Gleanings from 10 years on the sideline
Along with his namesake probably the most dominant player in the south in 10 years. Way ahead of anyone else. A talker, too, and a good interview. Plenty of rumours but always nice and polite.
Game: the 2015 Super Rugby final; player, Smiths and Adam Thomson; moment, 2011, winning World Cup final; referee, Glen Jackson; ground, Forsyth Barr Stadium; interview, Brad Thorn on his 100th game, Craig Newby on the woes of Otago in 2008; food, Forsyth Barr Stadium and its cheese rolls.
Not what it was but what is these days? Less depth and harmed by professional rugby. The old weekend warrior who trains Tuesday and Thursday and plays in the weekend just does not exist anymore.
The much maligned Paul Dwyer. Hard to understand why people get so upset with him. Does a lot for the sport. Just one man’s opinion, which is often wrong. But aren’t we all?
Some things are just quietly ignored: Why did Paul Grant never get a Super Rugby contract? — coach thought he wasn’t hard enough and asked too many questions. Why did the Highlanders go to Fiji instead of Invercargill? — money. How come the government is giving squillions to Christchurch for its stadium and we got just
$15 million? Votes and the earthquake violin.
First saw Matt Faddes at the Topp Cup in 2009 and thought this guy could go a long way. Too much of a confidence player really. But when he is on, like in 2015, is dynamite. On the outer with the Highlanders.
The actual game has changed and in some ways not for the better. Is now overly physical and combative. Way too patterned at times. No chance for the small man.
Lean couple of years to start but mostly success since then. A tad too corporate at times but this is the world we live in.
People ask what is so and so like? Is he like that in real life? You never really know the players. But who knows anyone these days? Meet them for 10 minutes once in three months and not to swap war stories. Get 40 people from any walk of life, and you will get all different people. A rugby team is the same. Mostly good guys, the odd clown, the quiet one, the loudmouth. Put a microphone or take notes in front of someone and they clam up. They are players and coaches, not standup comedians.
The most polarising figure in rugby this end of the land (apart from Dwyer). If a dollar was sent to this writer’s wallet every time someone brought up Renton, then you could finance the new stadium in Christchurch (and promptly burn it down). A player with a good pass but not a lot else. But there are not many good halfbacks in NZ.
It’s out of control, isn’t it? Here are three examples: a team gets penalised for having a man in front at kickoff. It was behind by 90 points at the time and the referee was the opposition coach; a team wins 1700 and is not embarrassed about it; 14yearolds playing in an under12 grade. Parents and coaches are just too desperate to win.
Noone likes a losing team. Like noone. The Highlanders could have the friendliest, nicest guys but if they lose games noone would want to know them. And any team can get on a losing run.
At the first game in 2013, there were 32 people in the media box. At most games this year it has been just yours truly. Huge loss over five years and the reader/viewer is the poorer.
There are plenty of overrated players. Come on down: Dan Bowden, Matt Berquist, Mike Delany, Steven Setephano, Robbie Robinson, Trent Renata, Scott Eade, Kaide Whiting, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Aaron Bancroft; nationally: George Moala, Jordie Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Vaea Fifita, Jeremy Thrush, Augustine Pulu, Leni Apisai, Kurt Baker.
Perception and reality are two different things for Otago. The reality is Otago has won two titles in more than 40 years and struggles for numbers and money. The perception is of a powerhouse with thousands of players and loads of cash.
Basically liking a coach comes down to if they are good at answering their phone and then saying something.
Where they had a great sevens tournament before it was hijacked to a sterile Bay of Plenty venue.
Winning it in 2013 was great and was a hectic week, only to be wrecked by Hawke’s Bay. Going to Southland in 2010 and losing a close one was not a great joy. Left town pretty quickly that night.
The All Blacks had 37 players last week for a match day squad of 23. How much cash is being wasted on keeping the extra 14 here? Lots. The game has become crowded with hangerons and assistants.
Some of it is useful. Others not so much. Those ice baths. The warmdowns. Those skin garments. The flash boots.
Alando Soakai, David Hall, Rob Verbakel, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Nick Crosswell, Glenn Dickson, Tom Franklin, Malakai Fekitoa, Jayden Spence; nationally: Brad Webber, Liam Messam, Charlie Faumuina, Colin Slade.
It is quite basic, really. A team simply has to win. The whole week, month, year, decade of a rugby player, side, organisation comes back to 80 minutes in the weekend and within that one or two key moments.
Game: Ranfurly Shield challenge in Napier in 2014, 410 loss (four hour drive to watch an absolute mauling); player, there are plenty but Renata in 2014 for Otago was picking up the cheque and nothing else; moment, losing to Southland in 2010; referees, Kane McBride, Stu Dickinson; ground, Eden Park is a jigsaw, Wellington — too far away, and Christchurch is bloody freezing all the time; interview, Tony Woodcock, many from South Africa — where the line is garbled and hard to hear.
Not sure it deserves as much publicity as it gets. Can be very patterned and basically boring at times. Some exciting players still abound. But leave out the pathways talk.
The women’s game is growing. Best thing for people is to not compare the game to the men’s style.
The battlers still give it their all. Still a thrill when it gets a win [insert joke here]. NZ rugby needs them and lots like them.