Speaker by Various Artists

Read Post

Speaker: It's OK, really

35 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • LegBreak,

    Hadyn,

    It was dry for that Eng test in 2003. But you’re right about it being dark though…

    I remember it well. Mitch and Robbie circling the ground slowly before kick-off, resplendent in their long black coats, looking like a couple of old-fashioned spies.

    Then Johnson marshalling the troops for 10 minutes when they were down to 13 men. Oh, the psychological impact of that night…


    This communal acceptance of Saturday’s defeat doesn’t sit comfortably with me though. It just seems a bit arranged.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    It just seems a bit arranged.

    You're not implying (checks to see who might be listening) conspiracy are you?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    and check out the first comment here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4617083a10295.html

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    The real rugby is about to start, with my mighty Magpies soaring over the LOSERS from North Harbour 26-10 in a pre-season warm up the other week.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    and check out the first comment here:

    Now we’re talking; that’s much better.

    I’m not implying conspiracy as such. More the ongoing spin coming from the black shed on the Wgtn waterfront.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Although it's been pretty quiet of late. Even in the build up to the last test there were no angry stories about John Afoa being in the line up etc.

    It's a fine line. Do we want there to be stories where there aren't any?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    No comments on Afoa because everyone was too busy sticking it to Smit.

    I can’t recall an All Black loss at home that has been greeted with such universal apathy and resignation as this one. The stadium of 4 million people has gone pretty quiet.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    I can’t recall an All Black loss at home that has been greeted with such universal apathy and resignation as this one. The stadium of 4 million people has gone pretty quiet.

    Heaven forbid this is the much-vaunted maturity people have been banging on about since the ridiculousness of 1999 & 2003? I wouldn't call it apathy, perhaps the acceptance that the other team turns up to win as well?

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    You could call it maturity, but the All Black brand has not been built around treating defeat with maturity.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Ooh, I might go over to the other thread and lambast the use of All Black brand to describe what matters most about the ABs! :)

    Plus, I again wonder how much of the gnashing & wailing of teeth is created or reflected by our media, who remain rubbish.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    help! techies, when I hit preview it goes straight to post! Anybody else having that happen?

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Which other thread Paul?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Have a look at the article called Abusage

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    That article by Gilhooly is terrible. He calls that analysis? First few comments had me expecting the worst, and then someone called peter fox says

    The good thing with the boks is they always send a good strength team to NZ .

    Peter's clearly only been a rugby fan since Christmas cos Jake White sent an understrength side to NZ & Oz last year as part of his own <dirty word> reconditioning </dirty word> programme prior to the World Cup!

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    I made the usual mistake of listening to Radio Sport talkback the day after the loss.

    Some of the main themes...

    * It's the gummint's fault!
    * It's the education system's fault!
    * Andrew Ellis is crap!
    * We have no leadership!
    * Our coaches are crap!
    * We should emulate the attitude of the South Africans!

    These people are mad. And mad. Mad, mad people...

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    We should emulate the attitude of the South Africans!

    Heh, we should lose and then win, not win then lose.

    Andrew Ellis is crap!

    At the risk of looking like I want to select a drunk, I kind of agree with this. Where art thou Brendan Leonard?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Where art thou Brendan Leonard?

    Come back Piri, all is forgiven!

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    At the risk of looking like I want to select a drunk, I kind of agree with this. Where art thou Brendan Leonard?

    Having his knee cut open I believe.

    I don't travel in sports talkback type circles, but I'm surprised I haven't heard anyone asking some questions about how the springbok halfback was able to waltz down the side of the ruck. The only things I've heard were 'piece of brilliance' etc.

    The kick over the top to beat the fullback, sure. That was a great play and a good bounce.

    But shouldn't any one of eight forwards and a halfback got their hands on him before then? And therefore won the game for the ABs?

    Fifty million hours discussing a forward pass and bad refereeing, zero seconds discussing weak defence when it mattered.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Having his knee cut open I believe.

    That's nothing! Colin Meads would be out there!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Kyle,

    What makes it worse was that he’d already made 4 or 5 breaks from the base of the ruck.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • noizyboy,

    I'm surprised I haven't heard anyone asking some questions about how the springbok halfback was able to waltz down the side of the ruck.

    Apparently it was Chris Carter's fault for not fostering a competitive attitude in primary school sports.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Ah the old (avoids Noizy's glare) Canterbury defence.

    The Crusaders had the same problem a few years ago against (I believe) Waikato. They repeatedly had no defensive player to the right-hand side of the ruck, and the halfback snuck through again and again.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Rachel Prosser,

    They repeatedly had no defensive player to the right-hand side of the ruck, and the halfback snuck through again and again.

    Being an Andy Ellis fan, I put it down to missing Richie, Brad and Ali. Too many Crusaders out of action :-) (how do you do that tongue-in-cheek smiley?)

    It's great to get a balanced. Losing to the world's best side by 2 points, almost getting a drop goal. Tests don't come any closer, and we had several key players out.

    Let's face it, a second, third, or fourth string NZ team can still hold its own with any of the big sides and beat all the small ones)

    BTW, in my view, NZ would be stupid to pick overseas-based players. It would eviscerate the Super 14 and NPC. And one of our best exports is rugby players. Their market value is higher overseas for having been in the All Blacks.

    That said, I'd like to see a game between the overseas-based All Blacks and the NZ resident ones. Not too shabby a team there. They'd probably be playing in Hong Kong though.

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2008 • 228 posts Report Reply

  • Rachel Prosser,

    oops, a balanced view..typing gremlins strike again.

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2008 • 228 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    What worries me, is my own immediate response to the loss in the weekend.

    A brief shrug of the shoulders, a couple of "ah well, rugby was the winner on the day, Sth Africa probably deserved the win on balance, etc etc", poured myself another glass of wine, and the conversation in the room moved onto other topics (like Tony Veitch).

    Perhaps that is (and I'm only speaking for myself here) the sad sad truth about the oversell and over-promise of last years RWC cosmic joke. Losing doesn't hurt as much

    And, while the 3 Wise Men wouldn't admit it unless it was a cold day in hell, I thought we missed Jerry in the weekend.

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.