NZ’s Rugby World Cup test run a debacle – Greg Growden gives his view on how things went organisationally on Saturday.
I was a bit surprised that Brownlee and McCully didn’t get out around the stadium checking how things were going especially around the overseas media. Sometimes it pays to pop out of the corporate box. Especially when they are both Ministers with responsibility for next years cup. I think it was more positive than Cowden suggests but he is correct on the traffic issue. I caught a bus from the square and it seemed to go in never ending spirals and take ten times as long to get to the park to what it should have.
Although I can report the wine and the pies in the box were good and that might be why they stayed put.
And I do agree with Tony Smith that Sky are placing viewing numbers at risk by using Key as a comments man. Thought the booing in South Africa should have given him enough of a hint.
As for viewing numbers being at risk because they get a few comments from the PM – Geesh what kind of fan would stop watching the rugby because of that?
Mmmmm wine and pies
But a constant irritant is that New Zealand is the ”gunna” country. They’re gunna do this. They’re gunna do that. They were doing it straight after being granted the World Cup. Politicians and officials were promising they would dramatically improve facilities, particularly accommodation, so visitors wouldn’t have to sleep on park benches. What has happened? Not much.
If I could re-assure Mr Growden that the National Caucus have there two top brains on the operation right how – Brownlee and McCully – and everything is going to be okay, I would.
All I can assure him is Brownlee and McCully are theoretically on the case, so you take your chances with the rest of us.
… and what gives with John Key telling the Pacific forum leaders that he would make a personal delegation/recommendation to the RFU/IRB on the eligibility issue of Pacific Island players being able to play for their islands of origin once they are no longer required by the A/Bs? (And that from a political party that made such mileage out of the claim that “politics and sport don’t mix”).
@ Chris – no but they might change channel after match and advertisers don’t like that.
As for viewing numbers being at risk because they get a few comments from the PM – Geesh what kind of fan would stop watching the rugby because of that?
They won’t need to stop watching. The All Blacks’ games next year at the Rugby World Cup will be on several channels at once.
John Key’s election strategy appears to be rugby, rugby and rugby. He might find out the voters are smarter than he thinks. Especially when he reveals what he really thinks of the ABs’ chances … by calling an early election!
logie97
You forget his pal Michael Jones was thrilled to have the PM’s backing fo rthis new initiative… itchy backs anyone?
rjs131 Your comment went beyond what I think is acceptable. Clare
Hey Trevor – I think the public do not have any problem listening to our Prime Minister – At least he has a genuine interest in sport, (as opposed to Helen who was only interested in the Photo Op) and being our most popular and competant Prime Minister I am very interested in a little cameo from him during Major Sporting events. All the more so because it winds the left up no end. Worth it just for that really.
Hi Monty
!
I’m glad the PM likes his sport, I imagine he feels quite at home there when they do the mexican wave
Monty – photo ops? Passing interest?
Helen Clark was devoted to the development of junior rugby league at Mt Albert long before she got near a seat at a cabinet table. On the other hand apparently John Key couldn’t remember even a passing interest in the national sport in 1981 when he was at university – so he told BFM that is. And it has been suggested that he took up golf only because that was where he might be able to grease up business executives.
@ Monty – Clark did an amazing amount to help sport – including league, netball and women’s football. Years before she became Leader of the Opposition she would walk to Eden Park. In fact she was almost the opposite of photo op Key in these things.
Spud that might be your best line yet. But don’t make this a chat room by replying.
Any new facility such as the new stadium will have teething problems. The new stadium in Wellington has some horror stories as management found out what worked and what didn’t and that is now seen as a great venue. Certainly there are issues but identifying them now is certainly better than being confronted with them during a RWC match.
Perfection seldom happens first time out as staff figure out the stadium, as well as punters.
@ Monty
@ Monty
I can confirm Trevor’s comment @ 6:51. Helen was attending sporting functions even when she was a just a candidate in 1980 – before she entered parliament.
How about an apology? Oh I forgot, rightwing politicos rarely aplogise.
They way the rules are and the fact that the Allblacks are building to the world cup, I honestly dont think they will be beaten in NZ. I Will be surprised if the Boks can beat them in SA.
John Key will do whatever he is told to in calling a general election, and calling a early election is highly likely but has some real risks, it surprises me that he hasnt called for one this year the way the polls are running.
If his ministers in anyway muck up this world cup, NZ males will never forgive them (no slight meant to the female fans). If he has an early election next year and there are comments on mishandling of the world cup it will severly affect there poll ratings. The world cup and the organisation of it will be next years major news story. Its a hot potatoe and they dont even know it.
Monty, Helen Clark was always tramping and in the outdoors. She was regularily at the league and Netball.
She didnt do the big photo ops like John Key.
I bet you are like many other right wingers and have never been involved or played any sport in your life. You would be one of those that complain about the sports people who get injured (staying fit and healthy). If national were pro sport they would never have touched the physiotherapy ACC funding.
I suspect that for right wingers, cutting back on budgets and services trumps any values like being “pro sport”. After all, if someone takes the individual risk of injury from playing sport, they should take the individual responsibility of paying for it themselves.
Undermines the idea of high performing sports being a team effort of course *shrug*
@Anne 10:03 – Wow, I never thought I’d see you speechless
I was in Christchurch on Saturday, tried to get a bus from Armargh Street to New Brighton to watch the game at a friends house. Easy, one bus, We’ll be there in 15.
65 minutes after the bus should have picked us up, the bus picked us up. not a sign of another bus during this time.
Never mind, you say: I’ll catch a taxi. no luck there, was told the wait would be “at least an hour” by the 7 taxi companies we called.
As far as a test for the RWC, Christchurch as a city has failed.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/4008813/Rugby-World-Cup-boss-bats-off-journos-jibes
Crowden had better get his facts right.