19 ranked player joins fellow Aussie Bernard Tomic in withdrawing from Rio. This puts the already stiff odds of Australia winning a tennis medal this year at too-many-to-count to one.

And because any medal Australia isn't winning is always good from a Kiwi point-of-view, NZ takes the win here.

WINNER: New Zealand

WILDCARD SPORT: BOXING

The world was in sad mode this weekend, as we learned of the death of legendary human Muhammad Ali. With his undeniable skill, style, confidence and wit, Ali changed his sport forever.

He also gives Australia some much needed points. Ali visited the Great Southern Land three times in his life (1979, 1998 and 2000)—even watching the Adelaide Crows win the 1998 AFL Final in Melbourne.

He only made one visit to New Zealand, in 1979. No word on what country he liked more, but on sheer number of visits, this round goes to the Aussies.

WINNER: Australia

OVERALL

AUSTRALIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 2

A tight tussle this week, with the Australians needing a Muhammad Ali visit to the 1998 AFL Grand Final to force a deadlock. We're not sure what this means as it's never happened before. I guess we just jackpot the hypothetical prize money and wait to see who gets it next week.

BONUS: CLASSIC MOMENT IN AUSSIE-NZ RIVALRY

Australia vs New Zealand football match in Melbourne, 2010

For New Zealand football fans, 2010 is a special year. It was the year New Zealand went to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and notched up an unbeaten three-match campaign—including a famed—draw with Italy.

Both the Kiwis and the Aussies warmed up for the Cup with a friendly in Melbourne. The Socceroos would win 2-1, but it was a close battle. Shame more of these don't take place.