Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: Straight for the throat

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    Thanks to Samsung for the use of their Galaxy Tab 10.1

    Apple-competing product on Public Address! Whatever next :-)

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    apparently Android devices can actually cut and paste here..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    The after match interviews and prize-givings do bring some real chestnuts, but that was cruel and unusual punishment.

    Not quite the same, but watching the after match interviews with Serena Williams and Sam Stosur at the US Open, it was clear who the American commentators wanted more time with. I found myself saying quietly [sic] to the television 'you lost, shut up and let Sam talk'.

    Sam Stosur deserves an extra medal for the quiet, unassuming and graceful way she accepted her trophy in the shadow of a giant. She even thanked her! I would have been proud to be an Australian yesterday. Hell, I was proud being related to some.

    This won't apply to the Rugby though. We're not here to make friends.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I recall the post game interview smacking of extreme disappointment - it was not enough that Wales and particularly Warburton put on an amazing performance. Not then, anyway. I hope a warm shower and some after game beers might have put a different spin on it later.

    FWIW, the South African captain sounded pretty bitter too. Lots for them to learn from that game.

    Weren't interviews usually conducted in the entrance to the dressing room in the past, rather than in front of a flimsy perspex wall of advertising?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to BenWilson,

    Weren't interviews usually conducted in the entrance to the dressing room in the past, rather than in front of a flimsy perspex wall of advertising?

    Ah, but this is RugbyWorld Cup inc. Corp, Limited &Co., they have to put the Sponsors first.
    On that note. Has anybody tried using Visa at any of the Official Venues?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to recordari,

    Sam Stosur deserves an extra medal for the quiet, unassuming and graceful way she accepted her trophy in the shadow of a giant. She even thanked her! I would have been proud to be an Australian yesterday. Hell, I was proud being related to some.

    Australians (&, just to be clear, I'm not one) are enormously proud of her; she's a class act!

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • vangam,

    Whilst I empathize with Warburton and wouldn't have wanted to be in his shoes, he is the captain and is fully versed on the responsibilities that the position entails. This wont be the first time he's been bitterly disappointed by a particular result and I would suggest that one of the qualities that makes him a captain is that he is able to keep his wits about him under the most intense pressure.

    Having said that, an umbrella would have been nice, at the least.

    Rangiora • Since Jun 2007 • 103 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to vangam,

    Whilst I empathize with Warburton and wouldn't have wanted to be in his shoes

    I understand the sense of disappointment, truly, but he was still the captain of a rugby world cup team who played an excellent game, so his shoes aren't that bad to be in. They're still odds on to make it to the quarters.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Johnny Wharton,

    A bit melodramatic, here, me thinks.
    In the professional era they are obliged to be available for post match interviews. This is all paid entertainment, and thats part of what they get paid for...I'm sure Sam is fully aware of this.

    Secondly, I'm sure that the Welsh side were upset at their defeat. But do you really think that the extra wait of 15-30 min for a debrief from the captain was significantly damaging to the side? Where is your psychological evidence for that?

    Nevertheless, it was an awesome game...my favourite so far...and I'm a little sad the Welsh couldnt hold on to the win....hope you do better next time guys.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 4 posts Report Reply

  • Roland Maul, in reply to Johnny Wharton,

    Hmmmm Sorry i think perhaps I have confused some people.
    My point is not that it was Warburton who had to do the interview. My point is why he had to do the interview at all. Obliged by whom? I'm a rugby fan and I demand no obligation.
    I have never seen any value in these hurried, made-for-media, post game cliche grabs. Why not give the guy a chance to reflect on whats happened and give some considered responses? It seems every journo is out there trying to get the next "...i'm absolutely buggered" soundbite, but would happily settle for a swearword to slam across the next morning's headline, or some exhaustion induced referee-slander tabloid fodder.
    And melodramatic? I guess you weren't at the game watching Warburton stand there in the freezing cold for 10 minutes.

    in the stands • Since Sep 2011 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Roland Maul,

    I have never seen any value in these hurried, made-for-media, post game cliche grabs.

    Considering I always wait for them before I consider the coverage finished, I guess that means I do. It's reality TV, people feeling genuine emotion talking straight. I wouldn't have anything against a more considered media debrief later on, but as part of the show, it's actually quite important. It happens in every sport, although some do show more compassion for the loser, who can refuse - this is common in boxing, where the loser is often in a pretty sorry state physically and emotionally.

    I think it goes to sportsmanship, frankly, that people are seen to be human after the matches, full of exaltation or disappointment, and yet giving their spiel nonetheless. It's often the most interesting commentary of the entire match.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    You're just hoping for someone to say "rugby was the winner on the day" or "full credit", admit it. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Sacha,

    Don't forget "it was a game of two halves" and "she's a funny old game" (or is that a cricket cliche?)

    ETA: But yes, I do like to see opposition credited, and good games acknowledged to be good for the sport. However obvious they are: They're a bit like "hello" and "goodbye" as talking rituals.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to BenWilson,

    Quiet days in Cliche...

    “it was a game of two halves”

    and now a new one for the associated celebrations:
    “A game of two wharves…”

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The post-game interview is usually just a chance for the Captain to recall the spiel the media manager gave him before the game. Hoping he hits all of the talking points. It's like having to a mental task straight after the assault course on the Krypton Factor.
    The fact that the "interviewer" doesn't seem to ask any questions also points to the fact that it is a walk-through with little actual content or insight into the game.

    There have been some good ones though. Like at the last World Cup when the French captain basically ignored the reporter and looked down the barrel of the camera and threatened the Argentinians with violence (can't find a clip of it, YouTube, thou hast forsaken me).

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Hadyn Green,

    The fact that the "interviewer" doesn't seem to ask any questions also points to the fact that it is a walk-through with little actual content or insight into the game.

    Yes, the "question" is usually an extremely open ended one, usually a statement about the general run of play, which the captain can ignore or use as they see fit. It was rather painful to hear a lengthy question put to the Japanese captain, who clearly doesn't speak good English and just wanted to say his politenesses. Fortunately, he realized there was no point at all attempting to understand 15 seconds of kiwi-unglish spiel, and just said what he wanted to, simple and effective.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    There's so much bleating going on about the bloody side show, thank Dog we will have some more Rugby tonight to distract us. Samoa should be good to watch.

    When I flippantly asked elsewhere about the whole partay central debacle 'who's in charge then?', a friend kindly reminded me 'Richie McCaw'.

    I felt better immediately.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to recordari,

    Samoa should be good to watch.

    Yes, I want to see their form prior to the game I'm attending - you're going too, right?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to recordari,

    Samoa should be good to watch.

    I'd love it if the Samoans could again make it past the pool stage which, I think, means they have to win on the weekend.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Roland Maul, in reply to BenWilson,

    I guess its a personal preference then. I just think its unneccessary. Why not give the guy 5 mins to recover before shoving a microphone in his face and asking a stock question that effectively answers itself, or has if you had been watching the game anyway. For example...
    "So Sam, you showed greater urgency at the breakdown and had possession and the line-breaks but couldnt turn it into points. How did you find the game?"
    Sigh. At least the rugby TV coverage has been excellent. Push the mute button, turn into the ARC and all the world seems brighter! And join me and change the chanel or turn back to your beer as soon as the final whistle goes :)

    in the stands • Since Sep 2011 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Paul Williams,

    It generally means they can only drop one game. A really big ask.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Terry Baucher,

    I'm hoping someone will match an after-match speech I heard when I was coaching Tepapa-Onehunga: the losing Mt Wellington skipper began with "Youse c**ts were lucky" and later when accepting a MOTM award he began "Sorry for calling youse all c**ts".

    Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to BenWilson,

    you're going too, right?

    Yep.

    It would be nice if either team still had a chance of qualifying by this stage. Although I guess Samoa would still be alive if they lose to Wales. They'd just have to beat Fiji and then Sth Africa on the 30th. Easy.

    It would be so good if one unheralded team could make it through the opening rounds. Today's game is at 2.30pm, right? Think I could pull the old 'working from home' trick?

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to BenWilson,

    Yeah, and I'm picking Wales will cope less well with the Samoan game that the Africans... that said, in the past people have commented that Samoa have been one dimensional, but I doubt that's still the case.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Paul Williams,

    South Africa is one dimensional. They just do that dimension very well.

    They'd just have to beat Fiji and then Sth Africa on the 30th. Easy.

    Hmmm is it that easy? Then we'd have 3 teams who had only lost one game...would it come back to bonus points etc then?

    Think I could pull the old 'working from home' trick?

    I'm not even going to pretend to be working. But I won't start watching until 3, I use MySky to skip ads, half time, and setting up of kicks. So I'm live by the end and yelling WOOHOOO out my door the same time my entire neighborhood does.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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