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In my first written piece of the year I would like to begin by paying tribute to my Rugby club, the Poneke Football Club of Wellington. In its’ 125th season there is only one outcome that will satisfy the players and supporters, it is a year where uncommon focus is the requirement for meaningful success – for Poneke it is our World Cup year.
May I also pay my respect to the following New Zealand Rugby Clubs’, Valley of Weston Park, Dunedin RFC of Kettle Park, Zingari-Richmond of the Montecillo Rugby Ground – Lest We Forget and Avalon of Fraser Park; under their colours I was awarded the opportunity to experience our code.
There are two states of mind for the New Zealand Rugby lover, the first is the terrible and weighty knowledge of knowing that they are right at least 75% of the time. This leaves the combined success rate of the Rugby World equal to the accuracy of Airport Sniffer Dogs, roughly 25%.
As Meatloaf said, 2 out 3 ain’t bad – well 3 out 4 is better.
The second state of mind is the unbearable lightness of being a New Zealand Rugby lover and the trials and tribulations that attach themselves over time. We are regimented, shuffled and cauterised into a black block of sterile support, the basis of which lies in first mindset. So real is the outcome of winning for the Blackness, that disbelief is the response of only the honest person.
I think it fits a reasonable response pattern to be disappointed when your team looses, it is; in fact, natural is it not?
I refer to a blog written during the Rugby World Cup, ‘the score is an indication of the game, not who is winning the war’. Although we did not win the Rugby World Cup, it does not change the fact that we are THE rugby superpower.
And to prove it we shall watch Super 14 explode.
The Southern Hemisphere will unleash rugby, the like of which has never been seen. The intent is clear, all teams are naming their marquis players, Tana Umaga has even released the great Victor Matfield to play in the Super 14.
The Crusaders are fully loaded, almost double barrelled with the likes of Stephen Brett, Daniel Carter and the return of the one-man power station – Brad Thorn.
Little has been noted about the Highlanders, but they will break some hearts before the show is over. The Hurricanes return with a forward pack that look almost armour plated and Hosea Gear will shine, the Chiefs are not without serious threats as Liam Messam leads a spearhead of Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer and rookie Faifili Levave.
Elsewhere the Blues look more like an invasion force than a Rugby team, size, speed and experience place this line up in the ‘volcanic’ section of the competition. They will rumble and fizz or like a lava flow, simply consuming everything in their path to the knock-out rounds.
I have keen interest in the matters of the 6 Nations, Cymru and France have stolen a march, however England could unwittingly allow the Dragon a royal chance to win the tournament as they repeat the Rugby World Cup Semi-Final. But England have the Karmic Cycle to beat as well as a fresh and unpredictable home-side and the Rose had some of its biggest petals plucked in the first two games, an even forward battle should ensue but with more magic in their backline and a back row that is operating, France must be favoured for revenge.
Cymru meanwhile must close down the Italians, perhaps the easier of the two games it is dangerous ground nonetheless. A self inflicted wound, would be a crippling blow, but having named the team early it now gives the selection time to stew on the accountability they face. Italy may receive the Dragons full fury and while I see them standing at the start, I picture them scattered at the end.
And for you – the Rugby Universe – there are great times ahead in our game, from Edinburgh to Dunedin and from Cape Town to Christchurch, there is also a Grand Slam Tour in November and the Rugby Roundtable’s 100th Show.
I didn’t mention the Criminal Element did I.
Sorry
Nau Mai, Piki Mai, Haere Mai – Welcome back, you have been missed.
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Jedi & Staf,
You have been missed, too. Now the Rugby Universe is back in orbit! Super 14, let’s go!
Comment by Rugby Rose February 14, 2008 @ 12:46 amThankyou Jedi, at least someone cares to know who Faifili Lavave is and what he stands for!!! For weeks I been talking him up, to mere bogan respomses of “who that??”…. fucking morons
Mark my words this kid will go good behind the focussed Chiefs pack and I’m already picking S14 semis for the boys dispite their lack of experienced forward coaches.
And Staf, get off the Sharks bandwagon again!! We got the picture in ‘07,and you’ve already been snapped today (on telly) backing Jed’s shark ‘n’ tatties.
Comment by The Mad, Maaaaad Dutchman February 14, 2008 @ 3:26 amMind you Chiefs @ $6.50 to beat the Blues 13+…. prepare for a fiddling!!!
Concerning S14, no doubt the Red ‘n Blacks will trample everyone that stands in their way. This will be Robbie’s last chance to win anything in a while and he’ll take it. Go the Saders!
The Safas will learn that with no ‘reconditioning program’, taking on the kiwis will be a lot harder.
The Criminal who?
Many things to look forward to this new rugby year:
- the ELV’s – good idea or is Union turning into League?
- many ABs gone to the far cold North; who will replace the likes of Heyman, Jack, Mauger?
- how will the 10/12 combination work for the Crusaders? And most likely for the ABs? Carter/Brett will start the first match, but Deans already said Brett/Carter will be used.
- how will the World Cup title affect the Africans? Will it give them the confidence needed to play away from home? Or will they realize they haven’t faced any opposition harder than Tonga?
- The Criminal Who?
Concerning 6N, who would have thought Wales would be on the run for the title? Only Ireland left for the Triple Crown, and BoD’s boys haven’t fired anything yet.
Next week, France x England is the big match. The way the English have been playing their 2nd halves and with France calling reinforcements to the pack, the frogs should be celebrating a few more Clerc’s tries. But you never know with the English. And as much as I want them to lose, I really want the Joneses to win it this year. They are excellent singers
Comment by Maria February 14, 2008 @ 3:44 amWell… Maria said it all didn’t she? God she IS good.
Following the Jedi’s example I want to pay tribute to the staff and headmasters (Mr. Baker and Mr Trevor S. McKinlay – from Otago) at Markham College in Peru for nurturing rugby. Special mentions to David Roberts, Bruce Allen and Mike Young, who coached and mentored the successive generations of newly minted rugby players from 1992 to 2007. Rugby would not exist in Peru without their encouragement and support.
@Maria
When playing what is your shirt number (if you do not play yet, what position do you prefer)
(to be continued – expect a SIR transmission to all operatives)
Comment by Gato February 14, 2008 @ 5:22 am@ maria:
exactament!
the great thing about watching the domestic/s14 stuff in new zealand is that you get to see the new talented guys come through and make it in a truly tough league. guys who can actually make the transition to world beaters.
being up here im bored sick of being subjected to ‘the next johnny wilkinson’ who turns up on the top side out of the gp. matthew tait sounded interesting until gavin henson (F*CKING GAVIN HENSON-CHRUCH: BITCH OF AN ANGEL!) rinsed him out like a damp flannel and it became apparent that its not prudent to be a 12 stone rugby player. it wasnt the done thing at the henley rfc u15s to be honest, so im sure its not the done thing at international level.
and now, the poms look set to turn over decision making duties to danny cipriani, a man who (according to the papers) cannot tell the difference between boys and girls. (an incident which led to the greatest ever turnout for training in wasps history and prompted the players to coin a ’scathingly brilliant’ rugby club nickname. : “danny cipriani, the man who f*cked a man”.)
well, while the fugby clubs battle it out for the wooden spoon (i suppose they cant all loose though?) it will be great to watch the real new blood come through.
Comment by fraser davidson February 14, 2008 @ 6:13 amMy favourite position is sitting on the couch
Hmmm, the only rugby I played in my life has been on a PS2. But I excel in every position
Except fullback…
If I played, what would I prefer… I like 1st5/8, a good place to call the shots and use some brain. A healthy balance between creativity and some harder stuff (not too hard). Anything around the back row area would allow me to shove daily life’s stress at some opposition faces. Sounds fun
Not enough height for a lock, not enough weight for the front row (though I’m really curious about being in a scrum; it’s like a magical place, where only special people get to go).
Fullback is out of the question as I get easily bored and distracted if not involved (like a 5 year old). Same with the wings, and I don’t like running all that much.
What’s left? Scrummie. No, I don’t like whining and telling the teach… ref about the bad stuff going on. I believe in taking matters into your own hands. Also, I believe I am physically incapable of throwing a crooked feed at the scrum (imperative skill for a 9 these days). It really annoys me to see it and would go against my principles.
2nd5 and center… Yeah, why not? More 12 than 13, I think.
So, if I was thrown in a rugby pitch, I have no idea where I would end up playing (probably water girl
). I know one thing though: the first player killing my ball in a ruck would get a good, healthy stamping! Because it’s fun!
Comment by Maria February 14, 2008 @ 6:35 am@fraser
I don’t watch any NH local comp, so I can’t say much about that, but I watch the 6N and I’ve been dismayed at how low the quality has been. I won’t lie, I WAS expecting better; I guess I never learn… Ireland had a good 6N last year, now they’re playing as they did in the WC. Wales is ahead, but they haven’t impressed, the victory against England was, well, a comedy of errors, Scotland are being Scotland and England almost let Italy beat them in Rome. Unbelievable! Italy aren’t really playing well, they’re edging close to wins because the opposition has been poor. France are showing good signs with a new team and a new coach, but France are France, let’s not mix them with the rest (no matter how much we dislike them
).
What hurts the most is that those guys that almost lost to Italy (and really lost to Wales), were finalists in the WC.
I’m a fierce defender of SH over NH. The quality of rugby played down south is light-years ahead. But, for the good of the game, for the sake of some competition, I hope the home nations will gather their wits and start improving their rugby. Otherwise… well, it’s grand slam year, is it not?
But fraser, you’re a bit harsh when you say there is no quality coming through the NH ranks. Look at Vainik… ah forget it…
(And don’t take such low shots at Cipriani. He’s set to be the new England nr10. He must be depressed enough…)
Comment by Maria February 14, 2008 @ 7:08 am@Maria
Wow, you ARE on a roll! Smoking!
@All
Comment by Gato February 14, 2008 @ 8:30 amThe podcast is out there for all to listen. And we ARE loved. I won’t say more.
yay for the return of the RR! I have been having rugby withdrawals here in LA… it’s good to have you back!
Comment by rugbychick February 14, 2008 @ 10:11 pmYo, Rugby Chick!
Are you an American? I get so excited when I find a rugby fan on my own continent! Even if you are an ex-pat, greetings. Did you go to the Sevens?
And I am so glad Super 14 has started!!
Comment by Rugby Rose February 17, 2008 @ 5:25 pmblues and the pony club look a bit tasty this year. really looking forward to this years years s14 after last years nonsense. looks like there might be some half decent competition too. thought the ta-tahs looked okay. anything is better than the ‘battle for the wooden spoon’ up here.its a shame they cant all loose.
Comment by fraser davidson February 17, 2008 @ 8:31 pmunfortunately you’re right fraser… the tahs did look good in their dismantling of the ‘canes on saturday. and now my chefs hav to contend with thm in hamiltron ths wknd!!!!
most perplexing of all is afta they playd so well and we played so badly, is why the gutless-wonder stafford has put thm @ 1.87 equal odds for the game…. WTF staf?!?!?!?! i want 2.60 at least on my boys!!!!!
& on a lighter note: hows gud was cory janes falcon v the tahs????? he takes a real cannon to the face and somehow his nose stays attached….. brilliant!!!!!
Comment by The Mad, Maaaaad Dutchman February 18, 2008 @ 8:08 pmMG 3.0 test.
Veredict: Purrrrrrrrrr! Meow! Puuuuuurrrrrrrrr! (I happen to like her voice)
Now lets see if she can hack it. Welcome MG 3.0
…comments on Episode 42 to follow
Comment by Gato February 21, 2008 @ 4:04 amA big fan of your’s with rugbydump being the best rugby website around. This weekend has been great for Wales and I’m looking forward to your appearance on Carling’s Round! For simple amusements sake I thought I’d rase this to your attention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXJnIT-_l3I
Carry on with the great work, also if you wish to become a bbc sport presenter i’m sure you’d be welcomed as a welsh representive. The blackness seem to be able to fill that role very well in the northern hem.. Genious reaction to the england game, i was laughing too
Comment by Charlie February 24, 2008 @ 4:36 pmGive our Gavin a break – he’s really improved since he’s been spending more time in Church..
His centre-partnership with the always-good Tom Shanklin has been at the core of our success this year. He’s not being flash or clever, just finally proving what a lot of us have known since he was a kid – he really can be a class act.
SH light years ahead…that’s why the Boks won the RWC playing like England…
Comment by Welshpenguin March 15, 2008 @ 4:09 am