I'm still in holiday mode, so here's another post from earlier in the year.
McCaw, Carter Supreme Winners At Literature Awards
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was given the supreme award at the Steinlager New Zealand Literature Awards last night.
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
If Political Journalists Wrote Sports News
Rumours are swirling of an imminent leadership challenge within the All Blacks camp.
Speculation began that Richie McCaw may face a challenge to his captaincy of the All Blacks, after the team’s near-loss in the Rugby World Cup final.
While the All Blacks won the final, the victory was narrow, and concern is growing that the team may be in need of fresh leadership and a new direction.
The near-loss in the October final has already claimed a number of victims, including the head coach Sir Graham Henry. Sir Graham resigned shortly after the game, although he denied reports he was being forced out by unhappy players and NZRU officials.
Sir Graham admitted shortly after the final whistle that the team had not played as well as it could have on the day. However, the full All Blacks spin machine was quickly into damage control, as both he and McCaw later claimed to be delighted with the result.
Rumours of a challenge have been fanned by observations that McCaw has been largely absent from the game since late last year.
McCaw has barely been seen on the rugby field since the final, prompting speculation that NZRU strategists are well aware of the public’s declining support for McCaw. Officials have all but admitted publicly that McCaw’s ongoing absence from the rugby field in recent months is a result of fatigue and weariness, and the need to freshen him up before the new season begins.
McCaw has appeared in a number of television commercials recently, but one insider said this was a sign McCaw was looking beyond a life in rugby and was attempting to obtain some financial security for himself in the event of a leadership challenge.
It is also understood that McCaw’s teammates have become sick of his ongoing criticisms of the team and his generous praise towards opponents of the All Blacks.
In a number of after-match speeches last season McCaw admitted that his team had not performed as well as it could have. In one notable speech McCaw acknowledged that his team had lacked composure and discipline at crucial times and had thrown away too many chances to win the game.
McCaw also praised the spirit of opposition teams on a number of occasions, observing that a good deal of credit was due to them for the way they played.
It is unclear whether these speeches demonstrate a move by McCaw away from the core values that once made him such a winning force for the All Blacks. There has been concern in some quarters that McCaw may be trying to drag the All Blacks in a different direction and force them to play more like their opponents.
Long-time All Black activists are unlikely to tolerate any such attempt. Since international rugby went professional in the 1990s numerous die-hard supporters of the team have bemoaned the direction the game is going in. Their grievances include the absence of rucking, the proliferation of muscle-bound giants on the playing field, and the fact that someone with the build of Terry Wright might as well nowadays just play soccer.
A move to replace McCaw may come as soon as this week. It is understood that a number of players were infuriated at McCaw's Sportsman of the Year award at last week's Halberg Awards.
It is unclear whether a challenger would have the numbers to roll McCaw, but a number of All Black players have strong support from their teammates and from the general public. They include Piri Weepu, Dan Carter and Conrad Smith.
Even if McCaw survives a leadership bid, his difficulties may not be over.
Polls had the All Blacks as overwhelming favourites to win the final game of the Rugby World Cup, but their stumble almost cost them victory. If McCaw survives this challenge, it is unlikely that team players and management will tolerate such a poor performance from McCaw again.
Speculation began that Richie McCaw may face a challenge to his captaincy of the All Blacks, after the team’s near-loss in the Rugby World Cup final.
While the All Blacks won the final, the victory was narrow, and concern is growing that the team may be in need of fresh leadership and a new direction.
The near-loss in the October final has already claimed a number of victims, including the head coach Sir Graham Henry. Sir Graham resigned shortly after the game, although he denied reports he was being forced out by unhappy players and NZRU officials.
Sir Graham admitted shortly after the final whistle that the team had not played as well as it could have on the day. However, the full All Blacks spin machine was quickly into damage control, as both he and McCaw later claimed to be delighted with the result.
Rumours of a challenge have been fanned by observations that McCaw has been largely absent from the game since late last year.
McCaw has barely been seen on the rugby field since the final, prompting speculation that NZRU strategists are well aware of the public’s declining support for McCaw. Officials have all but admitted publicly that McCaw’s ongoing absence from the rugby field in recent months is a result of fatigue and weariness, and the need to freshen him up before the new season begins.
McCaw has appeared in a number of television commercials recently, but one insider said this was a sign McCaw was looking beyond a life in rugby and was attempting to obtain some financial security for himself in the event of a leadership challenge.
It is also understood that McCaw’s teammates have become sick of his ongoing criticisms of the team and his generous praise towards opponents of the All Blacks.
In a number of after-match speeches last season McCaw admitted that his team had not performed as well as it could have. In one notable speech McCaw acknowledged that his team had lacked composure and discipline at crucial times and had thrown away too many chances to win the game.
McCaw also praised the spirit of opposition teams on a number of occasions, observing that a good deal of credit was due to them for the way they played.
It is unclear whether these speeches demonstrate a move by McCaw away from the core values that once made him such a winning force for the All Blacks. There has been concern in some quarters that McCaw may be trying to drag the All Blacks in a different direction and force them to play more like their opponents.
Long-time All Black activists are unlikely to tolerate any such attempt. Since international rugby went professional in the 1990s numerous die-hard supporters of the team have bemoaned the direction the game is going in. Their grievances include the absence of rucking, the proliferation of muscle-bound giants on the playing field, and the fact that someone with the build of Terry Wright might as well nowadays just play soccer.
A move to replace McCaw may come as soon as this week. It is understood that a number of players were infuriated at McCaw's Sportsman of the Year award at last week's Halberg Awards.
It is unclear whether a challenger would have the numbers to roll McCaw, but a number of All Black players have strong support from their teammates and from the general public. They include Piri Weepu, Dan Carter and Conrad Smith.
Even if McCaw survives a leadership bid, his difficulties may not be over.
Polls had the All Blacks as overwhelming favourites to win the final game of the Rugby World Cup, but their stumble almost cost them victory. If McCaw survives this challenge, it is unlikely that team players and management will tolerate such a poor performance from McCaw again.
Monday, January 9, 2012
McCaw, Carter Supreme Winners At Literature Awards
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was given the supreme award at the Steinlager New Zealand Literature Awards last night.
McCaw’s epic book, Richie, won the main award, the Literature Cup, as well as picking up a number of other prizes.
The win takes the All Blacks back to the top of the world literature rankings and completes a strong 12 months for the world champions.
Speaking to the packed crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, McCaw gave a moving and eloquent speech that reduced many to tears.
“Yeah, nah, I’m rapt,” said McCaw, as he held aloft the Cup. “This is for all you fans who stuck by the team.
“It was a bloody tough contest, and I wasn’t sure if we’d pull it off till the very end, but we stuck in there and gave it everything.
“Thanks very much, and cheers.”
The win backs up McCaw’s Best Actor award at last month’s Rexona New Zealand Film Awards. McCaw took the top acting honour for his role in the short film Adidas Haka Advert.
Last night's judging panel included some of New Zealand’s top literature players, both present and past.
Awards chairman Murray Mexted said the calibre of the award entries this year was outstanding.
“Mate, there were some top efforts all round. All credit to these guys,” said Mr Mexted.
In a break from tradition a special Lifetime Literature Achievement award was presented to Colin Meads.
Organisers of the event had signalled they would present a special award to someone who had excelled in the field of literature over many years, and who had put New Zealand on the map.
In the end Mr Meads edged out stern competition from C K Stead, Patricia Grace and Keri Hulme to take the prize.
“Bloody good stuff,” said Mr Meads.
Other winners on the night were the All Black Cory Jane for his monumental work Twitter Stream, and his teammate Dan Carter who took the top poetry medal for the short poem Responding to Journalist Questions at All Blacks Press Conference.
Carter's work, which includes such memorable lines as “yeah, nah, I’m pretty gutted about the injury, but, you know, I guess that’s life and I’ve just got to move on”, has been described by some commentators as a modern masterpiece.
“Mate, the clever allegorical use of the ‘yeah, nah’ phrase in almost every line of the poem provides a thumping and powerful rhythmic effect throughout the work, reminding us at the same time of the eternal contradiction between what is and what is not, and leaving the reader with a sense of dilemma and confusion, challenging in a profound and powerful way modern hegemonic modes of discourse and dialogue, while highlighting the internal intellectual and spiritual crisis raging within the writer,” said chief poetry judge Peter Leitch, better known as The Mad Butcher.
"Mate, I almost cried like a girl when I read it."
Others have praised the fluency of Carter's work.
“Carter has always had a powerful left boot, but what stood out to me was some of his crisp passing through the backline, and those telling breaks late in the game as the opposition began to tire,” said commentator Grant Nisbett.
Patron of the event, Prime Minister John Key, has dismissed claims by some in the arts world that McCaw and Carter lack any literary ability and are undeserving winners.
“Okay, so Richie McCaw may not be Shakespeare, but who can even remember a single line Shakespeare ever wrote?” said Mr Key.
“And how many points did Shakespeare ever score in international rugby?”
McCaw’s epic book, Richie, won the main award, the Literature Cup, as well as picking up a number of other prizes.
The win takes the All Blacks back to the top of the world literature rankings and completes a strong 12 months for the world champions.
Speaking to the packed crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, McCaw gave a moving and eloquent speech that reduced many to tears.
“Yeah, nah, I’m rapt,” said McCaw, as he held aloft the Cup. “This is for all you fans who stuck by the team.
“It was a bloody tough contest, and I wasn’t sure if we’d pull it off till the very end, but we stuck in there and gave it everything.
“Thanks very much, and cheers.”
The win backs up McCaw’s Best Actor award at last month’s Rexona New Zealand Film Awards. McCaw took the top acting honour for his role in the short film Adidas Haka Advert.
Last night's judging panel included some of New Zealand’s top literature players, both present and past.
Awards chairman Murray Mexted said the calibre of the award entries this year was outstanding.
“Mate, there were some top efforts all round. All credit to these guys,” said Mr Mexted.
In a break from tradition a special Lifetime Literature Achievement award was presented to Colin Meads.
Organisers of the event had signalled they would present a special award to someone who had excelled in the field of literature over many years, and who had put New Zealand on the map.
In the end Mr Meads edged out stern competition from C K Stead, Patricia Grace and Keri Hulme to take the prize.
“Bloody good stuff,” said Mr Meads.
Other winners on the night were the All Black Cory Jane for his monumental work Twitter Stream, and his teammate Dan Carter who took the top poetry medal for the short poem Responding to Journalist Questions at All Blacks Press Conference.
Carter's work, which includes such memorable lines as “yeah, nah, I’m pretty gutted about the injury, but, you know, I guess that’s life and I’ve just got to move on”, has been described by some commentators as a modern masterpiece.
“Mate, the clever allegorical use of the ‘yeah, nah’ phrase in almost every line of the poem provides a thumping and powerful rhythmic effect throughout the work, reminding us at the same time of the eternal contradiction between what is and what is not, and leaving the reader with a sense of dilemma and confusion, challenging in a profound and powerful way modern hegemonic modes of discourse and dialogue, while highlighting the internal intellectual and spiritual crisis raging within the writer,” said chief poetry judge Peter Leitch, better known as The Mad Butcher.
"Mate, I almost cried like a girl when I read it."
Others have praised the fluency of Carter's work.
“Carter has always had a powerful left boot, but what stood out to me was some of his crisp passing through the backline, and those telling breaks late in the game as the opposition began to tire,” said commentator Grant Nisbett.
Patron of the event, Prime Minister John Key, has dismissed claims by some in the arts world that McCaw and Carter lack any literary ability and are undeserving winners.
“Okay, so Richie McCaw may not be Shakespeare, but who can even remember a single line Shakespeare ever wrote?” said Mr Key.
“And how many points did Shakespeare ever score in international rugby?”
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
You Choose
There's been a fair bit of talk in recent months about what effect our winning the Rugby World Cup would have on November's general election.
The conventional wisdom is that our winning the Cup would be good for National. We would all be deliriously happy and upbeat and would give that nice smiling Mr Key another turn.
I don't wish to make a prediction about what effect a win might have. But I have no doubt that a World Cup victory would be an enormous boost for the country.
Many of you will say that rugby just doesn't matter. But I disagree. For tens of thousands of New Zealanders the fact that our most worshipped sports team hasn't won the World Cup since 1987 is an abiding shame and a tremendous burden for us to keep carrying. A World Cup win would be an enormous thing for this country.
This creates a potential dilemma. If our winning the Cup means the chances of National winning another term in office increase, would I then be justified as a Labour-supporter in cheering for another rugby team?
So ask yourself this: If, hypothetically you could either have the All Blacks as World Cup champions, or the government of your choice, but not both, which would you choose?
The conventional wisdom is that our winning the Cup would be good for National. We would all be deliriously happy and upbeat and would give that nice smiling Mr Key another turn.
I don't wish to make a prediction about what effect a win might have. But I have no doubt that a World Cup victory would be an enormous boost for the country.
Many of you will say that rugby just doesn't matter. But I disagree. For tens of thousands of New Zealanders the fact that our most worshipped sports team hasn't won the World Cup since 1987 is an abiding shame and a tremendous burden for us to keep carrying. A World Cup win would be an enormous thing for this country.
This creates a potential dilemma. If our winning the Cup means the chances of National winning another term in office increase, would I then be justified as a Labour-supporter in cheering for another rugby team?
So ask yourself this: If, hypothetically you could either have the All Blacks as World Cup champions, or the government of your choice, but not both, which would you choose?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Of Mice And All Blacks
Labour Party leader Phil Goff is today the subject of renewed questions about his leadership, after blogger Campbell Slug released a recording of a Labour MP contradicting an earlier statement by Goff.
Mr Goff told listeners on Paul Henry's Radio Live show on Monday that his favourite All Black player was Richie McCaw.
However, this morning blogger Campbell Slug released on his blogsite FishMeat a recording of Labour's Dunedin South MP Clare Curran stating that Dan Carter was "the man."
This disagreement between Labour MPs adds further fuel to suggestions that Labour's caucus is disunited and that the party lacks discipline.
"If Labour's MPs can't even agree on basic issues, like who their favourite player is, then it's clear they're just not fit to govern us," said prominent media commentator and blogger David Farrar.
Prime Minister John Key was later asked at a press conference what he thought of Labour's latest blunder.
Mr Key did not respond directly, but instead just smiled, and most of the journalists in the front row of the gathered media scrum collapsed.
Once they had recovered somewhat and taken some air, Mr Key was asked who his favourite All Black was.
"They're all wonderful," said Mr Key.
Political insiders praised Mr Key's masterstroke, and most are predicting that he will live a long and prosperous life.
However, ACT leader Don Brash has slammed the media's obsession with rugby players and rugby stories.
"Frankly, I don't understand why this matter was even reported, when our economy is in such dire trouble," said Dr Brash.
"ACT has been talking about the issues that matter for months, but nobody's listening. It seems as if nowadays only the most trivial and nonsensical of news gets front-page treatment, while the stories that matter go untold.
"I have a whole collection of homosexual-mice stories, but the news media just aren't interested."
Mr Goff told listeners on Paul Henry's Radio Live show on Monday that his favourite All Black player was Richie McCaw.
However, this morning blogger Campbell Slug released on his blogsite FishMeat a recording of Labour's Dunedin South MP Clare Curran stating that Dan Carter was "the man."
This disagreement between Labour MPs adds further fuel to suggestions that Labour's caucus is disunited and that the party lacks discipline.
"If Labour's MPs can't even agree on basic issues, like who their favourite player is, then it's clear they're just not fit to govern us," said prominent media commentator and blogger David Farrar.
Prime Minister John Key was later asked at a press conference what he thought of Labour's latest blunder.
Mr Key did not respond directly, but instead just smiled, and most of the journalists in the front row of the gathered media scrum collapsed.
Once they had recovered somewhat and taken some air, Mr Key was asked who his favourite All Black was.
"They're all wonderful," said Mr Key.
Political insiders praised Mr Key's masterstroke, and most are predicting that he will live a long and prosperous life.
However, ACT leader Don Brash has slammed the media's obsession with rugby players and rugby stories.
"Frankly, I don't understand why this matter was even reported, when our economy is in such dire trouble," said Dr Brash.
"ACT has been talking about the issues that matter for months, but nobody's listening. It seems as if nowadays only the most trivial and nonsensical of news gets front-page treatment, while the stories that matter go untold.
"I have a whole collection of homosexual-mice stories, but the news media just aren't interested."
Monday, April 25, 2011
My Own All Blacks Story
When I read Shayne Philpott's rugby story in the news the other day it brought a lot of things back to me. Things I thought I had put behind me.
It also brought back a few tears. Some things are just so painful they never really left you.
Philpott was a handy utility back in his day, but was despised by many in rugby circles, because they considered him an inferior talent, and because his selection for the All Blacks meant more popular players missed out. That was back in the days before professional rugby and mass squad rotations. It was extraordinarily hard to get into the All Blacks back then, and players seldom came off the field unless seriously injured.
Shayne's story sounds a bit like mine. The talkback abuse, the swirling rumours, and the sharpened pens of the rugby scribes writing poison—I remember them all too well.
But Philpott's name at least appears in the record books. Not mine. I am the All Black you've never heard of.
I was first selected in 1990 against Australia in Christchurch. It was a solid team and we hadn't lost to Australia since 1986. But the team were coming to the end of a long and glorious run that had begun with the Rugby World Cup win in 1987, and their best days were perhaps behind them. It was into an environment of seasoned veterans perhaps grown too complacent and comfortable that I was thrust. No wonder, then, that things didn't start out so well for me.
I knew as soon as I stepped into the dressing room that my career wasn't going to be an easy one. The coach Grizz Wylie looked me up and down and said "hey kid, who the fuck are you?"
Grizz had a reputation in rugby circles of being a hard bastard, so I thought at first he must be joking. But he maintained a menacing stare as I explained that I was here to play the first test. It did me no good, and I was told to piss off, and then a bunch of burly security guys came and threw me out of the stadium.
For a young kid like me that was a pretty traumatic experience. But I loved my rugby and was absolutely determined to break into the team, so I returned to the fray, trained hard and worked on my game. It took a couple of years of trying, but I finally got another chance in 1994. There was a new coach, Laurie Mains, and a Rugby World Cup only a year away. If I performed well I knew there was a chance of a trip to South Africa the following year.
But when I reported for duty in the test match against the French Mains said to me "you shouldn't be in here. If you want an autograph you'll have to wait till after the game."
So that was that. Another rejection, and another insult.
You probably remember what happened next. They trialled a young guy called Jonah Lomu in the position I should have been playing, and the French exposed him mercilessly. We lost the series 2-0, but to add insult to injury Lomu went on to become a rugby superstar.
It should have been me.
I tried again the following year, but this time I couldn't even get as far as the changing rooms. So I was left out of the World Cup squad and had to watch our agonising loss to South Africa in the final on the TV, knowing that if I had been there the result might have been very different.
By this time I was at a pretty low ebb, and considered packing it in. In the end I decided I'd give it one more season, and if that didn't do the job I'd quit rugby and find something more meaningful to occupy my time. So I began to work hard on my fitness, sometimes going to the gym more than once a week. I'd never felt fitter and stronger, and it paid off.
I got my chance to shine against the Wallabies. I was only a reserve, but that was better than nothing. My opportunity came just after halftime, when Lomu went down hurt. I ran on, expecting at least some polite applause, but all I got were jeers. I was dragged off, literally, by two big Polynesian guys, and ended up spending a night in the police cells. Some way to celebrate your first test cap, isn't it?
I can only surmise that officials took exception to my lack of a regulation kit when I went onto the field, but how can I be blamed for that? I couldn't get into the changing rooms and the team officials had such a dripping contempt for me that when I tried to tell them who I was they just told me to piss off.
The thing that hurt me most about that one test cap was the reaction to my performance. It haunts me to this day. I found out later what they said about me on the TV when I came on. Sky TV commentator Grant Nisbett said "hello, who's this idiot running onto the field?" and one of the other commentators accused me of disrupting the game. But how could I disrupt the game if they wouldn't even let me go near the ball?
The next day I was the talk of the town, on the airwaves and in the papers. On talkback radio they complained about the lack of security at our grounds and the fact that (I'm quoting word for word) "any moron can just jump over the fence and ruin the game". But the final straw was a column by a well-respected rugby writer in a national newspaper (I won't name you, but you know who you are) who labelled my efforts "disrespectful and an insult to the game".
After than I hung my boots up for good. But there's scarcely a day when I don't think about those hurtful people and the way they treated me. I wish I could say that these experiences made me tougher, but the truth is they didn't. Every blow struck against me still hurts.
The crowning insult came when I went back to look at my official rugby record a couple of days ago, just after I read the Philpott story. They may have treated me with cruelty, but they couldn't take my test cap away, could they? Well guess what? My name doesn't appear in any record book. I didn't put a foot wrong during my sole appearance for the All Blacks, but still they wouldn't even give me a minor appearance in the history books. Bastards! It's as if all evidence of my career has been expunged.
I've been thinking a lot about this over the last few days. Like Philpott I wondered if I should just flog off all my rugby memorabilia and be done with it. Reading Philpott's story, though, made me realise there must be other guys out there with similar stories to my own. Guys whose careers went nowhere—because of misfortune, or the capricious whims of officials.
So guess what? I'm on a comeback. I have come to realise that I have a lot of unfinished business with rugby, and I would dearly love to stick it to those officials, coaches and media know-it-alls who so royally stuffed me and left me a shuddering wreck of a man for years on end.
I'm getting on in years, though I'm still on the right side of forty, and my health and fitness are pretty good still. Just yesterday I managed a two kilometre run in under twenty minutes. And there's always a place for the older guys. Tana Umaga's playing for the Chiefs, and Reuben Thorne is about to return for the Crusaders. So as from this week I'm back in training, determined to win back my place.
I plan to make my comeback at the Rugby World Cup. What better time to make an impact, when the eyes of the rugby world are turned upon New Zealand?
Wouldn't it be something else to run out onto Eden Park during the final?
It also brought back a few tears. Some things are just so painful they never really left you.
Philpott was a handy utility back in his day, but was despised by many in rugby circles, because they considered him an inferior talent, and because his selection for the All Blacks meant more popular players missed out. That was back in the days before professional rugby and mass squad rotations. It was extraordinarily hard to get into the All Blacks back then, and players seldom came off the field unless seriously injured.
Shayne's story sounds a bit like mine. The talkback abuse, the swirling rumours, and the sharpened pens of the rugby scribes writing poison—I remember them all too well.
But Philpott's name at least appears in the record books. Not mine. I am the All Black you've never heard of.
I was first selected in 1990 against Australia in Christchurch. It was a solid team and we hadn't lost to Australia since 1986. But the team were coming to the end of a long and glorious run that had begun with the Rugby World Cup win in 1987, and their best days were perhaps behind them. It was into an environment of seasoned veterans perhaps grown too complacent and comfortable that I was thrust. No wonder, then, that things didn't start out so well for me.
I knew as soon as I stepped into the dressing room that my career wasn't going to be an easy one. The coach Grizz Wylie looked me up and down and said "hey kid, who the fuck are you?"
Grizz had a reputation in rugby circles of being a hard bastard, so I thought at first he must be joking. But he maintained a menacing stare as I explained that I was here to play the first test. It did me no good, and I was told to piss off, and then a bunch of burly security guys came and threw me out of the stadium.
For a young kid like me that was a pretty traumatic experience. But I loved my rugby and was absolutely determined to break into the team, so I returned to the fray, trained hard and worked on my game. It took a couple of years of trying, but I finally got another chance in 1994. There was a new coach, Laurie Mains, and a Rugby World Cup only a year away. If I performed well I knew there was a chance of a trip to South Africa the following year.
But when I reported for duty in the test match against the French Mains said to me "you shouldn't be in here. If you want an autograph you'll have to wait till after the game."
So that was that. Another rejection, and another insult.
You probably remember what happened next. They trialled a young guy called Jonah Lomu in the position I should have been playing, and the French exposed him mercilessly. We lost the series 2-0, but to add insult to injury Lomu went on to become a rugby superstar.
It should have been me.
I tried again the following year, but this time I couldn't even get as far as the changing rooms. So I was left out of the World Cup squad and had to watch our agonising loss to South Africa in the final on the TV, knowing that if I had been there the result might have been very different.
By this time I was at a pretty low ebb, and considered packing it in. In the end I decided I'd give it one more season, and if that didn't do the job I'd quit rugby and find something more meaningful to occupy my time. So I began to work hard on my fitness, sometimes going to the gym more than once a week. I'd never felt fitter and stronger, and it paid off.
I got my chance to shine against the Wallabies. I was only a reserve, but that was better than nothing. My opportunity came just after halftime, when Lomu went down hurt. I ran on, expecting at least some polite applause, but all I got were jeers. I was dragged off, literally, by two big Polynesian guys, and ended up spending a night in the police cells. Some way to celebrate your first test cap, isn't it?
I can only surmise that officials took exception to my lack of a regulation kit when I went onto the field, but how can I be blamed for that? I couldn't get into the changing rooms and the team officials had such a dripping contempt for me that when I tried to tell them who I was they just told me to piss off.
The thing that hurt me most about that one test cap was the reaction to my performance. It haunts me to this day. I found out later what they said about me on the TV when I came on. Sky TV commentator Grant Nisbett said "hello, who's this idiot running onto the field?" and one of the other commentators accused me of disrupting the game. But how could I disrupt the game if they wouldn't even let me go near the ball?
The next day I was the talk of the town, on the airwaves and in the papers. On talkback radio they complained about the lack of security at our grounds and the fact that (I'm quoting word for word) "any moron can just jump over the fence and ruin the game". But the final straw was a column by a well-respected rugby writer in a national newspaper (I won't name you, but you know who you are) who labelled my efforts "disrespectful and an insult to the game".
After than I hung my boots up for good. But there's scarcely a day when I don't think about those hurtful people and the way they treated me. I wish I could say that these experiences made me tougher, but the truth is they didn't. Every blow struck against me still hurts.
The crowning insult came when I went back to look at my official rugby record a couple of days ago, just after I read the Philpott story. They may have treated me with cruelty, but they couldn't take my test cap away, could they? Well guess what? My name doesn't appear in any record book. I didn't put a foot wrong during my sole appearance for the All Blacks, but still they wouldn't even give me a minor appearance in the history books. Bastards! It's as if all evidence of my career has been expunged.
I've been thinking a lot about this over the last few days. Like Philpott I wondered if I should just flog off all my rugby memorabilia and be done with it. Reading Philpott's story, though, made me realise there must be other guys out there with similar stories to my own. Guys whose careers went nowhere—because of misfortune, or the capricious whims of officials.
So guess what? I'm on a comeback. I have come to realise that I have a lot of unfinished business with rugby, and I would dearly love to stick it to those officials, coaches and media know-it-alls who so royally stuffed me and left me a shuddering wreck of a man for years on end.
I'm getting on in years, though I'm still on the right side of forty, and my health and fitness are pretty good still. Just yesterday I managed a two kilometre run in under twenty minutes. And there's always a place for the older guys. Tana Umaga's playing for the Chiefs, and Reuben Thorne is about to return for the Crusaders. So as from this week I'm back in training, determined to win back my place.
I plan to make my comeback at the Rugby World Cup. What better time to make an impact, when the eyes of the rugby world are turned upon New Zealand?
Wouldn't it be something else to run out onto Eden Park during the final?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Stop Feeding The Rugby Troll
The Herald reports that UK rugby writer Stephen Jones has attacked the Haka in his latest column. At the time I am posting this the Jones story is one of the most prominent on the Herald website.
Jones does this just about every year. Every year our papers pick it up. It will be chewed over on the airwaves, and the story will feed into our feeling that the English just don't respect us.
I for one don't give a rat's arse what the English think about our Haka, or our team for that matter, and I don't see any special reason why we should look to seek their approval. The only thing that matters about New Zealand-England rugby relations is the result on the field.
Stephen Jones is the newspaper equivalent of the internet troll. Why don't we just stop feeding him? He's getting off on the notoriety.
Jones does this just about every year. Every year our papers pick it up. It will be chewed over on the airwaves, and the story will feed into our feeling that the English just don't respect us.
I for one don't give a rat's arse what the English think about our Haka, or our team for that matter, and I don't see any special reason why we should look to seek their approval. The only thing that matters about New Zealand-England rugby relations is the result on the field.
Stephen Jones is the newspaper equivalent of the internet troll. Why don't we just stop feeding him? He's getting off on the notoriety.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Give Us Back Our DHL Cup!
MEAA leader Simon Whipp is probably a relieved man, after last night's All Black loss to Australia.
Last week Whipp was the man New Zealanders most hated.
But last night one man put in a brief but memorable performance that assured him of infamy. Take a bow Stephen Donald.
Donald doesn't deserve to be vilified quite as much as he is being. As international players go he is mediocre, and not up to it. But he didn't kill anyone. Let's give the guy a break.
Sure he had two chances to win the game for New Zealand. He missed a regulation penalty kick that would have given us an almost unassailable lead. Then in the dying seconds he missed a kick to touch that might have finished the game, or at least allowed us to regroup.
Actually I'm getting bloody angry just thinking about it. Damn you, Donald!
Last week Whipp was the man New Zealanders most hated.
But last night one man put in a brief but memorable performance that assured him of infamy. Take a bow Stephen Donald.
Donald doesn't deserve to be vilified quite as much as he is being. As international players go he is mediocre, and not up to it. But he didn't kill anyone. Let's give the guy a break.
Sure he had two chances to win the game for New Zealand. He missed a regulation penalty kick that would have given us an almost unassailable lead. Then in the dying seconds he missed a kick to touch that might have finished the game, or at least allowed us to regroup.
Actually I'm getting bloody angry just thinking about it. Damn you, Donald!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Under Pressure Springbok Coach Attacks Critics
The pressure continues to pile onto Peter de Villiers, the embattled coach of the South African rugby team.
His team is returning home after a dreadful three-match tour, following Saturday night’s hammering at the hands of the Wallabies.
Now questions are being raised about his coaching skills, and reports are emerging of a rift between de Villiers and his assistant coaches.
Last week de Villiers accused referees of favouring New Zealand teams, and accused them of bias. He also claimed All Blacks captain Riche McCaw was a cheat.
The accusations of referee bias have been strongly denounced by SANZAR referee officials.
“We reject any suggestion of bias or anti-South African sentiment,” said spokesperson Andrew White.
“Of course, it’s no surprise to hear them whining like this yet again. Everyone knows they’re a nation of cheats. I’ve always said the only good South African is a dead one.
“So that’s why we don’t take seriously these allegations of bias and anti-South African treatment. What else would you expect from a nation of villains?”
Peter de Villiers spoke to the media just before he boarded a plane back to South Africa.
On the accusations of referee bias and cheating de Villiers said: “You can’t be an elephant without squashing a few flowers. In the case of South African rugby it seems the flowers are wearing referees’ jerseys. And when you swim with sharks the trick is to make sure you feed them first.”
He shrugged off the latest series of setbacks, and denied his team had a discipline problem.
“You ask me what is wrong with my coaching, and let me tell you. They told Jesus he couldn’t walk on water, but when he turned it into wine and they all got drunk he was the only one left standing when the band began to play.
“When they put King Tut in his tomb they filled it with gold. Now gold is a very fine thing, but it won't help you when you’re dead.”
The embattled coach also took a swing at his team’s critics.
“I don’t listen to all this criticism of how this player is dirty or that player is a cheat, because when a crocodile looks you in the eye it doesn’t matter who has the bigger balls.
“This team is like a fast car. If a tyre blows the car will lose control, and might end up in a ditch. You don’t throw your car away because of one bad tyre, even if the driver is dead at the wheel.”
The South African coach is not without support within the rugby community. Former All Black Andy Haden said last night that de Villiers was worth persevering with.
“South Africa is going through tremendous social upheaval,” said Haden. “We should not underestimate the importance and symbolism of a non-white being at the head of an institution that for many years epitomised white rule and the evils of apartheid.
“I’d like to see de Villiers given more time to transform the game in South Africa, and to bring about much needed reform there.
“Also, he’s a shit coach, so hopefully they don’t dump him before the World Cup.”
His team is returning home after a dreadful three-match tour, following Saturday night’s hammering at the hands of the Wallabies.
Now questions are being raised about his coaching skills, and reports are emerging of a rift between de Villiers and his assistant coaches.
Last week de Villiers accused referees of favouring New Zealand teams, and accused them of bias. He also claimed All Blacks captain Riche McCaw was a cheat.
The accusations of referee bias have been strongly denounced by SANZAR referee officials.
“We reject any suggestion of bias or anti-South African sentiment,” said spokesperson Andrew White.
“Of course, it’s no surprise to hear them whining like this yet again. Everyone knows they’re a nation of cheats. I’ve always said the only good South African is a dead one.
“So that’s why we don’t take seriously these allegations of bias and anti-South African treatment. What else would you expect from a nation of villains?”
Peter de Villiers spoke to the media just before he boarded a plane back to South Africa.
On the accusations of referee bias and cheating de Villiers said: “You can’t be an elephant without squashing a few flowers. In the case of South African rugby it seems the flowers are wearing referees’ jerseys. And when you swim with sharks the trick is to make sure you feed them first.”
He shrugged off the latest series of setbacks, and denied his team had a discipline problem.
“You ask me what is wrong with my coaching, and let me tell you. They told Jesus he couldn’t walk on water, but when he turned it into wine and they all got drunk he was the only one left standing when the band began to play.
“When they put King Tut in his tomb they filled it with gold. Now gold is a very fine thing, but it won't help you when you’re dead.”
The embattled coach also took a swing at his team’s critics.
“I don’t listen to all this criticism of how this player is dirty or that player is a cheat, because when a crocodile looks you in the eye it doesn’t matter who has the bigger balls.
“This team is like a fast car. If a tyre blows the car will lose control, and might end up in a ditch. You don’t throw your car away because of one bad tyre, even if the driver is dead at the wheel.”
The South African coach is not without support within the rugby community. Former All Black Andy Haden said last night that de Villiers was worth persevering with.
“South Africa is going through tremendous social upheaval,” said Haden. “We should not underestimate the importance and symbolism of a non-white being at the head of an institution that for many years epitomised white rule and the evils of apartheid.
“I’d like to see de Villiers given more time to transform the game in South Africa, and to bring about much needed reform there.
“Also, he’s a shit coach, so hopefully they don’t dump him before the World Cup.”
Monday, July 19, 2010
Blaming Everyone But Themselves
Saturday’s test between the All Blacks and Springboks revealed a number of interesting things.
New Zealand of course won, and the manner in which it won was convincing.
However, the margin of victory was not as comprehensive as last week’s, and the Boks put up a fight this time. But it was a wet night and the ball was slippery, and Carter missed a load of kicks at goal, so overall the score-line is still pleasing.
It’s interesting to hear the South African take on the game. The Springboks coaching staff were quick to attack the standard of refereeing, as if bad reffing was the only thing that let them down. The fact of the matter is that South African teams continue to struggle with discipline. The sinbinning of Danie Rossouw was a bit harsh, but he infringed right under the ref’s nose, so put himself at risk. Richie McCaw could have been yellow-carded later in the game for infringing, and was a trifle lucky to stay on. But by the time that became an issue we’d effectively won the game.
Apart from the on-field performance, it’s intriguing to see the different coaching and management styles. There were constant camera shots of the two coaching panels during the game. Henry and co were always calm and composed. The South Africans seemed much more excitable, with some of the team gesticulating, cursing and finger-pointing.
In fact, when I think about it I don’t think I’ve seen a match on TV involving this Springbok coach, where he and his team weren’t jumping up and down in excitement and/or outrage. It doesn’t seem to matter whether they’re winning or losing.
And that to me is the difference in the teams. One group of players has a steady and settled management team that doesn’t look externally for excuses when the players don’t perform. Another has a management team that is quick to blame the referee and opposition when things don’t go well.
South Africa’s two-dimensional play was exposed over the last two weekends. Last year South Africa kept winning games because its game-plan was simple, ugly and effective. The plan was to bash the ball forward with that big forward-pack, and then boot the ball high in the air. On defence they would charge up and have at least one guy sniffing for the intercept try. Most teams struggled to come up with a response to those tactics.
But happily for New Zealand, the Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, is looking to blame South Africa’s poor showing on everything but poor play and unimaginative tactics. Let’s hope he continues to do so for another year and a bit, and doesn’t make the necessary adjustments. It would be nice to win that World Cup next year, and the South Africans are our main threat.
It may be too soon to suggest that South Africa have peaked and are now in trouble. They have some great players, though they also have a few who are looking past their best. Still, they may regroup and come back stronger.
New Zealand of course won, and the manner in which it won was convincing.
However, the margin of victory was not as comprehensive as last week’s, and the Boks put up a fight this time. But it was a wet night and the ball was slippery, and Carter missed a load of kicks at goal, so overall the score-line is still pleasing.
It’s interesting to hear the South African take on the game. The Springboks coaching staff were quick to attack the standard of refereeing, as if bad reffing was the only thing that let them down. The fact of the matter is that South African teams continue to struggle with discipline. The sinbinning of Danie Rossouw was a bit harsh, but he infringed right under the ref’s nose, so put himself at risk. Richie McCaw could have been yellow-carded later in the game for infringing, and was a trifle lucky to stay on. But by the time that became an issue we’d effectively won the game.
Apart from the on-field performance, it’s intriguing to see the different coaching and management styles. There were constant camera shots of the two coaching panels during the game. Henry and co were always calm and composed. The South Africans seemed much more excitable, with some of the team gesticulating, cursing and finger-pointing.
In fact, when I think about it I don’t think I’ve seen a match on TV involving this Springbok coach, where he and his team weren’t jumping up and down in excitement and/or outrage. It doesn’t seem to matter whether they’re winning or losing.
And that to me is the difference in the teams. One group of players has a steady and settled management team that doesn’t look externally for excuses when the players don’t perform. Another has a management team that is quick to blame the referee and opposition when things don’t go well.
South Africa’s two-dimensional play was exposed over the last two weekends. Last year South Africa kept winning games because its game-plan was simple, ugly and effective. The plan was to bash the ball forward with that big forward-pack, and then boot the ball high in the air. On defence they would charge up and have at least one guy sniffing for the intercept try. Most teams struggled to come up with a response to those tactics.
But happily for New Zealand, the Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, is looking to blame South Africa’s poor showing on everything but poor play and unimaginative tactics. Let’s hope he continues to do so for another year and a bit, and doesn’t make the necessary adjustments. It would be nice to win that World Cup next year, and the South Africans are our main threat.
It may be too soon to suggest that South Africa have peaked and are now in trouble. They have some great players, though they also have a few who are looking past their best. Still, they may regroup and come back stronger.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Only One Team Unbeaten At The End
What an epic game that was. That will have captivated fans of the sport around the world.
And didn’t we do well? We’d been written off beforehand by most, and when we squared off against the world champions it was assumed we’d just roll over. Weren’t they in for a shock?
Did anyone predict we wouldn’t be beaten?
The important thing now is to capitalise on the momentum and goodwill generated by this team’s performance.
(In other news, the Football World Cup has just ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain. I understand we did pretty well in that event too)
And didn’t we do well? We’d been written off beforehand by most, and when we squared off against the world champions it was assumed we’d just roll over. Weren’t they in for a shock?
Did anyone predict we wouldn’t be beaten?
The important thing now is to capitalise on the momentum and goodwill generated by this team’s performance.
(In other news, the Football World Cup has just ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain. I understand we did pretty well in that event too)
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