THE LEDGER: Kiwis Running Ice Cold in Australasian Sporting Blood Feud

New Zealand is a nation that, historically, punches well beyond its weight when it comes to sports. From Rugby and Cricket World Cups to Olympic medal tables, the Kiwis are the underdogs who match natural guts with natural talent.

But if you're a Kiwi sportsperson, success means little if you can't beat an Aussie in the process. Beating an Australian, you see, validates it all.

With that being said, the last four weeks will have pained those on the eastern side of the Tasman – as Australia have taken out the first four weeks of THE LEDGER.

Has the momentum changed over the weekend? Read on and find out, sports fan.

CRICKET

It's not exactly been the greatest week for Aussies and Kiwis over in India's Insane Paypacket League. In fact, batsmen and bowlers from either nation have barely scratched the highlight packages of late.

'Big Davey' Warner was arguably the pick, slugging a top order 46 in Sunrisers Hyderabad's loss to the Delhi Daredevils – and a chanceless 52 in their defeat of Kings XI Punjab.

As far as the Kiwis go, Auckland seamer – and one-time Spartacus extra – Mitchell McClenaghan collected a tidy 2 for 24 in the Mumbai Indians loss to the Kings XI – but stars Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson both underwhelmed.

As a side, THE LEDGER found out there is a Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder named Sachin Baby, who was reportedly born – and named – a week after Tendulkar made his debut in 1988. Wild.

WINNER: Australia

FOOTBALL

The Premier League bid us a fond farewell this weekend, as the final round of games was played out over England. Leagues all across Europe are doing the same thing, with only the Champions League and Europa Cup finals to really look forward to.

There may be some Australian representation in the Europa Cup final in Switzerland, with Sydney-born Liverpool defender Brad Smith likely to feature on the bench for the Merseysiders against Sevilla.

The Socceroos squad to play England in a friendly in Sunderland on May 27 was named, which veteran Tim Cahill missed the call-up for.

That's not big news, but in a week where football was winding down – and given the fact that New Zealand football on the international level is a joke that can't get quality friendlies for the All Whites – this one goes to Australia.

WINNER: Australia

RUGBY UNION

Rugby union is supposed to be New Zealand's sporting banker – but the Kiwis have been doing their level best to cede their dominance in the category recently.

Two Australian sides, the Brumbies and Waratahs, won their Super Rugby matches over the weekend, while two Kiwi teams – the Highlanders and Hurricanes – did the same.

In arguably the weekend's poorest outing, the Auckland Blues were hammered 43-5 by the Lions in Johannesburg – prompting judges at THE LEDGER to consider handing the crown to the Aussies this week.

However, the Canes victory did come against the Queensland Reds, while the 'Landers was against their South Island neighbours – and was easily the weekend's best game.

Scratch one up for the Kiwis. Chur, bro.

Highlights of the Highlanders vs Crusaders match

WINNER: New Zealand

RUGBY LEAGUE

After the Warriors sleeping pills scandal and the Anzac test demolition job over the last fortnight, you'd be forgiven for wondering if things could get any worse for New Zealand rugby league.

If you did, you were right. The Warriors were thumped 30-18 by the Panthers in Christchurch over the weekend, placing further pressure under coach Andrew McFadden and making the playoffs look like a pipe dream already.

One talking head in Kiwi sports media has called for the head of star half Shaun Johnson – which is idiotic click bait – but it's clear something needs to be done to light a fire under the team.

Until it is, expect Australia to claim this category every week.

WINNER: Australia

Warriors vs Panthers highlights

NETBALL

As far as results go, honours will be exactly even in the ANZ Championship this weekend.

There were two Australian derbies, and two Kiwi ones – the Northern Mystics and Central Pulse are still to play, in Auckland tonight – meaning, on court, neither nation showed they were the better.

That said; the Queensland Firebirds' 61-52 victory over the West Coast Fever has put them top of the table with seven wins from seven matches. They're the cream of the crop right now, and, being that they hail from the Great Southern Land, you can scratch up another win in the win column for the Ockers.

WINNER: Australia

MOTORSPORT

There was no racing in the V8 Supercar series this last week, meaning all the motorsport action involving Kiwis and Aussies took place abroad.

Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, while Kiwi Scott Dixon – the reigning Indycar champion – finished seventh at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

While Ricciardo's finish is higher, Dixon did finished well ahead of the only Australia on the Indycar circuit – Will Power – meaning this round goes to the Kiwis.

WINNER: New Zealand

BASKETBALL

At time of writing, three of the four final teams for the NBA playoffs had been found.

The Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers had all qualified, with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat still battling it out for the final spot.

That means there will be two Australians in the final four mix – Matthew Dellavedova of the Cavs, and Andrew Bogut of the Warriors – while big Kiwi Steven Adams will line up in the Thunder's Western Conference final series against Golden State.

Adams impressive performance against the San Antonio Spurs – which featured Aussie Patty Mills – gives New Zealand the nod to the honours here. How he fares against fellow big man Bogut in the coming week will be fascinating.

WINNER: New Zealand

OLYMPIC SPORTS: RUGBY SEVENS

It's been a bad weekend for rugby sevens if you're a Kiwi fan. The New Zealand men's team were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Paris leg of the sevens circuit by Argentina, and then suffered defeat to South Africa in the 'second chance' cup competition semis.

The Aussies did a touch better, making the cup final – which they also lost to South Africa.

The biggest news in rugby sevens this weekend was the shock decision by former NRL star Jarryd Hayne to ditch his NFL dreams at the San Francisco 49ers – and attempt to win a spot in the Fijian rugby sevens side for the Rio Olympics.

You've got to say that's bad news for New Zealand, given he will be a potential star-powered reinforcement for one of their biggest rivals for the gold medal. Bad news, Kiwi sports fans.

WINNER: Australia

WILDCARD SPORT: WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

The Invictus Games – which sees wounded and injury ex-armed servicemen and women compete in a range of sports - took place in Orlando, Florida last week.

One of the biggest, most well supported sports was wheelchair rugby, which used to be known as 'murder ball.'

Australia made the semi-finals, and while they were knocked out by the United States, the Ockers made it further in the competition than New Zealand.

WINNER: Australia

OVERALL

AUSTRALIA 6 NEW ZEALAND 3

The bad luck streak for New Zealand continues, with Australia claiming its fifth straight week on top of THE LEDGER.

If New Zealand didn't have Steven Adams' incredible facial furniture, we don't know how they would console themselves.

BONUS: CLASSIC MOMENT IN AUSSIE-NZ RIVALRY

John Eales' Bledisloe Cup winning penalty in Wellington, 2000

Back in 2000, rugby fans were treated to two of the finest Bledisloe Cup tests of all-time. The All Blacks won 'Test Made in Heaven' in Sydney, before the Wallabies returned the favour in Wellington two weeks later.

Australian captain John 'Nobody' Eales was the hero that day, kicking a last second penalty to retain the Cup. Talk about being calm under pressure.