Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Breaking up the Band

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  • Matty Smith,

    <i>"Did you see the letter in this week's Listener complaining about an article that was too soft on him, given that he is "far left"? That was based specifically on his pro-choice policies, and funnily enough the letter-writer was from Masterton."</i>

    No, I didn't, fortunately. I don't have a television so don't really need glorified TV listings and some crosswords pages.

    Wellington • Since Mar 2007 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Which is doubly disappointing having watched Ali Williams turn into 'not a munter'.

    There's a story no doubt to be told as to why Ali was such a problem at the Blues, but how he was largely fine in the All Blacks. Might have just been a personality clash with the coach.

    That QF loss last year for example, he had an amazing game. Stole what, 3 lineouts?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • WH,

    Yeah Carter was awful in the first half.... but surely Carlos Spencer had worst periods than that (the most inconsistant All Black ever? ...don't kill me yee Aucklanders, you know he was arse).

    I was very pleased with the entire forward pack, and in the wet that is all one can judge a team on really.

    I was just wondering what, if anything, can be done to help Carter rediscover his best. I agree its a little rough to judge a number 10 on a performance during the middle of a storm.

    I was just joking about Spencer, although I did enjoy watching him play. Whatever else he may have been (mercurial seemed to be the favourite word to describe his unpredictable changes in form) he was very entertaining. The few English, Australian and South African supporters I have spoken to about it seem to rate him as a exceptionally dangerous playmaking first five. I thought he was singled out for strident criticism at home throughout the Spencer/Mehrtens/Carter debate.

    If New Zealand has had a problem in the forwards, its at lock, where we are unquestionably weaker than South Africa and probably weaker than Australia. Its good to see Williams play so well and defy some of his critics.

    Since Nov 2006 • 797 posts Report Reply

  • WH,

    Since Nov 2006 • 797 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    The Herald carries a story of Lange's selection for the Mangere by-election. The story I've heard, about this selection, is that Lange was never supposed to win selection. There was a large field, which included my late grandfather, and Lange was apparently a rank outsider but won the floor with a brilliant speech - perhaps this is covered in Bassett's book, I don't know.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

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