Spectacular season ends in damp squib
Overall this was a great Taranaki Bulls season, finals were just not to be.
I was pretty confident though, right through to minute 78.
Tasman’s arm-flapping Captain Crybaby, Alex Ainsly, approached the referee that often, it was bordering on stalking. But I’ve enjoyed the season. Two highlights for me; the potential of Perofeta and the emergence of Pita-Gus, who if Mitch Brown was available, probably would have played bit roles off the bench. He’ll likely play Super Rugby now.
Looking across to the Yarrow stand and the new corporate suites, those neon lights looked like disco night. I was keen to join in until, out of nowhere, came the moment of the season. DJ Bulls smashed out Sweet Caroline. Now the Hammers have blowing bubbles; maybe Taranaki now have their song.
The Mitch Graham fan club on the rowdy terraces were awesome. Player of the year, Toa Halafihi liked it so much, he lay down to listen to the Neil Diamond classic. I thought the rendition of this song at a bar during the Lions tour was as good as it gets, but Saturday night was awesome. It’s not often this public showing of vocals happens in the Naki, which is a pity, as we were awesome at it. All around us, it was like karaoke night at the White Hart. Whack on a bit of Exponents on next week I reckon, oh that’s right we lost.
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. The search for a new Bulls Coach for next season starts now. Former Southern player and coach, Willie Rickards, the front runner for me.
2. Now there is a major event coming to Hawera on December 9. The Southern v Coastal boxing bout sees Sharks’ John Kuklinski get to smack a halfback, in Coastal’s Brett Goodin. This has the potential to be the fight of the night, two tough guys.
3. Speaking of halfbacks, former Southern number 9, Paul Williams has the whistle for the Ireland v Fiji match in Dublin.
4. Congratulations to Jarrod Hoeata for his NZ Maori All Blacks call up and I reckon Lewis Ormond must be in line for another NZ Sevens call-up.
5. Next month on the 4th is the Taranaki Club Sevens. Defending champs Southern must be favourites again. It is a great day out at the sevens; lots of action, lots of teams.
6. See you at the Bulls v Butcher Boys Ranfurly Shield game hosted at Hawera next year ... maybe?