Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: Sing when you're winning

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  • giovanni tiso,

    Now that's classy.

    I haven't been to any Phoenix games this year, could somebody tell me if the songsheet has moved on from "Same Old Aussies/Always Cheating" (good for all opponents!) and "Who Are Ya?" (answer: we're the team that's putting you away two-zip). If so I might be persuaded to resume attending.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    We don't really 'do' singing at sports events, do we? Bloody repressed overly-macho spectators. Quite apart from the fact that I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

    The one time I've really seen it come off was the Wellington test on the last Lions tour.

    Whoever ran the PA music went for almost 100% Kiwi gold, and bawling 'Why Does Love Do This To Me?' has never felt as good as it did that night.

    I think people felt they had to measure up to the glorious noise the Lions fans were making -- and the Lions fans eventually joined in singing Exponents songs.

    And then, after a superb game of rugby in which Dan Carter had played possibly the best match ever by an All Black first-five, Dave Dobbyn's 'Welcome Home' struck up over the PA as the stadium emptied. It was a really lovely movement.

    And then ... I got high and went clubbing with my friends. Best night out evar.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    It's got be in the blood I reckon. Two of the best footie ones (although it helps if you know the players names):

    When I would go and see Wimbledon play in their brief era of glory, the crowd would sing:

    One Laurie Sanchez,
    There's only Laurie Sanchez
    One Laurie Saaaaanchez!

    To the tune of 'Guantamera'.

    They weren't the only crowd to adapt the tune thus, but I thought it worked particularly well given Sanchez' Latinate surname.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I let the smallest glimmers of good play get my hopes up for a test win and then get horribly depressed after we lose. Sigh.

    That's what I love about test cricket. While somebody from your team is at the crease, even the most awful tailender, in theory he could be there forever, and it's actually hard not to feel that way. Rationally you know it's not going to happen, but the lack of a time limit (which doesn't apply to all situations, but it does to some) gives you that little glimmer. I reckon it's the same feeling you get when you buy a lottery ticket - until the number is picked, everybody's a theoretical winner.

    Yes, I'm waiting for that ever-elusive Chris Martin century. I know he shall do it some day.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    One Laurie Saaaaanchez!
    To the tune of 'Guantamera'.

    The Aussies have been using that one for a while...Paul Kelly even has a 'One David Gower, there's only one David Gower...' as a fade-out song on one of his albums.

    Here's a suggestion for a highly adaptable NZ song: The Clean's 'Beatnik'.

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    One Laurie Saaaaanchez!
    To the tune of 'Guantamera'.

    In Italy the lyrics to that one are "Tutto lo stadio", meaning the whole crowd ought to make some noise. A guy I knew who was a very occasional stadium-goer thought they were praising somebody called "Ugo Rosario" and heartily joined in. He's been called Ugo ever since.

    I on the other hand thought that the "C'Mon Paul Ince" song that Inter fans used to sing actually said "Sgamopoli", which could be interpreted as "the town of people who can't be fooled". I knew better than to tell my mates though.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The BBC used to (maybe they still do) have a "Best Football Chant of the Week" piece on their website.

    __ I would really like Slice of Heaven to be our test-match song. Imagine 50,000 voices belting out the "Dah, dah, dah.. boom boom, dah, dah, dah" bit.__

    That's wat the Kiwi were singing on the "celebration stage" the other night, wasn't it?

    Yep they were. Though I do recall it being played after every NZ try at the RWC last year and it bugging the hell out of me.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The first half really was just awful.
    Depends upon who you were barracking for I s'pose :-)

    Actually I don't think the Welsh were looking too flash either.

    I loved how they were penalised in the scrum for falling down when it was the fault of a rather large piece of turf coming loose.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Evan Yates,

    Whoever ran the PA music went for almost 100% Kiwi gold, and bawling 'Why Does Love Do This To Me?' has never felt as good as it did that night.

    As a somewhat fogiefied NZ'er, I have a question. What do the kids today use as their raucous party participation songs? Are there any possibilities for sports-match use?

    I suppose there has to be some demographic overlap where the tune has enough popular exposure to be known to the majority of the crowd or it will not have the "Big M" momentum for adoption.

    Hamiltron, Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Nov 2006 • 197 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Wain,

    It was 16-12 at the break in the loigue actually... also you ignored the amazing win by the under-20 women at the football world cup in Chile, not only beating the Latin Americans at the competition they're hosting, but knocking them out!
    So let's see... the Kiwis are world champs, the All Blacks are rolling towards another Grand Slam, the Breakers are top (well 2nd on points diff but ahead on head to head over the Dragons, who they humiliated on Thursday at home), the under-20 women won only the third game ever at any world cup at any level for NZ... even the friggin' Phoenix won (should've been just one red card but hey, play the ref)... too bad Jacob Oram's injured or the Black Caps could maybe have made it six out of six, but I'm always just amazed NZ has a cricket team that can even compete, let alone win sometimes...

    Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    I missed the haka but I figured that it wouldn't be that interesting. Boy was I wrong. Following the showdown in Australia, the Welsh decided they weren't going to be stared down in their own stadium and in front of their fans. I fucking loved it!

    That was brilliant. At last a non-Pacific nation works out a way to accept, respect and return the challenge. Sooo much better than singing Waltzing-bloody-Matilda.

    Thought as much, but let's not dwell on rubbing it in but celebrating the historic win.

    Oh I don't know, it depends on the code. They're still banging on at Punter about losing the Ashes in '05... despite him winning them back. Not that I mind however, he's an obnoxious git.

    And then, after a superb game of rugby in which Dan Carter had played possibly the best match ever by an All Black first-five, Dave Dobbyn's 'Welcome Home' struck up over the PA as the stadium emptied. It was a really lovely movement.

    I'd be a blubbering mess - that song gets me every time!

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Cheers Steve, I knever heard about the Kiwi Ferns.
    So in Rugby terms we are Womens Union & League Chanmps and Mens League Champs, nice.

    Ah the Kiwi Ferns. Another product of the New Zealand team-naming formula.

    Though the RLWC final was a battle of the national icons: Kangaroos and Kiwis

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington,

    That's what I love about test cricket. While somebody from your team is at the crease, even the most awful tailender, in theory he could be there forever, and it's actually hard not to feel that way. Rationally you know it's not going to happen, but the lack of a time limit (which doesn't apply to all situations, but it does to some) gives you that little glimmer.

    Nicely put Giovanni, I agree and that's what I love about test cricket. Astle's batting explosion 3-4 years ago against England in Chch when we were hopelessly behind their total is probably the greatest forlorn chase I've ever seen. To watch the Englishmen go from not bothered to a little concerned to the first inklings of out and out panic was wondrous to watch, even if it did prove ultimately fruitless.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Astle's batting explosion 3-4 years ago against England in Chch when we were hopelessly behind their total is probably the greatest forlorn chase I've ever seen.

    I just wished he had been dismissed by a good delivery as opposed to that awful, would-have-been-called-a-wide piece of garbage that Hoggard dished up. But until then it had been a joy to watch (without forgetting the hobbling Cairns at the other end).

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The one time I've really seen it come off was the Wellington test on the last Lions tour...

    Best night out evar.

    Actually that was a bloody good night. At the end of the game one of our friends "ran" the length of Courtenay Pl and got a table in Boulot and we drank and ate our way through the rest of the night.

    also you ignored the amazing win by the under-20 women at the football world cup in Chile, not only beating the Latin Americans at the competition they're hosting, but knocking them out!

    I didn't ignore it. But your right it was fantastic and needs to get some "dap".

    Rosie White may be the best striker New Zealand has produced. Discuss that football folk.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington,

    They weren't the only crowd to adapt the tune thus, but I thought it worked particularly well given Sanchez' Latinate surname.

    Liverpool fans making fun of their own scallie reputations used to sing at West Ham games;

    "You've got Di Canio
    We've got your car stereos"

    To the tune of a famous opera that I should know the name of.

    Anyway, all good fun.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    That's what I love about test cricket

    What I love about it is that it's a totatlly lazy sport to watch. If they'd let me bring a BBQ into the ground it'd be perfect.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Naly D,

    Yay I won $220!

    Yay we won the Rugby League World Cup!

    Yay Geoff Sewell delivered possibly the best and simultaneously most hilarious performance of the NZ national anthem ever!

    Yay All Blacks!

    Yay Jamie Whincup is gonna win the V8 Supercars!

    Yay Earl Bamber is kicking A1GP ass!

    Yay I never gave a full toss about the cricket!

    Wellington • Since Sep 2008 • 307 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Astle's batting explosion 3-4 years ago against England in Chch when we were hopelessly behind their total is probably the greatest forlorn chase I've ever seen.

    Or Southee's nine sixes earlier this year.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Evan Yates,

    __"You've got Di Canio
    We've got your car stereos"__

    To the tune of a famous opera that I should know the name of.

    Just doing the scan thing in my head... this could fit with "La Donna è Mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto.

    Hamiltron, Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Nov 2006 • 197 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Astle's batting explosion 3-4 years ago against England in Chch when we were hopelessly behind their total is probably the greatest forlorn chase I've ever seen.

    Sadly it wasn't quite that recent. Early in 2002.

    Or Southee's nine sixes earlier this year.

    See that one I know is going to bite. Because every time he comes out now, and we're well behind (which is pretty much every time), I'm going to expect him to rack up a quick 50 runs in 20 balls by hitting leather to all corners.

    He'll probably never do it again and I'll be eternally disappointed.

    Which I guess fits in with NZ batting efforts, so welcome to your national team Southee.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Which I guess fits in with NZ batting efforts, so welcome to your national team Southee.

    The word backstage is that he has the makings of a very fine batsman. Time will tell, but I wouldn't discount it.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • adPro,

    Here's the rugby anthem/ad for Kiwi's based on Counting the Beat...

    I look at the sunrise (Tana with his kids on a Gisborne beach)
    I look at it burn (First sun coming up)
    I look into your eyes (Tuigamala doing the Haka in full voice)
    Got nowhere to turn (Campese walking around the deadball area)

    We're running straight into that void (AB running through a gap)
    We're breakin' the line like an asteroid (AB thundering over an opposition)
    We're counting the seconds cos we're paranoid (Clock and anxious crowd close up)
    We're thinking about you, and nothing else. (All Blacks)

    Thinking about blue (the French)
    Thinking about green (Saffers)
    Thinking about, whipping Aussie, la da de dee, there ain't no thing we'd rather see...

    La da de da
    La da de da....(Full crowd chanting).

    Final shot - Counting on Black.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2008 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    One Laurie Sanchez,
    There's only Laurie Sanchez
    One Laurie Saaaaanchez!

    To the tune of 'Guantamera'

    The fans ditties can also be quite ruthless. Shortly after the then-Rangers keeper Andy Goram was diagnosed with mild schizophrenia, the opposing fans at his very next game sang ...

    Two Andy Gorams,
    There's only two Andy Gorams,
    Two Andy Gooooorams

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Wain,

    She sure is the best looking striker ever produced by NZ...

    Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report Reply

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