Random Ramblings

So many sporting events this week. So many random thoughts going through my head. So I thought I should comment on all of them, here and now.

Atmos

Over the past week I’ve attended two sporting events. One I’d describe as semi-professional; the other undoubtedly amateur. But both of these events had one key thing in common; a fantastic atmosphere.

Firstly, the amateurs. On ANZAC Day I was a spectator at the already boggy Lyndhurst Park in Tawa near Wellington to witness the local rugby derby between Tawa and Northern United. There was one former top level player – former Hurricane Api Naikatini, one or two players having played at the next level down – Wellington Lion Dean Brunsdon – and one or two up and comers – in particular the impressive first five eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop who is one year out of Scots College. But the majority of the players were, as is the case with the majority of club rugby these days, young players who more than likely will never progress beyond that level.

But with the exception of kicking expertise (why can so few club players kick properly? There were far too many skewed spirals heading into the stream adjoining the park) the skills on show were actually really good. And what transpired was a fast, entertaining game that resulted in something that is missing at almost all fixtures at Westpac Stadium this year – a buzz.

I didn’t count them but I’d estimate there were no more than 250-300 spectators. But the noise generated by both sets of fans meant it was often difficult to tell whose home game it was. And the players seemingly fed off this energy to produce even more scintillating moments (including a fantastic Benji Marshall-esque back flick resulting in a long-range try to Norths).  My kids were about as interested in the game as they are in any programme that screens on the Living Channel , it was getting cold and my team (Norths) were losing. But despite all this, I stayed till the end of the game (sorry kids) and would happily go along again next time. Why? Because there was a good sized crowd (for club rugby anyway) and a great atmosphere.

Then on Friday night came, what I would describe as anyway, the semi-professionals (although, I have no idea what a player at this level would earn) of the National Basketball League. The Wellington Saints were hosting the ‘The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs’. I’ll be honest – one of the main reasons we were there in the first place was because we had secured season tickets at a fantastic price. We walked in about 15 minutes before kick-off (or is that tip-off??) and the place was a) packed – at least 90% full and b) absolutely pumping. 

There was music, the players were warming up and there was a DJ from a local radio station MC’ing the whole event. And that’s exactly what it felt like - an event. The game was more often than not fast-paced and electric, the players seemingly feeding off the energy created by the attentive and excited crowd.

Breaks in proceedings were filled with music, dancers, DJ’s, a gorilla, basketballs tossed into the masses and kit-kats thrown into the crowd in a manner that seemed to prove that lolly scrambles should never have been banned. Not related in any way, but the old classic schoolyard pastime of bullrush needs a reprieve too. Some basic rules (no spear tackles, no high tackles, no deliberate ripping of buttons on the school shirt, compulsory transition to a game of touch if a teacher appears nearby) would suffice and kids would once more be able to enjoy this rite of passage to adulthood.

But I digress. Let’s analyse this Saints package. Well-priced tickets, plenty of entertainment throughout and teams that fed off the energy of an engaged and thoroughly entertained crowd. Although the food and drink could certainly be cheaper, I for one will certainly be back for more.

Without wishing to repeat myself, Wellington Rugby Union and Welnix please take note!  Make the tickets cheap as chips. And while you’re at it, charge less for the chips. Kick a few rugby or soccer balls into the crowd (back in the day Captain Hurricane used to do just that while piloting his mini plane around then touchline). Get some atmosphere and the fans will start to return.

Top of the Class

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to produce your own performance review at work? Or your own exam results at school? That’s the case for the NZ Rugby Union who, in their 2012 Annual Report, have self-awarded a mark of 87%. I have no problem with most of the ‘results’. Except for one; they self-scored just under 80% under the heading ‘Outstanding Competitions’.

Although there are numerous contributors to this category, the main ones are surely Super 15 and the ITM Cup. Both competitions have seen dramatically reduced crowds. And the Cup formerly known as the NPC, which was once the flagship competition, is in real danger of being considered a second rate development competition full of up-and-comers or players who are not generally good enough to step up to the next level.  So, pretty much like the Sevens circuit.

Sideline Guy’s marking would say ‘50%. Must do better next term.’

Advantage, Contact

Watching two consecutive ANZ Championship netball games on Sunday night was like watching the substance used to write on blackboards versus watching food made from the pressed curds of milk (chalk versus cheese).

The first game was an all-Australian match-up between the Queensland Firebirds and the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The T-birds have a defender named Bulley. And a bully she was. She spent an awful lot of time and effort battering giant Jamaican shooter Carla Borego. And she wasn’t the only one as there were more collisions than a night at Te Marua or Western Springs. 

The second all Kiwi affair between the Pulse and the Magic was still a full-on match-up, it just didn’t have the same level of bashing and colliding.

Aussie umpires seemingly have little problem with this approach, while umpires from other countries are far less lenient. And that’s the problem. As soon as rules in any sport allow umpires or referees to rule subjectively in any way, that’s the start of a slippery slope to dissatisfaction and confusion for both players and spectators alike. The powers that be need to make a statement and, if that’s the way they want to go, change the rules. As it stands now, contact is contact. It’s against the rules of netball and accordingly should be penalised. If some level of contact is now deemed appropriate, just say so and teams can change tactics accordingly.

A Quick Bite

Luis Suarez. For those who don’t know that name, he plays football in the Barclays Premier League for the MIGHTY Liverpool Football Club. This week, obviously feeling extremely frustrated at being so closely marked he decided to have a quick nibble on an opposition player’s arm.

Suarez is a brilliant player as evidenced by his 30 goals this season. There’s no question about that. But there is a fairly substantial question over his temperament – he actually bit another opponent three years ago. When under pressure he is a few sandwiches short of a picnic. A burger short of a combo. The elevator doesn’t go to the top floor. The mall is open but nobody’s shopping. Ok, you know what I mean.

Biting an opponent is reprehensible. A ban is justified. But 10 games? What damage was really done? Even the British Prime Minister has weighed in to give his view that Suarez is effectively the devil incarnate. So next time a football defender deliberately goes over the top of the ball and breaks the leg of an attacker, what will the penalty be? It should be more than 10 games, shouldn’t it? But it won’t be. Not unless it’s Luis Suarez, that is.

Unfortunately for us Reds fans, Suarez has I believe become more of a liability than an asset and probably needs to go. What a shame.

We have a Pulse

And finally; go the Pulse!  Wellington’s entrant in netball’s ANZ Championship has started to come of age this year, culminating in a first ever win over last year’s champions the Magic on Sunday night.

The big test for the Pulse will be next week in Melbourne. Better get out those shoulder pads and mouthguards, girls!

Till next time,

SG

The X-Factor

What transforms an ordinary team into a good team? Or a good team into a great team? Why does one coach fail, and yet his or her replacement turns the ship around faster than……..

Of course a team needs quality players. It needs good facilities, infrastructure, equipment and financial backing. But seemingly the most important necessity is not tangible and hardly definable.

Welcome to the X-Factor.

No Simon Cowell. No terrible performer whose mother told him he’s a fantastic singer, yet he sounds more like he’s gargling a glass of vinegar. The X-Factor of which I speak is often down to one person – the coach.

There are so many examples of coaches, and therefore teams, under or over-achieving.  Firstly some of the coaches in recent years who’ve been unexpectedly good.

Mark Hammett

‘Hammer’ and his clean-out broom swept into the Capital. He was untried at Super rugby level. After one season, he asked Messrs Nonu and Hore to leave the party. Messrs Weepu and Gear chose to accompany them. Many of us were outraged. But many of us were wrong. It’s early days still, but I believe Hammer, and the Canes, are on the right track.

Chris Greenacre

Ok, so he was only in charge of the Phoenix for a handful of games at the end of a disastrous season. But he seemed to help create a whole new vibe at the club. Performances improved, tactics changed and results did show some improvement. He has a future.

Graham Henry

The post- World Cup 2007 version. After the debacle of that painful quarter final exit, Henry must’ve thought he’d be spending a lot more time kayaking off Waiheke Island. But he, and his two mates, returned to change the way rugby was played, culminating in a tension-relieving victory four years later.

Dave Rennie

‘Unexpectedly’ good might be a bit harsh. But when Rennie headed north to the Waikato, the Chiefs were no world-beaters, and they never had been. But Rennie has the goods and he ensured the Chiefs dominated and won the 2012 Super 15 competition.  The challenge is to back that up in this year’s comp. Rennie should receive a promotion after the next World Cup.

Ruth Aitken

Many were surprised when Yvonne Willering was pushed aside from the Silver Ferns in 2001 and replaced by the lesser-known Ruth Aitken. However her long tenure included two World Championship victories and two Commonwealth Games gold medals. Nobody can argue with that.

David Moyes

The previously unheralded manager of Everton Football Club. Under his guidance, Everton have won no trophies at all. And the club is regularly only in the top half dozen of the Premier League each season. So what makes him so special, you say? Well, he’s competing with the Chelseas, Manchester Uniteds and Manchester Citys with only a miniscule percentage of his millionaire rivals’ budgets. Everton will do well to hold onto him. 

Sir Alex Ferguson

Unexpectedly good? Absolutely. When Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford from Aberdeen in 1986, Liverpool were the dominant force (ah, those were the days). If you’d told him then that in 2013 he’d still be the boss and still be winning trophies after absolutely dominating the game for the past 20 years, he’d probably have muttered something abusive and incomprehensible in his Glaswegian tones and pushed you aside. But he’s still going strong today as his team cruises to another title.

Of course, for every coach who’s exceeded expectations there’s at least one other who has made fans bury their heads in their hands, look to the heavens and cry why, why?

Brian ‘Bluey’ McLennan

The Kiwi super coach of the Superleague super team, Leeds, came home. When appointed to coach the Warriors, they said he’d be super. He wasn’t.

Graham Henry

The 2001 Lions Tour to Australia version. Wales’ ‘Great Redeemer’ was expected to help the Brits put those Antipodeans in their place. He didn’t. And they didn’t. Luckily for us, he learned his lessons.

Jamie Joseph

Early days, I know. He’s a good coach (I think) but man, something is not clicking in the Highlander country. If he was managing a Premier League team, he’d be gone before lunchtime.

Kenny Dalglish

The greatest player ever to wear a Liverpool shirt. He enjoyed great success as Liverpool player-manager from 1986-1991. Come 2011 in stint number two he succeeded only in spending an extraordinary amount of money on players. He did win a cup final, and was incredibly unlucky to not win a second. But ultimately he seemed a little out of touch with the 2012 version of the game and was duly relieved of his duties.

Ricki Herbert

See later in this column

Robbie Deans

His time with the Crusaders was incredibly successful. His time as All Blacks assistant, not so much so. He alienated a lot of people and his man management skills were constantly called into question.

John Mitchell

After much success in English club rugby and as Assistant Coach of the England team, Mitchell was appointed All Blacks coach in 2001. What followed were two slightly confusing years of journeys and team growth and general philosophical ramblings. He also infamously called time on the international career of Christian Cullen.

Robbie Deans

His time with the Crusaders was incredibly successful. His time as Wallabies Coach - not so much so. He continues to alienate a lot of people and his man management skills are constantly called into question.

 

The reasons this has all come to mind this past weekend are football-related. The scheduling of the first episode of the NZ version of the appropriately titled talent show on Sunday night is a bit of a coincidence.

Firstly, the appointment of Paulo di Canio as Manager of English Premier League football club, Sunderland FC. Consider this:

·         In the 90’s he was a volatile and unpredictable player, once pushing over a referee

·         His only previous managerial experience of note was in the English lower leagues with Swindon Town from where he resigned in controversial circumstances

·         He has apparently previously admitted to being a fascist (possibly a hint as to his preferred managerial style) and;

·         He appears, to be blunt, a touch unhinged.

So what better candidate to bring in to a club that was freefalling down the Premier League table and staring relegation squarely in the eye?

Last week Sunderland travelled to play local rivals Newcastle United and delivered a stunning 3-0 victory. The Newcastle fans were clearly not amused as di Canio celebrated a Sunderland goal by running down the sideline and sliding through the mud in his clearly-not-cheap tailor-made suit. Nor were they best pleased when he sprinted along the sideline again to join the next goal scorer’s celebratory cuddle.

This week Sunderland won again and all but secured their premier league status for next season.

All of a sudden, the fans are saying ‘you know, that fascism ain’t all bad’ and getting di Canio t-shirts printed. He has the X-Factor.

Secondly, the news this week that NZ’s football legend Wynton Rufer, voted Oceania’s player of the 20^th century, has put his hat in the ring to coach the Wellington Phoenix.

This column is a big fan of Ricki Herbert. He’s an experienced coach at club and international level. He’s played at an extremely high level himself, so knows understands things from a player’s perspective. He’s a highly qualified FIFA-accredited coach. He had several seasons at the Phoenix to implement his vision and his tactics. He should have succeeded. But he failed. He should have the X-Factor, and I hope for the All Whites’ sake that he does.

Some might say that’s harsh; yes there were numerous mitigating factors, including the ‘assistance’ of a moustachioed cat-hater. But ultimately the buck stops with the boss.

Sideline Guy says: give Wynton a chance. Rufer has done a lot to help New Zealand football over the years and deserves a shot at rescuing the Nix.   

Don’t hire a washed-up older Briton who’s already been booted out of another A-League outfit. Hire Wynton. And Chris Greenacre must be retained as Assistant Coach. He’s an honorary Kiwi, seems like a good bloke and shows a great deal of potential as an excellent head coach of the future.

So to conclude, of course a coach has to have a good game plan and the players have to at least be competent. 

But what is the X-Factor? In my opinion it is both very basic and at the same time incredibly complicated. Simply, players have to feel contented and valued, as individuals and as a team unit. Of course actually achieving that is easier said than done.  But if a coach can achieve this they’re halfway to succeeding already.

Finally, and not related to this at all, could someone at TVNZ please provide some enunciation lessons for Andrew Saville (TV One sports news reader)? Latest example of his Kiwi twang: when speaking of Team New Zealand’s latest yacht race, they had ‘clear ear’, rather than ‘clear air’!

Till next time,

SG

Oi Oi Oi

Firstly, I’m a Kiwi. A proud Kiwi.

 

I love the fact that, in sporting and general terms, we punch above our weight in so many ways. I love the fact that many Americans, who likely couldn’t even point to NZ on a map, will happily point out ‘Hey brah, I love those Oarrrsome All Blacks you have’. As a Kiwi I’m wired to hate, or at least to refuse to praise, our neighbours situated about 2,200 kilometres to the West.

But above all I’m a sports fan. And when I considered the weekend’s sport - and please don’t hate me for this - one thing stuck out for me; those darned Aussies had a brilliant weekend. 

The decidedly average Canberra Raiders defeated the ‘if there was a term to define just below decidedly average, that’d be them’ Warriors. It’s hard to understand why (although why oh why do the Warriors’ wingers, when defending, come in off their wing week after week and leave an easy overlap on the outside for the opposition?) but this is not destined to be the Warriors’ season - again.

As you read this an Aussie golfer may have just won the Masters. Heading into the final round Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Adam Scott are all within two shots of the lead. Question: where are all the NZ golfers? There’s only so long we can hark back to 1963 (Bob Charles – British Open) and 2005 (Michael Campbell – US Open).

At the V8 Supercars meeting at Pukekohe this weekend, Australian Jason Bright was victorious. I know, I don’t care either. But it was still a win.

Australian rugby seems to be enjoying something of a resurgence this year. The increasing influence of talented Maori and Pacific Island players on the code across the ditch has been mentioned by a few observers in recent times. But that’s a story for another day. Simply, the Australian teams are playing some good and entertaining rugby.

Firstly the hapless Highlanders were defeated for the 7^th (10^th if you count the end of last season) consecutive time, this time by the Brumbies. Sometimes the Highlanders look likely, then make a silly mistake or throw an unnecessary pass and the game is taken away from them. They have the personnel but something isn’t clicking. The Tent (does that new stadium actually have a nickname??) is certainly not a fortress like the House of Pain once was.

Then the seemingly indomitable Chiefs were downed by the Reds in their own backyard largely due to the frustratingly outstanding Will Genia and the humble, reserved and likeable Aussie ‘Queensland Quade Cooper’.  I didn’t see that one coming, but the Reds were deserved winners.

The shock at that result was nothing compared to discovering, whilst preparing my Sunday morning bowl of Golden Crunch Weetbix Bites, that the Western Force had somehow defeated the Crusaders. I immediately wondered what odds the TAB might have offered to prospective investors for a combination bet on the Reds and the Force and also immediately, while thinking of my credit card balance, regretted not betting on that most unlikely duo of results.

At least there were no trans-Tasman matchups in the ANZ Netball Championship (although the Thunderbirds looked phenomenal vs. fellow Aussies the West Coast Fever, who actually smashed – literally – reigning champs the Magic last week) and thank goodness the Phoenix’s 2012-2013 season is over. Please also note I’m deliberately writing this prior to the ANZAC league test, which is usually not pretty watching for us. Ah, rugby league; with its curious blend of Aussies who discover a great aunt who visited NZ in 1941, thereby somehow making them eligible to pull on a black jersey and Kiwis who somehow become Aussies while on a seven day trip to Surfers. As an aside, how does ‘Aussie Jim’ James Tamou really feel when facing a haka?

So, cobbers, I salute you. Strewth, well done.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you really think I’d finish on that note?

Of course the exception to all this was a team I’ve referred to in glowing terms previously – the mighty Breakers. Hey Perth Wildcats – can you say ‘three-peat’? While there may be a tiny, tiny Aussie influence in that team, that proves that Kiwi teams still rule.

Bring on the All Blacks vs. Wallabies clashes to right some of these wrongs.

Kiwi Kiwi Kiwi. Oi Oi Oi.

Till next time,

SG

Broken?

Wellington’s home of rugby was to be no more. Some of the diehard fans insisted they would fight it with every ounce of strength they had. They’d protest. They’d raise money to save the old lady. But to their despair the decision was made. Athletic Park was comin’ down to be replaced by a futuristic circular stadium near the waterfront.

‘It’ll never work’ cried the naysayers.  I wasn’t one of the doubters. On many occasions I’d sat in the good old Millard Stand in a gale force southerly. As the stand swayed happily in the breeze, we placed all our faith in the engineers and builders of many decades earlier and didn’t for a moment think our physical safety was in doubt. Only later was it revealed that the upkeep on the Millard Stand was wallet-emptyingly expensive and that a two-tonne lump of concrete had fallen from the stand when luckily there were no spectators below.  Despite any feelings of nostalgia I was more than happy to put my name down for a season ticket at the new Westpac Trust Stadium for the 2000 season.   

This was the Promised Land. This was to be the catalyst for the exceptionally talented yet exceptionally frustrating Hurricanes to fulfil their potential and bring home the silverware.  It wasn’t, although it was for the Wellington Lions later that year, but that’s a story for another day.

Those were the halcyon days at the Stadium.  It wasn’t uncommon for games to be sold out. There was a waiting list for season tickets. The atmosphere was electric every week. We bought our beers, hotdogs and pies and loved every minute of it. It wasn’t a game. It was an event.

In 2003, an Auckland basketball franchise broke into the Australian NBL. They were pretty good but in those first few seasons it would be a stretch to say they captured the public’s imagination. Then a couple of years later came the arrival of the new coach, the somewhat unheralded Australian Andrej Lemanis. It was something of a shock as at the time many thought the coach of the fantastic Tall Blacks team who achieved fourth place at the 2004 World Champs, Tab Baldwin, would be a shoe-in. 

Lemanis led the team to a couple of playoffs in 2007-08 before a couple more lean years. In 2011 it was clear they had assembled a quality team. The NBL championship was won that season, and the next. The crowd filled the Vector Arena, and continue to do so. The atmosphere was electric every week. The crowd bought their beers, hotdogs and pies and loved every minute of it. It wasn’t a game. It was an event. The electricity, yeasty beverages, wieners and savoury treats continue to this day (literally).

Sound familiar, Hurricanes fans?

Since those early days, things have changed at the end of the long concrete concourse on Wellington’s occasionally wind-affected waterfront. Crowds have declined steadily over the years to the point that on 6 April 2013, just 8,900 fans watched the ‘Canes defeat the talented Waratahs in impressive style. On 7 April 2013 the Breakers attracted a crowd of over 9,000 to the Vector Arena for their first game of the 2013 Finals Series.

Why?

When fans go to a Breakers game, they are paying for atmosphere, cheerleaders, drums, atmosphere, music, atmosphere, halftime entertainment and atmosphere. Therefore fans consider it money well-spent.

When we ‘Canes fans hop off the train and begin the 10-minute walk to Westpac (I refuse to call it the Cake Tin) we are paying for a game of rugby. While many may consider this sufficient, the entertainment dollar has a lot of competition these days. The Rugby Union cannot simply continue to think people will continue to turn up regardless of what is on offer.

So, I hear you ask, why is this happening in our fair Capital, and what can be done to fix it?

Following are SG’s suggestions.

1.       Bring back the curtain-raiser. A good club game or an age-grade rep game. I don’t want to watch 45 minutes of warm-ups.

2.       Make refreshments affordable. $8 for a beer, $4 for a soft drink and $14.50 for a greasy burger combo do not appeal. It’s too easy to spend a hundred bucks or more on food and drink on a family trip to the rugby.

3.       Get some halftime entertainment. How about a 100m sprint race? Spectators kicking for goal to win prizes? A dodgeball match. Camel racing. Jelly wrestling. Anything…

4.       Pricing. Kids’ tickets on Saturday night were $7. That’s great. How about making all adult tickets $10-$15 and kids go for free?  How about a ticket and a Hurricanes t-shirt for $25-$30?

My message is simple - make me want to come back. Make Wellington sports fans want to get off the couch, switch off Sky Sport and come back to the fantastic facility that is Westpac Stadium.

NZRU - look at the Breakers; can you imagine a Breakers game without a sold out crowd? I can’t.

Moving from Athletic Park was a massive step forwards. Let’s not waste that progress. 

Let’s fix this.

Till next time,

SG

Big

Rugby players are big.

Of course that’s a vast generalisation - Aaron Smith isn’t about to be asked to provide injury cover for Sam Whitelock. But generally it’s fair to say that players of today bear little resemblance to those of yesteryear. To illustrate this, I could go back through history and provide examples like the one and only Colin Meads. Pinetree was many things in the game of rugby. But at 6 foot 3, one thing he wouldn’t be today is a lock.  

But I don’t need to go back that far. This whole train of thought started with a photo and ended this weekend with a Cheetah and a Chief. Allow me to explain.

There is a picture of the All Blacks around the time of the 1987 World Cup victory. There they were – Drakey, Fitzy, Foxy, Kirky, Buck and all the crew – basking shirtless in the afternoon sun in the grandstand, presumably for a slightly awkward publicity shot.

Don’t get me wrong; players like Murray Pierce and the Whetton twins are large humans. Even in those poses the whole team (perhaps with the exception of the metrosexual David Kirk) looked angry. Mean. Moustachioed. Macho. Tough as old boots, which ironically they also used to great effect to decorate the skin of any poor little back who happened to accidentally venture into the wrong side (and sometimes the right side) of a ruck.  Note to the Gen Y readers out there; this process was called 'rucking' and was perfectly legal. It was encouraged by coaches and was practised enthusiastically every Tuesday and Thursday.

But despite their rugged appearance, in terms of size and physical development this All Black squad also resembled a large under-21 team of 2013. Gym visits were a few years off yet. These were the days of clubs and provinces employing players to do important jobs like delivering water coolers or ‘player development’. This was also known as ‘amateurism’.

Amateurism continued to develop, and so did players’ physiques. Terry Wright (Wikipedia gives his weight as 75 kg) was replaced a few years later by Inga the Winger, who was considered a stupendously big winger at the time at 95+ kilograms. In time, Inga was supplanted by a never-to-be-repeated 6 foot 5 inch, 118-kg Tongan juggernaut in the All Black number 11 jersey.

Around this time something called 1995 happened, and with it came professionalism in the game of rugby union. Suddenly water coolers weren’t being delivered and players weren’t being developed. Players’ physiques began to transform as did their fitness levels. The way the game was played began to change.

Then came the ACT Brumbies from Australia. This previously unheralded bunch of no-namers revolutionised the way rugby was played at that time. Now every team had to have a flanker who had a massive melon and was as big as a lock (Google Owen Finegan) and the game became a series of one-off-the-ruck runs.

Into the 2000’s and by now the IRB had swung into full rule-change mode. Another tweak of the ruck laws saw momentum begin to move towards more mobile players. Now players had to balance increased size and strength with speed and mobility. If you could squeeze two or even three fetchers into your team, all the better. ‘Speed to the breakdown’ became the catch-cry uttered by every coach. I think John Mitchell may have also alluded to this, although nobody but the most educated scholar could really follow his diatribe of journeys and team growth.

But then just a couple of years back the mighty IRB waved its influential wand and everything changed again. Now teams must have ‘ball-runners’ who can be anyone from a prop to a winger – everyone is of a comparable size these days. Even the incomparable Mr McCaw re-invented himself as a great ball-carrier.

And now we have the Cheetahs. Not going to go down as one of the great teams. Not too many stars. Not particularly mobile. But they’re winning more than they’re losing, they’re scoring lots of tries, and they’re entertaining. And they are enormous. They have selected a team that perfectly suits the rules as they are now. Lock Lodewyk De Jager is 2.045m tall and 125kg. They also have two other locks over 120kg. Those are some big, big units. That team sitting in the sun in 1987 would not have envisaged 105+kg wingers and 135+kg props in 25 years’ time. As an example, 1987 prop Steve McDowell played at 102kg; Ben Tameifuna of the Chiefs presents a svelte 139.99 kg-ish frame.

People have become physically bigger in general since 1987 and obviously therefore so have players. Size is back in vogue. And it’s a size that 1987 could not possibly have foreseen.

I’d like to finish with something totally unrelated but that somehow epitomises, to me anyway, the whole point of sport. Yes I love winning. I love it when the teams I coach win. I love it when the All Blacks or the Phoenix or the Hurricanes or the Lions or (the) Liverpool win.

But this story is what it’s all about. Nine year old Cory is a sports nut and a massive All Black fan. He also has cerebral palsy. His best friend is a boy called Tom, who loves triathlons. When Tom entered one of this year’s Weetbix Kids’ Tryathlons, he asked organisers if Cory could also take part. They replied in the affirmative and the plan took shape.

First event was in the pool. Tom swam 100m while Cory, holding onto an inflatable tube and attached to Tom by a rope, ‘kicked like mad to give Tom some boost’. Next came a 4km bike ride, Cory giving it everything he had on his modified bike which was attached to Tom’s. Finally came the 1.5km run. Tom pushed Cory in a modified buggy while Cory cheered him on every step of the way.

You can see the whole TV3 story here … http://bit.ly/10lxGqo

Although I believe that participation in sport is really important, I also believe that winners should always be praised as it is important to acknowledge success. But the story of Cory and Tom would surely melt any but the stoniest of hearts and is, when push comes to shove, what the wonderful world of sport is all about.

 

Till next time,

SG