Not one of the big policies but a few points of interest especially sport/education relationship.
Red Alert
Archive for the ‘sport’ Category
All Blacks
Posted by Trevor Mallard on October 11th, 2011
Campaign team meeting the other day. Great biscuits for morning tea.
Go Pies
Posted by Clare Curran on October 1st, 2011I know there’s only two games in town for us Kiwis. This weekend it’s all about the Warriors.
But apart from rooting for the Irish (not literally) in Dunedin tomorrow night against Italy, I’ll be paying attention to another grand final today.
Collingwood (Magpies) plays Geelong (Cats) in the grand final of the AFL late this afternoon at the MCG (from 2.30pm Aus time).
I don’t imagine there’s many AFL fans out there, but I lived in Melbourne for 8 years and you can’t survive in that town without supporting an AFL team. Collingwood fans are pretty notorious. I’m one of them.
And then tomorrow night the Warriors play Manly Sea Eagles in in the NRL grand final
So Go the Pies and the Warriors and the Irish this weekend.
Ted – thought for the quarter finals
Posted by Trevor Mallard on September 23rd, 2011No secret – I’m massive All Black fan and have prejudice towards Hurricanes – Weepu, Nonu and Jane. (well mainly former Canes).
The team for Saturday is as I would select it.
But in a fortnight we need to change. Bit of a risk before seeing form v France but this is as I see it now.
We have probably the most versatile starting backline ever. Weepu can play 1st V, Nonu can play 2nd V to wing, Kahui can cover centre and Jane fullback.
All we need is Williams and a halfback. Carter won’t come off unless injured and if he is Weepu can move out.
Read will play next weekend and is the best number eight in the world. But we need Thomson as a reserve loosie.
My solution, drop Slade who has never played well under test match pressure, add Thomson to the reserves and go with a 5 – 2 split.
Opinions.
McCully risks our reputation for drug free athletes
Posted by Trevor Mallard on September 18th, 2011There are two articles and an editorial in todays Star-Times.
The International Olympic Committee has dropped a bombshell by confirming a banned drug is included in a product that has been provided to elite Kiwi athletes via the New Zealand Academy of Sport’s official sports supplements programme.
The IOC’s chief nutritional scientist, British-based professor Ronald Maughan, says the product Thermotone contains a type of amphetamine which the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) identifies as a banned substance.
The revelation has led to calls for under-fire Sports Minister Murray McCully to reject the findings of a taxpayer-funded report which cleared Crown agency Sparc, and launch a full-blown parliamentary inquiry.
McCully and Sparc’s chairman Paul Collins and chief executive Peter Miskimmin would not comment yesterday on the IOC revelation.
But it prompted Wada’s boss, New Zealander David Howman, to speak out against the way Sparc handled the investigation into the flawed national sports supplement programme.
The first point that I should make is that I know all of the main players well. First met Paul Collins while I was in short pants. I have long admired his support for sport generally, rugby in particular - and it was him providing, with a few others, a personal guarantee that got the Wellington stadium built. Peter is a sporting hero, a great CEO and well known for his integrity. Tim is a well known local barrister, has an international reputation in sports law and is thoroughly pleasant. David used to sit directly behind me in the old season ticket area at Athletic Park and is the world's leader in the anti doping campaign.
McCully. Well he is Muzza and under pressure over the last few months.
The essence of this investigation is that it is possible that an arm of SPARC was recommending a supplement that contained traces of an amphetamine to our high performance athletes. Certainly the experts are certain that one of the ingredients does. We don't know who was recommended the drug, whether anyone used it and if so whether there were any positive tests for it.
The issue is complicated because if it turns out that our athletes (wide range Olympic stars, rugby players etc) were using it then they could be subject to bans. No knowledge of the fact that the athlete knew is necessary.
Now I don't know if we have a problem or not.
But the fact that McCully has instructed those who would normally comment not to doesn't make it look flash.
If there are problems with Tim Castle's report then we should be transparent. I want to see any technical expert advice that contradicts WADA.
Most of all I don't want to be part of a sporting community which looks bad because the Minister wants to pretend that there never was an issue.
Interesting day
Posted by Trevor Mallard on September 17th, 2011I’ve been down at the Wellington fanzone listening to the Marine band. Last time I was close to marines on the wharf I was protesting against nuclear power and arms in the late 70s. This band is great and the crowd really appreciated them. Wonderful gesture sending them over.
Later I will watch South Africa play Fiji. Again countries with which we have had periods of rough relationships. No secret that notwithstanding the fact that I was playing rugby in the King Country during the tour I was arrested for protesting against it in 1981. And Fiji can best be described as an ongoing problem.
Don’t know who I want to win. South Africa the favourites but them being run round the paddock and suffering a few big hits won’t harm the All Black chances.
Then down to a pub to cheer for the Irish.
RWC 2011 moments
Posted by Clare Curran on September 11th, 2011I know Grant will post regularly about RWC 2011. But I wanted to note a few moments that I have found important and special so far.
The first goes back to that day on 18 November 2005 when New Zealand was named as the host country for RWC 2011. It was a great day for us and it was due to the hard work, creativity and determination of a great team lead by our then Prime Minister Helen Clark, supported by Trevor Mallard who was then Minister of Sport and became Rugby World Cup Minister.
The five members who presented our winning bid to the IRB were New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs, New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Chris Moller, then All Blacks Captain Tana Umaga and former All Blacks legend Colin Meads. The clip below is etched in my mind as I’m sure it is in most New Zealanders.
And then this clip from Friday night’s opening ceremony; the challenge and the haka, which was viewed by around 2 billion people around the world and demonstrated the power the lies within us all. I watched this bit of the ceremony in my local pub. The pub fell silent as Kiwis everywhere stood tall and could feel immensely proud of who we are and what we represent to the world.
I know the RWC 2011 whatever the outcome for us, will boost our pride in ourselves as a small nation which can stand on its own and by working together, achieve great things. The haka is 8 mins and 53 seconds into the clip.
PS: I did think about putting up “that ripped shirt clip” but figured I’d never hear the end of it. It should be said that for many people it was also a great moment in the RWC2011!
RWC: So did John Key really not know he was speaking?
Posted by Grant Robertson on September 10th, 2011I thought the dancing cranes needed a bit more time to work on their routine (what was that about?) but overall the opening ceremony was an uplifting, flash, but not too over the top, start to the Rugby World Cup. In Auckland, and (even here in Wellington) it seems like the idea of waterfront party was just what was needed. The only problem was about 10x as many people showed up as there was room for in the city of sails. A good problem to have- that is unless you are stuck inside with a family. The big issue was that the transport system did not cope, despite assurances that it would. I know Len Brown has launched a review this morning, but it clearly wrecked a few nights which is a pity for what looked like such a festive occasion. Would be interesting to hear from anyone who was there, but in the meantime here are some interesting stories and views.
One small curiosity from the night. On Tuesday morning on Firstline on TV3 Rachel Smalley asks the Prime Minister at the end of her interview (relevant bit at 4.35) where he will be for the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, and will he be there “beer in hand”. Key says he will be there, laughing saying maybe not beer in hand, “although maybe I will, I don’t have to make any speeches that night.”
Except he did of course. Now that Opening Ceremony must have been set for months and months beforehand so surely he would have known, and Mr Key was quite definite he was not speaking. Odd. Perhaps it was an on the night decision, which seems extraordinarily casual for such a major and important event, but it might explain what was a pretty ordinary effort (not even a Kia Ora?) from the PM in front of a TV audience of millions.
Rugby World Cup- It has to be done
Posted by Grant Robertson on September 9th, 2011At Red Alert we are committed to making sure that political issues are debated through the period of the Rugby World Cup. It falls to us as the mainstream media abandon the day to day of politics for anything related to rugby. The writing was on the wall the other night when both major TV networks led with the naming of the All Black team to play Tonga.
Having said that, we here in the ship of social democracy are capable of thinking about more than one thing at a time, and for me, and some other colleagues we might just have a wee tad of interest in the Cup. So we will do some brief posts along the way.
So to start, what should folks be looking for in terms of rugby in the first few weeks of the tournament?
- massive score blowouts as the big teams (think us, England, Aussie, South Africa etc) play the minnows of the rugby world, Georgia, Russia, USA etc (yep the power balance in rugby is pretty much the inverse of geo-politics).
- wailing and gnashing of teeth that the All Blacks still don’t look quite right. (This will happen whether they do or not).
- the possible rise of the Pacific nations. I think Samoa, Tonga and to a lesser extent Fiji will be the big movers of the early rounds. The Pacific teams are now stacked with players who ply their trade in the Northern Hemisphere competitions. Combined with a bit of local and NZ based talent, they will be tough opponents for anyone. Fiji and Samoa sprang surprises four years ago in France, and they now have an even bigger base of professional players.
My suggestion for getting through the first few weeks of the tournament is pick yourself an underdog team and live your life through them. The All Blacks will be fine in pool play, give someone else a go too. Then rejoice as the Georgians actually score a try, or the Romanians hold Scotland to half a cricket score. And then when they play each other- there is the chance of a win!
Ah, it is exciting isn’t it? Now, move along, nothing to see here, back to the politics….
Piri Haka
Posted by Trevor Mallard on September 7th, 2011
Door knocking in Moera today and saw this.
Photo doesn’t do it justice – made of native firewood and brilliant.
The real jersey trumps
Posted by Clare Curran on September 6th, 2011It’s great to hear the Highlanders have seen sense and decided to keep the original jersey for home games, while that green jersey is used for away games.
Changing the brand so arbitrarily was dumb.
It was the right decision today. And good on Highlanders CEO Roger Clarke for saying they made a mistake.
I bet the fans are feeling relief that the blue, gold and maroon wont be disappearing.
And now we can get on with barracking for the All Blacks.
I’m looking forward to the England vs Argentinia game on Saturday in Dunedin. Guess what I’ll be wearing?
The other NPC final
Posted by Trevor Mallard on September 3rd, 2011No great secret that I love watching rugby at all levels.
Great piece from the DomPost on a player who pays $15k a year to play 1st class rugby.
Here’s to the Brook
Posted by Clare Curran on August 6th, 2011
Thanks to Grant for posting on his memories of The Brook. I was at the game today. The last first class rugby game.
There’s been a few last games at The Brook. Last year I went to the supposed last test where the All Blacks played Wales. We won.
A few weeks ago the ABs played Fiji in another last test.
But today’s match Otago vs Southland (Southland won 19-12) was the last game.
The new stadium opened this week. A new era dawns. The Brook has had its day.
I am very sad about that. I wanted it to become a community facility with some rethinking around how it could serve other purposes while retaining the ground.
The Dunedin City Council is fixated on selling it to repay debt. I think that’s short-sighted. But the city seems resigned to the fate of the House of Pain and so what will be will be.
It’s not a flash stadium. But it is a fine ground. With a lot of history. The history of a city. And it has a special place in the heart of South D.
Today the ground was muddy. The home team didn’t win. But the sun shone. And the crowd roared Otaaago.
Now the Terraces are quiet. Here’s to the Brook.
Brent Edwards, ex ODT sports editor wrote this great piece yesterday about the ugly duckling. Worth a read
Memories of the ‘Brook
Posted by Grant Robertson on August 6th, 2011Today was the final first class rugby game at Carisbrook. I saw the last few minutes when I got home from campaigning just now. Sadly for Otago they did not win today, but I am sure Clare Curran will have been there with the rest of the crowd to celebrate one of the legendary venues for New Zealand sport.
I pretty much grew up at Carisbrook. It was in South Dunedin to start with, which meant I could walk there from home. And I did, every Saturday. I think I know more about club rugby in Dunedin in the late 70s and 80s than almost anyone. There was some awful times. I shut my eyes as an 8 year old because I was too nervous to watch Steve Marfell from Marlborough kick a penalty that would have sunk Otago from the first division to the then second division south. He missed, god knows how it was right in front, and Otago survived.
Soon enough I was a ball-boy at the ground. Dozens and dozens of club games, rep games, and one test match. It was the All Blacks v Lions in 1983. The temperature barely got above zero, the ground was drenched, I was drenched, but it was the greatest day of my life to that point. Stu Wilson scored his then NZ record test try right in front of me , and my mate (now Prof) Tony Ballantyne as we stood a metre away on the sideline. (starts at 3.41 on this video clip.) I almost got hypothermia. The next year I did after struggling through a hail storm for some game or other. But we loved it- and there was usually a pie for us in the dressing room at the end of the day.
At the end of 1983 they dug the ground up. They had to it was mud-bath. The final game of the 1983 season was a 0-0 draw between Otago and Auckland. There was no way anyone could score points- no one could run the mud was so bad. When the dug up the ground they found a jersey buried under the mud at one end. The new turf was magnificent and it coincided with some golden years under Laurie Mains and Gordon Hunter. I moved to watching from The Terrace and saw some magnificent rugby. A lightweight Otago forward pack, backed up by the genius of Forster, Bachop, Leslie, Ellis, Wilson and co. beat all comers. At a tough time in my life Otago won the NPC for the first time in years, and I stood in the stand at the end of the game and I think I might have cried.
We shouldn’t forget the cricketing triumphs at Carisbrook as well. I wiled away many days with my scorebook watching Otago and New Zealand play there. I was there when Otago won the Shell Trophy one sunny day. And when Jeremy Coney and Ewen Chatfield batted New Zealand to a famous victory against Pakistan before anyone even talked about bookmakers.
The facilities were fairly basic at the ‘Brook. And the arrival of professional rugby, and the requirements for night games for television pretty much finished it off. But it was a real rugby ground, in a real rugby part of town. Its a new era down south, but for someone who can still feel the sawdust under the stand and still smell the mud on the ground, I can say for sure that Carisbrook will never be forgotten.
Julian Dean – several for the team
Posted by Trevor Mallard on July 27th, 2011
Great to see Julian Dean perform so well at the Tour de France. Second Kiwi ever to win a stage and on the podium in Paris as part of the winning team.
Sky had early morning coverage repeating the last two hours every day. I only missed two days. Diverts me a bit. Friends understand.
Cycling is weird. Cadel Evans is special. His individual work got him the win at the end. Felt vaguely proud of an Aussie, which for me is tough.
But without his team he would not have been close. Don’t think there are other sports where the winner is an individual but he or she can only win consistently on the basis of a great team. Winning road racers are essentially parasitic in nature. Minimum possible work until absolutely necessary – and then all the glory.
Julian Dean is the workhorse who delivers his team’s sprinters to the point just before the finish where they can win. And he did it brilliantly.
Breaking the Eden Park hoodoo
Posted by Grant Robertson on July 20th, 2011Its worth noting that tonight Otago broke a 35 year drought and beat Auckland at Eden Park in the ITM (provincial rugby) Cup. It was 1976 the last time Otago won up in Auckland. Rob Muldoon was still Prime Minister for goodness sake. The Highlanders did it in Super 14 a few years back, but the blue and golds have come so close, so many times, but never quite got there.
As a former Otagoite I can tell you how deeply this is felt in the South. I can remember a Ranfurly Shield challenge in 1985 where if Noel Pilcher had just stretched out Otago would have gone in front, but instead they let in a late try and lost. Most famously people will remember Colin Hawke’s unbelievable decision to award a penalty try in 1995 to deny Otago the NPC title. It rates as the fourth worst referring decision of all time, according to some. Otago folk were still taking the pins out of their Hawke voodoo dolls from the year before when he denied the blue and golds the Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury.
But tonight it was all put to rest. Most of the team were not born in 1976. In fact only two were. Tony Brown and Kees Meeuws, two stalwarts of Otago rugby were among the best on the field tonight. They, and a team of younger players brimming with energy looked good tonight. This could be their year, but whatever they will go down as legends, who finally put a province’s anguish to rest. Well done lads.
My sporting life
Posted by Clare Curran on June 18th, 2011One of my New Year’s resolutions was to get more interested in sport. Seem to have managed that a bit lately. Have found myself reading the sports pages even. Frightening!
Interestingly, it’s not all about rugby and the Highlanders. Have discovered a new sport; ice hockey, courtesy of twitter, where a bunch of Dunedin twitter mates have, in recent weeks, become face to face mates. We’ve met up in the pub a few times to watch the Stanley Cup games.
I was sad the #canucks didn’t win the cup. I didn’t really support the #bruins though I told them I did. I think the twitter discussions we had about the game attracted some local media attention and this story appeared in the ODT last Wednesday.
Go the Canucks, and looking forward to next year’s comeback.
Ma’a – should loyalty be reciprocated
Posted by Trevor Mallard on June 11th, 2011I’m feeling incredibly uncomfortable about the handling of the Ma’a Nonu by Wellington Rugby.
Watched him for years. He turned down offers to leave Rongotai College for more fashionable schools. Loyal to Ories. His parents have been stalwarts for decades.
Ma’a has repeatedly turned down offers to leave Wellington including to play both union and league offshore. He could be very wealthy by now. But he likes Wellington and has shown loyalty.
But a new coach without any apparent understanding of Wellington history or culture, assisted by an impressive co-opted PR machine, has made it clear he can’t handle a cheeky player.
I don’t understand why the Wellington Rugby or Hurricanes Boards or CEOs haven’t sorted this mess. Haven’t heard a word from them.
