Sunday, December 16, 2007
Waddell vs Drysdale
What a great race and rivalry is brewing for 2008 and Beijing in the men's sculls. I am not surprised to see Waddell defeat Drysdale. To me, Waddell is a freak and would have reigned supreme since 2000 if he had stayed in the sport. He will only get faster. Drysdale will too, but I can't see him making the gains that Waddell will. I say, get Mahe in a double, because I can't see him running Rod down. But why can't they both compete in the singles? What a strange world we live in when one will miss out.
Athletic Stars of the Future
We have some class coming through in athletics. I was there at the secondary school nationals last weekend and there were some super performances. Fraser Wicks is quick. In one race he broke the national junior and senior 400m time. Fantastic! He looked like a young Michael Johnson! Dallas Bowden will be a star. He has a blistering finish, demolishing the 800m and 1500m fields. He is class. He had to run a heat for the 1500 and a heat and semi for the 800m leading in. Look out for this class athlete. Hannah Newbould followed up last years cliff-hanging Junior 1500m victory with a senior win in the 1500 senior event. She is strong and beat off some real class in her victory. Esther Keown was similarly dynamic in winning the junior event. We have real strength in junior middle distance running coming through with a number of good times posted. Sarah McSweeney continues to dominate the Steeplechase, winning just a couple of hours after a fine second in the 3000m. Olivia Burne too was superb in oppressive heat in winning this event. There is some real promise here.
Black Caps
What a great start to the season for the Black Caps. We have come to the end of an era and it is not looking good. Hammered by South Africa and more of the same in Australia. Our top order is dismal! Embarrassing. A lack of technique is palpable. We need to go for experience. And what are they doing to Matthew Sinclair. Put him in and leave him in and watch him flourish. It is time for Vincent to give it away, he is not there. We are terribly vulnerable at present, weak. The loss of Fleming, MacMillen, Cairns and others is really noticeable. To me the only world class players are Bond who is out again and Oram who is class. McCallum is class with the gloves and has his moment with the bat. But, we need to desperately find a top order that can get us through to 150-200/3 to give ourselves a chance. Is is time for Bracers to go? Perhaps. But then, he does not have a lot to work with.
Henry, Deans and all that
I have not said much for a while, eating humble pie from my earlier stated position that Graham Henry should resign as All Black coach and then watching his reappointment and Deans appointment as Australian coach. But I must break my silence. I DON'T GET IT!
Surely this was the one time that it was a no-brainer that the AB coach WOULD NOT BE reappointed! Henry took the number one team in the world and through the shrewd strategy of failing to play them so that they did not develop combinations, lacked match play and the nous to win a quarter-final against one of the worst French teams in recent times. They should have slaughtered France, demolished England and won a gruelling final against SA! But they didn't and it comes down to poor preparation and poor selection! Yet he is reappointed.
At the same time Robbie Deans sits waiting, the best coaching record bar none on the planet; he is primed and ready. He is rejected!
Instead he is sent to coach our arch enemy, Australia, without doubt our biggest threat in 2011! After all, according to history, the only team that really can win on NZ soil is Australia, at least with any consistency. So we give them our best coach.
Then, when it seems obvious that it is a conflict of interest for him to coach our leading Super 14 Team leading into the Wallaby role, he is allowed to do so!
Forgive me, but I don't get any of it. Now I do agree that failure at the world cup should not necessarily lead to a coaches sacking, it depends on the circumstances. So for example, to me Laurie Mains and John Mitchell deserved second chances. Mains lost only because of food poisoning in 1995. Mitchell lost to Australia in Australia which history tells us is no surprise no matter how good the AB's. Clearly Hart had to go after 1999 as did Wylie and Hart in 1991, the team was poor and disunified. Similarly with Henry! He should have gone. It will be an amazing story and not a great surprise if a Robbie Deans coached Wallaby side knocks us off in 2011.
Anyway, I suppose we get behind Father Ted and hope he can pull them together and do the business. I think the decision was wrong whatever happens! I will be thrilled to eat my words.
Surely this was the one time that it was a no-brainer that the AB coach WOULD NOT BE reappointed! Henry took the number one team in the world and through the shrewd strategy of failing to play them so that they did not develop combinations, lacked match play and the nous to win a quarter-final against one of the worst French teams in recent times. They should have slaughtered France, demolished England and won a gruelling final against SA! But they didn't and it comes down to poor preparation and poor selection! Yet he is reappointed.
At the same time Robbie Deans sits waiting, the best coaching record bar none on the planet; he is primed and ready. He is rejected!
Instead he is sent to coach our arch enemy, Australia, without doubt our biggest threat in 2011! After all, according to history, the only team that really can win on NZ soil is Australia, at least with any consistency. So we give them our best coach.
Then, when it seems obvious that it is a conflict of interest for him to coach our leading Super 14 Team leading into the Wallaby role, he is allowed to do so!
Forgive me, but I don't get any of it. Now I do agree that failure at the world cup should not necessarily lead to a coaches sacking, it depends on the circumstances. So for example, to me Laurie Mains and John Mitchell deserved second chances. Mains lost only because of food poisoning in 1995. Mitchell lost to Australia in Australia which history tells us is no surprise no matter how good the AB's. Clearly Hart had to go after 1999 as did Wylie and Hart in 1991, the team was poor and disunified. Similarly with Henry! He should have gone. It will be an amazing story and not a great surprise if a Robbie Deans coached Wallaby side knocks us off in 2011.
Anyway, I suppose we get behind Father Ted and hope he can pull them together and do the business. I think the decision was wrong whatever happens! I will be thrilled to eat my words.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Letter to Sarah Ulmer
Here is a letter to Sarah Ulmer.
Dear Sarah,
You rock! What a wonderful person you are. What a great sportsperson you have been. Sure, you could have won more if you hadn't been injured, but you conquered Everest, winning an Olympic Gold in a world record time. I am thrilled for you. You should be immensely satisfied with your career. You did yourself and NZ proud.
What I like most about you is not your sports brilliance, although I love what you have done. It is your character. You, like Barbara Kendell, light up the world around you. To me, character is way more important than sporting prowess. You embody character. You have joy and you inspire. You embody a piece of writing that means a lot to me, 1 Corinthians 13.
So, thanks for your brilliance and great thanks for your person! I know you will go onto further greatness in the world beyond competition. I urge you to pass it on. Inspire the youngsters of this nation to play hard with character!
I have three daughters in sport. One has applied for a scholarship to go to the Olympics with Hamish C. If she wins, she gets a mentor. You were her number one choice! I hope she wins the scholarship so that your infectious joy and optimism may rub off on her.
THANKS SARAH
Yours truly
Mark and family
Dear Sarah,
You rock! What a wonderful person you are. What a great sportsperson you have been. Sure, you could have won more if you hadn't been injured, but you conquered Everest, winning an Olympic Gold in a world record time. I am thrilled for you. You should be immensely satisfied with your career. You did yourself and NZ proud.
What I like most about you is not your sports brilliance, although I love what you have done. It is your character. You, like Barbara Kendell, light up the world around you. To me, character is way more important than sporting prowess. You embody character. You have joy and you inspire. You embody a piece of writing that means a lot to me, 1 Corinthians 13.
So, thanks for your brilliance and great thanks for your person! I know you will go onto further greatness in the world beyond competition. I urge you to pass it on. Inspire the youngsters of this nation to play hard with character!
I have three daughters in sport. One has applied for a scholarship to go to the Olympics with Hamish C. If she wins, she gets a mentor. You were her number one choice! I hope she wins the scholarship so that your infectious joy and optimism may rub off on her.
THANKS SARAH
Yours truly
Mark and family
Saturday, November 17, 2007
NZ Batting Woes 2
I have written before on the NZ batting woes. We do not have players with an adequate technique to cope with quality pace bowling. Papps and Cummings are simply not good enough cricketers to cope with pace bowling. Fleming is injured. Styris has always been marginal. But who will take their places? Perhaps McIntosh to pair with Cummings? Sinclair does not have the technique to bat about 5. Perhaps put Fleming at 3, Vincent at 4, Sinclair at 5, Oram at 6. Taylor can be given more time to develop? Or play 6 batsmen and 4 bowlers?
Whatever, the problem is shuffling deck chairs at present. We need to listen to John Parker and concentrate more on technique, to ensure our batsmen have the essential technique required to bat at test level!
Whatever, the problem is shuffling deck chairs at present. We need to listen to John Parker and concentrate more on technique, to ensure our batsmen have the essential technique required to bat at test level!
Bugger Again!
My post rugby world cup blog was entitled 'bugger!' This one is due to the netball world cup. It was terribly disappointing to watch in one sense, Aussie won. On the other hand, they gave it their all so... well done the Silver Ferns. You could not back up, but you went close.
My analysis suggests we lost for several reasons:
1. Jodie Te Huna was off her game. She was reticent to shoot and it placed too much pressure on Irene van Dyk. Too many short passes in the circle, which the Aussies touched away.
2. The mid-court was outplayed. It seemed to me that the Aussies had more pace and were able to exert more defensive pressure. It was noticeable that Langman struggled to get free and this stifled the flow. Oh that she could have played WD and Temapara was there at her best. But you can't go back (I wish Tana had been in France too).
3. The fouling of the Australians esp. in defence. The Aussies without doubt played to disrupt in the circle, going to the edge of the law and beyond to disrupt NZ. I have written before on this blog of the problem we have in netball. Vilimainu Davu used to do it and Liz Ellis and her mates really push the boundaries. Intentional hits, knocking the balls out of the hand. Without a foul system, or a yellow card system, netball will continue to be ruined. I am not blaming the refs, but the Aussies know how to slow us down, and disrupt Irene van Dyk.
Generally, the Aussies were slightly better. But in Cassie Williams, we have a superstar.
Way to go Ruth A and the team, you did us proud. Time to rebuild the Silver Ferns though, a few are now hitting the ends of their careers. Bring on the young stars to complement the mature, and we will turn it around.
My analysis suggests we lost for several reasons:
1. Jodie Te Huna was off her game. She was reticent to shoot and it placed too much pressure on Irene van Dyk. Too many short passes in the circle, which the Aussies touched away.
2. The mid-court was outplayed. It seemed to me that the Aussies had more pace and were able to exert more defensive pressure. It was noticeable that Langman struggled to get free and this stifled the flow. Oh that she could have played WD and Temapara was there at her best. But you can't go back (I wish Tana had been in France too).
3. The fouling of the Australians esp. in defence. The Aussies without doubt played to disrupt in the circle, going to the edge of the law and beyond to disrupt NZ. I have written before on this blog of the problem we have in netball. Vilimainu Davu used to do it and Liz Ellis and her mates really push the boundaries. Intentional hits, knocking the balls out of the hand. Without a foul system, or a yellow card system, netball will continue to be ruined. I am not blaming the refs, but the Aussies know how to slow us down, and disrupt Irene van Dyk.
Generally, the Aussies were slightly better. But in Cassie Williams, we have a superstar.
Way to go Ruth A and the team, you did us proud. Time to rebuild the Silver Ferns though, a few are now hitting the ends of their careers. Bring on the young stars to complement the mature, and we will turn it around.
James and Murray Deaker
I was listening to newstalk ZB today (Sat 18-11) sometime around 5.15 and I heard the biggest plonka I have heard on radio for a while. A guy called James rang up and had a go at Deak's. He got stuck into him for calling Graham Henry a mate and then writing his book on the World Cup in which he critiqued Henry's approach to coaching. He suggested that some respected All Black had supposedly told him that when Deak's was an alcoholic that Henry stood by him. He then suggested that Deak's first wife had left him and that he had found support from his mates then. Deak's responded by telling him that his first wife had died of cancer and that it was all a rubbish.
I just wanted to express in public on the net that James is a plonka! In fact, he is far worse. He is a disgrace. He crossed the line and deserves a bollocking. If you know James out there, give him the message. Deak's suggested that he would have decked the guy if he had said it to his face. I can tell you Deak's that there are many of us who would have joined the queue!
Some people need help... James, get some!
I just wanted to express in public on the net that James is a plonka! In fact, he is far worse. He is a disgrace. He crossed the line and deserves a bollocking. If you know James out there, give him the message. Deak's suggested that he would have decked the guy if he had said it to his face. I can tell you Deak's that there are many of us who would have joined the queue!
Some people need help... James, get some!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Stop the head shots
Building on the previous blog, the recent controversy in regards to the failure in Britain to cite players who inflict head shots on other players needs to be brought into context. It is ridiculous. These players should have been cited and banned for 2-6 weeks. Anyone who goes for the head in the rugby codes should pay the price.
I can imagine the second test tomorrow becoming rather tough. It would not surprise me if the Kiwi's take on the British with some big shots. Why not? Supposedly there is nothing wrong with it. Of course, one can imagine the ref sending someone off from the Kiwi's? If so, why would the Kiwi's not walk off the field and refuse to play? Then, they would be cited, and suspended!
League need to sort themselves out. Many see it as a game of thuggery, I am not one of them. The NRL has done a brilliant job in ridding the game of such problems. The British need to do the same. They need to have the same standards to international league.
I will be watching the game with interest. Will the Kiwi's degenerate into thuggery? Or will they rise above it?
I can't really understand Kemble getting such a hard time on this tour. He has a Kiwi team bereft of the best Kiwi players up against a British team that has pushed our A team over the last few years. Give the guy a chance. Perhaps thuggery and head hits are the key!
If so, then league too should be banned, or at least cleaned up!
I can imagine the second test tomorrow becoming rather tough. It would not surprise me if the Kiwi's take on the British with some big shots. Why not? Supposedly there is nothing wrong with it. Of course, one can imagine the ref sending someone off from the Kiwi's? If so, why would the Kiwi's not walk off the field and refuse to play? Then, they would be cited, and suspended!
League need to sort themselves out. Many see it as a game of thuggery, I am not one of them. The NRL has done a brilliant job in ridding the game of such problems. The British need to do the same. They need to have the same standards to international league.
I will be watching the game with interest. Will the Kiwi's degenerate into thuggery? Or will they rise above it?
I can't really understand Kemble getting such a hard time on this tour. He has a Kiwi team bereft of the best Kiwi players up against a British team that has pushed our A team over the last few years. Give the guy a chance. Perhaps thuggery and head hits are the key!
If so, then league too should be banned, or at least cleaned up!
Boxing Should Be Banned
I watched some of the 'Mountain Man's' fight last night. He got a good pasting in the end, cutting badly, blood pouring down his face. It should have been stopped earlier when he was severely cut. It is sad because to me it is the end of his being a serious threat. He has the skills, but he cannot take the hits, his skin cuts too easily and he cannot sustain the heat. He is a great boxer to watch, but unfortunately to me, it is all over. He may struggle on, but I would suggest getting a day job. Not that I would say that to his face, I would last about 5 seconds in the ring before you would see me running through the entrance at high pace!
The fight got me thinking about the question, 'when should a sport be banned?' Some would ban all body contact sports such as rugby and league on the basis of the injuries generated. I can see why, the injury toll is shocking, the cost to society of these injuries through the health system and ACC is massive. There is of course a trade-off, society getting a lot of pleasure out of the sport, young men kept off the street and fitness and health benefits. Mind you, having been a part of the Kiwi rugby culture, I am not sure that 'young men kept off the street' works. It was in the context of sport that I became a heavy drinker and got up to all sorts of stuff. It works both ways for sure in many sports.
So where is the line? To me one point at which the line should be drawn is where sports involve intentional attacking of the head. This is what boxing is about. The ultimate goal is to knock out the opposition, inflicting enough damage to the opponent brain that he/she is unable to defend themselves, to stand up i.e. concuss the opposition.
Now concussion is a really dangerous thing. According to http://www.headinjury.org/concussion.htm concussion causes irreversible detruction of some brain cells and others are left alive but in a vulnerable state. This lead to the neurovacular system being unable to respond to the demand for energy to restore brain function. Even a moderate head injury from a non-penetrating blow to the head or shaking causes brain injury. Even though many can recover, for some this leads to lifelong disability.
The brain is mobile within the skull. It is cuishioned from the skull by the cerebral spinal fluid. However, when the head is subjected to violent forces including a punch in the head, it can be damaged permanently. It causes brain tissue to be 'ripped, torn, stretched, battered and bruised.' It leads to bleading, swelling and bruising. The brain can often recover, at other times lifelong difficulties can occur. We have all seen images of Ali and other ex-boxers who are substantially damaged. Basic functions such as walking, talking, thinking, remembering and mood can be affected. Even minor head injury can cause substantial difficulties that can be lifelong.
We are a strange society. We are PC to the core but we let boxing go ahead without thought. The sight of Cameron staggering around with blood all over his face may have appealed to the ancient Romans and set off a sense of macho power within us blokes, but it is ridiculous that it is permitted today. We should know better.
So for me, sports that target the head intentionally should be banned. All such sport should be banned. Don't get me wrong, boxing gets my blood racing, my testosterone gets moving and I find it exhilirating. But it also leaves me with a sick feeling in the gut. That is because it should be banned and I know it.
So, sorry, but I am a party pooper. Boxing should be banned, and sad though it is, Cameron the mountain man is no longer a threat.
The fight got me thinking about the question, 'when should a sport be banned?' Some would ban all body contact sports such as rugby and league on the basis of the injuries generated. I can see why, the injury toll is shocking, the cost to society of these injuries through the health system and ACC is massive. There is of course a trade-off, society getting a lot of pleasure out of the sport, young men kept off the street and fitness and health benefits. Mind you, having been a part of the Kiwi rugby culture, I am not sure that 'young men kept off the street' works. It was in the context of sport that I became a heavy drinker and got up to all sorts of stuff. It works both ways for sure in many sports.
So where is the line? To me one point at which the line should be drawn is where sports involve intentional attacking of the head. This is what boxing is about. The ultimate goal is to knock out the opposition, inflicting enough damage to the opponent brain that he/she is unable to defend themselves, to stand up i.e. concuss the opposition.
Now concussion is a really dangerous thing. According to http://www.headinjury.org/concussion.htm concussion causes irreversible detruction of some brain cells and others are left alive but in a vulnerable state. This lead to the neurovacular system being unable to respond to the demand for energy to restore brain function. Even a moderate head injury from a non-penetrating blow to the head or shaking causes brain injury. Even though many can recover, for some this leads to lifelong disability.
The brain is mobile within the skull. It is cuishioned from the skull by the cerebral spinal fluid. However, when the head is subjected to violent forces including a punch in the head, it can be damaged permanently. It causes brain tissue to be 'ripped, torn, stretched, battered and bruised.' It leads to bleading, swelling and bruising. The brain can often recover, at other times lifelong difficulties can occur. We have all seen images of Ali and other ex-boxers who are substantially damaged. Basic functions such as walking, talking, thinking, remembering and mood can be affected. Even minor head injury can cause substantial difficulties that can be lifelong.
We are a strange society. We are PC to the core but we let boxing go ahead without thought. The sight of Cameron staggering around with blood all over his face may have appealed to the ancient Romans and set off a sense of macho power within us blokes, but it is ridiculous that it is permitted today. We should know better.
So for me, sports that target the head intentionally should be banned. All such sport should be banned. Don't get me wrong, boxing gets my blood racing, my testosterone gets moving and I find it exhilirating. But it also leaves me with a sick feeling in the gut. That is because it should be banned and I know it.
So, sorry, but I am a party pooper. Boxing should be banned, and sad though it is, Cameron the mountain man is no longer a threat.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Key: 1-10
Looking at the world cups, what is needed to win it more than anything else, is a really powerful all-round pack, and a really good half and first five combination.
In 1987, the AB's did it with a great pack and Kirk-Fox. Fox was utterly brilliant, ran the game with precision. Kirk I rate as one of NZ's most underrated players. He is second to me behind Loveridge in recent times. He was a Rhodes Scholar, say no more!
In 1991, the Wallabies had the best pack I think they have produced in my time, excellent across the board. They had what I consider the best half-back-first five combo I have seen (I didn't see Edwards-John in the flesh, they may have been better). They were streets ahead of any combo at that point.
In 1995, the South Africans had a great pack that could match the AB's (at least food poisoned), one of the best half backs of their history Joost Van der Westhuizen who is underrated by Kiwi's but was a devastating player. Joel Stransky was not utterly brilliant but with Joost, was a great combination.
1n 1999, the Australians again had a really good pack, and another utterly dynamic and brilliant half-first five combo, Gregan and Larkam. What a team!
In 2003 it was the turn of the English with the then at his absolute best Johnny Wilkinson and Matt Dawson, another underrated halfback. The pack was tremendous in every way.
In 2007 the South Africans had a great pack, especially at lineout time. Their half back Fourie Du Preez is brilliant, along with Pichot the best in the world. And we saw the coming of age of the erratic Butch James, another underrated player.
So it seems to me that to win the world cup, above all you need these elements. It helps to have flashy backs and you must have great defensive backs. But if you want to control games, you have to have a really good all round pack without weaknesses and a half and first five that can control the games. There must be a world beater in the halves somewhere. Like a Fox, Farr-Jones, Lynagh, Van der Westhuizen, Gregan, Lynagh, Wilkinson, Du Preez.
So NZ, if you want to win the world cup, you need to get the forwards to a point of completeness. No more lineout weaknesses, keep the scrum strong, and with powerful mobile loosies. You need to find a half back; at the end of the day Bachop, Marshall and Kelleher were not there. They were very good but not great. And you need Carter at his best. He is certainly there, but he has to be there when it counts.
In 1987, the AB's did it with a great pack and Kirk-Fox. Fox was utterly brilliant, ran the game with precision. Kirk I rate as one of NZ's most underrated players. He is second to me behind Loveridge in recent times. He was a Rhodes Scholar, say no more!
In 1991, the Wallabies had the best pack I think they have produced in my time, excellent across the board. They had what I consider the best half-back-first five combo I have seen (I didn't see Edwards-John in the flesh, they may have been better). They were streets ahead of any combo at that point.
In 1995, the South Africans had a great pack that could match the AB's (at least food poisoned), one of the best half backs of their history Joost Van der Westhuizen who is underrated by Kiwi's but was a devastating player. Joel Stransky was not utterly brilliant but with Joost, was a great combination.
1n 1999, the Australians again had a really good pack, and another utterly dynamic and brilliant half-first five combo, Gregan and Larkam. What a team!
In 2003 it was the turn of the English with the then at his absolute best Johnny Wilkinson and Matt Dawson, another underrated halfback. The pack was tremendous in every way.
In 2007 the South Africans had a great pack, especially at lineout time. Their half back Fourie Du Preez is brilliant, along with Pichot the best in the world. And we saw the coming of age of the erratic Butch James, another underrated player.
So it seems to me that to win the world cup, above all you need these elements. It helps to have flashy backs and you must have great defensive backs. But if you want to control games, you have to have a really good all round pack without weaknesses and a half and first five that can control the games. There must be a world beater in the halves somewhere. Like a Fox, Farr-Jones, Lynagh, Van der Westhuizen, Gregan, Lynagh, Wilkinson, Du Preez.
So NZ, if you want to win the world cup, you need to get the forwards to a point of completeness. No more lineout weaknesses, keep the scrum strong, and with powerful mobile loosies. You need to find a half back; at the end of the day Bachop, Marshall and Kelleher were not there. They were very good but not great. And you need Carter at his best. He is certainly there, but he has to be there when it counts.
Can we put an end to the 'end of the day'?
It was Sean Fitzpatrick who coined the term 'at the end of the day'. It is now in the NZ psychie as the way to describe the moment where it all comes to the crunch. How many times do we have to put up with it? It is driving me insane. So, in the hope that some NZ sports nuts will move to a new vocab, can I suggest:
'At the conclusion of the light hours'
'At the beginning of the night'
'At the point at which the sun goes down over the horizon'
'When we all go to bed'
There is always the 'when the fat lady sings' or the politically correct version, 'when the well-portioned man-woman sings'
'When the game is over!' How about that!
'When the pies are put out'
'When the lights go out'
Now, there are many more you may come up with. However, this is enough for now. Sean was a great captain but a boring repetitive cliche one-liner speaker. Can we see a new breed of NZ sports people who don't parrot good old Fitzy!
'At the conclusion of the light hours'
'At the beginning of the night'
'At the point at which the sun goes down over the horizon'
'When we all go to bed'
There is always the 'when the fat lady sings' or the politically correct version, 'when the well-portioned man-woman sings'
'When the game is over!' How about that!
'When the pies are put out'
'When the lights go out'
Now, there are many more you may come up with. However, this is enough for now. Sean was a great captain but a boring repetitive cliche one-liner speaker. Can we see a new breed of NZ sports people who don't parrot good old Fitzy!
Knock Out Coaches
Perhaps we have all got it wrong. Without doubt the coach in NZ who knows how to win Knock Out rugby is without doubt Gordon Tietjens! He has proved it again and again, taking NZ sevens teams with a wide array of skill and experience, and more often than not, pulling it off. Perhaps it is time to give him the AB's to show us how it is done. He is a legend at getting people fit, knows how to put together a team on the smell of an oily rag and knows how to win a tournament. SOS Gordon Tietjens, coach for the 2011 rugby world cup.
The Myth of All Black Supremacy
There is this romanticism that is associated with NZ rugby supporters. We look at today's pampered AB's arguing that they have no mental toughness, cannot win the big ones, are not up to it when the pressure is on. We look back on the 'hard men' of NZ rugby in the 'good old days' and we pine for former glories. 'If they had had world cups in the good ol' days, we would have won them all'! Yeah right.
Track back into the archives and the AB's have always dominated (as they do now actually) but they had some really tough times and lost matches unexpectedly. Our best period was clearly the 60's but we still lost surprisingly to South Africa in 1960 at home, to the Aussies in 1964 in the third test (a shocker), drew against Scotland 0-0 in 1964, lost to the Springboks in 1965 in the third test when way ahead at half time. From 1965 to 1969 they were unbeaten, a time in which we possibly would have won the world cup. However, as 1970 showed, we may have lost if we had played in South Africa.
The 1970's were hit and miss. We lost to the South Africans in 1970, the Lions in 1971, drew with Ireland and lost to France and England in 1973, drew with the Aussies in the second test in 1974, lost to the Springboks in 1976, lost a test against the Lions and the French in 1977, lost the third test on Eden Park to the Aussies in 1978 and the French in 1979. We can't say we would have won a world cup in this time, we struggled with all countries at some time or another.
In the 1980's we were more dominant but still had our moments. We were beaten thoroughly by the Aussies in 1980, just pipped the Springboks in 1981, lost a test to the Aussies in 1980, drew with Scotland and lost to England in 1983 after losing a test to the Lions in 1983, lost the first test in Australia in 1984. In 1986 the Cavaliers were beaten by the Springboks, Australia took the Bledisloe 2-1 and we lost to the French. We then won the world cup! We had a good few years after this only drawing once with the Aussies until 1990 when we lost again to them.
The point is that we still had bad days where we did not front up. The difference was, that none of these fell in the final three knockout games of a World Cup. Hence, even though our record now is similar to the 'good ol' days', the World Cup now occurs.
Tracking back, we may have won in 1983, we had a really good team. Remember though, that we lost to the English in 1982, South Africa were always powerful, and the French could beat anyone on the day. Not to mention the Aussies who, with their full team, were powerful.
In 1979, I am not sure we would have won. We lost to the Aussies in the third test in 1978 and they thrashed us in 1980. The South Africans had beaten us in 1976. The French beat us once that same year and once in 1977. England beat us in 1979. I really wouldn't be sure at all.'
In 1975 we played one water-logged test, lost to the South Africans in 1976 and would have faced the powerful British teams, fresh off a good hammering of the Springboks on their home track in 1974. The French had blitzed us in 1973, as had England. I think we would not have won a 1975 world cup.
In 1971 there is no way we would have won whereever it was played. Wales would have had to be favourites with Edwards-John-JPR Williams in full flight, if their forwards were up to it. The year before the Springboks had demolished us completely. The Irish drew with us in 1973, the French beat us. I can't see NZ having won the world cup in 1971. South Africa or Wales were most likely, the Irish too, were strong (McBride-Gibson).
So 1967? Yes, we had a great team under Fred the Needle and may have pulled this one off. Remember though the South Africa were always strong in those days. If it had been played on the Veldt, I am sure they would have been almost unbeatable, as in 1970.
In 1963 it would have been another possible victory, with NZ and SA dominant. Aussie did pull out a one-off in 1964, and on the tour of Britain did not 'put the opposition away', all games were tight and close.
So we really need to get a realistic look at out ourselves. Sure, we pulled out some great teams and we were dominant, but we still are. Our record in the last 4 years is sensational. If Graham H, John H, John M or Laurie M had pulled off a WCup, they would be beside Fred the Needle in the pantheon of glory! What is to say that these other teams would not have 'choked' and failed to pull off the big one. Any world cups in South Africa would have been almost certainly won by them. Perhaps the same could be said in the 1960's, but we cannot be sure.
It might have gone like this:
1963: South Africa or NZ probably
1967: NZ but maybe South Africa, depending on where played
1971: South Africa or Wales (England and Ireland also strong)
1975: France, Wales, England, Ireland or South Africa. NZ a distant outside
1979: Australia, France, NZ, South Africa, England: anyone's guess
1983: NZ, South Africa, England, Australia
You can see, we really are a romantic lot! Who knows? We need to get over ourselves. We are a great rugby nation who are dominant. But where World Cups are concerned, can anyone ever be sure?
Note too, that if we go back to the 1950's and beyond, it was even more of a lottery. South Africa and Wales especially would have been tough to beat.
Track back into the archives and the AB's have always dominated (as they do now actually) but they had some really tough times and lost matches unexpectedly. Our best period was clearly the 60's but we still lost surprisingly to South Africa in 1960 at home, to the Aussies in 1964 in the third test (a shocker), drew against Scotland 0-0 in 1964, lost to the Springboks in 1965 in the third test when way ahead at half time. From 1965 to 1969 they were unbeaten, a time in which we possibly would have won the world cup. However, as 1970 showed, we may have lost if we had played in South Africa.
The 1970's were hit and miss. We lost to the South Africans in 1970, the Lions in 1971, drew with Ireland and lost to France and England in 1973, drew with the Aussies in the second test in 1974, lost to the Springboks in 1976, lost a test against the Lions and the French in 1977, lost the third test on Eden Park to the Aussies in 1978 and the French in 1979. We can't say we would have won a world cup in this time, we struggled with all countries at some time or another.
In the 1980's we were more dominant but still had our moments. We were beaten thoroughly by the Aussies in 1980, just pipped the Springboks in 1981, lost a test to the Aussies in 1980, drew with Scotland and lost to England in 1983 after losing a test to the Lions in 1983, lost the first test in Australia in 1984. In 1986 the Cavaliers were beaten by the Springboks, Australia took the Bledisloe 2-1 and we lost to the French. We then won the world cup! We had a good few years after this only drawing once with the Aussies until 1990 when we lost again to them.
The point is that we still had bad days where we did not front up. The difference was, that none of these fell in the final three knockout games of a World Cup. Hence, even though our record now is similar to the 'good ol' days', the World Cup now occurs.
Tracking back, we may have won in 1983, we had a really good team. Remember though, that we lost to the English in 1982, South Africa were always powerful, and the French could beat anyone on the day. Not to mention the Aussies who, with their full team, were powerful.
In 1979, I am not sure we would have won. We lost to the Aussies in the third test in 1978 and they thrashed us in 1980. The South Africans had beaten us in 1976. The French beat us once that same year and once in 1977. England beat us in 1979. I really wouldn't be sure at all.'
In 1975 we played one water-logged test, lost to the South Africans in 1976 and would have faced the powerful British teams, fresh off a good hammering of the Springboks on their home track in 1974. The French had blitzed us in 1973, as had England. I think we would not have won a 1975 world cup.
In 1971 there is no way we would have won whereever it was played. Wales would have had to be favourites with Edwards-John-JPR Williams in full flight, if their forwards were up to it. The year before the Springboks had demolished us completely. The Irish drew with us in 1973, the French beat us. I can't see NZ having won the world cup in 1971. South Africa or Wales were most likely, the Irish too, were strong (McBride-Gibson).
So 1967? Yes, we had a great team under Fred the Needle and may have pulled this one off. Remember though the South Africa were always strong in those days. If it had been played on the Veldt, I am sure they would have been almost unbeatable, as in 1970.
In 1963 it would have been another possible victory, with NZ and SA dominant. Aussie did pull out a one-off in 1964, and on the tour of Britain did not 'put the opposition away', all games were tight and close.
So we really need to get a realistic look at out ourselves. Sure, we pulled out some great teams and we were dominant, but we still are. Our record in the last 4 years is sensational. If Graham H, John H, John M or Laurie M had pulled off a WCup, they would be beside Fred the Needle in the pantheon of glory! What is to say that these other teams would not have 'choked' and failed to pull off the big one. Any world cups in South Africa would have been almost certainly won by them. Perhaps the same could be said in the 1960's, but we cannot be sure.
It might have gone like this:
1963: South Africa or NZ probably
1967: NZ but maybe South Africa, depending on where played
1971: South Africa or Wales (England and Ireland also strong)
1975: France, Wales, England, Ireland or South Africa. NZ a distant outside
1979: Australia, France, NZ, South Africa, England: anyone's guess
1983: NZ, South Africa, England, Australia
You can see, we really are a romantic lot! Who knows? We need to get over ourselves. We are a great rugby nation who are dominant. But where World Cups are concerned, can anyone ever be sure?
Note too, that if we go back to the 1950's and beyond, it was even more of a lottery. South Africa and Wales especially would have been tough to beat.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Richardson Factor
Mark Richardson rocked as a cricketer. He started off as a number 11 left arm spin bowler and ended up a NZ test opener with one of the best records of any NZ test opener, only Glen Turner can match him in terms of averages! The thing that was brilliant about Mark Richardson is that he played to his strengths and within his limitations. He was rudely exposed in One Day cricket, but in test cricket, he played to his strengths.
The England rugby team demonstrated the same at the recent world cup. They played brilliantly to their strengths, forward brutality and Johnny W kicking teams off the park.
South Africa too dominated in the same way. Brilliant line out, great half back, awesome defence, and picked up the scraps with their devastatingly quick wings.
NZ on the other hand to me had an identity crisis and have fatal flaws. They want to play the razzle dazzle game but in the quarter final lost their mojo. They tried to play like England. Through the season they dropped too much ball. They are a team that has to work out their strengths and play to them. We need the Mark Richardson factor.
One more example. Two netball world cups ago, we consistently lost to Australia. We had brilliant players but the team made too many errors and lacked consistency. Eventually they settled and began to reduce the error rate and played to their strengths, especially Irene van Dyk. They won the last world cup and commonwealth games.
To me the AB's have to develop a solid game plan with a reduced error rate, but maintaining their attacking superiority over other teams. We need the Richardson factor. We need to isolate our areas of superiority and become increasingly brilliant at them. Then a very good team may become a great team.
The England rugby team demonstrated the same at the recent world cup. They played brilliantly to their strengths, forward brutality and Johnny W kicking teams off the park.
South Africa too dominated in the same way. Brilliant line out, great half back, awesome defence, and picked up the scraps with their devastatingly quick wings.
NZ on the other hand to me had an identity crisis and have fatal flaws. They want to play the razzle dazzle game but in the quarter final lost their mojo. They tried to play like England. Through the season they dropped too much ball. They are a team that has to work out their strengths and play to them. We need the Mark Richardson factor.
One more example. Two netball world cups ago, we consistently lost to Australia. We had brilliant players but the team made too many errors and lacked consistency. Eventually they settled and began to reduce the error rate and played to their strengths, especially Irene van Dyk. They won the last world cup and commonwealth games.
To me the AB's have to develop a solid game plan with a reduced error rate, but maintaining their attacking superiority over other teams. We need the Richardson factor. We need to isolate our areas of superiority and become increasingly brilliant at them. Then a very good team may become a great team.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
South African Cricket Tour
Why is it that I am not confident concerning the chances of NZ in the South African cricket tour. We do not do well on tours of the subcontinent at the best of times. This time we are weak in the openers (again, what is new) and they are running well having just smashed Pakistan in Pakistan.
I don't rate our chances against Kallis, Pollock and the gang. They are a mature team with strength throughout except perhaps a quality spinner, not that seems to matter to them. They seem to crack against Australia, but we are not the Aussies. I think we are in trouble.
I can't see how we will combat Steyn and Ntini, who traditionally relish the NZ batting line up on the bouncy SA pitches. I just can't see Michael Papps and Craig Cumming putting up stern resistance, one can imagine Steyn and Ntini licking their lips with glee! Then they will face either Ross Taylor or Stephen Fleming at 3. I hope it is the latter; however, it will mean our best batsman is facing the new ball on a consistent basis. The Styris will come in and hopefully Taylor at five. Having said that, Taylor may enjoy the bouncy tracks.
We will have strength further down with Oram, McCullum, Vettori and Franklin. However, they cannot be expected to rescue us again and again and turn 5 for 100 into 450 which is what they will have to do.
They on the other hand are well equipped with a powerful batting line up on their home tracks battle hardened from Pakistan led by the absolutely world class Kallis to combat Bond, Franklin, Martin, Oram and Vettori. So I am bracing myself for a tough start to the cricket season. In light of what has gone down in the rugby season with the South Africans with the silverware, it will be hard to take! All we ask is that the boys fight and fight with all they have.
I don't rate our chances against Kallis, Pollock and the gang. They are a mature team with strength throughout except perhaps a quality spinner, not that seems to matter to them. They seem to crack against Australia, but we are not the Aussies. I think we are in trouble.
I can't see how we will combat Steyn and Ntini, who traditionally relish the NZ batting line up on the bouncy SA pitches. I just can't see Michael Papps and Craig Cumming putting up stern resistance, one can imagine Steyn and Ntini licking their lips with glee! Then they will face either Ross Taylor or Stephen Fleming at 3. I hope it is the latter; however, it will mean our best batsman is facing the new ball on a consistent basis. The Styris will come in and hopefully Taylor at five. Having said that, Taylor may enjoy the bouncy tracks.
We will have strength further down with Oram, McCullum, Vettori and Franklin. However, they cannot be expected to rescue us again and again and turn 5 for 100 into 450 which is what they will have to do.
They on the other hand are well equipped with a powerful batting line up on their home tracks battle hardened from Pakistan led by the absolutely world class Kallis to combat Bond, Franklin, Martin, Oram and Vettori. So I am bracing myself for a tough start to the cricket season. In light of what has gone down in the rugby season with the South Africans with the silverware, it will be hard to take! All we ask is that the boys fight and fight with all they have.
Thanks Macca
So Craig McMillan has retired. I loved the way he batted. Good test batting figures by NZ standards: 3116 runs at 38.46 with 6 centuries and 19 fifties and a high score of 142. He alos got 28 wickets at 44.89. Not many Kiwi's crack the 40 average mark. He did this with diabetes and eye-sight issues and that should not be forgotten. He also played with an almost Aussie belligerance which I liked. His one day record was not as sharp. Yet he still scored 4707 runs at 28.18 with 3 centuries and 28 half centuries with a high score of 117. He also got 49 wickets at 35.04, a fine all round performance. He was a lethal 20-20 player with 187 in 8 games with high score of 57 and impressive average of 31.16. He could hit sixes for sure, with the most at the recent 20-20 world champs. I think he has been underated by NZ cricket fans and deserves to be remembered with great fondness.
Red and Yellow Cards
After watching the AB quarter final exit with Luke M yellow carded and then the NPC final with Flavell's time in the bin, it is time to find another way to punish players. There is too much riding on a game to use the reduction of teams as a punishment. This is especially so when we see how inconsistent refs are and how they make mistakes. Rather, there should be a report system whereby there is a judiciary ruling on the offence. Perhaps the player in a case of an extreme event is sent off, but they should be replaced. It should be 15 on 15. I am not a gambler, but if we are going to have sports betting, games should not be decided on referee's whims. Take for example too Rodney S when he smashed Brent Ward in the NPC final. He was lucky not to go, but should he have? The only downside I can see is that this might lead to people targetting opposition players, but I think that the flipside is worse. I say, use the cards either as a report system or as a sending off device in which time the players can be replaced.
Tana and Justin
Is it any coincidence that the departure of these legends came about at the time when the AB's began to slip? To compound it we left Mauger, Howlett and Jack on the bench! I think we underestimate the greatness of these veterans.
All Blacks in Europe
The last world cup illustrated a real problem for us as a rugby nation. We are caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand we do not want to allow players who leave NZ rugby for the dollars in Europe to be available for the AB's. This could lead to an exodus and leave NZ rugby a shell of its former selves. However, in refusing to allow these usually older veterans who will be much better players for their experiences in the rugged northern rugby leagues, we rob ourselves of their value. These guys have experienced the trench warfare of the Heinkein Cup and we need them. It also means that the NZ competition lacks hardness as the rugged, durable vets go off to Europe. We need these guys. I say it is time for the next world cup to allow any NZ player raised in our system to be available. We might find some first fives who have learnt to drop goals, players who know how to play knock out rugby. If restructure our rugby right, it will still work. At some point the European teams will cap the number of overseas players I am sure and we won't lose them all. If we reduce the number of NZ teams in the Super 14 and do not give All Black jersey's away so easily our wage bill will drop substantially. I am one who believes the winning the world cup makes it worth it. After all, where was Justin Marshall in the last few minutes of the cup? We needed the toughness of the likes of him and Tana Umaga.
That's What I'm Talking About! What a Goal!
Check this link out to You Tube. It is an extraordinary goal scored by Rey of Venezuela in the World Cup qualifying. It is not just the goal that is utterly unbelievable, it is the commentary which is worth several listens!
Click on the link and enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA7fdmdXRT4
Or for a clearer post goal commentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eXRB-tUdsQ&mode=related&search=
Now that's passion!
Click on the link and enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA7fdmdXRT4
Or for a clearer post goal commentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eXRB-tUdsQ&mode=related&search=
Now that's passion!
Awesome Boks!
Brilliant win South Africa. Rubbish game, but a great win. They had a great draw, England twice, no NZ, Aust or France; but, who cares, awesome! Great pack. Brilliant half back, wonderfully talented second five, great goal kicker, awesome field position and fantastic defence. They were and are the number one team at the moment. And their lineout is sensational! No holds barred, congratulations. England were gutsy but had no attacking power. They nearly scored, but the 3rd ref got it right, unfortunately. Way to go Argentina, awesome performance. Their great win over France indicates how appallingly the AB's played! In 6 months the AB's have gone from the best team in the world to well below their standard, the South Africans in the last year have gone from number 2 to number 1. Things change and so why worry about 4 years ago except to pick the best team and go for it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Another way ahead for rugby
Perhaps it is time to bite the bullet and go global with world rugby. Flag the world cup which in rugby is not working. Replace it with an annual or biannual competition.
There is the 6 nations in the north and the tri-nations in the south. Why not have one international competition each year? The heart of rugby is shifting north not so much in strength but in terms of where players are going. The truth is, in 10 years, most of the NZ best players will be playing in the European competitions. So why not extend the 6 nations to a 10 (or 12) nations competition. The All Blacks, Wallabies, South Africans and Argentineans go north every second year and play in it. It could be played either as a complete round robin which may take too long, or as two pools of 5 with semis and a final.
You could extend it to 6 in each pool and on the alternate years if biannual, have the remainder of the world's nations playing off to see who gets into it in a tournament of Romania, Georgia, Portugal, the PI nations, Japan and the North Americans.
If it was bi-annual on the alternate year these teams could stay at home and host tours like in the the good old days.
The other major competitions would be the Super 14 and Heinikein cup which would run at times other than the 12 nations competition.
This would also mark the time for the All Blacks who play in Europe to be available... more on this later.
There is the 6 nations in the north and the tri-nations in the south. Why not have one international competition each year? The heart of rugby is shifting north not so much in strength but in terms of where players are going. The truth is, in 10 years, most of the NZ best players will be playing in the European competitions. So why not extend the 6 nations to a 10 (or 12) nations competition. The All Blacks, Wallabies, South Africans and Argentineans go north every second year and play in it. It could be played either as a complete round robin which may take too long, or as two pools of 5 with semis and a final.
You could extend it to 6 in each pool and on the alternate years if biannual, have the remainder of the world's nations playing off to see who gets into it in a tournament of Romania, Georgia, Portugal, the PI nations, Japan and the North Americans.
If it was bi-annual on the alternate year these teams could stay at home and host tours like in the the good old days.
The other major competitions would be the Super 14 and Heinikein cup which would run at times other than the 12 nations competition.
This would also mark the time for the All Blacks who play in Europe to be available... more on this later.
Monday, October 15, 2007
True!
Here's an article by J. Davies an ex-Welsh superstar which from a different point of view identifies where the AB's went wrong. I think it has a point: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10470084.
Richard Loe too puts it well: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=476&objectid=10469742.
John Mitchell is on to it. I still think he should have been given another go after the last world cup, but he made too many enemies: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=476&objectid=10469122.
And on drop goals: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10469269
Richard Loe too puts it well: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=476&objectid=10469742.
John Mitchell is on to it. I still think he should have been given another go after the last world cup, but he made too many enemies: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=476&objectid=10469122.
And on drop goals: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10469269
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Now's The Time to Coach the AB's
If I was a budding rugby coach I would be desperately keen to get the AB's now. We go into the next world cup with a hometown advantage. We know that NZ is desperately difficult to beat at home, no matter how good the opposition is. I am sure that if Graham H, Laurie M, John H, John M had had the AB's for a home world cup, they would have probably won. Mind you our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is now legendary. Now is the time to get the AB's then. Mind you the person appointed should get a 2 year contract. Worry about the World Cup after two years. This would make them accountable for success in the interim. I think it will be Deans. He is tainted by Sydney 2003, which is bad but not as being tainted by the goings on in the rotation-recycling cup! Perhaps Gatland might be a chance? Who knows? But they have a great advantage whoever they will be, for they will get to play at home. Maybe at home we can throw off the chokers tag? Perhaps not? Then again, it will probably be in Sydney anyway unless Banks, Clark and his/her cronies get sorted! Maybe National should make it an election issue. National will pay for a rebuild of Eden Park if they get in. Perhaps that is political suicide?
Eden Park Fiasco
Here we go again. Banks is in and the Eden Park games begin! Why not just give it to the Aussies now! What a mess. I hope the powers that be get sorted asap or the RFU will move it. Perhaps it is time to get the Albany Stadium plan together. It makes more sense anyway?
No surprise
South Africa's comprehensive win today is no surprise. They are a complete side now. What happened today should have happened twice for the AB's, knocking over France and then England with strong forward play, defence, goal kicking and attacking. Instead, the AB's were poorly prepared and foundered on inadequate preparation.
What a dream run for the South Africans; has any team ever had a run like this? Fiji and then Argentina in the play-offs! Neither of these sides are equipped to win the cup.
I can't see England beating the Boks. They fought well against France but the match showed that neither the French or the English have the x-factor. I predict a good win to the Boks. They are playing with passion and belief. They are fine-tuned. They have had an easy run and so have fuel in the tank. They have brilliance out wide and devastation upfront. I think it will be closer than 36-0 as the English are better than that and are playing much better. But I can't see them winning.
Who do I want to win? Neither. I can't stomach the thought that either England or SA have won 2 world cups and we in NZ only 1. Well that proves that we are not the number one team in the world despite our claims to this. We don't know how to prepare to win the cup. Oh well, I will go for the Boks. They are Southern Hemisphere and they play a good brand of rugby. For rugby's sake, I hope the Boks get up.
I think the NZRFU's decision to leave players out of the Super 14 helped this occur. In that time SA grew and arm and a leg in confidence and now are en-route to rule the world. Fancy winning a cup without playing France, NZ, Wales, Ireland, Scotland or Australia! Interesting! The cards have sure fallen for the Boks.
What a dream run for the South Africans; has any team ever had a run like this? Fiji and then Argentina in the play-offs! Neither of these sides are equipped to win the cup.
I can't see England beating the Boks. They fought well against France but the match showed that neither the French or the English have the x-factor. I predict a good win to the Boks. They are playing with passion and belief. They are fine-tuned. They have had an easy run and so have fuel in the tank. They have brilliance out wide and devastation upfront. I think it will be closer than 36-0 as the English are better than that and are playing much better. But I can't see them winning.
Who do I want to win? Neither. I can't stomach the thought that either England or SA have won 2 world cups and we in NZ only 1. Well that proves that we are not the number one team in the world despite our claims to this. We don't know how to prepare to win the cup. Oh well, I will go for the Boks. They are Southern Hemisphere and they play a good brand of rugby. For rugby's sake, I hope the Boks get up.
I think the NZRFU's decision to leave players out of the Super 14 helped this occur. In that time SA grew and arm and a leg in confidence and now are en-route to rule the world. Fancy winning a cup without playing France, NZ, Wales, Ireland, Scotland or Australia! Interesting! The cards have sure fallen for the Boks.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Give it away
I don't get boxing at the best of times. Being of the Christian persuasion and believing that the human body is a gift from God as is life, and that the human mind is the centre of all that we are and experience, I struggle with sports which involve intentional desire to damage another person's head. Boxing's goal is to knock unconscious another person. This as we are regularly told by medical experts is bad for you and can cause long-term damage. One can argue that other sports like league, gridiron and rugby are similarly dubious. And there is an argument here as these sports involve physical domination. But the difference with boxing is that boxing involves damage to the brain! Whereas to do so in these other sports is an offense (although one can be forgiven for believing so sometimes!)
So what do you do with Evander Holyfield? One week short of his 45th birthday and he goes into the ring again to fight 32 year old Sultan Ibragimov of Russia and not unsurprisingly loses. With all due respect to Evander, is he mad? Is he punch drunk? He is asking for permanent damage!
And unless he has switched religions, Evander too is a believer in Jesus Christ. He believes that his life is a gift, as is his mind, and that his body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Surely it is time to give it away! I just can't see Jesus Christ boxing! I can't see him at 45 (if he lived that long on earth) taking on a 32 year old Russian with the goal of knocking him out! I can't see the Apostle Paul congratulating believers for taking the body gifted them by God and the living temple of God's presence on earth and putting it at such risk. Perhaps he might overlook the young and fit doing so, when the powers of recovery are still strong! But to do so at 45?
Evander has a good 35 years left if he keeps his health if he lives to the average age these days. I appeal to you Evander, as a brother in the Lord, to give it away! Use your fame and prestige to influence others positively to make the world a better place. Hit the speaking circuit before you can't speak! Set an example of a man who knows when to retire. Be the ultimate Christian warrior and put yourself and your fans out of their misery! You have been a truly great champion, but I think it is time to retire!
So what do you do with Evander Holyfield? One week short of his 45th birthday and he goes into the ring again to fight 32 year old Sultan Ibragimov of Russia and not unsurprisingly loses. With all due respect to Evander, is he mad? Is he punch drunk? He is asking for permanent damage!
And unless he has switched religions, Evander too is a believer in Jesus Christ. He believes that his life is a gift, as is his mind, and that his body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Surely it is time to give it away! I just can't see Jesus Christ boxing! I can't see him at 45 (if he lived that long on earth) taking on a 32 year old Russian with the goal of knocking him out! I can't see the Apostle Paul congratulating believers for taking the body gifted them by God and the living temple of God's presence on earth and putting it at such risk. Perhaps he might overlook the young and fit doing so, when the powers of recovery are still strong! But to do so at 45?
Evander has a good 35 years left if he keeps his health if he lives to the average age these days. I appeal to you Evander, as a brother in the Lord, to give it away! Use your fame and prestige to influence others positively to make the world a better place. Hit the speaking circuit before you can't speak! Set an example of a man who knows when to retire. Be the ultimate Christian warrior and put yourself and your fans out of their misery! You have been a truly great champion, but I think it is time to retire!
NZ League!
58-0! OK! That is a shocker! If the AB's lost by that, there would be a government enquiry! What a sad day in NZ league. What a start for Kemble! Lack of discipline, outclassed... The sending off cannot be an excuse although it didn't help! Still, we won the Junior Kiwi's game... little consolation!
Barry Curtis 10K
Congratulations to Nina Rillstone for her great win in the Barry Curtis 10k today in the senior women. What a star! Underated. 13th in the World Champs marathon this year in Beijing in tough conditions! Keep it up, there are people who are so excited about your performances. It was an honour to see you personally!
Awesome performance too by Gracie Keown in the Juniors, winning comprehensively! Rock and roll! What an improver Gracie is this season! She no longer lives in the shadow of the younger sisters. She is out of the shadow! Way to go John Bowden, coach of the pair... another great day at the office for John!
And keep it up Kelsey Patterson, you will be back!
Awesome performance too by Gracie Keown in the Juniors, winning comprehensively! Rock and roll! What an improver Gracie is this season! She no longer lives in the shadow of the younger sisters. She is out of the shadow! Way to go John Bowden, coach of the pair... another great day at the office for John!
And keep it up Kelsey Patterson, you will be back!
SPARC Funding
Now as I see it the AB's came 5th equal in the rugby world cup. Now that is the same result as Kimberley Smith the NZ middle distance runner at the recent world athletic champs. Cool! We can expect athletics to get as much financial support as the AB's. Mmmmm... some how I don't think it will work like this. Mind you, the AB's did win the Tri-Nations this year... who will remember that for the next four years!
Dear Graham...
Just watched the England-France game! England! Who would have thought it after SA, Tonga and Samoa!
Yet, months ago in this blog I warned the world that if Johnny got back in the team and in form, England would be a force! They are, they were! I hadn't realised how well Johnny was playing, brilliant. He is back, the number one first five in the world. King Johnny gave Graham, Dan C and the others a lesson in first five play today. A legend. England are timing their peak brilliantly. They are doing what must be done in a tournament, peaking at the conclusion! Well done England...
We saw starkly the problem with the AB's last week. The Poms play week in week out, huge demands on them from their clubs. They come together for their national team, usually under prepared because of club demands. Yet, when the trench warfare of international rugby at the top level begins, they are are tough! They are resilient. They have had no rotation or reconditioning, but they know how to win. They were prepared to drop goals, they know how to play this type of rugby.
I am now even more upset over last week. We have the most naturally talented and brilliant players, but they were robbed by dumb coaching! I see it now, I should have seen it earlier. I was never sure that you can prepare for rugby in the gym and training. I certainly couldn't do it when I played Auckland senior rugby in the 80's. I needed game time. I told myself, that these coaches knew better, the modern training methodologies had changed things. I see now it hasn't changed! I should have shouted from the roof, but I too was sucked in, even if I wasn't a hundred percent sure.
Like all sports, you prepare for rugby by playing. You get fit as hell, get the skills as honed as possible, then you play and get better. You don't do it training!
So for the next four years, play it all AB's. Forget the world cup until we are 6 weeks out. Play the A team in every test, ; make the AB jersey worth something; build a team of tough men who are uncompromising and can handle the pressure, who have combinations, who have been through hell fighting for their places. If they can't handle the pressure, drop them. If they want holidays on the beach, more money, moan about the workload, drop them, they are not the type of men who will win the trench warfare of world cup play-offs. They can go and dig a ditch or do a 40+ hour job like the rest of us. It is time to get hard! A few old values... so...
Dear Graham, Steve and Wayne,
Do the decent thing. Resign! You screwed up a great team. You had more depth than any other nation but decided that you needed to rotate players to increase our depth superiority, a waste of time and talent. In-so-doing you screwed them up; as the other players of the world were playing and improving their game, we sat back and thought we were there.
Just when the rest of the world was on the rack, terrified of the best AB team for 10 years, you screwed them up by wrapping them in cotton wool, training them in the gym and on the training field and not letting them play. You clearly messed with their minds. They didn't develop their top two inches, their leadership, and couldn't hack the pressure.
What better way to get hard than trying to beat down the rising South African threat in the Super 14; instead they were in the gym! Then play the A team in every test, building combinations, winning the Trinations (as you did).
Then taking on the NPC. Then they should have been pulled out with a couple of warm up games in Europe against England and France! South Africa played warm up games. So, you screwed up, admit it, humble yourselves and admit it!
Do the decent thing! I love you all. You are great coaches and have done some great things, but you got this wrong. Do the right thing, apologise to the players, to the nation and fall on your swords. Graham, you have had more than enough goes with Wales, the Lions and the AB's. Wayne, you have had a couple of goes. Steve, I know it is tough, but you are now tainted. You too bought into the rotation and reconditioning nonsense. It is over for you all! It is time for a change. I still can't believe you have not already called it quits. So, on behalf of many others, announce your resignations so we can get on with the business.
Enough!
Yet, months ago in this blog I warned the world that if Johnny got back in the team and in form, England would be a force! They are, they were! I hadn't realised how well Johnny was playing, brilliant. He is back, the number one first five in the world. King Johnny gave Graham, Dan C and the others a lesson in first five play today. A legend. England are timing their peak brilliantly. They are doing what must be done in a tournament, peaking at the conclusion! Well done England...
We saw starkly the problem with the AB's last week. The Poms play week in week out, huge demands on them from their clubs. They come together for their national team, usually under prepared because of club demands. Yet, when the trench warfare of international rugby at the top level begins, they are are tough! They are resilient. They have had no rotation or reconditioning, but they know how to win. They were prepared to drop goals, they know how to play this type of rugby.
I am now even more upset over last week. We have the most naturally talented and brilliant players, but they were robbed by dumb coaching! I see it now, I should have seen it earlier. I was never sure that you can prepare for rugby in the gym and training. I certainly couldn't do it when I played Auckland senior rugby in the 80's. I needed game time. I told myself, that these coaches knew better, the modern training methodologies had changed things. I see now it hasn't changed! I should have shouted from the roof, but I too was sucked in, even if I wasn't a hundred percent sure.
Like all sports, you prepare for rugby by playing. You get fit as hell, get the skills as honed as possible, then you play and get better. You don't do it training!
So for the next four years, play it all AB's. Forget the world cup until we are 6 weeks out. Play the A team in every test, ; make the AB jersey worth something; build a team of tough men who are uncompromising and can handle the pressure, who have combinations, who have been through hell fighting for their places. If they can't handle the pressure, drop them. If they want holidays on the beach, more money, moan about the workload, drop them, they are not the type of men who will win the trench warfare of world cup play-offs. They can go and dig a ditch or do a 40+ hour job like the rest of us. It is time to get hard! A few old values... so...
Dear Graham, Steve and Wayne,
Do the decent thing. Resign! You screwed up a great team. You had more depth than any other nation but decided that you needed to rotate players to increase our depth superiority, a waste of time and talent. In-so-doing you screwed them up; as the other players of the world were playing and improving their game, we sat back and thought we were there.
Just when the rest of the world was on the rack, terrified of the best AB team for 10 years, you screwed them up by wrapping them in cotton wool, training them in the gym and on the training field and not letting them play. You clearly messed with their minds. They didn't develop their top two inches, their leadership, and couldn't hack the pressure.
What better way to get hard than trying to beat down the rising South African threat in the Super 14; instead they were in the gym! Then play the A team in every test, building combinations, winning the Trinations (as you did).
Then taking on the NPC. Then they should have been pulled out with a couple of warm up games in Europe against England and France! South Africa played warm up games. So, you screwed up, admit it, humble yourselves and admit it!
Do the decent thing! I love you all. You are great coaches and have done some great things, but you got this wrong. Do the right thing, apologise to the players, to the nation and fall on your swords. Graham, you have had more than enough goes with Wales, the Lions and the AB's. Wayne, you have had a couple of goes. Steve, I know it is tough, but you are now tainted. You too bought into the rotation and reconditioning nonsense. It is over for you all! It is time for a change. I still can't believe you have not already called it quits. So, on behalf of many others, announce your resignations so we can get on with the business.
Enough!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Semifinal time
So who will win the semi's now that the AB's and the Wallabies are out? France I believe will defeat England. They have had their glitch against the Argentinians. They will be too strong at home, having the psychological edge on them. Having said that, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the English got up. I hope not, it is a sad day for world rugby if 10man rugby wins the world cup. Mind you, it will, they all play it now and the AB's unbelievably did so last week, and lost!
While many commentators are picking the Argentinians I think the South Africans will be too strong. They are a great side and may win the tournament. I think the Argentinians will meet their match this time, the South Africans have to me their match up front, and superiority in the backs. Again, nothing would surprise me either way though!
The final then will probably be France-South Africa. But then I thought the AB's and Wallabies would win. How about the bloke who put a $1 million on the AB's last week; he must be feeling good!
While many commentators are picking the Argentinians I think the South Africans will be too strong. They are a great side and may win the tournament. I think the Argentinians will meet their match this time, the South Africans have to me their match up front, and superiority in the backs. Again, nothing would surprise me either way though!
The final then will probably be France-South Africa. But then I thought the AB's and Wallabies would win. How about the bloke who put a $1 million on the AB's last week; he must be feeling good!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Marion Jones
So she is a cheat! No surprise in this. She has now admitted it. Won't say 'good on her', because she is a cheat. Now her 100m medal will go to another drug cheat (Katerina Thanou) who has also tested positve. 2 of the other woman in her 4x100m relay are also drug cheats (Chryste Gaines and Torri Edwards). Should they all lose their medals. Absolutely! She should be banned for life and lose every medal she have ever won and all who won relays with her should lose their medals.
What is amazing is that she has professed her innocence and even passed a lie detector test in the past! Apparently she has passed 170 test! So the testing sux! So you can beat a lie detector!
Now I have three daughters who run, one of whom is on the verge of the World Junior Champs in Poland next year. I wonder whether she has a chance as the sport develops! Can she ever know whether the others are clean? There are other problems at these junior events, people lie about their age. So she as a 15 year old may race 23 year olds!
Our family are believers in God and ethics, so (I hope at least) none of them will cheat in this way. The problem is as the Marion Jones saga points out, is that not all have the same values. They may never make it because of this cheating!
I think it is time for compulsory blood samples for all athletes 6 times a year, at their check in at every world ranked event and immediately after the final. These samples should be kept and rechecked every two years as technology develops. The athletes found to be 'on the juice' with performance enhancing drugs or enhancements of any sort, are to be banned for life.
It makes me wonder about an athlete like Nick Willis. He is a strong Christian and opposed to drugs. Perhaps he is the best in the world but the only one not of the juice. Maybe Kimberley Smith is the best middle distance runner in the world too? Results may mean little! Why would anyone run anymore?
What is amazing is that she has professed her innocence and even passed a lie detector test in the past! Apparently she has passed 170 test! So the testing sux! So you can beat a lie detector!
Now I have three daughters who run, one of whom is on the verge of the World Junior Champs in Poland next year. I wonder whether she has a chance as the sport develops! Can she ever know whether the others are clean? There are other problems at these junior events, people lie about their age. So she as a 15 year old may race 23 year olds!
Our family are believers in God and ethics, so (I hope at least) none of them will cheat in this way. The problem is as the Marion Jones saga points out, is that not all have the same values. They may never make it because of this cheating!
I think it is time for compulsory blood samples for all athletes 6 times a year, at their check in at every world ranked event and immediately after the final. These samples should be kept and rechecked every two years as technology develops. The athletes found to be 'on the juice' with performance enhancing drugs or enhancements of any sort, are to be banned for life.
It makes me wonder about an athlete like Nick Willis. He is a strong Christian and opposed to drugs. Perhaps he is the best in the world but the only one not of the juice. Maybe Kimberley Smith is the best middle distance runner in the world too? Results may mean little! Why would anyone run anymore?
On deeper reflection
So where are we at?
To me, while I have always loved Graham Henry, I think it is time for him to go. He has had a great career, won many titles, began the Welsh revival; but with the Lions and AB's he did not quite scale the heights of rugby immortality. Wayne Smith will not coach them again. I think it is Robbie Deans time. He is the man of the moment, he is at his peak, he is poised. We missed John Hart when it was his moment, he getting his chance 10 years too late. Perhaps the same is true of Graham Henry who should have coached the AB's after his glorious time with Auckland. John Mitchell was 10 years too early. Deans is ready! Don't let the Aussies have him.
What about the players? Mils is off and Leon M has had his day. Perhaps Corey Jane from Wellington will get his chance now. Doug is off, but the Fijians are ready to go and Smith is waiting in the wings. Hamilton and Hosea Gear are also good.
At centre we have good options, Tuiava, Smith and Nonu. In the midfield we are losing both Mauger and sadly Luke M, who to me is a brilliant player, who will only get better as he matures. Second five will be interesting in 2008. This is wide open to me. Perhaps Tuiava will be 2nd five and one of the others centre.
Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Stephen Donald, Stephen Brett; we have first fives everywhere; excellent depth.
Byron chose the right time to go, he to me has never quite scaled that final summit of greatness; a fine player, but not quite a Gregan or Farr-Jones. Leonard, Wipu, Ellis; we have no problems at half back.
Nos 8 is still strong with So'oialo, Luaki, Tualii, Williams, Mika and others. Similarly the flankers with McCaw, Masoe, Collins, Latimer and others.
Locks are strong with Williams, Robinson, Eaton, Flavell, Ryan and young guys.
Props are strong with Haymen going but we still have Sommerville, Woodcock, Tialata and young guys coming through like Jamie Mackintosh.
At hooker we are losing Oliver but still have Mealamu, Hore and a host of others.
The truth is, we are still very strong.
To me the key is to forget the World Cup and seek to be the best team in the world as of the first game from the World Cup. We pick and A team of 22 and as injuries come, and they will, we build. We play week in week out. There needs to be space given for recovery and full restoration of fitness each year, but not during Super 14's, TriNations or other key events. We need to focus on the World Cup in the few months before it not now! Let's enjoy the time between and make the most of it. Let's develop mental strength, learning to win, to lose and to battle in adversity. Let's trust our depth and not worry about trying to create it, we actually have the greatest depth in the world.
Let's not worry about the Cup, who cares! We will deal with that when it comes. So bring on the Super 14 and 2008.
To me, while I have always loved Graham Henry, I think it is time for him to go. He has had a great career, won many titles, began the Welsh revival; but with the Lions and AB's he did not quite scale the heights of rugby immortality. Wayne Smith will not coach them again. I think it is Robbie Deans time. He is the man of the moment, he is at his peak, he is poised. We missed John Hart when it was his moment, he getting his chance 10 years too late. Perhaps the same is true of Graham Henry who should have coached the AB's after his glorious time with Auckland. John Mitchell was 10 years too early. Deans is ready! Don't let the Aussies have him.
What about the players? Mils is off and Leon M has had his day. Perhaps Corey Jane from Wellington will get his chance now. Doug is off, but the Fijians are ready to go and Smith is waiting in the wings. Hamilton and Hosea Gear are also good.
At centre we have good options, Tuiava, Smith and Nonu. In the midfield we are losing both Mauger and sadly Luke M, who to me is a brilliant player, who will only get better as he matures. Second five will be interesting in 2008. This is wide open to me. Perhaps Tuiava will be 2nd five and one of the others centre.
Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Stephen Donald, Stephen Brett; we have first fives everywhere; excellent depth.
Byron chose the right time to go, he to me has never quite scaled that final summit of greatness; a fine player, but not quite a Gregan or Farr-Jones. Leonard, Wipu, Ellis; we have no problems at half back.
Nos 8 is still strong with So'oialo, Luaki, Tualii, Williams, Mika and others. Similarly the flankers with McCaw, Masoe, Collins, Latimer and others.
Locks are strong with Williams, Robinson, Eaton, Flavell, Ryan and young guys.
Props are strong with Haymen going but we still have Sommerville, Woodcock, Tialata and young guys coming through like Jamie Mackintosh.
At hooker we are losing Oliver but still have Mealamu, Hore and a host of others.
The truth is, we are still very strong.
To me the key is to forget the World Cup and seek to be the best team in the world as of the first game from the World Cup. We pick and A team of 22 and as injuries come, and they will, we build. We play week in week out. There needs to be space given for recovery and full restoration of fitness each year, but not during Super 14's, TriNations or other key events. We need to focus on the World Cup in the few months before it not now! Let's enjoy the time between and make the most of it. Let's develop mental strength, learning to win, to lose and to battle in adversity. Let's trust our depth and not worry about trying to create it, we actually have the greatest depth in the world.
Let's not worry about the Cup, who cares! We will deal with that when it comes. So bring on the Super 14 and 2008.
Are we finally growing up?
It feels different this time... losing the cup I mean. In 1999 and 2003 the losses at the world cup were more like a funeral followed by blood letting. Anger filled the airways, John Hart and John Mitchell were vilified, Taine Randell and Rueben Thorne were the world's worst captains. NZ rugby was rubbish and needed sorting.
This time it is definitely different. There was grief and sadness and there are calls for Henry's head. But this time, as we saw at Christchurch airport yesterday, things are different. I was proud to be a NZer yesterday, and my desire to support the AB's was given a great boost as 2000 or so Kiwi's welcomed home the AB's.
And that was good! The AB's have done brilliantly over the last four years. They have beaten the Lions, had a grand slam, won the trinations, Bledisloe and we have won all but one Super 14 title. It has been a very good era. They fell at the final post, well the third from final one, for sure; but one cannot be too critical.
Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Hansen have done well. They have the best scrum in the world, have improved the lineout, have a great backline, and have done well.
There were some extraordinary circumstances in the game, some out of their control, others within. They screwed up on the two R's, rotation and reconditioning to me. They should have stopped rotating (and getting dizzy), and settled on the combo's. They should not have missed so much rugby. They lost their Mo Jo in the game, lost their nerve. Mentally, they did not quite get there. Then there was the French zeal which was spectacular on the day. And of course there was our friend from England, the ref. He had a shocker. Today's Herald's analysis was utterly brilliant. To win the game, with the ref in such a mood, required the AB's being more than 10% better than the French, and while they did dominate, they did not dominate sufficiently. I don't think he was a cheat, he was just out of his league in the pressure and buckled. I feel for him, he must be gutted... well he should be!
Anyway, we need to be supportive. This was different to 1999 and 2003 for sure. I am pleased we are growing up.
This time it is definitely different. There was grief and sadness and there are calls for Henry's head. But this time, as we saw at Christchurch airport yesterday, things are different. I was proud to be a NZer yesterday, and my desire to support the AB's was given a great boost as 2000 or so Kiwi's welcomed home the AB's.
And that was good! The AB's have done brilliantly over the last four years. They have beaten the Lions, had a grand slam, won the trinations, Bledisloe and we have won all but one Super 14 title. It has been a very good era. They fell at the final post, well the third from final one, for sure; but one cannot be too critical.
Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Hansen have done well. They have the best scrum in the world, have improved the lineout, have a great backline, and have done well.
There were some extraordinary circumstances in the game, some out of their control, others within. They screwed up on the two R's, rotation and reconditioning to me. They should have stopped rotating (and getting dizzy), and settled on the combo's. They should not have missed so much rugby. They lost their Mo Jo in the game, lost their nerve. Mentally, they did not quite get there. Then there was the French zeal which was spectacular on the day. And of course there was our friend from England, the ref. He had a shocker. Today's Herald's analysis was utterly brilliant. To win the game, with the ref in such a mood, required the AB's being more than 10% better than the French, and while they did dominate, they did not dominate sufficiently. I don't think he was a cheat, he was just out of his league in the pressure and buckled. I feel for him, he must be gutted... well he should be!
Anyway, we need to be supportive. This was different to 1999 and 2003 for sure. I am pleased we are growing up.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Rebecca Smith! Far out!
Sometimes a sports story comes along and slips through the net. More often than not it involves a woman who does something extraordinary, but because of the grip rugby has on this nation, no one takes much notice.
How about Rebecca Smith! She is NZ's women's soccer captain and today SHE WAS NOMINATED IN FIFA'S SHORTLIST FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Now forgive me if I am wrong, but this is absolutely extraordinary! We have had some great players. Wynton Rufer, the Oceania player of the century who won a UEFA cup! He and Maia Jackman have both played in Fifa All Star teams. But this is something again!
She has been named with Germany's three-time world player Birgit Prinz and Marta of Brazil, last years player of the year, the best player at the recently complete world cup and the top goal scorer for the tournament!
Sure it is 'only' women's soccer, but soccer is the nos one sport in the world! And here we have global star. So a little recognition for this effort I say! Way to go NZ soccer and way to go Rebecca Smith!
How about Rebecca Smith! She is NZ's women's soccer captain and today SHE WAS NOMINATED IN FIFA'S SHORTLIST FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Now forgive me if I am wrong, but this is absolutely extraordinary! We have had some great players. Wynton Rufer, the Oceania player of the century who won a UEFA cup! He and Maia Jackman have both played in Fifa All Star teams. But this is something again!
She has been named with Germany's three-time world player Birgit Prinz and Marta of Brazil, last years player of the year, the best player at the recently complete world cup and the top goal scorer for the tournament!
Sure it is 'only' women's soccer, but soccer is the nos one sport in the world! And here we have global star. So a little recognition for this effort I say! Way to go NZ soccer and way to go Rebecca Smith!
Dougie!
Interesting reaction in the world press to Doug Howlett's antics. At one level one can see why people are up at arms. On the large, a few too many, gets carried away, knocks about a few cars. Not the sort of behaviour one might expect from a role model to the youth of society. Binge-drinking again! All Blacks should be above that!
On the other hand, these guys are only human! Here is Doug H, a year ago ranked the 4th best wing in NZ and probably on the outer for the world cup. He has a great season and knocks out Rico Gear, a truly brilliant player. He gets picked, breaks the NZ test try scoring record, and is probably with Ali Williams the NZ star of the cup.
Then the teams for the quarter finals are named and Dougie misses out! No doubt he was gutted. As it turned out, his experience was sorely missed as were Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger. Then, before he could blink the AB's were gone, out of the cup!
So he has a few too many, makes an error of judgement and before you know it, he is all over the world media. Come on! He is human! Give the guy a break.
He has apologised and is keen to make recompense, that is enough.
I say, give the guy a break.
On the other hand, these guys are only human! Here is Doug H, a year ago ranked the 4th best wing in NZ and probably on the outer for the world cup. He has a great season and knocks out Rico Gear, a truly brilliant player. He gets picked, breaks the NZ test try scoring record, and is probably with Ali Williams the NZ star of the cup.
Then the teams for the quarter finals are named and Dougie misses out! No doubt he was gutted. As it turned out, his experience was sorely missed as were Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger. Then, before he could blink the AB's were gone, out of the cup!
So he has a few too many, makes an error of judgement and before you know it, he is all over the world media. Come on! He is human! Give the guy a break.
He has apologised and is keen to make recompense, that is enough.
I say, give the guy a break.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Spin off
One thing that is rather funny as a Christian and rugby lover is the impact that this will have on churches. Many churches had prepared special events on the Sunday's leading through to the final; all based on the assumption that the AB's would be there to the end. My own church was planning a breakfast for the semi-final with me saying a few words at a special service after. Now these events are off. I simply can't see people coming out to watch the France-England semi on the big screen! I heard of one church who were preparing a big event with Eroni Clarke speaking!
Perhaps the devil did it! He didn't want these events happening because it could lead to many unbelievers becoming Christians! I am joking! I know one minister who is rather miffed, they now having to prepare a normal service with a normal sermon! Life is like that!
Perhaps the devil did it! He didn't want these events happening because it could lead to many unbelievers becoming Christians! I am joking! I know one minister who is rather miffed, they now having to prepare a normal service with a normal sermon! Life is like that!
Bugger
Months ago on this blog (http://sportdivine.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html) I said, 'From a NZ point of view this will be a huge challenge. To beat Ireland/France then Australia then South Africa/England in successive weeks is a huge challenge! If NZers think they have the cup in the bag, get real; this will be a gigantic challenge and it is anyone's cup!' I also suggested that we would play Ireland but possibly France. Bugger, we played France, and we lost.
So what went wrong.
1. Rotation, Reconditioning is retro! These ideas have some merit but the truth is that the AB coaching panel failed to prepare the A team in terms of combinations. Neither does reconditioning work, it leave players without enough rugby. While you need fitness and depth, you need a team well prepared with hard rugby. They didn't need the rotation, we have more players in every position than any nation in the world already! They didn't need the reconditioning, they needed to play! They should have played the Super 14, the tests and some of the NPC to be match hard. You could see at the 30 min mark that the AB's intensity began to drop. They never regained it. Shades of Sydney 2003 when the AB's fired nothing.
2. Wrong game plan! What happened. They decided to take it up the guts with one man running. It was clear early on that there was space out wide. When they went 13-0 up they should have continued to run and get Joe R and Sivivatu in the game. Instead they went into trench warfare, the French's own way of playing. Having said that, for all the talk of fitness, they weren't there. They hadn't played enough rugby or enough hard rugby.
3. A team of the wane? The signs were there earlier in the year if we admit it. In 2005-2006 this team peaked thrashing the Lions, a grand slam, Tri Nation titles etc. Most great teams last 3-4 years. I count 2003 as a its first year under Mitchell (apart from the semi) and they have lasted 3 years. The reconditioning and rotation policy was unnecessary and they lost momentum. They did not have the dominance this year in the TriNations or at the Cup. Tragic!
4. The rub of the green! It also was one of the those days. The French got up. The ref went their way, probably unintentionally and pressure from a French-supporting crowd. The sinbinning of McAlistair was simply wrong. He missed the crucial forward pass. The biggest issue remains the two problems that are ruining rugby. He allowed the French to be offside the whole game; and he allowed them at the breakdown to kill the ball. What should have happened was a series of penalties as the AB's pressured the French, yet in the second half we virtually saw none. These would have been converted into 3 points and we would have pulled away. It was one of the those days.
I listened to hours of talkback leading into this and it fulfilled the concerns of a few who realised that while this team is a great team, on any given day in a knock out tournament, with the rub of the green, they could lose. A lot of people were concerned at the preparation of the AB's but this time the public got behind the AB's rather than getting critical before the event. Sadly they are right.
Personally, I do not think they choked, I think they were beaten by a better team and were not prepared properly. I believe this is a great AB team. It is sad that Henry got fancy on it, he had the team, they didn't need to do all the reconditioning, resting and rotation! All he and the team had to do was coach them well, get their combinations strong, play them and let them loose! We have so much depth at home, if we lost a few players through injury leading in, we could bring in the newbies.
Still it is not the end of the world. NZ will win the cup one of these days, they will get it right, they will get the rub of the green, they will win. I still salute Graham Henry as he goes out, he is a great coach. So are Smith and Hanson. But they are all gone now! Welcome Robbie Deans, they are all yours. Bring on 2011.
Finally, let's get over the world cup and enjoy rugby for rugby's sake. Let's see the players play. Let's see the players stop moaning about playing too much and enjoy the privilege of being paid for the thing they love. Let's enjoy the Tri-Nations, tours, Super 14, NPC and see the game sorted out at breakdown and offside line. Let's hope for a win in 2011, but let's not be World Cup obsessed. I say, play hard until then. About 4 weeks out, pick a team for another tournament. Train hard, play hard, be hard, well prepared through playing together week in week out not sitting in the gym, and have another go. As for the exit... bugger.
So what went wrong.
1. Rotation, Reconditioning is retro! These ideas have some merit but the truth is that the AB coaching panel failed to prepare the A team in terms of combinations. Neither does reconditioning work, it leave players without enough rugby. While you need fitness and depth, you need a team well prepared with hard rugby. They didn't need the rotation, we have more players in every position than any nation in the world already! They didn't need the reconditioning, they needed to play! They should have played the Super 14, the tests and some of the NPC to be match hard. You could see at the 30 min mark that the AB's intensity began to drop. They never regained it. Shades of Sydney 2003 when the AB's fired nothing.
2. Wrong game plan! What happened. They decided to take it up the guts with one man running. It was clear early on that there was space out wide. When they went 13-0 up they should have continued to run and get Joe R and Sivivatu in the game. Instead they went into trench warfare, the French's own way of playing. Having said that, for all the talk of fitness, they weren't there. They hadn't played enough rugby or enough hard rugby.
3. A team of the wane? The signs were there earlier in the year if we admit it. In 2005-2006 this team peaked thrashing the Lions, a grand slam, Tri Nation titles etc. Most great teams last 3-4 years. I count 2003 as a its first year under Mitchell (apart from the semi) and they have lasted 3 years. The reconditioning and rotation policy was unnecessary and they lost momentum. They did not have the dominance this year in the TriNations or at the Cup. Tragic!
4. The rub of the green! It also was one of the those days. The French got up. The ref went their way, probably unintentionally and pressure from a French-supporting crowd. The sinbinning of McAlistair was simply wrong. He missed the crucial forward pass. The biggest issue remains the two problems that are ruining rugby. He allowed the French to be offside the whole game; and he allowed them at the breakdown to kill the ball. What should have happened was a series of penalties as the AB's pressured the French, yet in the second half we virtually saw none. These would have been converted into 3 points and we would have pulled away. It was one of the those days.
I listened to hours of talkback leading into this and it fulfilled the concerns of a few who realised that while this team is a great team, on any given day in a knock out tournament, with the rub of the green, they could lose. A lot of people were concerned at the preparation of the AB's but this time the public got behind the AB's rather than getting critical before the event. Sadly they are right.
Personally, I do not think they choked, I think they were beaten by a better team and were not prepared properly. I believe this is a great AB team. It is sad that Henry got fancy on it, he had the team, they didn't need to do all the reconditioning, resting and rotation! All he and the team had to do was coach them well, get their combinations strong, play them and let them loose! We have so much depth at home, if we lost a few players through injury leading in, we could bring in the newbies.
Still it is not the end of the world. NZ will win the cup one of these days, they will get it right, they will get the rub of the green, they will win. I still salute Graham Henry as he goes out, he is a great coach. So are Smith and Hanson. But they are all gone now! Welcome Robbie Deans, they are all yours. Bring on 2011.
Finally, let's get over the world cup and enjoy rugby for rugby's sake. Let's see the players play. Let's see the players stop moaning about playing too much and enjoy the privilege of being paid for the thing they love. Let's enjoy the Tri-Nations, tours, Super 14, NPC and see the game sorted out at breakdown and offside line. Let's hope for a win in 2011, but let's not be World Cup obsessed. I say, play hard until then. About 4 weeks out, pick a team for another tournament. Train hard, play hard, be hard, well prepared through playing together week in week out not sitting in the gym, and have another go. As for the exit... bugger.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
On Second Thoughts!
What a performance by Tonga. Sensational! Brilliant! South Africa got out of jail. It was the South African second team I suppose, so it doesn't mean a lot in one sense. On the other hand, Tonga exposed weaknesses in the South Africans.
Really NZ should win this world cup. England are average. Ireland are aweful. France are average as Argentina proved. South Africa and Australia can be good. But, if NZ plays to their potential, does not have a shocker, they should not lose this one. But we have said this before.
I really do hope they win. What sort of reception will Graham Henry and the team get if they do not! They will be hammered mercilessly. Talkback will be a free for all! I hope they win too because they have been so much better than the world for 4 years, it would be greatly sad if they do not.
I will go out on a limb. I think they will.
Really NZ should win this world cup. England are average. Ireland are aweful. France are average as Argentina proved. South Africa and Australia can be good. But, if NZ plays to their potential, does not have a shocker, they should not lose this one. But we have said this before.
I really do hope they win. What sort of reception will Graham Henry and the team get if they do not! They will be hammered mercilessly. Talkback will be a free for all! I hope they win too because they have been so much better than the world for 4 years, it would be greatly sad if they do not.
I will go out on a limb. I think they will.
Kudos to Graham Henry
I was listening to Radio Sport today and I though Brendon Telfer made a brilliant point. He suggested that Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hanson could not do much more to help NZ win the cup. Once they hit the quarters and it is knock out, it is no longer up to them but the players. I think he is so right. When they go onto the field, apart from a few substitutions, it is not the coaches any more but the players.
This got me thinking about John Mitchell and John Hart. Why were they so castigated. Especially Hart; it was the players going to sleep in 1999 that lost us that match, not Hart. In 2003 one could criticise MacDonald being picked, but it was the players who played so poorly and without vitality.
We need to mature as a nation and accept what happens. So I thought I would be the first to get in.
Regardless of the results at the world cup, Kudos to Graham Henry. He could do no more. They are brilliantly prepared. Some of us think that their combinations may not be quite what they could be. But the truth is, what a great three years! Awesome! We have been the best and no doubt are the best. Whether we win now depends on the players. It also depends on the other teams. Will one of these teams play the game of their lives e.g. France 1999? It also depends on the refs?
So I just want to say, well done Graham Henry. Regardless of the result, I honour you as a brilliant coach. I also pay tribute to John Mitchell and John Hart; hard luck, well done.
This got me thinking about John Mitchell and John Hart. Why were they so castigated. Especially Hart; it was the players going to sleep in 1999 that lost us that match, not Hart. In 2003 one could criticise MacDonald being picked, but it was the players who played so poorly and without vitality.
We need to mature as a nation and accept what happens. So I thought I would be the first to get in.
Regardless of the results at the world cup, Kudos to Graham Henry. He could do no more. They are brilliantly prepared. Some of us think that their combinations may not be quite what they could be. But the truth is, what a great three years! Awesome! We have been the best and no doubt are the best. Whether we win now depends on the players. It also depends on the other teams. Will one of these teams play the game of their lives e.g. France 1999? It also depends on the refs?
So I just want to say, well done Graham Henry. Regardless of the result, I honour you as a brilliant coach. I also pay tribute to John Mitchell and John Hart; hard luck, well done.
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Evidence: South Africa are the team to beat
In March this year I wrote (http://sportdivine.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html) that the final of the world cup will be NZ vs South Africa. I wrote, 'If this is the final it will be tumultuous, aggressive and incredibly close. I think the South Africans will be formidable if they get there and it will be anyones game. I do believe unless terrible injury intervenes (or food poisoning etc), NZ will win this one.'
I still think this, but the demolition of England today by SA 36-0 is evidence, SA are good, really good! I can't see them being stopped before the final. NZ will have to be at the absolute top of their game to compete and perhaps win.
Mind you, it is not clear how good SA are in light of the utter ineptitude of England. They have no pace to the breakdown, lumbering gorilla's in the forward pack, have no penetration and pace out wide. Robinson is a danger from broken play, but one man can do so much. So perhaps it was more about England's weakness. If so, then the northern teams are not a threat!
But it is tracking toward my prediction except for one thing, this could be the start of an era of greatness for SA. They have the makings of a great team.
I still think this, but the demolition of England today by SA 36-0 is evidence, SA are good, really good! I can't see them being stopped before the final. NZ will have to be at the absolute top of their game to compete and perhaps win.
Mind you, it is not clear how good SA are in light of the utter ineptitude of England. They have no pace to the breakdown, lumbering gorilla's in the forward pack, have no penetration and pace out wide. Robinson is a danger from broken play, but one man can do so much. So perhaps it was more about England's weakness. If so, then the northern teams are not a threat!
But it is tracking toward my prediction except for one thing, this could be the start of an era of greatness for SA. They have the makings of a great team.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Are the AB's Chokers?
It is going around, particularly in the northern hemisphere, thatthe All Blacks are chokers. It is believed that they will choke again this time. On the face of it, this appears to have some truth. We won the first world cup brilliantly and have not won since despite dominating world rugby through that period. So is it fair to call them chokers? This can only be assessed by looking at each effort.
Well we can say for sure we did not choke in 1987; we won superbly without being threatened.
Neither did we choke in 1991. It was clear in 1989-91 that the All Blacks were on the decline and Australia on the rise. We lost that 1991 semi because they were better; a great forward pack, sensational inside backs and the brilliant Campese; whereas the NZ team was aging and past its best.
In 1995, but for food poisoning, we would have won that world cup, and won it well. The 1996 result put that into perspective, as NZ stormed through SA. It wasn't choking that lost that cup, but sickness.
In 1999 we did not choke but we lost because the AB's went off the boil and allowed an absolutely brilliant French side on the day to tear them apart. It was not choking but complacency as the AB's felt they had it won. Looking back, the Australians too were superior that year. They had a good forward pack, brilliant backs. We had a lot of weaknesses; few of that team are looked upon as great players and there were holes through the team. We were just not that good.
In 2003 again we did not choke but we were not as good as we think. Poor selections and a team that was not as well led and lacked experience lost to a battle-hardened clevely led Australian team.
NZ are not chokers then. They have proved this again and again on tours of SA, winning tri-nations, grand slams etc. It is demeaning to the teams that beat them to say this. The question for me is not, will we choke? Rather, it is, are we good enough? It looks good at this stage, but the South Africans and Australians are formidable opposition.
Well we can say for sure we did not choke in 1987; we won superbly without being threatened.
Neither did we choke in 1991. It was clear in 1989-91 that the All Blacks were on the decline and Australia on the rise. We lost that 1991 semi because they were better; a great forward pack, sensational inside backs and the brilliant Campese; whereas the NZ team was aging and past its best.
In 1995, but for food poisoning, we would have won that world cup, and won it well. The 1996 result put that into perspective, as NZ stormed through SA. It wasn't choking that lost that cup, but sickness.
In 1999 we did not choke but we lost because the AB's went off the boil and allowed an absolutely brilliant French side on the day to tear them apart. It was not choking but complacency as the AB's felt they had it won. Looking back, the Australians too were superior that year. They had a good forward pack, brilliant backs. We had a lot of weaknesses; few of that team are looked upon as great players and there were holes through the team. We were just not that good.
In 2003 again we did not choke but we were not as good as we think. Poor selections and a team that was not as well led and lacked experience lost to a battle-hardened clevely led Australian team.
NZ are not chokers then. They have proved this again and again on tours of SA, winning tri-nations, grand slams etc. It is demeaning to the teams that beat them to say this. The question for me is not, will we choke? Rather, it is, are we good enough? It looks good at this stage, but the South Africans and Australians are formidable opposition.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Dixon, Federer, Woods and Powell
Far out. What a day in sport? Firstly, we have kiwi Scott Dixon running out of gas 200m from the line in the final race of the season in the IndeCar series! How can it be? Now I am not a petrol head, but this has to be someone's fault and it shouldn't have happened! Poor Scott! But dang it, someone should pay!
Then there is the brilliance of Federer; his 12th Grand Slam title! This is amazing. The guy is a freak!
Then there is Woods again winning, this time coming from behind with brilliant putting. We live in an age with 2 of the greatest sportsmen in history; what a privilege!
What about Powell; 9.74 100m! Far out, brilliant! Or is it? He lost the World Champs 100m to Tyson Gay the other day. He seems to choke. True! But he is fast! That is quick. Then again, is he on something?
Then there is the brilliance of Federer; his 12th Grand Slam title! This is amazing. The guy is a freak!
Then there is Woods again winning, this time coming from behind with brilliant putting. We live in an age with 2 of the greatest sportsmen in history; what a privilege!
What about Powell; 9.74 100m! Far out, brilliant! Or is it? He lost the World Champs 100m to Tyson Gay the other day. He seems to choke. True! But he is fast! That is quick. Then again, is he on something?
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Cricket Combined Stats 2: Bowlers
A couple of blogs ago I discussed the best batsmen of the modern period. What about the bowlers.
Match winners get a swag of 10 wicket match bags and 5 wicket innings bags.
Most 10 Wicket Bags
1. Muralitharan (20)
2. Warne (10)
3. Hadlee (9)
4. Kumble (8)
5. Lillee (7)
6. I. Khan; Underwood (6)
8. Younis; Akram; Akhtar (5)
Most 5 Wicket Bags
1. Muralitharan (68)
2. Hadlee (41)
3. Warne (38)
4. McGrath (36)
5. Younis (35)
6. Kumble (35)
7. Botham (27)
8. Ambrose (26)
9. Khan, Dev (24)
The stars stand out here; the two spinners Murali and Warne with Kumble and then Underwood in behind. The quickies Hadlee, Lillee, McGrath, Younis, Khan, Akram, Ambrose, Dev and Botham.
The really great bowlers have superb strike rates (balls per wicket). Here we see Akhtar and Younis again with Donald and Lee there. Here Younis really figures in combination with his great 5 wicket and 10 wicket bag stats. Others who are starting to figure prominently are McGrath and Akram.
Best Strike Rate
1. Akhtar; Younis (36.6)
3. Donald (40.0)
4. Lee (40.2)
5. Agarker (41.3)
6. Ntini (43.2)
7. Gough 43.5)
8. McGrath, Akram (44.5)
9. Bishop (45.6)
Best Economy Rate
1. Gibbs (1.99)
2. Underwood, Bedi (2.18)
4. Statham (2.33)
5. Trueman (2.61)
6. Ambrose (2.65)
7. Chatfield (2.76)
8. Hadlee (2.77)
9. Muralitharan (2.83)
10. Walsh (2.88)
Trueman enters the stats here. Ambrose and Hadlee of the quicks above. The spinners Gibbs, Underwood and Bedi are amazingly parsemonious. Murali is hard to get away. One of Walsh's secrets is seen here.
Traditionally the bowlers with the best average are seen as the greatest. There is good reason for this, as their stats bring together their economy with their wicket taking. Here we see the greatness of the quicks Trueman, Donald, Hadlee, Ambrose, Marshall, Holding, Lillee and Akram. The only spinner to feature is Murali.
Best Average
1. Trueman (21.56)
2. McGrath (21.76)
3. Muralitharan (21.84)
4. Donald (22.04)
5. Hadlee (22.10)
6. Ambrose (22.11)
7. Marshall (22.71)
8. Holding (22.84)
9. Lillee (23.22)
10. Akram (23.57)
The ability to take wickets in a pure sense cannot be disregarded.
Most Wickets
1. Muralitharan (1157)
2. Warne (1001)
3. McGrath (949)
4. Akram (916)
5. Kumble (903)
6. Pollock (801)
7. Younis (789)
8. Walsh (746)
9. Vaas (703)
10. Dev (687)
Here the two spinners Murali and Warne stand out. The quicks who have featured throughout McGrath, Akram and Younis stand out.
Putting it together:
Clearly two spinners dominate, Murali and Warne. If we pick the best one it depends a little on how we regard Murali's action. I have a problem here because despite all the decisions of the IRB etc, I can't help feeling there is a problem. How does one bowl a leggie with an off-spinners action without bending the arm? On the other hand, Warne bowls the world's most difficult bowling art; leg-spin bowling. So for me he gets the number one slot.
The best quickies I will not try and pick out; but will go for a group. These include Hadlee, McGrath, Akram, Younis, Lillee, Trueman, Ambrose, Donald, Khan, Holding and Marshall.
Match winners get a swag of 10 wicket match bags and 5 wicket innings bags.
Most 10 Wicket Bags
1. Muralitharan (20)
2. Warne (10)
3. Hadlee (9)
4. Kumble (8)
5. Lillee (7)
6. I. Khan; Underwood (6)
8. Younis; Akram; Akhtar (5)
Most 5 Wicket Bags
1. Muralitharan (68)
2. Hadlee (41)
3. Warne (38)
4. McGrath (36)
5. Younis (35)
6. Kumble (35)
7. Botham (27)
8. Ambrose (26)
9. Khan, Dev (24)
The stars stand out here; the two spinners Murali and Warne with Kumble and then Underwood in behind. The quickies Hadlee, Lillee, McGrath, Younis, Khan, Akram, Ambrose, Dev and Botham.
The really great bowlers have superb strike rates (balls per wicket). Here we see Akhtar and Younis again with Donald and Lee there. Here Younis really figures in combination with his great 5 wicket and 10 wicket bag stats. Others who are starting to figure prominently are McGrath and Akram.
Best Strike Rate
1. Akhtar; Younis (36.6)
3. Donald (40.0)
4. Lee (40.2)
5. Agarker (41.3)
6. Ntini (43.2)
7. Gough 43.5)
8. McGrath, Akram (44.5)
9. Bishop (45.6)
Best Economy Rate
1. Gibbs (1.99)
2. Underwood, Bedi (2.18)
4. Statham (2.33)
5. Trueman (2.61)
6. Ambrose (2.65)
7. Chatfield (2.76)
8. Hadlee (2.77)
9. Muralitharan (2.83)
10. Walsh (2.88)
Trueman enters the stats here. Ambrose and Hadlee of the quicks above. The spinners Gibbs, Underwood and Bedi are amazingly parsemonious. Murali is hard to get away. One of Walsh's secrets is seen here.
Traditionally the bowlers with the best average are seen as the greatest. There is good reason for this, as their stats bring together their economy with their wicket taking. Here we see the greatness of the quicks Trueman, Donald, Hadlee, Ambrose, Marshall, Holding, Lillee and Akram. The only spinner to feature is Murali.
Best Average
1. Trueman (21.56)
2. McGrath (21.76)
3. Muralitharan (21.84)
4. Donald (22.04)
5. Hadlee (22.10)
6. Ambrose (22.11)
7. Marshall (22.71)
8. Holding (22.84)
9. Lillee (23.22)
10. Akram (23.57)
The ability to take wickets in a pure sense cannot be disregarded.
Most Wickets
1. Muralitharan (1157)
2. Warne (1001)
3. McGrath (949)
4. Akram (916)
5. Kumble (903)
6. Pollock (801)
7. Younis (789)
8. Walsh (746)
9. Vaas (703)
10. Dev (687)
Here the two spinners Murali and Warne stand out. The quicks who have featured throughout McGrath, Akram and Younis stand out.
Putting it together:
Clearly two spinners dominate, Murali and Warne. If we pick the best one it depends a little on how we regard Murali's action. I have a problem here because despite all the decisions of the IRB etc, I can't help feeling there is a problem. How does one bowl a leggie with an off-spinners action without bending the arm? On the other hand, Warne bowls the world's most difficult bowling art; leg-spin bowling. So for me he gets the number one slot.
The best quickies I will not try and pick out; but will go for a group. These include Hadlee, McGrath, Akram, Younis, Lillee, Trueman, Ambrose, Donald, Khan, Holding and Marshall.
AB's and France
Great start! Wow, that first 20 was freakish! Italy were blown away. Carter was great, McCaw sensational, Williams brilliant! Way to go.
Now the French! Well it is actually no surprise; Argentina has had the wood on France for a few years now. France may still top the pool. Let's say Ireland beat Argentina and France beat Ireland, all eminently possible; it may still see France top the pool.
What this has done to me is made the last 3 games fearsome for NZ. If we hit France in the quarters that is very possible; then we will have Aussie and SA in the semi and final. This will be a tough world cup to win. We are the best team; have the best players; but it does not mean we will win it. Injuries will mean a lot. We are already in a bit of trouble with Smith, Robinson and Thorne out for a while. Let's hope they are not bad injuries. Aussie are definitely a better team than 12 months ago as is SA. It is going to be a huge ask!
Now the French! Well it is actually no surprise; Argentina has had the wood on France for a few years now. France may still top the pool. Let's say Ireland beat Argentina and France beat Ireland, all eminently possible; it may still see France top the pool.
What this has done to me is made the last 3 games fearsome for NZ. If we hit France in the quarters that is very possible; then we will have Aussie and SA in the semi and final. This will be a tough world cup to win. We are the best team; have the best players; but it does not mean we will win it. Injuries will mean a lot. We are already in a bit of trouble with Smith, Robinson and Thorne out for a while. Let's hope they are not bad injuries. Aussie are definitely a better team than 12 months ago as is SA. It is going to be a huge ask!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Triathlon wierdness
It seems wierd to me to read in the paper the other day that the Kiwi blokes at the world triathlon champs buttoned off and one even pulled out in the run because in 2 weeks they have to race for Olympic places at Beijing. Wierd to timetable the trial 2 weeks after the worlds! Why not make the worlds a qualifying race? Sure, it is good to qualify on the Olympic course, but it demeans the world champs. What would I know I suppose?
Valerie and Mahe... yeah
What a great effort by the Kiwi's at the World Rowing Champs and the World Athletic Champs. Valerie Vili is a legend. She has now won a big one! To win the world shot put champs is utterly incredible. She used to belong to the same athletics club as my daughters; in fact she presented their awards at a recent athletics awards. She is wonderful athlete. Kimberley Smith is also brilliant. 5th in the world on the track up against the African middle distance athletes is sensational! Nick Willis and Nina Rolsten did brilliantly as well; 10th and 13th. New Zealanders have no idea how amazing these performances are! Way to go! These athletes are all incredibly inspirational to my girls who all race for Auckland and hopefully soon for NZ. Go NZ!
And what about the rowing! Fantastic. Mahe Drysdale is brilliant. 3 World championships in a row is absolutely amazing. If he can add gold in Beijing next year, he is truly one of the very greats of NZ sport. By the time he and Valerie are finished I think they will both be on the list for sure! The other rowing gold winners (Kiwi Coxless Four of Carl Meyer, James Dallinger, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and Duncan Grant in the lightweight sculls) are also amazing. Especially brilliant are the Four who beat one of the most incredible field every coming from last to first! The Ever-Swindell Twins and Twaddle and Bridgewater are also fantastic. I wouldn't write either team off for next year! Being an avid competitive indoor rower, I know a little of the pain these guys go through. They are freaks!
I am sure if the AB's win the world cup as I hope they do; I am sure they will win the ultimate Halberg award; but in the sober light of day considering the competition, I think Mahe and Valerie both had more to beat and a stiffer task to win their golds. I would give it to Valerie actually, in that rowing is not such a global sport.
One other thing; I love Valerie Vili's name because you can spin it around; Go Vilarie Vale!
And what about the rowing! Fantastic. Mahe Drysdale is brilliant. 3 World championships in a row is absolutely amazing. If he can add gold in Beijing next year, he is truly one of the very greats of NZ sport. By the time he and Valerie are finished I think they will both be on the list for sure! The other rowing gold winners (Kiwi Coxless Four of Carl Meyer, James Dallinger, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and Duncan Grant in the lightweight sculls) are also amazing. Especially brilliant are the Four who beat one of the most incredible field every coming from last to first! The Ever-Swindell Twins and Twaddle and Bridgewater are also fantastic. I wouldn't write either team off for next year! Being an avid competitive indoor rower, I know a little of the pain these guys go through. They are freaks!
I am sure if the AB's win the world cup as I hope they do; I am sure they will win the ultimate Halberg award; but in the sober light of day considering the competition, I think Mahe and Valerie both had more to beat and a stiffer task to win their golds. I would give it to Valerie actually, in that rowing is not such a global sport.
One other thing; I love Valerie Vili's name because you can spin it around; Go Vilarie Vale!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Cricket Combined Stats
I was roaming wisden cricinfo the other day and found that the records page now had combined stats for test, one-day and 20-20 cricket. They are exceedingly interesting in terms of assessing the quality of players. I have always felt that when we put together the different types cricket we get a real feel for the quality of players.
The records reflect some interesting points in terms of great batsmen.
In terms of centuries the rankings are:
1) Tendulkar 78
2) Ponting 56
3) Lara 53
4) Kallis 39
5) M. Waugh 38
6) Hayden 37
7) Dravid 36
8) Ul-Haq, S. Waugh, Ganguly, Haynes, V. Richards 35
Clearly Tendulkar stands out! Then Ponting and Lara are well ahead of the others.
In terms of averages the rankings of the top players are (over 45):
1) Ponting 49.60
2) Kallis 49.46
3) Richards 48.75
4) Hayden 48.58
5) Tendulkar 48.06
6) Miandad 46.99
7) Dravid 46.72
8) Yousuf 46.52
9) Lara 46.28
10) Gavasker 46.20
In terms of total runs the rankings for the top players are (Over 17,000 runs)
1) Tendulkar 26,390
2) Lara 22,358
3) Ul-Haq 20,563
4) Dravid 19,998
5) Ponting 19,941
6) Jayasuriya 18,999
7) S. Waugh 18,496
8) A.Border 17,698
9) J. Kallis 17,609
When one considers these; the top 6 batsmen of the modern era would appear to be:
1) Tendulkar
2) Ponting
3) V. Richards
4) B. Lara
5) Kallis
6) Dravid
The top openers would bre Hayden and Gavasker.
The records reflect some interesting points in terms of great batsmen.
In terms of centuries the rankings are:
1) Tendulkar 78
2) Ponting 56
3) Lara 53
4) Kallis 39
5) M. Waugh 38
6) Hayden 37
7) Dravid 36
8) Ul-Haq, S. Waugh, Ganguly, Haynes, V. Richards 35
Clearly Tendulkar stands out! Then Ponting and Lara are well ahead of the others.
In terms of averages the rankings of the top players are (over 45):
1) Ponting 49.60
2) Kallis 49.46
3) Richards 48.75
4) Hayden 48.58
5) Tendulkar 48.06
6) Miandad 46.99
7) Dravid 46.72
8) Yousuf 46.52
9) Lara 46.28
10) Gavasker 46.20
In terms of total runs the rankings for the top players are (Over 17,000 runs)
1) Tendulkar 26,390
2) Lara 22,358
3) Ul-Haq 20,563
4) Dravid 19,998
5) Ponting 19,941
6) Jayasuriya 18,999
7) S. Waugh 18,496
8) A.Border 17,698
9) J. Kallis 17,609
When one considers these; the top 6 batsmen of the modern era would appear to be:
1) Tendulkar
2) Ponting
3) V. Richards
4) B. Lara
5) Kallis
6) Dravid
The top openers would bre Hayden and Gavasker.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
World U19 Lacrosse Champs
The World Women's U19 Lacrosse Champs were completed today. USA won the final comprehensively, beating Australia 18-3. The bronze was a surprise with England toppling Canada 9-8.
NZ came in 10th of 11th which sounds unimpressive, but in fact was a brilliant effort. NZ lost all but one game, beating Germany in the play-off for 10th and 11th (8-6), their first win, after losing by 1 to Germany in the first round (10-11). They were competitive in every game, unlucky not to beat the Czech Republic after having 22 shots on goal to 11 but being thwarted by the brilliant Czech goalie.
It was an impressive effort all up when one considers that NZ is new to the sport, this being their first U19 effort after debuting at the senior worlds in 2005. There are also a number of quality players at home who could not make the trip because of injury, other sporting commitments or cost. Of course such trips are not funded, each player spending $6000 for the trip!
The top NZ team would have potentially been top 6. Impressive for NZ were the McLain sisters Lauren and Kate, Gracie Keown, Sonja Yaw, Susie Clephane, Laura Rensford, Ariana Simmonds and Kelly Leaper. Some will no doubt score US scholarships. Way to go girls!
NZ came in 10th of 11th which sounds unimpressive, but in fact was a brilliant effort. NZ lost all but one game, beating Germany in the play-off for 10th and 11th (8-6), their first win, after losing by 1 to Germany in the first round (10-11). They were competitive in every game, unlucky not to beat the Czech Republic after having 22 shots on goal to 11 but being thwarted by the brilliant Czech goalie.
It was an impressive effort all up when one considers that NZ is new to the sport, this being their first U19 effort after debuting at the senior worlds in 2005. There are also a number of quality players at home who could not make the trip because of injury, other sporting commitments or cost. Of course such trips are not funded, each player spending $6000 for the trip!
The top NZ team would have potentially been top 6. Impressive for NZ were the McLain sisters Lauren and Kate, Gracie Keown, Sonja Yaw, Susie Clephane, Laura Rensford, Ariana Simmonds and Kelly Leaper. Some will no doubt score US scholarships. Way to go girls!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Cross Country Champs
Tributes to the winners at the NZ Cross Country champs in Wingatui Dunedin on the weekend. Of note were the senior winners including Edwin Henshaw and Maria Akkeson from Auckland.
The race of the day was the M19 race with Dominic Channon winning by 2 seconds from Matthew Mildenhall with Terefe Ejigu only 1 second back! 3 across the line in 4 seconds is one heaven of a finish. The W19 race was won well by Ruth Croft from Haley Green and Katie Wright from Auckland. Katie is recovering from glandular fever, so this was a special effort.
Esther Keown won the W16 race from Nicki McFadzien and Hannah Newbould. This was Esther's first national cross country title in schools or provincial after podium finishes in 5 previous races. She has recovered from a lay off with a hip injury so it was a special win. Nicki and Hannah remain very consistent, Nicki having 2 seconds this year at schools and provincials.
Promising Margot Gibson ran the W14 race. It would have been interesting if she had run the W16 race as she beat Esther in Christchurch at the schools race earlier in the year. However, Esther was recovering from injury at that point.
The quality of the fields was a bit down in the W19 and 16 races without Kelsey Patterson, Camille Buscombe, Olivia Burne, Hannah Morgan and others there.
Hopefully the fields will be stronger next year
The race of the day was the M19 race with Dominic Channon winning by 2 seconds from Matthew Mildenhall with Terefe Ejigu only 1 second back! 3 across the line in 4 seconds is one heaven of a finish. The W19 race was won well by Ruth Croft from Haley Green and Katie Wright from Auckland. Katie is recovering from glandular fever, so this was a special effort.
Esther Keown won the W16 race from Nicki McFadzien and Hannah Newbould. This was Esther's first national cross country title in schools or provincial after podium finishes in 5 previous races. She has recovered from a lay off with a hip injury so it was a special win. Nicki and Hannah remain very consistent, Nicki having 2 seconds this year at schools and provincials.
Promising Margot Gibson ran the W14 race. It would have been interesting if she had run the W16 race as she beat Esther in Christchurch at the schools race earlier in the year. However, Esther was recovering from injury at that point.
The quality of the fields was a bit down in the W19 and 16 races without Kelsey Patterson, Camille Buscombe, Olivia Burne, Hannah Morgan and others there.
Hopefully the fields will be stronger next year
Rugby Part 3
Yet more of rugby's problems spring to mind.
15. The absence of free to air broadcasts: another problem is that lack of rugby on free to air. Some would bemoan this and say that if you are serious you would get sky. Well it is $64/month to get sky. That is a lot for a family like ours with three teenagers with all the costs and the costs of life. Currently what is there is on Prime and not all get it and if your place is like ours, the reception sux. For rugby to hold NZ's interest it must be the sport of the people, available to all, free. A slight delay is not an issue if that keeps Sky happy. But it has to be there, for people to view. This has the effect of people losing touch with the game. The teams of full of names they do not know. The shift from Super 14 to NPC becomes confusing for the fringe supporters and other interests take that place. Knowing the players, knowing the teams are basics.
16. Night rugby: night rugby is supposed to enhance crowds, but does it? In the middle of winter at Jade Stadium? Is that the best option. What about rugby with the winter sun on the backs at 2.30 on a Saturday. It has always produced the best rugby. Again we have broken from tradition and we are paying the price to keep the corporates happy.
15. The absence of free to air broadcasts: another problem is that lack of rugby on free to air. Some would bemoan this and say that if you are serious you would get sky. Well it is $64/month to get sky. That is a lot for a family like ours with three teenagers with all the costs and the costs of life. Currently what is there is on Prime and not all get it and if your place is like ours, the reception sux. For rugby to hold NZ's interest it must be the sport of the people, available to all, free. A slight delay is not an issue if that keeps Sky happy. But it has to be there, for people to view. This has the effect of people losing touch with the game. The teams of full of names they do not know. The shift from Super 14 to NPC becomes confusing for the fringe supporters and other interests take that place. Knowing the players, knowing the teams are basics.
16. Night rugby: night rugby is supposed to enhance crowds, but does it? In the middle of winter at Jade Stadium? Is that the best option. What about rugby with the winter sun on the backs at 2.30 on a Saturday. It has always produced the best rugby. Again we have broken from tradition and we are paying the price to keep the corporates happy.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Rugby Part 2
More on rugby crowds and the problem with rugby.
12. Violence, feminisation and injuries: another issue for rugby generally is the injury toll and physical challenge of the game. This is a turn off to many moderns in an urban western situation. Women in particular often do not want their kids to play the game. While the game has been cleaned up it is still essentially physical and confrontational and this is a turn off for many.
13. Disappointment: the failure of recent AB rugby teams at world cups has not helped the image of rugby. Loyal fans will die for the game but the fringers find it tougher and tougher to support a team that blows it.
14. Disillusionment with professionalism as it is playing out in NZ rugby: I cannot see why the ABs have to be rested for tournaments, have weeks off, reconditioning bla bla bla. We need to get into the real world of professional sport and realise that being a professional athlete will involve a long season of earning one's money. It is a job. What other profession takes the approach rugby it taking? European soccer, rugby, the NRL, the AFL, the American sporting scene involves people playing week in and week out. It may win us a world cup but it is devastating to the game to rest players as we are doing. It is a luxury that has to end. The World Cup and internationals are just another event in the cycle of the sporting treadmill and NZ rugby needs to harden up and face the professional reality. Anyway, I am not sure it is better preparation for world cups etc to not play and wander around a gym bulking up! We lost the last world cup after resting the AB's from the NPC and perhaps this is the problem. We beat SA brilliantly in the quarters. Then faced the Aussies and we were flat, so flat it was shocking! Was it because we were not match hardened. Whereas the English who had played a huge number of games were hard and fronted magnificently for three games in a row; they were used to it! I hope France is not the same; I will not be surprised if it is. I for one have had enough of players bleating about how hard it is; how tough it is; how long the season is. I played club rugby for Pakuranga in the 80's and I would have given anything to have the opportunity these guys have. HARDEN UP, get out there and play. Oh, I have to go to work now. Need to recondition, but, oh, the boss won't let me...
12. Violence, feminisation and injuries: another issue for rugby generally is the injury toll and physical challenge of the game. This is a turn off to many moderns in an urban western situation. Women in particular often do not want their kids to play the game. While the game has been cleaned up it is still essentially physical and confrontational and this is a turn off for many.
13. Disappointment: the failure of recent AB rugby teams at world cups has not helped the image of rugby. Loyal fans will die for the game but the fringers find it tougher and tougher to support a team that blows it.
14. Disillusionment with professionalism as it is playing out in NZ rugby: I cannot see why the ABs have to be rested for tournaments, have weeks off, reconditioning bla bla bla. We need to get into the real world of professional sport and realise that being a professional athlete will involve a long season of earning one's money. It is a job. What other profession takes the approach rugby it taking? European soccer, rugby, the NRL, the AFL, the American sporting scene involves people playing week in and week out. It may win us a world cup but it is devastating to the game to rest players as we are doing. It is a luxury that has to end. The World Cup and internationals are just another event in the cycle of the sporting treadmill and NZ rugby needs to harden up and face the professional reality. Anyway, I am not sure it is better preparation for world cups etc to not play and wander around a gym bulking up! We lost the last world cup after resting the AB's from the NPC and perhaps this is the problem. We beat SA brilliantly in the quarters. Then faced the Aussies and we were flat, so flat it was shocking! Was it because we were not match hardened. Whereas the English who had played a huge number of games were hard and fronted magnificently for three games in a row; they were used to it! I hope France is not the same; I will not be surprised if it is. I for one have had enough of players bleating about how hard it is; how tough it is; how long the season is. I played club rugby for Pakuranga in the 80's and I would have given anything to have the opportunity these guys have. HARDEN UP, get out there and play. Oh, I have to go to work now. Need to recondition, but, oh, the boss won't let me...
Monday, August 6, 2007
The problem with rugby
The discussions of the last few days relate to the crowd sizes at rugby games which are down on previous seasons. I am not surprised at all. I think that there are good reasons for the decline in interest in many urban centres
1. The Stop Start Nature of the Game: The scrums continually collapse. The break down is a constant disaster. Time is continually wasted with line outs, scrum resets, discussions between the ref and players, TMO decisions, discussions between refs and lines men, injuries upon injuries. The game must be sped up with far less time spent fluffing around with line out calls, injuries etc.
2. The Congestion of the Game: Rugby players are faster, fitter, stronger and able to last longer with contemporary fitness models. Yet the fields are the same size, the number of players the same, and the game is a 22 man game rather than a 15 man game. The game used to break open due to fatigue but can not do so with two even fit teams. The fields could be enlargened, the number of players reduced or the replacement rules changed to ensure that the game breaks open.
3. Other Options: There are now a lot of other things for people to do and games to play. Rugby does not hold exclusive pride of place. There are any number of sports from soccer, to lacrosse, to dancing etc. Not to mention that many people live a sedentary life anyway and don't play anything.
4. Life's busyness: Life is incredibly busy now and time is precious. One does what one has to do and to heck with the rest. Rugby is one of those options for discretionary time and it is quite a hassle to get there what with traffic, walking there, queuing etc.
5. TV Coverage: Why go to a game when you are incredibly busy when you can hit a switch and watch it live with replays, the fridge handy, in the warmth of the house etc? While it is not the same as live, in terms of time it is often a better use of the time to take the time to watch the game without all the extras around it. I mean one has to leave at 5ish to watch a 7.30 game and then is not home until 10ish.
6. Cost: it is rather expensive to go to a game especially if there are a few of you and you want to watch from the stand. Watching the game on TV for the rugby addict involves the purchase of Sky already and then throw in the cost of watching the game with a drink and something to eat thrown in and it all adds up!
7. A loss of traditional affiliations and season length etc: the development of professional rugby has led to a season that runs from Feb-Nov with followers of the game moving from Super 14, to club, to All Blacks to provincial affiliation. It all gets confusing. Regions do not capture the imagination as much as provinces. Then there is the shift back to provinces. It would be better to have one long good provincial competition and internationals rather than shifting from one to the other (go the NRL way etc). Through these constant changes the NZRFU and SANZAR organisations have torn the heart out of NZ traditional rugby allegiances.
8. The lost of top players overseas: the erosion of NZ talent is sad as the cream of NZ's players are going overseas leaving the NPC as a second rate competition in the shadow of the Super 14 and internationals.
9. Boredom at the same old same old: each year it is the Tri Nations, NZ, SA and Aus. When we get an international team here from Europe it is normally second rate. We need France A, Lions, England especially here on tours. We need SA and Aussie touring and playing the traditional rivals of provinces. We need to have the tri-Nations every two years and not in world cup year. We need tours!
10. Global sporting options: We are spoiled for choice now. We can follow league, rugby, soccer, baseball, grid iron, cricket, basketball etc here and overseas. There are vocational opportunities all over the world through USA colleges etc. The world has changed. Rugby does not dominate anymore and never will again. There are swags of other sports like hockey, triathlon, athletics, swimming etc for people to try out. It is now culturally OK to play anything unlike the earlier days when rugby was the only 'real sport'.
11. Constant law changes: while rugby wants to sort its act out it tries new rules every year or five. Compare that to soccer which has the same game now and for years. We need to settle on the game we want it to be and LEAVE it. Let is go through the ebs and flows. It needs to be radically simplified and LEFT.
When one adds all the above up, then it is obvious why rugby is losing the battle for support. It is the way it is and we better get used to it. They can simplify the season, bring back allegiances, make the game flow and open up again and this will help. But it won't fix it all. It is a consumers world and the consumers will decide. Whatever, those who rule the sport better get a move on because a glorious new world awaits us rugby fans.
1. The Stop Start Nature of the Game: The scrums continually collapse. The break down is a constant disaster. Time is continually wasted with line outs, scrum resets, discussions between the ref and players, TMO decisions, discussions between refs and lines men, injuries upon injuries. The game must be sped up with far less time spent fluffing around with line out calls, injuries etc.
2. The Congestion of the Game: Rugby players are faster, fitter, stronger and able to last longer with contemporary fitness models. Yet the fields are the same size, the number of players the same, and the game is a 22 man game rather than a 15 man game. The game used to break open due to fatigue but can not do so with two even fit teams. The fields could be enlargened, the number of players reduced or the replacement rules changed to ensure that the game breaks open.
3. Other Options: There are now a lot of other things for people to do and games to play. Rugby does not hold exclusive pride of place. There are any number of sports from soccer, to lacrosse, to dancing etc. Not to mention that many people live a sedentary life anyway and don't play anything.
4. Life's busyness: Life is incredibly busy now and time is precious. One does what one has to do and to heck with the rest. Rugby is one of those options for discretionary time and it is quite a hassle to get there what with traffic, walking there, queuing etc.
5. TV Coverage: Why go to a game when you are incredibly busy when you can hit a switch and watch it live with replays, the fridge handy, in the warmth of the house etc? While it is not the same as live, in terms of time it is often a better use of the time to take the time to watch the game without all the extras around it. I mean one has to leave at 5ish to watch a 7.30 game and then is not home until 10ish.
6. Cost: it is rather expensive to go to a game especially if there are a few of you and you want to watch from the stand. Watching the game on TV for the rugby addict involves the purchase of Sky already and then throw in the cost of watching the game with a drink and something to eat thrown in and it all adds up!
7. A loss of traditional affiliations and season length etc: the development of professional rugby has led to a season that runs from Feb-Nov with followers of the game moving from Super 14, to club, to All Blacks to provincial affiliation. It all gets confusing. Regions do not capture the imagination as much as provinces. Then there is the shift back to provinces. It would be better to have one long good provincial competition and internationals rather than shifting from one to the other (go the NRL way etc). Through these constant changes the NZRFU and SANZAR organisations have torn the heart out of NZ traditional rugby allegiances.
8. The lost of top players overseas: the erosion of NZ talent is sad as the cream of NZ's players are going overseas leaving the NPC as a second rate competition in the shadow of the Super 14 and internationals.
9. Boredom at the same old same old: each year it is the Tri Nations, NZ, SA and Aus. When we get an international team here from Europe it is normally second rate. We need France A, Lions, England especially here on tours. We need SA and Aussie touring and playing the traditional rivals of provinces. We need to have the tri-Nations every two years and not in world cup year. We need tours!
10. Global sporting options: We are spoiled for choice now. We can follow league, rugby, soccer, baseball, grid iron, cricket, basketball etc here and overseas. There are vocational opportunities all over the world through USA colleges etc. The world has changed. Rugby does not dominate anymore and never will again. There are swags of other sports like hockey, triathlon, athletics, swimming etc for people to try out. It is now culturally OK to play anything unlike the earlier days when rugby was the only 'real sport'.
11. Constant law changes: while rugby wants to sort its act out it tries new rules every year or five. Compare that to soccer which has the same game now and for years. We need to settle on the game we want it to be and LEAVE it. Let is go through the ebs and flows. It needs to be radically simplified and LEFT.
When one adds all the above up, then it is obvious why rugby is losing the battle for support. It is the way it is and we better get used to it. They can simplify the season, bring back allegiances, make the game flow and open up again and this will help. But it won't fix it all. It is a consumers world and the consumers will decide. Whatever, those who rule the sport better get a move on because a glorious new world awaits us rugby fans.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Random thoughts
Haven't blogged on this blog for a while but thought I would get back into it with a few random thoughts.
1. Go the warriors! Awesome form. 4th and rising! Woohoo. Most impressive and I hope it goes on.
2. America's Cup Fiasco: The build up to Valencia 2009 is on and the games have begun. Alinghi is playing games and working the rules to make it incredibly difficult for others to win the cup. Can't believe in today's world that people with the media reporting every aspect that blatant cheating would go on, but it does. The NZ government should get out now, it is corrupt, big boys and their toys. I for one, will not be seduced again.
3. Tour de Drug: The Tour De France is a disaster and a great sporting challenge and achievement is corrupted. No idea who is cheating and who is not. The whole thing leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
4. Weepu fiasco: What on earth are the three wise men doing? Piri Weepu should be going to France! How can one compare the performances of Ellis against the weak sides of the Pacific with Weepu in the Tri-Nations. Especially after he played first five for games for the Hurricanes and was forced to have a lay off in the 'reconditioning'. He has been shafted. So has Troy Flavell who was given a monumental workload over the Super 14 and All Black season. No wonder he went off the boil. He has been treated poorly. He may not have made the team, but he was not given a decent go!
5. Netball sadness: The silver ferns are in trouble for sure. They have lost Belinda Colling, Vilimaina Davu, Anna Rowberry and Temepara George; no wonder they are not the force they were. Irene van Dyk needs stronger and more consistent support at goal attack as well. It is not a lost cause, but we are still rebuilding and the Aussies are settled. It will be tough!
6. Hamish Marshall: Go Hamish, opting for an English contract and turning down a NZ contract. Can't really blame him. I hope he goes well.
7. Michael Campbell inconsistency: What is it with Michael Campbell! He is hot one day and unbelievably poor the next. He is a great golfer for sure and a Kiwi legend but can he just put 4 rounds together again. That is what happened at the US open! Come on Michael, you can do it again.
Enough
1. Go the warriors! Awesome form. 4th and rising! Woohoo. Most impressive and I hope it goes on.
2. America's Cup Fiasco: The build up to Valencia 2009 is on and the games have begun. Alinghi is playing games and working the rules to make it incredibly difficult for others to win the cup. Can't believe in today's world that people with the media reporting every aspect that blatant cheating would go on, but it does. The NZ government should get out now, it is corrupt, big boys and their toys. I for one, will not be seduced again.
3. Tour de Drug: The Tour De France is a disaster and a great sporting challenge and achievement is corrupted. No idea who is cheating and who is not. The whole thing leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
4. Weepu fiasco: What on earth are the three wise men doing? Piri Weepu should be going to France! How can one compare the performances of Ellis against the weak sides of the Pacific with Weepu in the Tri-Nations. Especially after he played first five for games for the Hurricanes and was forced to have a lay off in the 'reconditioning'. He has been shafted. So has Troy Flavell who was given a monumental workload over the Super 14 and All Black season. No wonder he went off the boil. He has been treated poorly. He may not have made the team, but he was not given a decent go!
5. Netball sadness: The silver ferns are in trouble for sure. They have lost Belinda Colling, Vilimaina Davu, Anna Rowberry and Temepara George; no wonder they are not the force they were. Irene van Dyk needs stronger and more consistent support at goal attack as well. It is not a lost cause, but we are still rebuilding and the Aussies are settled. It will be tough!
6. Hamish Marshall: Go Hamish, opting for an English contract and turning down a NZ contract. Can't really blame him. I hope he goes well.
7. Michael Campbell inconsistency: What is it with Michael Campbell! He is hot one day and unbelievably poor the next. He is a great golfer for sure and a Kiwi legend but can he just put 4 rounds together again. That is what happened at the US open! Come on Michael, you can do it again.
Enough
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
McLennan
What is going on in league? Here we go again! NZ now has lost a coach who genuinely appeared able to get NZ up to beat the Aussies in league which historically is amazing! Yet now he is off to Leeds and the league officianados are ducking for cover to cover their tracks! League appears to me to be as poorly run as NZ soccer! Tragic. Still Leeds will gain and McLennan will be a better coach for it.
Having said that, I say again, that the two sports rugby and league should combine into one global sport. The games are far too similar. Take out the break down and use play the balls. Take a couple of players out of the game would increase space. Keep the lineout for interest. Make the scrums confrontational. Keep league scoring with a 5 point try. Something like that. League flows better but needs a national profile. Rugby has a greater global impact but lacks the flow and the break down is a disaster. Let by gones be by gones and form a hybrid sport and take on the power of soccer.
It will never happen!
Having said that, I say again, that the two sports rugby and league should combine into one global sport. The games are far too similar. Take out the break down and use play the balls. Take a couple of players out of the game would increase space. Keep the lineout for interest. Make the scrums confrontational. Keep league scoring with a 5 point try. Something like that. League flows better but needs a national profile. Rugby has a greater global impact but lacks the flow and the break down is a disaster. Let by gones be by gones and form a hybrid sport and take on the power of soccer.
It will never happen!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Hypocrisy!
I cannot believe that NZ and the Aussies are critical of the Boks for not bringing down their A team for the away games in the Tri Nations. The Aussies have taken away substandard teams to Europe for a number of years now. As for NZ, it is a joke for us to complain. Apart from taking away weakened teams for a number of years and rotating our team last season there is the slight problem of the Super 14 reconditioning. Ridiculous to complain! We are determined to win the World Cup and so are they. They have a royal chance and now is their only chance to get the team up for the World Cup. So I say, go for it! Good on them.
I don't think it is a good time to do so however. They need time together, combinations etc. These are their last games leading into the Cup and they need to work to gain confidence.
So I say, good on them, and question whether it will help them. Imagine what confidence they would have gained from coming down here and smashing us on our home patch! They now do not have the opportunity. Remember England in 2003; NZ, SA and Aust beaten in 3 weeks. The belief was there for them then.
But as for NZ complaining... get real!
I don't think it is a good time to do so however. They need time together, combinations etc. These are their last games leading into the Cup and they need to work to gain confidence.
So I say, good on them, and question whether it will help them. Imagine what confidence they would have gained from coming down here and smashing us on our home patch! They now do not have the opportunity. Remember England in 2003; NZ, SA and Aust beaten in 3 weeks. The belief was there for them then.
But as for NZ complaining... get real!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Weekend wrap up
What a great weekend. The America's Cup went from the sadness of losing to the joy of winning. It was great to see Team NZ win a race. To me, Alinghi looks quicker though. I hope I am wrong, I pray I am wrong; but I get the feeling they are quicker. That being said though, if they can't hack the pressure, Alinghi may not have the team.
The All Blacks were fantastic. Sure, there were far too many handling errors and our lineout was not great. But this is the first game of such intensity for us after a flight to Durban, in what we call tropical heat, and against a fired up South African team. We had a number of scoring opportunities and the South Africans benefited from an intercept. By the last 15 minutes they were out on their feet. Great stuff NZ. How on earth Rodney S was named man of the match I will never know, Richie McCaw was sensational! He tackled and took the ball up incessantly. We are on track for France. It will be a huge challenge to now fly to Melbourne and front up against the desperate Aussies! They will be desperate and they still have match winners through the backline. Our forwards must destroy them!
The netball was brilliant. I was wanting the Force to win, but as I thought, the Sting were too level headed under pressure. Force had the chance to win and lost their bottle. We need Donna Wilckens in the Kiwi team for the World Champs. I hope she fronts. It would be sensational for her to score the winning goal after that fateful world champs on Chch a few years back. With her and Irene in the circle, I simply can't see us losing the world champs. I think the midcourters are back to their best; the Aussies were flattered by Temepara and Adene W being out of form and overcoming injuries. I truly believe we can win the World Champs.
Go the rowers. I am an indoor rowing addict; 10 k a day. Today I did my second best 500m ever, 1.24.8; but man these real rowers are extraordinary. We are amazing and get far too little attention! I can't wait for the World Champs and then the Olympics next year. Mark my words, the Ever-Swindells and Mahe Drysdale will be back!
And what about Bevan Docherty! He is a super athlete winning another triathlon.
So what am I looking forward to this week; the North Island Cross Country Champs. I have two daughters running... I will let you know how they go!
The All Blacks were fantastic. Sure, there were far too many handling errors and our lineout was not great. But this is the first game of such intensity for us after a flight to Durban, in what we call tropical heat, and against a fired up South African team. We had a number of scoring opportunities and the South Africans benefited from an intercept. By the last 15 minutes they were out on their feet. Great stuff NZ. How on earth Rodney S was named man of the match I will never know, Richie McCaw was sensational! He tackled and took the ball up incessantly. We are on track for France. It will be a huge challenge to now fly to Melbourne and front up against the desperate Aussies! They will be desperate and they still have match winners through the backline. Our forwards must destroy them!
The netball was brilliant. I was wanting the Force to win, but as I thought, the Sting were too level headed under pressure. Force had the chance to win and lost their bottle. We need Donna Wilckens in the Kiwi team for the World Champs. I hope she fronts. It would be sensational for her to score the winning goal after that fateful world champs on Chch a few years back. With her and Irene in the circle, I simply can't see us losing the world champs. I think the midcourters are back to their best; the Aussies were flattered by Temepara and Adene W being out of form and overcoming injuries. I truly believe we can win the World Champs.
Go the rowers. I am an indoor rowing addict; 10 k a day. Today I did my second best 500m ever, 1.24.8; but man these real rowers are extraordinary. We are amazing and get far too little attention! I can't wait for the World Champs and then the Olympics next year. Mark my words, the Ever-Swindells and Mahe Drysdale will be back!
And what about Bevan Docherty! He is a super athlete winning another triathlon.
So what am I looking forward to this week; the North Island Cross Country Champs. I have two daughters running... I will let you know how they go!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Rugby Season So Far
About 3 months out from the world cup where are things at. Well there has been one game that counts, Australia 19 South Africa 22. This can tell us one of a few things. Perhaps the Australians are much better than we expected. Perhaps the South Africans are worse. Perhaps the Australians had a good day, the South Africans a poor day. We won't know until the Tri-Nations plays itself out.
The AB's to me have not been good. They look either like a side that is on the wane or they are simply going through the motions preparing for the big games ahead. They should have won the first three games by more points and with a more clinical effort. They drop too much ball and overcook their attack without doing the basics. The loss of the locks means we are weaker at lineout time and have a real weakness opposition teams can target.
So for me the season has begun and the SA NZ clash at Durban will tell us more. The outcome is not that important in terms of the WC to come. However, we will get more insight into how teams are going.
So... let's wait and see.
The AB's to me have not been good. They look either like a side that is on the wane or they are simply going through the motions preparing for the big games ahead. They should have won the first three games by more points and with a more clinical effort. They drop too much ball and overcook their attack without doing the basics. The loss of the locks means we are weaker at lineout time and have a real weakness opposition teams can target.
So for me the season has begun and the SA NZ clash at Durban will tell us more. The outcome is not that important in terms of the WC to come. However, we will get more insight into how teams are going.
So... let's wait and see.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
4 Year Cycles
Have you ever noticed that the Olympics fall every four years as do most sports in terms of world cups e.g. soccer, rugby, cricket etc.
Now that is a great idea in one sense as it makes it very special to win one. The problem is that it makes winning one of these events rather based too much on luck rather than on skill.
Take an athlete who gets a slight injury just before the Olympics (e.g. Sarah Ulmer in 2000) and thus it is 8 years between opportunities. Or take a rugby team that has a key player injured (Tana Umaga in 2003) at the wrong time or gets food poisoning before a final (All Blacks 1995) or has a one off shocker despite being the dominant team for the years before and after (1999, 2003 All Blacks). In addition, as we see in rugby of late, the internationals between world cups are being devalued because it is world cup or bust. The latest French team to come here is a joke!
I think we should look at a different model for judging greatness in sport rather than basing it on one performance on one week every four years or on a tournament every four years. In terms of Athletics etc, world championships and world records are a better judge than Olympic golds. In terms of rugby, world rankings and series and consistency should be rewarded. Winning a world cup is not the be all and end all surely.
I like the netball approach, a world champs every two years. Of course in cricket it is irrelevant as whatever cycle is used the Australians are so utterly superior that they win anyway!
Now that is a great idea in one sense as it makes it very special to win one. The problem is that it makes winning one of these events rather based too much on luck rather than on skill.
Take an athlete who gets a slight injury just before the Olympics (e.g. Sarah Ulmer in 2000) and thus it is 8 years between opportunities. Or take a rugby team that has a key player injured (Tana Umaga in 2003) at the wrong time or gets food poisoning before a final (All Blacks 1995) or has a one off shocker despite being the dominant team for the years before and after (1999, 2003 All Blacks). In addition, as we see in rugby of late, the internationals between world cups are being devalued because it is world cup or bust. The latest French team to come here is a joke!
I think we should look at a different model for judging greatness in sport rather than basing it on one performance on one week every four years or on a tournament every four years. In terms of Athletics etc, world championships and world records are a better judge than Olympic golds. In terms of rugby, world rankings and series and consistency should be rewarded. Winning a world cup is not the be all and end all surely.
I like the netball approach, a world champs every two years. Of course in cricket it is irrelevant as whatever cycle is used the Australians are so utterly superior that they win anyway!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The 2007 All Blacks Mark 1
So I was close. I missed Schwalger in the props.
I missed Hore at hooker; I should have realised they would go for him.
I got the locks. I am surprised at the loosies with Luaki missing out!
I am pleased Leonard got in, but I didn't think they would pick him yet... he is a rare talent. I feel sorry for Jimmy Cowan who has been in great form.
I am glad they went for Evans and not Donald; I am a great fan of Evans and believe Donald has some serious deficiencies.
The second fives picked themselves; Mauger and McAlister.
Great to see Toeava and Smith together; two styles at centre. I feel sorry for Nonu however; he is a game breaker.
So Howlett got the nod ahead of Gear at wing. Fair enough, he has played very well. I am not sure that he is a better option. Great to see Rokocoko in; he has been poorly treated at the Blues and I am confident he will be back to being the worlds number 1 or 2 again asap. I wonder if Smith is so brilliant that we are erring in promoting him; he could be a brilliant unexpected world cup player much like Williams in South Africa in 1970, Batty in 1972, S. Wilson in 1978, Kirwan in 1987, G. Wilson in 1994, Lomu in 1995 etc. Wings to me are different; when a brilliant young player comes through, they need to be let loose asap as they tend to lose pace and effectiveness. Everyone of these players except perhaps S. Wilson shone brightly for a short period; I hope we have not missed the boat with this rare talent.
I am glad Muliaina was picked at fullback; he is the best in the world, and in my view, one of the most complete fullbacks of all time. He may play centre but only if MacDonald really improves his game.
It is a good team! Good enough?
I missed Hore at hooker; I should have realised they would go for him.
I got the locks. I am surprised at the loosies with Luaki missing out!
I am pleased Leonard got in, but I didn't think they would pick him yet... he is a rare talent. I feel sorry for Jimmy Cowan who has been in great form.
I am glad they went for Evans and not Donald; I am a great fan of Evans and believe Donald has some serious deficiencies.
The second fives picked themselves; Mauger and McAlister.
Great to see Toeava and Smith together; two styles at centre. I feel sorry for Nonu however; he is a game breaker.
So Howlett got the nod ahead of Gear at wing. Fair enough, he has played very well. I am not sure that he is a better option. Great to see Rokocoko in; he has been poorly treated at the Blues and I am confident he will be back to being the worlds number 1 or 2 again asap. I wonder if Smith is so brilliant that we are erring in promoting him; he could be a brilliant unexpected world cup player much like Williams in South Africa in 1970, Batty in 1972, S. Wilson in 1978, Kirwan in 1987, G. Wilson in 1994, Lomu in 1995 etc. Wings to me are different; when a brilliant young player comes through, they need to be let loose asap as they tend to lose pace and effectiveness. Everyone of these players except perhaps S. Wilson shone brightly for a short period; I hope we have not missed the boat with this rare talent.
I am glad Muliaina was picked at fullback; he is the best in the world, and in my view, one of the most complete fullbacks of all time. He may play centre but only if MacDonald really improves his game.
It is a good team! Good enough?
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