Red Alert
Archive for the ‘sport’ Category
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.
Changing the colours
Posted by Clare Curran on June 9th, 2011Well if Anton Oliver agrees that changing the Highlanders colours was a dumb idea, then I’m on the right track.
Slight case of hero worship (not that I worship anyone)
Otago Daily Times
Rugby: Oliver sees red over Highlanders’ change to green
Thu, 9 Jun 2011Click photo to enlarge
Anton OliverFormer All Black and Highlanders hooker Anton Oliver has slammed the decision to change the Highlanders’ jersey and has called on fans to rally against the switch to green.
Oliver, who amassed 127 games in a stellar career from 1996 to 2007, said he thought long and hard about whether he should voice his concerns.
“Emotional, knee-jerk rants by former players exhumed from the retirement graveyard aren’t good for anyone,” Oliver wrote in a letter which appeared on the Stuff.co.nz website yesterday.
“However . . . as the person who, over 12 years of service, pulled the Highlander jersey on more than anyone else, I figure I’ve got as good a platform as any to speak my mind.
Sent to the sin bin
Posted by Clare Curran on June 7th, 2011Not sure getting turfed out of the House is something to be proud of. Never expected it to happen to me. It did today. I was sticking up for my team; The Highlanders and their colours; blue, gold and maroon. Not making a big fuss about it. Just wore the team shirt. Or what was the team shirt before it got unexpectably replaced last week by a lime green shirt unrelated to the Otago Southland region.
A few issues have arisen as a result. What’s appropriate to wear and what’s not. Especially as a woman. Can of worms really.
Others have worn sports shirts in the House before. So I’m not the first. But today it rankled and I got sin binned.
I’m not sorry. I was taking a wee stand (as we say in the South) on something I thought was important. Though I know taking direct action has its responsibilities. And consequences.
Our’s is a people’s parliament. We MPs are representatives. We’re not just there to pontificate. I take that seriously.
The relevant bit is towards the end of this clip.
Honours List
Posted by Trevor Mallard on June 6th, 2011Used to be on the Cabinet Committee that made the honours decisions. Always interesting. Often ten times as many nominations as slots available.
There was a big call involved in stopping knight and damehoods. In retrospect I don’t think Kiwis were ready for it. Doesn’t bode well for moving to a republic.
Always easy to criticise a list, for those who are there and those who are not. This one is no exception.
But this one has more individuals who I regard as personal friends than any I was involved in as a Minister. Over a dozen. All deserved. Feels a bit weird. And using Facebook to congratulate also different.
Pinetree Buck have got it wrong
Posted by Trevor Mallard on June 4th, 2011While I think their intentions are good, the Rugby Union in attempting to deny the truth by not reporting winning margin in kids rugby are going to put off more parents than they attract.
Played the odd social game with Buck Anderson. He is a great guy but I think he has got this wrong. And while I still think Sir Colin Meads is the greatest player ever, every now and again his very loyal support of his (rugby) union gets him into corners.
The Herald reports:-
All Black legend Sir Colin Meads said he was more concerned about seeing children playing the game than keeping score.
“I feel we should just let the kids get out there and play the game … They are the ones who know the real score, they know how they have gone on Saturdays.”
but also:-
Fellow ex-All Black Josh Kronfeld said that as a boy, he was in a team that often lost by around 50 points – and he still enjoyed himself.
“I remember crying one time to my dad. And my dad just said to me, ‘As long as you try your hardest I’ll be proud’. And that’s pretty much how I played for the rest of my life.
“I can’t see the point in taking away life experience … The game was doing okay for 100 years previous to us. And now all of a sudden it’s a drama.”
So I’m with Josh on this. Nothing wrong with having a chat and sometimes swapping players if one team needs more tackling practice – but changing the score is a nonsense.
Local trophy
Posted by Trevor Mallard on June 3rd, 2011
I received this jersey from constituents recently. Pretty special. They were saying thanks for helping them – emotional situation so I didn’t want to say no, but it wasn’t appropriate to keep it.
Decided to get it made into a trophy which Wainuiomata and Hutt Old Boys Marist can play for. First outing this weekend. Follow both clubs so while Wainui are my sentimental favourites, I’m relaxed, as the saying goes, as to who wins.
A whale of a challenge
Posted by Trevor Mallard on May 27th, 2011Whaleoil has been less than complimentary on my rate of recovery.
In fact he now refers to me as a cripple.
Well let’s get the challenge out there.
Trevor v blubber boy 50 – 60k bike race, no motorbikes, on a course to be set by the peoples champion Gordon MacCauley in Auckland between 15 August and 15 September.
We will see whether the actions match the words – or in his case his fingers.
I bet he is too chicken, and if he accepted he wouldn’t have a chance.
Netball the winner on the day
Posted by Trevor Mallard on May 16th, 2011I’ve been a big fan of netball since 1994 when I started watching top level stuff. Different level to that I’d seen on the side of school, Taita, Haitaitai and Minogue courts over the years before that.
Yesterday’s game between the Magic and the Mystics was probably the most exciting non test match I have seen. I didn’t have much skin in the game but the emotional connection was slightly on the Magic side mainly because of my admiration for Irene van Dyke who I’ve known since 1998 at KL, and subsequently I helped encourage her to come to, and stay in, New Zealand. And she was the only Hutt resident playing.
But it wasn’t a Magic day, they won three of the four quarters, were more aggressive on defence and never gave up. But after Froggie went off they just didn’t have the feed into the circle working well enough.
Just about all of the Mystics team was outstanding. Latu and Tutaia shot brilliantly, Henry’s mere presence caused balls to be coughed up, Bubs vision both defensively and offensively reminds me of the value of experience (not that I’m calling her old) but the real brilliance was in defence where Scarlett confirmed that the years of wearing a bikini on the beach have done the impossible and improved her reach and timing.
But the real player of the day for me was Kayla Cullen, who I only first heard of a year ago. She combined with Scarlett to starve Irene of ball. She intercepted the impossible and pressured the shooters. She should be a fern. And soon.
So I haven’t seen making the politician work, don’t care about masterchef, but have watched a truly superb sporting event. Wish I was there.
Who feathers penguin’s nest?
Posted by Trevor Mallard on May 4th, 2011
Been watching political blogs for about 30 months. Pretty interesting – just about always comment on what other parties are doing.
A couple of weeks ago Labour did some Stop Asset Sales signs. Lots of comments. Mainly attack from both the left and the right. Standard, Whale and Kiwiblog all got into it.
About 48 hours ago we did a billboard generator which went wild. 100k page views and over 5k unique addresses within 24 hours. Again the Standard, Cactus Kate and Whaleoil either noted or attacked.
But the blog run by the National Party (or to be more accurate taxpayer funded via the National Party) activist David Farrar decided that no comment would be made on what is a pretty exciting development in online politics in New Zealand.
I wonder if it was his call and if not whether the orders came from Australia or the Beehive.
Bones – don’t read while eating
Posted by Trevor Mallard on April 16th, 2011
Had a few requests for pictures. Above screws plates pins in femur and below scan of a well broken scapular.
Four weeks now. Recovery going pretty well though still need twice the sleep I normally did. Pain still there but taking fewer of the more serious killers.
And yes I want to get back on the bike.
Saturday Sport: How’s it looking?
Posted by Grant Robertson on April 9th, 2011Five months today the All Blacks will be playing the first game of the Rugby World Cup. They will win, and win well against Tonga. But what can we say about the rest of the tournament on the basis of the form so far this season?
Of course there is only so much you can tell from the Super 15. I don’t find it quite as hard to watch now as I once did, but I still struggle with it as a competition. Its much like watching the NBA from the US. The individuals are obviously talented, but the whole thing seems a bit plastic and formulaic. Whereas college basketball in the US is a great team game, with raw talent and loads of emotion. I still think the NPC has the potential to be that in rugby here, but that’s for another day.
Anyway, what can we say about the core of the ABs that will take the field in five months time. Most are looking ok. In the backs Mils Muliana, Israel Dagg, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan all look good. Sonny Bill is going ok, though he can go cold in some games. Isaia Toeava, who I have never been a great fan of is showing a bit more confidence. Robbie Freuan is the goods I am convinced and needs to be in the squad. Notice any Hurricanes in that list? Nah. They look dire. Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith urgently need to find some form to see off Williams and Freuan.
In the forwards we wait for McCaw to get back from injury. Meanwhile Kieran Read looms as a significant player in the world cup, as does Brad Thorn. Jamie MacKintosh is playing out of his skin again- but it still feels like the step up might be too much. Adam Thomson will be in the squad and looms as a game breaker. Andrew Hore is part of the Hurricanes malaise and will be pushed hard by Hika Elliot as back up to Keven Mealamu. Whatever, can everyone please keep practicing throw-ins. One of the basic skills in the game that still seems to elude our guys at crucial times.
So, basically, a good start. As for the opponents, the South African teams are looking dangerously poised. They seem to be travelling a lot better this year, and remain our biggest threat. Not sure the Aussies are showing much, though the Mebourne franchise look interesting.
A lot can happen in five months, but I have that glimmer of optimism (that applies to politics and rugby!)
Also, congrats to Bryce Lawrence and Steve Walsh who have made the referees panel for the Cup and Chris Pollock and Vinnie Munro who are on the assistant referees panel.
The value of a plan….
Posted by Grant Robertson on March 30th, 2011It seems the label of “chokers” is being applied to the Black Caps after their sixth semi final loss at World Cup. On the surface it does look like the big occasion gets to our lads, but for me last night and this tournament have been different. And while the players did the work on the field, a big chunk of that difference has been John Wright and Alan Donald.
The Black Caps had a plan (take note John Key/Bill English. 
) Nathan Astle thinks that the plan was not flexible enough. I was just happy there was one. Batting, the plan was keeping wickets in hand, rotating the strike, hitting the bad ball and launching an assault in the last 10 overs. Last night, it almost, almost worked. If Styris and Williamson could have got two more overs the result might have been different.
With Alan Donald, Tim Southee and Jacob Oram looked like different bowlers, and reverse swing is now the norm. The spinners all contributed. Vettori rotated the bowlers expertly. He also rotated his facial hair with style. I would love to see him stay as Captain in all forms of the game.
We did lose, but Sri Lanka are a great team, playing at home. It took a while to get John Wright, but I really think he can be part of a great period for the Black Caps. Great effort guys.
Bike crash
Posted by Trevor Mallard on March 20th, 2011Last 36 hours not the best. In Otago and entered the R + R Sport tour, five races over two days.
In the first race I clipped the wheel of another rider and went down doing a bit over 40kph – airborne for a while, came down hard breaking femur just below hip and scapula.
Great support from race officials, St Johns, ED staff (very, too?, busy) surgical team (plate, screws) and acute surgical ward staff. Thanks.
Prognosis not clear, but won’t be meeting with rugby people re stadium (arranged pre ChchII) tomorrow. Lucky to have spent time with David Clark – next Dunedin North MP – Friday night. His 1 year old Amos is unbelievably cute.
Could be good to get enforced planning time.
Last Karapoti
Posted by Trevor Mallard on March 15th, 2011
The Karapoti is probably NZ’s hardest bike race. Only 52k but takes as long as the 160k Taupo which itself is pretty hilly. Three big hills which are too hard for me to ride. One of the downhills called Rock Garden with drops of up to 2m onto boulders is beyond my technical expertise.
It was the wettest of the seven times I’ve done it. Mud and grit wrecked brake pads so had to drop seat and use feet as brakes down the last hill. Mud got stuck right around tyres so ended up sliding on many of the clay corners.
Started with Chris Hipkins. After about 7k we caught up with a very attractive young woman – never saw Chris again until the finish.
Took 4.42. Stuffed. Never again.
Wainui lads hit the Go by Bike Breakfast
Posted by Trevor Mallard on February 16th, 2011
Fun this morning on the “Bike to Work”. Picked up the Lower Hutt May Ray Wallace and Wainuiomata Councillor on the way to the Council buildings. A long time since Ken has ridden a bike. Had to teach him how to use the gears before he went over the Wainui hill. Mayor kept on powering away as we got close to the end.
I then rode into town – bit of a time trial – kept heart rate at 160bpm (80%). Passed lots of cars.
These promotions are good – help build confidence for new (or old) riders and highlight danger points for local policy makers.
High performance sport is about winning not participating
Posted by Trevor Mallard on February 11th, 2011I’ve gone to all but a couple of the Halberg awards since 1993. I’m like a kid in a lolly shop. Heroes of my childhood. Sir Murray himself. Peter Snell a couple of times, Lois Muir, John Reid and one of the most wonderful athletes Yvette Williams. Lots of people closer to my age and then current and more recently future stars. It has been a real privilege meeting, and with some, getting to know them.
But it has always been hard to work out the rationale behind the winners.
I like football. Played rep stuff when at school. But I just don’t understand how not losing can be regarded as winning. And if there was to be a football winner surely it had to be Ryan Nelsen who had a leadership role well beyond that normally expected of a captain.
I had lots of discussions with the NZOC about the balance between medalling and creating Olympians when I was Minister. I’m a strong supporter of boosting participation levels at schools and the grassroots, but when it comes to the very top I prefer smaller teams, better resourced with a real chance of winning rather than spreading the resources thinly so more people can say “I was there.”
Summer Sport: Black Caps Situation Normal
Posted by Grant Robertson on December 31st, 2010Ross Taylor, it seems, is bemused. Welcome to the club Rosco, most of us have been for years when it comes to the Black Caps. In-consistency really is the new/old black. Two solid performances, albeit against a team without several leading (suspended) players, and who looked like they had they had the kind of jet lag you get from a non-stop trip to Mars, is followed by an absolute shocker.
In the smash and grab that is 20/20 a loss will often be magnified, but last night was bad in any book. We now move to an entirely different form of the game, and we will see if the selectors play any more interesting games with the test team. Their experiments with this team did not bode well. Dean Brownlie? A couple of good knocks for Canterbury and he is in for a look. We won’t see him again is my guess.
I feel for Adam Milne, and I don’t really think a lot was gained by playing him. 20/20 is not the showcase for speed without variation or subtlety. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great prospect. He is quick, and at 18 still has a fair bit of filling out to do. But he needs to be developed at provincial level. Lance Cairns got this earlier this month, only to go onto the selection panel and promptly be part of picking him.
The Black Caps selectors over the last few seasons have been a bit like a summer race-goer, who puts a dollar each way on the outsider on the basis that it would be amazing if it came off, but no harm done if it does not. Except that the harm is to the consistency of the team, and the confidence of the individual.
There have been positives of course. McGlashan has worked out how to score, Guptill, and Styris have looked good, Nathan McCullum looks in good touch (and surely must go to 50 over World Cup) and his brother and Dan Vettori are still to come back.
But it looks like another summer of bemusement for us all. And secretly, don’t we just love it!
Summer Sport: Its all happening (for now?)
Posted by Grant Robertson on December 29th, 2010A little like Ken Barlow from Coronation Street or Nigel Roberts on election night, the Channel Nine cricket commentators just seem to have always been there. From the heady beige days to now we have been treated to Richie, Bill, Ian, Tony and their various friends. A wealth of cricketing experience mixed with lashings of extreme patriotism and buckets of hyperbole, they have marked the modern era of cricket. They even spawned their own genre of comedy.
So much has happened on their watch. Coloured clothing, the 30m circle, hot spot/snicko, the near death and extraordinary resuscitation of test cricket, the arrival of 20:20. As Bill Lawry would say, “its all happening”, and it has been for 30 years.
My favourite times were usually when Bill just lost the plot entirely. ” Share Warne’s a legend. He’s a Victorian, I’m a Victorian.” Or when Tony Greig just did not know who to support if England, South Africa or Australia were playing, and instead resorted to not so subtle put downs regarding the other team.
But is it nearly all over? The ugly demise of Australia as a cricketing powerhouse has nearly reached its apex. The fifth test in Sydney will be Ricky Ponting’s last, and the link to the Australia powerhouse team of the 90s and 00s will be over. They will be just like the rest of us. Only still better than us.
So, what of the commentary team? While various attempts have been made to spruce the team up with the arrival of the extra-aggravating Mark Nicholas, Irritating Ian Healy and Tubs Taylor, the core of the team have stuck through. Richie Benaud, showing the good grace and judgement he has always had, has at least announced a retirement. Surely the time has now come for Chappelli, Greigy, Bill and his pigeons to shuffle off.
Apart from anything else their vacuous boosterism of the Australian team has got little basis to cling to any more. I am sure they are told by Channel Nine to do it, to try to keep the audience when all hope is gone. But the wall to wall coverage of cricket in Australia won’t survive a dramatic form slump like this. It will take time to re-build Australian cricket, and in the modern broadcasting era time is as rare a commodity as Bill and Tony agreeing.
So, if this Ashes series is the end for the Channel Nine team as we know it, I have to say I will miss you guys. Richie told it like it was during the underarm incident, and for that he is a hero. The rest of you annoy me so much some times I turn you off, but to be honest you taught me more about cricket than I ever knew. Cheers fellas.
